Kaante (2002)

A set in L.A. Hindi language rip-off of The Usual Suspects (1995), Heat (1995) and Reservoir Dogs (1992), mostly in that order.
Bachchan gets to play the best roles in each case, which is fitting. Also, the only worthwhile subplot outside of the core 'six men' scenario is given to him; it's as brief as the others but has some actual resonance outside of itself.
The addition of a club dancer (Malaika Arora) to the production is superfluous to the stitched together plots. In fact, ninety percent of the US pop video-esque dance scenes could be cut in their entirety and it wouldn't make a damn bit of difference, they're there solely to add sex appeal.
I'm forced to score it well because the truth is it does a good job, all things considered, but there's no overlooking that HUGE plot error.

3 watch parts out of 5

Shabd (2005)

Dir. Leena Yadav’s début feature stumbles in the early stages while trying to sit two very different aspects comfortably side by side, but it finds its feet as it progresses, ultimately delivering an experience that’s daring and should be applauded for doing something different with the usual love-triangle.
It’s about successful author Shaukat Vashisht. He takes a critical blow to his ego from critics. When his urge to write returns he tackles the most difficult of subjects, pushing events in his real life to breaking point, hoping to use the conflicts as material for his fictional world, potentially becoming a more tragic character than the one he hopes to give life to.

3½ embraced words out of 5

Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin (2002)

A ‘comedy’ about a Mumbai gangster, a generous doctor, a beautiful dance teacher and some other guy that likes to make prank phone calls that aren't funny in the slightest. Sanjay Dutt was entertaining and the film enabled Amitabh Bachchan to be less serious than he's often asked to be, but the plot dragged its heels once the central gag wore thin.
There was no dancing in the rain. I felt cheated. That’s like a Hollywood action movie without a car chase, or a French movie without tits.

2 pink turbans out of 5