Film:
Waqt - A Race against Time
Starring:
Amitabh Bachchan - Ishwarchand Thakur
Akshay Kumar - Aditya Thakur
Priyanka Chopra - Pooja
Shefali Shah - Sumitra Thakur
Boman Irani - Natubhai
Rajpal Yadav - Laxman
Storyline:
A storyline based on the currently common and maybe getting a bit worn out idea of the Father-Son relationship.
Ishwar Thakur is a successful Toys manufacturer who started out in life as a Postman, who decided to sell toys as a side business. The side business developed into a big empire. Married to Summi, a very practical and realistic person - Ishwar's conscience, if you will. They have a son, Aditya (Adi).
The usual sentiments of I walked and struggled, hence my son will not walk, but travel in cars, fly in planes. As time goes by, Ishwar in doting on his son, failed to show Adi the value and need of responsibility, the ability to think on his own. Adi, thus, becomes a 'spoilt-son', and irresponsible.
Ishwar then learns that he has Lung Cancer which is terminal and he has about a year to live. This causes a sense of urgency in the lives of Ishwar and Sumi. Sumi wants Ishwar to try and talk to Adi and tell him about this situation and try and get Adi to become responsible so that he (Adi) can be a support, be responsible enough to handle the business, alongwith being a rich kid with everything at his beck and call, and know the value of work.
Meantime Adi has fallen in love with Pooja and to avoid his parents marrying off to someone of their choice, gets married to Pooja without the parents knowledge. All this time, Ishwar is trying to think of ways to break the news of his terminal illness to Adi without causing him any hurt and pain. But keeps putting it off, avoiding it. But with the added responsibilty of marraige, and subsequently Pooja being pregnant, events turn to the point of Ishwar having to drive Adi out of the house and have him fend for himself and his pregnant wife. Albeit under his own eyes - since Adi is driven out to the outhouse, for which he has to pay rent and work jobs for Ishwar. Adi does the usual things - hard work - pride - self respect, but begins hating Ishwar for doing this to him. All this time ignorant to the fact that his father is a dying man.
The film runs pretty much well paced right through to the end. The ending is usual tear-jerker, emotional, melodramatic. Keeping in line with the rest of the film, it would have been better to have had less of a tear-jerking ending.
The comedy is provided initially by Ishwar and Natubhai (arch social rivals, but good mates) and then Natubhai and Laxman. I really enjoyed Laxman's charachter. Great timing and wonderfully acted.
Music is by Anu Malik. I would say run of the mill formula music. A club sound, a traditional, a nach ganaaa song. However, the audience has to enjoy or sit through Anu Malik on the screen too, playing a DJ in a party song.
Amitabh is Amitabh.
Shefali Shah played Amitabh's wife's role well that she is noticable. She possibly got to play this role because the Producer - Vipul Shah is her husband. But that should not take anything away from her acting. She was noticable.
Akshay played his role well. He has really matured into a good actor. Handles emotions well.
Priyanka has been a surprise film after film. She came with her looks and now stays on the strengths of her acting. She has a way to go, but each film makes her better. She looks to be one that is going to be around some time.
Rajpal Yadav was very good in this role of Amitabh's servant. Very slow. Someone whose elevator does not go to the top floor! Great comic interaction and timing with Boman Irani.
Boman Irani did what he does well. Comedy. Made that much better by playing the 2nd in the two-man comedy. Boman excels when he is part of a two man comedy situation.
Decent watchable film. Good social drama. Decent music. One of the few released these days which can be watched with the whole family including children and infact has a 'U' certificate
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