Anita's Roundup Review Of The Bollywood Movies In 2009
A long long while back, someone (I think it was carviangli?) asked me to do a rundown of all the Bollywood films in 2009. I hadn't seen all of the important ones until very recently, but now that I have, I've made this handy-dandy guide with all my thoughts on the biggies of 2009.
All of the opinions are mine and I am entitled to them, no matter how drastically they differ from yours. I'm fairly certain there will be a lot of discrepancies between how I feel and what a lot of you out there thought...
Note: I have not seen Raaz 2, Aa Dekhen Zara, 8x10 Tasveer, Shortkut, Life Partner, All The Best, Jail or De Dana Dan, so they will not be discussed.
Chandni Chowk To China
January 16
Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone
Good: The song picturizations are really pretty and Deepika is beyond gorgeous throughout the film.
Bad: I watched about twenty minutes of it and couldn't stand to watch any more so I left while my family continued on.
Luck By Chance
January 20
Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Isha Sharvani, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Hrithik Roshan, Juhi Chawla
Good: This is most definitely my favourite film of the year. I cannot even EXPLAIN how amazing it is, though I have attempted to do so many many times in the past on this very journal. Some of the best work I have seen from every single person who is a part of this incredible cast of actors. It has some spectacular special guest appearances to boot!
Bad: Once you start (re-)watching it, you can't stop!! ;)
Dev D
February 6
Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin, Mahi Gill
Good: An interesting take on the story of Devdas with very good acting by the whole cast. Watch out for the extremely amazing portrayal of Chandramukhi by Kalki Koechlin.
Bad: I still hate every single character in this story and always have. :P Oh and the movie's quite raunchy at times, so if that's not your thing, stay away.
Billu
February 13
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Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Shahrukh Khan
Good: A sweet and simple story with sprinkles of Bollywood glam thrown in for good measure. But quite enjoyable.
Bad: It can drag a little bit in certain parts. And if you're expecting a Shahrukh Khan film, you're waaaaay off.
Delhi 6
February 20
Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Waheeda Rahman, Om Puri, Rishi Kapoor, Divya Dutta
Good: Directly asks important questions about Indian society and discriminatory politics. A great cast of character actors work to the film's advantage.
Bad: It doesn't get its various points across in the best or most subtle ways possible. It also could have used so much more Sonam Kapoor it's not even funny...
New York
June 26
John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Irrfan Khan
Good: Neil Nitin Mukesh in a suprisingly impressive role.
Bad: Everything else about New York left me saying "coulda been better" (which we'll find out it WAS in Kurbaan)
Kambakkht Ishq
July 3
Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor
Good: Uhhhh, good songs?
Bad: OH MY GOD STAY AWAY FROM THIS MOVIE IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR DIGNITY AND YOUR BRAIN CELLS!!!
Luck
July 24
Imran Khan, Mithun Chakraborty, Sanjay Dutt, Shruti Haasan, Danny Denzongpa, Ravi Kishan, Chitrashi Rawat
Good: It has an interesting premise. There is also wonderfully endearing acting by Chitrashi Rawat (our resident Chak De girl). Seriously, just watch the movie for her! :)
Bad: It tries a little too hard to be Westernized. Shruti Haasan is sadly not given enough scope. Neither is Imran, to be honest...
Love Aaj Kal
July 31
Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor
Good: Loved the non-linear storytelling, amazing soundtrack and refreshing chemistry between Saif and Deepika. The story itself is very relatable.
Bad: If you don't like Westernized romcom in your Bollywood then this one's not for you, but I personally loved it! Also, don't go in expecting a Jab We Met and you should be fine.
Kaminey
August 14
Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra
Good: Simply brilliant acting by everyone in the film, with Shahid Kapoor being a real standout.
Bad: It is a gritty gangster movie, so you have to like that genre, but if you do then this movie will be such a treat to watch.
Dil Bole Hadippa
September 18
Rani Mukherjee, Shahid Kapoor
Good: One of the most fun, colourful, exuberant and satisfying movies I saw in all of 2009. Rani Mukherjee is back with a bang! Rani and SHahid's chemistry is sizzling...go watch it already!!
Bad: It's not the most thrilling story of all time and it does involve cricket, so if that's not something you enjoy you may be deterred.
Wanted
September 18
Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia
Good: Salman is at his cracktacular best with tons of dishoom and some fun dance numbers, there's even a few twists and turns to keep you on your feet.
Bad: It is admittedly a kind of crazy movie that you really have to be in the right kind of mood for to truly enjoy.
What's Your Raashee?
September 25
Priyanka Chopra, Harman Baweja
Good: Priyanka Chopra. Full stop. And most of the songs are good too.
Bad: Harman Baweja needs acting lessons, or maybe charisma lessons. Which is strange because he has a presence when you see him in real life. Whatever the reason is, said persona doesn't show up on-camera.
Wake Up Sid
October 2
Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma
Good: As with Luck By Chance, I don't really have anything to deride this movie for. Go and watch it, yaar...NOW!!! Special props to mah girl Konkona Sen Sharma, though. *_*
Bad: Nothing really. I've seen it several times now and can't really pinpoint any flaws...
Blue
October 16
Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta, Zayed Khan
Good: Uuhhhhhh...ummmmmm maybe if you like the colour blue? like really REALLY like it?!! But then I'd tell you to go watch Saawariya instead :P
Bad: Snore fest.
Main Aur Mrs Khanna
October 16
Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sohail Khan
Good: Two cute special appearances by certain actresses that I love, but only I would be dumb enough to see this movie TWICE for that reason alone...
Bad: Don't watch it, save yourself three hours, ESPECIALLY if you're a Sallu fan because he sleepwalks through the entire movie.
London Dreams
October 30
Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, Asin
Good: I actually enjoyed the story of this film, it was much darker than I had expected it to be. The relationship between Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan's characters was well-portrayed.
Bad: The movie really begins to drag, slow down and start losing its direction three-quarters of the way through. It also could have used less songs.
Aladin
October 30
Amitabh Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline Fernandez
Good: Amitabh Bachchan is fun as a genie and most of the special effects were pretty cool.
Bad: Ritesh Deshmukh, honey, you can't carry a film. I hope Jacqueline Fernandez learns how to do more than just smile.
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
November 6
Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif
Good: The songs are hella good.
Bad: Everything else to do with this movie is bad baaaaaaaad bad, unequivocally and mind-numbingly so. I don't care that this was a hit and so many people love it, I would NEVER recommend Ajab Fail Ki Kahani to ANYONE...unless I wanted to be admitted to an insane asylum. (I wouldn't mind seeing Ranbir and Kat in a different movie together, because look at how cute they are together! But APKGK?! No thanks.)
Kurbaan
November 20
Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi
Good: After telling you all how much I hated Ajab you'll think I'm even weirder for saying that I really enjoyed Kurbaan. The acting was good, the intrigue was excellent, nothing was too far-out or unbelievable and both Saif and Kareena gave worthy performances.
Bad: For such a touchy subject like terrorism there is obviously some scenes in the movie that may offend both sides of the world, but it did a lot better in that department than I had expected it to.
Paa
November 14
Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Abhishek Bachchan
Good: Amitabh Bachchan is beyond amazing in his role as Auro; it's unbelievable to even fathom how much this man has already done in terms of acting and how much more he is capable of!
Bad: The film didn't really engage me, even though it had a very unique story to tell.
Rocket Singh
December 11
Ranbir Kapoor
Good: A down-to-earth story about real people portrayed perfectly by its cast. Ranbir Kapoor is a solid actor, I'll give him that!
Bad: Itt definitely wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing either; I personally prefer Wake Up Sid myself when it comes to coming-of-age movies in 2009.
3 Idiots
December 25
Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi
Good: It has a good message and covers a lot of ground with a few surprises along the way. And it's great to see Aamir Khan once again not afraid of letting other actors steal the limelight from time to time.
Bad: There were some really dumb and unnecessary scenes that took away from the good aspects of the film. Also, I don't understand why it's so hyped, because it was just strictly good: better than Lage Raho Munnabhai but worse than Munnabhai MBBS...
Lemme know all of your thoughts on these movies, I'd love to hear them! :)
All of the opinions are mine and I am entitled to them, no matter how drastically they differ from yours. I'm fairly certain there will be a lot of discrepancies between how I feel and what a lot of you out there thought...
Note: I have not seen Raaz 2, Aa Dekhen Zara, 8x10 Tasveer, Shortkut, Life Partner, All The Best, Jail or De Dana Dan, so they will not be discussed.
Chandni Chowk To China
January 16
Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone
Good: The song picturizations are really pretty and Deepika is beyond gorgeous throughout the film.
Bad: I watched about twenty minutes of it and couldn't stand to watch any more so I left while my family continued on.
Luck By Chance
January 20
Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sen Sharma, Isha Sharvani, Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Hrithik Roshan, Juhi Chawla
Good: This is most definitely my favourite film of the year. I cannot even EXPLAIN how amazing it is, though I have attempted to do so many many times in the past on this very journal. Some of the best work I have seen from every single person who is a part of this incredible cast of actors. It has some spectacular special guest appearances to boot!
Bad: Once you start (re-)watching it, you can't stop!! ;)
Dev D
February 6
Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin, Mahi Gill
Good: An interesting take on the story of Devdas with very good acting by the whole cast. Watch out for the extremely amazing portrayal of Chandramukhi by Kalki Koechlin.
Bad: I still hate every single character in this story and always have. :P Oh and the movie's quite raunchy at times, so if that's not your thing, stay away.
Billu
February 13
Irrfan Khan, Lara Dutta, Shahrukh Khan
Good: A sweet and simple story with sprinkles of Bollywood glam thrown in for good measure. But quite enjoyable.
Bad: It can drag a little bit in certain parts. And if you're expecting a Shahrukh Khan film, you're waaaaay off.
Delhi 6
February 20
Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Waheeda Rahman, Om Puri, Rishi Kapoor, Divya Dutta
Good: Directly asks important questions about Indian society and discriminatory politics. A great cast of character actors work to the film's advantage.
Bad: It doesn't get its various points across in the best or most subtle ways possible. It also could have used so much more Sonam Kapoor it's not even funny...
New York
June 26
John Abraham, Katrina Kaif, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Irrfan Khan
Good: Neil Nitin Mukesh in a suprisingly impressive role.
Bad: Everything else about New York left me saying "coulda been better" (which we'll find out it WAS in Kurbaan)
Kambakkht Ishq
July 3
Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor
Good: Uhhhh, good songs?
Bad: OH MY GOD STAY AWAY FROM THIS MOVIE IF YOU WANT TO KEEP YOUR DIGNITY AND YOUR BRAIN CELLS!!!
Luck
July 24
Imran Khan, Mithun Chakraborty, Sanjay Dutt, Shruti Haasan, Danny Denzongpa, Ravi Kishan, Chitrashi Rawat
Good: It has an interesting premise. There is also wonderfully endearing acting by Chitrashi Rawat (our resident Chak De girl). Seriously, just watch the movie for her! :)
Bad: It tries a little too hard to be Westernized. Shruti Haasan is sadly not given enough scope. Neither is Imran, to be honest...
Love Aaj Kal
July 31
Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor
Good: Loved the non-linear storytelling, amazing soundtrack and refreshing chemistry between Saif and Deepika. The story itself is very relatable.
Bad: If you don't like Westernized romcom in your Bollywood then this one's not for you, but I personally loved it! Also, don't go in expecting a Jab We Met and you should be fine.
Kaminey
August 14
Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra
Good: Simply brilliant acting by everyone in the film, with Shahid Kapoor being a real standout.
Bad: It is a gritty gangster movie, so you have to like that genre, but if you do then this movie will be such a treat to watch.
Dil Bole Hadippa
September 18
Rani Mukherjee, Shahid Kapoor
Good: One of the most fun, colourful, exuberant and satisfying movies I saw in all of 2009. Rani Mukherjee is back with a bang! Rani and SHahid's chemistry is sizzling...go watch it already!!
Bad: It's not the most thrilling story of all time and it does involve cricket, so if that's not something you enjoy you may be deterred.
Wanted
September 18
Salman Khan, Ayesha Takia
Good: Salman is at his cracktacular best with tons of dishoom and some fun dance numbers, there's even a few twists and turns to keep you on your feet.
Bad: It is admittedly a kind of crazy movie that you really have to be in the right kind of mood for to truly enjoy.
What's Your Raashee?
September 25
Priyanka Chopra, Harman Baweja
Good: Priyanka Chopra. Full stop. And most of the songs are good too.
Bad: Harman Baweja needs acting lessons, or maybe charisma lessons. Which is strange because he has a presence when you see him in real life. Whatever the reason is, said persona doesn't show up on-camera.
Wake Up Sid
October 2
Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma
Good: As with Luck By Chance, I don't really have anything to deride this movie for. Go and watch it, yaar...NOW!!! Special props to mah girl Konkona Sen Sharma, though. *_*
Bad: Nothing really. I've seen it several times now and can't really pinpoint any flaws...
Blue
October 16
Akshay Kumar, Sanjay Dutt, Lara Dutta, Zayed Khan
Good: Uuhhhhhh...ummmmmm maybe if you like the colour blue? like really REALLY like it?!! But then I'd tell you to go watch Saawariya instead :P
Bad: Snore fest.
Main Aur Mrs Khanna
October 16
Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sohail Khan
Good: Two cute special appearances by certain actresses that I love, but only I would be dumb enough to see this movie TWICE for that reason alone...
Bad: Don't watch it, save yourself three hours, ESPECIALLY if you're a Sallu fan because he sleepwalks through the entire movie.
London Dreams
October 30
Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, Asin
Good: I actually enjoyed the story of this film, it was much darker than I had expected it to be. The relationship between Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan's characters was well-portrayed.
Bad: The movie really begins to drag, slow down and start losing its direction three-quarters of the way through. It also could have used less songs.
Aladin
October 30
Amitabh Bachchan, Ritesh Deshmukh, Sanjay Dutt, Jacqueline Fernandez
Good: Amitabh Bachchan is fun as a genie and most of the special effects were pretty cool.
Bad: Ritesh Deshmukh, honey, you can't carry a film. I hope Jacqueline Fernandez learns how to do more than just smile.
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani
November 6
Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif
Good: The songs are hella good.
Bad: Everything else to do with this movie is bad baaaaaaaad bad, unequivocally and mind-numbingly so. I don't care that this was a hit and so many people love it, I would NEVER recommend Ajab Fail Ki Kahani to ANYONE...unless I wanted to be admitted to an insane asylum. (I wouldn't mind seeing Ranbir and Kat in a different movie together, because look at how cute they are together! But APKGK?! No thanks.)
Kurbaan
November 20
Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi
Good: After telling you all how much I hated Ajab you'll think I'm even weirder for saying that I really enjoyed Kurbaan. The acting was good, the intrigue was excellent, nothing was too far-out or unbelievable and both Saif and Kareena gave worthy performances.
Bad: For such a touchy subject like terrorism there is obviously some scenes in the movie that may offend both sides of the world, but it did a lot better in that department than I had expected it to.
Paa
November 14
Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Abhishek Bachchan
Good: Amitabh Bachchan is beyond amazing in his role as Auro; it's unbelievable to even fathom how much this man has already done in terms of acting and how much more he is capable of!
Bad: The film didn't really engage me, even though it had a very unique story to tell.
Rocket Singh
December 11
Ranbir Kapoor
Good: A down-to-earth story about real people portrayed perfectly by its cast. Ranbir Kapoor is a solid actor, I'll give him that!
Bad: Itt definitely wasn't bad but it wasn't amazing either; I personally prefer Wake Up Sid myself when it comes to coming-of-age movies in 2009.
3 Idiots
December 25
Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Madhavan, Sharman Joshi
Good: It has a good message and covers a lot of ground with a few surprises along the way. And it's great to see Aamir Khan once again not afraid of letting other actors steal the limelight from time to time.
Bad: There were some really dumb and unnecessary scenes that took away from the good aspects of the film. Also, I don't understand why it's so hyped, because it was just strictly good: better than Lage Raho Munnabhai but worse than Munnabhai MBBS...
Lemme know all of your thoughts on these movies, I'd love to hear them! :)