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Movie Review

Rating : 7/10
Release Date : 4th December, 2015
Time : 121 minutes
Director & Writer: Pan Nalin; Music : Cyril Morin;
Starring : Rajshri Deshpande, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Sarah-Jane Dias, Pavleen Gujral, Amrit Maghera, Anushka Manchanda, Sandhya Mridul, Nia Dhime, Anuj Choudhry, Adil Hussain, Arjun Mathur



This one is as much about the journey as the end (which I didn�t quite like). A few angry, frustrated (non-sexually) women get together in Goa and vent, heal, laugh, chat, discover some answers to the challenges life throws towards females in our country before a plot twist changes things fundamentally.



The women are from wildly varied walks of life, despite most having been college mates. Pavleen, the married housewife, who has some of the funniest lines, is a mild, peaceful sort � got married in the flow of things (parents) and feels sometimes that instead of the varmala, she actually put her college gold medal around her husband�s neck, as she didn�t do anything with her talent after that. Anushka is a singer, trying for Bollywood but relegated to doing tours in hotels etc, where she doesn�t exactly encounter the cr�me de la cr�me � her music career isn�t really going anywhere and she�s more than a little depressed because of that.




Sandhya Mridul, the fiery one, runs a mining company and has balls of steel � tearing papers up in meetings, firing people left, right and centre. She�s also a single mom and is equally fierce with her young daughter, Nia. We know very little about Tannishtha, apart from the fact that she is an activist and fiercely opposes one of the mining sites that Sandhya�s company is involved with. Sarah-Jane is the one who�s got everyone together at her place in Goa � she�s a photographer who�s chasing her dream and is holding certain cards close to her chest. Amrit, her half-Indian cousin, a British national, is trying to make her career in Bollywood as an actress � sometimes with hilarious effects. And last but not the least, Rajshri is the maid, a bit of a ball crusher (literally) but also has a soft side and a bit of a past which can make her see red very quickly.



You get the usual issues � restrictions on dress, unequal split of chores, marriage, exploitation, Section 377, how the victims of sexual crimes are viewed � and a few new ones. Most of it�s interspersed with giant dollops of humour (the rain dance between the underwear clad Amrit and the sari clad Rajshri, the conservative reactions of Pavleen, including the epic �Yaar, tum karte kaise ho ?�, the reaction to the sexy neighbor (Anuj) washing his car, and the frail bai who washes their clothes), which ensures the film rarely has a dull moment, also thanks in part to a great music score.



However, ugly India does intrude into their idyllic vacation, rearing it�s ugly head in paradise � some molesters in the middle of the film and the reactions of Adil Hussain, a cop, towards the end. I don�t think the final plot twist was necessary � it left me with a sour taste. Also, some solutions (the mining debate, the parenting style, the viral video) were all too pat, too easy, a bit contrived. And the last scene in the church is more than a bit filmy, would�ve ended very differently in real life. The performances were very good overall � Amrit, Rajshri and Pavleen especially catching the eye, while Sarah-Jane is quite enchanting in an under-stated role.



It�s well-paced, neatly strung together � moments of emotion, pathos nicely balanced with fun, laughter. Instances of anger mixed up with moments of just being. Quite nice to get the woman�s point of view too � especially since it came via a man (writer, director Pan Nalin).

PS : Rant Coming Up : Here, right from the opening credits you know you�re in for censorship butchery. If it�s an A film, why do any swear words have to be beeped out ? Are all adults in India not exposed to colourful cuss words of all languages ? And what was this whole drama about blanking out the images of Indian gods, goddesses � even in the opening credits � beggars belief ? The frequent cuts really do intrude into the atmosphere created by the film. About time the Board realizes it�s there for certification and not censorship.

Rating : 5/10
Release Date : 30th October, 2015
Time : 123 minutes
Director, Writer : Manish Shrivasta; Co-Writer : Amit Sial; Music : Manish Tipu;
Starring : Naseeruddin Shah, Disha Arora, Auroshikha Dey, Subrat Dutta, Nishant Lal, Siraj Mustafa, Anchal Nadrajog, Manasi Rachh, Amit Sial, Sanam Singh Talwar, Anand Tiwari



You know that old one, when to demonstrate something convoluted, the person, instead of holding his right ear with his right hand, twists his hand around the back of the head and holds the left ear instead ? Lets just say, to keep the analogy going, that in this one the person is upside down, in a bendy yoga pose, while underwater and being attacked by piranhas while attempting to hold the left ear with his left foot�that�s how complicated they make it�


The cops, led by Naseeruddin Shah, find a video recording, in some parking lot, where two men and two women end up shooting and killing each other. Along with this footage, they also find footage of some previous days, where those same characters were involved in a cocaine deal of some sort. And then they, the cops, spend the next 110 minutes trying to decipher what actually transpired�



The opening credits are quite sensuous � showing a woman (Elena Roxanna) in sexy black lingerie just lolling around. But then as soon as they end, we�re jerkily taken to this grimy parking lot and some blood, gore. Amit Sial, Nishant Lal, Manasi Rachh and Anchal are the four individuals there. Then we see the cops (Auroshikha is one of them aiding Naseeruddin Shah) trying to decipher the messy, jerky home made videos (all shot by Nishant). There is also a gangland killing, a don based out of Dubai (where else) and characters like Anand Tiwari, Subrat Dutta, Sanam Singh Talwar and Siraj Mustafa who play important roles of varying lengths.


The logical flaws with the plot are too many to recount. The video recordings are hard to watch after a while, as they are jarring, bumpy and, especially in one particular sequence, nausea-inducing. It�s also tough to believe that the characters would let themselves be filmed the way they did (even in intimate moments and conversations) by their tharki friend. What can be appreciated though, is that the actors turn in good performances and the film doesn�t stray from its rather complicated plot � it�s crisp from that POV, no unnecessary back stories or item songs.


There are shades of Usual Suspects in here, though this is not remotely a copy. It�s not a bad attempt but is made an even harder watch by too many hazy, drug snorting scenes. And I do wish there was a simpler storyline � you really have your head spinning (literally) when you leave the hall�

Rating : 4/10
Release Date : 9th October, 2015
Time : 122 minutes
Director, Writer : Sanjay Gupta (based on the Korean film, Seven Days); Music : Various;
Starring : Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi, Jackie Shroff, Atul Kulkarni, Chandan Roy Sanyal, Abhimanyu Singh




Welcome to the Sanjay Gupta school of exaggeration and over-acting�


Everyone is shrill, screams and runs in slow motion. A prisoner (Chandan Roy) giggles psychotically, and in their first meeting grabs his lawyer (Aishwarya) by the neck (just, because), druggies do a non-stop St Vitus� Dance, cops even while suspended boss around other cops and ride in police vehicles. When someone is angry, they dramatically beat the earth, with little poofs of dust rising to emphasize their emotion to a soundtrack of them wailing their hearts out. And, worst of all, Irrfan spouts chavani dialogues as if he�s a defective jukebox.


Aishwarya is a top lawyer who has no problems getting guilty persons off the hook, even if it means subverting justice / evidence. She is also a single mom and so one day, when her darling daughter is kidnapped, her world comes crashing around her. The kidnappers merely want her to get a convicted rapist / killer (Chandan), who�s appeal is up in a few days, to get bail, to walk free�and then she can have her daughter back�



Irrfan is an old school friend, with more than a bit of a crush on Aishwarya. He�s also a cop, with lots of attitude, currently (rightly) under suspension for corruption and even has an arrest warrant issued against him. Shabana Azmi is the victim�s mom, while Jackie Shroff plays a Don type politician



This is a movie where even an ordinary school mother-daughter race is given the Chariots of Fire treatment. Where, every few minutes, we see the sea-link or Mumbai from the air. Where, in the twinkling of an eye, a trial lawyer becomes an ace investigative, Perry Mason-esque lawyer. Where someone begins to run and beat up Aishwarya, even when asked the most innocuous question during an ill-advised item number. And there is a sad attempt to make this about women�s rights which just doesn�t add up.



One of the only redeeming features of the film is the camera work by Sameer Arya � I quite enjoyed the visuals, aesthetics. Shabana can walk away with some credit, as can Jackie Shroff and Atul Kulkarni (plays the prosecuting lawyer). Abhimanyu Singh (have a huge soft spot for him since Gulaal) stands out in his small role. Aishwarya is okay (and everyone who has read my reviews for a while, will know how much it hurts to say that). Irrfan tries to ham it up but disappoints.


After watching the film, you want to see the original Korean movie, Seven Days, from which this is remade � just to see how that one was done, what superfluous elements have been added by the director / producer here, which takeaway from an otherwise quite neat premise�

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 2nd October, 2015
Time : 132 minutes
Director : Meghna Gulzar; Writer, Music (& Producer) : Vishal Bhardwaj;
Starring : Irrfan Khan, Neeraj Kabi, Konkona Sen Sharma, Sohum Shah, Gajraj Rao, Sumit Gulati, Prakash Belwadi, Atul Kumar, Ayesha Parveen, Divya Bhatia, Shishir Sharma



As you watch this gripping, tense film you�re either thinking �this could happen to you� or �is this what really happened� ? What else do you say when you have cops as incompetent as ours, news media whipping up a bloodthirsty frenzy, an insatiable public only too ready with moral, hypocritical judgements, bureaucrats trying to save their own skin and that of their friends, back-stabbing for a promotion and finally, a judiciary that possibly (probably) over-steps it�s bounds.



This is a film about the infamous Arushi Talwar killing - the double murder of a fourteen year old girl and the manservant of a household in Noida (UP), where the parents of the unfortunate girl are currently languishing in jail. Make no mistake, the film-makers do take sides here � they are not just trying to bring you the facts (didn�t really follow the case so cannot vouch for their veracity) but also to give you their perspective, and also entertain you� Through clever casting and a crisp screenplay, the film does manage to cast more than a doubt on what has transpired in this shocking case.




The acting is excellent � whether it�s the paan-chewing Gajraj Rao as the investigating inspector, or Sumit Gulati as the overly helpful compounder, Sohum Shah as a diligent CDI (CBI equivalent) officer and Prakash Belwadi and Shishir Sharma as the outgoing and incoming heads of the CDI. The main leads excel too, as expected, with Neeraj and Konkona as the anguished, uncommunicative parents and Irrfan as the main investigating officer of the CDI, in the centre of this storm. And in all of this, Tabu, in a guest appearance, still manages to make an impact.



The film is handled extremely well. Meghna, in her second film, shows a deft touch, getting great performances from her cast (she succeeds particularly with the parents) and also, thanks to the story by her mentor, Vishal Bhardwaj, the titillation and the more sleazy aspects of the case are minimized, with the human aspects played out skillfully. This film isn�t an easy watch, especially if you�re parents and even more so if you have a young daughter, but it does make an impact � a very strong one at that.

Rating : 5/10
Release Date : 25th September, 2015
Time : 117 minutes
Director, Co-Writer : Shivam Nair; Writer: Vikram Bhatt; Music : Various
Starring : Kunal Khemu, Zoa Morani, Manasi Scott, Mandana Karimi



Imagine the Sliding Doors principle being offered to you just when you had your balls in a vice and were being forced to do something nasty, against your will ? Kunal Khemu�s boss, Manasi, has evidence of him doing insider training and will go to the cops, unless he first befriends, and then kills Zoa. He, luckily (thanks to his mom) is given an option � lead one life assuming you did kill her and another assuming you didn�t (*T&C apply)�




Moans and Groans
The first groan escaped my lips when I realized it was �Tantrik� knowledge that led to the offer being made, complete with a wooden yet creepy Vikram Bhatt as a genie (Why?)

Also, deviating fundamentally from the principle, the scenarios do not play out identically � for example, there are guards waiting outside in one and not in another



Fundamentally, the makers had two options � either make the film realistic or to go down the logic be damned route. Unfortunately, they chose the latter but that only works when you have major star power in the film (Salman Khan, James Bond). So we see a wanted, hunted man spending time in fancy resorts, ordering pizzas, romancing women, suddenly becoming an action hero, facing cops who dont shoot and never shoot straight in any case etc.

The dialogues, especially the pick up lines (what was the door thing about ?) go from very ordinary to really bad � can�t believe any woman would find those schmaltzy lines interesting

Songs. Too many, too tuneless and very ill-timed. This is one of those films where the hero has to be introduced with an item number to show how cool he is and then will have one of those soft, romantic, Atif Aslam type numbers to show he is in love�



Likes and Spikes
Kunal, Manasi and Zoa turn in good performances. Kunal has moments where he displays good timing, facial expressions etc, Zoa is quite assured for most parts and Manasi is extremely believable as super-bitch.



In films like this it�s important to be able to put yourself in the shoes of the protagonist. Which is why, by choosing to be filmy and give rationality a miss, the makers have done this genre and their premise a disservice. I�m probably being generous by going with 5/10 � but it�s better than Katti Batti (which was a 4) and at least someone is trying something different � even if I don�t agree with the way it was executed�

Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 31st July, 2015
Time : 163 minutes
Director, Writer : Nishikant Kamat; Co-Writer: Upendra Sidhaye based on an original story by Jeetu Joseph; Music : Vishal Bhardwaj (songs), Sameer Phatarpekar (background score)
Starring : Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Kamlesh Sawant, Ishita Dutta, Mrunal Jadhav, Rishabh Chaddha, Prathamesh Parab



There are two surefire signs that I�ve seen a great movie. One is that I run through the entire plot in my head, asking �What would I do if I were in the protagonists place� and the other is that I write the review almost immediately.

So, at 230am, having just returned from a late night show of Drishyam, with three movies lined up tomorrow morning, here goes�



Ajay Devgn lives in Pendolim, Goa and has been there for many years, running a successful cable TV business. He is a film fanatic and is loved and respected in the community. His lovely family, comprises his wife, Shriya Saran and two daughters, the teenaged Ishita Dutta and the little cutie, Mrunal Jadhav. However, their idyllic life is soon shattered due to no fault of theirs�and they are soon hunted by the police, in particular, the top cop of Goa, Tabu �and even the cops from his local station, who�ve known him since childhood including Kamlesh Sawant, who hates his guts�



It isn�t easy viewing because of the content but incredibly gripping�and you await with bated breath to find out the next twist and turn. There are some fascinating sub-contexts too � much is made of the fact that Ajay is only educated till the fourth standard �while everyone around him, including his wife and the cops chasing him, are more educated. The running battle between Kamlesh and Ajay is fascinating too, a bit more than banter at first, but gets nasty soon enough. And there is a sly sense of humour too � even in the tensest moments (like Tabu�s outburtst when yet another witness says the same thing).


The beautiful surroundings of our favorite holiday state also make for the perfect backdrop to the tension and the drama. And the music, for a change, doesn�t intrude but adds to the atmosphere. Ajay Devgn works better when he is understated, as here. Tabu is fantastic too � balancing tough cop with vulnerable mom extremely well. Shriya was god but overacted just a little, while Ishita and Mrunal were quite good as their daughters. However, it was Rajat Kapoor, as Tabu�s husband, and Kamlesh, who really stole the show with their performances.


It�s rare to find a Hindi film that is close to flawless � there are niggles, little issues here and there, but overall, it just works � its nice and compact, for a change not going off-topic, and getting the mix of emotions, story and facts right. A real cat and mouse game, where for a change, you cant really figure out who exactly is the cat and who is the mouse�