Recall
the
'Kantaben'
episode
in
Karan
Johar's
Kal
Ho
Naa
Ho.
The
episode
is
alive
even
today,
in
skits,
on
stage,
amongst
friends.
That
was
a
mere
trailer.
Picture
abhi
baaki
hain.
Dostana
takes
'Kantaben'
episode
to
another
level
altogether.
Dostana
is
no
BROKEBACK
MOUNTAIN.
It's
not
a
serious
take
on
homosexuality
either.
On
the
contrary,
it's
a
madcap
comedy
where
two
straight
men
pretend
to
be
gays.
Although
Dostana
is
a
mainstream
commercial
film,
it
dares
to
push
the
envelope
in
its
own
way.
It
brings
homosexuality
out
of
the
closet,
gives
it
respect
and
dignity
and
doesn't
treat
gays
as
'abnormal'.
Love
triangle
in
Hindi
movies
often
centre
around
two
guys
falling
in
love
with
the
same
girl,
or
two
girls
choosing
to
love
the
same
guy.
But
Dostana
is
a
first.
It's
the
first
Hindi
film
that,
at
the
core,
is
a
rectangle
[three
men
loving
the
same
woman],
but
two
of
them,
guys
in
this
case,
pretend
to
be
a
couple.
Sure,
Dostana
has
ample
shock-value
since
what
has
been
witnessed
in
its
promos
is
barely
a
fraction
of
what
you'd
get
to
watch
in
the
movie.
But
more
than
shock-value,
the
film
offers
loads
of
fun-n-laughter
and
dollops
of
entertainment
in
those
14
reels.
A
word
of
appreciation!
It
requires
courage
to
fund
a
project
like
Dostana.
Karan
Johar,
the
producer,
deserves
to
be
lauded
for
treading
the
untrodden
path.
It
requires
courage
and
conviction
to
swim
against
the
tide
in
your
directorial
debut.
Tarun
Mansukhani,
the
debutante,
deserves
a
few
brownie
points
extra
for
not
thinking
straight.
It
requires
courage
for
two
A-list
actors
to
go
all
out
and
risk
their
professional
[and
personal]
lives.
Abhishek
and
John
deserve
an
ovation
for
not
only
agreeing
to
play
these
characters,
but
also
infusing
life
in
them,
without
making
a
mockery
of
the
gay
community.
To
cut
a
long
story
short,
Dostana
is
not
to
be
missed.
Dharma
Productions,
the
late
Yash
Johar
and
Karan
Johar's
film
production
outfit,
has
produced
several
significant
films
in
the
past.
Add
Dostana
to
the
list!
Miami
is
the
setting
for
Dostana.
When
Sameer
[Abhishek
Bachchan]
and
Kunal
[John
Abraham]
are
turned
down
for
an
apartment
because
the
landlady
[Sushmita
Mukherjee]
doesn't
want
two
strapping
young
men
to
corrupt
her
young
sexy
niece
Neha
[Priyanka
Chopra],
they
hatch
a
plan:
they
pretend
to
be
gay
to
secure
the
apartment.
Over
a
period
of
time,
Sameer,
Kunal
and
Neha
become
buddies.
When
Neha's
boss
Abhimanyu
[Bobby
Deol]
enters
the
fray
as
the
third
contender
for
her
affections,
it
gets
even
hotter...
Dostana
shocks
you
all
the
while
and
that
is
its
biggest
USP.
Don't
expect
stereotypical
situations
or
characters
all
through
this
film.
Watch
Abhishek
cook
up
a
romantic
story
between
John
and
him
in
Venice.
Watch
Boman
Irani's
interaction
with
Abhishek
and
John.
Watch
Kirron
Kher's
dramatic
entry
at
this
point.
Howlarious
scenes
all,
they're
sure
to
bring
the
house
down.
If
the
first
hour
is
laced
with
crackling
chemistry
between
the
guys
and
terrific
humour,
things
get
serious
towards
the
second
half
since
there's
one
more
person
vying
for
Priyanka's
attention
--
Bobby
Deol.
There's
humour
in
this
hour
too,
but
the
focus
is
mainly
on
who'd
get
Priyanka
in
the
end.
The
length
is
a
slight
deterrent
in
the
second
half
and
the
editor
could've
easily
cut
the
unwanted
flab
to
make
the
narration
in
shape.
But
the
film
works
as
a
package!
Also,
the
film
has
a
shocking
end
and
people
are
bound
to
raise
eyebrows.
It
would
have
its
share
of
advocates
and
adversaries.
A
debatable
culmination,
for
sure!
Director
Tarun
Mansukhani
is
here
to
stay.
He
deserves
kudos
for
choosing
an
offbeat
story,
then
making
a
foolproof
screenplay
and
most
importantly,
executing
it
with
flourish.
Dostana
merges
form
and
content
beautifully,
since
the
film
is,
technically
speaking,
sound.
Ayananka
Bose's
cinematography
is
top
notch.
The
locales
of
Miami
are
a
feast
for
your
eyes.
Costumes
and
styling
are
very
upmarket.
Vishal-Shekhar's
music
goes
well
with
the
mood
of
the
film.
It's
young,
peppy
and
energetic.
'Desi
Girl'
and
'Maa
Da
Laadla
Bigad
Gaya'
are
foot-tapping
compositions.
The
latter
is
bound
to
be
a
rage!
Both
Abhishek
and
John
are
fantabulous!
Abhishek
pulls
out
all
the
stops
and
delivers
one
of
the
finest
performances
of
his
career.
His
comic
timing
is
superb!
John
will
make
guys
and
girls
drool
over
his
amazing
physique.
But,
most
importantly,
people
will
sit
up
and
notice
how
fine
an
actor
John
is.
Both
Abhishek
and
John
compliment
each
other
so
well.
In
fact,
had
the
chemistry
and
camaraderie
been
missing,
the
story
would've
failed
to
look
convincing.
Two
thumbs
up
for
these
two
guys!
Priyanka
looks
stunning
and
delivers
a
first-rate
performance.
First
FASHION,
now
Dostana,
Priyanka
is
back
with
a
bang.
Bobby
Deol
lends
the
required
class
to
his
role.
No
other
actor
would've
looked
so
real
while
underplaying
this
character.
Boman
Irani
is
sure
to
bring
the
house
down,
the
auditorium
is
sure
to
resonate
with
laughter
in
his
sequences.
Kirron
Kher
is
superb
as
the
Punjabi
mom.
Watch
her
throw
a
fit
when
she
learns
that
her
son
[Abhishek]
is
gay
and
much
later,
when
she
accepts
John
as
family.
She's
remarkable!
Sushmita
Mukherjee,
as
Priyanka's
aunt,
is
fantastic.
She's
so,
so
funny.
Shilpa
Shetty
sizzles
in
the
opening
track.
On
the
whole,
Dostana
is
a
winner
all
the
way.
In
terms
of
content,
it
might
just
prove
to
be
a
trendsetter.
In
terms
of
business,
the
film
holds
tremendous
appeal
for
the
youth.
The
16
to
25
age-group
would
go
into
raptures
and
bonkers
over
this
film.
Its
business
at
multiplexes
mainly
will
be
amazing.
In
Overseas
too,
the
film
should
emerge
amongst
the
biggest
draws
of
2008.
Dostana
rocks...
have
a
blast!