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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