Ritwik Ghosh

MOHABBATEIN is one of the most eagerly awaited films of all times. Produced by Yash Chopra, the film is the second release from the director of DILWALE DULHANIYA LE JAYENGE. It brings together two super-stars ? Amitabh Bachchan and Shah Rukh Khan ? face to face for the first time. Obviously, you expect the moon in terms of entertainment. MOHABBATEIN meets the expectations, but disappoints in two major departments ? the screenplay and the length of the film. But first, the plus points. The basic plot is refreshingly different from the Mills & Boons fares one is so used to witnessing in film after film. The conflict between Amitabh and Shah Rukh is another trump card of this enterprise. Moreover, the three love stories have been cleverly woven in the narration and heighten the conflict between Amitabh and Shah Rukh. Writer-director Aditya Chopra has handled the confrontation sequences between the two stars with aplomb. Not once do you feel that the writer in Chopra has tilted on any one side. The two stars have been given equal footage and importance, both get to deliver punch packed dialogues and both look the characters they portray.

DDLJ: A Flawless Indian Fairytale That Has A Definitive Repeat Value! DDLJ it’s not just an abbreviation, but self-defining, stand alone word! It speaks volumes of a generation. It speaks volumes about romance and film making simultaneously. The film by YRF is one memorable film for it is uber romance. It is utterly endearing and cute. This film has a definitive repeat value. The story of the film set in 90s revolves around two NRIs who happen to bump into each other during a Europe trip. Raj and Simran, the two immortal characters have a hate-hate relationship which later turns into undying love. However, Simran’s father has vowed to get his girl married to his friend’s son and so the family leaves for India. This is the time when the love dawns upon the two estranged friends and Raj sets out to win back his love, to make her his Dulhan! The story of the film is a champion hands down for it hits the right notes and pitches for appropriate scenes and sequences. Speaking about the direction, it is a typical Bollywood potboiler coming from one of the most acclaimed banners, YRF. Aditya Chopra like his legendary father, Yash Chopra, spans the story from the snow-clad, sapphire kissed peaks of Switzerland to the lush yellow mustard fields of Punjab. The film has picturesque places that make it a delightful watch. Every scene, every dialogues, every expression has a recall value to it; so much that the “train sequence” is still aped by the filmmakers of the contemporary times. The film unquestionably created history for it wasn’t just the places, sequences, style that added an edge to the film but the performance and the music too made it an enchanting watch. Neither can we let go of the suave image of Raj and the nerd chic avatar of Simran nor can we let of the image of Simran’s brawny father, Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri) whose eyes were feisty enough to spit fire or the image of a Raj’s perky Pops Dharamvir Malhotra (Anupam Kher) whose squeaks often made us giggle. Pooja Ruparel as Chutki, Farida Jalal as Lajjo, Satish Shah as Ajit, Parmeet Sethi as Kuljeet, Mandira Bedi as Preeti, or be it Karan Johar as Rocky (Raj’s friend) and Anaita Adajania as Sheena (Simran’s friend), each character became immortal and is still etched in our memories. Why, the poem recited by Kajol is one famous piece from the film we can never forget, or even the dialogue, “Bade Bade Desho Mein Aisi Choti Choti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hai” still gives us a bizarre bliss as we say it out aloud. The music by Jatin-Lalit created a roar and rung the chartbusters for weeks! It still remains one of our favorite romantic music albums. The film not only gave us a film worthy of repeat viewing but also the film’s ensemble took immense memories back with them. When the film was recreated on the celluloid by tossing in the spices of the century with Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, it was proved that DDLJ was one epic love story, almost a fairytale which can never be remade! Many find the film clichéd. As for us, however, it is flawless in its approach and execution. It hits you with emotions as well as tickles you with laughter. We believe if this film was to compete against any fairytale, it would win without much ado for it is perfect blend of fairytale-esque romance with dash of comedy and punch of action.