Yashraj Films presents Madhuri Dixit’s Aaja Nachle. Charming, Beautiful, Graceful and with a smile that ruled millions of hearts worldwide – Madhuri Dixit weaved magic for more than a decade in Bollywood and after a 5 year long wait she makes her comeback. She is arguably one of Bollywood’s most talented and popular actresses ever. Directed by cinematographer turned director Anil Mehta.

The movie starts off slow, with the first 15 minutes being dull but soon gathers momentum. The audition sequence is interesting and also comical at times. Post interval the pace slackens and tends to get over dramatic. Although director Anil Mehta’s execution is good, the script lets him down. The characters in the movie, barring a few, don’t make an impact. The sequences had to be more intact and effectual. Madhuri’s character lacks appeal. Neither do you feel for the character nor do you feel like cheering her to victory. If only the pain of her mortification was stressed, her fight and her predicament would have emerged more personal and throbbing. Also even though she is visiting her hometown after 11 long years, she never really makes even an attempt to find out about her parents.

After nearly a decade, an unexpected phone call shakes Dia [Madhuri Dixit] out of her dance rehearsal in New York. Makarand [Darshan Zariwala], her guru, is dying and she must return to Shamli, a town in India. The town where she grew up, the town where she learnt to live and to dance. Also the town she left on an impulse, severing ties with her parents and her people.

It is a poignant and troubled return; not only has her guru passed away but the institution that he so lovingly nurtured is in decay and under threat of demolition. Ajanta theatre, the once vibrant hub of the community, the place where Dia’s fondest memories are embedded, must now be brought down because the local political authorities feel it a waste of prime real estate.

With the help of Doctor [Raghuvir Yadav], the caretaker of Ajanta, Dia sets out on a mission to prevent the destruction and resurrect the spirit of Ajanta. In an atmosphere of mistrust, ridicule and active hostility, Dia picks up the gauntlet and agrees to achieve the near impossible task of putting together a theatrical production. She must also ensure that every member of the production is from Shamli town. She has only two months to prove her point or the bulldozers will be waiting.

Bearing a striking similarity to the Brazilian film XUXA REQUEBRA, Jaideep Sahni’s screenplay is the biggest culprit here. The protagonist [Madhuri] knows that there would be hurdles galore on her way, as she embarks on a journey to realize her guru’s dreams. But she hardly struggles to achieve the impossible. Even the corrupt politician [Akhilendra Mishra] or the shrewd businessman [Irrfan], who could’ve proved to be tough nuts to crack, give in so easily.
Akshaye Khanna is tremendous. In fact, it’s a treat to watch Madhuri and Akshaye together, after a hiatus. Kunal Kapoor is likable; he enacts his part with natural ease. Konkona is nice, but when compared to her previous work, it’s definitely not in that league.

Madhuri has always delivered qualitative performances and the fire continues to burn to this date. She’s top notch, but how one wishes the script would’ve done justice to her talent. It doesn’t offer her a pedestal to take that big leap. The loyal Madhuri fans would surely feel disillusioned and saddened.

Categories: Aaja Nachle, News
Tags: