Roadside Romeo hindi movie review

Credits

Movie rating: 3/5
Banner: Yashraj Films
Genre: Animation
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Javed Jaffery, Sanjay Mishra
Music: Salim Merchant & Sulaiman Merchant
Cinematography: Manoj Soni
Story - screenplay - dialogues - direction: Jugal Hansraj
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Release date: 24 October 2008

Review

Story
Romeo (Saif Ali Khan) is a dog that is abandoned by its masters because they move abroad and has no place to go. He is a good hair stylist. He befriends a few people and starts a salon. He meets Laila (Kareena Kapoor) on one night and falls in love with her. Charlie Anna (Javed Jaffery) is the local don who is also after Laila. In a precarious situation Romeo promises Charlie that he would make sure that Laila falls in love with him. The rest of the story is all about how all ends well.

Actors:
Saif Ali Khan is cool with his voice for Romeo character. Kareena dubbed the voice of Laila, but you hardly have any dialogues for Laila. Javed Jaffery is a scene-stealer with his dubbing for Charlie Anna character. His Tamil accent and funny English (like how he did for Salaam Namaste) add variety. Sanjay Mishra tickles your funny bones with his dubbing for Charlie’s Chamcha character.

Technical departments:

Story - Screenplay - direction: Story of the film is weak. Screenplay is just average. Direction is OK in parts. When you don’t have a strong story, you should come up with cute things to weave the screenplay. The concept of Charlie’s Angels (Silk Sunita, Nylon Nalini & Polyester Padmini) is good. The climax of the film where the villainy shifts from Charlie Anna to municipality employees is unappealing. The director must have worked on some innovative scenes regarding Romeo making Charlie Anna a fool regarding setting him up with Laila.

Other technical departments: Music is alright. Cinematography is nice. The animation work by TATA Elexi is of world standards.

Analysis: We are used to watching many cartoons on TV for decades. There had been a series of great animation films made in Hollywood. Those films were also lapped up with Indian viewers. Hence it becomes extremely difficult to make an animation film in India unless it is rooted to India to the core. Otherwise, we might compare the stories like Roadside Romeo with that of Hollywood. For example, Hanuman became a blockbuster because it is an Indian story. When it comes to Roadside Romeo, the story is weak and there are not many hilarious moments. The intention of making a full-length animation by Yashraj films must be wholeheartedly appreciated. But, Roadside Romeo does not come anywhere near Hollywood animation films in terms of humor and emotions. But, you may watch it for the efforts of the makers and the voices of Saif Ali Khan and Javed Jaffery. Kids will like this film.