December 3, 2008

Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi + Golmaal Returns

So many new movies. So little time.

Title: Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi
Year: 2008
Cast: Sonu Sood, Isha Koppikar.


Thinking of watching this movie? Either forget about it, or if you are unable to, then shoot yourself, jump into a river, or blast your head with the loudest music possible- just stop your self from seeing this movie, SOMEHOW.

You see, I have already committed this mistake on your behalf. I have already suffered- why should you?
Argh.

Isha and Sonu are music students. Sonu lives with his rich mom. Isha lives with her poor dad, sister and brother.
No, their parents don't marry- that may have been more fun.

Instead these two meet and fall in love, and in typical Rajshri fashion (this one is a copy of their earlier "Tapasya"), they are set to marry, but Isha's dad Alok Nath dies the morning of the wedding.

Isha decides to not marry, which MAKES NO SENSE since Sonu has proven himself an utter angel, and wants her little brother and sister to live with them. She decides to run a music school and bring up the kids, while Sonu decides to become a star singer and wait for her.

Years pass, the kids get married- but is it too late for Isha and Sonu?

Highlights:
Cant complain about Sonu and Isha- they rise above the movie's mediocrity, but unfortunately aren't able to take the movie with them.

Quibbles:
1- None of the above-mentioned incidents happen as swiftly as they are described. Punctuating almost every 5 minutes of running time are songs, which are all cacophonous, dreary and painful. You'd think that a movie where both protagonists are singers would have decent music.
2- The plot is SO 80s family saga that it hurts- other than Tapasya, there are echoes of tons of Bollywood and Southern cinema in here.

Last warning: This isn't a "so bad its good" movie. Its just slow, painful and tiring. Stay away!
_______________________________________________________

Title: Golmaal Returns
Year: 2008

Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kareena, Shreyas Talpade, Tushaar Kapoor, Celina Jaitley, Arshad Warsi, Amrita Arora.

Can Shreyas Talpade be in a bad movie these days? The boy is doing good, varied stuff, and I really love how he balances commercial and indie-Bollywood.

Ajay and Ekta (Kareena) are married, and their siblings (Amrita= Ajay's sister; Tushaar= Kareena's brother) live with them. True to her namesake's (Ekta Kapoor= TV soap mogul and Tusshar's real life sister) profession, Kareena is a huge soap fan, and has a hyperactive imagination. She insists on accusing Ajay of womanising, and he is petrified of her :)

Lots of mayhem ensues from this distrust, and while not all of it is kosher, it isn't a bad way to spend some time. Tons of in-jokes about the TV and movie industry, so being TV/Movie savvy helps.

Notes:
1- This was a completely breathless movie, from beginning to end. Lots of pace, lots of energy, and though it did falter at times, it was good fun, and I needed the humor after a crazy week.
2- Shreyas and Celina actually work great together! This is the first time I've been able to watch Ms Jaitley without sneering at her- she is cute and funny (:O).
3- Tushaar is so annoying! He is a mute in the movie, which helps, but he makes theses odd, so-called mute noises that make me want to brain him.
4- I can handle this much crudeness in a movie- more than this ("No Entry" anyone? eugh) I cant handle.

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

Golmaal Returns is hilarious. Celina Jaitley's family, ROTFLMAO! The end was a little dragged but still funny.

Oh wow, I'd heard good things about EVAB so I was actually looking forward to that movie. Now you've scared me :S

How ironic is your Sonu Sood header to go with the scathing review :P

Filmi Girl said...

I'm glad you liked "Golmaal Returns!" Kareena is too funny! I hope we see soap-opera obsessed Ekta back in "Golmaal 3"...

Also, I have to admit that I find Tusshar very attractive - I don't care if he's mute or talking! ;D

Anonymous said...

Rajshri productions = stay away (unless you're paid to watch)! I think they roped in Isha Kopikkar to give people the idea that there might be some interesting moments in the film. I might get round to watching just for the two leads - but only when its on DVD!

Tushaar is always pretty annoying but I can bear him in supporting/character roles. Need to check out Golmaal before I go for its return, though!

Bollywood said...
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Shweta Mehrotra Gahlawat said...

Mimi: Celina's entire family dropping like flies was shockingly funny :) EVAB was so full of sappy singing that I totally lost it. Hows ur ma doing? I need to call her...

Filmi Girl: Tussharrr????? Nahinnnnnnnnnnnnn :)

Bollyviewer: I havent seen Golmal either, but I think the movies are OK standing alone as well. Now that you mention it, I guess I should hunt up the 1st part too :D

Bollyfan! EVAB! nahinnn! rofl :) I just got annoyed when Isha's character yells at Sonu and decides to do her own thing- he was only trying to help! I can have very independent, feminist viewes, but this bit didnt seem necessary. Which takes away the whole pt of the movie. Vivah was unbeleivable in patches as well, but I preferred its music to this. Totally agree w/ u on Tushaar and Kareena- the former should give up (he wont), and the latter can definitely stretch her acting skills (she can) :D

Bollywood said...
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ajnabi said...

ROTFLOL--Why, why *why* did you inflict EVAB on yourself? You knew it was from the same people who made Vivah! ;-D Golmaal sounds great--I can't wait to see it.

ajnabi said...

Oh yeah, I had to laugh when I saw your cast list. Sonu Sood looks a lot like young Amitabh, but I don't think he resembles Sonu Nigam. ;-)

Shweta Mehrotra Gahlawat said...

Bollyfan: I absolutely agree re length- I think a lot of Bollywood, esp Rajshri, has yet to realise the merits of editing.

Ajanbi: Lols- I saw the movie cos I was intrigued by the leads- and then was so mentally addled after the 1st 1/2 hr itself, that I obviously had issued remembering which Sonu it was :D Thanks- fixed it!

TNL said...

I *adore* Sonu Sood, y'know....I was going to watch EVAB just because of him and I don't mind Isha K, I liked her in 'kya kool hai hum' as Urmila Maartodkaar...she's hilarious!

Will watch them both over the holidays with hubby, I make him sit through a 'Rajshri' movie at least once a year.... hahaha..payback's a byo**H.

Unknown said...

Ma is alright. She hasn't cried properly and I know she multitasks to keep herself busy so I'm a little worried there. If you do call her, don't tell her I said that!

Shweta Mehrotra Gahlawat said...

Trupti- seriously, the songs just slayed me- i couldnt like em, and that killed the movie for me. Rajshri's songs are usually way better!

Arantxa- oh course wont tell. Will call her tonite.