(Libi)Dos and don’ts, Kambakkth review

sandy |

29 | July 4, 2009 at 7:10 pm | 174 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

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Starring: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Jaaved Jaffrey, Aftab Shivdasani, Amrita Arora, Boman Irani and Kiron Kher

Director: Sabbir Khan

Stars: **1/2

It’s in films like Kamakkht Ishq do you fully appreciate the value that genuine star-actors lend to their films. Both Kareena Kapoor (lusciously glam) and Akshay Kumar (in top form) manage to bring to the table (or should we say to the couch) a great deal of their star appeal and charisma, turning an inane script into an oddly entertaining and rambunctious fare.
So in spite of the puerility and essential silliness of the plot, debutant director Sabbir Khan sets up this ‘battle of the sexes’ rom(p)com in ways that queerly keeps you amused. Hollywood stunt man, Viraj ( Akshay) is at constant logger heads with reluctant supermodel cum eager surgeon, Sim (Kareena). So you have one wearing the hot pants and the other never wasting an opportunity to get into one.
Both are at each others’ throats (there are some funny exchanges between then) until they’re forced to come together, following a tragi-comic situation.

The first half is mostly fun – with some rather sharp dialogues at places. Kirron Kher, as Sim’s well-meaning aunt whose every gift to her niece ends in disaster – is hilarious. And I rather liked the jawani jaane-man track that plays when she enters. The background music is rather good all through the film and makes up for the somewhat insipid tunes that Anu Malik has churned out. The only hit moment is the groovy Om Mangalam number. There’s another Kareena solo sad number that isn’t bad either.

The humour alternates between being silly but funny (the Jaaved Jaffery parts are hilarious), or then plain idiotic (what was that scene where a giant sized Black woman jumps all over Akshay on the pretext of private inspection at the airport. Who does that?).

But some places, again, the humour is sharp. Like there’s one really amusing dialogue where an irritated Akshay tells his friends, (Aftab being one of them), how he found it annoying how a girl kept using the ‘F’ word. He quickly clarifies to his confused pals, “I mean ‘Future’ always talking about ‘we both will do this and that in the future’

So it almost seems like poetic justice when Viraj finds a tiny watch accidentally left in his stomach after a surgery, which chants, Om Mangalam every hour.

The second half changes gears to become more emotional and one would thing it was the most natural course the story could have taken. After doing everything to make life hell for each other, Viraj falls for Sim at a moment where she lets her guard down. This might seem too sudden but then since we’re talking of ‘battle of the sexes’, it’s probably fair to say that men can fall in love with the kind of innocence that women may not. So there’s heartbreak and eventual reconciliation. Some of these are rather incredulous scenes, and it’s only Kareena’s presence and acting skills that save the day.

Even in a film that is so loud and offensive in portions (Amrita Arora being slapped over and over again wasn’t one bit funny), there is a rare moment of subtlety and grace the way the climax is shot, when Viraj is all set to marry Denise Richard and Kareena arrives.
Sylvester Stallone’s presence is a gimmick but works within the setting of the film.

Ultimately though, the film belongs to Akshay Kumar who oozes charm and is perfectly at ease with his role. Kareena Kapoor sizzles in clothes where hem lines and neck lines come tantalisingly close.

To sum up, Kambakkht Ishq is a guilty pleasure, made enjoyable by its fabulously in-form lead stars.

Kambakkth Gorilla’s movie review

Kambakkth Ishq (Media Review – Bad; Box Office Opening – Extraordinary)

Bollywood unites to celebrate the success of Kambakkth Ishq

Last Hope for Kareena and Akshay

I like playing characters not similar to me: Kareena

There Are 29 Responses So Far. »

rudresh 3 July 2009
09:29:59 am

thanks Sandy, look like critics may not enjoy this but good chances that public will

Gorilla 3 July 2009
09:43:55 am

Was waiting for your review. Agree with your rating and assessment.

The media reviews have ripped KI apart. Aaj Tak, NDTV, news websites….everywhere KI reviews are bad to average. Now let’s see what the wom does. Will it go CCTC way? Has to be seen now.

Tango 3 July 2009
09:51:46 am

Thanks for the review Sandy. Agree with what you said about Amrita slaping being in bad taste.

But I’m curious to know why you reduced your original rating from 3 to 2.5?

sandy 3 July 2009
10:11:51 am

I thought about it and felt 3 would be saying outright good film – which this is not. So 2 and a half is fair.

My review nowhere says it’s a quality film. It says it is ‘trashy fun’ made enjoyable due to the stars and I stick by that.

sandy 3 July 2009
10:16:34 am

As for this going the CCTC way, I really don’t know Gorilla. CCTC was practically non-starter. This one has embarked on a ‘hurricane like start’ so that is the essential difference. And where I was, I saw these aunties laughing their hearts out (at least the first half). Hard to say anything, but even if it is not the league of a Welcome (the music really lets down KI), I think it will be a big hit, let’s see.

BTW, I should add I am partial to Kareena flicks.

sandy 3 July 2009
10:18:28 am

What is happening to New York? Is it sustaining now that KI is doing so well?

Som 3 July 2009
10:27:02 am

Thanks Sandy. Might catch it tomorrow.

I am not getting any good reaction. Few of my friends saw it today, thought It was pathetic.Quite irriated with Kareena’s performance who to them literally set a new height in hamming.

Tango 3 July 2009
10:27:28 am

“I thought about it and felt 3 would be saying outright good film – which this is not. So 2 and a half is fair.”

Thanks for clarifying Sandy.

sandy 3 July 2009
10:28:44 am

I’m a Kareena fan, so that has a bearing for sure.

sandy 3 July 2009
10:36:15 am

Ek Skeptic hai SB pe aur ek tum ho NE pe – The Cynic

sandy 3 July 2009
10:36:41 am

That was for Som BTW

Som 3 July 2009
10:39:12 am

Tango 3 July 2009
10:40:47 am

Sandy hows New York doing/sustaining in your town?

sandy 3 July 2009
10:45:34 am

Tango: I’m asking you in fact. I have no idea. I think both KI and New York should sustain. That’s my guess. Final verdict will be Hit to superhit for both films is what I feel.

sandy 3 July 2009
10:48:25 am

I believe Shubra Gupta is the only reviewer who has been kind on the film, is it?

Tango 3 July 2009
10:51:40 am

I have not been able to know it that is why I’m asking you as you are at a much more prominent place that I am presently at.

sandy 3 July 2009
10:56:17 am

Hmmmm, reviews overall are very, very bad. Wasn’t it the same for Welcome? Curiously, the entire media was kind on SIK and that plummeted second week. KI doesn’t have much of a staying power but will have a fairly comfortable run of two-three weeks

Angels and Belds 3 July 2009
01:17:32 pm

>>Kareena Kapoor sizzles in clothes where hem lines and neck lines come tantalisingly close
huh!

i think akshay has seriously lost it. He probably believes in this kind of trash movie that he makes. I think this pretty much seals it for him – i would wager a bet that Blue wont take any kind of good opening. People will be very skeptical to go see an Akshay movie from now on.

julie 3 July 2009
01:33:28 pm

The reviews are getting from bad to worse. The humour looks to be of the highest crass order, with sexual innuendos, crude toilet jokes and what not. Sorry to say but this looks woefully bad and definitely not my cup of tea. Having said that, the movie may still be a hit because of huge opening.

Agree with you beld on Blue’s opening prospects. Akshay has unfortunealty allowed himself to get entrapped in asinine and brainless scripts of late and somehow his role selection has only gotten from bad to worse in succession.

sandy 3 July 2009
06:49:41 pm

I really don’t understand why people are going so ballistic over the movie. When has Akki done a ’sensible’ film in the past and if KI gets an earth shattering open, it only shows people went looking for certain ‘kind’ of entertainment. It’s not a critic-oriented movie in the least (so no point reviewing it like that) – it’s totally and unabashedly massy.

sandy 3 July 2009
06:58:55 pm

Isn’t the bar for Akki’s films already so so so low? So what assault on senses are we talking about!

Angels and Belds 3 July 2009
09:20:36 pm

its probably fair to say that its not SRK or Aamir who have used marketing to their advantage – its Akshay. He has consistently made terrible movies and manufactured media hits out of them by hyping up the opening numbers. Except for Welcome – no movie has done well beyond the first 3 days – but Akshay has managed to portray this image of a superstar. Hats off to his team for a great marketing job.

As far as people going ballistic – it seems to me that there is only one or two contrarians who are going ballistic . Others are just calmly calling Akshay for what he is and this movie for what it is…

Gorilla 3 July 2009
09:41:53 pm

Having seen the movie, I know where Sandy is coming from and after reading the reviews I also understand why others on NG is up against Akshay without having watched KI. Both have reasons.
I do not know if this is only my opinion, but the crude humor that Akshay gives may look tasteless on paper when it is metioned with loads of negativities and adjectives, but while you are in theatre watching him, you only appreciate Akshay’s style and they hardly look cheap. This makes him unique and likable. Maybe Sandy and Tango, who has also seen KI, can share their thoughts on this as well.

Gorilla 3 July 2009
09:54:51 pm

B.O. update II: ‘Kambakkht Ishq’ amongst biggest openers
- By Taran Adarsh, July 4, 2009 – 09:22 IST

Believe it or not, a KAMBAKKHT ISHQ mania has swept across the nation. The film has opened to an overwhelming response and at the end of Day 1, it was clear that the film would surpass the opening weekend business of SINGH IS KINNG and at places, would be at par with GHAJINI, especially in North India. In fact, the film could well turn out to be Akshay’s biggest opener so far. While the industry response is mixed [like always… what's new about it?], the audience feedback is very positive.

Gorilla 3 July 2009
09:59:41 pm

Well the opening mania can not be doubted. I myself witnessed full houses.

‘While the industry response is mixed [like always… what's new about it?], the audience feedback is very positive.’

Can someone confirm this? I usually get audience reaction very fast as most in my known circle watches the movie on the first day and give me their reaction. Reaction for KI is similar to SIK which imo is good considering the -ve media reviews. But if i say that it may sound bias. I can do so for JA or NY and nobody will raise eyebrows but with KI i am holding on.

The genral reaction i am getting is – timepass movie hai!

Angels and Belds 3 July 2009
10:51:19 pm

Gorilla – u may be right as sensitivities could be different but this movie has got an avg allbollywood rating of 36%. That sucks imo. Most of the reviews cover the different so-called jokes/scenes – and i dont think many people will spend money to go see this in a theater after reading those reviews. So i definitely think this will fizzle out in a week. there is much more sensible comedy coming up next week with akshaye khanna and arshad – i dare say they are better comical actors than mr kumar.

RAJ 3 July 2009
11:03:51 pm

Gorilla/beld..

The audince reaction seems to be avg to bad at this moment..It would be a miracle if the movie do not crash from Monday…

Gorilla 4 July 2009
12:31:51 am

‘ i would wager a bet that Blue wont take any kind of good opening. People will be very skeptical to go see an Akshay movie from now on.’

The same was said about KI when CCTC fared badly at the box office. But Look at the opening of KI – It’s breathtaking and second in the history of bollywood replacing a film that was again Akki’s. And it’s not that the promos of KI proclaimed iteself anything to be different. KI was projected as the regular Akki fare.
The fact is Akki brand of film is a huge draw. The earlier it is understood, the better it is accepted.
For Blue, I can sense a huge opening once again. Have absolutely no doubt about – Akshay + Rehmaan’s music + Akki-Sanju combo + Katrina-Kylie’s cameos + Underwater Action scenes + ….

Angels and Belds 4 July 2009
01:56:03 am

true but what worked to KI’s advantage for this kind of opening is the long layoff from movies. If you are starving – you will eat any nonsense that is coming to you.

But there are going to be lot of movies between now and when Blue releases plus Blue will have competition – it wont be a solo release. So ya all the factors that you say for Blue may work but only if the reviews are good. Frankly all the gimmicks that Akshay has tried in his movies havent worked – only trump card for Blue is ARR music.

BTW lets not assume that KI is a hit yet – i can see a colossal drop on Monday and then the spin starts

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sandy

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