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Farhan Akhtar |
When I first saw Farhan Akhtar’s portrayal of urban friendship between three young men in smash-hit Dil Chahata Hai, I was completely bowled over. And this I say for not only myself but for all those who watched the film along with me on that particular night, at a small Sydney suburban cinema.
Farhan Akhtar in some-ways changed the ‘tried-n-tested filmi formula kind’ off attitude and made way for the new-generation Bollywood masala films. With only one well-known face as his lead star Aamir Khan, Farhan practically turned around the slumped acting careers of stars like Saif Ali Khan and Akshay Khanna. In-short he made the struggling period for the newer-lot of directors and writers less labored with the success he brought along with his directorial debut.
But today Farhan Akhtar no longer stands apart from the crowd. With his newly-released and way-over hyped film Don, he has proven that he too has joined the regular Bollywood glittery wagon. Maybe it was un-intentional move or maybe because of the box-office failure of his second film Lakshya, he decided to play safe third time round. And that’s what his Don is – nothing but a fragile product wrapped up in thick bubble wrap from all ends.
A man who gave us two very inspirational films (story-wise) this time round chose to re-hash a film from the 70’s written by his own father, Javed Akhtar. One can’t help but wonder whether Javed sahib would have been equally supportive of another director in place of Farhan or would he too would have gone the Ramesh Sippy way.
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Don – The re-hashed version |
Knowing the fact that he was after-all toying with a very risky idea since the comparison between his version and the original blockbuster (especially between the lead actors of both the films) was bound to happen, he chose to use the glam-sham Karan Johar’s tactics. Farhan dropped Hrithik Roshan (who was going thru series of flops) and decided to bank on the so-called King Khan aka. Shahrukh Khan’s star appeal and box-office security. He further buffered up his project by bringing in sultry actresses, foreign locations, designer out-fits and now the out-dated fad of remixed-music. The only new contribution from his end could be said was his conceptualization of sleek-techno edged action sequence. However that too I found to be quite mismatched because it made the lead protagonist look more like a mix between Neo from Matrix and James Bond.
So Farhan presented us with his third film which was built on the foundation of a revolutionary film, under the guidance of his experienced father along with the support of his best-friend producer, plus the additional influence brought along by his lead hero. With all these factors at play, one result was surely guaranteed – even if this Don fails to impress the critics and/or the audience, it was large enough to re-cover the invested funds.
And this is what exactly is happening. In my opinion Farhan Akhtar miserably failed as a director and his re-make venture truly sucked. But just like his friend Karan Johar, he too will sleep on the bed made-up of artificial success and monetary profits.
Whatever may be the faith of Don at the box-office, as a true-Bollywood fan I personally feel cheated by the young director. A man who inspired the lives of many within the Bollywood industry, a man who changed our film experience thru his innovative ideas, and a man for whom Bollywood was a passion – sadly, just like many others seems to have succumbed to temptations of materialistic achievements.
One can only hope that other young talents like Vishal Bhardwaj, Anurag Kashyap, Rajkumar Hirani, etc do not follow the same path instead continue making entertaining but also soulfull films.
Comments
22 comments | Add your comment »
Gaurav
Oct 24th, 2006 at 11:37 am | #
I think Don coming from Farhan really disappoints, keeping in mind what he delivered in his first venture – Dil Chahta Hai. I read on Rediff today that its doing pretty well in US market, this might turn out to be successful overall. He has high expectations to fulfill and may be that prompted him to make Don after having failed in achieving his Laksh in Lakshya.
desh
Oct 24th, 2006 at 3:52 pm | #
Good I won’t see it anyway. Bu I think you have come down too heavily on the poor guy .
SUNNY
Oct 24th, 2006 at 4:18 pm | #
Sakshi: Please post this on Naach Gaana.
Thank you.
SUNNY
Oct 24th, 2006 at 4:20 pm | #
I agree with you. All these SRK fans never agree no matter what you say. I don’t think any other actor (past or present) had such fans who spin everything to his benefit.
Anshul Kumar
Oct 24th, 2006 at 8:32 pm | #
Sakshi – Nicely written and well-researched!
However, I feel that we never expected the ‘DON’ remake to be better than the original one…especially when Big “B” did the original one. There is ought to be a comparison!!! I’m sure the same will happen to the remake of SHOLAY or UMRAO JAAN ADA etc., I agree that SR’s DON was not as gripping or captivating as the original one but a good attempt…still.
Utsa
Oct 25th, 2006 at 3:20 am | #
I agree with Anshul in that there is always going to be comparisons made. Like there are two sides to everything, there will be many who dislike the new Don and many who might like it. But then, since we are all voicing our opinions. I simply went to watch the movie to see Shahrukh Khan- yes I am a big fan of the man. Not because I think he is an extraordinary actor but Ive always liked him for the decent person he has been.And I am glad we have someone so modest and gracious like him in our Industry. I am quite sick of the sight of the Bachchan family…every second person in India seems to worship Amitabh Bachchan and due to the media hype there are girls going ga-ga over Abhishek Bachchan, who apparently was voted as the Hottest Guy in Asia- yuck.Anyway, this is all in the name of promoting Junior Bachchan. But as for the topic of Don, the statement ‘Old is gold’ stands true. Shahrukh tried to do justice to his role and I think made an effort to not completely imitate the old Don(Amitabh Bachchan) but I found nothing so spectacular about this new Remake at the end of the day.
Cheers.
Anshul Tiwari
Oct 25th, 2006 at 5:45 am | #
Agree with you Sakshi totally!
Saakshi O. Juneja
Oct 25th, 2006 at 6:43 am | #
See for me it’s not about Salman Khan or Shahrukh Khan….it’s about Farhan Akhtar. It’s like you feel so let down by the man who we thought was here to make a difference and not money-making funda.
I might have sounded to harsh….but hey!! thats what I feel. It’s like as if Farhan has made a transition from a passionate film-maker to a businessman film-maker.
spencer
Oct 25th, 2006 at 8:53 am | #
even i was disappointed with a movie and i think you went to soft on farhan,everything about the movie sucked from casting to acting to treatment and the surprise ending was the biggest sucker and farhan has plans to make the sequel to the movie which is even more scary
shadows
Oct 25th, 2006 at 10:21 am | #
>> Nemo from Matrix
Hey thats Neo, not Nemo.. Matrix kaa waat nahi lagane ka
. That movie is too far above Dons and the likes.
manuscrypts
Oct 25th, 2006 at 11:10 am | #
arent we being a bit too harsh on the guy… his first couple of movies had a very autobiographical leaning, and therefore he could express it way better than a regular story… as far as Don goes, if a guy hasnt seen the original, there’s enough of a plot to keep him happy….. if a guy has seen the original, this ideally should be seen as Farhan’s version, and one which still has a couple of good twists… movie to movie, both the movies hold their own…. SRK vs AB is a different story, though i believe that AB had a lot of his job handed on a platter simply because of the scripts that were being written then… but like you have written, this is about Farhan, and while Don may not be in the same league as DCH, Lakshya, it isnt Recycle bin material either…
Saakshi O. Juneja
Oct 25th, 2006 at 2:32 pm | #
Shadows – Ooopppsssy! Daisy. Even Nemo from ‘Finding Nemo’ is better than SRK The Don.
Apollo
Oct 25th, 2006 at 4:47 pm | #
Absolute crap of a movie. A stupendous waste of time and money
Langda Tyagi
Oct 25th, 2006 at 4:51 pm | #
Excellent review….I think it was more disappointment towards Farhan than the loss of $10 that made me pissy as I left the theatre…..
another frustrated reviewer on the other side of Pacific:-(
Born a Libran
Oct 26th, 2006 at 1:38 am | #
Not seen Don yet… So I dont know what you mean exactly… But I know what you mean when u say that all ur expectations were from Farhan Akhtar… Just remember that even a Manoj Night Shyamalan has a flop now. I mean that directors lose it midway and lets hope that Farhan is back to good form the next time around…
BTW, the decision to drop Hrithik was taken at the scripting stage itself because he thought that Hrithik did not suit the role once the script was complete. And at that stage, he did not go to the huge King Khan directly, but his main choice was Akshay Kumar (according to IMDB trivia). So maybe, he didn’t take SRK to play it safe after all, but because, he thought that SRK suited the role somewhat…
Saakshi O. Juneja
Oct 26th, 2006 at 8:14 am | #
Libran – I hope so too. And as for picking SRK, come on with so much money up his back he had to choose a HERO who had a strong hold at the Box Office and therefore the rejection of Hrithik and Akshay.
Though I feel Akshay would have been a much better choice.
aman
Oct 26th, 2006 at 1:02 pm | #
really man , i really had the same feelings what you have. Only thing i that i couldn’t put into words. it is annoying to see that the effort has not been criticised much by the media in general and the gay Taran Adarsh in particular. he sure stuffs money in his mouth , sometimes!!
Mehak
Oct 26th, 2006 at 1:25 pm | #
Saw DON on tuesday & absolutely enjoyed the movie…was FUN !!!!
guys forget about the oldie goldie AB starrer…go n watch as if its a new story…*which we rarely get to see in bollywood* …..Liked the gizmos used…..wardrobe of SRK,Priyanaka,Isha….locations….action *esp Priyanka’s scenes*….I want the movie to work for FARHAN AKHTAR…he’s a rocker !!!!
Mehak
Oct 26th, 2006 at 1:31 pm | #
I think it won’t be fare to compare AB Sr & SRK…..infact AB jee ka toh koi muqaabala he nahin hai
FARHAN truely deserves credit for his ADAPTATION of the 1978 DON …..
ppl are just posting comments as to DON is Bakwaas…SRK SUCKS *I very much agree with this* ….Farhan has done a bad job….but puhleez guys give me the reasons for not liking the phillum……..
shadows
Oct 27th, 2006 at 7:43 am | #
Mehak, the trailers are reason enough. SRK is enough reason to not watch Don, him making stupid “bad” faces and slapping his arse in the banaras song.
Utsa
Oct 30th, 2006 at 2:30 am | #
What’s with SRK bashing on here?Pliss to leave the man alone, yes you can definitely criticise the remake of DON as a film and perhaps how Farhaan Akhtar has disappointed one and many. But, I still think everyone deserves a second chance so does Farhaan. Hopefully, his next film again be on the lines of his previous outstanding work in Dil Chahta Hai & Lakshya(I quite liked it).
Cheers
Skywalker
Nov 1st, 2006 at 1:34 pm | #
i would have love to watch Abhishek as DON compare to SRK. He really sucks nowdays with his same ole style.
keep the faith
Rajiv