Dostana - a triple love triangle with a twist

Finally a post from me! This review will definitely be a bit odd since there will not be any screen caps but movie stills I have taken over the Internet and cropped some.

On Saturday, I was able to go watch Dostana with a friend and I took my daughter with me. Since last year, I haven't seen a Bollywood movie at the theater -- I watched Dhan Dhan Dhana Goal. Almost exactly a year since John has released another film! Sad about the long-delayed Aashayein, I was finally able to see John again on the big screen.

If you haven't heard about this movie, where have you been? Okay, okay. Sure, there's an older version of Dostana -- same title with a love triangle with Amitabh Bachchan, Stratughan Singh, and Zeenat Aman but I haven't seen it yet. The storylines from the new and old Dostana are definitely different. Why? Well, this is why.

Warning - may contain some spoilers

Dostana (2008) is about three friends - Sam, Kunal, and Neha. However, the friendship is based on a small, white lie. Sam (Abhishek Bachchan) and Kunal (John Abraham) must find a place to stay ASAP. They do not know each other and just happen to bump into each other a few times. Just by chance, they end up wanting to rent a beautiful, luxurious apartment in Miami. Problems occur when the landlady doesn't want to rent the apartment to men because she's afraid men will chase and corrupt her niece, Neha (Priyanka Chopra).

In order to solve Sam and Kunal's homelessness, they pretend they are a gay couple. But you know that since the guys aren't really gay, they will fall in love with Neha, right? That's right! There is a love triangle with another guy, Abhi (Bobby) falling for Neha as well.

The first half of the movie was very entertaining. A film about a gay couple, although they were pretending, filmed entirely in Miami. Very well done Karan Johar. Some people may get a little offended by the gay sterotypes but I thought it was shot tastefully -- you can't please everyone; not everyone will agree and someone will always disagree.

Rumors started circulating about the plot of Dostana copying the Hollywood film, I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry. Even though I haven't seen INPYCL, two guys pretending to be a gay couple and trying to get married for their selfish reasons did fit a bit of what Dostana had to offer. But of course, Bollywood always have twists and turns that caters to another audience to enjoy.

The comedic scenes, such as Sam's mother (Kirron Kher) finding her son is gay and Neha's single, gay boss, M (Boman Irani) invited for dinner to meet Sam and Kunal, were an icing on the cake for laughter.

The second half does drag a bit because of the melodramatic part of a third guy, Abhi (Bobby Deol) falling in love with Neha as well. Therefore, Sam and Kunal team up to remove Abhi from the picture. Although the second half was not as fun as the first half, the movie, overall is very entertaining and enjoyable.

Unlike Dostana (1980), Dostana (2008) focuses on the friendship of three people - Sam, Kunal, and Neha. Although there is a love triangle and the clueless Neha doesn't know about the the guys falling in love with her. She seeks their advice about love and life. Very rarely, you see Bollywood films with friends just hanging out, having a good time. I would like to see more Bollywood films that focus on female companionship. Even though the guys pretend to be gay, it was refreshing to see Neha confine in them about love, life, and problems.

Out of the three leading star cast, it's Abhishek all the way! I think Abhi is really good at comedic roles. In Kuch Naa Kaho, I completely fell in love with his character. Gotta love a man with a good sense of humor. Plus I feel that he has that same sense of humor in real life too. I loved the scene when Sam tells Neha and her aunt about how he and Kunal met and fell in love!

John is my all-time favorite hottie hunk! Drools. I have to give it up to him improving on his dancing. He plays the macho, hot guy -- no difference to what he really is in real life, hahaha. However, he is the calm and cool guy in the "relationship." Most of the time he cringes about a sizzling stud pretending to be gay, but he maintains his cool and play along at the right times. At the theater, I laughed and told my friend that John had more clothes in Jism, but I'm not complaining. Double props to John because he took on this role because of how people perceive his machoness. Ironically in real life, both Abhi and John have the most beautiful women by their side, arguably (you gotta agree that Ash and Bips have huge fan base mainly due to their beauty).

Out of everyone, Boman Irani steals the show to me. It is always good to see him and his short role was hilarious. Right down to his outfits, he made me laughed. Plus you can see his deceitfulness nature towards Neha as he announces who will replace him -- although I think Neha is an idiot to think just because she throws a party, she will get the title. I loved every bit of him in the film. Besides him, the other supporting cast that I also need to mention is Kirron Kher. She is wonderful! In the late 80s and 90s, it was Reema Lagoo as my favorite mom. In the 2000s, it's Kirron Kher! Loved her so much in Dostana. Finding out her son is gay and learning to accept it -- gosh, this woman is good. Now I'm debating if whether or not I enjoyed her or Boman more because she had a lot of comedic and emotional scenes, as well. Regardless both are just outstanding!

So I haven't talked about Priyanka yet. I'm not quite sure where to begin. Now don't get me wrong. She is gorgeous and looks absolutely stunning in the film. Finally she embrasses her caramel skin that she's been hiding in a lot of her films. Maybe since they were filming in Miami, she can show off the bronze tan. Thought she was overrated in Fashion and the only films that I really like Priyanka in were Andaaz and Karam. To be fair, it has a lot to do with her characters on screen. I don't really like Priyanka's acting in Dostana and felt that she was overshadowed by Abhi-John. I haaaated the character, Neha. She is really so stupid to not realize that the gay guys were in love with her. How dumb can you be? How can she not know they were in love with her? Come on. Will a gay guy make book of the two of you together and capture every moment of it? Or would a gay guy re-capture a part of your favorite film with you? Especially a romantic one!! Not only that, I also have a problem with her not having any brains of her own and telling and asking the guys everything - from what she do in her relationship with Abhi! Is she really that blind? Yes, she is! She suppose to be this independent, career-minded female but that part bothered me. Maybe her bimboness added to why she is still single at 27. But I have to admit, I rather see her in this role than Aishwarya Rai who orignally was suppose to play Neha. Even though in real life Ash is married to Abhi, I think she looks too mature for this role.

Even though I've been complaining about Neha, one small complaint about Sam and Kunal. In the beginning, these womanizing studs were shown with women everywhere and they bagged at least one girl. But as soon as they meet Neha, they only want her. Must be the competition, huh?

Last but not least, Bobby Deol. I know many people rather have Arjun Rampal play Abhi. Honestly, that would've been awesome. But I felt choosing Bobby was just as great. You have two good-looking guys, although pretending to be gay, in competition with Abhi. Now that's something. I'm glad Bobby played Abhi instead because I like him. Not only that, it also add to the fact that you don't have to be a great-looking guy for the girl to fall in love with you. It's the personality and charm that counts. Yeah, this is coming form someone as shallow as me. :) Abhi is the perfect man to fall in love with -- a successful, well-establish man who takes care of his family. I adored Bobby earlier in his career and am glad he's making a comeback with his recent films like Humraaz, Jhoom Baraar Jhoom, and now Dostana. Oh yeah, thank you Bobby for cutting your hair!

The soundtrack is worth listening to, especially "Desi Girl." Priyanka looks amazing in the song. It's a song you just want to dance when you hear it.

"Shut Up and Bounce" is making airways because of the beautiful Shilpa Shetty -- who looks so sexy!! She is the only Bollywood actress who has maintain her curvacious figure throughout her career. Since she was in an item song and only appeared in the beginning credits, she does justice to her dance moves and looking hot.

I love the movie references in the film - from Hum, Kabhi Kushi Kabhie Gham, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, to even Dostana (1980) - it had me laughing so hard. Although it's not necessary, just like Om Shanti Om, to have seen the films before but it adds an extra touch and extra laughter when watching Dostana (2008).

Dostana isn't a film you have to rush to the theater for but it's worth a trip if you want a different type of comedy. Or just to see hotness in one film! Or watch the movie filmed entirely in Miami. Karan Johar, next time, can you come and film in Atlanta? I want to stalk the stars too! A few of my friends got to meet John and Abhi and I want to meet them too!! Even though I have enjoyed other films more than Dostana, it is definitely a film that is going to be talked about for a while.