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At last, a great entertainer

Kanchana Suggu

There’s something about Rakesh Roshan and comebacks! It's a combination that has a deadly effect on the box office.

In Khoon Bhari Maang, we saw ugly duckling Rekha transform into glorious swan Rekha as she returns from the jaws of a crocodile to take her revenge... and give Rakesh Roshan a hit.

In Karan Arjun, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan opt for the rebirth route and a superhit film.

In Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai, something similar happens with Hrithik Roshan. When Rohit (Hrithik) disappears, Raj (Hrithik again) makes his entry. The result? We think Rakesh Roshan has another hit on his hands.

Well, of course, it is not as simple as that! There are other factors -- the music is good, the songs are catchy, the cinematography is appealing, the direction is unobtrusive and the story is actually 'different.' There is actually an element of novelty in the film -- though it is still a romance!

Hrithik, as we said earlier, begins the film as Rohit, a young man with a good voice who dreams of dazzling the world with his songs. An orphan, he lives with his younger brother, Amit (Abhishek Sharma), and rents a room with the kindly D’Souzas (Farida Jalal, Satish Shah).

Like many other young men, one day he spots Sonia (Amisha Patel). Both fall gloriously in love.... And if you think you can predict the rest of the story line based on this beginning, think again!

For Rakesh Roshan has done a commendable job as director, subtly spicing this teenage love story with a hefty dose of suspense. The story in itself provides a pleasant element of change.

Then, Rajesh Roshan's music is quite in the hummable variety. And Chand sitare, the first song in the film, is picturised well, setting the tone for the remainder. Whether it's the cruise song, Pyar ki kashti mein, or the Lucky Ali rendered Ek pal ka jeena or even the title song, the songs are good to watch. Thumbs up, Farah Khan!

But it's not all hunky-dory. Once we cross the intermission barrier, the film does begin to flag a bit. The second half does not match the entertainment value of the first, it could definitely have been much slicker.

Even the story seems to lose its pace a little towards the end. We also did feel Johny Lever was, for once, an unnecessary element. Kaho Naa... would actually have been better-off without his five-minute cameo.

One must say Rakesh Roshan knew what he was doing when he cast Hrithik as the lead. The boy is good. The ease and style with which he dances, emotes, fights, makes one forget this is his debut film. He’s had to essay two different characters, and he’s done justice to both. He seems to be the most promising among the recent lot of star sons we have been subjected to. Of course, his looks have been a little over-hyped in the film, as every girl in town drools over him and goes, "Oooh, he’s so handsome!"

Amisha Patel has also done a fair job. She may not be a classical beauty, but renders her character as a chirpy, spoilt 18-year-old quite well. Anupam Kher (who plays Amisha’s father) and Dalip Tahil are the bad guys. Sharad Saxena and Mohnish Behl’s roles as corrupt police inspectors are not even worth a mention.

All in all, though, Kaho Naa… covers the brief. It is a good entertainer and, since that’s what films are supposed to do, you can head for the nearest theatre.

You might also want to check out
The promo
The music review
The Rakesh Roshan interview
The Amisha Patel interview
The Hrithik Roshan interview