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AARAKSHANMovie Reviews
Bollywood drama about a college principal and his loyal disciple, who loves the principal's daughter. Cast:Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan, Manoj BajpaiDirector:Prakash JhaRelease Date:August 12, 2011DVD Release:September 27, 2011From:Reliance BIG PicturesLength:2 hr. 45 min.
Aarakshan played in regional release to good reviews. • Rachel Saltz wrote in the New York Times, "Director Prakash Jha grapples with caste prejudice and the Indian version of affirmative action: the reserving of spots in schools for low or 'backward' castes.... Subtle it ain’t and subtle it needn’t be. It is, though, mostly involving and even occasionally stirring." More Reviews Below...
Aarakshan has not been reviewed by Broad National Press
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NEW YORK/LOS ANGELES/CHICAGO/TORONTO (2 Reviews)
Rachel Saltz, New York Times: GOOD "Director Prakash Jha grapples with caste prejudice and the Indian version of affirmative action: the reserving of spots in schools for low or 'backward' castes.... Subtle it ain't and subtle it needn't be. It is, though, mostly involving and even occasionally stirring."(See all of Rachel Saltz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 279 words, 08/12/11
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...a splendid example of how Bollywood's skilled way with melodrama helps make entertaining a lengthy exploration of a very serious and complex issue that has universal resonance.... stirring..."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 373 words, 08/15/11
KEY CITIES (0 Reviews)
Aarakshan has not been reviewed in Key Cities
ALTERNATIVE/INDIE PRESS (0 Reviews)
Aarakshan has not been reviewed by Alternative/Indie
HIGHBROW PRESS (2 Reviews)
Rachel Saltz, New York Times: GOOD "Director Prakash Jha grapples with caste prejudice and the Indian version of affirmative action: the reserving of spots in schools for low or 'backward' castes.... Subtle it ain't and subtle it needn't be. It is, though, mostly involving and even occasionally stirring."(See all of Rachel Saltz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 279 words, 08/12/11
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...a splendid example of how Bollywood's skilled way with melodrama helps make entertaining a lengthy exploration of a very serious and complex issue that has universal resonance.... stirring..."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 373 words, 08/15/11
MOVIE INDUSTRY (4 Reviews)
Ronnie Scheib, Daily Variety: MODERATE "...the visual excitement director Prakash Jha generates is severely mitigated here by the good guys' exaggerated fearless stances, the swelling, triumphal score and the conjuring of a deus ex machina."(See all of Ronnie Scheib's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 514 words, 08/11/11
Lisa Tsering, Hollywood Reporter: GOOD "...offers a thoughtful look at the competitive frenzy fueling today's Shining India.... heavy on speeches, but the film manages to work because director Prakash Jha has cast it wisely... rewards thinking viewers."(See all of Lisa Tsering's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 576 words, 08/14/11
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: VERY GOOD "...a splendid example of how Bollywood's skilled way with melodrama helps make entertaining a lengthy exploration of a very serious and complex issue that has universal resonance.... stirring..."(See all of Kevin Thomas's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 373 words, 08/15/11
Rachel Saltz, New York Times: GOOD "Director Prakash Jha grapples with caste prejudice and the Indian version of affirmative action: the reserving of spots in schools for low or 'backward' castes.... Subtle it ain't and subtle it needn't be. It is, though, mostly involving and even occasionally stirring."(See all of Rachel Saltz's reviews...)(Read the full review...) 279 words, 08/12/11
12.5 Percentage Points Average Difference Between Reviews (Norm is 18.4pp; <18.4pp = More Consistent; >18.4pp = More Mixed)
Aarakshan's reviews are separated by an average 12.5 percentage points. The norm for this measure is 18.4 percentage points. Less than 18.4 indicates more consistent reviews; greater than 18.4 indicates more mixed reviews. In the chart below, each dot represents a review, with the dots at the top more positive than the dots at the bottom. From left to right, the dots represent reviews in big, bigger and biggest publications. Roll over each dot for more detail.
Aarakshan (4 reviews) Roll over dots for each review
Coverage:Aarakshan's reviews cover 6.1% of potential readers (average is 67.9%). Volume:The film's reviews total 1,742 words involume (average is 20,172 words). Length:The film's reviews average 436 words in length (the norm is 517 words).
Reviews Broke 20.8 Hours After Release (Norm is 1.2 Release)
Aarakshan's reviews on average broke 20.8 hours after opening. Norm for this measure is 1.2 hours before. The chart below shows reviews on opening day and the days before and after opening; the left side is earlier and the right side is later. The red bars extending above the horizontal mid-line represent more positive reviews, and the red bars extending below represent more negative reviews. The white space/red bar in the middle is Aarakshan's opening day. Click on any bar for a list of the reviews for that day.
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