RAJA KO RANI SE PYAR HO GAYA

Now that we have hit the Christmas period, what better than a great Bollywood family film to keep the kids entertained? Well, it certainly would be nice to find such a film, but unfortunately 'Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya' is not the one!

This is yet another film that was supposed to release weeks and weeks ago, but was constantly delayed. Most people probably don't even know, or care, that it has finally hit the big screen.

Starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala, the hit pair from the super hit film 'Bombay', the future of 'Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya' looks bleak. But before we tell you our opinion lets try and explain what this confusing film is actually about.

Arvind Swamy plays the type of guy who has a really childish personality. He prefers to be in the company of children, and loves listening to kiddy's stories that are told to him by his grandmother. During the storytelling sessions, he always imagines himself in the role of the prince in her stories. He always argues with his grandmother about this fact, and modifies the stories to makes sure the prince never fails!

In the family household, there happens to be a small, carved wooden elephant. It is a family symbol and has been passed on through generations. Arvind's grandmother thinks that one day their elephant god will arise and all the family will be showered with wealth and glory.

During a grand village fair, Arvind plays the hero when a helpless babe falls into the river and needs rescuing. Of course the girl is none other than Manisha! He manages to save her from drowning and falls in love at the same time! Unfortunately Manisha is only visiting the village
and heads back to her home in Bombay…swiftly followed by a smitten Arvind Swamy.

Luckily, Arvind has a brother who lives in Bombay with his wife and three kids. Since Arvind gets along with kids so well, he befriends his nephews and nieces and they help him to find Manisha. The fact that Arvind has no address, or photo, and he doesn't even know her name…it's not very helpful!!

Luckily the two lovebirds meet and fall in love. Oh, and Manisha turns out to be a rich princess whose parents are against her relationship with Arvind! Will he be able to prove his love for the princess and win her parent's approval.

After all, in his fairytale stories, he always comes out on top!

It all sounds okay in concept, right? But we doubt that the end result is what the producers, directors or stars had predicted. Everyone knows that this movie has been in the making for far too long, which means that most people have lost interest. Both Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala do decent jobs, but the baby elephant does not make the same impact as elephants in past Bollywood hits.

The film does have a nice look and the sad thing is that if it was made better, without so many delays in production, it had a lot of promise and could have made a great kiddy film. Unfortunately it fails, and won't be remembered as one of 2000's good films.