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By Taran
Adarsh, February 8, 2008 - 12:03 IST
 An
actor enacting dual roles isn't new for Bollywood.
Dilip Kumar [RAM AUR SHYAM], Rajesh Khanna [SACHCHA
JHOOTHA], Amitabh Bachchan [SATTE PE SATTA], Hema
Malini [SEETA AUR GEETA], Sridevi [CHAALBAAZ], Shah
Rukh Khan [DUPLICATE], Salman Khan [JUDWAA]… over the
years, a number of makers have woven stories around
humshakals/twins.
SUPER STAR also takes a similar path. With Bollywood
as the backdrop, SUPER STAR looks at greed taking over
a person, who manipulates things to suit himself. An
interesting idea without doubt and director Rohit
Jugraj's execution lights the frames as well. In fact,
it's a big leap for Jugraj, who started with JAMES; a
number of sequences are definitely noteworthy.
But Jugraj and SUPER STAR surely deserved a tighter
script and a better editor. The writing is erratic
sporadically -- energetic at times, flaccid at places.
As for the editing, either the editor fell in love
with the filmed material and forgot all about editing
or he had no say at all.
To sum up, SUPER STAR is a decent product, but it
could've been notches above the ordinary had it taken
care of a few hiccups.
Kunal [Kunal Khemu] defines the youth of today. He
dares to dream of making it big in Bollywood one day.
Kunal wears the tag of a Bollywood struggler lightly,
as he knows it is only a matter of time before he
makes it into the big league. Until, that is, life
decides to play a prank on him. The entry of the rich,
debonair Karan [Khemu, in a dual role], in Bollywood
as well as his life, crushes all of Kunal's dreams.
 And
suddenly, the struggler is transformed into a
superstar. Public adulation and unwavering media
attention, he receives it all. But the truth is
something else…
A story like the one in SUPER STAR cannot do without a
solid actor and Kunal Khemu handles the various shades
with aplomb. In fact, his performance is the mainstay
of the enterprise and he has the talent to hold the
scene without making you feel restless.
But there are times when the writing could've matched
the efforts of Jugraj and Khemu. Take for instance the
bonding that develops between the star and struggler.
How do they become thick friends in the first place?
Also, why doesn't the investigating journo [Zafar
Karachiwala] telecast the truth, when he has already
planted hidden cameras in Darshan Jariwala's house?
Prior to that, Darshan Jariwala passes the MMS clip to
a private channel. In the first place, how does he get
hold of the clip and how would he gain if the clip was
telecast days before his film is to hit the screens?
The writers need to take a few lessons in screenplay
writing for sure!
Also, as mentioned at the outset, the film could've
done with better editing. Ideally, it can [and should]
be trimmed by at least 20 minutes for a better impact.
 Thankfully,
Jugraj's handling of a number of scenes camouflages
the defects, to an extent. A few portions involving
Kunal as also the turning point in the tale, when
Darshan Jariwala interacts with Kunal after he comes
out of coma, are brilliant. The emotional speech in
the climax is also convincing. Shamir Tandon's music
is alright, but the placement of songs isn't right.
Yet, in terms of composition, 'Do I Love You' and 'Ajnabi'
are nice tracks. Cinematography is perfect.
Kunal is the lifeline of the show. His performance
leaves you speechless! Tulip Joshi doesn't have much
to do. Aushima Shwhney looks mature for Kunal. Darshan
Jariwala is first-rate. Sharat Saxena leaves a mark,
especially in the scene when Kunal comes visiting
after the gruesome accident. Reema is good. Vrajesh
Hirjee is effective. Zafar Karachiwala is a fine
actor. Kishori Shahane deserved a better role. Anjan
Srivastava gets a few scenes, which he performs well.
Aman Verma too deserved a better part.
On the whole, SUPER STAR is a strictly average fare.
At the box-office, don't expect much!
Rating: * *
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