Film Review: 'Dostana'

The Ultimate Rated or Slated Review!

The Story:
This is a story about two guys (Sameer, a male nurse, and Kunal, a photographer), a girl (Neha, a fashion journalist) and an apartment! Sameer and Kunal bump into each other while looking for an apartment to rent and coincidentally head towards the same place. However, they are both thrown out because the owner wants to rent the apartment to girls only since her niece stays in that apartment alone. Sameer gets an idea that if Kunal and he pretend to be lovers, then the owner will agree to let them stay. Even though their plan works, the boys are in a predicament as they both fall in love with the owner's niece, Neha, who thinks they're gay! What follows is madness, mayhem and a lot of laughter!

Abhishek Bachchan as Sameer - Born and raised in London, now in his early thirties, Sameer works in Miami, as a male nurse at St. Steve's Hospital. A goofy, clumsy guy, who so does not have the ability to charm his way into a beautiful lady's life, Sameer is the man with the plan. A plan with big consequences!

John Abraham as Kunal - Kunal is tall, suave, confident and good looking. Kunal has a certain quality about him that makes girl's hearts swoon, which he plays to his full advantage. He's a fashion photographer who is pretty straight-edged, responsible and organized man who has his life in order... Except for his residence permit! Kunal is an illegal immigrant.

Priyanka Chopra as Neha - Neha is a 27-year-old, contemporary Indian woman. She is smart, gorgeous and stylish, working at a fashion magazine called Verve. Hard working and someone who loves her work, she longs to settle down and have a family. She is respectful, intelligent and also innocent, which sometimes lands her into trouble.

Cast:
Abhishek Bachchan as Sameer
John Abraham as Kunal
Priyanka Chopra as Neha
Bobby Deol as Abhi (cameo)
Kiron Kher as Kunal's mother
Shrey Bawa as Veer (Abhi's son)
Shilpa Shetty in a special, sexy appearance during the song, 'Shut Up & Bounce'

Crew:
Distributor: Yash Raj Films
Production House: Dharma Productions
Director: Tarun Mansukhani
Story & Screenplay: Tarun Mansukhani, Karan Johar 
Choreography: Vaibhavi Merchant, Farah Khan 
Costumes: Aki Narula, Manish Malhotra
Make-Up: Mickey Contractor
Lyrics: Anvita Dutt Guptan, Vishal Dadlani & Kumaar
Music Director: Vishal-Shekhar

What Works:
This film spells H-O-T!!! Not only is the look, cast and music, the story, screenplay, and direction are also fabulous! Definitely a feast for the eyes, the movie has everything that a super hit film should have. The gay topic, which usually is very sensitive and hasn't really been used in Bollwood, has been handled well. Director, Tarun Mansukhani, should be congratulated for his excellent attempt to handle such a sensitive subject and serve it to the audience in a fresh and totally entertaining way. The situations in the film make it a definite must see movie, with excellent performances by all! Whether it's Kiron Kher, who plays Abhishek's mother, Boman Irani, who plays Priyanka's boss, or Bobby Deol, who plays the other guy in Sam and Kunal's life...

What Doesn't Work:
Shilpa Shetty only in one song? What was that about?
Abhishek's look in the film is truly a disappointment. Where you got the likes of John and Priyanka super sexy in their swimsuits and generally throughout the film (thanks to costume designers, Manish Malhotra and Aki Narula), it seems like poor Abhishek missed out in all the style. It probably doesn't matter, though, since Abhishek's acting abilities in this role are so great!
Although Bobby Deol acted well in the 'Dostana', he is somewhat overshadowed by the John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan. Leaving me to wonder if maybe it would have been better to have chosen someone else for Deol's role. Maybe someone like Arjun Rampal? Now, that would truly be a feast for the eyes, right ladies?

The Soundtrack:
The film's soundtrack is composed by Vishal-Shekhar. The album does not carry a single number which doesn't work. The music is nice and peppy fitting in with the theme of the film very well. Whether it's 'Desi Girl', 'Shut Up & Bounce' or 'Jaane Kyun', each song is different and totally entertaining to the ears and eyes.

Slated Or Rated?
This film is absolutely on FIRE! Seriously worth a watch for the comedy, cast and the total madness, which all give the audience a truly entertaining experience! All that's left to say to all my 'Desi Girls' and guys is... 'Shut Up & Bounce' your way to your local cinemas, because 'Jaane Kyun', it seems like 'Dostana' is going to be huge!

4 out of 5
Totally Rated!

Critic: Karishma Purshotam

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User Comments (11)
Your Comment  
 
November 28, 2008 06.47 PST
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dajjio

Karishma totally disagree with u about John and Abhi overshadowed bobby in Dostana were u watching the same film as me, Bobby was the coolest guy in this film. Tarun the director said he is the James Bond of the industry
November 28, 2008 06.37 PST
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dajjio

Anyone who has watched this film we gladly agree with me that Bobby Deol is fantastic in this film he steals the show and makes this film P.s Dont agree Arjun Rampal would have done a better job
November 28, 2008 00.36 PST
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neha

Omg this movie should have got a 5 out of 5. One of the best desi movies i've seen this year. It was sooo...! omg it's ineffable!!!!! W/ most desi movies, u havta turn off thinking mode to actually enjoy them. But this one, ur allowed to keep it on, in fact for some scenes u need it!!!
November 27, 2008 06.17 PST
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maroom

john abraham is fantastic
November 18, 2008 13.10 PST
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sanam

Beacause Bobby Deol is the shit!!!
November 18, 2008 12.46 PST
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carol

Oh my days!! laughed my asss off today...i havnt laughed so much in ages lol. Abhisheks the funny dude in this one..and JOhn? *sigh* *drools* hes awesome :) :$ Loved the movie man!! And i sooo agree with the bobby deol thing..when he came, on i was like "heh? why him? :S :/" but anyways..i loved ittt!!!
November 16, 2008 22.11 PST
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Amna4384

this is a fantastic review. i love dostana. john has got to be the hottest man alive...bipasha is 1 lucky lucky girl :)
November 16, 2008 08.26 PST
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ashma

john,abhishek n priyanka all of dem look very cool in dis movie n especially priyanka i luv her hair style
November 15, 2008 17.19 PST
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Komposit

i saw this movie and it FREAKING HOT!!! JOHN IS HOT!
November 15, 2008 08.25 PST
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ohlala

123456
November 15, 2008 06.36 PST
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paki3908

dis movie is wikddd.. i wud soo recomend it..

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