Superstar Review {2/5} & Review Rating
An actor enacting dual roles isn't new for Bollywood. Dilip Kumar [RAM AUR SHYAM], Rajesh Khanna [SACHCHA JHOOTHA], Amitabh Bachchan [SATTE PE SATTA], Hema Malini [SEETA AUR GEETA], Sridevi [CHAALBAAZ], Shah Rukh Khan [DUPLICATE], Salman Khan [JUDWAA]... over the years, a number of makers have woven stories around humshakals/twins.
SUPER STAR also takes a similar path. With Bollywood as the backdrop, SUPER STAR looks at greed taking over a person, who manipulates things to suit himself. An interesting idea without doubt and director Rohit Jugraj's execution lights the frames as well. In fact, it's a big leap for Jugraj, who started with JAMES; a number of sequences are definitely noteworthy.
But Jugraj and SUPER STAR surely deserved a tighter script and a better editor. The writing is erratic sporadically -- energetic at times, flaccid at places. As for the editing, either the editor fell in love with the filmed material and forgot all about editing or he had no say at all.
To sum up, SUPER STAR is a decent product, but it could've been notches above the ordinary had it taken care of a few hiccups.
Kunal [Kunal Khemu] defines the youth of today. He dares to dream of making it big in Bollywood one day.
Kunal wears the tag of a Bollywood struggler lightly, as he knows it is only a matter of time before he makes it into the big league. Until, that is, life decides to play a prank on him. The entry of the rich, debonair Karan [Khemu, in a dual role], in Bollywood as well as his life, crushes all of Kunal's dreams.
And suddenly, the struggler is transformed into a superstar. Public adulation and unwavering media attention, he receives it all. But the truth is something else…
A story like the one in SUPER STAR cannot do without a solid actor and Kunal Khemu handles the various shades with aplomb. In fact, his performance is the mainstay of the enterprise and he has the talent to hold the scene without making you feel restless.
But there are times when the writing could've matched the efforts of Jugraj and Khemu. Take for instance the bonding that develops between the star and struggler. How do they become thick friends in the first place? Also, why doesn't the investigating journo [Zafar Karachiwala] telecast the truth, when he has already planted hidden cameras in Darshan Jariwala's house? Prior to that, Darshan Jariwala passes the MMS clip to a private channel. In the first place, how does he get hold of the clip and how would he gain if the clip was telecast days before his film is to hit the screens? The writers need to take a few lessons in screenplay writing for sure!
Also, as mentioned at the outset, the film could've done with better editing. Ideally, it can [and should] be trimmed by at least 20 minutes for a better impact.
Thankfully, Jugraj's handling of a number of scenes camouflages the defects, to an extent. A few portions involving Kunal as also the turning point in the tale, when Darshan Jariwala interacts with Kunal after he comes out of coma, are brilliant. The emotional speech in the climax is also convincing. Shamir Tandon's music is alright, but the placement of songs isn't right. Yet, in terms of composition, 'Do I Love You' and 'Ajnabi' are nice tracks. Cinematography is perfect.
Kunal is the lifeline of the show. His performance leaves you speechless! Tulip Joshi doesn't have much to do. Aushima Shwhney looks mature for Kunal. Darshan Jariwala is first-rate. Sharat Saxena leaves a mark, especially in the scene when Kunal comes visiting after the gruesome accident. Reema is good. Vrajesh Hirjee is effective. Zafar Karachiwala is a fine actor. Kishori Shahane deserved a better role. Anjan Srivastava gets a few scenes, which he performs well. Aman Verma too deserved a better part.
On the whole, SUPER STAR is a strictly average fare. At the box-office, don't expect much!
