Masti

I kinda dig the idea of Bollywood films- you know saturated colours, lush decor, amazing outfits and so on- but I never really rent them, since I am quite afraid of the song and dance numbers and the story lines are too highly dramatic.

I have seen about 4 Indian films- Agnivarsha, Kama Sutra and Monsoon Wedding and Masti, and I suppose the last one is the only Bollywood one and I really enjoyed it. Kama Sutra wasn't much to talk about, Agnivarsha was excellent, but more esoteric, so between Monsoon Wedding and Masti- I think Masti takes the cake.

Monsoon Wedding got quite big here and it was such a trivial story- it started with a promise for something and wound up in nowhere bland land +offered no eye candy. Masti on the other hand doesn't attempt to run for an Oscar and is absolutely fabulously enjoyable and stoked with pretty people and pretty decor and even the music numbers are cool- I watched them.

Let me start with what a number of reviewers have said already. Masti took Bollywood sexual comedy to a new level. It was a pioneer in foraying into subjects which Hindi movies were really afraid to venture into. There are lots and lots of double-meaning jokes. Another movie which released later and took a similar initiative was "Kya Kool Hain Hum".

Three friends, having gotten frustrated by their mundane marriage lives and badgering wives decide to go in the search of women for extra- marital affairs and meet after a month to compare notes. Their misjudgement hurls them onto the path of blackmail, murder and mental torment; where in the end they realize that "ghar ki daal" (home cooked curry) is better than "bahar ki biryani" (out-cooked chicken rice).

As for the movie itself, if judged overall, yes - it has a lot of plot holes; yes - the basic premise is far fetched; yes - it can be termed as LGBT-phobic by modern audience, especially if the audience in question is western; and not to mention the sometimes over-the-top and not-so- subtle acting. But it really really works for you if viewed in the context of India in 2004. I was smiling half the movie and a lot of scenes had me in splits.

The acting majorly rests on the shoulders of the three leads who have done their job admirably well. They appeared at real ease in most of the scenes and were energetic with the body language and facial expressions. Vivek Oberoi, as a reformed playboy married to a clingy wife, is the unofficial lead of the leads and is a bit constrained than his sidekicks which the usually the case. Ritiesh Deshmukh, as the clueless dentist is awesome in parts especially in the fight scene with his Mother-in-law. But the intermittent visions he has with a fluttering eyelid kind of annoyed me. But, the man who takes the cake and is treat to watch in every scene is undoubtedly Aftab Shivdasani. You can predict each and every expression he is going to have, but still laugh at his antics. The writers could have come up with something better than the "Lele" story line to use his abilities.

Ajay Devgan has a one dimensional role and does a one dimensional job. Among the wives, Amrita "the satellite" Rao is the only one who can really act. The other two girls have to improve on a lot of things. Lara Dutta is sensual, but perhaps a little bit tame, as a seductress. They nailed it with the music. "Dil de diya hain" is the song of 2004 for me.

All-in-all a fun fare for sure. If you want a 2.5 hour laugh ride to escape a bad day, go for it! In case you are not comfortable with Hindi, make sure you have good subtitles, because a lot of jokes are cultural and slang-based.

Watched this movie during my engineering days and loved it. Very enjoyable and humourous. Aftab, vivek and Riteish did a great job in the movie and the whole movie is just about them. Ajay devgan adds an interesting twist in the film.

Good music, great comedy, good performances and an absolute entertainer. Masti is pure masti.

Masti – a movie that surpassed all my expectations and went on to become one of my most enjoyed movies this year. Going in to watch this movie I had all the reservations – no actors that I really did like; a director that I had written off since his Ishq days; songs that I had not heard of; and the expectation that bollywood cannot do comedy humour for the British audience. How wrong was I going to be proven!!!

The comedy was spot on as were the apparent and intended lines and joke – this movie seriously did take the comedy to a crude new level not seen in bollywood. One would have to say that this movie did indeed take one step further for bollywood as American Pie did for Hollywood. The songs certainly did grow on me, especially the 'seyya ji' item number – the others are just as tappy (except the 'one the roof' – well all can't be perfect!!!). The next surprise was that this great movie was from none other than Indra Kumar – someone I had written off since his movie ISHQ over a decade ago. The director had to be good, talented and experienced to have this great comedic timing as well as being able to juggle all the actors. Finally, the actors were good and have to say that I am beginnings to like Vivek and certainly beginning to adore Amrita Rao – this girl is hot and one to watch out for.

Having seen this movie I will have to say that I will defiantly be open to the idea that bollywood can do comedy, but will be more excited about Indra Kumars next venture. One movie that I will certainly recommend that you watch, and if you have already watched it I will recommend that you go and watch it again.

This was a really funny movie. I have never seen so much sexual humor in an Indian movie before. It was a funny surprise. Everyone gave an awesome performance except for Ritesh Deshmukh. What was he doing in this starcast? He lacked any expressions whatsoever, and his acting was not convincing of all. My favorite was Aftab--he was hilarious! Lara, Vivek, Ajay, and the wives were great. The dialogues and the story was terrific, even if it got just a little serious in the second half. You can tell that the cast had great chemistry. Songs were good. "On the Roof, in the Rain" was the best with the title song as a close runner-up. It was nice how the songs maintained the light atmosphere of the movie.