Raja

Indra Kumar makes another of those typical romances that he is so known for. His previous films, Dil and Beta, for all their cinematic flaws and shorcomings, provided fresh entertainment, but no hat-tricks for him here. Ironically, Raja is named after male lead Sanjay Kapoor's character, but it's all about Madhuri Dixit, who clearly this film was made for. It showcases Dixit at the top of her beauty, splendor and dramatic form. It's all about her powerful screen presence, and what a presence it is - her gorgeous smile lights up the screen, her stupendous dancing skills set every musical number on fire, and even in a film that doesn't offer her much acting-wise, she manages to shine through.

Indeed, the film itself is just not up to the mark - it's a rehash of different romantic films, and sadly it just gets worse and worse as it goes on. The amount of Hindi rom-com tropes used here is alarmingly and amusingly inartistic. The exaggerated melodrama is embarrassing, so is the stagy dialogue, and the story just goes nowhere. Dixit is supported by her leading man Kapoor, who bears a striking resemblance to his older brother Anil (a frequent costar Dixit's) just with less acting talent, although a refreshing casting choice. The only one here close to leaving a mark as an actor is, for whatever little it may be worth, Paresh Rawal as the mentally challenged brother.

To conclude, there's nothing to look here for except for its sole redeeming quality, its leading lady. Like many potboiler films of the era that were made solely to cash in on the moviegoing public's demand to watch their undisputed screen idol, this film relies exclusively on Dixit's star power. Just watch the songs of the hit soundtrack (all melodious and catchy) - "Phool Mangoo Naa Bahaar", "Akhiyaan Milaoon Kabhi", "Kisi Din Banoongi", "Nazrein Mili Dil Dhadka", for evidence of her indelible charisma. The film lets her do what she does best, but sometimes she is just there, and if you ask movie fans, sometimes it's reason enough to watch even poor films like this one.

Raja has got to be one of the worst Hindi movies I've ever seen. The plot is stupid and almost everything about the movie is terrible. It has a couple of good songs and that must have saved it from taking a complete nosedive. The dialog is not just corny but also completely over the top. The acting? It's tough to tell because Madhuri is just too good to mess anything up. But she can do little when the very character she plays is so bad. Actually pretty much every character is idiotic. I saw this movie 20 years too late but it wouldn't have made any difference. The '90s produced some very good Hindi movies so there's really no excuse for a movie this bad.

A poor guy falling for a rich lady against the will of her tyrannical brothers forms a much familiar plot of this successful 90s film. Unlike Inder Kumar's earlier hits "Dil" and "Beta" which had better plots and narration, 'Raja" appears much blatant in terms of storytelling and characters. In other words, it's not the story for which you should go for. Anyway, the sets and photographic beauty in filming the sets might make it a pleasure to watch it in a theatre.

There are an abundance of songs, fitted as items, which look and sound great on the screen. Madhuri Dixit overshadows Sanjay Kapoor though she suffers overacting and her character is less passionate to that from "Dil" or "Beta." Similarly, the roles of Mukesh Khanna and Dalip Tahil are cardboard type apart the role of Paresh Rawal, which is a merit to the film. Overall, it's a loud and exuberant love saga which is a testimony of production values surpassing the storytelling in the 90s blockbusters.

Rating: 1 star out of 4.

It was Madhuri Magic All the way in the Film. Madhuri was named as Female Amitabh Bachchan after the film because she literally carried the film on her shoulders and made it a Blockbuster (according to boxofficeindia.com)despite having a male newcomer. It had the masala which once used to have in Manmohan Desai and Amitabh combination and that is why probably Madhuri was being credited as Lady Amitabh.

Movie definitely had some flaws but still Madhuri Dixit's Comic timing, Sheer Beauty and Magnificent Dance made it a must watch film. Sanjay Kapoor is Decent. Paresh Rawal is excellent. Madhuri is Extra Ordinary.

The Film is Must Watch for Madhuri Dixit. Greatest Actress of Bollywood.

Not here to write any review, nor am sure if this movie deserves any, but man! What an astounding diva Madhuri Dixit was, back in those days!

Happen to get mesmerized watching her, every time these songs pop up in youtube. These songs frequently took place around the neighborhood, in the blank backspace of birthday video cassettes, in the late nineties; and almost all the 90's kids of South Asia must have sweet memories of adolescence around these.

And after all these years, even though the eyes got matured a bit, the hearts gathered few wrinkles and aches from here and there; Madhuri hasn't lost her appeal, not even a single bit.