Film Review : Anjaana Anjaani

The craze level for this film increased with promos. So, there were some expectations, not sky high. And I wasnt happy with the film as it turned out to be.


The story revolves around 2 people, who have lost hopes of a good life, Akash(Ranbir) due to his bad tackling of Share business leading to loss while Kiara(Priyanka) coming to know about betrayal of her love. Both decide to die, and coincidentally meet at same death venue. But destiny keeps stopping them and as a result they decide to accept it, and abandon death for 20 days till 31st dec. Now, will 20 days make them realize importance of life or not, is what rest story is with dose of fun, romance and emotions.


I quite hated the way opening scenes begin. Though, have to appreciate the cinematography here, the way those scenes are presented with Ranbir walking in that dark night. Great camera angles too. But all the praise ends once Priyanka comes into the scene. The death attempts looked very silly, instead of being real.. I so loved the dialogue where Ranbir even says this to Priyanka.

After that, the film became a good watch, with aas paas khuda song and the wishes of Ranbir. But the film dies out in 2nd half, when it tries to land into the same old love-leaving-comes back stuff. Though, all this happens before a very good tumse hi song picturisation comes.

Rest part of film is pretty much slow, boring and uninteresting. Even the emotions dont come up for those scenes. To make it worse, tujhe bhula diya I feel was undone with a average picturisation. Though, a bonus of 2 lines was given in return.

Climax was sort of tribute to Titanic, infact at one time I thought it was going to be same too :d .. But I liked those water scenes, that one and one earlier where priyanka tells about her past. Those for me are the best directed scenes of the film.

Screenplay for me is the weakest link of this film. I feel story had in it to be presented well. Had the director gone for a new territory in 2nd half, the film would had been liked more, atleast by me. Editing was fine, cant blame too much.

Siddharth Anand needs to do a better job next time as a director, very average stuff this time by him. Songs were just used in such a bad way, it was like 3 songs in 25 mins during 2nd half. Wonder what that was done for, or maybe they never saw one final draft of the film else editing would had been done.

Having said all this, cant take away some of very good scenes of the film, apart from those water sequences and Tumse hi song, loved the disco sequence, the one where Ranbir tells his wish and ofcourse the doctor's speech to Ranbir.


Performances wise,

Priyanka Chopra was quite good though little bit inconsistent. And same for Ranbir Kapoor. Maybe thats the reason I quite liked their pairing while watching the film, as both were doing mistakes and at same time doing great scenes too. Zayed Khan was nice in a cameo. Maybe small roles works better for him.

Overall, Anjaana Anjaani is worth your money till 1st half, after that change theatre and see Robot's 2nd half because you are most likely to sleep aneways in 2nd half of Anjaana Anjaani. Better luck next time Siddharth, you dissappointed me this time for sure.


Rating : 2.25 Out of 5 

Film Review : Dabangg

Dabangg lived upto my expectations. The only thing I was worried about was whether the plot running with the action would be good enough or not as Wanted lacked the story inspite of been a very good action film. But Dabangg didnt dissappoint on that level.


The film is about Chulbul(Salman), a corrupt policeman who fights for the right and can go against even his brother or dad. He falls in love, and keeps dealing with the various things that come in front of him, whether its his brother's deeds or the politician Chedi(Sonu sood).

The entry scene of Salman pretty much reminds of Wanted, almost similar setup with wanted jalwa tune used too in the scene to add to it. It was just a touch too long scene I felt though it was worth to see it. Interestingly, there are around 4 main action sequences in the film, with 3 been put at main points i.e beginning,interval and climax while 4th one is placed in middle of 1st half. My fav though will be climax one.

There are lots of sub-plots that keep running in the film. One is Salman-Vinod relationship, other is Salman-Arbaaz relationship, then there is the envy between Sonu-Salman and another minor plot of Arbaaz-Maahi which I felt was the only one that wasnt justifed properly.

The scene where Maahi's dad cancels marriage was one of the weakly directed sequence of the film. Dimple Kapadia hams a bit in the breathing lost dialogue scene with Salman.

Apart from these few blemishes, Dabangg is full of entertainment and joy.

Abhinav as a 1st time director, succeeds in using action as a backdrop instead of using it as everything that Wanted did. The dialogues are very good specially some of the punchlines like "Haramzaade se yaad aaya", "Kamaal karte ho" or "Bhaiyya ji smile" etc.


Editing was good, never appeared any rhythm problem throughout the film.

Songs were very well used. I specially liked Humko peeni hai which I originally didnt like. Its very well choreographed too. Title song wasnt really that great, though one can say its a imaginative type of picturisation but I felt it lacked something. Munni was ofcourse magical in theatre. While the romantic songs especially Rahat one were beautifully used.

Performances wise, Salman Khan rises as Chulbul Pandey, wont say its his best performance till date but it can easily be one of his best performances. Hard to find any scene where he didnt act well.

Sonakshi looked too sweet on screen, a bit overweight for my liking. She looks like a traditional indian actress, very confident in her screen presence. Maybe she will give competition to Vidya Balan in future.

Sonu Sood was awesome, with each film I keep getting impressed by him. Maybe time to see Aashiq banaya aapne once again when I used to feel he is such bad actor. Just notice his expressions during entire Munni song or the one where Arbaaz is walking alone on road and the conversation that takes place between them.

Anupam Kher and Om Puri were good in cameos. Vinod Khanna and Dimple Kapadia also made a good mark. Arbaaz Khan played well as per his character sketch. Mahie Gill had nothing to offer thanks to some heavy editing to her role.


Overall, Dabangg is one of those films that just entertains you and at one-two places makes you emotional too. A typical masala film meant for the masala film lovers only and ofcourse the diehard Salman fans.


Rating : 3.75 Out of 5 

Film Review : We are Family

We are family is a adaptation or inspired by Stepmom. I havent seen that film neither its trailer etc, so no comparisons can be made by me.


The plot of the film is how Arjun gets sandwiched between 2 ladies, one who he used to love once and one who he loves now. How he tries to get both Kajol and Kareena like each others company, the children and Kareena(his new love) to gel with each other. And how the rest story goes on ...

The screenplay of the film is interesting, there is not too many surprises in store except for one maybe which atleast I wasnt aware of coming. The treatment by the debutant director is good. The best thing that I liked about his direction was that he kept the melodrama out of the scene. It appeared quite real.

There are some places where the pace slows up, specially towards the pre intermission and the pre climax. Editing could had been better there. Dialogues were good, especially the ones on the relationships. Some good Locales, though I wonder why some locations are repeatedly shown in films like the opening scene one.

The look of Arjun in the climax was quite weird. Wonder if there was any need of that big change.

Talking of weak points, I feel the decision to go back to old love by Arjun.. that wasnt really shown with full conviction. It happened way too quickly. Also, there were 1-2 scenes of kareena-kajol less in the film. Those would had made it a more powerful film. Just like the scene where Kajol accuses Kareena when she will learn to behave like a mom.

Performances wise, Kajol was brilliant. Look at her expressions especially in two scenes. One where, she asks Arjun why he feels he can manage this new relation when he couldnt do so with the old one. And the other, when she throws the kitchen utensils releazing the coming life. Though, I didnt like the over-kiddish scenes that she is given again and again in films.

Kareena Kapoor looked really gorgeous. She appeared more like a second fiddle or supporting role character in the film. And she did it very well.

Arjun Rampal had a tough role I feel. Firstly, it was the 2 highly rated actresses to compete with and then a role where he has to shine through his performance with script not really offering too much for him. Though, I liked his character sketch a lot which went very well with his performance. Loved two scenes the most, one where Kareena asks him when will he learn to say things that are in mind. And the other, where he tells Kajol, what the real problem is.

Among the kids, I loved the smallest girl Anjali. She was simply too cute, too adorable. Anyone would feel emotional when she would say a dialogue with such a cute face, like a real innocent child. I feel like watching the film again thinking of her.

The rest two kids too had their moments, the boy mainly when he tells arjun about the mess, scene present in the trailer too and a scene in the climax with kajol.

While the elder girl who was more of a rebellion type, somehow irritated me in the start. Dont know how I should think of her role. I feel her character sketch wasnt upto the mark. She appeared too much confusing.


Songs were very well used in the narrative. I really loved Lets rock song, Kajol was simply amazing in it. Very well supported by Arjun and Kareena, and superb choerography. Reham o karam was emotionally used at places. Also, same with Hamesha forever. Though, I wish quality of latter two songs was good too.

I specially loved Sun le dua song background theme which was used at 2 important situations. And they really invoked lot of emotions into the scenes. Thats the power of that theme.


Overall, We are Family is a very good watch. It isnt a come, watch and cry kind of a film. But it has some good emotional moments with a good screenplay and very good performances that keeps you interested till the end of the film.


Rating : 3.65 Out of 5 

Film Review : Lafangey Parindey

I dont know what Yash Raj is doing by producing such films, what has happened to Pradeep Sarkar or may be he isnt a good director at all, atleast he had some good shades of direction in Laaga chunari mein daag but in this film there's nothing at all.

The script is repeated in many films, just few turns here and there, and the same story is presented which is totally predictable. You probably would feel for 2-3 scenes at most, which is quite normal for a human being who isnt strict. For rest part, you are been asked to tolerate some of very stupid dialogues, some forced dialogues having names of Film Celebrities, Climax that resembles Rab ne but quite funny here.

There is just nothing to admire, even the songs are terrible leaving asides Title track that too is good in parts only.

Editing was okish, Screenplay was below average, required better narration. Dialogues were rubbish. Background score nothing impressive. Also, the boxing scenes were looking so monotous, as if they kept putting same scene again.

Performances wise, Neil and Deepika were nice but there was something missing, probably lack of powerful scenes. Piyush Mishra was ineffective too surprisingly.

One of few films, where I felt leaving before the interval, thanks to the snacks that made the 2nd half bearable.Overall, the film is totally boring with nothing new or interesting in store ...


Film Rating : 1.5 out of 5 

Film Review : Aashayein

The film had a good concept, how would utilise 3 crore that you just won in gambling, when the same day u come to know about ur death in 90 days. But this isnt the case, as the script has too many loose ends and the lack of emotions along with some un-needed parts weakens the main story.

1st Half specially goes so slow, though one can argue that this is Nagesh way of screenwriting. But still, it went way slow to my liking(though no one can ever match Manorama). Still, there were some good moments captured, the one where John sits in darkness about to tell the bad news. And the one, where he feels sorry to Sonal.

But, the real fun or best part of film comes with Anaitha Nair character that livens up the film in 2nd half. Girnad and Farida do well as supporting roles but Anaitha is such live wire, her character keeps surprising you all the way.

The climax is not really good, thanks to the Indiana Jones part that didnt gel well for me into the narration. The whole adventure thing somehow didnt connect well.

John's performance was good, not best as there were scenes where he overacted. Sonal Sehgal looks soo good but acting wise she is pretty okay though her role is quite short in film.Anaitha Nair is without a doubt brilliant, Farida Jalal character was quite unlike the one for her though she did well. Rest were good in their small parts.

Love the scene where all are watching Anand or the one where all describe what weird thing they did when they came to know of their disease.

I missed the main songs not used in the film, Pal mein was never my fav song although have to agree most songs went well with narrative still I would had liked rest songs also used instead of using 3 songs with para wise at different places.

Overall, the reason I couldnt like the film much was the fact that the message keeps roaming here and there throughout the film but it doesnt really get the right path to reach you. The lack of emotional scenes and some overdone scenes makes the matter worse only with a weak climax.


Rating : 2.25 Out of 5 

Music Review : Striker

Starcast : Siddharth, Padmapriya, Nicolette Bird, Aditya Pancholi, Anupam Kher, Ankur Vikal, Seema Biswas.
Director : Chandan Arora
Music Director : Many(mentioned with each song)

Aim laga ungli chala
Singer- Blaaze, Composer - Blaaze, Lyrics - Nitin Raikwar, Blaaze
The song is like motivating a player in the game of carrom, the beats are nice though the rhthym and lyrics dont go well. As a background, the song may work though, else quite below the mark.
Verdict -> Below Average

Maula ajab teri karni maula
Singer - Swanand Kirkire, Composer - Swanand Kirkire, Lyrics - Swanand Kirkire
The song has religious sentiments as visible by the title. The lyrics are very good but a weak composition makes it very restrictive turning out to be a average song in the end. Swanand Kirkire has sung it quite well, though not among his bests.
Verdict -> Average

Pia saanvara tarsa raha
Singer - Sunidhi Chauhan, Composer - Shailendra Barve, Lyrics - Jitendra Joshi
Sunidhi has sung the song really well. I guess this song will be on Padmapriya describing her character. Lyrics are good. The song though requires a certain mood for repetitive listening.
Verdict -> Nice

Yun hua raat yeh
Singer - Vishal Bharadwaj, Composer - Vishal Bharadwaj, Lyrics - Gulzar
You expect awesome lyrics from Gulzar, and you get them in this song. You expect awesome composition from Vishal Bharadwaj and you dont get that this time. The song has too much of Kaminey meets U me aur hum in it throughout, so much that it fails to give a original impact. A song I wont like to remember. Sadly, its Siddharth's fav song from the film unfortunately not the same for me.
Verdict -> Below Average

Haq se le haq se
Singer - Siddharth and Yuvan, Composer - Yuvan Shankar Raja, Lyrics - Nitin Raikwar
Very good composition, the flute tune used in the starting of the song is really impressive. The lyrics though doesnt match up with the feel of the song at places.Siddharth and Yuvan has sung it quite well. The song is basically about 2 friends out of which one is telling other to play and win, only then the world will know you.
Verdict -> Good

Cham cham
Singer - Sonu Nigam, Composer - Shailendra Bharve, Lyrics - Jitendra Joshi
It wont be easy for anyone to tell that its sonu who has sung it if you dont reveal the name of singer and ask a person to listen this song. He so beautifully sings it in a different tone. The composition is beautiful and extremely romantic. The background vocals of "ra ra re ra rup tap ra re ra" make the song more loving. Even the lyrics are so romantic, with a line on the character for whom the male actor sings the song "noor barse nazar se noorie tujhmein basi hai meri jaan". The song tells the feelings of a boy who has just fallen in love.
Verdict -> Outstanding

Bombay bombay
Singer -> Siddharth, Composer - Amit Trivedi, Lyrics - Prashant Ingole
I really love when a song is done on a city or country. Be it govinda's bambai or Amrish puri's yeh mera india or Abhishek's yeh delhi hai mere yaar. And now, another one added to it, Bombay bombay(not Mumbai Mumbai) as the song is filmed on 1985 when it was Bombay only. Add to it that the composer is none other than Amit Trivedi. The composition though will remind you a bit of Aamir(rajeev khandelwal film) without a doubt.But the good thing is it doesnt last for long. The vocals by Siddharth surprised me, never knew he was so good in playback. He has some dialogues in starting, middle and end, and then ofcourse the rest is his singing part. While the song very well portrays the city, the city of dreams that never sleeps. Only wish I had was the song to be 1 min longer though its already a 5 min song, so being a touch greedy. /) The tunes used are fantastic especially during the starting, the song just makes u go mad.
Verdict -> Outstanding




My Picks :


Lyrics - Cham Cham, Maula and Yun Hua

Vocals - Sonu Nigam, Siddharth, Yuvan and Sunidhi Chauhan

Background Tunes - Bombay Bombay, Haq se and Cham cham.


Best Songs of Album : Cham Cham and Bombay Bombay


Overall, Striker is a refreshing album, with different type of songs from different composers. Some work while some dont, nevertheless the album is worth a listen.


Album Rating : 3.25 Out of 5

Recap - Top100 Songs(2009)

Very Tough Job, I selected the songs that I like/love which were 192 in number, then removed 92 and arranged the final 100. Around 3-4 hours work it was.

Here is my list of Top100 Songs - 2009 in order ..


1. Rehna tu - delhi6
2. Dil ibadat - tum mile
3. Ek hulchul si - dev d
4. Maahi(rock with me) - raaz the mystery continues
5. Dhan te nan - kaminey
6. Main chala - jashnn
7. Jashn hai jeet ka - london dreams
8. Sapno se bhare naina - luck by chance
9. Aahun aahun - love aaj kal
10. Kurbaan hua - kurbaan

11. Pardesi - dev d
12. Kaisa yeh raaz hai - raaz the mystery continues
13. Duniya - dev d
14. Masakalli - delhi6
15. Emosanal atyachar(rock) - dev d
16. Barso yaaron - london dreams
17. Tu hi haqeeqat - tum mile
18. Hikknaal - dev d
19. Dil gira dafatan - delhi6
20. Maahi - raaz the mystery continues
21. Delhi6 - delhi6
22. Dard e tanhaayi - jashnn
23. O meri jaan - tum mile
24. Kaminey - kaminey
25. Emosanal atyachar - dev d
26. Chak lain de - chandni chowk to china
27. Morey saiyyan - tere sang
28. Soniyo - raaz tmc
29. Kuch aisa - aao wish karen
30. Rafa dafa - radio

31. Aankh micholi - dev d
32. Dont say alvida - main aur mrs khanna
33. Yeh dooriyan - love aaj kal
34. Yahi meri zindagi - dev d
35. Reh jaane do - aao wish karen
36. Iktara(male) - wake up sid
37. Duniya - gulaal
38. Jao na - whats your rashee
39. Aalam gujarne ko - kal kissne dekha
40. Behti hawa sa - 3idiots
41. Ali maula - kurbaan
42. Nazrein karam - jashnn
43. Hey kaala bandar - delhi6
44. Sau janam - whats your rashee
45. Fiqraana - blue
46. Khanabadosh - london dreams
47. Tum mile - tum mile
48. Alisha - pyar impossible
49. Blue - blue
50. Aye saaye mere - new york

51. Salaam aaya - veer
52. Zoobi doobi - 3idiots
53. 10 on 10 - pyar impossible
54. Aarambh - gulaal
55. Main kya hoon - love aaj kal
56. Nazaara hai - tasveer 8 by 10
57. Ishq hi hai rab - dil bole hadippa
58. Kyun - kambhakht ishq
59. Allah hoo - sikandar
60. Rehnuma - blue
61. Aal izz well - 3idiots
62. Piya jaise ladoo - radio
63. Salone kya - whats your rashee
64. Om mangalam - kambhakht ishq
65. Wake up sid - wake up sid
66. Rana ji - gulaal
67. Sureeli ankhiyon wali - veer
68. Tu ne re - victory
69. Sabse peeche hum khade - aao wish karen
70. Saali khushi - dev d
71. Aaya re - jashnn
72. Chiggy wiggy - blue
73. Sufi - jai veeru
74. Money money - victory
75. Mera bharat mahaan - rann

76. Paisa - de dana dan
77. Rann hai - rann
78. Saiyyan ve - jail
79. Nayan tarse - dev d
80. Tune jo na kaha - new york
81. Yaar mila tha - blue
82. Khudaya khair - billu
83. Khawab jo - london dreams
84. Chandni chowk to china - chandni chowk to china
85. Gali mudhi ittefaq se - paa
86. Damaadji - radio
87. Pehli baar mohabbat - kaminey
88. Aish karle - jashnn
89. Chor bazaari - love aaj kal
90. You may be - aladin
91. Mann ka radio - radio
92. Khudaya ve - luck
93. Mere sang - new york
94. Aaj din chadeya - love aaj kal
95. Dil yeh deewana - chandni chowk to china
96. Tera hone laga hun - ajab prem ki gajab kahani
97. Tu jaane na - ajab prem ki gajab kahani
98. Shukran allah - kurbaan
99. Dhadke jiya - aloo chaat
100. Rabba - main aur mrs khanna


Songs which I loved but couldnt adjust in Top100 :


Rishtey naate - de dana dan
Bebo - do knot disturb
Rab milya - tere sang
Gale lag jaa - de dana dan
Taali - veer
Bikhri bikhri - whats your rashee
Jaane nahi denge tujhe - 3idiots
Gajab - aa dekhen zara
Meherbaaniyaan - veer
Jaayu kahan - billu
Gulon mein - sikandar
Mann ko atibhaave - london dreams
Shola shola - london dreams
Yaari bina - london dreams
Aasmaa odh kar - 13b
Besharam - rann
Remote ko bahar phenk - rann
Yeh zindagi bhi - luck by chance
Manzaraat - sikandar
Milke yun laga - jail
Tere bina - kal kissne dekha
Aa le chal - whats your rashee
Dhadkan dhadkan - whats your rashee
Aaja Lehraate - whats your rashee
Bebo main bebo - kambhakht ishq
Bhangra bistar - dil bole hadippa
Hai junoon - new york
Kya karun - wake up sid
Mere naal - do knot disturb
Zulfein khol khaal ke - do knot disturb
Yeh jism - acid factory
You get me rocking n reeling - billu
Twist - love aaj kal
Vaada raha - vaada raha
Aloo chaat - aloo chaat
I got the picture - tasveer 8 by 10
Aazma luck(male) - luck
Aazma luck(female) - luck
Jee le - luck
Baawre - luck by chance
Just do it - chance pe dance
Main tera dhadkan teri - ajab prem ki gajab kahani



Some other songs that I liked in 2009 :


Koi na koi chahe - radio
Shaam ho chali hai - radio
Kuch iss tarah - tasveer 8 by 10
Aaj dil gustakh - blue
Dil bole hadippa - dil bole hadippa
Yeh aaj kya ho gaya - luck by chance
Tak dhina dhin - aladin
Ji jala - pankh
Balla utha - victory
Chai ke bahaane - chintuji
Mushkil halaato se darna kaisa - jugaad
Dhol yaara dhol - dev d
Tu hai rab mera - jugaad
Koyal kuke - life partner
Kyun hota hai dil deewana - shortkut con is on
Kal nau baje - shortkut con is on
Mind it - quickgun murgan
Dil keke - wanted
Jalwa - wanted
Aaj kal zindagi - wake up sid
Pal mein hi - chance pe dance
Pump it up - chance pe dance
Tennu le - jai veeru
Aisa toh socha na tha - victory
Jashn hai josh hai - kal kissne dekha
Soniye billori - kal kissne dekha
Daata sun le - jail
Raat ke dhai bhaje - kaminey
Fataak - kaminey
Pyar impossible - pyar impossible
Yeh kaisa love - pyar impossible
You n me - pyar impossible
Sikkon ki bhookh - rann
I will be there for you - tere sang
Maula mila de - tere sang
India se aaya mera dost - chandni chowk to china
Pyaari pyaari - whats your rashee
Maula maula - ruslaan
Teri yaadein leke - runway
Haan main jitni martaba - all the best
Kyun - all the best
Sheher - gulaal
O raahi re - luck by chance
Pocket mein rocket - rocket singh salesman of the year
Gadbadi hadbadi - rocket singh salesman of the year
Pankhon ko - rocket singh salesman of the year
Boliyaan - aloo chaat
Gumm summ - paa
Mere paa - paa
Aa dekhen zara - aa dekhen zara
Ae aa o - billu