Shahrukh Khan's Main Hoon Na is indeed an entertainer. The story moves along three tracks—Indo-Pak friendship (new); illegitimate son (Shahrukh Khan) trying to touch base with legitimate son (Zayed Khan) and his mother (Kiron Kher) in deference to the wishes of his late father (not new); and romantic exploits of the two brothers (not new).
Debutante director Farah Khan packs the story with such entertainment and comedy that the viewer doesn't really mind the lack of novelty in two aforementioned tracks. The college campus is where most of the action happens. Zayed and girlfriend (Amrita Rao) study there, Shahrukh, an undercover army major, rejoins college as a student where his lady love (Sushmita Sen) is the chemistry professor. The college faculty comprises Bindu, Satish Shah and Boman Irani as Hindi teacher, physics professor and college principal respectively. Sunil Shetty is a terrorist who too returns to college—as the new physics lecturer.
Having started out as a choreographer, Farah makes every song a visual delight with colourful sets, pretty costumes and above all graceful movements. But that's just one part of the story. Farah gives ample proof that she understands cinema and is in complete command. Save for emotional scenes which should've been handled with more emotion, the lady excels. Even the action and stunts (Allan Amin) are breathtaking. Farah seems to have blended the styles of late Nasir Husain and Manmohan Desai with that of Karan Johar and come up with an individual style of her own. Cinematography (V. Manikandan) is absolutely brilliant.
Shahrukh Khan is first-rate as the illegitimate elder son of Naseeruddin Shah. Whether light scenes or dramatic, emotional or action sequences, he clearly steals the show. Zayed Khan springs a surprise and will undoubtedly endear himself to the youth with his cool-dude acting. Sushmita Sen looks gorgeous and acts excellently. Amrita Rao does a fine job. Boman Irani, Satish Shah and Bindu bring the house down with laughter. Sunil Shetty is truly menacing but suitably restrained in a negative role.
The Rs 25-crore Main Hoon Na is poised for a meritorious run at the box-office this summer. It's a straight hit. Business overseas will be the best, followed by Bombay, Delhi....
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INDIAN Top 5
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Courtesy: Film Information
