Wake up Sid: Almost living upto its reputation

This certainly was one of the most awaited movies, especially for the gen-x/y/z… Something to look forward to.. Something different.. Something refreshing..Something not like loud comedy… Something not having vulgar poses and meaningless songs.. And definitely a break from the deluge of ….. in name of reality..

As the title says, it almost succeeded.. The story is of a spoilt brat (Ranbir) of a rich dad(Anupam Kher), who never takes the world seriously, unless he is forced to by certain incidents.. And who better to hold his hand through this.. Our own Aisha(Konkana).Their first meeting was an accident, but they soon became used to each other..(or should i say Made for each other).. The songs are different.. O RE MANWA definitely leaves its impression.. Konakan is brilliant in her acting..Ranbir too leaves her mark.. A character not used to the fullest is Sonia , but i wonder what more could she have been used for.. At times, the story looks lost, sometimes, the confusion looks little too much to fathom, but then that is what adds to its beauty as well.. Mumbai monsoons conclude the movies, which is as abrupt as it could get.

All in all a good watch, first half being a little slow, but as the time passes, the story picks up as well..

Dil bole Hadippa: Straight from the heart

What does a movie buff looks forward to now a days? Gone are the days of patriotic movies which would enthuse one and all, gone are the days of the movies of attrocities of village landlord, who will bring tears to one and all, gone are the days of domestic violence centric movies, which will ensre all the ladies look around for fresh set of handkerchiefs.

Now, for an average cine goer(there will always be off the normal curve people), the expectation is pretty clear: Time pass for three hours, something to relax themselves, somethings to laugh over, something to enjoy their popcorns with… This is where DIL BOLE HADIPPA fits the bill perfectly.

Minutes into the movie, and you can guess it to be a Chak De remake in new avataar, but thats only the beginning. Its about a girl living here dreams, and of particular mention is the dialogue: You may stop me from doing something, but how will you stop me from dreaming?  The story is of a village girl, who had a dream, and will go to any extent to fulfill it.She is as desi as you can think of, as pure at heart as you can imagine. The story is about a broken family, who is not shattered yet, as still there are threads of relationships between them. The story is about a Miss Chandigarh, who seems alergic to wearing clothes. The story is about a dance party, which belts real jazzy numbers. The story is about some efforts to promote harmony between India and Pakistan, and the story is about knowing that only thing that matters is victory, and rest all can wait.

Rani Mukherjee has lost loads of weight for the movie, and it is apparent. Guess Rakhi would have been paid extra money, as she uttered hardly three lines in entire movie, and danced really well. Shahid is looking really dashing, and many a dames would drool at his new looks. Sherlyn has serious allergy to clothes, and is apparent.

There is a pinch of over dramatic climax, but then Bollywood junta can always be ignored for the same. The music is foot tapping, and songs are picturised really well.

In all, a must watch. 4.5/5 says the scoreboard.

Aagey to right:The only right is in the name itself…

An impressive star cast: Yes, I have always respected the acting talent of Shreyas and Kay Kay Menon. And add to it the two beauties, Shenaz( I hope I have spelt her correctl), and the Paro of Dev D( thats the only way I know her). Initial clippings portrayed it to be a comedy, and I thought it to be a decent bet, after the recent box office duds.

The first fifteen minutes were enough to prove me wrong, and then started an ordeal for 20 odd people in the entire theatre( Just to emphasize, it was the first day of release). Shreyas was at best ordinary, guess he also tried to go overboard to ensure the laugh buds keep tickling. The beauties showed nothing extraordinary, I mean acting, lest you think otherwise . Kay Kay emerged as the only solace with his urdu rapidly changing to Mumbaiya gibberish.. The Mallu don’s only dialogue worth remembering was “SOCHA TO LOCHA”

The script was extremely loosely tied, if tied at all. The director also forgot that a good comedy has bursts of laughter, and can’t be a laugh machine every next second. Some people aptly named the movie also as “MY LOST GUN”, as that only was the common point through the entire movie. Songs were not Jhitimating at all( as Kay Kay would have called it). The plot was lost a thousand times, and then desperate efforts to revive it were done.

Overall, a dud, and last suggestion- Sleep, work in office, chat, surf but don’t go for it. It does not qualify even as a non brainer.

RAB NE BANA DI JODI:It flatters to deceive

The promos appreared promising. But that’s all about the movie. Few questions for you all. Starting with fairer sex:

1) Can you not recognise your husband, if he removes his spectacles, and changes his dress and hair style?

2) If you are a happy go lucky girl, who wants to enjoy every moment, and live as per your own terms,then would you expect you RAB to guide you for the biggest decision of your life?

Coming to other side,

1) How many of you will tell your own wife to go away with some one else, especially when you love her like mads..

If your answer is in affirmative, please go ahead and watch. You will like the movie. Else, be happy watching the promos, and wait for next friday.

The movie opens to a wedding about to happen, then accident of groom party,and subsequent a dying father handing his daughter to his most sincere student. Then, it is about KARMIC connections of two human beings, as it is not even about friendship or staying together, or making an effort to know each other and come closer. This is how the life of SURENDER SAHNI ( aka Shahrukh) and TANIJI( aka Anushka) s going on, before the dance classes change everything. Here cometh RAJ, the loving JAT, who has a golden heart, but a bad mouth. The story takes its own twists and turns, and here also, you feel monotnous with the camera moving between the dining table, and dance room. 

The time passes by, and then, when the dance comeptition finals come, it is also the time for Tanni to chose between Surinder and RAJ. No prizes for guessing, who won…

Anushka looks sweet, and appears mature. Needless to say, she is a great dancer, but at times, appears to lack the charisma..

So, with  Sunday gone, it is advisable to wait till next Friday.

DOSTANA: Everyone is straight

Had heard about the gay element in it.. And how it was another classic exapmle of Indian cinema coming of age..And adding to the fire was the current contentious debate about legalisation of homosexuality, further fuelled by active participation of our Union health Minister. Also with India on verge of becoming super power in coming times, there were various voices as to how our progress should be reflected in our social traditions as well.

If all that was a ploy to bring audience to theatres, it worked. Because if opening numbers were to go by, it had a decent opening. Coming to the movie, it was nice, one time watch, especially after the recent experiences like EMI which the cinema buffs had to bear recently.

It is story of two males in need, who meet by chance, and then one thing leads to other. From an outright rejection of the very thought of pretending to be gay, the more mature of the two ( read Abhishek) has his way, and then starts the journey. A journey which had no ends.. No holds barred.. The cute landlady fired their imagination every next moment, but the director ensured they were also caught in compromising situations by default. John has definitely shown off decent amount of flesh, and guess Indian cinema has moved over showing only fairer sex’s flesh now. The movie mives at a decent pace in the first half, but in second half, it seems like a desperate effort to stitch the story to its logical conclusion. The Punjabi mother, desperate boss, and lurking vulture ( immingration officer), all had a part to play, and they played it to the gallery. Only disappointment was Bobby, who looked like he had been forced to stand in front of camera.

The second half reflects the souring of friendship of compromise over the girl, and then like all Bollywood busters, the hero getting her dame and others playing good angel to the same.

But, did some one say it was a story of compromise of two semi skilled workers abroad, or a reflection of an over ambitious lady, who will go all the way for her promotion. Comments on these lines are solicited.

WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR: A theatrical delight

The Indian cinema has offlate been credited with coming of age, and making some off the beaten track movies. This again is an effort in the same direction. The movie is open to interpretation. Some may claim it to be a subtle romantice movie, others can look at it hitting the social evils present in our society. Yet, some others can claim it to a failed effort to tackle too many things at one go, and in the process losing the steam some where. All of them are right in their own domains, but sum up the three, and this is what “WELCOME TO SAJJANPUR” has to offer.

The movie does not boast of big names, but that no way is reflection of the acting prowess you see in the movie. Need I say, Shyam Benegal’s midas touch is also quite apparent and is reflected in attention to all the minute details you can think of. Shreyas has done justice, and there is Amrita, the epitome of perfect match of purity and sensuousness, and lives every bit of her role. Ila Arun is at her best in her cameo. What catches your attention all the more is the lingo used, the typical Sajjanpur lingo, with all efforts to left in untouched in the entire movie.Also, the take on rampant social practises, be it superstitions or political muscle flexing, just seem to ease into the movie. Some may question the Rageshwari- Ravi Kishen bit, but with so many honour killings happening in recent past in the country, in the end that also stands justified. Some people may question the songs and their relevance, and they may have been done away with as well, but the regional dialect still endears some to them.

The film also stands out for bringing out the real facts in the end. The haapily living after myth of love birds Ravi Kishen and Rageshwari is shattered, and so are the hopes of killing Munni bai who had come to power, because in politics its power which matters the most. So, what if the movie is a bit slow. Every bit a worth watch, it just seems like a theatre on screen.

DARK KNIGHT:The two sides of humanity

I begin with a confession. I am not a great fan of Englsih movies, and find myself challenged also when trying to decipher what is going on screen. Still trying to write tit-bits about the movie, which i watched the very next day of its release.

The story of clashes between good and evil ( like any Batman movie), the movie is also similar to a corporate start up or a corporate turn around story, when the things hit the nadir before again heading for the zenith. In some ways, it is also known as the valley syndrome, where to reach any great peak, you have to cross a valley.

The joker unleashed an era of terror, however his motive was different from others. He was not the one, who was after some materialistic or monetary gains, not the one, who wanted name and fame, all he wanted was complete anarchy. He was ruthless, he had no feelings, he cared for nothing, and it was difficult to guess what his next target would be. Keeping authorities on their toes and being a step ahead of them was his hallmark. But like all bad things, this had to come to an end, and in the end it did.

The special effects used in the movie are amazing and the movie brings out the human dilemma and at times helplessness in a way, I had never seen before.

Singh is king: Great brainless watch

Guess the title sums it up. Akshay is great, Katrina looks sizzling, it is full entertainment and time pass during the show, but then, don’t put your brains as to why a particular thing happens.

Be it a Sardar underworld don in Australia, or the blood boiling in the bottle when Don gets angry, or SHANT LADY BHIM dialogues, you will love it inside the theatre, but coming out, you just feel relaxed with nothing worth remembering and the postmartem of the movie may prove deadly as you will end up asking yourself ” What the hell was there in the movie ?”

The good thing is that the characters have played along the story line, music is good, there is always something or other happening on the screen to keep you involved and engaged. It seems,it had just begun when the intermission sign props up, and then the drama goes on till you realize that it is over and time to go. The movie had great collection all over India, with it raking in 18 crore over the first two days and 28 crore over the entire weekend.

It was an out and out Akshay movie, everyone else was supposed to play side roles. Considering that, he has done perfect justice to the expectations, and also renew his threat to the Khan trinity. Its nice to see this action hero moving into the groove of comedy star, and leaving a mark most of the times.

Go, watch it, enjoy the popcorn, but don’t get into a WHY and HOW mode, and come out laughing.

Jara Hat Ke Jara Bach Ke Ye Hai: MUMBAI MERI JAAN

11July,2006. Serial blasts on the life line of Mumbai, the suburban train which carries on an average 6.1 million passengers everyday.  For some time, Mumbai came to a still. Or did it? This is the central theme around which the movie revolves.

 Be it 1993 blasts, 26th July floods or 11July serial blasts, Mumbai has withstood all of them, much like the Indian civilization, which itself has weathered countless invasions and centuries, but still keeps on going like ever.

Coming back to movie, this is story of individuals who were in one or other the witness of the blasts, and have their own interpretations about the same. The characters were well selected, and they seem to have done complete justice to their roles as well.

In spells, especially in the first half, sometimes the movie appears to be a bit slow, but then it was never expected to be pot boiler thriller or suspense movie. Another good done to the movie is no exaggeration or going overboard. Soha does not get hyper during her interview, Paresh Rawal does not change to last minute superhero, Kay Kay does not play Holi or Diwali, and this only adds to the charm of the movie. The end is perfect when everyone stops for the two minute silence, and then the evergreeen song “JARA HATKE JARA BACHKE…” sums it up..

ROCK ON: IT LEAVES YOU ROCKING

You are young and life is long

And there is time to kill today

And then one day you find that

Ten years have got behind you

No one told you when to run

You missed the starting gun…

 PiNK Floyd..

Every second friend whom I talk to today has some plans, wants to do something in life, keep in touch with friends, live life as per own terms, do something he/she enjoys. But the reality sadly is different, and is so for most of us. The liabilities get better of assets, the responsibilites increase in geometric progression, the tempers fly, and you decide to tread one path, mostly out of compulsion. However, the young rebel in your heart does not die, sometimes it still beats, which you suppress at times by your ego, at times by your helplessness. Somewhere, someday, you want to relive the dreams, and all you need is some one to kindle the fire within. And who better, if it is your better half (Prachi in this case). The friends are still there, they still care, and are more than happy to come back together.

Obviously, some glitches have to be there, as the world is never too perfect and rosy, but yet again, the determination wins, friends come tgether and comes the last performance by MAGIC…

The movie never went overboard, Rob did not die a bollywood death, KD did not have to play drums alone before others joined him, and movie reached a smooth end.

The songs may not appear to have best of lyrics, but in the movie, they appear to be the best that would have been possible.

All in all, not something you can afford to miss..