Don (2006):Rahat Raihan's review
Don-The Chase Begins Again (2006)
Director: Farhan Akhtar
Cast:
Shah Rukh Khan
Priyanka Chopra
Arjun Rampal
Isha Kopikar
Boman Irani
Movie review by Rahat Raihan:
Rating: 4/5
Don-The Chase Begins Again is a very special movie for many reasons.
Firstly, it is a remake of a 1968 Amitabh Bachan classic Don, and since SRK is going to play the role previously played by Big B, the comparisons between these two legends are on a high for the last couple of months. So, every Bollywood lover is keenly waiting for the film to see who is the better in the role of Don.
Secondly, the film is going to be handled by a supremely talented storyteller Farhan Akhtar who has already proved his capability by his previous flicks Dil Chahta Hai & Laksya.
And thirdly, the youth of modern time perhaps haven't got the opportunity of seeing the original Bachanji classic. So, it will be much convenient to them to see an immensely popular classic film narrated with very present day style.
But two questions will surely arise before you go out for watching the film,
1.Can SRK do justice to the role previously played by Bachan?
2.Can Farhan surpass the original Don or even recreate the magic of that again?
Fortunately, the answers of both questions are in very much affirmative.
Don (Shah Rukh Khan) is a part of a drug mafia based in Malaysia who handles the underworld king Singhania's business here. He is the most dangerous & clever of all and is wanted in several countries. To catch him is not just difficult, its impossible.
DCP DeSilva (Boman Irani) is on this impossible mission to capture him. One day, he becomes informed from a reliable source that Don is coming to India. He chases him & captures him but Don dies at hospital. DeSilva sends a guy named Vijay who is a looksalike of Don to his team which consists of Anita (Isha Koppikar), Roma (Priyanka Chopra) & Narang. But, Roma is in the gang only to kill Don to take revenge of her brother's death. But she becomes aware of the truth that it is Vijay, not Don. Then she begins to help Vijay to find the disc only which can prove his real identification as DCP DeSilva has died.
But can Vijay find the disc? Can he prove his real identification?
Well. If you were thinking that Farhan Akhtar would copy the original movie A to Z, then you are wrong, very wrong!
He has prepared many jhatkas for you at several points of the enterprise & they are sure to hit you like a ton of bricks! Specially, the re-emergence of Don at the very last scene is a master stroke from both writing & execution point of view.
The high point of a thriller is without doubt, its end! And since it's a remake of a popular classic film then, certainly you will think that it'll lose its charm thanks to the end's being known to lots of people. But no! The end is fully different from the original! In fact, this kind of end hasn't been seen in Indian movie history till now. Seems that Farhan has kept opportunity for making a sequel of the film. No doubt, a brilliant idea!
But what comes as Farhan's best work as the screenplay writer is the main culprit of the film being changed! Whatever step one takes, the main evil of a thriller being known to all only discreases a thriller's charm! But Farhan takes a sincere step at this field which is sure to bring him tremendous praise.
So, if you have already watched the classic and loved it & are hesitating that if you should go for the new version, I would like to confirm you, go for it even without having a shred of doubt in your mind, you won't have to regret.
Rather, you will get a new flavour of the season, a new taste which is of course, very rich!
Don-The Chase Begins Again can also be proud of its own style [Far better than the original], superb visual effects & a towering performance from Khan. The uses of latest technology [For example: A digital disc instead of the diary in the original one] is sure to generate huge appeal among the youth. Also, the locales are breath taking. The movie
can be boast of an international feel in every frame! The Indian cinegoers haven't seen the kind of special effects before, that have been used in the film! Also, one of the major problems with the previous one was its pace. It sometimes failed to hold attention thanks to some unnecessary scenes & slow paced execution. But Farhan scores ten on ten in this field. In fact, DON can easily be ranked amongst the most fulfilling movie going experiences of current time!
Also, Farhan amazingly excels in while handling the action scenes. They are breath stopping at times. Watch out for the first fight between SRK & Chunkey Pundey, SRK's car chasing by Boman Irani, SRK-Priyanka's fight & SRK-Irani's last fight. They are flawless!
And the last scene when SRK gets down from the car, enjoys a smoke & then throws the cigarette is executed so well that it will remain fresh in your memory after a long time of the film's ending. It is confirmed, being a modern time cinegoer, you will feel it hard to finish the original one after watching this new version unless you are a huge Big B fan.
Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is marvelous. The title track (Main Hoon Don), "Yeh Mera Dil" & "Khaike Pan Banaraswala" are excellent both in case of composition & picturization. "Aaj Ki Raat" is also a soulful composition. SEL deserve tremendous praise for giving the two numbers (YMD, KPB) from the original movie, a modern day feel! Choreography is fantastic but the track "Aaj Ki Raat" deserved to be more well choreographed.
Shah Rukh Khan had immense responsibility on his firm shoulder as direct comparisations were floating between Big B & him. And the megastar has proved his supremacy again. He carries the role of Don so well that it may disturb the sleep of the Bachchan lovers. But they can console themselves as Shah Rukh loses his confidence while portraying the other character "Vijay". His make-up is mainly responsible for this. Especially, when he was talking with Boman Irani at the hospital, he seemed forced.
Priyanka Chopra has given a promising performance. Not only the actress looked gorgeous but also she carried her part with amazing ease. The fight between SRK & her should enhance her demand as an actress for action films. Her dancing skill too is impressive.
Boman Irani has again proved that he has the power to steal a scene from the lead actors. The man is in superb form once again even while portraying a negative role this time!
But Om Puri & Arjun Rampal were completely wasted as the spotlight had never been removed from SRK. When Arjun was brought to screen, the audiences were more interested to know what happened to Don than watching his family drama. A director like Farhan should be aware of this. Isha Kopikar delivers a fine performance. But she deserved more screen space. Kareena rocked in her short appearance. The magical chemistry between SRK & her has made the track "Yeh Mera Dil" better than the original one.
The amazing outdoor locations [Shot in Malaysia] & the flawless visual effects have made the film very rich in term of content. Every frame is a visual treat here! DON will remain as a landmark film for Farhan Akhtar. He proved that he is a solid entertainer with his first attempt, DIL CHAHTA HAI. He proved that he is amongst the finest storytellers with LAKSYA. And now, with DON, he has proved that he is a craftsman per excellence. In every frame, the hard work of the young man is visible!
It needs courage to attempt an immensely likable classic like DON again but it needs talent to get the bus right. Take a bow, Farhan.
On the whole, Don-The Chase Begins Again has not only just reached the huge expectations, but exceeded it! Yes. If you want me to be honest, then its the truth! So, my advise is, trash all the reviewers who have reviewed the movie depending only on emotion [They can't take it easily that a new film
directed by a so young director can surpass their favourite classic film. Also, there are some cheap reviewers (of course, not all) who forget their duty & review a film on the basis of their favourite actors. The SRK-Big B comparisons only increase their desire to take their childhood hero to a new level!] & go for it without thinking twice!
A must watch for every modern time cinegoers.
At the box office, the film will wave magic taking the full advantage of the diwali season.
The unparalalled global popularity of SRK will make the movie a big grosser in overseas market too.
A request to all at the end. Pls. do have the courage to say what is true. Saying the new version better than the original one is, in no means, insulting the classic starring Bachchan. In fact, the original film was made a long time ago!
But we shouldn't remain satisfied with the old only. Rather, we should try to gain something better in future using the old! Then only, we can show our proper respect to the old.
So, just lock your emotions at the almirah and do collect the courage to say what you believe in!
