Tag: Movies

Kaalkoot: A Gripping Cop Drama – A Great Watch!

Kaalkoot: A Gripping Cop Drama – Great Watch!

The protagonist Ravi Shankar Tripathi is assigned a case of acid attack on a young Parul Chaturvedi, whose photo he has received recently for a marriage proposal. He is a son of progressive poet and teacher, who has offered to resign due to inability to adjust with the system. Still struggling at his job, he hunts for the culprit and comes across the deep-rooted opinions and perspectives of the people.

The deep rooted gender bias, patriarchy, misogyny, police system, toxicity, father-son’s difficult relationship, witch hunt of the victim – all are explored very emphatically as Pandora’s box opens slowly!

Performance par excellence by Vijay Varma – Heart and soul of the movie. The way he transforms himself while realising his limitations and inner demons is phenomenal. Equally rock solid performances by the entire cast. Special mention for Gopal Datt and Yashpal Sharma. Shweta Tripathi and Seema Biswas once again show their class – simply awesome.

Strong writing and sensitive direction. The music is wonderful and makes a great impact!

A Great Watch – Vijay Varma’s the show stealer!

August 4, 2023
Rocky Rani Review: The Grand Bollywood Entertainer With Progressive Messages!

Rocky Rani Review: The Grand Bollywood Entertainer With A Dose Of Progressive Messages! A Rocking Watch!

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani Review: The Karan Johar ‘Its About Loving Your Family’ Get A Socio-Liberal Makeover!

RARKIPK Has All The Typical Karan Johar Ingredients: The Flamboyant Over The Top Super Rich Punjabi Family, Glamorous Protagonists, Top Line Starcast, Designer Clothes, Larger Than Life Sets, Foot Tapping Music, Spectacular Dance Numbers, Smart Humorous Lines, Emotional Masala & A Happy Ending! Only Kajol Cameo Is Missing!

Super Wealthy Family Heir Rocky & Feisty Journalist Rani Fall In Love While Trying To Reunite A Their Respective Grandparents. Rocky’s Grandpa & Rani’s Grandma Are Soulmates Who Lived A Lifetime In A Week But Drifted Apart.

As Always, The Families Are Chalk & Cheese – The Intellectually Culturally Rich Bengalis Replace Gujjus To Lock Horns With The Punju Family. Rocky & Rani Decide To Swap Places And Stay With Each Other’s Family To Bridge The Differences. Inspired By ‘DDLJ’ & ‘2 States’, Both Try To Impress & Befriend The Families. After A Roller Coaster Ride, Love Triumphs!

The Journey To The Marriage Altar Is Where All The Action Is – With Loads Of Social Message – Patriarchy, Misogyny, Bodyshaming, Gender Equality, Racism, Cancel Culture! Feminism – Karan Johar Packages All This In His Typical Bollywood Style! Rocky’s Kathak Dance With Rani’s Father & Lingerie Shopping With Rani’s Mother Clearly Drive A Message. ‘Talent Is Genderless’ Conversation Or Rocky’s Cancel Culture Outburst – All Are Heartwarming!

Ranveer Entertains With His Energy, Comic Timing & Emotions – But This Is What He Can Do At 3 AM In Morning. Nothing New For Him. Alia Is Vaidehi (Badri Ki Dulhaniya) & Ananya (2 States) In Glamorous Sarees But More Stormier This Time! Ranveer Alia Chemistry Keep You Glued! Shabana Azmi Charms & Shows Real Class – Full Marks To Her. Jaya Bachchan Get To Play Amitabh’s Mohabbatein’s Narayan Shankar & K3G’s Yashvardhan Raichand Patriarchal Roles. Special Mention For The Supporting Cast – All Are Wonderful Especially Tota Roy Chowdhury, Anjali Anand & Aamir Bashir.

Pritam’s Music Is Good But It Is The Retro Music That Impresses The Most. Tum Kya Mile & Kamleya Are Beautiful Songs! Cheers To Karan Johar For His Strong Direction, Playing To Strengths Of His Favourite Alia & Ranveer & All Actors, Infusing The Proceedings With Perfect Tadka Of Humour And Emotions!

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani – A Great Watch!

July 29, 2023
Trial Period: A Heartwarming Family Movie!

Trial Period: A Heartwarming Family Movie!

Father on rent for a thirty day trial period!

A child forces her single mother to get a father on rent for a month. She agrees to get one but strategises to bring a misfit father that the child will hate. As expected, the plan fails with the father and son getting along pretty well. Emotions emerge, love creeps in and things become complex. How do they navigate this?

A highly predictable movie with nice warm moments and weak screenplay. But it still sticks! Especially due to excellent performance by Manav Kaul – who is charming and impressive and funny! Genelia as a modern single woman and Manav as a closet romantic have a good chemistry! Zidane Braz and Gajraj Rao provide strong anchor to the movie.

Nothing extraordinary! If you are looking for a clean wholesome family entertainer, Trial Period is a good watch!

July 27, 2023
Bawaal – When Hitler Saves A Failing Marriage!

Bawaal – When Hitler Saves A Failing Marriage!

Bawaal is an interesting attempt where a couple in troubled marriage discover love over a World War 2 honeymoon trip. Arjun is a highly image-conscious and fake braggart who treats his intelligent, pretty and talented wife Nisha like a piece of dirt. Arjun invites trouble at his school job and finds a novel way to change the narrative. Nisha accompanies her and during the European trip covering Holocaust, Arjun realises his follies.

The story of a rustic uncivilised man redeemed by a brilliant and wise woman is an interesting take and explored before. The movie fails to build on a great premise. And zero marks for the attitude towards Epilepsy….

The attempt to infuse Holocaust is a brave attempt but it fails…especially dialogues like – Every relationship goes through their Auschwitz. Or reducing Hitler’s evil to greed. Expect a big roasting here for the movie!

Varun Dhawan is class apart and is the highlight of the movie. He is effortless and impressive. The supporting cast is wonderful. But Janhvi Kapoor fails to exploit the great character.

Bawaal has wonderful music and smart dialogues. Trust Dangal’s Nitesh Tiwary for a great movie but he could have done much much better!

Bawaal is a decent one time watch – Watch it for Varun Dhawan!

#bawaal #bawaalreview #bollywood #hindifilmindustry #primevideo #amazonprime #indiancinema #romance #newreleases

July 21, 2023
Afwaah Review: A Political Thriller Of Modern Times!

‘Achhi kahaniyaan woh hain jisme tark ho, jo aapko provoke karein to ask why’.

Writer of ‘Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron’ and Director of ‘Hazaron Khwaishein Aisi’, ‘Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin’ brings a dramatic commentary of the modern times! A strong telling of how unverified chat forwards and social media rumours trigger unrest and create destruction!

Mob Lynchings, LoveJihad, Social Media Factory, Chat App Crafted Realities, Cattle Killings, Election Build Ups, Patriarchy, Communalism, Politics Of Hate – All feature in the relatable thriller.

A political rally in Sawalpur, Rajasthan goes out of hand and rising leader Vikram Singh (Sumeet Vyas) faces the heat. His defiant and disapproving fiancee Nivi (Bhumi Pednekar) decides to run away and is saved by a NRI returned Muslim adman Rahab (Nawazuddin Siddiqui). Rahab is on his way to meet his wife’s book launch at a high society literature festival. But the trip becomes a hell of an adventure ride when he becomes the face of LoveJihad, thanks to social media alchemists.

Nawaz is very cool and shines in a very restrained and understated manner. Bhumi and T J Bhanu are the real stars – strong women who fight back, defy patriarchy, listen to their inner voice and keep the moral sanity alive. Sumeet Vyas is stellar and very convincing as suave, polished politician!

Afwaah has cliches as well as smart moments. The butcher scene and a man begging for his life are clearly drawn from one of the biggest riots of India. The Jaipur Literature festival equivalent where all high talks fizzle or the choice of animal at the end of the movie is finest sarcasm.

The movie is a courageous attempt but looses grip in some portions and becomes a drag. Afwaah manages to avoid becoming a preachy sermon. But it fails to deliver the punch that was expected from such a film – blame it on the everyday newspapers that we read. Nothing shocks us anymore!

But if Afwaah makes one think of verifying the social media post before blindly forwarding, sharing and believing it, Afwaah would have done a great service to the nation and posterity!

July 5, 2023
Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai Review: A Manoj Bajpayee Masterclass!

Sirf Ek Bandaa Kaafi Hai is a stellar court room drama based on the real-life trial and conviction of Asaram Bapu. The film focuses on how a morally righteous lawyer P C Solanki (Manoj Bajpayee) fights the case of young sexual harassment victim Nu Singh for a period of five years and ensures justice.

The movie depicts how self-styled ‘godman’ prey on gullible victims, how naive parents act as accidental catalysts, how goons terrorise the victims and how rich and powerful find ways to delay and distort justice. Though the movie’s end is predictable, Manoj Bajpayee’s performance and strong writing keep you engrossed.

The Shiv bhakt protagonist is brilliant as he deals with the battery of accomplished lawyers and their legal games. The chant of ‘Har Har Mahadev’ and the use of Ramayana analogy as closing statement are smartly brilliant.

Manoj Bajpayee shines with a riveting performance – not his best but even his average is above class. There is no room for anyone else in the movie – the movie’s title is clear about it! But it could be a lost opportunity to focus on the trials and tribulations of the young child and her parents.

A good watch for fans of court room drama and Manoj Bajpayee.

#sirfekbandaakaafihai #bollywood #hindimovie #bollywoodreview #courtroomdrama #zee5 #manojbajpayee #indiancinema

June 25, 2023
Modern Love Chennai – An Outstandingly Unique Serving Of Deep Love!

Modern Love Chennai is clearly the best Indian anthology of Modern Love. All the six stories are amazingly different with their innovative take on love. Beautifully written, all the stories are sensitively and emphatically presented to keep you thinking long after the end. A wonderful eclectic collection of seasoned true love!

Ninaivo Oru Paravai (Memory Is A Bird) is clearly the pick of the lot. It is the director’s version of ‘Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind’. A couple breaks up but soon one partner loses his memory and only remembers the positive sunshine of the relationship. What should the other partner do? The visuals are very dark but creatively shot. The entire look of the movie is aesthetically unique and creates a great impact. Wamiqa Gabbi is splendid!

Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal (Deers That Live In A Bird’s Nest) is a radically different take on relationships. An extremely mature wife meets her husband’s new lover to discuss the new and interesting situation. She accepts her husband’s new love and never humiliates the lover as ‘other woman’. She helps the children and her adjust to the new world where all of them can co-exist beautifully. No judgements, only acceptance and understanding.

Balaji Sakthivel’s Imaigal (Blur) is a very moving tale. Young girl Devi has a very rare eye condition where she is eventually going to lose her eye-sight. Her boyfriend marries her inspite of the potential challenges. Life unfolds its obstacles as she gradually looses her eye-sight thereby causing ripples in their life. A new take on ‘Happily Ever After’.

Marghazi is a journey of adolescent romance and ephemeral encounters that uplift the spirits. Love heals!

Kaadhal Enbadhu Kannula Heart Irukkura Emoji is a story of cinephile Mallika (Ritu Varma) who searches for a perfect partner through school, college and adulthood. The larger than life world of cinema defines her love and life.

Lalagunda Bommaigal is a very very interesting tale with wacky characters – how a heart-broken and fiery young working woman finds love amidst prediction by a godman. Watch out for the ‘Jingrudha Dhanga’ song!

Music is an equally important star of the series and master Ilaiyaraaja shines with wonderful compositions. All directors have exploited the freedom to paint their shades of love on the open canvas.

A must watch!

June 24, 2023
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
December 31, 2022
The Banshees Of Inisherin: Melancholic. Macabre. Maddening. Morbid. Must-Watch.

An impeccable, thought provoking and insightful epic of human relationships and life!

When friendships break!

When existential questions hurt!

Just like every other day, Padraic visits his best friend Colm for the ritualistic trip to the local pub. Colm refuses to speak and breaks the friendship which devastates Padraic to no end. Padraic persists on winning back his friend but Colm is equally stubborn and threatens to cut off his fingers one by one if Padriac does not back off! Ouch! And shockingly, he walks the talk! Heart-breaking and horrifying!

What a story….what an impressive set of eclectic characters!

Colm is a thinker who wants to have a purposeful life and leaving a lasting impression on the world! His icy cold rejection of Colm is incisive – “I just don’t like you no more”!

Padraic just wants to be nice human being and feels kindness is what one will be remembered for! His reactions to Colm as well as his interactions with animals are moving!

Dominic is the troubled teenager who steals the show when he says “there goes that dream”!

Padriac’s sister Siobhan is a wise, well-read and strong woman with dreams and ambition…Her silence pierces as well as her retorts like “not another silent man in Inisherin”

And what an ending! Will not spoil the beans…tell what you think of it?

Colin Farell and Brendan Gleeson’s chemistry as two friends at odd is amazing! The whole range of emotions from confusion to shock to anger is well a master class in acting – expressed with eyes and body language! Kerry Condon and Barry Keoghan are rock solid and lift the movie to a next level.

Martin McDonagh focusses on human relationship and small town absurdities with the backdrop of war in a remote Irish island. Life in a judgemental and probing community can be claustrophobic and maddening! The writing and screenplay is very meaningful and incisive – translated impeccably on the big screen with an emphatic treatment! The cinematography is a character in itself and transports you to the beautifully Irish countryside. The visuals and music have a calming effect – acting as a meditative healing amidst the melancholic pain!

A movie that will touch you and set you thinking!

December 30, 2022
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!

December 4, 2022