Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani

I have watched this movie so far 5 times in the theatres and I intend to go to the cinema again.

I liked the story line and the way the movie begins. Though I am not an Indian citizen, the movie was really touching and I could feel the patriotism in the cast and I enjoyed the music very much. Lyrics were very well written. I can go on and on.

Million thanks to Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza for giving us such an excellent movie to begin a great Millennium ahead. >

While this may not seem like a great movie for today's times if you didn't grow up in the 90s, it's actually a good movie. For it's time, this movie was quite good- it flopped because it was ahead of its time.

It depicts the nexus between the media and politicians- and how they can never be unbiased. It may seem like a simplistic take, but it was a poignant transition for Hindi cinema to more realistic cinema in the next decade. However, sadly Bollywood took the leap but somewhere lost itself along the way.

SRK is his usual awkward comedic self, and the supporting cast is okay. I love Juhi Chawla as always- her comedic timing is unmatched and she is a real gem that people have forgotten. Sometimes I watch these movies out of nostalgia, but they do surprise me at times - if you can look past some of the dated comedy of the time/ over the top scenes, the message is actually quite poignant and important.

This movie was way ahead of it's time ...and is highly underrated

Way ahead of its time in the Indian context. Audiences in late 90s-early 2000s just wanted to see a romcom, especially if it featured SRK. The movie starts off that way but takes a political turn which exposes the nexus between people in power. It kind of displays the current situation in India in the year 2019. A lot of scenes would remind viewers of real-life situations that have occurred in the country over the past few years.

Maybe it was too much to take in for the viewers of the early 2000s, but this film would be a sure shot hit if it were to be released today or it may get banned in the country. Although, it does get too melodramatic in the final sequence.

Not many movies have been set against the media industry as the backdrop. The other ones that come to mind are "New Delhi Times" and "Main Azaad Hoon" and both of them though critically acclaimed didn't set the cash registers ringing. Hey, I am lost for words... jinxed perhaps?

Year: 2000. Situation: TV channels was still an sunrise industry. There wasn't a glut in the market vying for the audience or a murky fight for the TRP's. Perhaps owing to which, the audience couldn't understand the meaning of media manipulation.

The movie starts off on a light note with the boy and the girl working for competitor's TV channels on loggerheads with each other, no rocket science here... love-story ensues and finally getting down to serious business to fight for justice for unjust done to common man. The audience expectations were probably not correctly calibrated and the "fighting for a cause + patriotism + national movement" came as a bolt from blue to the audience resulting in an indigestible fare.

• SRK:: Gives his 100% to the role making it a very convincing portrayal.

• Juhi:: Very good and as usual compliments well with SRK.

• Satish Shah & Dilip Tahil as gullible media magnets were justified.

• Paresh Rawal as the "eye-of-the-storm" has his moments and delivers to the utmost perfection.

• Govind Namdeo and Shakti Kapoor as vile politicians justify their parts well.

• Johnny Lever is usual self.

• It was nostalgic to see a few characters from "Nukkad".

Jatin-Lalit provide good music. There is no doubt about Javed Akhtar's capabilities on lyrics. Sharmista Roy and Farah Khan deserve a special mention for contribution to art direction & choreography respectively.

Director ensured that all the ingredients were in adequate proportions and doesn't go overboard on any of them. There is a soul in the movie and the goods have been delivered with conviction.

Had the movie been made today, the audience would have related to it spot-on. The movie has a good social message and deserves to be posthumously declared as an satire on the media.

PS: Evidently, outright rejection from the audience has put off SRK to make meaningful cinemas.