Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007)

True it is a very old story, but the movie is done with class this time. The thing is it couldn't avoid the weak effect eventually.The "class" side; (Rani Mukherjee) looks so beautiful, giving a fine performance. (Konkona Sen Sharma) was unforgettable too. The cinematography made a colorfully dazzling image. The directing showed sensitive eye with smart vitality while being so rational as well (something I don't meet everyday in the Indian cinema). One of the songs, about transforming into a prostitute, was distinctly made; using shots for; spider's web, broken mirror, etc. that embodied the feelings of the lead at the moment in rare expressional way; being the most important thing this movie has.Now, the "weak" side; (Abhishek Bachchan)'s performance. And the character he played didn't help him as it was badly written (a lover boy who wears chic suits !). Which leads us to that script. Annoys me much the way the third act was written; OK, the heroine is someone, driven by bad circumstances, turns into a hooker, to separate from her family, which she supports, hiding her ugly truth. Now when her sister knows, she forgives her. When her mother knows, she forgives her. And when her lover knows, he – guess what – forgives her too and in one of the worst scenes I have ever seen in my life ! Before thinking that that is so-easy-it's-provocative, then wait till you know that the other conflict (some evil guy who wants to control the land of the heroine's father) finishes ridiculously in just one laconic moment, with (Abhishek Bachchan)'s character along with his brother putting their hands on that guy's shoulder, which ends up the movie suddenly !The old Indian cinema could deal with the same material in totally opposite way; overdone melodrama, loud tone, and sure big fight at the end where the 2 grooms beat up the hell out of (Prem Chopra) or (Amrish Puri) or whoever used to vex the leads back then! As you see, we have one cinema that mostly doesn't know how to be moderate. So it's whether hot-tempered or just cold !There is a nice scene in which the sister knows about her sister's job under the rain. That was effective. However, some scenes were, while nicely shot, highly predictable, and so reused from older movies; there is always an evil man who knows about the prostitute, blackmailing her for not telling her lover, her family, asking for big sum of money…etc. It's obvious by now that this is a movie where the problem is mainly in its script, not its direction or else.One very interesting point I must refer to. Remember how the character of the mom knew about her daughter's situation only by her heart, as if she has a telepathic relationship with her, being discerning when it comes to the fate of somebody she loves. These spiritual matters, supernatural for others, is so usual and natural not only in India, but in the eastern communities. I even believe that most of the moms got it, it's just the Western cinema that don't respect, or at least care much, about that in the first place.While being not the extravagantly hard melodrama, it wanted to be different, as merciful and so easy; yet to the extent of being extravagantly easy melodrama ! So yes, it's a fair show of colors and symmetry. But don't wait much from its drama. It can sum up one of the top dilemmas of the modern Indian cinema, where the irony is always on between tasty surface and weak substance.

This is not a must watch. But definitely worth your time. I don't know why this movie was so underrated. Excellent performance from every characters. Somehow, in the early scenes of 'happy days' I felt that Konkona as 'chutki' has outclassed Rani in performance! Also the acting of (by Taraana?) as the character 'sophie' needs mention. All in all everyone performed very well. Abhishek's entry as Kunal's elder brother in the end is predictable. The thing I most like is the simple happy ending. Usually, a movie with such high voltage drama ends in a certain way but this is not.So at least watch it for the sake of climax!

Yashraj have made several films but yet there take the people for granted There make anything and think the audiences will accept itLuckily this was rejectedThe movie is funny OK first Rani leaves her village where she dances like a kid and comes to Mumbai for a job, the boss offers her an offer to sleep with, She gets sick but later-on she accepts the same thing from other people Double standards and how!Wait then suddenly there is a love story between her and AbhishekSome 70's style clichés and what notA cheesy endingA stupid familyOnly saving grace is the performances Rani just repeats her act but acts well in some portions Konkona is the scene stealer Kunal Kapoor gets a stupid role Abhishek is wasted

This movie premiered on Oct 12, 2007. I was not too keen to watch another family drama but my friend Pratibha insisted that its not going to be a run-of-the-mill flick so I relented. I must say she was right and the movie worth the moolah! It begins with a song and dance routine featuring Shubhavari (Konkona Sen a.k.a Chutki) and Vibhavari (Rani Mukerji a.k.a Badki) on the river bank, meandering thru the by-lanes and leading to an old mansion in Benaras where we also get introduced to Anupam Kher (Shiv Shankar Sahay) and Jaya Bachchan (Sabitri) who are the leading ladies' parents. Everything's not hunky dory though-Kher's brother (played by Tinu Anand) and his son Ratan want to usurp the mansion and the family is distressed by occasional threats, quarrels and mounting litigation expenses. Anupam Kher is keeping poor health and Jaya Bachchan stitches clothes day in day out to supplement the family income.A film unit wants to hire the Kher mansion and pays them Rs.75000 but the windfall is momentary as the shoot is canceled. Distressed by her family's penury Vibha (Rani) lies to her folks about landing a job in Mumbai thanks to Sofia-the girl from the film unit. She lands in Mumbai and Sofia agrees to help her though her cold behavior suggests otherwise. Rani's lack of education sees her being chucked out from various jobs. Sofia's friend gives her some references but these don't work out either. Meanwhile Kher suffers a heart attack and Sofia's friend's boss spots Rani and agrees to help her. He asks Rani to spend the night with her-she is shocked but her family's condition makes her take the extreme step only to be told later that there was no job in the offing.Sofia asks Rani to leave and she goes and puts up at Michelle's place-the latter asks Rani to wield her power over men instead of being used by them. She helps Rani with her makeover and Rani becomes a top-notch escort and is soon flush with money-she sends money home regularly thereby helping her family to get rid of its poverty.During her flight to Zurich, Vibha meets Rohan (Abhishek B) and they share some light moments before she returns to Mumbai. Shortly before intermission Rani meets Ratan who threatens to spill the beans back home unless she pays him Rs.25000 every month. Rani agrees. She comes home to find her sister who has landed a job in Mumbai.Shubha (Konkona) meets and falls in love with Vivaan (Kunal Kapoor) who is Rohan's (AB's) younger sibling. Their marriage is fixed and shortly before flying to Benares Shubha finds out her elder's sister's dark secret. Initially she is shocked and annoyed but soon realizes that her sister did everything to support the family and she pursues Rani to accompany her back home.Alright fellas, you gotta watch the rest...lol! Rani Mukerji excels and so do the other members of the cast. A very good family drama with an undercurrent of a theme portraying the oldest profession in the world! Musical score is good too.Pssst...I almost burst out laughing when a girl sitting besides me started sobbing but I assure you this flick ain't a tearjerker...Sanjeev Logani :-)