Not as great as it is being made out to be

Rating: 5/10 (22 January 2009)

All the folks that I talk to rave about this movie. Criticizing this movie has become like criticizing Obama. No one wants to hear it. I feel that the movie tries to package the more than well trodden Hindi movie masala themes into a more western friendly style. The good part about the movie is that it does this well. Also it does the story telling in a somewhat novel way. I also feel that it tries to provide realism in a very superficial way. Exhibit 1: The protagonist speaks Hindi all through the childhood (this part was realistic) but starts to speak middle class/upper middle class stylish English when he grows up (stylish in the Indian context). How did he learn the language so well? I think the casting could have been better. Also Rehman's music is highly overrated in this movie. This certainly is not the best music Rehman has given (I know the GG award was comparing this music with nominees in this category). I have loved many of Rehmans compositions and follow his work carefully. Glad that someone has given more technical thought and insightful comments than the usual "shows in India in bad light" argument. If this movie wins an Oscar apart from the GG, I certainly would see merit in the disappointment of a whole group of Bollywood directors whose movies were much better than this one. Sorry just a mediocre movie.