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Shakalaka Boom Boom
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'Shakalaka Boom Boom' -Fairly enjoyable

By Nikhil Kumar
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

It is good to see director Suneel Darshan slither out of his old skin, shed his old style of making overtly sentimental and soppy movies, and try a new genre in his latest flick ‘Shakalaka Boom Boom’.

‘Shakalaka’ has a dose of all those ingredients that will catch the pulse of today’s youth. It has looks, style, music, glamour and skin show (thanks to Celina Jaitley). This cocktail makes the movie go Shakalaka in the first half. And when the egos of the film’s protagonists collide in the second half, the film goes Boom Boom. Although there are fronts on which the movie falters, overall it remains a fairly enjoyable watch.

AJ

(Bobby Deol) is a singer-composer-dancer at the pinnacle of his career in New York. He hogs the top spot on the music charts.

Reggie (Upen Patel) is the new kid on the block. He is immensely talented, has a natural knack for composing catchy melodies, and has scant respect for AJ’s music. On top of it, Reggie is highly ambitious and out to topple AJ from his undisputed top spot.

Ruhi (Kangana Ranaut) is a budding singer who happens to be the lucky girl the two men in the story fall for. She adores AJ, but an indecent proposal from him drives her away from him. Rather, Ruhi falls for the charm of Reggie.

And then there is Sheena (Celina Jaitley), a PR professional with captivating curves and cleavage.

Reggie literally uses Sheena as the first rung on his ladder to fame, uses her contacts to come to the notice of big shots in the music industry, and once his job is done, he conveniently dumps her (God knows why).

The mind games begin when AJ realizes that Reggie can threaten his position in the music industry. Skidding through all the manipulative tricks in the trade of cut-throat competition, ‘Shakalaka Boom Boom’ reaches its high note with a predictable duel between the two protagonists. And the better one of the two men wins.

SBB is a better product than Darshan’s previous pakaoo films, but the filmmaker’s execution still has much room for improvement. The modern look, sleek cinematography, the styling of characters and the catchy music are all right, it is the presentation of the story which is not without some obvious clichés.

The film’s plot traverses a very stereotypical path in the most part of the first half. Just before the interval, a slight twist kindles your almost faded interest. From there on, the movie builds on the rivalry between Bobby and Upen. The egos are ruffled, people are manipulated, trust is broken and mind games are played.

Bobby Deol gives a notable performance as a man of inflated ego, intoxicated with success. And for the first time Upen Patel gives something to write about his performance. Upen’s arrival infuses some life into the lethargic pace of the film in the first half. Although his acting still leaves much to be desired, the boy has a charm that comes through on the silver screen.

Kangana Ranaut is efficient while Celina Jaitley looks ravishing. There is hardly any chemistry between Bobby and Kangana. On the other hand, Kangana’s scenes with Upen are much better.

Himesh Reshammiya’s music is the backbone of this film. The singer-composer has slightly strayed away from his usual style in a number of small songs.

To sum it up, ‘Shakalaka Boom Boom’ is no great shakes. It is an above average product that provides full timepass entertainment.

Rating: **1/2

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