The new year 2000 is almost over and looking back at the year on the Hindi film industry - it hasn't been hot at all. Only 1 Superhit so far, way back in January! The year will be remembered of course for the debut of an actor named Hrithik Roshan who was a nationwide phenomenon in India. And in a nation of 1 billion people - that is a HUGE phenomenon.
It was a case of a great looking guy who entertained people - good promotional advertising on the producers part and partly due to the dismal performance of the Khans' films that Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai did that well. Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is leagues better and it would be criminal to compare this film to DDLJ (ah...the shudder of perfection). It's not that good.
The plot is simple and nothing we haven't seen before folks.
On vacation in New Zealand, an emotionally upset Sonia laments over the loss of her boyfriend Rohit; rich girl, poor boy scenario. But there is something familiar about the yuppie rich kid Raj, whom she meets at a dance club - an excellent scene made only more powerful by Lucky Ali's music track. A fast pace and 2 plot twists keep the movie highly entertaining and above average fare. The film is a bit of a thriller but mainly an entertainer, and I'm happy it does it's job here. Love stories don't always need a moral - we just want to have a good time. ( No, I won't call 'Believe in Love' a moral)
Director Rakesh Roshan manages to showcase all of his son's talents in this film: body build, dancing moves, a range of emotions and a knack for acting - something most actors in the industry today, lack.
Amisha Patel isn't given a lot to do here and thankfully does it well. She is very easy on the eyes - but of course! This is of course Hrithik's movie - the one that shot him into the the pre-adolescent hearts of every girl in the country, and their mothers too! He's under the spotlight 24/7 and a role model to many adolescent boys.
Hrithik's made a great first impression, but in an industry as whimsical as ours where you're only as good as your next movie he needs to diversify his roles (if that's possible in our industry) and keep the hits coming. I've got my fingers crossed for this guy - please don't be a one hit wonder.
