Dabangg 2

I hadn’t liked Dabangg…there, I said it. But I know I am in minority and there is no denying that Chulbul Pandey was loved enough to warrant at least one more outing. And so, here comes the sequel at a time when Salmania is at its peak.

The film starts in Kanpur, Pandeyji has made peace with his step father and brother and his wife Rajjo is expecting. In the course of his duty, he comes across Bachcha Bhaiya, a politician cum goon who is ruling the city along with his two brothers and then starts the good cop-bad villain drama and action. Needless to say that we have seen this story zillion times in the past and frankly, no one expects any better story anyways from this film. Also, you can’t help but notice that makers have only tried to imitate the first edition in everything from setting to dialogues to music to dance to action. But despite this imitation, the question is whether it entertains and the answer thankfully is yes, it does, albeit only in parts.

The film is made for Salman Khan and he carries it entirely on his shoulders. His Chulbul Pandey plays completely to the gallery and his mannerisms, jigs, giggles and goggles are all seen before yet likable once more. The camaraderie between him and Vinod Khanna is fantastic and few sequences between them are bound to bring you genuine laughters particularly the prank calls ones. The action sequences are shot well and you wonder how at times you still like one man beating scores of people alone. His entry, shirtless action scenes in climax and his first confrontation with Bachcha Bhaiya are bound to get whistles in single screen theatres.

But the film is not without lot of blemishes with the biggest of them being its weak villain. Prakash Raj, who has been brilliant earlier in Wanted and Singham, doesn’t get a chance to be at his menacing best, the altercations between Chulbul and Bhaiyaji are very few leaving you wanting for more of them and so the climax doesn’t thrill you the way it should. The side track between Arbaz Khan and Mahie Gill is irrelevant to main story, second half doesn’t have light moments like in first half and though the music is good, songs look forced in the narrative with couple of them only for the sake of having them. Also, Fevicol despite being peppy and addictive fails to match Zandu Balm.

In terms of other performances, everyone is strictly ok with Sonakshi Sinha only filling the heroine slot with single expression and multiple songs.

Overall, the film with its nonexistent content remains watchable only because of Salman Khan; I have never seen a mainstream hero enjoying himself so much on the silver screen. And that’s why this almost xerox copy of Dabangg is good enough for his fans to rejoice. For all those who don’t like non-sense, brainless, hardcore commercial masala entertainers, this film offers nothing to change their liking. Cinema Analyst's Take – Average but if you know what to expect from a Salman Khan film, you won’t come back disappointed.

Khiladi 786

One year ago, Himesh Reshamiya met Akshay Kumar in a flight and they started chatting:

AK - Hi HR, why are you looking so upset?

HR - Sir, I want to sing, compose music and act in films.

AK - So?

HR - So this that no film producer is giving me a chance to do all that.

AK – hmmm

After a minute…….

HR – Sir, I have a brilliant idea, why don’t you and I together produce a film wherein I get a chance to do all this.

AK – but why will I produce a film if you have to act in that!

HR – No no Sir, I’ll play second lead (while thinking in his mind, “as it is, who’ll come to watch the film if I play main lead”)…..main hero of film will be you only

AK – hmmm

HR – and we’ll title it something with Khiladi…this was your franchisee Sirji with highest ever number of films made in India on any franchise and you have just left it!! We’ll restart your Khiladi series after so many years Sir; imagine the hysteria it’ll create.

AK – And who’ll play the heroine?

HR – Sir, this year, Asin has given two 100 crore hits in Housefull 2 and Bol Bachchan so we’ll take her

AK – what rubbish, what did Asin do in those two films!!

HR – Sirji, we’ll not make her do anything in our film too, she’ll only fill the heroine slot and bring lady luck to us

AK – but what all is the film about?

HR – Sir, I have an absolutely fresh and new idea….we’ll have you play a goon who cons people by playing a cop but is not able to find a bride, then there would be another goon who is unable to find a groom for his sister and I’ll play a marriage mediator who’ll bring you two together. And this sister will already be in love with another goon with some side track on them too and you’ll try to sacrifice your love for making them meet but then this sister will change her mind and come back to you.

AK – Oh…so it’s a love story

HR – No no Sirji, it’s different. It’ll also have lot of songs composed and sung by me

AK – Oh…so it’s a musical story

HR – No no Sirji, it’s different. We’ll also have your extended family with African grandmother, Indian father, Canadian mother, Chinese Aunty and a lost twin brother too who all will keep on coming in between and speak some dialogues.

AK – Oh…so it’s a family story

HR – No no Sirji, it’s different. We’ll also have some comedians like Johny Lever, Bharti Singh, Sanjay Mishra and Ghuggi who’ll keep on coming in between and speak some dialogues.

AK – Oh…so it’s a comedy story

HR – No no Sirji, it’s different. We’ll also have you knocking down 20 people with one punch.

AK – Oh…so it’s an action story

HR – No no Sirji, it’s different. It’s a multi mega masala entertainer ever.

AK – ok, let’s do it

I wish above had remained my imagination only but this film seems nothing short of result of some such random conversation. Cinema Analyst's Take – Stay away, don’t angry yourself :-)

Life of Pi

I had not heard about this book till last year when I read about Ang Lee making film on this book and his coming to India and selecting Delhi boy Suraj Sharma as the protagonist. It was then that I read about this story of a young boy sailing from India to Canada with his family and how their ship sinks in the water leaving him stranded in the sea on the ship wreck along with a Tiger and how he survives and fights all odds for an unbelievable 227 days.

Its an incredible story narrated incredibly.....the film is actually a visual delight with absolutely spectacular picturisation throughout. The tiger, thunderstorm, sea creatures, sun rise, night in the sea, island in the end.......there are so many sequences shot so well that they'll take your breath away. And use of 3D technology and and its effects are the finest seen in recent times.

In terms of performances, Suraj Sharma delivers a fantastic performance and so does the other hero of the film...the tiger. Irrfan Khan and Tabu are ok.

On flip side, the film takes a while before the adventure on sea starts, its a bit long and despite being engrossed in this survival story, you feel tired towards last half hour.

But these are small blemishes for what is otherwise an inspiring film about tragedy and triumph, sufferings and survival, fear and faith, evil and humanity and above all, about not losing hope.

Cinema Analyst's Take - it's a cinematic pleasure....watch it.

Son of Sardaar

Now I know why Ajay Devgn was so adamant to release this film on Diwali even if it meant taking YRF and JTHJ head on.....it's during Diwali only that people are in such festive and happy spirit that they might just forgive him for making this non sense of a film.
It's the story of a Sardaar who comes back from London to Punjab to sell off some family property only to find out that he has an enemy who is waiting to kill him and only to conveniently fall in love with niece of that enemy. What happens thereafter is brainless and mostly humourless events in the name of comedy.
The film starts off ok with a fast paced introduction of all lead characters, meeting of lead couple in a train with few light moments and remains watchable somehow in the first half. But it's the second half which brings it down big time what with numerous songs, no genuine laughter moments and story going nowhere at all. The romance angle between Ajay and Sonakshi is also half baked and film keeps on moving between love story and revenge drama without any consistent flow. The action sequences are nothing new and are stretched unnecessarily trying to do a Rohit Shetty what with flying cars and humans without similar effect though.
In terms of performances, everyone is just about ok....no one outshines. Salman Khan makes a cameo which even he would lille to forget soon. Music is average and you wish film had at least three songs less.
I am all for keep-your-brain-at-home masala comedy entertainers provided they do what they are supposed to.....entertain. This one doesn't do that except for few sequences in first half which is not enough. For most parts, you laugh not due to comic dialogues, scenes or performances but actually at the silliness of what's going on. Watch it only if you have nothing to do these holidays, you don't like romance flicks and you have taste for anything in the name of comedy. My overall verdict - Below average.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan

This is easily the most awaited film of this year for various known reasons. Yash Chopra’s death a few weeks ago making it his last directorial venture; his coming together yet again with Shahrukh Khan; pairing him for the first time with Katrina Kaif; AR Rahman and Gulzar at the helm of music and poetry and above all, the expectations of an epic romance saga on a Diwali day. And while it is never easy for a film to meet such huge expectations, this one manages to reach your heart albeit with few flaws and hiccups.
It is the story of Samar, who while living in London and doing various small time jobs to make ends meet, falls in love with Mira…..only to then get separated from her. He comes back to India and joins army as a bomb diffuser living a lonely life for ten years till he meets a young and bubbly Akira. And then how caught between his past and present, two love ladies and his destiny, he finds his true love again.
While on paper, there isn’t anything new in the story, it is the Late Yash Chopra’s narrative style with many heartwarming scenes that keeps you engaged in it. It’s his direction and complete conviction in his story and characters that despite a silly reason of separation and unbelievable turn of events later on, this tale of true and unconditional love keeps you emotionally attached to it. SRK’s oozing romance, Katrina’s sensuousness in first half and beauty and elegance in second half and Anushka’s vivaciousness add credibility to this love story.
But the film is not without its share of flaws…. as mentioned above the reason of separation of Samar and Mira looks little silly and unbelievable in today’s times, accidents and amnesia look too farfetched, the story drags in between particularly in the second half and the running length of close to three hours seems way too long. The music is also a letdown considering the high standards that AR Rahman has set in last few years.
In terms of performances, SRK is restrained and very convincing. It wouldn’t be exaggerating to say that no one romances better than him on silver screen. Katrina Kaif looks very pretty; watch her sizzle in an absolute stunning solo dance sequence in first half. Anushka Sharma is superb in a relatively small but meaningful role. The cinematography capturing two distinct cities of London and Ladakh is top notch.
Overall, it may not reach the heights of some of his earlier classics but this last film of Yash Chopra still manages to make you believe and fall in love all over again. I am being little generous and biased but for this befitting finale from a legendary filmmaker, my overall verdict – Good.

Luv Shuv tey Chicken Khurana

I have said it in the past too, bollywood is in experimental era and it's working big time. Novel stories narrated differently and interestingly now sell despite lack of any major stars and that's wonderful for genuine cinema lovers.
Set in Punjab with an absolutely authentic and real like characters and situations, the film is about Omi Khurana played by Kunal Kapoor who owes money to underworld in London and with no other choice to pay it back, comes to his family in India where his grandfather used to sell chicken khurana in his dhaba, a dish whose recipe is unknown now. And how his quest to get this recipe which can be sold in the market results in one hilarious situation to another. And topping up this chicken is luv shuv with his childhood sweetheart and some light moments with his ample relatives.
The story on paper looks hardly exciting but it's the treatment by way of multiple Punjabi characters along with very witty and crispy dialogues that make it an interesting and entertaining watch for most parts. All the actors playing various support characters preform very well with the showstopper being the actor playing Mamaji....he manages to bring some genuine laughters out of audience. The music and songs, mostly in background, suit the mood of the film and despite not heard of earlier sound good. The climax is bound to leave you with a big smile.
But there are blemishes too, the biggest being the pace of the film which is way too slow, at times you feel nothing is moving forward. Also, the secret of recipe which had made chicken khurana the most sought after dish looks forced and doesn't appeal much. And the entire setting around punjabis' would lack the universal appeal and liking.
If a new and simple story told hilariously and innovatively satisfies your cinema watching urge, go and watch it, it's good fun. And people liking masala entertainment, big stars and larger than life characters and sets in a film would do well to avoid it.

Cinema Analyst's Take - this chicken served with luv is relishable.

Chakravyuh

All his films may not always succeed completely in what he is trying to convey but there is no denying that Prakash Jha is a brilliant, thought provoking director. In his every film, he picks up a sensitive and socially relevant issue and raises uncomfortable questions on the same by way of an engaging and interesting story around it. This time he takes up a critical and strong subject of naxalism.
The film is about an honest and brave cop who is assigned the task of fighting naxalites and his friend, who he sends amongst them as an informer to catch their leader. And how this friend eventually becomes a rebel himself while living with them and starts counter fighting the police.
While the story about friends turning rivals isn't new, what makes it interesting and different is the backdrop of naxalism that is explored probably for the first time in bollywood. For most of us living in metro cities miles away from terror affected states and districts, the film throws a balanced view on naxals and their victims. While it shows killings of hundreds of innocent policemen and the ruthlessness of naxal on one hands, it also highlights the plight, reasons and circumstances which make common villagers take up guns and law in their hands. And while it doesn't justify their killings and rightly so, it does make you think if the system, government and police are equally responsible for this big internal crisis that our country faces today.
But sadly enough, despite this strong subject, film fails being a hard hitting political drama for various reasons, the biggest being that it raises questions on naxalism but doesn't sustain long enough on them and eventually ends up being a cop and a rebel war only in the end. Also, the circumstances that lead to change of heart for someone who is against the naxals to become one of them aren't highlighted convincingly enough. The running length of two and a half hours, unnecessary songs and a romance angle also bring it down a bit.
In terms of performances, Arjun Rampal gets role of his lifetime and he does complete justice to it, Abhay Deol is as good as always. Cinematography is good and few action sequences are shot beautifully.
All in all a reasonably engaging thriller due to it's new subject but lacks the punch that you would expect a Prakash Jha film to do.

Student of the Year

There is a dialogue in the film where the lead actress's friend tell her....you are confused. This is actually what you would want to tell Karan Johar after watching it.
The film is set in a fantasy school where guys are bare chested and girls barely covered, where uniforms come from designer houses, where good looks seem to be the only admission criteria, and where everything is important except studies. I know it's just a film meant for entertainment but how do you explain the most prestigious competition of a school, student of the year being judged basis a stupid treasure hunt, dancing and running only and where the principal needs to be ridiculed by a loser student before he realizes this or A business tycoon not liking his son because he wants to become a musician and so much so that he actually feels happy to see his son losing the competition or A smart girl unable to decide who she loves between two hunks and so much so that even viewer can't find this out till she marries one of them or two hunks who can't decide for their life whether they are friends or enemies and either ways why!


On positive side, KJo presents all this with super style and at large canvas, all three newcomers look stunning and fresh and preform reasonably good, the music is peppy and few sequences funny. It's a superb launch for new faces but it remains just that.... nothing in substance.

Not entirely unwatchable but far from a good film you would expect out of Karan Johar.








Cinema Analyst's take - this student manages to score just about passing marks.

English Vinglish

It's a golden period for Bollywood and for cinema lovers. Few years ago, who would have thought about making a mainstream film without an established hero, or a film where the lead heroine is an actresses way past her youth making her comeback after 15 long years, or a female director debuting with a maturity and sensibility that most veteran filmmakers don't show all their liv

es, or a film based on a simple story with outstanding impact and entertainment. Welcome to the new exiting period of Bollywood. 
This is the story of a typical middle class housewife who is ridiculed by her husband and kids for her inability to speak English and how the determination to get her self respect back, she learns the language and finds her inner happiness. It's a simple story told beautifully. Each and every sequence is novel and fresh taking you on a journey full of emotions. The screenplay is so engaging that it takes two minutes before you become part of Shashi's life, world and her struggle. There are moments that bring smile on your face and then there are some that bring limp in your throat. It makes you think about small little things that matter in all relationships be it between married couple, or between parents and kids or between strangers becoming friends. And it does that without ever being preachy. And while like all films, you can predict where it's going, you can't but feel joyous and victorious when it ends. 
Sridevi coming back after a while delivers an absolutely superlative performance, probably her best till date. All other supporting actors also do complete justice. In fact, it's one of those rare films that have many supporting characters in the story yet each one of them gets footage and leaves an impact. Music is soothing to ears and cinematography treat to eyes. R. Balki has made couple of different and interesting films in the past but his wife Gauri Shinde debuts with even better and meaningful film. 
Cinema Analyst's Take - it's a little gem of a film, don't miss it. Highly recommended.

OMG Oh My God

It's an interesting satirical take on the existence and meaning of God and how in the name of believing in Him, people actually believe in superstitions only. 
The story revolves around an athiest who sues God himself when he loses everything in an earthquake and how during his fight in the court to recover his money, he exposes godmen, challenges the blind faith of people in age 

old idiotic rituals, questions their belief in religion more than humanity and how he himself also ends up meeting God and changing his own perceptions. 
A film made with sincerity and right intentions, it makes you think about how each one of us is trapped in doing something or other in the name of pleasing God when actually the only thing needed to connect with Him is being a good human being, when instead of fearing God, the only thing needed is unconditional faith in Him. And it does all this in a light and comical way without ever being preachy and heavy. 
On the flip side, it drags a bit towards the end, climax is too filmy and dramatic and considering this sensitive and debatable issue, it could have been much more impactful in what it wanted to convey. 
In terms of performances, it's Paresh Rawal's show all the way with a soothing cameo by Akshay Kumar. 
Cinema Analyst's Take - Above average. Watch it and try to follow what it teaches.

Heroine

This film has created lot of news and hype around it due to multiple reasons : the entire controversy of Aishwarya Rai signing it last year despite being preggers and then walking out, the curiosity of seeing what goes on behind the glamrous bollywood faces and on top of all due to Madhur Bhandarkar who is famous for his reality based hard hitting films and considering that this was a t

ake from his own industry. Unfortunately, the film fails to live upto this hype.
As commonly known by now, it's a story about a film heroine who is losing her professional life and stardom to her rivals and losing her personal life to her mood swings and insecurities and how in the process of staying afloat on top of her career and love life, she retorts to manipulations, fake friendships, and the destructive world of cigarettes, alcohol and pills.
The film starts off well showing the dark and bitter inside of bollywood where every one is involved in scheming and pulling each other down but then just starts throwing in every possible shocking incident one after another. So you have film heroes trying to sleep with their heroines, their wives controlling their lives, their failed marriages, cricketers getting obsessed for film heroines, PR honchos creating sensational stories on the eve of film release, casting couches, gay designers and lesbian actresses. While all this keeps you engaged in first hour or so, you gradually start realising that the film is just being a bunch of all scandals that you have read about in the past. Also, the shock value of various incidents is negated by sense of deja vu, you have seen all this in Fashion and Page 3. And too much of all this happening in just one heroine's life makes her story dramatic and unreal. Mahi Arora ends up being a character that fails to touch your heart and the culmination of her story is too abrupt to make you think.
In terms of performances, Kareena Kapoor kills the part, she looks stunning and performs brilliantly particularly the vulnerability of her character. She is easily the best thing about the film. Other actors are decent. Music is just about ok and Halkat Jawani is no Sheela.
It's a watchable film but way short of the quality cinema you would expect out of Madhur Bhandarkar.

Cinema Analyst's Take - Average.