Hindi movie: Kurbaan

Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Vivek Oberoi

Karan Johar attempts to tell another story much like the theme in his more successful My Name is Khan venture of the Western world's war against terrorism and the connection to Islamic extremists. Saif (Ehsaan) wins over the love of Kareena (Avantika) while they're teaching in the same college in Delhi. When Kareena decides to move back to New York, Ehsaan suggests they marry and move together. In New York they soon settle in making their home in an Indian neighborhood. Avantika and Ehsaan befriend their muslim neighbors whose women members Avantika observes are suppressed. One of these women pleads with Avantika for help and warns her of her own life endangered. Here the plot thickens. It turns out that Ehsaan and the neighboring trio of muslim men are in fact a terrorist sleeper cell planning a series of terror attacks in the US. The first attack blows up a passenger plane, among those dead, Vivek's (Riyaz) paramour. Riyaz a seasoned war journalist follows a lead to hunt the perpetrators and avenge his lover's death. Can Riyaz sabotage the other planned attacks, does Avantika escape the clutches of Ehsaan and the killers? The rest of the movie unfolds this story.

One does wonder why Avantika can't dial 911 in the first place before being captured by Ehsaan and co. or why Riyaz the war jouralist can't involve authorities in his effort to sniff out the killers, but must resort to very rudimentary sleuthing. I suppose this was intended to give the movie its 2 hour stretch. Don't expect the chemistry between Saif and Kareena, the real-life pair, to sizzle. On-screen only Kareena's smokily lined eyes do.

Rating: Viewable to the extent that you set aside your brain. This earns a predictable 2 out of 5 stars!

Hindi movie: Love Aaj Kal (2009)

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor.

Directed by Imtiaz Ali who's been my favorite with movies such as Socha Na Tha and Jab We Met, has cast the film quite well. Saif plays the double protagonist parts as the lover of the 70s and as the contemporary lover boy. His innate smooth, charming, self-assured aura carries through in this role as well. In that sense, Saif's getting stereotypical--playing the same "Dil Chahta Hai" formulaic character over and out. Plus his age is starting to show in this one. Deepika as the modern ladki is ravishing but her presence seems all too calm to be at all capable of feeling the tumultous emotions of love that the story provokes. Her ultracool portrayal goes so far that she even glibly smiles her way through situations that naturally call for at least a cynical smirk or a bitter smile.

Rishi Kapoor's role is the same as the other easy-going, likeable parts he's played in a Namastey London or a Hum Tum. The surprise casting of the Brazilian model, Giselle Monteiro, as Harleen Kaur the yesteryear heroine, has its effect. Her role though minor--for she's little to say apart from looking meek, being shy--she comes off looking fresh-faced and interesting in the frames. The only giveaway to her non-indian origins is her inability to groove bollywood style.

Rating: The movie makes for a fair pass time and begets a 2.5 out of 5 stars. Imtiaz I expect more from your next effort!!!