As non-Indian Polish lover of Bollywood I recommend "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani" for Shah Rukh Khan's fans and because of its unique and still fresh plot on relations between media, business and politics shown aptly in a satirical way.
Film, released in 2000, with its melodious songs, bright colours and art of shooting belongs to the 90s aesthetics in a good way.
I liked most of the songs, particularly "Banke Tera Jogi" and its picturisation with Johnny Lever's character breaking into safe. "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani", "I am the best" and "Kuch To Bata" also fit well with the action and caught my ear.
I liked the romance between Ajay and Ria and their development as reporters when discovering and defending the truth. The commercialization of media and interactions between media and politics are a really good satire (e.g. Mechanism of creating a terrorist, interview with hangman). The climax scenes of the marching people under Indian flag bring further drama. Comedian subplots with Pappu Junior are ridiculously funny (even the Chinese reporters).
All these plots separately are good. However, for me they do not fit together in one film - probably too much "masala". There are two powerful, very good scenes - city riots and the story of Mohan Joshi. Their reality just clashes too much with romantic and satirical scenes. Cheesy dialogue between Ria and Ajay at the very end of the film is a sweet closure but out of place right after the scenes that precede it.
Film is well performed, also in supporting roles. As for SRK, as Ajay Bakshi he gives solid performance, shifting easily from comedy to drama, romancing with Juhi Chawla's character Ria, though I don't like tears in his eyes during his final dramatic TV appearance. That kind of acting just does not work for me.
Juhi Chawla is charming and very convincing as Ria. Paresh Rawal as Mohan Joshi is very good. Johny Lever's Pappu Junior to be remembered.
It's not the SRK's acting that I particularly recommend here for SRK's fans (though nothing to complain about). PBDHH is first independent production of SRK, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza. It was not a success in cinemas but it shows somehow what kind of movies SRK wanted to produce when, at the top of his career as an actor, he decided to start his own film business.
It's not the best ever Bollywood movie and it's not the best performance by SRK. I recommend it, however, to all classic Bollywood lovers and SRK fans. It reminds me of SRK's 1999 "Badshah", but for me, from 2021 perspective, "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani" is much better and more up to date. Try and enjoy it!
Film, released in 2000, with its melodious songs, bright colours and art of shooting belongs to the 90s aesthetics in a good way.
I liked most of the songs, particularly "Banke Tera Jogi" and its picturisation with Johnny Lever's character breaking into safe. "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani", "I am the best" and "Kuch To Bata" also fit well with the action and caught my ear.
I liked the romance between Ajay and Ria and their development as reporters when discovering and defending the truth. The commercialization of media and interactions between media and politics are a really good satire (e.g. Mechanism of creating a terrorist, interview with hangman). The climax scenes of the marching people under Indian flag bring further drama. Comedian subplots with Pappu Junior are ridiculously funny (even the Chinese reporters).
All these plots separately are good. However, for me they do not fit together in one film - probably too much "masala". There are two powerful, very good scenes - city riots and the story of Mohan Joshi. Their reality just clashes too much with romantic and satirical scenes. Cheesy dialogue between Ria and Ajay at the very end of the film is a sweet closure but out of place right after the scenes that precede it.
Film is well performed, also in supporting roles. As for SRK, as Ajay Bakshi he gives solid performance, shifting easily from comedy to drama, romancing with Juhi Chawla's character Ria, though I don't like tears in his eyes during his final dramatic TV appearance. That kind of acting just does not work for me.
Juhi Chawla is charming and very convincing as Ria. Paresh Rawal as Mohan Joshi is very good. Johny Lever's Pappu Junior to be remembered.
It's not the SRK's acting that I particularly recommend here for SRK's fans (though nothing to complain about). PBDHH is first independent production of SRK, Juhi Chawla and Aziz Mirza. It was not a success in cinemas but it shows somehow what kind of movies SRK wanted to produce when, at the top of his career as an actor, he decided to start his own film business.
It's not the best ever Bollywood movie and it's not the best performance by SRK. I recommend it, however, to all classic Bollywood lovers and SRK fans. It reminds me of SRK's 1999 "Badshah", but for me, from 2021 perspective, "Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani" is much better and more up to date. Try and enjoy it!