Drama - Director: Ravi Chopra - Original Language: Hindi - Classification: Parental Guidance - Starring: Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Salman Khan, Lillete Dubey more
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A review by kiran8 on Baghban (Hindi Language) (DVD) March 18th, 2009
Author's product rating:
Did you enjoy it?
Liked it
Story
Satisfactory
Characters / Performances
Satisfactory
Special Effects
Standard
How does it compare to similar films?
Satisfactory
Advantages:
The striking Lead pair
Disadvantages:
Many . . . starting with the Direction
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
Baghbaan(Gardener)
For all practical purposes i have stopped watching new Hindi films. Most of the films made now come under the category of well finished technically superb trash.But i thought this film was different .The star cast and the director made me watch this film.
I like Amitabh Bachan and Hema Malini to a certain extent, at least I loved her older movies like Abhinetri, Seeta aur Geeta, Johny mera naam, Naya zamana , those were all great films, although Hema has never been considered a great actress. But her gorgeous looks more than made up for any lack of talent and one could just watch her and feel happy ! She is one of the few actresses who has grown even more beautiful as she grew older.
I have had mixed feelings about Baghbaan. On the one hand i can say that both Amitabh bachhan and Hema malini have performed very well and make a handsome pair. But the story of the film raises a lot of questions and criticisms. At least thats what i have felt..
About Baghbaan, and the story of Baghbaan
This film has been directed by Ravi Chopra, son of B.R.Chopra, a very talented director of the fifties and sixties.. According to Ravi Chopra this film was made so that he could highlight the problem of the old and the aged and the changing relationship between the parents and children- generally about the difference in thinking and the problems faced by people during their old age.
The story of the film centers around an older couple Raj Malhotra (Amitabh Bachan) and Pooja (Hema Malini), who are forced to live with their sons .They have sacrificed and spent all their hard earnings on bringing up their 4 sons and getting them settled in life and having no where to go, the children decide between themselves that they will take care of one parent at a time in turns.
Raj and Pooja are a very loving and devoted couple.They are very sad when they hear that they have to live separately with their sons.But having no other go they consent to this and they ,each start living with theirs sons, all the time missing each other. They are ill treated by the sons and the daughter in laws .. Most of the film centers around this and it has a predictable end..
My views about the film
I was quite apprehensive when I went to see this film, because of the general trend of the present day cinema. And guess what ? I was right.There are some utterly ridiculous scenes, that are just not believable..
The major flaw in this film is the exaggerated manner in which the characters are portrayed. On the one hand Raj is shown as a smart person doing well in his banking career owning a large house and living in style, but , when he retired, he is supposed to have gone bankrupt, and the reason given is a loan he took to tide over his sons financial difficulties.This doesn't make any sense at all, what ever happened to his retirement benefit? and what about his pension?..the director does not seem to have given a careful thought here , not enough homework done
When Pooja and Raj accidentally visit a Hotel where they had spent their honeymoon, the reception that they are given by the Hotel Manager is just not believable..
Salaman khan in what is supposed to be a subdued role stands out like a sore thumb. His is the most exaggerated characterisation where he is shown offering pooja (prayer) with his wife to his adopted parents(Raj and Pooja) . Sometimes, Hindi film directors go overboard where tradition and family values are concerned , but, I seriously din't expect it from Chopra production house. And I wonder why Salaman speaks in that squeaking totally unnatural voice? Is it supposed to be in keeping with his new Mature (finally at 40+) image?? Mahima Choudhury has precious little to do as his wife other than sing a couple of songs and remain in the background..
On the plus side, Hema malini at 50+ looks ravishing with her lovely face and hour glass figure and all those lovely sarees and the way she carries herself ! Amazing ! She is the main attraction in this film. Amitabh and Hema make a striking couple and all the others pale into insignificance..
There are songs which are supposedly very popular with the masses , but honestly I cannot recollect the tune of a single song now, so much for popularity and melody, except the much played very mediocre ' something soniye, picturised on Amitabh - Hema and the entire family ! A must have song in such films , when there is a grand family occassion where everyone dances ..
The direction though lacking has been sufficient enough to make it successful or is it the changing times and tastes? the fact that it was a huge success .In my opinion it is a very average film that became so successful because of its 2 towering stars Hema Malini and Amitabh Bachan..Also because it is different to what is being dished out now. The audience is looking for family sentiments and family values, even when it is wholly exaggerated..
You dont miss anything if you dont watch Baghban. The only reason why one can watch the film is just to see the screen chemistry between he lead pair Hema and Amitabh. They look absolutely great together..
Advantages: The story, Star Cast, Acting Disadvantages: None
...**** Storyline ****
Baghban means the gardener. The person who plants trees, nourish them and help them grow in front of his own eyes. The man has a dream of getting shelter in the shades of those plants at the end of his life, to get help from these grown up trees in his last days. So is Raj Malhotra (Amitabh Bachchan) in this movie. A veteran worker of a private concern, having a life wife (Hema Malini) and four children . He spent all of his ... ...All four of them are well established now and are staying in separate locations with their families. Problem starts when Raj retires from his job. He calls all his sons and tells them that till now he has done whatever was possible for him for his children, now he wants his children to take care of them.
This brings havoc in the minds of his own children. None of them was really ready to take them home. So, after much hesitations and problems, they ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Amitabh Bachan, Hema malini, Salmaan khan Disadvantages: may not appeal to younger viewers
...it a try. I found Baghban to be a good family film; however I wouldn’t recommend it for younger viewers as they may find it boring. I think it’s more suitable for the age of young adults and up. The main role is that of Amitabh Bachan, his wife’s role is played by Hema Malani and together really bring the love of their characters relationship alive. You can really imagine what it would be like to know them and the deep love that they share for each ... ...coming home and have his tea ready for him. The affection they share for each other is portrayed excellently throughout this film and is breathtaking. They both posses excellent acting skills and have been in many films together before, and this film just proves even as they get older their acting skills are just getting better and better each time.
They both have 4 children of which 3 are married. His children are all adults and are all living ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
...about it all the time.. Baghban is one of them. Parents do expect if not a lot but something good from their children and there is no harm in that of course.. But nowadays children rarely have time to look back to the old parents...Today who has time to think that he or she should atleast thank their parents for showing this world and making them who they are...all are but busy anyhow...Well movie is good but sure to make u emotional.. ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: Excellent actors and great story. Disadvantages: None!
...girl gets her way.
Baghban is a family story about Amitabh Bachan (AB) who works in a bank (ICICI) and his wife (Hema Malini(HM) whom have always provided for their family in all situdations and brought them up to be good people. AB has 4 sons, 3 of whom married.
Half hour into the film AB's retirement come from his job and so all his children have found out and come to celebrate with him. As he now has no income he hopes his 4 sons will support ... ...really wanted was his retirement money. AB and his wife also need somewhere to stay and non of the daughter-in-laws want them with them so they decide that the parents will be separated and live with the sons 6 months each. Devastated AB and his wife agree.
In the place that AB ends up, he finds a nice acfe with nice people and everyday he sits there and writes his book; later on telling owners of his misfortune.
The students who come to the cafe ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful
Advantages: A GOOD LESSON TO THE CHILDREN OF TODAY Disadvantages: PARENTS SHOULD NOT THINK OF THEIR FUTURE WHILE FULFILLING THEIR DUTY
Nice acting by Amitabh and Hemamalini.The story says that the children of today do not care of their parents despite the devotion of their parents by fulfilling their duty of growing their children. But while doing their duty one should not think of reaping fruits of it in future.The children should grow and find their own way of living . Though they should think about their parents but parents should not always expect everything.In the movie, though ...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful
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