Aaja Nachle - Title Song - High Quality - Video

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Yash Chopra to direct Madhuri Dixit

Though Madhuri Dixit's comeback vehicle AAJA NACHLE under Yash Raj banner could not click at box-office but that didn't stop the ace actress to spell her charm.

In fact she is gearing up for her other projects. According to the latest buzz in media she will soon be seen once again showcasing her acting performance par excellence in yet another Yash Raj project. Yes, according to the latest grapevine it is heard that Yash Raj banner is once again producing a film featuring Madhuri as lead and the details are being worked out. But the striking fact which will make this news more elating is that Yash Chopra may direct this project himself. And whenever this ace director is at the helm of affairs he is a sure shot winner. His last directorial venture was VEER ZAARA starring SRK, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherji bagging almost all the awards in Yash Raj kitty.

So all you Yash Raj film buffs, your eager await will finally come to an end and hope we will rejoice once again in the old magic with the combination of Yash Raj and the graceful Madhuri.

Rachana

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Dancing queen Madhuri Dixit shows of her jalwa

The competition in this week’s Nach Baliye will reach boiling point as the reigning queen of Bollywood, Madhuri Dixit, dances her way onto television screens this weekend as a guest on India's answer to Stricly Come Dancing - Nach Baliye.

The actress with the 1,000 watt smile will duet with celebrity judge choreographer, Vaibhav Merchant to entice viewers to dance along to her smash hit song Aaja Nachle.

Madhuri is sure to mesmerise with her electrifying jhatkas in what promises to be the most spectacular show in the series so far.

High-energy dance spectacle, Nach Baliye, captures the drama and emotional journey of 10 celebrity couples from the small and silver screen through a high powered dance-off competition, where they compete to impress three A-list celebrity judges - the sensational actress Isha Koppikar, ace director David Dhawan and promising choreographer Vaibhav Merchant.

The stakes are high this year with the theme being "Yeh Nach Nahin Aasaan" (Dance is Far From Easy), and so the show tests the dancing mettle of each celebrity couple to the limits. With only four weeks left to the finale show, the remaining couples which include Raakhi Sawant and Kashmeera Shah with their respective baliyes, are battling it out for the grand prize.

Each week, the couples have to perform on challenging themes, which test their dancing skills and their choreographer's imagination.

The theme for this weekend’s unmissable show will see contestants perform their own renditions of some of Madhuri’s hit songs. Catch Rakhi Sawant and her baliye perform their very own rendition of Madhuri’s hit 80’s song Ek, Do, Teen.

Nach Baliye with Madhuri Dixit will be broadcast on STAR Plus on 22 March at 9.00pm.

Asian News

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DVD Review: Aaja Nachle

MOVIE DETAILS

Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Konkona Sen, Kunal Kapoor, Raghubir Yadav, Divya Dutta, Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Darshan Zariwala and Irrfan Khan
Director: Anil Mehta
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Music : Salim Sulaiman
Lyrics: Jaideep Sahni & Piyush Mishra

THE FILM

Aaja Nachle was touted to be one of the biggest comeback films ever. After all Madhuri Dixit was coming back to silver screen 5 years after Devdas (2002). If combination of Yash Raj Films with Madhuri wasn't good enough, an added spice in the form of Jaideep Sahni (Chak De India) as a writer contributed to expectations level being an all time high. More positives came in form of the subject of the film, which dealt with dance. Obviously, Madhuri fans were expecting a treat in the offering since there was a stage set for them to scream 'Show Me Your Jalwa' for the 'dhak dhak' girl.

Sadly, the film turned out to be hardly anything but 'jalwa' as it was an extremely average fare. And what happened to Aaja Nachle was the same as it happens to most hyped films which are nowhere near being a 'jalwa'. Aaja Nachle failed at the box office and broke many hearts. The film wasn't atrocious but when names like Yash Chopra, Aditya Chopra, Madhuri Dixit and Jaideep Sahni come together, nothing less than extraordinary is acceptable.

The film had it's biggest problem lying in what could well have been thought as a strength by the makers - it's over simplicity. The film just didn't have a conflict. No, it wasn't about a conflict being built up which could have been resolved easily. Probably even that could have been understandable. The issue here was different as there was no conflict whatsoever from beginning till the end.

For Madhuri Dixit, who had to get people of her hometown to come together and present a show in a downtrodden amphitheater in order to help it survive the land sharks, there were no major challenges that were posed. And the ones which were posed too were so easily overcome that one wished if real life was as simple too!

So what 'really' worked for the film? a) Madhuri Dixit's performance (flawless) and b) Every scene, yes every scene, which featured Akshaye Khanna with Madhuri. Let's talk about Madhuri first. Clichéd as it may sound but she is the sole reason, which makes Aaja Nachle watchable. It's not only the nostalgic element, it is in fact sheer effortlessness with which she carries herself in front of the camera that makes audience look in awe. A perfect example of how a lady should act!

Akshaye Khanna. Now how can this actor continue to deliver one tremendous performance after another but still not have one big success to his name that could establish him as one of the front-runners in the top league. On one end, the industry is whining and crying that there are no actors available till 2010 while on the other we let go of an actor like Akshaye Khanna so easily! Just watch out for those 4-5 scenes he shares with Madhuri. Even a hardcore Madhuri fan would agree that all eyes are reserved only for Akshaye as he displays that ever-so-famous naughty streak of his!

PACKAGING

DVD of Aaja Nachle has an eye catchy design and layout with a classy appeal to it. The box is made of a mix of paper and plastic packaging.

DURATION

The film comes in a twin DVD pack with the film's duration being 147 minutes. The second DVD has special features lasting close to 120 minutes.

SPECIAL FEATURES

- The Making Of The Film
- Laila Majnu Full Version
- Making of Laila Majnu
- Deleted Scenes
- Outtakes
- Theatrical Trailor & Promos
- Aaja Nachle Musical Night - MTV
- Director's Profile
- Cast & Crew Credits
- Photo Gallery - a) Posters b) Movie Stills

Highlight of 'Special Features' in the DVD is close to one hour coverage which is provided to the much talked about 'Laila Majnu' sequence. Not just the viewer gets to watch the full 26 minutes version of 'Laila Majnu', which arrived in the climax, there is also an elaborate 25 minutes segment which takes a viewer through the making of this sequence. 'Laila Majnu', which formed the film's climax, had met through some extreme reactions when the film was screened. However, on repeated viewing on home video, there are finer aspects involved with the thought, concept, and execution of 'Laila Majnu' that does manage to hold your attention.

'Making of 'Laila Majnu' turns out to be an engaging watch too. Behind the scenes happenings involving Madhuri Dixit singing her portions in the recording studio, lyricist Piyush Mishra explaining the depth of the words, Salim & Sulaiman helping the singers get the right pitch and above all choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant guiding each of the major players in 'Laila Majnu' on how to get the right steps and expressions makes one genuinely feel for the effort that went into the making of the film.

In fact one sees a lot of Vaibhavi in 'The Making Of The Film' segment too (which lasts 22 minutes) as the film is centered on dance and Vaibhavi was the chief contributor to majority of frames of the film. The segment has been well shot and edited as instead of boring clichéd interviews, one actually traverses to the sets where the film was shot. It is always engaging to be witness to how a shot was being canned with the sound of 'action' and 'cut' and there is a lot of it to be seen during the making of the film.

Also funny are 6 minutes of out takes where actors are shown to be goofing up in front of the camera. Madhuri's child like mannerisms whenever she gave a bad shot is worth giggling at. In addition, there is a 24 minutes segment around 'Aaja Nachle Musical Night', which was held at Delhi. A video recording of the songs choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant and performed live by her troupe is the highlight here.

There are 20 minutes of deleted scenes as well though the ones, which impress most, are those, which feature Akshaye Khanna or Ranvir Shorey. There was an interesting dinner table sequence between Akshaye and Madhuri, which was chopped. Surprising, since it involved Akshaye proposing Madhuri. Also, Ranvir may have really been flabbergasted on watching Aaja Nachle at theaters since most of the scenes that he had shot are relegated to 'deleted scenes'. Those who felt that Ranvir's character in Aaja Nachle was half baked have to check out the deleted scenes since the emotional side of him is brought out well in number of sequences. Watch out for the scene where he confesses to Madhuri that he was still willing to get her back into his life!

TECHNICAL DETAILS

- 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen format
- Optional Subtitles in 7 Languages- International: English / Arabic / Spanish / Dutch / Portuguese, Indian: Tamil / Malayalam
- Dolby Digital 5.1 and Stereo
- Digitally Re-mastered From The Original Film

PRICE

Rs. 399

CONCLUSION

Aaja Nachle is a film which is strictly for home viewing. It's not a film, which mandates a definite watch though. Watch it only if a) you have been dying to see Madhuri Dixit act again or b) you have loved 'Laila Majnu' sequence or c) you have absolutely nothing else to do on a lazy night.

Rating: **

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AAJA NACHLE completes 50 days

Madhuri Dixit's comeback vehicle which didn't quite reach the distance as was widely anticipated would be completing 50 days at the box office tomorrow.

Though the film has reached this target at a snail's pace with less than 10 theaters across the country screening the film today, AAJA NACHLE has somehow managed to achieve this feat. An admitted box office failure by Yash Raj Films as well, AAJA NACHLE has barely crossed the 16 crores mark. In present situation where a total like this is earned by a big film in it's opening weekend itself (case in point being films like OM SHANTI OM, WELCOME, HEYY BABYY, PARTNER, BHOOL BHULAIYAA), AAJA NACHLE has indeed been disappointing.

With rumors of a big announcement involving Madhuri to be made in the month of February, one looks forward to a better (and an even longer) Bollywood innings by the lady.

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

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Madhuri Dixit has declined to visit India

Madhuri Dixit has declined to visit India during February for scripting sessions for a film by the producer - director duo of Ashok Thakeria and Indra Kumar citing date problems, lending credence to reports that the actress is ready to abandon her comeback effort.

Following the lackluster performance of Aaja Nachle at the box office there were reports that the star had called it quits.

Dixit's business manager, Rakesh Nath is categorical that Madhuri is not coming in February as originally scheduled.

"Madhuri right now has no plans at all of flying down to the city next month to meet with various filmmakers for script sessions," he says.

However, he is ambivalent about the star's long term intent.

"There are date problems. Madhuri can't come down to Mumbai when Indu plans to shoot. But she hasn't said 'no' to him yet. We're still trying to work out things," he told HT.

Madhuri is known to have good relations with the filmmaker duo having worked with them in Raja (1995) with Sanjay Kapoor, Beta (1992) with Anil Kapoor and Dil (1990) with Aamir Khan.

Prior to the release of Aaja Nachle there were reports that Madhuri will do more films under the Yash Raj banner but there has been no movement on that front since then.

Talking about the prospect of another film with the Yash Raj banner Nath says, "Yashji hasn't contacted me. So I don't think so."

Sawf News

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Madhuri Dixit Rethinking About a Comeback

Dhak dhak actress Madhuri Dixit has got it all - the smashing looks, that gorgeous smile, great acting talent, envious dancing skills, and millions of her fans still wait to watch her more and more after her recent Aaja Nachle. Besides others, her admirers include Ranvir Shorey and Kunal Kapoor who have been mesmerized by her performance in her Aaja Nachle and are looking forward to watch more and more. This shows that the lady hasn't lost her charm on the men folk even after marriage and giving birth to two children and being away from the industry for few years. In fact, she has blasted the myth that once married the actresses lose their effect and fade away in the wilderness.

However, the reports from quarters close to Madhuri indicate the contrary. We hear that the actress is very much disappointed with the response to her comeback film that didn't exactly set the box office on fire. Besides, she is having a serious second thought about taking up more work. One of her friend has reportedly said," She's upset that her grand comeback did little to revive her comeback and she doesn't want her film to land up like this. " Are the producers and the directors listening? Do they agree with what Madhuri feels? If so, then they need to rethink about planning their movies around her. Better think of her replacement or persuade her to change her mind. Will the Indian channels seek public vote about it? Not a bad idea. Isn't it?

Eye TV India Bureau

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FLASHBACK 2007 - Hype over Madhuri Dixit sank 'Aaja Nachle'

MUMBAI (Reuters) - "Aaja Nachle" turned out to be a resounding failure and its director holds the media responsible - for harping on Madhuri Dixit's comeback but ignoring the film's theme.

Even the film's reviews dealt only with the superstar's acting prowess and dancing skills, said Anil Mehta.

"Madhuri was surely the face of the film and with she making a comeback all eyes was bound to be on her," the filmmaker said.

"But I'm disappointed that media completely neglected the point 'Aaja Nachle' had tried to convey."

Mehta feels the film's twin themes of women as breadwinners and the importance of art were overshadowed by the media’s obsession with Dixit's comeback.

But not without reason.

In her prime, Dixit was the undisputed queen of Bollywood and when she decided to return after a six-year break that saw her getting married and having two children, anticipation was bound to be high.

Her much-hyped role saw the 42-year-old actress play a divorced New York-based choreographer who returns to India to save a theatre from demolition.

"The film wanted to show how art is important for reviving our soul that is trapped in consumerist existence where people are only existing and not living their lives," said Mehta.

But the Dixit magic wasn't enough to pull the film through and "Aaja Nachle" sank at the box-office.

"I thought I had made a good enjoyable film but sadly there were not many takers for it."

Prithwish Ganguly, Reuters India

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Madhuri Dixit has had enough!

After her passionate and endearing comeback effort, Aaja Nachle, fell flat at the box office, looking more as an indulgence than a serious comeback effort in tune with box office realities, Madhuri is reported to have called it quits.

"She's upset that her grand comeback did little to revive her stardom and she doesn't want her film to score a duck at the BO," her friend tells TOI.

If true, Madhuri's decision is as regrettable as her decision to go with Aaja Nachle, because her beauty and charm remain largely intact. They just need to be packaged into a product that can sell at the Box Office.

Sawf News

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SC Commission wants to meet Madhuri too

Actress Madhuri Dixit may be forced to regret, for more reasons than one, her decision to make her Bollywood comeback with the film Aaja Nachle.

Besides the fact that the film has bombed at the box office, she is all set to face the music over the use of the word ‘Mochi’ in the title song of the film. The National Commission for Schedule Castes (NCSC) is planning to summon her to ask why she danced to the offensive lyrics.

According to vice chairman of the NCSC, N M Kamble, the Commission will soon summon Madhuri Dixit, Aaja Nachle director Anil Mehta and script writer Jaideep Sahni to appear before it. Dixit, Mehta and producer Yash Chopra were called on Wednesday but could not turn up for different reasons.

While Chopra claimed to be ‘indisposed’, he said that Dixit was not in the country.

Kamble said, “In a fax sent to the Commission, Chopra said he is indisposed. He also said that Dixit was not in the country. Chopra’s representative attended the hearing but our Act does not allow representation.”

Censor Board chief Sharmila Tagore, however, felt there was no need for the Commission to summon Dixit. “She had no role to play (in the selection of lyrics). Moreover, she is a US citizen and holds a US passport,” she reasoned.

Kamble said besides issuing summons, the Commission was also entitled to issue warrants in case a person who was summoned did not appear. He said that under Protection of Civil Rights Act, the Commission could even recommend imprisonment of an offender.

Mumbai Mirror

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I don't fear Madhuri's comeback: Aishwarya

New Delhi: Actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, who has shared screen space with Madhuri Dixit, says she does not fear competition from Bollywood's dancing diva who recently staged a comeback with her film 'Aaja Nach Le.'

Rai, who had mesmerised audiences in her duet with Dixit in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's 'Devdas', said she did not fear the return of the dancing queen.

"I don't have any kind of fear from her and want to wish her all success," said the former Miss World here today.

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Madhuri is bridging eras: Anil Mehta

Mumbai, Dec 19 - It wasn't easy to direct Madhuri Dixit in her comeback film, but director Anil Mehta thanks the actress for making it a smooth ride for him.

'She's such an easygoing person. She never let me get stressed about making Madhuri Dixit's comeback film. She was willing to give all of herself,' Mehta told IANS in an interview.

'She's still in equally splendid form. And she's bridging eras. She not only represents the kind of films that were made in the 1980s, but also cinema of today where she has a prominent place. It was such an asset to have her on the sets,' he added.

Mehta placed 'Aaja Nachle' in a small town because big cities don't fascinate him.

'I told Aditya Chopra of an idea about a small town setting. Those big urban fables don't interest me. The film may look lavish because of the dances. But I have kept the treatment very simple.'

Excerpts from the interview:

Q: The small-town ambience in 'Aaja Nachle' is splendid.

A: We created it on a set in Mumbai and if people thought it was a location that's a big compliment. I went on a 20-day recce, checked out towns like Bhopal and Indore. Lots of real construction material was used on the sets. We wove in the chaos and confusion of a small town into our fictional town.

Q: Did Madhuri come into the picture before or after you wrote the script?

A: It's a bit of a chicken-and-egg thing. The idea was floating in my head. Then Madhuri was cast and the story just flowed from there.

Q: Did Madhuri make it any easier for you?

A: She's such an easygoing person. She never let me get stressed about making Madhuri Dixit's comeback film. She was willing to give all of herself.

(c) Indo-Asian News Service

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Best song of AAJA NACHLE finally on air

'Ishq Hua', the best song of Madhuri Dixit's comeback vehicle AAJA NACHLE is finally on air. But is it too late?

All through the promotion of the film, the tracks which were bombarded across music channels were the title song, 'Show Me Your Jalwa' and 'Dance With Me' (which started making an appearance just before the release of the film). Surprisingly, the two tracks 'Ishq Hua' and 'Is Pal', two bona fide melodious tracks that came with Yash Raj Films hallmark were never in the circulation.

Now when the film has lost its box office battle, 'Ishq Hua', which has been picturised on Kunal Kapoor and Konkona Sen, is finally on air. With a young feel to it, this Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal sung track is a mix of poetry and conventional Hindi movie lyrics by Jaideep Sahni (also the writer of the film), all of which makes for a good listening.

Salim-Sulaiman gets the melody working for this soothing track which is quite easy on ears, courtesy some soft arrangements.

Joginder Tuteja, Bollywood Trade News Network

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AAJA NACHLE holds in the Overseas

Contrary to the initial predictions, Yash Raj's Madhuri Dixit starrer, AAJA NACHLE has managed to hold rather well, especially in the Overseas. While the Anil Mehta directed film has grossed a so-so $425,488 in the US, it has a rather satisfactory $660,238 to show from the UK. Even in Australia, the movie has managed to gross a decent Aus. $ 93,793.

What is interesting to note is that AAJA NACHLE has had an allowable fall of 46 - 56 percent from the first to the second weekend, and this range is considered quite normal in trade parlance.

Well, we have to admit that the 'dhak dhak' girl still has a lot of fire power left in her and that is reason enough for the fans of the dancing queen, Madhuri Dixit, to go 'balle balle'!

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

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"Madhuri danced very well it's nice" - Sharmila Tagore

Bollywood star Sharmila Tagore talks to BBC Asian Network about birthdays, and the changing film industry.

Legandary Sharmila Tagore has sprung to the defense of Madhuri Dixit after her comeback film AAJA NACHLE flopped miserably at the box office in India.

Speaking to Raj and Pablo on BBC Asian Networks Love Bollywood programme (Saturdays and Sundays 8am -12 noon) Sharmila said, "The media trashed the film a little bit and cinema tickets are expensive and most middle class families look at reviews and then go to the cinema. The media didn't like the film, it could have been that. I think the film is very good, she's wonderful, she's danced very well it's nice, but the audience fancy a change they are very fickle... the story let her down but she is shouldering the responsibility in the absence of a male star, but she needed a better storyline!

Speaking to Love Bollywood during her birthday celebrations with her family Sharmila Tagore was asked what she wanted for her birthday. She told Raj and Pablo her children were trying to make sure she became trendier and technology savvy. "Well I give a list to my kids, now that they're earning more than I am...!"
I'm absolutely challenged by your modern inventions like digital camera and all types of computers etc. So it's my earnest desire to become technology savvy, so I've got challenging computers and challenging cameras, all kinds of technical stuff from my children because they want me on par with them.

My son is spoiling me with bags he thinks I need to dress a lit bit more trendy, more designer labels. To me it doesn't really make a difference!"

Speaking about her role as the Head of Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) in India and how India's less conservative attitudes were bringing in changes within the film industry she said, "Times are changing; our audience and Indians are exposed to much more. In my time there was no television, we were not traveling abroad as much. These days we are traveling more. Thanks to television we are seeing foreign films, so Indians are exposed to a greater sense of freedom. So we can deal with a little bit of adult stuff. Times are changing in India."

Sharmila was speaking to Love Bollywood on Asian Network the day after her daughter, Soha Ali Khan's film release KHOYA KHOYA CHAND. She said she was pleased her daughter got a chance to play a more mature role. "To get such a meaty role so early in your career, specially nowadays (when) most films are male centric and it's the heroes who get the meaty roles and girls are there just for decoration just to sing songs etc, but this gave her a huge opportunity. I was in fact very happy for her to work with Sudhir Mishra, who's a renowned director."

Bollywood Trade News Network

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Dancing queen

Madhuri ‘dhak Dhak’ Dixit made her comeback last Friday to the world of Bollywood cinema in Aaja Nachle. While most of us were overjoyed — oh, ok, curious — to see her back on the big screen (anything but seeing her on Karan Johar’s telly programme!) — not everyone was pleased with the film. And we’re not talking about the reason being a ‘political controversy’. But then did Madhuri Dixit care? Read on.

Dec 1, Saturday: Oh dear, oh dear, oh dear. Here I was all excited about the premiere yesterday after a tiring and humiliating appearance in every second mall in the country to promote Aaja Nachle, and now this controversy. Aditya Chopra-ji called saying I’ll have to rework that dodgy dialogue and make it, “Mohalle mein kaisi maara-mar hai; bole Deepika bhi khud ko Madhuri hai.” I had told them not to put any dialogue in a dance movie!

Dec 2, Sunday: God! Now not only are Dalits cheesed off that Mayawati wasn’t given my role, but Aishwarya’s complained about a younger heroine not being given the role! Sriram, can’t we go back to Denver?

Dec 3, Monday: You know I’m not 25 any more. Being 30... oh, okay, 31 has its share of problems. Like getting to change the way I pronounce ‘daance’ in my interviews. Everyone seems to think I picked up an accent in America. But I haven’t guys! Wassup with everyone here? Dudes? Caan’t I daance in peace any more?

Dec 4, Tuesday: It was so nice to hear from Husain-saab today. He called up from an undisclosed location in Dubai and told me that he saw Aaja Nachle alone in a theatre. “Alone?” I said fearing the worst — that being the Dubai authorities had also banned the film for something that I expected them to ban it for. But Husain-saab is so sweet. He said that he had booked the whole theatre to himself to see me in the film properly. Apparently, he made a painting in 20 minutes of the cinema, showing me as an usherette. But that was confiscated by th authorities as Dubai does not allow women ushers in cinemas. Husain-saab said he didn’t like the B-movie quality of the film, and said I deserved better treatment. “Like the one I gave you in my Gaja Gamini.” I didn’t have the heart to tell him that in that film, he made my butt look too big.

Dec 5, Wednesday: Saroj Khan, my favourite choreographer, came over today for our bhel puri party. We bitched so much about my choreographer in Aaja Nachle, Vaibhavi Merchant that I may have said a word or two about her to Konkona. Thankfully, she seemed to be busy preparing for her next film about casteism in war-torn Sarajevo among displaced refugees from Jharkhand. So I’m safe.

Dec 6, Thursday: Sriram, who were you just talking to on the phone? What do you mean you don’t know! It was Shilpa Shetty again wasn’t it! God, I told you not to talk to her. After the musical, Miss Bollywood, with her in the title role having flopped everywhere, she now wants to do a dance movie with me.

U-huh, no can do. She can call Jennifer Lopez or... Juhi Chawla. Oh stop it, Sriram, I’m not being racist! Her name is Shilpa Poppadom!

Dec 7, Friday: Hello, Mr Chopra. I was wondering whether you would like to do a film with me and Shilpa Shetty in it? Yes, a dance movie, of course.

Hindustan Times

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Madhuri has 'still got it': New York Times

Reviewing Madhuri Dixit's comeback film Aaja Nachle, The New York Times has acknowledged her considerable sex appeal and dancing skills even after five years away from Bollywood, the time she has spent leading a "Clark Ken-type life", raising a family in the American city of Denver in Colorado.

"Ms. Dixit reminds us that whatever 'it' is, she's still got it. Now stories will have to be found that can show it off," the Times said in its review Saturday.

The Times' reviewer writes that Anil Mehta, the director of "Aaja Nachle", produced by Yashraj Films, doesn't quite know what to do with Dixit, who plays Dia, a choreographer living in New York, who returns to her hometown in India and tries to save a theatre that developers want to replace with a mall by putting on a show.

The reviewer says that for Aaja... to be a true comeback vehicle for the 40-year-old Dixit, Hindi cinema will have to figure out what kind of heroine a middle-aged woman can be.

The reviewer disapproves the film's story denying Dia, who is divorced with a daughter, a love life, adding: "All her passion goes into the show she's staging and into playing cheerleader to a budding romance between its leads (played by Konkona Sen and Kunal Kapoor)."

New York Times

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Madhuri's immediate Bollywood plans doubtful

Though there have been many articles (in the print media), that have talked about the dancing queen, Madhuri Dixit's so called forthcoming projects (after her latest, AAJA NACHLE), but we can only term them as speculative assumptions. The truth is that, irrespective of the outcome of AAJA NACHLE, the 'dhak-dhak' girl's plans to return to Bollywood are nebulous.

In fact, the last 'superstarni' of Bollywood insists that she is not even sure if she will be back to work in another project, as there are no films in the pipeline. She sets the record straight by saying that she has not come across a script worth her consideration.

While this news may make the fans of the charming actress sad, but this is the truth that they have to contend with, at least for a while.

Abid, Bollywood Trade News Network

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Aaja Nachle: Come, Let's Dance

Director: Anil Mehta

Stars: Madhuri Dixit, Kunal Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna

Madhuri Dixit, Bollywood’s diva of the Nineties, is back! Will the dancing queen be able to recreate the box-office magic?

When Dia (Madhuri Dixit), a New York dance tutor, receives a call from India telling her that her guru is dying, she decides to return to the country. It is a troubled homecoming as she eloped in order to marry Steve (Felix D’Alviella, from BBC’s Spooks), a white American.

Dia arrives too late: her former teacher is dead and dance academy Ajanta is on the verge of closure. She decides to save the academy by putting on a grand musical using local talent. This is a cumbersome task: Dia’s divorced status and disgraced reputation means that the villagers are wary of her. Will her dance production of Laila Majnu prove a hit?

Predictable from the outset with its familiar underdog theme, the film is primarily a comeback vehicle to showcase the talent and beauty of Dixit, arguably Bollywood’s biggest and most adored female star. Dixit rises to the challenge, dominating proceedings with a commanding performance and a dignity unsuited to the shallow script, in which few characters develop.

Since it is obvious that Dia’s show will be a success and everyone, including opportunist property developer Uday (Akshaye Khanna), will learn the error of their ways, it is difficult to engage.

First time director Anil Mehta rips off Brazilian cult film Xuxu Requebra and attempts to use the power of dance as a metaphor for learning to live life again. He fails. The music just doesn’t have enough soul.

It’s good to see an older, married actress in a lead role in sexist Bollywood, where women of a certain age are generally expected to retire or dye their hair grey to play mummy to their former leading men.

For a film which invites us to ‘come, let’s dance’, there is not a single number which encourages us to. Bring back the cheekiness of the choli!

Rate: 2/5

Anil Sinanan, Times Bollywood Film Critic

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Aaja Nachle: Madhuri rules

MADHURI DIXIT rocks! That, pretty much, is the succinct review of the film, but a review cannot be that short, and if you want to know more, read on.

The dance is amazing, choreography, scintillating and fabulous. If you think I am being generous with superlatives that is because they are well deserved. I was skeptical about Vaibhavi Merchant after Saroj Khan-Madhuri combo, but wow! She has made Madhuri do steps that we had never seen from her. As anticipated, Madhuri more than does justice to the rather difficult choreography.

The Laila Majnu production at the end deserves a very special mention, because, this sequence, for perhaps the first time, brings alive the magic of theatre on a film screen. The use of lighting, sequences and costumes made one forget for a while that this is not 3D theatre. For that production alone, the film is worth watching.

Madhuri has never looked better in silhouette, never done more Ada, except perhaps in that song from ‘Anjaam’ - athra baras ki kunwaari kali thi.. (See, I am a die hard Madhuri fan) and when she presents that opening shot in New York, the message is clear - I RULE!

I read someplace that the role was not conceived with Madhuri in mind. That is surprising, because only Madhuri could have brought life to this character. Only Madhuri can make Ajanta theatre look like a convincing cause.

So, where does the movie fail? It fails in more places than one.

For starters, the storyline has more holes than a cube of cheese, so I will not even go in that direction, but a couple glaring ones refuse to stay unstated. First, what happens to Ajanta theatre after Madhuri Dixit’s return to the United States? There is, as a corporate character would say, no succession plan in place. By that flaw alone, the entire concept of restarting theatre goes to the dogs.

The second, I am not sure what the message regarding love is. In the first part, Madhuri runs away and finds that it was a wrong decision. Worse still, her act leads to the demise of Ajanta theatre. In the second half, we again find a couple falling in love during the production. Needless to mention, we do not know if love alliances are accepted now in Shamli, or will this love story lead to a second demise of the theatre?

The costumes are good, well thought out and not too in your face. Madhuri could have experimented with her look, but she stuck to the pants, tight top routine throughout. Sad for her fans!

The cinematography could have done a little better. With those moves, a little use of light, creative angles and long shot-close shot balance might have produced a different result, but I was not on the sets, so take this with a pinch of salt. Perhaps, the cinematographer did bring out the best of what was on the set.

The music is less than memorable, except perhaps the title track, and the Khoobiyaan song. I loved that song! The lyrics are completely forgotten at the end of the film.

Nidhi Kaila, Meri News

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