Desicritics Author: Bubbly

Movie Reviews: 13b, Dhoondte Reh Jaoge, Karma Aur Holi

Bubbly — Fri, 6 Mar 2009 13:13:31 EST

This week three movies have released in Indian theatres and they span genres as diverse as a thriller, a comedy and drama. One must say, it is a 3-in-1 treat, which one should enjoy at one's own leisure. All provide entertainment and enjoyment in their own way. If you are ready to take a peek, let’s go on a roller coaster ride to know what they are about.

(1) 13b

The movie should have been rightly titled 13t since it is all about TV, TV and TV. In these times of recession and worries, religion and politics have taken a backseat and films and TV form the core of our entertainment and enjoyment. This week’s enjoyment comes in the form of this scary movie. Mind you, this is not spooky (it's not about ghosts) but has sufficient chills to keep you engaged.

Manohar is a progressive thinking young man, who moves to a new address 13b and stays on the 13th floor with his family. There is nothing wrong with that if you are not superstitious but the film is all about 13 now.

Since Manohar’s family are TV buffs, they watch all the shows avidly. The programmes start exactly at 13:00 (1 pm). Everything centres on the number 13 just to keep the viewers’ attention focused. And the chills begin in right earnest.

Although Manohar holds the remote and controls the programmes, gradually the TV controls him completely. The TV shows him what it wants to show. Initially everything is fun and laughter but the terror slowly unfolds and what comes forth will make you think where life is leading us today. Manohar along with the viewers must solve the mystery of these unholy happenings.

Madhavan as Manohar has come up with an engaging performance. Neetu provides adequate support as his wife. Watch her scene where she holds a candle and goes looking for him. It might scare the living candlelights out of you. It’s a pleasure to see Poonam Dhillon back.

The story could have done with tight editing. Keeping up with the spirit of the film, it could have been confined to ‘130’ minutes in length. The ‘controversial’ song “sexy mama” is enjoyable.

When you come out of the theatre, you may end up saying, “Maar Daala”.

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(2) Dhoondte Reh Jaoge

When you read the title of this film, you are reminded of a detergent. This film does our dhulaai but with laughter. It is a thorough nonsensical fun.

Remember Govinda-style capers and Hera Pheri fun? You didn’t have to think at all but were rolling along with guffaws. DRJ is this and more. If nothing else, this movie will rightly place the crown of ‘king of comedy’ on Paresh Rawal’s head.

The film is about two nobodies - Paresh Rawal (film producer) and Kunal Khemu (chartered accountant), who want to become somebody. They decide to make a flop movie borrowing money. They plan to invest only a part of the money and run away with the rest.

Surprisingly, the movie (actually a spoof) Solay Se L'Gaan Tak turns out to be a big hit. Now the financiers are after them for a share of the profits. There ends the story. But the fun has just begun. The proceedings and acting is so much in sync that you will end up with cramps in your stomach.

Johny Lever will steal your hearts with his act as a writer with loyalty to Pakistan. Watch out for Sonu Sood. The tall lanky star has shades of Amitabh. After Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi, he reprises his funny side. Soha is OK.

If you don’t mind being mindless while watching this flick, then this one is for you. The songs are equally fun especially ‘Salma’.

When you come out of the theatre, you will end up saying, “Dho Daala”.

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(3) Karma Aur Holi

This one is for the intelligent, thoughtful viewer, who doesn’t mind dwelling in it at leisure. It has an ensemble cast from both Hollywood and Bollywood. Produced by Robert de Niro’s daughter Drena, it is the vision of (East) India from the eyes of white Americans.

Don’t expect a regular entertainer here. Don’t expect anything, but what the film expects from you is total involvement.

It is about a couple, Meera (Sushmita) and Dev (Randip), who call their relatives and friends for a festive get-together at their place. Gradually, the guests interact and take a keen interest in each other's lives. Something happens and it becomes confession time for everyone present.

Skeletons spill out of the cupboard. Secrets are revealed that were long buried and forgotten. Does this remind you of something? Something we all wish to do but societal pressures make us bottle up?

So, it is confession time, viewers! Unbottle yourself. Don’t wait anymore but EXHALE now. It is a colourful destiny with a realistic tone.

Sushmita and Randip were meant for this movie. Rati is again a pleasure to watch after a long gap.

When you come out of the theatre, you will end up saying, “Rang Daala”.

Movie Review: The Pink Panther 2 - Aishwarya, Retire Gracefully

Bubbly — Mon, 2 Mar 2009 11:56:37 EST

For the Indian audience, this one did not work. Although touted as Aishwarya Rai’s big one from Hollywood, Pink Panther 2 (PP2) sank without a trace abroad. There was not even the slightest craze in India. Consider this: the press conference wore as deserted a look as the theatrical release.

Remember the lovable Peter Sellers with whom Pink Panther was almost synonymous? What Sellers did to construct a brand, Steve Martin sinks it all single-handedly. And he is ably supported by the supporting cast.

PP2 is a sequel to The Pink Panther (2006). Inspector Clouseau (Steve Martin) must team up with international detectives to catch a burglar The Tornado. At stake is Pope’s ring and of course the Pink Panther diamond. It is a foregone conclusion Clouseau will end up catching the burglar along with his bumbling act.

With an impressive star cast of Andy Garcia, Alfred Molina, Lily Tomlin, Jeremy Irons and Aish, it should have been a run-away comedy hit. Alas it is far far away from being one.

With a wafer thin storyline and equally insipid performances, we eagerly waited for it to come to an end soon. We were not lucky. We had to suffer it.

Aish has earlier done a reel Khakee and a real-life Salman Khan act. She reprises this theme in Pink Panther 2. It is a repeat of double-crossing and betrayal.

One can’t say that her role is miss-and-blink but the role by itself is nothing much. She is the PETTY THIEF! She is trying hard to carry off a convincing ‘accent’ and admiring herself. One wonders where is the time for acting when she is so busy otherwise.

Prior to the movie, she was giving high-profile interviews about PP2 and her role. When the cat was out of the bag, she said it is not about the role but being able to work with Martin. Consider this. The producers didn’t even consider her good enough for the posters. She was missing from them. They didn’t call her for the promotional tours too as “her appeal is limited to South Asia.”

At 35+ and looking plump, Bollywood offers have dried up for her. And if PP2 is her ‘big’ Hollywood release, what can one do except pity her.

Bollywood centers on nubile nymphets (we now have Hansika Motwani, 16) and gorgeous fresh looks. And if one knows acting, that is just icing on the cake. Where is Aish on these three vital scores? She may not benefit from Hollywood but the future Indian actresses definitely will as there is increased awareness about them. One can thank Aish for that.

After acting with Amitabh as his sister in Hum Kisise Kam Nahin and now opposite fatherly Rajnikant, she can only go higher (next maybe gramps Dilip Kumar).

With her ad campaigns being bagged by younger Katrina Kaif and roles collectively going to Kareena, Katrian, Priyanka and Deepika, where does Aish find herself? Is giggling acting? Is remaining in news by criticising Slumdog Millionaire enough?

There is a shelf life for all heroes and heroines. Kajol, Karisma, and Ravina are fine examples of being fine actresses and good home-makers. Kajol is still in demand.

After PP2, a word of advice to Aish: Retire gracefully.

Movie Review: Kisse Pyar Karoon - Time Pass Comedy

Bubbly — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:05:22 EST

Keep your brains at home when you go to watch this flick. It is rib-tickling fun. It will keep you engaged with its maddening comedy from start to finish.

So, what's the story all about? Siddharth (Arshad Warsi), John (Ashish Chowdhry) and Amit (Yash Tonk) are three fun loving buddies. To cause rift, enters lovely but bitchy Sheetal (Udita Goswami). She ensnares John in her love but is actually after his money.

Now, Sidh and Amit must make John come back to his senses. When Sheetal gets to know of their plans, she goes full throttle to tackle them. Will the two friends succeed in getting back their friend? This forms the basis for the remaining movie.

Overall, this film is a time pass comedy. It is paisa vasool fare. Arshad, Ashish and Yash do justice to their roles. Their sequences will leave you in splits. Udita is passable. The supporting cast provides adequate laughter.

Songs are fast and catchy especially the title track. The choreography is good.

Go for it if you desire fun and laughter.

CAST & CREW:
Banner: G V Films
Producer: Balagiri
Director: Ajay Chandok
Star Cast: Arshad Warsi (Siddharth), Ashish Chowdhry (John), Aarti Chhabria (Natasha), Udita Goswami (Sheetal), Yash Tonk (Amit), Shweta Menon, Aashish Vidyarthi, Shakti Kapoor
Cassettes and CD's on: Ultra Music
Lyricist: Praveen Bhardwaj
Music Director: Dabboo Malik
Cinematography: Najeeb Khan
Choreography: Bosco Martis, Caesar Gonsalves
Action: Raam Shetty
Art: Sunil Jaiswal
Editor: Nitin Rokade
Screenplay: Yunus Sejawal
Sound: Vinod Potdar
Media Relations: Perception Managers
Publicity Designs: P9 Integrated Pvt Ltd
Story / Writer: Yunus Sejawal
Rating: **1/2 TIME PASS

Movie Review: Siddhaarth - The Prisoner

Bubbly — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:14:41 EST

Are you looking for something new, away from the regular Bollywood trash. You will find what you are seeking in this spiritually satisfying movie.

Siddharth Roy (Rajat Kapoor) has been just released from the prison. Prior to his prison stint, he was a famous writer. He desires to reconcile with his estranged wife Maya. Aspiring to regain his literary reputation, he writes a manuscript.

Unfortunately, in a cyber café it gets exchanged with the mob’s money loaded bag.

With this development life takes a dramatic turn for Siddharth. He frantically searches for the lost manuscript but is reconciled with his three-year-old son. Money doesn’t interest him but he desires for the custody of his son.

Meanwhile café manager Sachin comes under pressure from mob to find the money. He loses his job and is forced to go underground.

The film takes its theme of renunciation of desire as the right path to enlightenment and freedom from the ancient text of Rig Veda. It is also a tribute to Albert Camus’ 1942 classic “The Stranger” (L’Eltranger). It is a journey to freedom of the inner self from life’s complexities.

Now coming to the performances, Rajat Kapoor is in a class of his own. He stands apart. He is surely an actor to watch out for. He carries the movie singly on his able shoulders.

His look is inspired by Che Guevara, the Latin American revolutionary. His performance is flawless. Watch his facial expressions. You will feel his pain as your own. It will move you.

Have you experienced something like this in a long time while watching the usual Bollywood fare? No! Then go for it…in a big way. It’s a must watch class fare. You will come out enlightened.

CAST & CREW:
Banner: Vistaar Religare Film Fund; Walkwater Media; Alliance Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
Executive Producer / Co-Producer: Pryas Gupta, Rohan Gupta, Sandeep Hooda
Director: Pryas Gupta
Star Cast: Rajat Kapoor (Siddharth Roy), Sachin Nayak, Pradeep Kabra, Pradip Sagar
Music Director: Sagar Desai
Cinematography: Mrinal Desai
Editor: Pryas Gupta, Arindam Ghatak
Screenplay: Pryas Gupta
Dialogue: Pryas Gupta, Hitesh Kewalia
Costume: Isha Ahluwalia, Jeneva Talwar
Story / Writer: Pryas Gupta
Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes
Rating: ****/5 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

Movie Review: Delhi 6 (Dilli Chhe) - Aage Nahin, PEECHHE

Bubbly — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 13:02:48 EST

There was much riding on Rakeysh Om Prakash Mehra especially after Rang De Basanti, which took audiences by storm with its novelty of its theme. Of course that theme has worn thin in his latest offering Deihi 6 (chhe).

Old Delhi is the most magnificent part of India with its historical buildings and even more historic past. It holds the most precious memories that can never be erased.

Rakeysh may have lived there but his heart is certainly not in the movie. He has just put together sequences, which do not connect. Forget connecting with the audience, it made me think of what a wastage of my time and money it was. I could have gone shopping and had more fun.

But first thing first. The Story: It is similar to Swades but not a patch on it. The grandson Roshan (Abhishek), an NRI, obliges his granny (Waheeda Rehman) and brings her to Old Delhi (walled City). Of course it has to be Chandni Chowk. But what is this? Rakesh filmed Chandni Chowk in Sambar, Rajasthan. The artificiality of the sets comes through.

The story breathes its last here. It then progresses in episodes – monkey man, Hindu Muslim tensions (unity), the narrow lanes (!?), the traffic, Ramlila, etc. etc. But the spirit of Purani Dilli is missing. Its spirit lies in the hearts of its people. Sadly, filmi actors cannot even come close to it. They are just actors getting over their role rather than living it.

Strangely, the chemistry between hero Roshan and heroine Bittu is sadly missing. They need to learn acting. Star kids have only bloated egos and this film is the apparent result.

About the actors: Waheeda is passable. She does make efforts but that’s it. Om Puri, Pawan Malhotra, Vijay Raaz and Rishi Kapoor are worth mentioning. They bring alive their parts. Divya Dutta is simply superb although she has a small part. She shines through. Other characters too do a commendable job.

It should rightly be called “Dilli Chhe” because that is what Purani Dilli (Walled City) is fondly called and not ‘Delhi’ 6.

AR Rahman is its hero (body) for sure and his music its heroine (soul).

Now coming to the main characters:

Neither can Abhishek portray a New Yorker convincingly nor a Dilliwala. He is falseness personified. In fact, his accent was jarring on the nerves. And his dance – he has two left feet. He has a lot to learn if he wishes to carry a film solo over his shoulders. Till now he is a big failure in this regard. He has a long way to go to become a hero forget being called an ‘actor’.

His body language is awkward. With his facial hair, he can give any UP goonda a tough competition. Sad but his dad is supposed to be the greatest actor of Hindi cinema. An actor’s son will only be an actor is not true. What is true is, if you place books over a donkey, it doesn’t make him literate.

The films which are credited as his ‘success’ till now are Guru (only Amitabh, Amar Singh and Anil Ambani must have viewed it privately and bought its tickets wholesale and distributed them freely) and Dostana (a multi-starrer with John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra walking away with all the body and glamour credits.)

Sonam Kapoor must ‘LEARN’ acting if she can. Throwing tantrums in the film is not acting. She should forget she is a star kid if she wishes to get any new films. Saawariya can be forgotten and now this dud. Audiences won’t be tolerating a third bomber. She should look out for alternative career. Sadly, she is no patch on Kareena Kapoor or her first hero Ranbir Kapoor.

Last but not the least. Amitabh Bachchan. He lands up last in this film. Had he not been there, it would have made more sense. His entry is actually an intrusion. Not needed and mostly not required at all.

A sane word of advice to Amitabh: Your golden phase of 70s and 80s is over. There is a younger crop of heroes on the scene. Instead of competing with them, act your age and be dignified like Dilip Kumar or Dharmendra. Always remaining in the news for no apparent reason makes no sense.

Mr Bachchan, you make more news being a socialite, arm in arm with Amar Singh or Anil Ambani or receiving self sponsored awards. Your films flop big time. I don’t remember any of your recent films being a hit, except Bhootnath, which had Shah Rukh Khan and the kid. They walked away with the glory.

Pairing opposite girls of age of your grand daughters do you no good. There is nothing more to conquer so how low will you stoop now. There is no glamour left in you except an aging Aishwarya.

You can teach your son acting. That should be your full time career, at the rate you both are going. Instead of ‘promoting’ your son; ask him what he would like to do. Acting is certainly not his cup of tea. South is the permanent place to head.

Forget acting, the Bachchans currently at most can be called socialites. Or the best non-actors. They are resting on their past laurels. Even Shahid Kapur has given more hits and entertained us more. We are the paying public. We cannot be bought like bought previews or bought critics. Audience won't lap any trash doled out to them.

CAVEAT to the Audience (if at all there is going to be one for this movie): Watch at your own risk. Is there a wedding or shopping or an outing you have to attend? Head there and ENJOY!