Ishqiya has all the trademarks of a “Vishal Bhardwaj” movie, yet it’s a big disappointment. Vishal Bhardwaj has built his own genre. Just like his last few movies Kaminey and Omkara, this one too is very raw. Shot in the rural backdrops of Gorakhpur, a Eastern UP town famous for gang wars and mafia, the movie captures the lingo and feel accurately. Like all his previous movies, this one too starts with a bang, moves at a swift pace and builds the tempo and expectations quite high. But where it fails is the end. It ends with a whimper. The entire pace fizzles out in the ending. It appears as if after shooting the movie for 1.5 hrs, the director suddenly forgets the core plot and decides to end it abruptly. It loses the sheen to such an extent that you really feel sorry for a good product turn bad.
The biggest plus going for the movie is the performance of its 3 central characters (Naseer, Arshad and Vidya Balan). There has never been a doubt of Naseer’s performance. He looks apt in both the con part as well as the aged person falling in love with the tantalizing Vidya. Vidya too carries out her role with ease. Though the storyline for her character definitely needed improvement. Through out the movie, she has been shown as some mysterious woman with dark secrets which in the end just doesn’t match up. The best one-liners and witty remarks have been kept in Arshad’s accounts. They are clever, sharp and keep the audience hoping for more. Even some of the other characters like Naseer’s Brother-in-law and the kiddo Nandu engages you.
The dialogues are raw and crude and sometimes border on the edge but that’s something that you now expect out of Vishal’s movie.
The music has been good and has been on the charts for quite some time especially “Ibn e batuta” and “dil to bachcha hai ji”. Apart from the movie songs, the old songs have also been woven very well with the chemistry between the characters.
While the movie has the darkness of Omkara and wittiness of Kaminey, it lacks the punch and edginees that most of Vishal’s movies are famous of. The movie can still be a one-time watch with low expectations.
By the way, I believe this movie might have broken the “longest kissing scene” in Bollywood. It definitely seems longer than the one in ‘Raja Hindustani’ between Aamir and Karishma.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
3 idiots and the FPS controversy
When you watch a movie late, you face two problems. There is so much already written about the movie that you end up watching the movie with a certain bias and expectations. Secondly there are already so many reviews that it doesn’t make sense to add another one.
So instead of cluttering your minds / web areana with one more review, I thought its better I blog on the peripheral item surrounding this movie - The so called controversy on due credits not being given to Chetan Bhagat.
Since last 1 year, we have been hearing that Five Point Someone is getting adapted into the movie “3 idiots”. So does it really make any difference, if the credit line is at the end or the beginning? Doesn’t everyone already know about it? Still there is a big argument going on with both sides giving media the much needed fodder. The tussle now is down to mathematics (to be precise “%”). The “3 idiots” team says its 3-5% based on the story while the author says its 50-70% based. I really never understood how such %ages work in a qualitative angle. But if it really pleases the statisticians, let me also put a figure. The movie is 33.23456% adapted from the novel (now don’t ask me how I got his number… just pressed some random keys at the top of my laptop). For the rest, let me put the facts straight. The plot is definitely adapted from the novel. It has almost all the characters which were there in FPS. The 3 central characters, dean, his daughter, etc are all there. The movie also has most of the incidents whether its Kareena’s brother committing suicide or Aamir stealing the exam papers. But the movie adds some of its own details which except for the characters of “cm-mm” and “Chatur” (played very well by a newcomer “Omni”) doesn’t appeal.
One good thing about the book was it doesn’t make fun of the professors and projects the characters like any other average students in an institute. In fact the book focuses on the education system and its flaws - how the students today are evaluated and ranked (the relative grading system). All this was written on a lighter note and hence the book becomes a fast and entertaining read. This is where I feel the movie fails. Unfortunately, the movie like a typical bollywood flick converts the hero into a super-hero (who is capable of achieving almost anything), adds dramatic unnecessary events like having a baby delivered on a TT table… well to be honest, I neither found that scene humorous nor emotional. It turns the dean into a comical character and the core issue of “education” system gets lost somewhere post interval.
Nevertheless, 3 idiots is a good movie … one of the better ones we saw in 2009 but certainly not the best. Also it’s the not the best from Raju Hirani-Vinod Chopra duo. Give me the Munnabhai series any day.
Enjoy the movie. Don’t take my “critical” blog very seriously as I watched the movie after hearing some really rave reviews. The movie has been running houseful for 2 consecutive weeks (not a small feat to achieve these days). So it’s certainly worth a watch.
As far as the scripting issue goes, I won’t be surprised if this is another of those “scripted” controversies to keep the sales registers ticking. It works perfectly for both sides. As Chetan hints in his blog “Go watch the movie and then read the novel. Then decide”.
So instead of cluttering your minds / web areana with one more review, I thought its better I blog on the peripheral item surrounding this movie - The so called controversy on due credits not being given to Chetan Bhagat.
Since last 1 year, we have been hearing that Five Point Someone is getting adapted into the movie “3 idiots”. So does it really make any difference, if the credit line is at the end or the beginning? Doesn’t everyone already know about it? Still there is a big argument going on with both sides giving media the much needed fodder. The tussle now is down to mathematics (to be precise “%”). The “3 idiots” team says its 3-5% based on the story while the author says its 50-70% based. I really never understood how such %ages work in a qualitative angle. But if it really pleases the statisticians, let me also put a figure. The movie is 33.23456% adapted from the novel (now don’t ask me how I got his number… just pressed some random keys at the top of my laptop). For the rest, let me put the facts straight. The plot is definitely adapted from the novel. It has almost all the characters which were there in FPS. The 3 central characters, dean, his daughter, etc are all there. The movie also has most of the incidents whether its Kareena’s brother committing suicide or Aamir stealing the exam papers. But the movie adds some of its own details which except for the characters of “cm-mm” and “Chatur” (played very well by a newcomer “Omni”) doesn’t appeal.
One good thing about the book was it doesn’t make fun of the professors and projects the characters like any other average students in an institute. In fact the book focuses on the education system and its flaws - how the students today are evaluated and ranked (the relative grading system). All this was written on a lighter note and hence the book becomes a fast and entertaining read. This is where I feel the movie fails. Unfortunately, the movie like a typical bollywood flick converts the hero into a super-hero (who is capable of achieving almost anything), adds dramatic unnecessary events like having a baby delivered on a TT table… well to be honest, I neither found that scene humorous nor emotional. It turns the dean into a comical character and the core issue of “education” system gets lost somewhere post interval.
Nevertheless, 3 idiots is a good movie … one of the better ones we saw in 2009 but certainly not the best. Also it’s the not the best from Raju Hirani-Vinod Chopra duo. Give me the Munnabhai series any day.
Enjoy the movie. Don’t take my “critical” blog very seriously as I watched the movie after hearing some really rave reviews. The movie has been running houseful for 2 consecutive weeks (not a small feat to achieve these days). So it’s certainly worth a watch.
As far as the scripting issue goes, I won’t be surprised if this is another of those “scripted” controversies to keep the sales registers ticking. It works perfectly for both sides. As Chetan hints in his blog “Go watch the movie and then read the novel. Then decide”.
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Indian system - what are we showcasing to the world?
Year 2009 is coming to a close and for we Indians its closing with a BANG (quite literally). No I am not talking about the stock movements or the GDP growths or Industrial output figures etc etc.
I am talking of some shameful and disgraceful cases that have come to limelight at the fag end of this year. All these cases should force us to sit back and take notice of how things have been working in India. What is the kind of image we would like to project to the world?
The first one is Mr. Ajmal Kasab. This guy was caught on television, witnessed by many traumatized people killing so many innocents. It has been more than a year since this incident happened. The trial has lasted for so many months costing we tax payers more than Rs 30 Crores. He admitted his guilt in court in front of the judges. But no, we are a “democratic” law abiding nation that treats our prisoners really very well. Getting frustrated of the never ending case, this guy starts behaving mischievously. He first retracts his admission. Then he mentioned he is an Indian citizen caught by the police at least 20 days prior to the incident. He had come to Mumbai to become an actor and he resembles the terrorist in the pictures. Way to go buddy. You have now found out how Indian legal system can be played with. At this rate, the case can go on and on and on. And we tax payers will continue to foot your free accommodation and lunches as a privileged guest in our Incredible India.
Moving on is Mr N D Tiwari. We all had heard of stories of politicians and celebrities caught in compromising positions across the globe. But this is first instance that came to light in Indian politics (though I am very sure others are just as well hidden). That ways, Mr Tiwari, you should get the pole position. An 86 years old so-called freedom fighter is caught on camera. But still he has the guts to say that it’s not him. He has done nothing wrong and his entire life has been dedicated to the service of nation. Yes sir, you have been servicing the nation very well and I am again sure that it’s just a matter of days when this story will die like many other stories in the past and you might well be re-instated as the governor of some other state to continue your dedicated service.
Last and to top both of above is the case of Ruchika Girotra and the accused SPS Rathore (a high-ranking police officer having been given some of the highest honors in police service). I don’t even have to write any details on this topic because it’s getting sufficient media coverage already.
But just look at the way our legal system works. After 19 years of incident, 16 years post death of victim, the accused gets convicted for a 6 months sentence only to be released on bail the very next day at a bail of Rs 1000. (yes you hear it right… that’s Rs 1000 which is not even considered a respectable bribe these days). He comes out smiling and says that he will appeal back.
All these cases might not be remembered while I write my blog at the end of next year. Most of the people shouting, screaming and protesting at these cases including me will very soon forget everything. Well, we have very short memories not to mention that we have umpteen fresh cases coming up every month to keep us engaged. So who is bothered?
Way to go 2009!
I am talking of some shameful and disgraceful cases that have come to limelight at the fag end of this year. All these cases should force us to sit back and take notice of how things have been working in India. What is the kind of image we would like to project to the world?
The first one is Mr. Ajmal Kasab. This guy was caught on television, witnessed by many traumatized people killing so many innocents. It has been more than a year since this incident happened. The trial has lasted for so many months costing we tax payers more than Rs 30 Crores. He admitted his guilt in court in front of the judges. But no, we are a “democratic” law abiding nation that treats our prisoners really very well. Getting frustrated of the never ending case, this guy starts behaving mischievously. He first retracts his admission. Then he mentioned he is an Indian citizen caught by the police at least 20 days prior to the incident. He had come to Mumbai to become an actor and he resembles the terrorist in the pictures. Way to go buddy. You have now found out how Indian legal system can be played with. At this rate, the case can go on and on and on. And we tax payers will continue to foot your free accommodation and lunches as a privileged guest in our Incredible India.
Moving on is Mr N D Tiwari. We all had heard of stories of politicians and celebrities caught in compromising positions across the globe. But this is first instance that came to light in Indian politics (though I am very sure others are just as well hidden). That ways, Mr Tiwari, you should get the pole position. An 86 years old so-called freedom fighter is caught on camera. But still he has the guts to say that it’s not him. He has done nothing wrong and his entire life has been dedicated to the service of nation. Yes sir, you have been servicing the nation very well and I am again sure that it’s just a matter of days when this story will die like many other stories in the past and you might well be re-instated as the governor of some other state to continue your dedicated service.
Last and to top both of above is the case of Ruchika Girotra and the accused SPS Rathore (a high-ranking police officer having been given some of the highest honors in police service). I don’t even have to write any details on this topic because it’s getting sufficient media coverage already.
But just look at the way our legal system works. After 19 years of incident, 16 years post death of victim, the accused gets convicted for a 6 months sentence only to be released on bail the very next day at a bail of Rs 1000. (yes you hear it right… that’s Rs 1000 which is not even considered a respectable bribe these days). He comes out smiling and says that he will appeal back.
All these cases might not be remembered while I write my blog at the end of next year. Most of the people shouting, screaming and protesting at these cases including me will very soon forget everything. Well, we have very short memories not to mention that we have umpteen fresh cases coming up every month to keep us engaged. So who is bothered?
Way to go 2009!
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Rocket Singh....
This might not be the best of this year’s movies. Certain parts get boring and dull, they get unreal sometimes but inspite of all this, it is still worth a watch. The simple reason being it’s different.
So far I have not come across a movie being made on this subject. OK… I might be a bit biased. A salesperson myself, the movie does tend to engage me more than may be some other professionals. But the same reason makes the movie unreal to me as well.
So having given the verdict first, what is that I liked and disliked in the movie?
First is the subject. I don’t recollect movies been made on a salesperson in a tough hardware environment. Without going in too much about the business and profession, the movie is still able to capture the subtle nuances and challenges very well.
Second is the acting department. I suppose Ranbir has had a great year in 2009. After Wake up Sid and Ajab Prem, he once again comes across as a natural actor. All these movies have been aptly written keeping him in mind. His freshness, sometimes dumbness gives a nice feel to the movie. Though he doesn’t look like a typical Sardar. That ways, his grandpa played by Prem Chopra takes full marks.
All other actors are new but they still deliver excellent performance for their roles. Gauhar Khan (another model turned actor) is promising in her debut. Shahzahn (currently her fame is Alyqusee Padamsee and Sharon Prabhakar’s daughter) looks pretty and her miniscule role only expects that from her. I am not aware of names of other actors but as I said earlier they all fit into their respective roles.
Shimit Amin (who had earlier shot to fame with his directorial debut Chak De… ) once again proves that a good movie doesn’t need known faces to make it run. It’s created at a meager budget of Rs 5 Crores but still doesn’t look like the movie has made any compromises.
Interesting aspect of the movie is its Music. While the movie had possibilities of songs of every kind (drama, romance, revenge etc etc..), can you believe the movie doesn’t have a single song and yet you don’t miss them. The background number is just sufficient to keep the rhythms and notes alive.
Now what went wrong…As I started, the movie gets a bit unreal sometimes…Its hard to imagine that a person runs an independent company right under the nose of another company which is small and tightly managed. The movie also exaggerates certain aspects in the beginning which I will not like to disclose as I run the risk of disclosing the storyline.
So overall, you can go for the movie. Anyways there are not too many good movies in theaters these days… Enjoy!
By the way, after Ajab Prem, I did see a couple of movies but none were worthy enough to write a review. To top that list will be Kurbaan which was an ultimate disappointment and a waste of money. Guess, Karan should stick to his larger than life family and dreamy dramas.
So far I have not come across a movie being made on this subject. OK… I might be a bit biased. A salesperson myself, the movie does tend to engage me more than may be some other professionals. But the same reason makes the movie unreal to me as well.
So having given the verdict first, what is that I liked and disliked in the movie?
First is the subject. I don’t recollect movies been made on a salesperson in a tough hardware environment. Without going in too much about the business and profession, the movie is still able to capture the subtle nuances and challenges very well.
Second is the acting department. I suppose Ranbir has had a great year in 2009. After Wake up Sid and Ajab Prem, he once again comes across as a natural actor. All these movies have been aptly written keeping him in mind. His freshness, sometimes dumbness gives a nice feel to the movie. Though he doesn’t look like a typical Sardar. That ways, his grandpa played by Prem Chopra takes full marks.
All other actors are new but they still deliver excellent performance for their roles. Gauhar Khan (another model turned actor) is promising in her debut. Shahzahn (currently her fame is Alyqusee Padamsee and Sharon Prabhakar’s daughter) looks pretty and her miniscule role only expects that from her. I am not aware of names of other actors but as I said earlier they all fit into their respective roles.
Shimit Amin (who had earlier shot to fame with his directorial debut Chak De… ) once again proves that a good movie doesn’t need known faces to make it run. It’s created at a meager budget of Rs 5 Crores but still doesn’t look like the movie has made any compromises.
Interesting aspect of the movie is its Music. While the movie had possibilities of songs of every kind (drama, romance, revenge etc etc..), can you believe the movie doesn’t have a single song and yet you don’t miss them. The background number is just sufficient to keep the rhythms and notes alive.
Now what went wrong…As I started, the movie gets a bit unreal sometimes…Its hard to imagine that a person runs an independent company right under the nose of another company which is small and tightly managed. The movie also exaggerates certain aspects in the beginning which I will not like to disclose as I run the risk of disclosing the storyline.
So overall, you can go for the movie. Anyways there are not too many good movies in theaters these days… Enjoy!
By the way, after Ajab Prem, I did see a couple of movies but none were worthy enough to write a review. To top that list will be Kurbaan which was an ultimate disappointment and a waste of money. Guess, Karan should stick to his larger than life family and dreamy dramas.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
This week's flavor: Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani
How do you review a movie whose buzz quotient is so high that for the first time in almost a year we had to struggle to get the movie tickets. Most of the shows across multiplexes were House Full. And then when you watch the movie, the expectations were so volley up that you end up not sure how the movie was.
Well, to be fair, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani is a good movie. Its just that its not worth the buzz it has created. Lets start about the pluses of the movie. Top of the list is once again Ranbir Kapoor. His acting is top-class. It’s good to see a refreshing change from the current trend of actors who are aging 40+. This year has been really good for him after the superb performance in ‘Wake up Sid’ earlier. Next is Katrina who for once plays her true age in the movie. She is sweet, innocent and needless to say beautiful. Then are Ranbir’s parents in the movie (Darshan zariwala and Smita Jaykar). Their chemistry and emotions are worth every presence in the movie. Most of the other actors except may be the “Happy Club” friends of Ranbir are ok and sometimes not required in the movie. By the way, do not miss Salman’s little cameo.
Music is another plus. Most of the songs are good and hummable even after leaving the theatre especially “Tera Hone Laga hun”. I also loved the choreography of the energetic no. “Prem ki Nayiya”. I am sure the movie tracks will be on the Top 10 charts for many weeks to come.
Also which town is this movie shot in... Ooty or just a plain set... whatever it is, it looks amazing and adds to simplistic flavour of this film.
So despite so many pluses, what went wrong in the movie... I think the biggest problem in the movie is its genre treatment : Comedy (It has many many comical moments; some of them almost copying Santoshi’s earlier and my all time favourite Andaz Apna Apna); Romantic, After all the movie is about Prem’s ‘Prem Kahani’ with many emotional moments weaved into it. The movie keeps changing its gear and thats may be where the movie errs.
Second problem which usually is also the problem of most Hindi movies is the length. The first half is too long and too stretched to the extent that by the time interval comes, I was almost wondering if there could be a second half. Some songs are unnecessary and stuffed into the movie.
Overall the movie is worth watching for its look, feel, simplicity and some real funny moments.
By the way, it might not have been positioned as a kids movie... but throughout the show, I could hear kids laughing out loud. The distributors can try changing the positioning and target the kids.
Friday, October 16, 2009
All the Best ... Paisa Vasool
3 movies releasing on Diwali long weekend. How do you decide which one to go after? Well after so much of marketing hype with each one claiming to be the best, you just make a pick. BLUE was simply not chosen because it was over-marketed. Also I had already burnt my fingers, sorry wallet, on a similar Akshay Kumar movie (Kambakht Ishq). Mr & Mrs Khanna was left for DVD viewing.
So we end up watching All The Best. Interestingly, the 9pm show on the first day was half empty. So we started the movie by wondering whether it was a wrong decision.
The movie is Ajay Devgn’s production (please note there is no spelling mistake. Mr. Ajay has dropped an “a” for good luck). And he sure has got it this time because this movie was certainly a sparkler.
Don’t bother about the plot, storyline, sense, logic because Rohit Shetty’s movies defy all of it. Rohit Shetty who shot to fame with the Golmal sequels (which by the way also propelled Ajay to comic league) has advanced this time. The movie is much better than his previous two. The movie revolves around the usual confusion, chaos, madness and too many characters intertwined for a common cause.
But that one thing that makes the movie clicks is its one-liners which in most cases are first-class. And they keep coming again and again and again making the movie a series of PJs, jokes and in some cases double entendres (though very subtle and unless heard properly might have gone unnoticed). Their timings are really good so the credit should be given to the editing team. The conversation between Sanjay Dutt and RGV (sorry don’t know his real name) on “Geeta ka Saar” is just one of the many examples.
Among the main star cast, Sanjay Dutt is the best with his low voiced perfect witty andaz. In fact the movie picks up only after his entry. He seems to have found his genre as he himself says in one of the dialogues… “comedy to abhi start ki hai … 30 saal se to action kar raha tha..”. Ajay Devgn does a classic Arshad Warsi while Fardeen Khan is his usual self. His role is ditto replica to some of his other multi-starrer comedies for instance No Entry. Bipasha is OK and Mugdha doesn’t have much screen presence. The real show stealers of the movie are the satellite actors, many of who are from Rohit Shetty’s earlier movies. Each one of them are perfectly cast for their roles and they all give their best.
The movie is shot in Goa and any paint company could have used it for in-branding promotions because the movie is full of vibrant colors.
Over all the movie is as people say “paisa vasool”. Just leave your brains at home and have fun!
So we end up watching All The Best. Interestingly, the 9pm show on the first day was half empty. So we started the movie by wondering whether it was a wrong decision.
The movie is Ajay Devgn’s production (please note there is no spelling mistake. Mr. Ajay has dropped an “a” for good luck). And he sure has got it this time because this movie was certainly a sparkler.
Don’t bother about the plot, storyline, sense, logic because Rohit Shetty’s movies defy all of it. Rohit Shetty who shot to fame with the Golmal sequels (which by the way also propelled Ajay to comic league) has advanced this time. The movie is much better than his previous two. The movie revolves around the usual confusion, chaos, madness and too many characters intertwined for a common cause.
But that one thing that makes the movie clicks is its one-liners which in most cases are first-class. And they keep coming again and again and again making the movie a series of PJs, jokes and in some cases double entendres (though very subtle and unless heard properly might have gone unnoticed). Their timings are really good so the credit should be given to the editing team. The conversation between Sanjay Dutt and RGV (sorry don’t know his real name) on “Geeta ka Saar” is just one of the many examples.
Among the main star cast, Sanjay Dutt is the best with his low voiced perfect witty andaz. In fact the movie picks up only after his entry. He seems to have found his genre as he himself says in one of the dialogues… “comedy to abhi start ki hai … 30 saal se to action kar raha tha..”. Ajay Devgn does a classic Arshad Warsi while Fardeen Khan is his usual self. His role is ditto replica to some of his other multi-starrer comedies for instance No Entry. Bipasha is OK and Mugdha doesn’t have much screen presence. The real show stealers of the movie are the satellite actors, many of who are from Rohit Shetty’s earlier movies. Each one of them are perfectly cast for their roles and they all give their best.
The movie is shot in Goa and any paint company could have used it for in-branding promotions because the movie is full of vibrant colors.
Over all the movie is as people say “paisa vasool”. Just leave your brains at home and have fun!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Wake Up Sid...A fine refreshing film...
No twists, no turns, no drama sequences. The entire movie moves in a straight predictable way, yet thoroughly enjoyable.
Both Ranbir and Konkona are brilliant. While powerful acting is expected out of Konkona who has created her own niche in cinema, Ranbir really brings life to the character of Siddharth Mehra (Sid). A confused teen, who is not sure of what he wants to achieve in life, is well portrayed by him. In fact by the end of the movie, you feel that this character couldn’t have been played better by anyone else. Supriya Pathak and Anupam Kher also suit their roles. Supriya trying hard to meet the expectations of a modern mother. Kashmira adds to the glam quotient. I don’t remember seeing her after “Yes Boss”.
There are very few movies made in Indian cinema wherein a hero will be shown romancing a girl who is above his age. This movie not just does that but does it in such a way that at no point in the movie, the relationship seems odd. The differences in their characters are accentuated by their varied lifestyles, their opposite aspirations and their own friend circles; yet their chemistry is appealing in its own way. After all as someone said opposites attract.
The movie also highlights the fact that at the end of the day one enjoys work only if it’s an extension of his hobby.
The music is another plus. I have always felt that a movie already achieves half its success if the music is good. Some of the songs, especially the title song and the “boond boond” number, are wonderful and grow on you. Just like the storyline, there are no forced songs, item numbers or even sad parting songs. There are a few songs and they all justify their presence. The background score also keeps pace with the storyline. While initially the tune of title song build up the confusion of the hero, it gradually shifts post interval to “boond boond” for the romantic angle and hero’s slow transformation.
The only drawback I felt with the movie was its duration. Somewhere in the middle, the story drags a bit and a 15-20 mins cut at that time would have made it much better. But as I started, the movie is different and has its own life.
With respect to rating / stars, do you really care how many I give... Its the worth the money you will spend so just go for it.
Just one last thing about the so called controversy. Mr. Raj Thakeray should have watched the movie once before raising objections. Whether the city is called Bombay or Mumbai, the movie well demonstrates its spirit and makes you fall in love with Mumbai again.
By the way, also saw the other movie released this week... David Dhawan’s Do Knot Disturb starring Govinda, Ritesh, Lara and Sushmita. I will only say - you need not disturb yourself for the movie. The movie is a typical David Dhawan (or may be even 50% of some of his previous ones) venture... loud noise with forced jokes at various intervals. The only saving grace being Lara looks absolutely stunning.
Both Ranbir and Konkona are brilliant. While powerful acting is expected out of Konkona who has created her own niche in cinema, Ranbir really brings life to the character of Siddharth Mehra (Sid). A confused teen, who is not sure of what he wants to achieve in life, is well portrayed by him. In fact by the end of the movie, you feel that this character couldn’t have been played better by anyone else. Supriya Pathak and Anupam Kher also suit their roles. Supriya trying hard to meet the expectations of a modern mother. Kashmira adds to the glam quotient. I don’t remember seeing her after “Yes Boss”.
There are very few movies made in Indian cinema wherein a hero will be shown romancing a girl who is above his age. This movie not just does that but does it in such a way that at no point in the movie, the relationship seems odd. The differences in their characters are accentuated by their varied lifestyles, their opposite aspirations and their own friend circles; yet their chemistry is appealing in its own way. After all as someone said opposites attract.
The movie also highlights the fact that at the end of the day one enjoys work only if it’s an extension of his hobby.
The music is another plus. I have always felt that a movie already achieves half its success if the music is good. Some of the songs, especially the title song and the “boond boond” number, are wonderful and grow on you. Just like the storyline, there are no forced songs, item numbers or even sad parting songs. There are a few songs and they all justify their presence. The background score also keeps pace with the storyline. While initially the tune of title song build up the confusion of the hero, it gradually shifts post interval to “boond boond” for the romantic angle and hero’s slow transformation.
The only drawback I felt with the movie was its duration. Somewhere in the middle, the story drags a bit and a 15-20 mins cut at that time would have made it much better. But as I started, the movie is different and has its own life.
With respect to rating / stars, do you really care how many I give... Its the worth the money you will spend so just go for it.
Just one last thing about the so called controversy. Mr. Raj Thakeray should have watched the movie once before raising objections. Whether the city is called Bombay or Mumbai, the movie well demonstrates its spirit and makes you fall in love with Mumbai again.
By the way, also saw the other movie released this week... David Dhawan’s Do Knot Disturb starring Govinda, Ritesh, Lara and Sushmita. I will only say - you need not disturb yourself for the movie. The movie is a typical David Dhawan (or may be even 50% of some of his previous ones) venture... loud noise with forced jokes at various intervals. The only saving grace being Lara looks absolutely stunning.
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