The flip side of the coin. The films that created the maximum hype and hoopla before release, the films that had stars that cannot fail, the films whose makers had precedents to live up to but ultimately, the films that were major disappointments. In the order of their release dates.
Chandni Chook to Choona
After god knows how many back-to-back hits, Akshay Kumar delivered not one, two but four turkeys this year. This was the first one. He hasn’t ceased to be funny, it’s just that filmmakers don’t want to experiment with him.
Raaz: The Mystery Should Have Ended
Its music still blares from places, reminding me of how horrible this film was. It was a script of convenience, that it to say, the story took a convenient turn as and when nothing logical seemed to come forth. Hope the mystery won’t continue any further.
Delhi Sheh!
A messy attempt at making a social satire. The film got lost under some inept direction and a deluge of characters. I don’t think I can even recall any three of them. A few nice songs though.
24 X 7 Torture
Nagesh Kukunoor makes good films, but every once in a while, he slips, and he slips bad. This is one of those occasions. A film that is at once, about the paranormal, a murder mystery and a family drama. And it fails on all counts.
Kambakkht Shit
2009 saw the return of Akshay Kumar the action star. Not a good thing as it tuned out. When the selling point of your film is cameos by second rung or faded out Hollywood actors, you sort of know where the film is headed. Those who sat through the entire length deserve an Oscar for endurance.
Dim-Wit Murugun
It may be amusing as a filler on MTV, but as a full length movie, it is an test of your patience. With the hero Rajendra Prasad unable to move beyond the expression God gave him, the director ought to have aborted this film after the first few takes.
What’s Your Ni-Rashee?
Mine was Ashutosh Gowarikar. After churning out three landmark films of Indian cinema, it pains me to see him fall so hard. This film had the most irresponsible and indiscriminate use of songs seen in a long time. Chopping away half of them would at least have made the film tolerable. Priyanka might still win some award for her performance but otherwise this was a washout.
All the Worst: The Fun Ends
This was one of the more commercially successful films of the year. Maybe because it was released during the Diwali season. There can be no other explanation. Think of actors who are good at comedy and Ajay Devgan, Sanjay Dutt and Fardeen Khan don’t leap to mind.
Ajab Prem Ki Garbled Kahani
Once upon a time, Rajkumar Santoshi made a film called Andaz Apna Apna. A film that was so funny, it will make you fall off your seat even in the 20th viewing. Since then, people have wondered, why Santoshi hasn’t made another “out-and-out” comedy. Well this year he finally has, but it is so bereft of ideas, he has to pick jokes from AAA. Ranbir and the music can’t be blamed though. Go watch AAA again.
De Dana Dan (to the director)
Not since Hera Pheri have Akshay Kumar, Paresh Rawal, Sunil Shetty (does it matter?) and Priyadarshan come together. De Dana Dan is evidence why that is a good thing. Priyadarshan’s brand of comedy is wearing thin and he needs to either abandon this genre altogether or infuse better ideas into his films. Otherwise, “Filmed by Priyadarshan” will begin to seem like an insult rather than an attraction.
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