Aitraaz

Coming from the celebrated directorial team of 'Baazigar' (*Shah Rukh Khan) and 'Soldier' (*Bobby Deol), this one merits watching. The plot outline of Barry Levinson's gripping 1994 drama 'Disclosure' (starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore) has been nicely Indianized. There is no question that it is a remake of that Hollywood production, although the latter had a second plot-twist that Aitraaz doesn't provide.

Chances are that majority of the Indian audience may not have seen Disclosure and, therefor, will love Aitraaz. It is again proved conclusively that a good story-line and good storytelling are two absolute essentials in making a good film. Look at 'Ashoka' (starring Shah Rukh Khan). Lush photography, proved story-material, and what happens? Why does it bomb at the box office? Simply because such a gorgeous story wasn't told with consistency and well.

It happens. A proved material may bomb on revision because of uninspired direction (example: Hitchcock's 1960 classic 'Psycho' remade in 1998 by Gus Van Sant). Sometimes the opposite happens: 2001 remake of 1960's 'Ocean's Eleven' actually eclipsed the original.

See Aitraaz. The soundtrack is scintillating. The story is good. The direction is superb. Priyanka Chopra is exceptional. Kareena Kapoor is superb. Akshay Kumar is adequate. You'll like the film.

Mukta Arts and Abbas Mastan-this dhoti clad duo have unique angle to film making as they did with "Humraaz", which was one of the most entertaining films of the last decade. This duo have choreography style that is innovative and refreshing compared to the pot-boiler tasteless gyrating that is usually seen in Salman Khan movies. The music of Himmesh Reshmiya is always a distinguishing feature of their movies. There are two numbers that have his stamp. There are two actors that stand out-one is Paresh Rawal- this actor can turn a scene however short into a hilarity. As a prosecuting attorney Rawal is the Court-jester bringing the audience down with some of the best dialog in the movie. In fact A-M duo cleverly use this scene as their comedy interlude that is by tradition reserved for children of lesser talent like Shakti Kapoor, Johny lever and the clan. There have been seductive vixens and stunning looking actresses on the Indian cinema but Priyanka Chopra is an all in one. This Chopra girl who made an entry with "The Hero" never looked more gorgeous-this woman certainly has the skills with the killer looks. Akshay Kumar is acting, when you consider that the Indian audience is used to the overacting from the likes of SharRukh Khan. Kareena Kapoor is okay but she could have been more dramatic in the Court, instead of her parrot like dialog delivery. I enjoyed this movie considering the recent filth in the name of Cinema that has been coming out of the "Maximum City".

This film is long but quite enjoyable. There is perhaps one twist too many and some needless shenanigans towards the end could have been avoided. Still, its fairly absorbing. Priyanka excels as the sexy vamp and burns up the screen with her presence. Kareena is saddled with the straight role but does well. Paresh Rawal steals the show as an adept lawyer. Akshay Kumar is alright although he essentially plays the victim in the film. The plot is a variant on the Hollywood thriller Disclosure, but there's a lot of Indian spice including some catchy songs. Watchable.

Overall 6/10

The first time I started watching this movie, in first ten seconds I realize that this is copy cat from movie "Disclosure". (I doubt if director has actually read the original novel). The scene where Raj pats his secretary's bottom directly gave me this hint. I was very disappointed, and then watch this movie, just for the sake of watching without any interest. But later, when I saw it on Television, I found it interesting. Right from the songs, music, story-telling, acting, everything is great.

Raj who is now married and living happy life, gets a shock when his ex-girlfriend enters in his life as his Boss. She demands having sex with him, and he refuses. Hurt Priyanka (Boss/ and ex girlfriend) put a blame on him, as a rapist. Raj certainly not happy with this, puts a case on her in court. Finally with the help of his lawyer wife Kareena he proves that women can sometime have negative characteristics in case of sex.

The story actually starts with the meeting of Kareena and Akshay, and slowly catch the main theme. Songs are pretty good and so overall music. Actingwise, Akshay is very good. Kareena and Priyanka are impressive in their characters. Director has done an excellent job, in bringing out drama slowly in the movie. Overall though, it is a copy cat movie, you will not regret watching it. (Now I own DVD of this movie.)

Aitraaz is a bollywood drama, that questions the social stigma of gender acceptance. The common issue, man versus women, where women are often accepted as victims but not the other way around. The film itself speaks the modern flavors flying across the script, which also implies that it is not of Indian origin but from outside. How a women having parasitic tendency could prey upon men for her gain. A much needed film though for Indian audience for broadening the social picture a bit wider, atleast in modern contexts. But nevertheless it remains unoriginal in content. Heard that it's a remake of Disclosure starring Michael Douglas. I haven't seen it though.

Aitraaz is about a common man with common traits, like doing a job, have a family, live happily, earn property and so on. But his ex-girlfriend having a terrible secret with him sues him for a sexual harrassment case. He tries hard to defend himself. He is in the verge of losing but is finally saved by his wife in the end, adding a typical Bollywood message in the climax. The BGM is also fine, sensual imbibing sounds for expressing the feel.

The acting is perfect for Priyanka, who appeals as the dominating, passionate, immoral natured women who will go any length to get what she wants. Akshay is so so, but is good as a playboy only. Kareena is good too as the savior in the end. Others are okay. The story is not original, neither the theme. Sexual innuendos and themes are not at all compromised that makes it not a family film. But still an essential watch for all. The film has portrayed man as inferior, a kind of uninfluential group. Rather ethical conflict is depicted within the womenhood. It's a war between ladies who is bad and other who stood for good. Women who knows her own boundary are deemed good while those who don't are deemed bad.

For this it's a good watchable film. Ethical conflicts are always socially approved. But in this it's between Ladies. With all merits and flaws it's a 59/100.