In Defence of Salaam-E-Ishq

salaam

I am quite frankly a little bit piqued at the reviews of Salaam-E-Ishq (SEI) in almost all mainstream papers & magazines in india. I watched the movie and personally liked it. It was no masterpiece (it did not pretend to be one either) but it definitely was not boring or bad.
It was fun and the best example of "Bollywood" as it is actually supposed to be and not trying to be like hollywood.
Let's look at some of the gripes from some of the 'critics';

Too Long. Some wit even called it Thaakan-E-Ishq. Dont go by the 3 hr+ running time. If need be, a 2hr film can be boring too. Watch Paheli or Naach or Kisna or ....

Salman & Priyanka were hamming. Yes but that was what they were supposed to do. She's playing an Item Queen for god's sake and Salman was required to just be a Rock Star and he was. With all his accents and strutting and constant reference to Raoooool.

The John-Vidya track wasn't moving. I dont know what this critic meant, becoz if it meant moving as in emotional, then his cardiac valves are not in their right place or maybe he is so used to loud melodrama that subtlety is not within his comprehension.

Anil K looks ridiculous in a shaven-hip-hop look: Again, that was the whole idea. Duh!

The Sohail-Isha Track is crude and unnecessary: The director has mentioned that this track is his indulgence and we all deserve one. It is not crude and quite funny actually. If you are from VHP or RSS or Shiv Sena and think that sex is crude and should be banned, then you should not be watching this film in the first place. Hypocrites.

Now about what was good:

Govinda: Quite a pleasant change. He was high on my list of irritating actors and if i say pleasant then it means a lot. Likeable, funny and not slapstick for once.

Shannon: She spoke english through out most of the film. Thank God! Quite natural too.

John & Vidya: They have the kind of frickin chemistry that Ash-Abhi can only dream of. Best story of the lot.

Juhi: A short one dimentional role but played with pure dignity and class.

Akshaye K: Who knew he could be so funny. (apparently Saif wanted this role and why not.)

Songs: SEL at their best.

Choreography: Just picture this: Salman on horse, in a bright yellow sherwani, dancing/strutting with a brass band, in & around the streets of london and the surrounding, very british, countryside. It is the arrival of Bollywood at its best. Fabulously camp.

and 3 virtuoso scenes :
(i) When John takes Vidya back to his parents' house, watch the background flit seamlessly between the present and past. Perfect use of special effects and flawless too.
(ii) After Juhi cathes him red-handed, Anil K is standing in the street, in front of the young girl's glass door deciding whether to go to her or go back home. She can be seen in the brightly lit interior and the door is swaying. Watch how Juhi's reflection appears on the door and dissapears again. Magic!
(iii) The pre-climax scene in the empty pub with Anil and Priyanka. Well written, beautifully timed and perfectly acted.


Most Indian reviewers don't know their Kurosawa from their Kachoris so don't trust them.
Yeah! and Don't trust me either.

Check it out for yourself.

Vish