However, one of them managed to redefine Bollywood cinema with his choice of films, somewhere around the turn of the new millennium. Almost two decades later, all three of them have carved out their own identities in the industry. Families would argue over who the greatest Khan was. Soppy, too.The battle of the three Khans – Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir – started in the 90s when the three of them had just started out in the industry. Slick and witty, Dil Chahta Hai is an entertainer. If he falters, it's the melodramatic manner in which he unites Akash and Shalini. He weaves three stories seamlessly into one composite whole - especially in the second half of the film. Which is a lot more than most directors can say these days. The film being his own script, he has developed his characters very well. Has to be said - it's an impressive debut. Right from the titletrack (though the picturisation didn't quite match its rhythm, I thought), Koi kahen and Tanhayee to the the hilariously-picturised Woh ladki hai kahaan: where director Farhan Akhtar cocks a snook at the Hindi song-and-dance routine. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music's super woofer quality. Ravi Chandran's camera is so delightfully unobtrusive he makes it look like a piece of cake: Gliding slickly over the Opera House on the sun-dappled Sydney Harbour, focusing with brooding intensity on the many close-up sequences, and artistically playing up Sid in his studio. And from the art deco furniture to Sid's paintings. Right from the clothes (Aamir, Saif and Akshaye's college wear) to the sets - bright reds, deep blues, and rich greens. Not very many actors dare to do so many close-ups that there are in Dil Chahta Hai AND come out trumps. He's turns on (and off) expressions on a mobile face with consummate ease. Probably explains his cat-that-licked-the-whole-tin-of-cream look, you think?!įacetiousness apart, here's a new Aamir. No way you can escape him, when he walks away with 'the' role in the film. The character artistes, especially Suhasini Mulay (as Sid's mom), Rajat Kapoor (as Shalini's Mahesh-uncle), and Ayub Khan (as Shalini's fiance Rohit), turn in competent performances.Īamir Khan: Nope, haven't forgotten him. She's at her element, playing up and playing down Tara when needed. The Troilus And Cressida opera sequence where she explains what love is to Akash is good stuff - moving and wholly spontaneous.ĭimple Kapadia: A strikingly commanding presence. Preity Zinta: is beautiful and vibrant, wavering between endearingly naive and confused. A jarring note: Wonder why she was made up to the nines at all times in the film. So there's no real establishing of her character. Why, the man she loves is better etched than her. Sonali Kulkarni: Honestly, she hasn't much to do. I had a hard time believing the three of them were college students.) His Sanjeev Kumar-like moving of the jaw to emote to best effect notwithstanding. With a character rich in shades and depths, Akshaye uses his voice and expression to optimum effect. And thanks to his radiant screen presence and his almost perfect sense of comic timing, Sameer is a riot.Īkshaye Khanna: Sid is most interesting.
It's to his credit that he rises above it. Saif Ali Khan: The most undersketched character in the film - Sameer. Sameer believes he's in love with every girl he meets.
, Movies: The Rediff Review: Dil Chahta HaiĮverybody hurts and, sometimes, everybody cries.īelieve that, and you have the reason for Dil Chahta Hai.