Hello - Review

Cast: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, Sharman Joshi, Sohail Khan, Isha Koppikar, Amrita Arora, Gul Panag, Sharat Saxena, Dalip Tahil
Director: Atul Agnihotri
Rating: ***

Hello is a pure original of Chetan Bhagat's novel and hence has set high expectations when it was released. The director to a great extent has managed to pull it off. Its not easy to translate a book into a movie for Indian audiences. The movie depicts convincingly the complex lives of people working in call centres. The movie happens at one fine night in a call center.

The plot is simple, it revolves around 6 people working together. The work culture and atmosphere bonds them together as a team. Shyam (Sharman Joshi) is desperate to grow in his career to meet the expectations of his girl friend Priyanka (Gul Panag). Priyanka's mom though wants her to marry a well settled NRI. Radhika (Amrita Arora) is unable to tolerate her demanding mother-in-law. Vroom (Sohail Khan) is a happy go lucky person who woos Esha (Isha Koppikar). Esha is an aspiring model who can never meet success. Military uncle (Sharat Saxena) is a lonely retired colonel who is missing his children and grandchildren who are away in US.

Bakshi (Dalip Tahil) a mean manager wants to downsize his team following requests from his boss in US. This makes everyone panic in the team and they are frustrated with their lives. And then that night God calls them on Shyam's mobile. God tells them how to deal with their lives. For people who dont believe in God and expecting logic there is another version of military uncle providing the words of wisdom. Strengthened from the words they go about fixing their problems and eventually choose more fulfilling careers they like.
The entire story is narrated by Katrina to Salma in an Airport. They make guest appearences.

The movie has some hilarious moments when call centre representatives deal with their American customers. The lead stars Sharman and Gul Panag are impressive. Songs could have been avoided as it affects the pace of the movie.

Its definitely a enjoyable movie and worth a watch. Lets look forward to more movies from well written novels following the success of The Namesake and Hello