Ahista Ahista (2006)

A lot of perfectly good film show their cards early, establish a unique premise and let the audience explore a topic at a leisurely pace, without much in terms of surprise. this film is not one of those films.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It is an exhilarating, distressing, funny and profound film, with one of the more memorable film scores in years,

One of the most extraordinary films you will see this year. Take that as you want.

Ahista Ahista is a noble idea that revolves realistically around a real love story that is trying to seek its destiny. The story and screenplay by Imtiaz Ali as expected is of a decent quality and the movie promises a lot in parts but it never takes off. The parts looks detached from each other and songs randomly joins the screenplay. It just lacks a rhythm. Soha Ali Khan and Abhay Deol, two brilliant actors does really well and does true justice to their parts. They make their love story believable, lovable and real. But again what is missing is the finishing and expected story line.Supporting actors have done just an okay job, nothing exceptional there, some over-acting in between is notable. The director, just lacks the skill a bit but all and all it is just a fine movie which lacks some pace and runs out of ideas in between and it leads to an abrupt end eventually. But what keeps going for you is an honest love story and some soulful music in between. Himesh Reshammiya does a fine job and music is as per the feel of the movie. Overall its a decent watch, but I totally expect a lot more than this from a combination of Abhay Deol, Imtiaz Ali, Soha Ali Khan.

Ahista Ahista is one little small brilliant. I started watching it, and at the beginning I got a little bored since the pacing was slow and the main idea of one guy meeting a girl who is lost was not really new. But as the film went on, I started getting increasingly and gradually engaged by the film, the fantastic writing and the charming romance. The film was extremely simple and natural and after some time I felt I was watching a real documentation of one guy's life. There's one very good reason the film got this feel, and it's the fresh talent called Abhay Deol. He is extremely convincing as the simple, kind-hearted and struggling Ankush, whose new love motivates him to make amends and fight for a better life. Throughout the film, he is presented as an ordinary mischievous prankster, but also as a helping and loving person, who, like anyone else will do anything to protect his love. Deol portrays all the different shades of his character, whether positive or negative, naturally and with complete ease.Shivam Nair's direction is very good. His depiction of the life of people in the rural neighbourhood is excellent, but what gets to be even more impressive is his portrayal of Ankush's relationships with the different people who surround him, including his friends and his love interest Megha who he is ready to do anything for. I also immensely liked the way Nair portrayed his interaction with his friend's loud and plump mother whom he calls 'khala' (aunty). He likes to drive her crazy and annoy her on every occasion, yet we see that she occupies a very special place in his heart and is like a mother-figure to him as evidenced in several scenes. Except for Abhay, the rest of the cast performed well. Though Soha Ali Khan did not stand out according to me, she was good and had some of her mother's charm. The actors who played Ankush's friends were very good as was the actress who played Ankush's 'khala'.Apart from the performances, the film's writing was outstanding. The dialogues were sort of ordinary yet brilliant, and the script was also fantastic. That's mainly because despite a not-so-new story it was never overdone or melodramatic and there were no attempts to make it look larger-than-life. The film's biggest weakness was Himesh Reshammiya's uninspiring music which was unsuitable for this film. Otherwise, Ahista Ahista was a delightful watch and it got only better with every scene. The concept may not be new, but the film manages to look fresh and becomes increasingly heartwarming as the story goes by. The ending was bittersweet, kind of sad yet optimistic. In short, this movie really grows on you slowly, and this can be easily attributed to the wonderful writing, the moving moments, the charming romance, the realistic proceedings, and of course Abhay Deol's memorable performance.

This highly critically acclaimed movie had been on my list for quite a while and finally last night I got around to watch it. Indeed Shivam Nair shows a lot of promise in his first outing. The characters are well established. The construction of the scenes deserve special mention. For instance if you take the Marriage Registrar's office, the subtlety incorporated into it gives quite an authentic feel to it and you perceive almost being in there. Also the spirit of Dilli-6 is very well captured. Ω Abay Deol:: As Anurag Kashyap rightly states "While actors are aspiring to become heroes, this guys is attempting to excel as a character". He forges his might over the "new-age cinema". Minor aberrations are his costumes which seem beyond the financial means of the character, but nonetheless it can be safely ignored. Should add that he looked great in his chequered shirts, flat-fronts & the golf jumper.Ω Soha:: For the first time I noticed a performance which deserves special mention. Perhaps because of the character which is subdued owing to which she keeps her mouth shut in the initial few reels. Ω Shayan Munshi:: Seemed misplaced here perhaps owing to his look viz. unkempt hair & unshaven, costumes. Ω Music:: The songs though good were kind of show-stoppers to the narration. Having said that owing to the huge popularity of HR, I guess it did the job of marketing the movie well.The interaction of Abhay with Kamini Khanna is well fleshed out. The Father does a good job as well. Abhay's friends lend adequate support.And the ending couldn't have been better.PS: And if you thought there are bits n pieces which resemble Jab We Met, it because of Imtiaz Ali lending help in the back-stage.

Abhay Deol meets the attractive Soha Ali Khan and greets her "Hello Sister"!!!. This sets the tone for a remarkable debut film by Shivam Nair. Soha, a middle class girl has run away from her home in Nainital and come to Delhi to marry her lover, Shayan Munshi. But Shyan doesn't turn up leaving Soha heartbroken & alone in the big bad world. . Abhay, the lower class next door guy turns protective towards the vulnerable Soha and helps her get a job & shelter in an old age home. Slowly romance blooms and Soha agrees to marry Abhay. Then Shyan re-enters into Soha's life.A sensitively made film with a very unusual story, lovingly shot in Delhi, revolves around the delicate Soha. This well crafted film has moments which will forever remain etched in one's memory – the awkward first kiss & Abhay's swift apology; Abhay describing Soha as "class wali ladki" & hastily adding "that he doesn't love her"; his gifting a churidar to Soha & asking her out for a date.The music is good & the background music excellent. In a scene where Soha rushes & embraces Abhay the sound track disappears. The stillness conveys both the awkwardness & tenderness of the relationship.The poignant ending makes for a bitter sweet film, the memories of which will linger for a long long time.A must see I will rate it 8.5/10