Joined: Sat Nov 02, 2002 6:54 pm
Posts: 95
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Just for the note - I was LMAO while reading some of the reviews. And Rediff and Indiafm review sounds very similar even some of the word choices are similar.
REDIFF REVIEW
Hrithik: paisa vasool!
R Swaminathan | August 07, 2003 12:02 IST
Koi... Mil Gaya
You can't fault the logic of Koi... Mil Gaya.
But to imbibe and revel in it, some givens have to be taken in one's stride:
* An alien will always be the 'other' and any attempt to portray the 'other' will invariably translate into a creation that is furthest to the human form. Hollywood, the mecca of alien potboilers, is guilty of this. It is only fair to give Bollywood generous leeway in this regard.
Jaadu and Hrithik in Koi... Mil GayaJaadoo, in KMG, hence, is mottled blue, stands approximately three-and-a-half feet short, has huge saucer eyes, blurts in a harsh metallic voice, and has an odd-shaped head that is neither a football nor a rugby ball.
* An alien ought to have extra-human powers. Importantly, those that can be transferred to ordinary mortals like you and me.
* Songs. Commercial cinema cannot do without it. KMG is no exception. But Rajesh Roshan's songs waft into your ears and stay on for quite some time. Most of them are in sync with the storyline. My favourite is Idhar chala mein udhar chala. Most songs have also been picturised well and rely on the actors to provide the impetus rather than group dancers or 'gimmicks' as Bappi Lahiri would put it.
Koi... Mil Gaya on rediff.com
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Koi... Mil Gaya: Sneak peek!
Rediff Special: Koi... Mil Gaya
Hrithik becomes a baby!
Preity in Koi.. Mil Gaya
The last song, Haila haila hua hua, though, is an obvious attempt to rope in audiences who might not otherwise be sucked in by unconventional promos. It has both Hrithik Roshan (Rohit) and Preity Zinta (Nisha) changing into weird outfits at the end of each stanza, typical Bollywood ishtyle.
Once these givens are factored in, it is not wrong to say Koi... Mil Gaya treads where Bollywood seldom travels -- the path of science fiction -- and where the protagonist is not a hulk imbued with supernatural physical prowess coupled with Einstein's brains.
A mega positive is Hrithik Roshan's acting. He is the turbojet that propels the film to the realm of the extraordinary. On screen you see Rohit, the mentally challenged adult, and not Hrithik Roshan, the star. Rohit connects with you immediately. His endearing innocence and the clean-hearted fun he indulges in has you in splits. But within seconds, he also brings a lump to your throat when the bullies pick on him.
What gives Rohit's character flesh and blood, so to speak, are the screenplay (Sachin Bhowmick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt and Rakesh Roshan) and the dialogues (Javed Siddiqui). Rohit is essentially a child in an adult body and the dialogues amply reflect that. His repartees are a treat, especially the ones reserved for the neighbourhood bullies (Rajat Bedi et al).
Hrithik RoshanThe maturity of the screenplay comes to the fore when one does not notice the antics of the kids (Parth Choksi, Chhotu Dada, Afzal Khan, Bobby Bedi, Rahul Mahajan, Dimple, Sunita Padbidri). They are neither shrill nor syrupy nice. They are normal and blend integrally with the story. They are Rohit's pals, partners-in-crime, and their comic timing is spontaneous. Watch out for the way they 'clear' Rohit's head on who is a girlfriend and who is not.
The locales are also superb and a sight for sore urban eyes. Verdant green is the dominant colour, though much of what passes for Kasauli appears to be Calgary, Canada.
While the positives outweigh the negatives, Papa Roshan's much-hyped Jaadoo aka the little blue thing is a big letdown. The effort to make it look not human is obvious. Sometimes, when effort is obvious, it translates to a job not well done.
Discuss!
Is Hrithik still hot?
An obvious comparison that springs to mind is Steven Spielberg's E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial. The second half of the movie, especially the establishment's efforts to capture Jaadoo and Rohit's efforts to safekeep the alien, remind you of the all-time sci-fi classic.
But Rakesh Roshan is no Spielberg; Jaadoo amply demonstrates it. For those who have seen E.T., the most impressive part of that alien were the eyes, which were warm, friendly and naughty. Jaadoo is plasticky, exudes the life of a mechanical contraption, and has big, but blank, eyes.
Another sore point is the spaceship. I, for one, still can't believe they hired the Independence Day special effects guys for this. I have seen better ones in the thirty-second ads that news channels show between bulletins. The inside of the spaceship looks like a circuit board with backlight, which contributes to a high tackiness quotient.
Preity Zinta, Hrithik Roshan and the children in Koi... Mil GayaThe poor production quality also takes the gloss off parts of the film. Accustomed to seeing, for instance, hi-tech trucks used for capturing aliens in Hollywood counterparts, it is disappointing to see genuine cardboard passing off as supposedly hi-tech trucks.
Preity Zinta's outfits, Rekha's passive sob-sob sniff-sniff mother role, Prem Chopra as the collector of Kasauli, Mukesh Rishi as the honest cop, and Johnny Lever as the loud Sindhi constable strike jarring notes.
Preity's outfits are skimpy, but you are left wondering if there is anything the friendly neighbourhood tailor could not have done.
All said, however, one thing is sure. Papa Roshan has done a good turn and infused a fresh lease of life into junior Roshan's career.
KMG is a potent mixture. In all probability, it is what the doctor ordered for a weak box office. Hrithik alone is worth the price of your ticket.
CREDITS
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta, Rekha, Prem Chopra, Johnny Lever, Rakesh Roshan (special appearance)
Director, producer: Rakesh Roshan
Music: Rajesh Roshan
Cinematography: Ravi K Chandran, Samir Arya
Screenplay: Sachin Bhowmick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt, Rakesh Roshan
Dialogues: Javed Siddiqui
REDIFF LINK
India FM
Koi Mil Gaya
By Taran Adarsh
When you have a colossal blockbuster like KAHO NAA... PYAAR HAI behind you, the expectations from your next film, KOI... MIL GAYA, multiply manifold.
KOI... MIL GAYA is path-breaking in the sense that it depicts a story that is 'alien' as far as the Indian screen is concerned.
So, when any film-maker takes his first step towards exploring a new genre, he's bound to meet with mixed reactions. It has been proved time and again that Hollywood classics to Indianised translations either sink or swim.
KOI... MIL GAYA, directed by Rakesh Roshan, does meet the expectations, but only to an extent. You do feel something is amiss in the enterprise.
Sanjay Mehra [Rakesh Roshan] is a scientist, obsessed with establishing contacts with extraterrestrial life. He invents many innovative gadgets, instruments and finally succeeds in devising a computer that can transmit messages to space.
His foresight becomes a reality when, as a response to his signals, a spaceship is sighted in the sky. But before Sanjay can even enjoy his success, he and his wife Sonia [Rekha] meet with a horrific accident where Sonia survives, but Sanjay loses his life.
Sanjay's son Rohit [Hrithik Roshan] is born; he's a mentally challenged child who faces ridicule and torment at every phase of his life. His lone companion is Nisha [Preity Zinta].
One day, Rohit discovers his father's computer and calls Nisha to help him use it. Both of them are completely fascinated by the images and instructions that appear on the screen and experiment with the device, not realising the impact it would have.
The entire town witnesses a blackout and a bizarre phenomenon. In an incandescent glowing sky, a colossal spaceship is sighted. More strange findings are in store in Rohit's town. A pair of footprints not belonging to man or animal is found.
What could this mean? Is danger lurking somewhere close?
Although the wide-ranging hunch is that KOI... MIL GAYA is inspired by master storyteller Steven Spielberg's classic E.T., it is, in fact, an amalgamation of E.T. as also MAC AND ME [starring Jade Calegory], besides reminding you of the recent hit SPIDER-MAN.
If the spaceship-alien angle takes its inspiration from E.T., Hrithik's characterisation [that of a weakling who turns powerful after a spider bite, in this case the alien touching him] reminds you of SPIDER-MAN.
Nothing wrong in being inspired though, for Rakesh Roshan has Indianised the theme to suit Indian sensibilities.
Depicting the hero as mentally challenged for the major part of the film is a big risk by itself, but Roshan Jr. carries it off with aplomb. That is the mainstay of the film. But more on that later!
Besides, for the Indian audiences, who've witnessed aliens in the tele-series STARTREK and years ago in E.T., the alien in a Hindi film is a novelty. The introduction of the alien at the interval point does raise expectations of a riveting second half.
Prior to that, the first half succeeds in arresting audience attention and that's largely due to Hrithik's portrayal of a weakling. But the pace is inconsistent in this half, for it picks up, drops, loosens, gains momentum with regularity.
A few sequences in the first half impress you, but the one-sided romance, of Hrithik believing that Preity is his girlfriend and the songs that follow, take the fizz away from the film, making it look like any other routine flick.
The second half has a few well penned and well executed sequences that are bound to be an instant hit with viewers. Instances:-
The basketball match is a major highlight. It may not only find flavour with the kids but even with the mature types, who'd want the weakling to crush the arrogant, know-it-all types.
Even the dance number, 'It's Magic', is not only well choreographed, but comes at a time when the protagonist is undergoing a gradual transformation.
But, unfortunately, the climax of the film looks like a hurried job. A more convincing conclusion to the story could've been thought of, which would've enhanced the impact for sure.
Director Rakesh Roshan is in comfort zone vis-Ã -vis handling dramatic scenes. The emotional outburst by Rekha soon after Rajat Bedi and his friends [at the behest of Preity Zinta] have assaulted Hrithik, holds tremendous emotional appeal.
Ditto for the scene when the computer teacher insults Hrithik [second half]. Hrithik's subsequent dialogues will be greeted with applause.
Even the sequence when Hrithik is empowered and has a clear vision, as also realising that he has physically become stronger as he sees his bulging muscles, will appeal to the kids.
However, despite opting for a novel theme, Rakesh Roshan and his team of writers [Sachin Bhaumick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt] shouldn't have resorted to clichéd situations in the screenplay. The Rajat Bedi track, for instance, is wearisome.
Also, there was ample scope to work on the romantic track between Hrithik and Preity. Besides, the climax is that of convenience and the sequences after the alien has departed, looks stretched gratuitously.
Most important, the alien looks synthetic and wears a blank look [except his eyelids moving!], unlike the one in E.T. – something that may not appeal at all. Also, the creature should've been given more prominence in the second half. But the camera remains focussed on Hrithik and how he plans to win the love of his girlfriend [Preity Zinta]. The viewer wants to see more of the alien and less of the song-and-dance routine. Moreover, the alien mouthing Hindi and English words looks bizarre.
Rajesh Roshan comes up with a winning score yet again. The songs have a mesmerising effect and the choreography in almost all the songs is splendid. To single out, 'Idhar Chala' and 'It's Magic' are the pick of the lot.
Cinematography [Sameer Arya, Ravi K. Chandran] is first-rate. The lush green locations are a visual treat. Dialogues [Javed Siddiqui] are good at places. Action sequences [Tinu Verma] have the required punch.
Hrithik Roshan dominates the show and packs in a power-packed performance. The role of a mentally challenged person is no cakewalk, but the actor takes to it like a fish takes to water. He manages to pull off the zero to hero routine exceptionally well. As an actor, he scales dizzier heights with this splendid performance.
Preity Zinta excels in a role that doesn't really require histrionics, but does require the confidence to carry it off convincingly. Rekha is credible. Rakesh Roshan is effective in a small role.
Johny Lever does manage to raise a few laughs. Mukesh Rishi is alright Ditto for Prem Chopra and Rajat Bedi.
On the whole, KOI... MIL GAYA tackles a novel concept as far as the Indian screen is concerned. But this genre is bound to meet with mixed reactions, varying from good to just-about-fair to disappointing. At the box-office, the initial draw has been terrific, but it remains to be seen how the audiences respond to the alien. If the kids get hooked on to it, the results could be remarkable, or else the film will settle down to the fair category thanks to its exorbitant price.
Rating: * * ½.
INDIAFM LINK
LMAO@
Filmkraft has tied up with Hallmark to merchandise the character of Jaadoo. Hallmark will be making soft toys of the alien character. It took 8 months for Bimmini Special Effects to create the alien. Koi Mil Gaya releases worldwide today.
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