sumanbarthakursmailbox He sings and dances, arranges the furniture, and even puts the school's lunchbox-raiding principal in place. Yes, that's Bhoothnath for you, the friendly ghost played by Amitabh Bachchan, in director Vivek Sharma's film by the same name. After a failed attempt at scaring away little Banku and his family who have moved into his sprawling Goa bungalow, Bhoothnath becomes buddies with the precocious kid. So far, not too many complaints. It's silly and childish yes, but also very watchable. Problems arise somewhere beyond the half-way mark of Bhoothnath when this kids-friendly entertainer turns into something of a rona-dhona heavy Baghbaan rehash. You sink into your seat and cringe with embarrassment as our teary-eyed ghost goes into flashback mode and bores us with those sad stories of his neglectful son. Despite its fairly basic plot and predictable screenplay, for the most part Bhoothnath works just fine as a children's film. It is after all a formula that never fails when done even half right. Although it's nothing you haven't seen before, the adventures of Banku and Bhooth are enjoyable to watch largely because the chemistry between Bachchan and child actor Aman Siddique is so riveting. So whether they're pulling a gag on the school principal, or devouring "aloo parathas" that Banku's mother is struggling to prepare, it's this unlikely friendship between boy and ghost that is the film's main draw. And that's why it hurts as hell when writer-director Vivek Sharma steers his ship in an entirely different direction as the film enters its third act. Melodramatic and needless, the track involving Bhoothnath's back-story is a cumbersome bore. Even Shah Rukh Khan and Juhi Chawla, who play Banku's parents in the film, look embarrassed to be participating in such sentimental silliness. For me Chhota Chetan and Mr India are the ultimate children's films, at least to come out of India . Bhoothnath, sadly doesn't compare to either. For one, both Chhota Chetan and Mr India were involving and engaging stories that had heart. Bhoothnath, seen in its entirety, is a confused film at best. Sure it's got its moments, but it's hardly the kind of film you'll remember years from now. The other reason Bhoothnath doesn't come anywhere close to a film like Mr India is because it simply doesn't push the envelope as far as special effects are concerned. 20 years after Mr Indiaand the best Bhoothnath does is show us furniture flying around a room, Bachchan walking in and out of walls, a child's arm elongating to ridiculous proportions, and some gimmicks involving dried leaves. Such a shame, one would have expected more! Of the cast, Shah Rukh Khan in a special appearance looks uninspired and unhappy to be there, while the usually dependable Juhi Chawla tends to over-act for no reason. Some genuinely funny moments are provided by Rajpal Yadav who plays the local drunk, but of course the film belongs to Bachchan and little fellow Aman Siddique who give the film its best moments. Siddique is sharp and on-the-ball and he turns in a sincere performance, but if I were to pick the one single thing about Bhoothnath that's superb, then that would be Amitabh Bachchan. He's perfectly cast, he's uninhibited as the scruffy, irritable ghost, and even in the film's tedious bits he's the only reason you stay in your seats. Take your kids to the film, but make sure you don't stay longer than intermission!

flyingsaucer The movie is about a man who becomes Ghost(Bhooth) after his death. This Ghost is so attached to his house that he doesn't let anyone live in it. One day, comes a little boy with his mother and father to live in the house. While the father is a sailor who goes away on his duty, the mother and the boy live in the house. One night this Ghost tries to haunt the kid(Banku), but Banku doesn't fear him, rather thinks of the ghost as an Angel. Banku and Ghost become friends, and their adventures are recorded in the further story. The movie generally received good reviews, and was a hit at the Box-Office, yet I feel that it was not given applauds it deserved.The story is well executed, and pace of the movie is even. Acting wise, Amitabh Bachchan comes again with a spot on performance, I didn't know that a Ghost character can be played so naturally. The small boy, does his part high great confidence and comes up with great performance. Other cast have less time in the movie, but they do their parts neatly. No songs, a plus point. Direction is good. Background score is good.Go for this movie, this won't disappoint you.

nitap Children and Adults will enjoy this movie. Well acted by all and good special effects. Heartwarming and funny. It is an original script too, not a remake of any other film. Shah Rukh Khan is in a special appearance in this film and I admit he was the main reason why I had watch, and he was in the film throughout which was a nice surprise. Amitabh does a role different from before and does well. The newcomer boy who plays Banku is also very good and natural. Juhi is beautiful and very funny in this film as are the other supporting actors in the film. I would recommend anybody to see this move at least once. It was worth the wait.

Prashant Govindan The film starts out well...family shifts into desolate, haunted mansion...child stumbles onto resident (but friendly) spirit...makes friends...get the picture? This premise could have been turned into an unforgettable children's movie...throw in some CGI effects, school pranks, the bully at school, a treasure hunt maybe? This formula works...at least in the first half of the film and you rush to get more popcorn and ice cream for the kids anticipating the fun and games that follow in the second half as well...Alas, this is where it comes apart...for some strange reason the script decides to get into the story of the spirit and how he got there in the first place...what a waste of a brilliant plot! What follows instead of a laugh riot in the second half is a melodramatic and clichéd saga of parents being neglected by a heartless son and a story of forgiveness and liberation. The story is well told in Bollywood melodrama style, no problem there - but what is this bit doing in a kiddie movie?! Im sure the filmmakers want to educate children on the rights and the wrongs of life and build moral character and all that...but not after setting the tone for a fun filled light hearted comic caper about a friendly bhoot! My problem with the movie is the way the script changes track from being a wholesome summer entertainer to a rather serious tear-jerking sermon about duties towards parents and liberation of an unsatisfied soul...Technically, the movie is excellent...great cinematography...brilliant visuals...some really stunning shots of Goa, neat editing and a passable music score.Performances: AB is brilliant as ever, proving once again that this is one actor who continues to amaze us with his versatility and dedication to the role. AB looks and feels every bit the Bhoothnath that he portrays. Juhi Chawla comes up with a good performance as the exasperated mother and SRK is thankfully restrained. Satish Shah as the school principal tickles the funny bone with his fake "irani" accent and Rajpal Yadav plays the drunken bum to the hilt. The icing on the cake though is the performance of the child artiste Aman Siddiqui who plays the lively, cherubic four year old.This could have been the ideal summer holiday movie, but for the second half!