User reviews

Just as the title offers, "Woh Lamhe" has many exciting moments to offer. I wouldn't say it's a great film but it should provide a very decent watch to its viewers. Supposedly based on Mahesh Bhatt's relationship with popular actress Parveen Babi, the film shows Babi in a rather negative light through Kangana Ranaut's schizophrenic young actress Sana Azim, and follows her relationship with a young filmmaker named Aditya who she falls in love with (that's supposed to be Mahesh Bhatt). A relationship starting off with a collaboration on a film is followed by a live-in relationship, where the young filmmaker is exposed to Sana's insanity. She is haunted by a woman who warns her that everyone wants to kill her. Quite expectedly, Aditya is presented as a kind-hearted and supportive man.

I don't know if this portrayal of Parveen Babi's life is correct, but it is certainly unpleasant for those who have known and liked Babi throughout the years. It is not the first time Bhatt wrote a film with a character based on Parveen. His 1982 masterwork "Arth" had a similar character named Kavita played by Smita Patil. While Patel's Kavita was a half-backed role in the film, here we get to see this character as the film's protagonist. But unlike Arth, this film was made a year after Babi's death, so one can never know if the characterisation and the story are completely correct, though we all know that it's just based on this relationship and is not a lifelike depiction of it. Whatever there, the film is very alluring and visually pleasing, although it gets to be a bit disturbing at some points.

The film belongs to Kangana Ranaut, who is astonishing as Sana. This is another role showcasing her talent in playing emotionally disturbed characters, and despite her very young age, she handles the rather complex character with great ease and looks beautiful and mature. Shiny Ahuja provides good support but at some scenes annoyingly overacts. The direction is quite good, and the film is enjoyable, interesting and has some fantastic tracks composed by Pritam. Every song has something nostalgically melancholic about it, which makes it memorable and ear-pleasing. Woh Lamhe is definitely worth watching, and not only once.

This film deftly covers the subject of how one deals with personal ambitions and portrays a harrowing look into the condition of paranoid schizophrenia.

In both, it succeeds and is very watch-able. The script is wonderfully implemented though later on it slows unnecessarily at times. But it never deviates from the central characters. Kangana Ranaut's character has to deal with what her life is becoming, while Shiny Ahuja's character has tough choices to make about what he wants from his.

Ranaut gives a powerful performance, filling out every nuance and facet of her character. Shiny Ahuja brilliantly plays his character, emoting the choices he goes through. The supporting cast aren't memorable but do a good job.

The ending is a little heavy handed, but doesn't detract from the rich experience the story offers.

The movie does a good job of showcasing the life of a show girl. It has a amazing sound track and a well chosen character-actor mapping. the pantie throwing scene and the rape scene are not very "Indian movie" type but the director has placed the scenes pretty well to portray the character of the characters. the movie keeps you involved through out except for the end where i feel the sudden shift in time had to be explained.... what happened to Sana (show girl)and her lover during the time gap!. it is also perhaps one of those rare Indian movies where the villain is not over dramatic... basically i could not come to a conclusion as to who is the villain. its a nice movie after all but better watch it with a serious mood.

This movie reminded me of a not so much of a hit film of 1993 called "Phir Teri Kahaani Yaad Aayee", starring Pooja Bhatt. Comparing Pooja Bhatt to Kangana, you may feel disappointed, but in her own way, Kangana has tried very hard. Shiny Ahuja is marvelous as always. I don't know why but I came out of the movie blaming him, as if it was he who sought relief of his previous self, when he was a child. At major points, the movie is a direct lift from " A Beautiful Mind". Partly misdirected, the story is strong and actors good. Kangana looks good in the movie. At some points, there is also a "horror" film effect that has been tried. It was meant in good stead, but has been overdone. Also, only a few songs are good, the rest mediocre. Overall, watch it if nothing better to do and a few hours to kill, else can be avoided in favor of Phir Teri....( which would be very hard to find)

just saw this movie and was very pleasantly surprised!!! Shiny Ahuja not only looks good but has acted so naturally. Randhawa making his debut was a true villain and of course Kangana was better than she was in Gangster!!!!for those of you who have not seen the movie do go and watch it.the soundtrack is amazing too!!!!! i read somewhere that Kangana had a hard time getting into the role which is apparently based on Parveen Babi?! whatever her difficulties she has come through beautifully. one wonders where reality ends and make believe takes over regarding Parveen Babi's life story. whatever it was that Bhatt was trying to convey he has chosen his artists well. maybe somebody out there can tell me whether this really based on Babi's life.

Music is fantastic and very pleasant to hear with expressive lyrics.

Watch "A Beautiful Mind" for understanding what REAL "paranoid schizophrenia" means.

Commodification of the woman's body is not just one of the themes in the movie but also is very real / factual when u look at as an outsider.

Kangana's acting is good but need not follow mallika or bipasha.......

Shiny needs more expressions shining on his face apart from dialogs delivery.

Ending is horrible, abrupt end like the time out in football ?????? Flashback does not come to real time at all. There is a complete disconnect, was it intentional or editing / directing error.

Not necessarily to watch the movie but still don't forget to listen to the songs as all are truly melodious.

What a superbly enacted drama about the entangled relationships between the personalities of the Indian film world, where everyone is out to use each other to climb the proverbial unsteady ladder to success.

This is the first Hindi film I have seen that has honestly and beautifully presented the difficult subject of paranoid schizophrenia in cinematic form. Kanagana Ranaut is outstanding as the female protagonist, Sana Azeem, who plays a top actress who has made a Faustian pact in order to achieve fame and success. Unfortunately for her, it's her Svengali -like manager and partner, played with thorough evil intent by an actor I do not recognise, who has made her the way she is. She is very unhappy and takes to drink with gusto. Every part of her body and mind is dictated by media sponsors, who decide all aspects of her life.

Into this mix appear a struggling director and his partner, who sees their main chance in Sana – a ticket ride to success. Siney Ahuja, who plays Aditya, a pretentious director, is also outstanding. He is a superb foil to Sana, where the former starts out as disreputable, but charming character, but then slowly falls in love with the beautiful Sana when he sees her vulnerability.

Sana's frequent bouts of hallucinatory attacks – where she sees a female alter ego, an absolutely evil bitch, who pursues her relentlessly – strains her relationship with all the men in her life. We see the back story of how she became what is today, where her condition is diagnosed as schizophrenia. No one but Aditya understands her predicament. As a boy he witnessed his own father, afflicted with mental illness, being subjected to electric shocks to cure his condition.

When Sana herself was sent to a psychiatric ward to be given electric shocks, Aditya kidnaps her and takes to a safe refuge in the countryside, where he helps her to recuperate. It is not easy as her condition goes through a see-saw of emotions – one day, she's well, then the next day she's has recurring attacks of the imaginary female tormentor.

The scenes where Sana enacts her schizoid episodes are superbly handled and absolutely terrifying. Having a member of my own family afflicted with schizophrenia, I know how realistic the scenes are. I am not surprised that Kangana found it difficult to portray, but portray she does. She veers from normality to madness with such consummate ease that it was difficult to tell where the borderline between sanity and madness began or ended. Her scenes were spooky and intense, and so was the imaginary character in her mind, played by unknown actress whose terrifying visage will remain in viewer's mind long after he/she has left the cinema theatre.

Shiny's transformation from sleazy director to sensitive lover was remarkable and natural. He is an actor worth watching out for.

I would recommend this movie to all who are interested in excellent performances, direction, and soundtrack. An outstanding and sensitive screenplay from Mahesh Bhatt – clearly he has delved deeply into his own life to write this tale. A film that is, in turns, entertaining, disturbing, moving and sensitively portrayed. A must-see for aficionados of cinema.

The film is said to be based on Parveen Babi's life but I don't believe it does full justice to the late actress. I would prefer to look at this as a work of fiction, which I think it majorly is. The screenplay is pretty fast-paced but the story feels contrived. The music integrates well with the plot. The songs echo nostalgic melodies of the 90s and I particularly liked 'Sau Jawoon Mein'. Some scenes were a overdone and extremely manipulative. One such scene is where at a film ceremony, Kangana throws her undy at Shiny or the rape scene (which looked quite fake and forced). Performances are quite efficient. Kangana Ranaut does alright in acting but she's miscast. A more mature actress would have been better suited. Shiny Ahuja too is okay overall but his performance is inconsistent. In some scenes he's excellent but in others he does go overboard. Purab Kohli has screen presence and Masumeh Makhija is excellent. She owns all her scenes and is very effective. To sum it up, Woh Lamhe is a good enough one-time watch. But I would have liked to see a movie about the real Parveen Babi, her life, her career, her struggle and her survival.

It would be nice to see once a Hindi movie that is not taken off from American Movies. I found Kangana's character very similar to Gia. In Gia, Gia is an international famous model whose life spirals downwards due to heroine addiction and dies due to AIDS. With Kangana her character Sana has a mental problem that it costs her her life and her boyfriend played by Shiny to take care of (Gia had her mother for those who don't know). Throw in a twist of the imaginary person and her perception that the world is trying to get her and you add in Gia with Beautiful Mind. If you tried to fool us thinking this was an original idea....you didn't. Comeon, come up with a movie that is original....can Bollywood do that on a consistent basis..?? So far, I think not! I give it 3/10 for lack of creativity.

I absolutely loved this movie. I accidentally stumbled upon it after scrolling through movies online. Even though this is a Hindu film, with a different dialect, it was able to capture my attention. The first time I watched it, was on my computer and I had a difficult time understanding what was being said (because of my speakers), but understood the storyline, just by watching the actors'/actresses' facial expressions and actions. The cast did an amazing job acting out their parts and they possess a single talent that captures the audience, making the viewer feel as if they truly know the people in the movie. Your heart goes out to the couple, after seeing what they've both been through and where their futures are heading. Shiny Ahuga is just amazingly brilliant and does a breathtaking job at his role. Kangana is very beautiful and is a natural actress and will go far. The two compliment each other well and look as though they're made for each other- great duo- they really created the film. I have since bought this movie and on TV was able to understand word for word, despite their accents. Once again, great movie- my heart goes out to the director for being so compelling. I cried. I hope Shiny continues to do more films- he's spectacular!

first of all i was not interested in watching the movie .i thought what is going to be special it is going to be just another love story but later when i saw the movie i thought this is one of the best movies .thank god i did not miss such a wonderful movie.the story is a real life story about an actress and a director."kangana" plays the actress and "shiney" the director the love for each other and the affection they share will be amazing.their on screen chemistry was very good the way it is picturised is outstanding."kangana" and "shiney" who played the lead were mind blowing.there are no words to describe their acting skills.the music of the film was too good the songs were very pleasant.they were apt for the situations.overall the film is wonderful

woh lamhe is worth a watch.. those who are reading this review without watching this movie had better go and check this one out and then come back.. still here?..(sigh)..OK.. I committed the same error as to check out some reviews and i got comments like "I was surprised that bollywood can produce such a movie" "you had better be in a serious mood to appreciate the film".. I didn't know whether it was in mockery or seriousness.. to put any such confusions to rest .Its def a great movie a general "hollywoodish " feel permeates through out,but its a bollywood entertainer.and what other scenario is better than bollywood itself.we have beautiful actresses,parties and a cynical upcoming director and his sidekick and we have philandering egoistic actors.. ...Its a beautiful love story though one expects a kind of a different story after hearing shiny say "My dear,don't expect anything from me" Kangana as the schizophrenic actress is a natural..and shiny is no less though his underplaying is sometimes a little unnatural but most of the times a relief...its a simple love story set in exotic conditions,just a simple love story and as always it strikes a chord

One of the best romantic movie and such a beautiful love story..... And shiney ahuja's role was so heart touching