London Dreams Movie Review - Taran Adarsh

By Taran Adarsh, October 30, 2009

In real life, if you feel your colleague is far more superior to you in intelligence, talent, charisma, efficiency, chances are you might feel the heat. Jealousy, generally, stems from there. In the process, the best of relations get strained. LONDON DREAMS, directed by Vipul Shah, talks of two musicians, thick pals actually, and how jealousy drives a wedge in their friendship.

Let's clear a few myths before discussing the positive and negative factors of this film. LONDON DREAMS is not BAIJU BAWRA. LONDON DREAMS is not ROCK ON!!, ABHIMAAN, YAARANA or SAAJAN either [a section of the industry wants us to believe that]. The truth is, LONDON DREAMS borrows from Milos Forman's brilliant film AMADEUS [1984], which was based on Salieri and Mozart's life. In fact, Suneel Darshan too had made a film based on AMADEUS called SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM [2007; Bobby Deol, Upen Patel].

LONDON DREAMS is a complete departure from Vipul Shah's earlier outings, AANKHEN, WAQT, NAMASTEY LONDON and SINGH IS KINNG [produced by Vipul, directed by Anees Bazmee]. This film is about relationships and tends to get very real and intense, in the post-interval portions specifically. The scale of LONDON DREAMS is gigantic and the execution of concerts [it's about a band] sweeps you off your feet.

In terms of execution, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that LONDON DREAMS is amongst Vipul Shah's most accomplished works to date. Also, it boasts of incredible performances by Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn. But there are hiccups too and it's these deficiencies that bog the film down!

They were childhood friends. But they had little in common except their family's connection with music. While Arjun's [Ajay Devgn] life was consumed by a passionate drive to get on stage and realize his grandfather's unfulfilled dream, Mannu [Salman Khan] was content with remaining a child at heart with no higher ambition than enjoying the good things in life.

As Arjun forges a band with Zoheb [Rannvijay Singh], Wasim [Aditya Roy Kapur] and Priya [Asin], a music enthusiast from a conservative South Indian family, far away in Punjab, music becomes a survival tool for Mannu, who takes to playing in wedding bands in his village.

Arjun gets Mannu to London and makes him a part of the band, but soon realizes he's created the biggest threat and obstacle to his own ambitions.

Mannu, with his inherent musical gift, becomes an instant darling of the crowds. Arjun's unbearable pangs of jealousy and insecurity only worsen when Mannu also unwittingly woos and wins his secret love, Priya. As he battles his inner demons, Arjun slowly devises a sinister plan to destroy his best friend.

It takes time to get into Ajay's world [its Ajay who's narrating the story here]. The film moves back and forth and it's only when the two buddies, now adults, meet that you realize where the story is headed. The first hour depicts the two extreme characters - Ajay, who's an introvert and who cannot think of anything but his goal and Salman, a happy-go-lucky guy, laidback and fun-loving, least focused.

The narrative has some interesting moments in the first hour, but the actual story unravels only towards the second half. The first half, frankly, only sets things up for the explosive drama that is to follow. The wheels start moving when Ajay plays a vicious game and hatches a conspiracy to ruin his buddy's career.

It's the second hour that does the trick. You can't help but carry several sequences in your heart, even after you've made an exit from the auditorium...

• Note the scene when Salman makes four different tunes from the original tune created by Ajay.

• Note the scene when Ajay meets an inebriated Salman and professes revenge, while Salman is completely clueless about Ajay's sinister plans.

• Note the scene when the band arrives in London after a 3-city concert and they're received by aggressive mediapersons.

But there're roadblocks too. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is a downer. LONDON DREAMS is about a rock band, about music, about concerts and the music had to be the soul of the film. Unfortunately, it's not! The songs have been filmed in the most energetic fashion, but how one wishes the music was one of the strengths of the film.

Also, the film could've concluded when the two friends re-unite at the station. Adding one more song thereafter only dilutes the impact of the emotionally correct sequence that has just been witnessed. Besides, the song in question hasn't been promoted either, so it only comes across as an aberration.

Prior to that, Ajay's outburst at the end of the concert is far from convincing. The film has a real feel, real characters and real situations, but the outburst looks unreal and is one of the drawbacks, from the writing point of view. It's just not convincing!

Besides, Ajay's childhood character is shown fleeing from the airport and making it big in a foreign land [London], without any support whatsoever. It's unpalatable!

Vipul Shah has handled this intricate subject well, but the writing could've been tighter. Sejal Shah's cinematography is super. Brownie points for capturing the concerts brilliantly. Salim-Sulaiman's background score matches international standards.

Both Salman and Ajay vie for top honours. Salman has a role that the junta would take to instantly and the actor too endears himself to the viewers. He's stupendous. When it comes to displaying intensity on screen, very few can live up to the standards set by Ajay. To state that he packs in a power-packed performance would be an understatement. They, in fact, compliment each other wonderfully well.

Asin is admirable and pairs off very well with Salman. She is sure to have a new name after this film - Chennai Express [that's how Salman addresses her affectionately, all through the film]. Om Puri has a brief role. Aditya Roy Kapur is very good and registers an impact. Rannvijay Singh doesn't get much to do, except throw nasty looks at Salman. Manoj Pahwa provides some funny moments. Brinda Parekh is okay.

On the whole, LONDON DREAMS has superb performances from its principal cast and several emotionally-charged sequences as its two trump cards. But its biggest drawback is its climax and also the music, which is the weakest link of the movie. At the box-office, the film should appeal more to the multiplex audience than the masses. Business at big centres, especially at metros, should be better, but mini-metros and towns will be a contrast.

London Dreams Video Song

Main aurr mrs khanna-Music Review

Reviewed by: Ankit Ojha.....
Producer: Ronnie Screwvala, Sohail Khan
Director: Prem R. Soni
Starring: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sohail Khan
Music: Sajid-Wajid
Lyrics: Jalees Sherwani, Junaid Wasi, Arun Bhairav
Singers: Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghosal, Suzanne D Mello, Wajid, Sunidhi Chauhan, Raja Mushtaq, Uvie, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Bappi Lahiri, Shaan, Neuman Pinto
Audio On: T-Series Number of Songs: 8
Album Released on: 08 September 2009
Sajid Ali and Wajid Ali are back after a short break post Wanted for yet another Salman Khan flick, namely Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, a romantic comedy co-starring Sohail Khan and Kareena Kapoor and directed by Prem Soni. And considering most of the duo’s efforts in Salman Khan’s flicks have been average (save for the upbeat Partner and the variety in Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, both David Dhawan films) at best, with even Wanted being mixed bag with a few tracks sounding good on a standalone basis, and a few making an impact on screen, the listener wonders if Sajid and Wajid will deliver a bona fide musical hit this time.

And guess what? They deliver a marvelous soundtrack with a variety of genres packed into a single eight-track album (with the list of eight tracks including two really impressive remixes), which might send fans of Salman Khan into mad frenzies (considering the fact that three consecutive soundtracks have been released so far in two consecutive months, including Wanted, and London Dreams other than this soundtrack).

The soundtrack boasts of a perfect opener with Don’t Say Alvida, a breezy romantic number that has the term HIT written all over it. Urdu-based lyrics (written by Junaid Wasi) that boast of an old-world nineties feel, coupled with beautiful music that boast of this strong “all-time-favorite” allure that even the listener of today cannot resist – such is the effect of the song. The soft desi dholak, with a fading background pad, along with synthesizers put on reverb, and Sonu Nigam’s fantabulous vocals make this a stunning number. Add to this combination Shreya Ghoshal, and we have a sure-shot winner that will floor the listeners and change their mind about Sajid-Wajid and their déjà vu music.

Don’t Say Alvida (Sad) is short, but the emotions Shreya Ghoshal pitches in with her vocals will floor you and make a softhearted listener shed a few tears!

The song will floor you so much that once you discover that there is a remix for it, you will be annoyed. But a few seconds into Don’t Say Alvida (Remix) by DJ A-Myth, you realize that this isn’t your regular dhinchak club mix. The ‘lounge’ element very much speaks a lot about the remix, which only places the song in an ‘urban setting’ for recollection and repeat value, as also making the song more popular among the urban audience. The people in love with the original will not hate this one; in fact, they will end up wholeheartedly accepting the new, hip pop feel which the remix provides, thereby actually making them love the song even more.
Speaking of the end of déjà vu, when it makes a sudden entry with Happening, a number true to its title considering its chartbusting status – yes! It’s a sure-shot chartbuster, though listeners get the queer feeling that this is another ‘Kajraa Re’ (Bunty Aur Babli), though they really won’t mind, the reason being that there is this energetic, foot tapping feel to it that is completely irresistible and will generate a lot of takers. Sunidhi Chauhan is at her energetic best, and Wajid (who doesn’t mind relegating himself to the backseat in this one) supports her amply. Lyrics are apt, which is why Jalees Shrewani does a good enough job in penning this track, though they aren’t really impressive when viewed from a practical perspective. However, it’s the energy of the song that infects you in the end, and you just want to dance to the track!

PUMP IT UP! That’s what Happening (Remix) by DJ A-Myth tells us to do. A fun remix, this one literally pumps things up, and stands on really well with the original as far as shelf-life is concerned. Play it loud!

Darn! How many times has the word Rabba been used in the songs of the past? Don’t the lyricists get bored? Anyway, this Jalees Sherwani written track ventures into the dangerous territory of been-there-done-that, which the listener might not get comfy with, considering there have been a gazillion better moody songs that have always had the word ‘Rabba’ getting interjected like it is the ultimate in sadness. The lyrics, speaking about the wrong turns made in life and the mistakes which result into bigger consequences, are so déjà vu (a very similar lyrical theme to ‘Tanhayee’ from Dil Chahta Hai). Even the music doesn’t save the song from being a letdown in terms of shelf-life and chartbusters, which is why Rahat Fateh Ali Khan is forcefully put on the backburner on this one, despite trying hard to give the song his trademark ‘punch’. A situational track that is a major letdown in the album so far, it is only to be seen if the track succeeds in melting hearts on screen!

Redemption though comes back with a bang – and what a big bang! Wajid comes behind the mike to give his best vocal rendition so far with Tum Ne Socha, and when paired up with Shreya Ghoshal, nothing can ever go wrong – and it doesn’t! The track has a complete pop/soft rock feel to it, and you will feel elated from the first playing second itself! Shreya Ghoshal is not just paired with Wajid this time – she equals him in every aspect, be it the singing or the space she is given. Arun Bhairav’s lyrics play around with the imagination and ask us what would happen if your loved one really did something that would shock you. Overall, a song that deserves as many listens as the listener would want to – as this one is an addictive delight that is a winner all the way!

Mrs. Khanna – David Dhawan soundtrack meets Shankar, Ehsaan Loy’s ‘Pretty Woman’ from Kal Ho Naa Ho? Oh well, at the end of the first listen, the only two images I conjured up in my mind were the posters of Coolie No.1 and Kal Ho Naa Ho. In an attempt to find out why, I discovered that this track has a connection – a David Dhawan feel, with a déjà vu of Shankar, Ehsaan & Loy’s ‘Pretty Woman’ included in the mix. The lyrics by Jalees Sherwani are no great shakes, but really, the song is enjoyable, what with this really good mix of singers in this one song – Shaan being the pick of the lot. The others, namely Sunidhi Chauhan, Bappi Lahiri, Neuman Pinto and Suzanne D Mello give ample support. The bhangra beat (which turns out to be a constant, in-your-face reminder of 'Pretty Woman') might annoy you for a bit, but in the end, it turns out to be a fun number that one can listen to when in an upbeat mood.

So, what does one get in this album? It is this rare album that has this amazing collection of singers which will floor you – starting with Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal, all the way till Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (who turns out to be a bit of a disappointment actually), the singers are here to impress, and the music grows on you. This is good, as it is a long time after the collaboration of Partner that Sajid-Wajid have made a ‘complete’ album which leaves you satisfied by the end of the playlist. An album that is a must-keep in your collection if you like a variety of genres!

Main Aurr Mrs Khanna-Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh, October 16, 2009

We love drama. That's the staple diet of Bollywood films. Even television shows, till a few months ago, relied too heavily on dramatic moments and twists-n-turns, especially the saas-bahu shows. Of late, the reality shows rely on drama to boost the TRPs.

MAIN AURR MRS. KHANNA, directed by debutante Prem Soni, could've been an interesting story had the drama quotient been a bit stronger. What comes across is too simple and ordinary.

Actually, the problem lies in its writing. It wouldn't be erroneous to say that Prem Soni, the director is letdown by Prem Soni, the writer. The writing gyrates from interesting to ordinary to unconvincing and that bogs the film down. The inconsistency is evident all through.
Final words? This Mr. and Mrs. Khanna won't live happily ever after!

Raina [Kareena Kapoor], Samir [Salman Khan] and Akash [Sohail Khan] are three people whose lives get entwined at an international airport. Samir has to decide whether he wants to stay in the same city [Melbourne] that gave him so much and then took away everything or fly away to a new city [Singapore], to a new life.
Raina has to decide whether her love and loyalty for her husband Samir, who left her to pursue success, is more justified than her faith and trust in her new-found friend, while Akash has to decide whether what he feels for a married woman is lust or true love and whether he's justified in trying to win her at all costs, even at the cost of her marriage.

Now let's analyse…
MAIN AURR MRS. KHANNA makes a promising start. The cracks in the relationship are evident when the husband starts facing problems on the professional front. He tries to re-locate to Singapore, but decides to send his wife to Delhi, to his parents' home. Convincing!

The wife decides to stay back in Melbourne and suddenly meets an 'angel' [Sohail Khan] and a friend's friend [Mahek Chahal], who gets her a job at the airport [within hours of meeting her] and a few scenes later, Mrs. Khanna shifts into a palatial mansion. Wowwwww! How can she afford a palace-like home in Melbourne from the salary that she gets, while working in a shop at the airport? Not convincing!

The wife and angel become friends. The angel is well aware of her marital status, yet loves her dearly. The woman trusts him as a friend. Convincing!
The husband re-surfaces [very quickly]. He's now settled in Singapore, has even bought a house there, he returns to Melbourne to fetch his wife back. Complications arise when the marriage registration letter surfaces. Not convincing!

The question is, why didn't the wife confide in her husband about it? That she had to do it for the work permit? Of course, she states subsequently that she didn't want to complicate things further, but didn't she ever realise that the truth would be out sooner or later?

Also, when the husband is in Singapore, there's scant or zilch communication between the couple, which looks so unreal. There's just one sequence of the wife calling her husband, but the husband isn't responding to the call. Again, not convincing!

The ending is interesting, but the surprise appearance of Deepika Padukone looks forced in the script. Perhaps, it was incorporated so that Sohail doesn't come across as a loser. Strangely, Deepika's name is also Raina [also Kareena's name in the film] and she too was in a relationship with a Samir [also Salman's name], which looks fake.

Prem Soni has handled a few scenes well, but the writing is ineffectual. Dialogue, also by Prem, are wonderful at places. Sajid-Wajid's music is tuneful. 'Don't Say Alvida' and 'Rabba' are melodious compositions. The cinematography is striking. The locales of Melbourne give the film a perfect romantic setting.
Salman handles his part with maturity, but it's a Kareena show all the way. She is remarkable and delivers a winning performance yet again. Sohail contributes to some light moments. Yash Tonk is alright. Mahek Chahal is perfect. Nauheed Cyrusi doesn't get any scope.

The film has several star appearances: Deepika Padukone, Preity Zinta [okay], Dino Morea [hardly there for a few minutes] and Bappil Lahiri [yes, the veteran music composer has a proper role in the film].

On the whole, MAIN AURR MRS. KHANNA is weak in merits. At the box-office, the BLUE wave, followed by another strong opposition in ALL THE BEST will sideline MAIN AURR MRS. KHANNA completely. It's a non-starter!

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