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02 Jul 09

Review - Tashan: Local anesthesia - to the brain!

Quick Review

No ishtyle, No chaaram, no kewl action, no ROFL jhokes (1.5 LOLs, tho). Fitting it into a stereotype - a very 90-ish film!

I thought a film marketed with a rugged look would be an action flick. But, surprise-surprise Tashan is an out-and-out comedy. The action makes you laugh, the romance makes you laugh louder, and it is so funny that the characters make you laugh even when they are seething with anger. And the beauty is I haven't been able to figure out whether any of this was intentional!

Speaking of beauty, after a long time have I seen India shot so beautifully. Kerala, Rajasthan, (Ladakh?) were all saturated with color, alright. Nevertheless the way the intrinsic beauty of these places was shot made me want to find out exactly where those places were and when I could go there.

But alas! Come action sequences, and the camera blows its horn too hard. It doesn't allow the audience to register the seemingly interesting stunts. Similarly, there were glimpses of interesting editing decisions. Like when a character says 'BITCH' with a long 'i' and the scene cuts to a long shot of a beach or when "kabhi kabhi" is playing and a car falls down a cliff when the song reaches "tujhe zameen par bulaya gaya" (you have been called to the earth) part. That the car flying in the air was very shoddily animated is a different story altogether.

However, what really surprised me is that the four main characters in the film had actually different traits which were more-or-less consistently adhered to. What's more, each one had a story arc too!? - Very atypical of a Hindi movie in this genre. An underworld don, a wannabe don with super-powers, a supposed simpleton, and a lady with a mission - all with brain and brawn. (yes the girl too! YAY!!) Sounds like a decent enough premise. But something grossly went wrong in the execution. And I could complain about artistic liberties taken, if only there was any art in sight.

A big fat finger can be pointed at the dialogues. My fears came true, as in the word "the" was overused. I think the writer was pretty sure people are going to go off to sleep. Which is why the name of the movie is repeated every half hour - to orient the people who have just woken up! Also, Hindi-fying of English was done in such abundance that I was soon immune to it. So, while it didn't bother me, it didn't make me laugh either. Sure, there were obvious tributes to Deewar, Sholay, and Jaane Bhi do Yaaro. Would have been good if they were done well, though.

What is amazing is that despite really lousy dialogues, each one of the four actors has given a good performance. Having the right expressions (exaggerated as they might be) to rise above the bad lines must be applauded in any case. Certainly, the roles must have looked interesting at script stage for established actors like them to give Tashan space in their portfolio. Of course, Kareena overshadowed the male trio put together in the "looks" department. By the way, am I the only one here to sense that Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan are too old and too mature in this industry to flout their 'sexiness' in such an inelegant, uncouth way?

The songs functioned like the snooze button for me. I felt like muting it off when a song started and suffered the familiar rude shock five minutes later when it ended giving charge to the louder background music. So loud that it overshadowed dialogue at many points. The lyrics, the choreography and of course the music, all seemed too generic and random. Actually a level below generic. We can see Kareena not only sporting the golden "Aishwarya look" from Dhoom 2 but she also has a few of Aishwarya's dance moves! And why was Saif Ali Khan made to look like he couldn't dance to save his life?

Despite the things done right, while leaving the theater I was praying that Vijay Acharya hadn't over-dosed me with whatever anesthetic it was he was using. The numbness I felt in the brain region was really scary. Anyway, all's good, I'm out of it and hoping to keep you away from it

- meetu, a part of the audience

Detailed Ratings:

  • Direction:
  • Story:
  • Lead Actors:
  • Character Artists:
  • Dialogues:
  • Screenplay:
  • Music Director:
  • Lyrics:

Tashan - Cast and Crew

Comments(35)

vimmuuu:

I jus hope with the presence of akshay and saif together, it doesnt turn out to be another "Race" experience.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Sumit:

Akshay and Saif were actually pretty good as a team in Main Khiladi... That was of course before Saif's transformation but if they do manage to create the same laughs, I am not complaining.

I was ready to throw up all over while watching Ash pull her pseudo 'girl from the ghetto' act in Dhoom 2. 'Like' how fake and out of place was that?

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Unreview of Tashan | DesiPundit:

[...] on the much-publicized, much-awaited (in some factions) due for release this Friday movie, Tashan in an unreview. You know Tashan is clearly targeting that part of the audience that likes style-laden movies and [...]

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Vibhash:

like most of the over publicised movies, i think this will also let down its hype and hoopla

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

dhionlyone:

I think that's a bit of an over-speculation based solely on the promos :-)
But yeah, looks like its gonna go the way you have stated.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

:

Tashan - Review...

Local anesthesia...to the brain! No ishtyle, No chaaram, no kewl action, no ROFL jhokes (1.5 LOLs, tho)....

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Ashish K.:

> And I could complain about artistic liberties taken, if only there was any art in sight.

ROTFL!!!

- Ashish K.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Tashan Songs, Tashan Wallpapers, Tashan Trailers, :

[...] withoutgivingthemovieaway [...]

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Tashan - Review: Local anesthesia - to the brain! :

[...] Link [...]

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Suraj jain:

oooo.. why didn't i read this revie b4 going to watch this movie on friday ...

For all those fortunate ppl who havent gone to watch it yet .. take my advice.. this movie will give u head ache.. the review posted above is absolutelty correct ..

TASHAN = mental torture, stress, stupid , cheap action , money waste etc

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

ranjith:

please do not forget to mention about the jet ski in the climax.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Sudhir Nair:

You know I am tempted to watch the movie so that I can have fun running it down !!

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

sudarshan:

one of the worst movie i have watched in my life!
akki is being made to fly all over,where ever he wants.
pls people dont waste ur money on this.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Suraj jain:

come on .. only good location , styling and packaging don't make a good movie.. TASHAN is a pure BUNDLE / BAKWAAS Movie..

If u have any enemy then do gift him TASHAN DVD ... and see the fun... ha ha ha ha

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Akash Kaul:

Well...
Finally India has started copying Chinese...at least YR Films does it to the spirit. Mass manufacturing at the cost of Quality. Or perhaps I was unlucky !!!
I saw JBJ on first day and thought it was bad luck that the movie was a Dud. Then...after seeing Tashan, I can feel a trend setting up with YRF going down the dumps if it continues to produce such Trashes. Anil Kapoor has been wasted Big Time...The only consolation is Akshay Kumar's Tashan which brings some solace !!!
Let Aditya Chopra come out of the Rani Mukherjee syndrome and seriously look what is tying his feet to a stone and dragging him down the sea !!!!

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

ashu jangid:

i m d big fan of akshay kumar..... if he had worked in this movie... it must b block buster..... wat a attractive name the movie has been given... 'tashan'.....

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Movie Review: Tashan:

[...] Without giving the movie away [...]

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Vandana:

I am glad to find a viewer who can see the quirkiness of the movie.It has its weaknesses but is still enjoyable in bits and pieces.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

AF:

I personally thought the first two hours of the movie were a good entertainer. The ending as mentioned by others was a chaos. I would rate this movie 6.5/10 and is definitely worth watching once.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

pintu:

i don't agree with you guys. Maybe you guys left after the intermission, yeah its slow to start with but after intermission its all great. I loved the movie and will be buying the DVD.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

sunny:

This movie is must watch for everyone.. I can't be the only one on earth to experience the torture...
AKKARI BAKWAAS Movie... THIS MILLINIUM's TORTURE MOVIE... TASHAN nahin TENSION hai...

The best and only reason one has to watch the movie is to know.. AKHIR.. BAKWAAS MOVIE KAISE HOGI..

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

meetu:

@Ashish K. - glad i could make you laugh :D


@Suraj Jain - oops! anyway, now you know where to come next time ;)


@ranjith - oh yes! how did i miss that!!? Thanks for including it in your comment. I just couldn't stop my eyes from growing wider when the jet ski appeared.


@Sudhir Nair - you just love doing that, don't you? ;) join the gang!


@sudarshan, akash kaul, sunny - :D


@AF, Pintu - alright then, it is 'to each his own' like always.


posted 1 year, 10 months ago

arpit:

itna sub sunke.. kaun jayegaa.. isko dekhne...enjoy ironman..releasing 2 may....
tanshan -bakwas

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Amit:

This movie is a pile of shit. You go with so much hope on a weekend - to watch a YRF banner and a star cast and what you get to see makes you believe, really believe how bad a movie can be made....pile of shit, garbage, nonsense, frustrating, crap are some of the adjectives which come to my mind. This movie will ruin the impression of YRF in people's minds....those who manage to see the movie and survive, will think 10 times before watching the next YRF....Oh man even after 3 days, the thought of watching Tashan unsettles me so much - It was a mad house - Dont waste your time and effort and dont get enticed by publicity and star cast...IT IS REALLY REALLY BAD

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

ROCKY:

TOTAL BAKWAS MOVIE....LOOKIN AT THE PROMOS...THOUGHT THE MOVIE WOULD BE GOOG...BUT,ITS NOT WORTH WATCHIN EVEN ONCE...ONLYBCOZ OF AKSHAY ACTIN,THE MOVIE WAS O.K///OUT OF 10 IT RATE THE MOVIE 4...WASTE OF TIME N MONEY...

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Mickey:

Dont want to hurt the feeling of those who were tortured on seeing such crap, but after so many -ve reviews feels like getting a glimpse of this *#+-*#..
Physical torture can be seen lets see what mental torture is........

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Avnish:

I was almost going to go, but canceled. Yeah yeah!

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Tashan: The Dud « Vanishd!:

[...] about Tashan, Tickr on MTV about U, Tickr on MTV about U Me and Hum The latest BO news is that Tashan has turned out to be a super-duper flop. Not that I expected otherwise. A friend of mine who [...]

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

meetu:

@arpit, Amit, ROCKY - what can we do!? :-|
@mickey - good luck!
@Avnish - good for you! and thanks for the compliment on your blog!!

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

aritro:

I have seen the movie Tashan 2 days ago.I really enjoyed it. Action is much better. It is Saif who steals the show with elegant fighting and the speed boat stunt which was spectacular . On the whole, Tashan is an OK watch movie.

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

The Scribbler » I’m sorry. I made a mi:

[...] details. That’s been done better by those who have more understanding of why it works and why it [...]

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

Ashi Kacheria:

Well,I saw Tashan..but was really bored half way through…
The movie didn’t live up to the expectations of a typical Bollywood fan…
Even, Jannat was not that great…

So, not many good movies coming out of Bollywood lately..

But, I’m really looking forward to Love Story 2050, the sci-fi flick of Priyanka Chopra & Harman Baweja..The promos seem really promising & personally I’m very fond of science fiction movies which are very rare in Bollywood..

posted 1 year, 10 months ago

sonam:

AFTER WATCHING THIS TASHAN ...I SAID WAH KYA TASHAN THA DIRECTOR KA FILM KO END KERNE KA.AT LEAST EK WARRNING TO DE DETA ..TAT HEAD PROB PPL SHOULDNT WATCH THIS MOVIE ....AARE YAAR EK EK SARIDON TO DENA CHAHIYE THA.HEY GUYS I REALLY AGREE WITH U ...SUCH A DRAMA PIC I HAD NEVER SEEN IN MY LIFE.LOOK WHO THEY MADE US FOOL BY GIVING SUCH A ATTRACTIVE NAME..TASHAN WHICH I CAN NEVER FORGET THROUGHOUT MY LIFE. GOD FOBID ME PLZ PLZZZZZZZZZZZ STOP CREATING SUCH MOVIES ...N YES LOOK ANIL'S ENGLISH ...DISGUSTING YAAR ...1ST IMPRESSION IS LAST IMPRESSION...HA HA HA ..SAME THING HAPPENED WITH HIM N TASHAN ALSO .FALTOOOOOO

posted 1 year, 9 months ago

bollywoodqueen:

Kareena Kapoor Video Bikini Scene In Tashan

This is the bikini scene video in Tashan that all are raving about !!

http://www.dubbagol.com/Entertainment/Kareena_Kapoors_Bikini_Scene_In_Tashan-1/

...a must see!

posted 1 year, 9 months ago

Dinesh Lingot:

I think 1 star is too less for this movie, atlist u have to give 2 or 2 an half . Falak Tak song and Hinglish(Hindi + English) they have use is really awesome

posted 8 months, 4 weeks ago

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