Bluffmaster Reviews

• Surprisingly Enjoyable

  
  By A18MBO1U4DPY20 on 2006-05-29
  What did I expect from Abhishek Bachchan before this film? A dimwit's attept to act. After watching Bluffmaster, I must say I realised there is this new genre of intelligent movies that has made it's way into Indian Cinema. (Other such movies is Taxi 9211, which in a way is better) Anyhow, moving on, I'd like to say Abhishek Bachchan is more convicing than ever before in his role as a wiseguy who knows the city better than most people and obviously pranks the pranksters. His character is that of an intelligent king of "hustlers" Bombay(yes i like to call Mumbai that) is shown in a rather indepth way and even fallacious policies of love are highlighted.
  
  Another very good performance by Nana Patekar. Oh how I adored him in the film. Priyanka Chopra gave a rather good performance too. The songs of the film were tolerable and the background music quirky and exciteable.
  
  A rather meek storyline, fantastic direction and edge of the seat comic truffles.
  
  Watch it for the love of Bollywood
  
  

• A master grifter takes on a student - a diverting Bollywood film

  
  By A2HVL790PBWYTU on 2007-04-29
  I started purchasing Bollywood films initially because of Aishwarya Rai. In the course of several Rai movies, I discovered and became a fan of Abhishek Bachchan. This guy can certainly act (check out GURU) but what I like about him is that, in real life, he exudes a down-to-earth, fun loving persona, coming off as someone who's not at all impressed with his fame and fortune. Of course I don't know him but the vibe I get is that Abhishek seems like a cool cat. Accordingly, I've been chasing down dvds of his flicks. And, minutes ago, I just got done watching BLUFFMASTER! (exclamation point part of the title).
  
  In BLUFFMASTER! Abhishek Bachchan borrows a page from his earlier film Bunty aur Babli (2 DVD Set) and plays another con artist. Here, he is Roy Kapoor, a smooth professional con man who had been bilking his victims all his life. Of late, he's been seeing the gorgeous Simmi (Priyanka Chopra) and it's gotten serious enough that he's proposed marriage to her. But, here's the rub, Simmi is a girl with principles who doesn't know of Roy's shady side - until now. When she discovers that Roy's a crook, she promptly breaks up with him.
  
  Six months pass and the plot truly thickens. Roy's still haplessly chasing Simmi, telling her he's changed (a lie) and begging for her forgiveness but to no avail. Meanwhile, he meets up with Dittu (Riteish Deshmukh), a rather obtuse, small time scammer. After several run-ins, Roy takes Dittu under his wings and attempts to teach him the art of the con. However, recurring bouts of dizziness and disorientation cause Roy to go in for a medical exam. He is told that he has a brain tumor and only three months to live. Roy plans on living to the fullest every remaining moment of his life. But, first, he has one last con job to pull...
  
  BLUFFMASTER! is a good natured Bollywood film with a sneaky ending. As per usual with the majority of Bollywood films, it doesn't pay to overanalyze the plot. Instead, just sit back and go along for the ride. The con jobs themselves are pretty interesting (I thought the credit card scam was neatly pulled off). It's humorous with occasional snappy one liners, and only a few scenes get too silly and over the top (the main culprit being the slapstick sequence with Roy and Dittu being assaulted by an outraged Dr. Bhalerao).
  
  I'm reminded that not everyone in good, ol' United States has experienced Bollywood. I had friends over who had never seen a Bollywood flick before. We were watching this one and, man alive, imagine their amazement when - all of a sudden, in the middle of the plot - a musical number broke out. I told 'em, "Get used to it. That's Bollywood, baby!" The four musical numbers here happen to be all slick and worthy of head bobbing, with my two favorites being the rockin' title song "Sabse Bada Rupaiyya" with its Vegas sensibilities and "Right Here Right Now" which has Abhishek actually singing his own hip-hop flavored song.
  
  This is Rohan Sippy's second directional gig and also his second collaboration with his buddy Abhishek (after Kuch Naa Kaho (2 Disc Set). Here, he puts out a glossy product which makes good location use of beautiful Mumbai. Rohan draws out credible performances from Priyanka, Riteish, and Abhiskek, though I wish young Mr. Bachchan could've been less cool and more emotionally present. But he didn't suck. And then there's Nana Patekar, who steals all the scenes as the narcissistic villain of the piece.
  
  The version I have is the two disc dvd. Disc 1, of course, has the feature film, song and scene selections, but also breezy audio commentaries from Abhishek Bachchan, Rohan Sippy, and Riteish Deshmukh, among others. Disc 2 offers up the following special features: 18 minutes of deleted scenes; the Making of "BLUFFMASTER!" - wherein Abhishek slams his cast and crew with a straight face and a tongue in cheek; the Making of "Right Here Right Now" video; the actual "Right Here Right Now" video; and bloopers. Worth watching.
  
  BLUFFMASTER! isn't really deep or bite-your-knuckles intense. There are guns and gangsters involved but you don't really feel like anyone's seriously in peril. But this movie is a good diversion, something you can pop in your player and pleasantly while away two hours plus some minutes (this is actually short for a Bollywood flick). Meanwhile, the songs are poppin', the female lead is an all star knock out, and Abhishek - well, he's a cool customer. And the ending is different. BLUFFMASTER! gets three and a half stars! from me. But what I really want to know is: why was Aishwarya Rai dropped from this film?
  
  
  

• Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham...
• Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
• Kuch Naa Kaho
• Umrao Jaan
• Kal Ho Naa Ho