Aisha = Clueless + SATC - Emma

 

Honestly, I refuse to sit here and pen a full blown review on Aisha. Why? Cause I don't feel any Sonam Kapoor is worth it. So instead, here are some valid and perfectly apt reasons to watch 'Bollywood's first chick flick' - that is what the actress seems to be calling Aisha. Anyway, back to business. Ah yes, why should you watch Aisha. Here we go.

• 'Coz its set in Delhi. Finally, praise the Lord, a director realized that a film should be set in the India. This is something I've been howling about for eons now; the mere fact that our own country houses perfectly cosmopolitan cities and rural areas perfectly apt for Hindi films. Aisha is set in Delhi and while I've never been there, I am more than curious to visit the capital city because it has been picturized so well. Of course, we're talking about the more wealthier parts of the city and not Chandni Chowk which has been ignored by the film.
  
  
• 'Coz the supporting cast rocks. More than the main protagonist, i.e. Sonam Kapoor, who is uber fake, pretentious and tries too hard in Aisha, the supporting cast is flawless. Amrita Puri as the more vernacular Shefali is hilarious as she attempts to fit in with high society Delhi and falls into Aisha's matchmaking scheme. Ira Dubey as Pinky is a must watch and an actress to look out for. She simply rocks and has mastered the snobby Delhi attitude. Her scenes with Cyrus Sahukar are gosh darn funny. And the veejay himself, is his fab self. Cyrus plays this chipku Delhite who is out to impress Aisha but fails and how!
  
  
• 'Coz Abhay Deol is mad dreamy. For Abhay Deol, who isn't around much, this role is was like walking down the street, i.e. that easy. However, he brings to the table a confidence and charm that makes you swoon. His chemistry with Sonam though is really thanda, so don't go in looking for sparks. Instead go in to watch him play a suave Investment Banker, who is every girl's dream. Yum.
  
  
• 'Coz the soundtrack is perfect. I've always been a Vishal-Shekhar fan who compose incredibly urban and yet melodious music, their position is threatened by one Amit Trivedi. The music director-singer has outdone himself with Aisha. The songs are fun and melodious, traditional and urban, fun and singable. Every track outdoes the next. Watch out for the balle-balle Gal Mithi Mithi (whose choreography was te-te-phus), Suno Aisha (the lyrics are awesome) and Lehrein (romantic and how).
  
  
• 'Coz the clothes are to die for. Yes, you will wish you had the following after Aisha: 1) a father who would pay off your credit card bills; 2) Aisha's huge closet; and 3) Her wardrobe in its entirety. Aisha is basically fashion on drugs. Every single designer label has been used and while Sonam may not act well, she can certainly sport the dresses, bags, stilettos and make up used in the film perfectly. Full power to the stylist Pernia Qureshi.

Yes, those are the only reasons to watch Aisha. Sonam Kapoor hams (those Sonam Fans -- Sonaholics as they call themselves, are gonna kill me for this one but i'll bear my cross), the script is filled with holes and is confusing; too complicated yaar! Initially, you are intrigued but then...it gets repetitive. The film is a mix between Clueless and Sex and the City; hardly any Emma here. In fact it would be an insult to Jane Austen if we were to compare Aisha to Emma. Aisha is a wannabe film. Nothing interesting beyond the above.

Sex, City and a Desi Girl

However cliched this may sound, I really honestly do believe that there are far too many similarities between the character Carrie Bradshaw and myself. Besides the obvious, she loves NYC as do I, she is journalist and I would like to believe I am on my way to fully becoming one and the fact that she loves shoes, there is also the mere fact that we are both clueless about M.E.N. I love Sex and the City and it doesn't bother me that the critics completely panned the second installment, I was super-excited to watch it. The critics called the ladies old and boring. They called the film racist and insensitive towards the Muslim culture. They even said there was no more sex and the title should have been changed to "Marriage and the City." But whatever these critics choose to call it, SATC 2 is really one meant for fans.

As I watched the film, I realized a lot about myself; things I had either forgotten or had somehow had been buried under the busyness of my life. For starters, almost immediately as the introductions rolled, my heart ached and pined for another NYC experience. As much as I go around claiming I dislike the United States of America, I simply adore New York City. In fact, I don't even consider the island to be a part of the country; NYC is a country in itself. How many more times will you hear me gush about the energy and power that the city encompasses.

I also realized I have no love life. Actually, lets break that up. I have no LOVE and no LIFE.

And while the critics sat and bitched out the Muslim angle, I actually thought it was rather interesting. I loved how these women behind the veil who are actually seen as old-fashioned and conservative, are really normal women who love fashion, glamour and shoes! They want what we do and have to secretly admire contemporary American life. It proved to be a good anecdote clearly demonstrating how traditions and modernism can be meshed. Listen, I'm a Desi girl and while we are far more progressive than the Muslim culture, we are still sometimes stuck in a time capsule. It sucks!


My favorite scene had to be the one where Carrie breaks down to Charlotte, regretting her action (I won't give it away) and in between sobs says, "I hope my past doesn't mess up my future." Ditto girl. She went on to talk about how she used to be this crazy girl running around New York waiting for the man she loved (BIG) to profess his undying love for her. And he did so! But all he wants to do is lie around on a couch watching television... which she doesn't want to. Sigh. Women; we're never satisfied. I'm on the fence about that one. While I can see myself getting rather irked about my husband wanting to stay in alllll the time, I would be cool with watching movies on the couch together too.

The woman have aged physically and even in their stories onscreen. Each of them is facing an aging dilemma: menopause, children and career choices. The clothes are, as the ladies would say, FABULOUS! You can't help but come home and hate your wardrobe afterward. Lots of Birkin, Christian Dior and Chanel. Gush, gush and more gush!

I'm Desi. I love my family, home and yes, my traditional ways. But even then I can take away the few underlying lessons that the film provided. For starters, marriage is not a piece of cake. You will need to learn to keep the "sparkle" alive. Neither is motherhood too by the way. Secondly, true love doesn't need breaks. You love each other irrespective of the situation. And lastly, men will come and go but your girlfriends will always be around.

Look, I don't want the Sex and the City lifestyle. It's not something I could keep up with. Far too much maintenance for me, thank you. All I want is the independent high-fashion honest lifestyle the women live. Oh and throw in a couple of top selling books authored by yours truly, and I'm set. But until then, and that day will come I assure you, I'll sit and live my dream through the reruns of the hit series and rewatches of both films.

Oh and I do apologize for not being around as much -- things have been hectic...and how! But I do promise to be around a lot more. And I'll post more FABULOUS posts ;)

Photo Credit: wearemoviegeeks.com