jfungp
This movie is right up there with "Dosti" as my favorite Suneel Darshan movie (though very different from "Dosti"), perhaps even better. I would give it an 8.5/10. Darshan retains his well-honed emotional sensibilities at key effective moments, as well as his trademark ear for good music and his belief in songs being integral in telling the story of a movie. But he tones down the melodrama a lot, uses a new editing style that is neither too hip nor too dated, and substitutes the cooler sound of Himesh Reshammiya for the slower Nadeem-Shravan of his previous movies. He also gets fairly good performances out of a mostly new, but talented, star cast. The story in the movie is different, not yet another rehashed love story or rehashed action plot or rehashed family melodrama -- inspired by, but not slavish to or merely copying, the movie "Amadeus." The power play in the music industry portrayed here is both gripping and, to me, believable. One can see parallels in the story to real life in the way certain directors or stars become blacklisted in the Hindi film industry and its associated media because of fear of someone's No. 1 status being taken away by superior new talent, or perceived humiliations and slights. I think Darshan himself may relate to that struggle, as he finds himself seemingly cast aside as old guard, and so too from another angle might many of the young actors, who do fine work in this movie, relate as their work is ignored for the latest SRK/Akshay/Salman/Saif retread which has way better publicity (but don't misunderstand me, I like those actors too, and I don't think all of their movies are retreads). This genuineness of the theme, and the likely relevance of the movie to the people making it, are part of what makes the movie work so well.Further, the movie is not typical Bollywood in being gray-shaded. Neither of the two lead male characters is wholly sympathetic or wholly villainous. It's hard to say who I rooted for more and who I rooted for less. They were both wrong. The ending is probably a just one for the characters involved though.Don't get me wrong, this movie is an entertainer, and a star vehicle for Upen Patel and Bobby Deol, with the trademark Suneel Darshan emphasis on songs telling a story -- it's not a social commentary! It doesn't claim to be a "Page 3", and it certainly isn't! But I just think the story is a worthy one.As mentioned before already in this review, the songs propel the story forward. For example, Bobby's character AJ sees Upen's character Reggie for the first time in the picturization for "Dil Lagayenge," and the seeds of both appreciation for Reggie's talent and jealousy/insecurity form there; the same picturization also introduces (tastefully) the fact that Reggie and Celina Jaitley's character Sheena have a sexual relationship. My favorite song and favorite picturization, "Thade Vaste", is perhaps less important in propelling the story, but establishes Reggie's love and respect for both his father (played by Anupam Kher in a short, but effective appearance) and for Ruhi, which we keep in mind despite Reggie's later actions when angry and bitter.Acting: The acting of Bobby Deol in his part-sympathetic, part-villainous role is great -- believable throughout, and mostly subtle but with some good "villain faces", as one follows his transformation from well-meaning to embittered and vengeful. Upen Patel is good for a newcomer, and improves steadily as the movie progresses. He seems kind of one-note-arrogant and a little scummy looking at the beginning, but in the second half displays a wide range from the expressive exuberance of "Thade Vaste" to the subtle heartbreak of "Namumkin", and is especially effective when his character is sick, portraying his illness and passion for music and gratitude to AJ. His best scene is probably when his character apologizes to AJ. Patel is also a great dancer, which was already evident in his previous movie "36 China Town." Kangana Ranaut does fine in her first glamorous, commercial role, particularly when she is concerned for Reggie or standing up to him to try to get him to see sense, and also in the songs. Celina Jaitley makes an impact as a powerful and sexy businesswoman, despite having few scenes. The supporting actors are also good.There are lots of effective scenes in the movie -- from the opening where someone is putting a CD into a player (right away you know it's not the same old Suneel Darshan movie) and the bouncy credits sequence, to the mysterious opening with AJ staring down his guru, to, after a bit of a lull, Upen arriving on scene with "Dil Lagayenge," the first of several effective song picturizations, to the humiliation of AJ in the studio, to the hilarious sequence where Ruhi thinks Reggie is a serial killer stalking her, to Reggie's dad's parting speech to him at the airport about needing to apologize for bitter words (so well acted by Anupam Kher), to Reggie's drunk scenes, to Ruhi's departure, to Reggie's composition while ill, to hospital scenes, to AJ in a dream version of Hell attacked by demons (pretty good special effects!), and yes, even a horrifying disco ball scene.The ending is abrupt but is probably just, and leaves you thinking.I only have a few complaints. A subplot with the music mogul's wife having an affair with AJ is only half-developed. The US setting is not that convincing. Some friend characters are not developed. And, I wish we had seen more of the characters' families than just Reggie's dad -- he brought an immediate reassuring typical Bollywoodish family touch when he showed up briefly in the second half (but I guess it worked to have not much family in that sense).Anyway, overall, awesome movie! A must for Suneel Darshan, Bobby Deol, or Upen Patel fans!
gavin_coolhgr
Aj (Bobby Deol) wants to rule the music industry. He is, however, successful in convincing himself to become a successful musician. Because he has the capability and thought he wants some more. With full confidence , he decided to step out and goes to sing more songs to make himself more popular. Reji (Umen Patel) comes into his way, and started to condemn Aj's music and said he can sing more better than Aj. He even snatch away Aj's sweet heat Rohi Parker. But Aj straight his mind to one thing, music, that was his life. And he would go to any extent to become a popular musician, if he have got to destroy Reji for that. Shakalaka Boom Boom is the convincing part of music & it will always remain so.
AishFan
I would say the strength of the movie lies in the complexity of its characters, situations, and emotions. It has an Omkara feel to it with Bobby trying to destroy Upen's life as Saif tried to do to Ajay Devgan. What I found most interesting is how seemingly innocent, loving, passionate people such as Bobby's character can be consumed by so much hatred and envy and how Upen shuts out all people who care about him and only trusts the one man who is out to ruin him. A very powerful story indeed--however, quite a bit of tackiness combined with an ending that pretty much ruined the movie even if you were enjoying it was quite disheartening. Anupam Kher's portion was nice and could have been explored further. Kangana was good as usual. Celina was bad as usual. Bobby was good. You hate Upen when he's being selfish, but you feel sorry for him later on--as much as I hate to admit, I guess those are signs of a good actor. Music is slightly catchy, but a movie like this that centers around music deserves more than just a (barely) foot-tapping score. Now, you can't expect a Taal out of every film's soundtrack, but something that highlights the emotions and thoughts going on in the minds of the characters was necessary.
movierocket
What Can I Say This movie was Very Good From start Too Finish Here Is a Plot Summary For The Film :the music industry is considered ruthless, manipulative and cutthroat, these terms certainly do not apply to A.J., the most popular singer/composer New York has ever seen. However, if prodigious talent, passion, and attitude are considered synonymous with the music industry, then Reggi fits the bill. Young and hugely talented, he hungers and craves for A.J.'s spot at the top. Into these lives enters two women: the aspiring singer Ruhi and the ambitious P.R. professional Sheena. Ruhi, while she has much professional respect for A.J., she has been wooed and won over by Reggi. Sheena, on the other hand, holds a grudge against Reggi because, while she did a lot for him as a PR, he had rejected her in a personal relationship. As A.J. and Reggi face off against each in a do or die battle, envy and betrayal rear their ugly heads, and talent struggles to survive the onslaught of a carefully orchestrated smear campaign... Music will be the ultimate winner... and loser... in SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM!With Great Acting From The Leads, Plot Twists ,this film is great and truly Amazing and even the songs are Great like the Title Track obviously called SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM!The Film start From Present Day and Go back To 1 year earlier on how A.J Played By Bobby Deol got another Hit Album His Sixth which again relates to the Movie Title called Shakalaka Boom Boom. To The Point in the film which it started and what happened next. As I said before this fill is great 10/10. The Film has drama,Suspense and Of course Shakalaka Boom Boom.
