London Dreams Review: This is perhaps Salman Khan’s best performance ever. The actor is completely in control and emotes like never before. If you thought Wanted showcased bits of Salman Khan’s acting, London Dreams is several notches higher.

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53 | October 29, 2009 at 5:21 am | 896 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

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Rating: 3.5/5

Buzz 18

In recent years Bollywood hasn’t churned out too many two-hero films. We have either witnessed overcrowded multistarrers or over packaged solo vehicles. London Dreams unties Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn more than a decade after the hugely popular Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Over the years, both actors have firmly carved a niche for themselves among the industry’s top brigade.

Vipul Shah’s story charts the lives of two friends, from the lush fields of Punjab to the high stakes world of showbiz. Arjun (Ajay Devgn) is an ambitious, trained musician whose dream is to perform at London’s Wembly Arena. His best buddy Mannu (Salman Khan) is a natural talent. Despite his inborn ability, Mannu is not at all serious about music. On Arjun’s insistence, Mannu joins his band and becomes an overnight star. Arjun might be the slogger – but Mannu has the fans. A jealous Arjun now has to choose between friendship and ambition. As Devgn says in one of the scenes – he has the passion, but his friend has the X-factor.

London Dreams is not your regular male bonding film. The friendship is a little more complex. Vipul takes his own time to establish the plot, giving equal attention to both his leading men. While the story is narrated throughAjay ’s character, Salman steals the edge in few scenes. It’s almost autobiographical, as Salman’s superstardom is all about how he appeals to his fans. Be it the lighter portions initially or his troubled tryst with fame post interval, this is perhaps Salman Khan’s best performance ever. The actor is completely in control and emotes like never before. If you thought Wanted showcased bits of Salman Khan’s acting, London Dreams is several notches higher. Hope he puts a permanent stop on romantic comedies.

Ajay Devgn has played the anti-hero before. But after a wonderfully hilarious act in last week’s All The Best – it is always nice to see him return to home turf. While he doesn’t get the crowd pleasing one liners, Ajay is the only actor who has the intensity to carry off the role. From love to jealousy to anger to insecurity, Ajay brilliantly conveys a wide range of emotions. As a director, Vipul Shah gives a fair deal to both his actors. The interval scene involving Salman andAjay is the high point of the film.

The pace however slackens a bit in the second half. Some trimming would have helped. Vipul Shah’s treatment is not over the top or melodramatic – but some more conflict in the script would have enhanced the impact. Yet it is one of the most well written films of the year. The finale might come across as simplistic, but on the flip side it also mature and practical.

Shankar Ehsaan Loy’s music perfectly compliments the screenplay. No song seems out of place. Asin is the common love interest and does what a traditional Hindi film heroine has to do, ie smile and go through several costume changes. The two VJ’s (Rannvijay and Aditya) provide the right look to the rock band.

VERDICT: Eventually London Dreams is all about the joy of watching Salman and Ajay’s chemistry. Their star power makes up for all the flaws. Both have put their heart and soul into the film, delivering powerhouse, career defining performances.

Rating: 3.5/5

Review: London Dreams

Review – London Dreams (2009)

Doesn’t touch a chord…Sandy’s review of London Dreams

London Dreams Synopsis and Character Introductions

My Review of LONDON DREAMS (Hindi, 2009)

There Are 53 Responses So Far. »

Anna 29 October 2009
05:29:27 am

Doga, Sid, Gorilla & Sv

Time to celebrate guys

Gorilla 29 October 2009
05:56:22 am

Jai ho!

ritik 29 October 2009
06:08:20 am

Not that I’m saying its not a good movie or anything, but remember that S18 is distributing the movie abroad… so just keep that in mind… personally can’t wait to watch it tonight!

sandhya 29 October 2009
06:16:58 am

Anna: But do you really believe this is a good film. I’m seeing it tomorrow in any case.

sandhya 29 October 2009
06:26:24 am

Salman is looking really bad in the promos. But if indeed, it’s good and he’s performed well, then this may well turn out to be a profitable year for Salman after Wanted.

Ravi 29 October 2009
06:27:21 am

Beld Bro, take your kids this weekend to watch Aladin. I am pretty sure all of you will enjoy the movie and will have a good time.

I think that Aladin, might surprise some people, particularly the so called ex Bachchan fans, who now try to blast him at every chance they get or not get.

Anna 29 October 2009
06:44:27 am

Sandy-I don’t have high expectation from the movie. Even I am watching it tomorrow, day after and on sunday

Anna 29 October 2009
06:46:50 am

“personally can’t wait to watch it tonight!”

Ritik, I envy you man

Anna 29 October 2009
06:47:45 am

Please do share your thoughts Ritik

Ritik 29 October 2009
06:52:53 am

I will surely do so. Masand seeing it and not commenting makes me think he didn’t like it. From the WoM reviews I have got, it seems the first half is pacy and interesting, while the second is slow and melodramatic.

Qalandar 29 October 2009
07:05:28 am

I’ll be watching it Sunday or saturday. Don’t know about the box office, but I would be surprised if the movie were truly bad. From the trailers, it looks quite solid, and, unlike many other films released these days, does not seem plastic; looks like it has some soul.

Giddh 29 October 2009
07:39:48 am

Masand commented Aladin is better than LD.

Doga 29 October 2009
08:20:17 am

Lets see.

Ravi 29 October 2009
08:20:37 am

RajeevMasand on Twitter: For everyone who’s asking, it’s Aladin over London Dreams. Unquestionably. Detailed reviews tomorrow.

pardesi 29 October 2009
08:24:30 am

From Rajeev Masand on Twitter: RajeevMasand

For everyone who’s asking, it’s Aladin over London Dreams. Unquestionably. Detailed reviews tomorrow. (Now lemme go write the reviews pls!)

A response on Twitter here:
http://twitter.com/bendibhai/status/5259780703

Doga 29 October 2009
08:28:28 am

Taran and Komal are going to give 3+ reviews to LD.

But the main thing is if the audiance likes it or not and that will decide the fate.

Pardesi what else do you expect as a response to Rajeev Masand.

Ravi 29 October 2009
08:29:05 am

Annagaaru, please go and watch Aladin for me with the family. All of you will like it more than LD.

Ravi 29 October 2009
08:31:41 am

Qbhai, hope you are not planning on watching LD before you watch Aladin? That would be disappointing.

Doga 29 October 2009
08:32:00 am

Ravi bhai, so desperate, dont worry.

Big B and Alladin will do all fine.

Anna 29 October 2009
08:35:07 am

Ravi bhai : I will definitely watch it on sunday

Ravi 29 October 2009
08:35:29 am

That is not desperation Doga(not sure if I know you), but that is what my expectations are from certain people here on NG, like Shetty bhai, Q bhai, Rocky, Som Dear, Arun, Aarohi Bhai, Nykavi and a few others.

Anna 29 October 2009
09:13:32 am

Pardesji- Langanger in SB is not me

pardesi 29 October 2009
09:16:06 am

Thanks Anna

I was going for Aladin, this weekend as fantasy is my favorite genre. I even watched Drona, and this seems miles better!

Anna 29 October 2009
09:18:11 am

Faridoon Shahryar on twitter :

Internission of the press show of london dreams. Mood is upbeat.

London Dreams is awesome news 4 Salman fans. He is in grt form.

This is one of d best performances of salman. He is comic timing is brilliant. D scene wid air hostess is hilarious

Ajay impresses wid his restrained intensity but he’s ovrshadowd by salman’s spirited show.

London dreams is a 1 time watch. Salman fans, don’t miss. Star rating: 3 stars.

Anna 29 October 2009
09:30:33 am

Pardesi – You watched Drona in a cinema hall? that means you contributed 25% of its revenue

All the best for Aladdin and please watch LD too

pardesi 29 October 2009
09:34:26 am

I actually thought Drona was not as bad as people made it out to be. I even watched LS2050 in theater

Hopefully I can catch both films. Was never a fan of Vipul Shah but this looks like his best effort to date, each promo has made the film seem a bit better than the one before it.

Qalandar 29 October 2009
10:16:55 am

Don’t worry Ravibhai, aap ko niraash nahin karenge!

sv 29 October 2009
10:22:05 am

yes anna.London Dreams seems to be good.But Alladin will also do well.

Doga 29 October 2009
12:20:31 pm

Best of luck to Alladin and London Dreams.

Ravi Bhai, i have been on NG for more than couple years now, but i dont think we have interacted much.

By the way if forgot the smiley last time,if my comment came out as serious.

Ravi 29 October 2009
12:33:37 pm

We are cool Doga, Shetty bhai told me who you were.

Doga 29 October 2009
01:05:53 pm

Great Ravi Bhai.

cticize 29 October 2009
01:31:59 pm

No mention of ASin ?

Anna 29 October 2009
07:22:48 pm

The Telegraph

AB loses Friday fight
- Salman’s musical wins ‘show’down with Bachchan’s fantasy

Salman Khan: 81.

Amitabh Bachchan: 48.

If the number of shows allotted to London Dreams and Aladin at city multiplexes is any indication of box-office draw, Bollywood’s biggest name has lost out to the year’s most Wanted star even before the first day, first show curtains go up on the two biggies.

Bachchan’s first film this year (barring a two-minute appearance in Delhi-6) has managed roughly half the number of shows compared with the musical that reunites the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam pair of Salman and Ajay Devgn, and throws in Ghajini girl Asin.

“The genre of a film matters as much as its star pull. London Dreams has the potential to attract a larger section of the audience demographically, while Aladin seems more like a children’s film which may get limited to just kids and families,” says Rishi Negi of Fame Cinemas which has lined up 25 shows of London Dreams and only 11 of Aladin at its South City and Hiland Park properties.

INOX has nearly twice the number of shows for musicians Salman-Ajay against genie Bachchan in its four city plexes. Says Virendra Marya of INOX: “The promos of London Dreams have tickled audience interest.” That is evident from the advances. “In the first two days of bookings, the takers for London Dreams have been twice more than Aladin,” reveals a multiplex source, underlining that the Amitabh vs Salman showdown in the all-important first weekend is turning out to be a “no-contest”.

“We have a lot of expectations from London Dreams,” says Arun Mehra of Aum Moviez, which is distributing the Rs 60 crore film in 90 screens in Bengal.

Lokesh Mukut of MM Moviez, distributors of the rival Rs 60 crore film, claims that the slow-and-steady opening is strategy not suicide. “We have gone for fewer shows as we want the film to be shown in time slots that families and children can go for…. We are confident that Bachchan’s star pull will ensure a long run for Aladin.”

Aladin and AB can take heart from a few films that have bucked the mega first weekend trend to open small and then become big. Chak De!India started out with baby steps but raced away to become a huge hit in 2007. Recently, Wake Up Sid had more shows in Week 2 than 1.
Top

Anna 30 October 2009
03:06:35 am

What a pakao movie yaar. Barring 3-4 scenes, the entire movie is an Yawn fest.

Salman is the only saving grace here.

sandhya 30 October 2009
03:08:16 am

LOL shetty, I agree. Just saw this. Incredibly silly film

Anna 30 October 2009
03:41:14 am

True Sandy..And I like a fool booked tickets for tomorrows show as well

Whenever I watched Salman movies alone FDFS (HDDCS,Partner, Lucky, Wanted) they turned out to be hits…But I am sure this movie will tank

Anna 30 October 2009
03:45:19 am

BTW the hall was around 85 to 90% occupied that too for a morning show…Few walked out before climax

sandhya 30 October 2009
03:50:16 am

Shetty: Give away those tickets to your jaani dushman on NG (anyone )
I think the film picked up with Salman’s antics in the middle (he looks so haggard and old though!)but overall, a big bore.

Gorilla 30 October 2009
03:51:31 am

Anna, thanks for your opinion. I was optimistic about LD but now it looks difficult. Once again an opportunity has been missed. Vipul has never disappointed me but looks like he will this time.

sandhya 30 October 2009
03:51:47 am

Mine too. There was 70 per cent occupancy for a 11:30 show. And there were seeties when Salman made an entry. This guy still has some solid fans.

Gorilla 30 October 2009
03:53:56 am

‘And there were seeties when Salman made an entry.’

I love these kind of stars. It makes movie watching so special. And if the content matches with the expectation, then it’s a total timepass for me.

sandhya 30 October 2009
03:58:52 am

Is it just me but I didn’t like Asin at all in LD. She was superb in Ghajini but here she neither has a substantial role, and for most part looks unconfortable being just a wallflower in the film. She has a certain agressive presence about her which makes her unsuitable for roles such as these IMO.

Anna 30 October 2009
04:07:12 am

“Give away those tickets to your jaani dushman on NG ”

Dushman toh bhagal main hai Kyon Beldsaab?

Anna 30 October 2009
04:56:16 am

Indiatimes review

Rating 3/5

Salman puts in a lot of heart in his act and his frivolous nonchalance never makes the drama go overboard. He is likeable as a flirt trying to woo Asin and his doped act in the final reels is compelling

http://movies.indiatimes.com/L.....175395.cms

Anna 30 October 2009
05:01:31 am

Economic times on LD

Rating 3/5

http://economictimes.indiatime.....180576.cms

Anna 30 October 2009
05:03:31 am

India Today on LD

***

London Dreams has its moments. My favourites involve Salman Khan, who is awake, alive and thoroughly entertaining in the film. So there he is one moment, dressed in prizefighter gown and boxers, entering a very formal reception for the band and addressing Asin as “jaan”. Another, where he flirts outrageously with an attendant on a flight, asking where he can do “su-su” and yet another where he sings to Asin with the Eiffel Tower all lit up. This is vintage Salman, naughty, nattering and never grown up. He’s the ageing frat boy who can still deliver.

http://indiatoday.intoday.in/s.....lenty.html

Anna 30 October 2009
05:06:28 am

Spice Zee : Rating 4/5

And certainly not to be missed here is Salman Khan – Be it his light-hearted comedy in the first half or his troubled tryst with glory post interval, this is perhaps Salman`s one of the best performances ever. ‘London Dreams’ sees a completely controlled Salman, who emotes as naturally as never before.

Review: Watch ‘London Dreams’ for Salman’s best performance ever

http://spicezee.zeenews.com/ar.....y44971.htm

Anna 30 October 2009
05:11:40 am

Apun Ki Choice

rating 6/10

Watch it for Sallu

Hail, Salman! Hail! Age may have caught up with him and he may be a little over the hill to play a rock-star, but one cannot help loving his goofy, gross, and womanizing Manu. Playing a yokel from Punjab, Salman Khan does what a young Dharmendra would do today. His Manu in London Dreams is a Punjabi munda who sleeps around with women in his village, has a lot of creditors knocking on his door, plays in a wedding band, and goes behen ke takkei in every next dialogue. It’s a role that would have suited no other star better (except Akshay, perhaps). And Salman rocks, and puts life into ‘London Dreams’.

The silver lining, however, comes from Salman Khan who does justice to the funny and risqué oneliners given to him. Take, for instance, Manu’s flirtation with the airhostess when he sits in a plane for the first time. Or his antics at the elite parties.

Ajay Devgn is good as the brooding, seething, simmering Arjun, but it’s Salman who walks away with the claps, not just in the film but in theatres as well.

http://www.apunkachoice.com/co.....iew/2.html

Anna 30 October 2009
05:20:42 am

Faridoon Shahryr’s review

Every single frame involving Salman is a fantastic treat. He makes you laugh-out-loud with his desi flirting with the pretty air hostess in the flight. His wheeling-dealings with the local villagers makes you crack up laughing too. Even the way he woos ’Chennai Express’ Asin is funny and refreshing. Even in the emotional and dramatic scenes, Salman is in super form.

http://www.mouthshut.com/revie.....317-1.html

Anna 30 October 2009
05:27:30 am

Meri news

Overall, a must watch movie for all Devgan and Salman’s fans as the chemistry they share, is the highlight of the movie.

Rating 4/5

http://www.merinews.com/articl.....7171.shtml

Anna 30 October 2009
05:29:26 am

Top news

Rating 3.5/5

Vipul Amrutlal Shah has delivered his technically best product till date with London Dreams. But apart from the technique its high on emotions as well.

http://www.topnews.in/movie-re.....09-2230612