Fan

Fan
2016
5/5 stars

Gaurav (Shah Rukh Khan) bears an uncanny likeness to Bollywood superstar Aryan Khanna (also played by Khan), and as a result he becomes obsessed with Aryan.  When Gaurav goes to Delhi to meet Aryan and is refused, he looses his mental balance and becomes determined to ruin Aryan.

The strength of this thriller is not the plot, though it is suspenseful and well-written, but the make-up.  Khan as Gaurav is made to look just enough like the real Khan while not looking like him.  Tough to explain, but it works perfectly.  Khan gives a great performance, as well, playing both parts superbly.  While this isn't a perfect film, the amazing cosmetic artistry pushes the movie into five stars.


This movie is available with Amazon Prime.

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
(translates as "you won't get this life again")
2011
4/5 stars

Three friends, Kabir (Abhay Deol), Imran (Farhan Akhtar), and Arjun (Hrithik Roshan) take a road trip to Spain as a bachelor treat before Kabir marries Natasha (Kalki Koechlin).  Along the way, all three men come to terms with fears, futures, and life in general.  (Katrina Kaif also stars as a friend met along the way.)

The plot of this comedy-drama is well scripted.  The chemistry between the three is realistic and all main actors give natural performances.  The music is good as well.  Unlike typical Bollywood family films, it does contain kissing and implied sex.  It is quite enjoyable, both serious and funny, and worth watching.

Roshan, Kaif, Akhtar, Koechlin, Deol

This movie is available with Amazon Prime.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
(translates as: sometimes there's happiness, sometimes there's sorrow)
2001
5/5 stars

Yash Raichand (Amitabh Bachchan) and his wife (played by Bachchan's real-life wife, Jaya Bachchan) have two sons they love dearly.  When the eldest, Rahul (Shahrukh Khan) marries Anjali (Kajol) against Yash's decision, Yash disowns him.  Ten years later, when the younger son Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) is an adult, he decides to try and reunite his family and enlists the help of Anjali's younger sister, Pooja (Kareena Kapoor).

Kajol and Khan

The plot of this drama was credible and moving.  The Bachchan's chemistry was perfect and natural, as was their acting.  Both Khan and Kajol, and Roshan and Kapoor also had good chemistry, as well as believable acting.  Kajol's enthusiasm and vivacity was especially wonderful.  The child actors for young Pooja (Malvika Raaj) and young Rohan (Kavish Majmudar) were particularly convincing.  The choreography was generally good, as Roshan is a fine dancer.  The music was also mostly good, with some songs being particularly catchy.  Truly, the only thing to dislike about the film is that sometimes Kapoor's outfits were so skimpy as to be painful to see.  Other than that, this is a stellar film about love, pride, and family, and was thoroughly enjoyable.

Cast also includes Rani Mukherji, Alok Nath, Johnny Lever, Jibraan Khan, and Farida Jalal.

Kajol, Roshan, Khan, Kapoor

This movie is available with Amazon Prime.

Hadh Kar Di Aapne

Hadh Kar Di Aapne
(translates as "you have crossed the limit")
2000
4/5 stars


In this comedy of errors, Raj (Govinda) is a private investigator hired to follow the wife of his friend, Sanjay (Nirmal Pandey), while she is on a European tour.  Sanjay's wife, Anjali (Ritu Shivpuri), persuades her friend, also named Anjali (Rani Mukerji), to pretend to be her on this tour.  Raj and Anjali fall in love on the tour, but believe that each is married to someone else.

The plot sounds complicated, but it truly makes sense when watching the film.  The oh-so-cute Govinda plays multiple roles (as his family members), which is truly humorous.  In the role as Raj, he is charming and funny, and gives his usual good performance.  Mukerji is a strong lead and holds her own, without being overshadowed by Govinda.  Johnny Lever plays a dual role, which is particularly effective.  The music is only average, and the choreography nearly non-existent.  At times, the film is too silly, but overall, it was fun to watch.

Govinda and Rani Mukerji

This movie is available on Amazon Prime and on YouTube:

Kaho Naa. . . Pyaar Hai

Kaho Na Pyaar Hai
(translates as "say you're in love")
2000
4/5 stars

In this romantic thriller, working class Rohit (Hrithik Roshan) and wealthy Sonia (Ameesha Patel) fall in love.  When Rohit is killed, everyone supposes it to be an accident.  Sonia goes to New Zealand where she meets Raj (also played by Roshan) who bears an uncanny resemblance to Rohit.  Returning to India, they discover that Rohit was murdered, and they try to uncover the killers.

The first half of the film is a cute romance with typical resistance from Sonia's father (Anupam Kher) and the couple's determination to find a way.  The second half of the film is a rather exciting drama while the two try to stay alive and unmask the bad guys.  Roshan and Patel both made their film debuts in this movie, and both showed a surprising maturity and poise in their acting.  Neither the music nor the choreography were special--just average Bollywood fare.  Despite that, this is a well-acted, quite enjoyable film.

Dhai Akshar Prem Ke

Dhai Akshar Prem Ke
("Two and a half letters of love")
2000
3/5 stars

Karan (Abhishek Bachchan) is on leave from the Army, anxious to see his girlfriend, Nisha (Sonali Bendre).  On the way home, he saves the life of Sahiba (Aishwarya Rai), and escorts her home where he is mistaken for her husband.  Unable to clear up the misunderstanding, he leaves, but Sahiba has fallen in love with him.

The plot, while sometimes unbelievable, is still attention-holding.  The supporting cast, including Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, and Shakti Kapoor, were excellent.  Neither Bachchan nor Rai, though, expressed much emotion during the film, and they had little chemistry together.  The music was somewhat above average; the choreography was not exceptional, but was enthusiastically danced.  This would have been an above average film, had Rai and Bachchan been more lively.

This movie is available on You Tube:

Hichki

Hichki
("hiccup")
2018
5/5 stars

Naina (Rani Mukerji) has Tourette Syndrome, and the dream to become a teacher.  After repeatedly being turned down for teaching positions over the course of 5 years--all due to her Tourette Syndrome--she is hired to fill an urgently needed post.  Her class is made up of resistant, uncooperative underprivileged students, determined to drive her out.  Naina must find a way to teach them not only academics, but self-respect as well.

The feel-good plot is somewhat predictable, but that doesn't lessen the power of the film.  The issue of Tourette Syndrome is treated with respect.  The acting is superb, with Mukerji giving an incredible performance.  The students were also amazingly good.  Unlike typical Bollywood movies, there is little music, and no choreography, but the film doesn't suffer as a result.   The acting makes this an exceptional film, and with it's positive message, it's a winner.

This movie is available through Amazon Prime.