Solo

Solo
2011
4/5 stars

As a result of growing up in an orphanage, Gautham (Nara Rohit) desperately wishes to experience the love and relationships of a joint family.  He becomes attracted to Vaishnavi (Nisha Aggarwal), and when he learns that she is part of a joint family, Gautham is convinced that she is the one for him.  After wooing her for several months, he wins her love, but when her father (Prakash Raj) discovers that Gautham is an orphan, he refuses to give his blessing as he wants Vaishnavi to have the support of her husband's joint family when she marries.

The plot of this drama focuses on the importance of love, both romantic and familial, and the need to balance both. The ending, however, is a bit abrupt, and as such not fully convincing.  Both Rohit and Raj give strong performances, but Aggarwal is wooden at times.  The incidental music is effective, and the songs good -- with the exception of the truly terrible club scene/item number (performed by Mamaith Khan). While sentimental and predictable, Solo is still compelling, enjoyable, and worth watching.

Shourya

Shourya
2016
4/5 stars

The film begins with Shourya (Manchu Manoj) and Netra (Regina Cassandra) preparing to elope to the UK the next day.  That evening, however, Netra is brutally attacked and, as she is near death and unable to clear him, Shourya is arrested.  CBI Officer Krishna Prasad (Prakash Raj) works with Shourya to be certain he gets treated fairly, while the public and press are convinced of his guilt.

The plot of this romantic thriller is engrossing, and twisty enough to keep the watcher guessing to the end.  The backstory of the romance is told effectively through Shourya's memories, and adds to the viewer's uncertainty.  Manchu and Regina have great chemistry, and they, along with Raj, were convincing in their roles.  I was dubious at first as to whether I could believe Manchu as a romantic hero -- but that lasted only a few moments.  His cheerful demeanor, everyday manner, and un-glamorous good looks completely charmed me.  The music is just average and below, keeping this otherwise excellent suspense movie from a full five stars.

Ishq

Ishq
("Love")
2012
3/5 stars

College student Rahul (played by Nithiin) meets Priya (Nithya Menen) at an airport.  After spending a day together in Goa due to a flight delay, they fall in love.  When they reach Hyderabad, Rahul has plans of speaking to Priya's brother, but discovers it is Siva (played by Ajay), with whom he has a bad history.  Rahul and Priya see each other without Siva's knowledge, but it is only a matter of time before Siva finds out and attempts to put a stop to their romance.

The plot of this Telugu romantic-comedy-drama is predictable, but still fun, though with one bit laughable: how is one expected to believe that Rahul, with his slight frame, could defeat a man of Siva's stature?  The music, with the exception of the horrible club scene, is catchy and enjoyable.  Nithiin and Nithya Menen have good chemistry together, and were generally convincing.  Nithiin's character, though, was a prankster and it was hard to have complete sympathy with him due to his sometimes hurtful jokes.  While not a memorable film, it is entertaining.

Dil Chahta Hai

Dil Chahta Hai
(translates as "the heart wants")
2001
5/5 stars

Akash (Aamir Khan), Sid (Akshaye Khanna), and Sameer (Saif Ali Khan), just graduated from college, are the closest of friends.  Sameer falls in and out of love regularly, while Sid is too involved in his painting to be interested in women.  Akash, a cynic, doesn't believe that love truly exists.  This coming of age drama follows their first tastes of real love, a devastating break in their friendship, and their eventual maturing.

The film also stars Dimple Kapadia, Priety Zinta, and Sonali Kulkarni.

This was a most impressive movie.  The three male leads were believable and natural as they gave award winning performances.  Zinta, and veteran actress Kapadia were also particularly good in their roles.  The soundtrack was uniformly enjoyable.  The plot is funny, moving, and engrossing, enhanced by excellent cinematography.  It is obvious that the screenplay writer/director, Farhan Akhtar (27 at the time), is talented and able to bring out the best in his cast.  It's easy to see why this film has become a cult classic.

Toh Baat Pakki!

Toh Baat Pakki!
(translates as "Then it's final!")
2010
3/5 stars

In this romantic comedy, Rajeshwari (played by Tabu) is a pushy, outspoken woman who, nevertheless, only wants what is best for her family.  When she meets Rahul (Sharman Joshi), an engineering student, she thinks he would be a perfect match for her younger sister, Nisha (Yuvika Chaudhary).  With a bit of meddling from Rajeshwari, the two fall in love.  Then Rajeshwari meets Yuvraj (Vatsal Sheth), an even more eligible bachelor, and breaks the the match with Rahul, to arrange one with Yuvraj.  Rahul, deeply in love with Nisha, is determined to be the one to marry her.

The predictable plot is amusing, but not engrossing.  Tabu is an accomplished actress and gave a fine performance as the likable-yet-unlikable Rajeshwari.  Joshi also gives a good performance, but is hampered by not being a convincing romantic hero. The music was lively and enjoyable, but not exceptional.  Overall, it's a light movie, not particularly memorable, but still entertaining. 

Aisha

Aisha
2010
4/5 stars

In this Bollywood remake of Hollywood's Clueless -- itself an adaptation of Jane Austen's 1815 classic Emma -- spoiled, rich, entitled Aisha (Sonam Kapoor) flits from project to project, such as animal welfare, art, and matchmaking among her friends.  She meets middle-class Shefali (Amrita Puri), and makes it her new plan to update the small town girl and find her a upper-class husband.  As Aisha meddles, her childhood friend Arjun (Abhay Deol) watches in frustration, trying to give her a guiding hand and encourage her to mature.  Despite Arjun's attempts, Aisha makes a muddle of things, her own love life included.

Aisha's best friend, Pinky, is played by Ira Dubey.  Cyrus Sahukar, Arunoday Singh, and Lisa Haydon round out the main cast.

Though not sticking fully to the plot, Aisha was well adapted from Austen's novel, hitting all the high points that make the book so compelling and entertaining. The movie balanced humor and drama well, and developed the characters nicely.  The music was generally excellent, and the overall filming exceptional.

I've not been impressed with Kapoor previously, but she played Aisha perfectly.  Deol is a strong actor, and was great in his role.  The rest of the cast were convincing as well, with Puri giving a particularly good debut performance.  I was surprised at just how good this movie was, and had it not been for the alcohol and marijuana usage, I would have rated it five stars.

Siggh, Haydon, Dubey, Kapoor, Deol, Puri, Sahukar

Ahishta Ahishta

Ahishta Ahishta
(translates as "slowly, slowly")
2006
3/5 stars

Megha (Soha Ali Khan), runs away from home to Delhi to marry her secret fiance Dheeraj (Shayan Munshi).  When Dheeraj doesn't show up at the marriage registrar's office, Ankush (Abhay Deol), who is making a living as a wedding witness, offers to help.  Since Megha feels she can never return home, Ankush assists her to find a place to live and work.  They become fast friends, with Ankush eventually falling in love with her.  She agrees to marry him, then Dheeraj returns to her life.

Deol gave a mostly natural performance, but Khan was wooden at times, and not fully convincing.  Music was average and less.  The plot was typical, but then had a most unexpected turn. This would have made the movie higher rated, but there had not been enough emotional build up previously to cause the viewer to be invested in the characters.  The movie was not a disappointment, as such, but could have been much better.