Film Review-Neal 'N' Nikki

Starring: Uday Chopra, Tanisha Mukerjee
Director: Arjun Sablok
Rating: * *

This film is so Hollywoodish!! Right from the smooches to the clothes to the story to the look and the feel of the film and even the duration of one and half hours everything straight out of Hollywood. But what is the end product, well that is like a taangawaala driving a Rolls Royce. We can ape the west no worries with that but atleast we should do it well, we shouldn't look like wannabe's and if we cant imitate them well then I think we should stick to our Indian sensibilities. That's exactly where this film goes wrong.

Neal aka Gurneal Ahuwalia (Uday Chopra) is all set to be married to an Indian girl Sweety (Richa Pallod) so he decides he wants to enjoy his last 21 days of bachelorhood by sleeping with 21 women and goes to Vancouver where he meets Nikki aka Nikita Bakshi (Tanisha Mukerjee) who spoils his plans unknowingly each time. They fight and before they know they are in love and obviously no points for guessing what happens in the end.

The music is not great despite the fact that the film comes from the Yash Raj camp. "Halla Re" and the title track are hummable, that's about it. The costumes sorry to say, especially that of Tanisha don't look sensuous but look cheap. The cinematography is chick so are the Canadian slopes. The director's luck continues to dissuade him as he fails to strike gold again after his first dismay "Na Tum Jaano Na Hum"

Gaurav Gera as the Sardar with a Guitar manages to generate a few laughs. Richa has no scope but looks pretty. Abhishiek Bachchan makes a 'blink and I am gone' kinda insignificant appearance. Last but not the least the lead pair, Uday doesn't have any credentials except his last name that can qualify him as a lead actor, lets see how far his last name can push his lady luck. My sincere advice change your profession.

Superstar Kajol's not so great sibling, she can still be excused coz she's just started, maybe if her talent is exploited well she could do wonders. But unfortunately for her, in this film the director thought her talent lies in prancing around showing off lingerie and getting drunk at the drop of a hat. Sorry better luck next time.

Avoid it, anyways I have rechrisened the film from Neal 'N' Nikki to Nudgy 'N' Nonsensical.

-Sanketh Rao.

Film Review-Ek Ajnabee

Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Perizad Zorabian
Direction: Apporva Lakhia
Rating: * * 1/2

When I got out of the mutliplex after watching Ek Ajnabee, I felt a sensation of deja-vu just a similar feeling when I saw the director's debut debacle "Mumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost". The feeling that I am talking about here is "what is the purpose of making the movie" feeling. Ok, understood everything is taken care of, right from the stunning locales, to the background music, outstanding stunts, but what about the weak script and shoddy screenplay???

Bangkok is the place, Perizaad, Vikram, Rucha are the family, The kid is the one who needs protection coz some group has been kidnapping Indian Kids in Bangkok, hence Amitabh is the bodyguard and Arjun is his sidekick, both being ex suspended army officers.

Obviously the kid is kidnapped, so who's who, and whodunit, et al is the story. There are definitely some twists and turns but somehow the zing is missing. Though the editing is crisp, the film is still boring and lengthy in parts. The action is awesome, the costumes, location and Arjun's and Big B's look are fab. Arjun's item number is also not bad......

Perizaad truly excels as Rucha's helpless mother, she's a complete natural. Vikram Chatwal as Perizaad's hubby can't match up to her. Arjun looks great, acts well but the character is not well sketched at all, anyways things are looking brighter for him now. But the show stealers are Rucha Vaidya and Big B. The kid is such a sweetheart, her annoying arrogance in the first half and her love for her bodyguard cum friend in the second half is very cute. She really matches Mr. bachchan in every scene and every frame. And what can be said about the legend himself, a total powerhouse performer, he just steals every scene. His energy and freshness are just indispensable. Absolutely knock out performance.

Abhishiek and Lara's special appearances in the end add to the star power. Not great cinema but not disappointing either. Meet the stranger if you want to pass time......

-Sanketh Rao.