Gupt: the Hidden Truth

Gupt: the Hidden Truth -- Secret

MAIN CAST:
Bobby Deol -- Sahil
Kajol -- Isha
Manisha Koirala -- Sheetal

BRIEF PLOT OVERVIEW:
Sahil, the governor's thug-with-a-heart-of-gold stepson, has been causing a lot of problems for his dear stepfather: he's got his heart set on Isha, the secretary's daughter, while his parents have already arranged a match with Sheetal. It seems like a perfect motive when Sahil is caught holding the body of his dead stepfather, the poor man having just been subjected to one of the most poorly-choreographed deaths of all time. (NOTE: large sections of the plot are shamelessly stolen from Count of Monte Cristo.)

FILM -- 2/5
Gupt jumps right in the masala overload before the first half hour has run its course: there's a ridiculous club song, some melodrama with the family, and a silly fight scene where Sahil takes it upon himself to kick the crap out of some goon, bad sound effects included at no extra cost. And it doesn't stop there: Gupt has a stupid sound effect for every occasion and an especially ridiculous costume to go along with it! (By "ridiculous," I mean they threw a bunch of random costume pieces together in an attempt to come up with edgy costumes that just make Bobby Deol look like he raided his grandpa's closet, while the leading ladies look more like bag ladies.) There are plot holes so large you could drive an 18-wheeler through them and leaps of relationship status so wide they could take up dozens of billboards. The attempts at humor are just plain annoying. But between you and me...I sort of like Gupt. I certainly can't love a movie with a story as maudlin and cliche as this one, but it's so 90s and so rife with Kajol that I can't help but enjoy parts of it...you know, the final twist and the other 15 minutes or so of the movie that aren't comprised of corny fight sequences. If that doesn't appeal to you, you can at least check out the hysterically funny almost-kiss that Bobby Deol plants on Kajol's check as "balm" for her wounds.

CHARACTERS -- 2.5/5
Gupt really expects a lot of its viewers. It expects us to believe that the vivacious Kajol and the gorgeous Manisha Koirala would fall head over heels in love with Bobby Deol, who looks and talks like a gorilla. Seriously, this is the kind of movie that proves why the Deol boys shouldn't act: his "dancing" is horrible, he mopes his way through every scene, and they paired his mumbly bass voice with Udit Narayan's crisp tenor vocals. It's just...it's bad, and it doesn't work. Ah, but Kajol and Manisha Koirala are here to save the day! Kajol lights up the screen more than ever, and she totally steals the show. Manisha's character is sweet-as-pie and therefore a little more boring, but the Nepali actress is fresh-faced and charming, and her understated performance deserves some applause. The supporting cast was clearly selected for the biggest "melodrama" factor, and to an extent, it works (this is the 90s, after all).

SOUNDTRACK -- 2.5/5
This soundtrack is 100% synthpop, so if you aren't in to that, turn back now. That being said, there are a few tracks that really do stand out. "Becheniya" has a slow, sensual beat that reminds me of "Tanha Tanha" from Rangeela. "Yeh Pyar Kya Hai Kisine" mixes the synthetic with the traditional, and the picturization is truly stunning...well, at least for the first 30 seconds, and then Bobby Deol's poor excuse for dancing ruins it. Still, the song is kind of fun. "Ayo Pathikichu" is okay, but I much prefer it on screen, because Kajol is so sexy and Manisha is absolutely luminous. The title song is a cheap attempt at a James Bond theme, though it works for a minute or two. The rest of the soundtrack is pretty much adult contemporary garbage. "Mere Sanam," a lame excuse for Kajol to shake her tush on a bunch of high cliffs, and "Duniya Haasino Ka Mela," a lame excuse for Bobby Deol to jerk around in a club, are especially huge blemishes on the soundtrack.

OVERALL -- 2/5
There are a lot of pertinent social issues hidden within Gupt: the choice between holding one to one's heritage and modernizing, the not-so-subtle justification of arranged marriages, the notion of women as property ("I want to give my son a beautiful gift" when the father refers to Sheetal), and so on. But in the end, the judgements Gupt passes on these issues are hardly worth noticing, as they're shrouded in the mist of 90s masala. Quite honestly, it's hard for me to recommend Gupt, because it's nothing special and it stars Bobby Deol, King of Wooden Acting. That being said, Kajol and Manisha Koirala make the experience bearable, and there are a few memorable scenes worth watching at least once.

TOTAL SCORE -- 9/20 (mediocre)

Master List

Before reading any further, you might want to check out the introduction to the Bolly List, located on the right side of this blog.

Updated on October 12, 2009: Added the reviews for Satya, Guru, and Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi.

1947: Earth

Aag
Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage
Aashiqui
Andaz
Ankur
Aśoka

Baabul
Bandit Queen
Barsaat
Billu (Barber)
Bunty Aur Babli

Chak De! India
Chameli
Chandni Bar
Cheeni Kum
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

Deewaar
Devdas
Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke
Dhokha
Dil Hai Tumhara
Dil Se
Dil To Pagal Hai
Don: The Chase Begins Again
Duplicate

Ek Chadar Maili Si

Filhaal...

Guru

Hameshaa

Jab We Met
Jodhaa Akbar
Josh
Judaai

Hey Ram
Hum Aapke Dil Mein Rehte Hain
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Jab We Met
Jhoom Barabar Jhoom
Jodhaa Akbar
Josh
Judaai

Kaal
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

Main Hoon Na
Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon
Maqbool
Mujhse Dosti Karoge!
My Brother...Nikhil

Nayak: The Real Hero

Om Jai Jagadish

Pinjar
Pyaar Ka Sindoor
Pyaar Ke Side Effects

Raja Hindustani
Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman
Rangeela

Sarkar
Satya
Swades

Taal
Tere Naam
Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic

Umrao Jaan (2006)

Virasat

Water

Yes Boss

Zubeidaa

Guru

Guru

MAIN CAST:
Abhishek Bachchan -- Guru
Aishwarya Rai -- Sujata
Mithun Chakraborty -- Nanaji
Vidya Balan -- Meenu

BRIEF PLOT OVERVIEW:
Guru is a small-town Gujarati boy and, in his father's mind, a failure. But despite all odds, Guru has big dreams: he wants to return to his village and start his own business rather than work for the white men who still control much of India's economy. He even goes so far as to marry Sujata, his friend's older sister, in an attempt to gain enough capital for the business via her dowry, and his profit-making practices slowly become more and more corrupt.

FILM -- 4/5
This is going to sound like a strange complaint, so let me get it out of the way right now: Guru's cinematography often reminds me of a tripped-out MTV music video, where the characters seem disconnected from the background. I mean, look at "Barso Re": Aishwarya often looks like a CG character with equally-computerized backgrounds slapped up behind her. It's not necessarily bad, but it's definitely different, and it caught my attention every time that happened. The movie itself flows relatively well, although there are some more minor plot elements that pop up out of nowhere. Some beautiful imagery, like a train driving between Sujata and Guru, makes up for this flaw. The script is excellent and includes individualized dialogue, including some adorably plucky pieces from Sujata.

CHARACTERS -- 5/5
Guru is one of Abhishek Bachchan's best roles. Guru comes off as being simple and naive at first, but he slowly evolves in to an interesting character with many minor complexities. Charming and down-to-Earth, there's no better actor for this role than Abhishek. Aishwarya Rai is physically confusing to me in this movie; though still pretty, she looks 10 years older than she really is, and her facial expressions are often frightening. Her acting, however, has also aged, and I think that's far more important than how she looks at this part in her career. Her chemistry with Abhishek is very natural and, finally, believable. Nanaji and Meenu add some earthiness to the cast, although I would've liked it if Vidya had had more time to flesh out her character. The supporting cast is superb, and everyone fits their role like a glove.

SOUNDTRACK -- 3.5/5
A.R Rahman can't produce a bad soundtrack--it's just not in him--so even his worst work is, at the very least, "decent." Guru is a perfect example of this. "Barso Re" is proof that nobody can write a rain song like Rahman, but "Mayya" is a mediocre item number that sounds far too modern for a film set in the 1950s. The choreography in "Tere Bina" is mostly terrible, but the song itself is a beautiful love ballad. There's a chant about "Guru-bhai" that runs throughout the film that's powerful and fun at the same time. "Ek Lo Ek Muft" has silly lyrics and vocals that are too slurred to be "good," even if Guru is supposed to be drunk, but the beat is catchy. K.S. Chithra's vocals on "Jaage Hain" are beautiful. "Shauk Hai" is hauntingly beautiful.

OVERALL -- 4/5
Guru is simple, character-driven, and well-crafted. It can be slow, but thanks to your emotional investment in the characters, it's never dull. Though the soundtrack isn't one of Rahman's best and Aishwarya Rai isn't at her prettiest--and lets be honest, those are two reasons why people attend many of their films--Abhishek Bachchan is at the top of his game. Please note, however, that the morality of the ending is easy to call in to question, and while I enjoyed the movie, I was a little perturbed by the excuses it used for some of the characters' actions. This isn't a movie for everybody, thanks to its lack of action and melodrama, but it's definitely worth a rental.

TOTAL SCORE -- 16.5/20 (great)

Satya

Satya*

MAIN CAST:
J.D. Chakravarthy -- Satya
Manoj Bajpai -- Bhiku
Urmila Matondkar -- Vidya

BRIEF PLOT OVERVIEW:
When Satya arrives in Mumbai, his eyes are full of stars and he's hopeful about life in the big city. Mumbai turns out to be tougher than it looks, however, and a bad run-in with underworld boss Jaggar sends Satya to prison on a bogus prostitution charge. There he meets Bikhu, a hot-headed boss from another gang, and as the two become fast friends, the clever Satya faces a meteoric rise in the underworld.

FILM -- 4/5
Though Satya came out in 1998, it looks and feels like a movie from the previous decade. The shoe string budget produced a movie with low-quality video and audio, as well as some moments of poor equipment management, like when the camera bobs on longshots or when the lights flood out Urmila's face. But don't let Satya's first over-the-top 15 minutes fool you: this is a really great movie. It lures you in by presumably telling you the tale of a single man's fall, then you realize that this story is about how one man's choices can ruin the lives of all those around him. There are some truly amazing-looking shots that manage to shine through the film's cheap-o production and leave you breathless. The script is top-notch, with dialogue that manages to be gangster-appropriate without being filthy and plenty of character between the plots and the gunshots. The action scenes aren't great by any means, and the sound effects are a bit much, but they ARE well-choreographed and, in a film about Mumbai's underworld, they ARE necessary.

CHARACTERS -- 5/5
I've never been a huge J.D. Chakravarthy fan, I'll admit it, but he crafts the anti-hero Satya marvelously. Don't let his Droopy Dog face and unassuming manner fool you; despite all odds, Chakravarthy manages to make Satya both Vidya's bashful boyfriend and Bikhu's ruthless best friend. And Vidya? Ah, Urmila Matondkar! Why people are so down on her, I'll never know! She has a lovely face, and while her performance in Satya doesn't quite top her role in Pinjar, she is nevertheless a charming, if naive, heroine. Her chemistry with Chakravarthy is sweet, but he really shines when he's on-screen with Manoj Bajpai. I bought this movie because I'm a huge Manoj fan and this is the film that shot him to fame, and it's obvious why. Bhiku is nothing like Manoj's usual serious and intense characters--rather, he is a pugnacious rabble-rouser who manages to be both dangerous and endearing--but he fits the part to a T. Some of the minor characters are played by ridiculously melodramatic bit actors, but the rest of the supporting cast is great. I was especially fond of Aditya Shrivastava, who played a proud Inspector who still believes in justice, warped though it may be. The whole cast is great, but between you and me, this is Manoj Bajpai's show, all the way.

SOUNDTRACK -- 2/5
Satya really could've done without its soundtrack. I know people say that about a lot of movies, and then I excuse it by saying the songs break the tension, or I'll watch a perfectly good movie that doesn't have any songs and finish it by saying, "You know, that was great, but where was the damn music?!" Yet Satya really could've done without its music, because it's absolutely terrible. The vocals are often warbly and obnoxious, the lyrics are as corny and bland as they come, and I find it hysterical that the background music was so highly praised after the film's release, because with the exception of a few scenes, said background music is always way too much and runs the gamit of styles from "operatic Latin chanting" to "sitars on the beach". All of the songs are unremarkable with the exception of "Sapne Mein." Like most wedding songs, it manages to shine and interest the viewer.

OVERALL -- 4.5/5
It's all too easy to try and write Satya off as another gangster film that tries to make us feel bad for the underdog as he battles against police corruption and the difficulties of life in the big city. But Satya is much more than that. Yes, it is a gangster movie, and it plays that part well. But it is also a testament to friendship, as the incredible bond between Bhiku and Satya far outstripes even Satya and Vidya's relationship, almost like the oft-lauded platonic love between Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra in Sholay. Even more than that, Satya is surprisingly neutral and even-handed in its portrayal of Mumbai. It does not portray the city as a hovel or the country as a backwards nation (as some claim Deepa Mehta's films do), nor does it candycoat India and pretend everybody's life revolves around vacuuming in designer clothes and attending fancy parties (we're looking at you, Karan Johar). We see India's ancient beauty alongside its modern grit, and while the way the underworld sifts through even the most seemingly mundane parts of Indian society makes us grimace, we are easily appeased by the views of a crowded Indian theater, people walking barefoot in the rain without umbrellas, and the overall rag-tag charm that much of Mumbai has to offer. It's not a movie for everyone, but I still highly recommend Satya, all the way.

TOTAL SCORE -- 16.5/5 (great)






* The main character's name, but it can also mean "the ultimate truth."

Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi

Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi -- Bittersweet *

MAIN CAST:
Kajol -- Tina/Sweety
Sunil Shetty -- Samir
Rishi Kapoor -- Raj
Rati Agnihotri -- Archana

BRIEF PLOT OVERVIEW:
Take the classic The Parent Trap and throw in tons of crazy twists, silly songs, and waaaay over-the-top melodrama, and you've got Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi.

FILM -- .5/1
Where do I start? This is a movie so cliche, so melodramatic, so plain insane that I can hardly begin to describe it. The storyline of two twins with opposite personalities, separated at birth, is a classic Bollywood backdrop for ludicrous stories, but Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi takes it to a new level. While I have to admit that I honestly love 2/3 of this film BECAUSE it's so crazy, I also have to point out that the whole "greedy stepsister" approach is too twisted, unbelievable, and off the wall for even my tastes. The costumes are absolutely horrible, and the choreography isn't much better, although there are a few moments where Kajol manages to look cute when she dances around. The technology used to superimpose one Kajol next to another is visibly prehistoric. At its best, this film is so bad it's good (hence, my secret love for it), but at it's worst, it's one of the most ridiculous masala films I've ever seen...and that's saying a lot.

CHARACTERS -- 1/5
The one saving grace in this film may be Kajol. Yes, her characters are poorly written, as are most "we're twins who are nothing alike!" characters, but she herself is beautiful and charming. Really, she just lights up the screen. Sunil Shetty is, in my opinion, way too gruff and goonish to play a romantic interest, and he really should stick to playing the villain or the stern anti-hero. His chemistry with Kajol is pretty much nil. Still, movies like this remind me that Sunil Shetty isn't a bad-looking guy. I have to give props to Rati Agnihotri for being so beautiful, even if her character is a doormat who subscribes to the "parents should stay together for the sake of their children" school of thought with minimal persuading, and also some kudos to Rishi Kapoor for being...well, Rishi Kapoor, even if HIS character is a rather lame attempt at depicting the effects of alcohol abuse. The supporting cast is basically garbage, although I do kind of get a kick out of Mita Vasisht's crazy stepsister routine.

SOUNDTRACK -- 3/5
Guys, I have a secret: I actually love a couple of the songs off of this soundtrack. Yes, they're all corny, but some of them are also pretty darn catchy. The title song, for example, is bouncy and fun to dance to, although I'd never dance to it in front of another person. Kajol beats up potential in-laws during the seriously fun "Khud Bhi Nachungi." "Tumko Sirf Tumko" and "Neend Ud Rahi Hai" are relatively bland, run-of-the-mill love ballads, although I'm willing to listen to them as background music. "Saamne Baith Kar" is actually kind of interesting, thanks in part to the classical instruments woven in to it. Also, I dance to the item number "Band Kamre Mein" when nobody is looking.

OVERALL -- 1.5/5
Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi is just plain bad. You probably didn't need me to tell you that--a mere glimpse at the DVD cover is probably enough to give it away--but just in case you need more persuading, here's a recap of some of the craziness: Kajol rides in a tank, pouring food all over your relatives is apparently a good time, Viagra is not what you think it is, slapping your former wife is a great way to make her come running back in to your arms, and and Sunil Shetty is the love interest. Now, for those of you who haven't run away from this movie screaming yet, let me just say that I do, honestly, love a lot of this movie. What can I say? I dig 90s masala and utter insanity; it brightens my day. But if you're not like me and you're not willing to fastforward/sit through an hour's worth of obnoxious melodrama to get to the unbelievable weirdness that goes on for the other hour and a half of this film, then don't spare Kuch Khatti Kuch Meethi a second glance.

TOTAL SCORE -- 6/20 (bad)



* Literally, "Some bitterness, some sweetness."

1947: Earth

1947: Earth

MAIN CAST:
Nandita Das -- Shanta
Maia Sethna -- Lenny
Aamir Khan -- Diznavaz
Rahul Khanna -- Hasan

BRIEF PLOT OVERVIEW:
Lenny, a young Parsi girl, lives a charmed life, despite being afflicted with polio. She is lovingly cared for by her beautiful young nanny, Shanta, and the two ladies are surrounded by a variety of admirers, including the wealthy Sikh Sher Singh, Lenny's Hindu gardener, and of course, the "Ice Candy Wallah," a charming and mischievous Muslim with an affinity for poetry and practical jokes. But when the threat of the Partition becomes a reality, Lenny is forced to grin and bear it as her wonderful world is torn to pieces. This film is based on the novel "Cracking India," by Bapsi Sidhwa, and is one of three parts of director Deepa Mehta's elemental trilogy.

FILM -- 4.5/5
Deepa Mehta is a masterful film-maker, and it shows. All of Earth's scenes are handled with the utmost care, from Lenny's tender moments in the park to the terrifying riots in the streets, allowing the viewer to connect to the characters and grasp the gravity of the situation at hand. Yes, there's a bit of shoddy editing, and Earth moves very slowly for the first hour and a half, but it's not as if they're deliberately padding the film; they're simply treading lightly on its content. The script is believable and well-written. Earth's greatest strength may be that, more than any other Partition film, it does not take sides in the slightest. Obviously, the fact that the main character is a young Zoroastrian (people who are a minority the world over) and therefore a relative outsider to the Muslim/Sikh/Hindu violence helps, but so does the careful attention to detail. There is never a moment in the movie where we see one religion in a better light than another, be it a single follower of that religion or a group of devotees.

CHARACTERS -- 5/5
Earth's cast is absolutely superb. Nandita Das' Shanta is a charming, spunky young lady with a flirtatious side, though she's far from silly and is perfectly aware of what's going on around her. Her acting is so natural and her face is so luminous, it's clear why the male characters in the film flock to be around her. Maia Sethna, the young actress who plays Lenny, delivers her dialogue in a rather stilted manner from time to time, but that's about par for the course for a child actress, and it never shakes her character's credibility. Aamir Khan, a technical master when it comes to acting, may break your heart most of all as he carefully portrays Diznavaz's decline from a plucky "ice candy wallah" to a man on a quest for vengeance. The supporting cast is broad, but without a single blight. Everyone, from Kulbhushan Kharbanda (the Imam) to Rahul Khanna (Hasan) fits their part like a glove. As an added bonus, Shabana Azmi narrates the story!

SOUNDTRACK -- 4.5/5
Comprised entirely of background and flavor music, Earth's soundtrack is simple and effective. The songs' emotional lyrics are supported by only a few instruments and, as can be expected from an Indian film, rhythmic drum beats. Sukhwinder Singh and Srinivas are the soundtrack's standout vocalists as they belt or croon their respective tracks, allowing the music to add even more depth to the film's emotions.

OVERALL -- 4.5/5
There's no use in denying that Earth is a truly heartbreaking and honest film. While it isn't quite as perfectly-packaged as Fire, it is vastly more powerful than Water, and it is perhaps the most respectful of the three films in its treatment of Indian culture as a whole. That is, I sometimes felt like Fire and Water went out of their way to make India look terrible, while Earth featured some terrible subject matter and still maintained its integrity. When it comes to films about the Partition, Earth may very well top the list as the most touching of them all. I highly recommend it.

TOTAL SCORE -- 18.5 (almost perfect)

Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai

Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai -- Say...This Is Love*

MAIN CAST:
Hrithik Roshan -- Rohit/Raj
Amisha Patel -- Sonia
Anupam Kher -- Mr. Saxeena

BRIEF PLOT OVERVIEW:
Sonia is a chatty and spoiled, but sweet, rich girl who falls head over heels for Rohit, a poor wannabe musician. It seems like everything is hunky-dory when Rohit returns her feelings, but Mr. Saxeena's illegal dealings threaten to ruin his daughter's idyllic love affair.

FILM -- 2.5/5
I know I should've ran screaming when I heard "Hrithik Roshan and Amisha Patel's film debut" and "double role," but something about this film made me stick around. Maybe it's just my love of Hrithik as a dancer or maybe I wanted to see Amisha looking less manly than usual, but I did plonk down the money for Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai, and I did watch it one particularly dreary Tuesday afternoon. Let me be honest here: it cheered me up and it entertained me. The script is pretty run-of-the-mill and the action scenes are, of course, godawful, but the candy-coated costumes and energetic choreography help make for it. You can find small pockets of charm hidden throughout the film, despite the rather shoddy editing and often awkward camera angles, and while things like Rohit and Sonia's love seem to pop out of nowhere, other plot twists are slightly less predictable. Cheese and cliche masala elements abound in this film, and yet it manages to keep your attention and can even provide a few warm-hearted chuckles. However, be forewarned that--as one might expect from films of this era--there's a distinct thread of neo-conservatism running through the story.

CHARACTERS -- 3/5
Believe it or not, this is not Hrithik Roshan's worst performance. Despite the fact that KNPH was his first film and he had a tendency to be just plain apalling in his earlier films, Hrithik is actually very charismatic here. (It doesn't hurt that he looks disturbingly gorgeous and his dancing is as fluid as ever.) His acting is much more natural and believable when he plays Rohit, while his chemistry with Amisha Patel is stronger when he plays Raj, but it's an overall decent performance. Amisha Patel, to her credit, manages to actually ACT in this movie. I believed her pain when she first caught sight of Raj, and I thought she was adorable in her obnoxiousness when she gabbed away at Rohit in their raft. She also looks good in this movie; she's no ravishing beauty, but she's at least feminine and pretty here, and she looks a little like Bhumika Chawla. Johnny Level makes an appearance, but it's only for one scene. (An especially disgusting scene, but still, a short one.) I have a deep fondness for Anupam Kher and Farida Jalal, so I enjoyed most of the supporting cast.

SOUNDTRACK -- 4/5
KNPH's soundtrack is pretty popular, and for the most part, I get why. I think the title track is rather overrated, but it's still a fun, upbeat tune. "Na Tum Jaano Na Hum" initially struck me as being way too adult contemporary for my tastes, then stuck with me after a few more plays. "Pyaar Ki Kashi Mein" manages to stand out with its island beat and a beautiful flute refrain. "Chand Sitare" bored me, but it's the most popular song off of the soundtrack, and most people really like this saccharine love ballad. "Dil Ne Dil Ko Pukara" is almost frantic in its attepmts to impress you. My favorite song is "Ek Pal Ka Jeena," a sleek, thumping club tune that features some great dancing by Hrithik Roshan (who is wearing fishnets and leather, I might add!). If you have a special edition of the film, you'll also get the track "Janeman Janeman," which is danceable in its own right. The lyrics in the film are pretty corny, I'll admit it, but the exceptional vocals from artists like Asha Bhosle and Lucky Ali make up for it.

OVERALL -- 3/5
Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai is nothing special. Yes, it was Amisha Patel and Hrithik Roshan's debut film, and its soundtrack helped skyrocket Lucky Ali to playback singer stardom. But KHPH doesn't do anything previous masala films haven't already done; really, most Bollywood viewers are jaded from love at first sight and random villains tossed about to make the hero look better by comparison. Still, I can't deny that I was entertained from start to finish, beyond a few slow moments, and there are several scenes that I know I'll come back to again and again. If you're looking for a safe timepass with a passable soundtrack and good-looking leads, Kaho Naa...Pyaar Hai is a good choice.

TOTAL SCORE -- 12.5/20 (okay)


* Is it just me, or is the DVD cover image of Hrithik Roshan's thumb under Amisha Patel's strap--as if he's preparing to pull said strap down--surprisingly sexual for a Bollywood film?