Aitraaz (2004)

People are voting emotionally.

Overrated

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

what a terribly boring film. I'm sorry but this is absolutely not deserving of best picture and will be forgotten quickly. Entertaining and engaging cinema? No. Nothing performances with flat faces and mistaking silence for subtlety.

Although a little long, this turned out to be a delightful musical drama. Initially, this film starts out as a comedy with two young ladies of dissimilar talents getting their new job locations confused and winding up with the employment the other should have had. The comedy then shifts to romance which in turn becomes a musical. After the singing and dance die down it becomes a passionate drama. Now, although I am not a big fan of musicals I must confess that the songs and dance routines were superb and I enjoyed all of them. Likewise, the acting on the part of Akshay Kumar (as "Raj Malhotra"), the attractive Kareena Kapoor ("Priya Saxena") and Priyanka Chopra ("Mrs. Sonia Roy") was first-rate. I should also point out that Priyanka Chopra was incredibly beautiful having won both "Miss India" and "Miss World" in 2000. At any rate, I really enjoyed this film and I strongly recommend it for those who think they might be interested in something of this nature.

Corporate hotshot Raj Malhotra (Akshay Kumar) has an extremely successful career as an Engineer the biggest Mobile maker and service provider and has a lovely wife Priya (Kareena Kapoor). When all seems to go well, enter Soniya (Priyanka Chopra) young sultry wife of Voice's septuagenarian Chairman Rakesh Roy (Amrish Puri). Roy appoints his wife as the MD of Voice. While the new MD announces the promotions at the Annual day, she throws a surprise and Raj is inducted into the board of directors instead of an ordinary promotion. While everyone around Raj congratulate him, Raj is pensive.Soniya throws a party where she makes advances at Raj. But, Raj is not amused. A disgruntled Sonia files a sexual harassment lawsuit. Raj tries his level best to convince people that he is innocent. But,it seems to him that the whole world is against him and nobody wants to believe his truth. Only his wife Priya stands by him and decides convinces Raj to fight the case and prove his innocence. The rest of the story is a courtroom battle.Aitraaz seems inspired (err copied) from the 1994 Michael Douglas, Demi Moore Hollywood flick Disclosure. Although the story of the movie is quite predictable, it definitely has a perspective in its subject. The idea of presenting 'affairs' where the female is the aggressor is different from the generally accepted norm that the male is the typical aggressor in an affair.The story has been dealt well, of course not without funnies usually shown in Indian Courtroom dramas especially funny dialogues like 'Insaan do kisam ke hote hain – Mard aur Aurat' (there are two kinds of humans – Male and female), and the bad joke about bottoms by Paresh Rawal. Ah, when will Bollywood make good courtoom drama.Of all performances, Priyanka Copra steals the show with her stunning looks and villainousness that fit the role of Soniya. Kareena plays the sweet girl turned dutiful wife who can be a 'savitri' while defending her husband. Akshay Kumar has done a good job too. Paresh Rawal and Anu Kapoor show their drama skills as lawyers. Amrish Puri doesn't have much of a role anyways.The film's music is not very memorable except for the first song 'Gila Gila'. Although the song is 'hummable', it would disappoint you with poor choreography.

Coming from the celebrated directorial team of 'Baazigar' (*Shah Rukh Khan) and 'Soldier' (*Bobby Deol), this one merits watching. The plot outline of Barry Levinson's gripping 1994 drama 'Disclosure' (starring Michael Douglas and Demi Moore) has been nicely Indianized. There is no question that it is a remake of that Hollywood production, although the latter had a second plot-twist that Aitraaz doesn't provide.Chances are that majority of the Indian audience may not have seen Disclosure and, therefor, will love Aitraaz. It is again proved conclusively that a good story-line and good storytelling are two absolute essentials in making a good film. Look at 'Ashoka' (starring Shah Rukh Khan). Lush photography, proved story-material, and what happens? Why does it bomb at the box office? Simply because such a gorgeous story wasn't told with consistency and well.It happens. A proved material may bomb on revision because of uninspired direction (example: Hitchcock's 1960 classic 'Psycho' remade in 1998 by Gus Van Sant). Sometimes the opposite happens: 2001 remake of 1960's 'Ocean's Eleven' actually eclipsed the original.See Aitraaz. The soundtrack is scintillating. The story is good. The direction is superb. Priyanka Chopra is exceptional. Kareena Kapoor is superb. Akshay Kumar is adequate. You'll like the film.

Aitraaz Caught this movie on DVD last night. I've got only 2 words... WATCH IT!!! Priyanka Chopra has really established herself in this Abbas Mustan flick. Albeit, this movie is not in the same league as some of the class efforts from this director duo, it keeps the viewers plugged in through the end (partially due to Priyanka of course!) Why does Kariena always become the scapegoat in Bollywood movies where ravishing beauties play cameo roles. Then it was Ajnabee, now it is Aitraaz, there it was Bips, here it is Pri.The court scenes were drawn out a little bit and were a bit unrealistic and crude, but other than that, it was a really cool flick.... it is Priyanka all the way! She has done the romantic, modelling and vengeful scenes with passionate energy and great elegance, which should get her the filmfare for the best supporting artist (Rani will give her a tough fight thanks to the Yas Raj rigging factor.. no offense to Rani here). She not only clobbered Kariena, but even sidelined Akshay Kumar. She might be a serious contender to Bipasha if she keeps this tempo going.Paresh Rawal's court performance reminded me of his role in Akele Hum Akele Tum, while Annu Kapoor has done a sufficient job. The comedy track has been understandably toned down and the music was mediocre but was compensated for by the superb locations, picturization, cinematography, and costumes.The climax was good.. although it was no big riddle, it was pretty realistic. I shall say no more.Verdict: As a Priyanka and Abbas-Mustan Fan, I loved this movie. It is quite different and stylish. This is worth watching!