Sonam Kapoor

Movie Review: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

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prem-rathan-dhan-payo-salman-khanMovie: Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP)

Director: Sooraj Barjatya

Starring: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh

Music Composed by: Himesh Reshammiya, Sanjoy Chowdhury

Release Date: November 12th 2015

Genre: Drama/Comedy

This Diwali’s Bollywood release, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (PRDP), tells a story about a charitable, lighthearted man, Prem Dilwale (Salman Khan), who is on a mission to meet the philanthropic and beautiful Princess Maithili (Sonam Kapoor). His “Prince and Pauper” comedic role is the highlight of this film. PRDP is not just a love story, but actually moreso a glorified Zee-TV drama about family conflicts between siblings. If you’re a Salmaan Khan or Sooraj Barjatya fan, don’t miss this film – otherwise save your popcorn money on something more worthwhile.

The positives:

  1. Fan of retro, 1990’s classic Bollywood movies like Hum Aapke Hain Kaun? This one is for you. Fun Fact: Sooraj Barjatya last casted Salman Khan 16 years ago in Hum Saath Saath Hain.
  2. Sonam Kapoor is stunningly beautiful and all her outfits are simple yet gorgeous. Her acting on the other hand, is questionable. She has not yet found a way to surface above the spunky, goofy, giggly role she plays in all her movies thus far.
  3. Want a good laugh? You can always count on Sallu (Salman) to bring home the comedy. His character is similar to his “Bajrangi Bhaijaan” role.
  4. The colorful sets and scenery are worth watching this for. Don’t forget the hit title song “Prem Ratan Dhan Payo” – perfect for a wedding dance song! Also don’t miss the romantic number “Jalte Diya.”

 The negatives:

  1. The story was quite mediocre and the screenplay was definitely nothing to brag about – I honestly expected more from Sooraj Barjatya.
  2. Other than the two songs mentioned above, the rest are forgettable fillers. Bollywood has largely revolutionized in the past several years to have fewer number of useless songs, yet this movie just reminds you something time-warped to old age Bollywood style with song and dance numbers every scene change.
  1. There are several cringe-worthy moments especially surrounding the “dishoom” scenes that remind you of old Bollywood movies.
  2. Neil Nitin Mukesh gets the award for WORST actor in this film. If Salman had co-stars who could actually act, this movie would have been successful.

On the whole, PRDP is nothing more than a time-pass Bollywood film to enjoy with your family this Diwali season. Leave your brains and high expectations at the door.

Acting: 2.5/5
Story: 3/5
Costumes: 4/5
Choreography: 3/5
Sets/Filming Location: 4/5
Songs: 3.5/5
Eye Candy: 3/5
Length of Movie: 2/5
Overall: *** (3/5) or 6/10

Key:
* = flop, don’t even bother
** = time pass, you’ll live if you don’t see it
*** = worth a watch
**** = A hit, see it in the theater!
***** = Bollywood Blockbuster

 

 

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Movie Review: Khoobsurat

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Disney_Khoobsurat

Release Date: September 19th, 2014   Length: 140 min

Director: Shashanka Ghosh

Producer: Walt Disney Pictures in association with Anil Kapoor Film Company

Based on the 1980 hit, “Khubsoorat” starring Rekha and Rakesh Roshan – this remake produced by Disney and Anil Kapoor Film Co. is a romcom starring the charming Sonam Kapoor, daughter of Anil Kapoor.

Dr. Mili Chakravarty (Sonam Kapoor) plays an uppity, colorful, high-energy physical therapist who is hired by an aristocratic family near Jaipur to rehabilitate the king (Aamir Raza Hussain), who has been wheelchair bound for ten years. His son, Prince Vikram Rathore (Pakistani heartthrob Fawad Khan) finds love interest in Dr. Mili…however a few obstacles stand in the way: 1. His mother (Ratna Pathak Shah), the authoritarian figure has strict rules and regulations placed on the Rathore family 2. the prince’s engagement to Kiara (Aditi Rao). 3. Vikram and Mili’s polar-opposite personalities. Watch the movie to find out how Dr. Mili wins over the Rathore family!

The Positives:

  1. It’s a comedy – just don’t forget to leave your brains at the door!
  2. Sonam Kapoor does a decent job given her ridiculous character role she has been given to portray. I prefer watching her in less ridiculous roles, though.
  3. Fawad Khan – beyond eye-candy. Can’t wait for him to be in more Bollywood films!
  4. The sets: this film is shot in Rajasthan at the most beautiful palaces!!
  5. Fawad Khan’s suits. He rocks much better attire than Sonam does.

Note: he only looks hot with facial hair…don’t believe me? Google image him.

The Negatives:

  1. Too many “cringe-worthy” scenes. Sonam Kapoor’s character was overdone.
  2. Sonam’s outfits – outrageous. She is a gorgeous MODEL…other than putting her in a few workout clothes here and there, her wardrobe was distracting and too outlandish. She never even wears the outfit in the “princess-like” movie poster!
  3. Songs – very disappointing. This movie had great potential for an awesome soundtrack – but yet, it did not meet my expectations.
  4. As a physical therapist myself, I wish they had shown more of the transition of the King’s rehabilitation progress throughout the movie (e.g., how she progressed him from being able to extend his knee to standing!)

Overall, it’s worth a watch if you’re a Sonam fan – of if you want to be a Fawad fan. Otherwise, don’t sweat it if you miss it.

* Fun Fact * Fawad Khan – Pakistani actor who played in a band, Entity Paradigm. Yes, he sings! Check out ‘Bolo Bolo’ they played at Coke Studio.

Fun Links:

What Royals Do 

Rating Breakdown:

Acting: 3.5/5
Story: 3/5
Costumes: 2/5
Sets/Filming Location: 4/5
Songs: 2/5
Eye Candy: 4/5
Length of Movie: 3/5

Rated: PG
Overall: *** (3/5) or 6/10

Key:
* = flop, don’t even bother
** = time pass, you’ll live if you don’t see it
*** = worth a watch
**** = A hit!
***** = Bollywood Blockbuster

Gulaab Gang & Bewakoofiyan Music Review!

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Movie: Gulaab Gang
Release Date: March 7th, 2014
Director: Soumik Sen
Cast: Madhuri Dixit-Nene, Juhi Chawla

ImageGulaab Gang is the latest unique soundtrack trending in Bollywood! The movie, releasing a day before International Women’s Day, is about a group of women in rural India who fight against social injustice. Thus, the classical/folk tracks are mixed with the empowering, patriotic tunes creating a unique package for listeners. We are definitely excited for this film – Madhuri and Juhi on the silver screen together! Let take a good look at each track…

‘Gulaabi,’ sung by Malabika Brahma and Shilpa Rao is the most powerful track full of patriotism. The singers’ impeccable energy captivates you with each and every word of Neha Saraf’s lyrics. Definitely a favorite on your playlist this week!

‘Dheemi Dheemi Si’ is sung by Kaushiki Chakroborty and Malabika Brahma. It is a true blend of classical and folk tunes in which you can imagine a playful event taking place in the scene. It sounds like an introductory song to a major scene/character.

‘Sharm laaj,’ sung by Malabika Brahma and Pavni Pandey, is also a catchy folk song that has a dance-able feel to it. If you’re a classical/folk dancer, you might find yourself choreographing some steps to this one!

‘Aankhiyaan,’ sung by Kaushiki Chakraborty, is a very beautiful yet incredibly snail-paced track. The flute is the highlighted instrument and makes the track sound like a perfect lullaby.

‘Rang se hui,’ also by Kaushiki Chakraborty, is the token Holi song of the film. No, it probably won’t be the first track you play at your Holi party, as it is more of a folk song that sounds almost bhajan-like. It is appropriately placed in this album and it will most likely have an important role in the movie.

‘Rangi saari gulaabi’ is a special track as it starts off with Madhuri Dixit’s mother, Snehalatha Dixit, singing the intro! Madhuri Dixit and Anupama Raag also join in on this traditional, slow folk song – something you might hear at a wedding function. I’m sure we all agree Madhuri’s strong suit is her dancing vs. singing, but nonetheless collaborating with her mother is priceless!

‘Teri jai ho’ is a solid track and a wonderful tribute to women. It is the only track with a male voice – sung, composed, and written by Soumik Sen. Females – this song is a great morale boost and wonderful to listen to in the morning time!

Best tracks: ‘Gulaabi’, ‘Dheemi Dheemi Si’, ‘Sharm Laag’
Overall Rating: ***1/2 (3.5/5)

Gulaab Gang Full Soundtrack Jukebox

Gulaab Gang Official Trailer

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Movie: Bewakoofiyan   Release Date: March 14th, 2014   

Director: Nupur Asthana    Cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Sonam Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor

Music Label: Yash Raj Music

Bewakoofiyan actually has a surprisingly appealing soundtrack with a few hits to add to your playlist this week. Raghu Dixit, the music director of this film, recently won his first GIMA (Global Indian Music Awards) for Best Live Performer. This Bangalorean indie folk band is actually more popular for its non-film music and is widely known to combine Indian classical rhythms with contemporary, up-beat styles.

Fun facts about Raghu Dixit:  He has performed for the Queen of England at the Diamond Jubilee Celebrations and he has hit the #1 spot on the iTunes World Music Charts seven times!

My favorite track of this film is ‘Gulcharrey‘ (Aditi Singh Sharma-Benny Dayal), which literally means “flowers scattering.” In this context, however, it is describing a celebration of life’s pleasures, or, “living the high life.” It has a catchy tune and is one of the stronger take-aways from this soundtrack.

The next best track is by Neeti Mohan, ‘Khamakhaan.” Very catchy and a track you will have on replay. I love Neeti’s attitude in this song and it will fit perfectly with Sonam Kapoor. Fun fact about this song: Ayushmann Khurrana sings this song! Yup – this new actor is a singer too. His is also well known for ‘Pani Da Rang,’ his debut song in Vicky Donor.

The title song, ‘Bewakoofiyaan,’ is sung by Raghu Dixit himself. I expected more from this track; quite frankly the only part of this song that’s stuck in my head is the ‘koof‘ syllable that Raghu exaggerates in a goofy way (have a listen and you’ll see what I’m talking about!). This song seems perfect for the ending credits…we’ll see!

‘Rumaani Sa Rumaani Si‘ (Mohit Chauhan-Shreya Ghoshal) is a very ordinary track fit for a rom-com. I can absolutely imagine Sonam Kapoor running through the fields on this one. Not a bad number, but not a favorite either.

The other two songs ‘Aye Jigida’ and ‘O Heeriye‘ are the weakest parts of this soundtrack. ‘O Heeriye‘ was co-composed/co-written by Ayushmann Khurrana.

Best tracks: ‘Gulchharey,’ ‘Khamakhaan’    

Overall rating: **1/2 (2.5/5)

Bewakoofiyan Full Soundtrack Jukebox

Bewakoofiyan Official Trailer