Mjeteconer
Just perfect...
Lachlan Coulson
This is a gorgeous movie made by a gorgeous spirit.
Logan
By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.
satmad123-778-273628
As I write this review, I must admit that I have already watched this movie more than a few times in the last 6 years. Still, I enjoy this sweet-relevant drama, which talks about love for the dying culture in our society. The movie revolves around a woman (Dixit as Dia), who returns from USA to save a theater from being demolished by a local businessman in order to build a shopping complex. In the first 15 minutes, where the flashback takes us to Dia's past life (special mention here for song 'O re piya' that sums up the past life of Dia), we start to feel why Dia is so upset about hearing the news of her Guru's death and the demolition of Ajanta theater. Although the story is predictable from start to end, what makes this movie watchable are the interesting subplots. All the supporting casts are nicely waved inside the main plot, each having their own charm and by the end of the movie, we can feel for each of the characters. Agreed, that the movie does not have over-the-top drama to surprise our Indian audiences but what makes up for that is the last half an hour, which is a Broadway-style stage act (probably the first of its kind in Indian cinema) performed by the locals. Turn of events and change of minds of the antagonists (Irfan Khan, Akshay Khanna) takes place through this play, which was colorful, wonderfully-choreographed with apt lyrics and to top it all, "Madhuri Dixit" anchoring the play. The movie would not be the same without the main protagonist played by ever dependent Madhuri Dixit. She never went overboard and played the character of Dia with the right amount of subtlety. Dixit was supported by wonderful bunch of supporting casts, which includes the likes of Akshay Khanna, Irfan khan, Ranvir, Vinay, Konkona, Sushmita etc. It is also one of the best ensemble. The characters are well-etched, which is very important for a good movie. Special mention for Madhuri-Akshay chemistry. All the scenes they came together was a treat and left us yearning for more. Overall a feel-good movie that, surely, will bring smile in the end. :)
Susan Wilson
This is a sweet, well-made, beautifully-photographed film. It has a good plot, a refreshingly modern script, and believable characters. Surprisingly wonderful performances are given by Madhuri (including her terrific dancing), Kunal, Konkona, and Dalai (who plays her savvy young daughter), as well as all the junior and minor players in this film. Akshaye Khanna has a smaller but pivotal role, initially as an antagonist who must be won over by Madhuri's determination to do something meaningful for the village she grew up in. The music and dance numbers are very enjoyable, including the opening scenes with Madhuri teaching modern jazz style dance in a studio in the US. The highlight of the film is a spectacular 'stage play' production number as the culmination of the lead character's (Madhuri's) efforts to save her village from unwanted "progress." I'll watch this memorable movie again several times, I'm sure, and I wouldn't say that for a lot of films, either! This movie is definitely worth seeing, if you love Bollywood like I do!
ank_jabberwocky1
"Aaja Nachle" is the come back movie of heartthrob of 90s , Madhuri Dixit, the dancing diva the Dhak Dhak queen ..but sadly Aaja Nachle turns out to be a mediocre movie which is definitely below the mark. I am sure Madhuri Dixit deserves better than this.. The movie starts in NY where Dia(Madhuri) a successful aerobic instructor or dance teacher is informed about her dying Guru. She immediately flies to India to meet her teacher, who i mite add is clearly the most irritating character in the movie. On her way she recollects all the memories of her life in India, where she learned how to dance and LIVE. The flashback part is the hardest to bear..Madhuri is clearly not a bubbly teenager anymore..n its a torture to c a 40-something jumping around the city merrily..her Guru addresses her as "Chudail"..n thats wen u realize that not all dialogs in the movie r meaningless.. Coming back to the story, Dia elopes to NY with her Firang boyfriend Steve (how he falls in Love with this old woman is a mystery!!)when her parents forcefully try to marry her to Mohan (Ranvir). She leaves behind a hostile town, few broken hearts and a close friend. Once in NY she realizes that it was a bad decision. Now after all these yrs..She is coming back to Shamli. She reaches India but by the time she is here her Guruji is already dead (thankfully!!) but master ji manages to torture by means of a video he leaves behind where he tells her that Ajanta the theater faces demolition because MP (Akshay Khanna) wants to build a SHAPPIN MAAL there. Dia decides to revive Ajanta by doing a show with the people of Shamli within 2 months and hence save it.I love underdogs movies, its a genre which forms its foundation on hope, aspirations, motivation and courage. Sadly Aaja Nachle fails to embark these emotions. As told by Guruji " Jo Dil Se Nikalta Hai who Kala (art) Hota Hai Jodil Mein Reh Jata Hai Who Kaala(Black) Hota Hai". Aaja Nachle also fails to inspire, it fails to indulge you into the lives of the characters. The journey for Dia that seems so difficult in the beginning turns out to be a cake walk. She hardly struggles to achieve the success." Naach Gana Nahin Nritya Sangeet Choudhari Sahib" is enough to convince the rowdy politician Choudhary Sahab(Akhilender Mishra). "Aapke Jaise modern Jamaane Ke foreign educated MP Se" convinces Akshay Khanna. The whole town which hates Dia is pouring in for auditions. Madhuri Dixit gets tons of extras, huge sets, costumes Funds to do all that and there is not even one single scene which shows her intense struggle or tries to explain how. Definitely these things can be left as cinematic liberty but a few explanations would have made the story more believable.One thing which will impress anybody is the star cast of the movie. Ranvir Shourie as the tea stall owner Mohan who is madly in love with dia clearly stands out in terms of performance. This guy speaks from his eyes and when he says "Chai bhi aapki main bhi aapka he moves the screen; Vinay pathak looks cute and definitely acts well. Kunal Kapur, Irfan khan divya dutta Konkana Sen, : looks like the Director spent all his time on casting.. But the problem lies with the script which hardly leaves any scope for brilliance by any of these actors. Irfan Khan is wasted, Divya dutta has just one good scene and she does a great job. Dia tries to convince Shamli's junta to support her in her struggle to save ajanta by saying "Jab Tak Suraj Chaand Rahega Shamli Mein Ajanta Ka Naam rahega". Clearly Shamli is not convinced and definitely not you...After the dialogs i have quoted so far it wouldn't require lot of brains to gauge another sad fact..the dialogs of the movie are uninspiring to say the least.. Another shortcoming is the music, you expect mind blowing music the kind of music which will make you jump off your seat and shake a bit. But Aaja Nachle's music is anything but great. It's an average soundtrack with few moments of thrust. Another shortcoming is Vaibhavi merchant. This movie was offered on a platter to her..she couldn't have asked for more than Madhuri.. I was wondering if this was the same woman who gave us Kajra re. After a horrible performance in Saawariya Miss Merchant again fails to impress. I know its not that bad a job but for a movie like this you expect choreography which is out of this world. The last 20 minutes of the movie in which the play is shown, clearly stand out but with stupid moments like "Na Maaro Chot Lagti Hai Na Maaro, Chunmun Si Hatheliyan Hai POOCHKAARO" It leaves you with mixed emotions.Anil Mehta never tries to go into details. He didn't explore any single character he fails to put forward the emotions of any character and how the transformation is taking place. IF only he would have tried to put the characters of lives on the celluloid the end result would have been different. Yash raj has given us great movies but something is missing now. Chak DE is the only movie coming out of this production house which comes out as a winner. "Tara Ra Rum Pum, Jhoom Barabar, Laga Chunari Mein Daag and Aaja Nachle also fails to live up to the expectation.
Chandni_Lilikoi
This is more than Bollywood. Madhuri Dixit is versatile as Hema Malini, Aishwarya Rai, Rekha & Sridevi. Just like in Devdas, she has performed excellent as expected in this movie after a period of R&R.The music, choreography & actors were excellent. The young love in the acting performance was excellent... Laila-Magnu. The young actors playing those characters real love was romantic in the Bollywood way & as in Romeo-Juliet way.The director showed that even when a man is "jilted at the alter", he can forgive his love even after 11 years apart.The weakest directing is that Akshaye Khanna could have been more romantically challenging. His role was very short. In the ending, it wasn't solid but dull. With the end though, it was nice to see everyone happy but making the whole villagers look gay (happy) is so unrealistic. A grumpy old man or woman should have added some real comedy.The evil man turned out not to be a strong villain. But then this movie tells you more about the society & how they think or will say. The directer showed the real dilemma of a young girl's love for her life & happiness, her best friend's obedience to her own husband, the villager's harsh branding words & insults, and a middle-aged couple whose marriage was getting boring. These are real life reflections in every country. This director showed it all in one film & Madhuri Dixit acting showed that although it looked like a defeat, you need to try your best, get up your courage & face your demons whether it be 10 years ago or 5 years ago. This is not a documentary, but read between the lines and see what the message is.Some songs were not so interesting but the best of all is the finale dance Ishq. Madhuri Dixit put the flexibility in her dancing that makes you wish you could dance like that.
