If 2008 was the year of Ghajini, then Kambakkht Ishq — which opens today in 2,030 screens worldwide, is already being declared the biggest triumph of 2009 and promises to be Akshay Kumar’s and Kareena Kapoor’s day in the sun!Sajid Nadiadwala’s romantic comedy for Eros International with stunts provided by Akshay, glam and sex appeal by Kareena and Hollywood actress Denise Richards, and action by the legendary actor Sylvester Stallone himself, is booked solid this weekend.
The film is Akshay’s biggest opening ever, bigger than Welcome and Singh Is Kinng and almost surpassing Ghajini’s initial opening. Certainly, the hysteria the film has generated before its release is bigger than that created by Ghajini. With Kambakkht Ishq, Akshay — who plays a swashbuckling stunt man for Hollywood and body double for Stallone, consolidates his position as Bollywood’s most bankable star. And Kareena, whose role as a surgeon and supermodel is done with panache, carries the film on her sexy shoulders and delivers a knockout performance to rival Jab We Met while proving she is Bollywood’s No. 1 actress.
At a power-packed special trial held on Wednesday night, the film industry sat rolling in the aisles as the funny antics unfolded on screen. Katrina Kaif, who has delivered hits with Akshay herself, was heard raving about how entertaining the film is. And Saif Ali Khan, who also saw the film, was in splits and said girlfriend Kareena looked like an international icon. His kids Sara and Ibrahim loved the film, too. As did Akshay’s son Aarav, who moved between mother Tina and grandma Dimple Kapadia during the trial, and then began calling his father Superman after looking at the stunts Akshay pulls off on screen.
Trade analyst Vikas Mohan believes the film will cross the Rs 100-crore mark. While Taran Adarsh, who thought Akshay had surpassed himself and delivered one of his best performances till date, said one couldn’t ask for more in Kambakkht Ishq. Bollywood’s other big trade analyst Amod Mehra added, “Just by looking at the promos, one can tell that it’s a right mix of rom-com that people would like to see, especially since nowadays films lack all this. It looks like a fun film and it’s opening has been gigantic.”
But, perhaps, the nicest thing about the film has been said by a man of few words and more action. Stallone, who regretted he could not be in Mumbai for the release of the film, said of Kambakkht Ishq, “It deals with a subject that I like which is about heart, it’s about giving, it’s about spirituality, it’s about physical manifestation of love... coz in the end, that’s really all that counts. There have been many action films where people are just beating each other up. But when it’s really about something soulful, I’m interested, and that’s what this film is about. It’s nice to be invited into your world.”
