Movie Review: Kambakkht Ishq

Movie Rated: 3/5
Language: Hindi
Genre: Comedy, Romance, Action
Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Aaftab Shivdasani, Amrita Arora, Denise Richards, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Kiron Kher.
Director: Anu Malik
Producer: Sajid Nadiadwala
Cinematographer: Vikas Shivraman
Music: Shamir Tandon
Writer: Ishita Moitra, Sabbir Khan, Anvita Dutt Guptan
Length: 2 hrs 24 mins

Kambakkht Ishq is touted as one of the most awaited films of this year. It boasts of an ensemble star cast with a combination of both Hindi Cinema and Hollywood actors. The movie promises to be a complete entertainer as evident from the promos of the movie. The movie is quite crucial for Akshay Kumar who has recently delivered two duds (Chandni Chowk To China and 8×10 Tasveer) and Kareena Kapoor whose last movie Tashan failed miserably at the box office. Also, the presence of Hollywood biggies such as Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards has raised the expectation bar of the film.

Kambakkht Ishq focuses on the relationship between two individuals who are poles apart from each other. Viraj [Akshay Kumar] is a Hollywood stuntman, who believes that women are only good for two things. Simrita [Kareena Kapoor] is a surgeon and supermodel, who does not believe in the institution of marriage as she hates men and thinks that men are desperate for only one thing from a woman. She is an instigator who is more than able to stare down the most arrogant male with her acerbic wit and sarcastic tongue.

The protagonist is Viraj (Akshay Kumar) a Hollywood stuntman who tries hard to find love but is unsuccessful. His opinion of women also makes it tough for him to get into a relationship. But that is until he meets Simrita (Kareena Kapoor). Simrita is all about good looks, witty and a hard-to-get attitude. When the two cross paths, the hatred level is an all time high, without realizing that destiny (which means director) has other plans for them. The super stuntman v/s super model – and that is Kambakht Ishq.

So what happens when the two people who hate each other the most meet at Simrita’s best friend Kamini’s (Amrita Arora) and Viraj’s brother Lucky’s (Aftab Shivdasani) wedding? The result is a wedding that both Viraj and Simrita are violently opposed to and desperate to stop. Sparks fly, accidents occur, and both are thrown together in the most absurd, hilarious situation until one dramatic twist.

Kambakt Ishq was expected to be a success due to its star cast – Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor and the love story line. Film is a hit among young movie goers. The movie is also unique as it has  Sylvester Stallone in real life kind of roles. There is a much awaited hot kissing scene of Akki and Bebo  which is worth seeing. The film is one of high budget films in Bollywood with an investment of Rs. 60 crore.

Now coming to the performances. The movie wholly belongs to Akshay Kumar whose comic timing is perfect. Without his presence, the movie would have fallen apart. He is quite good in emotional sequences too. If you are an Akshay Kumar fan, go to see the movie at least for him and you would not be disappointed as such. Kareena Kapoor looks glamorous and beautiful throughout the movie except in the bikini sequence. Her act is just like in her earlier commercial movies and is nothing much to boast of. But yes, she adds spark when she appears on the screen. Kirron Kher is repetitive and wasted. Aftab delivers a satisfactory performance. Amrita Arora acts like dumb as in her earlier ventures. Jaaved Jaffery is entirely wasted. His track fails to evoke any laugh and appears forced in the narrative. Vindu Dara Singh (Akhsay’s secretary) supports his part well.. Boman Irani is quite funny in a single scene. Hollywood Actors are well integrated into the plot. Sylvester Stallone appearing at the end and saving Kareena Kapoor reminds you of apna Sunny Deol!

Director Sabeer Khan presents the movie in a very stylish and grand manner. The entire first half is light and funny and makes you enjoy the tussle among the lead pair. Cinematography is rich and magnificent. Anu Malik’s Music is strictly ordinary. Barring the title track (that too composed by RDB), there is not a single track you remember after the movie.

In all, Kambakkht Ishq lives up to be a strictly one time decent fare that has zany and madcap first half. Though its second half is not too entertaining and impressive, still Akshay Kumar’s performance saves it from falling flat. Given the tremendous hype surrounding the movie, it has already taken an earth-shattering start at the ticket window. Whether it will be able to sustain itself or not will depend on the audience’s reaction to the film in the coming days. Still, I would recommend it for Akshay Kumar’s fans and the people who like watching the senseless entertainers. Akshay Kumar with her stunts and Kareena Kapoor with her looks and super slim body do charm. Aaftab Shivdasani and Amrita Arora are just average. The two and half hour movies is worth seeing out.

Director Sabbir Khan picks up a theme that may catch you by complete surprise, but marinates it in entertainment, garnishes it well and presents it like never before. The review would be incomplete if we failed to highlight the grandiose look and the lavish production values thanks to the no-holds-barred expenses by producer Sajid Nadiadwala. Each frame looks ostentatious and glitzy.

Music is up to the mark, with three interesting tracks — ‘Om Mangalam’ [RDB], ‘Lakh Lakh’ and ‘Bebo’ [Anu Malik]. Cinematography [Vikas Sivaraman] is magnificent, with the DoP doing complete justice to the production values.

Review by: Swati Dhingra for askMamu.com