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.