Shuddh Desi Romance is pretentious

Shuddh Desi Romance - It is one of the most pretentious films that I have seen lately. It pretends to be uber-cool and ultra-modern and it also pretends to understand the dynamics of live-in relationships, especially the ones set in small towns with nosy neighbours and landlords. The characters in these live-in relationships are shown constantly as people who are confused, irresponsible and without any ideological moorings.

While the texture of Jaipur is captured in a very realistic manner the social fabric of the town is far removed from reality and it seems the entire film is set-up in a place which doesn't exist. Under the garb of modernity, projected through so-called symbols of modernism like girls smoking,

multiple partners etc., the film actually peddles regressive stuff. It does a huge dis-service to live-in relationships.

Even if I ignore for the review's sake, the philosophy of the film-maker and the writer, the film is weak otherwise as well. The concept of the film would have sounded extremely exciting on paper, but fizzles out on screen after first 45 minutes. The scenes and situations just start repeating themselves thereafter, and the film ends just like that. I got bored to death in the second half.

Parineeti Chopra was hugely likeable in the film though. Sushant Singh Rajput acts well. But the debutante Vaani Kapoor looked stiff. Dialogues and songs of the film are few positives of the film.

Rishi Kapoor's versatility continues and seeing him playing a different character yet again provided solace that all was not lost in this film.

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Grand Masti - The film with a long term impact ;-)

Grand Masti- If you like rated / risque comedies, you won't be disappointed. This film is surely going to have a long term impact. One it would spawn several films of this genre - lazy writing, whatsapp jokes and vulgar (yet clever) gags copied from abroad. Secondly, by reaching 100 crores, it has definitely given a new lease of life to failed actors, especially in this genre. Bruna Abdallah seemingly was the best actress in the film. No I am not referring to her histrionics 

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Satyagraha - Prakash Jha does a Madhur Bhandarkar

Prakash Jha has become the slave of his own formula. I have loved his films in past. They always have meaty subjects, excellent story-telling, actors giving their best and above all he takes you to places, Hindi cinema rarely goes. 

This time also he does all this, but somehow fails to connect with me as an audience. In fact as a director he comes across more as Madhur Bhandarkar in this one than himself. He relies heavily on scandalizing every aspect. He peddles every stereotype associated with post independence movements. e.g. Capitalists are bad. Greed is not good. Only teachers / old men who have renounced everything are respected by masses. Youth only participates through social media, etc. etc. Also, the way Anna Hazare movement was misguided, this film is equally superficial. Never really delves deep and the end result is a 'khichdi' of sorts.

It is not that everything is wrong with the film. The 1st half, the set-up of conflict and the pace till interval is good. Manoj Bajpayee gives yet another performance you can watch this film for. It is the stupid climax and over-simplification of the possible solutions that leaves you angry at the end.

At the same time it is true, that watching Satyagraha is a better option than many more films 'still' playing at a theater near you...

P.S. Amitabh Bachchan is now doing same kind of roles. Though still reliable, needs to re-invent. Ajay Devgn needs a break. Arjun Rampal has done well for himself, by being a constant in Prakash Jha's films irrespective of the role he gets  Kareena Kapoor is always Kareena Kapoor - never the character....

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