So, what’s new? Rather, what can be new in a movie that explores the beaten-to-death theme of male bonding? Not much, considering that this theme has been explored by so many Bollywood directors before — the most famous being Dil Chahta Hai. But don’t just begin comparing Dosti with DCH. Dosti is far more melodramatic and has far more Bollywood masala, which has kind of become
obsolete.
The story is of two friends Karan (Bobby Deol) and Raj (Akshay Kumar), who belong to two different worlds. Karan is the son of rich parents while Raj is an orphan. The two meet while Karan is on a holiday with his indifferent parents at a farmhouse nearby which Raj lives.
The two become friends and Raj fills in the vacuum created in the life of Karan by his parents who can’t see beyond business and socialising. Even as adults, the two continue to be friends, living in the same house and sharing everything.
Then comes a twist, competently handled by Suneel Darshan, which makes Raj decide to leave the comfy world of Karan. But ultimately Raj can’t as he is nearing his death. Karan nurses his friend and stays true to his friendship till the very end.
Though the director shows finesse in handling the scene where Raj’s girlfriend Anjali (Kareena Kapoor) walks out on him because he misbehaves with her brother, he shows little talent in major part of the movie. He lets the movie drag in the first half while some interest is generated towards the end.
About the actors, Akshay Kumar clearly takes the cake though Bobby Deol is not bad either. Akshay Kumar seems to be getting better with age and with each film. He has perfected his timings and is becoming a complete entertainer both in comic as well as in tragic scenes. He is most convincing as a lost-out lover, when he watches his love getting married (to Aman Verma).
The girls have nothing much to do. Juhi Chawla has a cameo as Raj’s doctor. A word about the look of the movie — it doesn’t look fresh and the technical quality is quite reprehensible. A blue haze envelopes the frames most of the time, giving the film an ugly ancient look. Music is forgettable with songs rendering only retard factors. Though Dosti is not what the cinefans would lap up with total relish, there’s still something about the movie which makes it interesting in patches.