Writer: Lai Swee Wei

Writer Ratings:
Overall: 5.0 Out of 5
Cast: 5.0 Out of 5
Plot: 5.0 Out of 5
Effects: 4.0 Out of 5
Cinematography: 5.0 Out of 5

Watch this if you liked: "Glyanets", "Devil Wears Prada", "Head Over Heels", "Sex And The City"

Madhur Bhandarkar has outdone himself tremendously in this latest glitzy film as he exposes the harsh realities behind one of the most glamorous professions in the world - modelling. Headlining the beautiful Priyanka Chopra with various other gorgeous actresses, it's definitely Bollywood's answer to "Devil Wears Prada"!

The story tells of an ambitious small-town girl, Meghna Mathur with a dream of attaining the status of a supermodel. Despite her father's disapproval, she turns her dream to reality and steps up to walk the ramps for leading designers across India. However, Meghna has to pay the price for her fame as her career starts sliding downwards due to her arrogance. In this journey, she encounters a number of people. Most importantly, Shonali (Kangana Ranaut) and Janet (Mugdha Godse). Also, Abhijit Sareen (Arbaaz Khan), a tycoon who controls the fashion industry.

Throughout the 165-minute movie, you will not be disappointed with the fashion shows as they are done so realistically on a grand scale. The first fashion performance itself will send goosebumps through your skin as showstopper Shonali makes her grand entrance on the runway. Kangana Ranaut gave an excellent performance portraying this character's emotions throughout each and every situation she encounters without fail. Even though her character did not appear as much as Priyanka's, she sure leaves a huge impact on the story.

The film engages the audience with lots of drama and scenes with wardrobe malfunction, drug addiction, love affairs and many more. Despite the seriousness of the drama, in the first half you will find yourself giggling - I believe one of the funniest lines was "Listen, you may be able to find God here, but definitely not accommodation" as Meghna was trying to find a place to live in Mumbai.

The bittersweet ending is touching too and it sums up Meghna's career. It's a perfect ending that is not a typical fairytale finale.

Here's a little juicy fact about "Fashion" - the director dropped a gay kissing scene between actors Samir Soni and Anil Kumar to avoid controversy. However, the director is planning to include it in the DVD - a good marketing strategy for those who are keen to see two men make out, no?

To sum it up, this showstopper of a film will enlighten, motivate, shock, surprise you and of course, entertain you from beginning to the end.

Cinema Online, 03 November 2008