It’s a familiar thing with Yashraj films these days—the obsession with referring back to their own old movies. So their first outing into animation too recounts their biggest hit—Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge. In fact it takes us back to several other Hindi films and also takes a shot at south Indian cinema, with references to sirens like Silk Smitha and Nylex Nalini. But this Bollywood, or rather filmi fixation, is the film’s biggest undoing.
The first major animation film to come out of a Bollywood-Disney collaboration shows off the best of technology. It is well-mounted and nicely detailed; visually it may well be the best we have seen till date despite the cost constraints. What it lacks is imaginative story-telling. Its narrative is as predictable as any other Hindi film, only real people get replaced by animated dogs. Saif Ali Khan is the voice of Romeo, a dog abandoned on the Mumbai streets by his owners and who desires the good life he once had. He is in love with the club dancer with big eyelashes, Laila (Kareena Kapoor), who is also fancied by villain Charlie Anna (Jaaved Jaafri). Saif’s voice is adequately cool, Kareena doesn’t quite sound like herself and Javed plays to the gallery and goes over the top (as he has been doing in countless other flicks). However, it’s the dogs in character roles who shine. There is much else about the film that’s Bollywood-inspired—the lingo, the underworld connect, the spoofing of SRK and Sunny Deol. Why, Romeo even displays Laila’s name, tattooed on his arm, just like we know who.
Roadside Romeo might mark a big jump forward for Indian animation, but it has to find its own place in the sun and grow as a distinct genre than remaining content as an adjunct of Bollywood. Especially when the best of animation from the West is just a flick of the remote away on the telly. Also, visually it has to find its own form (like in Japan) than being and remaining "Disney-like". A good step forward nonetheless.
High Fives
Bollywood
1. Karzzz
2. Welcome To Sajjanpur
3. A Wednesday
4. Kidnap
5. Hello
Hollywood
1. Max Payne
2. W
3. Saw V
4. Twilight
5. The Dark Knight
Latin
1. No Molestar (Marco Antonio Solis)
2. Vamonos Pa’l Rio (Los Picadientes)
3. Talento De Barrio (Daddy Yankee)
4. Palabras (Luis Fonsi)
5. Idolos (Various)
Courtesy: Film Information
