Krrish - The New Bollywood Blockbuster?

[Damien]

Keith Olbermann showed a clip from Krrish in which the hero is traisping around in a meadow, and comented, "Apparently he vanquishes his enemies by boring them to death."

[VanHelsing]

haven't seen fanaa and don't plan to. as for krrish, i might catch it cause i like priyanka chopra.

[Sonic Youth]

Wasn't Fanaa the supposed to be the new Bollywood blockbuster?

[Reza]

In 2004 the biggest Bollywood blockbuster was KOI...MIL GAYA. The story revolved around a teenage boy befriended by an alien. Yes it was an E.T. rip-off, complete with songs and dances (yes, even the alien gets to sing!). Now we have the sequel - KRRISH - which carries the story forward. The teenager who ends up with the girl of his dreams in the first film dies, but leaves behind a baby boy who grows up to be.......SUPERMAN! The alien, as a parting gift, gave the boy special powers.

Interesting that with the return of Superman in Hollywood, we have the Indian equivalent hitting the screens today.

Here is a review from a Bollywood site, followed by another one which places the film more in perspective:


By Taran Adarsh, June 22, 2006 - 23:35 IST

Yes, finally, the much-awaited KRRISH has arrived. Armed with monumental expectations, this sequel to KOI...MIL GAYA is touted to win the hearts of kids from 6 to 60. Most importantly, KRRISH is expected to rewrite box-office history.

Since the inception of the character during the 1930s, Superman has been fodder for a variety of movies and television series, both live and animated. Though Hindi film heroes have had the qualities of Superman, it's for the first time that a lead man with a mask and robe is about to invade the Hindi screen.

KRRISH is a crucial release for yet another reason. The Rakesh Roshan-Hrithik Roshan combo has given us back-to-back successes: KAHO NAA PYAAR HAI and KOI...MIL GAYA. Quite naturally then, the expectations from KRRISH are humungous.

The great news is that KRRISH more than meets the expectations. The film works, and works big time, due to several reasons. Besides a novel premise for Indian moviegoers, it has Hrithik Roshan enacting a role that fits him like a glove. Mind you, the role of a man with superpowers and a robust personality to match would've fallen flat in inept hands and the best of techno-wizardry would've, hence, been ignored, unobserved and unnoticed.

But one of the major highpoints of KRRISH is its penultimate 40 minutes. The fight between good and bad, noble versus immoral, virtuous versus corrupt has been depicted in film after film. And if the fight between the two extremes is portrayed in the most convincing fashion, the viewer is bound to carry the film home and most importantly, return to the movieplex to watch the on-screen clash once again.

The collision of righteous [Hrithik] and wicked [Naseer] in KRRISH and the usage of special effects and thrills takes the film to an altogether different level. It wouldn't be wrong to state that Hindi moviegoers haven't witnessed something like this ever. Also, the re-emergence of Rohit [the lead character of KOI.. MIL GAYA] in the story is a master stroke from the writing and execution point of view. It only strengthens the climax and makes the fight utmost convincing.

KRRISH also reaffirms the fact that Rakesh Roshan has adapted to the changing times well. While most of his contemporaries have slipped into oblivion, Roshan Sr. has moved with the fast-changing times and gathered courage to narrate a tale that's present-day and at the same time, inventive. At the same time, KRRISH is soaked in Indian emotions [the relationship Hrithik shares with his grandmom Rekha], talks of astrology using computer as a tool and shows the protagonist with superpowers -- a story Indians can absorb very easily. Concurrently, Roshan Sr. relies on dexterously executed special effects to narrate the tale. And the pulsating stunts and thrills only act as sone pe suhaaga.

In a nutshell, KRRISH is a terrifically exciting and compelling experience. Move over SUPERMAN, BATMAN and SPIDERMAN. KRRISH, the Indian superhero, has arrived!

Krishna [Hrithik Roshan] is born with magical powers -- a legacy from his father, Rohit Mehra.

''Free as a bird, he runs like the wind, Like an eagle, he soars across rivers and mountain tops;
As a lion, he conquers rugged rocks without fear''.

Priya [Priyanka Chopra] comes into his life and becomes his world. When she beckons him to Singapore, he follows her there. Little realizing it is destiny that has summoned him. Having sheltered him from the world, his grandmother Sonia [Rekha] reluctantly gives in to him and lets him follow his heart.

In Singapore, Dr. Siddhant Arya [Naseeruddin Shah], the megalomaniac scientist, is on the verge of changing the future forever. Only one man stands between Dr. Siddharth and his destructive dreams. Only one man has the power to block his ruthless ambitions. Krrish.

KRRISH is essentially three movies rolled into one: It starts off as a love story, changes gears and becomes a traditional superhero story and in the pre-climax, it's the clash between good versus evil. While the first part seems like any other love story, it has its moments. Note Hrithik's introduction and also, Hrithik saving Priyanka from an accident [their first meeting] and you know that there's more to the film than a saccharine-sweet love story.

The first hour, in fact, may give an impression that it's a routine fare, but knowing Roshan Sr.'s style of showing his cards in the second hour, you await the post-interval portions with bated breath. And lo! KRRISH takes giant strides in this hour. The story actually gathers momentum when Sharat Saxena spills the beans and the film goes into a flashback. From thereon, right till the end titles, it's a different film altogether. And that's its biggest achievement. The team of writers [Sachin Bhowmick, Honey Irani, Robin Bhatt, Akash Khurana and Rakesh Roshan] deserve brownie points for padding the film with pulse-pounding moments.

The film has its share of blemishes too. The pace slackens intermittently in the first hour, primarily because the story doesn't move beyond the romantic scenes. Also, the music [Rajesh Roshan] isn't as mesmerizing as the Roshan brothers' previous works. The songs of KRRISH are functional, barring the ''Dil Na Diya'' track, which is complimented by an energetic picturization.

The action scenes [Tony Ching Siu Tung from Hong Kong and Sham Kaushal] are superb and will be greeted by claps and cheers. Hrithik's stunts in Naseer's den are simply awe-inspiring. Prior to that, the chase portions -- Hrithik chasing Naseer on land, water and air -- is astounding. The special effects [Marc Kolbe and Craig Mumma, both from U.S.A.] are incredible. In fact, the special effects are a pillar of the enterprise. Santosh Thundiyil's cinematography is exceptional. The film bears a stunning look all through. Salim-Sulaiman's background score is of international quality. It only heightens the impact further.

To state that Hrithik is the soul of KRRISH would be an understatement. If the actor walked away with all noteworthy awards in KOI...MIL GAYA, it's going to be an encore with KRRISH. You cannot imagine any other actor enacting the role of a gifted child with aplomb. If his mask and robe look is splendid, watch his make up, gait and mannerisms as the aged father and you'd agree, he's one of the finest talents on the Indian screen today. KRRISH is yet another ground-breaking film in his dazzling repertoire!

Priyanka is the archetypal Hindi film heroine. Not surprising, since everyone in Hrithik's radius is bound to get eclipsed. Rekha is highly effective, especially in the scene after the confrontation, when she narrates the true story to Hrithik. Naseeruddin Shah excels yet again. He plays the cool, calculating and conniving villain to perfection.

The remaining actors -- Sharat Saxena, Puneet Issar, Akash Khurana, Hemant Pandey, Manini Mishra, Kiran Juneja Sippy and Archana Puransingh -- are satisfactory. Preity Zinta is there for one scene.

On the whole, KRRISH is a winner all the way. At the box-office, the film will rewrite box-office history and emerge one of the biggest hits ever. The film will establish records from Day 1 itself, while the first weekend business will be brilliant and the first week billing should shatter all previous records. A money spinner, KRRISH is a definite blockbuster!
Hrithik makes Krrish work




The ''Tongue-in-Cheek'' Review"

Raja Sen | June 23, 2006 14:51 IST


Unlike most superhero films, Krrish doesn't depend on the script, the catchphrases, the direction or even a theme tune. It single-heartedly concentrates its energies on the hero, with each drop of the leading man's sweat falling in super slow motion.

The film isn't about good versus evil, superpowers and 'great responsibility,' love amid masquerades -- the film is about Hrithik Roshan.

And he delivers.

Special Krrish section

A sequel to Koi Mil Gaya, Rakesh Roshan's mega budget follow-up more than eclipses the first film. Which brings us to the point: did you like KMG in the first place? If you did, then you would, and should, have already bought a ticket to this one, because it's infinitely better.

On the other hand, if you weren't a fan the first time round, I'd really only recommend it to kids -- and giggling girls who drool over Hrithik. It's cornball big-screen cliché. And perfectly enjoyable -- if you like that sort of thing.

We open with a young kid proficient with his Faber Castell colour pencils. An old-yet-refusing-to-stay-grey Rekha is alarmed at this, as the background score constantly emphasises. The chubby youth, it is soon revealed, is a smart 'un, a boy in Class I who helps Class III students with their math homework. And this can't all be chalked to the Bournvita he drinks. (Okay, okay, there's plenty of product placement throughout the film, but as long as it's not interrupting with the narrative per se or doing a Viruddh, let's not complain, yes?)

The school principal tells us that the kid is super-intelligent, obviously inheriting the powers from Rohit (for those unfamiliar with the original, Krishna's dad was touched by an alien -- and got superpowers). Granny Rekha is devastated (Salim-Suleiman crank up the background music further) and decides to home-school him.

The boy, dressed perennially in vests, doesn't do much except ride his horse, and (thanks to his powers) try to overtake it. The next bit seems quite a tribute to Amitabh Bachchan, not least because Krishna's white steed is named Toofan (Bachchan had a similar animal in the superhero film of the same name). Anyway, the camera alternates between young Krishna and Toofan running, and suddenly in a 1970's-style cut (remember the Angry Young Man origin shots during the casting, running legs going from bachcha to Bachchan?) switches to a full-grown horse, chasing which is our bicepped leading man. Ta-da! (Please say that's homage!)

Krishna, a sculpted wastrel who hangs around with kids, still doesn't seem to have gotten the hang of his powers, despite growing up with them. Every leap he takes fills him with incredulous delight, and he is constantly beaming innocently, most signs of a sharp intellect ruined. Being educated by melodramatic Rekha dadi would conceivably do that, yes.

Anyway, the kid who was once hailed as a prodigy and who explained basic financial definitions with great precocity now looks at a glider and identifies it as a big kite.

More Tarzan than Bruce Wayne, Krishna of the jungle scampers up trees to scoop up the falling Priya (Priyanka Chopra), and obviously saves her life. After much tomfoolery where she and her accompanying adventure camp believe he is a ghost, Krishna and the lady become friends, sing a song (isn't that what we all do?) and they leave for Singapore, with him pining after her.

Poor Priyanka gets an extremely tough role: A naïve girl who is initially taken in by a prank, scared but intrigued, and then smitten. Priya blows hot and cold as she then becomes worldly and (harmlessly) selfish, but is finally swept away by Krishna. In short, the actress has to convincingly be charmed, a much harder proposition than acting charming.

It's also an updated throwback to the 1970s, the kind of role one could imagine a Parveen Babi pulling off with great ease, but something Ms Chopra struggles with. An interesting dilemma given that her next big screen role is Zeenat Aman's in Don. Hmm. Anyway, here, it helps that she is distractingly pretty. And that it isn't her film.

Despite the semblance of a plot and all the requisite devices (evil scientist included), this is The Great Hrithik Circus. He jumps, he grins, he throws his sharp-enough-to-butter-bread nose into everyone's problems. Krishna is a goody-two-shoes leading man, one hesitant to use his powers and even consider himself a hero, and while the part is written with cloying cheesiness, Hrithik is earnest enough to carry it off.

While the actor may not immediately convince as the enthused Krishna, his infectious delight grows on you as the film goes on, and his work in the scenes right after the interval is disarmingly good. And his screen presence is immense.

But while the men and women who drool over Hrithik will have a field day, watch the film thrice and freeze-frame shots longingly on DVD later, the rest of Krrish is drab. The narrative is laboured and extremely lazily told, especially in the first half. The mediocre songs, picturised in their completeness, have absolutely no room in the film, and they are impossible to forgive.

The second half has significantly more baloney as the character discovers the plot twist and we move towards an inevitable conclusion, with superhero-ends haphazardly left loose throughout. The lack of any depth is saddening.

And then we come to the crucial question of originality. As discussed earlier, writing a superhero from scratch is tough. Do the Krrish writers succeed? Not really. While luxuriously taking up almost three full hours of screentime, they plod through an extremely derivative landscape. Ideas are borrowed from a bunch of movies -- the few people who have watched John Woo's Paycheck will feel some déjà vu -- and effect-shots from a million more, including The Matrix films, Spider-Man, and Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon. And watch out for the distinct Batman hangover when he actually dons the mask.

While effect-laden scenes stand out as pale imitations of the aforementioned blockbusters, and some truly ambitious scenes (particularly in the second half) fall flat, the effects are generally pretty tremendous by Hindi film standards. Despite dismally limited on a creative and conceptual level, the scenes work well enough overall.

Krrish is mired by predictability. There are no big revelations, no sudden surprises. There's also no real character involvement, the viewer not actually caring enough about Krrish but just, like the protagonist himself, caught up in all his contrived coolth. However, the fact that it's exactly what the KMG fan expects is the reason the sequel will actually succeed. I'd bet on a sequel to Krrish.

So, is it a good superhero movie? No, but it's well-intentioned.

I sat through the film indulgently having a good time, wincing frequently at dialogue but overall quite carried away. It's a full-on kiddie movie, and while a lot of us might be scornful of Krrish, it's heartening to see fantasy officially entering mainstream Bollywood.