Review of the Movie DOSTANA

It didn’t start with ‘K’. It didn’t have Karan Johar’s lucky mascot Shah Rukh Khan even in a brief appearance. But most importantly and thankfully, it did have the entertainment package that one associates Dharma Productions (Karan’s production house) with. This was a genre that was a first from the Johars—an out and out comedyIn a long time. It wasn’t a spoof on a community but a light take on the subject of homosexuality.

Welcome all to the fun-filled world of DOSTANA!

DOSTANA—the title conjures up images of Amitabh Bachchan and Shartudhun Sinha’s yesteryear classic DOSTANA. It isn’t a rehash of the old DOSTANA In this era of remakes, one may be excused to interpret this DOSTANA a remake of the earlier one.But thankfully, all similarity remained confined to the title only.

Directed by Debutante and Karan Johar’s aide Tarun Mansukhaani, this DOSTANA comes as fresh and ‘light’ breath of air as the box office too heaved a big sigh of relief after witnessing a ‘thanda’(cold) and serious(read ‘Fashion’, ‘Karzzzz’) outcome at the box office in recent times.

Abhishek-Priyanka-John starrer DOSTANA basically is rib-tickler which hovers around the theme of same-sex relationship (read gay relationship) but in a lighter vein. Littered with breathtaking Miami beaches and sceneries, enough flesh-showing (this time the male actors, John Abraham to be precise, takes it upon himself to do the needful) and some amazing chemistry between Abhishek and John, this DOSTANA becomes a must-watch.

The movie takes a lighter take on the gay community and walks away without offending them or for that matter anyone. The two chief protagonists, Sam(Abhishek Bachchan) and Kunal(John Abraham) pretend to be gay couples in order to rent a flat they desperately need. If nothing succeeds like success, nothing complicated like complications. That small lie snowballs into a much bigger and inescapable thing they had envisioned. The 1st half of DOSTANA brings you some really funny moments but the loosely scripted 2nd half entertains and tickles your funny bones in patches. Or may be the 1st half of the movie raised the bar and expectations a tad too much for the 2nd half to sustain the same entertainment and humour package that the 1st half offered. Whatever may be the reason, the 2nd half disappoints. After all, making a full-fledged film out of the KAL HO NAA HO Kantaaben joke was always going to be a difficult task.

Among the actors, the one to look out for is Abhishek Bachchan. He’s surely the pick of the actors. John hasn’t looked this hot ever before. Not only women but the males also could be seen gasping every time John flashed his biceps and well-sculpted body. But it wasn’t only muscles that floored the fans. John does a pretty decent job with his acting and complements Abhishek very well. He’s was a much improved show from his last out-and-out comedy Garam Masala. Priyanka, as usual wins the hearts of the audience with her beauty and acting prowess. She looks screen-scorching hot. Seasoned actors like Kiron Kher as Abhishek’s mother and Boman Irani as the gay editor-in-chief of a fashion मैगजीन again live up to the their reputation and steal the show even if their brief but hugely entertaining and indelible performances. Bobby Deol, as Priyanka’s boss, (another guest appearance in the movie) does an okay job as the script didn’t leave much to explore and exhibit for this Punjab da Puttar. The music scored by one of the most happening duos of Bollywood Vishal-Shekhar is nothing much to write home about sans the track Desi Girl and Maa Daa Laadla Bigad gaya.

All in all, DOSTANA makes up for a good-watch. In fact, it’s more than a good-watch. So, go and soak in the DOSTANA spirit. Fun is guaranteed.

DADAGIRI

An ode to Sourav Ganguly—‘ The Phoenix’

As the cricket fraternity and fans all over bid adieu to the transformer of Indian cricket—Sourav Ganguly, I also couldn’t help stopping myself from joining the bandwagon to pay ode to this legend of Indian cricket who no longer will be seen wearing the Indian tri-colours on the cricket field.

With the conclusion of the 2008 Border-Gavaskar trophy, the hugely successful though quite eventful career of Sourav Ganguly came to a halt as the southpaw announced retirement from all forms of international cricket.

Farewells are always an emotional affair where there is a tinge of disappointment of going. However huge this loss (retirement of Sourav Ganguly) may be to the Indian cricket, on a personal front, it will be a monumental loss as I saw and admired Ganguly not only as a cricketer but a big role model.

I still have vivid memories of Sourav who broke onto the international cricket arena with an indelible century on debut that made the world sit and take note of this ‘Prince of Kolkata’. I can recapitulate those moments when I first heard about ‘Dada’--- It was the Lords test in 1996. I didn’t have any cable connection that time. So my only source of cricket updates used to be the Doordarshan news. I was busy writing my project report when my grandfather asked me to rush to the drawing room where he was listening to the DD news. That was the time when I first saw the images of Sourav Ganguly. The video clipping showing Sourav caressing the off side for a boundary and reaching to a magnificent century marked with exceptional class, tremendous grit and princely elegance is still etched in my memory.

With the passage of time, he grew from strength to strength to strength and his stature in the cricketing history of our cricket-frenzy nation continued to reach new heights. In between records stumbled and Sourav Ganguly became synonymous with success and aggression. But his cricket credentials are not the only reasons why I would always remember him. Sourav Ganguly will always be my hero, my idol for his determination, grit, never-say-die-attitude and resilience. He taught us how to make ‘comebacks’ despite all odds being against you. He taught us to always keep our chin up even when we have our backs to the wall and sail through the troubled waters even when the whole world turns against us.

The world may have christened him as ‘Dada’, ‘Bengal Tiger, ‘Prince of Kolkata’, ‘Maharaja’. But for me he’ll always be a ‘PHEONIX’—a true fighter who literally rose form the ashes fighting all adversaries. The fact that he’s leaving on a high gives more pleasure to his fans and well-wishers than maybe himself. He truly deserves every bit of praise and accolades he’s getting for serving and literally transforming Indian cricket into a world power in cricket. Sourav Ganguly will surely be missed.

Wishing Sourav a happy and successful life post cricket!

Baadshah O Baadshah.

I’m penning this poem on the Baadshah of Bollywood।

I hope it’ll be liked by one and all in all likelihood।

A starlet was born on this day।

Who brought the world at his feet, I must say।

He paved way 4 himself by sheer hard work and diligence.

And won accolades for his acting skills, exceptional sense of humour and good common sense.

The number of admirers he has is profuse।

Undoubtedly he is an icon and I’m sure this status he wouldn’t misuse।

He has stood the test of time with great courage and perseverance।

Fans and critics alike have been bowled over by SRK’s sense of humour and energy that’s in him immense

.
Wishing heartiest and balmy wishes to our DEVDAS alias DON।

You have performed every role with panache and aplomb

SRK is not only a fabulous actor but an icon

We hope to see you in new avatars for 100 years more as the K…k……kk… Kiran magic hasn’t yet gone.