Chaand Kaa Tukdaa

Chaand Kaa Tukdaa
1994
3/5 stars

In this romantic comedy/drama, Shyam (Salman Khan) is a rich man working in London who travels to India to find a bride (played by the lovely Sridevi). While there, enemies form a plan to kill him and take his fortune.

To begin with, the plot is a good one and the story is interesting and engaging. However, in the last 45 minutes or so, the plot becomes convoluted, and the film becomes less enjoyable. The musical numbers are good, though, with beautiful costumes and some impressive choreography. Overall, it's a solidly good film throughout most of it, and is worth watching despite the mishmash toward the end.

Cast also includes Anupam Kher.

Movie available on You Tube:

God Tussi Great Ho

God Tussi Great Ho
(translates as "God You are great")
2008
4/5 stars

In this romantic-comedy/fantasy, AP (Salman Khan) is in a rut of bad luck, and he loudly blames God (Amitabh Bachchan). God decides to let AP be God for 10 days, but it doesn't turn out as AP expected.

God Tussi Great Ho is a delightful movie, full of humor and charm, with an inspiring message as the final result. The musical numbers were not impressive, but the script was cute, and Khan's performance spot-on as usual. Don't let the negative reviews influence you; this one is worth watching.

Cast also includes Priyanka Chopra and Sohail Khan.

Andaz Apna Apna

Andaz Apna Apna
(translates as "Everyone has their own style")
1994
3/5 stars

Young con-men Prem (Salman Khan) and Amar (Aamir Khan) both set out to woo and win the same rich girl, but comic complications arise. (Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor also star.)

Watching this movie is like watching an episode of the Monkees: it is ridiculously silly, and yet has it's own sweet charm. Sadly, the musical numbers do not add anything to it, the plot is predicable, and the humor gets tedious at times. While it's a cute movie, it's best watched in small doses and with the understanding that, in the end, it's not particularly memorable.

Movie available on Amazon Prime.

Veergati

Veergati
(translates as "martyrdom")
1995
4/5 stars

In this grim and violent drama, Salman Khan plays Ajay, abandoned as a baby and raised by a police officer. Despite his adopted father's kindness, Ajay finds life difficult and grows up serious, hard, and deadly. When he tangles with the local crime boss, Ajay's family and friends are targeted. Ajay then becomes a vigilante and sacrifices all to free his community.

Unlike the typical Bollywood film, there is no romance or comedy. It is strictly drama, addressing serious issues such as forced prostitution, government corruption, and the near impossibility of rising from poverty to a decent life. Khan's character carries the weight of the world on his shoulders, and Khan doesn't smile once until the poignant last five minutes of the movie. While this is not a movie I'd ever watch again, it is powerful, and I'm glad I've seen it.

Movie available on You Tube:

Hum Aapke Hain Koun...!

Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! 
(translates as "who am I to you")
1994
5/5 stars

Hum Aapke Hain Koun. . . ! is a movie about family, sacrifice, duty, and most of all, love. It is a story that will bring laughter and tears, and is heart-warming all the way through. The choreography and music were excellent, the costumes were lovely and vibrant, and the cinematography was beautiful. Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan were perfect in their roles, and the supporting cast was also fantastic. This sweet film comes highly recommended.

Cast includes: Mohnish Bahl, Anupam Kher, and Alok Nath

Movie available on Amazon Prime.

Saajan

Saajan
(translates as "beloved")
1991
4/5 stars

Serious poet Aman (Sanjay Dutt) and irresponsible playboy Akash (Salman Khan) have been best friends since they were children, and were raised as brothers. When both fall in love with the same girl (Madhuri Dixit), sacrifices must be made, hearts broken, and friendship tested.

Both Dutt and Khan are excellent in their roles; the emotions they display later in the film are convincing. Dixit is a delight as always, both playful and serious. There are many musical numbers, with some lovely songs, but very little in the way of choreography. The plot, while familiar, is still engaging and moving. All in all, it's typical Bollywood--but that is a plus.

The cast includes Kadar Khan and Reema Lagoo.


Movie available to rent on Google Play.

Ek Ladka Ek Ladki

Ek Ladka Ek Ladki
(translates as "a boy and a girl")
1992
4/5 stars

Neelam Kothari plays a rich, arrogant, demanding girl, Remu, whose uncle has been embezzling from her. She has a run in with a poor farmer, Raja (Salman Khan), and has him thrown into jail. Her uncle attempts to murder her, and when she is found with amnesia, Raja decides to get his revenge on Remu by pretending she is his wife.

This romantic comedy is amusing and sweet, with some clever scenes. Khan is charming and Kothari plays her two roles (spoiled heiress and humble farmer's wife) quite well. There are some fun songs, but the choreography is not memorable. Overall, though, it's an enjoyable film.

Cast also includes Anupam Kher.

Khamoshi: The Musical

Khamoshi: The Musical
(translates as "silence")
1996
5/5 stars

In this award-winning drama, Annie (Manisha Koirala) is the hearing daughter of a deaf couple, and finds herself divided between two worlds. When Raj (Salman Khan) arrives bringing romance and music, her life takes a new direction, and she is torn between her new love for Raj and her duty towards her parents.

This is poignant and heartwarming film, with a strong message of faith and family. Some of the songs are particularly lovely. While both Koirala and Khan were good in their roles, the supporting cast of Helen, Nana Patekar, and Seema Biswas were fantastic. I highly recommend this lovely movie.

Movie available on You Tube:

Jeet

Jeet
(translates as "victory")
1996
5/5 stars

In this action-filled drama, Sunny Deol plays Karan, a hired gun for the local crime lord. When planning to beat up Kajal's father, he sees her and instantly falls in love with her. Kajal ( Karisma Kapoor) hates Karan at first, but gradually falls in love with him as well. Her father, not knowing her secret, arranges a marriage for Kajal with Raju (Salman Khan), a family friend. When Raju crosses the same crime lord, Karan is hired to kill Raju and the unexpected happens.

This film is engrossing, sometimes moving, and always entertaining. It is quite violent, not atypical for Bollywood, and contains some impressive musical numbers. Deol is fantastic in his role, and is especially chilling as a killer. Khan was a bit over-the-top in his interpretation of Raju, but was as charming as ever. Kapoor played her emotional scenes spectacularly well.

Overall, this is an excellent film and well worth watching for Bollywood fans.

Cast also includes Tabu.

Movie available on You Tube:

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Ek Tha Tiger

Ek Tha Tiger
(translates as "once there was a tiger")
2012
5/5 stars

Tiger (Salman Khan), an Indian special agent, is sent to Dublin on assignment. While there, he falls in love with Zoya (Katrina Kaif) and serious complications arise. Ek Tha Tiger is a satisfying mix of action, romantic-comedy, espionage, and drama, with fantastic musical numbers. 

Filmed in five countries, the scenery, location shots, and cinematography were stunning. The fights and stunts were impressive, the costumes wonderful, and the plot engaging. I did not expect it to be an all-around great movie, and was pleasantly surprised. I highly recommend it.

Movie available on Amazon Prime.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
translates as "I have given my heart away darling"
1999
5/5 stars

Nandini (Aishwayra Rai) is the daughter of a renown singer, Pandit (Vikram Gohkale), who takes Sameer (Salman Khan) to be a pupil. Nandini and Sameer secretly fall in love. As her family doesn't know, they betroth her to another man, Vanraj. When Pandit learns of the love between his daughter and student, he sends Sameer away and Nandini is married to Vanraj (Ajay Devgan). Vanraj learns of her love for Sameer, and, as is inevitable with a love triangle, heartbreak happens.

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam begins as a romantic-comedy, light-hearted and fun, with a sweetly developing romance. About half way through, it turns into a drama that, quite frankly, had me ugly-crying by the end. While a love triangle is not a new plot, this one was well written and deep.

Aishwayra Rai is a terrific actress and acted her part magnificently. Both Salman Kahn and Ajay Devgan were excellent as well, each one giving depth to his character. The music and choreography was memorable, and the cinematography breath-taking. This is a superb, emotional romance that is all around spectacular. I highly recommend it.

Movie available to rent on Google Play.

Maine Pyar Kiya

Maine Pyar Kiya
(translates as "I loved")
1989
4/5 stars

Prem (Salman Khan) returns home from the US to find Suman (Bhagyashree) visiting with his family. She and he become fast friends, which eventually blossoms into love. Prem's rich father is completely against a match with Suman; Suman's father reacts to this by also forbidding a marriage. Prem must work hard to earn the right to marry her.

This is a sometimes silly movie, occasionally overacted, but thoroughly enjoyable. It is Salman Khan's first leading role, and both his talent and charisma are fully apparent. Bhagyashree did an excellent job as a gentle teenager feeling first love.

The music and choreography are not memorable, and the fight scenes were a bit over the top. However, the story was sweet and the emotions portrayed were realistic. Overall, it's a movie that leaves the viewer happy for having watched it. (On a side note: I loved the pigeon!)

The cast includes: Alok Nath, Reema Lagoo, and Mohnish Behl

Movie available on Amazon Prime.

Ready

Ready
2011
3/5 stars

Asin plays Sanjama, a woman escaping from a marriage to a mobster's son. She pretends to be the guest that Prem (Salman Khan) and his family are expecting. Prem and Sanjama fall in love, and Prem creates an elaborate con to get the mobsters to let him marry her.

This comedy starts off poorly, leaving the viewer wondering just what kind of movie it's going to be. After about 30 minutes, Khan becomes his usual charming self and the movie becomes more enjoyable. The songs weren't particularly good, and the choreography was just okay. I wasn't impressed with the physical humor, either, though most of the script was funny.

Overall, this is an okay movie, with some good scenes. However, I wouldn't recommend it to be anyone's first Bollywood (or Khan) movie.

Movie available on Amazon Prime.

Bodyguard (2011, Hindi)

Bodyguard
2011
4/5 stars

Bodyguard Lovely Singh (Salman Khan) has been assigned to college student, Divya (Kareena Kapoor). She is frustrated by having him tag along and comes up with a plan to distract him: by giving him a secret admirer. Divya's plan works well, and Lovely falls for the mysterious Chhaya of the phone calls, but Divya never foresaw the results of her actions.

This film (a remake of the 2010 Malayalam movie of the same name) is a mix of action, romance, and drama. Khan's character is a too-serious, over-conscientious one, and the movie pokes fun of itself through him in a thoroughly funny way. The fight scenes are unbelievable, but no less enjoyable for that. The musical scenes, costumes and film work are average. The story, though, becomes entirely engrossing, and throws a few surprises. Overall, I recommend it, as long as the viewer knows not to take it too seriously.

One a personal note: I loved this movie!  It's one I'll watch again and again.

Click here for a review of the 2012 Telugu version.

Hum Saath-Saath Hain

Hum Saath-Saath Hain
(translates as "we are together")
1999
5/5 stars

This is a sweet romance/drama about a family with three sons and one married daughter who are devoted to each other. The father wants the family to stay together, but friends influence the mother to make a break in the family, causing a crisis with the brothers. In addition, each brother's gentle romance is shown and the sister has a drama of her own.

The acting is excellent, with Karishma Kapoor's performance particularly enjoyable. The many music scenes were vibrant and fun. Overall, this gentle film is syrupy sweet, but perfectly enjoyable

The cast includes:

• Mohnish Behl as Vivek 
• Salman Khan as Prem 
• Saif Ali Khan as Vinod 
• Tabu as Sadhana 
• Sonali Bendre as Preeti 
• Karisma Kapoor as Sapna 
• Neelam Kothari as Sangita 
• Mahesh Thakur as Anand 
• Reema Lagoo as Mamta 
• Alok Nath as Ramkishan

Movie available on Amazon Prime.

Lucky: No Time for Love

Lucky: No Time for Love
2005
4/5 stars

In Russia, 17-year-old Lucky, an Indian diplomat's daughter, is the victim of an attempted rape on her way to school By a happy accident, she falls in with Adi, the adult child of another Indian diplomat. At a checkpoint, they find themselves in the midst of an attack by rebels and must hide. What follows is a series of narrow escapes and exciting adventures.

The plot is improbable, yes, but does that make it any less enjoyable? Not a whit. The gentle, growing romance between the two was strangely moving, and I found it easy to suspend belief for the entirety of their experiences. Salman Khan was fantastic; I was completely won over by his character. This was Sneha Ullal's first movie, and it showed with her whiny voice, but she did a fine job of portraying a frightened teen in over her head. The musical numbers were gorgeous, and the action scenes well-done.

I was totally immersed in the drama--as silly as it was--and got 5 stars worth of enjoyment out of it, and plan to watch it again. The only thing keeping it from a full 5 star review is Sneha Ullal's inappropriately childish voice.

(On a personal note: Oh you guys!  I LOVED this film and have seen it about a dozen times now! The music is some of  my favorite, which I play over and over again.)

Movie available on Amazon Prime.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo
(translates as "found a treasure called love")
2015
4/5 stars

This retelling of the Prisoner of Zenda is a thoroughly enjoyable Diwali film full of action, romance, and family. Salman Kahn did an admirable job of playing the dual roles, but Sonam Kapoor was a bit stilted. The supporting cast was good, the music fun, and the classic plot a pleasure.

Cast includes Anupam Kher.

One a personal note: This was the first Bollywood film I watched and I just loved it--it sold me on the genre.  I've seen it several times now.


Movie available on Amazon Prime.