*http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/moviereview/3738059.cms*
**
*Topping the list of positives is AR Rahman's scintillating music score
which brings to life Gulzar's poetry with sublime fluidity. And since the
film is essentially set against a musical backdrop, where Katrina and Salman
are members of an Austrain orchestra, Rahman's ode to Beethoven seems in
perfect sync with the script.
* **
*Yuvvraaj
* 20 Nov 2008, 2120 hrs IST, Nikhat Kazmi, TNN
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[image: Yuvvraaj]
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Yuvvraaj (drama)
Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Anil Kapoor, Zayed Khan
Direction: Subhash Ghai
Critic's rating: [image: Critic's rating]
HE'S the last of the showmen left, apart from Yash Chopra, who seems to have
taken a break from direction. Yes, not so long ago, Subhash Ghai was a
synonym for Bollywood's opulent extravaganzas of the '80s-'90s, when cinema
was still a larger-than-life narrative about good versus evil. Remember Karz
, the original, Karma , Ram Lakhan , Khalnayak , Taal ...an era of cinema
where the formula not only held sway, but was a grand success too.
The onslaught of new storytellers and new styles may have pushed the old
guard into the background, but it failed to dim the passion. Today, after a
lean phase, the veteran filmmaker returns with Yuvvraaj , a grandiose film
that has lots to boast about, even though it falters here and there in terms
of script and narrative.
Topping the list of positives is AR Rahman's scintillating music score which
brings to life Gulzar's poetry with sublime fluidity. And since the film is
essentially set against a musical backdrop, where Katrina and Salman are
members of an Austrain orchestra, Rahman's ode to Beethoven seems in perfect
sync with the script.
Secondly, it's the aesthetics of the film which leaves a lasting impression.
Mostly shot in Prague and Austria, the film is picture-postcard perfect,
with cinematographer Kabir Lal capturing the exotic locales in splendid
hues. And finally, the film scores with its performances, especially by
Salman Khan who essentially plays himself — a super brat — with perfect
elan.
He is the prodigal son, who was thrown out of the family mansion by his
father because of his sibling rivalry with his mentally challenged elder
brother, Anil Kapoor. As a choir boy in Prague, he finds a soulmate in
cellist Katrina Kaif, but cannot marry her since her dad (billionaire Boman
Irani) doesn't approve of his impoverished situation.
Hoping to change his fortunes after the death of his dad, he rushes home to
inherit the family millions, only to realise there's nothing left for him
and his younger, equally roguish brother, Zayed Khan. Nerd Anil has been
declared the sole heir, with sundry greedy relatives eyeing the moolah
around him. Time for the dysfunctional family to outwit each other and split
or to outsmart the outsiders and come together, once again....
Essentially a tale of three brothers, who rediscover their ties after hating
each other for years, Yuvvraaj does have some fine moments of bonding
between Salman and Anil. Zayed, however fails to connect and remains the
outsider in this Trimurti, though surprisingly, Katrina does manage to hold
her own in this bhai-bhai business. We do wish the duo (Katrina-Salman) had
more time to set the screen on fire with their crackling chemistry,
especially since all that we manage to get is a tantalising teaser with
Katrina handcuffing a bare-chested Salman with her silken scarf. Kendi pump
up the jam, janah!
On the flip side, the story hangs loosely in the middle and winds up in a
mothballed climax, where old-fashioned baddies try to bump off the goofy
Anil Kapoor who does an Eeshwar all over again. But Salman Khan and AR
Rahman more than make up for the lapses, carrying you off on a sonata and a
song. Watch Yuvvraaj for an in-fashion retro feel.
--
-A
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