If you have missed the bus for 'Harry Potter', here is your second chance but in desi style and that too with 3D effect. Enter, master of mythological TV serials, Dheeraj Kumar, once a flop actor now a hit producer-director.
His latest is 'Aabra Ka Dabra' for the big screen. And, it is a 3 D film with a difference (technically). Though this Christmas and new year bonanza for Indian kids has not generated the curiosity among Indian kids because of poor media planning, the film may be seen as one more step forward from Bollywood filmmakers to stay away from stereotype.
click for larger view
Fifty-two years have passed since the very first 3 D film of cinematic history; 'Bwana Devil' was released. It was followed with famous Vincent Price's 'House of Wax'. But, the bubble died soon because filmmakers misused this technical advantage as a gimmick. The first 3 D film in India, 'Chhota Chetan', was released to be followed by 'Shiva Ka Insaf' next year. Then 'Chhota Jadugar' hit the screens. 'Aabra Ka Dabra' is different from its predecessors as uunlike normal 3-D films, which require silver-coated screens, special glasses and extra lenses for the film projector, 'Aabra Ka Dabra' can be shown on regular screens. There is a definite market for 3 D films.
click for larger view
Those who remember the downfall of Amitabh Bachchan and his three movies that dealt with magic, namely, 'Ajooba', 'Jadugar' and 'Toofan' will find a lot of resemblance in 'Aabra Ka Dabra'. A son seeing his magician father die while trying to experiment a trick where he has put in a box with chained hands and thrown in water, is the start point of 'Aabra Ka Dabra'. The story reminds one of 'Jadugar', but 'Aabra Ka Dabra' takes a turn and follows the path of 'Harry Potter'. The boy in question here is Shanu. After his father dies, life becomes miserable for him as well as for his mother. His mother earns money by doing household chores and Shanu himself finds a job at Dilbag Singh's Dhaba.
click for larger view
The days turn dark and the life becomes treacherous for both. Then they witness the silver lining behind the dark clouds. Shanu manages to win sponsors for his quest to learn magic and fulfil dream of his father. Shanu reaches the magic school, 'Aabra Ka Dabra', located at outskirts of the city and in dense woods. He is in awe of the palatial building of the magic school (all that has been copied straight away from 'Harry Potter' movie). But he has to start from somewhere. He meets the principal of the school Ms. Rang Birangi. She is the woman who creates fears among school kids in their dreams. Shanu makes many friends and enemies too. However, he doesn't forget his ultimate goal that has brought him here. And, one day he discovers a hidden truth about Ms. Rang Birangi. His world changes after that and so also the lives of his friend and foes too. The real magic of 'Aabra Ka Dabra' now starts unfolding and Shanu's eyes see the sparkle of success after a long wait.
click for larger view
Produced and directed by Dheeraj Kumar, 'Aabra Ka Dabra' is a desi model of wizard movies that have been making waves in the global cinema. Having watched foreign films and soap operas on big and small screens, Indian kids are not very far behind overseas children. Their quest for unknown grows. In Athit Naik, Hanshika Motwani, Vishal, Anupam Kher, Archana Puransingh and Satish Kaushik, Dheeraj may have found his unique cast for 'Aabra Ka Dabra', but the 'zing' thing is missing at many places.
click for larger view
The problem with such kind of movies is that the makers don't want to deviate much from the set norms. A wizard film does require a lot of gimmicks to keep the kids glued to the screen and that also requires making huge sets. Dheeraj Kumar relies heavily on computer-generated sets and that gives the film an artificial look. Even the characters generated with help of SFX are not lively; they are devoid of soul and look mechanized.
click for larger view
'Aabra Ka Dabra' may have been propagated as the revival of children cinema in a big way, but parents in India prefer to take their kids to a movie where they find entertainment too. The 3 D effects are still to make a mark on the Indian audience, not all are very comfortable with this cinematic wizardry. Moreover, the lead kid cast of the film, be it Athit Naik or Hanshika Motwani, fail to gel with today's kids.
click for larger view
There needs to be something extraordinary in these kids and the punch in the cast is missing. Vishal tries a lot to leave the impression but in vain. Among seniors, Anupam Kher looks lost while Archana Puransingh does not appeal on the big screen. Satish Kaushik is a surprise package and creates ripples whenever he comes on screen. On the whole, the fate of 'Aabra Ka Dabra' rests on how the exhibitors exploit the Christmas season. Bulk booking from schools is the only option to make the film click at the box office. Otherwise, it may face tough time.
Press News
Content Syndication
Help/FAQ 
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)