POINT OF VIEW 2

With a person of Aamir Khan's stature being involved in a film you expect the cinema to be something totally refreshing. TZP and Jaane Tu..were two movies he offered in the past 6 months. Though not producing this time hes seen in much awaited and much hyped GHAJANI. But sadly, this one according to me, cannot be named in the same league as TZP. Both the films are as different as chalk and cheese but still TZP was almost flawless. But Ghajani comes with its share of detterents as well. Firstly the plusses of the film would definately be Aamir. He uses his eyes brilliantly. His physique is sure to impress all. His acting phenomenal. See him in the scene where he breaks down in the hospital in front of Jiah Khan. Asin is another winner in the film. Her performance is commendable. Music is classy as you expect with AR Rehman. Now for the minusses- the main pillars on which you develop a great cinema i.e the story/screenplay and the editing are let down on occassions.There are portions where the writing is fantastic but there are more places where it is a letdown. Certain parts of the screenplay look too unbelievable and illogical. There was a scope to cut down the length of the film from 3 hrs to more efficient 2 hour plus. The Aamir- Asin track goes on for much too longer than necessary. Coming back to the screenplay the character of Jiah Khan is the weakest link of the story.

In all an all the film is good for a watch neither worth 4.5 rating as given by some critcs neither deserves just a 2. The rating would be somewhere around 3.

POINT OF VIEW

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi is the latest offering by YRF. And I feel the effort is not too bad. It is certainly not DDLJ, but a DDLJ comes once in a lifetime. What was missing in the film was a concinving plotline. Plus the screenplay is filled with all the tried and tested bollywood tricks most of the key points in the story do not spring out any surprise. But at the same time what is striking is the chemistry between SRK and Anushka. There are certain scenes that you just cannot help but enjoy. Note the paani puri sequence, the climax sequence to list a few. The music of the film is ok apart from the special appearence combo package song that drags! Performance wise Viany Pathak is a name you cannot miss mentioning. He lands beautiful support.

What I think eventually is that even if its not DDLJ its not JBJ or Neal and Nikki either. This one is a much comfortable and deserves to be watched once!

Disrupted Connection!

Film: Kismat Konnection

Starring: Shahid Kapoor, Vidya Balan, Om Puri,Juhi Chawla, Vishal Malhotra

Director: Aziz Mirza

Banner: Tips Films

Date of Release: 18/7/08

Approx Runtime: 2 and half hours

Rating: **1/2 (2.5/5)



REVIEW

This film has some portions which are excellent and others which leave a lot to be desired. This is a film probably not bringing to the celluloid its true potential.


The story though is not the freshest. It revloves around a young all rounder but unemployed Raj Malhotra (Shahid). The entire college felt that he was the most outstanding student of the batch. But when it came to earning his living the kismat had been dodging him and his freind Hiten (Vishal) for the past five years. Then comes in the lucky charm of Raj's life. No points to guess it is Priya (Vidya). Things start happening for Raj but at the cost of holding back some secrets from Priya which creates complications later. But in the end all is well!


What works for the film is that most of the characters are well etched out. Raj and Priya's track is well written. The only speed breaker in the track are too many songs most of which are un called for. The other major track between Om Puri and Shahid Kapoor is also well executed. But the character of trouble maker 'Dev' though starts off well comes to a very inconsequential end. This character deserved better.


The plot where the film doesnot work according to me is the introduction of Mr Batra (Boman Irani Sp. App) comes out of nowhere. It makes everything happening in the climax look very filmy. And also there are various sub plots where the film turns very predictable and thats where it loses its fizz!! Especially in the second half where it turns out to be like a routine bollywood film.

Performance wise Shahid is brilliant. A few times it seems that he is trying to do SRK, but overall he is brilliant. His comic timing is worth applaud. Also Vishal Malhotra shows his potential once again. He plays his part perfectly well. It is also because of his wonderful support the comedy comes out well. Om Puri is excellent, Juhi Chawla does wonderfully well in the cameo. Vidya Balan carries her character with ease. The person who plays Dev does perfect justice to his role.


Direction can be called above average, especially after Mr Mirza has made films like Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman. Script could have been better. And i definately have my strong oppositon against naming the leads pair as Raj Malhotra and Priya. Music is ok. Ba Khuda is the only song that one takes away home after the show. It is brillaintly fresh! But rest all songs do not work in the film. The film keeps on losing pace after the initial half an hour. There was a scope for a lot of tweaking.
On the whole the film is good in parts. Thats why disrupted connection!!

JAANE TU...

Film: Jaane Tu.. Yaa Jaane Naa

Dir: Abbas Tyrewaala

Banner: Aamir Khan Prod

Length: 150 mins approx

Date of Release: 4th July 2008

Featuring: Imran, Genelia, Ratna Pathak Shah.....

Rating: **** (4/5)

REVIEW

The story of the movie is not a rocket science for any average bollywood fan. Jaane Tu revolves around a group of friends and more importantly two best of friends played by Imran and Genelia. These two are the bestest of friends and are so attached to each other that the entire group thinks they are in love. But they deny it. The later part of the story deals with the realisation of love for each other and leads into a typical masala climax. Doesnot sound new!! But what makes the idea really work is the desired treatment and the execution of it.

The narrative of the film resembles SRK starrer Chalte Chalte. CC had a group discussing the love story of SRK and Rani. Here the story is similar where they are discussing Imran and Genelia. The climax at the airport is also similar to Chalte Chalte. What makes Jaane Tu work are witty dialouges, great performances and great music. The characters are very real. Pick up any track and there is so much of life injected into it. There are a lot of sequences you remember. Be it the condolence meeting sequence, be it the parents mistaking that the two want to get married, or the sequence in the pub where Aditi (Genelia) tries to find a girl for Jai (Imran) you pick up any track or any sequence you enjoy it.

The director, Abbas Tyrewala is the winner. He handles the story perfectly well. You remember almost all characters be it Aditi, Jai, Rotdu, Jignes. Camera work is top notch. Music is brilliant. Songs are very imaginatively placed. Especially the situation of 'Kabhi Kabhi' almost made me fall out of the seat. I always thought that maybe 'Aditi' had broken up with someone or lost someone really precious. But what happended and also the way her friends console her is

amusing. The romanctic track in the second half is superb.

Performance wise, Imran and Genelia stand out. Both suit the characters to the T. The actors acting out their friends do more than justice to the role. Prateik Babbar as Genelia's brother in the film is superb. Ditto for Ratna Pathak. Nasseruddin Shah, Paresh Rawal, Arbas Khan, Sohail Khan and Murli Sharma leave their mark in the cameos.

But to sum it up the film belongs to Abbas Tyrewala.

MERE BAAP....

Film: Mere Baap Pehle Aap

Dir: Priyadarshan

Starring: Akshaye Khanna, Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Genelia Desouza, Manoj Joshi

Date of release: 13/6/08

approx run time: 2hr 35 min

Rating: ***(3/5)



REVIEW

Paresh Rawal says that Priyadarshan doesnot go over board with comedy. Bhool Bhulaiya is one very good example and MBAP also falls in a similar genre. A masala film which has comedy, romance, drama. But it is a tough job to manage all in one single film. And probably thats where the problem lies.

The story stats off with two friends (Paresh Rawal and Om Puri) getting into trouble because the later is too desperate to find a bride for himself. Daddy Paresh ends up getting scolded by his beta Akshaye. In the meanwhile Shikha(Genelia) who had been ragged in her collge by senior Akshaye comes back and starts taking her revenge creating a lot of funny situations. Soon the two fall in love. There is one more twist Daddy Paresh finds his old love back who turns to be Sikha's music teacher. from here on the story takes the turn towards drama where Akshaye and Genelia try to bring the old lost lovers together, sometimes putting a lot at stake.

The first half is fun filled with a lot of funny situations but moulds into drama at the interval point and there on. But the point where the film goes off balance is when the marriage of daddy rawal is opposed by some distant family members and beta Akshaye's to be father in law. This is where the film loses its fizz and makes it too long an outing. The film is trying to pack in so much that some tracks remain half baked. It feels that some tracks are just being brushed upon without being given due importance.

Technically, the direction is all right, script could have been better, editing is slightly two paced sometimes trying to be too fast, you could some times feel a jerk as if you were watching a pirated cd and some portions were taken off. Music is nothing to brag about.

Performance wise, the film belongs to baap beta i.e. Paresh Rawal and Akshaye Khanna. Some scenes between the two are just fantastic. Genelia Desouza comes as a breath of fresh air and does more than justice to the role. The romantic track betwwen Akshaye and Genelia comes out as another winner. Genelia doesnot sound too comfortable with her Hindi though. Om Puri is ok, Manoj Joshi is good, Rajpal's role is inconsequential but he does a very good job out of it. Archna Puran Singh track stats of promisingly but is forgotten in the later reels and comes to a very tame filmy end when Om Puri decides to marry her. Nasseruddin Shah makes his presence felt but the track was not required.

What makes it win is the fresh main plot and good execution of the same. In all an all a decent film but had it been trimmed by atleast 15- 20 minutes especially post interval it would have been much better.

SARKAR RAJ

Film: Sarkar Raj
Dir: RGV
Banner: K SERA SERA
Featuring: Amitabh Bachhan, Abhishek Bachhan, Aishwariya Bachhan
Rating: **1/2(2.5/5)
REVIEW
We are talking about a much hyped film, in which a great director was supposed to make a comeback. A film which is a challenge to make because it is a sequel to a very well made and successful film. So does Ramu get it right? Well he definitely makes a film better than ‘RGV ki Aag’ but this was a smaller challenge. Now does the sequel captivate you as the original did? Lets analyse.

The script, which is the base, is very good throughout. It keeps up with Sarkar quality. But drags along where the film should have ended much earlier. I read recently that the film was chopped off from2.48hrs to just slightly more than 2 hours. A thought comes that the film could have been trimmed off slightly more at places especially the last 10-15 minutes.

Ramu succeeds as a director too. He gets some gem of performances not only from the lead but also the supporting cast as well. All the bachhans are in top form. Editng is two paced. The bullet fast first hour loses pace in the last few reels. Cinematography is very good.

But the point is that the film did not move me anywhere. It looked like a body beautiful film. Why this happened? Sadly the background score never remains in background. It tries its best to make sure that people know that there is something called as background score in every scene. I felt it took away a lot of beauty of the film.

Two corrections would have taken the film to a zone totally different. Slightly low profile score and slight lively pace in the last few minutes

But it is worth a watch for the performers.

AAMIR

Film: Aamir
Dir: Raj Kumar Gupta
Banner: UTV Spot Boy
Featuring: Rajiv Khandelwal
Rating: ***1/2(3.5/5)
REVIEW
Aamir is a very pleasant surprise. Though I never expected the film to be the worst I have seen, I got to see a much fresher and an honest attempt than I expected.

Aamir is a story of a young doctor ‘Aamir Ali’ who returns to India, and the worst journey of his life begins. In one single day his destiny makes him play a hand in terrorism. The narrative tries to present how a totally innocent person is pushed into terrorism and he has no choice.

The idea is new. That keeps you captivated but the screenplay could have been better because in some portions just before the interval and towards the end could leave a viewer not too interested. Also the kind of network the terrorist has is slightly difficult to digest as if one out of every 3 people is a part of the network.

What makes Aamir the film that it is, is the direction. All the scenes are expertly executed and the nuances and detailing is applaudable. The cinematography is par excellence. Be it the look of the film or the detailing in each frame or the reactions of the Mumbai public.

The editing, art design, and the background score really complement the film wonderfully. No one tries to ham for once. But the film belongs to Rajiv Khandelwal. His performance is as honest as you will see in the recent times. There are so many places where he communicates without a dialogue or a word. See the scene where he goes to a ‘loo’ in the slums to recover an address. You almost feel the stinch around and when he pukes out you almost puke too.

Had the screenplay slightly been better, the film would have been a new chapter in the history of bollywood but never mind Aamir keeps you captivated and is a very good attempt in taking bollywood ahead.

A MUST WATCH

FILM: Khuda ke liye

Featuring: Shaan, Fawad Khan, Iman Ali, Rasheed Naz, Naseeruddin Shah

DIR: SHOAIB MANSOOR

Rating: ****1/2(4.5/5)

REVIEW

What is it in this film that even after being an offbeat film, tis attracting good crowds? Is it the typical phormoola? Is it hot bed room scenes? Is it a mindless comedy? No sorry for a change it is the soul of the script! This one proves that a good script is THE foundation for a good film! Very rarely you get so captivated by a film so much that you forget the rest for 3 hours all together and you cannot take away your eyes from the screen.

The essence of this story is the confilcts that are dealt with from reel 1 to the last reel. Over here the conflicts are dealt with very life like and to the credit of the storytellers there is no moment where something goes OTT! Story starts off in London where a beautiful London born Pakistan native Mary whose father (himself married to a British) is against her marrying to a British and schemes to an extent of bringing her to Pakistan and marrying her to one of her cousins Sarmad without anyone else knowing. Sarmad gives into the marraige as he is brain washed by a Maulana (Tahiri). Mary tries to escape but doesnot succeed. In the meanwhile Sarmad's elder brother Mansoor joins Chicago film school and falls in love with a beautiful girl over there. Soon 9/11 happens and Mansoor is arrested as a suspect and tortured. Mary writes to her ex boyfriend about her whereabouts and her plight. Mary's mother comes to Pakistan and then gets Sarmad's father's (Mary's uncle and in law) help to get her back to Pakistan and then Sarmad is taken to court. Mary gets some respite but Mansoor's situation worsens. As mentioned earlier with such tragic plots it is very easy to go melodramatic and film succeeds in not doing so and hence comes out with flying colours.

Each track makes you feel for it. Be it the way Mary is cheated by her own father or the way in which Sarmad influnced by Maulana (this is the most beautifully scripted track) or the way Mansoor is tortured. Direction is top class. Technically, film lacks ever so slightly in the departments of cinematography and editing especially in the initial reels. Music complements and lifts up the film.

The performances also lift the film to different level. Iman Ali looks charming and carries her role wonderfully and with utmost ease. Fawad Khan portrays a velnurable character convinvingly. Shaan is top notch, be it the initial part and his relationship with his brother Sarmad, then his romance with Janie or the second half where he gets tortured by the US police. Rasheed Naz is fantastic as the Maulana. His voice is magical and reflects his status as a Maulana. Naseeruddin Shah in his cameo does exceedingly well. He is as good as ever and dilevers long chunks of dialogues with utmost ease. Rest of the performances gel well in the film.

Cheers!!!

HALLA BOL!!

Film: Halla Bol

*ing: Ajay Devgan, Vidya Balan, Pankaj Kapoor, Darshan Jariwala, Anjan Shrivastav.

Dir: Raj Kumar Santoshi

Banner: Pyramid Symira Productions

Rating: ***1/2 (3.5/5)

REVIEW

One of the first big releases of the new year doesn’t disappoint. A cinema based on politics and corruption is rarely engrossing. But Raj Kumar Santoshi is a prodigy in this space. Be it Ghayal or The Legend of Bhagat Singh or Halla Bol. Santoshi delivers the goods once more.

This story is a clash of an immoral actor with politics and corruption where he turns himself as well as the society around him for good. Ashfaq (Ajay Devgan) is a budding actor groomed by Sidhu (Pankaj Kapoor). Hailing from a small town Ashfaq makes it big in Bollywood very soon after he comes to Mumbai. But the stardom comes to him at a price. Differences crop up between him and his family. Life takes a turn once more when he is an eyewitness to a murder in a celebrity clad party. His struggle with the system starts as soon as he comes forward to say the truth. Then there are a lot of twists and turns which make the journey engrossing.

Technically, direction is very good. The script and the screen play are effective. Though, occasionally, the film reminds you of Ghayal and RDB. Though the second half has a lot of dialogues which will be applauded by the audience the first half has a fair share if moments too. The climax is something which looks slightly half baked and doesn’t quite become the high point of the film. Editing is good. Pacing of the movie is also good. Probably the only thing that can be done without are some songs- especially the quawaali. Cinematography is a let down. Art direction is good. So is audiography. Background score is also something that stands out.

The film has a credible cast. Ajay Devgan portrays the character naturally. Some of his sequences with Darshan Jariwala are memorable. Vidya Balan doesn’t have much to do but does justice and thus lends able support. Ajan Shrivastav is first rate. Darshan Jariwala is simply superb as the politician. He adds to his baggage of great work after Gandhi My father. But the person who steals the show is Mr Pankaj Kapoor. Hes just mind blowing. Be it his recitation of Harishchandra, his conflict with Ajay or his climax speech. He is outstanding. Many a times he overshadows Ajay Devgan. Cannot understand that why he was not used more in the climax. Mr Kapoor is surely in the race for Best Actor in Supporting Role for the next awards. He just mesmerizes.

Overall a very well made film. Worth catching this one up!

HUHHHHH!!

Film: Welcome

*ing: Akshaye Kumar, Katrina Kaif, Malika Sherawat, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar, Feroz Khan, Paresh Rawal

Dir: Aneez Bazmee

Banner: Feroz Nadiadwala (Base Industries)

Rating: **1/2 (2.5/5)

REVIEWAs the film kick started I wanted to kick myself for buying a ticket for this film. Things could have only got better after the first 20-25 minutes and luckily it did. This is an exceptional example of films with more style than substance. Thus can be put into the ranks of Dhoom2, JBJ etc. A pillar of a good cinema is a good script but here this is missing. Also there is so much of resemblance to No Entry (Directed by Bazmee) that it seems there is a formula which has been twisted and turned to make it look new. If No Entry said e=mc^2, Welcome says mc^2= e.

There were times we could see lift ups from Hollywood in our desi flicks but these days who wants to go so far. If you remember No Entry, Malika (Sherawat), Nana and Anil plot is an extension of the Bips- Fardeen- Anil track. The ending had to look slightly different as against No Entry and so instead people hung on a cliff, they had a hut on a cliff in which the cast gets stuck up. Akshaye Kumar and Katrina duet resembles in look to (Fanaa- Humko Deewana Kar gaye). And seriously the top of the car ripped off is a concept done to death.

Technically the film has not much to boast. The editing and art lead a lot to be desired. But cannot blame editing if you don’t have good script. The music is also mediocre. The song involving Malika Arora is badly choreographed, and shot – surely Malika Arora Khan can look much better. The makers try too hard to make this one look different by giving some funny gestures to characters till the time the film doesn’t grip you and then conveniently forgets it. Seemed as if Paresh Rawal got cured half way through the film. Voice over of Om Puri is half baked. Akshaye Kumar who was in top form in 2007 disappoints.

But there are positives also. There are sequences which you cannot take eyes off and just cannot help burst into laughter. Nana, Anil, Paresh have an amazing comic timing. Any time these people are on the screen the movie zips through. Malika Sherawat and Katrina deserve a special applause. The chemistry between Akki and Kat is as sizzling as ever. Feroz Khan is good in a smaller role. Vijay Raaz and Mushtaq Khan too leave an impression. Asrani is wasted. The sequence of the film is the pre climax sequence at the ‘Samshan ghat’.

All an all so-so.