Badal

Badal (2000). Released by DEI. Starring Bobby Deol, Rani Mukherjee and Ashutosh Rana. Music by Anu Malik. 175 minutes. Subtitles on dialogue AND songs! With 5.1 Dolby Digital. Previously released on DVD by Video Sound without subtitles and of lesser quality.

Picture quality is excellent. The source print used is like-new, and the digital transfer is sharp and detailed. The colors are accurately reproduced, with no signs of artifacts. The DVD is a pleasure to watch. Video rating- 9 out of 10.

The 5.1 audio is outstanding. Featuring a very active 5.1 mix and aggressive bass, with plenty going on in the surround channels during the songs and throughout the entire film, especially during the frequent action sequences. Audio rating- 9.5 out of 10.

This is first DVD by DEI, since their breakup with Eros, to have subtitling on the songs and the translator has done a commendable job. It really does add a lot to the enjoyment of the DVD. The first song is "Lal Garaara." It has superb choreography, as the lead female dancer sings and taunts the men that it's her red skirt that's driving them insane with desire. Many of the other songs features equally provocative and interesting lyrics, and it's a pleasure when non-hindi speaking fans can understand the lyrics and poetry of the songs on DVD. Thanks has to be given to DEI, for their new policy to subtitle the songs on all future DVDS. And for joining Yash Raj Films, as the second DVD company that does so.

As usual, DEI has produced interesting DVD menu graphics. The main menu features moving graphics of the film, as evocative sound effects bouce from speaker to speaker as you decide what to choose. When you select "songs," it dissolves into another cool moving graphic as "Na Milo Kahin Pyar" is heard. Huge improvement, of course, on the no-frills menu seen on many DVDS.

Badal is a very, entertaining action film that never has a dull moment. In it, Deol becomes a terrorist when a sadistic cop, played brilliantly by Ashutosh Rana, turns Bobby into an orphan. He later meets a love-smitten Rani Mukherjee (who looks great) as the plot develops.

The music for Badal is among Anu Malik's most memorable scores. Almost every song is a winner. Particularly, the haunting love song "Na Milo Kahin Pyar" and 3 of the dance numbers: "Lal Garaara" "Jugni Jugni" and "Tujhe Dekh Ke Dil." Anybody who bought and enjoyed the excellent cd for Badal will be in for a real treat with this DVD. When hearing the songs with the detail of 5.1 DD surround, the listener can only appreciate the improvement. Watching the songs picturized with thrilling choreography, that has subtitling of the songs, can only increase enjoyment of the DVD.

In closing, DEI has produced another fine DVD, that has tremendous repeat-viewing value, and that any Indian DVD fan should be happy to own. Overall rating 9.5 out of 10.

"For Soldier and Satya Reviews"

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