Roadside Romeo (2008)

User Rating:

5.1/10   

Director:

Jugal Hansraj

Writer:

Jugal Hansraj (writer)

Release Date:

23 October 2008 (Kuwait)

Genre:

Animation | Family | Romance

Tagline:

This Diwali, get ready for a barking-good time!

Plot:

This is the story of Romeo. A dude who was living the life. He had the works - the mansion to live in...

Plot Keywords:

Mumbai | Dog | Computer Animation | Kids And Family | Character Name In Title

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Saif Ali Khan	...	Romeo (voice)
Kareena Kapoor	...	Laila (voice)
Javed Jaffrey	...	Charlie Anna (voice) (as Jaaved Jaaferi)
Vrajesh Hirjee	...	Guru (voice)
Tanaaz Currim Irani	...	Mini (voice) (as Tannaz Irani)
Suresh Menon	...	Interval (voice) (as Suresh N. Menon)
Kiku Sharda	...	Hero English (voice)
Sanjay Mishra	...	Chhainu (voice)

Runtime:

USA:93 min

Country:

India | USA

Language:

Hindi

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Ireland:G | Singapore:PG | Australia:PG | USA:PG | South Africa:A | New Zealand:PG

Company:

Yash Raj Films

Movie Connections:

References Ta Ra Rum Pum (2007)

The Bark was better than the bite, the movie worser than the hype!

In a world where Pixar sets the gold standard in animated films, Yash Raj Film's Roadside Romeo (incidentally Dinsey's foray into Bollywood as well) will find it hard to even pass the QC test. Both the animation and the story leave a lot to be desired and the only positive outlook for the movie is that being the only major release this Diwali and potentially a hit with the kids, it should barely manage to trudge along. The story of a dog, Romeo (voiced by Saif Ali Khan) who was living the lavish life and suddenly finds himself on the mean streets of the city is clichéd to a fault. Romeo falls for Laila (Kareena Kapoor) who also happens to be the crush of bad dog Charlie Anna (Javed Jaffrey) and predictable mayhem follows. Jugal Hansraj's direction relies too much on borrowing from Bollywood lore (Yash Raj film scenes and dialogs are copied galore) and too little on character study. It is an earnest effort perhaps but if anyone thought animation didn't need a story, they should ask the studio that made the animation movie event of the year, Wall•E. The film hardly has any genuinely funny moments, and the background sets, though well detailed, lack punch. The redeemer is eventually Javed Jaffrey, who is the only one who seems to know how to voice an animation character. He brings out the quirks of Charlie Anna superbly to life and provides the few laughs there are in the film. The tepid songs and a basic background score do nothing to add to the appeal. Ultimately, the gag reel during the end credits turns out to be funnier than the movie itself. And that's saying a lot.