We all are jealous of our friends or companions when they have more good results than us, or more intelligent than us or more successful than us. And what comes across our heart is the expression of fire to burn them. Director Vipul Shah’s London Dreams is based on the same reality but the on-screen is too sleepy.We have seen some practical reality-based films [like ABHIMAAN or ROCK ON!] and London Dreams belongs to this category. But it is straight forwardelly over-dramatized. And then if it is a rock-band based musical film, then the music must be its soul and that’s where it doesn’t creates an impact.
They were childhood friends. But they had little in common except their family’s connection with music. While Arjun’s [Ajay Devgn] life was consumed by a passionate drive to get on stage and realize his grandfather’s unfulfilled dream, Mannu [Salman Khan] was content with remaining a child at heart with no higher ambition than enjoying the good things in life.
As Arjun forges a band with Zoheb [Rannvijay Singh], Wasim [Aditya Roy Kapur] and Priya [Asin], a music enthusiast from a conservative South Indian family, far away in Punjab, music becomes a survival tool for Mannu, who takes to playing in wedding bands in his village.
Maanu, with his inherent musical gift, becomes an instant darling of the crowds. Arjun’s unbearable pangs of jealousy and insecurity only worsen when Mannu also unwittingly woos and wins his secret love, Priya. As he battles his inner demons, Arjun slowly devises a sinister plan to destroy his best friend.
The first half only focuses on the lead one’s relationships and their own life. But the story actually starts in the second half. There are some funny humorous(like Salman Khan feeling awkward in plane) but some scenes in the second half are extremely likable. Like-
*Salman composing different tunes from one tune given by Ajay.
Ajay addressing revenge to Salman while Salman completely clueless about his sinister plans *.
But that’s all! and there is nothing much rather than this. There are too many lames in the film. When it is expected that the film will end with the friends re-uniting at the train station, the climax is too much dragged. And then it is music, though the songs pictured energetically, one expected Shankar- Ehsaan-Loy to create a more rocky soundtrack. And the sequence at the end where Ajay apologizes is very amateurish. It looks like a tragedic, Saas-Bahu type of scene.
No doubt, London Dreams is one of the best works of Vipul Shah from technical point of view, lavish locations and a big star cast doesn’t makes a film perfect. . Vipul Shah could have gone with a more better screenplay and a tighter music.
Music is the sure-sought lackster from the film. Tracks like’Mann Ko Ati Bhavey Saiyaan’ or’Barso Re’ work only in parts denying the fact that they are hit.
The starry nights of Punjab are very well shot. Cinematography is comparable to high levels.
It’s the two superstars who make the film really watchable. Salman Khan works as a funny guy always happy about life. He throws the humor exorbitantly. Ajay Devgn switches from comedy to serious guy and it is astonishing to see such an actor working wonderfully. But he could be simple instead of over-acting in the last sequence.
Then there is Asin showing up attitude completely different from Ghajini Asin. The Chennai Express yet deliver’s another bravura performance but so disappointing to say that Ghajini’s Asin was far better. Aditya Kapoor and Rannvijay Singh do not much to play rather than showing off and enemying Salman.
London Dreams is no reality. It go and moves through it’s own world. If you are in sleep, it’s better to remain in sleep and watch a good dream rather the day-dreaming like London Dreams. Overall, London Dreams is average and few good for some reasons. One time watch!
Rating: 3/5
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