Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic

Plot synopsis:
Ranbeer Talwar (Saif Ali Khan), a leading industrialist in India, is lonely because he has lost everyone who is dear to him which include his childhood friend and his mother. Due to distraction, he mistakenly kills a husband and wife in a car accident. The judge sentences him to look after their four children, and to do so without sending them to a boarding school nor keeping them in the care of anyone else. The children resent Ranbeer for his role in their parents' death and desire revenge, whereas he is unprepared to live with them, making both him and the children miserable in this situation.
One day, the children pray to God (Rishi Kapoor) for help. God discusses the matter with his fairylike angels and decides to send Geeta (Rani Mukerji), his favourite and the most whimsical of the angels, to unite Ranbeer with the children. God warns her not to use her ability to alter reality during her time on earth. Geeta ignores God's warning and uses this power often, providing comic relief. She appoints herself as the children's governess and places the children in awe of her by using her transformative powers. Soon, she ingratiates herself with the children with her supportive affection and positiveness. The children begin to cherish her and depend on her while Ranbeer remains perplexed and overwhelmed by her dominance of his affairs. He soon becomes enamored of her, despite the interference by his girlfriend Malaika (Ameesha Patel).
Ranbeer's relationship with Malaika ends when Geeta asks if he wants to end their relationship. She along with the children successfully ruin her birthday party . Ranbeer eventually begins getting involved with the children's lives after Geeta tells him that he just needs to see their dreams, and see what troubles them. As Ranbeer and the children slowly bond, the children forsake their desire for revenge and treat him as an older brother. On one such incident Ranbeer took the kids and Geeta along to Los Angeles as he has a conference trip with his boss. He invites them to play golf and the oldest child who wishes to gain revenge and mistreats the children of the boss. He throws insults at te children but Ranbeer defends them. When Geeta is called back to heaven as she has succeeded in uniting Ranbeer and the children. Upset, Ranbeer and the children go to a church to pray that she return to them. After God talks with Geeta, he concedes to her wishes and changes Geeta into a human who now has emotions allowing her to return to the children. Geeta marries Ranbeer and gives birth to a daughter, who inherits the ability to alter reality, despite Geeta's loss of her own power. Nevertheless, they all live happily ever after.
=== Plot Similarity ===
The story contains significant similarities to The Sound of Music, wherein (as here) a newly arrived governess serves to unite the denizens of a household, becomes enamored of its head, and flees in response, only to be returned by her former dispatcher. The plot also resembles that of the Bollywood film Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (starring Aamir Khan and Juhi Chawla). The inclusion of transformative powers gives a resemblance to Mary Poppins and Nanny McPhee, which also features a governess as its crucial character. The character of Ranbeer Talwar is based on King Uncle.

Tags: revenge, romantic

Review:
Both Amisha Patel and Saif Ali Khan phone in their performances.
It reminded me of 3 films: Mary Poppins, Nanny McPhee and Hum Hai Rahi Pyaar Ke staring Aamir Khan.
Kohli makes sure that 'Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic' appeals to children.
Adults may enjoy it with their kids but otherwise there's a lot about this film that needed improvement.
Yet, it remains a tad better flick when compared to other Hindi films of this genre, such as 'Koi Mil Gaya' (ugh!).At this point, I can't say that the story is a start-to-finish ripoff (even though it feels very familiar) but it's not very original either.
Kohli takes a lot of ideas from films like 'The Sound of Music', 'Nanny McPhee', 'Mary Poppins', 'Rent A Kid' and even the TV-series 'Heroes'.
The movie is a little too sugar-coated for my liking but then again, kids like this kind of stuff.
I mean, what was with the judge forcing the kids to be raised by their parents's murderer Ranbir?On the technical front, it scores low and this is where 'Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic' suffers.
A fantasy film needs to create that fantasy feel but due to the poor special effects (it looks almost amateurish), ancient animation, unimpressive songs and flat cinematography fails to involve the viewer in its world.
I wonder why the animation looked so old fashioned in this film when Kohli did a good job with it in his second film 'Hum Tum'.
Considering that Yashraj productions was behind funding this film, one would have expected it to look better.
Even in a lesser budgeted movie like 'Bhoothnath' the technical side is well taken care of.Saif Ali Khan does an okay job with what he's given but the transformation in his character seems rushed, choppy and of course, very hard to believe.
Amisha Patel seems to get typecast as the annoying bimbo (she played a similar role in last years 'Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd').
The child actors are the 'usual cute kids' you see in Yashraj films but these ones actually do try to act instead of just being cute.
Now the magic of this film is clearly Rani Mukherjee.
She acts her part very naturally providing excellent comic relief from the sappy moments but at the same time, the character is unidimensional.The sad thing is that 'Thoda Pyaar Rhoda Magic' could have easily been a better film technically, given the financial resources of Yashraj productions (or perhaps they suffered a little too much from their last couple of flops?) and content-wise, had the story itself been a little more real without the excessive sugar and ridicule.
But with this one, I have managed to regain some faith in the films that Yashraj is now releasing.The country's top industrialist and loner (not his will as he loses everyone he loves), causes a car accident in which parents of four children are killed.
However, the four children have other plans in mind.Directed and written by the "Hum Tum" director, Kunal Kohli, the movie stars Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel and Rishi Kapoor and is produced by Aditya Chopra.The story, though well written and directed, does have echoes of Walt Disney's "Mary Poppins," which starred Julie Andrews in a similar but not quite the same, role as the one portrayed by Rani Mukherjee.
But I must say that it was a change to see Rishi Kapoor in a complete different role.Conclusion: A good family entertainer that can be watched with kids..
Yash Chopra films are mostly over the top, larger then life.etc with superficial scenes and so is TPTMThe film starts with an accident and a court scene but Amisha's character ruins it The scenes between Saif and kids are good but then comes the angel angle which is so put off and forcedIt looks like they tried to add that to appeal to the children and the big fat Rani spoils the film with her continuous speech and babyish expressionsThen we have also the heaven scenes which are boringThen we have some songs and songsWe have a predictable storyline which a child can even guessWe have the sudden change of heart of children'sWe have the stupid finale where Rani becomes a human from an angel cos she loves Saif, Yes you heard it rightSaif is natural in his role, though he frowns too much in 1st halfRani overacts, Amisha irritates the kids are okay Rishi Kapoor is a delight.
When I happened upon "Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic" at my local library, knowing nothing else about this film beforehand, the DVD presentation caught my eye as a good bet for an undemanding evening's entertainment: a simple light-hearted nanny story along lines of "Mary Poppins" or "The Sound of Music", presented by a solid star cast (Rani Mukherjee, Saif Ali Khan, Amisha Patel) whose work elsewhere I have much enjoyed.How could such a project -- with so many good things going for it -- go so terribly wrong?"Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic", however, disappoints in every way.The script/dialogues were so stale and hackneyed the writer should be shot at dawn.The director (Kunal Kohli) was asleep at the switch.
The four children (who looked completely unalike) cast in the key roles as the four orphans at the heart of the story have to be THE least engaging, THE least talented, even THE least 'likeable' child actors I've seen in any movie for many years ...
such completely unappealing, even outright repulsive children, that while watching this movie I found myself actually thinking the dead parents had had a lucky escape!Rishi Kapoor's cameo appearance as God -- and a strangely ineffectual god at that, whether large or small "G" -- was a complete throwaway, underwritten and charmless.What bothered me about this film most of all, I think, was the fundamental 'meanness of spirit' that pervaded the whole movie ...
a meanness, even open maliciousness, that felt especially out of place given the genre and context.Even music by the normally gifted Shankar Ehsaan Loy couldn't save this turkey."2" rather than "1" (IMDb's lowest possible rating) purely to credit actors Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel, and Sharat Saxena for their brave efforts, through individual performance, to try bringing anything useful whatsoever out of their poorly conceived and badly written characters in this hopelessly failed story..
Unfortunately, Saif Ali Khan looked old but nevertheless played his part well.
I was expecting it to look cheap but it turned out to be just as good as a Hollywood animated film.
The Story and direction is by Kunal Kohli who used to be Film Critic before he started wielding his own megaphone.
Now the Cast-Saif Ali Khan is a great actor but he is so overworked he probably does't even know which set, what scene or what emotion to portray.
Rani, was portraying an Angel...but her acting was down-to-earth and saved Saif..Kunal...and Yash Raj Films..
Thoda Fantasy Thoda Fun. This film was really great!
I liked Rani Mukherjee's acting very much: she was a fairy and a messenger of God. I liked her very much in the "Bubbly" song.Rani Mukhurjee was fantastic in her roles.
She was really natural, and made all the kids to like Saif Ali Khan.
The funny part was that the spider fell on his face after the magic was over.Rani is the perfect one for a fairy.
She acted extremely well.Saif was good in his role.
He was himself in the movie and showed his natural liking for kids.The kids gave an outstanding performance.
Most of all, they really enjoyed playing their roles.Please do not miss out on this wonderful movie!
It's a completely watchable children's film..
Simplistic in its premise and basic in its treatment, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is what you could call a 'by-the-book' children's film.
Sure it tends to get preachy at times, but Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic has its heart in the right place.
And in this age of such mindless children's entertainment as violence-themed videogames and comedies filled with sexual innuendo, a simple good-natured morality tale is not such a bad thing after all.
What Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic could have done without, is that inappropriate Lazy Lamhe song with the camera lingering lovingly on Ameesha Patel's every curve.
Also the film overstays its welcome when it drudges on for a good 15 minutes after the kids have resolved their issues with Ranbir Talwar.
The romantic track between Ranbir and Geeta seems obligatory at best, and it doesn't help that Saif and Rani have zero chemistry together.
In director Kunal Kohli's Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic, four kids who have lost their parents in a road accident are packed off to live with the man responsible for their parents' death.
Saif Ali Khan plays Ranbir Talwar the hard-nosed businessman who opens his home to the kids, but can't seem to reach out to them emotionally.
Saif Ali Khan slips naturally into the role of the nostril-flaring Ranbir Talwar.
But Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is about the children, and the actors in those roles perform exceptionally.
Of the four child actors, I have to single out little Rachit Sidana who plays Sardar kid Iqbal – he is so adorable, so fragile, your heart goes out to him spontaneously.
Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is not great cinema, but it's a completely watchable children's film.
As a movie it's just about average, but bonus points for the kids who keep your interest alive throughout.This one's strictly for the kids, it's an enjoyable one-time watch, you won't complain..
Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic is similar to films like Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke and Marry Poppins.
The film basically offers nothing new unless you didn't watch these two films you could go ahead and give Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic a try.After films like Hum Tum and Fanaa, it was quite disappointing from Kunal Kohli to come up with an ordinary product.
Although he manages to extract good performances from the child artistes, he could've come up with a better storyline since its nothing new.The songs are just about average; Lazy Lamhe stands out amongst the rest of the songs and the music video is well-shot, although too sensual for a kids film.Saif Ali Khan is good and fits the part perfectly.
Rani Mukerji is cute as the angel, but her role is not very demanding.
Rishi Kapoor is good, but his role is not very demanding, again, for an actor of his seniority.
The child artistes are excellent, especially Rachit Sidana.All in all, Thoda Pyaar Thoda Magic mainly belongs to the four kids.
Ranbeer (Saif Ali Khan), a recalcitrant workaholic, kills a couple in a car accident.
God (Rishi Kapoor) hears their pleas and sends his favorite angel, Geeta (Rani Mukerji), to help them become a family.This is a sweet movie that, with the exception of one song, is oriented to family viewers, and gives uplifting messages about loss, prayer, and God. Khan is perfect for the role, gradually going from gruff and brooding to open and loving.
you will find out at the end of my review.The movie is about four kids who had a horrible tragedy and end up living with Saif Ali khan..
Now, that's all I'm gonna say about the story or else I'd be spoiling the whole maza.Good thing about TPTM is that as soon as you are seated, the drama has started, it will keep you captivated till the very end , and that's the plus sign of any Bollywood flick considering they are longer than usual Hollywood drama...ActingSaif: He is a natural actor, he is one of the finest actors we have in Bollywood and Yes, he did justice to his role..
Amisha Patel: It's not her fault she can't act, it's the director's fault who had asked her to share the screen with Rani Mukerji..
but one thing I liked about her was her sex appeal, she looked very beautiful no doubt but that's about it.Kids: Adorable...
these kids can be future stars, if they keep performing like that.Rishi K : Well, it was a cameo role for him and he did what he had asked to do, he looked cute and was very funny..
Her dialog delivery was marvelous, very convincing which definitely bring tears to your eyes.Songs: Here comes the interesting part, although you would fall in love with all the songs once you watch the movie, cause it makes much better sense as we are going through some emotions..
she looked like a real fairy, long hair..
If you ask a young, love, dove couple, ask for their favorite song, they'd say it was "Nihal Ho gaye" cause that song had so much emotions involved in it, and the lyrics were amazing, a romantic song which brings Saif and Rani together..
but the one song which every one can sing along and do little booty shaking is none other than "Lazy Lamhey" it was very well done, and AMisha looked very hot in it ( but I found it way way to hot, especially when all four kids were around) you watch it and let me know if you agree with me or not...
he has done a great job and deserves a standing ovation.Overall, it was a very good movie, I liked it..
Director Kohli is out this time with a magical fairy tale based in contemporary Delhi revolving around a lonesome handsome and four kids whose parents get killed in a car accident.Awkward (but it's cinema again) the judge orders Ranveer to take the kids home and unwillingly they start living under one roof but no one is really happy with each other.
Anyway, that again perfectly justifies the fast-paced first 10 minutes where a young Ranveer grows up to a man (I loved the scene where he gets up and starts walking before his name is announced in a business award-giving.) and hits his car into an unfortunate couples'.The eldest of the kids decides to take revenge and come to Ranveer's house.
The kids have presented a magnificent performance, full points to them.Kunal Kohli yet again shows his inclination towards western flicks and even managed to squeeze in a quick Night in the Museum sequence in a song and even managed to tell how great his country is.
So many things in one movie  it's making me dizzy.It also comes to show how the musical trio of Shanker Ehsaan Loy have exhausted and begun making songs similar (compare Pyaar ke Liye and Taare Zameen Par) to the ones they previously composed.
Cinematography and editing is so so  I don't think it's so great for a SFX movie like this.
Little animation sequences that pop up in the middle are distracting and inconsistent.Though it was absolutely unimportant to take the story to LA in the last act, I think it was still great watching the inside of Hollywood theme parks and specially the scene where Rani uses her magical powers to transform the "H" of Hollywood into a "B." Anyways, I would say that take your children to watch the film but not sure whether they'll be able to grasp all the punches.
Anyway, take them  at least they'll enjoy the special effects and comedy and the kids..
But when you have a closer look at this movie, it is a complete different story, and very original.
OK, the nanny in this movie is also making sure that a bunch of kids and their "dad" are going to love each other.
The movie has some kids who are playing really well, their is a great sense of humor and at the same time you can't escape it's serious subject.Minor things, like the religious mash potato they are trying to serve you, as if all religions are alike, you take for granted.It is a great family movie, good for the holiday season, and some people might even need a hankie.
But take it for what it is, a fun movie, enjoyable with the kids..
Kunal Kohli's latest venture is exactly on the lines of its title, that means "Everything Thoda Thoda".
The film has all the elements of love, emotion, fun and children playing pranks on elders.
But everything is completely predictable and average as far as entertainment is concerned.The film only manages to amuse to some extent and that also mainly to the people who are there for time pass.
If you are looking for some novelty and innovative direction in the movie then you are sure to get disappointed.A fairy is sent from GOD in order to help the children on earth who have problems with their guardian appointed by the court.
The GOD is played by Rishi Kapoor who looks cute.
And the concept of fairy is used to incorporate the magic elements in the movie.
Nowadays whole Bollywood is having a heavy punjab influence in its latest projects.Rani Mukherjee seems to be enjoying her role but fails to make an impact.
Saif Ali Khan just plays his character and it looks like he lost the interest in the movie in mid way.
Only the four children are a treat to watch, specially the child playing the role of Sikh Kid "Iqbal".
Still the sequences with the kids are not such that you can remember them walking out of the hall.The weakest section of the movie is its music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. It's one of the most unimpressive work from the trio with not even a single melodious song.
This project needed some special children songs which were found missing.
Special Effects are uncomplicated and are not used in excess, which is intelligent thinking by the director.Kunal Kohli, the director follows his own passion of influences from the west.
This time his movie has the hangover of "Marry Poppins", "The Sound Of Music", "City Of Angels" and may be more.
I think this was deliberately done by Kunal.All one can say is that its an OK movie, with a simple look and has nothing special to talk about.