OyeG Review

Set against the backdrop of music, ‘London Dreams’ is a story of two friends who love each other but one of them loves his ambition more than anything else. Arjun (Ajay) is passionate for music and wants to earn name and fame in the world of music; Mannu (Salman) is a gifted singer who is content being a child at heart and play for his village marriage band. Arjun forges a band in London and gets his best friend Mannu to join him, not knowing that he is creating the biggest threat and obstacle to his own ambitions.

Performances

After ‘Wanted’ here comes another treat for Salman fans. You will be pleasantly surprised to find Salman in his elements in this film where he plays a village boy with a pure heart. Watch him dancing freestyle a la Dharmendra, and you will find yourself grinning from ear to ear. Ajay Devgn delivers a powerful performance as an ambitious singer who can do anything and everything to fulfill his dream and have his moment of glory. ‘Chennai Express’, as leading lady Asin is fondly called in the film, is too good with her expressions but, as a part of the band, we wish she had more to do than just dancing in the background. The actors, though decent in their performance, look little over-age and stiff doing a ‘band of boys’, nevertheless, Salman-Ajay combo does make a powerful impact years after the two were last seen sharing screen space in ‘Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’.

Direction

Vipul Shah takes the audience for an emotional ride through the cinematic excellence he brings to the subject garnished with love, anger, jealousy, ambition, friendship and rivalry. He extracts impressive performances from his starcast (read Salman stealing the show with his histrionics and brooding Ajay evoking emotions through his eyes the way only he can).

Story/Screenplay

A heartwarming story, ‘London Dreams’ has a fine blend of rustic Punjab and international locations, complete with a blue Eiffel Tower for an unusual romantic scene between Salman and Asin. More of an emotional drama, the screenplay is successful in keeping the audience engrossed.

Music

The film based on aspirations of a band, has decent music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy. A few songs, including ‘Khanabadosh’ are doing well. The Hanuman Chalisa as part of a rap is noteworthy. But the songs fail to be superhit numbers.