New Int'l. Release

London Dreams

 (U.K. - India)

By DEREK ELLEY

An Indian Films (in U.K.) release of a Media One Global Entertainment, Block Buster Music Entertainers presentation of a Headstart Films U.K. production. Produced by Paramjeet Singh, Gita Bhalla Singh, Vipul Amrutlal Shah. Executive producer, Aashin A. Shah. Directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah. Screenplay, Suresh Nair, Ritesh Shah.
 
With: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, Asin, Rannvijay Singh, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Om Puri, Manoj Pahwa, Brinda Parekh, Paul Gregory, Louise Cole.
(Hindi, English dialogue)
 

After his fluffy cross-cultural romance, "Namastey London," helmer Vipul Amrutlal Shah's love affair with the Brit capital continues with more solid results in "London Dreams." Story of two Punjabi pals whose friendship is imperiled by professional jealousy develops some dramatic traction after a so-so start, thanks to the chemistry between leads Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan, reunited onscreen a decade after "Hum dil de chuke sanam" (aka "Straight From the Heart"). Pic isn't anywhere near the league of that sumptuous Bollywood classic, but remains watchable thanks to Khan's likable, fun-filled perf. OK biz looms with Indian auds.

Pic went head-to-head Oct. 30 with another high-profile post-Diwali release, "Aladin," and after a slow start looks to have won that battle. The film also should give a boost to superstar Khan's career, which has been faltering in recent years.

Story is largely told in flashback, as Hindi rock star Arjun (Devgan), about to go onstage at the massive Wembley Arena, broods Macbeth-like in his dressing room over how his ambition has taken its toll, especially on his friendship with best buddy Mannu (Khan). Pic limns Arjun's boyhood antagonism with his music-hating dad, and his journey with his uncle (Om Puri) to London, where -- hey, presto! -- he gets a contract with powerful manager Simon (Paul Gregory) after holding an impromptu gig in Trafalgar Square.

Arjun's first thought is to bring over Mannu, who's eking out a living by playing at Punjabi weddings. Bad decision: As Arjun discovers, Mannu is a much more talented musician (and more popular with auds). Post-intermission, this introduces all kinds of tensions within Arjun's band, London Dreams, which now includes foxy dancer Priya (Asin) along with musicians Zoheb (Rannvijay Singh) and Wasim (Aditya Roy Kapoor). With Zoheb's connivance, Arjun sets out to publicly and privately destroy his best friend.

Pic neatly plays on Devgan's propensity for moody gangster types, as well as Khan's gift for lighter, devil-may-care roles. Khan is especially good hamming it up as a lady-killer back home and then as a country bumpkin arriving in the West; he's less effective with the heavier, drug-addicted material later on. Relative newcomer Asin has an attractive freshness as Priya, constantly fending off the advances of Mannu, who, in a running joke, dubs her "Chennai Express."

As a total package, the pic is let down by an unmemorable song score by composing trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy (A.R. Rahman was originally skedded to compose) and unattractive color processing in the print caught. Still, editing throughout is trim, visual effects for the big concert scenes are OK, and London is used in a relatively untouristy way, for a Bollywood production.

Camera (color, widescreen), Sejal Shah; editor, Amitabh Shukla; background music, Salim-Sulaiman; song music, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy; lyrics, Prasoon Joshi; production designers, Nitish Roy (India), Andrew Munro (U.K.); costume designers, Archie Punjabi, Sarah Tapscott; sound (Dolby Digital), Kunal Mehta, Parikshit Lalwani; choreographers, Bosco-Caesar, Chinni Prakash, Remo D'Souza, Rajiv Surti; visual effects, Pixion & Molinare; visual effects supervisor, Prasad Suter. Running time: 153 MIN. (I: 69 MIN.; II: 84 MIN.)