'Hrithik is hunkalicious'!: Chicago Tribune

Arthur J Pais & Som Chivukula

Subash Ghai can forget the critics in India who have ripped Yaadein and wrap himself with the glowing review from one of America's most influential newspapers.

Leading man Hrithik Roshan has contributed a new word to the English language -- hunkalicious -- thanks to reviewer Monica Eng, who fell in love not only with the film but also with the hunky star. Eng gave the film three-and-a-half stars out of a possible four stars.

She could not review Yaadein in the opening week because there were no press screenings. But she heard about it from her Indian friends and saw posters at Indian restaurants and shops.

After the readers were told about the main plot, Eng writes, "Moviegoers have a wonderful time... Yaadein features terrific music (I can't get the title song out of my head), breathtaking dance numbers, eye-catching sets (it's like a Pottery Barn catalog come to life), fun costumes and unintentionally hilarious product placements.

"And the film not only is knockout entertainment but also offers a fascinating peek into the debate over arranged marriages in the non-resident Indian community."

Chicago Tribune, which has about 1.5 million readers, ran a lengthy review of Yaadein on Friday as the film stepped into the second week in Chicagoland and many other North American cities.

The film grossed about $ 750,000 in its first week across America, with Chicago being a top earner following New York tristate area and San Francisco.

Chicago Tribune has half a dozen film reviewers, and Michael Wilmington gets to review most of the more serious and interesting films.

It was perhaps the first time Chicago Tribune reviewed a mainstream desi film. "I've been seeing Hindi films without subtitles for some time to experience the culture," says Monica Eng.

"I wrote an article about Hindi films now being released with subtitles.

"They are big films, so why not review them? It's a good idea to review films seen by 8,000 people in the Chicago area."

"Now the films are being released with subtitles. I told our movie editor about the Hindi films since they have a huge audience in Chicago. We've never reviewed one. This was a good opportunity."

She has seen about ten Hindi films with her Indian friends, she adds.

The New York Times, The Washington Post and Los Angeles Times, to name a few major publications, do not review Hindi films.

This week also saw the respected trade publication run a glowing review of Lagaan, which is playing in a handful of theatres in America and is about to end its first run, having grossed about $ 900,000.

The Hollywood references (in Yaadein) -- Tom Cruise chosen by a matchmaking computer for one daughter and Ronit standing before a Me, Myself & Irene billboard making Jim Carrey-like faces -- make it clear that Hindi film fans know their American films.

It would be a shame if the reverse never happens.

About the significance of the review, Eng says, "It's important to write about information that matters to readers"

"When will the mainstream moviegoers discover Hindi films?" Eng wonders, adding that the Tribune will continue to do more desi film reviews.