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.

'Aitraaz' is another fare made by the directors duo Abbas-Mustan. And once again, it is... well, unoriginal. 'Disclosure' is the word. However, speaking objectively, I found Aitraaz totally enjoyable and intriguing, and was thoroughly entertained by the proceedings. The direction was very good and the film was well-executed. It is about a man named Raj who is accused of trying to molest his old manager's young wife Sonia, who actually happens to be his ex-girlfriend, while in fact, she was the one who tried to sexually harass him and he refused, being a married man. Well, this is not very believable, but that's another story. This case is taken to court where Raj's wife Priya, who is a lawyer and who has full trust in her husband, decides to fight his case against seasoned lawyer Patel who represents Sonia. There start the film's most entertaining and interesting sequences. Aitraaz stars Akshay Kumar as Raj, and he does well. Kareena Kapoor is also very good as his protective wife Priya, though she has little to do until the film's last few scenes. But Aitraaz fully belongs to Priyanka Chopra, who is simply amazing in an all-out villainous turn as the vicious and devious manipulator Sonia. She is so sexy and attractive that it sounds puzzling that someone could reject her. This is among her most memorable performances. Other cast members include Amrish Puri in one of his last film appearances, and Paresh Rawal, who is outstanding as the witty and funny lawyer Patel. The film's soundtrack, by Himesh Reshammiya, was not that enjoyable according to me. The ending was very good. Aitraaz may not be exceptional, it may not be original, but it is a very entertaining movie. I recommend you to watch it mainly for Priyanka Chopra.

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".

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.

Abbas Mustan are back with the bang and this time with a bold theme which tackles with the issue of sexual harassment, with an exclusive twist by placing the man as a victim and the woman as an aggressor. Till now the moviegoer has witnessed man-sexually-molesting-woman but this time its opposite. It has been inspired by a Hollywood flick DISCLOSURE.

Raj Malhotra (Akshay Kumar), who works for a cell phone company, is popular amongst his circle of friends and work colleagues. But his world comes crashing down when he meets Sonia (Priyanka Chopra) again.

Sonia is an ambitious model with great aspirations. She knows what she wants in life. She is prepared to achieve her goals, whatever the price. Her fundas in life are crystal clear: Nothing shall come in between her wants and desires.

Raj is well aware that Sonia knew only one way to live and that was her way. And one fateful evening, things did not go her way. Sonia brings Raj's world to a screeching halt.

Raj's wife Priya (Kareena Kapoor), once a lawyer herself, is prepared to do anything to protect her husband's honor and dignity.

The deceitful dusk that threatens to put Rajs honor at stake, finds an adamant Priya at the opposing end. And from a content housewife, Priya becomes a woman with a mission that she must accomplish. She is now Rajs partner in more ways than one.

Thrown into this web of deceit is Rajs boss, Ranjit Roy (Amrish Puri), who happens to be Sonias husband. He is a mere pawn in her hands.

The drama has just begun. The court is far from adjourned and what happens next you have to watch by yourself.

Akshays performance in a serious silent role is satisfactory and the audience will sure sympathize with his character. Kareena's part as a wife is impressive. But she fails to make a mark in the role of a lawyer. AITRAAZ belongs to Priyanka Chopra completely. She plays a glamorous role with a gray shade. Priyanka gets an opportunity to bear her claws and she does it with complete understanding of the character. She sneaks her way through the role like an expert, drawing audience hatred the way a magnet collects iron filings.

Paresh Rawal and Anu Kapoor have made their wonderful input to the film as lawyers. A good courtroom drama viewer will see after a long time, after Damini (93). In a long courtroom scene, Paresh Rawal is able to keep the viewers engaged in the proceedings while Anu Kapoor appears in an impressive role after a long time. His last best performance was in Gardish (93). And the same year he started working for zee TVs program Antakshari.

On the whole, AITRAAZ is a well-crafted thriller that meets the expectations in each and every department from story, direction till performances and music. Its a must to see movie. 3 1/2 Out of 5