Customer Reviews

Delhi - 6

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

India is an exotic foreign land to Roshan, a New Yorker of Indian origin (played by Abhishek Bachchan), who brings his sick grandmother back to her Delhi home. Filled with gorgeous urban footage, the film captures the wonder of seeing India for the first time, through an American's eyes, and the initial shock of amazement that any American who's ever been there will never forget. Roshan is thoroughly enchanted by all of it--the crumbling family abode in Chandni Chowk (one of the oldest parts of Delhi), its narrow lanes, its feisty neighbors--particularly the beautiful Bittu (Sonam Kapoor)--and its rich array of traditions. However, he chafes at the injustices he sees that offend his American sense of equality and fairness, putting him at odds with a place he suddenly can't live without. A bizarre subplot about a black monkey that's terrorizing the city--which is supposed to be symbolic of the discord that's always simmering below Delhi's surface--overtakes the main story, culminating in a ludicrous climax that ruins what started out as an intoxicating plunge into the soul of a complicated city. - The Bollywood Ticket: The American guide to Indian movies (Subscribe: The Bollywood Ticket)

After the successful Aks and the blockbuster Rang De Basanti Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra directs this one. Delhi 6 follows Abhishek a half hindu and half muslim to come to India to help his grandmother Waheeda Rehman spend her last days in her birthplace. Set in old Delhi hence the zipcode 6. The movie provides a collage of characters and their brief character sketches and thus remains so. It does not come to the point until the end and then leaves us in a lurch wanting some more.

The first half is a gamut of characters from the two brothers Om Puri and Pawan Malhotra, the corrupt politician played by Vijay Raaz, the sultry untouchable Divya Dutta, the wicked money lender Prem Chopra, the idol aspirant Sonam Kapoor and the romantic bachelor Rishi Kapoor, all interesting but underdeveloped characters. The characters interact against the backdrop of a vicious monkey attack which is never solved.

The movie meanders towards the end with a very vague ending. Vijay Raaz is excellent, so is Pawan Malhotra, Abhishek Bachchan is getting better; the rest of the cast is completely wasted. The music and the cinematography are excellent. 3stars 12/28/09

**1/2

"Delhi 6" is a messy and overlong - though frequently appealing - tale of a young American man who travels to India to rediscover his roots. When his grandmother is diagnosed with diabetes, Roshan agrees to accompany her back to the land of her birth so she can end her life at the same place where she began it. While there, Roshan learns a thing or two about a culture he's been largely sheltered from in his life in New York. This includes taking the bad along with the good: the sense of community along with the antiquated caste system; the respect for tradition along with the adherence to ancient superstitions; the respect for law-and-order along with the corruption and cronyism of the police and politicians; the technological advances along with a scarcity of resources like electricity and water; the arranged marriages along with the flowering of true love. That latter is particularly crucial to the story as Roshan falls for a beautiful, independent-minded woman whose father wants to marry her off to a man of his choosing even though her heart's desire is to perform as a singer on the popular TV show "Indian Idol."

Like most mainstream movies made in India, "Delhi 6" provides a relatively upbeat, prettified look at life in that country. Any hint of poverty is pushed to the background, while the foreground becomes an almost nonstop dizzying swirl of music and color. And I do mean "nonstop," for if there is one thing "Delhi 6" has in abundance it's musical sequences, some of which drag on for an insufferably long time, adding an unnecessary burden to the movie`s overall running time. The film also culminates in an overwrought scene that feels like a bizarre melding of "West Side Story" with "Carousel."

So what's likable about "Delhi 6"? Well, its cultural observations are sometimes compelling, particularly its portrayal of the tension that exists between Hindus and Muslims in that nation. Also, the actors (Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, et. al.) are both physically attractive and energetic. And while the humor occasionally veers towards the goofy and the "villainous" figures are largely two-dimensional stereotypes, the movie has a genuine affection for its characters and country (flaws and all) that finally wins us over.

Movies are a kaleidoscope of poetry, prose, painting, music and more - you'll understand this when you watch Delhi 6. Yes, this movie will affect your sensibilities; your hopes, desires, aversions and aspirations will be kindled and sometimes even questioned. I should also warn you about the 'Bollywood' packaging. But once you surrender yourself to the movie, i.e. accept it with an open mind you won't be disappointed with the 3-hour journey it takes you through - certainly I wasn't:).

Delhi 6 is a good movie with great images and music. I liked the views of Delhi as well as the storyline. The acting was pretty good and only added to the visual treat. This is a movie that tries to illustrate that there is evil in everybody; we should not try to blame others for our own bad/negative behavior. What most amazed me was the realistic way that a small disagreement can grow and take on a life of its own (especially within a political system that is very "permissive" in some respects, but repressive at the same time). What a great example of the culture shock one experiences when submerged in a foreign culture/society.

Don't be turned off this movie by ho-hum reviews - take a chance and I think that you will not be disappointed.

Little B's acting just gets better and better. This is another story about people with few special effects. He goes on a mission to help his grand mother and finds his own mission of falling in love with a girl who hates him. Somewhat typical story but done very well.

It is unfortunate for us in the health field that the closing scene is so far fetched!

I try to watch all of his movies because of his talent. He does not disappoint.