* One, its one-of-its-kind sci-fi fare, with a big chunk of footage devoted to VFX.
* Two, the pre-release hype, the frenzy in the media, the various tie-ups/endorsements has kept LOVE STORY 2050 constantly in news.
* Three, LOVE STORY 2050 marks the debut of Harman Baweja, one actor who has been lapped up by industry bigwigs even before his debut vehicle has hit the screens. It's a hi-profile launch.
From the looks of it, LOVE STORY 2050 demands a dekho, but there's a hitch…
Special effects -- for that matter the trappings used to embellish a movie -- work only if a movie has a rock-solid base: Content. Unfortunately, LOVE STORY 2050 gives more preference to special effects, while the writing takes a complete backseat.
There's no denying that Harry Baweja's intentions are genuine and noble, but, seriously, did the veteran get carried away by special effects? No doubt, the basic idea sounds interesting and the viewer would love to be a participant in this time-travel film, but what comes across is amateurish.
Given a title like LOVE STORY 2050, the film ought to evoke strong emotions, mainly towards the second hour, when the lead man has a tough time convincing his lady-love. But technical wizardry and VFX dominate this hour, while the emotional moments fail to evoke any reactions. Actually, your heart does not pine for the lovers and that's why this love story hardly creates any impact.
Karan [Harman Baweja], a young, spirited, sporty boy lives life off the rules, while Sana [Priyanka Chopra], a petite, shy girl lives life by the rules. Opposites attract… and love blossoms. Karan's uncle, Dr. Yatinder Khanna's [Boman Irani] much developed time machine finally works. Sana expresses her wish to travel ahead in time to Mumbai. But there's an accident…
Mumbai 2050. Flying cars, 200 storey buildings, robots and sky rails have changed the face of Mumbai. Through a series of twists and turns, Karan finds himself separating from his love. Meanwhile, Dr. Yatinder and Karan are under threat from Dr. Hoshi.
You are mesmerized by the initial scenes in LOVE STORY 2050. And it's not the script that hooks and magnetizes you. Harman's skills as an actor and also a gymnast [watch him give the firangs a chase] makes you speechless. Note the cycle chase [wow!] or Harman wooing Priyanka on a roller coaster [superb… you sure have guts, Harman]. The film works in this hour because the chemistry between the lead actors is also piping hot.
But things go downhill in the post-interval portions. What takes precedence are special effects, robots, gizmos, the masked villain… In this melee, the writing is put on the backburner.
Harman Baweja has the potential to be a major star, a front-runner. No two opinions on that! He's an exceptional dancer and looks handsome as well. But most importantly, he knows the grammar of acting well. Watch out for this kid! Priyanka Chopra is immensely likable. She suits her part to the T. Boman Irani is efficient. Archana Puransingh is lovable. The kids don't contribute at all.
On the whole, LOVE STORY 2050 rests on a thin plot and that would curtail its reach to a major extent. Disappointing!
Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal - Review
GOAL is a simple story that packs not just the sport, but also dabbles with issues like racism and fanaticism associated with this sport. Issues that Westerners can relate to more than Indians, especially racial discrimination.
As a film, GOAL has its share of highs and lows. If the first hour is strictly okay, the pendulum swings in its favour in the second hour -- in the last 20 minutes, to be precise. The sport succeeds in arousing patriotic feelings, besides involving the viewer in the fight-to-finish finale.
Conversely, there are times when you feel that the film falls back on the predictable, tried-n-tested mundane stuff. And packs in something ['Billo', the song] that's just not in sync with the mood of the film.
To sum up, GOAL is a simple story, well told. Notwithstanding the hiccups, this film hits a goal, courtesy its brilliantly executed finale.
Sunny's [John Abraham] dreams to play for England crashes after his club does not select him. The reason is apparently not his game, but the colour of his skin. Sunny and Shaan never see eye to eye. Adding to their personal chaos is Shaan's cousin sister Rumana [Bipasha Basu], who is in love with Sunny.
Tony manages to convince Sunny to play for Southall United. It takes a while before Shaan and the team warms up to Sunny. With Sunny joining Southall United, the team gradually starts climbing the points tally. The City Council is worried. Johny Bakshi [Dalip Tahil], a commentator and a frontman of the Council, plans to lure Sunny away from Southall United.
Director Vivek Agnihotri combines style and substance in his second outing GOAL. Take the sequence at the very start, when an English woman and her frontman [Dalip Tahil] reveal their plans of coming up with a shopping complex on the ground. The director opens the cards at the very outset. But the narrative dips, rises, hits a low and ascends unfailingly till the first hour ends. The sequence prior to the intermission -- at the Manchester United Stadium -- leaves you awe-struck and makes you look forward to a powerful second hour.
Vivek Agnihotri knows what he's talking and though you know that he got swayed by technique in his very first film CHOCOLATE, in GOAL, he never lets technique overpower content. The story is simple, but absorbing and presented stylishly. He's truly evolved into a fine storyteller.
There're just two songs in the narrative -- the anthem 'Dhan Dhana Dhan Goal'/excellent and 'Billo'/well-tuned, but the mujra doesn't go well with the mood of the film. Attar Singh Saini's cinematography is striking. The camera movements -- so difficult in a film like this -- are exemplary.
Both John and Arshad are the 'Men of the Match'. John is a revelation. Wrongly dubbed as a clotheshorse in his earlier films, he hits a goal in GOAL. John lends the right texture to his character. He not only looks right for the part, but also plays the sport like a pro. GOAL should occupy the top slot in his body of work!
Arshad Warsi is superb. An incredibly talented actor whose versatility speaks volumes. Cast in a sober, serious role this time, Arshad enacts the part with as much ease as he portrayed Circuit. Bipasha Basu may not have a lengthy role, but she adds zing to the goings-on as and when she appears. Her love story with John is really cute.
On the whole, DHAN DHANA DHAN GOAL has an ordinary first hour, but the post-interval portions, especially the exhilarating climax, makes up for everything. At the box-office, the producers [UTV] have already recovered the cost of production from various sales and in-film advertising. The theatrical business will only add to the booty, considering the film has the merits to work with moviegoers. Another factor that goes in its favour -- and it's an important one -- is the fact that the moviegoers haven’t seen a new release post-Diwali. That should reap dhan for DHAN DHANA DHAN GOAL.
Heyy Babyy - Review
Sajid Khan is known for his funny-n-witty repartees and in his first major project HEYY BABYY, he not only merges funny situations and emotional moments with aplomb, but also makes a compelling, wholesome film.
HEYY BABYY is not completely THREE MEN AND A BABY. Sure, you draw parallels since both THREE MEN AND A BABY and HEYY BABYY revolve around a trio of confirmed bachelors who unexpectedly discover the joys of fatherhood when a baby is left at their doorstep, but the similarities end there. In fact, the promos in this case don't open the cards completely. There's more to this film than masti-mazaak and the three men chasing girls of all shapes and sizes.
HEYY BABYY also works because the script is believable and the journey from Scene A to Z is well structured. Of course, there're minor aberrations, but the finale packs in a solid punch.
Sajid Khan is a skilled storyteller. Although he's known for impromptu, funny one-liners, it's the handling of the emotional moments in the enterprise that catches you by complete surprise. Note another aspect where a director makes all the difference: Akshay, Fardeen and Ritesh have been a part of comic capers in the past, but after having watched this trio in HEYY BABYY, not once do you feel that they're repeating themselves.
Three bachelors -- Aroush [Akshay Kumar], Tanmay [Ritesh Deshmukh] and Ali [Fardeen Khan] -- are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They flirt around, sleep around and have numerous 'gorgeous' conquests to their credit.
They suddenly find their dating and mating rituals irreparably destroyed when a dimpled little roommate lands up on their doorstep. Aroush, Tanmay and Ali know a thing or two about women, but when it comes to babies, they're total zeroes and this bouncing bundle of joy is anything but joyous. But then Angel works her charm and before long, the three lecherous bachelors have been transformed into loving, caring fathers.
But beautiful Esha [Vidya Balan] will have none of it. She has known heart break once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who've finally discovered they possess one, then too bad!
Sajid Khan wastes no time and comes to the point [the bachelors finding an abandoned baby at their doorstep] at the very start, immediately after their frivolous attitude is exposed in the title track. The sequences with the baby are entertaining, but it's the turning point -- when the baby gets critically ill and the guys realize their folly -- that's a master stroke from the writing and execution point of view. The viewer is in for another surprise at the interval point. It takes the story to another high altogether.
The writing [screenplay: Sajid Khan, Milap Zaveri] hits a high note in the first hour, but should've been as cohesive in the second hour as well. Yet, there are moments in this hour that you carry home. Dialogues [Milap Zaveri] are simple; they don't get flowery at any point. Cinematography [Himman Dhamija] is of superior quality. The stunning locales of Sydney look equally striking on screen.
Musically [Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy], it's a hit score. A mix of peppy and melodious numbers, the ones that stand out are the title track [with an array of actresses making fleeting appearances] and 'Mast Kalandar' [SRK rocks].
Akshay is in terrific form. This role offers him ample scope to go beyond the comic roles he specializes in. Sure, he makes you laugh, but he also makes you moist-eyed when he pines for his baby. One performance that should find a prominent place in his impressive repertoire.
Vidya Balan is superb. Not only does she look bewitching, but also enacts her part with amazing ease. A highly competent actress, she's got all it takes to reach the top slot. Boman Irani doesn't get much footage, but makes his presence felt in the introductory sequence mainly. The baby is simply adorable.
On the whole, HEYY BABYY is an entertainer that has something for everyone. At the box-office, it has the potential to rock big time. The fantastic opening of the film has only proved sone pe suhaaga… Grab a ticket today!
Heyy Babyy - Preview
Akshay Kumar as Aroush
The confident, carefree 'man about town', who beds girls with abandon and then abandons them, But then one such causal encounter turns serious and he doesn’t know how to deal with the consequences.
Fardeen Khan as Al
Fardeen Khan is Ali popularly knows as Al. He loves to gamble. If his winning ratio with the girls is 100%, his losing ratio is equally good or bad, depending on which side he's betting on.
Riteish Deshmukh as Tanmay
Greatly in demand as Eddie Teddy, the party entertainer. He likes to play with the babes and the babies but that’s for work. He also loves to play with the babes and that’s strictly for pleasure.
Vidya Balan as Esha
She has no intentions of falling in love till she meets the man of her dreams. But the dream turns into a nightmare and she turns into an angry young woman thirsting for revenge.
The story
Three handsome Sydney bachelors Aroush Tanmay and Al - are having the time of their lives in Sydney. They flirt around, sleep around and have numerous 'gorgeous' conquests to their credit. Aroush's (Akshay Kumar) only grouse in life is that there are so many women. So little time since he's getting plenty of action in the nightclub where he works. If Tanmay (Riteish Deshmukh) has a blast playing Eddy Teddy at kiddy parties and playing around with the yummy mummies; then Ali - Al (Fardeen Khan) gambles for a living and grumbles that his biggest strength is his weakness for women!
But beautiful Esha (Vidya Balan) will have none of it. She’s known heart break once and will do anything to avenge that betrayal. And if it means breaking the hearts of three men who've finally discovered they possess one - then too bad!
Watch the Trailer