White Feather Films have, over the years, acquired an image of being a production house that releases some of the most stylishly packaged movies in the market. From KAANTE to PLAN to MUSAFIR to DUS to SOAL to DUS KAHAANIYAN, it has been quite an impact they have left in terms of their stylish packaging. However, in terms of substance, where most of the critical acclaim belongs, they have not been appreciated as much as they have been for their packaging.
DUS KAHAANIYAN, as its promos suggested, seemed to be their latest(and till date greatest) effort to leave an impression on the critics. While KAANTE and SOAL generated generally good reviews from the critics, both of them were crime-related movies that did not reach out to a diverse audience. DUS KAHAANIYAH also aims to be their first attempt that has something for everyone, as suggested by the range of different types of story tellers used in the movie.
There are a few stories for romance lovers, a couple for ghost lovers, a couple for fans of serious cinema, and also one for the "crime-loving" audience that White Feather Films have accumulated in the past. It is pointless to go in detail with every story, though this review will provide a reasonably detailed comment on each story.
Let's go in sequential order according to the movie. The first story sends out a message against infidelity. The actors are Arbaaz Khan, Mandira Bedi, and Sudhanshu Pandey. As the busy, workaholic husband, Arbaaz gives a controlled performance. As the frustrated, lonely wife, Mandira leaves an impression. As the mysterious third angle to this story, Sudhanshu does a great job of leaving an impact. Overall, a good story though needs more elaborating.
The second story sends out a message against getting high on drugs in busy areas like a highway, especially when you are a guy responsible to take care of a lady who is with you. The actors are Jimmy Shergill and Masumi. As the high, intoxicated, yet regretting lover, Jimmy is adequate. As the carefree girlfriend who suffers the consequences of failing to control her boyfriend's intoxication, Masumi is adequate as well. On the whole, one of the weaker stories.
The third story again gives out a lesson against infidelity, although this time it depicts an elderly woman do it at a stage in her life when her own marriage is working just fine and in fact at a time when her daughter is set for marriage. The primary actors are Amrita Singh, Parmeet Sethi, and Minissha Lamba. As the caring yet disturbed mother, Amrita Singh is fantastic. Parmeet Sethi has little to do. Minissha Lamba suits the part. On the whole, a good, impactful story.
The fourth story highlights the importance of contrasting between initial perception and what is witnessed in reality. The actors are Mahesh Manjrekar and Neha Dhupia. In an inquisitive yet obsessed role, Mahesh Manjrekar is at ease, though nothing special for an actor of his calibre. Neha Dhupia is remarkable, showing her growth as an actress throughout. On the whole, a story that is much more interesting than it sounds on paper; one of the best of the DUS KAHAANIYAN.
The fifth story, coming right before the interval, sends out a message against hasty decision-making. While this story has other strong messages to send out as well, revealing them would be spoiling the plot, which I never do. So let's get to the performances. Manoj Bajpai is extremely effective while Dia Mirza follows Neha Dhupia to show her growth as an actress throughout as well. What more, Dia looks extremely gorgeous throughout, which makes her that much more suitable for her part. On the whole, a hard-hitting story that leaves the viewer shocked at the interval point.
Right after the interval, the makers follow-up with a story that starts of as easier to take than the fifth one. It is a romantic love story between Neha Oberoi and Aftab Shivdasani, with Anupam Kher playing the part of uniting them both. The end of the story is on a sort of horror note, which is quite scary. Other than that, however, it is a good, light story to begin the second half with. Neha is very impressive while Aftab is natural in the part of a controller lover. Anupam Kher is alright. The message is to declare your love to that special someone in your life before you lose the chance.
The seventh story, which begins quite abruptly, seems to carry no message and seems to be there only for commercial purposes. As the title suggests, "Sex on the beach", starring Dino Morea and Tareena Patel is the entertainer sandwiched between some serious, dramatic stories. Playing the part of a man desperate for sex with a girl he meets on the beach(until he discovers the reality about her), Dino does well, but there is not much to ask for in a role like this. Tareena Patel looks the part, but does not have much acting to do.
The next story sends out the message of always remembering the value of your better half. Starring Nana Patekar, Anita, and Rohit Roy in leading roles, this story is entertaining as well as emotional - probably the best of the DUS KAHAANIYAN. Nana is superb in a role that offers him ample lighter moments to prove his versatility once again. Anita is not only very lively and lovable, but looks extremely beautiful. With a better figure and a polished personality, she leaves the viewer asking for more. Rohit Roy does not have much to do, but does his job nonetheless.
The penultimate story sends out a message against Hindus discriminating Muslims in India. I would say this is quite an outdated subject that can make some of the very accomodating Hindus feel quite uncomfortable. Regardless, with Naseer and Shabana Azmi performing wonderfully, the subject takes a back seat and the viewer is able to enjoy the proceeding anyways.
The final story, a trademark Sanjay Gupta story, advises against entering the underworld. It is a beaten to death subject, by White Feather Films themselves too, so this story is sort of pointless and not the best way to conclude an overall impressive movie. Maybe it was the presence of the big stars that encouraged the editors to place this story at the end. Sanjay Dutt and Suniel Shetty are far too accomplished as actors to disappoint in minor appearances like these so, like always, they manage to deliver with their starpower. However, as said before, the story is nothing new and therefore nothing great.
On the whole, DUS KAHAANIYAN is a unique product in many ways as no movie in recent memory has told as many as 10 stories. DARNA MANA HAI and SALAAM-E-ISHQ dared to reach as much as 7, but those movies were tedious and failed to get their point across. In DUS KAHAANIYAN, at least 50 percent of the stories leave a strong impression, while a couple do an average job of leaving an impact. The remaining three("Sex on the Beach", "The Rice Plate", and "Rise and Fall") are disappointments but still better than some of the recent disappointments(OSO, SAAWARIYA, AAJA NACHLE). Therefore, go for it and enjoy your time with ten different experiences to see.
