Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)

Finally, got to see 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' after hearing mixed opinions of people. Anurag Kashyap has been credited as the writer but he claimed that he had an idea about a guy and girl meeting at the train station and they tell their stories but then 'someone else' tampered with the script and made changes. That said, I quite enjoyed most of the first half where Riki and Alvira tell their stories at the train station. It is the second half, once they leave the station, which is a downright disaster. The less said about it, the better. 'Jhoom Barabar Jhoom' starts, intervals, the interval of the post interval (that is an interval that takes place when you've finished watching three thirds of the movie) and ends with Amitabh Bachchan's 'item number' (which is the title song itself). Bachchan is dressed as a flamboyant busker who looks like he's ready to lure children and kidnap them. Back to the song, it's a catchy energetic number. There are two other versions of this song all of which work well. 'Kiss of Love' and 'Bolna Halke Halke' are also foot-tapping songs that have been brilliantly visualized. The costumes are a little too flashy (especially the horrible ones worn in the dance competition sequence, yes, surprise surprise, there's a dance competition). Where acting is concerned, Lara Dutta stands out as the French hotel manager slash British-Pakistani harlot. The character Alvira is nothing new for Preity Zinta and she does a fair job but frankly I'm a little tired of watching her repeatedly do this kind of role. Abhishek Bachchan is irritating to the core. I wonder why a sophisticated woman like Alvira would even like a sleazy toilet brush like Riki, let alone fall in love. Bachchan ought to fire his makeup artist-hairstylist or whatever for making him look like a sleazy turd of a pimp. Bobby Deol is dull. Shaad Ali has probably hit rock bottom (careerwise) with this movie (or at least I hope so because I don't want to see any worse than this). I would like to say this to whoever the writer is, whether it was Kashyap or some script-tamperer: Way to go for ruining what could have been at least good entertainment.

i hereby solemnly swear that i have NEVER EVER left a film in the mid regardless of the matter how boring,pointless or utter rubbish it is and then came along JBJ. one fine morning i woke up and saw the DVD of JBJ on my bed side table which i think my room mate brought last night from the local DVD shop. i had nothing to do so decided to watch the film,,,film started and i realised it was completely diarrhoea soaked roller coaster ride...i took out the DVD and i am not joking i broke the DVD into pieces. i believe in the philosophy of ""if you cannot avoid contact with garbage then you must do everything to delay it as much possible and try to do the same for as many people as you can"" hence i went to that local DVD rental and told him we have lost their DVD and paid for it PLUS i rented 2 more copies of JBJ brought them home...burned one and broke the other one and a day later again paid damages for both....but the BEST thing is i have absolutely no regrets as i played a vital role in stopping the evil and absolutely non-creative , forked up piece of garbage. the director was on crack, the story was thought of in maximum 5 minutes, script was done in 10 and the whole film was shot in 3 hours and POOFFF...there it is for you to watch and appreciate which is what you WILL do if you have nitrogenous waste gases instead of your brain or your brain fell out of you while having a pelvic exam. stay away from this film because any normal human being can think of 100 other ways to waste his/her money.

By far, the worst film i've seen all year. The less said about this one the better. The storyline was interesting in concept but executed terribly. On top of that, the movie was mind-numbingly boring. The main characters are both shallow and illog...(read more) ical...words cannot describe how random and boring the background stories that occupy the first half of the film are. The whole Ticket To Hollywood sequence in Abhi's story was both pointless (ticket to Hollywood?) and crude (the Princess Diana bit). Preity Zinta's story was even more absurd (the whole superhero aspect) and insulting (india vs Pakistan, Indian's skin color). Overall, ridiculous and pointless can describe the majority of Jhoom's plot. Ditto for the 'dance off' sequence that occupies most of the second half. By the time the so called 'twist' shows up...the audience cannot sympathize with the characters since their is no reason given for their feelings...their really is no plot development to speak of...this movie just goes nowhere. The only reason to see this is for its beautifully staged songs. But even those get annoying...seeing Amitabh Bachchan (in a pointless cameo) and company repeat the title song 6 times throughout the movie is enough too drive a person insane. While the film is told in a very unconventional fantasy musical type style...it cant pull it off. Unlike last years wonderful Jaan-E-Mann...Yash Raj didn't even try. The script and direction is absolutely abysmal. As far as acting...Abhishek was very annoying, and Preity Zinta sleepwalked through her role. On the other hand, Lara/Bobby gave credible performances as Abhi and Preity's love interests and lended some life to the film. They showed both sides of their characters excellently...along with some of the songs and cinematography, they were the saving grace of the movie. Overall, as of all Yash Raj productions of late...this film is all gloss no substance. Avoid.

What generally works as the weakness of a film is the strength of this one. The film has a week storyline, virtually non-existent script and no logic. But that's where the fun lies.Abhishek Bachchan and Preity Zinta are introduced in very beginning of the film who from there carry forward a total mindless and fun filled sequence of events. Events that are funny (sometimes very funny), romantic, sometimes emotional but never real. The narration is unique and keeps you interested for most of the time. The strongest part of the film is its music. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have created sheer magic with their instruments. Each song is masterpiece. And with modern day sound technology (watch it in a Doolby Digital theater) you would actually want to dance especially on the 3rd version of the title track.Actors have performed well. Everyone has pulled the comic timing very well. Amitabh Bachchan keeps appearing in between with fabulous attire and equally good song to keep the zing intact.The punch line of the film says it all... Jump, Dance, Shout... But don't expect anything more. Entertainment is only thing that this has to offer. No matter with what mood you enter the theater, more likely than not chance are you'll come out smiling. And isn't that smile worth all the money you spent on that ticket. It certainly is.