Friday 25 January 2013

Review Race 2 Allah Duhayi Hai

Directors Abbas Mastan

Starring  Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Ameesha   Patel




Sequels are the flavor of Bollywood right now. Everyone hungry to cash on the success of the first edition. But they are also the riskiest propositions if not made well. You can not nosedive way below the original and expect people to like it.

Race was a total masala entertainer with dizzying twists and turns which kept you hooked and happy, music was pacy and the look was glossy.

Race 2 retains just a few things. Saif Ali Khan and Anil Kapoor are there from the previous edition and so are the mandatory sexy babes. This time its Deepika long legged Padukone and Jacqui F. The stunts are shot really well and the over all look of the film is extremely well put together. Saif is looking his usual gelled, handsome self, John barely passes muster in acting department, though his dolas make up and more. Deepika is flaunting one the best bods in the industry right now, and Jacqui is passable.

Now wait a minute, what ever happened to the story? Who cares, really. Abbas Mastan don't for sure.

The first 1 hour of the film passes by in a relatively smoother fashion. You come back post interval with your samosas and popcorn and realize that those are the only things you will enjoy henceforth.

The dialogues are so trying hard, you have gems like "Cherry, I don't have time to pop your cherry", "Men are Many but Money is Money" and "Tum ye santari dress pehen kar pool main jaaogi toh sab Santari kee tarah Khade Ho jayenge"

For a thriller, this really is a Bad one, with such WTF situations, we all in the theater, started to behave as if it was a rollicking comedy going on.

The music is so bad, don't remember a single song. Of course there is Allah Duhayi hai back with some Jhankaar Beats.

The climax does only one thing, threaten you with another sequel.

If you have a way to pay only for the first half, and nothing better to do, go and waste your time at the Race 2.

My Verdict. 1.5/5


Monday 21 January 2013

Gangs of Wasseypur - Making Uncut | The Roots of Revenge from Wasseypur ...

Directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, here it is The Making of Gangs Of Wasseypur. It is going to be a crazy ride, just like the film itself!

Enjoy


Saturday 19 January 2013

The Official Roadies X Theme Song: Jajabor

Like the song!! Show... Well, waiting to see.

Kai Po Che | Official Manja Video

I am in love with this song. Kai Po Che, a movie that I am so hopeful about. Can not wait.

Enjoy this Manja Song promo.

Inkaar Review Case Dismissed

Director Sudhir Mishra

Starring  Arjun Rampal, Chitrangada Singh



I have seen most of Sudhir Mishra's films, my favorites remain Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin and Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. I also quite enjoyed Yeh Saali Zindagi. 

I was quite tickled by the trailers, because it is not very often that you hear the word "sexual harassment"  in our films. Now what will Sudhir Mishra do with it remained to be seen. So off I went to catch it.

The film starts off well, the look in place, the setting of a successful Advertising Agency, with a foreign tie-up and the usual suspects of the same. It straight away gets down to business where we get to know Maya (Chitrangada) has filed a formal complaint against the CEO and her erstwhile mentor Rahul (Arjun Rampal) for sexual harassment. A review committee headed by a social worker (Deepti Naval) who deals with similar cases is set up. Who is right, who is wrong, who is the victim, who is the perpetrator, and in the gray world we live in, are there any correct answers, this is the basic premise of the film.

A mature subject, good looking cast, some worthy cameos... but a story that doesn't do anything for you the way it is told. From the word go, Maya's character is of a woman who seems to know exactly what she wants. From booing at an award show to happily accepting the physical advances made by her boss. Yes, she admits to being in love, but when she decides to file a sexual harassment complaint, you find yourself rooting for the perpetrator. In a story where everything is supposed to be gray, I was surprised at myself. I am not sure that is what the director set out to do.

The questions raised are valid. When does Flirtation become Harassment, what is the line in an office where girls and boys work long hours together and are bound to get intimate in more ways than one. I am not saying give me answers, because there are none. We each have our own moral "Lakshman Rekhas" But keep me interested in this discussion. This is where the film fails.

For me, caring for a character is the main ingredient which makes me enjoy their journey. Whether I hate them or love them, I care. The film beyond a points makes me not care. I am all for realism, smartness and slick editing but where is the story headed? The end is so "come on, what? this?? No way" that it takes away  everything from the film which was trying to explore what really happens when people ambitious enough to "use" others on their way up are faced with tough decisions. The compromises, the heartbreaks and the corrosion of the moral fiber.

Now for the acting. Chitrangada can not act. Yes. This film awards her a certificate of that. The surprise package is Arjun Rampal. He pulls of his role with restraint that the character demands, and boy does he look good! The supporting cast has some good moments with Vipin Sharma, Shivani Tanksale and Deepti Naval. And then of course suddenly there is Saurabh Shukla unleashed on you singing, dressed up like a kid rapper.

If you want paisa vasool, this ain't it. But if you want to keep a tab on what is the Talented Mr. Sudhir Mishra up to, do pay a visit. 

My Rating 2.5/5


Friday 18 January 2013

Shootout At Wadala - Official Trailer

Directed by Sanjay Gupta.

Starring Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Manoj Bajpai, Tusshar Kapoor, Sonu Sood.

The trailer looks promising with John in a completely new avatar.

Enjoy


Friday 11 January 2013

Review Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola : Yeh Khamakha Nahin

Director Vishal Bhardwaj

Starring Pankaj Kapur, Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma, Shabana Azmi, Arya Babbar



The name kept us guessing for long. Then the promos came. And I was expecting a mad ride, gulabi bhains et al.

Harry Mandola (Pankaj Kapur) is a drunkard industrialist with a mansion in a village somewhere in Haryana. Limousine, Mercedes and even a Bentley are the cars he has to traverse through the dusty village roads of Mandola, named after him. His man friday Matru (Imran Khan) is there to drive him, and also make sure Harry doesn't drink beyond 4 pegs of his favorite Gulabo. Harry has a daughter Bijlee (Anushka Sharma) who emerges out of a village pond wearing the skimpiest of "chaddi Baniyaan" while the crowd whistles. She is tattooed and wears her rebel attitude on errrmm her sleeve.

Harry is colluding with the corrupt as rusty nails CM (Shabana Azmi) to take the land from the farmers and "Develop" it in to a SEZ. There is then, the impending marriage of Bijlee with Badal, the dolt of a son of the CM played by Arya Babbar.

There is one small problem though. Harry is Haria. Haria comes out when Harry gets drunk. Harry the English speaking cunning business brain and Haria who leads a revolution against himself up to his doorsteps. This is known to Matru, who exploits his weakness to try and turn the tables on the evil plans of the CM.

Pankaj Kapur, my favorite actor who can change the dynamics of a scene with a blink of his eye, a soft word thrown in... who has time and again proven what a pleasure he is to watch. This film will go down as an ode to Pankaj Kapur's acting genius. He plays Mandola with so much honesty, you can not but love every scene he is part of. From a cruel businessman who celebrates the juggernaut of development and end of the green fields, to a drunk Haria who takes a glider out on a "night walk", he is an act to relish.

Shabana Azmi as the corrupt politician is in form too. Imran and Anushka play their parts with much enthusiasm though sometimes they are feeling out of place and it shows. Arya Babbar actually pulls off a convincing act and is fun to watch in some scenes.

The film has a trippy and theatrical feel to it. The best scenes are set up as stage pieces and the sur is perfect. Vishal has taken an extremely relevant subject and given it a spin that is delicious when he gets it right. But the whole film doesn't become one smooth ride. Lot of bumps on the way.

Vishal seems to be having a lot of indulgent fun as he goes from one situation to another. Some shine with genuine mirth spouting out of the strong satirical statement he is trying to make. Last year, there was Shanghai dealing with a similar subject which I did not like much. My favorite film in this genre of dark humor and acidic satire remains Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron.

I saw a bit of Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron in this, which is a great thing, specially the climax where the Mahabharat scene kind of madness is there. But where JBDY won, MKBKM fails. Maintaining the "Sur". You lose the sur of your story, it all falls down. The mix of crazy flights of satirical fancy and almost a documentary like feel at times, made it a bit of struggle to love this film as a whole.

The love story of Matru and Bijlee is what could have been a perfect foil to the corrupt alliance between Mandola and the power hungry CM, sadly it is not explored fully. Bijlee's character is so confused, that you do not feel anything for her. Which is a big problem over all in this film. Despite the intention, the farcical treatment at times leaves you unmoved.

There are many gaping loopholes in the film and some of them can not be overlooked just because everything is so whimsical.

The film picks up pace in the last act, by then you have really strained your patience.

I would say watch it for Pankaj Kapur if you are a die hard fan, and some moments of Vishal's ingenuity as a director.

My Rating 2.5/5

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Ek Thi Daayan - Official Trailer Emraan Hashmi Vishal Bhardwaj

Another film which I am eagerly awaiting. Produced by Balaji Motion Pictures & Vishal Bhardwaj "Ek Thi Daayan" stars Emraan Hashmi, Konkona Sen, Kalki Koechlin and Huma Qureshi. The casting itself brings a wide smile on my face.

Directed by Kannan Iyer, lyrics by Gulzar (Yayyyy) and music by Vishal Bhardwaj himself.

The trailer is very effective in creating curiosity.  I don't like the text that goes with it. But a definite watch.

Film released April 18th 2013.

Enjoy!!



Tuesday 8 January 2013

Exclusive : Jolly LLB Theatrical Trailer - UNCENSORED

Director Subhash Kapoor is back after the sleeper hit Phans Gaye Re Obama with this satire on the Indian Judiciary System titled Jolly LLB. He has also scripted the same.

Starring Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani, Amrita Rao and Saurabh Shukla, the trailer promises a darkly humored look into the going ons in an Indian Court. The film is centered around Jolly (played by Arshad) who is from Meerut but has the dreams of making it as India's top lawyer. With Boman as his arch rival, he has a tough fight ahead.

Enjoy!

Thursday 3 January 2013

उम्र

उस पार एक मकान था, नदी बहती थी बीच अपने
बुढा गया था काफ़ी, सुफैद हो चला था
पर बना था जब तो क्या शान से इतराता था
ऊँची दीवारें , मज़बूत खम्बे , चिकना पलसतर

अब हालात कुछ ऐसे हैं मियां के
झरझराते हैं हल्की सी हवा भी लहलहाए तो

उम्र कम हो तो जवानी का जोश ज्यादा होता है
गुरूर भी कम नहीं होता
सुनते भी नहीं हैं बात किसी की,
ना मानते है बुजुर्गों का कहा

फिर जब अपनी उम्र बढती है तो ज़िन्दगी सिखाती हैं
जो सीख जाये तो अच्छा वर्ना समय की लाठी की मार सिखा देती है

बचपन में कहते हैं बनेंगे बहुत कुछ, और बन भी जाते हैं
मंदिरों में जल चढाते हैं, गुरद्वारों में शीश नवाते हैं
मस्जिद में अल्लाह ढूंढते हैं, गिरिजा में मोम जलाते हैं
इंसान अच्छे बन पाते हैं या सिर्फ बड़े हो जाते हैं ?