Trailer

DushmanDirector: Tanuja ChandraStarring: Kajol, Sanjay Dutt, Jas Arora and AshutoshShowing at: NoveltyWhen Pooja Bhatt makes a film, two thi...

Dushman
Director: Tanuja Chandra
Starring: Kajol, Sanjay Dutt, Jas Arora and Ashutosh
Showing at: Novelty
When Pooja Bhatt makes a film, two things are slowly becoming the norm. That it will be quality cinema you8217;re viewing, and that the topic will be sure to touch your heartstrings.

Dushman is no different. It has a simple story, a strong star cast, beautiful music and above all, great performances. A serial rapist-murderer, a postman called Gokul Ashutosh, strikes the happy home of Tanvi Azmi and her twin daughters, Naina and Sonia Kajol. Sonia, the bubbly, vivacious twin is the victim of a grisly, graphic and well-directed rape and murder.

Unable to come to terms with the fact, Naina, the quiet, shy twin tries to bring the crook to justice, only to be left stranded by the ridiculous legal system. How she overcomes her weaknesses and struggles her way to through to killing Gokul is where the strength of the film lies.

No overnight conversion to a gun-weilding daku-rani just aslow, steady and painful journey towards achieving a goal that seems impossible even to Naina, with the help of a blind major Sanjay Dutt.

In an otherwise very realistic film, the fight sequence in the climax is the only totally melodramatic part. Tight editing makes the film hold well, and the songs are well-placed. Kajol proves once again how versatile an actress she is. And Dutt8217;s performance looks like it will win him the accolades that have been dodging him. But the pick of the cast is newcomer Ashutosh. All in all, an unmissable film.

Sham Ghansham

Director: Ashok Ghai
Starring: Rakhee Gulzar, Chandrachur Singh, Arbaaz Khan, Pooja Batra, Priya Gill and Amrish Puri
Showing at: Minerva
DIG out a decade-old script, and get the original8217; screenplay writer Ram Kelkar to give it a face lift. Add Chandrachur Singh Sham and Arbaaz Khan Ghansham, subtract Jackie Shroff Ram and Anil Kapoor Lakhan. Bring back Rakhee maa with her same spotless white saree and Amrish Puri this timeas Thakur Bhim Singh with his black coat and wig to match. Replace Anupam Kher with brother Raju and Subhash Ghai with bhai Ashok. Add up all this and you have the poor man8217;s Ram Lakhan, rechristened Sham Ghansham.So, the two brothers sing and dance through the 19 reels God help us! with Pooja Batra and Priya Gill. For a slight twist in the tale, they discover that one of them is Bhim Singh8217;s long lost son. After that both take turns blowing away big daddy8217;s millions, while he cannot figure out who is the rightful heir.

Eventually, the mystery is solved mercifully and after a million melodramatic speeches and much weeping and wailing, all is well with the world. Ashok Ghai, who produced Ram Lakhan makes his directorial debut and tries to walk down big brother8217;s time-tested trail. Unfortunately, he lacks bada Ghai8217;s finesse. Don8217;t waste your time over this one.