Aaja Nachle

Watched Aaja Nachle today, finally a very good hindi movie this year. This is not a hatke movie, it’s your standard underdogs fight and underdogs win theme. It’s about a small village NRI woman, who has returned back to her roots to fulfill the last wish of her guru. This is to save Ajanta Theater from being replaced by a shopping mall. Akshay Khanna (MP, Indian royalty, US educated) offers Madhuri a deal wherein if she is able to host a successful show using cast members compromising only of villagers, the theater would stay.

Credit must go to the director for keeping the movie light hearted, fast paced and real. There are no overbearing melodramatic scenes. Up until the musical finale the entire movie is full of lovely moments some funny some touching. There is not a single dull moment in this movie, and barring a few scenes the movie's integrity is not lost.

The film is blessed with a brilliant supporting cast. All the characters are very endearing, and the actors have done full justice to their roles. Their quirkiness leave a lot of room for comedy, which the director has exploited to the fullest. The selection process is a laugh riot, the best scene is when one of the aspirants does a Dhak-Dhak number.

This is an out an out Hindi movie, bright coloured clothes, people ready to dance and/or sing at the drop of a hat etc etc. And I was so happy to see the director embrace it, rather that shun it. All the songs are really good and in tune with the story line. Having Madhuri Dixit dance for your songs surely helps. The musical finale is Grand and very nicely choreographed.

The only place the film lacks is, unlike in Lagaan, you don’t really feel their pain and passion for the fight they are in, and though you root for their victory, you will not be heartbroken if the loose.

You are so engrossed in watching the movie that you really don’t question a few technicalities, like. How can Madhuri just run away to USA without a visa? (maybe she has a H1-B we don’t know off). Or Where do they get the money to finance such a Grand musical Finale. And this I think is where the movie succeeds in insulating you from the realities. After all this is not a documentary but a Hindi film ;)


Madhuri Dixit

For my generation of film buffs, there are only 3 SuperStars.

• Shahruk Khan - and I hate to admit it.
• Aamir Khan - just too good.
• Madhuri Dixit - no other actress comes even close to her(well maybe Kajol, but she cant dance)
• Will not include the Big B in this list, he is in a league of his own.

These 3 are the a cut above the rest, no one in my 15 years of watching movies even come close. I think their ease in front of the camera come from the knowledge that even with 10 people in the frame, all the eyes will be glued to them.

Coming back to Madhuri, I must agree that she looks a bit aged in few scenes (she is 40+ so cut her some slack will you). But you turn on the music , all you see is the teenager who rocked India with her "Eak Do Teen" number. Not only is her dancing sublime, but her grace coupled with her expression ignites magic on the silver screen. And who can forget her Million Dollar Smile. An acting power house she had proven herself time and again, however as I said this movie has very few melodramatic scenes. You watch the Laila-Majun finale and you will know what I am talking about.

Hail the undisputed queen of Indian cinema, and savor her comeback. On second thoughts did she ever leave.