Yuvraaj is a Complete Write -Off

Right since the day showman Subhash Ghai declared this movie to the day of the release, we have read innumerable news reports about it. Yuvvraaj is outright one of Ghai's worst products. So bad that even Katrina's charm will not be able save it!

Yuvvraaj is a story of three estranged brothers – Gyanesh Yuvvraaj (Anil Kapoor), Deven Yuvvraaj (Salman Khan) and Danny Yuvvraaj (Zayed Khan). The eldest brother Gyanesh is autistic and is the son of the first wife of Yogendra Yuvvraaj Singh (Jawed Sheikh). Deven is thrown out of home because he gets jealous of Gyanesh and asks for his share of property. Danny is brought up as the only heir to the property. But Yogendra's death turns the table around as Gyanesh is nominated as the only heir. Deven needs money so that he can marry his love Anushka (Katrina Kaif) and Danny needs it so that he can pay off his debts and live the way he is used to. There is also evil mama (Anjan Srivastav) who wants his own share.

The story is actually interesting and could have definitely been better with sensible direction and better characterisation. But the screenplay is unexplainable and the dialogues are dated. The cinematography is inconsistent. While the landscapes look awesome, the more-than-regular and extreme close-ups are unpleasant. Ghai should have hired a good editor rather than spending mega bucks on the locations which hardly add anything to the film. Music is probably the only high point of the movie but that too not throughout. Just a couple of songs are good.

Performances in Yuvvraaj, unlike most other Subhash Ghai films, are as weak as the rest of the film. Except of course Anil Kapoor's which lifts the film every time it comes in.

Yuvraaj Premiere Pics

The Tale of Katrina Kaif and 200 gowns

Music Review of Yuvraaj

Subhash Ghai, A.R.Rahman and Gulzar, all are great names have teamed up for the first time to create history with YUVVRAAJ. Since the film is a musical drama and some of the lead protagonists play musicians, so naturally the scope for audio brilliance gets wider.

The magnificence of the album is immediately brought to the attention of the listener with the first track, "Main Hoon Yuvvraaj ". The track is a befitting introduction to the main protagonist of the film, Deven Yuvraj, played by Salman Khan. Salman's dialogues are well supported by the "Fifth of Beethovan". Ludwig van Beethovan needs no introduction to the followers of Western classical music and this is the fifth symphony. It is one of the most popular and well-known compositions in all of European classical music. A. R. Rahman has chosen this particular piece because Beethovan himself had dedicated this symphony to two of his patrons, one of whom was Prince Franz Joseph von Lobkowitz.
After such a start we move forward to come across another brilliantly crafted "Tu Meri Dost Hain". The lilting signature tune sung by A.R.Rahman. Rahman's melody is breathtakingly simple and comes as whiff of fresh air in this era of mediocrity and plagiarism. The musical arrangements are mind-blowing- simple guitar strums, bead sounds and of course the cello. Gulzar's lyrics are simple yet classy and very much identifiable, giving an insight into the relationship shared by the two main protagonists of the film, Salman and Katrina. In other words, simply fantabulous!

Next Rahman targets the Gen X with "Shano Shano" a very contemporary and in sync with today's time dance floor composition. The tune is not very refreshing but nevertheless manages to catch attention. It has the requisite thump, required disco beats, the usual rap quite unique as well as funny style of singing by a host of artists like Sonu Nigam, Srinivas, Karthik, Timmy, Sunaina, Vivienne Pocha and Tina. What must be kept in mind is that the picturisations will be superb and so it will definitely serve as a tension reliever. The "Shano Shano" remix by Krishna Chetan is a superbly handled composition. The rap is better than the original .The remix even has Salman saying in a deep husky voice, 'Main main main Yuvvraaj', and 'Ladies come closer, I am the Casanova', a throwback to Ghai's very own KHALNAYAK song.
Lata Mangeshkar, holds fort in this soothing love ballad , "Tu Muskura" and Javed Ali who impressed all with "Jashne Bahara" supports her with his high octave singing. The melody is on the slower side but the result still superb. The Western musical arrangements do make up for this slow pace and the use of cello, guitar and the culmination with Hindustani classical alaaps in the end; make the number a pure delight. Gulzar's lyrics are the outstanding feature of the track. The pristine feeling of unselfish love is expressed superbly through some very beautifully penned wordings.

Yuvraaj In Pics