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May 6, 2000

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Chal Mere Bhai
Somebody once rightly mentioned that all stories are the same, even though the treatment might be different. Chal Mere Bhai is a perfect example of this. This story has been repeated so often that you get fed up sitting through another one. And the treatment too is no different from any other!

Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan in Chal Mere Bhai Ok, here it goes. This is a story of two brothers Vicky (Sanjay Dutt) and Prem Oberoi (Salman Khan). They love each other very much and will do anything for one other. They are buddies too. They joke, exercise, play pranks together and even happen to love the same girl.

Sapna (Karisma Kapoor) is your bumbling secretary, who doesn't know shorthand or typing, but gets the job anyway. Never mind that she goofs up every time she sees the big boss.

But then, she too has her uses. She saves Vicky's life, and as a result the entire Oberoi family comes to love her. They get to know her better during a vacation and decide that she would be the ideal wife for Vicky. But there's a problem: she is in love with the devilishly charming Prem, who happens to return her feelings.

Karisma Kapoor in Chal Mere Bhai So... guess what happens when Prem comes to know that she is being considered for bade bhaiyya? And that big brother has also fallen in love with her? Do you really want us to tell you this oft-repeated tale? We are sure you know the climax by this time.

David Dhawan, the director with the Midas touch, has always concentrated on making entertainers. Chal Mere Bhai is no exception. But the story is similar to so many other films, the most recent being Dillagi, that the word 'entertainment' is lost here.

Sanjay Dutt's portrayal of the serious, conscientious and ever understanding brother is quite good. But he just can't handle comedy. He must stick to his usual action films where he excels. This movie does absolutely nothing for him.

Chal Mere Bhai For Salman Khan, on the contrary, Chal Mere Bhai is ideal. He probably feels at home doing such roles, what with the number of similar films he has done. But let's not get into Salman's acting abilities, since there isn't much to talk about in that area, not in this film anyway.

The only person who dazzles you is Karisma Kapoor. She looks gorgeous, acts the dumb secretary with ease and dances with elan. She is a regular with David Dhawan, and she looks better with each film.

Though Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan have a good rapport on screen, it is not enough to sustain the film. The title song, which they have sung themselves, is not as bad as one thought it would be. It actually sounds quite funny. The original track, sung by Shankar Mahadevan and Lezz Lewis, too has been picturised differently. I would say it is the only thing worth watching in the film. It is also the first thing that comes on screen. Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan in Chal Mere Bhai

There are only two other songs worth listening to. Chori chori sapnon mein aata hai koi and Meri neend jaane lagi hai. The rest can be ignored -- easily!

Chal Mere Bhai is supposed to deliver a message on love, brotherhood, sacrifice and family values. But really, do you want to sit through another one? I suppose not. In that case, you can comfortably give this a miss.

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