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Holiday Movie
Review
Ideal date movie? Not really… HOLIDAY could've
been one enjoyable joy ride. Instead, it turns
out to be a bland experience thanks to an
ineffectual plot and the sluggish pace at which
the story unfolds.
Agreed, the dance form has rarely been witnessed
on Indian screen and Bollywood aficionados would
relish the two Salsa numbers. But barring a
scene or two that linger in your memory, the
story otherwise is too simplistic, the
screenplay lacks ample dramatic moments to keep
you hooked and the execution is quite basic.
Pooja's recent movies, JISM and PAAP mainly, had
ample meat in the plot, but writer Mahesh Bhatt
doesn't get it right this time around. In short,
this 'Holiday' will be short-lived in public
memory!
HOLIDAY begins with Dr. Daksh Suri [Gulshan
Grover] arriving in Goa for a month-long
vacation. Accompanying Dr. Suri is his wife
Nandini [Anahita Uberoi] and their two
daughters, Samara [Nauheed Cyrusi] and Muskaan [Onjolee
Nair]. While Samara is an extrovert, Muskaan is
exactly her opposite. She prefers to be in a
shell.
Muskaan decides to step in as Alyssa's
replacement when she resolves to go for an
abortion. But Muskaan is completely clueless
when it comes to dancing, more so about Salsa.
Dino decides to train her and in the process not
only do the two find comfort in each other's
arms, but Muskaan also discovers her strengths.
HOLIDAY is not just DIRTY DANCING but also JASSI
JAISI KOI NAHIN. If the basic plot has been
borrowed from the Hollywood hit, the
characterization of the female protagonist bears
a striking semblance to the immensely popular TV
serial, about a girl-next-door discovering self
esteem and confidence.
Frankly, the subject matter had ample scope to
emerge into an enthralling fare. But the film
catches your attention in bits and spurts. The
Kashmira Shah track as also the scenes when
Onjolee decides to learn dancing, hold your
interest. However, the best part of the film is
the song prior to the intermission ['Tu Hain
Bhatakta Jugnu Koi']. A brilliant composition,
it is composed [Ranjit Barot], rendered [Shreya
Ghoshal], choreographed [Sandeep Soparkar] and
performed [Dino, Onjolee] with amazing
precision.
Also, in the climax, when Onjolee performs with
Dino, it doesn't make you jump with joy
primarily because the love story is treated so
ordinarily that you don't empathize with the
lovers. The finale track ['Aashiyaan'] is
interesting again, but not much of a help
either.
Pooja Bhatt's direction is not as convincing
this time. The talented actor turned director
made more impact in her directorial debut [PAAP]
than in her second outing [HOLIDAY]. One of the
reasons could be the lackluster screenplay,
which tends to get boring at regular intervals.
Ranjit Barot offers a truly different sound and
at least three numbers rise to the occasion: 'Tu
Hain Bhatakta Jugnu Koi', 'Khwaishon Se' and 'Neele
Neele'. Sandeep Soparkar's Salsa steps are sure
to win tremendous acclaim. Cinematography [Anshuman
Mahaley] is mesmerising. The beauty of Goa has
been captured remarkably by the lensman.
Onjolee doesn't have the conventional Hindi film
heroine looks. Even otherwise, she is plain
ordinary when it comes to acting. But the one
department she scores in is dances. Kashmira
Shah is first-rate in a brief role. Nauheed
Cyrusi is okay. Gulshan Grover is able. Anahita
Uberoi is alright. Sanjit Bedi is proficient.
Ankur Desai is adequate.
On the whole, HOLIDAY doesn't have much to fall
back upon except for a soothing musical score.
But music alone isn't enough. At the box-office,
it's a non-starter!
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