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Wednesday, April 24, 2024
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BOLLYWOOD AAO WISH KAREIN
EDITOR'S PICK
Ratings: ***
"Aao Wish Karein" is a sweet
and simple film with its heart in place. For a fantasy film set in contemporary
times, producer Aftab Shivdasani and director Glen Baretto concentrate on
keeping the narrative simple rather than relying upon visual effects (VFX).
Loosely inspired by Tom Hanks starrer "Big" (1988), "Aao Wish
Karein" is set in Simla and is about a 12 year-old-boy who wishes to grow
up fast as he is tired of being considered a kid by his crush (Aamna Shariff).
Urged by his friend and philosopher (Johny Lever), he makes a wish and it comes
true -- he turns into a 20 something young man (Aftab Shivdasani) the next
morning.
There is no over the top act, no vulgarity or any mandatory jokes around manhood
in the film. Instead, it focuses on the quest of this boy who wishes to woo his
lady love.
This is where Aftab throws a pleasant surprise. While being good in comedy is a
given for him, "Aao Wish Karein" gives him ample opportunity to
showcase his emotional side as well.
He does well on all aspects in a role that required him to walk a thin rope. The
character requires him to have the innocence and purity of a 12 year old boy
even when he has turned 22. Aftab keeps his facial ex-pressions, mannerisms and
body language in check.
Aamna, in her second film after "Aloo Chaat", looks very pretty and is
extremely likeable. While the first hour mainly requires her to give beautiful
smiles, it`s the second half where she is required to emote as well.
Watch out for the pre-climax scene where she is shocked at the marriage altar.
Or the one where she realises that she is in love with Aftab.
There are heart-warming scenes like these which give a consistent feel to "Aao
Wish Karein". The one where the young kid is witness to his dream getting
shattered and the song that goes along with it is very well done.
Not that the film is devoid of comic moments. The ones where Aftab reveals his
real identity to his friend, his encounter with a call girl, the first time when
he proposes to Aamna and later when he takes her to his bedroom do bring in a
smile, if not make you fall off the seat.
Any shortcomings? Well, once Aftab-Aamna love story is sealed, there isn`t much
movement. The movie starts going off tangent with Aftab looking at solving his
family problems. Thankfully, the movie does come back on track, hence arriving
at a convincing end.
The only `wish` one makes as a viewer? If only the makers had promoted this film
a little better at least, `Aao Wish Karein` would have been more visible than it
is today.
12 year old Mickeya`ss
life was almost like a fairy tale, a
beautiful family, best buddy `Bonnie` and his angel on earth - Mitika .
But one beautiful day Mickey`s fairy tale shattered into million pieces. It was
the day he realized he was an adopted child and his 23 year old angel Mitika
called him a `˜Kid`. He ran aimlessly from the harsh reality. Tired and drained
of all emotions he sat all by himself until Hitchcock read his sad story from
the dried up patterns of his tears.
Bad things happen to good people, but my dear Mickey good things always
follow. Hitchcock philosophized. Mickey was feeling so low that he wished
for a Miracle. He wished to become big. That night he walked into his house
feeling almost like a stranger, tired and drained he dozed off to sleep only to
the wake up next morning and his whole life changed. He woke up to a Miracle but
was this, a blessing or a curse?
Will Mickey become part of his beautiful family portrait?
Will he find his true love - Mitika?
Will this fairy-tale have a happy ending?
If you believe in fairy-tales, you become a part of it
AAO WISH KAREIN
