In our coverage of Krrish in these columns we have been categorical in expressing our opinion that Krrish could well turn out to be landmark film in Indian cinema. We had many reasons to feel that way - Rakesh Roshan for one. Having given us Koi Mil Gaya, he had the right credentials - A proven track record as a film maker with imagination and the courage to not just buck the paradigm but succeed in doing so. He is a rare Indian film maker who gives a film’s story precedence over its stars and the visual effects. He uses the big budget allocated to the film to make an indelible impression of his imagination on your mind, rather than attempt to awe you with star power or special effects
We usually start a film review with a synopsis of the story line. However, we are going to dispense with that approach for this review because unless you have been vacationing in Jadoo land, you know the story of Krrish, the sequel to Koi Mil Gaya
Hrithik Roshan plays Krishna, the son of Rohit Mehra who befriended Jadoo in Koi Mil Gaya and acquired special powers from the extraterrestrial. Rekha plays the role of Rohit Mehra’s mother in this film too. She brings up Krishna, following the death of Rohit and his wife shortly after Krishna is born; keeping a watchful eye on young Krishna and the special powers that he inherited from his father. Priyanka Chopra as Priya plays the romantic lead against Krishna. Naseeruddin Shah as Dr Siddhant Arya is the bad guy, the mad scientists who wants to rule the world.
Having read the synopsis of the film I had feared that it may come through as a contrived sequel to Koi Mil Gaya, but it doesn’t. It links up with the previous film in a manner that is both convincing and delightful.
As soon as the film opens you know you are in for a visual treat. The cinematography is superb and the locales are beautiful. The last film in which I enjoyed the visuals to the same extent was Lakshya.
Krrish turned out to be a delectable mix of sci-fi action, adventure, comedy and romance. I call it delectable because the genres blend beautifully with the story line. The first half, after establishing the links with Koi Mil Gaya, first focuses on Krishna’s formative year with imagination stirring action and visuals. Later, when a grown up Krishna meets with Priya and the build up to the super hero action in Singapore starts, we are treated to some authentic comedy, adventure and romance. As the film moves to its climax in Singapore, where Krrish takes on Dr Siddhant Arya, the comedy and romance surreptitiously fade away giving way to some stirring action.
Krrish is wholesome entertainment that adults will enjoy and children will be ecstatic about. When this reviewer saw the film, the cinema hall was packed almost entirely with adults, yet on several occasions the audience broke out into applause when Krrish the superhero intervened to rescue innocents and children. I have rarely seen such spontaneous reaction from adults. In the days ahead, when the kids get to the theater in larger numbers to see the film the applause is likely to be resounding.
Musical score by Rajesh Roshan while not outstanding blends beautifully with the story line, not to mention the differing sky lines of Kasauli and Singapore. During the song and dance sequences, while Hrithik Roshan excels with exquisite dance moves Priyanka Chopra barely passes muster.
There are two possible weaknesses in the film. On a couple of occasions there was a perceptible loss of momentum in the flow of the story. The film appeared to become adrift for several long minutes before steaming forward again. However, in a three hour film that is only to be expected.
My other disappointment was with the weapon that Dr Siddhant Arya hoped to wield to rule the world – A super computer that could predict the future. The concept appeared too far fetched and the fact that the computer programming included astrological science was just too unpalatable for me.
However, don’t get me wrong. I am not really complaining. A computer that can predict the future is not as bizarre as the concept of two people living 2 years apart (Whatever that means) falling in love, as happens in the recent Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock movie Lake House!
Krrish is an outstanding film that does indeed represent a landmark in Indian cinema. Saying that all the actors in the film have performed well would not be telling the whole truth which is – The entire Krrish team has given an outstanding performance. Cut out the song and dance sequences in the film, trim some of the slack in the story line, dub it and the film could well enthrall foreign audiences.
From amongst the many things outstanding in this film the two that stand out the most are the action sequences and Hrithik Roshan’s portrayal of Krishna’s character, both as a doted grandson as well as Krrish the superhero.
Rakesh Roshan ji I hope you have started work on a sequel. If you haven’t, just what are you thinking?
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