Ek Thi Daayan Movie Poster

Rating: 3/5 stars (Three Stars)

Star cast: Emraan Hashmi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kalki Koechlin, Huma Qureshi, Pavan Malhotra, Rajatava Dutta

Director: Kannan Iyer

What’s Good: An unfamiliar terrain of Supernatural thriller which is sliced straight from native folklores. The film maintains its enthralling suspense for the entire first part.

What’s Bad: Plotted around stereotypical myths of Black Magic, the film tends to get predictable at places. Kalki’s character did not make any sense. The climax was shabbily done and was a clear disappointment.

Loo break: A couple of them post interval

Watch or Not?: Ek Thi Daayan is a rivetingly thought film. An enticing beginning, a well fitted melodious background score, this film will successfully spook you out. However, the film loses its momentum drastically in the second half. Not a cult film, the film deserves a pat only for the powerful performances of Konkona and Emraan.

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Famous Magician Bobo is at the zenith of his life. At the top of his career and comfortably in love, his life has it all. Still, a spooky past involving a witch promising to return to haunt him, floods his conscience with her overpowering presence. Taking help from his childhood psychiatrist, to combat his persistent hallucinations; the events coincides with him meeting a certain beautiful lady Lisa Ray, who Bobo thinks is a witch who has come back to keep her word!

Does Bobo face his inner fears? Is Lisa really the witch? Can Bobo move on for real, keeping aside his haunting past? Ek Thi Daayan holds the answer to most of these questions, and leaves many more unanswered.

Huma Qureshi and Emraan Hashmi in Totey Ud Gaye song in Ek Thi Daayan Movie Stills

Ek Thi Daayan Review: Script Analysis

The film’s idea is novel to state the essential. Based on a short story by Mukul Sharma, the story was improvised upon by Vishal Bhardwaj. Bhardwaj’s expertise at the theme, given the back knowledge of witchcraft, by virtue of previous research on his debut film Makdee, has come handy in scripting down Ek Thi Daayan. Unfortunately the film exactly does what you earnestly hope it didn’t! It portrays a clichéd picture of witchcraft and mostly foster the commonplace ideas on witches – long hair, hands longer than the body – the ideas sound least impressive and not to mention stereotypical. Though attempting to entertain, personally I do take offense to introducing such trends in popular cinema, like a rubbish image of Daayans.

For the entire first part till the strike of the interval, the film is hell scary! The film’s thrill stays concentrated as the director mutely bows to the fundamentals of making horror films tapping many jump-in-your seats moments.

Despite the inclusion of motor hallucinations, a Freudian concept, of Emraan’s character, the film raises pertinent doubts. One’s scientific bent of mind will occasionally try to rationalize the myths of black magic, on which the film is based. I too was compelled to hand on to its makers expert books by the likes of Marcel Mauss and other anthropologists to help them garner a better understanding of occult sciences. It is this naïve hitch that deliberately botches up a brilliant conception which blunders the film’s climax. Added on to this, is Kalki’s character which was pointless and wasn’t elucidated enough to hold any ground.

Ek Thi Daayan Review: Star Performances

Emraan Hashmi managed to score impeccably this time, and without smooching anyone too much. The actor delivers his best performance by far, that will undoubtedly make you realize that he is an actor whom directors haven’t used adequately.

Konkona Sen Sharma is dynamic and epic. That woman’s versatility glitters a little more with every film she does. Effortlessly top notch, one cannot expect anything less from this fabulous actress. Always a treat to watch her on screen!

Huma Qureshi has a remarkably pleasant and confident screen presence. And Kalki Kochelin, who is an established actor in her own right, goes haywire because of loosely written character.

The kid who plays the younger Emraan gives a mesmerizing performance and notably so does Pavan Malhotra.

Ek Thi Daayan Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Debutant director Kannan Iyer smoothly masters the genre of the paranormal. Despite being a novice, his intelligent camera work is jolting and scares you well. The film aptly uses darkness, without trying too hard to spook you out yet not patting you off to sleep. Its pace isn’t hasty, the film’s boredom seeps in only when the screenplay is murdered post interval.

Intensely ideated undoubtedly, the film is simply symbolic of excellent cinematic vision which fails for its poor execution. Iyer manages multiple parallel plots and converges them scattered-ly in the climax . The melodious music of the film’s album pleasantly haunts especially Yaaram which will stay on the loop for you, for a while. The make up of the Daayans deserve a special mention, which actually adds remarkably to the film’s horror flavor.

Ek Thi Daayan Review: The Last Word

Ek Thi Daayan is an enriching idea of a supernatural thriller that blends the fear of paranormal with ethnic stories of Daayans, grandmothers had narrated to us as kids. The ambience it creates eventually dooms for its wavering second half and shakily written screenplay. Beginning a fresh trend in horror films, it disappoints solely for its inability to deliver innovation as promised. It is indeed watchable, but only for its first part. However, do not go with heightened expectations presuming a classic, since the second half might dampen your spirits!

Ek Thi Daayan Trailer

Ek Thi Daayan released on 19th April, 2013.

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Commando Movie Poster

Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two and a half Stars)

Star cast: Vidyut Jamwal, Pooja Chopra, Jaideep Ahlawat

Director: Dilip Ghosh

What’s Good: The brilliantly choreographed action sequences, Vidyut Jamwal, some faaru one liners and Jaideep Ahlawat’s villainous act.

What’s Bad: Debutante Pooja Chopra’s gibberish ‘bak bak’, the loose plot, the lack luster treatment to the underlying story and an unnecessary item song dashed in just for the sake of it.

Loo break: Not one, if you love action but once, maybe if you aren’t much of an action fanatic!

Watch or Not?: Commando is an out and out Vidyut Jamwal film that provides him with the platform to showcase his martial arts genius with immense aplomb and in full volumes! So its definitely worth a watch.

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Right-away you are drawn into the life of a para-Commando officer Karanvir Dogra (Vidyut Jamwal) who crashes into the Chinese territory who thereby manipulates the system by convening him as an Indian spy whilst his nation disowns him and his credibility. Parallel to his misfortune is the district of Dalerkot, troubled by the local gunda AK 74 (Jaydeep Ahlawat) who is deeply in love with Simrit (Pooja Chopra), much due to the political gains and profits that he can derive out of the story’s ladylove! Simrit tries to flee and ends up meeting the escapist Karan who vows to help her in shunning away from the shackles of AK. What follows is a cat and mouse chase, a fight to the finish with a lot of game plays and grueling action scenes that packs in the right punch, much like a slice out of the Assasins Creed game-play. Amidst all this hoolaboo it is the soft and coy love brewing between the two main characters that takes a different route altogether as Karan is thrown off to death. Will Karan come back and save his ladylove from AK? Will he regain the respect he deserved but ultimately lost at the hands of the corrupted political Indian brainchild?

Vidyut Jamwal (Commando Movie Stills)

Commando Review: Script Analysis

Though the film is bearable, thanks to a certain Vidyut Jamwal and his exceptional stunts but Commando fails on the script front as the narrative is too loosely bound. With a not-so-gripping story and abundant lack of emotions in most portions, the script gets major thumbs down.

The dialogues come handy and create an impact. From the ‘mardaangi’ lines to the heavyweight and clichéd ‘aadmi uth jaata hai’ line revamped, Vidyut and Jaideep share the best lines from the film. While Simrit’s parents are brutally killed in an accident right in front of her eyes, she merely watches with wide eyed vision, barely evoking the emotion of pathos or loss even for once. Plus the climax where the girl power was expected to be rebuked, Pooja Chopra’s thappars fall seriously flat in a film packed with high octane action scenes and more so, because she lost everything and yet manages to giggle around! Stupid or bimbettish, whatever you may call it, indigestible is what we can say!

Commando Review: Star Performances

Commando is definitely a One Man Army, all the way. The man here in question is Vidyut Jamwal. Jamwal, who looted all hearts with full Force some one and half years ago brings back his voluminous talents to the fore, giving away one of the best action performances in this decade. From climbing roofs to walk-past-sliding-car-windows, this B-town hunk made it look like a cakewalk, Rajnikanth ishtyle, but with a lot more flourish and conviction! Clearly the new Khiladi that Bollywood has been gifted with; Vidyut manages to bamboozle the audience with every action set-piece, clearly sculpted out for him. And with that amazingly sculpted hot-bod, this action superman is here to stay. Pooja Chopra delivers an okayish performance with nothing much to highlight about as she painfully tries the echo the lines from Kareena’s Jab We Met in typical aped-Geet avatar. Expectedly, she fails miserably. Jaideep Ahlawat as the menacing AK stuns the audience with an enthralling villainous act, sans his eyeballs. And his sudden outbreak into Santa-Banta chut-kule mode adds to the hilarious content of the film, too!

Commando Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Evidently a film, tailor made for Vidyut Jamwal, Dilip Ghosh, as the director has very little to do as the film pounces more on action sequences than the dramatic scenes. Nevertheless, the plot about rescuing the girl and fleeing from the gundays in the forest (remember Koyla anyone?) falls much short, courtesy the half hearted direction and lackluster treatment by the director. Music by Manan Shah is not one to go gaga about and Amitabh Shukla’s editing is snappy as well as snazzy in portions. Sejal Shah’s beautiful cinematography infuses life and a tinge of burnished hue to the film, set in the forested areas of the Himachal-Punjab border. Yet the icing on the cake would definitely be the brilliantly choreographed and filmed death-defying action sequences and stunts performed by Vidyut Jamwal and his team, creating a jaw dropping ambience for the audience as the crowd roared with ceetees and the taalis!

Commando Review: The Last Word

Watch Commando for Vidyut Jamwal as he pours his hearts and his brains out to deliver an unmatchable action packed performance, easily establishing himself as the newest contender for the Khiladi tag! But if you aren’t an action fanatic, you might just end up disliking the film, as it does not have anything else to offer.

Commando Trailer

Commando released on 12th April, 2013.

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Nautanki Saala Movie Poster

Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two and a half star)

Star cast: Ayushmann Khurrana, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Pooja Salvi, Gaelyn Mendonca, Evelyn Sharma, Abhishek Bachchan (Cameo)

Director: Rohan Sippy

What’s Good: Its comic set pieces, acting performances and the visual treats given by its artistic environments.

What’s Bad: The film’s failed attempts at evoking the audience’s emotions, some flat scenes, cheesy dialogues.

Loo Break: During the second half, before the climax.

Watch or Not? The issue with Nautanki Saala is that it is enjoyable in bits, and in parts wherein it isn’t fun, it gets kind of bothering. Ayushmann and Kunaal Roy Kapur pull off superb performances in their respective bids to try and make the film a pleasing experience for all.

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This film is a perfect example of unharnessed potential from an indeed fascinating idea. Its script is built on around a play called Raavanleela which is being directed and acted in by Ram Parmar aka RP (Ayushmann Khurrana). Playing none other than Raavan in the Broadway-like production which is a far cry from what the actual theatre productions in Mumbai look like, he’s finding it difficult to juggle work and his live-in girlfriend Chitra (Gaelyn Mendonca). Amidst all this enters Mandar Lele (Kunaal Roy Kapur), a suicidal heartbroken lover who, let’s say, hasn’t taken his separation from Nandini (Pooja Salvi) in good spirits. RP saves Mandar’s life, and in the bargain, gets this strange unjustified urge to unite him with Nandini again. And then the inevitable: he himself falls for her, and thus begins the turmoil of a Raavan trying to woo the Sita away from an oblivious Ram.

Pooja Salvi, Kunaal Roy Kapur and Ayushmann Khurrana (Nautanki Saala Movie Stills)

Nautanki Saala Review: Script Analysis

The problem here is that the script doesn’t even try to get its act together and deliver something interesting. Relationships remain unexplored, characters stay shallow, and then, as if an inevitability, the support of melodrama and wishy-washy dialogues is called for by the writers. Although comic capers and hilarious sequences do give you a lot to please yourselves with all throughout, the main characters have very little depth for you to be able to relate to them. Take for instance Nandini. Having left her husband Mandar against her wishes and on the insistence of his grandmother, this professional florist shows little or no remorse when switching between boyfriends every now and then. RP’s friendship with Mandar develops off-camera, and we never know when they become “BFFs.” The parallels with the staged Ramayan in RP’s play are some aspects where the script could easily have gained sheen, but it fails in doing that as well.

Nautanki Saala Review: Star Performances

It’s Ayushmann Khurrana all along. The chap, who made an impressive debut with the bold yet poignant Vicky Donor, steals the thunder in Nautanki Saala. His composed reactions and his ability to seamlessly convey comic, romantic as well as touching emotions give us some positives to take home. Kunaal Roy Kapur plays his part earnestly too, and manages to give the cold script some much needed fervour. Gaelyn Mendonca, as the supportive Chitra and Pooja Salvi, as the distressed Nandini, both do justice to their roles, but fail to leave a lasting impact. A special mention should go to Sanjeev Bhatt for his side-splitting reprisal of Chandra, the producer. His peculiar performance punctuated excellently by hilarious tidbits is highlight of the film.

Nautanki Saala Review: Direction, Music and Technical Aspects

Director Rohan Sippy fills Nautanki Saala with abundant comic sequences, and he does so with finesse, but he somehow loses his focus when it comes to building the momentum towards the climax. He at times, seems unsure what he really wants from his scenes which often fall flat, ready to be salvaged by the actors. His visual flair however is something that cannot be ignored. From the colourful theatre production to the hard-to-find picturesque locations in Mumbai, he rarely has his frames lack flamboyance.

Songs don’t seem to have been forced, and moreover, they are music to your ears. We once again witness the brilliant singing prowess of Ayushmann in the soulful Saadi Galli, whereas Falak Shabir’s Mera Mann Kehne Laga is enjoyable as well. But the point here is that the songs blend with the film’s premise easily, which is what gives them the added appeal. Nautanki Saala’s art direction and production values are worth special attention, as they manage to turn it into a visual extravaganza.

Nautanki Saala Review: The Last Word

This film suffers because its script never really realizes its own true potential. What could have been a perfectly told Ramayan-induced romantic tale with friendship as a side-addition meanders from this and that, failing to find its groove. The actors gleefully manage to salvage the vessel, with Ayushmann playing the captain. Nautanki Saala is a small-budget entertainer which entertains, but with mild doses of disdain. Watch this film with a light heart, and don’t expect to get either blown away or emotionally drained by it.

Nautanki Saala Trailer

Nautanki Saala released on 12th April, 2013.

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Chashme Baddoor Review (Chashme Baddoor Movie Poster)

Rating: 3/5 stars (Three-Stars)

Star cast: Ali Zafar, Siddharth, Divyendu Sharma, Rishi Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Taapsee Pannu

Director: David Dhawan

What’s Good: David Dhawan easily surpasses the standards he had set for himself by giving the 1981 classic Chashme Baddoor an unusually quirky and unthinkable comic dimension.

What’s Bad: Despite coming of age, it is hard for Dhawan to miss out on his trademark slapstick genre of comedy which as usual gets a little unbearable at places.

Loo break: None.

Watch or Not?: The Chashme Baddoor remake comes as a pleasantly surprising tale from the house of Dhawans, abundant in humor and not slapstick buffoonery. Rendering a modern angle to the classic story, the film interestingly tugs at our nostalgic beads, remaining innovative making this one of the most remarkable romantic comedies of recent times. Hit the theatres armed with coke and popcorn, you wouldn’t want to miss this one!

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The story opens in Goa retelling the old story of three friends, Sid, Jai and Omi. While the latter two waste a considerable amount of resources and energy chasing ladies, it is the humble Sid who strikingly contrasts them. Sid successfully woos the flatteringly pleasing Seema, while his friends are surprisingly left chasing.

Taking offense to their loss, Jai and Omi decide to play villains the Sid-Seema’s blooming love tale. Building up to a laugh riot of an ending, the film’s worth every bit of it!

Siddharth, Taapsee Pannu, Divyendu Sharma and Ali Zafar (Chashme Baddoor Movie Stills)

Chashme Baddoor Review: Script Analysis

It was a daunting task to venture into remaking a cult film like Chashme Baddoor. The film is a proclaimed classic which made the yesteryear’s Deepti Naval-Farooque Sheikh pair a celebrated hit! This film has almost nothing like its predecessor given the new age, contemporary set up and the change of relationship dynamics since then.

The scriptwriters walk away with ample credit for giving the story a refreshing tapestry. Forbidding to sway around Dhawan’s trademark genre of comedy, the story’s narrative is not tedious or stretched! Maintaining to keep the film engaging till the very end, the film amuses us at every alternate scene.

I specifically was impressed with the way Chamko scene was dealt with. Refusing to reduce its original value, the scene was duly given to veteran actors to be handled. Spoofing up Bollywood with intelligent ironies, the film delivers intriguing rhymes and puns, giving us a few hilarious dialogues!

The story brilliantly focuses eloquently on the trio’s friendship and bromance keeping the film cheerful and perky.

Chashme Baddoor Review: Star Performances

While Ali Zafar has improved manifolds, he more often than not, falls short of leveling up to the Farooque Sheikh standard of work. I could have easily omitted the comparison, yet it comes almost naturally given the film’s invariably obvious link.

Ali Zafar still valiantly makes the attempt to match up to the yesteryear actor. His pretty little co-star fails dismally at it. Not having an ounce of Deepti Naval’s extravagant screen presence, grace and class, Taapsee is a disappointment despite a pleasing screen presence.

Siddharth is brilliant. His suave charm will remind us why despite a loaded star cast, he managed to get the women swooning over him post Rang De Basanti. The actor hasn’t lost his edge to match up to a strong script and stronger co-actors. We definitely must see a lot more of him in Bollywood, for the better!

Liquid ji ki Jai ho! Divyendu’s comic timing is impeccable and smart! The scriptwriter has been lenient on both Siddharth and Divyendu giving them the film’s more latently held meatier roles of being the mouthpiece. Muttering rhyming couplets and hilarious poetry, they will truly impress you. With an overtly overpowering screen presence, Chashme Baddoor belongs to Siddharth and Divyendu more than anyone else.

The veterans do not even need a mention. Undoubtedly doing their best, Lillette Dubey, Rishi Kapoor and Anupam Kher are ace at their work. Anupam Kher’s role is reminiscent of the No 1 Dhawan series of films and will make fondly miss Govinda’s buffoonery he was so darn good at.

Chashme Baddoor Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

While the pain of the last week’s remake, still lingers on largely, David Dhawan comes up as a pleasant surprise for us! Quite unexpectedly, he manages to reform his work given the times in Bollywood. He ascends his standard of work managing to deliver a film as brilliant as Chashme Baddoor. Don’t expect a classic, but expect laughter, fun and immensely fulfilling entertainment. The film hasn’t been remade scene by scene, but it is its overwhelming essence which deserves a pat. The way I see it, this is Dhawan’s redemption for making us watch all the weird kind of Number 1 films which were so intolerable and stupid.

The dialogue writer shrewdly gives to his lines the wit and intellect of his thinking. At places, the lines come across as stupidly absurd, but nevertheless, you will still find yourself smiling!

The music is well placed without interfering with the film’s flow. All in all, it is impressive that Chashme Baddoor is anything but disappointing.

Chashme Baddoor Review: The Last Word

Chashme Baddoor is a creatively made remake, which refreshingly refashions its predecessor. David Dhawan has finally managed to leave his flamboyance back in the 90s, coming of age giving his genius the undue pending credit of years. The film valiantly holds its ground with humor and hilarious poetry. This one is a definite must watch!

Chashme Baddoor Trailer

Chashme Baddoor released on 5th April, 2013.

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Himmatwala Movie Poster

Rating: 1.5/5 stars (One-and-half-Stars)

Star cast: Ajay Devgn, Tamannaah, Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar, Zarina Wahab, Asrani

Director: Sajid Khan

What’s Good: The film is exactly as good as its 1983 version

What’s Bad: Un-hilarious stupidity and the tediously long narrative leaves you gasping

Loo break: Just stay in the loo. Don’t bother coming back!

Watch or Not?: Sajid Khan’s Himmatwala is not a remake but a bland spoof devoid of any logic. It is stupid and exhaustingly long. This one is surely a feat, the audiences aren’t supposed to swallow down seriously!

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Fashioned exactly on the same story as its 1983 saga, the story is typical of that era.

Wronged mother, Savitri raises her son, Ravi to be strong enough to avenge the brutalities they have faced. Added with a Shakespearean sprinkle of Romeo and Juliet, enemies Ravi and Rekha fall for each other giving the film a love angle.

You must have surely chanced upon Jeetendra and Sridevi’s Himmatwala! This is way worse given its 2013 and not 1983.

Tamannaah and Ajay Devgn (Himmatwala Movie Stills)

Himmatwala Review: Script Analysis

I don’t think anyone except Sajid Khan could have found the script of Himmatwala interesting. Most ordinarily placed, the film is a merely blown up, melodramatically written revenge tale with not an ounce of intelligence in it. Sajid Khan goes a step forward to severe an already botched up over the top, nonsense script! Tailoring it to suit his whims, many crucial characters are unduly omitted while unimpressively few needless ones were added. If this is mainstream Bollywood, many of us would be thankful we weren’t sensible enough to understand the 80s’ genre of cinema as kids!

In the film, perhaps the most notable moment was Ajay’s fight sequence with the tiger that leapt out straight from the sets of Ang Lee’s Life of Pi. The script pointlessly wavers without any strong substance weaving out long standing animosities and romance in the most clichéd way possible. That precisely is the point, the film works on clichés and if entertainment means that to you, you can have your pick and wallow in the dreadful pool of crass.

Himmatwala Review: Star Performances

Personally, the film made me miss the intense and passionate actor Ajay Devgn was, before mindless comedies got the better of him! He is obviously way more Himmatwala than Jeetendra was and performs his stunts with inexplicable exhibition of power and strength. Often you might chance glimpses of the serious actor he was, but the script with its dim witted dialogues and spoofy gags kills those moments unceremoniously. The film will be a sad cue for Rajinikanth however, because our leading man won against a tiger, fought off enemies with mandir ke ghante and with such ease picks up carts. All that was left for Khan to make Devgn do was climb Mount Everest without oxygen or feet!

Tamannaah is a disappointment. With a tendency of getting lost in a flood of actors, she fails dismally for her dull screen presence. She tried her best to replicate Sridevi’s Rekha, with a commendably visible honest effort but that’s all for her.

Mahesh Manjrekar almost matches up to Amjad Khan’s Sher Singh and that alone is a compliment by itself. He puts his acting and notoriety skills to good use on screen, giving a ridiculous film few worthwhile and enriching moments.

Zarina Wahab is adequate in the role of strong willed Savitri. Her versatility could have been used more, but perhaps Sajid Khan prefers seriousness limited, looming large at places in his films.

It is Paresh Rawal who once again brings on screen sheer brilliance. As Narayan Das, he easily surpasses Kader Khan who played the loyalist in the original flick. With a perfect sense of acting timing, he towers over his co-actors who have meatier roles in the film.

Thank God, Sajid Khan was considerate enough to give us a musical respite. 6 dazzling item beauties of which you’ll definitely not miss Sonakshi Sinha. However her gorgeous looks are dampened by the less energetic and dwindling disco track she sleep-dances through!

Himmatwala Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

While harsh words ain’t really my style of expressing, it is the turmoil Sajid Khan unnecessarily puts us through that gives mouth to the imp inside me. Luckily, the director refrains from recreating the original scene by scene, sparing us anymore pathos than the film already is. However, he deserves credit for understanding the 80s’ genre of cinema in all its ornate frames and glossy flamboyance, almost alien to most of us bred largely in the nourishing air of intelligent contemporary cinema.

Technically, he has given a more lustrous look to the original Himmatwala, which is good. But still one would wonder if it is worth it, since it is surely no masterpiece and definitely no one really asked for a remake of it!

Composed of a few indecipherable lectures, the film drags on its drudgery for a painful two and half hours. Repetitive dialogues loaded with dim wit, the film could have done with some vital editing. The music is decent with the good ol’ Taathaiya bringing alive a fuzzy nostalgic feel with it. The film’s cinematography, dialogues and editing all could have used some neat work, yet they aren’t the reasons for it to fail.

Alas, it’s Sajid, Sajid, Sajid alone!

Himmatwala Review: The Last Word

Himmatwala demands excessive himmat from the audiences to sustain it through all its exasperating buffoonery laced with dim witted stupidity. Walk out of hall and queue up for the refund Sajid Khan promised you. See you there!

Himmatwala Trailer

Himmatwala released on 29th March, 2013.

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Rangrezz Movie Poster

Rating: 2/5 stars (Two-Star)

Star cast: Jackky Bhagnani, Amitosh Nagpal, Vijay Verma, Rajpal Yadav, Priya Anand

Director: Priyadarshan

What’s Good: The film’s honesty is its sole USP. Period!

What’s Bad: Lack of able screen presence of its actors. Despite a decently impressive script, the execution is done rather sloppily.

Loo break: For sure! 

Watch or Not?: Rangrezz’s sincerity is killed by the mere lack of good actors in the film. I still recommend this film for its eye opening take on love.

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While the fever of bromance on its peak, following the Kai Po Che fervor, here’s another film trying to use the same concept, to build their story on. Living in the populous city of Mumbai, Rishi, Winu and Pakya are buddies for life. They have wonderfully assorted their respective dreams of vocation and marriage, negating all the eventually destined unharmonious circumstances of life.

The tranquility takes an unusual turn when Rishi’s childhood pal Joy tries to kill himself over a girl. The friends eagerly want to help the heartbroken lover and hence decide to embark on the ridiculous journey to abduct lover boy’s girl.

What follows is an interesting perspective on the modern day love, where the eternal and forever tenure lasts not more than a few months. Passion kept at the helm, most love stories are lust driven without an inkling of real feeling, and hence falls apart at the most whimsical of reasons causing turmoil to each other and others who have their faith on them.

Jackky Bhagnani, Amitosh Nagpal and Vijay Verma (Rangrezz Movie Stills)

Rangrezz Review: Script Analysis

The script scores for it’s wonderfully thought climax. I was especially impressed with the writer’s creative bent to conceive a thought provoking and unusual take on otherwise rather delved into concept of love and relationships. There is a good blend of intelligence and drama. It is the film’s melodrama that makes it a tad bit too unbearable. Selflessly getting maimed and ending up handicapped for people that they don’t know at all is something you wouldn’t want to buy. Whilst the happy ending element has been taken too seriously, not to mention that cliché is reemphasized stronger in the film. Besides that for the climax alone, the film is worth it. Picking up pace in the second half, the film does get much better towards the end.

Rangrezz Review: Star Performances

Jackky Bhagnani has improved manifolds since his last on screen venture. The film is loaded with intense dramatic sequences as well as action stunts; one can clearly see him earnestly doing his best at holding his ground. Despite having the meatiest role of all, he scores low mainly because of his dull screen presence and fails at the quintessential ability of a good actor to deliver and emote impeccably for his audiences.

Amitosh Nagpal valiantly survives his act without very visible blotches.

It is Vijay Verma whose impressive work you’ll remember the most while summarizing the film mentally. His colloquial language with an apt reproduction of nascent mannerisms of his character, this man is really good at his work.

Rajpal Yadav, being the seasoned actor he is does his part well. What’s sad is the man’s potential has been ignored and left unutilized the film.

Rangrezz Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

The film has recorded magnanimous success in four vernacular films. Does that past record add volume to the film? Perhaps, yes. The film wouldn’t be half as watchable without Priyadarshan behind its wheels. The man given his legendary stature knows the right way to extract out the best from his actors who are rather unpolished in their work. He deserves the due credit to be able to bring out the nitty gritty details of the characters well and use them adequately in the film.

The film’s dramatic hilt is entirely woven by him straw by straw and despite bordering on preaching, it safely remains in the domain of dramatic. The film’s music reeks of typical Sajid Wajid style which is frankly disappointing. The tunes and the music mores sound no different from their earlier works like in Dabangg 2. ‘Govinda ala re’ was the most striking one of the lot. Yet, it is the predictability of the music which will make it bland.

The screenplay could have been penned down better and does not do enough justice to the film’s script.

Rangrezz Review: The Last Word

Rangrezz does its best to enthuse a fresh perspective on the clichéd tale of love, which is commendable. However, the movie fails for its lusterless screenplay and dull stars that leave the audiences famished despite an intriguing plot.

Rangrezz Trailer

Rangrezz released on 21st March, 2013.

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Aatma Movie Poster

Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two-and-half-Star)

Star cast: Bipasha Basu, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Doyel Dhawan, Shernaz Patel, Jaideep Ahlawat

Director: Suparn Verma

What’s Good: Nawazuddin’s acting, Sound, lighting and art direction

What’s Bad: The unnatural reactions, Undue dramatizing during vital scenes

Loo break: You might get panicky, and then it’s recommended

Watch or Not?: For those who dig psychological thrillers, like psychosomatic acts and enjoy inducing fear in themselves no matter what. 

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Nawazuddin plays Abhay, a psychotic husband who abuses and harasses his wife Maya, played by Bipasha Basu. The couple’s divorce and their subsequent fight over their daughter, Nia’s (Doyel) custody sets the tone for this movie.

The movie revolves around the departed father’s desperate desire to be reunited with his daughter in his dead world, while Maya, an apprehensive mother, attempts to rescue Nia from the “Aatma”. Due to Nia’s huge affection towards her father, he gradually possesses her and makes her hate her own Mother. Maya on the other hand, shares her anxiety with her mother (Shernaz Patel) and others to help her rescue her daughter from her dead husband’s malevolent grasp. Plenty of threatening events bother Maya’s life but she doesn’t give up hope. With the number of vicious attacks on the rise, the audience is left speculating about the outcome of this perilous journey.

Bipasha Basu and Doyel Dhawan (Aatma Movie Stills)

Aatma Review: Script Analysis

Nothing is superior to a paranormal existence. If no single force on the earth can slay the intentions of a supernatural creature even after applying all possible sources, then what can cause it to stop? This is fundamentally the underlying quest developed from the script.

Even so, the concept is done to death and has nothing substantially unique to offer. The screenplay by Suparn Verma is upright and blameless. Yes, there is some melodrama during vibrant scenes but that is excusable.

Taking the dialogues into consideration, there weren’t any spooky wordplay or wisecracks by Nawazuddin. However, in Psycho thrillers or horrors, some strength on the dialogues can enhance the movie.

Aatma Review: Star Performances

After successfully exposing himself as a ‘Mafia’ in Gangs of Wasseypur, Nawazuddin has pulled off yet another exhilarating role of a ‘Psychotic Ghost’ in Aatma. He has indeed given proper justice to his role. 

Bipasha’s act isn’t very impressive since it is very similar to any female protagonist in a horror movie. Nevertheless, she has done justice to the role. Doyel Dhawan, on the other hand managed to portray her character impeccably. Shernaz Patel depicts a sympathetic and understanding mother. Apart from her “uncalled-for extravagant act”, she is fine.

Jaideep Ahlawat, well known for his role as Shahid Khan in Gangs of Wasseypur, couldn’t tie the same standard by the role of a Police inspector.

Aatma Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

As the movie begins, the very first treat to your eyes is the art direction fashioned for Doyel Dhawan’s room. Unfortunately this treat is limited to the room only. Production designer Sukant Panigrahy couldn’t maintain that further. The effort on lighting to create a thrilling environment is satisfactory. Also the sound design by Nimish Chedda is adequate enough to provoke fear in the audience.

Editor Hemal Kothari has performed an admirable job to bring a creepy feel to the movie. Even though music isn’t a major requirement of the genre, lyricist Kumaar has written 4 songs for the movie. Amongst these, “Aaja Nindiya” sung by Sangeet Haldipur delivers a sensitive trace to the film.

Director Suparn Verma has placed his accurate attention in the sectors of acting and screenplay thus making the film substantial in the horror zone.

Aatma Review: The Last Word

Aatma is just another ordinary horror story but with a pinch of fine acting by the lead stars. It is recommended for those who believe in spirits coming to haunt you and execute all fatal shots in order to make your life hell.

Aatma Trailer

Aatma released on 22nd March, 2013.

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Mere Dad Ki Maruti Movie Poster

Rating: 3/5 stars (Three-Star)

Star cast: Ram Kapoor, Saqib Saleem, Rhea Chakraborty, Prabal Punjabi and Ravi Kishan

Director: Ashima Chibber

What’s Good: The quirky, mad-mad comic elements, the witty dialogues, the sudden break-into-YashRaj-films modes, performances of Prabal Punjabi, Saqib and Ram in the given order!

What’s Bad: The abrupt climax and the emotional flavor towards the end. Few loose ends in the plot.

Loo break: Not really unless you don’t get the humour!

Watch or Not?: Mere Dad Ki Maruti is a typical comic caper but with a contemporary twist. Watch it and rollick in bouts of lot-pot wala laughter.

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The no-mard of the Khullar family, Sameer Khullar (Saqib Saleem) is nothing but a no-sense useless brat, tired by the daily miseries caused by his staunch and khadus dad, Tej (Ram Kapoor)! Tej, the DAD, is kanjoos and loves getting things FREE! But there is one wish he needs to fulfill: a Maruti car that he wants to vidaa his soon-to-be-wed-daughter in! The Punjabi wedding, which serves as the perfect backdrop of the perky and crazily dysfunctional family, results in a course of mayhem when Sameer, the ullu da pattha, ponders on a dream date with The Chandigarh di Shakira aka Jasleen (oops, sorry its Jazleen, played by debutante Rhea Chakraborty) and ends up losing his Dad ki Maruti. What follows then is a fight to the finish battle between Sameer’s idiocrasy and intelligence to get back his Dad’s Maruti back on time!

Landing up in a No-Man’s Land, Sameer Khullar, does almost everything: from churaofying someone else’s’ Maruti to taking help from the local goons with a fierce Ravi Kishan pounding his paws upon the happy go lucky Khullar lad. With his BFAM (Brother from another Mother, silly!) Gattu (Prabal Punjabi) and his ladylove Jazzleen by his side, Sameer embarks on his journey from the insane to the insaan. Will Sameer be able to find his Dad’s lost car? Will Sameer and Tej put an end to their volatile baap v/s beta relationship?

Ram Kapoor and Saqib Saleem (Mere Dad Ki Maruti Movie Stills)

Mere Dad Ki Maruti Review: Script Analysis

The script deserves double thumbs up for the beautifully penned and astonishingly witty one-liners used. From the deliberate references to the DDLJ or the Chak De India and the other YRF encounters, the dialogues serve as the flawless ingredient in this brouhaha of things gone worse! The plot is refreshingly new and the usual predictable story is infused life with a powerful narrative. Characters are relatively well sketched and appealing to all ages. The dialogues like the famous ‘sattar minute’ from Chak de revamped with the youth and you guessed it right, the Maruti feel deserves an applause. But what stole all the ceetee was definitely that one line mouthed by Gattu, which stood out as the perfect solution to all problems: ‘iamsrk ko tweet karke bolte hai aapne followers ko bole 1 rupae karke donate karne ke liye. 25 lakh toh waise hi aa jayenge’. But the climax scene involving too much of tear-jerking and sensitivity surely puts you through an unwanted emotional wringer, which could have well been avoided. Plus, the climax is a little too abrupt!

Mere Dad Ki Maruti Review: Star Performances

Playing the temperamental and always screaming Punjabi dad with aplomb and panache, Ram Kapoor definitely deserves a lot more, given his excellent ability to emote. The switch-over towards the climax is simply breathtaking.

Saqib Saleem as Sameer Khullar adds to the perfect mix of dumbness and wit and is a sure winner. Rhea Chakraborty, effortlessly plays the dumb and self obsessed bimbette Jasleen with the much needed doltishness which is just on the levels of getting irritating, but she stops at the right juncture. Nevertheless, Rhea in her neon salwar suits, lehngas and the infamous short tees and hot pants tries to do an Anushka Sharma, sans the immense acting consort that our Akira is profound of.

Coming to the supporting cast which balances this mad cap family caper oh-so-brilliantly, it is Prabal Punjabi and his terrific timing that keeps you on the edge of your seats, LOL-ing around! He sure gets the best lines and the chemistry between the two brothers seem to shade out the dull chemistry between the lead pair. Ravi Kishan as the no-nonsense goon is okayish.

Mere Dad Ki Maruti Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

The music of the film is already creating a buzz with Punjabiyan Di Battery ruling charts. But the rest of the songs from the album are just okayish and a little too outlandish at times! Sachin Gupta’s music is good but not something masterly

Mere Dad Ki Maruti Review: The Last Word

Mere Dad Ki Maruti is just another really well made small budgeted film that tickles your funny bones, breaking you down into fits of unforced giggles and laughter! Give your popcorn a miss and enjoy this mad cap comic caper as it will be worth your time and money! Waste feil gayi, yaar!

Mere Dad Ki Maruti Trailer

Mere Dad Ki Maruti released on 15th March, 2013.

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Jolly LLB Movie Poster

Rating: 3/5 stars (Three-Star)

Star cast: Arshad Warsi, Amrita Rao, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla

Director: Subhash Kapoor

What’s Good: A sharply made satire that doesn’t switch into a preachy mode.

What’s Bad: The music just doesn’t fit into the plot.

Loo break: None.

Watch or Not?: Jolly LLB is an enjoyable film filled with quirky humor. It doesn’t rant off bantering needlessly for the sake of humor. Sticking strictly to the plot, the film delivers brilliantly, the discrepancies of the Indian Judicial system.

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The story is a slice of David and Goliath fitted smartly in a legal drama. Young lawyer Jagdish Tyagi aka Jolly is frustrated with his legal career going nowhere. He leaves Meerut and moves to Delhi in search of thriving opportunities. Easy popularity comes knocking on his door when he tries to en-cash some residual fame off a Land Cruiser hit-and-run case fashioned on the similar BMW case of Sanjeev Nanda, by filing a PIL.

Pitted against the very best lawyer Rajpal, who shrewdly scores over Jolly by virtue of his obvious position, stature he has attained in his profession and experience, this fight isn’t an easy one.

Jolly suddenly finds himself down from every side with manipulations and threats coming his way. Truth demands strength! So can Jolly uncover the intricacies of the case, and fight the likes of such powerful men? What unfolds is a fascinating legal drama, harsh face offs and a strong ending.

Arshad Waris and Boman Irani (Jolly LLB Movie Stills)

Jolly LLB Review: Script Analysis

The script isn’t a very elaborate one, but surely leaves room for a brilliant screenplay to flow. Picking up largely from reality, the story brings forward the loopholes of the entire justice system of India, which at its core is flawed. Every character is created in a non preachy way, but intends to point out their hapless victimization at the hands of law. Characters like Kaul Sa’ab, the canteen owner who couldn’t get justice for his daughter, raped and murdered or the scene where the judge talks about the number of pending cases in court; one is forced to realize that speedy justice is a myth in this country.

However, the evident humor of the story lingers on. I particularly like the scene where a police constable auctions postings. The story anchors on reality and it won’t be wrong to say reality in India is in a very sorry state. Despite a very slim plot, a loaded screenplay does the magic for this film.

Jolly LLB Review: Star Performances

It is a sheer delight to watch Boman Irani and Arshad Warsi antagonistically pitted against each other. They simply carry forward the film, most effortlessly. Arshad exhibits many shades of humor, nervousness as well as confidence and frustration immensely well

Boman Irani will somehow manage to strike you more. He is classily manipulative, shows arrogance in the most stellar way and even when his character is most shaky given the circumstances, this man brings alive on screen most flawlessly the psyche of a towering legal giant.

The judge who-knows-it-all, Saurabh Shukla plays his part naturally, with so much ease. It is the perfect choice of actors, which makes this film strong!

Amrita Rao could have been avoided in the film altogether. Though she is immensely pleasant, she and her role have nothing to contribute in the film.

Jolly LLB Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Subhash Kapoor is an ace director. Keeping the narrative simple, he maintains the film’s rhythm grounded in the satirical humor of the story. His critiquing is honest and strongly borrows from a general pathos towards our judiciary and portrays it garbed in humor. Jolly LLB though a light hearted film will evoke concern for the state of affairs in our country, corruption et al.

The screenplay is fabulously done. Everyone in the film has well etched out parts. It harnesses well Boman and Arshad’s on screen chemistry. Kapoor lets the screenplay flow well, without adding any airs; the film turns out quite well on that.

However, I sincerely wish, the makers had omitted the almost weird music bit of the film. Seriously, what was that!

Jolly LLB Review: The Last Word

Jolly LLB is a witty satire on the corruptible legal space of India. Craftily made, the film makes for a good humorous, thought evoking watch!

Jolly LLB Trailer

Jolly LLB released on 15th March, 2013.

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3G Movie Poster

Rating: 1.5/5 stars (One-and-half-Star)

Star cast: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sonal Chauhan, Mrinalini Sharma.

Director: Sheershak Anand, Shantanu Ray Chhibber

What’s Good: The creativity that’s poured during the titles; The unintentional comedy.

What’s Bad: The pitiable dialogue delivery, effortless dubbing at times and the repetitive thrills throughout. The acting part is understood.

Loo break: As soon as any songs commences.

Watch or Not?: The movie is pleasurable to those who are fond of Sonal Chauhan in a bikini, the ones who get excited by onscreen kissing and those who haven’t seen Fiji.

User Rating:

Sam (Neil Nitin Mukesh) bestows a surprise visit to his girlfriend Sheena (Sonal Chuhan) at Fiji. Flabbergasted Sheena hugs Sam tightly causing his phone to sink in the water. Later on when they set out to purchase a new phone, Sam’s interest is grabbed by a second hand instrument. Nonetheless he is satisfied after verifying that the phone supports 3G facility which apparently is his only pre-requisite.

Whilst the couple is having a wonderful time romancing, one particular night, Sam receives a call from an unknown number which happens to be a lady shattering out from pain (Mrinalini Sharma). Sam overlooks and lets it go. But this scenario repeats itself constantly and throws Sam in a mental disturbance in due course.

Sheena, who initially presumes this to be a mocking, later gets petrified when the effects are applied on her.

Both Sam and Sheena chase to find the origin of this catastrophe. They unlock a lot of information by encountering different people in their pursuit. The hunt carries them to the root cause of the mystery and then major matter starts unfolding logically or illogically. The audience tends to be intolerant rather than thrilled on the worry of ‘how will the end justify it all?’

Sonal Chauhan and Neil Nitin Mukesh (3G Movie Stills)

3G Review: Script Analysis

The script had a good potential but the writer lacked in planning it appropriately. Also the screenplay might be a puzzle for a majority of the audience. The attempt to render a successful thrilling effect is futile because of the cliché situations. There is no area of sensibility whatsoever. The cursed phone owned by Sam doesn’t break even after applying all methods under the universe. Efforts are certainly taken by mentioning a fact that the word ‘auroboro’ means “a snake eating his own tail” and how that’s linked to spirits being immortal and stuff.

The exertions taken on the dialogues are equivalent to the ones projected in a 10^th Grade school drama. The first lines that have entered the mind seem to be scribbled in the script. The scenes that are meant to display a horrifying outcome have successfully managed to make the audience laugh out loud, on literal terms.

3G Review: Star Performances

Neil Nitin Mukesh fell short of showing some versatility in his act. He is not a disaster, but there is huge room to improve. In short, he has the potential but so far isn’t a professional.

Sonal Chauhan on the other hand answers the question as to why isn’t she getting many films, or as a matter of fact, ANY film. The constant tedious expressions following her since Jannat haven’t changed till date.

Mrinalini Sharma required a significant amount of make up on her to be able to depict the role of a ghost which wasn’t a tough job. All she had to do is appear after every 5-10 mins as an illusion to Neil Nitin Mukesh.

The star cast unfortunately wasn’t able to pull off the suitable act required for a horror movie.

3G Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

The advantage behind a fine cinematography is that the entire movie is shot in Fiji, and Fiji is indeed very beautiful. However one would wish even the direction was. The technicality that one sees in Steven Spielberg’s Minority Report (2002) is now seen after 11 years in 3G (2013). The film was so intricate that it required a director duo Sheershak Anand and Shantanu Ray Chhibber.  But as we know too many cooks spoil the broth, similarly TWO many directors have spoiled a movie.

Mithoon, after giving considerable music for his initial films has failed to provide the equal touch for his later ones including 3G. There are only two major background scores, one is during any rapid scene and the other is Neil Nitin Mukesh’s phone ringtone.

Sonal Chauhan’s endeavour as a singer is very average. On the contrary, if that makes her to quit acting, then it’s worth a shot.

3G Review: The Last Word

Hop in for 3G if you’re planning to go with your partner and need to guarantee that come what may, you will love them genuinely and throughout.

3G Trailer

3G released on 15th March, 2013.

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The Attacks of 26/11 Movie Poster

Rating: 3.5/5 stars (Three-and-half-star)

Star cast: Atul Kulkarni, Nana Patekar, Sanjeev Jaiswal, Ganesh Yadav

What’s Good: The cinematography, the lucid flow of the narration, all performances.

What’s Bad: The style of narration suits the news-mode more than the movie-mode.

Loo break: None.

Watch or Not?: For reliving the intensity of the attacks and this well retold narration, boasting of power packed performances by all, especially Nana Patekar, this one is definitely worth a watch.

User Rating:

It is not a story being told. Not an accident either. The Attacks Of 26/11 is the set of terror attacks that hit Mumbai on November 26, 2008 being produced into reel with some really appreciable cinematography and mentionable performances.

Some native fishermen trek in to the Arabian looking for a rare fish that is found only in deep water. After a while they realize they might have entered international waters, in this case, that of Pakistan. In the mean time they see a Pakistani trawler in distress. While the Indian fishermen try to find out what is wrong, they’re faced with the terrorists coercing them into helping the 10 terrorists to reach Mumbai. All fishermen are killed and dumped at sea by the time they reach a shabby Mumbai port.

Here on begins the communication between the terrorists and the commoners. The 10 break into smaller groups and attack pre designed areas. The back grounds of the terrorists are not focused upon much as are the little details of the victims. There is often shown some moments of sanity and human considerations on the part of Ajmal Kasab, played by Sanjeev Jaiswal, which were suppressed without delay by his companion in the ruthless strikes.

The climax shows Kasab’s sentence to be hanged till death in action. Crude scenes of violence make the movie unsuitable for the feeble hearted. By the end of the movie the Joint Commissioner of Police, played by Nana Patekar, Mumbai, passes with distinction in the departmental scrutiny and goes to head the Anti Terrorism Squad.

The whole movie sees the Police in a very glorious light. And the attacks are being narrated by Nana Patekar, giving a concrete feel to the content. For the viewer, it is reliving the shame of religious extremism, the pain of loss and the rise of bravery from amongst the common.

Nana Patekar (The Attacks of 26/11 Movie Stills)

The Attacks of 26/11 Review: Script Analysis

It is not much of a script. If you have been watching the news during and post- 26/11 attacks, you probably know it all. Even the case updates with regards to Ajmal Kasab will provide you much of the information that Nana Patekar goes on the reveal. So may be for a movie based on a highly spoken-about terrorist attack, The Attacks Of 26/11 fails to break any ice with the script. But keeping that in mind, the movie has a fresh feel that makes you want to sit through and view the very well sequenced script. Sunil Wadhwani does commendable work at editing.

The Attacks of 26/11 Review: Star Performances

We miss Atul Kulkarni, though it makes sense to say his performance was critically well placed. Nana Patekar, if we can ignore, at times, unwanted voice modulation, does an amazing job of playing the Joint Commissioner of Police to a city that did not even have time to recover from an attack before having to face another one of similar or higher magnitudes.  About Sanjeev  Jaiswal, his expressions are commendable though his lines only match them up pretty late into the film.

The Attacks of 26/11 Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Director Ram Gopal Verma went to the scenes in November 2008 to do some 1^st hand research. Well, we can see the effect. The film is well directed keeping in mind it put together a massive number of abstract characters. Cinematography however wins over anything else.  Harshraj Shroff and M. Ravichandran Thevar liven up the shades of the sky and the cityscape to explain the pathos in vivid visuals. Vikram Biswas worked pretty well keeping in mind the sound score of the movie set the theme of a psychological thriller (from the terrorists’ point of view ), in combination with that of an incidental narration.

The Attacks of 26/11 Review: The Last Word

We have seen it too many times, the quotes from the Holy religious texts being explained to the wrongdoer after the deed is done. We see it here again. That said, in the aftermath of the recent Hyderabad blasts; see this just to know the larger picture.

The Attacks of 26/11 Trailer

The Attacks of 26/11 released on 1st March, 2013.

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I Me Aur Main Movie Poster

Rating: 2/5 stars (Two-star)

Star cast: John Abraham, Chitrangada Singh, Prachi Desai, Zarina Wahab, Mini Mathur, Raima Sen

What’s Good: Too many good looking people assembled together in the same frame.

What’s Bad: Everything that is related to the cinematic aspect of the film, a doomed script and cluttered screenplay is painful.

Loo break: Washroom will definitely look more appealing to you!

Watch or Not?: A wobbly screenplay and a faltering script gone terribly wrong, I, Me aur Main is essentially as narcissistic as the title. Don’t waste your time on this film which gloats too much over nothing substantial.

User Rating:

Maa-da-ladla Ishaan Sabharwal epitomizes narcissism. Self centered to the core, the man is his own favorite, the King of his personal fantasy land. A successful music producer, he is in a live in relationship with his lawyer girlfriend Anushka.

While his girlfriend dreams to marry him, Ishaan happily parties around like a school boy in his la-la-land. One night, an exasperated Anushka breaks off her relationship with this juvenile delinquent of sorts, after Ishaan exhibits irresponsibility of the highest order.

Despite what would appear to most as devastating, Ishaan uses his breakup to inflate his ego. He moves in next door with his free spirited, chirpy neighbor Gauri, who automatically identifies Ishaan’s pulse right and keeps him aptly contained.

Ishaan’s Mom in an attempt to escape from her imposing husband moves in with him. Trying to sympathize with her heartbroken child, she nurses his appetite with pyaar bhara parathas. At work, his obnoxious boss gives him a tougher time! Ishaan surrounded by demanding women from all sides, must finally grow up!

Does Ishaan mend his three year long relationship with Anushka? Or chase Gauri, the woman who knows her way with him like no one else?

Chitrangada Singh, Prachi Desai and John Abraham (I Me Aur Main Movie Stills)

I Me Aur Main Review: Script Analysis

The film fails primarily because of it’s over bearing and over ambitious script. Trying its hands at too many themes, the film appears shady and inconsistent. The story lacks depth and is maintained mostly at a superficial level. The story moves aimlessly without making a point at all. One might be seriously confused by the end of it! What was it? A romantic comedy? A break-up Satire? A sappy family saga? Or a multi themed broth gone bland. The film ends hastily which adds on to the mounting disappointment. The writer, makes Ishaan’s character even more shallow given his sudden situation based change of heart. He in fact looks even more selfish in the end than he seemed all along in the film. The script has sketchy characters who are far from reality altogether. It does to the film an irreparable damage which is impossible to be undone.

I Me Aur Main Review: Star Performances

John Abraham does his best at flaunting his bitable and chiseled hot body. Oh, such hot men shouldn’t be allowed to openly seduce critics into giving positive reviews! It’s a shame he can’t act. Though his performances have improved over time, he still hasn’t learnt the art of imbibing energy or imagination into his roles. His fans will love the film however, for the extensive skin show. I can safely put, he is somehow adequate as Ishaan.

Chitrangada Singh is too beautiful to be wasted on a film like this. No offence, but Singh is a woman of immense talent. Her acting and looks are both repetitive and this doe-eyed beauty seems to be losing her spark.

Prachi Desai does a good job as Gauri. She somehow manages to tower over both John and Chitrangada, in terms of performance. Bubbly, energetic and vivacious, she keeps her performance true to her character making it look plausible.

The talented actor Zarina Wahab is left unutilized. So is Raima Sen. The script leaves little room for their characters to amply grow, hence they fail to create any impression at all.

Mini Mathur lives up to her role, giving a boisterous performance of sorts.

I Me Aur Main Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Kapil Sharma’s directorial debut is his earnest attempt at delivering a breezy romantic comedy. His effort is visibly honest, but is held down by the wavering screenplay. The film’s editing isn’t shabbily done either. The film grossly underestimates the audiences’ taste of romantic comedies, by presenting a confused, annoying and unbelievably chaotic plot. The music isn’t bad as well but surely the end product is quite unimpressive, which fails the rest!

I Me Aur Main Review: The Last Word

I Me Aur Main is a flashy attempt to bluff audiences by putting together obviously beautiful actors in ornate celluloid frames in order to conceal a weak plot and shaky screenplay. Lock up your brains and ogle happily, in case you decide to go for the film.

I Me Aur Main Trailer

I Me Aur Main released on 1st March, 2013.

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Zila Ghaziabad Movie Poster

Rating: 1/5 stars (One-star)

Star cast: Vivek Oberoi, Paresh Rawal, Charmy Kaur, Arshad Warsi, Sunil Grover, Ravi Kissen, Chandrachur Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Minissha Lamba.

What’s Good: A few sequences; Arshad Warsi’s acting.

What’s Bad: Almost everything else.

Loo break: As many as you like.

Watch or Not?: Zila Ghaziabad is a forceful mix of gang-wars, hinterland action and a sprinkle of a nasty Dabangg-esque cop too and disappoints miserably.

User Rating:

The first half of the film shows how the righteous teacher Satbir (Vivek Oberoi) replaces the chalk in his hand with a gun. The local Chairman (Paresh Rawal) has a soft corner for Satbir, as does his daughter, Charmy Kaur, since Satbir often helps him in situations where brains are involved. The muscle power for the Chairman comes from a rabid goon Fauji (Arshad Warsi) who probably has gun shells where his brains should have been. The Chairman’s growing proximity to Satbir leaves his good-for-nothing brother-in-law (Sunil Grover) jealous and he plans an attack on Fauji’s home, making it look like Satbir was responsible for it.

It’s not long before swords are drawn and sides are set. Satbir has the protection of the Chairman while Fauji joins the gang of Rashid (Ravi Kissen). After Satbir’s brother (Chandrachur Singh) gets killed in the battle, there’s no looking back for either of them. When their rivalry becomes unbearable for Ghaziabad, maverick cop Pritam Singh (Sanjay Dutt) is called in. Known for his use of force, this time Pritam wants to use his cunning to get them killed without straining his hands.

There is a lot of blood spilt and bullets fired before the movie finally gets to its conclusion.

Sanjay Dutt (Zila Ghaziabad Movie Stills)

Zila Ghaziabad Review: Script Analysis

Zila starts off like Othello/Omkara with a nasty character trying to sow the seeds of distrust so that he can have his foot in the door. After that, it’s all downhill. With all the characters trying to outwit each other, the film just reeks of bad writing. Vinay Sharma’s characters live in the same city, yet they seem to take every other person out of their way except their main nemesis. The movie then drags endlessly and the intrusion of a police is just another added trick to lengthen it. It’s also strange as to why they have to show Pritam as a my-punches-do-the-talking cop while his strategy involves staring at a chessboard and vainly listening to his old film songs in his office. The love angles with Minissha Lamba and Charmy Kaur are parts that jump out like annoying jacks-in-boxes. The dozens of inspired scenes means that even our cop here gets a Dabangg-cop-song-and-dance entry with even the dance steps similarly choreographed.

Unsurprisingly, the most entertaining scene is the walkthrough with the chai-wala in the police station and it doesn’t involve any of the lead stars.

Zila Ghaziabad Review: Star Performances

Zila is like a madhouse with varying amounts of craziness. The top honour goes to Arshad Warsi for his portrayal of Fauji – the mad dog who should have been put down shortly after he barked first. He’s happy to shoot anyone and everyone; the only flaw to his character being the forced romantic angle written in. Poor Vivek Oberoi, either he’s trying to be the righteous teacher or the masterji-turned-gangster. Either way, the straitjacket shackles him with a bad performance. The most annoying part is when they take close-ups of his face twitching in slo-mo. Bad idea.

Paresh Rawal is good as the Chairman. Charmy Kaur looks incredibly daft and has exactly two expressions. Ravi Kissen is quite good as Rashid. Chandrachur Singh is probably the fattest subhedar you’ll get to see on screen. Sanjay Dutt is mashup of other on-screen ex-cops and gets under your skin after a few scenes. Sunil Grover is excellent as the wily villain.

Zila Ghaziabad Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

With a tumbled script like this, it’s no surprise that Anand Kumar doesn’t make a memorable movie out of it. If that isn’t enough, you have scenes looking like they’ve been shot from a webcab with shady yellow lighting. The songs are so badly placed. Sample this, shortly after the heroine’s father dies, she’s singing and breaking the bed with Vivek Oberoi. The background score is just a lot of sholkas remixed with noise. Bunty Nagi’s editing is unsatisfactory. The cinematography is alright.

Watch out for the shifting bald patch/es on Sanjay Dutt’s head for more entertainment.

Zila Ghaziabad Review: The Last Word

Zila Ghaziabad is a gang-war story done in a confused Dabangg style that will bore the daylights out of you.

Zila Ghaziabad Trailer

Zila Ghaziabad released on 22nd February, 2013.

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Kai Po Che Movie Poster

Rating: 4/5 Stars (Four-stars)

Star cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Raj Kumar Yadav, Amit Sadh, Amrita Puri

What’s Good: The magical Bromance well fitted in an enigmatic story, enacted to delightful perfection.

What’s Bad: Well, some films touch so deep that they appear pristinely flawless.

Loo break: Don’t even consider taking one.

Watch or Not?: Kai Po Che culminates into a celebration of good cinema. Watch it for Abhishek Kapoor’s engaging narrative and the power packed performances of the actors.

User Rating:

Adding a fresh perspective to Chetan Bhagat’s bestselling novel ‘The 3 Mistakes of my Life’, Abhishek Kapoor’s Kai Po Che is more than a mere retelling of a story already established brilliant.

Set in Ahmedabad, the story narrates the obsessive fixation of Indians with Cricket, Politics and Religion –all of which cross paths quite occasionally in this country! The main protagonists Govind, Ishaan and Omi have been friends forever. While Govind is the geek who is in love with Ish’s sister Vidya, he is also a fiercely ambitious and selfish businessman. Ish is the valiant crusader struggling to tailor his desires of playing cricket and fit into a regular mundane life battling failure. Omi, religiously inclined by proxy, entangles himself in a web of right wing and saffron colored politics.

The boys team up to set a small business with more than a little help from Omi’s Bittoo Mama. Ishaan, a cricketing God in his school days begins to train young cricketers. Their little smooth world falls prey to the cruel wishes of nature and religious politics. The inseparable friends must stand strongly by each other, but each of them is wronged at their individual levels. Is their friendship frail enough to wither away or do they pull through stronger passing the immensely rigid tests of their friendship? The film attempts to deliver a strong message of pain, forgiveness and reconciliation.

Amit Sadh, Sushant Singh Rajput and Raj Kumar Yadav (Kai Po Che Movie Stills)

Kai Po Che Review: Script Analysis

There is a hardly a soul in the audience who is not well acquainted with the script of the film. It is only Kapoor’s witted treatment of Bhagat’s novel that creates Kai Po Che. The story which begins as a fun filled, quirky tale of brotherly romance transitions into a hitting saga of social commentary with utmost brilliance. Kai Po Che is a flawless film which renders to its original story a newer vision. The film calls to evoke the nascent emotions of the quintessential Indian Middle Class. With most stories shifting towards urban dilemmas, this one is beautiful for its simplicity sticking regionally to a rather native India. The friendship of the three young friends is believable; their story is filled with innocent and contagious mirth. The film sensitively puts together the gruesome tales of Godhra Riots and the Gujrat Earthquake with a mystic touch of humanity. The film’s story religiously bows down to Bhagat’s novel only adding an additional flashy zest of Kapoor’s style of narration. It is a plot that visibly grows in its two hours of running time bringing home the harsher realities of life that presses every human being. The themes of religion, politics are cricket enmesh well at the crossroads, yet remaining watertight in its demarcated boundaries. Despite a multitude of complexities, the script itself stands strong to support the characters, which becomes the film’s stronghold.

Kai Po Che Review: Star Performances

It is hard to pick up a favorite among them. Personally, I admired Sushant Singh Rajput. He delivers one of Bollywood’s most powerful debut performances. Playing a character as complex as Ishaan, Sushant makes it look simple. He conveys the notion that he has been living inside the skin of his character for a while now. Laced with tremendous potential, it isn’t hard to predict that this man will go far in Bollywood.

Raj Kumar Yadav, yet again proves his worth. Govind symbolizes the no-nonsense, no-emotional businessman and Yadav plays his role with sincere conviction. With minimal words, this man conveys larger emotions of pain and anger creating an omnipresent space for his character.

Amit Sadh who largely underplays his role, keeping in sync with the essence of his blunt character Omi delivers an awe striking performance in the climax where he breaks down. He strongly pulls through the revenge hungry cannibal rage and his loyalty towards his friends brilliantly.

Amrita Puri is confident and adequate as Vidya. She exhibits childish humor and adolescent desires fabulously. The good thing about her role is that she is independent of the bromance track.

Manav Kaul as Bittoo Mama stands out shrewdly.

Kai Po Che Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Abhishek Kapoor is a man who truly understands film making. I give credit to him to reinvigorate freshness into a well read story and make a film on it which still somehow manages to pleasantly surprise you at every scene. Positively deviant, this man is journeying to join the Crème de le crème league of Bollywood directors. He manages to consistently maintain the film’s realism without going melodramatically overboard (given the story). The film’s cinematography is spotlessly perfect, nurturing every nuance in the fine detail, from the locales to the expressions, it is fantastically done. The vibrant use of color adds beauty to the most mundane frames. The screenplay is magical with Bhagat’s Midas touch on it. Amit Trivedi’s music is soothing and doesn’t intervene with the film’s flow. Manja is one gorgeous song! The background score rather enhances the depth of the film. Enveloping with friendship, one of most horrific and tragic tales of communal disturbances – the film is justifiably brilliant for being non judgmental and siding unbiased-ly with the victimized.

Kai Po Che Review: The Last Word

Kai Po Che is a film with a strongly weaved story brimming with realism and excellence. Here’s finally a film that is meant to attain cult status and not blur out in the plethora of mediocrity. Kudos to this spectacular film!

Kai Po Che Trailer

Kai Po Che released on 22nd February, 2013.

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Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story Movie Poster

Rating: 1.5/5 stars (One-and-a-half stars)

Star cast: Vivek Oberoi, Neha Sharma, Shishir Sharma, Nasser

What’s Good: A tried and tested chemical formula of Rom-Coms.

What’s Bad: Uninteresting plot. Shabby acting. Tacky Humor.

Loo break: Innumerable.

Watch or Not?: No. Sweet humored notoriety suits Munnabhai not Jayantabhai. Carry along pillows and quilt; this movie will treat your Insomnia better than any shrink.

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In the land of ‘Bhaigiri’ lives a sweet and Adorable Gangster Jayantabhai. One fine day, destiny plots a chanced encounter and he meets the whacky and beautiful enemy Simran (rechristened Bhadotri). Sparks fly between the two in the most uncommon of ways and wham! They are puppy doggishly in love with each other.

Like romantic comedies go, there are hiccups in order to create a pseudo climax. With Real Daddy issues and Gangster Daddy issues, the film creates a series of unnecessary problems. The age old question of Rom Coms is well maintained – So do they finally end up together in the end? Or whether their love falters and succumbs to the pressures of fate?

Vivek Oberoi and Neha Sharma (Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story Movie Stills)

Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story Review: Script Analysis

The same old script is nauseating much! The film lacks luster, grandeur and wit of romantic comedies – enough to be a blemish. While crime romance films are quite interesting if well fabricated, the story itself is flawed in this case. It is like an empty mousse with its richness gone bland. The film does have its share of light hearted humor enwrapped in wit that stenches. Bursting with mediocre entertainment, it tries its best to paint a legible picture. The only energetic bits are when Vivek and Neha are romancing each other. The chemistry is viable but forgettable and is not really endearing. Falling in the same terrain as a series of its predecessors, the movie very desperately tries to claw at the warmth of the Munnabhai series. While Hirani’s stories are essentially magical in its fabric, this movie fails you by being shallow and dampens your spirits.

The film’s story is anything but innovative and what’s worse is that it fails to reproduce any good from the charming formula of Opposites attract. One can hope for the film to do well in single screens, but it is a multiplex disaster for the terrible entertainment it manages to deliver. The film is a pathetic cocktail of needless humor. The romance is cheeky but with the story being so weak, one can only do that little for the film.

Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story Review: Star Performances

To be honest, while watching the film my mind kept going back to the charming and suave lover boy image Vivek donned in Saathiya. His good acting has blurred out in our memories because it was that long ago! This man has lost his edge in trying very hard to fit into the stereotypical moulds of Bollywood tailored roles. He is not even half the actor he was in Saathiya or in Company for that matter. However I admit this judgment of mine is based on a film which is awfully weak. The film does very little to defend any of its actors for that matter. Vivek’s Tapori lingo and safe work tries hard to push the film but the not-so-dignified dim witted screenplay butchers it all.

Neha Sharma is straight out of Barbie Land posing as the Angelina Jolie of tinsel town. She is bimbo-ishly silly and outrageously dumb (Sorry, for being racist) She is annoyingly irritating and sleazy. The only thing that works in her favor is her looks but has clearly done zero effort to enhance anything else at all.

The other characters are simply as misplaced as the film itself. It really shocks me opine that even saas bahu serials have a better level of acting.

Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

It feels terrible to slam someone’s work that is dripping off his sweat and blood. But, this film will make you sweat. It is immensely tiresome to watch something as foolish as Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story. The weak direction rambles on pointlessly only to culminate into a pointless climax. The music does no good to the film overall besides the songs sung by Atif Aslam which is definitely soothing. The mash up songs is strikingly good. The movie’s editing is decent. I guess even they couldn’t figure out means to fix up the damaged plot.

Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story Review: The Last Word

A slim story with incorrigible humor just goes on to prove our parents right; we must stay away from bad company – the likes of Jayantabhai! *Poppes a Disprin*

Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story Trailer

Jayantabhai Ki Luv Story released on 15th February, 2013.

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Murder 3 Movie Poster

Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two-and-a-half stars)

Star cast: Randeep Hooda, Sara Loren, Aditi Rao Hydari

What’s Good: The gripping story; the songs & music.

What’s Bad: The screenplay drags a bit; Randeep Hooda & Sara Loren’s acting.

Loo break: Any in the first half.

Watch or Not?: Give this thriller a chance, it will keep you hooked to your seat.

User Rating:

As another member of the Bhatt family takes the director’s seat, they also have a list of foreign counterparts to thank for official/unofficial rights of the story, poster etc.

A namesake sequence shows us that lovebirds Roshni (Aditi Rao Hydari) and Vikram (Randeep Hooda) only have eyes for each other. While Vikram is still struggling to get his act as a photographer together he lands a big gig in Mumbai. Blinded in love, Roshni quits her job in South Africa and the couple comes to The City That Never Sleeps.

We find out that Roshni has walked out on Vikram, leaving him brooding and hooked to the bottle. After he gets into trouble during one of his drinking sprees, a waitress, Nisha (Sara Loren), takes him home. It’s not long before Nisha ends up in Vikram’s bed. Vikram’s house gives Nisha the creeps, especially the bathroom. She keeps hearing noises, seeing ripples and gets scalded in the shower.

Meanwhile, the cops are searching for the missing Roshni with no luck and one of them also happens to be Nisha’s ex-lover. Though they suspect Vikram, his girlfriend seems to have vanished without a trace. Nisha has a hard time dealing with the empty house/poltergeist and Vikram’s mood swings.

Is Vikram responsible for Roshni’s disappearance? Who or what is behind the spooky happenings in the house? Will they find Roshni before it is too late?

Randeep Hooda and Sara Loren (Murder 3 Movie Stills)

Murder 3 Review: Script Analysis

Murder 3 is the official remake of the Colombian thriller, The Hidden Face. Arturo Infante and Hatem Khraiche’s story gets just about satisfactory justice in the pens of Mahesh Bhatt and Amit Masurkar The script is quite good and will keep you on the edge of your seat. But the first half is rather slow. Also, the characters are not etched out well. The character of the cop-ex-boyfriend is an interesting addition but has not been used well. The part of the story of Roshni doubting Vikram should have been handled better.

Some might find the ending a bit unforgiving, but it’s a very intriguing twist. Sanjay Masoom’s dialogues are rather bland and disappointing.

Murder 3 Review: Star Performances

A bad hairstyle takes away some of Randeep Hooda’s suave that he should have had as Vikram in the film. The rest of it goes away with his lazy acting. It’s sad to see someone of his caliber disappoint with a shoddy performance. Sara Loren (last seen as Mona Lizza in the Himesh Reshammiya starrer Kajraare) is okay. The rest of the cast lend able support.

Aditi Rao Hydari’s role as Roshni is the pillar for this movie. Though she comes across as meek and squeaky at the start, her character develops quite well. She is just marvelous in her breakdown scene.

Murder 3 Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Vishesh Bhatt’s direction is good for his debut but he leaves you with the feeling that something much more could have been done with a script like this. Raju Singh’s background music is alright. There’s nothing memorable about Pritam, Anupam Amod and Roxen Band’s songs but they suit the moment well. Cinematography by Sunil Patel is ho-hum. Devendra Murdeshwar’s editing is good.

Murder 3 Review: The Last Word

Murder 3 is an interesting movie where the suspense will keep you hooked. Worth a watch.

Murder 3 Trailer

Murder 3 released on 15th February, 2013.

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Special Chabbis (26) Movie Poster

Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two-and-a-half stars)

Star cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Jimmy Shergill, Divya Dutta, Manoj Bajpai, Kajal Aggarwal, Tiku Talsania.

What’s Good: Some dialogues; the jokes; the climax.

What’s Bad: Kajal’s unnecessary role/romance angle; the songs; a few unexplained bits.

Loo break: None.

Watch or Not?: Watch it for the con-jobs, the humour and Akshay-Manoj’s war of wits.

User Rating:

A CBI officer calls a local police officer to assist in the raid of a politician’s residence. The CBI team comb the house and uncover black money worth lakhs hidden in the ceiling, inside a vintage car, under god’s statue etc. The embarrassed politician sits through the entire drama while the officers seal and take away his money. The police are left to hold fort till the team returns.

Except that the team will not return. And there were no CBI officers to begin with!

This is all part of Ajay Singh (Akshay Kumar), P. K. Sharma aka Sharmaji (Anupam Kher) and their friends’ con job. They pretend to be CBI/Income Tax officers and raid the houses of politicians and wealthy businessmen. Not only do they steal insane amounts of money with the help of the local police (without having to shell out a part for the cops), none of their grand thefts get reported as the politicians and businessmen do not want to speak about their black money or they have a reputation to worry about. But one cop, Ranveer Singh (Jimmy Shergill), has taken this insult to heart.

After getting suspended with his colleague Shantiji (Divya Dutta), he asks the help of the real CBI officer Wasim Khan (Manoj Bajpai) to help nab these imposters. Now begins the game of cat-and-mouse. While Ajay wants to draw the curtains with a final huge heist, he decides to recruit 26 people in the guise of the CBI to create his Special Chabbis 26. Wasim cannot let a criminal get the better of him.

Who wins?

There’s also a nonsense plot of Ajay’s love interest Priya (Kajal Aggarwal) who’s soon to get married to someone else.

Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher (Special Chabbis (26) Movie Stills)

Special Chabbis (26) Review: Script Analysis

Neeraj Pandey takes a very interesting plot with a game of cat-and-mouse, minus the muscle. It’s a battle of cerebral levels with a determined cop out to catch a super-smart thief. The climax is bound to take you by surprise even though it does have a few loopholes. What the film needed was the cop and the thief to be nipping at each others’ heels than just one final showdown. We are only shown Ajay hijack 2 offices before he decides to throw in the towel. Maybe if the marriage and item number were excluded…

The weakest part of the story is the romantic angle: its forced inclusion is badly written and just as badly enacted. Just like the songs. The dialogues are fun. You can take a few tips from Wasim Khan on asking your boss for a raise! The interview of the candidates is another hilarious part. The characters are not really well developed but are very entertaining.

Special Chabbis (26) Review: Star Performances

Akshay Kumar makes a good fake CBI officer. As Ajay Singh, he does seem a bit too haughty at times, but it goes well with his persona. There’s something off about his hairstyle though, that goes from suave to weird-80s in certain parts. Darn, how good can Anupam Kher get! One second he’s strutting into a minister’s house and slapping his secretary, and the other moment he’s red-faced, hunched-shoulders and stuttering nervously. He’s excellent as Sharmaji, no doubt.

Jimmy Shergill and Divya Dutta are really good as Ranvir Singh and Shantiji but Divya barely get 3-4 lines in the movie. Manoj Bajpai does incredibly well as Wasim Khan and you really want some sort of divine intervention to keep both parties happy. Kajal Aggarwal hams her way through whatever scenes she has as Priya Chavan. Her strange role has her playfully teasing Ajay one moment and sobbing bitterly about her impending marriage to another guy (which she seemed cheerful about just 3 seconds ago) in the next. Tiku Talsania is lovable in his return to the silver screen as a merchant.

Special Chabbis (26) Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Though he makes a good thriller, Neeraj Pandey’s direction leaves a few gaps to be filled. He does well with the chor-police story, managing to keep it away from the Hollywood style sleek ones and keeping this much more grounded. But the first half is a long wait and much of the action and chasing happens after the interval. The badly handled and interjected romance and songs are another stain. Sanjoy Chowdhury’s background music is alright. Ganesh Acharya’s choreography is very ordinary. Music directors M.M. Kareem and Himesh Reshammiya make no effort with the songs either. Bobby Singh’s cinematography is good but the good shots tend to be repeated with Shree Narayan Singh’s editing.

A notable mention is for the sets and art direction which have been done very finely and doesn’t miss a beat of old Bombay of the ‘80s.

Special Chabbis (26) Review: The Last Word

Special 26 is a captivating con-movie with an equally thrilling chase with Akshay Kumar and Manoj Bajpai doing their best chor-police jodi.

Special Chabbis (26) Trailer

Special Chabbis (26) released on 8th February, 2013.

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ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Movie Poster

Rating: 2/5 Stars (Two-stars)

Star cast: Prabhu Deva, Kay Kay Menon, Ganesh Acharya, Terrence Lewis, Dharmesh Yelande

What’s Good: Overwhelmingly passionate and energetic dance through 3D lenses gives you a brilliant mood uplifting cinematic experience.

What’s Bad: The film is too creatively borrowed from Step Up 3 which kills the film’s earnestness.

Loo break: Post Interval story drag moments calls for a couple of these.

Watch or Not?: If music makes your feet tap happily then Dear Mumble, ABCD is waiting for you at the nearest theatre with 3D glasses!

User Rating:

In times when dance reality shows are most TRP raking ventures on television, ABCD – Any Body Can Dance brings to you a story you will realize and recognize easily. Vishnu is a star choreographer of Jahangir Dance Company which he built with his partner Jahangir. Vishnu is a man of few words and many principles, diametrically opposite to his shrewd friend and partner Jahangir. After being unceremoniously thrown of his dance institute, Vishnu strikes low on morale and decides to leave for Chennai.

Circumstances land him up in the slummy dusty lanes of Mumbai. Picking up local urchins whom he spots flamboyantly and colorfully dancing during Ganpati Visarjan, he decides to weave his new team. Common with slums, these boys have their own baggage of long standing rivalries which they uphold in their true gang war spirit.

Dance however does manage to fill life into these grazed down people and give them purpose, who would otherwise lead very mundane lives. With dance, a bunch of untrained hostile boys find their true calling and settle harmoniously their pre existing differences.

Does Vishnu manage to create a team better than JDC’s? Does he avenge Jahangir’s insult on him? And whether talent is worth enough in today’s date to stand strong and alone on its feet?

Ganesh Acharya, Prabhu Deva and Salman Yusuf Khan (ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Movie Stills)

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Review: Script Analysis

There is hardly a concrete script to analyze in this film. The conventional story of underdog who is victorious in the end has been seen in the film’s Hollywood counterpart as well. The film essentially cashes on the humongous popularity of television dance shows. The victory of the chucked underdog is honestly done. The film is composed of many exquisite dance pieces that are performed with style which has a good attractive quotient to it. The rivalry between dance gangs is brought out well on the screen added with their colloquial humor. However, the screenplay is largely sketchy and diverts into the conventional and predictable zone of storyline. Towards the second half, the film loses its focus and stretches beyond it should, almost bordering into boredom. The climax is passionate and extraordinarily done. For the climax alone, the film is worth a million bucks.

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Review: Star Performances

Prabhu Deva’s atrocious Hindi will shock you! However, the man lives up to his legendary status as a stalwart of dance. Incomparably brilliant, his dance has a mesmerizing quality. He does falter at the emotional scenes and his poor diction makes it visible a little too nakedly. But a five minute solo dance sequence by him just before interval strikes is enough to wash out all his flaws.

Kay Kay Menon is stupendous as the evil, manipulative business man. With every scene, one realizes that the man is well set in the skin of his character. His nascent and crude demeanor is mind blowing. His eyes emote brilliantly and hence he stands out starkly. We definitely should see more of this man!

Ganesh Acharya is marvelous in his adorable stint. Other dancers are well, dancers. They aren’t actors! But they are quite fantabulous in what they do!

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Remo realizes his dream of finally delivering a film which he truly believes in. The film is structured artistically. The 3D effect has been used well to enhance the film’s feel. Remo meticulously directed ever scene, be it the livid chor police chase scene or the brilliant rain dance sequence – take a bow Remo for this film! However the film is heavily borrowed from Step Up. Whether Remo could successfully imbibe Indian-ness into this borrowed concept is highly debatable. But he does manage to give us an enjoyable film you’ll be tapping your feet through. The movie’s editing needed some serious work in the second part. While the music of the film isn’t quite impressive except the final end credits number starring Saroj Khan which is a crackling feat.

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Review: The Last Word

Watch it for its dazzling looks and vibrantly spectacular dance sequences that are passionately done to perfection! Go cheer for spellbinding talent.

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance Trailer

ABCD – Any Body Can Dance released on 8th February, 2013.

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Vishwaroop Movie Poster

Rating: 3.5/5 (Three and half stars)

Star cast: Kamal Haasan, Rahul Bose, Shekhar Kapur, Pooja Kumar, Andrea Jeremiah and Jaideep Ahlawat

What’s Good: Pleasurably Entertaining. Dramatically Adventurous. Technical brilliance oozing with great cinematography.

What’s Bad: A clear overdose of Kamal Haasan which spares lesser space for other characters to evolve. The narration tediously slows down in the second half. The end was far less climatic that one would have imagined.

Loo break: None.

Watch or Not?: Vishwaroop is a sheer treat for its power packed action sequences which finally match up to Hollywood’s standards. Technically it is a brilliant film which walks us through many sensitive and pertinent issues without passing a judgment.

User Rating: 

The plot opens in suburban New York with a regular next door wife discussing her mundane marriage and rocky extra marital affair to her psychologist. Nirupama’s husband Weez, a Kathak Dancer has no visible flaws and was hence a natural choice of convenience for Nirupama. But her impending affair with her boss forces her to ponder about walking out of her loveless, morose marriage. In order to satiate her guilt, Nirupama hires a private detective to bring on surface any hidden in the closet affairs of her husband.

The detective does his job too smartly and ends up dead giving rise to an array of questions and the one crucial last secret he blurted out to Nirupama before his death! Weez is a Muslim!

Then on, the plot alternately shifts between the past and the present telling us a fascinating tale of varied belief systems and convictions which clearly stratifies cultures antithetically. Raveling through militant camps in Afghanistan and the strong faith which drives a Fedayeen to fight ‘Jihad’ is portrayed neatly trying to bring on screens the turmoil of terrorists.

How does the life of a Kathak dancer and his estranged wife intertwine with those of the Mujahideen? Is Weez really a Muslim? Is this plot way larger than life than we can imagine? And mostly, a question that forms the basic suspense motives of the film – Is Weez a Good man or a bad man?

Kamal Haasan (Vishwaroop Movie Stills)

Vishwaroop  Review: Script Analysis

The movie is strongly rooted in history and a clear understanding of social sciences. However, the plot fantastically maintains its rhythm without getting preachy or turning into a history lesson. The flow of the film is lucid and it never goes the over the top to deliver a point, or a perspective. The movie elegantly balances the barriers between the cultural tinges of the film and the socio political drama it attempts to be.

The film’s introduction has a brilliant Kathak number which is performed most gracefully. The first part of the film has immense energy which is performed to perfection by fine actors like Kamal Haasan and Rahul Bose. They don’t give us a single dull moment. Contrary to the initial image we form of Weez, he most suddenly and easily transforms into a warrior and an agent.

The film’s back story is let out intelligently and the loose ends and wavering notions are efficiently knotted up in the end. The film definitely doesn’t offend any religious community.

The only hitch I can point out in the film, is that it follows a rather clichéd and American perspective of Afghan image. The film like many of its predecessors, have failed to bring out the true motive of the Mujhahideen’s need for Jehad. Though the film does hint vaguely upon Afghanistan’s tormented past involving brutal Russian, American and Taliban atrocities they had to bear. The film still show the terrorists in a dark tainted light without bringing out to the audiences their side of the story.

However, this hitch can easily be ignored for a commercial movie like Vishwaroop, as it manages to impress both in terms of stupendous action and brilliant acting.

Vishwaroop Review: Star Performances

Research driven and strongly structured characterization play a pivotal role in making this movie stand on its ground. The essential parameters of the film’s themes provide a deep insight into the psychological working of a terrorist’s mind. The movie successfully manages to run chills down your spine, at more than one places throughout the film.

The film belongs to Kamal Haasan. The man deserves a standing ovation for versatility. He renders elegance and sophistication to Kathak, as a dancer. His action sequences are so well designed and innovative, which he performs to the hilt of perfection. The narrative backs his character too sympathetically and only an actor with his creative vision could bring out the plot so vast that impeccably on screen, with almost negligible faults.

Pooja Kumar who plays Kamal Haasan’s wife in the film is extremely sure of her character, the storyline and herself. She is not nailed down by Kamal Haasan’s presence, rather brilliantly carves her space out, enough to be positively noticed.

The man who makes this film what it is, is Rahul Bose. Long after the film is over, this man will haunt you. Bose who hasn’t played a negative character since Thakshak in 1999, reminds us how flawless an actor he can be. As Omar, this man valiantly stands as the film’s evil mouthpiece. This time Bose is back to terrorize!

Andrea Jeremiah and Shekhar Kapur wrap up their roles decently and do manage to look charming in their endeavor.

Vishwaroop Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

Kamal Haasan is a man who makes cinema look better. This time, he works valiantly to put together a script of this magnanimous nature. His effort was bold and finally realizes India’s dream of a good action thriller. The film overrules its flaws by delivering brilliantly at the technical front. The movie’s background score sits well on the plot and cinematography is immensely powerful. The film is shot eloquently at locations which are straight out of Khaled Hosseini’s works.

The film’s climax is however lot less dramatic than one would expect. The mounted excitement for the climax is diluted by its abrupt and wait-for-the-next-part ending. But if Tom Cruise’s Mission Impossible impressing to you, I promise Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroop won’t fail you.

Vishwaroop Review: The Last Word

The film is a delicious watch for its dramatic action, brilliant stunts and mostly for the characters that Rahul Bose and Kamal Haasan so flawlessly deliver to us!

P.S : Keep Calm and wait for Vishwaroop 2!

Vishwaroop Trailer

Vishwaroop released on 1st February, 2013.

Share with us your experience of watching Vishwaroop.

Midnight’s Children Movie Poster

Rating: 1.5/5 stars (One-and-a-half stars)

Star cast: Satya Bhabha, Shriya Saran, Siddharth, Ronit Roy, Rahul Bose, Shabana Azmi, Soha Ali Khan, Seema Biswas, Rajat Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Sarita Choudhary, Shahana Goswami, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Darsheel Safary.

What’s Good: The cinematography; the music; some performances.

What’s Bad: The lead actors’ performances; the befuddled screenplay that does no justice to the book; bad characterizations.

Loo break: More so in the second half.

Watch or Not?: Watch it only for the visual artistry; otherwise the magic is missing in this one.

User Rating:

The story starts off quite a few generations before our hero makes an appearance. Aadam Aziz (Rajat Kapoor) gets married to the daughter of Ghani (Anupam Kher), Naseem (Shabana Azmi). After their daughter Mumtaz’s (Shahana Goswami) unsuccessful marriage to Nadir Khan, she falls for the businessman Ahmed Sinai (Ronit Roy) and changes her name to Amina. The house that the newlyweds move to is often visited by a street singer named Wee Willie Winkle (Samrat Chakrabarti) and his wife. As fate would have it, both the women give birth to baby boys in the same hospital, exactly when India gains independence. One born to a life of luxury, the other with no other option but to trudge the road of poverty.

But then fate intervenes in the form of the nurse Mary (Seema Biswas) who swaps the babies after she interprets a warped version of her Communist boyfriend’s ramblings. As a result, Saleem Sinai (Darsheel Safary) grows up as the cynosure of his father’s eyes, while Shiva ends up begging with his father. There’s more: the children who were born at midnight on 14th August 1947 have special abilities with Saleem having the power to contact all of them telepathically. While Saleem tries to get them to convene for a greater cause, there’s no end to Shiva bullying him and trying to take over. When a chance blood test reveals that Saleem is not the son of his parents, he is packed off to Pakistan to stay with his aunt Emerald (Anita Majumdar) and her husband General Zulfikar (Rahul Bose).

Now grown up, Saleem (Satya Bhabha) can still not stand up to Shiva (Siddharth), who in turn has just gotten more aggressive and bitter. Saleem returns to his parents in Karachi with his sister Jamila (Soha Ali Khan) now a famous singer, but his father distant as ever. Unable to bear the guilt, Mary confesses the swapping. After a severe bombing, Saleem finds himself in Bangladesh, and then in Delhi in the warm comfort of another midnight child, Parvati (Shriya Saran).

But fate has more in store for these midnight’s children.

Shriya Saran and Satya Bhabha (Midnight’s Children Movie Stills)

Midnight’s Children Review: Script Analysis

Salman Rushdie may be the stalwart of magic realism when it comes to books, but you can’t say the same about his skills on the big screen. The adaptation of his Booker Prize winning novel with the same title does not work. One of the reasons is that the movie delves into Saleem’s ancestors needlessly. The narrational flaws seep into the film so much that the entire parallel of the lives of the midnight children and the two countries born/torn at the same time is lost in the whirlwind of characters who already take too much time to establish themselves on screen.

The dialogues seem more apt for a book than for a movie.

Midnight’s Children Review: Star Performances

The major flaw was with the casting of the lead actor Satya Bhabha as Saleem Sinai. Timid could have been understandable, but Satya’s performance borders on effeminate and bad. Shriya Saran keeps him company in the bad acting department as Parvati the witch. Extremely tanned, Siddharth keeps your hopes high in his villainous role as Shiva though his screen time is inadequate. Ronit Roy is excellent as Ahmed Sinai: the doting and brutal father comes unbelievably easily to him. Rahul Bose is incomparable as General Zulfikar. Don’t miss the scene when he announces his bride-to-be!

Shabana Azmi only gets to throw a fit in her small role as Naseem while Soha Ali Khan is left with precious little as Jamila. The veterans Seema Biswas, Rajat Kapoor and Anupam Kher breeze through their roles as Mary, Aadam and Ghani respectively. The role of Prime Minister cheekily goes to Sarita Choudhary’s able hands. Shahana Goswami exceeds expectations as Mumtaz/Amina. Kulbhushan Kharbanda comes as a cute surprise package as Picture Singh. Darsheel Safary is good as the young Saleem.

Midnight’s Children Review: Direction, Music & Technical Aspects

This round does not go to Deepa Mehta. An interesting novel gets turned into noise with half-developed characters racing to a garbled finale. The complex story gets no justice with her. The children coming together with Saleem looks more like a creepy scene out of a sequel of The Sixth Sense when it should have been more like a precursor to X-Men.

Dilip Mehta’s production design is good, but inverted swastikas on the houses in Agra speak of lazy research. The saving grace is Giles Nuttgens’ cinematography which peeks through netted fans, brightly lit cities and offer a palette of incredible colours on screen. Nitin Sawhney rescues a bit with his slow, caressing music.

The bits and pieces pasted from recent footage to depict India’s independence celebration stick out like a sore thumb. The subtitles needed more work. When Shiva hisses “Saali…” at Parvati in Hindi, the subtitle reads “Slut”. No marks for Colin Monie’s editing.

Midnight’s Children Review: The Last Word

Midnight’s Children is a movie that gets lost in its translation on the big screen. Catch this one only if you’re big on art and a fan of Rushdie.

Midnight’s Children Trailer

Midnight’s Children released on 1st February, 2013.

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