Indian movies

Unconventional stories are being told on the Indian screen, thus breaking away from the monotony. STRANGERS, directed by Aanand Rai, is one such film. It charters a hitherto unchartered path altogether!

Substitute the Indian faces with non-Indian actors -- French/Italian/German -- and STRANGERS would easily pass off as a foreign film since the concept is very unlike what we’ve seen on the Hindi screen so far.

One may draw parallels with STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, but as layer after layer is peeled off, you realize that STRANGERS travels on a different track. But the problem is, STRANGERS caters to a very, very tiny section of moviegoers -- intelligentsia. And that’s its biggest problem!

Two men, complete strangers to each other and diagonally opposite personalities, are travelling in a first class compartment in England. The claustrophobia of a closed space and the coincidence that they are both Indians, binds them to each other.

Mr. Rai [Kay Kay Menon], the management giant and Rahul [Jimmy Sheirgill], a writer with a flop career, in their efforts to entertain each other throughout the journey, drop clues and fill in the missing pieces into stories that are never told unless, between complete strangers. Four lives are put at stake and everything is about to change…

Director Aanand Rai narrates a fascinating story and although the writing isn’t foolproof, the execution of the material catches your eye instantly. The written material has some gaping flaws, like why doesn’t Nandana walk out of her marriage when her marriage to Jimmy has already started rotting? The end too looks abrupt, with Jimmy accomplishing the task so very easily. Some situations are left unexplained!

The director gets major help from two major departments -- cinematography [splendid] and background score [electrifying].

Both Jimmy and Kay Kay are highly competent. STRANGERS should occupy the top slot in Jimmy’s body of work. Kay Kay delivers an accomplished performance yet again. Nandana Sen handles a complex role with panache. Sonali Kulkarni [sp. app.] is perfect.

On the whole, STRANGERS is a well-made, intelligent thriller, but it caters to a miniscule audience only. At the box-office, the non-awareness of the film as also the non-happening promotion will hit the film hard.

We often criticize Bollywood for churning out movies that make no sense. But after you've watched MARIGOLD, you'd agree that Hollywood churns out bigger turkeys.

MARIGOLD, directed by American director Willard Carroll, is as off-putting as a week-old omelette. In fact, MARIGOLD has nothing to keep your eyeballs glued to the screen. An apology of a story, a powerless screenplay, shoddy visual effects, poor music and nightmarish direction, that's the ideal description of MARIGOLD. No redeeming aspects? Nothing, except for a pretty looking Ali Larter.

Seriously, what were the makers thinking when they okayed this amateurish piece of writing? Look at the kind of cinema being churned out in India today. Good, bad, whatever, it's better than MARIGOLD.

In a nutshell, MARIGOLD is a classic case of 'Bad Cinema'. This one deserves to be watched by every director for understanding what not to make. One big yawn!

MARIGOLD is about a young American woman who travels to India and finds that her life is transformed in the most unexpected ways by her experiences and adventures there.

American actress Marigold [Ali Larter] arrives in India with no luggage and a bad attitude. Stranded in Goa when financing for her low-budget Hollywood movie falls apart, Marigold finds herself cast in a small role in a Bollywood musical. Eager to prove herself, she enlists the aid of Prem [Salman Khan], the film's choreographer. Marigold is most definitely not a natural dancer, but she experiences renewed confidence and growing love for Prem.

In rapid succession, Marigold discovers that Prem will be marrying a beautiful India girl Janvi [Nandana Sen]. Unable to deal with this development, Marigold angrily departs from Prem's family estate. But she is urged back by Janvi who confesses that Prem doesn't love her and never will.

Another complication arises in the form of Marigold's boyfriend, Barry [Ian Bohen], who arrives in India unexpectedly and finds Marigold very much in love with Prem.

MARIGOLD disappoints on Level 1 itself. The storyline brings back memories of the forgettable stuff that dominated Hindi cinema in the 1970s. Thanks to a poor plotline, what unravels in the next 2 hours is as spiceless as boiled food. There's not a single moment in the film that makes you jump with joy or pine for the lovers.

The writing is so inane and amateurish that you actually pinch yourself, Is this for real? Are you actually watching a film or watching a bad dream? That's applicable for Willard Carroll's direction as well. Without doubt, 'The Razzie' for 2007 should be awarded to Mr. Carroll. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is of fast-forward quality. Anil Mehta's cinematography is alright, although the D.O.P. isn't in form here. The production design/sets are tacky.

Salman Khan is terrible and so is his dialogue delivery. What were you saying in the movie, Mr. Khan? Were you chewing beetle nut? His lines are hardly audible. Also, he tries hard to ape the American accent, but falls flat. Ali Larter is as fresh as Marigold, the flower, not the movie. Her performance is quite interesting.

Vikas Bhalla is pure teakwood. So is Roopak Saluja -- absolutely wooden. Suchitra Pillai does well. Nandana Sen is unintentionally funny. Rakesh Bedi makes you laugh, for the right reasons. Vijayendra Ghatge and Kiran Juneja seemed to have walked out of the sets of DHARAM-VEER. And what was Gulshan Grover doing in this film? Ian Bohen adds to the list of non-actors.

On the whole, MARIGOLD is a terrible film with gloomy prospects. A sure-shot disaster!

Marigold is a musical romantic comedy about a young American woman who travels to India and finds that her life is transformed in the most unexpected ways by her experiences and adventures there.

American Actress Marigold Lexton (Ali Larter) arrives in India with no luggage and a bad attitude. Stranded in Goa when financing for her low budget Hollywood movie falls apart, Marigold finds herself cast in a small role in a Bollywood musical. Eager to prove herself, she enlists the aid of Prem (Salman Khan), the film's choreographer. After several false starts – Marigold is most definitely not a natural dancer – she experiences renewed confidence and growing love for Prem.

In rapid succession, Marigold discovers that Prem is not only descended from royalty but is also paced in rapidly – approaching arranged marriage to a beautiful India girl Janvi (Nandana Sen). Unable to deal with this development, Marigold angrily departs Prem's family estate. But she is urged back by Janvi who confesses that Prem doesn't love her and never will. Another complication – in the form of Marigold's boyfriend, Barry (Ian Bohen), who arrives in India unexpectedly - finds Marigold emotionally drained but still very much in love with Prem.

Love does ultimately triumph as Marigold and Prem are brought together and Janvi and Barry embark upon a romantic journey of their own.