Bhool Bhulaiyaa

Film: Bhool Bhulaiyaa

Dir: Priyadarshan

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Shiny Ahuja, Ameesha Patel, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav

Rating: 3/5

REVIEW

Of late Mr Priyadarshan's offings have been of the catagory where the comedy seems to be forced in and too overbaked. Also he has been typecasted into comedy. This film does a lot of good to him. This film has comedy, suspense and horror.

Plot revolves around a Raj Mahal in Rajasthan and its history and its present. Things start going terribly wrong from the say Shiny Ahuja and his wife Vidya Balan (Siddharth and Avni) move into the mahal contarary to the elder wisdom. Siddharth is a rationalist and doesnot believe in bhoot -pret. He feels that someone in the family is mentally ill and exploiting the fear of the family. Steps in the psychatrist friend - Akshay and the suspense unfolds.

The second half is longer than the first hour though for me the film doesnot drag because I could not find any portion the film could have done without. The cinematography adds a lot to a spine chilling experience at a lot of places and so does the editing. The music is ok but labon ko is great though it could have been picturised better and would have looked magic if the pacing of the shots was slightly slower.

Direction is apt. Performance wise film belongs to Vidya Balan. She is wonderful in the second half. Akshay Kumar does a great job again. Paresh Rawal is again in top form though hbis character is inconsequential towards the end. His delivery is awesome his expressions are magic. Especially loved his lines "Sab log jhund me chalo. Mujhe ye batane me bilkul sharam nahin aa rahi ke mujhe dar lag raha hai". He just mesmerises you each time he gets a chance. Amisha Patel is reasonable. Manoj Joshi is good. Asrani and Rajpal dont have much to talk about. The big disappointment though is Shiny Ahuja. He could not fit into the image of a Royal person. It is a case of miscast and not very convinving portrayal.

Overall a more than entertaing affair. Enjoy the Bhool Bhulaiyaa!!!

PARZANIA

Movie: Parzania

Dir: Rahul Dholakia

Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Sarika, Parzan Dastur

Rating: ****

REVIEW

It was my class 10 board exams when Godhra episode had happened. My English paper was postponed because there was a bandh observed on 1st March. I felt terrible. Exams postponed!

But then, I could not imagine the gravity of situation. Parzania, which came 5 years later, is an eye opener. Not over baked. Never hams. These are some comments you can vouch and associate with this film.

Truly a representative of the new era of Indian Cinema the film rocks. If the future is goin to be films like this, its encouraging to say the least.

Parzania is the story of a closely knit Parsi family - Naseer, Sarika, Parzan and a little girl. A modest middle class family, living in a chawl in Ahmedabad and having no complains with life whatsoever. While Sarika is a home maker, Naseer (Cyrus) is employed in a 'Talkies'. Parzan is a cricket freak. All was smooth upto 28th of February 2002 - the black day on which Godhra blast took place. The fire spread wild. The blast was may be manufactured and used as a political weapon and HINDU - MUSLIM rift was sparked. A mob of thousands of party activists bombed the chawl and massacured the Muslims. Even the neighbours didnot come to rescue when Shehnaz (Sarika) sought shelter for her little kids. The chaos was such that Parzan got left behind in the run for life and could not be traced in any form living or dead till date.

The film wins not only because it portrays the riots very realistically but also brillaintly captures the struggle of the family to get back young family. Almost everything under the face of the earth has been tried. Police and priest alike but NO RESULT!!!!

Script, which is the foundation of any film, is excellent and well balanced. Direction by Mr Dholakia is great. The technicalities of the film are superb- be it editing or cinematography all departments contribute. But the flm needed performances from its actors. And who better then Naseer and Sarika. Both are brillaint and go strength to strength. Sarika is par excllence in the riot portion as well as the trial portion while naseer spells magic in the part when he goes for a nine day seclusion for his son Parzan. Parzan dastoor and his sis are good. All the others chip in.

Overall a film worth watching and then having a copy of it in your DVD library for more watches!!!! Great and honest!

FULL OF HAPPYNESS

Well do I need to review this movie. Id rather just share my opinion about this movie. Very rarely do I watch Angrezi flicks. And even more rarely do i get so engrossed into it. This film is full of inspiration, grit and yes happyness! The film is technically flawless. Will Smith is just awesome. I can still remember the scene where he runs down the stairs and celebrates his victory. Never seen such a subtle and such a honest performance!!! Truly mind boggling!!!!