Aetbaar Review

Everyone down from Little Red Riding Hood has been forewarned of the Big Bad Wolf. In this movie, he comes in a package that's usually associated with glitzy clothes, a muscular body and a face capable of making young girls swoon. He is also a twisted maniac - so twisted, you're surprised they thought John Abraham could play the role!

Dr. Malhotra (Amitabh Bachchan) is a doctor with a past comprising an accident that killed his son. Unable to get over it, he does the next best thing - becomes over-protective of his daughter, Ria (Bipasha Basu). Then as luck or just plain bad karma would have it, Ria falls for a guy who can be described loosely as a crazy nutcase.

Aryan (John Abraham) has the worst case of mood swings one can imagine, from almost strangling his ladylove for standing him up to bursting into a song a few minutes later. In the beginning itself you are treated to the depth of his capability for violence, from killing his dad to almost beating a prostitute within inches to death. It's all in a day's work for this macho.

The love that blossoms between the two is amazing to describe the least. The first meeting is in a rain, and what progresses is an unfolding of psychopathic behavior by the guy and meek surrender by the girl. All the talk of feminism takes a nosedive into the nearest wastebasket.

There are quite a few bumps in the road for the two lovebirds - for example, the interference of the Dad. But since the girl is so blinded by love, she pays no heed whatsoever, and commits the biggest sin - proclaims her hatred for her parents.

Even after all this, when any sane father would have begun to look for handcuffs and a berth in any mental institution, AB is convinced of the innocence of his daughter, and begins planning his moves. What follows is the father becoming the ultimate winner and the guy getting his heart pierced. Quite literally.

The movie is the second of director Vikram Bhatt, and a comparatively better venture than his forgotten first (Inteha... any sparks of recognition)? The locales of the movie are quite gorgeous and stimulate your mind to travel back and guess the status of your bank account. The songs are not needed, although a couple can be classified as average.

Moving onto a minor part of any movie involving John Abraham and Bipasha Basu - the acting. John Abraham does succeed in moving you - if it is not his intended expression that sends chills down your back, then it is a silent prayer for him to stop what he is desperately trying but failing to portray. You get so used to seeing his face all screwed up and waiting for his head to blow up that when he actually smiles in the second song of the movie, it scares the hell out of you.

The reason for Ms. Basu's presence in the film has not been explained, either by the filmmakers or by herself. If one had dangled a doll throughout the movie, the producer would have had the same performance - and saved the fees. The one person who had a faint idea about what he is supposed to be doing is the Big B. Thankfully taking on roles that complement his stature and, more importantly, his age, he is competent enough to essay the role of a worried over-straining father with ease.

A definite surprise in the movie is Tom Alter sporting white facial hair and a total screen time of 2 minutes. Still, it was good seeing him back on screen and not having to fake an accent.

So, should you watch this movie? If you had a chance and could get your hands onto its inspiration, Fear, you would without a doubt watch it. The Mark Wahlberg and Reese Witherspoon starrer does a better job in filling in deficiencies that come about in this flick. If you have not seen Fear or are spared the inherent human quality of making comparisons, then you can give it a try.