Ishkq in Paris

Directed by: Prem Raj

Starring: Preity Zinta, Rhehan Malliek, Isabelle Adjani

Released: 2013

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

Madhuri?s Aaja Nachle may not have done well, but it was a good film. Sridevi?s English Vinglish was, of course, wonderful. Nobody has ever seen Raveena Tandon?s comeback film, but I hear it was critically acclaimed. Karishma Kapoor?s Dangerous Ishq last year was only dangerous to good taste, but she is now defeated in the ?worst comeback film possible? category by Preity Zinta. At least Karishma was offered the film and somebody else paid for it. At least as a basic story Dangerous Ishq was promising. Neither can be said about Ishkq in Paris, a film that may just be the definition of ?useless? from now on. Imagine the most simple clich? for a ?modern? love story. Add nothing creative, original, or ? God forbid ? unexpected. There. You have Ishkq in Paris.

And as a bonus you have Chunky Pandey. Like what could possibly go wrong.

Meeting on a train through Europe, two free thinking individuals bump into each other. A businesman Akash and a photographer Ishkq then decide to spend an evening in Paris together, just to part ways in the morning and never to see each other again. No baggage, no emotional bonding. Just fun. No sex, btw. By ?fun? they mean sitting in restaurants and riding carroussels. And then they part. But Akash cannot forget the completely inappropriately dressed-in-clothes-I-would-slap-my-teen-daughter-for-wearing Ishkq and when an excuse comes up he breaks his promise of not meeting her ever again, stalks her down and within days they are both in love. However Ishkq still has issues, because once upon a time her parents split up, which means she does not believe in marriage (because obviously all couples break up and leave each other and no relationship deserves a chance). But then she changes her mind, after her mum tells her, daddy did not leave, they agreed on living apart. And because that completely changes everything, Ishkq catches up with Akash and next thing you know they are in India getting married. The end.

The story is just ordinary, lazy and painfully boring. With no real twists and no real depth. And no point. True, sometimes simplicity is the key to charm, but there is different between simple and just boring. The film has little over 2 hours, yet it feels like a small eternity. The visuals could have been better and the songs also do not add to the entertainment value (no matter how much of Salman Khan you stuff into it). The two main leads have no chemistry and look mismatched, and the biggest fun you have with them is while trying to guess who is wearing more make-up.

Rhehan Malliek does not deserve a second thought. He doesn?t stay in mind and does not impress. Preity, unfortunately, does not fare much better. Of course one cannot expect her to be the fresh girl interested in Shahrukh Khan?s virginity from Dil Se, and it has been some time since cute, if rather boring Zaara, but Preity Zinta from Ishkq in Paris seems a completely different person. Badly styled, she looks even older than she actually is (and the very much obvious plastic surgery makes things worse). She is supposed to be under 30 in the film, I gather, but everything she looks is nearly desperate and not convincing. Much like SRK in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Preity in this one should have just embraced her age, and perhaps turn it all into a more mature love story.

Isabelle Adjani, an acting LEGEND of French and world cinema, is given a raw deal. I cannot phantom what made her give her a nod to the film (maybe Shekar Kapoor, making a blink and miss cameo near the end?). In any case, apart from having nothing to do, she also gives a very awkward performance, being dubbed into Hindi all the way through. And her plastic surgeries make her, ironically, looking younger than Preity. But for me she is forever the ill-fated La Reine Margot, splendid, wonderful, timeless.  

Krrish franchise

Koi... Mil Gaya

Directed by: Rakesh Roshan

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Rekha

Released: 2003

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

First of three movie that now create a franchise, Koi Mil Gaya is a shameless rip off of extremely popular E.T., in more ways than one. Is anyone surprised that even music is lifted from other films? I was really annoyed when I recognized two of my favourite soundtracks ? the Neverending story and yes, they even DARED to touch the Lord of the Rings ? and I assure you I am not mistaken as I know that music by heart. Koi Mil Gaya is a film for kids (even though adults can enjoy it as well), and as such it manages to hit the mark. However even as a film for kids it is not too spectacular, especially not in the special effect department. The little blue creeper Jadoo has nothing on likeability of E.T., and looks just way too puppet-ish for anyone to think he is real for a second. The film is worth watching for Hrithik Roshan, who delivers his possibly best performance ever. The level of vulnerability, innocence and sincere emotions he projects is amazing, and that too in a role which is a far cry from macho heroes Bollywood thrives on. His pairing with Preity Zinta is cute, and the actress looks just lovely. Rekha, of course, is one of the most natural actresses ever. I love her in just about anything and everything, so this was no exception. Out of all three films this one has the biggest heart.

Krrish

Directed by: Rakesh Roshan

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Rekha

Released: 2006

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

Papa Roshan has decided to boost his son?s career a bit more, again with something new and unusual (and inspired) and what better (read: easier) way to do that than creating a sequel to a successful movie? And so Krrish was born, Preity Zinta killed off and Priyanka Chopra brought on board ? as not really worthy a replacement (though she looked stunning, she was just kinda annoying silly gal in this). Yet again, the film needs to be watched through children?s eyes and the romantic track needed to be shorter. Performances are fine, but both Hrithik and Priyanka are owned by their older co-stars ? apart from Rekha we also meet the very awesome Naseeruddin Shah as the main villain. Unfortunately somewhere down the line one was grieving that loveable, childish, simple Rohit from Koi Mil Gaya was replaced by his ?son?, brooding Jesus-on-steroids Krishna. That said Hrithik has a perfect image to be a superhero. For adult people and teenagers Krrish doesn?t really work as a film of particular interest, for children it is almost perfect. I personally, though with long pauses in between, quite enjoyed it.

Krrish 3

Directed by: Rakesh Roshan

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Vivek Oberoi, Kangana Ranaut

Released: 2013

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

Last (at least for now) instalment of the franchise has raised many eyebrows with its title. Krrish ?3?? Did we miss Krrish ?2?? Then again numbers do not seem a strong point of Papa Roshan, as we could see during the BO collections aftermath. I was not kind to the idea of the movie, given the previous one was nothing earth-shattering, and the promos very lackluster, the songs just pathetic, reminding one of an outdated 90s films. And after the release I was very put off by all the boasting from various people, mostly Vivek Oberoi, about their own greatness (you do NOT compare yourself to Mogambo and have me nodding in agreement). So I was very sceptical about this venture when I hit the play button and very surprised to find out.... Krrish 3 is a good film. Miles ahead of its predecessor (though sentimental me still prefers Koi Mil Gaya), it has a good enough story to keep you interested and the pace is good throughout. There are moments that are just not needed and overdone (because saving an old grumpy man would simply not play on our heart-strings like saving a cute baby), some of the action scenes are just weird (I kept singing Cause baby you make me tongue-tieeeeed, tongue tiiied...... in my head through the weirdest one ? and btw how unhygienic it all was!) and AGAIN, ironically, the special effects look average. What I couldn?t grasp was the fact nobody, including Kangana?s character, realized Krishna is Krrish. The dude is not acting super secretive while in his costume ? he sits down with everyone and chats (and apparently has a box of spare bracelets to give out for free) after all. The dude has green eyes and six fingers and nobody suspects anything? Not even when they are capable of making his statue and have his IDENTICAL father reveal it? Sorry, I am not buying that.

Vivek Oberoi as Kaal is impressive ? at least up until the moment he decides to wear a seriously embarrassing armour, and so is Kangana Ranaut as a mutant. I suppose when she is forced to be subtle, she can really be great. Her change of heart was not too well explored, but it was sufficient still. Priyanka is better than the last time, but she really is ?just there?. The role was not demanding at all. Coming to Hrithik Roshan, this time we do not have to make a choice between Rohit and Krrishna as we get them both. And Hrithik delivers as both ? this time actually a lil more as Krrishna. Not a Best Actor award winning performance, but solid enough to be regarded as one of the better ones this year.

Ishkq in Paris

Directed by: Prem Raj

Starring: Preity Zinta, Rhehan Malliek, Isabelle Adjani

Released: 2013

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

Madhuri?s Aaja Nachle may not have done well, but it was a good film. Sridevi?s English Vinglish was, of course, wonderful. Nobody has ever seen Raveena Tandon?s comeback film, but I hear it was critically acclaimed. Karishma Kapoor?s Dangerous Ishq last year was only dangerous to good taste, but she is now defeated in the ?worst comeback film possible? category by Preity Zinta. At least Karishma was offered the film and somebody else paid for it. At least as a basic story Dangerous Ishq was promising. Neither can be said about Ishkq in Paris, a film that may just be the definition of ?useless? from now on. Imagine the most simple clich? for a ?modern? love story. Add nothing creative, original, or ? God forbid ? unexpected. There. You have Ishkq in Paris.

And as a bonus you have Chunky Pandey. Like what could possibly go wrong.

Meeting on a train through Europe, two free thinking individuals bump into each other. A businesman Akash and a photographer Ishkq then decide to spend an evening in Paris together, just to part ways in the morning and never to see each other again. No baggage, no emotional bonding. Just fun. No sex, btw. By ?fun? they mean sitting in restaurants and riding carroussels. And then they part. But Akash cannot forget the completely inappropriately dressed-in-clothes-I-would-slap-my-teen-daughter-for-wearing Ishkq and when an excuse comes up he breaks his promise of not meeting her ever again, stalks her down and within days they are both in love. However Ishkq still has issues, because once upon a time her parents split up, which means she does not believe in marriage (because obviously all couples break up and leave each other and no relationship deserves a chance). But then she changes her mind, after her mum tells her, daddy did not leave, they agreed on living apart. And because that completely changes everything, Ishkq catches up with Akash and next thing you know they are in India getting married. The end.

The story is just ordinary, lazy and painfully boring. With no real twists and no real depth. And no point. True, sometimes simplicity is the key to charm, but there is different between simple and just boring. The film has little over 2 hours, yet it feels like a small eternity. The visuals could have been better and the songs also do not add to the entertainment value (no matter how much of Salman Khan you stuff into it). The two main leads have no chemistry and look mismatched, and the biggest fun you have with them is while trying to guess who is wearing more make-up.

Rhehan Malliek does not deserve a second thought. He doesn?t stay in mind and does not impress. Preity, unfortunately, does not fare much better. Of course one cannot expect her to be the fresh girl interested in Shahrukh Khan?s virginity from Dil Se, and it has been some time since cute, if rather boring Zaara, but Preity Zinta from Ishkq in Paris seems a completely different person. Badly styled, she looks even older than she actually is (and the very much obvious plastic surgery makes things worse). She is supposed to be under 30 in the film, I gather, but everything she looks is nearly desperate and not convincing. Much like SRK in Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Preity in this one should have just embraced her age, and perhaps turn it all into a more mature love story.

Isabelle Adjani, an acting LEGEND of French and world cinema, is given a raw deal. I cannot phantom what made her give her a nod to the film (maybe Shekar Kapoor, making a blink and miss cameo near the end?). In any case, apart from having nothing to do, she also gives a very awkward performance, being dubbed into Hindi all the way through. And her plastic surgeries make her, ironically, looking younger than Preity. But for me she is forever the ill-fated La Reine Margot, splendid, wonderful, timeless.  

Krrish franchise

Koi... Mil Gaya

Directed by: Rakesh Roshan

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Rekha

Released: 2003

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

First of three movie that now create a franchise, Koi Mil Gaya is a shameless rip off of extremely popular E.T., in more ways than one. Is anyone surprised that even music is lifted from other films? I was really annoyed when I recognized two of my favourite soundtracks ? the Neverending story and yes, they even DARED to touch the Lord of the Rings ? and I assure you I am not mistaken as I know that music by heart. Koi Mil Gaya is a film for kids (even though adults can enjoy it as well), and as such it manages to hit the mark. However even as a film for kids it is not too spectacular, especially not in the special effect department. The little blue creeper Jadoo has nothing on likeability of E.T., and looks just way too puppet-ish for anyone to think he is real for a second. The film is worth watching for Hrithik Roshan, who delivers his possibly best performance ever. The level of vulnerability, innocence and sincere emotions he projects is amazing, and that too in a role which is a far cry from macho heroes Bollywood thrives on. His pairing with Preity Zinta is cute, and the actress looks just lovely. Rekha, of course, is one of the most natural actresses ever. I love her in just about anything and everything, so this was no exception. Out of all three films this one has the biggest heart.

Krrish

Directed by: Rakesh Roshan

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Rekha

Released: 2006

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

Papa Roshan has decided to boost his son?s career a bit more, again with something new and unusual (and inspired) and what better (read: easier) way to do that than creating a sequel to a successful movie? And so Krrish was born, Preity Zinta killed off and Priyanka Chopra brought on board ? as not really worthy a replacement (though she looked stunning, she was just kinda annoying silly gal in this). Yet again, the film needs to be watched through children?s eyes and the romantic track needed to be shorter. Performances are fine, but both Hrithik and Priyanka are owned by their older co-stars ? apart from Rekha we also meet the very awesome Naseeruddin Shah as the main villain. Unfortunately somewhere down the line one was grieving that loveable, childish, simple Rohit from Koi Mil Gaya was replaced by his ?son?, brooding Jesus-on-steroids Krishna. That said Hrithik has a perfect image to be a superhero. For adult people and teenagers Krrish doesn?t really work as a film of particular interest, for children it is almost perfect. I personally, though with long pauses in between, quite enjoyed it.

Krrish 3

Directed by: Rakesh Roshan

Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Vivek Oberoi, Kangana Ranaut

Released: 2013

Verdict: destroy every copy ? horrible ? bad ? whatever ? flawed but enjoyable - good ? great ? amazing

Last (at least for now) instalment of the franchise has raised many eyebrows with its title. Krrish ?3?? Did we miss Krrish ?2?? Then again numbers do not seem a strong point of Papa Roshan, as we could see during the BO collections aftermath. I was not kind to the idea of the movie, given the previous one was nothing earth-shattering, and the promos very lackluster, the songs just pathetic, reminding one of an outdated 90s films. And after the release I was very put off by all the boasting from various people, mostly Vivek Oberoi, about their own greatness (you do NOT compare yourself to Mogambo and have me nodding in agreement). So I was very sceptical about this venture when I hit the play button and very surprised to find out.... Krrish 3 is a good film. Miles ahead of its predecessor (though sentimental me still prefers Koi Mil Gaya), it has a good enough story to keep you interested and the pace is good throughout. There are moments that are just not needed and overdone (because saving an old grumpy man would simply not play on our heart-strings like saving a cute baby), some of the action scenes are just weird (I kept singing Cause baby you make me tongue-tieeeeed, tongue tiiied...... in my head through the weirdest one ? and btw how unhygienic it all was!) and AGAIN, ironically, the special effects look average. What I couldn?t grasp was the fact nobody, including Kangana?s character, realized Krishna is Krrish. The dude is not acting super secretive while in his costume ? he sits down with everyone and chats (and apparently has a box of spare bracelets to give out for free) after all. The dude has green eyes and six fingers and nobody suspects anything? Not even when they are capable of making his statue and have his IDENTICAL father reveal it? Sorry, I am not buying that.

Vivek Oberoi as Kaal is impressive ? at least up until the moment he decides to wear a seriously embarrassing armour, and so is Kangana Ranaut as a mutant. I suppose when she is forced to be subtle, she can really be great. Her change of heart was not too well explored, but it was sufficient still. Priyanka is better than the last time, but she really is ?just there?. The role was not demanding at all. Coming to Hrithik Roshan, this time we do not have to make a choice between Rohit and Krrishna as we get them both. And Hrithik delivers as both ? this time actually a lil more as Krrishna. Not a Best Actor award winning performance, but solid enough to be regarded as one of the better ones this year.