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Rest in peace Farooque Sheikh: Your humility and talent will be missed

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Who would have known that the movie Club 60 would be his last performance? Who knew that so soon after playing the role of a man coming out of depression and learning to live again, he would say farewell to life forever? His name was synonymous to the word 'politeness' in Hindi cinema. He was also considered to be the pioneer of ‘The New Indian Cinema’ which was later termed ‘Indian Parallel Cinema’. Yes, I am talking about one of the most versatile, genuine and dependable performers of Bollywood – Mr Farooque Sheikh. With his death on December 27, 2013 due to a heart attack in Dubai, the Indian film industry has lost an icon, while his fans have lost a dearly beloved actor. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x5wm5d_in-aankhon-ki-masti-umrao-jaan-rekh_music[/embed] Farooque Sheikh began his film career with Garam Hawa back in 1973, with Balraj Sahini acting as the lead. After his debut, there was no turning back and he was able to impress some renowned directors and producers with his immense talent and top-notch performances, especially in meaningful cinema. His name comes up with the most revered names of Indian cinema – the likes of Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Satyaji Ray, Ketan Mehta, Muzaffar Ali, Naseeruddin Shah, Deepti Naval and Pankaj Kapur. He had the wisdom of selecting the most appropriate scripts to sustain his calibre and he never cared about the length of the role. In fact, he always preferred to choose a script that offered him a different angle, a unique perspective or a role that had not been done earlier. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="299"] Farooque Sheikh acted in the 1981 film, Umrao Jaan with Rekha. Photo: File[/caption] Mr Sheikh’s depiction of the woes of the common man was probably his greatest talent. He always became so involved with the character that it left a huge impact on his audience and further endeared him to the general public. Even now when I watch him play the role of a rickshaw puller in the film Bazaar, I am enchanted by the touch of reality that he gave to the character. He played his roles with such emotion that it was next to impossible not to be moved by his acting. He was the kind of actor who impressed the critics with his performance in almost every movie and inspired numerous other actors to experiment with rational and sensible cinema. But I do not think any other actor has been able to play the role of the ‘common man’ with such realism and feeling as Mr Sheikh did. And even though he tried to change his image by playing a rogue character in the movie Katha, he just could not make that transition and had to revert to his particular genre in order to keep his fans happy. Veteran actors and peers turned to Twitter to express their sorrow: https://twitter.com/MaheshNBhatt/status/416784378165858304 https://twitter.com/SrBachchan/status/416778345645219842 https://twitter.com/mbhandarkar268/status/416775523839135744 Although his entire portfolio consists of only 35 movies, in his 40 years of acting in Bollywood, almost each of these movies became critically acclaimed. Movies like Shatranj Ke Khiladi, Noorie, Umrao Jaan, Chashm-e-Buddoor, Bazaar, Saath Saath, Kisi Se Na Kehna, Katha, Laakhon Ki Baat, Faasle, Maya Memsaab, Bivi Ho Tou Aisi, Lahore, Listen Amaya, Shanghai, Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani and Club 60 are only some of his movies that should not be missed by any means. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x143hfb_chashme-buddoor-1981-farooq-shaikh-deepti-naval-rakesh-bedi-full-length-hindi-movie_shortfilms[/embed] Farooque Sheikh worked in television in parallel to his film career. His popular TV shows include Shrikant, Chamatkaar, Ji Mantriji and Jeena Isi Ka Naam Hai. I have no doubts that this loss will be felt by his family, fans and peers alike. People with such a magnanimous talent and such humility are too few and far-in-between. You will be missed Mr Sheikh. We hope and wish that your soul rests in peace. May God have mercy on you.



Jai Ho: Salman Khan, the new Sunny Deol?

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Jai Ho has been the most anticipated movie of 2013 and 2014 as it was announced to be released initially at the end of 2013 by Sohail Khan under the name of ‘Sher Khan and later as ‘Mental’. The name was eventually finalised as ‘Jai Ho’. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x18f85y_jai-ho-hd-hindi-movie-teaser-trailer-2014-salman-khan-video-dailymotion_shortfilms[/embed] The movie is a remake of the movie Stalin, a Tollywood film inspired by Pay It Forward (2000). The movie has a lot to offer to the common man, the ‘aam janta’ as they call it. It has drama, action, romance, comedy, weird songs, Salman Khan’s very own dancing style and, of course, Bollywood masala. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="501"] Salman Khan and Daisy Shah. Photo: Reuters[/caption] Jai Ho revolves around Jai Agnihotri (Salman Khan), an ex-army officer who was court-martialled because of his bravery and for not following the orders of his superior-in-command Major Arjun (Sunil Shetty). Jai runs a motor garage and with his friends Babu (Yash Tonk) and Sumit (Ashmit Patel) helps the aam janta (common people) by saving them from the atyachaar (tyranny) of bad people. Accidently, Jai comes across the malicious politician Dashrat Singh (Danny Denzongpa) and his family of pitiless power-driven scoundrels (Mukul Dev, Sana Khan and Haroon Qazi). The rest is the cliché story of good winning over the evil. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="456"] (Left to right) Naman Jain, Salman Khan, Sana Khan, Ashmit Patel and Yash Tonk. Photo: Reuters[/caption] The best thing about Jai Ho is that it has a cast which the viewers see after a hiatus. Even for brief roles, some big names of their times have been casted such as Sharad Kapoor, Mukul Dev, Aditya Pancholi, Nauheed Cyrusi, Vikas Bhalla, Tulip Joshi, Genelia Deshmukh, and Sameer Khakar along with Tabu, all of whom have been blessed with roles after a long gap. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Tabu[/caption] After watching Jai Ho, one can easily understand that there is no one other than Salman Khan who can step effortlessly into the shoes of Sunny Deol. It won’t be wrong to call Salman a ‘Muslim Sher’ just the way Deol is referred to as ‘Punjaab Da Sher’ (Lion of Punjab). The action sequences shown in the movie are larger than life – the way Salman bhai flies, fights, twists and turns goons in the air can only be matched with the class that Deol or South Indian movies have. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="500"] Salman Khan[/caption] Jai Ho offers a moral lesson too, ‘do good to three people in your life and ask them to pass on the kindness’. As far as the performances are concerned, this, like all of Khan’s movies, is a Salman Khan enterprise. He fights likes a tiger and roars like a lion, which at times sounded quite funny as well. But if you are a die-hard fan of Salman bhai, you would agree that something of similar idiocy, if performed by anyone else, would have been the reason for embarrassment and boredom in cinema halls. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="401"] Salman Khan. Photo: Reuters[/caption] Tabu is, as always, composed, effective and effortless. She sparks wherever the high voltage scenes demanded the flash. Danny is perfect in his character and leaves an impact. Daisy Shah dances really well and looks gorgeously sexy in all the songs. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="415"] Daisy Shah and Salman Khan. Photo: Reuters[/caption] Nadira Babbar (SalmanKhan’s mom) overacts and is very loud. On the other hand, there is not much to Aditya Panscholi’s role but he has a strong screen presence and his expressions are worth noticing. Dev and Qazi’s debuts are remarkable. Sameer Khakhar has returned to the screen after a very long time and truly gives a noteworthy performance. He should be given more roles, given the fact that Parinda was one of his finest movies. Naman Jain, who plays the role of Khan’s nephew, has a natural talent to act. This is his fourth movie, after Chillar PartyRaanjhana and Bombay Talkies, and he is simply a sweetheart. [caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="348"] Salman Khan and Naman Jain. Photo: Reuters[/caption] Santosh Shukla (Manik) leaves a mark on the audience as well. Sudesh Lahiri manages to bring smiles on audiences’ faces whereas Pulkit Samrat adds freshness and delivers a very calculated performance. If you are planning to watch this movie, then leave your brain and thinking capabilities at home. You will be going to watch a movie with a lot of dhishoom and dhamakas, over the top (literally) fight sequences, flying bikes and mostly one man beating up the entire nation. Jai Ho is literally a new-age version of One Man Army and just a tribute to Deol’s Dhhai Kilo Ka Haath. In my opinion, this movie deserves a three out of five rating purely on the basis of performances, Salman-power and certain emotional scenes.


Bewakoofiyaan: ‘Practically’ perfect

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For a good movie, subject matters a lot. Bewakoofiyaan might look like a usual love story at first glance but it’s actually a very well-penned and well-conceived movie. This does not mean that the movie has nothing to do with romance; the plot, in fact, is based on romance but it also talks about the other things associated with romance in today’s ‘practical’ world. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/86491938[/embed] The story revolves around Mohit Chadhdha (Ayushmann Khurrana) and Mayera Sehgal (Sonam Kapoor), new-age practical and career-oriented sweethearts. Both try to build their lives around career stability, well-stocked bank accounts and better market positions. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] The biggest hurdle in their love life is Mayera’s bureaucrat father, Mr VK Sehgal (Rishi Kapoor). He believes in money and wants his daughter to marry a rich man, rather than a struggling senior marketing executive. The rest of the movie revolves around these three characters trying to cope with each other to keep things steady, but being faced repeatedly by situations that are out of hand. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] The highlight of the movie is its storyline; the script is very well woven. Habib Faisal, the writer of the movie, deserves a big round of applause for producing such a fine script. Nupur Asthana, director of ‘Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge?’ and Bewakoofiyaan, has proven herself once again by capturing the simplistic and close-to-life essence that the script wished to portray. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="597"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] Rishi Kapoor, as always, is still a rock-star! He is adorable, spontaneous and the perfect actor for this fatherly role. After watching this movie, you will not be able to imagine anyone else playing VK Sehgal’s role as charmingly as Chintu Ji does. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] After Vicky Donor and Nautanki Saala, this is only Ayushmann’s third release and it is visible that he requires more acting experience. Just like his performance in his debut film Vicky Donor, he gave a bravura performance with the same ease and confidence despite acting with a great actor like Rishi Kapoor. It is a standalone achievement to share screen presence with a maestro like Rishi Kapoor let alone even get noticed. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] Sonam has improved with every new release. As compared to how she performed in Saawariya, she has clearly outdone herself in Bewakoofiyan. She took on the role smoothly and gave a spectacular performance. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] The movie’s title song has some great lyrics while the other songs are a bit preppy. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1dm1gx_bewakoofiyaan-full-title-song-video-ayushmann-khurran-sonam-kapoor-2014-hd_music[/embed] To all those who frequently question Bollywood movies and their unrealistic approach, Bewakoofiyaan is the answer for them. It has some very good realistic scenes, that become unforgettable and very close to life scenes which every viewer can relate to; for example, when Mayera and Mohit argue on spending and expenditures – all of us do that! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] Bewakoofiyaan is a light-hearted movie that takes you to fairyland with your feet firmly still on the ground. Not because you don’t want to fly but because you know it’s not practical. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Reuters[/caption] On the basis of performances, script and how the film is made, I would rate it an easy four on five. It’s not a dhishum dhamaka, cheap comic and senseless joyride but, as the name of the movie suggests, it shows you that even the average sane person acts stupidly every now and then. So you are not alone.


Humpty Sharma ki Dulhania, another DDLJ in the making?

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Young at heart and seasoned with emotions is how one would best describe the ingredients of the movie Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania. There are films that cine-fans want to watch over and over again, and this is one such movie for sure. Needless to say, the movie is the outcome of the hard work of a great production house, promising debutante director Shashank Khaitan, and actors Varun DhawanAlia Bhatt and Siddharth Shukla. What else could one expect from such an attempt? [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1wsmcg_humpty-sharma-ki-dulhania-official-trailer-%E1%B4%B4%E1%B4%B0_shortfilms[/embed] This is the typical story of a soon-to-be-wed girl, Kavya (Alia Bhatt), trying to live her life to the fullest before marriage. She makes a trip to Delhi to buy her Kareena Kapoor style designer lehenga for her big day and to live life on her own terms for a while. In Delhi, she meets Humpty (Varun Dhawan), becomes really good friends with him and unknowingly falls in love with him. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] As all good things must come to an end, so does her vacation and she sets back towards her home in Ambala. Humpty, realising how much he loves her, follows her with his friends in an attempt to convince her strict and stubborn father that he is the man for his daughter. After listening to Humpty’s plea, Kavya’s father, Singh Sir (Ashutosh Rana), gives him a chance to compete with Kavya’s fiancé Angad Bedi (Siddharth Shukla) and prove himself to be the perfect match for his daughter. The rest is an amazing series of events that follow. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] Varun and Alia debuted together in 2012’s block buster Student of the Year. It is evident from their new production that they have great on-screen chemistry and complement each other perfectly and naturally. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] Varun portrays the typical sweet boy’s and oozes out charm. He knows his forte and can easily turn any dialogue to his favour, impressing the audience with his performance. Girls loved him and guys applauded his acting skills. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] Alia is sizzling, sweet and her dialogue in the movie – “main paida hi hot hui thi” (I was born hot) – describes her character the best. After her intense role in Highway, she is back with a more comfortable, power-packed, carefree and emotional role in this film. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] Siddharth is not a new name but is an established actor in Bollywood. He is confident, comfortable and always gives an incredibly heartfelt performance. In some of the sequences in this movie, he really looks like ‘Mr Perfect’; in my opinion, given that he makes the right choices, I see a great future in acting for him. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="539"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] It is a treat to watch Ashutosh in a light role with a dash of intensity when the moment calls for it. He is enacts both, the friendly and angry, roles perfectly. Both the actors casted for the roles of Varun’s friends Shonty (Gaurav Pandey) and Poplu (Sahil Vaid) give an exceptional performance. Pandey, however, has what it takes to be a main lead one day – voice, personality, attitude and a notable screen presence. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] Performance wise, the movie had the perfect casted; not a single actor seemed out of place in the role he or she was playing. Some of the scenes worth watching include Humpty’s birthday, when Humpty snaps at Singh Sir and calls him Poplu, and when Kavya and Humpty blackmail the cool hunk who happens to be the principal’s son. The music falls between average and good. The three songs that stand out in particular are “Main Tenu Samjhawan”, “Saturday Saturday” and “Emotional Fool”. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zbzwo_samjhawan-humpty-sharma-ki-dulhania-hd-video-song-arijit-singh-shreya-ghoshal_music[/embed] [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1yupco_saturday-saturday-hd-video-song-humpty-sharma-ki-dulhania-2014_music[/embed] Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania is a must watch for all those who have fallen in love at one point or the other in their lives. It’s cute, romantic, light-hearted and one emotional ride. Remember Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge and Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai? Well, this is a reel back and one you wouldn’t mind watching again and again. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania Facebook page[/caption] On the basis of performances, script and direction, it deserves a good four out of five rating. A heartfelt and absolute entertainer!


Bobby Jasoos: A volcano of talent… wasted!

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Keeping the taste of Bollywood fans and critics in mind, director Samar Shaikh and producer Dia Mirza came up with a great formula for their new movie, Bobby Jasoos, one which they thought would be a hit movie. To understand it better, the formula is a mix between women-centric movies, like No one killed Jessica, Hate Story, Dirty Picture, Gulaab Gang and English Vinglish, and detective thrillers, like John Day, Samrat & Co., Kahaani, Mr Joe B Carvalho [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1x4eiw_bobby-jasoos-hd-hindi-movie-trailer-2014-vidya-balan_shortfilms[/embed] So what is the movie about? Bobby Jasoos is about Bilquis Ahmed (Vidya Balan), also known as Bobby Jasoos, who aspires to be a detective and truly believes she would be a great one. But unfortunately, she doesn’t have what it takes to be a renowned detective; she lacks presentation skills, language proficiency and professional training. Her parents want her to settle down with a nice Hyderabadi boy but Bobby, being a strong-headed woman, is determined to be a spy just like James Bond and starts her own private detective agency.   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="405"] Photo: Bobby Jasoos Facebook page[/caption] After various uninteresting cases, she is approached by Anees Khan (Kiran Kumar) who hires her for a case and pays her a hefty advance. Bobby puts her services to use and excitedly starts working on the case with the help of her friends Munna (Aakash Dahiya), Tasawur (Ali Fazal) and Shetty (Prasad Barve). Things start off as planned for Bobby but as predicted things turn become interesting when Bobby inquires about other cases she dealt with in the past for Khan. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="587"] Photo: Bobby Jasoos Facebook page[/caption] An array of performances Balan is a volcano of talent and can surprise her viewers in any given character. She did a commendable job with her comic timings and emotional bursts, and her little romantic gestures made her role complete, leaving no room for error. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Bobby Jasoos Facebook page[/caption] Fazal is talented and excels like a polished actor in some of the scenes. He looks smart, dances well and acts in a perfectly natural way. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Bobby Jasoos Facebook page[/caption] Being a power pack of dramatic scenes and emotional performances, Kumar makes an on-screen appearance after a long time. It truly was a delight to watch him in a very demanding role where he had to be composed, dubious and unpredictable. Only a well-seasoned actor could pull off the designated role and Kumar was the perfect choice. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="598"] Photo: Bobby Jasoos Facebook page[/caption] Dahiya and Barve did equal justice to their characters, providing the audience with a decent watch. On the other hand, Tanvi aazmiSupriya Pathak and Zarina Wahab along with Rajendra Gupta were a total waste of screen time; they looked like nothing more than fillers for the movie and this did no justice to the talent they encompass. Arjan Bajwa as Lala also gave an extraordinary performance. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Bobby Jasoos Facebook page[/caption] Here comes the disappointment Being a fan of Balan’s acting abilities and always looking forward to watching a nice thriller cum detective themed movie, I had high hopes from the movie. But unfortunately, it failed to make its mark. The plot seemed half-baked and there were too many stories trying to merge into one which only ended up confusing the audience. The movie had a great cast but their talent was not utilised to its full potential. Also, one aspect that seemed to bother me was the fact that although the movie portrayed typical ‘Hyderabadis’ the accents just didn’t match my expectation. If making a hit movie was all about getting into a multiple disguises then Bobby Jasoos could have survived and made an impact. But the filmmakers need to understand that it takes a strong plot and script, and some over the top performances, to make a movie worth watching. By the end of the movie, the audiences were left with many unanswered questions, which evidently showed that the filmmakers and writers did not do justice to their work. Remember that song from the movie? I don’t either! You know how you watch a movie, especially a Bollywood movie, and this one song, or a couple in certain films, just stick to you and you can’t wait to go home to download it so you can listen to it on repeat? Yeah, that wasn’t the case here, or even close to it. I couldn’t remember any song after watching the movie and neither of them made an impact. The music ranged from anywhere between awful to below average. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="393"] Photo: Bobby Jasoos Facebook page[/caption] And the verdict is… Had the script been slightly more gripping, the movie would have been a great success. Although the actors did give it their best shot, in their respective capacities, it is always team effort that can save any enterprise and Bobby Jasoos missed the mark from miles away. In light of its weak script, confused storytelling and lack of precision I give the film a 1.5 out of 5 rating.


The Expendables 3: An action-packed and star-studded extravaganza

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Right after watching The Expendables 2, I anxiously awaited for the next star-studded joy ride to be released soon. And, finally, The Expendables 3 is here. The experience of watching The Expendables 3 is incomplete if, by any means, you plan to watch it on a smaller screen. It must be watched in the cinema, on the big screen. When I think of my experience of watching the movie, the only word that comes to mind and describes it perfectly is ‘unbelievable’. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1zolqt_the-expendables-3-official-trailer-1-2014-sylvester-stallone-movie-hd_shortfilms[/embed] The plot is carefully scripted, simply because of the fact that many critics bombarded the earlier enterprises with questions regarding the loopholes in the script. This time, it’s about one Expendable against another – Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) and his team standing up against Conrad Stonebanks (Mel Gibson). Ross and Stonebanks, who used to be good friends back in the day, had a clash of interests when the latter decided to invest his skills into an arms trading business. Ross, completely aware of Stonebanks’s talent and ruthlessness, decides to recruit a new team full of fresh blood and ideas to take Stonebanks down. Ross had to bid adieu to his old team which included Christmas (Jason Statham), Gunner (Dolph Lundgren) and Toll (Randy Couture). What happens next is what makes the star-studded movie utterly amazing and definitely worth your money. Like its previous enterprises, this sequel is not a one-man movie. In fact, this time the size of the cast has increased in multiple folds and is much saucier and more entertaining than the prequels. With big names like Statham, Arnold SchwarzeneggerWesley SnipesHarrison FordKellan LutzAntonio BanderasRonda RouseyJet LiTerry CrewsKelsey Grammer, Gibson, and Stallone, all that comes to mind is a grand action-fuelled blockbuster. And boy does it meet one’s expectations immensely. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="596"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] It is what you may call a magnificently action-packed movie where there is no requirement for subject, script or logic. Gun smoke, tanks, fire-fights, bombs, breath-taking stunts and blasts should be your focal points. In terms of dialogues, there are some great one-liners by Snipes, Statham, Banderas, Gibson and Schwarzenegger. Stallone plays his role of being the leader of the team with complete command and shows different sides to his character smoothly. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="593"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Gibson finally gets to play the role of a bad guy and proves why he was casted for such a pivotal role. His performance is one he will be remembered for, especially the climax combat between him and Stallone. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="592"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Ford and Schwarzenegger give a dull performance but you still don’t get bored with them because of their on-screen power. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Snipes and Banderas stand out in this endeavour undeniably. They both showcase their talent in multiple scenes and are indeed a treat to watch. This time, Statham does not have much screen presence but still manages to impresses the audience with whatever little screen time he has. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] If you are a fan of action icons of the 80s and 90s and if you have been waiting for an action movie that is enormous in terms of its entertainment value, then The Expendables 3 is the one for you. On the contrary, if you are looking for an award winning movie, then this shouldn’t be your choice by any means. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="592"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] It is a complete rampant action flick where there is no room for common sense. Its main objective is to entertain the masses, especially those who are fans of yester years’ action icons. In light of it being an action movie, I would rate the movie 4.5 on a scale of 5 as it definitely is a must-watch for action lovers.


Raja Natwarlal: Humaima, ‘Pakistan’s Rani’, fails to rule the Indian Box Office

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Yes, Emraan Hashmi is back in his ‘serial kisser avatar’ in Kunal Deshmukh’s Raja Natwarlal. This time Emraan is blessed with both: his serial kissing traits and his power packed spontaneous performance. The movie created a lot of buzz pre and post release, as it casts Pakistani ‘drama queen’ and movie star, Humaima Malick, opposite Emraan. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x21ou0p_raja-natwarlal-official-trailer-emraan-hashmi-humaima-malik_people[/embed] Although, Humaima made her début in the Pakistani film industry with ‘Bol’, back in 2011, in Bollywood this is her first release. There were a lot of expectations for the movie to be a success for everyone, including Emraan, Humaima, Kunal and Kay Kay Menon. So, what happened to the movie? Let’s explore that thought. Raja Natwarlal is a typical revenge saga of a con-man, Raja Natwarlal(Emraan Hashmi) fighting for the cold-blooded murder of his partner cum caretaker, Raghav (Deepak Tijori). Raja stands up against all odds to take vengeance from Vardha Yadav (Kay Kay Menon) with the help of a retired con artist, Yogi (Paresh Rawal). Raja leaves his love toy, Ziya (Humaima Malick) – a bar dancer, back in India and flies to Cape Town (Raghav’s empire) with Yogi to con Raghav. What happens next is a typical Bollywood caricature. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] Emraan Hashmi. Photo: Publicity[/caption] Kunal and Emraan, together, gave some great hits in the past, including Jannat and Jannat 2, but this time despite being 100% dedicated to the show; they couldn’t save the movie from getting lost somewhere in translation. There was no grip in the plot; blame it on the writing, editing or whatever – Raja Natwarlal sinked at the box office. Performance wise, it is a decent affair. Emraan gives a 100% to both his images; as a revenge seeker he was believable and livid, and as a serial kisser he is back in form. And Humaima Malick does not restrict herself in any scene. In fact, she looks gorgeous throughout the film and shows no signs of shyness. She cannot be called cheap or vulgar under any circumstances for this character. She managed to look naturally sensuous. However, she deserved a much better character than just ‘acting as a support’ sort of part. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] Humaima Malick. Photo: Publicity[/caption] Deepak Tijori is back on the silver screen, after a hiatus, in a brief role. He performs decently and gives exactly what was expected from him. Kay Kay Menon and Paresh Rawal were the usual: detailed, faultless and a treat to watch in some scenes. All the main characters in Raja Natwarlal are experienced and cannot be questioned on their performance potentials. The only new bird in the flock was Humaima Malick, and even she bagged (unofficially) three movie-deals as a result of this performance. One is with Vidhu Vinod Chopra (starring Sharman Joshi opposite her) and the other with Shaan, titled ‘Mission Allahuakbar’, which is about to hit Pakistani cinema theatres in 2014. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="640"] Photo: Publicity[/caption] In totality, Raja Natwarlal has nothing novel or interesting to offer; a list of talented actors is wasted. I would rate it two out of five and I am being generous.


Finding Fanny: It’s never too late to find love

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A seasoned and intellectual filmmaker needs only a few characters, a bit of detailing and some good incidents to share with his audience, to create magic. That’s what Homi Adajania proved with his latest venture Finding Fanny The entire movie revolves around five main characters, a grungy old Dodge and a not-so-lucky cat. Adajania’s first movie, Being Cyrus, was all about Parsi families and their intrigues, which turned out to be quite a hit since it was something a lot different than the usual masala flicks, released back in 2005. After almost nine years, he marks another movie based on a typical Goa lifestyle. And guess what? He nailed this one too! [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x214gfm_finding-fanny-hd-movie-trailer-2014_shortfilms[/embed] The movie is based on the journey of an aged and forlorn postmaster, Ferdie (Naseeruddin Shah), along with four other individuals, to find his lost love. One night, Ferdie receives an undelivered letter, which he posted 40 years ago to a girl named Stephanie Fernandes, aka ‘Fanny’, intending to propose to her. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Lost in despair, he shares that with his only friend, a widow, Angie (Deepika Padukone). Angie steps forward and plans to help Ferdie in finding Fanny, the only woman he ever loved. She gets help from her childhood friend Savio (Arjun Kapoor) to let them ride his late father’s old Dodge. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Accompanying them on their journey is Angie’s mother-in-law, Rosie (Dimple Kapadia), and Don Pedro (Pankaj Kapur), a painter who wants to paint a portrait of Rosie, being an admirer of buxom figures which Rosie has in abundance. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] But the question being, do they find Fanny? Well, that is something for which you’ll have to watch the movie to find out! Adajania displays the entire journey in no rush. However, the movie is hardly one and a half hour long. It’s executed as a ride and that’s the beauty of it. The audience can easily witness different shades in every character. If Don Pedro is at the peak of vulgarity and licentious ideas for Rosie, there is also Ferdie whom you may easily label as a one-woman man. All his life, he has waited for his true love to riposte. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] On the contrary, there is Angie, who is also in search of exhilaration and love with blends of lust in it. She also has a very strong relationship with Rosie, something that can be defined as courteous and affectionate. Rosie, on the other hand, is a woman with an attitude, secrets and onion peels. And then we have Savio, a heartbroken and lousy fellow, who lost his love as she married his brother. If they are mirthful at one point, they have something to mourn about as well. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="696"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Assembling a cast like Shah and Kapur with Kapadia is definitely not easy. They are the quintessence of unparalleled characters. With the ‘tarka’ (spiciness) of new age heartthrobs Padukone and Kapoor, Finding Fanny has the perfect blend of what one can call performers and stars. Kudos to Adajania for bringing Shah and Kapur on the silver screen together again after a hiatus since these two were the show stealers. Shah as Ferdie is definitely a character which many heartbroken, timid and confused lovers would easily relate to since he makes it so believable. Kapur knows no bounds; he is both disgusting as a shameless artist as well as beguilingly witty. Kapadia gives a perfect enactment of her character; her facial expressions change within seconds, while talking from one character to the other. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] Both Padukone and Kapoor give an earnest performance. They are both developing as dependable and serious actors. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Finding Fanny Facebook page[/caption] If you are fed up with the clichéd, unrealistic romantic tales and the dhishoom dhamaka flicks, and want to discover a movie that offers good content, a few subtle smiles and some great performances, then Finding Fanny is a must-watch for you. I would rate it 3.5 out of 5.



Did Haider do justice to Shakespeare’s Hamlet?

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William Shakespeare, in one way or another, is an inspiration for every writer. In Bollywood, there is only one director, Vishal Bhardwaj, who has always done justice to Shakespeare’s plots and has done exceptionally well in entertaining the audience. Omkara and Maqbool are good examples of this. This time again, Bhardwaj, along with Basharat Peer (a Kashmiri journalist), has penned down an adaptation of Shakespeare’s most ambitious play, Hamlet. After R… Rajkumar and Phata Poster Nikla Hero (the masala entertainers), Shahid Kapoor was offered perhaps the most complicated role of his acting career; a role that needed thorough understanding of the character, emotions and complexities. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/100203938[/embed] Casting of Tabu and Irrfan Khan (Bhardwaj’s signature actors), along with Kulbhushan Kharbanda and Kay Kay Menon, is something that should never be missed by a Bhardwaj-kind-of-cinema fan. However, with all these ingredients, does Haider manage to impress and create its magic? Let’s explore. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Plot and treatment: 4.5/5 Haider Meer (Shahid Kapoor) returns to Kashmir and finds out that his father, Dr Hilal Meer (Naendra Jha) has disappeared in Kashmir and his mother Ghazala (Tabu) is staying with his uncle Khurram Meer (Kay Kay Menon). He is shocked to notice that she is not mourning her husband’s disappearance. Not sure about how to deal with the situation, he leaves his uncle’s place and starts to search his father along with the help of his love interest, Arshia (Shraddha Kapoor), who is a journalist. En route to his father’s search, Haider discovers many unbelievable and shocking facts, especially the one that Roohdaar (Irrfan Khan) tells him. The movie is an amazing adaptation of Hamlet in Bhardwaj’s very own way, weaved in a story that encompasses Kashmir, militants, politics, power, lust, love and the concept of chutzpah. Performances: 4.5/5 Haider is, by far, the most difficult role offered to Shahid and he has proved that he has his father's acting genes (Pankaj Kapoor – the epitome of talent). Watching him express his emotions of pain and sorrow, with a stoic exterior, leaves one in awe – he is just so natural and perfect. This could easily be a career defining role for Shahid. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Tabu is flawless, as always. This role can make viewers easily understand why we don’t see her in every other movie. She has an eye for the right role. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Kay Kay Menon is back in form and delivers a performance that is complex and rich in emotions. It is not a simple role to play but the ease with which he makes Khurram's character come to life is truly astounding. Irrfan Khan never loses an opportunity to impress his viewers. Although as Roohdar his character has very little on-screen time but in every scene that he appears, he leaves his viewers wanting for more. Irrfan knows the art of delivering a complex statement with the utmost ease and conviction. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Irrfan Khan. Photo: AFP[/caption] Narendra Jha is a talent to look out for. His subtle jokes, discomfort and pain could easily be felt in every scene in which he was present. Watching Khulbhushan Kharbanda, after a really long time, is definitely a treat. In a very short lived performance, with just three to four scenes, he excels and leaves a mark. Shraddha seemed fine but she needs to work on her acting skills. However, getting a chance to share screen space with supremely talented names is, in itself, a great achievement for her. Music: 4/5 Haider offers one of the best soundtracks, in terms of vocals, lyrics and music. Khul KabhiJehlum and Gulon Mein Rung (by Arijit Singh) are mesmerising. Aona (by Vishal Dadlani) is undeniably a song that stands out from the lot – haunting, lovely and so meaningful. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/104071500[/embed] Bismil (by Sukhwinder Singh) is a classic. It reminds one of Kishore Kumar’s and Subhash Ghai’s magical deliverance in Ek Haseena Thi (from 1980’s Qarz). [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Haider Facebook Page[/caption] Direction, dialogues and screenplay: 4/5Main hoon kay main nahin”, the desi version of “to be or not to be”, is one of the best stealers from Haider. The movie has some awesome dialogues. Direction and screenplay wise, it’s a masterpiece. At the box office: It has been observed in the past that creative and performance-oriented movies don’t do as good as masala flicks in Indian cinema. At the box office, Haider will face a fierce competition by Bang Bang and it might not be amongst the highest grosser films of Bollywood but still, it’s a must watch. I would rate it 4.5 out of 5.


Happy New Year: Just another (tasteless) Shahrukh Khan blockbuster

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Farah Khan (the choreographer-turned-director) brings another enterprise titled Happy New Year, with her ever-favourite ‘superstar’ Shahrukh Khan. A brief introduction to Happy New Year is that it’s produced by Shahrukh and Ghauri Khan, is overstuffed with actors and is a tale of revenge. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/103423295[/embed] Charlie (Shahrukh Khan) plans to take vengeance from Charan Grover (Jackie Shroff), because of whom his innocent father (Anupam Kher) was locked behind bars for 12 years. To execute his plan smoothly, Charlie gathers a team of misfits, including a self-declared Parsi stud named Tammy (Boman Irani) who is a specialist at breaking sophisticated locks, a partly deaf, former army bomb squad expert, named Jaggu (Sonu Sood), a hacker named Rohan (Vivaan Shah), a look-alike of Grover’s son, Nandu (Abhishek Bachchan) and a dance trainer named Mohini (Deepika Padukone). The movie is about how they manage to take Charlie’s revenge collectively. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Happy New Year Facebook Official Page[/caption] Plot wise, Happy New Year is a disaster. There are too many loopholes in the storyline. The jokes showcased are close to movies like Sajid Khan’s Himmatwala and Humshakals – substandard and barely comical. For instance, Abhishek puking anywhere and anytime is considered hilarious. Shahrukh and Boman are seen dancing with their behinds thrusting out with weird expressions on their faces, all this in an attempt to be comical. And as a cherry on top, the film is strewn with racial and ethnic jokes – all done in bad taste. Sonu, who has impaired hearing, can’t hear what the baddies say from inches away but can easily hear what Shahrukh tells him from miles away. A lot of scenes in the movie lack all logical sense and these are just a few of the blunders I’ve mentioned. The movie has dozens more. Just like any other Farah Khan movie, Happy New Year is filled with guest appearances of different celebrities. You come across the likes of Dino Morea, Sajid Khan, Malaika Arora, Prabhu Deva and Anurag Kashyap. I’ve never understood the purpose of doing this. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Happy New Year Facebook Official Page[/caption] Also, audiences should know that Happy New Year is not a performance-oriented movie; it is a celebrity-oriented film. Tasteless performances and no good songs to back them up either! Watch it for Shahrukh’s eight-abs, Sonu’s hunk of a body, Deepika’s alluring beauty (minus her acting skills), Boman’s typical Parsi-ish delivery and Abhishek’s over-acting. But don’t expect it to be a good movie. Even with all these flaws, the movie did pretty well at the box office and managed to enter in the INR 100-crore club. Happy New Year collected INR 42.62 crore on Friday (the day it was released), INR 30.42 crore on Saturday and INR 31.06 crore on Sunday; which means the film earned a total of INR 104.10 crore within the first three days of its release. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Happy New Year Facebook Official Page[/caption] What this movie proved, unfortunately, was that even a tasteless, senseless and below-average movie like Happy New Year can enter the INR 100-crore club, if it has Shahrukh Khan in it. I’m not sure it deserved this, but I’ll give it 2/5.


Even Govinda couldn’t save ‘Kill Dil’

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Kill Dil was amongst the most anticipated movies of 2014, due to numerous reasons like Ali Zafar’s first hardcore masala entertainment, Govinda’s villainous re-entry and Ranveer Singh’s flamboyant character. So, what does Yash Raj’s banner offer this time to its audience? Let’s explore! [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/106483114[/embed] Kill Dil is about two orphans – Dev (Ranveer) and Tutu (Ali), who get noticed by a local hoodlum, Bhaiyya Jee (Govinda) while crossing a ‘kachre ka dabba’. Bhaiyya takes them in and provides the orphans with shelter. As they grow up, he nurtures them to be his special and most trustworthy assassins. Everything is mundane when until one fine day, Disha (Parineeti Chopra) bumps into Dev and they fall in love. Eventually Dev wants to leave his gang life behind but Bhaiyya doesn’t approve and resultantly, doesn’t allow him to do so. What happens next is what Kill Dil is all about. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Kill Dil Facebook Page[/caption] In terms of performance, the entire movie rests on the shoulders of two actors - Govinda and Ali. The former looks intimidating with his powerful dialogue delivery and adept expressions. Keep a look out for him in “Bol Beliya” and the first scene after the interval; he nails his role with utmost ease and conviction. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27yrja_bol-beliya-song-kill-dil-govinda-parineeti-chopra-ranveer-singh-ali-zafar_music[/embed] This is one of the most prominent roles Ali has played; his screen presence is very strong. The scene where he carries Ranveer to the hospital is the highlight of his role. As usual, there is nothing extraordinary to Ranveer’s role. We have seen him doing the same roles time and time again. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="435"] Photo: Kill Dil Facebook Page[/caption] Parineeti for me, unfortunately, was an eyesore throughout; she definitely needs to work on herself. Also, her selection of roles has become monotonous and even... boring. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: Kill Dil Facebook Page[/caption] In my opinion, the only saving grace for this was its music. Gulzar penned down some true masterpieces and Shankar-Ehsan-Loy (the trio) proved once again why they are the maestros of lively music. They understood the kind of emotion the music represented and made it shine bright through all their music. NakhrileyBol BeliyaBaawra and Sajde are tracks that you would definitely consider listening to more than once. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x290rqd_nakhriley-song-kill-dil-ranveer-singh-ali-zafar-parineeti-chopra-govinda_music[/embed] [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28fivy_sajde-exclusive-video-song-kill-dil-ft-arijit-singh-ranveer-singh-parineeti-chopra-hd-1080p_music[/embed] On the whole, however, the movie failed to impress its audience and is nothing close to anything that the Yash Raj banner is normally known for. Director Shaad Ali could not live up to the standard and lacked the ability to carry the film through properly. There are quite a few loopholes in the plot and the script was just not gripping enough. In my opinion, the production would have been a lot better had the cast and crew focused on the key elements of a typical Yash Raj movie. Due to its humdrum storyline and the average performance of most of its actors, I couldn’t give this film more than a 2 out of 5.


The Shaukeens – One of the most entertaining remakes of its Bollywood classic

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It doesn’t come as a surprise for the audience when they get to watch remakes of classic movies of the 70s and 80s. Many filmmakers, directors and actors have started this trend of remaking movies and this time we have The Shaukeens, a remake of the 1982 rib tickling comedy Shaukeen. Just like the original version, The Shaukeens is based on ‘almost’ the same plot and characters. However, there are a few changes in the storyline which will appeal to today’s audiences more. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x26qf00_the-shaukeens-2014-hindi-movie-theatrical-trailer-%E1%B4%B4%E1%B4%B0_shortfilms[/embed] It is a tale of three childhood friends, Lalchand (Anupam Kher), KD (Annu Kapoor) and Pinky (Piyush Mishra), who are in their early 60s and lust after every woman they lay their eyes on. The trio plan a fun-filled vacation to Mauritius, in order to live up their wildest and most lecherous fantasies. They reserve a guest house owned by Ahana (Lisa Haydon), a young flamboyant and ‘earth child’ kind of a girl, who is also head over heels in love with Akshay Kumar, the movie star cum serious alcoholic. She announces that she’d do anything for the person who would make her dream of meeting Akshay come true, and these words play as music to the ears of the young-at-heart oldies. The measures they overtake and endure to make her wish come true is what The Shaukeens is all about. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] The movie rests mainly on the shoulders of its primary leads. Whether it is Akshay, Lisa or the trio of maestros of power packed performances, all of them were fantastic and did complete justice to their characters, roles and diction. The other strongest point is its flawless and witty script. In almost every other scene, there are some dialogues that were applauded and thoroughly enjoyed by viewers. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] If I were to pick out the best performances, it would have to be the trio’s. Piyush excelled in every scene; his articulation, peculiar way of delivering dialogues and his expressions stole the show. Even his emotional outbursts were a treat to watch. Annu was another ace in the movie. His craziness, style and ‘Mr-know-it-all’ attitude is delightful and he looked at ease in performing his role. As always, Anupam delivers a good performance and does not overact, especially when it came to his expressions. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] Lisa’s performance looks promising and her screen presence is very strong. Similarly, Akshay does exactly what he is the best at doing – entertaining the crowd, from the gallery to the critics. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: The Shaukeens Facebook Page[/caption] In terms of music, some of the numbers were nice, especially Manali Trance and Alcoholic which are great to watch and listen to. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x284h5g_manali-trance-official-dance-video-the-shaukeens-ft-yo-yo-honey-singh-lisa-haydon-hd-1080p_music[/embed] [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x273gqy_alcoholic-hd-video-song-yo-yo-honey-singh-the-shaukeens-2014-akshay-kumar_music[/embed] This is Abhishek Sharma’s second release after Tere Bin Laden, and his production seem very promising in terms of providing entertainment value to his movies. The Shaukeens is a great attempt and does exactly what it’s meant to do – provide entertainment to the viewers, with some fine performances. Compared to the original Shaukeen, the latest version is louder, more dual meaning and suits the likes of today’s society. However, the two productions cannot be compared to one another because it is close to impossible to provide the kind of cinema Basu Chatterji provided. Shaukeen is still a masterpiece even after three decades but The Shaukeens is a rollercoaster ride for sure. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Shaukeen (1982), The Shaukeens (2014)[/caption] In terms of the acting, script and thorough entertainment, I would rate it 4 out of 5 - an incredible fun watch!


Govinda giving us a ‘Happy Ending’

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Saif Ali Khan’s re-entry was a success back in the early 2000s. The hero who had fallen flat in the 90s was seen in a completely new light in movies like Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil MeinDil Chahta HaiHum TumSalam NamasteKal Ho Na HoRace and Love Aaj Kal etcetera. And in movies like Omkara and the likes, he overshadowed anyone else who may have been in the film with him.  Unfortunately, nowadays I feel Saif Ali Khan’s performance is a bleak reminder of the hero he was in the 90s – none of the movies he is doing have any nostalgic value or cinematic value nor have they brought in good business; examples being Humshakals and Bullet Raja. On the contrary, Govinda, who was seen in a negative role in Kill Dil recently, has re-launched himself with a bang, with critics applauding his work. This time, in the movie Happy Ending, Govinda is all set to play for the front-row audience. After all, he’s the king of comedy. Let’s see if they both, Govinda and Saif, got their share of brownies this time! [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x27lxrt_happy-ending-2014-hindi-movie-official-trailer-%E1%B4%B4%E1%B4%B0_shortfilms#from=embediframe[/embed] Happy Ending is based on the life of a writer called Yudi (Saif Ali Khan), who published his last book five and a half years ago which turned out to be a major hit. Unfortunately, after that, he couldn’t publish any book and making ends meet became a task. His stardom, as a writer, starts to fade away and then enters a new romantic author in the limelight of the literary world called Aanchal (Ileana D’Cruz). Aanchal gets everything that Yudi once had as an upcoming writer. Soon after, Armaan (Govinda) comes into Yudi’s life. Armaan is the superstar of Bollywood and wants Yudi to write a fresh script (copy of multiple Hollywood blockbusters) for him. Having no other choice, Yudi accepts his offer and starts to alter his lifestyle and terms. The rest of the movie is the journey of how Yudi, as a writer and a person, learns how to end some things and start new things. Performances wise, Saif stands tall and delivers a dependable performance. One can easily recall the comfort he had in the movies Cocktail and Love Aaj Kal. Govinda, as always, is hilarious and owns every scene he is featured in. Nachcho Saaray G Phaar Kay is a song of the film that provided the perfect entertainment to the audience and credit for that goes solely to Govinda. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that if given a good script and the opportunity of outdoing himself, Govinda can still be in the race of the most entertaining actors in the industry. Kalki Koechlin is a revelation, she looks adorable, highly irritating and fits her role perfectly. Ileana is okay too; in fact, she is improving as an actress and is able to handle serious roles quite well. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28elez_g-phaad-ke-official-full-song-video-happy-ending-govinda-saif-ali-khan-ileana_music[/embed] Ranvir Shorey, who plays Saif’s best friend, delivered some good performance. Some of his scenes are truly amazing, especially, (spoiler alert) the scene where his wife tells him that she’s pregnant. There are some surprise packages in the movie like appearances by Kareena Kapoor and Preity Zinta. Preity has an extended role and she looks good but the fact that she is ageing is pretty obvious. The dialogues are fresh, some of which require reading between the lines, but they go along with the mood of the movie. Content wise, Happy Ending will make you feel ‘happy’ at the ‘end’ of the movie. It’s an entertaining romantic comedy with a few hummable songs. I would rate it a 3.5 out of five on the basis of decent performances, a good script, nice music and lightness of the theme. And no, it’s not based on the American TV show, Californication, which most people think it is.


PK – A movie buff’s delight!

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PK has undeniably been the most anticipated movie for the last few years. Apart from Aamir Khan’s fans, even film critics have been waiting to see producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s and director Rajkumar Hirani’s combination of magic. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28jah4_pk-peekay-2014-official-trailer-hd-aamir-khan-anushka-sharma-sanjay-dutt_shortfilms[/embed] PK revolves around a wide-eyed, rebellious yet innocent stranger in a city who goes by the initials of PK (Aamir) and the people he meets whilst exploring the new city. His journey starts from the middle of Rajasthan where he befriends a man named Bhairon Singh (Sanjay Dutt). Bhairon makes PK feel right at home but eventually, PK has to move on with his journey and so he moves to Delhi where he meets a journalist named Jagat Janani/Jaggu (Anushka Sharma) who is in love with a Pakistani guy named Sarfaraz (Sushant Singh Rajput). What happens next is what PK is all about. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: PK The Film Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="539"] Photo: PK The Film Facebook page[/caption] PK is actually a satire on old myths and rituals. Contrary to popular belief, the movie or characters, by no means, mock religion or God – all PK does is ask questions no one has asked before. He is seen as a voice of wisdom and reason. The movie does, however, raise generic questions on religion with an added satirical element to it. Aamir shines like the star that he is. He proves, yet again, why he has been bestowed with the title “Ace Khan”. This is by far the most atypical, tricky and inquisitive performance and no one else in Bollywood would be able to do justice to such a role. To me, he has carried the entire movie on his shoulders with immense gusto. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: PK The Film Facebook page[/caption] In her previous productions, Anushka Sharma came across as very… typical, bordering on stale, but with this film she has added a whole set of different elements to her performance; the result is mesmerising! Her performance was easily at par with Aamirs’ in some of the most intricate and difficult scenes. Her performance is definitely worth a hearty applause. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: PK The Film Facebook page[/caption] The movie is filled with cameos or more like, extended cameos. Sanjay is a delight to watch each time, and you can tell that, with Hirani and Chopra making him perform and excel, he was perfectly set in his own comfort zone. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: PK The Film Facebook page[/caption] Saurabh Shukla and Boman Irani gave some extraordinary performances as well, while Sushant is as lovable as ever with all his intense scenes coming across as very strong. Last but definitely not the least, was the surprise package in PK – Ranbir Kapoor! Watch out for his surprise appearance – as usual, the audience kept asking for more. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: PK The Film Facebook page[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: PK The Film Facebook page[/caption] The screenplay, by Hirani and Abhijit Joshi, deserves applause on its own. The dialogues were witty, meaningful and provoked the audience to ponder upon multiple things. The direction, as expected, delivered as promised – first-rate. Everyone who watched PK, has fallen in love with the movie. Exceptional performances, the thought-provoking storyline, brilliant camera work, the locations and other such factors are what make PK a must-watch for everyone, especially those who prefer performance and quality cinema. PK is not just a one-time watch; it’s one of those films movie buffs would be proud to have in their libraries. Based on the captivating screenplay, worthy performances and overall entertainment, I am forced to give it a 4.5 out of 5 rating.


Presenting the top 10 Bollywood films from 2014 that made our hearts flutter

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2014 was a year of experimentation for Bollywood. Actors rediscovered themselves in terms of performances and directors went the extra mile to showcase movies and tales which provided sheer amusement to audiences. This roundup is about the 10 best Bollywood movies of 2014 and the only movies which, in my opinion, gave us the whole package – great performances, great songs, applaud-worthy scripts, fantastic storylines and capturing dialogues. To clarify, I am not talking about the highest grossers here, just quality entertainers. So here is my take on the top 10 Indian movies of 2014: 10. Finding Fanny –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: File[/caption] Finding Fanny is a treat to watch, with out-of-this-world performances delivered by Pankaj Kapur, Naseeruddin Shah and Dimple Kapadia. Finding Fanny is not an everyday production showcased in cinemas; it has great content, a beautiful message and simple direction. Kudos to director Homy Adajania for a job well done! [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x214gfm_finding-fanny-hd-movie-trailer-2014_shortfilms#from=embediframe[/embed] 9. Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: File[/caption] In terms of satiating that craving for a classic Bollywood masti, masala and old school love story film, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania hits the spot perfectly. Apart from being witty, romantic and a DDLJ tribute, all in one, it also features some amazing performances given by Asutosh Rana, Alia Bhatt and Varun Dhawan. For this film to be a fun ride, leave your head at home and take your heart along! In other words, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania is a complete “paisa vasool” (money’s worth) production. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1wsmcg_humpty-sharma-ki-dulhania-official-trailer-%E1%B4%B4%E1%B4%B0_shortfilms#from=embediframe[/embed] 8. Revolver Rani –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="421"] Photo: File[/caption] This was another one of the most complicated roles of the year and Kangana Ranaut performed it with absolute perfection. Revolver Rani is about a female political leader who falls in love with a struggling Bollywood actor. What happens next is a treat to watch. Piyush Mishra is excellent, as always, and Vir Das shows some great improvement in his acting skills too. Filled with dark humour, Sai Kabir did a remarkable job. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1extnt_revolver-rani-official-trailer-kangana-ranaut-vir-das_shortfilms[/embed] 7. Mary Kom –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: File[/caption] The blood, sweat and tears that must have gone into doing justice to Mary Kom’s character is evident with Priyanka Chopra’s performance throughout the film. It is, by far, her most gripping performance. The movie is based on the life of Mary Kom, an Indian female boxer, who achieves her ultimate goal with sheer tenacity. Omung Kumar deserves a round of applause for the brilliant way in which this film came through. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/101509532[/embed] 6. Highway –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: File[/caption] Highway is a beautiful journey through the story of a carefree girl who is mistakenly kidnapped. In this film we travel vicariously through her relationship with her kidnapper and the life lessons they learn together. This is Alia Bhatt’s longest leap of faith as an actress and Randeep Hooda is, as usual, a scene stealer. Imtiaz Ali proved, yet again, that he has the ability to extract the most meaningful storylines from the simplest of tales. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x18iawd_highway-official-trailer-%E1%B4%B4%E1%B4%B0-21st-feb-2014-alia-bhatt-randeep-hooda-imtiyaz-ali_shortfilms[/embed] 5. Dedh Ishqiya –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: File[/caption] The second instalment of Babban, Khalu Jan and Mushtaq Bhai had a lot of expectations because this time around, Begum Para was an additional jewel in the crown. Hats off to Vishal Bhardwaj and Abhishek Chaubey for recreating the magic of Ishqiya with Dedh Ishqiya so successfully. A great watch indeed! [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x193b2w_dedh-ishqiya-trailer_shortfilms[/embed] 4. Queen –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: File[/caption] Queen is a peek into the life of a woman who embarks upon a journey, her own honeymoon to be precise, in an attempt to find herself when her wedding is cancelled at the last minute. This film played just the right chords emotionally with the audience rooting for her independence towards the end. This was, by far, one of Kangana Ranaut’s truest and finest performances. Vikas Bahl directed the movie with superb class – I don’t think I would change a thing about it. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x193cw2_queen-official-theatrical-trailer-hd_shortfilms#from=embediframe[/embed] 3. Ankhon Dekhi –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="437"] Photo: File[/caption] Rajat Kapoor is genius and has all the ingredients required to display a common man’s life on celluloid. Ankhon Dekhi features Sanjay Mishra, Seema Pahwa and Kapoor in pivotal roles. The movie revolves around the male protagonist who decides to only believe in things he sees with his eyes. It’s about family values, love and the journey of a common man. 2. PK –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: File[/caption] Being the most anticipated movie of the year, this movie had some very very high expectations to meet. And meet it did. Not only did this masterpiece, by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Raj Kumar Hirani, surpass expectations, it raised the bar for all serious filmmakers in Bollywood. PK is, by far, Amir Khan’s most prominent work. Just his performance, expressions and his eyes in this film could win accolades. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x28jah4_pk-peekay-2014-official-trailer-hd-aamir-khan-anushka-sharma-sanjay-dutt_shortfilms#from=embediframe[/embed] 1. Haider –  [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: File[/caption] But the movie to win our hearts and minds in the year 2014 was none other than Vishal Bhardwaj’s masterstroke, Haider. It is by far the best Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s legendary tale, Hamlet, set on the backdrop of Kashmir and militancy. The quality and excellence with which Shahid Kapoor performed his role has slingshot him into the league of top actors worldwide. Not only did his performance leave us starry-eyed, even Tabu, Irrfan Khan and Kay Kay Menon made some powerful appearances. [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/100203938[/embed] With masterpieces like these setting the bar very high, it will be quite interesting to see what 2015 has in store for us. Let’s hope 2015 brings us even better quality cinema and more enticing storylines! Happy New Year! (not the movie)



Why Good Morning Karachi fails to rise and shine

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Good Morning Karachi, for Pakistani cinema, is amongst the few unconventional, path-breaking movies that we’ve come across in recent years. The reason is very simple; Good Morning Karachi is a female-oriented film with a female protagonist. Unfortunately, except for this bit, there is little else that is extraordinary about this film. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dm09w_good-morning-karachi-pakistani-movie-by-rafina-official-trailer_fun#from=embediframe[/embed] So far, the movie has received mixed responses based on different factors. Perhaps an exploration of this movie is required. Before we begin, however, let me clarify that this film is not the Pakistani version of Bollywood’s Priyanka Chopra-starrer Fashion (as many may insinuate). The entire movie is based on Rafina (Amna Ilyas), who belongs to a lower-middle class family and wants to become a fashion model. How she accomplishes her ultimate goal is what the movie is all about. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Good Morning Karachi Official Facebook Page[/caption] The movie has its highs and lows. For instance, keeping the fashion world of Pakistan in mind, the dresses and wardrobes selected for the movie are disappointingly below-average. Even the Lux Style Awards showcases celebrities in some truly amazing outfits compared to the wardrobes presented in this particular movie. The relationship depicted between Amna and Yasir Aqueel comes off as kind of forced; it does not provide any justification to the plot. Why would a man be interested in marrying a woman who lives and breathes to become a celebrity, whereas he, himself, can’t bear to stand the idea of it? The characters don’t have the psychological edge that most other Pakistani movies do. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="299"] Photo: Good Morning Karachi Official Facebook Page[/caption] The only support system in Rafina’s life is Rosie (Beo Raana Zafar) and her character, in my opinion, has just not been developed properly; I think perhaps had she been given a few more scenes, the treatment of her character would seem more logical in the film. Saba Hameed (who plays Ammi), on the contrary, is actually a talent wasted in such a role – any other average female actress could have carried off this role. Performance wise, Amna excels and boasts one of her finest performances, undoubtedly. She acts naturally, without making it complicated. Whether it is her sweet-girl avatar or the rising-model-in-the-industry persona, she carries it off flawlessly. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="312"] Photo: Good Morning Karachi Official Facebook Page[/caption] There are a few surprise appearances as well, but I won’t disclose names; watch the film to find out. The music of the movie is nothing special. Had Sabiha Sumar spent a little more time building her characters, I believe the movie could have done very well. Many sequences in the movie could have been dealt with better, in terms of direction and execution. If you are looking for a true depiction of the fashion world in Pakistan, don’t watch Good Morning Karachi. As a supporter of the revival of Pakistani cinema, the movie is a good watch.  Yes, it had some great performances but remained unsurprising overall. I do not feel the need to give it more than 2.5/5.


Mortdecai: Only as good as its trailer

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Johnny Depp is a fantastic actor and it is always a pleasure to watch his ventures. Even in supporting roles, his performance demands attention and appreciation. While his movies don’t exactly mint money, as would normally be expected, they do guarantee fans. Thanks to its trailer, his upcoming visual treat Mortdecai has already heightened the interest of audiences, and Depp fans, across the globe. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2eit0g_mortdecai-2015-official-trailer-johnny-depp-gwyneth-paltrow_shortfilms[/embed] The story revolves around a stolen Goya painting, ‘The Duchess of Wellington’, rumoured to contain a bank vault code that leads to lost Nazi gold. Art dealer and part time rogue, Lord Charlie Mortdecai, played by Depp, is approached by MI5 agent Martland (Ewan McGregor) to solve the case by retrieving the painting. Accompanying Mortdecai on this case is his gorgeous and ‘impossibly leggy wife’, Johanna (Gwyneth Paltrow) and his right-hand man Jock (Paul Bettany). Following clues, Mortdecai travels to Moscow, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and back to London. As the story unfolds, Johanna’s character also becomes more prominent as she tries influence Martland for her own gain. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="538"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] During the film, what the audience will enjoy the most will be the arguments between Mortdecia and Johanna over his rather… strange moustache. In my opinion, Mortdecai takes inspiration from two very prominent movies; Pink Panther and Austin Powers. The jokes are crude, sexually inclined and go awry at times. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="537"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] In terms of performances, all one looks forward to is Depp’s overpowering screen presence. If you are a Depp fan, one who enjoys his humorous takes, then you will love his performance in this film. While Depp did once mention that the character of Charlie Mortdecai is influenced by Terry-Thomas and Peter Sellers, his performance sometimes comes across as a really bad caricature of Charlie Chaplin and David Niven. Although I myself am a fan, I believe it would be really nice to see Depp do something different, differently. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="536"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] Jeff Goldblum is a treat to watch, but sadly, he hardly has any on-screen presence. McGregor is a decent performer but with jokes like the ones in the movie, even he couldn’t make much out of his character. As for Platrow, she is strictly “okay”. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="540"] Photo: IMDb[/caption] In terms of production quality and value, Mortdecai could be counted in ventures which fall under “larger than life” movies. But in terms of content, performance and treatment, Mortdecai is not what one would expect from a Depp movie. In my opinion, all the hype was created simply because it starred Johnny Depp, not because of what the movie or its storyline has to offer. If you are an avid Depp fan, he should be your only incentive to watch this movie. Otherwise, it is not one you need to be fired-up about watching in a cinema; sit back on your couch at home, make a bag of popcorn and that’s good enough. Unfortunately, the excitement about this movie starts and ends at the trailer itself. I would rate it a tight 2.5 out of 5.


If you’re looking for brainless fun, Dolly Ki Doli is the movie for you!

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Dolly Ki Doli is a cinematic venture that has been hyped up beyond understanding. One reason that comes to my mind, surrounding this hype, is the fact that this is the first time Arbaaz Khan, Salman Khan’s baby brother, has chosen a lead who is not his own brother. Dolly Ki Doli revolves around a con artist named Dolly (Sonam Kapoor) who marries young men from different backgrounds and religions, and then steals their money. To help her complete such feats, she has a gang of con artists who act as her family members. Zeeshan Ayub (one of the ‘family members’) extracts information about rich, gullible families who are then approached by Dolly’s ‘family’ to get the wedding bells ringing. The movie is primarily about Dolly and the cons she undertakes with Sonu Sarawat (Rajkumar Rao), Manjot Singh (Varun Sharma) and Robin Singh (Pulkit Samrat). [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/114342254[/embed] Performance wise, the actors who stood out in the movie include Rajkumar, Zeeshan, Pulkit and even Varun. Sonam, in my opinion, does not manage to ‘shine’ in this movie like she did in Khoobsurat. While she carries the role well, there are not many performance-oriented scenes for her to show her merit. Besides, working with three different actors so closely and trying to match chemistry with each of them is not an easy task. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Rajkumar, however, is a treat to watch from the very first scene. He is a volcano of talent and his Haryanavi diction is free from any flaw. He is a first rate actor and should consider doing comedies more often. His romantic and emotional scenes captivated the audience completely – nothing at that point could distract these viewers. And for good reason. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Zeeshan, who also gave a riveting performance, should be given more credit for his work. From his debut role to acting in films like Mere Brother Ki DulhanJannat 2 and Raanjhanaa, he has always managed to impress his audience. Yet he remains in the shadows. His outburst of emotions is amazing; if given a stronger role I am sure he will easily acquire a standing in the same league as Boman Irani and Paresh Rawal. Pulkit is like a gush of fresh air and he looks great! In his Robin Singh avatar, you will see glimpses of a younger Chullbul Pandey from the Dabangg series. In my opinion, the testimony to his talent is the scene in which he shouts at Sonam on the highway – keep an eye out for it! [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Varun was… cute and gave a calculated performance. This performance could easily be considered one of his most prominent works. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Dolly Ki Doli Official Facebook Page[/caption] Alongside these, Manoj Joshi, Rajesh Sharma and Brijendra Kala (Inspector Khan) also performed very well. Archana Puran Singh is, as usual, loud. With regards to the music, the ones that stuck with me were, the item song Fashion Khattam by Malaika, Naina Kafir Hogaye by Rahat Fateh Ali and Phattay Tak Nachna by Sunidhi Chauhan. [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2duyxz_fashion-khatam-mujh-par-dolly-ki-doli-hd-720p-song_music[/embed] The one positive about Dolly Ki Doli was its length– Abhishek Dogra keeps it nice and crispy. Thank God. With a weak script that was predictable and not engaging at all, Dolly Ki Doli is the perfect example of how good performances still have a chance at saving a movie. The best way to describe this film, in my opinion, is ‘brainless fun’. Based on the performances and comedy, I’ll give it a 2.5 out of five.


Shamitabh: You either love it or hate it – nothing in between

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In Bollywood, it’s hard to find movies where the protagonist is speech-impaired; only a few movies come to mind of such sort, including Koshish, Khamoshi and Iqbal. R Balki’s Shamitabh revolves around the story of a speech-impaired boy, named Daanish, and his struggles to realise his dreams. His strong desire to become an actor takes him to Mumbai and once there, he starts his journey to become the “future king” of Bollywood. But his progress is slow and the journey is quite perilous; after all, who would sign a film with a mute actor in a lead role? [embed width="620"]http://vimeo.com/116146788[/embed] After seeing his struggles, the audience is then introduced to Akshara Pandey (played by Akshara Haasan), who is an assistant director, who notices the passion, zeal and volcanic expressions that Daanish has in his acting. She takes Daanish to her uncle (who is a doctor by profession) to see if there is anything that he can do to help him. The uncle reveals that there is, indeed, a certain treatment which might help him speak. But for it to work, they’ll need a voice-box, one that suits Daanish. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="311"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Here begins their search for the “right voice”, until they bump into Amitabh Sinha (Amitabh Bachchan). Amitabh is a drunkard who lives in a graveyard as a tenant. They find his voice appealing and decide to ask for his help. But why would he help Daanish? Will there be a clash of egos? Will Daanish make it to the silver screen? Will the world ever get to know about Daanish’s speech-impairment? This is essentially the storyline of Shamitabh. To get the answers, you need to watch the movie. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Mr Bachchan outdoes himself once again and gives a phenomenal performance. He excels in a role that he never had any difficulty performing; his frustrated, angry and comic scenes while he’s drunk – they truly evidence his excellence. To date, he is the best on-screen drunkard ever seen in Bollywood movies. That’s why he played the lead in the 80’s Sharaabi. In recent years, this movie is Amitabh’s most promising work, hands down. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Dhanush, the Kollywood actor who plays the role of Daanish, was appreciated by the masses in his last venture Raanjhana (his Bollywood debut). In Shamitabh, he has managed to enthral our hearts once again. It’s almost impossible for new actor to get noticed in scenes where an actor like Mr Bachchan shares screen-time with them but Dhanush not only surpasses that, he also makes the audience eager to see more of him in every other act. His emotional scenes, unspoken anger and outbursts are the highlight. He is undoubtedly the next big thing in Bollywood – he just has to select the right roles. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="450"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Akshara’s performance was average – it could have been a lot better. Her acting reminded me of a younger Aishwariya and Sareeka (her mother), but I saw very little of her own self. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="600"] Photo: Shamitabh Official Facebook Page[/caption] Shamitabh stands at par with R Balki’s last two excellent instalments Paa and Cheeni Kum. He has the talent of beautifully portraying difficult and complicated emotions with gusto. If you are an Amitabh Bachchan fan, or fell in love with Dhanush in Raanjhanaa, then Shamitabh is a must watch. But if you are looking for a dhishoom-dhamaaka, senseless comedy or a total masala flick then skip it. Shamitabh caters to a particular taste; you either love it, or hate it. Nothing in between. I would rate it an easy 3.5 out of five.


Roy is only a “tarka” of star power, nothing else

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Sometimes a movie is advertised and marketed with a promise to deliver an all-in-one production – but in reality, it is nothing more than amateur work at best. Roy is one such movie. What do you expect when you have a cast which includes a pure entertainer like Ranbir Kapoor, a dependable actor like Arjun Rampal and a gorgeous beauty like Jacqueline Fernandez? A blockbuster movie. Yet, Roy is nothing more than one big enigma. Audiences everywhere were anxiously looking forward to watching the two talented hunks share screen presence, but sadly, that too couldn’t save the boat from sinking. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Roy mainly revolves around the story of Kabir Grewal (Arjun), who is a famous, arrogant and heady filmmaker suffering from writer’s block, his love interest, Ayesha Aamir (Jacqueline), and a professional art thief named Roy (Ranbir) who has successfully stolen artifacts from museums in France, China, and India. Inspired by Roy’s coups, Kabir pens down a script around Roy’s life, and that is when the story unfolds. Throw in a love angle, sprinkled with confused betrayal and a dash of thrill (well that’s what they called it, not me). The outcome is a conundrum wrapped in mystery, and not the intriguing kind [embed width="620"]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2cql99_exclusive-roy-trailer-ranbir-kapoor-arjun-rampal-jacqueline-fernandez-t-series_shortfilms[/embed] That’s what happens when one man tries to wear all the hats, just because he is obsessed with his self-proclaimed talent. Vikramjit Singh, script writer-cum-director, is below average when it comes to direction, as is evident by the way he portrays the scenes, and his art of storytelling is simply confusing and repetitive. All in all, in terms of direction and vision, it was a complete disappointment. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Performance wise, both Arjun and Ranbir are supremely talented actors who also have a decent fan following. However, neither could not do much to save the movie as the script and the dialogues did not give them enough room to display their talent. From beginning to end, all we see is dialogues with straight faces without any depth or emotions. After movies like Satyagraha, D-Day, Chakravyuh and Heroine, Arjun fans were expecting a lot more bang and boom and a more performance-oriented role from him. Similarly for Ranbir, after his performance in Rockstar, he should not have settled as an extended cameo and hence should have been wise enough to select roles and movies that do justice to his talent. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="626"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Jacqueline is fairly new to the world of Bollywood, but truth be told, the only reason she gets noticed in her movie is because of her looks, as she lacks immensely in terms of talent and her diction needs improvement. Similarly, in Roy, she looks cute and elegant but that’s about it. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] Anupam Kher, as always, is terrific. Even though he has a very short-lived role, he portrays it strongly. In my opinion, this is because he is one of those actors who don’t require dialogues to convey their emotions per se. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] In terms of songs, only a few grabbed my attention, namely Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan, Boond and Yaara Re. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2e6har_chittiyaan-kalaiyaan-hd-video-song-roy-2015_music http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2eup5v_boond-boond-hd-video-song-roy-2015_music http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2ecnpa_yaara-re-roy-full-audio-song-hd-k-k_music Many people from the hall were more interested in taking loo breaks and eating popcorn, apart from those who simply left the theatre half way through. [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="595"] Photo: Roy Official Facebook page[/caption] On the whole, Roy is a sheer disappointment. It’s slow-paced and at times, it made me wonder if Singh had made this movie the same way his protagonist wrote the script – without properly thinking the film through. The only thing going for Roy is its “tarka” of famous names and star power. It’s the perfect example of great branding which falls short on merit. I would rate the move a 1.5 out of five, and that too just because of its cast.


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