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Category: Bollywood

  • The Bollywood Review – 2022

    The Bollywood Review – 2022

    Quick Summary:

    1. Southern Spice was the topic of Bollywood in 2022. Did Bollywood lose the plot to Southern entertainers? Yes and No.
    2. Indian audience has been pampered by best of the global cinema in the last two years of Covid. The mediocrity is shunned. Template movie making is rejected.
    3. Bollywood was indeed outclassed by Southern movies in the big budget masala category – RRR is roaring across India and making an impact at Oscars. Kantara posters are in North India. KGF2 rules. Pre-Bahubali days, no South Indian movie would last beyond a week in North. Today, they are having a golden run. Southern movies have shown that audience will return to cinema – give them worthy content!
    4. Ponniyn Selvan 1, Yashoda, Sita Ramam and Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya He have continued the Southern supremacy. Radhe Shyam proved that audience is unforgiving.
    5. Bollywood’s Brahmastra to Southern challenge was a mixed success – did not live to expectations. The biggest Bollywood blockbuster was also a Southern remake – Drishyam 2.
    6. Remember 100 crore club? In 2019, 100 crore was passe, 200 crore was becoming common and 300 crore club was the new sign of success. In 2022, only a few movies hit the 100 crore club – Gangubai Kathiawadi, The Kashmir Files, Bhool Bhulaiya 2, Brahmastra and Drishyam 2. Clearly, audience is spending money wisely and Bollywood is bleeding with its self-inflicted wounds.
    7. Shamshera, Samrat Prithviraj, Raksha Bandhan, Lala Singh Chaddha, Liger, Ram Setu, Cirkus, Jayesbhai Jordaar – Perfect examples of big names and big banners producing duds.
    8. Bollywood did have amazing movies in 2022 as well – but they did not capture the headlines. The list is showcased below.
    9. Gujarati Film Industry came out of age and had a steady churn of interesting movies.
    10. Alia maintained her numero uno status with Gangubai. She was also a part of Brahmastra, Darlings and RRR. Shefali Shah rose with Salsa, Darlings and Dr G – not to forget Delhi Crime 2 and Humans.

    Let’s look at the wonderful movies of 2022:

    1. Jalsa
    2. Monica O My Darling
    3. Chupp
    4. Love Hostel
    5. Gangubai Kathiawadi
    6. Jhund
    7. Badhaai Do
    8. Dobaara
    9. Blurr
    10. Thar
    11. Qala
    12. Action Hero
    13. RK / rKay
    14. Matto Ki Saikil
    15. Vikram Vedha

    Notable Mentions: Uunchai, Gehraiyaan, Jaadugar, Drishyam 2

  • Avatar – The Way Of Water: Breathtakingly Immersive Experience Of A Disappointing Movie

    Avatar – The Way Of Water: Breathtakingly Immersive Experience Of A Disappointing Movie

    Avatar is one of the greatest cinematic experience. A game-changing visionary movie. Apart from pathbreaking technology, it introduced us to the blue bodied Na’vi of Pandora moon, raised our environmental consciousness way before Greta Thunberg and made us feel ‘I see you’. It reigned as the highest grossing movie for a decade since its release in 2009.  

    Avatar 2 is called Avatar – The Way Of Water. It is second of the five instalments that will continue to be released every 2 years till 2028. 

    Jake Sully and his family flee the forest to take refuge with amphibian tribe Metkayina. The green canvas turns to turquoise Maldives like pristine waters. After the initial tense proceedings, things settle down and they together fight the common enemy – sky people – the humans. 

    The aquatic flora and fauna is the best part of the movie. Dazzling and enchanting! The whale like tulkun is the showstopper – gentle giant that is bigger than Mumbai flats. The climax is a return to Titanic world for James Cameron – even Kate Winslet joins the reunion! 

    Avatar 2 is a beautiful spectacle but too long and has no gripping plot to speak of. New owner Disney add family dynamics to the environment and imperialism themes. One can give James Cameron the credit to be singularly focused on the simple narrative. 

    Avatar – The Way Of Water is a one time big screen watch. It is debuting in more 50,000 screens at the same time across all major countries. If you do not watch it, our hearts will still go on….

  • Qala Review: Visually Spectacular Musical Pyschodrama

    Qala Review: Visually Spectacular Musical Pyschodrama

    Qala Review: Visually Spectacular Musical Pyschodrama

    Qala – Where Guru Dutt meets Bhansali meets Vikramditya Motwane!

    Qala is a work of art! Picture perfect frames, scintillating music, brilliant acting and empathetic treatment make Qala a great watch!

    Qala is the story Qala Manjushree – a famous Bollywood singer and winner of Golden Vinyl record, who is struggling with parental disdain and personal guilt. She has unbridled ambitions in a highly misogynistic society and she actualises her dreams with intriguing choices. The pyrrhic victory takes an epic toll on her. She shines outside but is burning within. She is calm but broken within.

    Triptii is the perfect choice for Qala who shows fragility, ambition, vulnerability, guilt, jealousy, hurt, power and many other colours in a single canvass. She constantly reminded me of Natalie Portman’s Black Swan act – only with Organza Sarees and high neck quarter sleeve blouses.

    Swastika Mukherjee is equally amazing as Urmila – who had learned the hard realities of life and tells her daughter to work harder in a man’s world. Her apathy to Qala and her affection to Sajan are two sides of the same coin. Stoic Swastika!

    Irffan Khan’s son Babil makes a great impact in a brief but significant role. He immerses himself in the character – like his Dad. He and supporting cast uplift the movie.

    Full marks to Anvika Dutta for creating a beautiful dark painting with multiple shades. The icy cold Himachal and warm Kolkata are so strikingly different – even the mood and clothing of characters.

    Technically brilliant, gorgeously shot and strong direction. Loved the metaphors – Moth, Mercury, Snowfall, Cuckoo! Moth embraces Organza saree….Strong screenplay. Loved dialogues – “The times change. This is an old trick of time.” “Naam ke aage pandit lagna chahiye, uske peeche bai nahi”.

    The brilliant film’s biggest star is the music. What a composer Amit Trivedi has become – each and every song is so impeccable and integral to the story line. Shauq is a masterpiece which convey’s heartbreak while Ghode Pe Sawaar brings nostalgia of the past era. Nirbhau Nirvair is awesome! Magical!

    Watch it! What remains with us are handmade painting visuals, mesmerising music, moth motifs, organza sarees and lots of thoughts – Qala is a remarkable movie!

    Caveat: A dark movie – not for everyone! Not a masala entertainer or typical Netflix skin and crime thriler! Qala is an acquired taste!

  • ‘Monica O My Darling’ Review: Womaniya Blast In A Musical Comic Thriller!

    ‘Monica O My Darling’ Review: Womaniya Blast In A Musical Comic Thriller!

    A taut pop culture rich thriller with unapologetic eccentric characters! A social climber has it all – great job, beautiful fiancé and a bright future – till things go south! A femme fatale secretary and a kick-ass police officer create a mad energy of its own! And there are murders along the way!

    Huma Qureshi & Radhika Apte have a blast in the intriguing murder mystery! Huma Quereshi is a riot. Radhika Apte is completely sassy. Lovely to see them enjoying in their well-written characters. Rajukumar Rao does a great job but he has been there, done that. A great ensemble cast.

    The music is terrific and adds to the quirky fun. Songs like ‘ Yeh Ek Zindagi’, ‘Love you so much that I want to kill you’ ‘Bye Bye Adios’ etc are a character in itself!

    Smart writing, strong screenplay, fabulous dialogues, marvellous acting and outstanding music make it a nice watch. Editing could have been better. Director Vasan Bala creates a cool cocktail of Johnny Gaddar, Sriram Raghavan and James Hadley Chase novels.

    Worth a watch!

  • Kantara Review: “wooooooaaaav”  Insanely WOW! 

    Kantara Review: “wooooooaaaav”  Insanely WOW! 

    Kantara Review: “wooooooaaaav”  Insanely WOW! 

    Kantara is a must watch movie! A true cinematic experience that deserves a big screen immersion! 

    Kantara is an outstanding mesh of visual extravaganza, creative storytelling and mind blowing performances! Full credit to actor director writer Rishabh Shetty for staying true to local milieu & rustic taste while avoiding the temptation to masculinize the movie like the recent southern potboilers. 

    Kantara brings together diverse threads to create a unique fabric:

    – Human being’s search for peace and sukoon

    – Local beliefs and culture 

    – Human greed and nature’s bounty

    – Human rights and rule of law

    Technically world-class, sensitive treatment, awesome cinematography and powerful vivid music take us straight to the coastal Karnataka life – the Bhoot Kala festival, the Kambala event, wild boar hunting etc. Daiva’s scream guarantees goosebumps!  

    The last fifteen minutes have taken the movie to next level with Rishabh’s performance – the climax will keep people talking for a long time! 

    Kantra – Watch it – The power of cinema that will stay on….

    And yes, if you love Kantara, do not forget to watch Tumbadd – one of India’s finest movie! And the one I rate  one notch higher than Kantara!

  • Sita Ramam Review: A Picturesque & Charming Love Story

    Sita Ramam Review: A Picturesque & Charming Love Story

    Breathtaking Visuals. Beautiful Music. Ravishing Actors With Crackling Chemistry. A Poignant Romance Worth Watching – With A Nudge For Humanity!

    Sita Ramam is an epic story set in 1960s and 1980s – a time of simplicity, snail mails, steam engines and landline phones. A modern telling of Ramayana where a Pakistan-origin student Afreen (Rashmika Mandana) is the Hanuman tasked with handing over Indian Army’s Rama’s (Dulquer Salmaan) letter to Sita (Mrunal Thakur). During the pursuit of this task, the hot-headed India-hater Afreen discovers true meaning of love, hope and sacrifice which change her perspective. And we discover the elegant and engaging love story of Rama and Sita. And the movie has a similar ending like all the greatest love stories and all ‘divine and pure love stories’!

    Dulquer Salmaan oozes charisma and innocence – an epitome of virtues. Our Rama is straight from Rajshri-Barjatya movies – the classic Prem! Mrunal Thakur showcases a plethora of colors with her layered and textured performance in an amazing handmade canvas paint movie. She is glamorous, confident, alluring and vulnerable! Rashmika is impressive. 

    Vishal Chandrasekhar’s music is awesome and cinematography is astounding – each frame is composed beautifully. Excellent dialogues transcend the movie beyond just being a love story – Ram tells a terrorist that hopefully he can discover real Quran in his next live. Or the statement that loving your country is great but hating the other country to prove your love for your country is not cool. The movie could have benefited from better editing for sure. 

    Sita Ramam is a clean wholesome love story – a welcome break from the world of sex, crime and violence driven OTT. Good love stories never go out of fashion and humanity always matters!

    Watch it!

    Dulquer Salmaan, Mrunal Thakur in Sita Ramam Movie HD Images

    #cinema #indiancinema #sitaramam #lovestories #romance #bollywood #dulquersalmaan #mrunalthakur #love #sunshine #bliss

  • Thar: Visually Impressive Slow-Burn Thriller

    Thar: Visually Impressive Slow-Burn Thriller

    Thar: Visually Impressive Slow-Burn Thriller

    Infinite. Parched. Arid. Stunning. Enigmatic. The imposing Rajasthan landscape and sounds of ‘Marusthal’ stay on – long after the movie ends! 

    Munabao, a sleepy village in the Thar desert on the Indo-Pad border, comes to life when a barbaric murder is discovered. The local officer Anil Kapoor finally finds some action in his uneventful career. The suspects include an antiques businessman and a Pakistani drug dealer. The movie is set at an unhurried pace but it feels a let down due to a deteriorating screenplay. The great start falls apart when the big reveal is served on a platter, rather than the audience discovering it. 

    The movie is an optical treat with amazing cinematography and great production values. It is a tribute to Western style thriller – saloon like restaurant and direct eulogy to Sholay as well. A giant decaying carcass reminds of the scorched and forgotten land and souls. 

    Anil Kapoor is getting better and better. He shines in the movie with his sheer brilliance – his silence talks impactfully, his eyes express the pain and his body language commands respect and love. Harshvardhan Kapoor’s brief may be to remain monotone but he has to just watch his father deliver an acting masterclass – right in front of him! Satish Kaushik is amazing while Fatima and Mukti show a promise that is not exploited. Anurag Kashyap’s dialogues are smacking. Smokers do not care about caste – plain spoken gems exist in the movie! Overall Raj Singh Chaudhary’s Thar is a movie that could have been a great thriller but deflated by a weak screenplay. 

    Thar – Watch it for the majestic Rajasthan vista and Anil Kapoor’s cracking act! The movie would be a marvellous treat on a big screen!

    #thriller #netflix #bollywood #indiancinema #thar #tharmovie #tharreview #review #bollywoodreview #anilkapoor

  • Laal Singh Chaddha Review: Cautious, Boring & Tiring

    Laal Singh Chaddha Review: Cautious, Boring & Tiring

    Laal Singh Chaddha Review: Cautious, Boring & Tiring

    If there is one person who can put cinematic excellence above commercial interests, pursue the creative vision relentlessly and surpass the self-fuelled expectations, it is Aamir Khan! He has a Midas Touch and beautifully ignores the social media trolling machinery. The decision to remake Forrest Gump in Indian context was a courageous bet and an open invitation to eternal comparisons – but Aamir Khan is known to take the bulls by horn. Alas, Laal Singh Chaddha fails and Aamir Khan makes him fail – ironic!

    Laal Singh Chaddha is an official adaptation of the award winning iconic Tom Hanks starrer Forrest Gump. Laal is a simpleton who shares his story of life to the fellow passengers on a train journey from Pathankot to Chandigarh. He describes his childhood, his feisty and inspiring mother, his lova saga with Rupa, his friendships and his loneliness. He is a witness to the most extraordinary events of the Indian history – 1983 World Cup Win, Operation Blue Star, Indira Gandhi Assassination, Sikh Riots, L K Advani’s Rath Yatra, Mandal Commission, Babri Masjid Demolition, Bombay Bomb Blasts, Sush’s Miss Universe Crowning, Kargil War, Modi Sarkaar etc. He accidentally inspires a superstar’s signature move and creates India’s biggest hosiery brand.

    Aamir Khan is a known perfectionist but he comes across more caricaturish than innocent, likeable and charming Laal. The movie is all about Aamir Khan and Laal oversimplifies. Kareena shines in a meatier role with shades of Geet and Mahi. Mona Singh, Manav Vij and Naga Chaitanya provide excellent support. Manav Vij and Laal Singh track is very interesting and easily the home of movie’s wisdom.

    The music and cinematography are awesome. ‘Phir Na Aisi Raat Aayegi’ song is a class act – soulful rendition by Arijit that describes the pain of unrequited love! Tur Kalleyan, Kahani are other nice songs.

    The screenplay is totally loyal to the original screenplay. There was an excellent opportunity to be imaginative – but the movie does not explore any difficult terrain or offer anything new.

    Box of Chocolate becomes Box of Gol Gappa

    Garden Bench becomes Train Seat

    Shrimp Business becomes Chaddi Banian Business

    Vietnam War becomes Kargil War

    The India and world of 2022 is so much different from 1994 – more complex, highly political and less tolerant. The cinema audience and their sensibilities have changed as well – spoilt by OTT platforms, best of World and South Indian cinema and all graduating from Whatsapp University. The choice of remaking Forrest Gump should be seen in this context.

    Forrest Gump was better. Tom Hanks was better.

    Watch the original Forrest Gump!

  • Darlings Review: A Half-Cooked Debut!

    Darlings Review: A Half-Cooked Debut!

    Darlings Review: A Half-Cooked Debut!

    Hindi Cinema’s misfortune continues…Alia Bhatt’ superstar status and great performances may not be enough to save her brave production debut.

    The story of an abusive marriage where an alcoholic husband routinely hits his wife. One day, she decides to turn the tables.

    The choice of the subject is brave. Full marks for that. The execution is bad. Neither emotional nor dark comedy that is aspires to be. The ineptness of screenplay and editing is clearly visible. Secret Superstar and Thappad are better movies for exploring the complex layers of domestic violence, gender roles, power play, patriarchy, identity etc.

    Alia Bhatt is wonderful and fully exploits the canvas that she has been offered – she is good but could have been better. Like Alia, Shefali Shah could have been much much more effective. The highlight of the movie is Vijay Varma – a perfect manipulating machine swaps to a sweet charmer to a frustrated employee. He invokes hatred and has a great screen presence.

    An average fare!

    #darlings#aliabhatt#darlingsmovie#thriller#crime#netflix#weekend#weekendwatch#newreleases#bollywood#indiancinema

  • Modern Love Hyderabad: Baingan Ka Bataan? Nau..Lekin Mazza Nahin Aaya!

    Modern Love Hyderabad: Baingan Ka Bataan? Nau..Lekin Mazza Nahin Aaya!

    Modern Love Hyderabad: Baingan Ka Bataan? Nau..Lekin Mazza Nahin Aaya!

    Formulaic Fare That Does Not Impress!

    Hyderabad is a city with a special magic! The city of pearls is lovingly progressive and its golden hearted people welcomingly share the love for food, cinema and culture. The Hyderabadi lingo, IT transformation, culinary delights and overall warmth stay on….

    An anthology celebrating Nawabi city, cuisine & kiraak Ishq deserves to be much much better! Especially when Hyderabad Blues’ Nagesh Kukonoor paints the multiple shades of Love & muse Hyderabad!

    What is love? Billion definitions for a universal emotion. Is love letting go? Should you wait for love to discover you? Is love unconditional? Modern Love Hyderabad gives a few perspectives.

    Six stories. Six angles. All celebrate love and successfully keep Hyderabad at the centre of it. All the interpretations have strong women protagonists – unique, emotional, vulnerable yet very impressive and steadfast.

    ‘My Unlikely Pandemic Dream Partner’ is the best of the lot with Revathy and Nithya killing it. Perfect partners can drift apart. A mother wants space from her child. Cool!

    ‘How To Find Your Penguin’ is interestingly creative and brave. Komalee Prasad manages to carry the bizarre idea of a microbiologist comparing men to animals and birds. It again lacks depth and falls short….

    ‘Why Did She Leave Me There?’ is an heart-wrenching emotional drama showing unconditional love means letting go…

    ‘What Clown Wrote The Script’ is fresh and promises great potential…but does not carry through…

    Purple Stilettoes can ruin a purple patch…’Fuzzy, purple and full of thorns’ is a story with relatable couple and Ritu Varma in form but script falls short.

    ‘About that Rustle in the Bushes’ is predictable…

    Modern Love Hyderabad is a soothing, warm and predictable love series with happy endings and nice music. It keeps Hyderabad at the centre of it but it is not as brave as Modern Love Mumbai. M M Keeravani’s theme music and songs are really awesome! Director Nagesh could have done better!

    Let’s see what Modern Love Chennai brings….The best would be to green light Modern Love Sangli, Modern Love Rajkot, Modern Love Bokaro, Modern Love Rohtak, Modern Love Baramulla – What say?

    Modern Love Season 1 remains the topnotch fare. Crème de la crème! Watch it first before anything else!