Review: Devdas

Devdas
Stars: Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff, Kirron Kher
Directed By: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Released: 2002

When a film weaves magic, when a film defines a movie industry, when a film touches every inch of your heart and soul, it's name is Devdas. This is the first Bollywood movie that I sat down to watch and I was captured by it immediately. It is a timeless story about love, loss and tragedy that is told in the proper Bollywood way: With Madhuri Dixit, fantastic sets and timeless music.

Devdas Mukherjee (Khan) is a young man returning from studying in England. He has been there for ten years, having reluctantly left his home and his best friend Parvati (Rai) in order to study law. His mother, Kaushalya is over joyed when she hears that her son is returning home to her. This happiness is stolen from her, however, when Devdas is more interested in meeting up with Paro than he is his own family. Paro and Devdas' friendship is stronger than ever and a romance erupts between the two. Paro's mother Sumitra (Kher) is very excited about this, as she believes that Devdas will be the perfect husband for her Paro. When she goes to Kaushalya's house for a party and to propose marriage, Kaushalya turns her down and insults her in the most terrible of ways. Sumitra swears to Devdas' mother that her daughter will marry someone richer and of higher status that the Mukherjees - and she succeeds. Devdas is heartbroken over his family's betrayal and his loss of Paro, and he goes to a brothel with his friend from London, Chunnilal (Shroff), or Chunni Babu. It is there that he meets the courtesan Chandramukhi (Dixit) - the woman who is as beautiful as the moon. With the urging of Chunni Babu, Devdas decides to take his first sip of alcohol - an action that sends him on the downward spiral towards his self-destruction.

Devdas is often Shahrukh Khan's most praised performance - and for good reason. He and Madhuri Dixit prove just how versatile they are all in this one film, which is a very rare thing to find. They both are able to pull off the different shades of their characters, be it happy, sad or angry - they were completely convincing throughout.

Yet another thing that makes Devdas so special is that it has two heroines. Many will try to tell you that Chandramukhi is nothing but a supporting character, but that is simply not true. She had just as much influence on Devdas and the movie as Paro and she is the true heart of the movie. Aishwarya Rai was fantastic as Parvati, but I could still think of better actresses. Madhuri was the true gem of the film. She gave life to my favorite character in all of Bollywood. She is the only role that I could not recast, no matter how hard I tried.

As fantastic as the story itself is, one cannot talk only about the story. They cannot talk about Devdas and not mention the amazing music. Personal favorites are Maar Daala, Dola Re Dola and Kahe Chhed Mohe - all of which, Madhuri Dixit shows off her top notch dancing skills in.

I could not have picked a better film to watch for my first Bollywood film. To me, it represents all the qualities that every single Bollywood film should have. And of course, part of what makes it so special is the fact that not every Bollywood movie is up to the standards of Devdas. I recommend this sensational film for first-time Bollywood watchers and anyone else who loves romance, music and beauty.

Rating: 10/10

Review: My Name Is Khan *Spoilers*

My Name Is Khan
Stars: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol
Directed by: Karan Johar
Released: 2010

Where do I start? I guess with saying this is not your average Karan Johar or SRK film for that matter. If you've seen Khabi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) you know that this very popular director doesn't shy away from song and dance and especially the cheesy love lines. So, assuming that you're familiar with his work, which also includes Kuch Kuch Hot Hai (1998), you would sit down to watch My Name Is Khan expecting a rather light hearted love story with some tears thrown in here and there. Well, you're partially right.

MNIK begins lighthearted and sweet, and tells the story of a young man, Rizwan Khan (Shahrukh Khan), who happens to have Asperger's Syndrome, a high functioning form of Autism. Rizwan is born and raised as a Indian Muslim and grows up with the strong idea that there are only two types of people in the world, good people who do good deeds, and bad people who do bad deeds. When he grows older and his mother dies, he moves to San Francisco to live with his brother Zakir, who has become quite successful in the business world selling beauty products. He quickly sends Rizwan to work selling them at local beauty parlors. His life changes when he walks into Karma, the workplace of single mom Mandira (Kajol). She sees past the his odd quirks - his intense hatred for yellow, his incredible intelligence, and his dislike for being touched - and becomes his friend while he falls in love with her. Because this is a Karan Johar movie, they get married and start to live happily ever after. Until the fateful day of 9/11.

Six years after the event, and after many incidents of hate against their family, the Khan's suffer the greatest loss of all - the death of Mandira's teenage son Sameer. Mandira blamed Rizwan for this and angrily tells him to go to the president and tell him that his name is Khan, and that he is not a terrorist, and that Sameer wasn't one either. So, determined to prove his love for his wife, Rizwan leaves and goes to find the president while Mandira searches for the boys who killed Sam.

That was a lot of spoilers! You're going to have to watch the movie now to see whether he does meet the president though :) Anyway, for me, this film did wonders. I laughed and cried, sometimes simultaneously. My Name Is Khan is a movie that teaches even the most closed minded individuals that people are not always what they appear. Just because someone happens to be a Muslim, does not mean that they're a terrorist, and just because someone isn't 'normal' does not mean they are inferior or do not have feelings. MNIK is a movie for everyone to watch, whether you're American, Indian, Catholic, Muslim, Hindu, black or white.

What made this film even better was the fantastic acting. The two main characters, Rizwan and Mandira are played by what might be the most popular jodi in Bollywood history - SRKajol. They give top-notch performances and even won the Filmfare awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role Male and Best Actor in a Leading Role Female respectively. SRK makes his portrayal of an Autistic man incredibly believable without overdoing it and making it a joke. Kajol effortlessly goes from the funny, kind, accepting mother and wife to a sad, heartbroken and vengeful woman in the blink of an eye. I also believe this movie would be no where without the spectacular music. Sajda, Tere Naina and Noor-E-Khuda are personal favorites and will not soon be forgotten, just like this film.

Rating: 10/10