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ANDAAZ - (Reviewed By Komal Nahta)

STARRING: Akshay Kumar, Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra
DIRECTOR: Raj Kanwar
PRODUCER: Suneel Darshan
MUSIC: Nadeem Shravan

RATING: 6/10

Shree Krishna International’s Andaaz (UA) is a love triangle. A young man (Akshay Kumar), unable to express his love to his childhood girlfriend (Lara Dutta), loses her when she gets married to another boy. Depressed, he refuses to get married until another girl (Priyanka Chopra) enters his life and pulls him out of his depression. But before he can marry the new girl in his life, he meets his beloved who is now the sister-in-law of his new girlfriend. Worse still, she is in a state of mental shock, having been widowed soon after marriage. He brings her out of her depression and, in the process, his love for her gets rekindled.

The climax is traumatic for all the three as the question, who should the guy marry, is easier asked than answered. The complication becomes more exciting for the viewer as the two girls are sisters-in-law. In the Indian context, the relationship between the two is delicate, besides being extremely close, thereby heightening the emotional drama a great deal.

Although the story is not very different from several other triangular romantic tales, what prevents it from becoming a routine fare is the fresh treatment of an extremely traditional story. Screenplay writers Robin Bhatt and Shyam Goel have generally kept the drama fast-paced, save at some places where it slackens. Director Raj Kanwar has added a good dose of sex to make it more visually appealing.

Besides, although the subject is quite old, the contemporary touch is lent by showing the two girls as being ultra-modern in their outlook even though they are traditional in their thoughts, beliefs and ideals about marriage and family life and ties. This is the biggest victory of the writers and director as the marriage of tradition and modernity provides a fare that would appeal to the ladies, families and also the youth. Yes, the elite womenfolk and youngsters may find the drama retrograde at places (especially references to the taboo attached to widow remarriage) but that should not come in the way of the film’s success although it would definitely restrict its appeal to an extent.

The first half has its share of light and entertaining moments. The real drama begins when the young man realises that his childhood girlfriend is slipping out of his life. The marriage song (‘Kisise tum pyar karo’) is a hit number. The confrontation scene between the two childhood friends, after the song, is excellent, with tremendous appeal for the ladies. The Indian sentiments that come across in the girl’s reply to the boy’s question, will have a reassuring effect on the womenfolk and the sentimental audience. The girl’s request to the boy to lead his life to the fullest after she is gone, is an example of fine screenplay-writing as it paves the way for a well- justified romantic second half.

After interval, the portions showing the widow’s recovery are slow and boring. The second girl’s introduction is too long and not as funny as it should’ve been.

Jainendra Jain’s dialogue are wonderful. They beautifully convey the mental trauma of the three lead characters and the complications that arise in the relationships between them.

Akshay Kumar does full justice to his role of a guy unable to express his love in the first half and one who is torn between two girls in the second half. Both, Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra are extremely confident and have done wonderfully, considering that this is their debut film (Priyanka did play a small role in the already-released The Hero). Lara looks fair and emotes beautifully. Priyanka looks quite nice and delivers a free performance. Both the girls ooze sex appeal, reveal their assets uninhibitedly and dance gracefully. Their costumes (Sheetal India and Vikram Phadnis) are superb.

Aman Verma gets limited scope but leaves a mark. Johny Lever is pretty entertaining and endearing. Vivek Shauq’s comedy (incorrect usage of popular idioms) is wonderful. Navni Parihar is restrained. Pankaj Dheer does quite well. Rajeev Verma, Gajendra Chauhan, Maya Alagh, Beena, Asha Sharma, baby Alisha, baby Anushka and master Mohit lend fair support. Kunika, Supriya Karnik and Vishwajeet Pradhan are wasted.

Director and story-writer Raj Kanwar is in form. He has handled the dramatic scenes (especially, in the pre-interval and climax) with élan and the comic scenes with flourish. Although he has got his heroines to expose a lot of skin, he has taken care to not make it look vulgar as the film is predominantly a ladies’ fare. However, he could have done away with the clichéd and dated scenes which serve to slacken the pace a bit.

Nadeem Shravan’s music is excellent and at least two songs, besides being hit numbers, also effortlessly elevate the drama. ‘Rabba ishq na hove’ is the best number and its excellent picturisation (Raju Khan) apart, its conceptualisation deserves the highest praise. That it is brought last in the film is an intelligent manipulation. ‘Kisise tum pyar karo’ is also a wonderful song. Both these numbers have been excellently written (Sameer). ‘Aayega sapnon mein baar baar’, ‘Allah kare dil na lage’ and ‘Kitna pagal dil hai’ are also very well-tuned. Picturisation of ‘Aayega sapnon mein baar baar’ (Baba Yadav) is eye-filling. ‘Aaj kehna zaroori hai’ and ‘Aayega mazaa’ songs should be shortened.

Ishwar Bidri’s camerawork is masterly, capturing the outdoor locales as cleverly as the emotions on the artistes’ faces. Editing (Sanjay Sankla) is sharp. Action (Abbas Ali Moghul) is minimal and of standard. Production and other technical values are very good.

On the whole, Andaaz may have its share of shortcomings but it still has all that it takes to be a winner – a well-written screenplay, hit music, able direction, sex, comedy, drama and emotions. It will keep the producer (who has himself distributed the film almost all over) smiling all the way to the bank. Business would range from good to excellent (U.P., Bihar, Rajasthan and Bombay). Although reports will be mixed, ladies audience will patronise the film in a big way from the 4th day onwards.

. Buy Armaan DVD From The RS Shop
. Buy Armaan CD From The RS Shop

RELEASE DATE: 23rd May 2003

REVIEWED BY KOMAL NAHTA