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.

A STORY THAT NEEDED TO BE TOLD

Film: Taare Zameen Par



Starring: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra



Dir: Aamir Khan



Banner: Aamir Khan Production



Rating: **** (4/5)



REVIEW

Very rarely did we see films which say a story and also appeal to the audience and are also technically correct. RDB, LRM to name a few. TZP is one amongst those.

The film is a story of a child, barely 8 years-Ishan Awasthi (Darsheel Safary) old struggling to leave upto the competitive normal people sufferring from dlyxeria, his family and the person who brings about a change in his life, his art teacher Mr Nikumbh ( Aamir Khan)



What catches the eye is Darsheel. His expressions are just apt. The character is also built fantastically and takes the audience along. Tisca Chopra does a fantabulous job and Aamir is ever dependable.



The script is par excellence at most places. There are so many sequences that stay well etched in your mind after the show is over. The sequence where (Aamir) Nikumbh meets Ishan's parents is one which needs special mention. Editing is good. Cinematography is striking. So many shots of Panchgani making the film look a scenic beauty. Art direction is also first rate. Music is totally in sync with the narrative. Title track and Maa are especially appealing. Aamir is an excellent director.



In fact Aamir maintains a good balance of cinema's asthetic beauty and its commercialities. But somewhere there is a small scratch in the narrative where the film looks to go overboard by 10 15 mins towards its conclusion. The climax slightly deviates me feels.



All n all a great film. And Darsheel deserves a special award. He is irresistably cute

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!!!!