SS Review: 'Secret' Surprise awaits you in theatres!

'Secret Superstar' is the latest offering of 'Aamir Khan Productions' that released on 19th October, 2017. The movie has a tagline- "Dreams Dekhna Toh Basic Hota Hai" and presents it in the most beautiful, understanding and simple way of story telling.

 

                                     

 

Zaira Wasim of 'Dangal' fame proves that she is 'brimming with fresh talent and method acting' through her portrayal of Insia/Insu. Meher Vij, a name we had not heard before will surely be recalled for her outstanding performance as Zaira's mother, Najma. Tirth Sharma as Chintan gives a simple and delightful performance. Aamir Khan as Shakti Kumar, the musician is funny and infuses some comic timing. The performances are outstanding and provide an able support to a strong script.

 

                                                

 

The story explores a mother-daughter relationship through the expression of right to dream. There are sweet little moments of school-age romance, a brother-sister relationship that run parallel to the main story.  The story, the camerawork, the water-tight screenplay, the direction keep you invested in a 155 minute long movie. The music of the movie, which is supposed to play a major role in the movie is somehow underwhelming. Though that does not mean that the songs are not audible. "Gudgudi", " Meri Pyari Ammi" and "I'll Miss You" are the best of the lot.

 

                                                

 

Director Advait Chandan literally is the superstar of the movie. From the story to the technicalities he ensures that the movie does not waver from what it is trying to portray. With just the music being underwhelming, Secret Superstar ticks all the boxes for being a 'MUST WATCH'. I rate the movie 4.25 stars! It is the BEST movie of 2017 so far leaving 'Newton' by a fair distance! Do NOT miss it!

 

                                             

 

P.S. After watching 'Secret Superstar', you will  hug or thank your mother.

                                      

 

 

Chef Review: This chef offers good food in bad quality!

'Chef' is Saif Ali Khan's solo outing after 2 long years. His last release was 'Phantom' where he played the solo lead. Chef is an official remake of a 2014 Hollywood movie by the same name. Comparing this 'Chef' to the original would be unfair.So no comparisons will be drawn in this review!

                                          

Saif Ali Khan as Roshan is delightful. He portrays his role to suit the character very well. Svar Kamble as Ary, Roshan's son is nice. Chandan Roy Sanyal as Shahid is fun and infuses some comic timing into this drama. Milind Soman's cameo as Biju is simply outstanding. But it is Padmapriya Janakiraman who steals the show with her portrayal of Radha Menon. She infuses life with her performance and her chemistry with Saif is amazing.

                                  

Raja Krishna Menon's direction is above average at best. Though it captures the beauty and essence of the backwaters of Kerela well, he somehow fails to connect with the audience. For a movie which explores a father-son relationship o the basis of food has very less of it. And that is the biggest flaw of the movie. The songs are nice with 'Khoya Khoya' and 'Darmiyaan' being the best. The lyrics, dialogues are good.

                                    

Chef had immense potential to be one of the most heartening portrayals of a father-son relationship but Raja Krishna Menon's direction and to an extent, it's 'Rottza'  made the movie an above average affair. Like Roshan's three Michelin stars, Chef gets 3 stars! Watch it for its beauty and Padmapriya! The box office collection will not exceed 10 crores at the box office what so ever. FLOP! 

                                  

P.S. The movie does some justice to the original! But only SOME!

Newton Review: Newton rediscovers Gravity of Indian Cinema!

As of the recent times, the Bollywood audience has been shifting considerably from star power to content driven cinema. Over the past few weeks movies like 'Bareilly Ki Barfi' and 'Shubh Mangal Saavdhan' has cemented that audience has started preffering content over anything else. 'Newton' adds to this list of content driven cinema. Aanand.L.Rai, the producer of content driven cinema like 'Nil Battey Sannata' and 'Shubh Mangal Saavdhan' delivers yet again a gem, 'Newton'!

                                                   

'Newton' is a movie of actors and not stars. Rajkummar Rao is literally on fire! Starting from 'Trapped' to 'Newton' he is simply outstanding. Portraying Newton Kumar, a slightly disillusioned man about how the world works, he is simply phenomenal. Pankaj Tripathi as Aatma Singh, Raghubir Yadav as Loknath and Anjali Patil as Malko are simply phenomena. They portray their roles to perfection. 

                                               

Amit Masurkar's direction is spot on. He skillfully depicts the scenario of an election in the modern day India. The dialogues are thought provoking and intelligent. The editing, the cinematography, the locations are pitch perfect. The movie leaves you with an important message and also makes a strong statement about the condition of electoral offices in India. The music is also audible to the years even though it is not necessary to have those.

                                                 

The movie has everything going for it except the pace. The pacing of the movie is however the only villain. With all said and done 'Newton' is one of the better films of the year and deserves 4 stars! Go out and watch it.

                                              

P.S. I still prefer Rajkummar Rao as "Pritam Vidrohi" from BKB over "Newton Kumar".



SMS Review: Out"Standing". Miss it at your own risk!

Shubh Mangal Savdhan finally released after a long time. Produced by Aanand.L.Rai under his banner "Color Yellow" which is known for its unique movies.  SMS is no exception. It tackles a very important topic in the world today of erectile dysfunction with brilliance. 

                              
 

Ayushmann plays a sensitive, caring, sweet and hopelessly romantic Mudit To perfection.  His problem and the frustrations are so well depicted that you vouch for him and care.  Bhumi as a hopeless "Bollywood Romance lover" and caring Sugandha is awesome.  She is surely the next generation "Vidya Balan". Ayushmann and Bhumi yet again weave magic with their chemistry. Seema Pahwa is on fire and quite literally.  Playing girl's mother she is phenomenal. All the characters were scripted and depicted themselves beautifully. Phenomenal Acts!

                                      

The movie picks up the theme of 'erectile dysfunction' and does justice to it. The hysteria in the movie and the way they portray their message is phenomenal. Dialogues are hoot-worthy and the cinematography, direction and all the technical aspects are amazing. Locales of Haridwar and Delhi are depicted well. And the subtle undertones are outstanding. The music and background score by Tanishq Baghi is out'standing'. The background score dwells along with the narration and the the retro songs used just give an even better approach to the movie. The movie fills you with Bollywood nostalgia.
                                           

The movie faulters in 2 places: 1) The cameo of an ace actor which is perhaps quite "thanda". 2) The last 10 minutes of the movie where seemingly wrapped up quite shabbily. But with all said and done SHUBH MANGAL SAVDHAN gets 4 stars! Go and watch it. In a place like Dublin the movie got an occupancy of 85% in the evening show and considering that it should do well in India as well so a lifetime collection of 25-30 crores should be fair!
                 
                                             

P.S. It is 2017's 'Dum Laga Ke Haisha.' And never knew Ali baba could give life lessons!

AGSSR Review: Sundar but niether Susheel nor Risky. But definitely Stylish.

Barely one gets movies where the lead actors cannot act. What is even more surprising is that in India if you are a 'beautiful face' you get to face the camera even if you have no talent! "A Gentleman: Sundar, Susheel, Risky" is one such movie. Starring the "handsome" Siddharth Malhotra and the "glam doll" Jacquiline Fernandez. Lets see what is worth going for the movie.

 

                                                 

 

Siddharth Malhotra as Rishi/ Gaurav tries to give his best but fails miserably. His action sequences are least convincing. But his styling is sauve and adds to the glam quotient of the film. Jacquiline as Kavya does justice to her role of a glam doll. Her style, dresses and costumes make Kavya's mischiefs come alive. Suniel Shetty surprises by not being able to act well. Darshan Kumar, the only actor is unable  to pull the movie because of a screen time of barely 15 minutes. A perfect ZERO to the movie in the acting department.

                                                       

 

With a plot so convoluted, the movie loses its impact. What could have been a 'safe' play for the directors, in the awe of doing something brilliant, they lose the plot. Though the directors make the locations of Miami, Mumbai and Bangkok appear beautiful which are complemented by some amazing music and background score by Sachin-Jigar. The songs are the highlight of the movie. The dialogues are nice just like the cinematography and rest of the aspects are average at best.

 

                                           

 

The movie even trolls itself with one dialogue: "Jab Jab Jiske Lagne Hain, Tab Tab Uske Lagte Hain." and rightly so. The movie literally "Lagao's" it's own. WIth the beautiful locations, Jacquiline and songs going for it, this gentleman manages to be a one time watch. I rate the movie 2 stars. Watch it at your own risk.

 

                                            

 

P.S. "BAREILLY KI BARFI" should be your watch even if one has other choices, because for me BKB is the best movie of August 2017.

BKB Review: Khaane se lekar Hajme tak, Sab A-1!

Before I start this review, I want the readers to note that this is going to be a full UP style review of BKB which stars Ayushmann Khurana, Kriti Sanon, Rajkummar Rao, Seema Pahwa and Pankaj Tripathi. Directed by filmmaker Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari and written by her husband and director Nitesh Tiwari.And from her, begins U.P. waali bhasha.

                                         



  Chirag Dubey aka Ayushmann Khurana ka kaam film mein ekdum tip-taap waala hai. Unki aur Bitti aka Kriti Sanon ki Jodi ekdum mast hai. Waheen pe humare Prem Vidrohi aka Rajkummar Rao apne abhinay se sabke muah se malai maar ke le jaate hain. Unki aur Bitti ki chemistry aag lagane ke kaabil hai. Magar sabse zyada hasaati hain humari Bitti ki Mummy aka Seema Pahwa aur Bitti ke papa Pankaj Tripathi. Acting vibhaag mein film toh sabki baap nikalti hai. Koi agar aapse bole ki acting jami nahi toh bejhijak aap unhe kantaap maar sakte hain.

 

                                                   

 

Iss filam ke technical hisse mein koi dikkate nahi hai. Cinematography toh wo lajawab, direction toh wo top kilaas, acting bhi bemisaal, galti dhonde toh dhonde kaise? Badi hi mushkil se film ki editing mein thodi problem dekhi. Magar kewal 1-2 jagah. Kahaani bahut hi seddhi saadhi, ache bachche ki tarah hai.  Dialogues toh ekdum humare UP jaise hain. Hasaate hain aur itna ki pait dukh jaaye. Ek chote budget ki picture se gaanon ke mamle mein kuch zyada ummeedein nahi hoti hain magar kya gaane hain picture ke! Full on UP ishtyle ke, chahe wo "Sweety Tera Drama" ho ya "Twist Kamariya" ho ya "Nazm Nazm" ho. Poori filam ekdum top kilaas, UP Ishtyle hai.   

 

                                                        

      

Sab kuch keh gaye ye Kumar bhaiya.. Bareilly Ki Barfi iss saal ki sabse achi film ho sakti thi agar thodi aur kahaani hoti! Koi na! Agar achi nahi lagi aapko ye barfi toh hum aapke swaad ki ninda karte hain. Apna swaad sudhariye!  Dena chahata tha 4.5 star magar editing ne kaam bigaad diya aur isse Barfi ko milte hai 4 star! Jaayein nazdeeki cinema ghar mein bharosa karke! Bareilly Ki Barfi filam kahaani ke bare mein nahi hai, kirdaron ke baare mein hai.

 

                                                

                                                 

P.S. Bareilly Ki Barfi khaane ke baad aapko "Toilet" nahi jaana padega.

TEPK Review: Ek Manmohak Katha!

This Friday saw the release of Akshay's Toilet: Ek Prem Katha, a movie highlighting the sanitation problem in our country. The movie stars Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Padnekar,  Anupam Kher,  Divyendu Sharma and others.

                                        

Akshay Kumar as Keshav is phenomenal. Divyendu Sharma as Naru,  Keshav's brother is outstanding. Anupam Kher as Kala provide the much comic relief in a movie highlighting a serious issue. As for Bhumi Padnekar all one can say is "Hans Mat Pagle,  Pyaar Ho Jayega." Her portrayal of Jaya is unmatched by all other actors. Akshay and Bhumi's chemistry was sizzling and praise worthy.              

                                        

TEPK is a beautifully directed movie where a lot of credit goes to the director for bringing up an entertaining movie which could have been a plain lecture on sanitation.  The subtle comic dialogues, camerawork and other aspects are bang on.  The essence of a small town U.P/M.P. is captured brilliantly from the dialogues to the setting. Only the music is disappointing. Music is simply average. The background score is also poor but other sources are good except that the last 30 minutes are a little too preachy.

                                         

TEPK tickles the funny bone as well as gives a message. The last 30 minutes and the music disappoint. But has enough entertainment for keeping one glued for its 2.5 hours sans the songs. I rate the movie 3.5 stars. Do not miss it because each wholesome entertainer. The business of the movie should be between 125-135 crores due to a very positive word of mouth. 

 

                                          

 

P.S. It deserves all the praise it is receiving!