There Were No New Films Released This Week !

Film: Raju Chacha
Cast: Ajay Devgan, Kajol, Rishi Kapoor

The movie is about three motherless children who live in a palatial house with their father, Rishi Kapoor. It traces their experiences through life. The dramatic events see-saw between tragedy and comedy; courtesy Raju chacha(Ajay Devgan) and his swinging moods.

When the times are happy there is an abundance of singing, dancing and playing around. For once, the reel life kids behave like real life kids. While, when the times are bad there are sad moments with the children's father disappearing and they being surrounded by devilish aunts and uncles. But, when the family is undergoing a really bad patch- voila! There returns Raju chacha with the future chachi(Kajol) as their governess. She loves the kids as a mother would. On the other hand, is a trio of goons whose aim is to usurp the family's assets.

This movie appears to be a bit of Sound of Music and Home Alone with loads of soft moments between Ajay and Kajol. Also, the vindictive edge in setting the villains right is not so sharp. But one guesses that the feel- good feel of the film works in its favour especially when there's gaiety and cheer in the air at this time of the year.

Overall, one could reflect that on one side, the intention is noble, the kids are great and the effort is Herculean in making one of the most expensive movies of Bollywood while on the other; the end result is reasonably fine. Moreover, if one keeps the expectations low and views the film; the element of enjoyment would definitely be felt by everyone.

Rating **

Film: Khiladi 420
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Mahima Chaudhary, Antara Mali, Alok Nath

Akshay Kumar returns with Khiladi 420 after a lean period in his career. The gamester is back and it is for all to see as he leaves no stone unturned riding back on the waves of a double role.

The movie surely goes the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde way with one protagonist being portrayed in a positive light as a god-fearing person who is all out to help the father(Alok Nath)-daughter(Mahima Chaudhary) duo in all ways. While the other is an unscrupulous absconder who is out to steal their millions.

Surprisingly, Mr. Hyde outshines the well-mannered Dr. Jekyll. A certain demonic glee lights up the evil bits while the hero with scruples appears as a pale shadow. The movie has its share of histrionics as well with Mahima's dialogues and hysterical dribbling.

The bottom line is that it is definitely a movie on the lower side of the continuum of the average scale and befits the just passed humdrum year for Indian cinema.