Tanu Weds Manu - Movie Review

Cast :: R Madhavan & Kangna Ranaut

For some strange reason, Hindi cinema has often projected an NRI youngster as a cool and hep dude, pretending to speak Hindi with an English accent. But that, in my opinion, is merely a façade. It%s far from real. Sure, there could be exceptions, but every NRI who arrives in India isn%t wearing an Armani or Versace. Neither is he a die-hard romantic like Raj or Rahul. In fact, a lot of NRIs I know are amused to note that while they held on to the traditions, the ones in India are more inclined towards the West.

Yet, the East-West love story remains a pet theme that continues to invade the Hindi screen. Films like PURAB AUR PASCHIM, DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE and NAMASTEY LONDON have explored this topic most convincingly. In fact, a lot many people feel that YRF and Dharma have highlighted this aspect in various films, which the diaspora has lapped up with glee. But, of late, films that carry with them the scent of the soil are being attempted by our storytellers. TANU WEDS MANU too highlights this facet.

The NRI in TANU WEDS MANU is docile, unassuming and soft-spoken, has no accent or attitude, believes in arranged marriages, relishes the evergreen songs of Mohammed Rafi, is old-fashioned literally. The girl is contradictory. She%s belligerent and dominating, also smokes, drinks and uses expletives, has had many ¯fairs%, has her new boyfriend%s name tattooed on her chest, is a straight-forward and fearless babe. This is their story!

Like his directorial debut STRANGERS, director Aanand L Rai opts for unconventional and unpredictable situations in TANU WEDS MANU. Of course, the fact that Tanu and Manu would tie the knot sooner or later is at the back of your mind, even before the reels have begun to unfold, but you want to experience their journey - their voyage from strangers to lovers.

TANU WEDS MANU has some great moments, some standard ones, some tedious ones as well, when you feel that the story is being stretched for no particular reason. The drama tends to get heavy after a point and that takes a toll on the film. In fact, the writing gets shaky in the middle of the second hour, although the finale is well thought of and implemented. You may call it clichéd or formulaic, but it works big time.

Meet Manu [R. Madhavan], a seedha saadha Doctor from London. Intelligent, temperate and from a respectable family, the perfect groom which every parent wants for their daughter. When he arrives in India, he realizes that India has changed and so have the people. The Indian women in particular are more attracted towards the Western lifestyle. Family pressure leads him to Kanpur to meet Tanu [Kangna Ranaut], the quintessential small-town girl who has studied in Delhi.

Tanu is a smart, intelligent girl who will do everything that her parents will disapprove. With a mind of her own and a love for rebellion, Tanu is dead against an arranged marriage. But destiny holds something totally different for these diametrically diverse personalities.

Although not similar to JAB WE MET, TANU WEDS MANU conjures up memories of the Imtiaz Ali-directed film. The Punjabi setting and the rebellious girl are two prominent similarities that one recollects instantly. Besides, in HUM DIL DE CHUKE SANAM, PARDES, JAB WE MET as well as TANU WEDS MANU, the girl is in love with someone else and the protagonist helps them take the relationship forward. But director Aanand L Rai ensures that TANU WEDS MANU retains its individuality and doesn%t come across as a replica/clone of those immensely likable films. In fact, his handling of several light moments as well as dramatic ones is exemplary.

TANU WEDS MANU has some wonderful moments in the first hour, but I%d like to single out the sequence when Madhavan confides in Deepak Dobriyal about Kangna not wanting to marry him. Also, the sequence at the interval comes as a bolt from the blue. It%s the writing in the post-interval portions that bothered me. Jimmy Sheirgill%s sequences aren%t as convincing. Also, since Kangna is shown to be a blabber mouth and also forthright and outspoken, why does she turn docile all of a sudden? It doesn%t go with her character, honestly. Also, since Ravi Kissen has Madhavan%s photograph [presumably handed to him by Jimmy Sheirgill], why is Jimmy unaware that Madhavan is the same guy when he meets him for the first time? A few hiccups, but not the type that really go against the film. However, the penultimate 15/20 minutes bring the film back on tracks. Actually, the climax is the highpoint of this enterprise.

The soundtrack takes you by complete surprise. It is earthy and charming. %Sadi Gali% and %Jugni% are two tracks that act as pillars and would help attract moviegoers to cineplexes. Also, the popular track of yesteryears, %Kajra Mohabbat Wala%, is well integrated in the narrative. Chirantan Das%s cinematography captures the lush locales of North India well.

Even though Madhavan enacts the role of an NRI, he doesn%t come across as a stereotypical phoren returned desi. He is real, restrained, yet forceful. To essay a character in such an understated manner is a challenge for any actor and he does it with complete understanding of the character. Unlike her past films, Kangna plays a part that has a zest for life and is bold and fun-loving at the same time. She%s audacious, but lovable. Nonetheless, she needs to work on her pronunciation/diction, which sounds so peculiar.

Jimmy Sheirgill springs a pleasant surprise. Known for portraying soft/positive roles, this one comes as a complete shocker. Though his role isn%t well etched out, he leaves a solid impression in the latter reels. Ravi Kissen is wasted. What is he doing in this film? Deepak Dobriyal is superb yet again. This dynamic actor is under-utilized in our films. Rajendra Gupta, K.K. Raina, Navni Parihaar and Deepti Mishra are effective. Eijaz Khan and Swara Bhaskar are wonderful.

On the whole, TANU WEDS MANU is a feel-good, light-hearted entertainer with the right dose of humor, drama and romance, besides a popular musical score and some smart dialogue that act as toppings. If you like simple, uncomplicated films that tug at your heartstrings, then chances are that you might just like this sweet little rom-com. In terms of economics, the right holders have already recovered a substantial amount from the sale of Satellite Rights. The merits of the film coupled with no major opposition till 1 April will ensure healthy returns on their investment, thus making the investors recover the remainder amount easily. The only concern is the inopportune release period for movies [World Cup] and chances are its business might get affected on days when crucial matches are played, especially when India is on field.

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01 - Tanu Weds Manu - Sadi Gali@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Tanu Weds Manu - Yun Hi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Tanu Weds Manu - Rangrez@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Tanu Weds Manu - Piya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Tanu Weds Manu - Mannu Bhaiya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Tanu Weds Manu - Jugni@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Tanu Weds Manu - Rangrez (Hey Rangrez Mere Hey)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Tanu Weds Manu - Sadi Gali@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Tanu Weds Manu - Yun Hi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Tanu Weds Manu - Rangrez@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Tanu Weds Manu - Piya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Tanu Weds Manu - Mannu Bhaiya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Tanu Weds Manu - Jugni@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Tanu Weds Manu - Rangrez (Hey Rangrez Mere Hey)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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7 Saat Khoon Maaf - Movie Review

Cast :: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Priyanka Chopra, Naseruddin Shah, John Abraham, Mohanlal, Irrfan Khan

The very thought of watching a Vishal Bhardwaj film excites a movie buff no end. Right from MAKDEE to KAMINEY, Bhardwaj's body of work stands out from the rest. The forward-thinking film-maker's fixation for adapting novels and plays is known to all and sundry by now. Continuing with his practice of adapting from the written form, the supremely talented storyteller now adapts Ruskin Bond's short story 'Susanna's Seven Husbands' for his new outing 7 KHOON MAAF. Known for walking the unusual path, Bhardwaj narrates an unconventional story yet again - of a woman who marries multiple times, following the untimely death of her husbands.

Till a few years ago, no one would've ever thought of making a film on a woman who marries, remarries, weds again, ties the knot yet again... in fact, she walks down the aisle multiple times. That's not all, the woman, we are told, kills each of her husbands subsequently. The theme might come as a jolt to the trditional moviegoers, since the wives on the Hindi screen are either depicted as docile and dutiful or fiercely independent and ambitious. The question is, will the orthodox Indian audience absorb a theme like this? It's blasphemous, some may opine. Imagine a murderous bride, some may rant.

There's talk that 7 KHOON MAAF is also loosely inspired from an Italian movie by the name SETTE VOLTE DONNA aka WOMAN TIMES SEVEN [1967], helmed by Vittorio De Sica. That one depicted seven short stories with adultery as the focal point [Shirley MacLaine, the protagonist, knits these stories together]. However, the resemblance could be coincidental and not an attempt to plagiarize that film.

7 KHOON MAAF works in parts. A few stories - involving Neil Nitin Mukesh, John Abraham, Irrfan Khan and Annu Kapoor - are absorbing, while at least two could've been better narrated - Naseeruddin Shah and Aleksandr Dyachenko. The unfortunate part is that the uninteresting ones come in the latter half and coupled with its excessive length, the impact generated by a captivating first hour gets diluted in the process. Even the culmination doesn't sweep you off your feet.

Not just the unconventional plot, even the execution of the subject material is offbeat and quirky. There are several instances in the narrative where the viewer has to stay very, very attentive. Unlike other films, Bhardwaj wants his viewer to stay attentive and use his mind while watching the various stories in 7 KHOON MAAF. In one sequence, the camera zooms and the funeral transforms into a marriage, while another sequence depicts the marriage transforming into a funeral. Also, the mystery of the killer with five fingers and one toe is disentangled towards the end, but the sequence doesn't register as effectively thanks to the way it has been depicted.

Susanna [Priyanka Chopra] is unlucky in love. Her first husband, Major Edwin [Neil Nitin Mukesh], is overtly possessive and suspicious. After his demise, Susanna marries Jimmy [John Abraham] as she is floored by his musical talent. Jimmy becomes successful, but with success comes girls and drugs. He dies of drug overdose.

Enter Wasiullah aka Musafir [Irrfan Khan]. Impressed by his poetry, Susanna marries him, but discovers that he's a romantic in daytime, but a beast at night. He too gets eliminated. Susanna falls for the suave Nicolai [Aleksandr Dyachenko] from Moscow, but this marriage doesn't last long as Susanna discovers that Vronsky has a wife in Russia.

Following the death of a foreign national, the police start taking keen interest in the case. The officer Keemat Lal [Annu Kapoor] enters Susanna's life. Initially, he asks for sexual favors and later, persuades her to marry him. He dies due to cardiac arrest. After the death of Keemat Lal, Susanna marries Dr. Modhusudon [Naseeruddin Shah]. Susanne is depressed and he puts her on a mushroom only diet. But he's the first guy in her life who wants to get rid of her. Instead, she murders him.

In the end, Susanna marries yet again... for the seventh time. This time, to someone who knows she has committed the murders and sins. What happens next?

Though Priyanka is shown killing her husbands with the help of her ever-faithful staff, let this be told that it's not a scary or frightful experience. Sure, it's intense, but at the same time Bhardwaj injects humor in the narrative and that's the prime reason why the narrative never gets heavy or serious. I'd like to say this film is in a space of its own.

Also, though the protagonist marries and remarries, you don't feel any kind of animosity or hatred for the character. On the contrary, one empathizes with her never-ending pursuit for true love. One feels the pain, loneliness and tragedy that she goes through and that's what makes her the woman that she eventually turns out to be. Wicked, she is, but Bhardwaj offers reasons for her to get rid of those men. The reasons, in most cases, are convincing. But the transition from one man/husband to another is so sudden that Susanna comes across as a desperate lady hankering for yet another marriage.

Bhardwaj, the writer, leaves the viewer clueless about the two stories in the second hour. Fine, Susanna had learnt that her Russian husband had a wife and two kids tucked away in Russia, but the manner in which the entire case is solved leaves you baffled. In fact, one often wonders if it was so easy to murder a person and move on in life. How could the law enforcement remain a silent spectator despite multiple murders/mysterious deaths involving the same woman? The writing didn't appear foolproof and convincing to me.

Bhardwaj shares yet another responsibility in his films - handling the music department. One is assured that Bhardwaj would come up with lilting and high quality compositions, but the soundtrack of 7 KHOON MAAF is strictly okay. The Indian version of the Russian song 'Kalinka', 'Darling', is already a rage and it goes without saying that it's the best track of the enterprise. Rendered brilliantly, the song is sure to be one of the reasons why people will be tempted to watch the film.

Always ready to accept challenges in her career [AITRAAZ, YAKEEN, FASHION] and raising the bar with her performances, Priyanka accepts the challenge to portray ages from 21 to 65 in 7 KHOON MAAF. It must've been an arduous task to get the different age-groups right, but she proves her infinite acting potential yet again. Known to be an actress who stays true to every character that she is portraying, Priyanka delivers yet another sparkling, award worthy performance this time. There are several love-making sequences with her husbands and Priyanka has handled those [bold] sequences without inhibitions.

Amongst the remaining cast, Annu Kapoor leaves the maximum impact. He's simply outstanding! John doesn't really get much scope, Neil is effective, Irrfan is wonderfully restrained, Naseer is believable and Aleksandr is passable. Vivaan Shah, who narrates the story of Susanna, is a talent to watch out for. Though it's his maiden film as an actor, it doesn't seem like one. He is not your regular debutant and that's what makes his character appear so real. Konkona Sen Sharma does well. Usha Uthup and the two male helps are good.

On the whole, 7 KHOON MAAF is a dark film that has its share of positives and negatives. However, the film will meet with diverse reactions - some will fancy it, while some will abhor it. The film will appeal more to the critics/columnists and the festival circuit. However, it is not the kind of cinema that will set the box-office ablaze. Ideally, I would've given a two star rating for this film, but I am going ahead with an extra star for Priyanka Chopra's sterling performance!

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01 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Darling@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Bekaraan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - 7 Khoon Maaf - O Mama@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Awaara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Tere liye@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Dil Dil Hai@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Yeshu@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Doosri Darling@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - 7 Khoon Maaf - O Mama (Acoustic)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Darling@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Bekaraan@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - 7 Khoon Maaf - O Mama@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Awaara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Tere liye@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Dil Dil Hai@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Yeshu@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - 7 Khoon Maaf - Doosri Darling@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - 7 Khoon Maaf - O Mama (Acoustic)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Patiala House - Movie Review

Cast :: Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma & Rishi Kapoor

Director Nikihil Advani and Akshay's last outing together, the infamous CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA, remains a favorite punching bag to this day. Besides, PATIALA HOUSE comes at a time when people have had an overdose of Akshay starrers. I reiterate, there ought to be at least six months' gap between two films of a major star, while this is Akshay's fourth release in six months [KHATTA MEETHA - 23 July, ACTION REPLAYY - 5 November and TEES MAAR KHAN - 24 December]. Moreover, the film opens exactly one week before the keenly anticipated World Cup cricket matches and coupled with that, it will have no breathing space as the very next week witnesses the release of another much-awaited film 7 KHOON MAAF. Expecting PATIALA HOUSE to overcome these hurdles is tough, mainly when the chips are down!

The chips are down also because people assume PATIALA HOUSE to be something which it is not. Let me clarify that PATIALA HOUSE is not an 'extension' of Akshay's previous films. Sure, PATIALA HOUSE has its share of humorous moments, but the humor is of the subtle kind here. Nor can one compare it to NAMASTEY LONDON, since that film was more of a love story between a British-born Indian and a desi Indian, while PATIALA HOUSE is more of an inspirational film. It's about chasing your dreams as and when you get another opportunity, if you don't succeed the first time.

Essentially, PATIALA HOUSE is a somber film, with the focal point being drama and histrionics rather than the slapstick wit or in-your-face comedy that one anticipates from an Akshay starrer. It's more about familial bonding, with a sport [cricket] interwoven in the screenplay. This one doesn't tickle your funny bone; instead it moistens your eyes thanks to the poignant moments in the narrative, especially the penultimate moments of the film. Those exhausted of watching Akshay getting typecast in similar genre films will drop the charges while watching this one. This is, without a shred of doubt, amongst Akshay's finest performances.

On the flip side, the screenplay of PATIALA HOUSE is erratic - vacillating between engaging to run of the mill to flaccid moments. In fact, a chunk involving the game plan - the family trying various gimmicks and ploys to conceal the truth from Rishi Kapoor - is lame and bizarre. Ditto for the romance between Akshay and Anushka; it comes across as half-baked and looks tame. Even the members of the family, most of them, have ill-defined characters. Fortunately, these deficiencies get camouflaged as the father and son get set for an emotional showdown in the pre-climax. From this point onwards, right till the euphoric victory, the film reaches its pinnacle.

PATIALA HOUSE is an underdog. The expectations are zilch, the odds are not in its favor, but the film throws a pleasant surprise. Go for it!

At Patiala House lives the Kahlon family ruled by Bauji [Rishi Kapoor]. They follow his diktats as he tries to hold onto his 'Indian values' in the land of the goras. The younger generation at Patiala House wants to assert themselves and follow their dreams, but is held back by their respect and love for Bauji and the shining example of Bauji's eldest son, Parghat Singh Kahlon aka Gattu [Akshay Kumar].

Gattu's decision to turn cricketer and play for England is unacceptable to Bauji, who tears his dream apart right in front of his eyes. A dejected Gattu decides to live the life that his father forces upon him. Gattu genuinely cares and respects his father's opinion, so much that he is prepared to let his own dream be sacrificed in the process. Will Bauji loosen his hold and let the youngsters find their own dreams, instead of following his? Will Gattu get a second chance to live his life?

There's no denying that the story of PATIALA HOUSE reminds you of Gurinder Chadha's BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, wherein Parminder Nagra, as the second-generation Sikh girl, defied her parents' wishes to play football. However, PATIALA HOUSE is a film about attachments, affiliations and familial bonding, about respect and trying to adjust to contradictory values that generally crop up when one relocates to another country. More importantly, it's about dreams and aspirations and how fate offers you a second chance in life. PATIALA HOUSE is not one of those atypical mass entertainers that focuses only on providing entertainment, while the story takes a complete backseat. This one, thankfully, has a story to tell. And an interesting one, frankly. Also, as much as this film focuses on the relationship between the father and son, it also weaves the popular sport well in the narrative and that makes for an interesting viewing. However, the cricket factor is subsidiary; the focal point remains the father-son conflict. Nikhil Advani ensures that beneath the familial bonding and curbed aspirations, there's an underlined message as well: Chase you dreams, don't give up, you live only once!

The film has some striking moments and I would like to single out the ones when writers Nikhil Advani and Anvita Dutt Guptan take you back in time to a younger Rishi Kapoor and Akshay's childhood. The racist attacks and how it impacts the family is straight out of life. Besides, the vital sequence in the film - Rishi commands the young Akshay [enacted by Usman Qureshi] to abandon his plans of playing for England - is utmost convincing. The climax, of course, is powerful and the hallmark of this enterprise. It evokes emotions on dual levels - when the father decides to watch his son play cricket and also when Akshay wins the match for England. Ideally, the film should've concluded on this euphoric note, but the song thereafter lessens the impact of the exhilarated climax.

Director Nikhil Advani regains his position as a compelling storyteller, which he had lost post SALAAM-E-ISHQ and CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA. He illustrates his proficiency in the dramatic portions, handling the father-son sequences with dexterity. The soundtrack [music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy] is melodic, with 'Kyun Main Jaagoon' being the best track of the enterprise. The song conveys the spirit of the film well. The placement of 'Laungda Lashkara' may be debatable, but the song is tuneful nonetheless. The background score [also by S-E-L] is classy. Santosh Thundiyil's cinematography is stunning.

Gattu is a character anyone can relate to or empathize with and to portray that convincingly is indeed difficult, but Akshay plays this part with rare maturity. It's a complex role to portray since he has to conceal the emotional turmoil he is experiencing within, yet wear a cheery expression against all adversities. The viewer is sure to connect directly and indirectly with this character, even if he/she may have not have experienced what he does in this film. Also, Akshay ensures that his bowling skills look absolutely realistic on screen and he does justice to the sport.

Rishi Kapoor, cast as the patriarch of a family settled in U.K., gets it right yet again. Note his dialect and body language in particular. As Bauji, the veteran actor delivers a sparkling performance, which would rank amongst his superlative work when you look back at his illustrious career. Dimple Kapadia doesn't really get much opportunity initially, but is wonderful in the penultimate sequence when she confronts Rishi Kapoor.

Anushka is an integral part of the story. She is Akshay's shoulder, an unconditional support for him and she fits perfectly into her character. Amongst the plethora of actors, Armaan Kirmani [as Akshay's brother] is excellent, Jeneva Talwar [as Armaan's pregnant wife, Akshay's sis-in-law] is top notch and Usman Qureshi [essaying Akshay's earlier years] is natural. Tinnu Anand is competent, as always. Prem Chopra is okay. Soni Razdan does a fair job. The kid who plays Anushka's brother is smart.

On the whole, PATIALA HOUSE is a film about attachments, affiliations and familial bonding. It's a compelling watch, more for its drama and histrionics than anything else. It's a film that explores the father-son relationship and not just those in India, but around the world should be able to relate to the predicament depicted in this film. The hallmark of the film is the merging of its engaging drama with cricket and that's what makes this product stand out from the earlier Akshay starrers. Especially its penultimate 30 minutes, which is the brightest spot of this enterprise. If the movie succeeds in pulling the heartstrings of the moviegoer, it would propel Akshay back in the same position he once was after the victory of NAMASTEY LONDON and SINGH IS KINNG.

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01 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Patiala House - Aadat Hai Voh@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Patiala House - Tumba Tumba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Unplugged)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Patiala House - Aval Allah@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Patiala House - Aadat Hai Voh@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Patiala House - Tumba Tumba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Unplugged)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Patiala House - Aval Allah@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Yeh Saali Zindagi - Movie Review

Cast :: Arunoday Singh, Chitrangda Singh, Irrfan Khan

A while ago, while chatting him up for my show on TV, someone queried Sudhir Mishra as to why Hindi film industry fails to produce qualitative movies, unlike the 1960s and 1970s, which have tremendous recall value even in the present day? I markedly remember, Mishra didn't blink an eyelid while answering this one: "That's because most producers are not literate enough to understand scripts that could elevate the standards of Hindi films. Film-making for them is limited to the weekend business these days." The proclamation stayed with me!

When you saunter into a cineplex to watch a Sudhir Mishra film, it's given that this maverick film-maker will serve you non-formulaic stuff. As a viewer, I liked some of his efforts [IS RAAT KI SUBAH NAHIN, HAZAARON KHWAISHEIN AISI], but a few didn't live up to my expectations. His new film, YEH SAALI ZINDAGI, has already generated the buzz for a variety of reasons. It's 'controversial' or 'provocative' title being the key one.

Before I proceed further, let me tell you that the title is of immense significance to the film. Sure, it may sound offensive [the Censor Board chief too raised a hue and cry, asking Mishra to change the title of the film], but why does a commonly used word ['saali'] create an uproar? Actually, I am quite amused at the brouhaha. In our society, we refer to the sister-in-law as saali, don't we? Besides, almost three decades ago, the Dilip Kumar starrer SAGINA had a very popular song [which we recall to this day], 'Saala Main To Sahab Ban Gaya' and more recently, 'Pappu Can't Dance Saala' from JAANE TU YA JAANE NA took the nation by storm. Even recently, the word 'Saali' was used in a song from NO ONE KILLED JESSICA, 'Aali Re Saali Re'. Also, when you view YEH SAALI ZINDAGI, you realize that 'saali' has been used as a symbol to the vagaries of life and not as a derogatory, abusive, swear word. It's not slang, but a flare-up of expression.

It requires a fearless and courageous film-maker [Prakash Jha] to back an audacious film-maker [Sudhir Mishra] to create a motion picture that defies stereotype. The risk involved is colossal, but the satisfaction of having created a product that has tremendous shelf life is incalculable. YEH SAALI ZINDAGI is a striking case in point.

In an industry where mediocre scripts rule and funds are readily available for projects only if 'saleable stars' are ready to sign on the dotted line, in an industry where tried and tested formula and shortcuts have become a habit, YEH SAALI ZINDAGI comes as a courageous attempt. It may not be this fiercely independent film-maker's most accomplished effort, but it has the guts and valor to narrate an innovative story with a brand new approach.

At the same time, I'd like to add that the content is quirky, the relationships depicted in the film are complex and twisted and the format of narrating the story [including the edit pattern] is poles apart from what one is used to watching in the customary Hindi film. Even the spoken language is harsh, crude, with lots of expletives and swear words thrown in. But that's the beauty of this film. It walks a different path.

Final word? Sudhir Mishra is back in form. You need a strong belly to stomach this one!

Arun [Irrfan Khan] has to save Priti [Chitrangda Singh], the woman he loves, but for that he first has to save the man Priti loves, Shyam [Vipul Gupta], the future son-in-law of a powerful Minister. Meanwhile, time is running out for Kuldeep [Arunoday Singh], the young gangster who is on his last job as his wife [Aditi Rao Hydari] is threatening to walk out on him and he begins to suspect she is leaving him to go into the arms of another man.

The job has gone haywire for it is still unknown to Kuldeep that the Minister's daughter's engagement with Shyam is off and now she doesn't care whether Shyam lives or dies and more importantly, neither does the Minister who Kuldeep hoped would pay the ransom. Priti finds herself inextricably caught in this mess and Arun has to save her life. But for that he has to risk everything and put his own life at stake, he wonders why he should do it at all, if she still loves another man. He's torn, but love knows no reason.

Sudhir Mishra has worked on a taut screenplay to ensure that at no point in those 2 hours monotony sets in. Multiple stories are running concurrently, but unlike other films, these stories are linked to each other till the very conclusion. There're twists aplenty and the punches that come at regular intervals startle you since they don't follow the set blueprint that most Hindi films follow.

But the film is not without blemishes. One, Mishra should've ensured that the narrative unfolded in the most simplistic manner, for there are sequences which leave behind queries and come across as difficult to comprehend. Since the film has too many characters and too many incidents taking place in the course of a few days, the treatment had to be simplistic, without confusing the viewer, who's seated on the fence and is overseeing the proceedings. Also, the inconsistent pacing is a deterrent. Besides, you find sequences that just add to the run time and have not much significance to the main plot whatsoever.

The climax would meet with mixed reactions, especially the 'bullet' sequence. It would've worked big time in a Manmohan Desai film, but in view of the fact that Sudhir Mishra walks the realistic path, it's a bit difficult to absorb. Nonetheless, it's a brilliant way to end the film!

The soundtrack of YEH SAALI ZINDAGI bears a different sound, especially the title track. Sachin Krishn's cinematography is perfect [the locales of Delhi and outskirts are well captured], but the only problem is that most of the shots have been dimly lit up, which may not be a problem at city plexes having good projection systems, but would pose a problem at smaller towns for sure. Something that even Vishal Bhardwaj had agreed with my viewpoint during KAMINEY. Dialogue [Mishra and Manu Rishi], like I pointed out earlier, are straight out of everyday conversation. The hoi polloi in particular would relish the cuss words, which are generously interwoven in the narrative. Background score is electrifying and the editing [most parts] makes the goings-on impactful.

YEH SAALI ZINDAGI is embellished with gifted actors and as always, it's Irrfan who leads the pack with a superb performance, holding your attention from the very start. He's aggressive when required [with Saurabh Shukla], but docile when handling matters of heart [Chitrangda Singh]. Chitrangda looks stunning and matches up to Irrfan in most parts. In fact, her screen persona is so strong you can't take your eyes off this lady.

Arunoday continues to climb the ladder with every film. The youngster excels in his part and stands out not only because of his towering personality, but also because he's a complete natural. Aditi Rao Hydari is very good. Saurabh Shukla is an accomplished actor and he proves it yet again. Sushant Singh is first-rate, Vipin Sharma is utmost convincing, Yashpal Sharma is remarkable and Prashant Narayanan is superb, as always. Vipul Gupta is another talent to watch out for.

On the whole, YEH SAALI ZINDAGI is a striking example of new age cinema. A daring film with a brand new approach, it's impulsive and engaging with skilful direction and power-packed performances as its strong points. This is one more solid attempt that takes the graph of Hindi cinema to a greater level.

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01 - Yeh Saali Zindagi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Sararara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Dil Dar-Ba-Dar@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Ishq Tere Jalwe@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Kaise Kahein Alvida@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Yeh Saali Zindagi (Bonus Track)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Sararara (II)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Yeh Saali Zindagi (Female Version)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Yeh Saali Zindagi@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Sararara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Dil Dar-Ba-Dar@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Ishq Tere Jalwe@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Kaise Kahein Alvida@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Yeh Saali Zindagi (Bonus Track)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Sararara (II)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Yeh Saali Zindagi (Female Version)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji - Movie Review

Cast :: Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi & Omi Vaidya

Hindi cinema has never been short of movies which abound in humor. In fact, there's a barrage of funny films these days. Whether it's the gentle humor that keeps us smiling constantly [on the lines of Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee's films] or the incisive and sharp wit of TERE BIN LADEN, DO DOONI CHAAR and PHAS GAYE RE OBAMA or the boisterous laughathons attempted by David Dhawan, Anees Bazmee and Priyadarshan, we've enjoyed our share of laughs. But I genuinely feel that the comedy scene in Bollywood is slowly, but perceptibly changing, veering more towards realism and this is exactly what we get to watch in Madhur Bhandarkar's new outing DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI.

So we associate Madhur with somber/serious cinema, tackling issues that concern us, right from CHANDNI BAR to JAIL. By now famous for his socially relevant, hard-hitting films that take potshots at the upper crust, Madhur changes tracks with this one. DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI is a light entertainer at heart, but there's something about the landed gentry in this one as well. It exposes the dual lives they lead.

Without beating around the bush, let me pronounce that I was skeptical about Madhur's abilities when it came to handling light films. Oh yes, he has a terrific sense of humor in real life. On reel, he's synonymous with hard-hitting movies, isn't it? So what prompted this National Award winning film-maker to enter a new terrain - humor? I am sure, it has something to do with discovering newer horizons and taking on unexplored territories. So does the gamble work? Are Madhur's claims - of following Hrishi-da's footsteps with this one - mere hollow words or does he deliver?

Much like Madhur's earlier films, DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI is about real people, situations and problems. Except that the emotion isn't sorrow and the theme isn't dark this time. Irrespective of how his films are received, the one thing Madhur is known for is the unconventional story he wants the viewers to absorb. DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI isn't about three couples and how they discover love, it's about how these three guys who find love, but… let's leave it at that! Else, the twist in the tale will be in public domain.

The camaraderie between Ajay, Emraan and Omi and the unpredictable storyline post intermission is the driving point of this motion picture. In fact, if the first half is laced with light moments, the second half is where the twists-n-turns crop up and each of those stories get nurtured in the process. But there's a flipside too and that's the choice of actors in the finale. Ideally, the makers could've done with known faces in the end. It would've only been an icing on the cake. Also, there are a few rough edges in the narrative, but not the type that would make a big dent.

Also, I'd like to state, it left me wondering as to what prompted the censors to pass the motion picture with an 'Adults Only' certification? I would say that some of the recent films have had far more objectionable and explosive content than this one. Besides, Indian television is full of repugnant and obnoxious material which everyone has free access to. I guess, our censor board needs to be a little more liberal in view of the fact that times have changed and it's about time their attitudes towards cinema also changes.

Final word? This one is amongst Madhur's most accomplished works!

DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI is a slice of life film revolving around Naren [Ajay Devgn], Abhay [Emraan Hashmi] and Milind [Omi Vaidya] and their encounters with love.

A listless Naren, well in his thirties and going through a divorce [Rituparna Sengupta], falls in love with a vibrant and bubbly June [Shazahn Padamsee], who has just stepped out of her teens. Milind, a poet and an idealistic lover, is enamored by an ambitious and practical Gunjan [Shraddha Das], who is determined to follow her dreams. A charming casanova Abhay starts feeling an alien emotion called love when he feels increasingly drawn towards Nikki [Shruti Haasan], a modern girl who knows her needs and speaks her mind.

With its real characters and relatable situations, the film takes a witty look at love and the extent people will go to evade it or attain it.

DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI seizes your attention gradually. One of the reasons could be because Madhur narrates three stories concurrently. Ajay, who portrays the life of a harried bank manager going through a 'mid-life crisis', is very compelling. Watch him in sequences when he sets his eyes on his new office assistant [Shazahn]. Consider the character of Omi, a true-blue romantic, working as a matchmaker, who has never been able to find a soul mate himself. One comes across such people in real life as well. And, of course, there's Emraan, who uses affluent and well heeled women as a stepping stone to attain the resources and luxuries of life. His sequences with Tisca Chopra add spice to the proceedings. Ditto for the women in the film. Especially Shraddha and Tisca, who use men to their advantage. Very real characters. In fact, the variety of love and relationships that we get to watch here is so diverse from what we have been subjected to in Hindi movies since time immemorial. As a matter of fact, each of us must have experienced the varied emotions depicted in this film at some juncture in our lives.

While watching DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI, I recalled a much-acclaimed Basu Chatterjee movie SHAUKEEN, which had three lecherous older men trying to get naughty in their elderly age. Of course, both the films cannot be judged against each other except in view of the fact that both films have three middle-aged men and three elderly gentlemen [in the case of SHAUKEEN] trying to explore the love and lust aspect of their lives. Even the treatment and conversations in DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI are out of everyday life. It's more like a discussion happening between any three normal, everyday guys even when they discuss the opposite ***. There is no dialogue-baazi as such, it is just a normal tete-a-tete happening.

Madhur's attempt of dabbling in the comedy genre may appear dicey for a lot of his detractors, since he's known to be proficient in the art of creating serious/dark movies. But comedy is serious business and Madhur gets it right on most occasions. Let me add, this is not one of those imperceptive and dull-witted films that make an attempt to tickle your funny bone every five minutes. Madhur has interwoven some serious moments in the narrative, which makes it a slice of life film, but which sticks to the commercial format.

The screenplay writing is absorbing at most times. Having said that, I'd like to add that the writing could've been tighter at places. Shraddha's sudden exit leaves you mystified. Also, the film could've done with better names [read, eye candy] in the finale, when the three guys set out for Goa. The climax was already a highpoint and one definitely expected a better culmination. Also, the film could've been tightened in the editing suite.

The expectations from its music are on the higher side, especially after the success of Pritam-Ajay-Emraan's last venture ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. But the problem is that it does not offer much variety, unlike OUATIM. 'Abhi Kuch Dino Se' and 'Tere Bin' are my picks. Cinematography [Ravi Walia] is up to the mark. Sanjay Chhel's dialogue are witty and just perfect for this genre.

Ajay proves his adaptability and versatility yet again. Having impressed us adequately in the past, Ajay portrays a character that takes you back to a very popular actor of his times, Amol Palekar. Ajay underplays his part effortlessly. Emraan, popular also for his skirt chaser image on screen, plays an obsessive philanderer here and he's electrifying. In fact, he spices up the proceedings every time he appears on screen. The role assigned to him is an extension of what he's attempted in the past, yet he interprets it so differently. Omi Vaidya's character gets subdued initially, but it must be said that the earnestness with which he portrays his part makes him endearing. He's remarkable in the sequence when he breaks down while reading the letter.

Shazahn looks like a doll and gets the character right. In fact, she adds so much freshness to the proceedings. Shraddha gives the right shades to her character. She's most convincing when she takes Omi for a ride initially. Shruti appears late in the film, but she leaves an impact nonetheless. Her scenes with Emraan are amusing. Tisca Chopra is superb, especially in the sequence when Emraan confesses that he's in love with someone else. Mukesh Tiwari is first-rate in a brief role. Aditya Raj Kapoor is fair. Rituparna Sengupta does well. Harward Rosemeyer leaves a mark in the funeral sequence.

On the whole, DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI is a feel good, light-hearted rom-com, a slice of life film which the populace and the regular lay person would relate to. Madhur Bhandarkar changes tracks from his trademark women-oriented movies on contemporary issues to a rom-com, which has the unmistakable Bhandarkar signature to it, and emerges triumphant in his new fangled endeavor. The film carries a tagline that reads 'Love grows… Men don't', which seems most appropriate after one has watched it. DIL TOH BACCHA HAI JI, with its bona fide characters and pertinent situations, promises to bring a smile to your face and cheer you up. I strongly recommended it!

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01 - Abhi Kuch Dino Se@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Tere Bin@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Yeh Dil Hai Nakhrewala@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Jadugari@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Beshuba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Tere Bin (Reprise)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Yeh Dil Hai Nakhrewala@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Tere Bin (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Abhi Kuch Dino Se@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Tere Bin@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Yeh Dil Hai Nakhrewala@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Jadugari@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Beshuba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Tere Bin (Reprise)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Yeh Dil Hai Nakhrewala@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Tere Bin (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Yamla Pagla Deewana - Movie Review

Cast :: Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, Bobby Deol, Kulraj Randhawa

In the 1970s and 1980s, Bollywood churned out hardcore masala films by the dozens. Those films appealed to the 'Balcony Class' as well as the 'Stall Audience' (terminology used for dissecting the audience then). Even today, films like SHOLAY, AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY, NAMAK HALAAL, DON, ROTI KAPADA AUR MAKAAN, DHARAM-VEER, MUQADDAR KA SIKANDAR et al, the most popular films of that era, appeal to the guy riding an auto rickshaw as well as the CEO of a multinational company. Masala films, in my opinion, can never go out of vogue. The gargantuan success of films like DABANGG and GOLMAAL 3 last year endorses this viewpoint.

The reason why masala films tick to this date is because they have the power to entertain. I've often heard my non-film friends comment that cinema, for them, symbolizes an outing with their family. They want to be transported to a world of make-believe in those 3 hours and forget their worries/sorrows/trials/tribulations in the process. YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA does that and does so most convincingly.

YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA is a tribute to the cinema of yore. Every rule in the book that made hardcore commercial films major money spinners then have been read minutely and integrated in the plotline of this one. Generally, movie makers often claim that their film is hatke, that it boasts of stuff that the viewer hasn't watched on screen before, but YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA makes no such claims. It is old wine bottled and packaged in a new avatar.

What makes YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA work? A variety of reasons, if you ask me. One, watching the Deol parivaar in one frame is an experience in itself. Two, drama, emotions and light moments are smartly integrated in the narrative. Three, the punches (most of them) are thoroughly enjoyable. Four, the entertainment quotient. Most importantly, it delivers what it promised in its promos: Laughter and amusement. It's a film that caters to the aam aadmi, who's keen on having a good time at the movies. It's definitely NOT for the hard-nosed critics or fakes who masquerade as champions of art house cinema.

But YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA has a flipside too: The romantic sequences are a bore and the music, barring the title track and 'Charha De Rang', is a earsore. Even the climax fight is very, very formulaic. But, thankfully, the plusses outnumber the minusses by leaps and bounds here. The second half, to be specific, salvages the show to a major extent.

Final word? The fans of Deols, even those who had drifted away, are sure to lap it up in a big way. Triple masti, triple mazaa, triple magic... Go, get entertained without using your intellect. The film begins in Canada, travels to Banaras and eventually makes its way to Punjab. The father-son duo of Dharam Singh and Gajodhar Singh (Dharmendra and Bobby Deol) are the biggest con-men in Banaras. Their happy-go-lucky existence involves drinking and pulling off hilarious cons on unsuspecting people. The only hitch in their perfect albeit notorious life arrives in the form of Paramveer Singh Dhillon (Sunny Deol).

A brawny and honest NRI from Vancouver, Paramveer lands up in Banaras claiming to be Gajodhar's elder brother separated at childhood. The duo willingly accepts Paramveer into their fold only to exploit his muscle power to serve their con games.

Meanwhile, Gajodhar falls in love with Sahiba (Kulraj Randhawa), a beautiful girl from Punjab. As their romance reaches its peak, her brothers (Anupam Kher and company) arrive and forcibly take her away. Paramveer saves the day with a crazy plan to win the girl back for Gajodhar, which leads them to the rustic heartlands of Punjab.

Like I pointed out at the very outset, YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA borrows from here, there, everywhere. You can draw parallels with Mirza-Sahiba, the legendary folklore that is popular to this date. Memories of BUNTY AUR BABLI and also DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE come alive while watching this one. The climax, of course, is straight out of 1970s cinema. In fact, writer Jasvinder Singh Bath makes it a point to offer the viewer a new punch every 15/20 minutes. Of course, some are enjoyable, some aren't.

From the writing point of view, the first half leaves you with mixed feelings. The undercurrent of emotions is electrifying and how one wishes director Samir Karnik and the writer would've tapped this aspect, instead of wasting precious celluloid on the romance between Bobby and Kulraj Randhawa. On the brighter side, the action at the start - Sunny saves Dharmendra and Bobby from Johny Lever's goons - is dazzlingly executed. It's aimed at the masses entirely. Also, a number of comic scenes tickle your funny bone in this hour.

The film redeems itself in the post-interval portions. The graph zooms upwards the moment the focus shifts from Banaras to Punjab. The introduction of Anupam Kher's character, his assorted brothers, the sequence when Sunny and Bobby ask for Kulraj's hand in marriage, the arrival of Dharmendra and also Sunny's Canadian wife Emma Brown Garrett subsequently, Sunny's speech in English at the election rally... the fun never stops. Of course, the villain's track (Puneet Issar) is an obstacle and the climax fight, like I pointed out earlier, tries so hard to be funny. Also, the film could've done with trimming.

Director Samir Karnik has targeted the film at the hoi polloi and that segment of moviegoers would love his effort. In fact, the film has several mass-appealing moments that would either send the masses in a tizzy of excitement or make them clap in delight. However, the clap-trap moments are more towards the second hour. Writer Jasvinder Singh Bath seems inspired by the cinema of Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra and if one overlooks the hiccups in the first hour, his screen writing does justice to the genre of the film. The songs aren't appealing, except for the remix version of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana', the yesteryear hit and 'Charha De Rang', which is melodious to the core. 'Tinku Jiya' should appeal to the front-benchers. The cinematography (Kabir Lal) is captivating; the lush green locales of Punjab are well captured on moving picture. Dialogue are well worded. The action sequences (Analarasu) are deftly executed.

Casting the Deols together is a trump card and their real-life bonding reflects delightfully on screen. Dharmendra is endearing and charming as ever. He enacts his part with effortless ease. Sunny is wonderfully restrained. The audience will love him as a sober guy and the ones who expect the brawny star to flex his muscles or raise his voice (the angry man persona) won't be disappointed either. Bobby is equally convincing, matching up to his iconic father and brother every time they appear on screen together. Kulraj looks beautiful and makes an extremely confident big screen debut.

Anupam Kher is outstanding. This is amongst his most lovable acts. Johny Lever is funny in a brief role. Nafisa Ali is graceful as ever. Sucheta Khanna is first-rate. Amit Mistry does very well. Mukul Dev should stage a comeback to movies with this one. He's too good! Himanshu Malik is okay. Puneet Issar is wasted. Emma Brown Garrett (Sunny's wife) is amazing. Ditto for the two child artists, enacting the role of Sunny's kids. Ajay Devgn's voiceover at the start sets the tone for the film.

On the whole, YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA is a hardcore mass entertainer that fulfils the expectations of the aam junta. Those who love Deols will adore this one, while those who don't, won't ignore it either. The film works big time for its mass-appealing second half and loads of entertainment it has to offer. The target audience is the masses and it is this segment of movie-going audience that should carry this film to success. Business at single screens should be exceptional, while the film should set new benchmarks in North India (Punjab specifically). Internationally too, the film should perform the best in U.K., U.S.A. and Canada.

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01 - Yamla Pagla Deewana@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Charha De Rang@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Tinku Jiya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Sau Baar@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Chamki Jawaani@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Son Titariya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Kadd Ke Botal@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Yamla Pagla Deewana (House Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Charha De Rang - 1@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Charha De Rang - 2@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Charha De Rang - 3@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Gurbani@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Yamla Pagla Deewana@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Charha De Rang@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Tinku Jiya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Sau Baar@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Chamki Jawaani@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Son Titariya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Kadd Ke Botal@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Yamla Pagla Deewana (House Mix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Charha De Rang - 1@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Charha De Rang - 2@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Charha De Rang - 3@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Gurbani@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

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Tees Maar Khan - Movie Review

Cast :: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif & Akshaye Khanna

Farah Khan’s comic caper has a lot riding on it. It’s Farah breaking out on her own, free from collaborations that were safe bets from within a comfort zone. In some way it’s a comeback for Akshay Kumar whose had a horrible year of releases. And it’s also Katrina Kaif strongest claim for the top Bollywood heroine slot. (if she doesn’t already own it?)

A lot of question surround this movie but you forget about all of that within minutes when Tees Maar Khan theme song kicks in.

I’ll try my best not to spoil too much of the movie as I was fortunate enough to catch an early preview in London; but honestly speaking I could only spoil some of the comedic beats,not much of the plot.

It’s a pretty straight forward masala caper and most of the set up is in the trailers.

Tees Maar Khan urf Tabrez Mirza Khan ,the biggest con artist in the world, is hired to rob a train carrying an immense treasure for a set of conjoint twin “villains”. He also is a shameless plugger of his own name. There was maybe one too many reference to the title of the movie to my taste but all that is not important for what we get is easily one of the funniest and most entertaining entertainers of the year.

It’s what Housefulll wishes it was, what Action Replayy could never accomplish and what Golmaal lies in bed at night crying it could be one day.

First, I would suggest that if you have a chance, go and watch this movie on the big screen. Partly because it’s the kind of movie that is elevated with a participating audience and partly because it needs the big canvas so you can soak up all the gorgeousness in every shot.

I have a pretty good media set up at home but in no way could I understand the awesomeness of Sheila Ki Jawaani until I saw it today.

There were many discussions the previous weeks about which was the best item number of the year: Munni Badnaam Hui from Dabangg or Sheila Ki Jawaani.I am still not sure I have an answer for that question but what I can tell you is that there were moments in Sheila ki Jawaani that Katrina Kaif took the entire audience’s breath away.

It is EPIC and if I could, I would rewind it and watch it again. You might not be able to do that in a cinema (unless you’re Raja Babu) but what you do get in the theatre experience is the full force of Vishal- Shekar‘s “saaand” blaring through the speakers and every minute detail of Katrina’ s performance elevating the song to a whole new level.

In my opinion Katrina delivers the strongest female comedic performance since Kareena Kapoor in Jab We Met. She is hilarious in every scene as Anya Khan the wannabe Starlet/Item girl and I really hope people stop asking her to prove herself over and over again. I think she has been doing that in her recent roles and this is probably one of her bests.

When reviewing our best Bollywood soundtracks of 2010 (click here) we thought that the Tees Maar Khan OST was maybe not the greatest (I am still not convinced of the Sonu Nigam’s Chipmunk voices) but it could only be fully judged when seeing it picturized. And lo and behold I was humming the songs exiting the theatre and want to get my hands on the soundtrack as soon as I can.

Although Salman Khan’s cameo in Wallah Re Wallah is featured in the promos, it still manages to send a bolt of excitement through your spine.

The first half of the movie just breezes by and the second half has a bit of a slower start but manages to put in a lot more heart in the movie.

So now on to the Khiladi. See I’ve always been fond of Akshay Kumar (especially his work ethic and just plain sincerity) but somewhere his lovable loud mouthed buffoon shtick and those indistinguishable Priyadarshan comedies just turned me away from him.

A movie that I unashamedly loved back in the day was “Mr. and Mrs. Khiladi” ,probably not the most discerning of choices, I admit but Akshay was amazing in it. That’s the kind of Akshay we get here. he is again ahead of the world, a real hero character kids would want to emulate (those fluorescent Jersey Shore Shirts can be omitted) . Someone who is witty, funny and confident. I don’t know if he ad-libs some of his lines in that throw away manner but it makes me crack up everytime and actually believe in Akshay as a leading man again.

Unfortunately for my non-hindi speakers the subtitles were not able to catch every joke thrown in but there are so many if you miss one you’ll surely catch the next one.

There are even “Inception- like” levels of joke-within-a-joke which film geeks can play filmi-bingo with. I would suggest inventing a drinking game around it, someone catches a reference and everyone drinks. Even I jumped with joy seeing Anil Kapoor’s most iconic dance and the whole Master India sequence. (Boney for reals, can we get that Mr.India sequel already??)

But you can also just enjoy the movie just as a fun masala caper with great dances and and performances from the lead as well as the supporting cast (woohoo Avtaar Gill!!) and we even get the final sequence where the whole team apears.

Akshay Khanna is hilarious as the oscar obsessed Bollywood superstar, some will claim it’s inspired by Amir or Shahrukh but I don’t see it really or at least nothing to create news stories about but I’m sure that won’ stop people.

There are certain moment that I did feel the ghost of Shahrukh Khan, who was rumoured as the main lead, loom over Tees Maar Khan. In some of Akshay’s hero poses, comedic repartés and even some of the choreography, you can can almost imagine what Shahrukh would have done with it. Even a few of the sets and décors were eerily similar to Om Shanti Om. But although fun to speculate that’s just context with no real importance to the film.

All in all I think this movie is a great move for Farah, Shrish Kunder and her production company in developing her Manmohan desai style even further. I am truly looking forward to her next paisa vasool flick but until then: go watch Tees Maar Khan on the big screen NOW!

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No Problem - Movie Review

Cast :: Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt, Akshaye Khanna, Suniel Shetty, Sushmita Sen, Kangna Ranaut, Paresh Rawal, Neetu Chandra

Take two petty crooks (Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna), a mean gangster and his moll (Suniel Shetty and Neetu Chandra), a bumbling cop and his schizophrenic wife (Anil Kapoor and Sushmita Sen), a bimbette on the beach (Kangana Ranaut), a bank heist and a puppet in the hands of all these people (Paresh Rawal) and shake them all together in madcap measure...End result: a bunch of clueless people hunting for a cachet of stolen diamonds and relentlessly stepping on each other's toes.

Anees Bazmee is fast donning the mantle of the comedy king in commercial Bollywood. Having delivered big laugh riots like Singh is Kinng, Welcome and No Entry, Bazmee seems to be spinning box office magic in a style reminiscent of David Dhawan's oeuvre during the 1990s. There's a similar incoherence and a method in his madness as he spins implausible yarns that have just one objective. They want to tickle your funny bone, any which way, even if means throwing reason and logic out of the window. But hey, when did the desi box office ever bother about inanities like sense and sensibility.

So go ahead and have a blast with a film that celebrates chaos and hopes to be the stress buster you have been looking for after a hectic twenty-tenner. And yes, don't forget your crispies because this one's meant to pop the corn with its crazy characters and its cornball humour. Leading the brat pack is Anil Kapoor who tries a desi Pink Panther with his foolish cop act. He may have the responsibility of nabbing all the criminals running around in sylvan South Africa, but rest assured his handcuffs -- meant for the bad guys -- are always going to hang loose on his hips and the bullets in his gun will never meet their target. Small wonder then, H@rdC0re robber Marco (Suniel Shetty) can barely stifle a yawn when the bumbling officer announces his arrival. But his foolishness elicits the best response from his wife, Sushmita Sen, who is torn between loving her husband or killing him for his stupidity. Her murderous bouts are the high point of the film, as are Paresh Rawal's attempts to set things right by setting them all wrong. Both Sanjay Dutt and Akshaye Khanna too seem to get their comic timing right as the goon buddys who are out to make a fast buck. Sadly, Kangana Ranaut's attempts to re-fashion her image from girl interrupted to giggly-headed beauty queen don't seem to have an edge.

The film does seem to be roughly edited in places and could do with some nips and tucks. Even the music (Sajid Wajid, Pritam, Anand Raj Anand) doesn't have the chartbuster flavour of the Singh is Kinng audio track. But rest assured, No Problem will make you forget your problems, provided you are willing to get goofy and give up your quest for meaning in masala.

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