Sunday, July 01, 2007

Hamesha (1997)

Love death did not part
Love wealth can not buy, but
who loves Hamesha?
Hamesha actually made me shout at the television, You play too much! an expression my people are sometimes prone to overuse but on this occasion, was most appropriate. One hour into the film and the only thing I’m thinking is, “This is a HOTT mess!”

Aside from Saif’s billowing scarves (12 at last count) and Kajol’s copious headbands, I really can’t get down with revenge suicides. Am I the only one who thinks that boys who threaten to kill themselves over you should be promptly reprimanded? I mean, talk the fool off the cliff and everything but don’t actually go out with him. Sheesh! What’s he gonna threaten you with when he wants sex and you have a headache? But I digress…

So as far as costuming goes, the ‘90s are in full effect in this film. Billowing poet shirts and a-line cut dresses were quite the rage at that time. Likewise, the soundtrack is saturated in Kenny G-esque saxophone riffs and a couple of synthesizer tracks that sound like they were lifted from a Cranberries song.

Ok – the second half: No Saif did NOT get beat in the face with a stick (!), jump up, run down hill, catch up with a speeding car, jump on top of it, tussle with the driver, get thrown off the car, run down the side of a cliff to grab (yes grab!) the car before it fell into oblivion being choked all the while, to then have to defend himself in a fistfight against Prince Cujo!!! WTH?!? Well, at least old dude got his come-uppance.

By the second half, the music is just too much. It’s out of control y’all. One more soaring string ensemble followed by the sinister synthesizer track and somebody was gonna get a letter in the mail! I think the most fascinating thing about Hamesha—perpetual killing a la Indian combined with the revenge/rebirth a la Karan Arjun aside—is that the film required very little acting from any of the stars.

Frighteningly enough, Hamesha has led me to the conclusion that the makers of this film will be reborn 100 births as men in love with sub par films. Ha ha!

[Side note: Is anyone else perplexed as to why fashion didn’t change a bit in 22 years?]

8 comments:

Beth Loves Bollywood said...

Will something fugly this way come?!?

Anonymous said...

hey t-hype, Krrish2 promos have already started, seems like the movie will be released sooner than expected. Any info about it?????

Corny name said...

Wow..
I've never even heard of this movie.

But it's amazing how bad some of saif's older movies were... ditto for tabu

Anonymous said...

I greatly enjoyed this movie because of its awesome badness. You weren't at least entertained?

t-HYPE said...

Sorry to disappoint Bas. I just couldn't find that something that made me say, "this is worth it."

I was talking to Susan about it and I think part of the problem was the soundtrack. I'm allergic to attrocious music.
;)

Anonymous said...

I adore Saif Ali Khan and think he is an absolutely fantastic actor. However, I maintain this adoration through strict avoidance of his earlier movies.

That's why after reading your Hamesha review, I promptly checked out Being Cyrus.

Anonymous said...

im looking forward for Jodha Akbar
http://jodhaakbarsongs.blogspot.com
http://musictoad.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

I like it...