Yuvvraaj
wogma rating: Watch if you have nothing better to do (?)
Preachy lines about family bonding and brotherly love are doze-worthy especially considering you have almost 3-hours of time to squeeze a snooze in.
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Yuvvraaj - Preview
NOT A REVIEW - Just wondering how much drama makes melodrama and how much melodrama makes intolerable melodrama...
The promo has Katrina Kaif giving Salman Khan a piece of her mind where she vehemently asserts that he is a "hardcore anti-family man". And she doesn't let you miss that accent. So, bang! You know this one is about rapidly deteriorating family values.
There is something very irksome about being preached to on how the present generation has no feelings and all that matters is money. This irritation only solidified with the following quote from the director's interview with Mid-day
In 1988, when I made Ram Lakhan, Anil's character considered his older brother Jackie to be like Ram. That doesn't happen anymore. The world has changed. Now the brothers are thinking, "Jab baap jayega, yeh sab property main hum sab partners hain." Money has taken over emotions and relationships, values and tradition. That is what I observe today, and that is what Yuvvraaj reflects.
Hmph...me no likes the prejudice against my generation. But, then you remember which generation he comes from and realize his difficult predicament -
To be a director, you have to be in perfect health. All your faculties have to be working. It is not like lawyers and doctors the older you are, the better you are at your job. At 60-plus, if I have to make a film catering for the 20-plus, it is a tough job.
So you take the characters he'll portray with a pinch of salt and move on. What terrifies me is that on the lookout for new emotions, he finds this the most interesting (from the movie's official blog) -
We have always seen enemies fighting but it is very interesting to see brothers within a family fighting each other.
Uhhh...Mahabharat, anyone? Granted Mahabharata is much more interesting and intriguing than Ramayana, but it certainly is not new!
And then there is this tidbit on why he has a new woman as his lead lady with every movie. It's juicy fodder for women's lib -
Audiences...like newer actresses, they want fresh faces. Heroines bechari jaldi buddi ho jaati hain. Finally, it is the hero who matters on the screen.
Ouch! But the woman in question, doesn't really mind as per this bit from an interview with The Telegraph -
He is someone whose cinema I have admired. It is so larger than life for me. So when I was offered the film, it really didn’t matter what I was doing in it. I think every actress wants a chance to work with Subhash Ghai. At least once.
As you say woman, as long as you promise not to hold on to this expression for, like, forever.
And wait, things get scarier, the director continues with -
I've left no stone unturned to showcase the film and picturize the songs on a grand scale, no tiny screen can give you the rich visual experience and orchestral sound that you would only experience on the big screen.
ahem looks like Mr. Ghai has rated the movie for us already! Let's see - grand scale, rich visuals, great sound all add their bit to the drama. And when all put together, there's huge potential for melodrama. Not to mention that the sets look like they are out of a Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie.
So, music seems to be the highpoint of the movie. And I'm a huge fan of Taal's music when Subhash Ghai and A. R. Rahman got together. But this review by an avid blogger, Ramanand isn't very flattering -
I blame Subhash Ghai - I think he's finally got to Rahman, whose clever ploy of working at odd hours kept the Guy out of harm's way during previous collaborations. This one must have been made in broad daylight, which Ghai channeling Laxmikant-Pyaarelal. The result is a very confusing medley of styles and songs, and a subdued Gulzar.
As far as I'm concerned, haven't heard the music and anyway, any music takes a while to grow on me.
But a ray of hope comes from "The Hindu" -
If sources are to be believed Anil's reference point in "Yuvvraaj" is Tom Hanks in "Forrest Gump".
But we have the final blow in the form of a caveat from Ghai again -
Yuvvraaj is more of a feel-good film rather than great film. Coz all great films happen by accident not by conscious attempts, isn't it?
For now though, all focus on trying not to judge the book by it's cover.
- meeta, a part of the audience
When you hear Salman Khan saying, "Ram jaisa bhai" (a brother like Lord Ram) your reflex action is to rub your eyes and check if you entered a Rajshri Productions' film by mistake. But then all this while the eyes were witnessing a Sanjay Leela Bhansali set-up. So, a Hindi film enthusiast should be all set to get dazed and dazzled. The advantage to this though is that in contrast the story and characters are as simple as can be.
You know what simple means, right? Black and white. And eventually black turns white. Sure there are a couple characters like the lawyer (Mithun Chakravorty) and the maternal uncle (Anjan Srivastav) that make you wonder if they are black or white for a bit. But then you lose interest. The writers clearly want me to take sides, but don't give me enough details to be bothered.
Neither can I be made to really care about the main characters. 2 out of the 4 (Salman Khan and Zayed Khan) are losers - and sore ones at that. One is eye candy trying out her emoting skills - that would obviously be Katrina Kaif. That lady is certainly at her elegant best, though. And the only one who was worth watching, for his supposedly autistic behavior, Anil Kapoor has very little screen time.
Now, a simple wiki search tells you that autism is "is characterized by impaired social interaction and communication". But our man is social enough to lecture his beloved uncle on family values. And he has befriended children and adults who have bothered to interact with him. Not to mention he has grown appropriately in his flirting capabilities. Ok, we shall not hold story-writers responsible for the big words they off-handishly throw our way. Please, can we have them write a decent, engrossing story? The Archie-Veronica angle and her rich dad spouting exaggerated insults at him is yawnnnn. It's a musical extravaganza madam, you expect the wrong things all the time.
Now that is one thing Yuvvraaj cannot be accused of - lacking in the song and dance department. I actually enjoyed listening to the songs, barring "aaja main hawaon mein". And for being distracted during that one, I can actually blame the phobia I have for animated petals after Drona. The way the other songs were picturised did have a broadway musical feel to them, and this was ratified by an all out replication of the makeup from the CATS musical. BUT, stick to that. Please don't have Salman Khan talk to Beethoven.
Anyway, we could have done with a lot less of familial blah-blah. That would also help in reducing the length that is stretched to almost 3 hours.
- meeta, a part of the audience
Thumbs up, by roshni mulchandani, Bolly Spice : ...The movie is a visual treat to the senses. Ghai has paid attention to the most minor of details that sometimes it shocks you.... full review
Thumbs up, by Martin D'Souza, Glamsham.com : ...Subhash Ghai's YUVVRAAJ is a little bit of HERO and a little bit of RAM LAKHAN... full review
Thumbs up, by Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM : ...Honestly, YUVVRAAJ isn't Ghai's best work, but post YAADEIN, KISNA and BLACK & WHITE, YUVVRAAJ salvages him, even redeems the storyteller.... full review
Thumbs up, Movie Talkies : ...Katrina, as Salman's love interest in the film, looks divine and ethereal, but has yet to mature as an actor.... full review
Thumbs up, by Subhash K Jha, Now Running.com : ...Subhash Ghai's loveliest film in years has a symphonic texture, feel and movement to it.... full review
Thumbs up, by Nikhat Kazmi, Times of India : ... Yuvvraaj , a grandiose film that has lots to boast about, even though it falters here and there in terms of script and narrative.... full review
So-So, by Nikhil Kumar, Apun Ka Choice : ...‘Yuvvraaj’ has terrific cinematography (Kabir Lal) and a few soulful tunes by A R Rahman .... full review
So-So, by Angel Rani, Deccan Herald : ...Katrina Kaif looks beautiful and plays the instrument pretty convincingly, though the same can’t be said about her acting.... full review
So-So, Indicine : ...Ghai proves with Yuvraaj that he has not completely lost his golden showman touch!... full review
So-So, musicNmovies.info : ...the movie is NOT SPELL BINDING - culprit screenplay and storyline.... full review
So-So, by Ashok Nayak, Now Running.com : ...Yuvvraaj is Subhash Ghai's best work this decade, but the director doesn't manage to hold your attention throughout the enterprise.... full review
So-So, Planet Bollywood : ...Ghai always tries to bring something more to his films but you might feel disappointed that his story gets lost in translation... full review
So-So, by Goher Iqbal Punn, Radio Sargam : ...On the whole, you can not claim it Subhash Ghai’s best work so far of his long career but the film holds values.... full review
So-So, by sampurn, real bollywoood : ...Amongst the actors, Anil Kapoor impresses the most with his innocent act.... full review
So-So, by Shailesh, shailesh-blog : ...A.R.Rehman has given a so-so kind of music. On the musical aspect movie has one or two songs to offer, rest are avoidable.... full review
So-So, SmasHits.com : ...Technically too, the movie is likely to fare well. Kabir Lal's cinematography is commendable.... full review
So-So, by pratik dogra, Zee News : ...Katrina Kaif surprisingly, is required to act…and more surprisingly, delivers!... full review
Thumbs down, by Noyon Jyoti Parasara, AOL INDIA : ...Overall, Yuvvraaj could have been made into a much more sensible movie if it didn't have three people involved in it – Salman Khan, Zayed Khan and the biggest culprit of them all Subhash Ghai himself!... full review
Thumbs down, by Baradwaj Rangan, Blogical Conclusion, The New Sunday Express : ...Estranged siblings negotiate the ups and downs of blood ties in a ridiculously plotted drama.... full review
Thumbs down, by Rony D'Costa, BOXOFFICE INDIA : ...Subhash Ghai should be whistling in his woods instead of making a film.... full review
Thumbs down, by Sanjay Ram, Business of Cinema : ...All said and done Yuvvraaj is a fair watch, especially if you don't mind the preaching... full review
Thumbs down, by Abhishek Mande, Buzz18 : ...Yuvvraaj is like a saas-bahu saga that you can't even switch off even though you've paid through your nose for it.... full review
Thumbs down, by R J Mallika, DearCinema : ...It is nothing but a tale of money vs morals!... full review
Thumbs down, by Deep, Deep's Home : ...Anil Kapoor had nothing great to offer, the character was like the one he played in Eeshwar.... full review
Thumbs down, by Aniruddha Guha, DNA : ...AR Rahman has given a score he would be proud of. Ghai, on his part, has done full justice to it.... full review
Thumbs down, by Bollywood, eTalkIndia : ...Finally I will call it a let down as it fails to fulfill most of the expectations associated with. Watch it if you like Katrina or you are fan of Salmaan.... full review
Thumbs down, by Deepa Garimella, fullhyd.com : ...Rahman's Western-classical-inspired music set to Gulzar's lyrics is already a hit, but the minimal background music is unnatural for a Subhash Ghai movie... full review
Thumbs down, by Khalid Mohamed, Hindustan Times : ...The direction is much too stagey, sir. Still, this film should never ever be your last one, Subhashji.... full review
Thumbs down, by Rajeev Masand, IBN Live : ...Ghai borrows the premise of Rain Man for his latest, but packages it with his own brand of 80s melodrama and emotional overdose.... full review
Thumbs down, by Janhvi Patel, indya.com : ...The production values are first rate right from Salman's house to Anil's bedroom and Katrina's mansion.... full review
Thumbs down, Intermission, The Bookeazy Blog : ...On of the best things to watch in Yuvvraaj is dance sequences……they’re huge, they’re grand and they’re beautifully synchronised... full review
Thumbs down, by Mayank Shekhar, Mumbai Mirror : ...Kapoor has played somewhat similar roles before; the sorts of Eeshwar or Kishen Kanhaiya. Still, in this performance, he rarely misses a beat... full review
Thumbs down, by Jahan Bakshi, Now Running.com : ...I sincerely hope Yuvvraaj is the last film we see from Subhash Ghai.... full review
Thumbs down, by Raja Sen, Rediff : ...the songs are far too long to captivate. Despite the bright colours and choreography, we're not falling for this Moulin ruse.... full review
Thumbs down, SearchIndia.com : ...Yuvvraaj is an ugly, pitiful Bollywood copy of Rain Man that offers nothing but dollops of misery to unsuspecting moviegoers.... full review
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This page has additional observations, other than the ones noted in the main review.
Plot Summary
Deven (Salman Khan) loves Anushka (Katrina Kaif), Anushka's dad (Boman Irani) hates Deven because he's not rich enough. Deven is skill-less and hates making money on his own. So on and so forth.
What Worked
- The style in which the name of the movie is written both in English and in Hindi. The musical note at the end of the 'y' adds to the grace, I think.
- The police officer's 'aah' after Salman Khan says - "he is a brother, Indian brother". Had such a hearty laugh. One of those laughs where you don't care if the joke was intentional or otherwise.
- Salman Khan dropping the gun while requesting Boman Irani to help him out.
What did not
- The ramble in the beginning by the writer. What was the point? To establish characters? The lines were rather lame!
- Is a testimony by an autistic patient allowed in the court of Law?
- Salman Khan's sudden entries and exits to save Anil Kapoor.
- Genius disorder - they really call it that? Wow!
- Brotherly love expressed by bandaging a cut on the index finger. Nope! Not happening!! The mock applause from the entire audience proved it.
- Obviously, the part where Anil Kapoor sings a complete classical Indian song while he is having an asthama attack AND was poisoned...geez!
Parental Guidance:
- Violence: None.
- Nudity & Sexual content: Not much other than the skimpy dancers in the songs' background.
- Concept: Family bonds and brotherly love delivered with extra saccharine.
- General Look and Feel: Bright, peppy, full of grand visuals.
![[Facebook page of Yuvvraaj]](/static/images/icons/facebook_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Wikipedia page of Yuvvraaj]](/static/images/icons/wiki_small.png){kind=icon}
![[IMDB Page of Yuvvraaj]](/static/images/icons/imdb_small.png){kind=icon}
![[Subhash Ghai twitter account]](/static/images/icons/twitter_small.png){kind=icon}
Comments (12)
We better not expect much. Salman would overact in each and every scene, after all!
Man! I was waiting for this.. lady.. you just saved me pain worth 130 bucks..!
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chavanni, that's the exact kind of stereotype that I have a problem with. My family and I have been a city people throughout and I know many relatives who live in the interiors who aren't be as hospitable and as well-knit as our family.
Brother going to jail for another brother - yes it bores me, because it is so predictable, so cliched, so...blah!
To me if family values have to be preached to you through movies, there's something fundamentally wrong. Family values come from your family not from the Barjatyas and Ghais!
And that's what happens, Raj.
Jay, you hit the nail on its head!
Thanks, Ashwini! I surely will!
lol, Pintu, lol!
Good for you, JM!
uh...kanika, a story would be good.
Anil kapoor has a done a good work
uh Brajesh dear, a tight story would be nice...
Anil Kapoor and Salman Khan has done good in this film. This seems to be very hit in the comping time.
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