Dostana Movie Review

No matter what your gender or sexual orientation, Dostana serves up a rather friendly feast for the eyes. The movie starts off with a colorful splash as topless Kunal (John Abraham) and scantily clad Shilpa Shetty get their bounce on in sunny Miami. We then get a few glimpses into Kunal's and Sam's (Abhishek Bachchan) American bachelor lifestyle before the ball really gets rolling into the premise of the story: Kunal and Sam need a place to live, and Neha (Priyanka Chopra) has a totally phat one. However, Neha's aunt won't be having two studs stay with her niece; she needs "baby-log," not "baba-log." Enter Sam's novel idea: why not act like baby-log trapped in hot hunk bodies? A reluctant Kunal agrees to the plot, and the three roommates get along brilliantly, until... the two men fall in love with the woman. The rest of the story awaits you at your local Indian theater.

The movie does have some genuinely touching moments, but it maintains its comedic flow, never going overboard with the drama. The laugh riot is upheld with good timing in the dialogues, a healthy sprinkling of double entendre, and quirky background sound effects. The songs are catchy, and the choreography is visually enticing. My favorite picturization was of "Ma Da Laadla," following Kirron Kher's entrance onto the scene as Sam's anxious mother.

As far as the ground-breaking capacity of the movie -- the mere bringing of a homosexual theme out of the closet, although faux-homo, is quite a leap for a mainstream director and A-list actors. Although many stereotypes are displayed in the film, it is done in an endearing matter, for what that's worth, which is certainly a step above fear and disgust. We have graduated on from trembling Kantaben and Saif Ali Khan's father in Kal Ho Na Ho, whom Saif has to assure that he is "normal" and not gay. Also interesting was the PR surrounding the movie; instead of assuring the media that the movie did not promote or endorse homosexuality, the promoters assured the media that the movie would not offend homosexuals. This acknowledgment of and respect for the homosexual audience is certainly a positive narrative shift.

There were a few amusing factual errors in the movie. For example, it is suggested at one point that the Immigration & Naturalization Services (INS) would provide expedited services to registered domestic partners. Not only is there no longer an INS (its functions have been taken over by the Department of Homeland Security), but, unfortunately, a domestic partnership does not accord any immigration benefits whatsoever.

The other problem I have with so many Bollywood films "abroad" is the proliferation of whiteness. In Miami, other than in Neha's household and the three black bouncers at the nightclub, why is everyone blonde and skinny? Where my fat Cubans at?

Overall, Karan Johar's latest production is a very pleasant film -- entertaining, light, and marking a paradigm shift of sorts. Two thumbs up. ;)