I was not sure whether or not to include Dil Toh Pagal Hai in this series, because (1) Karisma has only been in two films with Shah Rukh Khan -- not counting her friendly appearance in Om Shanti Om, which is adorable -- and (2) she doesn't exactly play his love interest. She's the odd girl out in a love triangle with SRK and Madhuri Dixit, so the love is unrequited. DTPH is a light film -- a bit of musical romantic puffery that features four of the best actors in Hindi cinema. In addition to the triangle of lovers, there's the dashing Akshay Kumar completing a second triangle with SRK And Madhuri. So the performances are all great and the music and dancing is delightful, even though the plot and dialogues are <<eh>>. So the synopsis: Nisha (Karisma) loves Rahul (SRK), who thinks love is bunk but still harbors a longing for an imaginary woman he calls Maya. He's a dance director, so he is designing a show around the mythical Maya, with Nisha in the lead role. Nisha injures herself, and Rahul seeks a replacement, discovering Pooja (Madhuri), who is literally the girl next door. Pooja is engaged to her childhood friend/foster brother Ajay (Akshay). Of course, Rahul and Pooja fall in love.
Nisha, on the other hand, is in the friend zone from the word "go". When, after a few too many tequila shots on her birthday, she blurts out to Rahul that she loves him, this is the look she gets from him. Uh-oh. Compare with the look on his face in the other video as he repeats "closer". So, now the questions: What is your first impression of Rahul? Adorable! This is high energy SRK, with his cheeks still boyishly chubby enough to create the best dimples. What is Nisha's first impression of Rahul? They seem to start off as friends at the beginning; we don't learn about her feelings for him until later in the film. Their relationship is very much like a brother and sister, especially on Rahul's part. He teases her in a very big-brother way that conveys connection and friendly affection, but not a tiny hint of love. Nisha knows almost immediately that her love will never be reciprocated. Meeting Pooja seals the deal; she knows Rahul's feelings better than he does. How would you describe their chemistry over the course of the film? Their friendship is actually believable; their interactions are so natural that you almost wish the filmmakers hadn't felt the need for the love triangle. If you had a first date with Rahul, would you go on a second? Yes, of course, but that wouldn't happen, because I can't complete with Madhuri Dixit. Karisma gives it the old college try in this epic number called (appropriately) "Dance of Envy".
2 Comments
Ashley
7/9/2016 07:02:25 am
Your description of DTPH is right on. This is a movie that I've seen through all the way just twice--now if I feel like a re-watch I watch a highly abridged version with just my favorite scenes. Unfortunately I don't like the music nor the choreography in DTPH for the most part. The rain song excepted--though it does go on a bit. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gaXmQtKF30
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Jo
7/19/2016 03:32:10 pm
Apologies for not approving this comment 10 days ago. I swear, I thought I did! I agree about the choreography; not my favorite, either. One 2 Ka 4 is on my "to watch" list as I creep towards my goal of watching all 81 films before November 25 and Dear Zindagi.
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