How your heart wants to rock and roll for editor-writer-director Shirish Kunder’s Jaan-e-mann. Sad to say, banish the thought RIGHT NOW. Owwww.
Jaan-e-mann
Cast: Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar, Preity Zinta
Direction: Shirish Kunder
Rating: **
How your heart wants to rock and roll for editor-writer-director Shirish Kunder’s Jaan-e-mann. Sad to say, banish the thought RIGHT NOW. Owwww.
Here’s khaali peeli khitpit about a wimp (Akshay Kumar), the only woman (Preity Zinta) left in the cosmos and a flipflop superstar (Salman Khan). They keep singing and dancing around in circles till you’re dizzier than choreographer Farah Khan.
On display, there are oodles of Morani fireworks, kinky Sabu Cyril sets, Anupam Kher trying to play a dwarf and an inspired music score by Anu Malik, sequined costumes and techno-flash. Zip zang.
Yet the result is staler than last year’s tangdi kebabs. Indeed, this is a case of Bazz Luhrman’s Moulin Rouge-meets Karan Johar-meets Mehmood ki Padosan- meets Stanley Kubrick. Oiks, there are some Space Oddisi moves too — to the tune of Strauss, no less.
The tempo is slow, the length is a frightening 19 reels, the humour’s phooey, the script falters with the flashbacks within flashbacks. Note: the wacko elements too, like our Sal Khan being cast in a TV commercial for Boo Boo Nappies. Diwale Diaper Le Jayenge or what? And throughout there’s more laboured style than substance.
Of the cast, Akshay Kumar is excellent, deftly tackling an unconventional role. Salman Khan is deliriously funny whenever he improvises. Sandwiched between them, there’s Preity Zinta who has a peppy screen presence.
You go into Jaan-e-moan looking fresh, happy, young and clean-shaven. When you emerge from this Moulin Rouge you’re tired, unhappy and have even grown a flowing white beard. By the way, happy Diwali..
khalid@dnaindia.net
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}