Aashayein (2010)

Genre: Drama

Starring: John Abraham, Farida Jalal, Anaitha Nair, Sonal Sehgal, Ashwin Chitale, Girish Karnad

The story of a chain smoker, Rahul (Abraham) who gets lung cancer due to his smoking habits. He has just 3 months to live and decides to make full use of it. He spends his money left, right and center and believes that since he is a dying man, he is entitled to everything. His ego and attitude get in the way for him and his girlfriend, Nafisa (Sehgal). He learns about a special retreat for dying patients where they can spend the last few days of their life being happy before withering away. He meets a whole lot of people at the retreat, including a prostitute, Manju (Jalal) who gained AIDS and is shunned by all the patients, Padma (Nair) a loud-mouthed and rude cancer patient and Govinda (Chitale) a young boy whom people proclaim have super-natural powers. Govinda seemed to know everything about Rahul even without knowing him. He knew his birth name which he doesn't use and his passion for movies, especially Indiana Jones. Padman and Rahul become best buddies and they stick with each other through thick and thin. They also start a 'Wish Fairy Club' where they attempt to fulfill the last wishes of all the patients. The movie at first sight seems slow, which it is. The first half is a big drag and almost anyone would want to leave after the half-mark. Stick around for a bit more, and you would be surprised in the manner with which the movie vastly improves and you actually start enjoying it. Each and every performance in the movie is exceptional, big or small, especially John Abraham, Anaitha Nair and Ashwin Chitale who instead of being overshadowed by the popular image of Abraham, have managed to keep up and support his character throughout. It's a lovely movie and probably many smokers might get an urge to drop the habit right away. The flaw, within the first 10 minutes the rest of the plot becomes predictable but that doesn't make the movie a less enjoyable watch. Is capable of bringing forth a tear even from the cold-hearted.

Thumbs up: Performances of lesser known cast

Thumbs down: First half, predictable plot

Rating: 7.0/10