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Dasvidaniya review

Movie Review: Dasvidaniya

Movie Starring: Vinay pathak, Sarita Joshi, Gaurav Gera, Neha Dhupia, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla & Joy Fernandes 

Seldom comes a film where you leave the hall with smiling face and soggy eyes. Dasvidaniya is one such rare gem which shouldn't be confused as an out-and-out laugh-riot like Bheja Fry or an absolute tearjerker. 

Dasvidaniya employs the common man as it protagonist, symbolized by zilch heroism. Vinay Pathak underplays his character to the same precision with which Amol Palekar played the common man in the 70s and 80s. The irony in the story lies in his name Amar (meaning immortal) as we get to know he has very few days to survive. It's not about the undying spirit which Anand or Kal Ho Na Ho signified. Amar has lead a life of abstinence and minimalism and wishes to do things he never attempted so far. It reminds more of Jimmy Shergill's character from Munnabhai MBBS, also subtly mentioned in the film. 

Amar follows a practice of making a to-do-list everyday wherein he jots down the 10 most important chores of the day. Being a loser and a loner over it, he ends up speaking to himself (or rather his inner soul) that questions him on his achievements and inspires him to extend his daily to-do-list to a listing of 10 things he would want to do in his lasting lifespan. 

This wish-list includes the average aspirations of almost every common man from owning a car, learning to play guitar, getting to hit back at his boss, finding his first crush (Neha Dhupia), going on a foreign trip, meeting his long-lost school friend (Rajat Kapoor), finding love in life, patching up with his younger brother (Gaurav Gera) and things alike. 

The simplicity of the film lies in the fact that the items on Amar's wish-list are very basic and not fairytale abstract. You as much relate with his every day yearnings as much as you connect with his character. One can draw parallels with Morgan Freeman - Jack Nicholson starrer The Bucket List though not tag Dasvidaniya as its remake. 

While fulfilling each of his wishes, Amar lives the life he had never imagined before. Each of his wishes branches out into a small subplot where he connects with his brother, buddy or beloved. The story starts, showing the mundane life of the protagonist while he is still alive and ironically becomes exciting as it advances towards his death. Dasvidaniya clearly establishes the difference between surviving and living. Despite dealing with death, the essence of the film is optimistic throughout. 

The pacing of the film is slow but steady. The emotions constantly fluctuate between humour and pathos. But the comedy isn't slapstick and the emotions don't get melodramatic. Much like Kal Ho Naa Ho, the film evades the death scene without losing on the effect or stretching on the sentiments. The scripting by Arshad Syed is persuasive and the dialogues at many instances are inventive and intelligent. Kailash Kher's musical score complements the mood of the film. 

Needless to say, the film clearly belongs to Vinay Pathak (who co-produces it as well). He tends to overtly underplay himself in the initial reels but you adapt to his act as the film progresses. Watch him strike a chord with your heart as he expresses his love to Neha Dhupia through dumb-charades gestures or shares a tender moment with his estranged brother. Everyone in the supporting cast from Sarita Joshi, Gaurav Gera, Neha Dhupia, Rajat Kapoor, Saurabh Shukla and Joy Fernandes play their parts to perfection. 

Roadside romeo review

October 24th, 2008

Movie Review: Roadside Romeo 

Movie Starring: Voices of Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Jaaved Jaffrey 

Director: Jugal Hansraj; Rating: ***1/2

It is time to blow up the trumpets and set out the red carpet to welcome a thoroughly entertaining film from the house of Yash Raj after a real long time!

The film tells the story of Romeo (Saif), a dog who was used to living a luxurious life in a big palace. He had the works - a mansion to live in, chicks to party with and the cars to be driven around in, until one day, the family he was the favorite pet of, decided to move to london and leave him back in India with one of their servants.

Helpless Romeo now faces situations he has never been in before. He ends up encountering a gang of four ruffians that comprises of three dogs – Guru (Vrajesh Hirjee), Interval (Suresh Menon), Hero English (Kiku Sharda) and cat Mini (Tanaaz Currim). They first scare the living daylights out of him with their ‘bhaigiri’ but the smart dude Romeo convinces them about how he can be an asset to their team by showcasing his hair cutting skills. They all become friends an open a salon called Romeo’s salon. Their business starts running briskly in a short span of time. But hey also end up facing the wrath of the local dreaded don of that area – the fat bull dog, Charlie Anna (Jaaved Jaffrey). But Romeo outsmarts him as well. Then one full moon night Romeo encounters Laila (Kareena) practicing her dance steps atop a roof. He falls for her instantly and tries unsuccessfully to woo her. She lays him a condition that to win her love he should and dance and propose to her at the Moonlight Club where she performs every night. Romeo goes on to that only to realize that Charlie Anna has a soft spot for her and has been trying to woo her for long. Charlie captures Romeo and is about to kill him for attempting to get closer to Laila when Romeo manages to convince him that he would manage to win Laila’s heart for Charlie. Charlie spares his life. Now Romeo is in a fix. He has to hide this deal of his with Charlie Anna from Laila and at the same time save his life from Charlie Anna. How Romeo manages to come out of this tangle forms rest of the film.

Full marks to actor turned director Jugal Hansraj for his fun filled screenplay and amazing direction that never lets you experience a single dull moment throughout the film. Jugal’s dialogues are also the mainstay of the film which have you in splits throughout. Some sequences that manage to stand out are Charlie Anna’s introduction scene, the rooftop dance between Romeo and Laila, the Moonlight Bar dance number, Mini’s fooling Charlie Anna posing as Laila and the climax. Animation is top class matching world standards. A special mention also needs to be made of the choreography given to animated characters.

Saif Ali Khan manages to bring in the cool dude attitude with his voice for the Romeo’s character. Kareena too brings in the perfect elegance required for Laila. But one who towers above them both is Jaaved Jaffrey whose Tamilian don makes the film memorable with his dialogue delivery style. A lot of young children will definitely watch this movie twice over just for Jaaved Jaffrey’s Charlie Anna.

During the present times of glum all around thanks to the market slow down, Roadside Romeo is the perfect antidote to keep you entertained and bring out that big wide smile from you.