"99" -- Raj and DK the "Next-Gen" Bollywood directors have arrived

This last week was a big week for my friends Raj and DK, as their maiden Bollywood venture hit the theaters and in turn I felt being on cloud 9...I could well imagine how they must have felt..its an amazing feeling when your close friends make it big and you're part of it..you feel as if you're part of history in the making...I can tell Raagini when she grows up that "Flavors" post production work happened in my home for example, how exhilerating is that..

I couldnt wait for Friday to come last week and when it did, I rushed to the theater leaving behind Suj and Raagini at home (we decided to take turns so Suj would see the movie on Sat and I would baby sit -- that way we get a good movie experience and keenly observe where Raj and DK are hiding and follow the dialogues ;) )...

With Raj and DK, we discuss movies almost non-stop when they're around, and I know we have a common sensibility and somewhat similar likes and dislikes -- so I had this 'vision' of "99" much before I saw it and when I actually did, it sure did not disappoint me...Here's my take on the movie

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"Chakka kisine Maara...Paisa kisine haara" -- haunts me even after a day of watching this super thriller...I could so well relate to Rahul -- the Hansie Cronje, if you will, of the movie -- A character you could only pity. Boman for me was the highlight of the movie.

Cricket is such an integral part of the movie that you have a 'reel' Sachin with a 'reel' Dravid (although a fatsy) -- Keeps Sachin good company throughout the movie -- much like the Sachin, Dravid partnerships that we are accustomed to on the cricket field. Kunal is impressive and seems to have taken his acting to the next level from his previous movies. Cyrus evokes enough laughter to keep you engaged. Soha, as her role demands, was very suave and subdued.

Import-Export business king Kuber is another highlight -- his one-liners are bound to become popular in bollywood cinema in the years to come -- "Checking"..."Cut Again"..."Give Respect" etc..much like Vivek in Flavors, if you remember, -- "You Grow Up"...Accompanying him is "Dimple", taking me back to "Michael Madana Kama Rajan's" Kamal-Bheem combo.

Talking of one-liners, there's no dearth of those in the movie -- be it AMG leaving a 'message' after the 'beep' OR the wannabe in the hotel lobby threatneing to buy the 5-star hotel or the popular theory about how cell phones would hurt your entire body, heck I even liked the dude on the street giving TV interview of what he saw of the culprits.

Another aspect of the movie was the subtlety with which certain things are shown -- be it the kids flaunting their bounty hunt on the road or Rahul's "oh!" at the fall of a wicket on a match he bet on, while in the Y2k meeting room -- the directors quality of letting small events tell a story of its own shows up as a highlight.

Although not having songs interrupt the story flow is a welcome change -- having listened to the music album, you almost wish that you see the full version of the songs play out..most people stay in the theater through the credits because of the "What's up" song...come to think of it...shouldn't "Whats up"? song be the opening credit as a way of the debutant directors saying Hello to Bollywood? may be they are setting us up for a sequel, who knows...LoL..

Background score is slick and cocky and suits the mood..

This "99" is bound to cross Lara's 400 and become a "trend-setter" for future Bollywood generation.
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