Aisha (2010)

So much average

Highly Overrated But Still Good

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Aisha, which just came out last summer, is Bollywood's version of a modern Emma. Set in the high society of Delhi, it follows Aisha in her misguided matchmaking attempts. Like Emma and Cher, Aisha is a spoiled rich girl who means well but is really clueless. This one follows the book a little more closely than Clueless did and includes more characters, like the John Knightleys and Jane Fairfax (Aarti). Here, the Miss Taylor character is Aisha's aunt. This version's Knightley (Arjun) is still her childhood friend and brother-in-law's brother, but younger this time. Emma dislikes Aarti, his colleague from America, but she doesn't realize it's because she's jealous. Dhruv (Frank Churchill) is her new uncle's son and they flirt for a little bit but she's just not that into him so he goes for Aarti instead. There is an Elton character, but he's not a pompous jerk at all, just a bit dorky.I thought this version borrowed too many elements from Clueless rather than Emma. Maybe that's inevitable in a modern setting, but I'm not sure. Aisha has a best friend, Pinky, who's only equivalent is Dionne. She disapproves of Pinky's love interest (I won't give away who it is!), like Cher did to Dionne. Like Cher, Aisha loves to shop till she drops. The Harriet Smith character, Shefali, comes from out of town and Aisha gives her a makeover….sounds pretty familiar! Emma never gave Harriet any sort of makeover. She liked Harriet because she was very pretty and sweet already. I dunno, maybe I'm reading too much into it.For anyone hesitant about seeing this film because they don't like Bollywood, I just want to say- don't let that stop you. This movie is very, very Westernized. At least half the dialogue is in English, possibly a bit more. There are some "musical" scenes but the music is Western-style, not the typical Bollywood singing. The characters don't break into song either- rather the music highlights what's going on on screen. These characters behave very much like rich Westerners would (I've read criticisms that it was trying too hard to be American, even) and there are even a couple kissing scenes.I thought this was a good movie, but not great. The production values were obviously very high- everything looked great. Unfortunately, I think that was part of the problem- they focused too much on style over substance. The script needed a bit of work. The whole Jane/Frank story was handled very poorly in particular. Still, it was a fun movie, even though, like Clueless, it's not going to go down as one of my favorites.

There wouldn't be even an iota of doubt with regards to Jane Austen and her novel "Emma". Two things need to be questioned a) The makeover of the plot for Bollywood and b) The writing skills of Devika Bhagat. Certain elements of the plot are given undue importance whilst the part which form the important cog- in-the-wheel are relegated to the background resulting in the entire fare being classified as mixed bag. Sonam Kapoor:: Now no-two ways to shout on the roof-top that "Aisha" leaves no stone unturned to showcase everything that is good about Miss Kapoor. And honestly speaking, it does it well. The new barbie-girl is here to stay and will be a role model for plenty of young girls. The other gender I am sure have found a new face to fall for. Kats, can you hold the position tight please?Abhay Deol:: The production team should be blamed for not being able to cash-on with the popularity and image this Deol carries. In terms of screen time, his role is minuscule and gets any scope to contribute to the proceedings. Even the promos were not utilised to showcase Abhay Deol. Amrita Puri:: Does a fantastic job as a "behenji". You will simply adore her.Ira Dubey:: Though a bit loud, the audience knew what was cooking in the closet. This pair's track seemed to have given more prominence than the lead one. The rest are just about OK. Reinterpretation a classic is akin to walking on a bed of thorns, not everyone's cup of tea. The entire team has failed to get it right.PS: Its "homevideo showcasing Sonam Kapoor" at its glorious best

I had been warned about the film before I hit the theatre! "Pathetic," "drag," "awful" was what I'd heard. I was still curious to see just how pathetic it could get ;) Despite all my fangirl-ism for Sonam K, louv for Abhay D and huge expectations from the film, it did turn out 'p.' A shallow storyline with cardboard characters (save a few), Aisha will only be remembered until your next movie on the theatre. The film, all swank and ritzy, is high up on the visual quotient, but that is all there is to it! Airheaded Aisha (the character) is a sucker for everything chic. She wakes up to a life that's perfect. An ordinary day in her life means - shop n splurge (she flaunts Dior bags throughout); watch polo matches (and rub shoulders with the elite); go around advising people (she mistakes that 'muft ka gyan' for 'social work'); and smile pretty! La la la laa. Superficial, yes, but she's pulled it off 'pretty' decently. Abhay Deol is royally wasted in the film. There isn't much of him, but whatever little, he's fab. He's at his best where he proposes Aisha. (He looks dapper in his Dior suits ;) After cameos in Rang De Basanti (as a struggling RJ) and Dilli 6 (as a loser photographer), Cyrus Sahukar strikes again and as convincingly, though as a rich-Delhi-da-munda Randhir Gambhir. He's hilarious, he's annoying, he's adorable! Lakme face and supermodel Lisa Haydon (Angelina Jolie look alike?) who plays Abhay Deol's NY-returned friend, is to watch out for (all reasons besides acting ;) All in all, if not anything, the movie will at least make you want to liven up your wardrobes ;)Find me on http://eatpraylovemovies.blogspot.com/2010/08/visual-delight- and-thats-it.html

Lets be clear that style is more important than substance in this film. Its almost a paid promo for Sonam and the brands she endorses.. L'Oreal / Dior / Elle / Louis Vuitton getting as much footage as some of the characters. What keeps it together are some good punch lines and very good performances from Abhay Deol (who basically carries the film on his shoulders), Ira Dubey (plays her part to perfection) and Amrita Puri (who puts heart into the girl from Bahadurgarh). They manage to hold it reasonably together till the first half but then it starts to fall apart. Key reason is that we never understand why the characters behave the way they do because character development is sacrificed at the altar of fast paced storytelling. And promoting Sonam, making sure she is always the centre of attention. And its all very predictable. For more on this movie & other reviews visit apurvbollywood at blogspot