Laadla

To start with , this role does not belong to Sridevi , it was Divya Bharti's role all the way. This role should be performed by one who has haughty face( Naak pe gussa ho) and Divya Bharti has that looks . But than Sridevi does performed with panache , again! It was better that Madhuri's performance in Hum Aapke hai Kaun and Kajol's Yeh Dillagi.

Don't really know how to explain or analyse the Sridevi factor. Sometimes I think she is intense and powerful, sometimes I think she overacts. Here I don't really know what to think or how to describe her. She was always angry, offensive, aggressive, and I still enjoyed her performance. It was a fresh change from what she was used to doing. No-one else existed in this film. The film itself is a cheap comic strip. It is terribly melodramatic, badly overdone, and is further worsened by laughably silly dialogues and poor production values (pretty much like every film of its sort at that time, particularly films made by directors like Raj Kanwar). But there is one good thing about it, and it is Sridevi as the vicious and damn beautiful career woman Sheetal Jetley. And I think that was quite the film's main purpose. Some people say Sridevi introduced the first anti-heroine in a leading role to Hindi cinema. Now that is complete nonsense as there were many other actresses who played negative leading roles before, and even if it was, it would not matter that much as this film is bad enough to be forgotten. It is one of many films filmmakers make for their favourite leading actress and only for her. In this case it's Sridevi. Many filmmakers who worship her made films for their ultimate goddess. This movie is one of them. It is a pathetic movie, but Sridevi makes it worth a watch.

It is common knowledge that Divya Bharti had canned several scenes (almost 80% of the film) for the film Laadla, which was originally scheduled to release in 1993 but had to be re-shot and ultimately released in 1994, due to the 19 year old actress's untimely death. Sridevi replaced Divya Bharti and the end result was an award worthy and truly memorable performance. There are scenes on youtube, that compare the scenes originally shot with Divya Bharti with the finally released scenes featuring Sridevi. Divya bharti was good. But Sridevi was a class apart. In fact, the Telugu version of the film, starring Naghma did not fare too well at the box office. When asked why, the lead actor Chiranjeevi candidly replied: "Because the Telugu version did not feature Sridevi!" Such was the impact of her near flawless performance.

Laadla is the story of a lower middle class man, Raju (Anil Kapoor) whose day comprises of looking after his handicapped mother and working in a factory run by the power and money obsessed, able businesswoman, Sheetal Jaitely (Sridevi). From the word go, the two can't see each other in the eye. What follows is some comedy, drama, action, song and dance, some more action and all's well that ends well. Laadla is a remake of a successful south film and director Raj Kanwar has done well. Laadla had all the elements of an entertainer ensuring that producer Nitin Manmohan reaped the benefits, despite the film going over-budget(due to the re-shooting).

Performance wise Sridevi is absolutely brilliant. She proved with this film that no one can write her off, given the right script. Laadla was almost tailor made for her. I remember the whistles resounding in the cinema hall as she confronted Anil Kapoor. Anil Kapoor's earnest performance was overshadowed by Sridevi's controlled and believable depiction of the she-devil. Having said that, Anil Kapoor delivered well as Raju. Raveena Tandon did not get much scope, expect showing her thunder thighs in the song, Meri Dhadkan Suno. Paresh Rawal, Prem Chopra, Shakti Kapoor and Monish Behl are the usual villains. Farida Jalal was alright as well. Anupam Kher provided some good laughs. The dialogs by Anees Baazmee deserve a special mention. The dialogs were smart and fun-filled, especially the line "You understand? You better understand!", which went on to become extremely popular. In fact, when one mentions this film, this particular dialog always comes to mind. Raj Kanwar's execution of a few scenes like the one when Sridevi burns her car or when Sridevi slits her wrist is truly praiseworthy.

The music by Anand-Milind topped the charts in 1994. In their trademark style, Anand-Milind delivered hits in Ladki Hain Kya and Boi Boi. 1994 was a good year for the duo and Laadla made sure they maintained their popularity.

Despite its ridiculous climax, Laadla provides wholesome entertainment. The dialogs, the acting, the scenes and the music guarantee paisa vasool entertainment. Go for it!

This is one of my all time favourite Sridevi movies, because she is not playing the normal heroine. Sri excelles in showing how Indian women can be successful business woman and not just a woman running around trees, she leaves that to Raveena Tandon.

She looks damn good, apart from the one song in which she wears an awful silver outfit, and made an excellent job of taking over Divya Bharti's performance. As normal she works well with Anil Kapoor. The music is good, but the only draw back of this film is the ending. I think it could have been done better.

This is not the usuall run of the mill film, and it left a lot of young impressionable teenagers saying,"You understand, you better understand."

Anil Kapoor plays the sentimental Laadla, and the mind games between him and Sri are a treat to watch. This is Sridevi like you have never seen her before!

I can not mention the number of mistakes that has happened in this movie or even the performance of the cast. Let start with the actors who played the negative role, these are not actors they are disasters. For God sake they can't make a person believe they are evil. Anil kapoor role in the movie was repeated as always he is the hero who save the day. The action of the movie is over-exaggerated(the hero appear from nowhere to save the lady. Sridevi was the only member of the cast who did her role perfectly, she is one of the best Indian actress who played the anti-heroine role. the direction and technical effects are bad, as well as the story plot. the music and songs are below average. The rest of the crew are not even worth talking about. overall I give this movie a rating of 4 just because sridevi performance.