Robot (2010) [Bollywood] Review

Article first published as Review: Robot (2010) [Bollywood] on Technorati.



Movie: Robot (2010)
Cast: Rajni kanth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Rating: 4.5/5

It is very seldom that one is totally blown away by the action sequences and special effects in a Bollywood flick but Super star Rajni's Robot is an exception. It is the most expensive film ever made in the history of the Indian film industry.



Robot is the story of Chitti (Rajni Kanth) a humanoid-android made by a genius scientist Vasee (Rajni Kanth). Chitti is a unique Robot in that it can learn and execute humanly possible tasks but initially is rejected by the Artificial Intelligence Authorities because of its inabilities to differentiate between right and wrong. Trying to solve the problem Vasee gives Chitti the ability to feel and therein lies the biggest problem. Chitti falls in love with Vasee's fiancée Sana (Aishwarya Rai). When Vasee finds out he dismantles Chitti and garbages him only for him to get in the hands of Vasee's rival and mentor Prof. Bora. Bora makes Chitti into a demon by giving him an extra chip. What follows is a roller coaster battle between a creator and his most prized creation.


The acting by Rajni and Aishwarya has been outstanding. Aishwarya has looked the prettiest in a long long time and every glimpse of her in the film is a pleasure to watch. She looks like an object so attractive that a Robot can grow feelings for. Rajini as Chitti is outstanding with a Robot like expressionless face and digital movements.



What is most impressive in this Sci-fi flick is the quality of special effects. It puts films like Iron man 2 to shame with the formations that Chitti takes. One particular scene with the giant serpent is absolutely amazing! The look of the film is slick and sharp and parallels any Hollywood movie.

I felt very strongly that if Inception had the best special effects in Hollywood this year, then Robot was its apt counter part in Planet Bollywood.

Guzaarish - A Review

Movie: Guzaarish

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Nafisa Ali

Rating: 4.5 (5.0)



Bravo! They cheer as Ethan Mascarenhas lifts up in the air and stuns the audience. Bravo! The heart goes when it feels the sheer magic that Sanjay Leela Bhansali has put on film for our viewing pleasure. The subject of this awesome piece of art is a very difficult one, "Euthanasia" or mercy killing. To take a side and vote for or against the issue is very hard but irrespective of the stance one thing is for sure Hrithik Roshan has given life to the pain and suffering of Ethan Mascarenhas in a way that deserves a standing ovation with a sprinkle of some well deserved, heartfelt tears.

The story describes how a Merlin who made a fortune by doing the unthinkable and achieving the impossible copes with life valiantly for 14 years in a vegetated state. The man who could make people believe that he had powers beyond their reckoning is reduced to a piece of flesh that is unable to do even the most mundane operations like scratching the nose or raising a finger. The magnitude of Ethan's pain is heightened by the flawless past that he had lived. All that he had achieved haunted and taunted him for14 years until the day he decided that the only dignified end to his life was mercy killing, a practice prohibited by the Indian Penal Court.

Ethan's caretaker Sofia played marvelously by the ever stunning Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is not convinced about Ethan's request for death. Sofia's care and love and the amazing chemistry between her and Ethan is the highlight of the film. She is actually in love with him.Sofia finally realizes with the help of Ethan's friends and mother that Ethan's demand for an end to his misery was more about self-respect and dignity and she vows to stand by him eventually in the capacity of not only his nurse but by the end of the movie, his better half.

What takes this film beyond being good and towards being a masterpiece is the wit and humor that punctuates the otherwise tragic state of events. It is a serious film but it is sexy, flirtatious, humorous and incredibly intelligent.

Two thumbs up to Bhansali for making the best film that audiences would have seen for a very long time. He is a genius and this time around he has got partners who are equally amazing in Hrithik and Aishwarya.