Laila Majnu Review: The Eternal Love’s Journey From Kashmir To Spirituality
The popular and classical tragic love story of Persian and Arabic times gets a Kashmiri setup in Imtiaz Ali’s writing. The Sajid Ali directed movie impresses with its authentic and rawness – Yashraj polish is missing but the movie touches your heart and soul.
Laila – the girl is a prick tease who flirts with a battery of Srinagar boys
Majnu (Qais) – the guy has bad reputation looks but stalks in a disarming manner
As Qais tells Laila “humaari kahaani likhi gayi hai”, they fall in love while their parents are sworn enemies. The virgin love has a roller coaster ride with Laila getting married to a local politician and Majnu escaping to London. He returns and seems to be in an eternal waiting game for Laila. Both lose their lives with Majnu becoming a crazy mad lover. He discovers spirituality emphasising the path to God is nothing but love.
Avinash Tiwary is intense and gets better as the movie progresses. He makes us believe in the madness of love with his powerful portrayal of Majnu. Tripti Dimri shows her talent in this pre-Animal avatar. Kashmir is a character by itself – what would Vishal Bharadwaj or Gulzar have done?.
The songs are beautiful – O Meri Laila, Hafiz Hafiz and Aahista shine. The direction and editing could have been better as movie fails in certain portions.
The movie was a big flop but the audience love brings it back after years of conversations. Within 3-4 days of release, it has made more money than its initial run six years ago! Love stories are eternal!
Watch Laila Majnu for Avinash Tiwary’s Majnu act, Kashmir backdrop, nice music and a timeless love story!
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba: Tapsee Hasseen, Movie Not A Dillruba
“Jo pagalpan ki hadd se naa guzre woh pyaar hi kya kyunki hosh mein toh rishte nibhaye jaate hain”
After successfully outwitting the cops, Rani (Tapsee) and Rishu (Vikrant) emerge in Agra, from where they are planning to escape to Thailand and start a new life. The arrival of a cop (Jimmy Shergill) with personal agenda nudges Rani to seek help of a smitten admirer Abhimanyu (Sunny Kaushal). The game of snakes and ladders comes alive!
Tapsee sums up the proceedings as LSD – Another iconic movie!
The movie fails to build on the magic of the original Haseen Dillruba – which was an engaging, intriguing small-town thriller. The sequel is a laboured effort with a weak screenplay, predictable storyline and too many twists! The reopening of the case or marriage are clearly too convenient while the use of literary allusions seems forced. The audience is intelligent and is unforgiving of lazy loopholes!
Loved the cinematography for beautifully capturing Taj Mahal and revealing the balance of fate in a fair swing!
Hasseen Dillruba Tapsee Pannu continues to shine and is the anchor of the movie – It’s her show! Vikrant Massey is impressive but does seem like a baggage with too little to do. Even the ever-reliable Jimmy Shergill’s as cop Montu and sincere Sunny Kaushal are average.
Phir Aayi Hasseen Dillruba: Tapsee ki wapsee fails to make an impact!
Vijay Sethupathi’s Delivers A Knockout Performance In His 50th Appearance
A bruised middle-aged father visits a police station and wants action against three criminals who stole his “Lakshmi” – a dustbin which has a special value in his life. As the movie progress, parallel tracks and juxtaposed scenes come together to reveal a shocking and heartbreaking climax.
Vijay Sethupathi’s masterclass acting is the highlight of the movie. He is truly the Maharaja of acting and it shows! Anurag Kashyap fails to leave a mark.
I loved the smart and intelligent use of metaphors – especially snake. While the climax is what has set everyone talking it was not unpredictable. Lots of scenes are rushed and engineered.
The director uses “shock and awe” technique. The truck crash, the snake, the non-linear narrative, multiple characters – all are designed to amplify the mystery and engage the audience.
Maharaja is essentially a father daughter story showcasing the law of karma at work. Packaged emotionally and symbolically designed to leave a strong impact! Worth a watch!
Kalki 2898 AD: Actor Amitabh Aces In Hollywood Challenging Visual Extravaganza
An Epic Story Meets Futuristic SciFi To Create Dystopian World
A Mesmerizing Grand Spectacle Meets Hollywood Vision & Scale
A Pack Of Legendary Actors Showcasing Their Best Craft
Kalki Is An Indian Triumph – Creating A Deeply Cultural Mythological Art With World-Beating Best In Class Production Values!
A Feast For Eyes That Could Have Been A Feast For Soul – But That’s A Debate Worth Having Over Ginger Enhanced Strong Tea!
The Modern Avatar Of Lord Vishnu Is To Be Born In The Post Apocalyptic World In Year 2898 AD – 6000 Years After Kurukshetra War. Th Evil Forces Are At Is Peak Through Totalitarian Supreme Yaskin & His Team’s Devil Designs & Actions. Kashi Is The Last Surviving City & Yaskin Is Driving A Secret Project K. Rebels Attempt To Save The World From Their Multi-Race Multi-Cultural Multi-Religious Place Shambala.
Amitabh Bachchan Is The Powerhouse Who Carries The Movie With An Acting Masterclass – Living The Character In Totally Engaging Manner! Prabhas Continues To Underwhelm & Is Victim Of Poor Scripting. Kamal Hassan Is Introduced Strongly & Impactfully But He Has Limited Presence.
Much Like History, Women In Kalki Have Very Marginal Role. Deepika Is A Guinea Pig Whose Sole Purpose To Give Birth. Disha Patani Does What She Does Best In Her Instagram Post – Exhibiting Her Curvy Toned Sculpture. Mrunal Thakur & Shobhana Have Small Roles While Dulquer Salman, Vijay Deverakonda Ram Gopal Varma & S S Rajamouli Star With Their Cameo Presence!
Long After The Credits Roll, The Lasting Feelings Of Mind-blowing VFX, Mahabharata Meets Hollywood Scale & Grandeur Will Remain. The Screenplay & Editing Are Very Weak With So Musical Notes That Strike A Chord. Hats To Off Production Team, Cinematographer & Of Course Director Nag Ashwin.
When A Midnight Show On Day 30 Is Housefull – The Movie Is Universally Accepted. By The Time You Read This, It Would Have Overtaken Jawan To Become The Biggest Movie!
Kalki 2898 AD – A Cinematic Experience To Watch On Big Screens Only!
Kakuda Review: Fresh Fun Folklore Gives Frail Fear
The horror comedy’s premise is refreshing and interesting: Every Tuesday evening at the designated time, the small door next to the main door needs to be opened by a family male, else the devilish mythical ‘Kakuda’ would strike. The victim would develop a hump and the person dies within 13 days.
A newly wed couple Sonakshi and Saqib get entangled in the Kakuda folklore when the groom is late to open the door and he is marked for death. Riteish is the ghost hunter, who comes to their rescue and helps to set the house in order.
The film has a great cast, strong performances and nice comic timing but it fails to make an impact due to weak ghost, half baked plot and hurried ending! Riteish is impressive with excellent acts by Saqib Salem and Sonakshi.
A nice fun one time watch – Not in the class Stree!
Disclaimer: The movie was shot at the family establishment of the reviewer.
Maharaj Review: Yashrajified Movie Derails Strong Story & Junaid Debut
Nothing controversial about the movie – a reiteration of how institutionalised and cult-driven religious practices become the very evil they claim to fight against! Maharaj is indeed an important story that needs to be told!
The movie is based on the landmark case of 1862 where Gujarati social reformer activist journalist Karsandas Multi (Junaid) exposes religious leader Jadunath Maharaj’s (Jaideep Ahlawat) predatory sexual exploitation and rape of women devotees in the name of ‘Charan Seva’. Karsandas is a progressive liberal who overcomes his personal demons to travel the path of great leaders like Raja Ram Mohan Roy.
The premise and plot is very strong but forced punchlines and Yashrajification weakens the impact. Aamir Khan’s son Junaid is earnest and does a fine job – impressive start and a brave choice for zero fanfare debut. Jaideep rocks with his solid performance.
Maharaj – A though provoking movie that fails to make a strong impact!
Gullak: Heartwarming Sunshine Show Is India’s Finest!
Navigating The Life & Times Of Middle Class Mishra Family With Impeccable Wit & Humour! Watch The New Anecdotes Around Decluttering, Bribe, Parenting & Adulting – The Last Episode Is A Deeply Moving One!
Gullak’s Monologues, Quirky Dialogues, Strong Script, Excellent Performances, Impeccable Chemistry Of Cast, Solid Direction Continue To Keep It India’s Finest Show Of Recent Times. Gullak Season 4 Gets Better – Defying The Law Of Diminishing Returns!
Manthan: The Amul Story Of Influencing Change – India’s First Crowd Funded Movie
Manthan is a pathbreaking work showcasing the power of cinema to inspire change – The classic movie has been funded by 500,000 farmers of Gujarat, inspired by the Father of White Revolution Dr Kurien and directed by legendary Shyam Benegal.
An idealist Dr Rao (Girish Karnad) and his colleagues arrive in a typical Gujarat village to setup a milk cooperative society. The virtuous vet makes a statement from the first frame by refusing to board a overloaded horse cart and prefers a long walk. He is the change agent whose presence challenges the status quo and upsets the power equations. The upper caste milk trader has created a systematic well-oiled machinery to socio-economically exploit the poor villagers. The upper caste village headperson (Sarpanch) must ensure his power structure for winning the elections and has personal grudges against the other caste members. The less privileged members of the villages (Dalits) are sceptical of the new society and fear that this will be another upper-caste urban scheme. A volatile and outspoken villager Bhola leads the lower caste brigade. Dr Rao and his team tirelessly work to evangelise the vision and enrol the members to the benefit of the society which will also unleash a social change and overall empowerment in the village.
Dr Rao and his colleagues get entangled in the political and social issues in the village eventually leading to Dr Rao’s unceremonious and quiet exit. Bhola, the outspoken firebrand Dalit villager who starts patronising and supporting Dr Rao after initial mistrust, emerges as the real hero. He understands the intricacies of the hierarchical structures and local power games – he rallies the villagers and inspires them to march towards the promised change. He is voice of the bottom and harbinger of hope. The community finally learns to stand up on its own feet.
The beauty of Manthan is its multiple layers and the arc of all characters. All hues of caste, ethics, privilege and gender are explored and showcased by a dream cast of performers par excellence! Doing good is never an easy job nor is unleashing change! Excellent performances, compelling story, great screenplay, sensitive direction and simple tone make it a true classic. The haunting national award-winning song ‘Mero Gaam Katha Parey’ elevates the movie. It lightens up the screen and stays with you long after. Definitely heartening and happy moments for us as we celebrate its showcase at the 77th Cannes Film Festival
Manthan is a great work of cinema, and the Cannes Classic showcase gave us an opportunity to revisit the movie. But I could not agree with the narrative and certain aspects of the movie.
My biggest grouse against the movie is its total disregard for women – while it aims to create a caste less society and empower less privileged citizens, it ignores and belittles the biggest and most affected constituency of the society. Dr Rao does not stand up and support Bindu – a headstrong village woman who is a victim of her husband’s atrocities and was shattered after the death of her income generating cow. He lets her down when she needs the most help – he fails to help even through humanity and words, forget leveraging and showcasing cooperative’s power to help in distress. Idealism is in action and not words. In fact, the way he took the milk samples from her despite her refusal seemed an overstep and undermining the independence and authority of Bindu. She has feelings for Dr Rao and she ends ups a voiceless useless tool.
The way an idealist like Dr Rao treats his wife may succeed in showing him as a man with flaws but it is not consistent with overall image and persona. Maybe she has a different take on life, Dr Rao’s treatment to her highly objectionable.
Dr Rao punishes his colleague by sending him away for having a relationship with a village girl – but should he not have asked for the colleague’s perspective or the wishes of the village girl? Was he brash or did he see this incident just as an opportunity to establish trust or win the confidence of Dalit men in the village? Or he felt guilty of his feelings for Bindu and this was an abrupt reaction and expression of his inner conflicts?
Should Dr Rao have left without meeting villagers? What happens to Bindu?
Thanks to Dr Margie Parikh for her insightful views and thoughts as we analysed the movie post its digitally restored avatar screening! And I know our dissections will continue….
Manthan is indeed a thought-provoking complex movie!
Worth a watch! And definitely worth a lot of discussions!
Srikanth: An Inspiring Eye-Opening Heart-Warming Movie
Srikanth – A Cinematic Triumph! A Must-Watch!
Srikanth is based on the extraordinary life of Srikanth Bolla – an inspirational figure with hordes of achievements that even fully abled can only dream of! Srikanth is a visionary who happens to be visually impaired.
Srikanth’s life is indeed extra ordinary and it provides director Tushar Hiranandani with a solid material – an ecstatic father names his son after legendary cricketer Srikanth but is shattered to see a sightless baby. He is about to be buried alive, but mother begs for his life and saves him. The bullying in school, the rise in a special school, fighting and winning the case against Indian education system for not allowing visually challenged students to study science, getting a place in Indian cricket team, rejection by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), selection by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), life in America, return to India, struggles for setting up his business and his entrepreneurial success – all captured beautifully.
The best part of the movie is that it is showcases Srikanth’s mistakes and follies – when he takes his success and well-wishers for granted – the movie thus not ending as a sugar coated sycophantic hagiographical movie.
Rajkumar Rao shines with his sincerity and authenticity. His dives into the mind and heart of Srikanth and gives a nuanced performance. His snapping of fingers, arrogance, emotional speech – he balances all emotions and there is not a single false note. He is confident – I am not trying to be a hero, I am the hero! Rajkumar takes his own craft to next level and this is indeed an award winning performance.
Sharad Kelkar is rock solid and makes a tremendous impact as a loyal friend and well-wisher of Srikanth. Lovely act. Jyothika impresses with her compassionate and understanding where she becomes Srikanth’s backbone. Their performances are a vital strength of the movie. Alaya has a small but charming role as Srikanth’s love interest. .
Strong script and nice story telling. Full marks to the director Tushar Hiranandani. Cinematic liberties are indeed taken to elevate certain events and drive home certain points but Srikanth does not get boring or preachy at anytime. No bechara – Only barabari!
The songs are beautifully composed and strengthen the story. Tu Mil Gaya and Jeena Sikha De are romantic beauties but the recomposed Papa Kehte Hai fits very aptly with the storyline.
Srikant is an inspirational, positive and spirit lifting movie that deserves to be watched with the full family!
Gentle and charming unveiling of patriarchal and socially blinding veils! A must watch!
Kiran Rao’s Laapata Ladies is an authentic, sincere and original story showcased in a very beautiful and warm manner. Like 12th Fail, this is a big-hearted story of small-town India.
The feel-good satire tells the tale of two brides who are swapped accidentally and how they find themselves while lost. As the story progresses, lot of societal issues are addressed but with humour and gentle treatment – never preachy! A warm hug is stronger than long conversations!
Women empowerment, role of education, patriarchy, female bonding, political games, outgrown customs and traditional woes – all are beautifully interwoven. But the movie is never boring!
The actors are outstanding. Phool and Jaya as the lost brides, the melancholic Deepak, the railway platform samaritans including Manju and the extended family – all are spot-on. The most impactful character is actor Ravi Kishan as the policeman who is scary, corrupt but finds his conscience – the most layered, balancing and impressive act.
The story and screenplay is top-notch. The writing and direction is so perfect that no dialogue or scene feels out of place. Phool hiding behind “Use Me” dustbin, Manju’s fraud theory and changing names of villages – all are subtle and smartly intelligent.
Even Manju’s frustration “Bhawra bana ke rakh diya hai sabko” is beautiful. Or this dialogue of Deepak: “Jevar chori doi dukh paana; chhota dukh chori, bada dukh thaana – wow!
Ram Sampath knows how to complement the simplicity with beautiful music.
Full marks to Kiran Rao! Watch this beautiful tale of positivity, emotional intelligence and hope that challenge the status quo!
