Dostana (2008)

Synopsis: The big-hearted fantasy DOSTANA offers many touches familiar from other Karan Johar productions--an upscale urban location, gorgeous stars, and a focus on love and its complications. But first-time... The big-hearted fantasy DOSTANA offers many touches familiar from other Karan Johar productions--an upscale urban location, gorgeous stars, and a focus on love and its complications. But first-time director Tarun Mansukhani, Johar's longtime assistant director, shows an independent streak, spending less time tugging heartstrings and more tickling funny bones. Mansukhani also offers a daring (for Bollywood) plot involving two straight guys who pretend to be a gay couple in order to get an apartment with a pool, a view of downtown Miami, and a beautiful tenant whose protective aunt won't rent to men. Mansukhani's camera can't get enough of the tropical hues of South Beach. Mostly, though, it ogles the acres of skin on display--Shilpa Shetty shimmying on the beach alongside the opening credits, heroine Priyanka Chopra radiant in a gold swimsuit--but it lingers longest on the splendor that is John Abraham as he rises from the surf in a tiny yellow bikini, pads around a girlfriend's apartment in equally tiny briefs, and lolls about in tight v-necked shirts. None of these beautiful people has ever looked better. And as the key character, the man with the plan and a convertible the color of Pepto-Bismol, Abhishek Bachchan is clearly having the time of his life. His pitch-perfect comic performance and crackling chemistry with his co-stars--especially Abraham--is a delight to watch. The three leads make a charming triangle, with Bachchan and Abraham flinging themselves at every available laugh and even the glamorous Chopra indulging in slapstick. Mansukhani refers to Johar's films of the past decade to remind viewers of love's unhappier consequences. But heartbreak touches down only lightly, as if the main characters themselves--after watching KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI once again--realize that friendship (the "dostana" of the title) is the surest road to happiness. [More]

Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham

Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, John Abraham

Director: Tarun Mansukhani

Director: Tarun Mansukhani
Screenwriter: Tarun Mansukhani
Story: Tarun Mansukhani
Producer: Hiroo Yash Johar, Karan Johar
Studio: Yash Raj Films

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