Writer/Director: Tarun Mansukhani
Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra and John Abraham
‘A Captivating Comedy’
Not many actors in Bollywood earned praise of Abhishek Bachchan. Following his rise to popularity during the 2000’s, Bachchan has transformed in a legendary Bollywood icon. Whether it’s inspiring teachers, frustrated fathers or patriotic leaders, Bachchan has played many strong characters. Arguably, Bachchan’s best strength as an actor has always been his strong commitment to his craft. He is one of those rare Indian actors that has always had strong presence which has elevated every movie he is in. Through his capabilities to create characters which audience can easily relate to, Bachchan has become a celebrated Bollywood icon that audiences value. Although he is best known for roles in Bollywood, Bachchan has proven he excels in every genre. Despite reaching an age of retirement, Bachchan has never lost long lasting passion for entertainment. Throughout his illustrious career, Bachchan has produced countless movies which are absolutely worth talking about without any doubt.
I’m a huge fan of Bachchan and adore films which he has made in his career. However, “Dostana” stands out as his funniest movie. Released in 2008, Tarun Mansukhani’s film offered a captivating portrait of friendships. Packed with captivating musical sequences, strong storytelling and astonishing acting, it is a breathtaking Bollywood comedy. At the centre of it all is an incredible performance by Abhishek Bachchan, who plays a single bachelor that seeks romantic relationships. Although “Dostana” is a brilliant Bollywood comedy, it isn’t a flawless movie. It suffers from queer stereotypes which haven’t aged well over time. Nevertheless, it offers strong entertainment that will definitely satisfy fans of Abhishek Bachchan.
“Dostana” tells the story of two friends that pretend to become a gay couple in America. Abhishek Bachchan plays Sameer, a single bachelor with a desire to find love. Sameer has always shared a strong friendship with Kunal (John Abraham), a roommate that he cares about deeply. In an attempt to secure a Miami apartment, Sameer and Kunal pose as a gay couple. However, their plan is soon complicated when they fall in love with their female roommate. Neha (Priyanka Chopra) is a free-spirited woman with dreams of her own to pursue in America. As they discover grim reality of pretending to be gay, Sameer and Kunal question whether they would ever find love.
Tarun Mansukhani is a newcomer to themes of friendship. A debut director, Mansukhani had never made a Bollywood movie before. It was the filmmaker’s first ever attempts to capture homosexuality in Indian society but he succeeded tremendously. Using stunning cinematography, Mansukhani captures lives of friends that seek romance. Inspired with David Fincher’s “Fight Club”, Manuskhani successfully uses montages to capture the friendship between two men seeking to fit in society. For instance, montages elevate the friends’ apartment scene. During this funny scene, Sameer and Kunal share a bond by moving into the same apartment together. Using captivating montages, Manuskhani constructs a portrait of friendship which is compelling. Montages are tricky techniques to use in movies. As Karan Johar’s “Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna” suggested, montages enhance Bollywood movies about doomed marriages. Nevertheless, it works extremely well in this movie. Using captivating visuals, Manuskhani captures hardships friends are facing.
Another admirable aspect of “Dostana” that merits appreciation is the production. From a technical perspective, it’s one of the best Bollywood movies you will see. Manuskhani expertly uses cross-cutting to stage musical sequences about friends that are engaging. For instance, the cross-cutting elevates the Desi Girl song. During this memorable song, Sameer, Kunal and Neha attend glamorous parties showcasing their strong friendships together. Using breathtaking cross-cutting, Manuskhani crafts musical sequences that are engaging. Moreover, the musical score is magnificent. It gives the movie engaging atmosphere capturing the burden friends in romantic relationships bear. Through strong production, Manuskhani captures romantic friends facing tension.
Storytelling is one of the main reasons why “Dostana” is a Bollywood film that’s highly engaging. The film is extremely well written, and effectively uses dramatic monologues to capture friendships that face hardships. Evoking Gus Van Sant’s “Good Will Hunting”, Manuskhani effectively uses monologues to capture the tensions that friends are facing. For instance, the monologues enhance the secret affair scene. During this memorable scene, Sameer and Kunal reveal their secret of pretending to be a gay couple through a monologue. Through stunning monologues, Manuskhani creates a portrait of friendship audiences relate to. Monologues are tricky techniques to use in most movies. As Sanjay Gadhvi’s “Dhoom” suggested, monologues enhance Bollywood action films about bike rider criminals. Nevertheless, it works well in this movie. Through a fantastic screenplay, Manuskhai captures the realities of friends in India today.
One appreciates amazing performances.
Abhishek Bachchan delivers one of his best career performances as Sameer. Bachchan achieved appreciation for portraying action heroes in celebrated Bollywood films. With “Dostana”, however, he took upon his most comedic role. It isn’t simple to embody the personality of an Indian man pretending to be gay in American society. It’s a tricky role that required the star to tackle controversial subject matter but he succeeded. With bold expressions, he captures the determination, intelligence and strong sense of humour of an Indian man in awkward situations. It’s a brilliant performance by one of the greatest actors in Bollywood today.
While the movie is mainly a showcase for Bachchan, the supporting cast is superb and deserving of praise. John Abraham is amazing, bringing comical relief to a young bachelor seeking romantic relationships in society. Priyanka Chopra is phenomenal, capturing charisma of a desi woman that seeks to find love in America. Lastly, Kirron Kher is unforgettable. As Sameer’s mother, she brings wisdom to the movie.
Despite its strong performances, however, “Dostana” can’t quite capture the realities of relationships in America. If there’s a small shortcoming to the movie, it lacks a strong ending. It’s a melodramatic conclusion that can’t quite capture the harsh realities faced by queer communities in America. At worst, it perpetrates harmful stereotypes regarding gay men which aren’t entirely true to reality. Therefore, “Dostana” is one of those Indian movies which not everyone would be able to adore.
Nevertheless, fans of Abhishek Bachchan will absolutely enjoy “Dostana” and so will audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment. A captivating Bollywood comedy, it honours an actor that has built a lasting legacy.
Nearly 20 years following the release of a groundbreaking Bollywood comedy about two friends which pretend to be gay with a price to pay, it’s a powerful reminder of an actor that has built a lasting legacy through his abilities to portray compelling characters in memorable movies which are beloved in India today.
4.5/5 stars
The Film Buff 