http://www.nytimes.com/2008/12/13/movies/13jodi.html?_r=2&emc=tnt&; amp;tntemail0=y
MOVIE REVIEW | 'RAB NE BANA DI JODI'
Forlorn Husband Makes the Right Moves
By RACHEL SALTZ
Published: December 13, 2008
In the last few years Hindi films have become slicker and faster, full of dizzying camera moves and blink-and-you’ll-miss-it editing. The technical exuberance is almost always impressive, but it’s starting to seem like its own cliché.
How refreshing, then, to settle into “Rab Ne Bana di Jodi” (“A Match Made by God”), a love story that has a different pace and feel than the recent crop of action thrillers. “Rab,” which reteams the director Aditya Chopra and Shahrukh Khan, Bollywood’s reigning superstar, is “soft, sweet and slow,” in the words of one of its songs. It deftly blends comedy, the ruling tone of the new Bollywood, with melodrama, the ruling tone of the old.
Mr. Khan sports glasses and a cheesy little mustache as Surinder Sahni, a shy self-described geek who works for Punjab Power in Amritsar. Surinder is gaga for his wife, Taani (the newcomer Anushka Sharma), who, because of various tragedies in the film’s first few minutes, may have lost the ability to love or be happy.
To win Taani’s heart — or just to see her smile — Surinder gets an extreme makeover and disguises himself as Raj, a swaggering goofball who favors tight jeans and T-shirts with slogans like “Bad Boy.” Raj becomes Taani’s partner in a dance competition (“First time in Amritsar!”), and boy meets girl all over again.
Mr. Chopra’s 1995 film, “Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,” starring Mr. Khan, remains a touchstone of contemporary Bollywood, and the two do excellent work again here. The Surinder/Raj dual role seems tailor-made (probably was) for Mr. Khan, who gets to show off his twin talents: he suffers nobly and entertains with panache. And Mr. Chopra demonstrates how a director can master technology without being mastered by it. For him, storytelling comes first. (The plot has its flaws, but they’re not deadly.)
“Rab” is suffused with God talk and movie talk; religion and films are how the characters learn lessons about life and love. The best and most joyous sequence here is a song-and-dance number that pays witty tribute to Bollywood and Hollywood styles through the decades. It’s a lesson that goes down easy.
'say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos'
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15 years ago
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HeadleyLamarr
15 years ago
Anyone who does not understand that TZP like Hallmark Hall of fame films come on American TV every Sunday afternoon, while Paheli was uniquely Indian - has no business thinking of Oscar entries. Read what American reviews said about TZP at release time, and also check out Paheli rating and reviews on Rottentomatoes.
'say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos'
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15 years ago
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HeadleyLamarr
15 years ago
Paheli was at the very least BETTER than Mangal Pandey, Parineeta and certainly Page 3 - I detest that film with a passion. For Oscars Rottentomatoes is a better indicator than sniggering people. I liked Eklavya. What the competition is, determines exactly what? That is not in the control of any one in India. In 2008 and pickings were slim, but JA was the most suited.
'say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos'
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15 years ago
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HeadleyLamarr
15 years ago
Bhandarkar makes soul-less films like cheap CNN exposes. The academy would laugh. And Parineeta - todo todo the last 15 minutes would have the audience rolling on the floor. The film that needed to go was Priyan Kanjeevaram - instead stupid Aamir pushed his film forward. I hate when directors try to push thier films into being sent when the film has no place at the Oscars... Aamir was just jealous that he did not get anything for for Lagaan... too bad his plan will completely backfire (TZP is a mindnumbingly mediocre film)!
'say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos'
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15 years ago
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HeadleyLamarr
15 years ago
1. In which alternate dimension was DCH a superhit? It was average. And Mangal Pandey an out and out flop, same goes for Earth. If you will talk of BO then at least talk sense with real numbers and outcomes. I can make numbers and hits up too!
2. Did Aamir's career begin in 1999? What happened before that? I can cherry pick numbers and years too.
3. It is almost entertaining to see you do this exercise where you are pulling out special appearances and in fact unreleased films for SRK. Dulha Mil Gaya is still filming but apparently it is a flop. And Shaurya where SRK recited a poem in a voiceover is a flop for him.
4. Do not know about Aamir much, but his fans are the biggest losers on this planet.
5. You forgot to add that Aamir stole Amole Gupte's film from under his nose - that is a distinction SRK does not have yet.
6. It is even more entertaining that Heyy babyy ( a special appearance) is listed a flop - it was a superhit and last year. Your memory cannot be that short. Akkki fans will lynch you now.
'say what you like about the tenets of National Socialism, Dude, at least it's an ethos'
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mahesh0109
15 years ago
Hey,
I think Shahrukh Khan has a charming personality and charisma he is a big star. But Aamir Khan is a better actor any day. Each of his movies see a different Aamir while Shahrukh in every movie is Shahrukh. I do not like his acting in any of his movies except DDLJ and Swades.
Aamir even has credible performances in his flops.
Agreed Shahrukh sells and he is a bigger star but not because of his acting.. just because of his charisma.
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