Bollywood movie Dostana is a barrel of non-stop laughs; a film that pulls out all stops in its shameless attempt to win you over. Set in sunny Miami, Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham play a pair of straight blokes who must pretend to be a gay couple so they're allowed to rent rooms in a swanky condo occupied by single, young chick Priyanka Chopra. The trio strikes up a close friendship and all's going well in their little world until both boys realise they've fallen for her. Wait, what's more, she seems to be falling for her boss; that role played by Bobby Deol. Stripped to its bone, the basic premise of Dostana is your fairly standard triangular romantic-comedy, but it's the manner in which writer-director Tarun Mansukhani gives this ordinary plot a whole new spin by throwing in that 'pretend-gay' angle that turns it into a winning lottery. Laugh-out-loud hilarious, the film's first half comes packed with naughty lines and often risqué humour. That fake flashback which serves as Abhishek's romantic back-story with John, concocted for the benefit of Priyanka and her aunt, is one of the funniest scenes I've seen in months. Prepare to crack up also in that scene in which Kirron Kher playing Abhishek's mum discovers to her horror that her son is gay; and that subsequent scene in which – having finally come to terms with this painful fact – she decides to accept John as her son's chosen partner, and gives him a fitting bahu's welcome. Despite the stereotypical gay characters, it's to the director's credit that the film rarely comes across as mocking or insulting to gay sentiments. Even when reinforcing many gay clichés, Dostana has a naughty innocence to it that is hard to take offence to. In a roundabout manner perhaps, but the film is even progressive when it comes to portraying same-sex relationships, as is evident from the Kirron Kher-character's acceptance of her gay son's relationship, her blessing of this union, and finally her expectation of commitment and fidelity from both boys towards each other. Sure it wouldn't hurt if all gays weren't made to look like flaming queens, and if there was at least one gay character that wasn't a caricature, but in all fairness to expect any more in terms of the portrayal of gay characters is perhaps unfair – after all, Dostana never promises to deliver the sensitivity of Brokeback Mountain. After all the fun-n-games, it's in the film's second half that the energy dips. For one, the tone shifts abruptly from comedy to schmaltzy romance, prompting a string of sappy scenes, including a contrived one each in which Abhishek and John both go to great lengths to woo the girl. There's also sadly no escape from those predictable misunderstandings and manipulations which only slacken the film's pace. Having said that, it's still an immensely entertaining watch with producer Karan Johar's light-and-frothy signature style stamped across every frame. From the eye-watering photography of Miami's fabulous beaches, to the stars' slinky designer costumes; from Vishal-Shekhar's foot-tapping numbers to the carefully picked curvaceous blonde junior artistes in every scene – this is that cool-light-n-easy kind of film that you either have an appetite for, or no interest in. Of the actors, Sushmita Mukherji as Priyanka's aunt and the boys' landlady is deliciously over-the-top and makes her every moment on screen memorable. Boman Irani as Priyanka's gay boss making that Devil Wears Prada-inspired entry, is particularly likable, especially in that scene in which he mistakes Priyanka's aunt for the maid and declares her a fashion disaster.Kirron Kher playing Abhishek's smothering Punjabi mum hams it up but does so very much in keeping with the film's tone. She delivers some of the film's funniest lines and leaves you hurting in the sides. Of the leads, Bobby Deol is a smart casting choice, his simple, good-boy looks and understated performance a perfect foil to our 'chaalu' heroes. Priyanka Chopra, is at complete ease, slipping effortlessly into the role of the hottie-with-a-heart-of-gold; she looks smashing in this film, better than she's ever looked before. It's the boys who deserve to be singled out for praise, for confidently taking on such tricky roles. Both John Abraham and Abhishek Bachchan drop their inhibitions – in the case of John, most of his clothes too – and without any awkwardness embrace their characters sincerely. There is a comfort and confidence in John's acting that one hasn't seen before; and Abhishek bravely goes where few have gone before, sportingly putting himself in the spot, and turning in the best performance of the film. Dostana isn't great cinema, nothing close to it, but it puts the fun back into the movies. You laugh harder than you have in a long time, and for that reason alone, gather your friends and give it a watch. Director Tarun Mansukhani's Dostana is a film with a one-point agenda – to entertain you while you're in your seat. It achieves that, no two ways about it

Dostana is a lot of fun, specially in the first half, all thanks to Abhishek's wonderful comic timing, and a brilliantly conceived "gay fantasy love story" between Abhishek and John. Priyanks Chopra looks stunning, and there's plenty of eye candy (for both sexes) to enjoy. Boman Irani and Kirron Kher are good, but the script doesn't accommodate them well. Bobby Deol has what amounts to an extended cameo. Unfortunately he sleepwalks through the part. John makes an effort to act, but still isn't up to par. The last hour of the film gets bogged down in sappy melodrama, with an uncalled for scene of cruelty towards a child. Still worth catching on DVD or television.Overall 6/10

Dostana is not a gay comedy. It is actually another entry in the long line of comedies going back to time immemorial where men (temporarily) dress up and behave as women. From silent movies with Chaplin to Some Like it Hot, men appearing (superficially) as women has prodded our funny bones. The new incarnation of this tradition is men pretending to be gay and thus effeminate. A recent example of this was in Chuck and Larry. And just as that movie was totally panned, so will this one be, because they by nature deal with stereotypes. Nonetheless, I found Dostana to be one of the funniest movies I have ever seen. A big part of the hilarity is Abhishek's totally outrageously funny acting. His facial expressions are so cartoonish and purposefully exaggerated when he is pretending to be gay it's hard not to laugh (for me). Like a good actor should, he is totally comfortable in his role. In one roaring scene his character improvises the story on how he and his soul mate met in Venice. The way he parodies both feminine romantic behavior in Bollywood romance and Bollywood's typical concept of love is so funny. John Abraham on the other hand, IMO, seems to be miscast. He can do well in simple villain and action roles like in the movie Dhoom, but here he looks totally wooden and unfunny. Most of the times he seems to be only looking where he is supposed to look with no expression as if he just wants to go home and go to sleep. Priyanka is pretty good for her role, and Boman is creepy but hilarious. Deol is also good as the typical fiancé. Kiron Kher is once again cast as a mother, but her reactions in this movie are really funny (although at one part there is some trouble that can be avoided but isn't just to make things funny, but I'll let it go). The songs were largely forgettable. Imo the hilarious and vulgar writing and abhishek's zaniness was what made this movie into a great comedy. Obviously this is not a family movie, you should at least have the brains to realize that. Oh yeah: as with any Hindi comedy, it is absolutely essential you know Hindi and some Hindi slang. Don't complain that you didn't think it was funny if you watched it with some awful pirated subtitles! That, and 'all shak and no..." is one of funniest lines I have ever heard in a Hindi movie.

I wonder if those of you that gave this high ratings actually watched the movie. There was no plot development, no character development and the jokes - oh! there were jokes? I must have missed them as did the writers as they clearly missed including them in this massive stinker.The beginning has some measure of promise that is then never fulfilled in the second half. The humour, such that is is, is so over the top and exaggerated that it's no where near approaching funny. John Abraham, "Mr. Hot Bod" is only that - this guy really needs to spend less time in a gym and more getting some decent acting instruction. "Little B" does as much as he can with the minimal material given him - usually if he's given decent material, he's one of the few in Bollywood today that can approach what the rest of the world considers actual acting - with time, I'm sure he will emerge as a truly decent actor.The one redeeming feature of the film is Chopra - not only does she appear breathtakingly beautiful as usual, however she appears to be maturing into a genuine actress. Even with the pathetic material she's been given in this dog of a film, she makes a best effort and really brings her character to life. That the character is lifeless in content is the fault of the director and writers - not her.Finally - who allows any of the Deol's to make movies? Really? They are HORRID actors and Bobby Deol is one of the worst so called actors to grace the screen in any country. SRK is mono-dimensional, but this guy is non-dimensional. Don't waste your money or time on either the theatre or rental or a download - rubbish - pure rubbish!