Main Aisa Hi Hoon

Main Aisa Hi Hoon continues a number of recent and not-so recent disturbing trends for Bollywood films. But in the end, it is saved somewhat by decent performances.

Most disturbing is the trend for producing uncredited remakes of American films. This is a remake of the far superior I Am Sam (2001). The copyright law in India must be such that it's impossible or at least not worthwhile to sue for these infringements, but artistic integrity and ethics would suggest giving credit where it is due.

As bad as the ethical problems is the fact that not many of these uncredited remakes are as good as the films they're stealing from. In Bollywoodizing them and sanitizing them so that they're more acceptable to Indian culture, the producers, writers and directors suggest that they often do not understand what made the films work in the first place.

There are a number of such changes in converting I Am Sam to Bollywood that are made to reflect conventional Indian morality and social myths. Here, the main character's one night stand was changed into a very muddled, longer-term relationship; the main character having difficulty coping in normal society was changed into a unbelievable, flawless social support system; questionable philosophical stances built into the system were mostly changed into a vindictive would-be father in law; and an unexpected, budding romance was drained of nearly all development and justification, not to mention that it's capped with a ridiculous bit of plotting at the end.

Other stereotypical stylistic changes were made, too, in order to make this a very non-challenging Bollywood film. Songs were added, of course, and although most of the lyrics are a relatively unusual and thus admirable attempt to say something relevant to the dramatic material, the songs and often the style in which they're performed are almost always sorely out of place. Also, melodrama is cranked up to the point of irritation, often accompanied by ridiculous musical or sound effects cues--Bollywood filmmakers seem to believe that their audiences are so stupid that they will not pick up on anything unless they beat them over the head with it. The concern for adding songs, melodrama and making the film not so controversial for Indian audiences resulted in often forgetting the need to tell a story that makes sense for these characters as they are presented. Storytelling should be the first concern in film-making. Concentrate on that and forget about making a combination soap opera/variety show with pointless "fancy" camera work (such as shots of the main character's house sideways and upside down).

Maybe surprisingly then, the acting in Main Aisa Hi Hoon is actually pretty good. Ajay Devgan is not nearly as convincing in the role as Sean Penn was, but especially as the film progresses, he turns in a moving, heartfelt performance. Sushmita Sen, Esha Deol and Anupam Kher are also impressive, especially in light of the fact that Bollywood actors are usually encouraged to overact rather than turn in a nuanced, understated performance. I also enjoyed the music, even though the breaks in the story to sing a song didn't fit very well.

Still, it's difficult to recommend Main Aisa Hi Hoon. Anyone interested in this story should just watch I Am Sam instead. And please, Bollywood, break some formulas, take some chances, and stop ripping off other films.

The kind of Father, to a drug addicted mother is enough for a court to rule decision in Fathers favour.

The support father has from masses. The love daughter gets from friends never needs a real family. All this also add to rule decision in Fathers favour.

Despite such storyline, the twist at end is unnecessary and ambigous. Thus settling with mentioned stars.

Music is good. A flick well altered for viewing audience.

Admittedly, this movie bears very striking resemblance to the 2001 film "I am Sam". However, Bollywood maintains the innocence of the storyline with typical twists to conform to a critical Indo-audience now accustomed with modern dramatisations of human behaviour while still expecting good over evil victories at the end of every story.

Ajay Devgan and Baby Rucha Vaidya complement each other beautifully, with the latter debut artist performing with just the correct amount of cuteness while demonstrating mature drama portrayal within a multi-star environment. This is typical in the dramatisation of the sentimental song "Papa Mere Papa" in which Gungun, her character, plays tribute to her dad to force Sushmita Sen's character, Niti, "the best lawyer" to realise he dad deserves to maintain custody of Gungun from her maternal grandfather.

Devgan's role as a autistic gentlemen Indraneel Thakur, loved by all while maintaining responsible, honest and forgiving qualities is typically brilliant when one considers the diaspora of roles he is considered for. He convinces Sen that she needs to show her son more respect and overcome her workaholic attributes to prevent herself from losing her son as she has her husband. Neel's relative charm is apparent as his associations with the clients at the café at which he works seven days-a-week are shown as they urge him to share his musical talent with them, as in the song "Just Walk into my Life" Anupham Kher plays irresponsible and business tycoon father to Maya Tridevi (Esha Deol), who is Gungun's mother. Maya is forced to leave UK from her non-responsive father and return to India where she becomes a nomad and drug-addict before she is inspired that life can be positively lived with Neel, his friends and carer, Ritu, played by Lillete Dubey. She is overwhelmed with the power of love, and becomes scared of this emotion, therefore leaving the family once she gives birth to their daughter.

The storyline culminates with Tridevi senior returning to India to legally claim back his daughter from Thakur, hereby breaking the fragile Neel's personality. There are challenges in the life of Gungun and Neel, with the former trying very hard not to outsmart her dad, but eventually learning that to love him, she must become the strong and intellectual member of their small family.

The performances are sterling, however, one feels that the film-makers took the Bollywood license to generate a happy-ending a bit too cloistral. This film has a strong storyline, yet the producers do not balance time spent at specific plot points, such as Esha's exit or at the climax.

This said, however, we must admit that the music is beautiful from Himesh Reshammiya and lyricist Sameer, and the overall effort is great from the actors, young, old and young-minded. Understand the nature of Bollywood cinema, and home it becomes more bold in future en devours, but do not judge these efforts without value to the social upliftment producers seek. The audience of Bollywood is certainly intelligent and understand the critique of performance and have ability to share commentary on world matters and contribute significantly to global advancement.

A Hindi remake of "I Am Sam". Ajay Devgan showed alent in a genre much different from his typical action/thriller/horror. He is endearing, and I liked his performance. He has some good chemistry with Sushmita, and is overall, a great performer. Sushmita Sen is disappointing. She looks very glamorous, but fails to provide any proper acting entertainment. The little girl got on my nerves, though she is kinda cute.

Music is average, though I like a few songs. Interestingly, many songs are in English, which surprised me, I was not expecting it. I don't like it though, I'm sure many people would have preferred them in Hindi.

Its a candyfloss comedy/drama, and sickly sweet. Be prepared.

I know this film is a copy of I am Sam but I have to say this ones much better.I never really thought of Ajay Devgan as a good actor but this film has proved me wrong,definitely. Esha Deol was good in this film and her other movies as well but her mum is ten times better than her. Sushmita Sen was good and I liked the character she played which was a understanding and descent lawyer who helps Ajay Devgan and his daughter. Lilletey Dubey was good and her acting was better in this film than it was in Kal ho na ho.Anupem Kher was good as playing a bad character in this film but he becomes good at the end.The character for Gungun was good and the character who played Sushmita Sen's son in the film was good as well.