The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : New age narrative

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Sunday, Jun 01, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

New age narrative

New Kid on the block: Sikander kher in a scene from the film.

Film: Woodstock Villa (Hindi)

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Sikandar Kher, Neha Uberoi

Director: Sanjay Gupta

Bollywood is turning a new leaf. Moving away one step a time from the days of three-hour sagas, the brave new age filmmakers are daring to make films that would slot in easily at multiplexes, thanks to their under two-hour duration. The characters, the music, the feel, everything is urban. And the lead characters no longer have to be pristine pure. Or the villains unappetising, garish, melodramatic. Hansal Mehta, who has hitherto been noticed more for his promise than perf ormance, adds another chapter to the still evolving book with “Woodstock Villa”.

New faces

What’s more, the film introduces two youngsters, who with the right guidance, and better grooming, might just make a mark. Both Sikandar Kher, who has acting in his genes, and Neha Uberoi, who has no such benefit and is none the worse for it, come through the opener with decent marks. They are expected to do what every newcomer does: the guy rides a bike, downs a drink, holds a pistol and plays that mix of black and white that makes grey an inviting shade. The girl gets into bustiers, shakes a leg, hops into the bed, then at the end of it all, proves a smart girl!

Sikandar plays a young guy who has borrowed lots of money with no avenue for return. He needs to make a few bucks fast. What that translates into Bollywood parlance is anybody’s guess but sufficient to say in a whodunit it is even easier. Neha plays a rich girl, who loves her hubby. But there is something she loves more. And that draws the hero and the heroine closer in this kidnap drama with shades of Stockholm Syndrome.

Dialogues forgettable

Enough said about the kids. The film could have been better. The director’s grip loosens every now and then, though he redeems himself with a shocking end. The dialogues are forgettable. And screenplay does not offer too much novelty. The songs – typical of a Sanjay Gupta and Sanjay Dutt union, the latter, incidentally, is a producer here – with their mish-mash of lights and shadows only impede the flow of events. And Dutt himself comes across as a mockery of a rock star he plays in a cameo.

All said, “Woodstock Villa” can be seen. For the newcomers’ promise. And another step, even if somewhat faltering, in Bollywood’s evolution.

ZIYA US SALAM

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh