Jodhaa Akbar

Jodhaa Akbar is a 2008 film directed by Ashutosh Gowariker and stars Hritik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. The movie tells the story of the marriage between Jodhaa Bai, a Hindu Rajput princess, and Jalaluddin Mohammad Akbar, a Muslim Mughal emperor, and how it affected India. Akbar marries Jodhaa to create a political alliance between both the Mughals and Rajputs. Akbar receives much protest for this, which partially leads to rebellion, as a few of his family members try to usurp the throne. While Akbar consolidates his ever expanding empire, he and Jodhaa form an intimate and loving relationship that faces many obstacles throughout the film. A great emphasis is also placed on religious tolerance, unity, and the benevolence Akbar has towards Hindus. The film features excellent battle scenes, and beautiful music scores, costuming, and scene design. It is very obvious that much time and money was invested in the creation of this film. As the plot goes, there were many gripping parts. Considering I am one who doesn’t invest much feeling when watching movies (I never cry even during the most heartbreaking of movie scenes), I was often at the edge of my seat and gritting my teeth during frustrating scenes. There has been controversy over the accuracy over the film (For one, Jodhaa is the name of Akbar’s daughter-in-law, and Harka Bai is the name of his first Hindu wife; and far more importantly, there are records of Akbar destroying Hindu temples) it’s a beautiful, enjoyable movie worth watching. -Phasia Brooks-Gainous

Yuvvraaj

Producer: Subhash Ghai
Director: Subhash Ghai and Mukta Arts Ltd.
Music Director: A.R. Rahman
Lyricist: Gulzar
Cast:
Mithun Chakraborty
Anil Kapoor
Salman Khan
Zayed Khan
Katrina Kaif
Boman Irani
Aushima Sawhaney

Synopsis: Subhash Ghai returns with a star studded cast in his latest family drama Yuvraaj (Crown Price). This is a story about three brothers, a father's fortune, and one man's mission to finally be able to marry the love of his life.
When the film opens we find ourselves in a magnificent concert hall. Ignoring the beauty of the room the camera gazes upon the beautiful Anushka (Katrina Kaif) a talented cello player. As the intense composition, painstakingly assembled by A.R. Rahman, plays on in the background our attention is turned to another person in the room. This character (Aushima Sawhaney) introduces the main character and hero Deven (Salman Khan). She explains how Deven is from a broken family and that his relation with Anushka is a true love. From this character we also learn that because of Deven's immaturity and lack of understanding about the meaning of family he risks losing Anushka forever.
The next character we are introduced to is Anushka's father -a wealthy doctor with a particular disdain for Deven's personality. He refuses to allow the marriage because he does not think that Deven knows what it means to be a true family man. The viewers and all the characters are aware that this fact is true of Deven -even though his lack of knowledge is not his fault. One day Anushka and Deven have a fight and Deven tells her to leave. When confronted about this action he explains while about how he did not leave his home he was kicked out for hitting his brother. Anushka returns to comfort him and Deven's demeanor changes completely back to his childish ways.
Dr. Banton (Anushka's father) calls Deven and invites him to a party saying that he will give Deven one last chance to prove himself. Dr. Banton tells deven specifically how to dress and that he is to arrive at the party ready to impress. Whe Deven arrives at the party he realizes that Banton had tricked him into dressing up like a waiter. Banton further insults Deven by introducing him to “high class” friends as the boy who was disowned by his rich father and now has trouble finding work. To rub even more salt in Deven's wound Banton announces his daughters engagement to another man. At this point Deven is so frustrated that he begins to bet recklessly at the roulette table at the party. After losing all his, he is confronted by Anushka's now soon to be husband who comments on how he is a small person and should learn to act his class level. Deven then throws a drink into the face of this man and is then escorted away by the police.
The next morning Deven is bailed out of jail by his boss. While filling out some paper work Deven is asked his father's name angrily gives it ti the officer. As he walks the officer calls him from behind to tell him that the front page of the newspaper says that his father has just died. Ecstatically happy returns to Banton's home with a deal. If Deven can become a billionaire within forty days, then he will be allowed to marry Anushka. If not then Dr. banton has the right to marry Anushka to any person he wishes.
Deven has now arrived in England where he meets his old family. His mother had died when he was child and so all that was left was a crooked uncle and his two sons and a corrupt daughter in-law. As far as Deven's nuclear family was concerned it was Deven, his older brother Gyanesh, and younger brother Danny.
Gyanesh suffers from Autism and has the mentality of an eight year old stuck in a forty year old body. Danny on the other hand is the epitome of the spoiled rich kid mentality. The day after his father died he chose to go party at a casino. Deven and Danny both believe that they will get at least a third of the estate each; however, when the will is read they find out that they only received 2 crores each out of a 1500 crore bank account. The rest of the money, property, and land belonged to Gyanesh.
At this point Deven and Danny team up to find a way to get Gyanesh to sign over the money.
From this point on the story has several twists and turns to the point where people not even involved in the story become villains and villains become heroes.
Make sure to watch the movie to see the thrilling conclusion. -Nipun Marwaha

Bunty Aur Babli

A romance and comedy adventure
Starring:
AMITABH BACHCHAN and ABHISHEK BACHCHAN (together for the first time)…and RANI MUKHERJEE

Rakesh’s parents want him to work as a railway conductor…Vimmi’s parents want her to agree to an arranged marriage…both run away from home in pursuit of following their own dreams. They discover not only each other, but their flair for conning people throughout India as a crafty but endearing duo. Originally only intending to earn enough money to travel to Bombay, the couple (now known as Bunty and Babli) relinquishes their earlier dreams, gets married, and scams people wherever they go, making headlines for their tendency to steal from the rich and provide for the poor. Bunty and Babli, unbeknownst to them, are being followed by the cop Dashrath Singh, who dislikes their clever cons, such as their selling of the Taj Mahal. Will Dashrath catch up with Bunty and Babli? Will their baby boy grow up in a normal life? -Adina Paretzky

Page 3

Director...Madhur Bhandarkar
Producer…Bobby Pushkarna
Music…Shamir Tandon
Cast:
Konkona Sen Sharma as Madhvi
Boman Irani
Bikram Saluja as Rohit
Tara Sharma as Gayatri
Shandhya Mridul as Pearl
Atul Kulkarni as Vinayak

Summary: Page 3 is, at its core, a movie about India’s most wealthy and famous socialites. The heroine of the film is Madhvi, played by Konkona Sen Sharma. Madhvi is a journalist at the Nation Today Newspaper. Her job is to report on the lives of India’s biggest socialites on “Page 3” – covering their parties and daily activities. Her life becomes complicated when Gayatri – an actress, played by Tara Sharma – moves in with her. They become close friends. Eventually, Madhvi gets tired of the kind of reporting she is doing. She starts focusing on more serious issues going on India, besides the shallow lives of the stars. She uncovers some dark secrets of the rich and famous and ultimately gets fired because of her reporting. Page 3 shows that people often have public and private faces, live dual lives, and destroy relationships in the process. The movie is like Dil Se and Pyaasa in that it tries to show the relevant issues in India today. Though it did not do well in the box office, it is an enjoyable film to watch. -Kate Curley

Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

“I’ve Already Given My Heart Away”

Ajay Devgan as Vanraj
Salman Khan as Sameer Rafilini
Aishwarya Rai as Nandini
Vikram Gokhale as Pundit Darbar
Smita Jaykar as Amrita
Zohra Sehgal as Dadi
Rajeev Verma as Vikramjeet
Kanu Gill as Vanraj’s mother
Kermati Desai as Bhairav
Rekho Rao as Kamna Pui
With a special appearance of Helen as Mrs. Rafilini
Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Hum Dil de Chuke Sanam is a romance which combining two love stories into one.
When Pundit Darbar, the famous musician, accepts the young Italian Sameer Rafilini as a new student, Nandini, the favorite daughter, is compelled to vacate her room for their guest. Furious, she attempts to sabotage Sameer’s stay but before long, the two fall in love. The pair manages to hide their affair for many months, but little do they know that Nandini’s family is planning a marriage for her. When the lovers are finally discovered, the family is disgraced and dismisses Sameer back to India. Nandini is forced to marry Vanraj, but Vanraj, who only wants a marriage built on truth, cannot allow his wife to suffer for him. Nandini’s groom brings her to Italy, risking ridicule and shame, to find Sameer. The search is slow and painful; but finally, just as Nandini learns to respect and appreciate everything Vanraj has done for her, he finds Sameer, and Nandini must choose between her love and her husband. -Sarah Cohen

Dhadkan

Dhadkan/Heartbeat (2000)
Directed by: Dharmesh Darshan
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Shilpa Shetty, Sunil Shetty, Mahima Chaudhry, Sharmila Tagore

Filmfare Awards
• Best Female Playback
• Best Villain

An action/romance complete with class struggles, love triangles, and even evil step-siblings! Dhadkan tells the tale of Anjali (Shilpa Shetty), a wealthy woman in love with a man of modest means, Dev (Sunil Shetty). Forced into an arranged marriage by her protective parents, Anjali weds Ram (Akshay Kumar), but being the feisty female that she is, refuses to consummate the marriage! Ram surprises Anjali with his patience and his kindness in the face of family obstacles, brought about both by her and his step-siblings and step-mother. Believing that only love can overcome hatred, Ram wins Anjali over and she soon falls head over heels in love with him. Her love for Ram is challenged when Dev comes back into her life with a vengeance. Dev refuses to let Anjali forget him and he will do anything to get her back. Entering into intrigue with Ram’s step-siblings, Dev, now a wealthy man, conspires to buy back the life and the happiness he feels Ram has taken from him. Anjali is forced to make a choice between her feelings for her former flame and the happiness she has found with her husband. -Jessica Willingham

Hum Tum

This is a feel-good movie with the fixings similar to DDLJ. Hum Tum was released in 2004 under the direction of Kunal Kohli. Playing the lead male is Saif Ali Khan in which we also see him in Dil Chahta Hai as Sameer. For this role he won two awards. His character’s name is Karan Kapoor. He comes from a film family being the son of Bollywood actress, Sharmila Tagore. It’s said his trademark is his smile! The female counterpart is Rani Mukherjee; we also saw her starring as herself in Om Shanti Om for Om’s party. For this role she won four awards. Her character’s name is Rhea Prakash. She hails from a film oriented family of Bengal origin. Her trademarks are her husky voice and that she’s been called the Queen of Bollywood!
The movie is basically an adaptation of When Harry Met Sally minus the orgasm scene. They meet on a plane from Delhi to New York, and cannot stand each other! She finds him disrespectful to women, and he sees her as overly serious. They part ways after a massive falling out with the hopes never to see each other again. But these “star crossed lovers” are destined to meet again, three years later, but Rhea’s getting married this time! They part ways once again, but on a bit better terms. She to the US, and he stays in Delhi to help his mother with her wedding business. Four years pass this time and Karan moves to Paris as a successful cartoonist and meets Rhea who has become a successful boutique owner. Karan learns Rhea is widowed and running away from Delhi to not be pushed into marriage again. It’s at this stage they’re friendship deepens to which the mother asks Karan to help find a new mate for Rhea. Confusion, misunderstanding, and harsh emotions boil to the surface with an explosive ending! -Christina Tom

Rang De Basanti

Starring:
Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan, Madhavan, Kunal Kapoor, Siddharth Narayan,
Sharman Joshi, Atul Kulkarni, Alice Patten
Waheeda Rehman, Om Puri, Kirron Kher and Anupam Kher

In this drama, when the granddaughter of a British army officer comes to India to make a documentary about Indian freedom fighters based on her grandfather’s diary, she meets a politically apathetic, diverse group of young Indians. They agree to star in her film, and slowly begin to lose their apathy and identify with their characters. India’s problems in the past and India’s problems today become real for them, especially when one of their own dies in a plane crash as a result of government corruption. Quickly their identification with their characters takes on a life of its own as they use their inspiration and revolutionary tactics to fight back. -Sheila Kelly

Salaam Namaste

Salaam Namaste (2005)
Stars: Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan
Director: Siddharth Anand
Producer: Aditya Chopra

Preity Zinta (from Dil Se) and Saif Ali Khan (from Dil Chahta Hai) star as two young, independent Indians living in Melbourne, Australia. Zinta plays Ambar, a medical student who left India to escape her parents’ expectations of her to get married. Khan plays Nick, a young man who became an architect to please his father, only to follow his own dream and become a successful chef in Australia.
Ambar works part time as a DJ on the Indian radio station, Salaam Namaste. When she is supposed to interview Nick about his restaurant and he oversleeps, she makes it her mission to defame him publicly, embarrassing him in front of the entire Indian community of Melbourne. When the unknowing meet at a wedding and fall for each other, they learn to put their differences behind them as they pursue a relationship with one another.
Ambar and Nick eventually move in together and fall deeply in love. All of this happiness is shattered, however, when Ambar discovers that she is pregnant. As the story continues, both characters grapple with the issue of their pregnancy and the effect it may have on their relationship. -Lauren Ehrlich

Dhoom

Dhoom, directed by Sanjay Gadhvi, originally came out in 2004. It stars Abhishek Bachchan (Jai Dixit), Uday Chopra (Ali Akbar Fateh Khan), John Abraham (Kabir) , Esha Deol (Sheena as Esha), Rimi Sen (Mrs. Sweety Dixit), Manoj Joshi, Sanjay M. Singh (Sanjay Singh) and Amir Farid (Farid Amiri). It was nominated for 18 awards and won 8.
Dhoom is about a super cop named Jai Dixit who, with the aid of a motorcycle racer/ mechanic, Ali Khan, tracks down a gang of motorcycle thieves who have been on a robbing spree. Jai and Ali make for an odd couple, as Jai is a very serious cop whose dedication to the force drives his wife Sweety nuts and Ali is a silly mechanic who dreams of marrying every pretty girl he meets (even Sweety).
The movie focuses on the chase of the gang as the gang leader toys with Jai until the final showdown that incorporates a mac truck, speedboats, a car chase, explosions, fighting and a lot of bullets. -Daniel Cohen

A Wednesday

Major Stars:
Naseeruddin Shah- Anonymous
Anupam Kher- Prakash Rathod- Commissioner of Police
Jimmy Shergill- Arif Khan- Anti-Terrorism Squad Officer
Deepal Shaw- Naina Roy- Television Journalist
Aamir Bashir- Jai Pratap Singh- Officer

Genre:
The film presents a slightly different genre than the typical style of a Bollyood movie. Relatively short at two hours, A Wednesday has no songs, and is similar in style to Western suspense thrillers, with the majority of the focus being directed on the interaction between the two main characters. Instead of focusing on dramatic action scenes, the film presents a more intelligent perspective on the topic of terrorism than is usually seen in Bollywood films.

Synopsis:
A Wednesday is a dramatic thriller that has you on the edge of your seat from start to end. The film grips the audience from the start, as an anonymous man (Naseeruddin Shah) calls up Commissioner of Police (Anupam Kher) with the announcement that there are six bombs planted throughout Mumbai, threatening to kill hundreds of innocent civilians unless he his demands are met. The film follows the psychological action between the two main characters, with Shah carefully carrying out his plan, and Kher employing his team of well-trained and well-equipped officials to react to every to every move.
The plot summary must end there, so as not to disclose any details that might reveal the ending of the film, which is a pleasant surprise based on the events leading up to the climax. After high levels of suspense and a few action scenes have kept viewers following the plot, Shah concludes the movie with an emotionally moving monologue that presents the intellectual and social commentary that is apparent in Bollywood films. -Atul Soni

Chandni Bar

The film “Chandni Bar” is the story of a young girl called Mumtaz. After a fire burned down her Bombay with her uncle. After her uncle’s promise to find a job as soon as possible, Mumtaz agreed to work temporarily in a beer bar, “Chandni Bar”, until they would settle in. Things though did not turn out as Muntaz expected and she ended up living her whole life connected to Chandni Bar. Tabu, a famous Bollywood actress, plays the role of Mumtaz, Atul Kulkarni has the role of Potiya Sawant, Mumtaz’s father of her children. Deepa, Mumatz closest friend and fellow dancer, is a character played by Ananya Khare and finally, Mumtaz’s Uncle is acted out by Suhas Palshikar.
The film is considered to be a genre, but it does not share all characteristics of the genre conventions. It is a more realistic depiction of society and as Madhur Bhandarkar (director of Chandni Bar) said "Ten years ago, it wouldn't have been possible to make the films that I did. Today, the audience wants to watch different genres of filmmaking and thus it's a good time to explore new themes" (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Life/Bollywood_comes_of_age/articleshow/3775152.cms). -Monica Modiano

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham
(Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sadness)
Release Date: December 14, 2001
Director: Karan Johar

Stars:
Amitabh Bachchan – Yashvardhan Raichand (Yash)
Jaya Bachchan – Nandini Raichand
Shahrukh Khan – Rahul Raichand
Kajol – Anjali Sharma Raichand
Hrithik Roshan – Rohan Raichand
Kareena Kapoor – Pooja Sharma Raichand
Rani Mukerji – Naina Kapoor (Cameo)

Story:
Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Ghum, also known as K3G, is the story of family love and generational differences. The film has immense star power; Amitabh Bachchan leads the film as the paternal figure with his real life wife Jaya Bachchan as his spouse in the film. Bollywood’s favorite pair Shahrukh Khan and Kajol, lead the younger generation. Their pairing makes the movie a solidified hit. At this point in time, Hrithik Roshan and Kareena Kapoor were considered new stars. The film held a monopoly over the international box office until 2006.
Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan run the wealthy Raichand family with strict traditional values. When Rahul, Shahrukh Khan, their elder son defies his father’s wishes by marrying a girl from a lower class, Anjali Swarma (Kajol), the traditional values of the Raichand household are destroyed. Thus, tearing the family apart. After being thrown out of the house, Rahul and Anjali go to London.
The film begins when the second son in the Raichand household, Rohan (Hrithik Roshan) is playing a cricket match at his boarding school. In order to win, he remembers the advice that his older brother gives him before he leaves, “If you want to be someone in life, if you want to achieve something….if you want to win, always listen to your heart,. And if your heart doesn’t give you any answers, close your eyes and think of your parents. And then you will cross all the hurdles and all your problems will vanish and victory will be yours. Only yours.” This quote leads the narrative of the film and portrays the importance of family. When Rohan envisions his family, he is able to succeed.
Rohan heads home after finishing his exams at University. On his way home he stops by to see his maternal and paternal grandmothers. The grandmothers are depressed over the loss of Rahul within the family – Rohan overhears them mourning. They then confess everything. Rohan is then determined to find his elder brother and restore unity to his family. Thus- the saga continues. -Laura Ennis

Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Characters:
Jai Singh Rathore – Imran Khan
Aditi “ Meow” Mahant – Genelia D’Souza
Meghna – Manjari Fadnis
Sandhya “ Bombs” – Alishka Varde
Ravindra “ Rotlu” – Karan Makhija
Jignesh Patel “ Jiggy” – Nirav Mehta
Shaleen – Sugandha Garg

Directed and written by Abbas Tyrewala and produced by Aamir Khan. The film, released on July 4, 2008, is categorized under the musical genre. Jaane tu ya Jaane Na, translated as “ Whether you know… or not”, opens with a group of old college friends—Bombs, Rotlu, Jiggy, and Shaleen at the airport with a new friend—Mala, as they await the arrival of their other two college friends—Jai and Aditi. While waiting for their friends to arrive, the group begins to tell their new friend Mala about the love story between Jai and Aditi that goes back to their college years. The film goes back to the time when the friends graduate college and start to ponder the question of love and their soul mates. Jai and Aditi have been friends for five years, but never during that time had considered each other as a romantic relationship. They admit to being complete opposites—Jai was raised not to be violent following the death of his father during battle, while Aditi is feisty and argumentative—only calmed down by Jai. This platonic friendship surprises Jai and Aditi’s parents, who had assumed the two would marry following their graduation. Jai and Aditi make an agreement to find love for each other. In the process of finding love, Bombs and Rotlu realize their own attraction to each other.. But Jai has to meet the three conditions set for him as a rajput —to get in a fight, be arrested, and ride a horse. With the encouragement of Aditi and the rest of his friends, Jai becomes involved with Meghna – a girl who has an inclination towards the imaginary. Aditi suddenly begins to act strangely, her feelings for Jai coming through. Aditi then becomes involved with Sushant—a man who is the opposite of Jai with his violent personality and long list of previous female suitors. Aditi comes to realize that Sushant is not the man of her dreams, the qualities she thought she was looking for no longer as appealing in reality. And Jai, at the same time, realizes that the attractions of Meghna are far from reality and impractical. The film follows Jai and Aditi in their journey towards finding love in the most expected of places with colorful and modern song and dance. -Stephanie Cohen

Devdas

DEVDAS (2002)

Dir: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Stars: Shahrukh Khan- Devdas Mukherji
Madhuri Dixit- Chandramukhi
Aishwarya Rai- Paro (Parvati)
Genre: Romance
Run Time: 3hrs, 4min.

Plot Summary: Devdas is a tragic love story about Paro and Devdas, who find that after years of distance, their strong childhood friendship has blossomed into an intense romance. Yet, products of different classes, Devdas’ parents forbid any marriage between the two lovers. Abiding by his parents, Devdas abandons Paro and his family and escapes to join his college friend at a local brothel. There, he meets Chandramukhi, who is stricken by Devdas confidence in her womanhood and falls in love with him. Devdas, however, cannot forget his former love. Realizing he made a huge mistake while watching Chandramukhi, Devdas quickly returns to Paro to beg for forgiveness, but Paro, hurt by Devdas’ actions, is already set to wed a wealthy older man. While Paro lives a high but miserable aristocratic life, Devdas drinks himself into sickness in Chandramukhi’s chambers. His actions foreshadow the climactic ending in which Devdas and Paro meet one last time in the most undesirable circumstances.

A beautiful display of love, loss, and vice, Devdas is a classic story in which audience members can’t help but share in Shahrukh Khan’s well-known tears. -Gabriella Wertman

Munnabhai MBBS

Starring:
Sanjay Dutt – Murli Prasad “Munna Bhai” Sharma (the hero)
Sunil Dutt – Shri Hari Prasad Sharma (the father)
Gracy Singh – Dr. Suman Asthana (the girl)
Arshad Warsi – Circuit (the best friend)
Jimmy Shergill – Zaheer (a patient)
Boman Irani – Dr. J. Asthana (the villain)

In this movie from 2003, Murli Prasad “Munna Bhai” Sharma (“bhai” means “brother,” which is what the gangsters call each other) is a gangster in Mumbai. He gets a lot of respect in the city, but he has told his parents that he is a doctor, because after not contacting them for 15 years, he was ashamed to admit what he actually did. Every time his parents come to visit, they create an elaborate fake hospital and have his goons pretend to be doctors and patients, to keep up the illusion. During one visit to Mumbai, Munna’s father runs into an old friend, Dr. J. Asthana, and they try to arrange a marriage between their children (Dr. Asthana’s daughter actually is a doctor). Right before they are all to meet, Dr. Asthana finds out what Munna really is, and tells Mr. Sharma. Ashamed, Mr. Sharma leaves town and refuses to speak to his son, who is very upset.
But that was all the set-up to the main chunk of the movie, of course. Munna decides that he wants to make his parents proud after all, and fulfill their dreams of his becoming a doctor. So he has his best friend/sidekick Circuit find the best medical school in the city for him to enroll in. And naturally, it ends up being the school run by his enemy, Dr. J. Asthana.
What follows is the story of his slightly unorthodox experience at school, complete with song and dance numbers (of course), a love interest, a few emotional moments, laughter therapy, carom and orange juice, cheating on exams, injuries, Magic Hugs, and street slang. To sum up: this movie is a really good time. You should watch it. -Rachel Weiss

Sarkar

While Sarkar may not exactly be a prototypical Bollywood film, do not be put off, because it is in fact one of the most suspenseful and thrilling films to come out of India in recent years. The film begins with a quote from the director, intended to cue the audience into the type of film they are about to watch. It reads, “Like countless directors all over the world, I have been deeply influenced by The Godfather. Sarkar is my tribute to it.” What plays out from there is a modified version of the story from The Godfather, transported seamlessly from the streets of New York to the streets of Mumbai.
The word “sarkar” translated into English means either government or the word to address someone in authority, such as an overlord. This is a perfect description of the character of Sarkar, the “godfather” or Don Corleone character in the film. He is the head of the family, the man who makes the decisions which are carried out by his many followers. His word is tantamount to law, and in a way he stands as a form of government outside the official government. He is the judge, he is the jury, and his supporters are his executioners.
Sarkar, as he is known to his followers, has two sons, the first being the hot-tempered Vishnu. He is the more wild and less virtuous of the two sons, getting himself in trouble due to his lusting after the star of the movie he is producing (He is married). Sarkar’s other son, Shankar, has just returned from the United States where he has just completed his education. He is cultured and fully aware of what his father does but does not disapprove, understanding the complex honor code his father lives by.
When one day a Dubai-based shady businessman proposes a deal with Sarkar on his territory, Sarkar refuses, saying he knows what type of illegal materials the businessman is proposing to ship into his city. While it is left unspoken, presumably Sarkar is referring to drugs, much as in the original The Godfather, Don Corleone refuses to enter into any drug dealing enterprises. Sarkar’s refusal sets off a war with a rival gang, which eventually develops into a war between Sarkar’s two sons. What results from there I will not divulge, but needless to say the two gangs do not come to a peaceful solution.
The film is filled with violence but is never gratuitous, certainly nothing as bad as you commonly see in Hollywood films today. While everyone should be able to enjoy Sarkar, fans of The Godfather in particular will find much to love here, as the film carefully reworks plot elements and characters from the original. As well, while the film is not a musical, it features a terrific soundtrack which helps build the incredible suspense the film relies on. Overall, Sarkar is a truly great film, one that should not be missed by serious Bollywood fans or even just those who like a good mafia film. -Ben Strassfeld

Mixed Doubles

Starring: Ranvir Shorey, Konkona Sen Sharma, Rajat Kapoor, Koel Purie, Saurabh Shukla, Vinay Pathak, Divya Jagdale, and Naseeruddin Shah
Director: Rajat Kapoor
Genre: Comedy
When the happily married Sunil (Ranvir Shorey) and Malti (Konkona Sen Sharma) find the passion in their relationship dwindling, Sunil comes up with an idea to bring back a spark: wife swapping. The traditional Malti is appalled by the suggestion at first, but is eventually tricked into participating. This is the story of their relationship and what happens when they begin “mixing doubles.”
“Mixed Doubles “is a departure from the traditional Bollywood romance. While most films we have watched end in a wedding, “Mixed Doubles” explores what comes next. The audience watches Malti wash dishes, and senses Sunil’s boredom. Although it is a Bollywood comedy, “Mixed Doubles” is fairly realistic and does not have the fantastical nature present in other Bollywood films and has a pacing similar to Raincoat.
“Mixed Doubles” was released in 2006 and certainly has a modern flair. This makes it watchable and its humor relatable. It also challenges some of what we’ve read about sexuality in Bollywood films and plays with traditional sexual norms.
All in all “Mixed Doubles” is fun, funny, and worth watching. -Rebecca Sivitz

Main Hoon Na

At a glance:
Title: Main Hoon Na (I’m Here Now)
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action
Run Time: 2 hrs 53 min
Director: Farah Khan (the famous choreographer from Dil Se)
Brief Summary: College hi-jinks and terrorists
Cast: Shahrukh Khan as Ram Sharma
Naseeruddin Shah as Shekhar Sharma
Sunil Shetty as Rhagavan Datta
Zayed Khan as Lakshman Sharma
Amrita Rao as Sanjana Bakshi
Sushmita Sen as Chandni Chopra
Boman Irani as Principal
Bindu as Ms. Kaker
Satish Shah as Prof. Rasai
Kiron Kher as Madhu Sharma

Main Hoon Na is a masala film that tells the story of Major Ram Prasad Sharma (played by our favorite actor Sharukh Khan) as he searches for his long lost brother while undercover as a college student to guard his commander’s daughter. The movie begins with a declaration of Project Peace, an attempt to forge relations between India and Pakistan through a POW trade. As the announcement is made, a terrorist by the name of Rhagavan interrupts the television broadcast with his army and wreaks havoc until Major Ram swings in to save the day. Rhagavan gets away and swears revenge, but not before murdering Major Ram’s father Brigadier Shekhar Sharma, who in his last breath reveals to Ram that long ago he had another family and his dying wish is to be sent off by his two sons reunited.
Despite Ram’s attempts to get a leave of duty to search for his brother, he is put on assignment to bodyguard his commander’s daughter Sanjana – but his commander reveals to him that a boy by the name of Lakshman Prasad Sharma also attends the school. College hi-jinks ensue as Ram tries to fit in at college and stay close to an unwilling Sanjana, who hangs out with the number one biggest trouble maker in the school: Lucky.
Main Hoon Na mixes elements of youth culture, brotherhood, action and romance into a film that offers a path to peace between families and countries. It’s a throwback to the Bollywood conventions of old, both in style and presentation, even directly referencing Sholay on several occasions. Overall, Main Hoon Na is a very entertaining and fun-filled watch that leaves you with a warm, familiar feeling of satisfaction. -Angela Sham

Maqbool

Maqbool (2003)
The Bollywood adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Macbeth
Directed by Vishal Bharadwaj

Key Players:
Irfan Khan: Maqbool (as Irfan)
Tabu: Nimmi
Pankaj Kapur: Jahangir Khan (Abbaji)
Naseeruddin Shah: Inspector Purohit
Om Puri: Inspector Pandit
Piyush Mishra : Kaka
Masumeh Makhija: Sameera (Abbaji's Daughter)
Ajay Gehi: Guddu (Kaka's son)
Ankur Vikal: Riyaz Boti

Shakespearian tragedy meets the Godfather in this Indianized adaptation of Macbeth. Jahangir Khan (Abbaji) is a powerful gangster wanted by the government for his involvement in underworld crime. Adopted by Abbaji at a young age, Maqbool has grown-up in the dark underbelly of Bombay’s Mafia. At the onset of the film, two corrupt police inspectors/astrologists predict Maqbool’s increasing power among the gang, even though he is already Abbaji’s right hand man. The soothsayer’s predictions come true after a rival gang is overtaken. One of this gang’s members, Riyaz Boti, is taken into Abbaji’s gang by force. Maqbool is having a secret affair with Abbaji’s mistress Nimmi and they begin to plot Abbaji’s murder so Maqbool can take his place as don, and most importantly, as Nimmi’s husband. As the Vito Corleone-like Abbaji continues to gain power he arranges the marriage of his daughter, Sameera to Guddu, the son of one of his men, Kaka. On the night of the engagement, Maqbool shoots Abbaji in his bed. Nimmi looks on as their pre-planned murder unfolds. After his death, Maqbool takes Abbaji’s place in the gang and in Nimmi’s bed. Nimmi and Maqbool are haunted by their crime, especially after learning that Nimmi is pregnant with Abbaji’s child. Maqbool’s wild desire for the family he never had ignores that the baby is Abbaji’s heir. Paranoid and haunted by his bloody misdeed, Maqbool systematically eliminates anyone else who might usurp his power and claim to Nimmi and the baby. He organizes Kaka’s murder, alienating Guddu and sparking a war between the two gangs. An attack on their compound causes Nimmi to go into premature labor. In a fit of paranoid insanity, Maqbool takes Nimmi from the hospital to their home where she dies after feverish and guilt-ridden hallucinations. Maqbool returns to the hospital to claim “his” son, only to be shot dead at the entrance by Riyaz Boti, who has harbored a grudge since his family’s murder. Like Macbeth, Maqbool ends with the death of its main players, and like any Bollywood film their love is undying to the very end. -Eve Neiger