Movie Review: Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani: Silly, unpolished comedy

You laugh, yes, it is all silly, lovely, stupid, childish and filmy and stays that way till the end credits roll. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani sticks to the Hindi film masala and derives most of its jokes from silliness and bizarre situations, sometimes just for the sake of mirth, intelligence be damned.

The lead performances saves this titanic from sinking. Ranbir Kapoor dazzles as Prem, you can only enjoy the effortlessness with which he holds your attention; Katrina Kaif is competent as the innocent stereotypical girl Jenny; Darshan Jariwala and Smita Jaykar are splendid as Prem's parents.

The gags never abate so you seldom have the time to think "What the hell is going on?" After all the popcorn-crunching and samosa-gulping, Ajab Prem Ki... is a failed attempt to recreate the magic of   Director Rajkumar Santoshi's 1994 madcap cult classic Andaz Apna Apna. It just doesn't work that way though. A bearable one-time watch. 

KAMINEY: Old formula, wicked twists

Vishal Bharadwaj gets loose and has some fun at the expense of a formulaic story and then gives the whole thing a wicked twist. It is a mix of greedy gangsters, twin brothers ( " हम दोनों जुदवे है..." ( "We are both twins") is said in a very tongue and cheek manner), and a guitar that binds them all... to the climax.

The performances are endearing and gritty. Shahid Kapoor leads the pack with his portrayal of the timid stammerer Guddu and the notorious race course bookie Charlie. Priyanka Chopra oozes charm and sensuality especially in her scenes with Shahid. Taare Zameen Par creative director Amol Gupte is a revelation in his acting debut.

The 'smoke, bullet and fire' culmination is apt, garnished with some Hindi film 'reality compromise'. Surely, some creative liberty is allowed, for Kaminey is no wannabe serious cinema. It aims to entertain and does that with style. The core, the depth may seem to be missing for the cinema lover...but go for it!

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Things get high when...

An AIDS awareness NGO worker desperately searches for contraceptives...

A 'son of the soil' politician is shocked to know his daughter is covertly marrying a North Indian...