Okay, now the eagerly anticipated Madhuri Dixit musical is finally out, I too would like to say a few things about this film. Not that I hated the film completely, but some parts of it really got me into pondering why don't they just let us give a break and give something really sensible, something you would want to talk about for the next eight months. Not like okay you watch this film, enjoy, come out of the theatre and completely forget about it. Yashraj films who was bragging early this year about "2007-the year to be" has left some silly movies down the lane and their latest installment "Aaja Nachle" happens to follow the great legacy of Dhoom2, Tara Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar.. and Laaga Chunari Mein
Indeed, the theory of quality being inversely proportional to quantity greatly applies here. Aaja Nachle, is, sadly a disappointment. But you have Madhuri making a comeback after so many years, a "perfect" production house that thinks it'll never get it wrong, a fine craftsman like Anil Mehta wait, I must tell you he's got the cameraman Mohanan to shoot the scenes beautifully, but himself as a director a big no no.
Aaja Nachle is simply a bunch of faults and flaws. Starting right from the first sequence, we get into thinking "Why don't they leave the Americans alone?" It seems Yashraj does not need actors but American extras and even at rarest occasions when you don't need them, they'll always have space to squeeze in a few. Then the music teacher gets some horrendous costumes to wear, records his farewell video (God, tell them 2007 minus 11 is 1996 and technology, fashion and everything else was already far more advanced then than shown!) and passes out. Then Dia gets into this quest to get the city together, and does some old school jhataks. (Okay, those expensive sets can be considered as "cinematic liberty" to quote critic Taran Adarsh but someone please tell me when did she get the theatre renovated and get all extra dancers when no one in the town was willing to cooperate?) Anything that's good is of course cinematography, sets and costumes. (Remember the good qualities of Om Shanti Om were almost exactly the same things.) Konkana and Kunal Kapoor doing some nice job there but the one to steal the show is of course the supporting cast. (What did you think I'd say Madhuri Dixit? No!) Madhuri's come back does not impress me. Sincerely, she's still the same old Madhuri and lot of water has flown since she left. Our tastes have changed and we are used to watching other actresses doing far more natural acting than she does in the movie. Irfan Khan is invisible in his short role. Akshaye Khanna's character does not convince me. I love the supporting cast which always happens to be the strongest factor in a Jaideep Sahani screenplay be it Khosla ka Ghosla or Chak De India. I'd really look forward to Jaideep Sahni writing another supporting cast-driven movie than Anil Mehta be allowed to direct again. Music is so-so. The only songs to have impress me are "Show me your Jalwa" and "Dance with me." Technically, there are several plot holes and consistencies but you'd bypass a lot of them considering it be mere "cinematic liberty," but no former superstar can save your show when your screenplay is leaking and got holes all over it. The scene where Nazma confesses to Dia could have been far better and thrilling if Divya Dutta would have been written to enter the scene with a bang. The conclusion is predictable but Jaideep has forgotten to close some plots he opened. What happened to the other lady who was replaced by Nazma? What about the deal between Chaudury sahib and Irfan Khan's character? And why does not Dia teach her daughter to speak Hindi when she is so much in love with her cultures and traditions? Some bad screen writing done there but the rest of the movie makes up for those blunders.
This movie would not get repeat audiences. At least I'm not going to watch it again. Not even in DVD. It does not get high scores from me. Well 6/10 should do fine. That's all I'd accommodate for a good visual treat.
