Producer : Yash Johar, Karan Johar
Director : Tarun Mansukhani
Cast : Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra
Music : Vishal Dadlani and Shekhar Ravjiani
Lyrics : Anvita Dutt Guptan, Kumaar and Vishal Dadlani
Release Date : 14 November 2008
Here is what the critics thought of Dostana :
ApunKaChoice.Com – Review by Aparajita Ghosh
‘Dostana’ might have been a roller-coaster joyride had the director ( Tarun Mansukhani ) known where to take the story in the second half. The plot merely skims through the three romantic tracks (between Abhi, John, Priyanka and Bobby) without making you feel for a single one of them. So even though the film entertains you, it doesn’t touch your heart the way it could have.
Rating : ***
BollywoodHungama.com – Review by Taran Adarsh
On the whole, DOSTANA is a winner all the way. In terms of content, it might just prove to be a trendsetter. In terms of business, the film holds tremendous appeal for the youth. The 16 to 25 age-group would go into raptures and bonkers over this film. Its business at multiplexes mainly will be amazing. In Overseas too, the film should emerge amongst the biggest draws of 2008. DOSTANA rocks… have a blast!
Rating : 4/5
Buzz18.com – Review by Abhishek Mande
All in all Dostana is not such a bad movie after all. It’s been a while since a Karan Johar film has hit the screens. And watching this one reminds you how sorely you’ve missed those candyfloss happy endings.
Verdict: Dostana makes us realise that not all of us are born the same. Some of us are straight and we might as well come to terms with it.
Rating: 3/5
Glamsham.com – Review by Martin D’Souza
For John’s butt, Priyanka’s sexiness, Abhishek’s antics, Boman’s brilliance and Kirron Kher’s ‘mother-in-law’ act welcoming John (she does not know whether he is the son-in- law or daughter-in-law), this film will have the audience clapping. If you are willing to ignore the flaws, then you are in for a good time with this Yaarana from Yashraj Films and Dharma Productions.
Rating : 3/5
HindustanTimes.com – Review by Khalid Mohamed
Of the cast, Boman Irani in a cameo is terrific. Priyanka Chopra is in form, pretty convincing as a working woman (she even announces her age as 27), who’s trying to deal with professional pressures. John Abraham is sheer eye-toffee and correctly restrained, without ever overdoing what passes off in the movies as gay gestures. Abhishek Bachchan is first-rate. In fact, he’s the most inspired of the lot, displaying a gift for dramatic and comic timing. Way to go Dostana! Enjoy the difference.
Rating : ***
IndiaGlitz.com
On the whole, Dostana hits bull’s eyes with fun and frolic moments that are quite unsuitable for certain audience. Tenuous script and irksome narration stops your tongue in singing appraisals for Tarun Manshukhani and Karan Johar. On the button, John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan as captains fail to rescue the ship from sinking…. Yeah! It’s pretty similar to clichéd headlines on sports pages ‘Sachin’s century in vain’….
Verdict: Not worth-watching
Rating : *½
MovieTalkies.com
The film’s look is cool and hip; the styling and colour palette used in the movie, perfectly brings out the mood and tone of the proceedings. Dostana’s music has been composed by Vishal Shekhar and it rocks, specially the numbers, ‘Maa Da Laadla’, ‘Desi Girl,’ ‘Jaane Kyun’ and ‘Maula Mere Maula’. Tarun Mansukhani is quite the captain of the ship as he displays superb control over his material, never allowing it to become sentimental or serious. Dostana is a lighthearted take on friends and friendships, and he never allows his focus to shift. With Karan Johar producing the film, Dostana is peppered with references to Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, a little self indulgent and quite un cool, one thought. But overall, Dostana does not really go wrong anywhere. It fits its genre perfectly and provides laughs galore!
Rating : 4/5
NowRunning.com – Review by Ashok Nayak
To sum up, Dostana tries hard to entertain and it succeeds on a few occasions. But overall it’s a huge disappointment.
Rating : **
PlanetBollywood.com – Review by Joxily John
In the end DOSTANA does provide a fun time at the theatres, and actually does provide better laughs than many of the overhyped comedies from this year. So with it managing to stay afloat from the rest of the pack, this trio is sure to get the cash registers ringing for a while!
Rating : 7.0 / 10
Rediff.com – Review by Raja Sen
Overall, it’s an average piece of fluff — but one of the most hideously insensitive things to come out of Bollywood in a long while. Boman Irani shouldn’t have played the part he does, and Karan Johar shouldn’t have let this film turn out the way it has.
This film is a joke; but the last thing we need is India thinking homosexuality’s just another gag.
Rating : **
