DRISHYAM

You sit in a theatre with bated breath, not even getting up to get a tub of popcorn or a refill of your drink not wanting to miss a moment of the film on screen!  

That was my expectation when i walked in to watch the premiere of Drishyam because  of Tabu and Ajay Devgn in it. But Director Nishikant Kamat ends up turning a class script into a regular deceptive  visual.

The story begins as a simple and a rather conventionally presented family drama happening in Pandolem,Goa, where a local Cable TV operator named Vijay Salgaonkar (Ajay Devgn) lives with his wife Nandini (Shriya Saran) and daughters Anju (Ishita Dutta) and Anu (Mrinal Jadhav). Almost the entire first half shows how close knit they are as a family but an unprecedented happening shadows their peaceful life. How they overcome such a difficult situation is the plot here.

 I remember years back when i saw Rajiv Rai's GUPT,  the entire plot, background score, characters all supported the plot and it was a suspense/thriller with all the basic ingredients of one. Why am i citing this example is to clarify that apart from one scene in the end you get no thrill in this Drishyam! 

I feel pity for each and everyone who has seen the orginal Malyalam Version of DRISHYAM(2013) by Jitu Jospeh and if you will be going to watch this DRISHYAM(2015), please be ready to get disappointed. GeorgeKutty played by Mohanlal in Malyalam version was a humble man with a humble abode and a closely connected family. The entire movie was based on that character and his flawless acting makes you feel what all a normal guy can do for his family. 

Ajay Devgn's Vijay is bland, no where interesting. In the interrogation scenes where his family is getting beaten he seems stoical. A family for whose safety you have been planning it all, i couldn't digest the fact that one will sit and watch if he sees his wife and daughter getting beaten in front of him. If not intervene then at least plead, cry,beg for mercy, be the compassionate father! 
But Mr. Devgn seemed to 'try' to emote all through his eyes, which did not work for me. He looked too cold and sullen for the character that required him to be warm, affectionate and protective about his family. Having said that i am not doubting the acting capabilities of Ajay Devgn but i have a strong feeling that someone like Anil Kapoor would have made it more believable, interesting and compassionate. Nandini played by Shriya Saran is not much of a character to be discussed apart from Mom and elder daughter looking almost of similar age. 

Casting by Vicky Sidana, i guess was one of the major drawbacks. Someone like maybe Mukesh Chhabra would have done a better job. But give Vicky the credit for doing one perfect casting of Tabu as I.G Meera Deshmukh. 

The movie literally takes off after Tabu's introduction as a tough cop.Her unflinching and daring persona itself makes one feel that she has all what it takes to be a senior cop. The beautiful shift of emotions between a cop and the mother of a 'missing' child is done effortlessly by Tabu.  

Rajat Kapoor as a businessman, husband of Meera and father of a 'missing' child is the perfect fit for his role and essays it well. 
 Kamlesh Sawant as the corrupt police officer Gaitonde also makes an impression.

All in all DRISHYAM could have been the year's best film if only no one would have meddled with the original screenplay. Ghajini was what it was as the Director was the same, i wonder why didn't Jitu Joseph was hired by the production house? After Lay Bhaari i have had huge expectations from Nishikant Kamat but he wasn't able to do justice to this fabulous script and so was Ajay Devgn.The director was not able to exploit a cinematographer like Avinash Arun of Killa and Masaan fame to his full potential too. 

The second half of the movie does get a little gripping and a few scenes do make you feel good but please don't even expect Ajay's Zakhm gaze to Drishyam one. The last 10 minutes of the movie do get a little edgy but if you watch the movie closely even that can be easily predicted.

I believe the original screenplay should not have been meddled with and would have been made exactly the same with some basic bollywood touch ups here and there, may have helped for the better of the movie. 

Don't go with expectations and the ones who have seen Malyalam version, AVOID this one. 

As the tagline of the film goes, 

'Visuals can be deceptive'  these sure are.

MASAAN

Masaan is a simple story, with no complexities in the narrative. It involves two parallel stories placed in Varanasi (Kashi). Story of individuals who are like two rivers and how they face their hardships only to meet at Sangam (Allahabad) in the end.  Movie is so simple that it becomes extraordinary after a while.

Story 1: Richa Chaddha who plays Devi is the daughter of Vidyadhar Pathak(Sanjay Mishra) a Pandit cum translator at the Ghats of Varnasi. Devi meets a guy and falls for her also she has a curiosity for sex, so they plan to rent a hotel room for their act. But as fate has it, police raids the room and finds them naked. Police Inspector makes an mms of Devi and then starts blackmailing Vidyadhar Pathak to pay him Rs. 3 Lacs in three months else he will upload the video on You Tube.

Story 2: Deepak played by Vicky Kaushal is a Dom whose family cremates dead bodies by the ghats of Benaras. They live at the Harishchandra Ghat and belong to the lowest strata of society. The problem begins when he falls in love with Shaalu Gupta (Shweta Tripathi), a girl from an upper caste family. Their romance reminds of the teenage, first love feelings, those bike rides, the phone conversations, listening to songs, the love for poetry, Durga Pooja Pandals as meeting points and the first kiss. All beautifully shot, and excellently delivered.

Anymore about the story and it will destroy your cinematic experience. How these two stories become one is for you to see in the nearest theatre.

   The four main characters were the perfect casting for their roles. Sanjay Mishra has proved again that not only is his comic timing unbeatable but he can also portray other emotions well. A helpless, penniless father whose daughter is caught in a scandal has been delivered beautifully by Mishra. Add to it Richa Chaddha bought back the memories of Smita Patil for me. The ‘Chotey Sheher ki ladki’ played by her is so real that it becomes an obligation to believe her. For all the raids in which girls are blamed, we never blame the society which is so sexually oppressed that teenagers fall into the trap of seedy hotel owners and police nexus.

Vicky Kaushal and Shweta Tripathi both look cute together and Vicky needs a special mention for what he has done. From his dialogue delivery to the scene where he is heartbroken, inconsolable, gets drunk and cries. Don’t know about what you might but I could feel the amount of amplifying hurt and pain someone goes when a loved one is taken away. Vicky is a simple looking extraordinary actor who fits the small town guy criteria perfectly.

Masaan raises questions about society, sex, love, caste, life, death. It is a story of Love lost and Life found. Both Devi and Deepak are characters who are trapped in those customs, traditions, old thinking, but they have an eye for what lies beyond horizon. They want to break the shackles and run away from this vicious circle. Do they succeed in it?

In the end we have to root for Debutant Director Neeraj Ghaywan and the writer Varun Grover for such a realistic portrayal of Varanasi. The caste, religion divide that was also shown in Ranjhnaa its true and actual picture is shown in Masaan. The young generation living in these cities is willing to break the old traditions and chose their partners fearlessly without worrying about caste and social status.

The back ground score by Indian Ocean is as rhythmic as the movie itself. The movie and music both flow like a river. “Tu kisi rail si guzarti hai…..main kisi pul sa thar tharata hunn….” Such an engaging description of a romantic relation is so heart touching. It reminds us that we have some amazing hindi writers. Varun Grover and Neeraj Ghyawan need a round of applause for Masaan. It’s not the Varanasi where foreigners come to seek salvation. It takes courage to venture into this space of realism and show the city that lives inside of what we are accustomed to

It leaves you pondering on various questions about life and love.

Is life a trap? Is love a journey? Watch Masaan to find out!.

                     BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN
.....has its heart in the perfect place.

If you think Tere Naam , Mainey Pyaar Kiya, Dabangg were Salman Khan's best performances, you should visit the nearest theatre and see him live Bajrangi Bhaijaan. And also if Aamir khan made you believe that P.K was cute then believe me you will find Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi aka BAJRANGI extremely endearing. The simplicity and honesty Salman brings to this character is amazing and that little girl Munni (Harshaali Malhotra) looks like an angel and emotes so much with her eyes that it gets hard to not love that kid. Also she brought so much love to her role with just one single word in the whole movie, 'MAMA' that it was hard to believe that she was a kid who was debuting. 

The story is GADAR with a twist! 
A Pakistani girl who is speech-impaired finds herself alone in India and then enters Bajrangi who is an ardent devotee of Bajrang Bali. And he promises to himself taking the oath of Hanuman Ji that he will take the girl back to her homeland safely. Now this is where story could have gone wrong with addition of too much patriotism, overdose of action, or provoking dialogues. But none of it happens and ends up making Bajrangi Bhaijaan a movie that one should watch with family. Irrespective of age, class, religion or nationality.

Another gem of an actor in this movie was Nawazzuddin Siddiqui as a Pakistani Journalist. He is introduced post intermission but once he comes in you can feel the pace due to his presence. Some brilliant scenes to his credit where he performs brilliantly with some really crisp dialogues. Mukesh Chabra has been proving his brilliance time and again and this time too his casting is impeccable. Rajesh Sharma as Pakistani police officer, Sharad Saxena as Kareena's father and Atul Srivastava as Salman's father.

Kausar Munir's dialogues are very well crafted as it must have been a gigantic task to keep it simple without going overboard. The film touches some serious issues of divide between religions, nations even among caste. There is a scene where Bajrangi tells everyone that the girl must be a Brahmin as she is so fair and then when he witnesses her eating chicken he reaffirms that, then she must be a 'kshatriya' they are fair and eat chicken too! 

Kabir khan made a movie like New York and then his graph shifted down with Ek Tha Tiger but.. he is back ! Its as if he has broken the magician's code. He tells this story in a very refreshing way. Without raising questions on any religious belief, without getting jingoistic he weaves his narrative around Bajrangi, Munni and Chand Nawaab, which reminds us of Rajkumar Hirani's storytelling.
Hence, Kabir Khan should be congratulated for a commendable job.

Salman's acting might have lost track at a few moments but Harshaali shines throughout the movie and Nawaazuddin is the show-stealer.  With Munni's expressions and ChandNawaab's dialogues nothing goes wrong. The trio makes it all fall into its place. Their journey in Pakistan is an emotional one with hammered dialogues such as; 
"Nawaaz: Munni ke maa baap ko yahan kaisey dhoondhogey?

Salman: Bajrang bali karengey naa hamari madad. 
 Nawaaz: Yahan PAKISTAN mein bhi ?? !!  

Kareena Kapoor Khan as Rasika is just another character with nothing much to do, as the main actress is Munni/Shahida played by Harshaali Malhotra. I may not have those big biceps of Bhaijaan but if i was in his place even i would have fought people to protect her,she is so adorable.

Background score is fabulous but music wise two songs stay: Tu Chahiye and Bharr De Jholi sung and performed by Adnan Sami.

In the end i would just want to say to everyone do watch BAJRANGI BHAIJAAN so that we can see Salman Khan doing some content driven movies in the future and not restrict to same old stuff.
Also Bajrangi Bhaijaan is sure to get a lump in your throat, or a tear might try to find its way during the climax so be prepared. 
JAI SHREE RAM  and yeah everyone EID MUBARAK.

BAHUBALI 

 The Beginning

Remember HERCULES, ACHILLES, LEONIDAS we all have seen the greek gods on-screen. Those huge sets and the jaw dropping fight sequences, bulked bodies and brilliant acting performances. SS Rajamouli brings you a hero from our own land, BAHUBALI. A movie that took three years in making and as per its budget it is the costliest and the most extravagant film of India till date, the movie provides that cinematic experience. When you watch it, you realize it takes you to a new land of flora and fauna. The result of astounding VFX work is visible from the very first scene. The movie reminded me of so many films; The mother waiting for her son to come back caused me to remember our very own RAKHI JI and her KARAN ARJUN! On a serious note, The 'Jal Parbat' and area around gave me a glimpse of AVATAR, the fight sequence reminded me of HERCULES, the grandeur of the MAHISHMATI palace, and the rivalry amongst brothers jogged my memory to TROY and many similar instances. SABU CYRIL's art direction is top notch so is K.K SENTHILKUMAR's cinematography and Rajamouli's vision altogether making BAHUBALI a visual treat. The sheer magnitude of the film leaves the audience spellbound.

There are movies and then there is a BAHUBALI ! 

It takes guts to even think of making a film out of the usual love,sex and 'pyaar mein dhokha' routine. And SS Rajamouli told us from his last film Eegaa (Makkhi)  that he has all that it takes to make out of the usual movies and with BAHUBALI he not only makes a movie, he makes sure he is making a blockbuster!

Its hard to start saying things about a movie so good. I would like to start with the star cast. Casting could not have been better. Starcast as follows :

Prabhas as Amarendra Bahubali and Shiva

Rana Daggubati as Bhallala Deva

Tamannah as Avantika

   Anushka Shetty as Devasena

Sathyaraj as Kattappa

           Ramya Krishnan as Shivagami          

      Lets start with Shivagami played by Ramya Krishnan. That flair, elegance, charisma,and rage in her eyes, she makes role of a Raajmata who can take care of a child and use a dagger to kill her enemy completely believable. More than her dialogues its her eyes that emote in most of the scenes.Last i remember seeing her in a hindi movie was 'Badey Miyan Chotey Miyan' opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Even if this was a dubbed movie, i would like to say welcome back!

Another gem of an actor was Sathyaraj who plays Katappa. Everyone who will watch the movie will remember him.The man is simply fabulous as a warrior and a loyal guard to the throne.His character reminds of  'Bheeshm Pitamah' from The Mahabharata. His sword fight in the beginning with the merchant is a delight. That contrast in his acting style from other actors is what makes him stand out. And specially the last 'CLIFFHANGER' scene of the movie after which everyone one will be left asking why did he do what he did ? And anticipating what next from Katappa ?  

For a lead film actress in her early thirties to play a de glam character and that too in first part play the mother of  a hero same of her age in reality! Trust me many actresses wont dare do this with a fear that they might end up getting the roles  of mother only. But this Mangalorean beauty stuns the audience with her portrayal of Devasena, old mother who is shown bearing the tortures of the villain for the last 25 years while waiting for the return of his son and rightful heir to the throne.

 Tamannah plays Avanthika, a female warrior and member of a tribal group who are the rebels against the king and constantly try to rescue their queen Devasena. She looked beautiful and her fighting scenes are done brilliantly. The song between Shiva & Avanthika, where he disrobes her and changes  her look to get her close to her feminine side, could have been avoided but even that has been shot beautifully. It reminds me of the dance between Shiva and Sati written in Amish's The immortals of Meluha. Gets hard to believe that Tamannah was a part of 'HUMSHAKALS' 

"Villain ho toh BhallalaDev jaisa ho, nahin toh naa ho."  Rana plays the villain, a cousin brother to the king who has always believed himself to be the rightful heir to the throne. His character is heavily inspired by 'Duryodhana' from Mahabharata. From his intentions, to the power, to his evil tricks and his hunger for the throne all are similar to the character above mentioned and Rana plays it very naturally.

This image itself shows you why Prabhas was the best casting for this role. His god like physique, that ruggedness, the sheer strength and the simplicity with which he single handedly beats the shit out of at least 100 men and everyone in the hall believes a man that powerful can! This much is enough to say how much i loved and enjoyed watching Shiva aka Mahendra Bahubali son of the late king Amarendra Bahubali.Both played by Prabhas. If i were Prabhas i would hire an agent for crossover movies, like NOW!

Let us look at other aspects of the movie.The synopsis of BAHUBALI; two brothers fighting for the throne, the good and bad, treachery with the good, son comes back not just good he is even better and in the end he takes revenge(that is left for part 2 to be released in 2016) 
Anything else and i will be taking away the cinematic experience for which everyone should make a quick trip to the nearest theatre. 

The end war sequence of around 30 minutes is what has made me way too excited for BAHUBALI- The Conclusion(2016). It also assures us of the bright future for Indian film industry. The way that entire sequence is shot and the VFX used ,are at par with any Hollywood movie of its genre. We need not just look at the west for an EPIC, as we can now create our own 
Having said that there are a few things that could have been edited, the song between Shiva and Avanthika could have been just a great background score as the film itself was flowing freely and songs were just acting as hurdles(at least in hindi). There is an item song too shot on Prabhas and three gorgeous women, maybe that is to attract the masses. The VFX during the avalanche looked a little fake but apart from that the team held it all tight and crisp.For our hindi audience, i would say go to watch it keeping one thing in mind that it is a dubbed movie and while dubbing in another language that same intensity gets compromised to a certain level, that happens with BAHUBALI too but all the other departments cover the flaws and they provide a product on screen that is marvelous. 

 So, i was waiting for 2016 to watch the next season of GAME OF THRONES but now i am eagerly waiting for BAHUBALI-The Conclusion ,2016 should come already!

GUDDU RANGEELA.

It starts with a fabulous "Mata ka E-mail" followed by a joke...then adds a few more jokes, then gets serious and by end you realize that even though there were some brilliant performances, it was all a Joke!
Nothing new...same old REVENGE DRAMA. Something that I wasn't expecting out of a Subhash Kapoor movie. His 'Jolly LLB' and 'Phas Gaye Re Obama' were the result of outstanding scripts that transformed into such amazing movies.

Guddu & Rangeela have an orchestra and also act as informers to criminals. They do all their jobs out of necessity and to sustain a 10 year old court case. The screenplay let's you down right there, where it is not able to connect the dots with a pace and highlight the main issue of 'Khap Panchayats' and

'Honour Killing'. Dragging in the first half, it gathers some life after interval, then in order to tie all loose ends the film takes pace and the events happen rather fast. Still second half is entertaining with some very crisp dialogues and awesome performances.

Amit Sadh's character is fun and frivolous. He lives up to his character's image with some witty and 'roadside romeo' lines. His jokes are fun accompanied by Rajiv Gupta aka Constable Gulab Singh's act adds to the humour quotient of the movie and a few scenes between these two are brilliant specially when they play 'Antakshari'.

The Beautiful Aditi Rao Hydari does not get much to show her skills and same happens with Shriswara. A few scenes for the ladies but well done.

Arshad Warsi acts mature and quite opposite to the name,'Rangeela' his character has layers and also a story in the past that changed something in him. A few scenes reminds of the Arshad we saw in 'Seher'.

The show stealer is Ronit Roy. He plays a 'Bahubali' Khap Panchayat leader and makes it believable. From his walk to dialect everything is well worked. He takes the stage and leaves an impression more than the actualHeroes of the film!

"Mata ka email" for its lyrics and "sooiyaan" for its melody are the 'Only' two songs worth listening again.

Over all the screenplay did not come out as it should and thus let's the fan of Subhash Kapoor movies down.

One time watch ( If you getting bored)

...My opinion wink emoticon