rajivgill

Just when you think Bollywood couldn't get more melodramatic, Karan Johar comes up with K3G.

I'll be honest. I can't stand this film. Characters cry at the drop of a hat. To give them credit, all the actors excel in their respective roles (even Kareena, who gives me severe headaches with her clothes). Special mention should be made to Kajol (love the accent!) and Hrithik Roshan (this dude is beginning to impress me!). They're the bright spots of this otherwise damp (from all the characters' tears) film.

Songs are great, and so is the choreography. Check out Suraj Hua Madham. Not since Dil Se has a song captured my attention in this manner.

A lot of references are made to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I say, get a life and move ahead. We can do without the whole KKHH hangover. In fact, if you look closely, you'll see that K3G is really KKHH recycled. I mean, check this out.

KKHH: Little Anjali goes about trying to reunite Rahul and Big Anjali. Lots of tears shed. Touchy-feely reunion scene. Everyone cries happily in the end. K3G: Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) goes about trying to reunite Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and their Dad (Amitabh Bachhan). Lots of tears shed. Touchy-feely reunion scene. Everyone cries happily in the end.

If Bollywood keeps offering us films like this, I'll cry too (not happily). Pass me the Kleenex!

If you read the tagline alone, you'll think this story revolves around the subject of marital rape, which would have made for an interesting plot. But Daman is more about Durga's (Raveena) life after marriage. Her husband, Sanjay (Sayaji Shinde) is unfortunately a psycho type who abuses her. She seeks solace in her brother-in-law, Sunil (Sanjay Suri). It's implied that they secretly love each other. Nothing develops, but it does help to provide the necessary tension. Some people I know think they should have made the two express their love for each other so Durga will have someone to walk into the sunset with at the end. But that's one of the reasons why Daman shines. It doesn't cater to the norm. Kalpana Lajmi has made this film by her own standards and that's to be applauded. However, Shaan's presence was unnecessary. It's pretty obvious that he's in the film only to give a breather of sorts. The film could have done without the little love story between Shaan and Reema Sen.

The film is told in flashback sequences and that's also beautifully done. But I still feel that the marital rape topic should have been the dominant issue, especially since the tagline mentions it. Daman, however, focuses only on Durga's trials and tribulations as a married Indian woman who has to listen to her husband. It talks of how the Indian society still gives second billings to women and how Durga tries her best to live with that.

Raveena's performance should be mentioned. Anyone who's not convinced of her acting prowess should watch Daman. Sayaji Shinde is like a clown. He's not as scary as say, Ashutosh Rana in Dushman or Shah Rukh Khan in Darr. Shinde makes me laugh instead. Sanjay Suri is also worth watching. He's a natural. Other characters in the film come and go. None are developed enough. You're left wondering why some characters do the things they do, where they come from, etc.

The songs aren't as hummable as the usual Bollywood numbers, but they're easy on the ears and will grow on you.

On the whole, Daman is unique and worth a watch if you're tired of the usual masala movies you've been subjected to. It's also worth watching if you want to see Raveena at her very best. But there are the few loopholes which you wish had been fixed.