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Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke
I hate to see my girl Aish unhappy, but her characters always seem to be put through the wringer. When we first meet Sahiba (Rai), she's running from a gang of killers; luckily for her, she is saved by an Army Captain named Karan (Abhishek Bachchan) who is on his way home to see his beloved Nisha for the first time in a year. After fate compels him to save Sahiba a second time, Karan tells her that he will take her back home and help her face her father. Dad had made Sahiba persona non grata after she, in an effort to stay in school and avoid an arranged marriage, told her family she was already married. Naturally, she's afraid to face her father's wrath. Sahiba is welcomed home with joy by all of her extended family, but Dad greets her with gunshots. Unable to explain his true relationship to Sahiba, Karan takes on the role of her husband and is forced to continue the charade for much longer than he ever planned. Part of the reason why he stays is the love that the family shows to him (except Dad, of course) – as an orphan, he had never experienced the joys of family life. As the days pass, things just get more and more complicated, as Karan is formally accepted into Sahiba's family. Sahiba, as you might expect, has fallen madly in love with Karan by this time, and she doesn't want him to leave. Leave he must, though, for he is anxious to see Nisha again. That's when things take some really dark turns, leaving a heartbroken Sahiba in very real danger. It makes for a decidedly intense ending, as true love is once again put to the most intensive of tests. Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke is a wonderful story of true love, family ties, and the mysterious workings of fate – and it did feature a couple of late twists that took me by surprise. Bachchan is wonderful as Karan, but Aishwarya Rai really steals the show with her emotionally powerful performance and unsurpassed beauty. The movie boasts a wealth of wonderful songs performed against some truly awe-inspiring settings; three of the musical numbers are nothing short of spectacular – especially an engaging marriage song called Mera Mahi, which features Aishwarya Rai at her most draw-droppingly stunning best. There is one aspect of the overarching love story I would like to have changed, but it's really just one teeny, tiny flaw in an otherwise gorgeous gem of a movie. The DVD includes a theatrical trailer, five song promos, and a 15-minute Behind the Scenes featurette. Unfortunately, there are no subtitles for the behind-the-scenes look at the film, but some of the interviews include comments in English (and most of Aishwarya's comments are in English) – and it gave me the chance to put a face to Sameer, who has to be the most prolific (and gifted) lyricist on the planet.
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Love is the inspiration ...
Review date: 2005-11-14 Rating: 10 out of 10
Some might call this film a bit clichéd, but there really are no clichés in Bollywood. For a while, I thought Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke was going to be a relatively simple Bollywood love story, but the film takes some nasty turns toward the end. That's what I love about Bollywood, though; you just can't pin one of these movies down, as it is constantly transforming itself into something else – so, when the end comes, it's always thrilling and emotional. I don't know how you can't love a film like this. It has everything: true romance (not that true lust junk Hollywood sells), suspense, drama, comedy, incredible music, and wonderful performances all around. Aishwarya Rai is particularly stunning here.
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Product Details/Specifications
Actor(s):
Amrish Puri
Abhishek Bachchan
Shakti Kapoor
Anupam Kher
Aishwarya Rai
Creators:
Abhishek Bachchan (Primary Contributor)
Aishwarya Rai (Primary Contributor)
Ishwar Bidri (Cinematographer)
Raj Kanwar (Producer)
Raj Kanwar (Writer)
Amardeep Singh (Producer)
K. Pappu (Producer)
Jainendra Jain (Writer)
Ratna Rajaia (Writer)
Director(s):
Recording label: Tip Top Video
Manufacturer: Tip Top Video
EAN: 5060014970299
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2002-01-21
Number of discs: 1
Audience rating: Parental Guidance
Running time: 164 minutes
Language: English (Original Language)
Language: Hindi (Original Language)