PremGranth

All three of Raj Kapoor's sons tried their hand at direction in order to keep their father's banner alive. All three delivered rather mediocre films and PremGranth is unfortunately a weak melodramatic fare which fails to recreate the magic of Raj Kapoor's movies. Rajiv Kapoor, the youngest of Kapoor's sons, is the one who directs this movie and though he tries hard to adopt his father's style of filmmaking, Prem Grant falls flat and is a most boring, overdone and outdated product. The story seems to be like set in the 1940s, when women had no chances to survive. The film tries to address the theme of rape but it hardly manages to convey its message given the poor script and dated execution. The casting wavers between okay and laughable. The fact that Anupam Kher plays the father of Rishi Kapoor, who in real-life is actually 3 years older than he is, really made me laugh and is an example of terribly tactless casting. The only factor that redeems this film from being a total disaster is undoubtedly Madhuri Dixit, who rises above the script with a heartfelt and convincing performance in the role of a rape victim who tries to move on in life. Some of her scenes after the birth of her child were truly good. But there it ends, and the presence of a ceaselessly beautiful Dixit is not enough to save a stale story of this sort.

The movie did not deserve to fail as miserably as it did, because there were many good points in it.

1. Madhuri Dixit delivers a very good performance as the traditional yet strong-willed village belle. 2. Laxmikant Pyarelal have given some very good songs, notably 'Dil Lene Ki Rut' and 'Jungle mein sher' 3. The visuals are very beautiful, be it the earthy farm locations or the foreign locales.

Now the bloopers:

1. Editing is very patchy. It seems as though the director has very reluctantly cut portions and this detracts from the flow of certain shots. 2. The climax was justified with regard to the message, but the build up to it was very poor, like something straight out of a rural Ramleela, updesh et all.

Tess of the D'Urbervilles transitioned to Indian countryside. Regrettably, the film lacks much of the subtle and pastoral flavor or any notable depth. The villain is such a disgusting-looking guy that audience cannot help cursing the director for his brutality. After the shock, now I understand the golden rule for most Indian films that the heroine should never be raped. One can hardly have any sympathy in Somen as he/she would have to Angel Clare, either. The bloody ending scene makes one wonder whether Indians are violent people who like to seek law by their own hands.

6/10: solely for Madhuri Dixit's shinning beauty and marvelous dancing.

Watch it for Madhuri, for Rishi, for Shammi, for Anupam, for the music, for the beautiful scenes, for a good story revolve in rape and chaste. An alternate ending would have made it a great movie.

Good things- Madhuri Dixit's acting, dancing and beauty. Story is good, all performance are decent. We actually love Madhuri's character and start hating to Govind Namsev. Anupam Kher, Reema Lagu, OmPuriand Shammi Kapoor are good in their respective roles. First half was engaging and Climax was upto the mark.

Bad things- Undoubtedly, Rishi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit pair doesn't look good. Rishi kapoor is very good actor but he is misfit in that role. Editing was poor. 2nd half is pretty boring.