Madras Cafe - India's first political thriller?

Most probably it is India's first political thriller and 'may be' parts of it are true as well. I am choosing my words carefully here, because while the film works fine as a thriller, it somehow doesn't get its political machinations right. A fictional story of a RAW agent set against the backdrop of true incidents like Sri Lankan Civil War and assassination of a national leader from India, the film never truly mines the potential of the material at hand. Though at the same time, it is a compelling watch, due to its ability to get under the skin of a RAW agent (unlike 'Ek Tha Tiger').

The film's strength is that it takes a nuetral stance over the issue and presents the film through the eyes of the lead played by John Abraham. So it ensures several hard-hitting moments related to work and dangers faced by a RAW agent. This aspect was highlight of the film for me. But this very strength, actually turns into a weakness as well. The film-maker in order to avoid taking sides, sanitises the political aspects and the mess that was created by Indian government's meddling. It never fully delves into the psyche of key players in the conflict as well. As John Abraham's Major Vikram Singh is mostly clueless, it restricts the scope of the film. But I still applaud Shoojit Sircar and John for making this film. May be the film wouldn't have been allowed to release if they had treaded outside the safe zone.

After 'Vicky Donor', Shoojit Sircar displays his assured direction once again. John Abraham acts well, but it is the supporting cast including Nargis Fakhri (relatively unknown) that makes the film credible.

Kudos to the makers for giving me a break from the run-of-the-mill stuff being churned out, in last few weeks. I just wish they had the strength to go the whole hog...

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Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobaara - My kind of masala film

First up, answers to three questions that everyone is asking:

1. I haven't yet figured it out, that why there is an extra 'y' after 'A' in the film's title. May be it will help the film to cross Rs. 100 crores despite the promotional blitzkrieg of Chennai Express.

2. OUATIMD is not better than OUATIM. (By the way is it fair to have a film title so long, that even its acronym seems never ending? It is difficult to do justice to such films on twitter). See my views on OUATIM at the end of the post.

3. OUATIMD is any day better than Chennai Express. (Just saying in purely relative terms)

Now review -

The film retains several good elements of part 1. It has clap-trap dialogues, larger than life characters, glamorized gang leaders, a quirky sense of humor (especially in the 1st half), a plot which can't be called wafer thin and good performances by leads.

Akshay Kumar is a good choice for mouthing out those heavy duty punch lines and his swagger makes up for the lack of intensity, that defined Ajay Devgn's character in part 1. Sonakshi Sinha is fast emerging as a reliable actress. I have always liked her. Even here where her character isn't very well written, she makes the best of it. Imran Khan was disappointing in parts, though he handled romance well. The music of the film is also above average.

But the film lacks the soul of the first one. It is not as if first one was a great film, but this one doesn't bring out the mentor - protege conflict as well as it should have. Also it takes a lot of time to come to the point of conflict and that makes second half a drag. While Shoaib (Emraan Hashmi) in OUATIM was pure evil, the Shoaib in OUATIMD (Akshay Kumar) has a heart. This somehow takes away the continuity and the edginess of this character.

But I like my masala films like this one and not like Chennai Express. 

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My views on OUATIM when it released in 2010 (see how things didn't change much)

"Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai - Movie is partly good..Lots of claptraps and old style dialoguebaazi..ajay and emraan give good performances..BUT BUT its very slow and dragging...and thats a sin for a gangster movie..also very lil guns n blood..another cardinal mistake for gang based movie... climax was weak..Overall an average watch"

OUATIM - First reviewed on my facebook account on 2nd August 2010

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Chennai Express - More like a Chennai Slow Local

Somehow the big festive releases over last few years have earned a reputation of ending up being big disappointments... This time also I had expected nothing different and had gone to see this 'blockbuster in making' with the lowest expectations. Read further to know what happened...

The film can be neatly divided into 3 parts:

Part I (15 minutes) - Pre-boarding Chennai Express - There was Shahrukh doing a different kind of tomfoolery. There were jokes around Sachin Tendulkar's failure and a dying grand-father, both taboo subjects for Hindi mainstream comedies. The main lead's moral moorings questioned. I thought Rohit Shetty's gags are going to be different this time and bolder as well. I chuckled a few times.

Part II (20 minutes) - Aboard Chennai Express - A classic and memorable spoof on DDLJ, a hilarious sing-song conversation between hero and heroine and SRK as a wimp. I laughed out loud. My expectations increased.

Part III (never ending) - Post-alighting Chennai Express - Unwanted songs, tired jokes and the hero SRK returns. Film's plot stagnates and there is nothing more to laugh at. I am sure I saw few people sleeping.

I never thought that after Ra.One, Shahrukh Khan can embarrass himself further with his over the top and laborious acting. But I was so wrong. I never thought Rohit Shetty would make a film where you will have to search hard for genuine laughs. But I was so wrong. I never thought that Deepika, when paired opppsite Shahrukh, can hold her own. But I was so so wrong.

Infact Deepika's comic timing was better than anyone else in the film. Shahrukh couldn't decide what should his character be like. And Rohit Shetty delivers a really long (it felt like one) and a boring film...

Even with my low expectations it turned out to be a big disappointment. Am I an alien, because this film is going to be yet another blockbuster anyways!!!

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Rishi Kapoor: He makes the Evil Act look good...

This entry has reviews of 3 recent films of Rishi Kapoor, in which he made evil look good...

1. Agneepath - It is definitely a better experience than watching the Agneepath test series. But it is not the film for the miniscule intelligentsia. It is neither the film for the weak hearted. I will also dare not compare it with the original Agneepath because they both are different in their treatment. While the original was high on Big B's performance and over the top dialoguebaazi, this one is more gory but adds more depth to the characters and their motives. Also its not about Vijay Dinanath alone, but about Kancha and Rauf as well...

What works - restrained, but intense performance by Hrithik; Sanjay Dutt as a caricatured villain (with a hint of his traumatised childhood making it feel real) which appeals to the masala film junkie in me; Rishi Kapoor's menancing interpretation of evil (I think he has excelled in his role); supporting characters especially the kids do an amazing job; the change in plotlines as compared to original and the amazing politics of crime makes it more of a Shakespearean tragedy than a normal masala film; the visceral violence and emotions both make it impossible for the audience to ignore the movie.

What doesn't work - the love track, the clunky climax, the screenplay loopholes bigger than Sanjay Dutt and the length of the film. but just for Rishi's Rauf Lala... i am willing to forget them

Agneepath - First reviewed on my facebook account on 26th January 2012

2. Aurangzeb - The film's strength is its delicious and layered writing. After a long time it was good to see a film with a screenplay which engages you as an audience. Then there is Rishi Kapoor. His role is so good and he has excelled yet again in an evil role. Then Deepti Naval in that one scene where she justifies Rishi's evil turn is amazingly done. This crime drama with Gurgaon's shady builder-poitician-police nexus as its backdrop, also provides Jackie Shroff something to chew on. All other actors are either bad or wasted. Climax of the film is little too convenient and underwhelming. There is no point of giving any recommendation as film is already out of cinema halls.

Aurangzeb - First reviewed on my facebook account on 23rd June 2013

3. D-Day - The moment I had seen the teaser of this film, I had high expectations from it. I thought it would be a great action film about spies in Pakistan. Also while Nikhil Advani has given some big flops in past, I had liked Salaam-e-Ishq and Patiala House. And generally when I go into a film with high expectations, I end up getting disappointed. 

But D-Day surprisingly turned out to be a good film, though it was not exactly what I had expected. It was less of an espionage film and more about the emotional journey and sacrifices of its lead characters. I simply loved the film as it remains largely realistic and gritty enough for a spy film. I was happy with the film. Though I found climax over the top and not in sync with the grammar of the whole film, but it seemed justified because of Rishi Kapoor's diatribe at the end.

Out of all the leads, (though everyone acted well) its Irrfan's (Wali Khan) story and his dilemma that touched a chord. And we all know that he is a wonderful actor. He aces it this time again. Then Rishi's Goldman is a character written beautifully. It is perfect coup - great characterization and casting. After Agneepath, Aurangzeb and now D-Day, I can safely say, he is the best villain around.

It seems Shruti Haasan had chosen this week to make me drool over her. She looked even better in this film than Ramaiya Vastavaiya. And if all this wasn't enough Nikhil Advani gives us a gem in the song 'Alvida'. The song in itself is very good (music and lyrics), but the situation in which it has been used and the way it has been shot (won't give spoilers here), it is going to blow you away....

D-Day - First reviewed on my facebook account on 23rd July 2013

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Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - Almost there...

1. As far as my memory serves me, this is one of those rare biopics made in India, where the protagonist is still alive. So its a great effort from that point of view - a film on sports about a living legend is made and film doesn't shy away from showing his failures as well.

2. The comparisons with Paan Singh Tomar are unnecessary, because PST was about apathy towards sports in the country while BMB is a celebration of some of the best sporting achievements.

3. Till now the only image of Milkha Singh in my mind, was a sketch of him (running), in one of our school books. But from now on the lasting image of Milkha Singh for all future generations would be Farhan Akhtar. Such is the power of his transformation as Milkha and his performance, that for me Farhan is Milkha, Milkha is Farhan. His body language, dialect and dialogue delivery are all so convincing, that it seems, no other actor could have done this role better.

4. Three other actors that touched me with their performances are - Pavan Malhotra, in the role of Milkha's first coach, shows a great restraint in his acting. In one particular scene, when Milkha is taken away by the national coach (Yograj Singh), the camera lingers on for few moments on Pavan's face and there is pride on it, that a father would have, for his kid. Divya Dutta as Milkha's sister will make you cry with her performance. She is the emotional anchor of the film. Jabtej Singh as young Milkha performs equally well as Farhan Akhtar. His role lends pathos to the film. Farhan and these 3 actors are the biggest strengths of this film.

5. The sporting and races are exquisitely shot. Aided with excellent background score and songs, this film is highly inspirational in those moments.

6. But film has some inherent weaknesses in the structuring of its narrative: Flashback in Flashback tool used in the narrative adds no new dimension. In fact it makes the film heavy handed and longer than required. (Ghayal is the only Hindi film I remember where flashback in flashback was used very effectively)

7. The film relies on jingoism to manipulate audiences and gives undue focus to the Indo-Pak sporting rivalry, while almost ignoring Milkha's bigger sporting achievements.

8. Prasoon Joshi's screenplay is the biggest weakness of the film - inconsistent and gives in to commercial interests. But the truth is that the legend of Milkha Singh is so strong and inspirational at its core, that even a floundering screenplay couldn't spoil the overall experience

9. Why is the review structured like this? Because that is the way film is - long, inconsistent and random and yet tells the entire story of Milkha like never before. Enjoy. :-)

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - First reviewed on my facebook account on 21st July 2013
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Betrayal on the Friendship Day - BA Pass

In terms of boldness of the subject, the depiction of sexuality on Indian screen and the way female characters have been presented in this one like never before, this just doesn't pushes the envelope but tears it. As a dark edgy thriller it works well till the last act. But for me the satisfaction comes from the way it depicts hollow morality of our society and the way it shows Delhi in a totally new light. But it is not a perfect film. It suffers from a very predictable screenplay and the last act just messes it up. Not for the weak hearts, go watch it only if you are looking for a film on an ultimate betrayal on the Friendship Day.

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Ship of Theseus - Go Experience it!

An amazingly honest and an unsettling film, that made me think of some mundane things I need to correct in my life. I may or may not do anything about them, but yes I thought about them. At the same time, it is a highly accessible and a simple film, despite being deeply philosophical. Now for how many films one can use such adjectives in one breath 

Therein lies the strength of Anand Gandhi's writing and direction. It requires so much conviction and clarity to put one's inner most thoughts and beliefs into a film. Hats off to him.

The Theseus' paradox unfolds in front of your eyes both physically and metaphorically, through three incredible stories that come together at the end.

The first one about this girl Aaliya played by Aida El-Kashef makes such a strong statement. Impairment doesn't necessarily means inability. The second one is about a rational monk, whose beliefs and convictions are tested to the hilt. His choice of path at the end was little confounding for me, but this story had such sharp dialogues that you will relish them for a long time. Third story, in which Sohum Shah plays Navin, a stock-broker, is marked by excellent humour and shows how simple people have power to bring about a change.

The film is visually stunning and presents the city Mumbai in various hues. Mumbai looks so different in each story. This shows cinematographer's attention to detail. Right from high-rises to claustrophobic slums to few green patches in monsoon, each story owns a landscape. Again a victory for this film.

The film ends with a cave exploration, hinting, that behind every common face you see on streets there is so much to be unraveled. Go experience it!

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