Tag Archives: Ranbir Kapoor

Opening October 2: Wake Up Sid and Do Knot Disturb

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The Diwali holiday movie season is in full swing, meaning two more Hindi films will open in Chicago area theaters this weekend.

Wake Up Sid features Ranbir Kapoor as Sid, a directionless guy who meets an attractive, motivated writer played by Konkona Sen Sharma, forcing Sid to rethink his slacker lifestyle.

In Do Knot Disturb, Govinda plays a businessman trying to cover up his affair with a model (Lara Dutta). When he hires his friend (Ritesh Deshmukh) to pose as his girlfriend’s boyfriend, identities get mixed up and comic wackiness ensues.

Both movies will open on Friday, October 2 at Big Cinemas Golf Glen 5 in Niles, AMC South Barrington 30 in South Barrington and AMC Cantera 30 in Warrenville. Wake Up Sid has a runtime of 2 hrs. 18 min., and Do Knot Disturb has a runtime of 2 hrs. 6 min.

But those aren’t the only Hindi films showing in the Chicago area this weekend. The Golf Glen 5, Cantera 30 and South Barrington 30 are all carrying over Dil Bole Hadippa! and What’s Your Raashee?, which opened last Friday to disappointing first week earnings of only $169,005 in the United States.

The South Barrington 30 is also carrying over Wanted for a third week. Salman Khan’s latest has earned $332,816 in U.S. theaters so far.

Other Indian movies playing around Chicago include the Telugu film Ganesh and the Malayalam film Loud Speaker, both at the Golf Glen 5.

Best Bollywood Movies of 2008

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In 2008, the Indian film industry proved that it’s still the most reliable source for romantic comedies. International settings made Dostana and Kismat Konnection stand out from the crowd, while Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi closed the year on a high note.

Taking a slightly more serious tone, U Me Aur Hum effectively combined comedic and dramatic elements in a touching story about love and responsibility.

Beyond the romantic comedy genre, historical epic Jodhaa Akbar featured gorgeous cinematography. Rock On!! took the movie musical format in an exciting new direction. And Black & White thoughtfully addressed the subject of terrorism. I only wish it had been India’s official entry into the Oscar competition for Best Foreign Film, instead of Taare Zameen Par.

But the most accomplished, satisfying and entertaining Hindi-language movie of 2008 was another romantic comedy: Bachna Ae Haseeno. The high quality of the acting, cinematography and story-telling gave the film universal appeal. Actor Ranbir Kapoor redeemed himself after an awkward debut in Saawariya, and Deepika Padukone’s charming performance demonstrated that she might be Bollywood’s best young actress.

Movie Review: Bachna Ae Haseeno (2008)

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4 Stars (out of 4)

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Serial heartbreaker Raj (Ranbir Kapoor) gets a taste of his own medicine when he falls for Gayatri (Deepika Padukone), a beautiful, independent woman who’s not ready to settle down. The cast members, including Minissha Lamba and Bipasha Basu as Raj’s jilted ex-girlfriends, give authentic emotional performances in a romantic comedy that draws from classic Bollywood love stories and more recent Hollywood films. Stunning locations, lavish dance numbers, and a charming story help make Bachna Ae Haseeno the most polished movie to come out of India this year.

No Rating; 152 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on August 21, 2008

Movie Review: Saawariya (2007)

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1.5 Stars (out of 4)

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Based on a Dostoevsky short story, Saawariya follows a lonely musician’s efforts to woo a young carpet-weaver as she awaits the return of another man. The movie looks gorgeous, thanks to the saturated blues of the sets and costumes. Unfortunately, the two lead characters are boring and unlikable. Slow motion shots of the pair running in the rain are supposed to convince the audience of a romance that doesn’t otherwise seem to exist.

PG (brief nudity, violence); 142 minutes

This review originally appeared in The Naperville Sun on November 16, 2007