Aitraaz

'Aitraaz' is another fare made by the directors duo Abbas-Mustan. And once again, it is... well, unoriginal. 'Disclosure' is the word. However, speaking objectively, I found Aitraaz totally enjoyable and intriguing, and was thoroughly entertained by the proceedings. The direction was very good and the film was well-executed. It is about a man named Raj who is accused of trying to molest his old manager's young wife Sonia, who actually happens to be his ex-girlfriend, while in fact, she was the one who tried to sexually harass him and he refused, being a married man. Well, this is not very believable, but that's another story. This case is taken to court where Raj's wife Priya, who is a lawyer and who has full trust in her husband, decides to fight his case against seasoned lawyer Patel who represents Sonia. There start the film's most entertaining and interesting sequences. Aitraaz stars Akshay Kumar as Raj, and he does well. Kareena Kapoor is also very good as his protective wife Priya, though she has little to do until the film's last few scenes. But Aitraaz fully belongs to Priyanka Chopra, who is simply amazing in an all-out villainous turn as the vicious and devious manipulator Sonia. She is so sexy and attractive that it sounds puzzling that someone could reject her. This is among her most memorable performances. Other cast members include Amrish Puri in one of his last film appearances, and Paresh Rawal, who is outstanding as the witty and funny lawyer Patel. The film's soundtrack, by Himesh Reshammiya, was not that enjoyable according to me. The ending was very good. Aitraaz may not be exceptional, it may not be original, but it is a very entertaining movie. I recommend you to watch it mainly for Priyanka Chopra.

This movie is one that should not be missed. Its totally different from the rest. The acting was great!!! And the directors really showed that they are among the top. Priyanka Chopra will amaze viewers. She is a true example that breaks the cliché that models can't act. Priyanka does an exceptional job in the film. Akshay Kumar also shines in the film. He has grown immensely as an actor, and he did superb in the movie. It was refreshing to see Kareena Kapoor in a mature role. This role truly brought her acting skills, and it shows the viewers that she can do more than those bubbly characters seen earlier in her career. Even though Paresh Rawal's role was short in the film, it is one that you won't forget. He nails the part down to the bone and his time on the screen could very well be the highlight of the film.

This film is long but quite enjoyable. There is perhaps one twist too many and some needless shenanigans towards the end could have been avoided. Still, its fairly absorbing. Priyanka excels as the sexy vamp and burns up the screen with her presence. Kareena is saddled with the straight role but does well. Paresh Rawal steals the show as an adept lawyer. Akshay Kumar is alright although he essentially plays the victim in the film. The plot is a variant on the Hollywood thriller Disclosure, but there's a lot of Indian spice including some catchy songs. Watchable.

Overall 6/10

Abbas Mustan are back with the bang and this time with a bold theme which tackles with the issue of sexual harassment, with an exclusive twist by placing the man as a victim and the woman as an aggressor. Till now the moviegoer has witnessed man-sexually-molesting-woman but this time its opposite. It has been inspired by a Hollywood flick DISCLOSURE.

Raj Malhotra (Akshay Kumar), who works for a cell phone company, is popular amongst his circle of friends and work colleagues. But his world comes crashing down when he meets Sonia (Priyanka Chopra) again.

Sonia is an ambitious model with great aspirations. She knows what she wants in life. She is prepared to achieve her goals, whatever the price. Her fundas in life are crystal clear: Nothing shall come in between her wants and desires.

Raj is well aware that Sonia knew only one way to live and that was her way. And one fateful evening, things did not go her way. Sonia brings Raj's world to a screeching halt.

Raj's wife Priya (Kareena Kapoor), once a lawyer herself, is prepared to do anything to protect her husband's honor and dignity.

The deceitful dusk that threatens to put Rajs honor at stake, finds an adamant Priya at the opposing end. And from a content housewife, Priya becomes a woman with a mission that she must accomplish. She is now Rajs partner in more ways than one.

Thrown into this web of deceit is Rajs boss, Ranjit Roy (Amrish Puri), who happens to be Sonias husband. He is a mere pawn in her hands.

The drama has just begun. The court is far from adjourned and what happens next you have to watch by yourself.

Akshays performance in a serious silent role is satisfactory and the audience will sure sympathize with his character. Kareena's part as a wife is impressive. But she fails to make a mark in the role of a lawyer. AITRAAZ belongs to Priyanka Chopra completely. She plays a glamorous role with a gray shade. Priyanka gets an opportunity to bear her claws and she does it with complete understanding of the character. She sneaks her way through the role like an expert, drawing audience hatred the way a magnet collects iron filings.

Paresh Rawal and Anu Kapoor have made their wonderful input to the film as lawyers. A good courtroom drama viewer will see after a long time, after Damini (93). In a long courtroom scene, Paresh Rawal is able to keep the viewers engaged in the proceedings while Anu Kapoor appears in an impressive role after a long time. His last best performance was in Gardish (93). And the same year he started working for zee TVs program Antakshari.

On the whole, AITRAAZ is a well-crafted thriller that meets the expectations in each and every department from story, direction till performances and music. Its a must to see movie. 3 1/2 Out of 5

Coming from the celebrated directorial team of 'Baazigar' (*Shah Rukh Khan) and 'Soldier' (*Bobby Deol), this one merits watching. The plot outline of Barry Levinson's gripping 1994 drama 'Disclosure' (starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore) has been nicely Indianized. There is no question that it is a remake of that Hollywood production, although the latter had a second plot-twist that Aitraaz doesn't provide.

Chances are that majority of the Indian audience may not have seen Disclosure and, therefor, will love Aitraaz. It is again proved conclusively that a good story-line and good storytelling are two absolute essentials in making a good film. Look at 'Ashoka' (starring Shah Rukh Khan). Lush photography, proved story-material, and what happens? Why does it bomb at the box office? Simply because such a gorgeous story wasn't told with consistency and well.

It happens. A proved material may bomb on revision because of uninspired direction (example: Hitchcock's 1960 classic 'Psycho' remade in 1998 by Gus Van Sant). Sometimes the opposite happens: 2001 remake of 1960's 'Ocean's Eleven' actually eclipsed the original.

See Aitraaz. The soundtrack is scintillating. The story is good. The direction is superb. Priyanka Chopra is exceptional. Kareena Kapoor is superb. Akshay Kumar is adequate. You'll like the film.