London Dreams - Movie Review

Cast: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, Asin, Ranvijay, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Om Puri

Rating: *** 

Director: Vipul Shah

Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Some stories are meant to be told. They get delayed, undergo some modifications… but they are told. ‘London Dreams’ is one such example. The idea was hatched almost a decade back. Setting changed, cast changed, director changed and even the name changed, but it was made. But, unfortunately, what could have been a great drama ends up quite short of being one. ‘London Dreams’ also stands up as an example where the storyteller does not know where to stop.
 
Dreams to make it big and prove your worth is a driving force for many. Taking the traits of mythological Arjun from Mahabharata, ‘London Dreams’ is woven around Arjun (Ajay Devgn) who has just one dream – to make it big as a musician and get back his grandfather’s lost pride. He roams the streets of London alone as a child, sustaining himself by performing on streets. He grows up without falling for any adulation and manages to create ripples. Then he decides to get his childhood friend Mannu (Salman Khan) to London from a small village in Punjab. In no time an innocent Mannu manages to win over all the attention of the audiences as well the girl Arjun loves.
 
When a person who has worked so hard all his life is made to go through so many things, it’s natural that he manages to get all the sympathy as well. But that’s where the director attempts to take the first bang. Too much effort and time is put to justify Mannu’s innocence but still there is no explanation to the way he behaves all the time. Shah does manage to take it ahead but completely falters in what could have been a worthy climax. The last twenty minutes of ‘London Dreams’ take away half its spirit. It didn’t make much sense post the dramatic stage concert that brings out everything in the open. Well, it almost made me yawn!
 
‘London Dreams’ has a superb performance from Ajay Devgn, while Salman Khan tries hard to make sense out of the loud dialogues he is given. He keeps using the word ‘pra’ (brother in Punjabi) for Ajay’s character making it very boring. Apart from that he manages to entertain with his regular antics. Music is another point where the film scores. Some great songs, and equally well-shot stage sequences. Cinematography is A-grade. The rest of the actors play out well. Asin does not really have much to do in the movie other than adding some drama. Aditya Roy Kapoor is bright.
 
‘London Dreams’ is a story not told in Bollywood before, not at this scale. It is entertaining and definitely worth a watch at the theatres. Well, if nothing else, you at least get to see a blue Eiffel Tower!