Yuvvraaj

Veteran director Subhash Ghai is hoping to resurrect some of the credibility he lost with his previous flops Yaadein & Kisna with this glossy drama. I never really intended to see it when I heard about it because Katrina Kaif is in it and all of her films suck (except Race). But the promos was so good and I loved the music especially the Dost song composed by the best music composer & lyrics writer combo A R Rehman and Gulzar. So I seen it anyway and its about Yuvvraaj (Prince) who gets thrown out of his family. He wants to get married to this really rich girl but her father wants her to marry someone else. So he signs a contract with him that in 40 days, he will become twice as rich as him. He eventually gets closer to one of his brothers and realises that he is happy to help him without wanting anything.

The story & screenplay is o.k. but it's quite long for a 2.5 hour movie because their wasn't enough to make it that long. None of the actors acted well except Anil Kapoor and Katrina Kaif was simply the worst, she is completely crap. Neither she knows acting, language (her voice is always dubbed for her), dance and always fails to impress. I do not like her one bit and if she was replaced by someone else then that would've helped a lot. The film had big sets that were so good and visually impressive that they keep you in your seat throughout. Overall if you have nothing to do on a rainy day or something then watch it but Yuvvraaj is nothing to look forward to.

This film is a romantic comedy about three brothers fighting with each other about money and love.

I have to say I watched the film in Hindi without English subtitles, and I do not understand Hindi. So I got a gist of what is happening through facial expressions. I find this film happy and joyful. The dance and song sequences are delightful to watch. The songs are so energetic and uplifting. The costumes are great, colourful and vibrant. All the actors and actresses are stunningly beautiful, and the scenery are great too. It has all the ingredients to be a successful popcorn flick. I really enjoyed watching it, even though I did not completely understand the plot.

I highly expected positive outcome from this film specially after seeing its first trailer in TV and promoting it as a musical. And also deeply impressed with the song Tu Meri Dost Hai from Rahman. But does it really deserve to disappoint its audience? If I think over this question then it is absolutely 'yes', Whenever any Subhash Ghai film is being made, and about to release first thing that comes in my mind is it must have these common subjects associated in the film. These subjects are – family, wealth, tradition and music. In this case Yuvvraaj is also not an exceptional. In brief, the whole story is about three brothers with numerous differences among themselves are in target of owning the rights of their properties after their father's demise. Not only this, besides there is another globe which is concerned to music. After all this is a Shubash Ghai film.

At first I have to mention is of casting, which is considerable. Then comes performance. Throughout the whole movie only Anil Kapoor is in his form to entertain the audience from his side though he plays something very unusual role in his career. Even that I didn't expect his unique role before finally catching the film.

What to say about Salman!!! He is the one who always play similar type of role which is always related to conspiracy, jealous, bossy and domination. I was so shocked about 2 years before when it was rumoured that he was casted in this film by Shubash Ghai. I couldn't believe it then, but now ultimately I finished watching. OK there is nothing new from Salman in judgment of his performance, character and the role he is offered in Yuvvraaj. His body language, facial expression, speaking manner and dressing looks are not different from his other 10 films. It shows he doesn't commit himself seriously to bring out reality in the character in every movie. It is clear all cannot become either Aamir Khan or Kamal Hassan.

Last but not the least of all three brothers Danesh, performed by Zayed Khan. I don't know when will Zayed be offered for an award winning role in his career. Not even a single film I have in mind to prove that he is an excellent actor. His previous flops like Mission Istanbul or Speed were really senseless and lower grade movies. Here too I was completely disappointed by him.

But again, Boman Irani is always and all time interesting actor whose sense of humour is precious to any movie where he is involved with. He is really a brilliant actor, and in Yuvvraaj his role could have also done by Anupam Kher, but anyway Boman was an excellent choice.

Now come to Subhash Ghai? He has lost his creative ideas and cannot cope up with the present generation audiences, and thus he again provided this kind of outdated script. Moreover these days it is already common in Bollywood stories about brothers rivaling with each other for wealth and money. And this is the exact reason for bombing this movie in box-office. His last movie that audiences as well as critics accepted was his Taal (or before this Pardes which was a masterpiece). It was followed a hat-trick with 3 continuous flops Yaadein, Kisna and Black & White. Now Yuvvraaj reached to fourth serial flop. SO BETTER NOT TO EXPECT MUCH FROM HIM IN THE COMING FUTURE.

Let's begin with the title "Yuvvraaj" - yet another example the numerological fetishism Bollywood has succumbed to. Whether numerology can actually convert bad apples into a hit is reserved for a debate on an another day. "Yuvvraaj" is an apt example of "Elegant prose cannot hide inelegant logic". Every frame glitters like gold and no two ways about that. Sadly the entire proceedings are as enticing as a corpse. The characters are do ruddy with life that they practically need birth certificates.

° Anil Kapoor (the lucky mascot for Mr. Ghai) reprises his "Eeshwar" (read that day-light robbery).

° Whenever Katrina ended up the sole-heroine opposite Salman the results were disastrous. "Yuvvraaj" is not an exception either, jinxed perhaps?

° Zayed Khan needs acting lessons badly. Aushima Sawhney thinks looks alone would suffice. Its never too late for both of you to secure admission into "Whistling Woods".

° Mithun & Boman Irani show up to collect their cheques.

° The Mamaji/ Mamiji characters for today's generation is past sell-by- date.

° Music: Mr. Ghai manages to connive Rahman in an attempt to pull off yet another "Taal". And with "Jai Ho" ringing cash registers at the international level proves the lady luck has run away from Mr. Ghai as fast as legs could carry.

° Lyrics: The gap of Anand Bakshi is attempted to be fulfilled by roping in Gulzar for lyrics and he seems not too happy about it.

"Yaadien", "Kisna", "Black & White" and now "Yuvvraaj"- shrouds the abysmal depth the creativity of showman has stooped to. A reality check on the work of Mr. Ghai so far::

Θ Krodhi - Uncanny resemblance to "Jwaalamukhi".

Θ Meri Jung - Remake of South-Indian movie.

Θ Karz - "The rip- off Peter Proud"

Θ Karma - Plagiarised "Sholay".

Θ Khalnayak - "Hero" recycled.

Θ Ram Lakhan - "Deewar" wine in a new bottle.

Θ Kisna - I can a "Lagaan" too!

Relinquish your self-proclaimed "Showman" title with grace before it is posthumously stripped!!

As a big fan of Subhash Ghai, I remember almost 20 years back, buying ticket for the first show of "Ram Lakhan" at double the price and then sitting in a packed houseful show with people whistling, dancing and clapping on every scene and song. And now comes a day when I easily get a ticket for the first show of "Yuvraaj" from the window itself and become a part of few people watching the movie in the theater. There is no excitement in any viewer, no whistles or claps and no dancing around the screen.

Surely times have changed a lot, and surprisingly "Subhash Ghai Sir" has also changed his style of film-making. But the sad part is that the change of style is not coming up good enough for the viewers. As witnessed in his last few movies, "Yuvraaj" too has its merits but falls short of the expectations from the famous "Showman" of Bollywood. The discouraging opening response must be due to the unimpressive and confusing promos which were not able to explain what the movie was. Even Salman and Anil looked puzzled in their acts in the on air promos.

Coming to the movie itself, it starts off with Salman, Katrina and Boman Irani (as Katrina's father) with their love story angle. 50 minutes into the movie and the same goes on & on with no sign of Anil and Zayed. This makes the viewer restless as it is too lengthy and should have been trimmed heavily. Then with the news of Salman's rich father dying the story moves on and the other two brothers of Salman are introduced, Anil Kapoor & Zayed Khan. After every one is there on the screen the story goes into the "Jaydaad" & inheritors drama with a twist in the form of autistic Anil Kapoor.

The locations are fresh, sets are huge, songs are shot lavishly, but nothing hits the right note. Everyone looks playing his part knowingly that something is wrong and not working. There are very few scenes to watch out for and it all seems to be too lengthy and repetitive. The most lacking part is the story and screenplay of the movie which does not give ample scope to any star in particular.

The film mainly moves around Salman & Katrina with Anil Kapoor taking the limelight post interval. Salman Khan & Katrina look good as a couple but it is not one of their best movies. However, I liked Salman in the last scene when he cries in front of Boman to save the life of his brother Anil. He never looks like acting in the scene and proves that he has got the talent too along with the fab body. The scene where Katrina is playing and teasing topless Salman shows their off screen bonding clearly. Katrina has a fresh look but her hair style could have been better. Anil Kapoor as usual is almost perfect but at places repeats his "Eeshwar" act. Actually Anil gets betrayed by the script and hence his character fails to strike the emotional chord with the viewer. Zayed Khan still relies more on his looks than his acting. Boman Irani is a bit loud but calms down in his last scene with Salman. Mithun Da in a guest appearance enjoys his few scenes with elegance.

Like in his earlier movies, "Yuvraaj" also has a rich family with a Mama ji, cunning uncles, brothers, loyal servants and a vamp bhabhi. Here the bhabhi is too hot to handle and has the looks to kill. Climax is the least convincing part with a twist told so many times before where the performer is poisoned before his main grand show. Even the song is not enjoyable enough for the grand finale. Till you reach the climax you lose interest in the happenings and wish the movie was only around Salman and Katrina.

Apart from the fresh cinematography, the other major highlight of the film is the music of A. R. Rahman. Though this time the magic of "Taal" is missing and the music needs time to grow on the listener. Two songs score over all the others with "Tu Hi Meri Dost Hai" being the best. The songs may not be that entertaining for the Indian audience as they are designed giving more stress on Western Arrangements. Honestly I also cannot rate this as one of Rahman's best as i was expecting much more from the combination of Rahman & Ghai.

In few words, I again found the "Golden Touch of Subhash Ghai" missing in this. But if you are a Salman-Katrina fan then you will surely enjoy their lovable screen presence together.