Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (2000) Reviews

• Grossly under-rated. A black comedy about the media

  AvinashPatalay2008-07-07

  Not many movies have been set against the media industry as the backdrop. The other ones that come to mind are "New Delhi Times" and "Main Azaad Hoon" and both of them though critically acclaimed didn't set the cash registers ringing. Hey, I am lost for words... jinxed perhaps? Year: 2000. Situation: TV channels was still an sunrise industry. There wasn't a glut in the market vying for the audience or a murky fight for the TRP's. Perhaps owing to which, the audience couldn't understand the meaning of media manipulation. The movie starts off on a light note with the boy and the girl working for competitor's TV channels on loggerheads with each other, no rocket science here... love-story ensues and finally getting down to serious business to fight for justice for unjust done to common man. The audience expectations were probably not correctly calibrated and the "fighting for a cause + patriotism + national movement" came as a bolt from blue to the audience resulting in an indigestible fare. • SRK:: Gives his 100% to the role making it a very convincing portrayal. • Juhi:: Very good and as usual compliments well with SRK. • Satish Shah & Dilip Tahil as gullible media magnets were justified. • Paresh Rawal as the "eye-of-the-storm" has his moments and delivers to the utmost perfection. • Govind Namdeo and Shakti Kapoor as vile politicians justify their parts well. • Johnny Lever is usual self. • It was nostalgic to see a few characters from "Nukkad". Jatin-Lalit provide good music. There is no doubt about Javed Akhtar's capabilities on lyrics. Sharmista Roy and Farah Khan deserve a special mention for contribution to art direction & choreography respectively. Director ensured that all the ingredients were in adequate proportions and doesn't go overboard on any of them. There is a soul in the movie and the goods have been delivered with conviction. Had the movie been made today, the audience would have related to it spot-on. The movie has a good social message and deserves to be posthumously declared as an satire on the media. PS: Evidently, outright rejection from the audience has put off SRK to make meaningful cinemas.

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• A Turning Point for the Future of Hollywood?

  zeshan-22000-01-29

  A very bold offering by Dreamz Unlimited, "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani", takes the audience into an area of Hollywood that has been explored many times before: corrupt politicians. Although this time the crusaders against these power hungry fanatics are the two TV journalists Shahrukh Khan and the glamorous Juhi Chawla. The film is fast and the storyline moves just at the right pace, the only problem is some of the songs are not the musical extravaganzas one would expect from such a huge film. A point to be noted is that a few of the songs are there to add layers to the story and thus you would find yourself enthralled by the onscreen action. Shahrukh does a fantastic job of playing the role of a TV News Spin Doctor, realising the values of truth and honesty. The character he portrays is believable; his transformation is his conscience, not his personality. Juhi Chawla, a veritable goddess of the silver screen, gives her character the right amount of charisma, charm and sophistication. Another bonus is that Juhi looks stunning in every scene. The film also makes use of great camera angles and uses a wide variety of special effects that will leave you clinging to your seat. A great sequence in the first half of the film will make you wonder if you are actually watching a movie from Hollywood. Indian patriotism takes a backseat until towards the end, so the film does not suffer the stereotype that I expected from the adverts. Overall the film has a watertight storyline, great humour, packed to the brim with action, and who can actually say no to a film with the gorgeous Juhi Chawla!

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• Prelude to Rang de basanti?

  HeadleyLamarr2006-08-15

  Yes it is a bit overdone, not as slick, but it is 6-7 years older. The same story line, young folks starting out looking out for number one (themselves), then circumstances around them and the corrupt political scene changes them and patriotism takes over. The difference is that there is no violent ending and violence is not espoused in this film - but that was my least favorite part of RDB. Shahrukh Khan is of course the king himself and delivers the goods. This what he does best, the goofy adorable, the not very brave but eventually coming through boy next door type. Juhi is very beautiful and talented and does not disappoint. The music does a bit, but eventually you get to like it. The movie is very funny - a great way to be entertained.

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• unity is strength

  javedakhtar19422005-12-26

  This film carries a very socially relevant message: Unity is strength. We, the society can achieve anything if we stand united, have a strong common voice. This film shows how the two journalists (played by Shah Rukh and Juhi) successfully save the life of an innocent (played by Paresh Rawal) who has been fixed by evil and selfish politicians as a terrorist and awarded a death sentence and of course he is a killer like a common killer and he is not motivated to destroy Indian union by this act. The film is a complete comedy till the seriousness creeps in. The film, released in 2000, already was ahead of its time by portraying how the TV channels use everything for commercial purposes; in this film they actually show live of the hanging ceremony with interviews of the hangman. We saw it recently on TV of interviews with a hangman from Kolkata and his family history too. This was the first film attempted by Shah rukh, Juhi and Aziz mirza under their new production company. The film didn't go well with audience but they will be remembered, say 50 years from now for making such a film. Coming to acting and that too with comic touch, SRK and Juhi is a great combination. They did very well their roles. Music is good; the song "Aur Kya" was fantastic, written by Javed akhtar.

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• Cool Super Mega Hit of the Millennium

  Azli 072000-02-14

  I have watched this movie so far 5 times in the theatres and I intend to go to the cinema again. I liked the story line and the way the movie begins. Though I am not an Indian citizen, the movie was really touching and I could feel the patriotism in the cast and I enjoyed the music very much. Lyrics were very well written. I can go on and on. Million thanks to Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza for giving us such an excellent movie to begin a great Millennium ahead. >

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