Taal by Aishwarya Rai, Anil Kapoor, Akshaye Khanna, Amrish Puri

I grew up watching this movie with English subtitles, and I thought that this version was the version I'd watched as a kid. And I still do think that (the home screen, for example, is the same). However - and I'm not sure if this is a dud copy or if a 2005 DVD is incompatible with my 2019 BluRay player - the subtitles don't work, so it is much harder for me to watch it. I have to do some finagling to get them to work during dialogue, and they don't work at all during the songs. So only 3/5 stars. It would be 5/5 if I could see the subtitles.

Why you may ask, did I rent this movie when I've already spent two long reviews ranting about my distaste for Subhash Ghai. It's a reasonable question. Two Words, Aishwarya Rai. (Now Rai-Bachchan), I have so much admiration for her talent that I can't skip it. Another reason, I watched it is because I like Akshaye Khanna a lot, and I had nothing better to do tonight.Mrs. Rai-Bachchan is pure grace. Oh yeah, she's gorgeous too, but what makes her presence on screen so unique is her exquisite poise and grace. Now I love watching all sorts of heroes and heroines in Hindi movies, actresses like: Kajol, Kareena Kapoor, Madhuri Dixit, and Rani Mukjeri are favorites of mine. But, Mrs. Rai-Bachchan outshines them all for me because she rarely oversells her emotions. When the typical heroine is bouncing and chirping with happiness, a luminous, smile and gentle laughter are her trademarks. When the typical screeching like a harpy when she's angry, a tight hard voice is what Mrs. Rai-Bachchan uses. When she cries, she cries like every woman I know cries. She showcases this extremely well in this movie. Either Mr. Ghai decided to forego his usual style of squeezing people into acting styles that won't suit them, or Mrs. Rai-Bachchan couldn't give him the usual so he made due with what he had. Whatever it was, her performance as Mansi is lovely and natural. I've yet to see a film of hers where I don't feel for and with her character. I love her dancing here, she floats with the air and her every movement is refinement itself.Akshaye Khanna was exceedingly sincere in his role as Manav. That's a good thing because as written Manav's idea of courtship strongly resembles stalking. If Khanna wasn't able to channel sweetness and goodness so effectively the romance would be more disturbing than anything else. As it was, I did have the willies for the first ten minutes. I blame that on the script.Once again, the favorite bhabs (fathers) of Bollywood join forces to separate and reunite the lovers. Amrish Puri, plays Manav's father, the stern, snobby industrialist based out of London, but lives in Mumbai. Alok Nath, plays Mansi's father, the traditional, and poor, but revered folk singer and school master. I'm just thrilled neither threatened to kill their respective offspring this time, and best of all, the daughter doesn't get slapped for a change. Then again, who is going to slap the first Indian Miss World?But next to Mrs. Rai-Bachchan's performance the movie belonged to Anil Kapoor. The man had attained legend status working with actresses such as Sridevi, and Madhuri Dixit. His turn as the self-centered, profit driven, showman chewed scenery. Unfortunately, he overdid it just a tad. He's much better when he can be restrained, but I think since Ghai allowed both his hero and his heroine to be more natural than appears to be his usual practice he wanted the character of, Vikrat to pick up the slack with HUGE overwrought emotion.One of the great aspects of fun of this movie is to spot the "blink-and-you'll-miss-them" appearances of a young Shiad Kapur. I adore him, so that made me smile.Okay technical stuff...I just can't get over the shock that Ghai wrote a screenplay that had an NRI as the good guy! Hooray! I wish I could say he learned his lesson from the cesspool of prejudice that is  Pardes  but unfortunately he made  Yaadein  after this so I'm thinking this one is just a fluke. I'm grateful for this though, I actually enjoyed this movie. I don't need to see it again, but I had expected to be angry and depressed. I'm not and that's awesome, but I said once I saw this movie I was through with Ghai movies and I AM! No more, this was a perfectly fine film to see once, but the only truly special thing about it is Mrs. Rai-Bachchan. The cinematography is adequate, particularly the outdoor scenes but nothing spectacular. The screenplay dragged a lot and there's that stalker-ish vibe. The worst part is that the hero straight up tells you exactly how the story will end. Okay, in fairness, anyone who has watched enough Bollywood could guess. But to tell word for word the actions and dialogue of the ending is just a total bummer. And yes, I'm showing my age there. Once again, Ghai edited his own work and once again, he shows he's not too ruthless in determining what to keep and what to trim. I genuinely believe fifteen or twenty minutes trimmed would have made a decent movie a very good one.One thing that is miles ahead of the other Ghai films I've seen is the soundtrack. The music is exquisite, and it should be with Bollywood's very best composer and lyricist in charge. A.R. Rahman and Javid Akhtar once again give the world exquisite beauty. I don't have a favorite here, they're all lovely songs to listen to. Unfortunately, I think one or two of the musical numbers contributed to the uneven pace of the movie.All in all, this is the one-and-only time I didn't waste three hours of my life watching a Ghai film. But in case you're wondering, those four stars are for Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan. She's recently said she's coming back to the movies, I for one, cannot wait!

I wasn't sure whether I would order this originally as I didn't know what sort of movie it was - romance by the description but with grim pictures on the cover including a guy in sunglasses that could have been a thug.I found out sunglasses was a 'cool' look and this is a romance- nothing dark in it really. It's not a deep movie as its not in that genre: it is more a romance movie.I found it entertaining and generally good Bollywood fare. It is generally well acted but is very much Aishwaryia's film (though the men who played the fathers in the movie are very solid too)What lifted it is the soundtrack by A.A. Rahman. If you don't know your Bollywood, he tends to write a different sort of soundtrack (as in Lagaan and Jodha Akbar)- much more evocative often and more heavily orchestrated. He also writes catchy melodies within that. There is a good mix of both those here. A lot of effort has been put into the dance sequences too in a very effective way.This movie won awards in its time but was made in 1999. I find a lot of the movies prior to 2000 can look dated by now. Not so with Taal - good modern photography.It is sort of a 4 star movie but the music and dance lift it to a 5 for me. Recommended for those liking the romantic genre or good music or good dance sequences.

I finally found the best copy with English subtitles, and it also has a menu with music tracks sectioned, and behind the scenes interviews! I think the recording of the dvd version of video could have better quality, but other than that it is great.

Okay, the first 20 minutes is a bit slow and corny. The plot and the characters are a bit simple - sometimes reminiscent of a good old 1950s film; but the characters are endearing, and just like those old films, this one can make you anxious one minute and bring tears to your eyes the next. I love that. But the five-star features of this film for me as a Bollywood fan were the rich soundtrack by A.R. Rahman and the remarkable amount of really fantastic Indian choreography. I certainly felt that I got my money's worth!

A unique musical tale of the perilous path to fame and fortune and the choices made on the journey. The tangled web of a love triangle and class differences punctuated by songs and dances.

The movie has a nostalgic feel for me. However, I hate the fact that Aishwarya Rai has barely 5-10 dialogues in the entire movie, and does what everyone else around her tells her to do. The only thing she does on her own is cry... she is even willing to marry whoever sorts things out and approaches her... very weak depiction of the lead female character. The music is out of this world though.

For Bollywood's crappy production even as recent as this movie, this is still a fantastic movie.Aishwarya was truly one of the most beautiful women in the world, and her sense of gentlenessand ability to pull these movies off the way she did was amazing. Taal is a special movie.But it and enjoy.

English subtitles don't work which makes film unwatchable. It also freezes half way through DVD.

We purchased this dvd after reading encouraging reports from previous buyers. We were delighted with the pace, charm, choreography, singing, music and acting. The first twenty minutes or so were agreeable, but did not match the superb unfolding story that emerged over the next couple of hours.The cast were magnificent and the story touching.The main actors played their parts magnificently. We have taken great pleasure in viewing the film several times and, each time, finding ourselves more engrossed by the amazing visuals and romantic story line.A rare and high quality film which should delight all who watch it.

Auch... I enjoy a lot of Indian films, but this one is below moderate. What a shame....

Love this movie the music is great it's one of those movies you will watch again and again.

wonderful movie