Dr. Siddharth Sinha (Indian mega-star Amitabh Bachchan) is the devoted head of a hospital. He constantly is trying to expand and improve the facility and the only thing he loves more is his adopted son, Akash (Anil Kapoor). It is assumed that one day Akash will take over the hospital, as he's a very accomplished surgeon. However, Dr. Sinha is a bit of a control freak. He has a heart condition that needs attention but he won't let himself take time off for himself--when he should transition control of the place to Akash.A new doctor, Neha Mathur (Gracy Singh) arrives at the hospital and you KNOW she is going to fall in love with Akash because they have a kooky misunderstanding when they first meet. Not surprisingly, they begin dating and soon talk of marrying.Soon, a VERY spoiled and obnoxious rich girl, Sonia (Preity Zinta) meets Dr. Akash. Although he is in love with Neha, Sonia has decided she MUST have Dr. Akash as her husband. And, since she's a spoiled brat and her father is one of the richest men in India, she knows she will get him one way or the other. So how do she and her father exert pressure on Akash? Well, they approach Dr. Sinha--offering to fully fund his hospital IF he can get Akash to marry Sonia. Sinha refuses and won't even tell his son about the offer.Soon after this, Dr. Sinha witnesses a traffic accident and overexerts himself--and dies trying to save a young boy's life. Then, Akash learns about the deal Sonia and her father proposed to Dr. Sinha--and Akash agrees to marry Sonia. He doesn't love her but feels he owes his father so much that he MUST marry the spoiled brat in order to keep the hospital operating. This is because just how much Dr. Sinha gave up in his life for Akash has been revealed to him.When they marry, Akash tries to be a good husband but it's really impossible for the marriage to work. Sonia is too demanding, too manipulative and too jealous--and she has the bizarre notion that her new husband and Neha are carrying on behind her back. So, she sets out to destroy Dr. Mathur--mostly because she can. What's next? Well, the more the film progresses, the more nuts Sonia appears to be! She's a great example of a so-called 'Borderline Personality'. See the film and you'll see what I mean.It's odd thing about the film is that even after Dr. Sinha dies, that's NOT the last you see of him. Several times, just like Mufasa in "The Lion King", he appears to his son to give him sage advice! Additionally, Sonia and her father reminded me of the character Princess and her daddy from "The Powerpuff Girls". Now I know few folks who watch "Armaan" would also watch "The Powerpuff Girls" (or vice-versa), but it is a very apt description.One thing I liked about the film was that Neha and Akash were very ordinary looking actors--not the super-glamorous actors you might expect in such roles. As for the plot, it's a combination of good and bad. I liked the character Sonia and appreciate showing what marriage to someone like this would be like--it's an over the top performance, but actually realistic for someone like this--and there ARE folks like Sonia. I used to work as a psychotherapist and, unfortunately, worked with several like her. What I didn't love was all the soapy bit in the plot--such as when the Mufasa-like doctor kept appearing, the complicated plot involving the hospital and the silly ending involving surgery on Sonia and a change of heart that is just impossible to believe. Thiese tended to distract from Sonia and Akash's screwy marriage and Sonia's craziness. In fact, the first portion of the film and second are really like two separate films and EITHER on their own could have worked well--together it just seemed like too much. Overall, it's a mixed bag where the good does outweigh the negative--plus it's one of the best portraits of a Borderline I have ever seen.

The theme of Armaan is something Indian filmmakers might have heard of for a long time, but probably never pitched because of the complexity and unprecedented use of it. Well here goes Honey Irani or should I say the remarkable Honey Irani as she pulls us through a tale of "love, seen as desire and ambition". At least in the eyes of cute and bubbly Sonia Kapoor (Preity Zinta), this holds true. The main guy to be feasted on is Doctor Akash Sinha (Anil Kapoor) who seems like one of those decent and formal types. He takes on after his empathetic father Siddhartha Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan). I find Akash to not be a very convincing doctor because of how he handles his surgeries and how he and his love interest, Neha Mathur are never overworked enough to be doctors. Anyways, the hospital which Siddhartha aspires to build requires a lot of money. Since halfway through the movie Siddhartha dies, Akash is left to pursue his father's unfulfilled ambition. However, he can't afford it. Sonia, noticing this as the perfect opportunity to snatch the man of her dreams agrees to pay the dues, but in return, asks for Akash's love . This is a major problem because Akash is in love with Neha, but he still unwillingly agrees to the proposition. However, Sonia's suspicion and jealousy can never come to a rest, and her messed up psychology leads her to do terrible things. Armaan is quite entertaining, although not perfect.

Armaan is an inspiring movie, with amazing performances, and nice music. The downfall of this film is that it slows down one minute, and goes too quickly the next. You are either confused from what has happened, or you are wishing it would hurry up. It could have been better there.I'd say the best performances were from Amitabh Bachchan, and Preity Zinta, who I have always thought was very charming.The story is relatively simple, and is one that many films have tried, worked, and failed in the past. Armaan is one that works, but only because of the acting, and maybe the script.Amitabh Bachchan did a really nice job as the caring, dying father. He was perfect for this role, however, there are times when the character seems fake. Anil Kapoor makes a forgettable performance, I preferred him in other movies, which he did excellent in. Here his performance is not as good as I expected of him. Gracy Singh makes another "bechaari" role, I wish she would branch out more. For her role I would have enjoyed a Tabu, or Juhi Chawla, even Urmila Matondkar or Rani Mukherji. Certainly not her, that's for sure. My favourite performance was Preity Zinta; I have liked her since I saw her in 'Dil Hai Tumhaara', in which I thought she was amazing. Here she does another remarkable job, she has outdone herself, and is the star of Armaan. There are times when she even overshadows Mr Bachchan. Her new look adds glamour and appeal, and I say she looks not beautiful, but very elegant. Her first try at a negative role earns rave reviews from me.The music is excellent. The best songs would be "Mera Dil Ka Tumse Hai Kehnaa" and "Mere Zindagi Mein Aaye Ho" which I enjoyed.Honey Irani has done a decent job. I recommend it.

They'll tell you its a story of sacrifice, with some stupendous performances. But really its just dreary and dull trash, this guy Amitabh turns in a 'restrained' performance that borders on the contrived - a problem with most actors from Bollywood; their acting is plain contrived. Lifted across-the-border music [Yeh larka from the original 'Falak pay kaisa', the hit from the mid 80s] does not add much zing to the proceedings. And who was this actress with this Cleopatra like 60s hairdo?? Gawd, guys, get a better person to do that next time!!Only watch if you relish boredom. Really, its just another one in the long list of cinematic trash churned out by the Indie movie industry.