Review: Shanghai (2012)

You do feel that its yet another "Jaago India Jaago" kinda film but it is just not that. Dibakar Bannerjee's Shanghai is a well crafted and well thought flick. The very colour scheme of the print right from the start invites you to an poking and thought provoking experience. In a year of amazing small budget and less marketed films, Shanghai adds itself to the list, and please do not miss it!

Sources say that the movie is based on the novel Z by Vassilis Vassilikos and I don't have any idea of that. The movie does not boast of a heavy star cast (based on star value) but the versatality of the actors sprouts from the center. Bengal megastar Prosenjit Chatterjee chips in with a very good performance creating an impact in bollywood which is here to stay. Kalki Koechlin is an amazing actress and one can definitely say that she's one of the best in bollywood at the moment. Although "Kisser Boy" Emran Hashmi plays a role of his title in Shanghai, he never gets to kiss anyone. Rather, he only films others doing it. Yes! He is a videographer. I never expected him to get involved in a role so much that he'd grow a tummy and learn the slang and give an absolutely brilliant performance. These two apart, for me the main hero of the movie is Abhay Deol. What an actor! He plays Krishnan, an IAS officer and he does not stop with just acting. At the end of it, you end it up too believing that he is a tamilian although his tamil wasn't that good. His perfect pronounciation of Hindi words (as would have been pronounced by a tamilian), his every move, his every expression is just class. He listens to Vishnu Sahasranaman, he offers the incense sticks to a jpg image on his laptop screen and prays, he acts like a coward in life threatening situations. No words to describe this performance. Dibakar sure knows how to get material out of talented people.

Speculations were rife that Shanghai is based on Dharavi slum, it may be but Dibakar has painted it so well that no one can protest about it. No one can say that it causes harm to their community or their party. The story is so well weaved that inspite of complex interlinking between the scenes you can never find an interlink hanging loose or an interlink with the outside world. Its titled Shanghai for a reason that it does not portray an Indian city and that the director wants a city in India to become like Shanghai. You can never find the name of the city where the plot revolves. Such is the magic of Dibakar Bannerjee.

Thrilling and gripping from frame 1, Shanghai also pokes and portrays the intelligence and yuckiness of politics. The secret interior games and tactics. All these are to spark the normal civilian. Hope it does atleast by many more movies atleast (inspite of earlier tries).

Special mention has to be made of Farooq Sheikh (once a comedy actor on TV) and Supriya Pathak (of Wake up Sid fame). They have really matured and learnt a lot of acting by hard work. They sure are legends in the making. Their path from small screen to now is inspiring. Kudos to them for choosing to work in this film and giving us the opportunity to gaze at their performance.

Music by Vishal-Shekhar didn't have an impact when the audio released except for the "Bharat Mata ki jai" song but within the movie, the songs have been engraved in a magical way. It had a huge share in making the movie last in the viewer's mind. Cinematography was par excellence. The story telling gripped on to the viewer's mind making him/her think deeper and deeper.

Dialogues were very native. Pronounciations like "hard diks" (instead of the obvious right pronounciation) were highlights. There is humor and wit and suspense and drama and of course brilliant performances by all the actors making Shanghai a feather in bollywood's cap lasting forever.

Watch Shanghai. Don't miss it.

Rating: 4/5

Shanghai: Jaago re!

Review: The Avengers (2012)

It definitely can't get any bigger. The mother of all superhero movies is here. Directed by Joss Whedon of Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Toy Story (screenplay) is "The Avengers", one hell of a ride through Hollywood's craziest visual effects studios. Trust me the VFX is bigger and better than Transformers.

Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow, Thor and Hawkeye team up with S.H.I.E.L.D director Dr. Nick Fury to avenge an attack from an outside world led by Thor's very own step-brother. They save earth from a disaster. They are obviously successfull but "The Avengers" is all about how logically and stylishly they team up and do so.

The success of the movie is a collective effort. An interesting plot, fast moving screen play, deadly special effects and even deadlier cinematography with a little sub-standard background score. The background was the only drawback, so to say.

Scarlett Johansson, Gwneyth Paltrow and Cobie Smulders are a treat to watch. But in such a movie you aren't looking for eye candies. What you want is paisa vasool entertainment and with this comic book flick you are in for a treat.

Music by Alan Silvestri could have been a little better. That is my only complaint. Putting that aside, all other departments score and score well.

Interesting and never before seen angles by Seamus McGravey take you to the edge of your seat and make you watch the movie with full intrigue.

There is nothing to talk against of "The Avengers" so I'm keeping it short so that you don't expect much and go watch the movie. Trust me, you will come out the theatre awestruck.

Rating: 3.5/5

The Avengers: Amazing!

Review: Vicky Donor (2012)

When Dr. Chaddha (Annu Kapoor) says "Poora world hi sperm hai!", you start laughing and at the same time something rings a bell. Not that the whole world is male dominant but the fact that there are different ways to think about life.

Directed by Shoojit Sircar, Vicky Donor is a kickass entertainer. Everything was right about the movie. The pre-release marketing, the reviews, the music, the comedy, the acting and most of all the message. Well if  you ask me what message it conveys, it definitely is not about throwing light into sperm donation. Although it shows you that sperm donation brings you hell lot of money and also it lures into thinking during the interval that "Lets jump into this business", it does end saying that it brings happiness to many. But that is not it. The main motive of the story is to show how people react to a profession like that. You see parents reacting differently and strangers totally differently.

It has loads of comedy, witty dialogues and interesting characterizations. Annu Kapoor proved that he was a legend and with his comeback in Vicky Donor, he shows why he still should be given more roles. He pays a tribute to what the Cine and TV industry had given him all these years. His body language, his dialogue delivery, his punjabi accent make him the true hero of the movie.

Ayushman Khurana who was seen many times in many shows and functions takes the lead and he does show that he's had lots of experience. He has a great future. His acting speaks for itself.

Yami Gautam is hot! She plays a bong chick and just the word bong is enough. She makes you long for a girlfriend like her. One of my friends came out of the movie and said "Yaar, mujhe aisi girlfriend chaiye yaar.." and I was like "Mil jaegi!". I do not seem to make you laugh with the previous sentence. It is just to show how much of an impact the female lead has on the viewer.

Dolly Ahluwalia and Kamlesh Gill as the male lead's mom and super young grandmom respectively, play their parts so well that you forget you are seeing them for the first time. Also, the guy who plays the female lead's dad plays a perfect bengali male and his character is so inspiring that you start thinking deep. Can anyone be so pragmatic?

Vicky Donor is all set to let the box office cash registers ringing, atleast for a while. It is a great investment indeed by John Abraham. He is sure to make loads and loads of money through his donation (money).

Interesting to see that technology from apple has let people take photos from the front view camera. (Now, when did you last ever see that)

Music and background score weave their magic on all frames with "Pani da.." composed and sung by Ayushman being the pick of the lot. You will definitely start humming the tune once the movie ends.

Such a movie stands apart and stands tall and it shuts those people who bad mouthed about Bollywood when silly and illogical high budget movies failed to entertain. Talent is still prevalent in Bollywood. It is only that low budget movies are the ones to watch out for.

It makes you laugh like crazy, it makes you cry and it makes you realise what the meaning of life is. For me, that is enough. Vicky Donor is a phenomenon which sprouts up hopes on the future of bollywood.

Rating: 3.5/5

Vicky Donor: 100% fertile!

Review: Oru Kal Oru Kannadi (2012)

There is absolutely nothing wrong in comparing "OK OK" to SMS and B-e-B because all of them fall in the same genre. All of them have romance and comedy. All of them have a loser (hero character) going after a rich and to an extent beautiful girl. And the rest of the story is that how the hero takes the help of Santhanam (in all 3 movies) to get to his prize. Although, SMS and B-e-B had kickass comedy, OK OK's comedy is just a little more than ordinary.

OK OK has two "trying to act" protagonists trying to make a difference in Kollywood but in vain. Santhanam is the one to watch for and yet the time is no near when the viewer's reach the saturation for Santhanam. He tries and delivers a little different and the result is just enough to keep you happy and not cry for the amount you spent on the ticket.

Music by Harris Jayaraj is just normal. The songs including the hit number "Venaam machan.." has so tiring lyrics loops that bores you and you do a facepalm.

Hansika MOTwanI looks ravishing in places. Her costumes have been chosen well and you get "value for money".

Inclusion of Udhayanidhi has just allowed the director to shoot easily at important and happening locations in Chennai. His role is just passable and nothing can be expected more from him.

Santhanam is the saviour of "OK OK" in fact he is the one who makes the movie just ok ok to watch.

There are interesting cameos towards the end and viewers are in for a visual treat for a person who comes and gives what the heroine hadn't given so far in the movie - A kiss!

I was impressed to see that the director wanted to hide the reflections of the camera falling on Santhanam's coolers in just one scene. They used special effects just on the glasses to show normal reflection - but to our eyes it is quite obvious that it was something that the director tried. Also was happy not to note any major flaws. (Come on, you do expect such things)

Comments for the director - Rajesh, you have treated us enough with your previous outings. With OK OK, you just become a pain. I know you have a thing for "love" and you are just trying to show how all your life could have been but please try a different genre next time or if you don't get that, wait for 1-2 years and make a similar movie. Please don't ever make the hero pass derogatory comments towards women. They are what they are. It is not in their hands that they don't please you with their looks. (And the hero shouldn't have accepted spitting at a woman just for that she doesn't look all that gorgeous)

As the poster at the start of the review shows - Santhanam is ahead and the one to watch for rather than the pillion.

I'm giving it a 2/5 just for Santhanam and the cameos!

OK OK - Give it a try!

Review: Housefull 2 (2012)

Sajid Khan's Housefull which released a few years back was something hard to digest and wierd to sit through. Now, he's back with Housefull 2 with a star cast the size of a cricket team and it is funny in parts.

To start with, no one seems to understand as to why the title "Housefull 2" as it had no connection to the previous movie. It has a plot which is age old and so illogical and silly that you would want to run away from the theatre soon after the first few scenes.

The movie is both funny and boring. Now that's the most interesting part. Major chunk of the movie is like "ewww..lame" and still there are some parts where you do jump from your seat and clap and laugh. The dialogues are so funny and pun intended that it does evoke laughter but not so much that you start loving the movie.

Throughout the movie, you feel that all scenes were taken at one shot. Asin puts her hands into her top 's pocket but struggles to get it out and you see the legendary Mithun da looking back at the director and giving a look "Was that fine?" and that too in the middle of a song. The whole movie is set in UK but both Rishi and Randhir (Chittoo and Dabboo) seem to be interested in US dollars in the land of pounds. Small errors but it does make a great impact.

Among all the bad performing protagonists, Akshay Kumar stands apart for he's by far the most experienced in silly comedy (atleast in the given sample set although he is very bad at it). His comic sense provides us some real time comic relief. Johnny Lever too plays an amusing and laughter arousing part.

Asin Thottumkal and Jacquelin Fernandes are somehow present only for skin show because they do not know how to act (especially in a wannabe comedy film) but they do know how to shake their booty well (to arouse people). The other 2 women do not like wearing anything at all.

I wouldn't say that "Keep your brains at home and go watch the movie!". That would convey the wrong message and you will love the movie if you did. I think you should take all parts of your brain and put it to work while watching the movie because that is when you'll enjoy it more. You will laugh when it is funny and you will also laugh when it is stupid and illogical. 

The best part of the movie is the second half which also includes a scene with the yesteryear villain Ranjeet. His part was a genuine source of laughter.

Housefull 2 is fun yet lame. It is a movie which hasn't been QC-ed one bit but it's definitely worth watching.  Could have been a bit shorter. Housefull 2 also has veteran actors going berserk. You see the never before shades and sides of them and then you say "WTH!"

Rating: #DIV/0! (Can't rate it!)

Housefull 2: Not a slapstick comedy but will make you slap yourself with a stick and will still make you laugh at yourself!


Review: 3 (2012)




"Why this kolaveri and Why 3? Why?" is the question that starts lingering in your mind as soon the end credits start rolling out.

There is no major storyline in "3" which is titled so because it is made and acted by the successors of 3 pioneers of tamil cinema. (Kasthuri Raja - Kamal Hassan - Rajnikanth) Also "3" is titled "3" because it showcases 3 different timelines or phases in the lead pair's life.

The only interesting part was the school romance between Ram (Dhanush) and Janani (Shruti). That was something fresh and it seemed to connect to the audience. Once Ram and Janani grow up, your head starts paining even so that the music director gave up and put his tunes on a recursive loop one after the other.

"3" could never have been anything innovative or better. Technically, it could have been presented in a more flamboyant way. At once Bollywood was "disease-struck" and now it is Kollywood's turn. One movie after another we have learnt the various diseases and health disorders that humans could get. It does educate us but it is not worth buying a ticket stub for.

Dhanush acts well. He has matured from a "rowdy" to a decent actor but again he seems to go on the "mental" loop. If he likes acting a man going out of control more often, he should consider doing stage play where the same drama is repeated location after location.

Background music by Anirudh shows that he's following Ilayaraja, Yuvan and GVP at the same time. Good for him but bad for the audience. Songs were awesome and the picturisation was also pretty out-of-the-ordinary. Sound engineer Resul Pookutty's inclusion in the crew was of no use except that you hear minute sounds more better (Maybe that is what his work is!)

Mobile and automobile partners Aircel and Audi have sure got their screen space. You see Dhanush using pocket internet 3G to view facebook on the beach and Audi logo has been given some space in between the dancing troupe in the "Why this kolaveri" song. You can actually see the dancers leaving some space so that the audi logo is seen.

Shruti Hassan is totally horror movie material. She would definitely make a great ghost even beating the legends exisiting still.

I was completely unsure about the genre of the movie because it has Comedy, Drama, Action, Comedy in action, Love, Chennai school children kissing and hugging (dating back to Khushi era where such things were definitely not prevalent..Maybe they took the "kattipudi kattipudi da" song very seriously), Crime. It also scares you. Probably Aishwarya wanted to make a romantic thriller but she has failed big time.

I don't have more to comment on this movie because there isn't anything to say when you are completely unsatisfied. I would say "3" is a rocket launch mishap mid-way. It starts of well and ends at the bottom of the sea.


Genre: #N/A

Rating: 2/5

3 - Would have been better as a short film!

Review: Agent Vinod (2012)

Sriram Raghavan's Agent Vinod is a definite must watch, atleast once. To know why? Read on..

Saif Ali Khan never impressed us with his action hero antics. Or even if he tried doing, I don't remember any instance. But with Agent Vinod, although he tries to prove that 'HE' should be chosen as the next James Bond, he does impress us. The actor pulls of stunning stunts and he does so in a stylish and suave manner.

The movie starts of with an interesting and confusing premise in Afghanistan and then the plot takes us through an action packed tour of the world. (Should have been titled AW i.e. Around the World)
Kareena is definitely not the 'bond' girl (or Vinod girl) but she plays an innocent looking yet spy-capable Pakistani girl who woos the hero with her looks and in bollywood ishtyle.
Perhaps every Indian RAW or CBI or whatever agent is trained to fall in love with someone or the other (maybe that is a reason why Indian Intelligence doesn't feature among MI6, FBI, Interpol, etc.). That is one thing that Bollywood movies never come out of. Maybe its the 'mass pleasing' ingredient but I strongly feel these should be given a break to actually see if we really miss these things. Kareena has learnt acting well and after "Ekk main aur ek tu" she definitely proved that she has some potential but there was one flaw which went to the final print without any one noticing. She says "aage se left me mera ghar tha" and she points to her right. (How stupid!).

Sriram Raghavan takes us through cricket rival nations (in the midst of European exotic lands) namely Pakistan and Sri Lanka where they speak Hindi and Tamil so fluently that you start getting a doubt. Sri Lankan tamil is totally different from what you used to speak Mr.Raghavan and I did like Rajnikanth song playing all of a sudden when the hero chases a Tamil tiger. (Also seems like Raghavan's ode to James Bond-Sin City-Quentin Tarantino)
Most of the supporting cast reveal their characters so easily that you can clearly guess. It all starts of with Bhojpuri Superstar from Bihar regiment (read. Ravi Kishen special appearance) who clearly shows with his suspicious face that he is here to save the hero. (And how many spy films will have the spy-spy brotherhood, partners in the agency one loses the other and feels bad, huh! Aren't spies trained to be strong at heart. They always lose their heart to a hot and/or cute chick)

It is interesting to see the presence of a Mahindra Scorpio in a convoy for a Pakistani hot shot in Karachi. I really can't comment on the authenticity because there is always a possibility that they have a market there or that a possibility of cars being smuggled in.

To sum it all up, its BMW(v)Chevrolet-Harley-Delhi CNG Auto-Bajaj Pulsar-Mini graphic Helicopter hovering over Delhi-Slow moving boats-fast moving camera-slick editing-pathetic and sometimes funny dialogues-poor characterization-70s background music here and there-Lashkar-Tamil tigers-decent premise and plot-brilliant direction powering an intellectually able story with many inexcusable flaws.

The ending was brilliant. The message conveyed was something no one would have thought of and is something which will leave everyone pondering about the truth of it. If only had these logical flaws been corrected and few unnecessary scenes been removed, Agent Vinod would have set a benchmark of a perfect spy thriller. But nobody is ever perfect. Next time, Mr.Raghavan. (Why don't you try Kollywood?)

Should be a digestable movie by anyone. A brave attempt in Bollywood and something to be appreciated rather than crushing it. (An awesome video game material which also could have been a trendsetting movie franchise)

Rating: 2.5/5


Agent Vinod: If only!

P.S. Wait till the credits roll out to get a glimpse of the actual Vinod girl(s)!

Good Night | Good Morning - My Perspective

Sudhish Kamath's 'Good Night | Good Morning' is interesting, not because of its story but because of its content. As Karan Johar rightly commented, it's a cerebral joyride. There are various types and reasons why a director makes movies. Some want to create awareness, some want to enthrall and enliven people. What is great about this movie is that it makes you think. It makes you relate yourself to either of the lead actors. There is a connect happening.

Sudhish pays a tribute to cinema as such for he's been criticizing them now and then. His movie speaks for himself. At the end of it, it says "See.. I'm not a movie which will linger in people's minds for decades but I'm something which will make you laugh and cry at the same time".

Technically, putting your money on a black and white conversation flick is not just a simple gamble, it takes hard nuts to crack to actually do it. I'm happy to see a lot of great film personalities associated and also that it has a 'Madras' connection.

I think this would more fit into home entertainment, say watching alone(which I did and I love doing that) or with friends and not something to be watched on the big screen because you would want to rewind and watch certain parts again just because of its glorius impact on you.

Cinematography and Background score have very few things to do but some shots and some scores are just brilliant.

The film has a lasting impact on you (also a global mark as to what Indians can do) and post watching this you will have a pleasantly disturbed few minutes (in which I sat down and wrote this). Watch it to experience a grateful tribute to Indian Cinema.

And I was even more surprised when I figured that one of the writers, Shilpa Rathnam, was my school (read. National Public School, Chennai) alumni and I used to see her during the assembly and of course here and there. Her father was one of the legendary stage artists of his time.

The content of the whole conversation give you a Deja vu feeling and every minute you relate to a real life incident. I like such movies.

Sudhish Kamath -Way to go and Shilpa Rathnam - Proud of you!



P.S. This isn't one my usual movie review posts so no rating but all I want to say is - Don't miss it!

Review: Kahaani (2012)

From the director of 'Jhankaar Beats' comes a totally contrasting yet amazing film. 'Kahaani' is a story about Bidda Bagchi (Vidya Bagchi played by Vidya Balan) who lands in 'Amaar Kolkata' from London in search of her husband, Arnab Bagchi. But the story is not so ordinary like you think. From the moment she lands, things get complicated and to enjoy the complications better visit the theatre near you. I promise: you're in for an edge of the seat thriller.

Technically, the movie is brilliant and its easily one of the best thrillers Bollywood has ever produced. You end up thinking, "Where's been this talent all along?" Bollywood is currently undergoing a transition - a transition in film making technology, story telling and of course acting. This film is an example of that. Although Ra.One was also an example of the same, after watching 'Kahaani' rest assured things are in the right track.

Kolkata is always thought of as the most crowded and the dirtiest cities and Director Sujoy Ghosh makes his cameraman capture the same. In fact, never before have I seen so many intricate details of the scene enviroment captured so beautifully. It was real yet surreal. Durga Puja is captured so awesomely and the vibrant red and cream and white colors paint the screen and with apt music from Vishal-Shekar, the viewer is taken for a tour inside the real Kolkata during Durga Puja.

Vidya Balan is amazing. She has a long way to go in Bollywood. She has a very promising future. I think she should try other languages too. But going forward, she has to choose her roles very carefully because expectations will tend to increase after this performance. Hats off to Vidya Balan. On the onset of Women's day, she will definitely get added to my 'adore' list.

The supporting cast is full of Bongs and they add the real flavor to the cinema. Their pronunciation, their lifestyle all add to the freshness of the script. 'Kahaani' is an out and out Desi mystery/thriller. Now how many movies fall into this genre. 'Kahaani' might have been one of those classic bengali films you would have never heard of but that it speaks hindi and has the proper ingredients to cater to a larger public.

I loved the movie. It made my day. It made my mind think so much. The director keeps us guessing all along and in the end, when it all makes sense you are awestruck. Such brilliant think such good interlinking between characters marks the stamp of a 'legend in the making'.

I am a movie addict and 'Kahaani' gave me the 'kick' that I was searching for all along.

Watch it and enjoy and spread the cheer.

Rating: 4/5

'Kahaani' - Truly a mother of a story!

Review: Agneepath (2012)

Agneepath... The one bollywood movie which I was waiting for ever since the trailers started airing. Remake of the 70s classic of the same name, Karan Johar's Agneepath (as it can be rightly called for the overdose of emotional drama present in the movie) is a good enough reason to pass time on a lazy day but not when you go in expecting a lot of action and vengeance.

The story is simple, its about Vijay Dinanath Chauhan's revenge on Kaancha for the latter's murder of the former's father in front of the public in a small island off the coast of Bombay (that's what they called in the movie). The story starts off in the year 1977 and travels 15 years hence when I'm not sure if Levi Strauss had introduced its jeans collection in India (the one which Hrithik wears all over the movie) and I'm not sure if there were digital projectors which projected without slides and also I'm not sure if flex banners were even made!

Anyways, putting aside these logical erroers (which was difficult to digest), Hrithik comes up with a stunning performance. His role is full of heroism and such a movie deserves to be in his filmography no doubt. Agneepath was way better than his previous commercial outings like Fiza, Krrish and to an extent Mission Kashmir (but MK was a very good movie). One can watch Agneepath for a sole reason, read Hrithik a.k.a Vijju a.k.a Vijay Dinanath Chauhan.

Songs by the marathi duo Ajay-Atul were kickass and awesome when we heard just the audio but when it came to the big screen, the visuals did not match up to it. The songs were extending the stretch of an already dragging flick.

Cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran and Kiran Deohans needs a mention here because giving different angles to an out and out commercial flick is a difficult thing to do and they do an awesome job here by providing interesting and stunning camera angles.

Sanjay Dutt plays Kaancha, the baddie who looks like a real scary baddie but doesn't score in acting much. His dialogue delivery were below par and did not have the punch that one was expecting. He basically failed to live up to the hype.

Director Karan Malhotra has extracted a lot of acting from Priyanka Chopra, Rishi Kapoor and Om Puri which you would have never seen before. Never expected Rishi Kapoor to pull off good stunt sequences. The other actors give their best shots only that the punch was lacking in the places and hence the dialogues do not register quite well on the viewer's mind.

Karan Johar has to be mentioned while reviewing Agneepath because one could see all the emotional drama and the tears pouring out of the screen (maybe the screen itself was crying). His impact on the visuals can be seen quite clearly by any ordinary person.

Katrina Kaif's Chikni Chameli doesn't stay in the mind for long. The song's magic was also lost. Other melodies like O Saiyyan (which I thought would be steamy and was no less steamy by making me sweat because of irritation) and Abhi Mujhme Kahin were pleasant to hear but not too good to watch.

Agneepath's second half is engaging but again the essence is lost towards by songs and stretch of simple sequences. The action scenes are the highlight and so is the macho man performing them.

Watch Agneepath if you are a die-hard Hrithik fan (which I am) and even if you want to re-live the classic in the new format but not if you are expecting a revenge powered kickass movie (it is no where close to it).


Rating: 2.5/5

Agneepath: Hrithik all the way!