Review of Delhi-6

The Plot

Set in old Delhi, the screenplay [Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, Prasoon Joshi, Kamlesh Pandey] takes its own sweet time to come to the point. In fact, the entire first half is dedicated to the sundry characters in the bylanes of old Delhi, where several stories run parallel with the main plot.

The two warring brothers [Om Puri, Pawan Malhotra] and the wall that divides the two; the daughter of the house [Sonam Kapoor] aspires to be an 'Indian Idol' contestant; a moneylender's [Prem Chopra] wife has an illicit relationship with one of his lecherous debtors [Cyrus Sahukar]; an 'untouchable' [Divya Dutta] makes more sense than the so-called thekedaars of samaj; a friend of the family [Rishi Kapoor] has still not forgotten his first love [Tanvi Azmi].

Oh yes, there's also a 'Kaala Bandar' who spreads havoc in the locality. Really, Rakeysh tries to pack in multiple stories in those 2.18 hours.

But, alas, the problem is that barring a few individualistic sequences, you don't carry the film home. The film is engaging in bits and spurts. Worse, it tends to get monotonous, preachy and boring and the end is so bizarre, you actually want to ask the writers, 'Hey guys, you okay?'

The Story

Delhi-6 tells the story of a young American boy Roshan [Abhishek Bachchan] of Indian origin, who comes to India for the first time, to drop his ailing grandmother [Waheeda Rehman]. She wants to retire and spend the last leg of her life back home; dissolving into the soil she was born in.

In America, having led a very western lifestyle, Roshan is not familiar with the sites and smells, the food and culture, the religion and beliefs,

this huge melting pot that India is. He believes that Dadi had left her family and loved ones back in America, only to realise that how wrong he was.

The warmth and affection of the neighbourhood embraces him with open arms. Amidst all this he meets the beautiful Bittu [Sonam Kapoor], who wants to break free from the typical Indian social structure. Roshan is destined to lose his heart to her.

That Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is an accomplished storyteller is evident in several individualistic scenes. Note the scene when Vijay Raaz slaps Abhishek and Abhishek slaps him back. Also, portions in the second hour, when a Baba [Akhilendra Mishra] triggers off the Mandir-Masjid talk and divides the two communities, is very well structured. Th

e sequences are disturbing and the writers and director succeed in exposing the fickle-minded people residing in the locality.

But the screenplay isn't foolproof. The romantic track is the weakest link in the enterprise. The love story falls flat. Also, the ending is so abstract that an average moviegoer would find it difficult to comprehend what the actual culmination is. The sequenc

e in the end, when Amitabh and Abhishek have a conver

sation, looks weird. In fact, ridiculous. What was the need to have this sequence? It makes no sense. Even the Ram Leela sequences, interspersed at regular intervals, are forced in the screenplay.

Rakeysh's handling of the subject is exemplary at places. But the writing [faulty at times] as also the execution of the material isn't the type that would appeal to all se

ctions of moviegoers.

The Music

A.R. Rahman's music is outstanding; it's easily amongst his finest works. 'Masakali', 'Ye Dilli Hai Mere Yaar', 'Rehna Tu', 'Maula' and 'Genda Phool' are amazing tracks. Ditto for Prasoon Joshi's lyrics; they're gems. Binod Pradhan's cinematography is brilliant. Watch the Jama Masjid sequence [breath-taking] or the camera movements in the bylanes of old Delhi. Just one word to describe the output: Incredible!

Bollywood Movie: Delhi 6 | Song: Dilhi 6
More Songs from Delhi 6

Music Rating-3.5/5

The Verdict

Abhishek doesn't work. His American accent sounds fake. Sonam is likeable. Waheeda Rahman enacts her part well. Rishi Kapoor is wasted. He deserved a better role. Amongst supporting actors, Om Puri [powerful], Pawan Malhotra [flawless], Vijay Raaz [tremendous], Deepak Dobriyal [genuine], Divya Dutta [admirable] and Cyrus Sahukar [likable] leave a mark.

Prem Chopra is alright. Atul Kulkarni looks like a buffoon. And what is Raghvir Yadav doing in this film? S

upriya Pathak, Tanvi Azmi, K.K. Raina, Akhilendra Mishra and Dayashanker Pandey are passable. Amitabh Bachchan's presence in the penultimate minutes fails to evoke any reaction.

On the whole, Delhi-6 has a terribly boring beginning [first hour], an absorbing middle [second half] and a weak end [climax]. At the box-office, the business is bound to be divided. The film may record bountiful collections at multiplexes in its opening weekend. The popular music as also the fact that there's no major opposition will benefit the film in the initial days. But the business at single screens as also the mass belt will be a shocking contrast. However, the cracks will start appearing sooner than expected, even at plexes.

Rating

Average picture, If you like to see Abhishek & Sonam, then you should watch

LUCK BY CHANCE

THE PLOT
The fantasy sellers and the devoted audience, the insane love for Cinema mixed with the eccentric notion of divinity and archaic beliefs; these are the contradictions that keep this world spinning.
The stark reality of living in India juxtaposed with the fantastical world depicted on screen suddenly begins to make sense... Sona arrives in Bombay with her dreams of becoming a film star. Wide eyed but ambitious, she does whatever it takes, to make it. She lives on her own in a rented apartment - a luxury for most in this bustling city and spends her time with a motley crew of loyal friends whose lives are also entwined with Bollywood, each one in search of a bigger dream. Vikram has just moved to the City leaving the comforts of his parents Delhi Home. He is a mover, he is used to getting what he wants and is smart enough to know when to demand it and when to manipulate it. He is young and handsome, and full of promise. Sona begins to enjoy Vikram’s attention and affections; they develop a romantic relationship. Rolly is a successful though superstitious producer who only works with the biggest stars. He is making a potential blockbuster launching the nubile Nikki Khurana, the 18-year-old daughter of 70's superstar, Neena. The hero of the film, Zaffar Khan, is Rolly’s favorite superstar. He was launched by Rolly and went on to become a huge draw at the box office. The wheels of fate indeed continue to spin favorably for Vikram, as elsewhere in the industry, havoc spreads on the sets of producer Rommy Rolly's new film. Vikram is called in for an audition and uses this opportunity to the fullest. The film is about a slice of Bollywood life, in which Kismet plays a huge role. Here, notions of superstition, fate and destiny underline every life, as grand desires and opportunity converge to form strange patterns. In such an unpredictable climate is success and failure what others define for you or is it something you decide for yourself. Luck By Chance is acontemporary tale set in a world desperate to escape its own reality.

THE VERDICT
On the whole, LUCK BY CHANCE is an outstanding film in all respects. A magnificent outing from the producers of ROCK ON!!, LUCK BY CHANCE is sure to prove an extremely lucky and rewarding experience at the box-office. Strongly recommended!

RATING
Rating is good enough.

RAAZ-The mistry continue

Imran solve the mistry

The PLOT

Audiences know what to expect from a Vishesh Films movie. Over the last two decades they have given some of the best musical hits. ‘Raaz- The Mystery Continues’, tentatively a sequel to ‘Raaz’, will not disappoint music lovers, though the album is not in the same league as the Bhatts’ past hit albums like ‘Jannat’, ‘Kalyug’ or '‘Zeher'. The movie, being directed by Mohit Suri, has a line of talented composers for the album – Raju Singh, Sharib-Toshi, Gourov Dasgupta and Pranay M Rijia. Lyrics are penned by their favourite Sayeed Qadri along with Kumaar.

THE VERDIT

Well, the entire album is not that dramatic like the movie sounds, neither has it the expected spooky effect. But it offers a good compilation for music lovers. And to compare Raaz-TMC with Nadeem Shravan’s ‘Raaz’ is inevitable. But this album will not disappoint, instead will leave you entertained just like the other albums from the Bhatt camp.

RATTING

IT's average so u can spend ur money on it.

Hurman could not find 'Victory'

THE PLOT
Vijay ( Hurman ), a cricketer from small-town Rajasthan is so good that he should, by rights, have been in the Indian team. But, and this is a story we know well, he doesn't even get a look-in on the Ranji.

`Victory' is about Vijay's rise-fall-rise, the heady feeling of success, and the perils of untrammeled avarice. A greedy agent ( Gulshan) gets his claws into the rising star, who slides down the slippery slope of here-now-gone-the-next-instant-fame, forgetting those who kept him grounded, `deshbhakt' dad ( Anupam), and best bud ( Amrita).

The film has been mounted lavishly, and no expense has been spared at making it look and feel authentic. A fleet of international cricketers have quite a lot of screen time. They include Harbhajan Singh and Jayasuriya and the dishy Brett Lee : their job is to stand around and applaud while our hero wins the matches.

THE VERDICT
The film is saddled with clichéd melodrama that makes you cringe. I can't even recall the number of stereotypical dialogues and scenes this film crams in. It's a film where an out of form cricketer touches the coach's feet before a crunch game. It's a film in which celebrity managers are referred to as dalals and endorsement money is called 'gandi kamai'. It's a film where everyone screams out of their lungs regardless of the situation.

THE RATING
1/5 Very poor. Don't waste any money (or time) on it.