Sometimes it’s better not to try to pay homage to past classics
THIS was the year that commercial cinema stepped up in the matter of monetising nostalgia. In the West, the Spielberg/Lucas copyism of Jurassic World and Star Wars: The Force Awakens raked in megabucks by cosying up to established fanbases, as did Spectre by extracting 007 from the real world that Skyfall had placed him in, and returning him to those fantastical lairs he’d escaped half a century ago.
With Dilwale, Bollywood follows suit. In its title and casting, Rohit Shetty’s film trades heavily on fond memories of Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, the 1995 landmark that was still enjoying regular rotation in one Mumbai cinema as late as this February.
What’s initially so discombobulating here is that that film’s stars, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol, should be reunited in a very different movie. Where the original was a lush, keening romance, the new one foregrounds elements of those pulpy crime stories about one sibling getting inextricably drawn into another’s risky business.
The good brother here is Raj (Khan), a former tough who reformed upon opening an auto repair shop. Yet one of the hot rods parked under his roof is trickier to handle than most. This is younger brother Veer (Varun Dhawan), who – while attempting to impress the winsome Ishu (Kriti Sanon) – crosses a fearsome drug dealer.
An extended pre-interval flashback clarifies matters a little. Here, we learn that the beardless Raj only turned thug after he, too, had stepped in to assist a damsel in distress. And after the thoroughly boysy beginning it’s something of a relief when Kajol shows up, still possessed of the best eyebrows in the business, as Raj’s beloved Meera. Thus can Shetty make a narrative point of having history repeat itself.
For at least its first half, Dilwale provides functional holiday entertainment.
It’s clear that Khan’s rare, Cary Grant-like ability to strike up a chemistry with anyone placed in front of him hasn’t diminished over the past two decades. With Kajol it’s a given, and a joy – and for this lovestruck Raj something of a liability – but there’s also a warmth to his interactions with Dhawan that steers the garage scenes away from flimsy Fast & Furious- ism.
Shetty keeps his end up by ensuring the action scenes remain coherent. The punches land with uncommon force for a 12A-rated movie, and the crisp editing is such that you can see the drivers in the cars flipping over at 130km/h.
While it’s transitioning between genres, you ride along. Trouble arrives, however, once Dilwale nears its destination. The dud second half feels copied-andpasted from some Big Bollywood Book of StarCrossed Lovers, tossing out one implausible, indigestible chunk of melodrama after another.
The 1995 Dilwale’s title translated as “The Brave will take the Bride”. The new Dilwale has the star power to pick up those unlucky bridesmaids, but everybody’s evening might have been better served by returning the original to circulation. – www.theguardian.com THIS year was commendable for Bollywood – directors put their best foot forward. But there were a few standouts who raked in the majority of the awardsand the recently held Stardust Awards was just a reflection of that fact.
Among the blockbusters, Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan bagged top honours ever since its release and also won big at the event. Kabir Khan’s directorial swept awards in the Best Film, Best Director and Best Child Artist categories.
Bollywood diva Deepika Padukone won the Best Actor (Female) award for Piku and her co-star megastar Amitabh Bachchan was the Best Actor (Male) for his role in Shamitabh. HERE ARE THE WINNERS: Best Film: Best Actor (Male): Amitabh Bachchan ( Best Actor (Female): Deepika Padukone ( Power-packed Performer: Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Best Director: Kabir Khan ( Best Acting Debut (Male): Sooraj Pancholi ( Best Acting Debut (Female): Athiya Shetty ( Both the actors also won Best Debut Jodi Award. Best Child Artist: Harshali Malhotra ( Entertainer of the Year: Salman Khan Style Icon: Parineeti Chopra – www.indianexpress.com