AFTER 'MITR', REVATHY ONCE AGAIN IMPRESSES IN 'PHIR MILENGE'
By Pankaj Shukla
Critic's I-view
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It is a clash of Titans at the box office this Friday. Director Sanjay Gadhvi returns with the backing of Yashraj Films after his debut film 'Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai' failed many months back. With his new film 'Dhoom', Sanjay Gadhvi presents some of the mellowed down actors of today like Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Uday Chopra, Esha Deol and Rimi Sen (of the 'Hungama' fame) with a lot of gizmos and hep things. He has tough competition from actress- turned- director Revathy in 'Phir Milenge' where Abhishek Bachchan and Salman Khan team up with Shilpa Shetty in very different role. And, it is not only Junior B who has tried to adorn a metamorphosis in 'Phir Milenge', but his colleague Salman Khan and Shilpa too have tried to come out of the stereotype set up.
The film is the first attempt of Hindi commercial cinema to deal with AIDS as a subject. Revathy has won accolades from UNAIDS and now it is viewers' turn to applause for this sincere effort from a director who made her first film 'Mitr ---My Friend' with an all-woman crew. Revathy dominated the silver screen in the eighties and having won half a dozen Filmfare awards and two National Awards in acting, she looks all set now to repeat the history behind the camera too. 'Phir Milenge' is full of emotions and loaded with some of the brilliant performances by its cast. The film is at a contrast from other films releasing this week 'Dhoom' and 'Anaconda 2' that boast of special effects.
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'Phir Milenge' revolves around relations between Rohit Manchanda (Salman Khan) and Tamanna (Shilpa Shetty). Rohit is a musician and is an equally fun loving and highly adventurous too. As he comes back to India, he meets Tamanna who is old pal from college years. The old fire rekindles; they share emotions and eventually start loving each other. She is a working girl who creates ripples whenever she is in office that deals with ad world. She has a responsibility as a younger sister. For, Tamanna associating with Rohit is like getting a support for the lonely life. She agrees to marry Rohit and before they could start living happily ever after, she realizes the biggest set- back of her life. She has AIDS. Rohit is blamed for this dreaded disease passed on to her but when things sour Rohit is not around to help her out as he has flown back to the States for some urgent work.
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As soon as revelation takes place about her disease, the company whom she gave all her life, bids adieu. Friends start keeping distances with her and all her efforts go in vain to get the justice from her employer. Even the legal lobby turns its face on her in giving legal aid. And he enters Tarun Anand (Abhishek Bachchan) in Tamanna's life. Tarun is a lawyer by profession, a charming person who is extremely media savvy. He is always looking for new opportunities to grab media attention. In Tamanna he finds the lifetime opportunity. Will Tamanna get her due? Will she ever forgive Rohit for throwing her in this situation and can Tarun give her the support and power that she needs most for the moment? All this and more make 'Phir Milenge' a thought- provoking and equally entertaining movie.
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Revathy needs an ovation for making Bollywood sit and think as to why can't others do the same. The films is also a lesson for the woman directors like Kalpana Lajmi, Deepa Mehta and Gurinder Chaddha who are out there to make money with some scoops or controversy. This is also for the first time that an international organization like the UN has taken note of Bollywood's efforts to overcome a threat that is fast engulfing a large population. Those who have seen 'Mitr' will vouch for the effective handling of emotional subjects by Revathy. In 'Phir Milenge' she repeats it. Her cast and crew very well assist Revathy but it is the story line that has emerged as winner. The film is a must for lovers of good cinema, though many from masses may not like it. However, the credits goes to Revathy for roping in stars from the mainstream cinema and make them work for a movie that will be remembered as a classic for years to come.
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The film is also a feather in the cap of all the actors associated with the film. Shilpa Shetty whose career was taking a downward tend for some years has emerged as the biggest beneficiary. She portrays the character of a working girl very well. She carries all the nuances required for the role. And, look at Abhishek Bachchan. He is improving with each and every film and looks like he is finally getting in the groove. Salman Khan too delivers the role of Rohit very well and it is for the first time that despite having releases week after week, he has managed to emerge victorious in each one of them. It looks like good time has just started for him.
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'Phir Milenge' also gets support from the good music by Nikhil Vinay, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy and Bhavatha Raja. Sameer and Prasoon Joshi have penned very emotive lines and the whole music team has met all the expectations from such a film. R. Ravivarman's cinematography is another highlight. Whether it is capturing exotic locales for song sequences or framing the emotions on reel, he excels in every field. 'Phir Milenge' is a good example of a perfect teamwork and being led by an energetic woman captain. The film may not emerge winner at the box office because of its subject but it's not a waste of money either. The film suffers bad or no publicity. The mouth publicity will certainly help it in long run though.
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