Wednesday, May 11, 2011

You watched Koyla? Bloody fool!

You watched----- REVIEW: 
Koyla (1997)


Okay, by calling this a mini-review, I would be seriously exaggerating.
Why didn't I write a real mini-review then?
Well, I'm really exhausted by all those summer tests we need to write at school, and also, this is pretty much all I can say about Koyla.


So that's what it feels like, when you admire a soundtrack for years, and then finally decide to watch the film. You're disappointed (even though you've been warned by the friendly Gaja Gamini).

... Or are you? I feel that, somehow, this film was not disappointing on all levels. At least regarding its incredible hilariousness. Every time (the late) Amrish Puri stepped in front of the camera, I had to go through some serious laughing-attacks. The very best was his Hinglish accent, and that a-w-e-s-o-m-e "Bloody Fool"! Now, that's hard to beat in its funniness. 

I did ask myself: "Was all this meant to be? Or did the makers think they were doing something great, or even just "good"?". Considering the fact that it was made by Rakesh Roshan: Yes, that's my guess. The title has his lucky "K" in it, so, yeah, I think he was very confident about this film.

But honestly: Whatever! That's how the best trash pearls are born, right? 

The true saviors of the film, though, are Madhuri and Shahrukh. Madhuri, because she's sweet, sympathetic and magical as always, and Shahrukh, because he was ... how do I say this... hill-hill... ah, there it is: hilarious. 
What a strike of genius, that they managed to create some song & dance scenes with a mute character. 

While many other 90s-Shahrukh-flicks are unbearable and of the "see-once-because-of-him-then-forget" kind, Koyla does have great potential to become a classic. I mean, a "so-bad-it's-good"-classic, off course. 

Rating: 2.9

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This post is part of The Madhuri Week, hosted by Gaja Gamini from bollywood-ish Blog.

And before I forget: Please check out the trailer for the cannes-featured documentary "Bollywood - The Greatest Love Story Ever Told" and spread the word, if you haven't already. (We fans want to watch!)

Thank you for reading,
Mette M. K.

8 comments:

  1. This movie is so so so SO bad. LOL. I sometimes really felt nauseous watching it, but well, it's unwillingly hilarious, it's true.

    Thank you for spreading the word about the Bolly-documentary in Cannes. We really have to watch it!

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  2. @ Siham: You're right - I fast-forwarded through the whole second half, and I was so surprised by the intermission, because I thought: WHAT? You're kidding, this was only half of it???

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  3. I warned you!!! LOL When I first saw it I was all WTF and Are they serious? Yes, they are. At first I found it terribly graphic, but all the violence is happening during what I call "unnecessary scenes" that I have no pains in skipping all the time. I´ve watched this 50 times at least - but only two times without skipping anything. It is my very guilty pleasure and though I love it for various reasons, I would never ever recommend it :D

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  4. Haha, I LOVE this film (although I acknowledge its failings) and you can expect a post from me sometime today/tomorrow. :)

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  5. Yah! you changed your banner :D I liked it, hehehe.

    I quite liked Koyla, but that probably has to do with the fact I saw it during that time. I feel like that with a lot of 80s and 90s films that people are just watching now :D

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  6. I agree with Nikki above me. I watched it around the time it came out and loved it! I haven't watched it in forever, but if I bet if I watched it for the first time now I'd hate it.

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  7. Is that a gang sign she's flashing?

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  8. @ Gaja Gamini: Yes, I know - and I'm grateful for that, because otherwise I'd have expected way too much from it :).

    @ nayika: I'll be looking forward to that post - and yes, in some ways, the film IS loveable.

    @ Nicki: Yay - isn't it cute? Well, I didn't watch Bollywood films until 2005, so I can't really relate to that yet. Maybe in ten years, when Main Hoon Na is a classic ;P

    @ The Bolly' Hood: Yeah, that might be... Personally, I still like most of the not-so-good films I watched as a child, I just know their cinematic value now.

    @ Bonjour Tristesse: Hmm... I don't see what you mean, but I don't think so.

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Let the discussion begin!