All Baabul Reviews- HERE ONLY!! - Page 4

Originally posted by: KingzGirl

My review of Baabul:

I had been excitedly waiting for this movie ever since I heard about it a year ago. The sensational cast had a lot to do with it, of course. I knew it would be a joy to watch Amitabh Bacchhan and Hema Malini -- two of the greatest actors of all time -- in a movie together again. Rani Mukherji and Salman Khan are also among my favorites. However, main theme of Baabul was biggest reason I wanted to watch the movie.

Well, today was the big day. I watched Baabul. I had very high expectations from it, and I hate to say it, but I was slightly disappointed. Don't get me wrong -- I think it is a good movie, but I wouldn't call it great. I thought it could have been much, much, better. And the reason I was disappointed was because my expectations of it were sky high to begin with. The way the film portrayed the story did not live up to my expectations. I don't think they focused enough on what the title and theme indicate. The first part of the movie was spent on the showing the happy go lucky family that the story revolved around. Yes, they were a loving and happy family -- I get it. The actors were brilliant as well. However, I don't think all that was necessary. It perhaps deviated from the story that I was most interested in. A story of a father-in-law getting his widowed daughter-in-law remarried. I also thought the character of Pushpa (sorry, don't know which actress played her) could have had a bigger impact on the story than she did. I know, I have directed a total of ZERO movies in my career (Haha) and here I am discussing how Ravi Chopra should have or could have made his movie better.

Salman Khan was very good, but I don't think the story needed his character's role to be as lengthy as it was. Of course it was important to have that character. I just think it would have been better if the story did not focus on him as much. (By the way, I felt tears streaming down my cheeks for a long time when he died. There was a collective gasp and then silence in the movie theater when he got hit by the car).

I also thought that Rani's character did not get enough time to grieve for her husband. It felt like that soon after she became a widow, here she was marrying again. It also felt like she was somewhat forced into marrying John Abraham. We knew that they were best friends, but to me, it seemed like she married him because her father-in-law wanted her to. It didn't feel like that SHE wanted to marry him. I think the movie would have been better if Rani had moved on emotionally after Salman's death. If she had fallen in love with John but repressed her love because of what the so-called society and people would think, then the story would have taken a more interesting turn. Also, they could have involved Rani's parents in the story more than they did. Going back to my point that they should have focused more on the theme than they did.

The music was just so-so. My favorite is the title song even though I don't know the words by heart yet. It was very moving. Other than that, I didn't think there was anything special about the music. The lyrics was good, by the way.

Amitabh Bacchan was phenomenal as usual. I can't think of any other actor who could have portrayed that character as well as Big B did. (Maybe SRK in 15-20 years. 😆 ). Hema Malini looks gorgeous as ever. Somebody check her birth certificate. She can't be 60+! Rani Mukherji was very good too. The only thing I didn't like about her was her makeup. Too much blush in various scenes made it look like she had gotten punched or something. Salman, as I mentioned earlier, was very lively (until he died. 😆 ). I've never been a fan of John Abraham's, but I liked him in Baabul. I still wouldn't call myself a JA fan, though. Rajpal Yadav rocks. Yeah, he didn't have a big role in the movie, but every time he came on the screen, everyone in the theater chuckled. There is something about that guy that brings out a grin on my face.

Anyways, all in all, good movie. 😊

👍🏼 great review...tells us exactly what to expect...!

i think the movie wuz not good wud rate it
4/10
quiteeee tradional nt my kind of a movie bhagban wuz wayyyyyy bettaaaaa.

BAABUL : Film review

Updated: 12-09-2006 By Administrator Email this Page



BABUL: Starring; Amitabh Bachchan, Hemamalini, Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, John Abraham. Direction: Ravi Chopra. With the season's flavour being sequels one is bound to see Babul in the context of Baghbaan. Even in terms of the genre they come as a package. In fact only as a genre and the cast, not otherwise.

The story line is about Balraj (Amitabh) his wife Shobana (Hemamalini) and their son Avinash (Salman) The rich family is living life on a song. All is fine when Avinash falls in love with Mili (Rani) who has a great friend in Rajat (John) Mili and Avi are married and also have a cute son in Ansh. Tragedy strikes with the death of Avinash in a road accident. Dreams come crumbling down.

Colourful lives nose dive to a barren black and laughter is replaced with tears and sorrow. The elder patriarch- Balraj then discerns the need for bringing the smile and joy back into the life of his widowed daughter in law. Faced with the opposition of an emotional wife and an orthodox brother (hammed by Om Puri) he decides to walk alone.
The film is bound to be compared with Baghbaan the surprise hit from Ravi Chopra.

This time the film is surely more authentic and purposeful than earlier but it simply lacks energy. It is an engrossing as the last day of a cricket test match where the first innings is still in progress. Meandering beyond redemption the first half is too syrupy and sweet. The later half of the film is where the entire story is dealt with and in spurts. Thankfully the film does not get over dramatic and the Director understands the need of contemporary audience- given the theme. He fails in the treatment of the script. It is very superficial and borders on being half hearted. Thanks to the calibre of Bachchan the wholes in the script can covered.

Salman Khan brings a degree of energy into the film. His chemistry with his dad and his son is good but with his wife is dull. A puffed up face helps little. Strangely his exit from the film does two opposite things: one gets things going but also removes the energy level from the narration. His return in a few moments is very insipid. Hemamalini returns to her old days. Gone again is the grace of Baghbaan. She sighs her way with her dialogues and simply lacks the class to be aside Big B. As a sophisticated rich lady- the choice should have fallen on La Tagore- but then the Chopras have always their own casting logic-(incidentally La Tagore has done only one film for the camp, Dastaan, if you overlook Yash doing Waqt).

She does not have much to do and even the little she mucks up. John Abraham looks good and fit- not a trifle tired like Salman. Yet he looks lost. Dazed and sleep walking his character too suffers from consistency. Rani Mukherjee is the fulcrum of the film and in my very definite view has failed to deliver. Even as people go overboard with praise we must distinguish the role from the performance. The role is a challenging. The performance is challenged.

Every time a good role comes by to a heroine and she fails to deliver it is a loss of double opportunity- one the role and the other the fact that such roles are rare to come by. The mainstay of the film is and not surprisingly Amitabh Bachchan. Yet again he gets so much of credibility to the role that you yearn for more even when the proceedings are drab. The scene where he talks to the star filled sky with his dead son warrants a standing ovation. Thankfully he does not go over board. A lot of restraint characterises the performance. Just for him, like ever so often give the film a try.

The film is for a long afternoon or a leisure filled evening with the family. Three films are on: Vivah Dhoom 2 and now Babul. The market place is sure offering variety- if not quality

http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=14845

Baabul Public Opinion is Positive

Faridoon Shahryar, IndiaGlitz [Saturday, December 09, 2006>



Ravi Chopra's 'Babul' has released amidst mixed reviews from the critics. While some have liked it, there are others who don't think too highly of the film. We at Indiaglitz did an exclusive Public Opinion video for you guys that you can watch today.

The film is about widow remarriage and is being liked by ladies and young girls for its noble social message. The men and young lads somehow don't think too highly of it. Comparisons with Chopra's 'Baaghbaan' are inevitable. Generally people prefer 'Baaghbaan' over 'Babul'. But most of the people (More than 90%) are also of the opinion that 'Babul' is a good movie too. Acting of Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee and Salman Khan is being appreciated by one and all. As for Aadesh Shrivastava's music, then the verdict is mixed too with most of the people liking it while a few finding it average. Mr Bachchan's composition 'Kehta Hai Babul' comes for special appreciation.

While the critics have their own point of view, it seems 'Babul' is finding its audience. The word of mouth will make it even better. Another box office victory of the year is all we can say.

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/article/27637.html

Baabul movie review

Saturday, December 09, 2006 06:51:05 am



Film: Baabul

Cast: Salman Khan, John Abraham, Rani Mukherji, Amitabh Bachchan & Hema Malini

Director: Ravi Chopra

Rating: (Hmmm) **


Millie (Rani Mukherji) is married to Avi (Salman Khan). It is a picture perfect world complete with a four year old son and doting in- laws (Amitabh Bachchan & Hema Malini). But Avi passes away in an accident, & Millie's dad- in- law takes it upon himself to get her settled again. This time with her childhood friend, Rajat ( John Abraham) who's always loved her secretly............

Director Ravi Chopra's release before Baabul was the sleeper hit, Baaghbaan – the Bachchan- Malini love story with its parallel theme of caring for your parents. Baabul is pretty much a family drama in the same genre, but unlike the previous film doesn't really hook you.

While the objective of the film is sincere, it is a film a decade too late. This is a film set in present day Mumbai – and in this time and age, re-marriage and getting on with life is not such a big deal. Chopra tries to introduce points of drama and confrontation with the Om Puri character.

( He plays Bachchan's orthodox elder brother who is stridently opposed to any effort to re-settle Rani). But it does not really grip you at any point. Baabul is also old fashioned in its story telling, and predictable. Too soon in the film, it settles down to a pleasant tedium ....which is the point, really – this is not a bad watch, there is nothing in the film which is particularly offensive or bad, but it is just quite forgettable! Nowhere do you get completely involved in any of the situational dilemmas – be it Balraj's, Millie's or even Rajat's who particularly remains at a pretty one dimensional silent lover sort of level.

Now for the performances – Mr. Bachchan and Rani Mukherji are their usual efficient selves. Hema Malini doesn't have much to do. Salman Khan stopped playing a character for the longest time – he just has fun on screen and he is fun to watch. John Abraham looks unconvincing and seems pretty unconvinced about his role in the scheme of things – though he is marginally better in the second half. The only excuse for him probably is that this was a film that took some time in the making – and in the two years that it took to be made, John certainly has improved as an actor. But unfortunately this film does not reflect that.

Overall, this is a strictly ok watch – Sincere, but really ..... a bit of a drag!

http://www.timesnow.tv/Baabul_movie_review/articleshow/74933 3.cms

Mutual Inspiration

R V
Posted online: Friday, December 08, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

Aadesh Shrivastava isn't close to Amitabh Bachchan just because they hail from the same community. The bond they share extends beyond professional association and the songs that Aadesh has composed both for Bachchan the actor and Bachchan the singer. "It is a deep personal relationship, and I will always be grateful to Amitji for his encouragement and support," says Aadesh.

Here is the music director in a rapid-fire about his association with the iconic actor. Excerpts.

One of the songs sung by Amitabh Bachchan in Baabul is said to be composed by him. What exactly does that mean?

For years now, whenever Amitji has time and wants to unwind, he has got this habit of coming to my music room. He told me that after Kalyanji-Anandji, I am the first composer with whom he shares such a comfort level and intimacy. He loves to spend hours jamming with me in my studio-cum-music room the way he would then with Kalyanjibhai and Anandjibhai, and to me that itself is a huge compliment.

When he comes in, I ensure that there are a few musicians and a tabla and a guitar part from my harmonium or keyboard. Our sittings are general and have nothing to do with specific film assignments.

On one such day, Amitji sang out a few notes that he had made up. When he asked me his opinion about them, I said that it would be a good cross-line (the musical phrase which brings the antara back to the mukhda). He suggested that I make a related mukhda and so I made it - he as an actor is so inspiring that composing songs for him comes very easy to me. The song 'Kehta hai baabul...' was the result.

Amitji had similarly 'laid the foundation' for 'Roop tera sona sona...' and had played it out to Karan Johar, who immediately took it as it was perfect for the situation in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... some years ago.

Why is his version not there on the album of Baabul?

There were some technical reasons because of which the master-tapes had to be sent to the music company and Amitji's dubbing was not possible in the urgency. His song is there in the film and will also be included in the future editions of the CD.

You are the only composer who uses Bachchan's own voice and does not employ the regular singers for him.

Yes. To begin with, I always use one voice for the hero. Sudesh Bhosle comes in when the composition cannot work without a professional singer and he sings in Amitji's voice. I did try out Udit Narayan for him in Deewaar - Let's Bring The Heroes Home more as an experiment, and Mohammed Aziz in Laal Badshah, but since then I have stuck to Amitji's voice. I personally feel that after Kishore Kumar no one can quite match his deep voice.

The equation between you goes beyond the professional.

Amitji always tells me that when he comes to my music room he gets de-stressed: "Man halkaa ho jaata hain, jaise Kalyanjibhai aur Anandjibhai ke wahaan hota tha," he tells me.

Similarly, I too benefit - and in a much bigger way. It is Amitji who has brought thehraav or placidity in my temperament. It is he who has been this huge tranquillizer to my earlier impulsive and hot-headed nature. Whatever troubles or controversies arose, he kept advising me,"Dada, don't react. Just be concerned with doing your work." He is, in short, one of my life's biggest blessings. He inaugurated my ultimate dream - my studio - and wrote a personal message on my wall. After his recovery from the recent illness, he resumed work not on any set or at any dubbing studio but by stepping into my studio for a Baabul recording with his usual tireless energy.

http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=14318

Big B-Rani get cold shoulder



Baabul, the latest release from the stables of Ravi Chopra, starring the legendary Amitabh Bachchan, released to great expectations, across the country on Friday.

In the national capital, however, opinions varied, but most agreed that it was an engaging film.

Rachna, a viewer who had watched the film with the family in tow, confessed to having enjoyed it thoroughly.

"It is superb. Right from start to end, everything about the film is wonderful...Most interesting was the performance of Amitabh Bachchan," said Rachna.

Shruti, another viewer, was lukewarm in her reactions about the movie.

"The film is just about fine. I guess Baghban (another Bachchan Starrer from the Chopras) was better. There is nothing great to write home about in Baabul.

It's like a normal film…good…but very predictable, we could even predict the forthcoming scenes…like any normal Hindi drama, nothing exclusive," she said.

But among the viewers of Baabul, some thought making comparisons with Baghban were unfair.

"Baghban was a totally different theme. So, you cannot really compare…but all said and done, Amitabh Bachchan was superb. The first half does not have so many emotions. The second half of the film was superb," said Roma, who enjoyed the show with her family.

Though the word "Baabul" in Hindi means 'a bride's father' the film revolves around a father-in-law, played by Bachchan, who looses his son in an accident and about his struggle to bring joy back in the life of his daughter-in-law.

Directed by Ravi Chopra, the film also stars other well-known actors of Bollywood, like Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, John Abraham and Om Puri.

The Hindi film industry, valued at about $1.75 billion in 2006, is forecast to nearly double to $3.4 billion by 2010, according to estimates by Price Waterhouse Coopers (PWC).

Every release of Bachchan, the 63-year-old film legend, gets hyped and expectations run high among viewers and analysts, alike.

The actor has done over 150 films, playing rebels, smugglers and vigilantes in a series of anti-establishment roles in the 1970s and 1980s.

He now plays more mature roles, many of which are specifically written for him.

The "Big B", as he is known, was voted in a 2002 BBC Online survey as the most popular screen and stage icon of all time, ahead of Laurence Olivier and Alec Guinness.

http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=12762

Hunk with a heart

Chaya Unnikrishnan
Posted online: Friday, December 08, 2006 at 0000 hours IST

From an unconventional Jism and the family drama Baabul to an experimental Kabul Express, John Abraham is treading on adventurous terrain and venturing into unexplored territories. The actor is also soon launching his brand of clothesline and releasing a calender of his own pictures. We meet him on the sets of Anurag Kashyap's No Smoking which is being shot on the 31st floor of a 32-storey under-construction building in a Mumbai suburb. As we enter the room, we get a complete vie w of the island city while our objet d' art is cat-napping.
"I have been shooting continuously for three nights and haven't been able to catch up on my sleep. Excuse me if I sound dazed," he apologises charmingly.
Five minutes into the interview and he is called for a shot. "Let me go and shoot.
I will probably come back feeling energised," he grins flashing his famous dimples. And true to his word, after the shot, the hunk is back in high spirits ...

With Baabul, are you trying to shed the image of a hunky hero?

In this industry, images are difficult to shed or shake. But yes, I would like the audience to accept me in varied roles and Baabul is different from what I have done so far. I love to take up challenges. I am known as a sensuous hunk and this role belies that image. Baabul is a family drama and I play a quintessential good boy, Rajat. He's a romantic who also believes in sacrificing for the sake of love. It is an intense role.

Did you feel the pressure while doing the role, considering that the other actors in the film are stalwarts?

I love doing intense roles because they are easier for me to handle. I felt no pressure from the other actors. It was, in fact, a beautiful experience. Hema Malini is the original dream girl, still gorgeous and ethereal. Amitabh Bachchan, of course, is an actor par excellence. But what I find amazing is that at his age he has more energy than an actor my age. As for Rani Mukerji, I feel that her face spells success. I learnt a lot from her. Whenever we had to do a scene together she would suggest that we approach it in different ways and pick the best one for the final take. I had very few scenes with Salman Khan but the fact that Ravi Chopra saw me in this role proves that I am trying to make the grade with them all.

What are your expectations from this film?

I expect a lot from the film when I am shooting for it. Once it is over and ready for release, I have no expectations.

Which of your films would you rate the best, so far?

Performance-wise, it will be Jism, while Kabul Express for me will physically be the most gruelling experience.

You even fell sick during the shoot...

Yes. I suffered from bronchital asthma and had to be rushed from Afghanistan to India and landed straight in the hospital. Apart from that, I had to fly down twice to complete the shooting of Garam Masala. But Afghanistan is a place that I always wanted to visit. So, I was very excited that Kabul Express was to be shot there. The country has 10 million land-mines and it will take around 26 years to clear them. We had to be very careful while shooting. But Arshad and I got along very well and we enjoyed ourselves.



Did you take any tips to play a journalist?

No, I just followed the director, Kabir Khan. It is his story, so I observed him closely and analysed what he wants.

Have you taken to smoking, now that you are doing No Smoking?

When Anurag Kashyap approached me for the film and I heard the script, I was bowled over. I didn't think twice about signing the film because I know Anurag is a brilliant writer-director. For me, he is the writer of Water. Even Hollywood writer Matthew Robin who has scripted Steven Speilberg's Dual Express said that it is one of the best scripts he's heard in recent times. And yes, since the film is about a chain-smoker who wants to kick his addiction, I have to puff away to glory. I only hope that I don't continue to smoke after the film is over!

Aren't you doing Deepa Mehta's next film?

Yes, it's called Exclusion and it's the story about immigrants who sailed to the shores of Vancouver. The best thing about working with Deepa is that she's sensitive to an actor's needs. I had a wonderful experience shooting for Water which is the Oscar-entry from Canada. Would you believe that when I was on a world-tour for the Rockstar show, people told me that they loved me in Water? I was pleasantly surprised because I expected them to talk about Dhoom or Garam Masala!

With six couples in Salaam-E-Ishq, how do you intend to make a mark?

Well, mine and Vidya Balan's track is the most intense in the film. We play a married couple Ashutosh and Tehzeeb. My love for her is put to test when she meets with an accident.

After commercial films like Dhoom and Garam Masala, you are having a family drama Baabul and an experimental film like Kabul Express in your kitty.

Yes, but I am not making a conscious effort to do commercial or experimental films. If a film sounds good to me at the narration level, I take it up. The most important things are the script and the story. If it is good in its entirety, the characters will automatically be well-etched. That's how I have done multi-hero films. And now, I am happy that after a spade of multi-starrers, I am getting a lot of single hero projects like No Smoking, Vivek Agnihotri's Goal, Sriram Raghavan's Happy Birthday and Nagesh Kukunoor's Ashaayen.

What's happening to John Aur Kaun?

It is reaching its finale on the Hungama, the channel which is holding the talent-hunt. They had got an overwhelming response from the kids. They received more than 200,000 entries out of which 40 kids have been finalised. The 13th episode of the show will decide the final two winners, one girl and one boy and within a week they will be flown to London where they will be shooting with me for Goal.

You are paired with Bipasha Basu in Goal after a long time...
Yes. In fact, I wasn't aware that she was signed for the film till director Vivek Agnihotri told me that she's been finalised. There's a great attraction between the two characters we are playing in the film and I hope our chemistry works in the film.

http://www.screenindia.com/fullstory.php?content_id=14284

The woman Big B and Salman wooed

Chaitanya Padukone
Friday, December 08, 2006 23:59 IST



Australian actor Ellicia McDonald has the two superstars fighting for her attention in the song 'Come on' in 'Baabul'

"It was a big high. I was in a trance! Imagine Amitabh Bachchan (playing father) and Salman Khan (as son) fighting over me in the song in 'Baabul'," gushes Ellicia McDonald, a Sydney-based model and actor.

Fortunately, Ellicia, who was singled out by Ravi Chopra, has shot in the limelight with the number 'Come on, come on' in 'Baabul'. The scene in the film has Bachchan, his on-screen wife Hema Malini and Salman attending a wedding reception. Both sporting a roving eye, they are distracted by Ellicia and vie to grab her attention. "I am overwhelmed with their attention as I match steps with them. Ultimately, Salman proves one-up on his dad," laughs the trained ballet dancer.

Surprisingly, Ellicia is not game for 'item numbers'. "I'm not acting pricey but I want to do cool and classy numbers. They shouldn't be sleazy," says the model who has done the ramp in New York and Sydney besides being connected with Ford Models. In Mumbai, since the past year, she has also shot for commercials here. Ellicia is also part of the music video 'Dil Se' where she co-stars with singer Sukhwinder.

Coming back to 'Baabul', did Ellicia face any star tantrums? "Both Amitabh and Salman were unassuming and co-operative. They are energetic and disciplined actors. In fact, when there was a problem with my hair and I couldn't locate my hair-dresser, Amitabh summoned his to fix my hair . Hema Malini seemed reserved. I couldn't muster the courage to chat with her," says the aspirant.

Interestingly, Ellicia has dyed her hair black from blonde, saying that it helped her get accepted as an Anglo-Indian here. "I'm fascinated with Indian wear, accessories and songs. I relish masala dosa and idli-sambar," says this Australian who seems to have an Indian heart.

http://www.dnaindia.com/report.asp?NewsID=1068281

Review: Baabul

Nikhat Kazmi
[ 8 Dec, 2006 2358hrs ISTTIMES NEWS NETWORK >



Baabul (drama)
Cast : Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Rani Mukherjee, John Abraham.
Direction : Ravi Chopra

From Baghban to Baabul : Director Ravi Chopra is fast donning the mantle of the '50s-'60s filmmaker who had perfected the genre of the 'family socials' in Bollywood. Then, they made films that celebrated the joint family, derided the westernised daughter-in-law, supported the bulwark of bharatiya parampara and generally raised a voice against untouchability, sati, foeticide and the like. Cut to Circa 21 and you have Mr Chopra telling us that old parents aren't meant to be abandoned and young widows need to be re-married.

Truly, his films are a severe critique of the modern Indian social fabric which either seems to have become too westernised or remained regressively traditional. And the fact that he has Mr Bachchan telling you to behave, grow up and mind your morals, manners and maryada does seem to make a difference. Because Mr Bachchan manages to take all those mothballed dialogues and deliver them in a style that strikes straight at your tear ducts. You watch the next-seat man (we don't even dare to look at the wailing women) surreptitiously flick a tell-tale tear and you know the message has hit home.

Baabul may have picked up a theme straight out of history books, but don't we know the modernity quotient of the great Indian middle class ain't too high. Hence, you just might still find a million Ranis in real India too: young widows trapped in the niceties of traditional Indian families who have all the trappings of superficial modernity.

Thus, when Mr Bachchan goes all out of his way to find a husband (John Abraham) for his widowed daughter-in-law (Rani Mukherjee) when his son (Salman Khan) dies and delivers his soliloquy about bahus being betis , you know it's time to join the sniffing viewers and light candles at India Gate. Thank you for giving us another 'cause' to crusade for!

The problem with Baabul is its first half: completely dead and totally listless. The romance between middle class Rani and rich dude Salman is stiff and commonplace. And it takes almost two hours for the duo to meet, sing songs and settle down to the banal business of shaadi and family. Quite unlike Baghban which may not have had the stars but it had the Amitabh and Hema love story surpassing the Salman-Rani romance. It is only in the second half that the drama picks up when the father-in-law tries to re-introduce colours (read John Abraham) in his widowed daughter-in-law's spartan white life.

There isn't much here for the two hunks, Salman and John. They do look wasted and bored with their hot bods demurely covered up. It's left to that Black pair (Rani and Amitabh) to rekindle their magic... and they barely succeed. See it with your family.

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Review_Baabul/articleshow /748270.cms