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If there's anything more dependable than formula films, it's the formulaic characters. And Bollywood has many who we've grown to love and accept. Over decades, one variety that has survived the transformation of Hindi cinema is that of the underdog hero. From the rustic boxer who turns against a local goon in 'Ghulam' to the idealist cop who becomes a one-man army against a depraved politician in 'Singham', the underdog has been a millionaire-making idea.

And now that the ultimate underdog superstar of Bollywood, Vijay Dinanath Chauhan returns in the remake of 'Agneepath', it is surely a good time to pay a tribute to this unexpected hero.

So here, we try to do a character break-down of this unassuming man with uncommon strength and superhuman virtues, who saves the day each time around, leaving the actress, the audience and the distributers swooning for more.

These are elements that make a

Hrithik in AgneepathHrithik had to be cajoled by Karan Johar to accept the role of Vijay Deenanath Chauhan in Agneepath. Hrithik's contention was that he doesn't like working in remakes, especially if it's a classic and he was expected to step into the shoes of Big B. Why remake a classic and spoil it's sanctity was his question?

Does Hrithik really hate remakes or is he scared to take a risk? A quick look at his filmography will prove that Duggu is better at romantic roles than the action ones. It's been a while since Hrithik has given a big hit, even in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara the credits had to be shared. Taking on a role which was made iconic by Amitabh Bachchan is a big task. Not only will there be inevitable comparison between the two but Hrithik has to deliver as the angry young man which is clearly not his comfort zone.

At this point in Hrithik's career is it a smart move? Or is it too big a risk?

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Directed: Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Rating: *

A song in the film Guzaarish warns you about the film. It goes something like, "Sau gram zindagi hain..." so think twice before wasting some of it watching this film. But if you're not convinced, read on. The film is based on mercy killing (a legal way to allow a terminally suffering patient to end his life painlessly). But endure this film half-way and you want to legalise mercy stabbing and mercy skull-smashing, to end the suffering you'll experience.

Ethan Mascarenhas (Hrithik) is Goa's very own David Blaine, a paraplegic since 14 years following an on-stage injury. He lives in the part of Goa which falls in Eastern Europe, complete with castle, nurse Sofia D'Souza (Aishwarya Rai) who is perpetually dressed as a Spanish witch (wearing blood red lipstick) and several domestic help who look like milkmaids of different shapes and sizes. The film is a playground

Cast: Reetu Jain, Naseeruddin Shah, Kay Kay Menon, Atul Kulkarni, Ravi Kissen, Shweta Bhardwaj, Rajesh Sharma, Zakir Hussain, Manoj Pahwa

Directed by Hriday Shetty

Rating: **

Squeezing in a series of events that take place over a night can make for a deliciously pacey watch. But Bollywood’s interpretation of this format hasn’t always managed the meat of the bat. While ‘Ek Chalis Ki Last Local’ had a crisp screenplay, ‘My Friend Pinto’ was an embarrassing take on Chaplin and ‘Chameli’ seemed pretentiously art house. Neither had the gritty zing of an ‘After Hours’ or the shivering tension of a ‘Rope’ and yet, it is refreshing that this one manages very well to keep you awake and interested if not anxious about the what would follow. Somewhere between overwhelming and underwhelming is a slot that is called unobjectionable and that is just where this one-night comic-thriller fits into.

Bollywood has explored themes like cops breaking bad, baddies trying to start afresh and every other one in

How many tomatoes does it take to fix a light bulb?

Directed by Puja Jatinder Bedi

Rating: Full moon, no stars

‘The past never dies, it kills’ is a promise made on the poster of this film and that for one, is well-fulfilled. Step out of the screen and you will find your brain cells ready to be zipped up like a carcass in a body bag. ‘Ghost’ follows the most reliable format for Indian horror films: Bhoot is evil; God isn’t and if you pray hard enough or atleast pretend to believe in good over evil, God will take the time out to smash evil’s nose. And as a bonus, we not only have chalk-faced spirits cackling around noisily, we also have the almighty himself sashaying in his biblical robe through dark corridors, managing very well in not tripping over.

The film begins with a mythological TV show voiceover, announcing the beginning of time or end of good times or something very prophetic that you won’t be bothered to care about. What you would care about is the following unaesthetic potty sex

PlayersAbbas Mustan, our desi experts on action thrillers are back with their latest offering 'Players'. Do the 'Players' manage to thrill or is it just another show of style over substance?

Kaveree Bamzai calls the film "a genuine copy of a Hollywood film":

Bollywood has realized it can camouflage its lack of stories with lots of thrills, chases, heists making the location exotic and the villains international even if it has to finally buy the remake rights legally. As one character's motto in the movie goes - videshi gadiyan, desi bomb - of the inanimate and animate kind. Even better if they wear slinky gowns and shake their booty. It allows you to laugh and lust in equal measure.

Taran Adarsh in his review points out the flaws in the screenplay:

While a one-page synopsis of the film would evoke euphoric and ecstatic reactions, it's the screenplay, with a running time of almost 2.45 hours [20 reels], that lacks the power to keep you enthralled and enchanted. In short, PLAYERS has style and