Arjun (Ajay) and Manu (Salman) are childhood buddies living in a Punjab village. Arjun passionately loves music and dreams of becoming a musical sensation like Michael Jackson and perform at London’s Wembley Stadium but his family hates music as it was the reason for his grand father’s death. But as after his father’s death, Arjun’s uncle (Om Puri) brings him along with him to London, he runs away to pursue his dream.
Mannu grows up in the village turning out to be a good for nothing bloke who makes money by playing his band at marriage ceremonies. Meanwhile Arjun chases his dream and forms a band with two Pakistani brothers (VJ’s Aditya and Ranvijay) and Priya (Asin). When he realizes he is getting attracted to Priya he decides to hide his feelings and focus on music and only reveal to them when he fulfills his dream.
He gets Mannu to London to join his band. But that he realizes turns out to be his biggest mistake. The naturally talented Mannu scores over Arjun in every department unintentionally and goes on to become a bigger sensation that a dedicated and hardworking Arjun.
Jealousy starts creeping in for Arjun but the final nail in the coffin comes when he sees even Priya falling in love with Mannu. What sinister plan Arjun throws on an unsuspecting Mannu to destroy his musical career and what it all leads to forms the rest of the film.
Vipul Amrutlal Shah has delivered his technically best product till date with London Dreams. But apart from the technique its high on emotions as well. Vipul gives apt time for character development for each of his main protagonists. Devoid of unnecessary melodrama he captures the emotional moments with aplomb. Sejal Shah’s camerawork is of international standards. The night scenes are superbly lit.
Amongst the flaws, the climax is overstretched and the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy’s music not really up to the mark, especially the climax concert numbers. The song that comes after everything is over is too slow and a rousing number would have made for an apt grand finale.
Ajay is excellent in his part and one can see the best villain awards coming his way at the awards for this year. Salman seems to be enjoying himself and is extremely likeable. Though Asin is most of the time relegated to the background she puts up a nice act. Her chemistry with Salman works. Popular VJs Aditya and Ranvijay of Roadies fame make a good debut. Om Puri in a small part impresses as usual.
This film was originally planned over a decade back to be made by Rajkumar Santoshi with SRK and Aamir. Well, it may not star them now but makes for an excellent musical journey worth an experience in the big cinema hall.
| Banner | Headstart Films UK Limited Blockbuster Movie Entertainers |
|---|---|
| Film | London Dreams |
| Cast | Salman Khan as Mannu Ajay Devgan as Arjun Asin Thottumkal as Priya Rannvijay Singh as Zoheb Aditya Roy Kapoor as Wasim Om Puri Brinda Parekh Manoj Pahwa |
| Director | Vipul Shah |
| Producer | Aashin Shah |
| Rating | 3/5 |
First things first. London Dreams is no Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, neither its sequel nor it is Rock On. London Dreams is loosely inpired by Amadeus – the movie on Europe’s great musicians and composers of all time Mozart and Beethoven and Rajkumar Santoshi were to film on Shahrukh Khan and Aamir Khan once a decade back.
London Dreams is the story of two childhood friends from Punjab, India. It is the story about one friend who dreams to be a pop star like Micheal Jackon by making it to Wembley Stadium, London and other friend who considers his friend to be God and supports his dream in every sense. London Dreams is about jealousy between gifted talent and hard earned talent for music and love. It is just coincidently has the love factor in common that of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam but no in the pivotal role of the subject. Music is the subject and so goes on the story.
London Dreams is a story of one destined and god-gifted talent, Manjit Khosla a.ka. Manu (Salman Khan) and hard working musician with passion for music and dream to make it big especially at Wembley and the Lead Singer of London Dreams Band. Arjun (Ajay Devgan) and their friendship and struggle and the lost pride of the family and victory to make it to the most respected arena of Music or we can say Mecca of Music audience, the Wembley at London.
London Dreams is the first Indian movie or movie by any Indian Filmmaker where in London is depicted so lively and so beautiful and so picturesque, so is piqturised Eiffel Tower of Paris in background when Salman proposes Asin.
Thank God, London Dreams does not have the Yash Chopra Lobby style of Punjab. It would be outright incorrect to mention here any thing about the role depiction of Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan intentionally, because London Dreams is truly the first Blockbuster hit of 2009. About Asin, she reminds of typical south indian herione casted in a Hindi movie of 60s and 80s – a typical show piece and nothing do much about one thumka idhar and other thumka udhar and in the end go with the hero for an happy ending. But only new thing is Asin looks cute despite of her small
role. But the plus point this is for the first time any south Indian heroine looking so cute in an Hindi movie.
Music of the film barring a couple of songs is not hummable but easily gels with the theme in the movie. Screenplay is gripping and does not allow one to move out even during the songs. Cinematography by Sejal Shah is A class. Editing by Amitabh Shukla is par excellence especially the playing with the screen time and increasing it and making it gripping.
Overall, London Dreams is the first movie in many months that lures one to go and watch it again and again in cinema halls for its sheer magnum opus quality maintained by the filmmaker, Vipul A. Shah.
Do not get surprised if London Dreams sweeps away all awards in all awards functions.
Ratings 4/5 stars.