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Movie -- Kaminey ( Hindi , 2009 )

Director : Vishal Bharadwaj

Cast : Shahid Kapur , Priyanka Chopra

Hiya all.. It's been quite a looong time since my last post.. No particular reason , sometimes I did not have the mood to write a review , or else I was busy ... Call it Writer's block if u insist , lol :)

I have seen quite a few movies over the elapsed time , but never really had the mood to write a detailed review.. God knows why... Well... There is one movie , which has rekindled the desire to blog about movies all over again.... Minutes after watching this movie , after leaving the theater , I could not wait to start typing away and praise this movie like I have never praised a movie before... Ladies and Gentlemen , here's Kaminey !!!!!

Easily one of the finest Hindi movies ever made , Kaminey tells the tale of two identical twins , Charlie and Guddu , both played by Shahid Kapur. Guddu is a calm , socially conscious person , which is established very early in the movie in a Street-theatre dance sequence for AIDS awareness. On the other hand , Charlie is a ruthless rowdy element . Both characters have their own unique speech deficiencies .. Guddu stutters and stammers , while Charlie simply cannot pronounce the letter "s" , and uses "f" instead. both twins do not have contact with each other , following an incident which the director reveals towards the fag end of the movie.

Guddu is all set to marry Sweetie ( Priyanka Chopra ) , who happens to be the sister of a Maratha fanatic politician , who cannot digest the thought that his sister is getting married to a non-Maratha , Guddu .

Charlie on the other hand , is a bookie at the horse races and is involved in a race-fixing mafia , and also the usual hitman variety too. Now Charlie , by sheer accident gets his hands on a drug package worth 10 Crores , and being the quintessential "f(s)hortkut" taker , wants to make the best use of it , but gets mixed up in the deal unknowingly , and has to deal with a drug mafia.

What happens when both their lives collide , one fateful night and its aftermath is what Kaminey is all about... Oh , just in case you feel that this sounds like your usual Bollywood " Bhaiya / Brother " bull crap , you are mistaken.... VERY badly mistaken....

This is nowhere close to Bollywood mainstream cinema .. In fact , I do not think it would be far fetched to say that if the songs were removed , and the love sequences between Guddu and Sweetie were to be toned down a little bit , this is as good as any top notch Hollywood or European Crime thriller.

Beautifully executed , this takes Hindi cinema to the next level... one in which "Crime" does not necessarily mean Big-Bad guys with AK-47's , with pretty young girls as arm-candy , the quintessential irritating sidekick and other cliches... This is completely different...

Kaminey is a non-linear movie , and where most non-linear movies fail , is the sheer stupidity in which the story is sequenced on-screen , with scenes placed as if the Director had just selected them randomly. However , in Kaminey's case , this is its biggest achievement. Each sequence never seems out of place , even though sometimes they appear out-of-context to the current scene , but later on you realize the motive behind this sequencing.

The movie might appear to be a wee bit slow moving towards the middle portion of the first half , but I felt that this was a beautiful ploy executed deliberately by Vishal Bharadwaj. He builds up the story a bit slowly , and by the time the interval occurs , you are left in a state of sheer excitement . Sheer genius I must say !! The second half boasts of one of the fastest screenplays I have ever come across in Indian movies. It just blows you away.

Acting is one aspect in which things can go really horribly wrong , especially if such a strong script is not supported adequately by the players... but again Kaminey scores here as well.. Priyanka Chopra is really good in her role as Sweetie , the girl who dares to defy her Goonda/Politician/Marathi fanatic brother , played with aplomb by Amole Gupte . The supporting cast too has come up with a commendable effort . Even characters which might not really be strong as far as their value to the movie is concerned , have been enacted beautifully . The Bengali gangster duo , the Marathi's sidekick , the corrupt Narcotics Branch Cops and other such characters all have been portrayed in the most efficient manner by the supporting cast. Of particular mention , is Charlie's partner-in-crime , Mikhail . I really dunno the name of the actor , but , boy , he was ace ...

Now.. Shahid Kapur.. What a brilliant performance by this young actor.. For all those who thought Shahid was only good at chocolate faced - lover boy stuff , you can eat your own words after watching Kaminey .. A scorcher of a performance , in every sense of the word. As Guddu , the calm , timid guy , Shahid plays the character with remarkable ease . However , it is his portrayal of the ruthless Charlie which stands out..

The best scene in the movie has to be that short sequence in which the Marathi Neta and Mikhail meet , and Mikhail converses in a drunken stupor , and the neta plays along.. Beautiful !!

Pankaj Kapur , one of India's finest yet under-rated actors , had starred in Vishal Bharadwaj's movies , Maqbool , The Blue Umbrella and a short film , Blood Brothers . He must be a proud father now , watching Shahid shine like never before , under the same Director.

Music by Vishal Bharadwaj is extremely good. I never got an opportunity to listen to Kaminey's music before entering the theatre.. But the background score and the music are terrific. " Dhan Te Nan " blew me away , watching it on the best screen in Chennai ( Sathyam RDX ).. This song just vibrates with so much energy , you simply cannot resist humming it to yourself after getting back home.

Technically this movie is top notch and like I said , on par with any Hollywood / European brand of Thrillers.

Vishal Bharadwaj has never denied the fact that Quentin Tarantino's movies have an influence on his ideology. This is evident in Kaminey , in the camera angles , the sequencing of scenes , the type of background music etc. Any Tarantino devotee like me will easily spot the similarity . However , with all due respect , Tarantino IS Tarantino... Vishal Bharadwaj is no less , but not quite the same league.

Shahid Kapur's performance is the best thing about the movie . He has proved his worth in Kaminey. However , I feel his next release " Dil Bole Hadippa " might be burdened with too many expectations after people are stunned by Kaminey.. " Dil Bole Hadippa " , I personally feel is not an ideal follow up from Shahid's side , to Kaminey. This is what I judge from the promos , the usual Yash-Raj fare , but am hoping it turns out to be good . At least for Shahid's sake.

Kaminey is a definite must watch for any Indian fan of Tarantino's movies . For those expecting juvenile stuff , the likes of " Singh is King " , "Partner" , "Welcome" etc , please stay away. This is not for you , sorry amigo ...

Overall , Kaminey is an absolute scorcher . A small request .. Please do watch it in the Theatres .. Sensible , top notch movies like these need to be encouraged . If not for anything , please do visit the Theatre and watch it just for the "Dhan Te Nan" song.. The experience.. WOW...

I will go with 4.5 out of 5 for Kaminey , India's best Action/thriller I have seen so far. vishal Bharadwaj , take a bow !!! You rock ... May his tribe increase :)

Verdict : 4.5 / 5 - Simply Uber... oops.. Fimply Uber !!!

DELHI 6 - MOVIE REVIEW

DELHI 6 ( Hindi , 2009)

Director : Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra

Cast : Abhishek Bachchan , Sonam Kapoor , Waheeda Rahman , Rishi Kapoor

Delhi 6 is one of the early biggies to hit the screen this year . Directed by the man who gave us "Rang De Basanti " , Delhi 6 is a passionate tribute to the old world charm of Delhi's Chandni Chowk.

Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan) lives in New York , and comes to Delhi , to drop his ailing Grandmother (Waheeda Rahman) , who wishes to spend her last few days in Delhi. Roshan initially wants to just spend a few days and leave , but gradually finds himself falling in love with the warmth and vibrancy of Delhi .

There is no story as such , and the film is all about varying emotions. There is a small , beautiful love story with Bittu ( Sonam Kapoor ), a bubbly , energetic lass who aspires to be an Indian Idol. The Monkey-man who terrorized Delhi a few years ago has been used to take the movie forward.

What the Director wants to portray is never really explained , till the Intermission stage. The movie comes across a comic portrayal of the eccentricities of Delhi's Chandni Chowk. Humour is inherent all through the movie , ranging from innocent family camaraderie , to some wildly suggestive humor in that scene in which Cyrus Sahukar hots up things with an already married woman.

Every aspect of Chandni Chowk has been captured in great detail by the Director. Be it the local sweet shop , or the Ram Leela festivities , an enormous amount of work has gone into creating the rustic charm of the locality.

Characterization is the strong point of the movie . Roshan is an initially sceptic person , who finds it tough to understand why a cow giving birth in the middle of the road is such a big event in the locality . But later on , he falls in love with the varying aspects of old-world Delhi. Bittu , is from an orthodox family , which tries its best to stop her from pursuing her dreams of making it big on Indian Idol , and in the process , tries to make alliances with some stone faced men.

The movie is definitely flawed . Now , making the audience guess what's in store for them is one thing.. But convincing the audience that there will be SOMETHING in store is a completely different game altogether, and this is where I felt the movie faltered. What are the actual intentions behind the movie , never really translates on screen during the first half. It is only later on during post-interval stage that the audience realizes what the Director was trying to say all this while.

Screenplay is not exactly jet speed material , but it is definitely tolerable , especially in the absence of a concrete storyline backing the movie. But cinematography in this one , is a visual treat in every sense of the word. Some truly awesome shots, like that of the Namaz at Jama Masjid , the Ram Leela Festivities , keep you spellbound.

Music is by Oscar Nominee A.R.Rahman ( nominee as on February 20th 2009 @ 11:42 PM , hoping he wins it for "Slumdog Millionaire" in a few days time from now ) . Some truly amazing songs keep up the vibrant mood of the movie. The best one has to be the "Masakali" number , which has been making waves.

Acting by Bachchan Junior is an effort to be appreciated . The character is one sans dramatics , and he has underplayed his role , and easily fits into an NRI character , albeit with a dodgy accent. Sonam Kapoor is alluring beyond limits . The bubbly character of Bittu fits her to a T . Though the role offers not much scope for acting potential , she has done a neat job. The "Masakali" number picturized on this lovely lady , almost made me fall in love with her .

However the strongest pillars of this movie have to be the supporting cast members . Waheeda Rahman as the ailing Granny is a delight to watch , as she fills the screen with her lovely grace . Rishi Kapoor as the advice rendering neighbor is brilliant. Vijay Raaz as the corrupt , ruthless cop is as reliable as ever. Atul Kulkarni is the best among the support cast . Om Puri ,I felt , was wasted , but still his role was strong enough to keep audiences happy. There are a host of other small characters who you adore as the movie progresses , like the gossiping housewives , the local sweet shop wallah , and the garbage cleaner .

The Director vents his heart against some menaces still plaguing the society , like untouchability , communalism etc in the most delicate manner possible . I felt the sequence where Waheeda Rahman is mad at AB Junior , for touching the garbage girl , was one of the finest moments of the movie. It is moments like these , which appear all through the movie , which make this movie watchable , as it lacks a convincing plot.

The climax was a bit of a let down , with an unwarranted sequence in Heaven , with the Big B thrown in for good measure. However , the climax does not disappoint , as there are many scenes which are not even half as good as the so-so climax. I hate to say this , but this is a consolation of sorts.

Delhi 6 is definitely not a great movie . But it deserves to be watched for the subtle treatment meted out to Delhi's old word charm.

I will go with 3 out of 5 for "Delhi 6" , which could have been much better and also much worse at the same time. You will understand why when you get to watch it.

VERDICT : 3 / 5 ( Definitely worth a watch )

LUCK BY CHANCE - MOVIE REVIEW

LUCK BY CHANCE (Hindi , 2009)

Director : Zoya Akhtar

Cast : Farhan Akhtar , Konkona Sen Sharma, Rishi Kapoor , Juhi Chawla , Dimple Kapadia ,Isha Sharvani

One of the first big releases of 2009 , there was a lot of expectation riding on this one. "Luck by chance" is first-time Director Zoya Akhtar's portrayal of the Hindi film industry.

Vikram Jaisingh (Farhan Akhtar)is a young aspiring actor from Delhi , who comes to Mumbai, hoping to make it big in the Film Industry . Same is the case with Sona (Konkona Sen Sharma), who leaves her family in Kanpur and comes to Mumbai , chasing the same dreams as Vikram . How a chance meeting between vikram and Sona blossoms into a relationship , and the various struggles and hardships which they have to endure in the cruel world of Cinema , is what the movie is all about.

The movie is a honest and straight forward take on the Film Industry in Mumbai . A place where the seemingly inevitable casting couch still exists , a place where failed actors become Directors and are openly "influenced" by Hollywood movies , where friends wont think twice about ditching you.

The movie came across as cliched while watching it , but looking back there was a sense of realism in it. Half of Bollywood pitches in with cameos and guest appearances. Rishi Kapoor ( Romi Rolly) the film-maker is easily the best member of the large , over-sized supporting cast . His antics make you laugh , and although his character might appear stereotyped , he has come up with such a natural performance. Dimple Kapadia as the yesteryear hottie Neena Walia is superb .

Isha Sharvani as Nikki Walia , Neena's young daughter is quite a revelation . The role requires her to come across a not-so-bright starlet , and she pulls it off well. Hrithik Roshan as Zafar Khan , the Superstar is delightful. Konkona Sen Sharma as Sona has done a remarkable job , as the aspiring actress who is ditched by her apparent Godfather .

Farhan Akhtar as Vikram is the best thing about the movie . He never resorts to over the top acting and underplays his role with ease. He shines in the comedy sequences and is equally good when it comes to portraying the emotional turmoil of a struggling actor.

The screenplay is the weak point of the movie , especially in the first half. The first half is definitely a drag , even though we have some interesting characters in the support cast. The movie picks up steam in the last 15 minutes of the first half , and the momentum is maintained post-interval too , thankfully.

A few of the characters in the support cast could have been cut down or done away with , as they dont really keep you interested , in a few annoying sequences. Although Zoya Akhtar has made an earnest effort to justify the inclusion of each character , it is sadly reduced to an exercise in celebrity-spotting , inspite of the well intended characterization.

Technically this movie is top notch . Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy deserves a word of praise . The songs blend perfectly with the storyline , and thankfully there are no song sequences which pop up at the most unwanted points.

At first glance , the movie definitely appears stereotyped and cliched. But in retrospect , this is not the case . Each sequence is just so synonymous with the wide,ugly world of Hindi Cinema,that it looks cliched ,but it is not so.

The most defining aspect of the movie has to be , hold your breath .. The Baadshah Shah Rukh Khan himself. He appears in a very brief cameo and passes on some words of wisdom to the young actor Vikram , who has just tasted his first dose of success. SRK is at his charming best , no doubt. But more than his impeccable style , I really liked his very brief conversation with Farhan . Words which are not synonymous with fame and movies alone , but so true in every aspect of the wider context called life. Watch the movie and you will know what I mean.

The movie is a mature and earnest attempt by debutante Director Zoya Akhtar . Yes there are quite a few flaws , like the screenplay in the first half , and some truly unwarranted sequences . I was a bit disappointed that such a strong attempt at making a good movie , has been reduced to an exercise in celebrity-spotting , in a few scenes.

If you can sit back and patiently watch the first half , the second half definitely makes up for the shortcomings of the pre-interval phase.

I will go with 3.5 out of 5 , for this mature film , which might appear stereotyped at first glance , but looking back, there was a lot more to it. Zoya Akhtar Maam , good job :)

VERDICT : 3.5 / 5 (PRETTY GOOD)

FASHION - REVIEW

FASHION (Hindi,2008)

Director : Madhur Bhandarkar

Cast : Priyanka Chopra , Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse , Arbaaz Khan , Raj Babbar , Kitu Gidwani

Now , being a Madhur Bhandarkar movie , I had a lot of expectations from this one. It turned out to be a good film overall , but could have been much better.

The story revolves around the Fashion Industry in India . Meghna Mathur (Priyanka Chopra) , is a girl from Chanidgarh who comes to Mumbai , much against her parents' wishes , to be a part of the fashion scene , and aspires to be a big model. The movie then focuses on the fashion culture in India , and portrays a rather disturbing picture of what happens behind the scenes.

Meghna , is in awe of supermodel Shonali Gujral ( Kangana Ranaut) and wants to make it big like her. She is helped by some friendly and nice people in the form of Rohit Khanna, a person who works for Khosla ( Harsh Chaaya) ,a big fashion designer , and another aspiring model Janet (Mugdha Godse). The movie then shows the eventual rise of Meghna , up the ladder , and also the hurdles which she has to pass through .

The movie has been shot rather well , with the fashion show sequences being the highlights. We have to put up with countless parties thrown in , which remind you of Bhandarkar's "Page 3". The Director is obviously suffering from a "Page 3" hangover , but cannot be entirely blamed because the fashion folks are an integral part of the Page 3 culture , and vice-versa.

The background music , was really good and blended well with the movie. Technically this movie is pretty good , and the almost exaggerated use of colours was in tune with the basic theme of the movie.

Now , onto the acting. I was honestly surprised with the performances , as I did not harbour much expectations , from the cast . Priyanka Chopra , was kinda ok in the first half of the movie. Her portrayal of the young , naive , small-town girl , who has stars in her eyes ,was nothing much to talk about , but is not entirely bad either. But as the movie progressed , and when she becomes more of a Professional Model , she was brilliant. The air of arrogance around the character was beautifully portrayed , and I was finally convinced that this lady could act.

Mugdha Godse , as Janet has nothing much to do , but does a neat job. Samir Soni as a gay fashion designer , Kitu Gidwani as a model co-ordinator , Arjun Bajwa as Meghna's boyfriend and Arbaaz Khan as the deceptive big-shot , have all come up with notable performances.

However the "Showstopper" has to be Kangana Ranaut. She was simply superb in her portrayal of the supermodel ,Shonali Gujral. She is more of a second lead as far as the plot is concerned , but overshadows all others with a terrific performance.

We get to see a lot of attempts at spoofing the Fashion Industry , but in a sensible manner , nothing over the top. But why is Bhandarkar under the impression that the entire Fashion Industry is homo-sexual ?

Now the one thing about "Fashion" , which left me completely disappointed , was the screenplay. The first half in particular could have been more crisp , and my patience was tested on quite a few occasions. The second half was definitely much better , but it kinda wandered away towards the end , and I caught myself yawning quite a few times.

There are some truly irritating scenes. What was the need for that ridiculous scene , in which Samir Soni , the gay fashion designer , proposes to Mugdha Godse(??) in the most unromantic manner possible. And the worst thing is she accepts his proposal , after he mumbles some really dumb dialogues like " A husband might not be a good friend , but a good friend can definitely be a good husband" and similar rubbish. Am really not sure about the motive behind this scene.

To top it all , Madhur Bhandarkar , tries his hand at self-advertising. There is this absolutely unwarranted and preposterous scene in which a model points at Madhur Bhandarkar sitting in a bar or restaurant or whatever , and she and her friends talk something about him doing research , for his next movie which is based on the Fashion Industry. Come on , Mr.Bhandarkar,the audience is not so dumb....

The movie turned out to be surprisingly long . I frankly did not expect such a lengthy flick , as there are no songs added , just for the heck of it , which is a welcome deviation from the mindless Bollywood trend which we have become accustomed to. Honestly , it was a bit of an endurance test quite a few times. There are some scenes which are absolutely unwanted , and some characters , who add no value whatsoever to the proceedings ,could have been done away with , as they only end up irritating you. I honestly felt really bored on few occasions and would have drifted off into deep slumber , but it did not happen , thanks to my wisecrack friend sitting beside me in the theater , who made it a point to pass some comment or the other .

Now to the fun part. There is the wardrobe malfunction which everyone was really expecting , and it was portrayed with maturity , thankfully , as I thought it would be more of a sorry spoof. The girls and models are any schoolboy's delight, and it is no surprise that this movie has been awarded an "A" certificate. The prominent display of booze , cigarettes and , surprisingly , cocaine , might not really go down well with the female audience.

However the movie succeeds in its motive which is to portray the dark side of all the glitz and glamour. The deceptions , the politics inside the green-rooms , the ego-clashes , have all been showcased sensibly , and in a mature manner , without resorting to melodrama.

The movie boasts of some spectacular performances by Chopra and Ranaut. I was apprehensive about their acting potential , but I was proved completely wrong. Especially in the serious scenes ,these two ladies have performed their roles with such grace and maturity. If there is anything about the movie that has to be truly appreciated , it has to be the acting.

Madhur Bhandarkar has to be appreciated , for such a brave effort , dealing with a rather risky subject , as he manages to present a very realistic,dignified and mature portrayal of the Fashion Industry.

I maintain the fact that the screenplay is the movie's Achilles Heel . It truly irritated me sometimes. Some scenes were dragged beyond tolerable limits. For instance , we get to see a predictable break-up between Meghna and Manav. But the Director felt the need to portray every minor detail of the split , right from a truly well shot argument , to the girl packing her bags , the guy feeling bad and staring out of the window , the girl getting into a taxi , lighting up a cigarette and staring blankly into space , until she finally says "Chalo" to the driver. There are similar scenes scattered across the movie , which are truly bugging.

My verdict for the movie will be a 3 out of 5 , which could have easily been a 4 out of 5 , only if the movie was shorter and more crisp. The script has immense potential and the acting is truly superb. Definitely worth a watch .

VERDICT : Good . ( 3 / 5)