SHIMIT AMIN - GA-GA OVER HIS HERO
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Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Saawariya: Akhir Kyu?
Cast: Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Zohra Sehgal
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Producer: Sony Pictures Limited and Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Music Director: Monty Sharma, Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Rate: **
The most important aspect that develops from Saawariya: A couple of additions to the swelling number of actors and another landmark in terms of design of a set. And yes, Sanjay Leela Bhansali actually gives credit to the original Russian story.
The story is about a guy, who is shown to be a penniless singer who performs at a local restaurant and how he meets a damsel in distress and falls in love with her only to find that she loves another man who has been out for over a year. The lady awaits the return of her beloved and in the meantime develops a friendship with the singer. With minimal turns in the story, lady luck strikes for the lady’s love and her lover is back leaving the singer alone all over again. The singer is Ranbir, lady is Sonam and her lover is Salman. Rani also tags along in as the unwanted narrator, who falls for the young singer. She of course plays a prostitute.
The story is slow and interrupted by songs every five minutes which are good enough to put you to sleep. There are innumerable problems with the script. The sets which are wonderful and magnificent are what betray the movie. While at times it looks very fake – even though it’s mentioned that the town is fictitious – the sets are what blows up the simple faults in the script. From instant snow to potholes… all fake and unjustified. At the end of it you are left why are you seeing the movie.
From the point of cinematography, lights and editing however the movie is A grade. The music is good too. But who wants it?
Performance wise, Ranbir is one newcomer who does not imitate Shah Rukh. He tries Raj Kapoor instead. Nothing too good. Sonam is no where near her father’s debut performance. May be she should rather be a model. She has the looks to be one. Wonder why Rani seems to be justifying prostitution in her recent movies! In any case she no different from her rest movies. Stgnating. Hats off to Salman for accepting the role. Who would have! He hardly has anything to do except romance a beti-samaan Sonam. The star of the movie is certainly Zohra Sehgal.
Overall, if you call this cinema, it won’t be wrong to say bollywood masala is preferred. Bhansali kept the movie under wraps and that’s the reason for the initial response. Otherwise people would have discovered what it is all about and never gone to the theatre. It’s not worth the money if you are not a photography and lighting student.
The rest of the audience was actually overjoyed when the movie was over. They could leave the theatre. So much for Bhansali’s creativity! Avoid it.
© Noyon Jyoti Parasara
Cast: Salman Khan, Rani Mukerji, Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Zohra Sehgal
Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Producer: Sony Pictures Limited and Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Music Director: Monty Sharma, Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Rate: **
The most important aspect that develops from Saawariya: A couple of additions to the swelling number of actors and another landmark in terms of design of a set. And yes, Sanjay Leela Bhansali actually gives credit to the original Russian story.
The story is about a guy, who is shown to be a penniless singer who performs at a local restaurant and how he meets a damsel in distress and falls in love with her only to find that she loves another man who has been out for over a year. The lady awaits the return of her beloved and in the meantime develops a friendship with the singer. With minimal turns in the story, lady luck strikes for the lady’s love and her lover is back leaving the singer alone all over again. The singer is Ranbir, lady is Sonam and her lover is Salman. Rani also tags along in as the unwanted narrator, who falls for the young singer. She of course plays a prostitute.
The story is slow and interrupted by songs every five minutes which are good enough to put you to sleep. There are innumerable problems with the script. The sets which are wonderful and magnificent are what betray the movie. While at times it looks very fake – even though it’s mentioned that the town is fictitious – the sets are what blows up the simple faults in the script. From instant snow to potholes… all fake and unjustified. At the end of it you are left why are you seeing the movie.
From the point of cinematography, lights and editing however the movie is A grade. The music is good too. But who wants it?
Performance wise, Ranbir is one newcomer who does not imitate Shah Rukh. He tries Raj Kapoor instead. Nothing too good. Sonam is no where near her father’s debut performance. May be she should rather be a model. She has the looks to be one. Wonder why Rani seems to be justifying prostitution in her recent movies! In any case she no different from her rest movies. Stgnating. Hats off to Salman for accepting the role. Who would have! He hardly has anything to do except romance a beti-samaan Sonam. The star of the movie is certainly Zohra Sehgal.
Overall, if you call this cinema, it won’t be wrong to say bollywood masala is preferred. Bhansali kept the movie under wraps and that’s the reason for the initial response. Otherwise people would have discovered what it is all about and never gone to the theatre. It’s not worth the money if you are not a photography and lighting student.
The rest of the audience was actually overjoyed when the movie was over. They could leave the theatre. So much for Bhansali’s creativity! Avoid it.
© Noyon Jyoti Parasara
Friday, August 31, 2007
Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag
My review for AOL.in
Rate: **1/2
http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2007083107199019000001/index.html
But with all the good factors, one can't deny the fact that there Sholay cannot be remade. Nor can any film match its style. RGV ki Aag thanda hai.
My review for AOL.in
Rate: **1/2
http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2007083107199019000001/index.html
But with all the good factors, one can't deny the fact that there Sholay cannot be remade. Nor can any film match its style. RGV ki Aag thanda hai.
Heyy Babyy
My review for AOL.in
http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2007082409269019000001/index.html
Sajid Khan's debut is one movie you can go and watch and leave your brains behind. Go laugh aloud!
My review for AOL.in
http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2007082409269019000001/index.html
Sajid Khan's debut is one movie you can go and watch and leave your brains behind. Go laugh aloud!
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Buddha Mar Gaya
Cast: Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Ranvir Shorey, Rakhi Sawant, Mukesh Tiwari and host of stars. And yes Prem Chopra in a cameo as another
Buddha.
Producer/ Director: Rahul Rawail
Music: Bappi Lahiri
Rate: *
Rahul Rawail is the same director who made films like Arjun and Betaab that once upon a time made stars like Aishwarya Rai, Bobby and Sunny Deol. Buddha Mar Gaya happens to be a venture from the very same director and it's a pity where he stands today. He has not had a hit from the last several efforts and this one does not promise to change his luck for any better.
Buddha Mar Gaya is a black comedy which tries to portray what people could do for money – which includes selling oneself or his or her own father. A slapstick, Buddha Mar Gaya is about LK and what his family does to his dead body in order to keep their money safe with them.
LK or Laxmikant Kapadia played by Anupam Kher is one the richest people in India, who has made his way up to his stature from being just a scrap seller. He has launched an IPO and on the party night to celebrate this venture he dies while trying to get naughty in bed with Kim (Rakhi Sawant), who is a struggler willing to compromise on anything to become 'world famous in India'. When the family comes to know that LK is dead they decide to keep it a secret till all the shares on offer at the IPO is sold out as the death could send the whole empire tumbling. The only person outside the family who knows about the death is obviously Kim who is made to believe that she is a Vishkanya by Vidyut baba (Om Puri), who is the one person who the whole family seems to listen to. Kim therefore does not tell anyone about the death as that would mean she is the killer.
Amidst loads of confusion, a story about each member of the family is told smartly. While the two sons are good for nothing they have two wives who compliment them in everyway. While one enjoys with his wife, who he picked up from a beer bar, the other hardly speaks to his wife as he is always shown talking to his love interest over the phone and promises not to give anything to his wife and son from his property. But the chaos increases as you find out that Vidyut Baba is actually sleeping with LK's sister and elder son simultaneously, hence pointing that the elder son Sameer (Mukesh Tiwari) is actually gay. So how does he have a son? This is answered when Sameer's wife admits that the son is LK's hence making Sameer a brother to his son.
After the initial confusion in the family when they finally decides that they would announce the death, enters Murli Sharma who is an agent from the government. And now orders that the declarations need to be stalled for a few more days till the government money is safely taken out of LK’s account. Such incidents lead them to first declare that LK's best friend and then his cousin brother are dead. In comes Ranvir Shorey who sells his own father's dead body and later his uncle's to the Kapadias, so that they can cremate it as their uncle and father's best friend.
Rakhi Sawant returns every now and then with her own struggle at different places. But unfortunately whoever she sleeps with dies, leading her to reinstate her belief that she is indeed a Vishkanya.
The movie is a complete jumble till the end when the Kapadia family is arrested. Talking about the technical aspects the editing is not stylish but for slapsticks you don't need much style. The story hardly takes your fancy nor does the screenplay. There are instances which were brought in merely to create more laughter rather than to carry the story forward. There also scenes ripped from funny ads and old films making the film novelty factor. The dialogues are trying quite hard to make you laugh. But that too goes overboard at times and becomes boring rather than making you smile. The music – both the background and playback hardly impress. In fact, the only song in the movie sounds more like an advertisement for the film and the music is nowhere near pleasant.
Actingwise there is hardly anything substantial to do for each character. Anupam Kher does a good job of maintaining the same look throughout the movie and hence a good dead man. Paresh Rawal is wasted in his role. Om Puri does make you laugh once in a while. Prem Chopra being a veteran is wasted doing such a cameo. Rakhi Sawant is inconsistent - good at times and bad at others.
Overall, the audience would like more intelligent comedies. Especially, when people have other options to opt for. Director Rahul Rawail might sit and wail as one more his venture goes down the drain. Next please… yawn!
Cast: Anupam Kher, Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Ranvir Shorey, Rakhi Sawant, Mukesh Tiwari and host of stars. And yes Prem Chopra in a cameo as another
Buddha.
Producer/ Director: Rahul Rawail
Music: Bappi Lahiri
Rate: *
Rahul Rawail is the same director who made films like Arjun and Betaab that once upon a time made stars like Aishwarya Rai, Bobby and Sunny Deol. Buddha Mar Gaya happens to be a venture from the very same director and it's a pity where he stands today. He has not had a hit from the last several efforts and this one does not promise to change his luck for any better.
Buddha Mar Gaya is a black comedy which tries to portray what people could do for money – which includes selling oneself or his or her own father. A slapstick, Buddha Mar Gaya is about LK and what his family does to his dead body in order to keep their money safe with them.
LK or Laxmikant Kapadia played by Anupam Kher is one the richest people in India, who has made his way up to his stature from being just a scrap seller. He has launched an IPO and on the party night to celebrate this venture he dies while trying to get naughty in bed with Kim (Rakhi Sawant), who is a struggler willing to compromise on anything to become 'world famous in India'. When the family comes to know that LK is dead they decide to keep it a secret till all the shares on offer at the IPO is sold out as the death could send the whole empire tumbling. The only person outside the family who knows about the death is obviously Kim who is made to believe that she is a Vishkanya by Vidyut baba (Om Puri), who is the one person who the whole family seems to listen to. Kim therefore does not tell anyone about the death as that would mean she is the killer.
Amidst loads of confusion, a story about each member of the family is told smartly. While the two sons are good for nothing they have two wives who compliment them in everyway. While one enjoys with his wife, who he picked up from a beer bar, the other hardly speaks to his wife as he is always shown talking to his love interest over the phone and promises not to give anything to his wife and son from his property. But the chaos increases as you find out that Vidyut Baba is actually sleeping with LK's sister and elder son simultaneously, hence pointing that the elder son Sameer (Mukesh Tiwari) is actually gay. So how does he have a son? This is answered when Sameer's wife admits that the son is LK's hence making Sameer a brother to his son.
After the initial confusion in the family when they finally decides that they would announce the death, enters Murli Sharma who is an agent from the government. And now orders that the declarations need to be stalled for a few more days till the government money is safely taken out of LK’s account. Such incidents lead them to first declare that LK's best friend and then his cousin brother are dead. In comes Ranvir Shorey who sells his own father's dead body and later his uncle's to the Kapadias, so that they can cremate it as their uncle and father's best friend.
Rakhi Sawant returns every now and then with her own struggle at different places. But unfortunately whoever she sleeps with dies, leading her to reinstate her belief that she is indeed a Vishkanya.
The movie is a complete jumble till the end when the Kapadia family is arrested. Talking about the technical aspects the editing is not stylish but for slapsticks you don't need much style. The story hardly takes your fancy nor does the screenplay. There are instances which were brought in merely to create more laughter rather than to carry the story forward. There also scenes ripped from funny ads and old films making the film novelty factor. The dialogues are trying quite hard to make you laugh. But that too goes overboard at times and becomes boring rather than making you smile. The music – both the background and playback hardly impress. In fact, the only song in the movie sounds more like an advertisement for the film and the music is nowhere near pleasant.
Actingwise there is hardly anything substantial to do for each character. Anupam Kher does a good job of maintaining the same look throughout the movie and hence a good dead man. Paresh Rawal is wasted in his role. Om Puri does make you laugh once in a while. Prem Chopra being a veteran is wasted doing such a cameo. Rakhi Sawant is inconsistent - good at times and bad at others.
Overall, the audience would like more intelligent comedies. Especially, when people have other options to opt for. Director Rahul Rawail might sit and wail as one more his venture goes down the drain. Next please… yawn!
Friday, June 15, 2007
Red Swatik Cast: Menaka Chopra (Sherlyn Chopra), Harsh Chhaya, Deepraz, Deepshikha
Producer / Director: Vinod Pande
Rate: *
What shocks me is how could a person who has been in the industry since almost thirty years can come up with such substandard products! Vinod Pande has directed films like Yeh Nazdeekiyan and serials like Reporter and now it seems like he has fallen too much in love with his work. He is upset that this film has not received a good release but being kind towards the audience, they would do well to stay away.
The film, as has already talked about, is inspired from the Hollywood film 'I Spit on your grave' but lets put it straight away that the inspiration didn't quite work.
The film is the story of psychotic women who kills whoever she sleeps with – and that she does pretty regularly. Rohini (Maneka Chopra) is the victim of a gang rape after which she is left by her fiancé. She also gives birth to a child who dies in a car crash while still a toddler. The collective impact of al these take away Rohini's sanity. She could never cope with the fact that her son was no more with her. She turns a call girl with financial burden of feeding herself but kills every one of her clients. And Sarika (Deepshika), a magazine editor, happens to be the person Rohini calls friend. So after Rohini kills someone she calls Sarika up.
Chaudhari (Harsh Chhaya) is a police official who along with his subordinate Ranadey (Deepraz) is on the trail. Ranadey gets killed when he finds striking similarities between his one-night old girlfriend and the killer.
The story looks patchy with the script taking liberty to switch Rohini's traveling preference between a taxi and her car at its own convenience. There are other goof ups like another call girl saying that only Rohini contacts her when required. This after she was shown calling Rohini up to fix a client. And also who would ever wear sexy lingerie, which reveals almost everything, when an unknown person is visiting you. She might be a call girl but this is still far fetched and does not look anything more than a desperate attempt to catch eyeballs.
One thing that repels the eyes throughout the film is terrible make up. All the characters, especially Rohini looks terrible with the foundation almost screaming out. And to add this was a strange use of Close ups through out the film. Most of the scene of Rohini had extreme close up revealing her bad make up and of course complete lack expressions. There are some subtle references to the schizophrenic state of the killer through the camera, which sometimes work but sometimes fall flat.
Lighting in the film is a problem, there being no uniformity even in the same scenes. For example some scenes in the police station are really ill-lit. The dubbing could have been better. There are scenes where it's evident that the whole thing wasn't done at the same time.
The direction could have been better. There were scenes where a little common sense could have made a whole lot of differences. Like the scene when the security guard finds that Rohini is a mental case. That was when she was talking to he non existent son in front of him. The position of hands and eyes of the lady could have been better if they kept in mind how old the child was. Also the love scene between Rohini and Ranadey is stretched a bit too long and there is no justification to the girl being shown topless. If he tried creating a classic lovemaking session like the one in 'Desperado' he has failed miserably.
But he can't really help when he is handling a complete non-actor like Maneka Chopra (also known as Sherlyn Chopra). She is a classic case of how less cloths does not necessarily mean sexy. Harsh Chhaya and Deepshika do well for themselves but still don't quite make it to the good acting bracket for this particular film.
It's hard to point out a single point that was good about the movie. And there is no harm in not wasting time. Don't even bother.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Shootout At Lokhandwala: Not as exciting as reality
http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2007052507109019000001/index.html
http://www.aol.in/bollywood/story/2007052507109019000001/index.html
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Thank God it's Friday! The trailers were funny and promised something different.
Rajat Kapoor is the owner of a music company and like all his friends works hard the whole week before meeting for the dinner on Friday. This is their stress buster. Not the food but the talent that accompanies each of them. The ‘talent’ is a person who does something funny. The friends judge the ‘talents’ and the winner is the one who makes them laugh the most. And these ‘talents’ perform all this while thinking they are in fact appreciated.
Vinay Pathak is a wannabe singer who meets Rajat Kapoor through one of Kapoor’s friends. And Kapoor decides that Vinay would be his talent for the next Friday.
Sarika is Kapoor’s wife and a singer who is not quite pleased with her husband’s Friday adventures. And Milind Soman is her ex- husband and Kapoor’s ex-friend. They are no longer friends as Kapoor steals Milind’s wife!
The fun begins when Kapoor invites Bharat Bhusan played by Vinay to his place before they go out to dinner. And then Kapoor hurts his back so bad that he can’t really make it to the dinner and gets stuck with Vinay in his house. What follows after that is sheer madness. Vinay’s enthusiasm and Kapoor’s endurance while they try to solve problems that has suddenly fallen on to Kapoor is hilarious.
Vinay’s portrayal of a person who is an idiot who is very ever-enthusiastic and ever ready to help people is superb. He draws in laughter with his delivery and expression. And Kapoor is no less. The duo combine to deliver a powerhouse performance. Milind Soman surely has improved on his acting and Sarika was effective as a loving yet dejected wife. The entry of Ranvir Shorey brings in cheer. As an honest income tax officer who had even raided his own house once, Ranvir is brilliant.
Although other aspects of the film are fine, this movie basically rides on the performances and script. A small budget movie, no big starts involved, no foreign locales, and no action to grab eyeballs and yet it has the power to make you stay put in your seat through the two hours. This one is a commendable effort from Sagar Ballary and no wonder had every in splits in the theatre. It’s dil khush with Bheja Fry. Yummy!
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