Absolutely Fantastic

it is the rare 'crazy' movie that actually has something to say.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

This movie feels like it was made purely to piss off people who want good shows

This movie is very gripping and strong. It portrays a sense of loneliness yet unity among women. In other words, a woman (Manisha) feels neglected and goes on a journey to escape it. On the way, she finds women in similar situations and Manisha sees how they handle it. The woman Manisha portrays wants to prove that all women are united and just don't know how to express their feelings of neglect in a way that men and society will not condemn them. The characters in this movie are totally independent albeit linked. Manisha was a little unbalanced at first but as the movie continued her character became stronger and more patriotic. She seemed to be in search of self identity and whether she can escape prying eyes of men. Rekhaji was the most dominant character. She showed that even elder women are subjected to harassment. Her part left the audience wondering if there is any justice for women. Maduri was really interesting. Her role was vivacious yet serious. Mahima was also wonderful. She was given a small role yet powerful. Ajay Devgan balanced the movie. He wanted to show that not every man wants women to be treated like this. The movie is a little slow but the direction was well rounded and beautiful. It is a little biased but when Ajay Devgan enters he balances the equation. A couple of the songs were melodious and it was integrated with the story making it hard to fast forward some of the slow parts. Each scene tends to take some time to come to the point but the climaxes were well done.

This is got to be a classic of Hindi cinema. It is so well done, technically and performance-wise and the selection of the top-class female cast alone is a reason to like this film. But most of all it did an outstanding job of taking on a serious issue and yet produce a powerful work of art that shines.Right from the start, it is chilly, that cry of Ramdulai and the sari floating in the wind. This nightmare dream makes it clear that this is not going to be fun. The most disturbing events are shot in a frightening detail, but this is not a plain documentary like Bandit Queen, but is more elaborate as a movie for the common people. Thus the message is deeply moving but still bearable even to the more sensitive audience. The comedy and the action are well executed to lighten up the message, but they never become a purpose in themselves, and they always help in delivering the message of humanity, empowerment, and hope. Marvelous, simply marvelous!I give this a 10/10 without the slightest doubt. It outshines even the greatest movies of recent years, such as Pinjar, Lagaan or Swades, Earth, Mission Kashmir, Roja, Bombay, and Dil Se. But Lajja is not for everyone. As a westerner I will say especially that this is not a beginner's film to Hindi cinema. If you don't have a fundamental love for India (yet), you should not watch this, instead watch Swades or Lagaan first.

The Hindi directors are brilliant in depicting gory authenticity that an ordinary viewer is horrified to see on the screen, when even the thought of the same is difficult to fathom. The rape scene of the character of Rekha is something that will haunt any one with a conscience, not only her true portrayal but the ugliness and heinout extent of the crime. The movie has several parts to it each with its own pathetic ending. Madhuri Dixit, Urmila Matondkar have done a formidable job. But the ace is Rekha, whose perf. is truly to the core of the character. She is shown her true potential here. If you have a long day and looking for pure entertainment in the nature of Song&Dance number, this is a movie to avoid, since the brute violence is baffling and lingers and lasts long after the movie.

I saw Lajja on opening night August 31,2001 at a theatre in nearby Diamond Bar. I was drawn to the movie by Rajkumar Santoshi's name, because generally he makes fairly good movies. Anu Malik's name as the composer was also an attraction. Rajkumar Santoshi did not disappoint me. He presented the subject in a fairly compelling way and did not deviate too much to accommodate "entertainment". Once again he did not use all the songs that featured on the film's audiocassette and CD, which will adversely affect the movie at the box-office.His father,P.L. Santoshi who was himself a famous lyricist before he became a film director, knew the importance of songs in an Indian movie. Rajkumar Santoshi, ever since his Ghayal became a hit without the support of music, has tended to ignore music and not give it the centrality it deserves in the Indian cultural context. He could not take advantage of even Nadeem- Shravan in Damini or of A.R. Rahman in his last movie Pukar. At least in the latter he took eminent lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri and also Javed Akhtar (for one number). Here he relies on overworked and mediocre Sameer.The music department(with even the theme song cut out), therefore,is nothing to write home about. Will someone urge him not to repeat the same mistake over and over again?But despite these drawbacks, which are quite serious, the movie works because of its laudable theme, Rajkumar Santoshi's good direction and some good writing too. But here too one fails to understand why a good director of Santoshi's calibre should take upon himself the added burden of writing the screenplay and the dialogue. Bollywood has plenty of good writers who would be happy to work for a director like Santoshi.Overall, it's a good movie.That's why I am giving it an 8 out of 10. Now a word about the advertising.It is publicised as a movie with three heroes and three heroines whereas the story concerns only one pair played by Manisha Koirala and Jackie Shroff. The rest just come and go.It should have been advertised as just a Manisha Koirala-Jackie Shroff starrer. There should have been no mention of the other famous names who are just guest stars in the movie. Like Salman Khan was not mentioned in the advertising of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and that worked great for the movie.Lajja could have benefited tremendously from the presence of Madhuri Dixit, Anil Kapoor, Rekha and Ajay Devgan if their names had not been advertised and the public discovered them for the first time in the theatre on opening night.