Watch Out Ladies

Yash Raj Productions has hardly done much good work in the last few years. Chak De India (which i didn't think was particularly brilliant, but we'll discuss that in its own review) was the only successful film from the so-called powerhouse production company. Personally, I rather enjoyed Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, but I can understand why it was hard to digest by most audiences. Whether it's the timing, the cast, the story, the screenplay, or even the music, Bachna Ae Haseeno scores in all. BAH is a romantic comedy about a regular guy who's been around with many women, finally falling in love, but getting rejected, and then going on a journey to redeem himself. Warm, funny at times and definitely interesting. With the exception of Deepika Padukone, who emerges as a rather wooden actor, the performances were all good. The winner here is definitely Ranbir Kapoor as Raj, who carries a charismatic glow with him in every frame that leaves you with not much else to look at. He's got a very likable quality about him and I can only see him flourish with his future ventures. Minisha does a good job as the Punjabi girl next door who wants to be a "Simran", and Bipasha's role has been written out rather meaty as well (excuse the pun). Fresh locations can be a bore if they are out of context, or can be forgotten if they are used as mere background, but BAH uses its locations to the fullest. Add to that some good music, where every song fits in, and you have a successful music album. I give this movie a much more than just "safe-to-watch" recommendation. Highly enjoyable. Great direction, good screenplay and high production values. Yash Raj has finally managed to crack out of the mold of mundane.

This movie has definitely been inspired by the classic hit movie, "Teen Devian," which starred the ever green Dev Anand, Simi Garewall, Nanda, Kalpana and the late I.S. Johar and I mention "inspired" and not copied as there are some differences. The title is of this movie was also a song from the 1977 hit movie, "Hum Kisise Kum Naheen," which starred Rishi Kapoor, Kaajal Kiran, the late Amjad Khan and Tariq. 17 year old Raj Sharma is in Switzerland with his friends when he spots some girls, one of who, he later finds out is Mahi, who has come with her parents and just like in "Dil Walleh Dulhaniya Lejayenge," she is in search of a perfect Raj. Unfortunately she misses her train back to the Swiss city of Zurich and Raj decides to help her in the hope that he can date her. Turn the clocks forward and Raj is in Bombay where his next door neighbour, Radhika, a glamour girl with who he begins dating only and then turn the clocks forward a bit more and Raj is in Australia, working for Microsoft. Here he meets a girl who is just like him, Gayatri, who is also an NRI. Starring Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Bipasha Basu and Minisha Lambha and is directed by Siddharth Anand (of "Salaam Namastey.") This is a typical Yash Raj film when it comes to location as it has snow and mountains and the director has previously used Australia in his previous movie. And then there are certain scenes which will make the audience remember Ranbir Kapoor's father, Rishi Kapoor, in "Bobby." Ranbir has moved on from "Sawaariya" and has proved that he can do other types of roles as he has done in this. Deepika, unfortunately, is still in the same frame as she was in the second half of "Om Shanti Om" and this is where perhaps the director could used the real life couple to portray the romantic scenes in the most effective manner. And Bipasha Basu looks stunning as ever and her performance was believable as a girl who is in love. The audience is constantly reminded of the song by the late Kishore Kumar, "Bachna Ae Haseeno" from the movie that I have already mentioned from 1977 (a remixed version) at the same time they are also reminded of one of the biggest hits of the 1990's "Dil Walleh Dulhaniya Lejayenge" in the form of it s title music whenever scenes of Switzerland are shown. Having visited Switzerland myself and also the Alps, I can say that a lot of the scenery was just superb and especially of the Swiss towns in the Alps. Conclusion: One of the better movies from Yash Raj and indeed from Bollywood and at least the audience doesn't have to leave their thinking "grey" cells at home and intact.

Just when you thought, Bollywood's first family Kapoor khandan is ready to hand over the title to Bachchan family, here comes a young, handsome, dude, who is here to stay. I never cared to watch Sawariya (from all its promos, it looked too wimpy). But this one surely is going to place him on the hot-stuff category! The three heroines are adequate, with spl mention of Deepika P. Though the character is bit unrealistic (who cares for realism anyways in commercial bollywood films?), but she definitely carries on the role of an independent, yet vulnerable character! Music is great, Khuda Jaane is going to the classics. You just can't get enough of it. Jogi Mahi takes time to grow, but when it does, it sticks. Lucky boy is yet another dhin-chak number with less substance. Shreya Ghoshal & Lucky Ali's Ahista Ahista is a lovely track, that takes time, but it becomes addictive. Another good note: thanks to Vishal Shekhar to have given youngsters some chance: Raja Hassan and Himani Kapoor are on the tracks, though very small contribution. Cinematography: well, I really don't believe in going to nice locations, Australia, Italy, Switzerland to make a nice 'looking' movies, however cinematographer has made use of locations well. While the movie cinematography is alright, but song picturization is surely a winner! Loooove the long sweeping camera movements in 'Khuda Jaane', the camera rotations in colorful 'Jogi Mahi' or the 'Bachna Ae Haseeno' title track with the morphs, or the scooter-on-the-move sequences in 'Ahista Ahista'! The movie is a great watch. Very contemporary, even the languages and dialogues. The other casts, like Kunal Kapoor, and Sachin (isn't he Paintal Jr?) do a great job. Overall, a decent watch. If you do have the DVD, watch the deleted scenes too. Kapoor is definitely going to become the next Hrithik Roshan (though real HR is not going anywhere).

Worst in every sense of the word best describes this movie. Pathetic bit of acting by every single cast in the movie. A high-budget wasted to make a crap of a movie. Bollywood is losing scripts to make. Love,Hate,Compassion, Make-up, Break-ups thats all you can except from most of the bollywood movies.I have a thousand reasons to hate the movie and not a single to love it.Some reasons include: 1)Totally incompetent script. Things all go Hero's way. Not a single bit of realistic vision. 2)I don't understand if Ranbir is a hero or a Pied Piper. Whatever he wishes its all done in a song. 3)Absolutely no sense of humour all through the film. More of a sleeping pill. 4)Bollywood Heroines need to concentrate on acting rather than skin shows all through the film,the film is worth seeing for those who like the latter part. 5)The film is senseless at the end. Anyone can predict the second half of the movie. Waste of time and waste of money.

Bachna Ae Haseeno is as endearing a movie can get! Its is a prime example of a movie which is wonderful, fun-filled, formulaic yet having a new age zing to it. Yes, it is a typical Yash Raj product soaked with fantasies, over the top antics, situations, plausibilities and a few contrived situations! Heck! Damn It! Who Cares? This is not meant to be a path breaking film and it never claims to be one! Hell it even unabashedly draws slight inspiration from the cult DDLJ, eventually spoofing and mocking it! That was that. Now its a new decade, a new attitude! And it reflects that. Director Siddharth Anand knows the pulse of the Modern New Age Indian Audience -- their psyche, their value systems and their attitudes. And it is reflected in' Bachna Ae Haseeno' in the way he executes an Aditya Chopra script with backup from A grade ingredients -- be it the cast and the production value. The casting is just perfect with neatly carved out roles for each and everybody. 'BAH' heralds the arrival of a new superstar, in fact a new 'Raj' - Ranbir Kapoor. It is a tailor made role for him to exhibit his unpolished prowess. And yes that glib charm damn well works! He weaves magic! Saawariya -- who? what? and where? Amongst the actresses it is Bipasha who with her oomph steals the show portraying a strong and well written character. The cute Minisha Lamba and the sweet Deepika Padukone are effective in their own right. Even the cameo with Kunal Kapoor is brilliantly pulled off! Bachna Ae Haseeno is one of the best visual spectacles you can see on Celluloid! Top notch Cinematography and photography. It captures the heart and soul of exquisite locations like Switzerland, Australia, Italy! As if they are an important character of this movie; leaving you spell bound! And wait we are not done yet! The duo of Vishal Shekhar hit gold with tracks like 'Khuda Jaane', 'Aahista Aahista' and the rehashed 'Bachna Ae Haseeno'; all of which being blended perfectly in the movie. It is a Starry, Visual & Musical Extravaganza. One of the very best of its kind!

Siddarth Anand's 2008 flick 'Bachna Ae Hasseno' is an average watch. A highly entertaining first hr works on its advantage all the way, but a dull and dry second spoils the fun. I enjoyed the film, because it had 3 hot babes in its kitty. Watch this flick if you've got nothing to do. Performance-Wise: Bipasha Basu looks super-hot & delivers superbly. Minissha Lambha is cute. She also, delivers a good performance. Deepika Padukone is sexy & confident. Ranbir Kapoor is a miscast. He's not good looking, and an average looker like him getting such girls looks unbelievable. Kunal Kapoor is bland. Hiten Panital is lovable as Ranbir's friend. 'Bachna Ae Hasseno' is an average fare.

Not the greatest movie, but not as bad as some comments have made it out to be. Story seems to have been 'inspired'/copied/lifted from couple of Hollywood movies....but Siddharth Anand has presented it in his own Bollywoodian style to suit Indian tastes. It does lag in some parts of the movie and some songs are extraneous...Bipashas for example and the bhangra song. The guys are gonna love this becoz it stars three beautiful women and the gals are gonna love this becoz it has Ranbir, young handsome and very attractive persona. I would say the highlight of the movie are the locations...they show Switzerland, Greece, Italy (Capri no less), and Sydney and have picked the most picturesque spots painstakingly...another job painstakingly done is the songs...a couple are absolute crowd pleasers and have been shot excellently...highlighting the youthful casts looks and appeal to maximum effect. Whats nice about the story is the comedy throughout even during the more serious parts....so it doesn't become maudlin.... I think of the three girls Bipasha looked the most glamorous...and acted best....Minissha is good and looks nice, Deepika is too obviously a rookie here, doesn't hav too much of a role and looks plain... Ranbirs chemistry is the hottest with Bipasha...and yes, Ranbir gets to kiss all three girls separately. His dancing skills are put on display and his acting too is very adequate ....one can tell it comes to him naturally....after he is the offspring of two wonderful actors I bet my money on this one because the youth will turn out in droves to watch it...