Review: Guzaarish

Guzaarish
Stars: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai
Directed By: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Released: 2010

Sanjay Leela Bhansali does it again! This time with his magical drama, Guzaarish.

Guzaarish tells the tale of a once great magician named Ethan (Roshan) who became paralyzed from the neck down in a terrible and mysterious accident during one of his most popular acts. He's lived in a large run-down mansion with his nurse Sofia (Rai) for twelve years - but now he's had enough. He summons his lawyer Devyani Dutta to help him with 'Ethanasia' a project in which he hoped would not only help him get the right to die, but would also help him make peace with his decision.

He travels along his journey with the ever-faithful Sofia, and the budding magician Omar who hopes to learn all of Ethan's secrets. It is a bumpy road full of set backs, second thoughts and revealing secrets that makes everyoen in this story question where they stand on this issue.

The reason I love Guzaarish so much is because of how it surprises you. It seems very straightforward, you think you know all the facts about the characters, stories and such but then SLB throws you for a spin and you discover that there's more to each and every character that you never would have suspected before. And what makes it even better is that each and every twist and turn helps weave the story and makes the characters more real to the viewer.

As for the acting - Hrithik was great as Ethan, but Aishwarya was undoubtedly the heart and soul of this entire film. She shone throughout the entire 109 minutes, in each and every scene she was in. She simply changed the entire atmosphere of the film to fit what hse was doing and what Sofia was feeling. For example, the movie was sad and gloomy... until Sofia danced to Udi (which, by the way is a favorite of mine) on stage. At that point, the entire movie lit up and was more alive than it had been previously.

Guzaarish means favor, so do me a guzaarish and watch this film! Just be warned - if you cry easily, you will quickly cry your weight in tears!

Rating: 9/10

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

10 Most Beautiful Women In Bollywood

10. Madhuri Dixit



She is called the goddess and the queen of Bollywood all at the same time. Well, I don't agree with that, but she is gorgeous. Her smile just radiates happiness, femininity and beauty and that is hard to find all in one woman.

9. Karishma Kapoor



For a long time, I thought that Karishma was... well, ugly. But the more I've looked at her the more I've realized that she has something about her face that is just... gorgeous. My favorite feature of hers is her lips which have a very beautiful shape to them. She has a beauty that isn't straightforward and isn't the kind you see everyday, but it shouldn't be ignored.

8. Aishwarya Rai



This woman is known as the most beautiful woman in the world and all one has to do is glance at her and they know that she is extraordinary beautiful. Her eyes are her most amazing feature. They're a gorgeous bluish green, which is something that we do not see in Asian women very often.

7. Deepika Padukone



Wow. That's all I can say for Deepika really. Wow. She has such presence in beauty, not only in her films but also in her pictures. Like Karishma, she has a different face, but it is seductive and breathtaking.

6. Rani Mukherjee



My favorite feature of Rani cannot be seen, but heard. Her voice is mesmerizing and incredibly sexy. She can make men and women everywhere weak in the knees with just a few words. And to match her voice is an almost equally as beautiful face. She's on the shorter side, but she's full of spunk, attitude and personality that can be rare to find.

5. Shilpa Shetty



Shilpa Shilpa Shilpa... Everything about her face is pleasant to me. She has a cute nose, nice lips and gorgeous, expressive eyes. One of the sexiest women ever to touch the Bollywood screen.

4. Kangana Ranaut



One cannot even begin to comprehend just how much this woman has captivated me, both with her beauty and with her acting skills. There's something quiet, unassuming and mysterious about both her looks and performances that is special considering how loud and overly-energetic some actresses can be.

3. Kareena Kapoor



Many people I know can't stand Kareena - and that's putting it nicely. They find her mean and ugly and the only good thing they usually have to say about her is that she is a good actress. What do I say to them? POO POO! I adore Kareena with everything in me. She's innocence, sex appeal and attitude all in one and she IS a very talented actress. Her tendency to say mean things about her costars can be unbecoming, but hey, not everyone can be perfect like our next two ladies.

2. Madhubala



This woman... is the true goddess of Bollywood and is the true star and face of Bollywood to me. She had such a beautiful, girlish charm about her that I have yet to find in any other actress, Indian or otherwise. She has a strange face that is surprisingly gorgeous and no one can quite compare to her.

1. Kajol



I know no one is surprised by this, but that's because I love, love, LOVE her. Her face is something special and her unibrow gives her more character than all the other actresses on this list combined. She has this "I'm amazing and I know it" look in her pictures that works for her and not for others. Her eyes are soulful and expressive and she has the most beautiful skin I've ever seen. For me, she is the queen of Bollywood now and forever. Forget Madhuri, forget Kareena, forget Aishwarya - she has a talent and a beauty that cannot ever be matched up with by anyone.