(1989) EROS/DEI Starring Rishi Kapoor, Sridevi, Vinood Khanna. 175 minutes. Produced and directed by Yash Chopra. English subtitles on dialogue. Video is excellent but has occasional glitches. Audio is fair Dolby Digital 2 channel mono that unfortunately fails to clearly and accurately reproduce the higher and lower frequencies of the memorable sound-track.
"Chandni" is a love story between Rohit (Kapoor) and Chandni (Sridevi) whose love is complicated by Rohit's upper-class, non-approving parents and by tragedy. Later, Lalit (Khanna) appears in Chandni's life and further threatens the future of Rohit and Chandni. "Chandni" is a Sridevi "tour-de-force," and she acts and dances brilliantly in it. The songs by Shiv Hari are all exceptional (Especially "Tu Meri Chandni," and "Mere Haathon Mein"). The latter features outstanding dancing by Sridevi and singing by Lata Mangeshkar (Who cites the song as one of her 50 all-time favorites along with "Tere Mere Hothon Pe" in Zee Premiere magazine, May '99. It's a shame that EROS/DEI didn't attempt to upgrade the audio via 5.1 Dolby Digital, as they are reportedly doing to the mono "Mr. India," or by using the master tapes from the recording sessions to improve the sound of the songs. "Chandni" also contains haunting background music, which is used poignantly throughout the movie's more emotional scenes. Although containing many memorable scenes, the highlight of the film is "Chandni's Dance." Sridevi's incredible, classical-style dance accompanied by a steady percussive beat. Brilliant. This dance alone is worth repeated viewings, and the price of the DVD. Definitely recommended.
BANDHAN
Bandhan (1998)- English subtitles. 165 minutes. Dolby Digital 2 channel mono. Starring Salman Khan, Jackie Shroff, Shweta Menon, Rambha, Ashwini Bhave. Video is excellent. Audio is very good. "Bandhan" is a melodramatic and sexy film of the bonds between brother (Khan) and sister (Bhave), husband (Shroff) and wife (Bhave) that are tested to the breaking point by outside forces (the stunning Shweta Menon, who steals the movie as the seductress Vaishali), and the struggle to maintain those bonds.
"Bandhan" has Khan in some exciting action scenes and features some fine songs, especially the excellent "Tere Naina" and the risque dance by Menon of "Dil Kis Ko." The video is an excellent, bright transfer with few faults. It's a shame that "Bandhan" wasn't made with 5.1 or stereo sound, yet the mono soundtrack is very good and clear considering. "Bandhan" is worth viewing on DVD for the memorable music and interesting performances by Shroff and Bhave, and especially for Shweta Menon's sensuous portrayal of the "fallen woman" Vaishali. Released by EROS/DEI..
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