Don 2 sucks! Farhan Khan is bankrupt of creativity! to hell with blockbuster stay with 1978 classic!

What can u expect after all there are too many die hard fans for your fantacy to materialize..

i do not care!! Don 2 will be a BLOCKBUSTER for DIE HARD FANS!

Wait for your zombie revived UMRAO and SHOLAY 2 guys!

By Taran Adarsh, October 20, 2006 - 10:50 IST

Remaking a yesteryear hit can be an arduous task. Especially if it happens to be the Amitabh Bachchan starrer DON. One film people remember vividly for various reasons, right from Big B's towering performance to the popular tracks to its gripping story and sharp execution.

A remake comes with its share of plusses and minuses, advantages and disadvantages. The advantages first…
Perhaps, the new generation might not have watched the classic starring Bachchan. That makes the 2006 adaptation a novel cinematic experience. The present version also arouses tremendous interest since SRK steps into Bachchan's shoes.

DON was made in the 1970s and a new version, with appropriate updates, is always welcome.

Most importantly, every director has his/her style of interpreting a story. Chandra Barot had his way of narrating a story, Farhan Akhtar has his own unique style.

Book Don movie tickets online
Now, the sole disadvantage…
Since the Bachchan starrer remains etched in the memory of a section of moviegoers, the SRK starrer carries a massive responsibility on its shoulders. The comparisons, therefore, are inevitable. Every character, song and the impact of several vital portions will be viewed minutely.

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Unfortunately, the new DON fails on several counts…
The original script [Salim-Javed] had the power to keep you involved and mesmerized for the next 2.30 hours. The new version lacks it.

The sequence of events in the earlier DON unraveled at a feverish pace, which the entertainment-hungry viewer lapped up with glee and excitement. The new version moves at a sluggish pace at regular intervals and that indeed is bad news for a thriller. In fact, boredom sets in after a point and it also gets difficult to comprehend what's going on. Things could have been simpler for sure.

Every character in the earlier DON was well etched out. That's not the case with the new version. Barring SRK and to an extent Priyanka, the remaining characters appear as mere caricatures.

The songs in the first version were merged beautifully with the script. Somehow, in the new version, barring the Kareena track, the songs don't take the story forward. Even the terrific 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' comes across as an unwanted guest.

Any area where the new version works? Of course, it's far more glossy, far more stylish and far more visually appealing. Let's just say, the new DON is body beautiful, minus soul. The original version had simplistic execution, but it hit you like a ton of bricks. The new version is a hundred times more stylish, but how about a riveting script, Mr. Director?

The one question you want to ask Farhan Akhtar is, What happened? His directorial debut DIL CHAHTA HAI told a novel story. His second attempt, LAKSHYA, stood on a slippery wicket. But DON, his new endeavor, is his weakest attempt as a storyteller. Agreed, Farhan has climbed the ladder as far as craftsmanship is concerned [every frame is well decorated and makes a spellbinding impact], but, despite a readymade classic at his disposal, the storyteller just doesn't get it right this time.

Farhan makes a sincere effort to shock the viewer in the end and you are startled for a minute, but the moment the focus shifts to the flashback and how he managed to pull a fast one, the impact evaporates into thin air. Farhan also ends the film with some scope for a sequel. Nothing wrong with that, but how one wishes Farhan had a hit a boundary in this interpretation of the classic first.

Now, the storyline:
The drug trade is booming. Trafficking between Asia and Europe is at an all-time high. There are rumors that a dreaded gang has moved their operational headquarters to Kuala Lumpur. The cartel is headed by Singhania [Rajesh Khattar], but the business is managed by his lieutenant Don [Shah Rukh Khan].

An Indian officer Desilva [Boman Irani] has sworn to put an end to the nexus. He knows that in capturing Don lies the key to unlock this puzzle. And he succeeds one day. Don is captured and Desilva puts his plan into action. Unknown to even his own department, Desilva recruits and trains a man who is a splitting image of Don. His name is Vijay.

Vijay infiltrates the cartel and manages to give Desilva all the information he needs to bring it down. But in a bizarre twist of fate, Desilva is killed during a raid and the secret that Don is in fact Vijay is buried with him. The only people who realize that he's an imposter are the members of Don's cartel [Pawan Malhotra and Shakeel Khan] and they want their revenge.

Vijay manages to escape and is now on the lookout for the one last piece of evidence that can get him out of the mess. Helping him on this quest are two people: Roma [Priyanka Chopra] and Jasjit [Arjun Rampal].

There are glaring loopholes in the screenplay and you just can't overlook them. Like, for instance, how does SRK kill Kareena when the fact remains that he himself admits that there aren't any bullets in his gun? Here's another one: SRK, the Don, arrives in India for a major drug deal, but why isn't he arrested by Boman Irani and his team of cops when he must've presumably boarded an aircraft from KL? Why chase him on a secluded beach somewhere near Mumbai?

In the second hour, the murder of Rajesh Khattar [Don's boss] gives an impression that it's child's play to eliminate a drug baron. Moreover, what happens to Don's gang, also being held captive and being chartered to another destination [just before Don escapes from the aircraft]? Also, Arjun Rampal's exit from the story could've been properly defined. Also, where does his kid disappear suddenly? And what is Om Puri doing in this film? A junior police officer [aiding Boman Irani] has a meatier role than Puri here. It's a screenplay of convenience. Frankly, this looks like a desi James Bond saga, with the protagonist behaving like one mighty guy who can outsmart just about anyone and everyone.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is strictly functional. The only track that's worth a mention is 'Ye Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana' and S-E-L cannot get credit for it because it's not their composition. Mohanan's cinematography is of international quality. The opulent look and sets are well captured by the lensman and so are the eye-catching locations of Malaysia.

Action scenes are superb. Take the fight between SRK and Chunkey Pandey at the very start of the film or the chase on a secluded beach and the lanes of a town before Don is captured by the cops -- it's jaw-dropping. The sync sound is not coherent at times and this will pose a major problem, especially at single screens where the sound system isn't of standard.

SRK carries a massive responsibility on his shoulders since direct comparisons with Bachchan are foreseeable. SRK does very well as Don. He enacts the evil character with flourish. But he fails to carry off the other role [Vijay] with conviction. It looks made up, it doesn't come natural to him at all. Priyanka Chopra carries off her part with élan. The stunt [when she rescues SRK] is bound to win her laurels.

Arjun Rampal's character could've been better developed. Despite the shortcomings, he makes a sincere attempt. Kareena Kapoor looks alluring in a miniscule role. Isha Koppikar is alright. Boman Irani is fantastic yet again. He enacts the conniving and calculating villain with gusto. A remarkable actor like Om Puri is completely wasted here. Pawan Malhotra does very well. Why doesn't one see more of his talented actor in films?

Diwakar Pundir [as Kareena's fiancé], Shakeel Khan and Rajesh Khattar are adequate.

On the whole, DON does not meet the expectations as a film. BUT the film will be a different story altogether at the box-office. The tremendous craze for the film, the fabulous hype of the film, the presence of SRK in the central role and also the credibility of its makers [Farhan Akhtar] will ensure a fabulous start at the ticket window. The Diwali and Idd period will only give a big boost to the business, making its distributors jump with joy.

In short, sometimes a weak film weaves magic at the box-office. DON is one of those!

3 out of 5

ajy beware of posting bad reviews comments here some how hard core fans are not ready for it!

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Don's competitor JAANEMAN opened to a shocking 40% opening but reoprts are good.

Caught DON last night and was maha-disappointed, and i was not even a naysayer, since I believe everyone has a right to re-tell any story. Some will tell it well, some wont but this is a little bit of a chori. A bit of cleverness gone haywire. I do understand where Farhan Akhtar comes from, but sorry, it didnt work for me.

Ultimately the characterisation is what fails and this from Farhan Akhtar is sad, since he is a intelligent fella. Oh well, this is what happens when you confuse yourself with childhood dreams with grownup occupation. I am sure as a child Akhtar had lots of sessions with his other pals as to what would have happened if the DON story was this way or that. You know what DON the original story was damn good, now if you want to bend it do it well, research it well, and finally tell it well. Otherwise the end product looks like how it has now, a child's demented retelling gone bad and extremely childish at that!

Sorry if I am a bit angry now, thats how I feel!!

Caught Don and a sneak preview of Jaaneman at Silver City today. From the hype, Don being a special effects heavy and Jaaneman a romantic film, you'd expect Don to have aggressive directional surround and Jaaneman just front channel (or may be a bit of surround). But, it was just the opposite ?? Jaaneman had aggressive directional multichannel audio with plenty of sub-woofer activity (first 10 min that I saw) but DON was Front Channel only. May be for a total of 5-6 min there was subtle surround during loud segments or may be it just felt like surround because of high audio levels ??
I wonder why ??

End credits showed DD-Ex and DTS logos.

Did anyone notice DON with directional audio ?? If so, I wonder what did go wrong at Silver City ??

I remember, DON trailers were full of directional and powerful audio.

With proper directional and powerful audio, it sure would have been a Paisa Vasool film even if not as good as the original. Or may be I might have liked it, even better than original, with proper effects. I liked the ending, but I think it was a last minute change and the plot events perhaps don't agree with the ending ??

Don Run Time: 2 hr 49 min. Film Length -- 4715 m

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BTW, they showed trailer of only one film (Honeymoon Travels) instead of four films that has been in the news.

i dunno i dont think it was a last minute change..because if that ending didnt happen..thennn the whole second half wouldnt make sense..ie how would have vijay learned everything so quickly..like driving under a truck...

i saw both movies this weekend..don was good..it got a bit boring towards the middle..but got better towards the end..i give it 7.5/10

jaaneman was funny in parts..like the scene where the singers and musicians come out of the cupboard haha..but overall was just a pile of shit..did anyone notice the really really really shoddy graphics in the beginning in the space sequence..u could see the wiring stuff so clearly!!it was insane..ive never seen stunt wires or whatever there called so clearly in a movie before..i give it a 4.5/10

I saw Don yesterday and I have to say that I was quite impressed with the film. While still being a bit on the lengthy side, I felt that especially after just seeing the original for the first time (which is a deserved classic), that the filmmakers made a very good attempt at updating the plotting for modern audiences. Good scenery, well-filmed sequences (the skydiving and some of the fights were nicely done), and Shahrukh was quite convincing as a villain (this is probably the closest we'll ever see him attempt something like Pacino in "Scarface.") The musical score and numbers were well put together (love the trance/techno updating with the highlight being the betel nut dance number). The twist finale is also very satisfying and just solidifies my thoughts about the film (and how Shahrukh's dual roles play into it). Solid and worth a watch.

And yes rana, the film seemed front-channel only with the print I saw at the Imaginasian in NYC.

What a let down. This effects heavy film must be multichannel with aggressive sub-woofer activity. And, I'm sure it is, as experienced in trailers. I think, it's just mismatch between print and theatre audio setup or capability.

When a romantic film JAANEMAN can have directional audio with aggressive sub-woofer, then why not DON that's hyped as effects heavy film.

Yeah rana. And they showed a Dolby Digital snipe right before Don that utilized all the channels. So this is definitely a print problem.

wait for adlab/utv dvd to satisfy the fans! hardcores only plus rana!

Moreover, it's not just DD, it's DD-EX. So, must have aggressive surround as well as aggressive sub-woofer activity. Unless, it's all for promotion only and then economizing on production and prints costs ?? Or, may be the fools sent DTS prints without DTS discs and we get a grand back-up linear track ??

I agree ! and I understand your agony and sentiments yaar! a sucky film, without even proper sound will be SUPER SUCKER! I had started liking some films just because they came out with good sound on dvds, e'g badal, HSSH etc.even liked BICHOO too

In the mean time I'll recommend watching JAAN E MAN with outdated Preity just for good sounds, songs, sets! you might like it!?

Tickets are on me for entire family!! Happy Deewali to you all!