Kambakkht Ishq (Khan, 2009)

[ayaa1977]

Plot
Viraj Shergill, Akshay Kumar, is THE stuntman in Hollywood, the go-to guy if you have an action film. He is also a chauvinist womanizer who doesn’t believe in love, and thinks that women are only to be used and then discarded. Simrita Rai, Kareena Kapoor, is an ex-supermodel who is now a doctor. She is cynical woman who doesn’t trust men and thinks that it is their nature to behave like dogs. Those two opposites unite when Viraj’s brother Lucky, Aftab Shivdasani, and Simrita’s best friend Kamini, Amrita Arora, secretly get married. So each one of them try to sabotage this marriage which they think is foolish and unattainable. Later, Viraj and Simrita cross paths and each of them has to act in love with the other for their different goals, little they know that this act will become reality that changes their prospect for life and their view of the opposite sex.

Kambakkht Ishq, the latest Sajid Nadiadwala's vehicle, directed by first time director Sabir Khan wants to be many things; it wants to be Salam-Namaste type of romance, it wants to be an action film, and it wants to be goofy No-Entry style slapstick comedy. Unfortunately it fails miserably in all accounts.

Let me start with the pros: it is a big budget film, the action scenes and stunt work are impressive, especially in the opening scene. Akshay Kumar is in his best form and he single handedly carries all what is good about this film. Kareena Kapoor looks stunning and the film featured her in many skimpy outfits and a few swimsuits too. The songs are catchy and decent, and the funny parts are really funny. The sets and scenery featured in the film are fresh, and the film moves in a good pace.

Now to the bad, these are much more than I wished for. The film featured cameos from some prominent names like Sylvester Stallone, up and coming, Brandon Routh, and has been, Denise Richards and Holly Valance. All play ok roles, but the attempt to excessively utilize them backfires in the end, like the scene when Sylvester Stallone happens to be in the “Hood”, wearing a hoody (get it?), ready to the rescue of the chicks: Simrita, Kamini, and "yes" Lucky, from the attack of the most ridiculous and apparently inclusive multicultural L.A. gang. Also the presence of Javed Jaffrey, who added charmed to the aforementioned Salam-Namaste, was supposed to be a comic relief. Not only he was unnecessary, his role as the mumbling, broken-English speaking, scam artist was utterly bad. Aftab’s Lucky is a whiny little bitch who has a few redeeming qualities, even a bigger bitch than Kamini his wife the total airhead who is influenced and controlled inexplicably by Simrita. Boman Irani pops up in undignified cameo and enacts a gay innuendo with Viraj. Those are few examples of many.

It seems that Bollywood has the money to spend on big names cameo and lavish productions, yet they don’t have any to spare on a decent script. If only a fraction of that big budget was spent on making the script better, the result would have been reflected on the film quality, but unfortunately the script was the least of their concerns. Still the film had its moment, and if you like Akshay Kumar enough, you may look the other way when one of many fatal flaws hits you on the face. I can’t say that I wasn’t entertained, but I can’t bring myself to give it more than 2/5.         

[shariqq]

Simrita Rai, Kareena Kapoor, is an ex-supermodel who is now a doctor.

LOL!

[fizz]

Simrita Rai, Kareena Kapoor, is an ex-supermodel who is now a doctor.

LOL!

Yeah...I read that too..wtf! It made me laugh so much it made my day...

[sulphurhead]

Simrita Rai, Kareena Kapoor, is an ex-supermodel who is now a doctor.

LOL!

While I'm sure Kareena doesn't have half a brain, there actually is such a person

[shariqq]

Yeah, she got initial fame for being an Aishwarya Rai look-alike.

[sandeep]

With a rupees 2 Crore budget for wardrobe, Kareena looked great, but not the part of a surgeon. Akshay was a decent stunt man, and cameos from Hollywood (Sly Stallone, Denise Richards, Brandon Routh) and all the 'Universal Studio' like scenes made this movie an extended ride/fashion show.

With no logic and story to offer, 2 songs of interest, and failing hard at evoking comedy, this film should be avoided at all costs.

1/5

[kaytee]

It was avoided without warning

Hearing Shortcut is in the same league, must be avoided.

[sandeep]

hehe... yeah my family went to watch it, haven't asked them yet how it was...

by the way, love the line 'Teja mein hoon, Mark idhar hai!' hehe it reminds me of so many lines from the movie...

'Gogo ji, aapka ghagraa'
'Raveena from London'
'Kyon kay yeh humko Tilay par mila tha humney iska naam Tilu rakh liya'

and numerous others... need to watch this movie again!

It was avoided without warning

Hearing Shortcut is in the same league, must be avoided.

[shariqq]

Thre's a facebook group called "Teja Main hoon, Mark IDHAR hai". Very funny group, lots of priceless lines.

[sandeep]

thanks shariq, will join it... hehe

[sandeep]

'K.I.' grosses 100 crores worldwide in opening week
By Taran Adarsh, July 10, 2009 - 19:07 IST

Eros International has announced a record opening of Sajid Nadiadwala's KAMBAKKHT ISHQ. The film has grossed Rs. 100 crores worldwide in its first week, making it one of the most successful openings in Indian cinema.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ has grossed Rs. 70 crores in India (Rs. 42 crores nett) and Rs. 21 crores overseas with music & digital platforms grossing Rs. 10 crores. The film has been produced at a cost of Rs. 62 crores, including print and advertisement cost.

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/2009/07/10/13056/index.html