Biwi No. 1

If you like Bollywood comedies with people constantly shouting and jumping around, you might like this movie. If not, better avoid it. Apart from some decent acting and a few scenes that might make you smile, Biwi No. 1 ("Wife no. 1") has very little to offer.

The story is simple enough: a happily married man (Salman Khan) suddenly falls in love with another woman (Sushmita Sen) and starts cheating on his wife (Karisma Kapoor). On both women, in fact, because he convinces the beautiful Rupali that he is still a bachelor. Thus, he takes her on a trip to Switzerland, where they unexpectedly meet his best friend and his wife (Anil Kapoor and Tabu). Obviously, it won't take long before his own wife finds out...

Not exactly an ambitious plot. At times it reminds of "She-Devil". The difference is mostly this: while She-Devil succeeds in telling you an amusing story, in Biwi No. 1 the story just serves as a vehicle to show how funny the movie is. They might as well have added a laughing track to the background. In short, it's the kind of movie that you might enjoy watching if you like a sitcom type of humour, but that you can forget as soon as the movie is over.

What attracted me to this movie was the number of awards it had received, especially Sushmita Sen, who in addition is one of my favourite Bollywood actresses. Well, I agree she does a bang-up job in this movie, but if this role really earned her so many awards, I can't help thinking it must have been a really bad year in Bollywood. Karisma Kapoor, who plays the title role, is acting decently and convincingly, but again, not a memorable performance either. Anil Kapoor, an excellent actor, is a comedian in this movie, which he managed fairly well, but again, not exactly a milestone in film history either. About the main character, played by Salman Khan... Well, I suppose you need to like him. I find him particularly irritating in this movie. Other actors, like Saif Ali Khan and Tabu, play roles so minor that it is hard to say anything sensible about them.

All in all, the plot, the storytelling, the acting and the music all belong to the category "Seen Worse". What Biwi No. 1 really lacks, however, is something really good, something memorable. If you haven't seen it, you haven't missed a thing.

The basic plot is quite ambitious for a hindi movie. Salman is married to Karishma but when he hires Sushmita Sen as a model he falls in love with her and gives up his wife for her. Karishma with help from a hilarious Anil Kapoor tries to get Salman back.

It is a pretty well made film with a surprisingly good performance by Salman Khan. Sushmita was at her prettiest but personally I think Karishma and Anil Kapoor walk away with the honours. Anil Kapoor had me rolling on the floor with his witty dialogue delivery.

What really got my goat was the portrayal of hindu wives in this movie. Even though Salman had left her for another woman, karishma still keeps trying to get him back. I think it would have been more daring to show Karishma with a bit more personality and independence. Maybe even to marry Saif Ali or something. Anyway that's my 2 cents worth.

Either way a great film with good songs and dance sequences - although Salman being shorter is a bit of a let down.....

biwi no.1 is a really bad movie with very average performances. the only saving grace is the performance of anil kapoor. a few of the songs are catchy,otherwise forgettable.

VERDICT:a cheap movie with very old fashioned ideas.

One of the best comedy movie . Megastar Salman khan nailed it in this Movie. Must watch guys.

I totally enjoyed watching David Dhawan's Biwi No. 1, a funny and lighthearted comedy which is both interesting and entertaining. The movie deals with adultery but it never takes itself too seriously, and that's probably what makes it most fun to watch. This is the story Prem and Pooja Mehra, a wealthy and happily married couple who have two kids and a big house. Prem runs a successful advertising agency and Pooja is a contented housewife. Everything seems perfect until the moment Prem meets one drop dead gorgeous model named Rupali and the couple's domestic peace is in danger. Prem enthusiastically hires Rupali as an exclusive model for his agency and the two start an affair. The problems start when Pooja finds out about her husband's infidelity and the real war begins. At first she is unable to do anything but later she gets back to senses and with the help of a close family friend named Lakhan she assertively decides to fight for her family and get her husband back. What happens then is a laugh riot to behold.

Where acting is concerned, every actor understands the film's mood and acts accordingly. The film belongs to Karisma Kapoor, and she is wonderful as the betrayed wife who is decisive enough to get her husband back but also teach him a lesson or two. Karisma delivers a performance that is both convincing and funny, and she is gorgeous, more towards the latter portions of the film. Salman Khan is very good with his natural sense of humour. Two actors can be given the title of show stealer, and they are Anil Kapoor and Sushmita Sen. Kapoor is absolutely hilarious as the kind-hearted Lakhan who supports Pooja throughout the movie. Sushmita is way too hot to handle but more than anything her acting is excellent. She is one underrated actress who sadly never got her due. It's also sad to see a talent like Tabu in a minuscule role of zero importance, but one must note the film's last scene in which she totally shines. Himani Shivpuri is awesome as Prem's mother who, like Lakhan, is there to help her daughter in-law in everything, and the kids do well.

Biwi No. 1 shows the power of family and what a simple unassuming wife can do in order to recuperate her family, but everything is done in a light and funny way with a lot of comedy involved. You just have to see the scene in which Karisma finds out about Prem and Rupali's affair. In a regular Hindi fare it would be a really huge dramatic moment, but here it's incredibly amusing. The film does have serious moments of drama and they are dealt with well but they are few. I liked the ending very much although it was quite easy to predict it. I wouldn't call Biwi No. 1 a great film or something, but it is an all-round entertainer and I can always watch it with family and friends. I recommend this movie to lovers of Hindi cinema and to fans of David Dhawan comedies in particular.