Salman Khan at the Indian Express Photo Awards function

Dostana - Movie Review

Recall the 'Kantaben' episode in Karan Johar's KAL HO NAA HO. The episode is alive even today, in skits, on stage, amongst friends. That was a mere trailer. Picture abhi baaki hain. DOSTANA takes 'Kantaben' episode to another level altogether.

DOSTANA is no BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. It's not a serious take on homosexuality either. On the contrary, it's a madcap comedy where two straight men pretend to be gays. Although DOSTANA is a mainstream commercial film, it dares to push the envelope in its own way. It brings homosexuality out of the closet, gives it respect and dignity and doesn't treat gays as 'abnormal'.

Love triangle in Hindi movies often centre around two guys falling in love with the same girl, or two girls choosing to love the same guy. But DOSTANA is a first. It's the first Hindi film that, at the core, is a rectangle [three men loving the same woman], but two of them, guys in this case, pretend to be a couple.

Sure, DOSTANA has ample shock-value since what has been witnessed in its promos is barely a fraction of what you'd get to watch in the movie. But more than shock-value, the film offers loads of fun-n-laughter and dollops of entertainment in those 14 reels.

A word of appreciation! It requires courage to fund a project like DOSTANA. Karan Johar, the producer, deserves to be lauded for treading the untrodden path. It requires courage and conviction to swim against the tide in your directorial debut. Tarun Mansukhani, the debutante, deserves a few brownie points extra for not thinking straight. It requires courage for two A-list actors to go all out and risk their professional [and personal] lives. Abhishek and John deserve an ovation for not only agreeing to play these characters, but also infusing life in them, without making a mockery of the gay community.

To cut a long story short, DOSTANA is not to be missed. Dharma Productions, the late Yash Johar and Karan Johar's film production outfit, has produced several significant films in the past. Add DOSTANA to the list!

Miami is the setting for DOSTANA. When Sameer [Abhishek Bachchan] and Kunal [John Abraham] are turned down for an apartment because the landlady [Sushmita Mukherjee] doesn't want two strapping young men to corrupt her young sexy niece Neha [Priyanka Chopra], they hatch a plan: they pretend to be gay to secure the apartment.

Over a period of time, Sameer, Kunal and Neha become buddies. When Neha's boss Abhimanyu [Bobby Deol] enters the fray as the third contender for her affections, it gets even hotter…

DOSTANA shocks you all the while and that is its biggest USP. Don't expect stereotypical situations or characters all through this film. Watch Abhishek cook up a romantic story between John and him in Venice. Watch Boman Irani's interaction with Abhishek and John. Watch Kirron Kher's dramatic entry at this point. Howlarious scenes all, they're sure to bring the house down.

If the first hour is laced with crackling chemistry between the guys and terrific humour, things get serious towards the second half since there's one more person vying for Priyanka's attention -- Bobby Deol. There's humour in this hour too, but the focus is mainly on who'd get Priyanka in the end.

The length is a slight deterrent in the second half and the editor could've easily cut the unwanted flab to make the narration in shape. But the film works as a package! Also, the film has a shocking end and people are bound to raise eyebrows. It would have its share of advocates and adversaries. A debatable culmination, for sure!

Director Tarun Mansukhani is here to stay. He deserves kudos for choosing an offbeat story, then making a foolproof screenplay and most importantly, executing it with flourish. DOSTANA merges form and content beautifully, since the film is, technically speaking, sound. Ayananka Bose's cinematography is top notch. The locales of Miami are a feast for your eyes. Costumes and styling are very upmarket.

Vishal-Shekhar's music goes well with the mood of the film. It's young, peppy and energetic. 'Desi Girl' and 'Maa Da Laadla Bigad Gaya' are foot-tapping compositions. The latter is bound to be a rage!

Both Abhishek and John are fantabulous! Abhishek pulls out all the stops and delivers one of the finest performances of his career. His comic timing is superb! John will make guys and girls drool over his amazing physique. But, most importantly, people will sit up and notice how fine an actor John is. Both Abhishek and John compliment each other so well. In fact, had the chemistry and camaraderie been missing, the story would've failed to look convincing. Two thumbs up for these two guys!

Priyanka looks stunning and delivers a first-rate performance. First FASHION, now DOSTANA, Priyanka is back with a bang. Bobby Deol lends the required class to his role. No other actor would've looked so real while underplaying this character.

Boman Irani is sure to bring the house down, the auditorium is sure to resonate with laughter in his sequences. Kirron Kher is superb as the Punjabi mom. Watch her throw a fit when she learns that her son [Abhishek] is gay and much later, when she accepts John as family. She's remarkable! Sushmita Mukherjee, as Priyanka's aunt, is fantastic. She's so, so funny. Shilpa Shetty sizzles in the opening track.

On the whole, DOSTANA is a winner all the way. In terms of content, it might just prove to be a trendsetter. In terms of business, the film holds tremendous appeal for the youth. The 16 to 25 age-group would go into raptures and bonkers over this film. Its business at multiplexes mainly will be amazing. In Overseas too, the film should emerge amongst the biggest draws of 2008. DOSTANA rocks... have a blast!

Premiere of Woodstock Villa

OM SHANTI OM celebrates Silver Jubilee

In the times when a decent four week run of a film is good enough to take it to a success, OM SHANTI OM has completed 25 weeks at theaters.

On the Friday gone by, i.e. 2nd May, this Farah Khan directed film celebrated a 25 week run. Released across the globe on 9th November 2007, OM SHANTI OM went on to break records all over and turned out to be the biggest first week opener at the box office of all times with a 40 crores+ in collections. Till date the film has collected in excess of 85 crores just from India, hence turning out to be the biggest money spinner of all times.

Commenting on the film's continued success over the months, Farah Khan says, "In the times when it is rare to see a film going through a 50 day or a 100 day run, it gives me so much pleasure to see the film getting such a heartfelt response. It is running on a matinee show at Naaz in Mumbai and I am getting feelers that the theater is confident of the film completing Golden Jubilee there.

"My motto has been to make an entertaining film and going by audience response, I can say that I succeeded in doing that", concludes Farah.

Joginder Tuteja

Aishwarya Rai unveils the first look of Summer of 2007

OM SHANTI OM creates history of Indian cinema

Eros International, the leading integrated company within the Indian media & entertainment sector announces an unprecedented opening of Shah Rukh Khan's OM SHANTI OM, produced by Red Chillies Entertainment and directed by Farah Khan. The film opened to rave reviews and advance bookings on the 9th November and has since grossed over US$19 million worldwide in its first week making it the most successful opening in Indian cinema history.

OM SHANTI OM released across 1,400 plus screens globally, and for the first time saw screenings as early as 7.45 a.m. in certain multiplexes in India, making it one of the most anticipated films in recent times. OM SHANTI OM's staggering first week gross collections of US$13.5 million in India make it the best ever opening there. The figures overseas are no less remarkable with the film grossing $1.5 million at the UK box office and over $2million in North America in its first week

With as many as 14-16 shows planned daily in its second week at some multiplexes, Eros International is looking forward to an excellent run of King Khan's film offering.

Kishore Lulla, Chairman and CEO, Eros International Plc said, "We are ecstatic with the audience as well as critics' reactions to OM SHANTI OM. It was one of the most awaited films of the year and we are excited that the magic combination of Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan has proved to be a huge success once again. The superb run of the film in the first week has superseded all expectations and we are confident of the film's performance in the weeks to come."

"We were expecting a commercial success but this kind of response has been overwhelming. It's great that audiences as well as critics have appreciated the film. We had a lot of fun making this film and I am thrilled that audiences are having fun watching it too", Farah Khan added.

With the film opening in cinemas in India to a fantastic 95-100 percent capacity audiences and maintaining a steady 80-90 percent from Monday, OM SHANTI OM promises to be the biggest film of SRK's career.

View Om Shanti Om Movie Stills

View Om Shanti Om
Movie Stills
OM SHANTI OM stars Shah Rukh Khan and Deepika Padukone in pivotal roles. The film's score and soundtrack has been composed by the musical duo, Vishal Shekhar with lyrics by Javed Akhtar. Cinematography for the movie is by V Manikandan whilst editing is handled by Shirish Kunder.

The film has over 30 of Bollywood's hottest stars including Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Kajol, Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra, Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan and many more putting in a guest appearance.

Eros has previously distributed MAIN HOON NA as well as PAHELI, which are both Red Chillies Productions.

With OM SHANTI OM, Eros International continues its successful line up of global releases including hits like OMKARA, SALAAM-E-ISHQ, EKLAVYA, PROVOKED, NAMASTEY LONDON, CHEENI KUM, PARTNER, GANDHI MY FATHER, HEYY BABYY, etc.

Bollywood Trade News Network

OSO continues its blockbuster overseas run

Farah Khan's OM SHANTI OM continues its record-breaking overseas run, even during the second weekend. After resetting the first weekend Bollywood record in the US, the film moves on to an astonishing $2,892,773 in just ten days and is now certain to dethrone the top grosser KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA's (2006) $3,275,444. Interesting to note that both the movies have one thing in common, Shah Rukh Khan.

Moving on to UK, OM SHANTI OM is now the top UK grosser of 2007, with $1,997,013. It has moved past the previous record holder, NAMASTEY LONDON's $1,730,000 (approx).

The movie that released with OM SHANTI OM, Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ranbir, Sonam, Salman (special appearance) and Rani starrer SAAWARIYA is now way behind, mainly due to a heavy fall in collections. SAAWARIYA has so far grossed $805,054 in the US and $554,271 in the UK.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network