Movie Review: Vivah - Page 4

REVIEW: Vivah is an unpalatable treat

Vinayak Chakravorty (HT City)

November 11, 2006

Vivah
Casthahid Kapur, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas, Alok Nath, Sameer Soni, Manoj Joshi, Mohnish Behl
Dir: Sooraj R. Barjatya
Rating: ** & 1/2

Boy meets girl. The engagement follows. They talk and, well, they talk. And talk (oh yes, they sing some forgettable songs too, but not 17 of them). For almost three hours of the 'story', which unfolds Sooraj R. Barjatya's 'journey from engagement to marriage', boy and girl talk.

Till, of course, Barjatya decides to give the story a kind of 'twist' that you thought went past its expiry date after Hum Aapke Hain Koun. Have you ever been tired watching a movie?

Not sleepy, not bored — plain tired. Vivah will leave you tired, nothing less. Tired of simple boys from rich families who would never dream of going around killing waitresses at bars over a drink (but then, may be that's because they don't exist).

Tired of pretty, innocent girls who probably think birds and bees are all about the garden where they traipse around, mooning over shaadi and stuff like that. Tired of all that Bharatiya culture and tradition spiel that has been discovered, rediscovered, re-rediscovered so many times on the Rajshri screen.

Hang me if you think I am anti-Bharatiya culture and tradition (which I'm certainly not), but I am plain tired of the grind. It is Sooraj Barjatya's Disneyland-ish utopia where everyone is innocent and pure. Where the odd evil chachi learns her lesson finally.

It is a utopia that doesn't have a resident . address anywhere in the Bharat I have known (you know, the 'family that eats together, sits together and sings together...' blah). It has kept returning to tire you in every Sooraj Barjatya film since Maine Pyaar Kiya. It returns in Vivah.

In Vivah, Shahid Kapur is Prem, humble inheritor of Delhi's biggest business family Amrita Rao is Poonam, Prem ki deewani and an orphan from middle-class Mathura.

Prem thinks he is not ready for marriage, his dad (Anupam Kher) tells him to give it a shot. So Prem and Poonam are engaged. As they converse, they get to know each other and find a soulmate in the other.

Of course, just when you were thinking where's the story in all this, the second half brings a crisis that will test their love.

Okay, even Hum Aapke Hain Koun didn't have much of a story. At least that 17-song shaadi ka video had Madhuri Dixit and her choli-less back.

The girls freaked over Salman Khan, and all of it was packeted in a way that appeared fresh 12 years ago. The problem with Vivah is that the packet doesn't sell anymore. Shahid tries hard to fit into Salman's shoes.

As an actor he is good, but he simply lacks the charisma. Amrita Rao is all sugar and syrup — don't blame her, that's all there is to her role.

If Barjatya was trying to be differently innocent in an era when even Karan Johar is romancing the extra-marital, it doesn't work. Simply because his Vivah is like an unending family soap that goes on and on. May be it's finally time to change track, Sooraj babu.

www.hindustantimes.com

Vivaah : Film Review
Updated: 11-13-2006 By andhracafe

Vivaah Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher, Aloknath, Seema Biswas Music: Ravindra Jain Direction : Sooraj Barjatya.

Sooraj Barjatya has come a full circle and so has Rajshri films. Remember when cinema was a morning show (at Dilshad or Royal if you were in Hyderabad) , with song books , suggestive romance- remember the pre Bobby scenario that the Rajshri house insistently gave you in the dozens ( some 40 odd the site would say) when the stars(?) strained their vocal chords more than flexed their muscles'.Vivaah takes you back to that paradigm. Away from the glitz and glamour of Karan, Bansali and Chopra Uncle- the film is a far cry from what is contemporary.

The story line: It is about this rich guy from the Metro who is required by the family to marry the girl from the town. It is all coy and sweet. Every one in both families are show case pieces for the ideal family till there is fire and then a discourse on the value of marriage. The script stars with a prologue to an engagement and ends with a post script to a wedding. In between is poor music, poor performances, good intent, brave thought, mediocre execution.

What makes the movie: It is a sudden gear change for the viewer. Yes he is some where mentally prepared for it. Yet the surprise is visible. To dare entertainment without violence, politics and snow clad Switzerland is by definition a prohibition here and now. This time round there is nothing of it. In case you thought the film house was over awed with stars, he makes a clean break and returns to its old formula .

No big names. No violence. No embarrassment. Granny . Ma and bahu can see it together ' which cannot be said of many a soap on the tube. Kids are unlikely to cry and wail for popcorn. They could well be satiated with the food on screen. It is positively refreshing to have a film maker to defines the terms of his cinema rather than misunderstand the term entertainment.

Hats off Sooraj. This sure needs courage. A fine unaffected performance from Shahid Kapoor. This guy should go places. He walks ever so gently on the script without loosing focus on the fact that he is the only star in the film. Thankfully he does not do a Shahrukh Khan

The undoing: First the length of the movie. Beyond a point even after HAHK, a wedding video cannot hold interest. A snappy , sharp edited film could have delivered what a meandering loose compilation fails to. The music: This is the biggest let down. Yes Ravindra Jain has a lot to recommend in terms of the association with the film house. This time round he disappoints. Also the Director ( or the film maker) ought not to have changed too many courses.

Having decided to make a film closer to their defined territory they could have done well to invest on an expensive music track- considering the major role it has in the film. Remember even with RK Jain some who sounded the guy lacking in scale. This is one challenge the film will be burdened with and unfortunately it is likely to tell on the reputation of Sooraj more than any one else.

Another problem with the film is the cast. Most unprofessional. Debutant Lata Sabharwal as the bhahbi and Amrita Prakash as the sister are worse than amateurs. They are immature. Alok nath has a role that may justify the presence of Ashok Kumar. Most of the characters in the film, which includes the late arrival of Mohnish Behl, either over perform or under perform.

Amrita Rao is a far cry from the more recent heroines of the Rajshir House.No Madhuri surely but not even a Bhayashree ' that is disappointing. She must share the blame with Ravindra Jain substantially.

Final analysis: See it to send the message across that Big is not always the only way to entertain. See it for the fact that it has an old world charm about it. On second thoughts if we can sit through hours of violence why not a few of music- albeit gone wrong. See it for Sooraj Barjatya's belief that cinema is more than RGV, Karan and Sanjay Bansali.

L.Ravichander.

***
www.andhracafe.com

Originally posted by: Radhika87

this film was really good... its worth watchin esp if u into love stories!! i would give this 9 out of 10 cos i think they could have improved the music.

yeash music sounds very boring from the promos of the movie....not like Teri Yaad from Vaah Life Ho To Aisi😳love that song! Shahid and Amrita were sooooooo cute!

Why Alok Nath Makes a Difference in 'Vivah'?
[Friday, November 17, 2006]



Sooraj Barjatya's 'Vivah' is on its way to becoming a big hit. While Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao are being lauded for their performance apart from Sooraj of course, there's someone else who deserves a lot of praise too. Well, that man is Alok Nath, who playing a simple small town man Krishnakanth makes a place for himself in your heart with his cordial humility and dedicated self respect. The love for his niece Poonam (Amrita Arora) is very genuine. I must say the scenes where Poonam brings the shawl for him each evening before going to the temple brings tears effortlessly, especially in the climax.

Alok Nath has always been associated with Barnjatya's since 'Maine Pyaar Kiya'. The self respecting mechanic of Salman Khan starrer values his daughter and friend more than anything else. Who can forget the scene where he after having been incensed by his friend's selfish ungratefulness screams, "Daam chukaonga is five star hotel ke." Remember that! Alright…It's been a full circle, Alok Nath is very much around. And his contribution to the success of 'Vivah' can't be ignored.

As for Barjatya's, well, they truly exemplify what they preach. Simple living, high thinking. Bonds are forever…And with their old time favourites still around it goes on to prove that they believe in a family that stays together. Forever.

They came, saw and…

HT Live Correspondent
November 12

UNRULY FANS mobbed Bollywood actors Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao and gave them a tough time forcing them to leave without inaugurating a fashion store in the city on Sunday.

Following the bad experience, the stars also gave their fans a slip when they were scheduled to inaugurate a jewellery showroom in Gomti Nagar on Sunday. Later, they even cancelled an interactive session with the audience who were waiting impatiently for them at Shubham Theatre. It was learnt that Amrita's mother, after seeing her almost in tears, asked the organisers to cancel 'all programmes'.

Confusion started when Shahid and Amrita and producer-director Sooraj Barjatya, scheduled to inaugurate the Siyaram's F2F showroom at Sahara Ganj in the afternoon, reached late. The impatient crowd kept building. And when the stars turned up, fans in a bid to get a close look of their stars, starting pushing. From there on it was total chaos.

The security somehow managed to get them inside the showroom and closed the door but some desparate fans sneaked in and mobbed the stars as the shutterbugs tried to catch them in their frame.

After few minutes of 'uneasy calm', a security personnel from the stars' crew nudged the lensmen and a few scribes. Following this, mediapersons staged a walkout.

The actors also left the showroom without formally inaugurating the store and went straight to PVR for an interaction with the audience watching their latest release 'Vivah'.

The celebrities blamed it on the over-excited crowd and lack of security. Rajshree Productions marketing head Neeraj Joshi who was also slightly hurt on his knee told HT Lucknow Live, "It all happened while rescuing the stars. They wanted to interact with the media and stay for long but the nudges and remarks bogged them down. We cancelled the Shubham theatre programme and jewellery showroom inauguration programme due to security reasons."

PVR's Nityanand Singh, however, said it was a smooth sailing at the Audi where Shahid, Amrita and Sooraj Barjatya interacted with the audience.
A private security agency who were being blamed for the chaos by a few later cleared that their personnel were manning the gate while the incident occurred inside.

Significantly, no cop was present inside the store or when the crowd was turning unruly. Also, Sooraj Barjatya was seen shouting for security help but to no avail!

www.hindustantimes.com

Vivah, some thoughts!

(786 words posted by Sameer, and filed under General)

You are viewer number 131 of Vivah, some thoughts!.
I went to saw Vivah last night. Around 50% of the cinema was filled and in that around 75% of them were over 35-40 years. Just a few young guys, gals and some couples.

Sooraj Barjatya is a name which has been embedded in Hindi cinema audience especially the traditional family type. The movie lives on the reputation of Rajshri's banner, but in no way Vivah is great movie. Lemme discuss some postive and negative points in the movie.

Positives:

1)The movie ranks as 3rd best movie for Sooraj after MPK and HAHK and certainly better than HSSH and MPKDH.
2)The movie lives unto the reputation of Rajshri pictures.
3)Touches an important topic of commitment, engagement, marriage which is losing its meaning in the present world. That's why; I feel this particular movie would be more appropriate to youngsters rather than families.
4)No EXTRA set of actors, no servants, no pets(BIG THING for me), no shaadi songs, no samdhi songs, no excessive dancing. It's surprising that Sooraj has not... ... even 'choreographed' a song and none of them has group of dancers which is the norm in his movie.
5)The sets were better than his previous 2 movies though the close to reality sets makes the movie like a cheap 3rd grade production.
6)The last 45 minutes of the movie is very well written, executed and that's the real strength of the movie. It wasn't really surprising as everyone expected a twist by that time and I felt Sooraj has shown tremendous amount of conviction in those scenes and trust me…if the scenes were not convincing, the movie woulda fall flat.
7)I really like the idea of using the old fav music director Ravindra Jain. His songs go well with the movie but are not GREAT. Mujhe Haq hai, Do Anjaane…Milan Adhura are worth a mention. Rest is not registered at all.

Negatives:
1)The first half of the movie has no storyline, infact its just like HAHK minus the shaadi songs with the twist coming in the last quarter of the movie. But more over the scenes are so unintentionally funny in the first half. It nearly makes up for the 'less' comedy in Vivah.
2)Music was very average, though suitable to the movie…but no hit songs.
3)Technically, the movie looks like 3-4 crore movie with such shabby dresses and sets.
4)The starcast is very very small. I mean, it never looks like a BIG production house. Neither Shahid nor Amrita has any screen presence.
5)Music is weak here. Lyrics are alright.
6)Supp actors are okay, Alok Nath being the pick.

Vivah's every scene is a reflection of Sooraj Barjatya's world. I was never fan of his work, but I do appreciate the fact that the movie comes straight out of the director's heart. Never a scene looks like that he is trying to fool around the audience with his sweet-sugary world. Like, if someone else would try this one, it wouldn't have looked so good. Like once Vinod Chopra said as how is incapable to direct Munnabhai MBBS, similarly I don't see any BIG director directing this movie. Once I read somewhere that Sooraj's filmi world is far from reality. It surely is, but that's the way Sooraj likes to believe it the world is and hopes it be that way. It was clear all along that Sooraj is not a GREAT director but a simple director who touches the audience's heart with his movies. And he tries the same thing in Vivah. The film got good intentions and I don't see why someone like Raja Sen tries killing the purpose(he didn't give any ratings). The only time I remember he didn't wanna give ratings or review was with Sanjay Gupta's Zinda. I don't see the reason to HATE Sooraj's movie that much. He is not making a GREAT movie. He tried a simple story he believed in it and if the audience rejects, it would be clear that audience is not interested in old-type of films. But I don't like pulling down the movie that bad. But I see some hope for the movie for the last 40 minutes and that's what you carry out of the movie.

The first half is bad and second is average, but at the end, it doesn't look very bad…somehow registers with you at some level. As a movie, it doesn't rate very high at all, but I see it working with the audience. Worth a look if you like Sooraj's movies. It might become a HIT in India, atleast in some parts of the country.

naachgaana.com

Vivah

Director: Sooraj Barjatya
Producer: Kamal Kumar Barjatya, Rajkumar Barjatya, Ajit Kumar
Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher, Alok Nath
Music Dir: Ravindra Jain
Singer: Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Shreya Ghosal, Babul Supriyo, Pamela Jain

Prem, the erstwhile hero of Sooraj Barjatya, has returned to Indian screen after a long hiatus and this time with a new face. Salman Khan played this character under Sooraj's banner in his last three consecutive films - 'Maine Pyar Kiya', 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' and 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'. But, in his 'Vivah', Sooraj hands over this character to newcomer Shaahid Kapoor, probably because Shaahid is tough on face and soft in looks as Salman had been when he did the character for the first time.

This time, Prem has Poonam on his side as his fiance and not Suman. There is no hype for the film and no expectation either from it because in his last two films Sonora followed a path that went overboard and was too glamorous. There was a plethora of films that were meant to attract the Indian Diaspora and each looked like 'A Great Indian Wedding', be it 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Ghum' or his own 'Hum Saath Saath Hain'.

But, when Karan Johar went wrong by taking a flight and made 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' just to please overseas community, Sooraj left the same and decided to travel on road again. Yes, 'Vivah' is targeted not at the NRIs but the people living in Kanpur, Bareilly, Nashik, Bhopal and Patna! Its one more time journey to your roots and it is very emotional. A new pair is on the roll and those who thought that Kareena was just blushing when she said Shaahid and Amrita look very cute as pair; one needs to see to believe it. They do look made for each other kind of pair and 'Vivah' is a film that will make many (especially women) cry a lot while watching this film.

To begin with 'Vivah' can be an eye opener for many in Hindi film industry. It's a lesson for those who believe that only fast music, stylish packaging and aggressive promotion can sell a film. Sooraj has done nothing of this sort in his latest offering. It has music by a composer who has been out of the limelight for years. He is Ravindra Jain. It relies on simple story telling that's miles away from films like 'Don' and 'Umrao Jaan' and it is not a film that is promoted in each and every channel.

The end result is that one goes to watch the film with least expectations and comes out doing mouth of word publicity. The film starts with Krishna Kant (Alok Nath) telling the stories of his niece Poonam (Amrita Rao) as to how she lost her parents and became part of his family in childhood. He also tells us that his wife Rama (Seema Biswas) doesn't like Poonam at all because she is fair in color while her own daughter Chhoti is not so.

One day, Krishan Kant's family friend Bhagat (Manoj Joshi) visits him and takes Poonam's picture to show it to a big businessman (Anupam Kher) who is looking for a girl for his second son Prem (Shaahid Kapoor). Poonam is approved in the first chance and the family comes to see her. Everything goes fine and Poonam gets engaged to Prem on the same day. The story takes turn when it travels from engagement to marriage. And, it is there that Sooraj Barjatya shows his talent. The luck, the destiny, the jealousy and the good soul -- everything is roped in the second half of the film.

Sooraj has got some very impressive and heart-touching dialogues written by Aash Karan Atal. Sooraj gets full support from his technical team. Harish Joshi does a wonderful job as a cinematographer. He has bridged the gap between outdoor and indoor shooting. Sanjay Dhabade in spite of being a Maharashtrian manages to make sets that look like those in a North Indian house. Anna Singh, who failed miserably in decorating 'Umrao Jaan' with her costumes, is perfect in 'Vivah'.

Rajshri has a great tradition of grand music, and veteran Ravindra Jain too hums some lines during the marriage song. Only he and Sooraj can use famous lines of Ram Charit Manas "Jai Jai Girivar Raaj Kishori, Jai Mahesh Mukhchandra Kishori" while Poonam visits Devi temple for prayer. Unlike his earlier too films, Sooraj has stayed away from dance numbers in the film and has relied on subtle moments of lover birds.

Among actors, both Saahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao can heave a sigh of relief as they have got a solo hit. Sooraj has made Shaahid look like a lovable boy and it has worked in Shahid's favor. With his mellowed down acting and soft approach he has won hearts of millions and these include mothers and sisters who come to see the film with family. He is a lover boy here but not a boy on whom girls will go gaga.

Amrita Rao too finds a role of lifetime to play a girl who is hated by her aunt and loved deeply by her uncle. Many ultra-modern girls may laugh at her acting, but most of them in cultured India are like Poonam only.The scenes where she comes to meet Prem on the roof during the night and when she breaks down and asks her uncle to cancel the marriage are high points of the film. Anupam Kher and Alok Nath match each other perfectly.

Seema Biswas as a jealous mother does a good job. Sameer Soni does well as Prem's elder brother and even the girl playing his wife (Lata Sabharwal) looks very natural. And last but not the least, the girl (Amita Prakash) who plays Poonam's cousin has much potential. She plays a character that required a lot of maturity and she has done it too well. Though the film has good competition from 'Apna Sapna Money Money' and it may fall behind in metros, but in single screen theatres and other cities, 'Vivah' is a clear winner. Well done, Sooraj!

www.mag4you.com

HomeMovie Reviews
Vivaah movie review
Saturday, November 11, 2006 01:50:44 am

Director: Sooraj Barjatya

Cast: Shahid Kapur, Amrita Rao, Alok Nath, Sameer Soni, Seema Biswas, Anupam Kher.

Rating: ***(Good)

In a time and age when every second film is a tribute to some filmmaker or the other - (Khosla Ka Ghosla to Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Don to Don!) here comes along Sooraj Barjatya who is paying tribute to himself! Yes €" Vivaah is a tribute to his cult hits Maine Pyar Kiya & Hum Aapke Kaun - films that took over the imagination of an entire country. But of course, Vivaah is nowhere near the magic of those two, but is a lot better than Barjatya's last outing - the abominable Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon!

So the Barajatya stock situations and characters are back - small town values, blushing heroines, joint families and a hero called ... Prem! Prem (Shahid Kapur) is a Delhi boy - educated abroad and working in the family business. Dad wants him to go in for an arranged marriage with coy Poonam (Amrita Rao), who's been brought up by her uncle and aunt (Alok Nath & Seema Biswas) in the small town of Madhupur. They get engaged, and in the six months before the marriage, manage to fall quite madly in love. So far, so good - but a twist in the plot will put their love to the test!

Vivaah follows the basic premise of Maine Pyar Kiya - that while it is well and good to fall in love, you need to put the love to test and then see if it holds. So if Prem of MPK had to break stones in a quarry to prove his love, Prem in Vivaah has to do something more long term - we are not telling you what! Shahid Kapur is the stand out performance in the film - he's vulnerable, sensitive and looks young enough to fall so instantly and convincingly in love! The love story is tender - has some sweet moments, but at times does get cloying. Especially Amrita Rao, who is in the mould of the demure Barjatya heroine, but never really goes beyond simpering and batting her eyelashes. Her Poonam just does not have the spunk or coquetry of Suman (MPK) and Nisha (HAHK). Whether that is an actor limitation or script limitation - is open to interpretation.

The production values and music (Ravindra Jain) are below par - there is an entire song shot in a cheesy aircraft set which is a throw back to low budget films of the seventies!

Don't go in expecting a Hum Aapke Hain kaun or Maine Pyar Kiya. But if you are a hard core Barjatya fan, this is a simple, gentle watch! If nothing else, for a lot of us who are the MPK generation, and who defined celluloid romance by Salman Khan & Bhagyashree & a pigeon, this is a bit of a nostalgia trip. For a kind of film and film making!

www.timesnow.tv

Produced by: Rajshri Productions (P) Ltd
Director: Sooraj R. Barjatya
Music: Ravindra Jain
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher, Aloknath, Seema Biswas, Samir Soni, Lataa Saberwal, Amrita Prakash

It's the season for Vivah. Everybody in the wedding business is busy. Bridal fashion shows are being organized, travel bookings done in a frenzy, 5 star venues are being booked. The master planner of weddings, Sooraj R. Barjatya comes with his shagun ka thali too. Lavishly picturised sangeet ceremonies, mehndi sessions, exquisite clothes and a cute-as-candy young couple.

The characterisations are familiar. A wealthy business family, based in Delhi. Anupam Kher is daddy dearest, with his two sons, Sunil ( Samir Soni) and Prem (Shahid Kapoor), elder daughter-in-law Bhavna (Lataa Saberwal) and grandson Rahul (Ameya Pandya).

Then there's the small town Madhupur family-Krishna Kant (Aloknath), his wife Rama (Seema Biswas), their daughter Choti (Amrita Prakash) and his orphaned niece Poonam (Amrita Rao). Pop Anupam Kher wants son Prem to meet Poonam and get married 'coz marriage at the right time and to the right person gives meaning to life. The young pair meet and like each other. Both families are overjoyed. But if you thought ab naach-gaana shuroo hoga, buddy you are wrong. Beauteous Poonam's Rama chachi dislikes her 'coz her daughter Choti is savli and she can't find a groom for her.

But Prem and Poonam fall in love. The families gear up for marriage when tragedy strikes. Of course all ends well and happily too.

Amrita Rao looks extremely pretty and gives a competent performance and suits the role to the 't'. The other actors are competent. But the film belongs to Shahid Kapoor. He brings in the right expressions, the subtle nuances that adds layers to a performance.

The film gives him ample scope to perform. From a vilayat-returned business scion to a young lover to a businessman and finally to a mature lover who stands rock solid by his fianc. As he moves from one cameo to another, the transition is smooth, effortless and enhanced.

Unfortunately, the music is a huge letdown. The Rajshris famous for their melodious songs has failed to deliver since the last two films. This is Sooraj's 5th film, Vivah stands 3rd in position after Maine Pyaar Kiya and Hum Aap Ke Hain Kaun. A clean entertainer which the entire family can sit together and watch.

cinemaa.indya.com

Is this for real?

Saturday, November 11, 2006 8:3:54 IST

There is a sepia-tinted nostalgia about Sooraj R Barjatyas Vivah, which could be endearing or annoying

There is a sepia-tinted nostalgia about Sooraj R Barjatyas Vivah, which could be endearing or annoying, depending on which side of the conservative-progressive divide the viewer stands.
To believers in the conventional way of life, this whole system of arranged marriages and attendant rituals, the harping on traditional male-female roles, would seem quite normal. To more progressive minded viewers, the inherent patriarchy of the old way of life would appear galling.
Even though a large section of India would be considered conservative, the characters of Vivah still seem anachronistic. How many rich Delhi guys would be as pure as Barjatyae hero Prem (Shahid Kapoor)? Are small-town girls such dumb cows as his heroine Poonam (Amrita Rao, in layers of pancake)?
From what one can see around, just showbiz is full of ambitious small-town girls (and boys), who would certainly balk at the idea of females just being allowed to help in the family business till they give birth to kidspreferably sons. Cant but notice that Prem is motherless, which sort of suggests that once women have fulfilled their function of raising sons, they are redundant. The one nod to modernity in Vivah is that the bahus are not in purdah, though their role is mainly that of cook and meal-server.
On his fathers (Anupam Kher) suggestion, Prem goes to Madhupur to see the virtuous Poonam, whose reputation as ideal bahu material has reached far and widewhich means she is always bashful and dutiful. She is just so overwhelmed at being seen by Prem and his family, that she does not ask him any questions, nor does she raise her eyes. Her hobby is singing bhajans, her reading tastes run to Tagore and Saratchandra and her clothes are modest salwars and saris. Prem, probably likes them bovine and agrees to marry her immediately. This upsets Poonams aunt (Seema Biswas), since her own daughter is dark and dowryless.
The Prem-Poonam engagement takes place, the wedding is fixed for six months later, and the film has to be padded with the fluff of picnics, coy flirting and endless songs (Ravindra Jain at his dullest). Any sensible guy would worry if his potential bride already started nagging under the guise of concern, but Prem likes it, and is rather in a hurry to get married.
Like in Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, the story takes a turn when the film is almost coming to an end, and Prems love is put through a severe test. Amidst a bunch of hammy actors (Alok Nath takes the cake!), Shahid Kapoors earnestness shines through, if it wasnt for his genuine charm, the film would have been too syrupy to bearespecially with its three-hour length.

Vivah
At: PVR and other cinemas
Directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher, Alok Nath, Seema Biswas

Not So Kool

After making the horribly vulgar Kya Kool Hain Hum, somehow work at the box-office, Sangeet Sivan has found his formulahe stands in queue behind David Dhawan, Priyadarshan and Neeraj Vora in the crude comedy genre.
His Apna Sapna Money Money, juvenile to the extreme, appeals to the tapori audience and maybe students looking for some laughs; the kind of audience that expects nothing more from a film than timepass. This simple requirement is fulfilled by Apna Sapna with its large cast of goofy characters.
Two subplots come together in a Bandra basti one involving a cache of diamonds transported by a moll Sania (Celina Jaitley) for an impoverished don (Jackie Shroff), which get lost in transit. The other involves a love story between garage mechanic Arjun (Shreyas Talpade) and the docile Shivani (Riya Sen), with her father Shastri (Anupam Kher) as the spoke in the wheel. To help the love birds, Arjuns conman cousin Krishna (Ritesh Deshmukh) arrives from Goa, with an army of angry Nepalis (led by Chunky Pandey) at his heel.
Krishna first disguises himself as a pandit from Benares, while the real one is captured by the Nepalis. Later he disguises himself as a woman, and leads the half-blind Shastri almost to the marriage mandap. Other loony characters include an inept cop (Suniel Shetty), an aspiring don (Rajpal Yadav) and a dancer (Koena Mitra) who doubles up as Krishnas love interest.
The plot is not meant to make sense; all that is needed for such a film to hit its target is a nonstop supply of gags, which this one does at a breathless pace. That a lot of them are in bad taste goes without sayingof the crotch grabbing, bra-waving, bull-crapping (literally!) variety. Still, anyone who goes to see a Sangeet Sivan film should know what to expect and cant complain afterwards.
Ritesh Deshmukh runs riot here, leaving behind all the other actors (some of them with not much to do). Jackie Shroff and Shreyas Talpade are wasted, but Chunky Pandey is hilarious as the leader of the Kukri gang. The girls are there for the sex appeal. Snatches from old gender-bender comedies turn up here, then again creativity or originality is not this films strong point. The climax has a kid with a hole in her heart waiting for an operationcan it get more clichd than this?

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