Film Review - The Shaukeens

Tiresome Threesome

Film: The Shaukeens
Cast: Anupam Kher, Piyush Mishra, Annu Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Lisa Haydon

Directed by: Abhishek Sharma

Duration: 2 hrs 5 mins

Rating: * * 

Director Abhishek Sharma gave is the entertaining Tere Bin Laden, but sadly The Shaukeens is nowhere close to it. Inspired by Basu Chatterjee’s Shaukeen (1982) this film loses steam very quickly. The rehashed plot where Akshay Kumar plays himself is funny in parts but eventually ends up going nowhere.

Three dirty old men Pinky (Piyush Mishra), KD (Annu Kapoor) and Laali (Anupam Kher) are looking out for some carnal pleasures. When their plan to go to Bangkok fails, they decide to travel to Mauritius and they get to stay in the house Ahana (Lisa Haydon) a single woman. Instantly, all eyes are on her as she becomes an object of their affection.

She happens to be a fan of Akshay Kumar and since he is shooting in town, the men try their best impress her by arranging a meeting with him. The funniest scenes are where Akshay Kumar sportingly makes fun of himself and the films he has done. But unfortunately, the fun bits are few and far between, most of the film focuses on the old men and their efforts to win over the girl. 

Mercifully, even with the songs and dances included, the film is just over 2 hours but even that looks like a long at times.

Published in The Navhind Times on 9th Nov 2014

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Film Review - Revolver Rani

Guns and Poses

 

Film: Revolver Rani

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Vir Das, Piyush Mishra

Directed by: Sai Kabir

Duration: 2 hrs 5 mins

Rating: * *

Kangana Ranaut was the toast of the town with her extraordinary performance in Queen, so much so, that many people might turn up to watch Revolver Rani purely because of the Queen effect. They will be in for a surprise (not necessarily a pleasant one) to see the actress portray a completely contrasting role in this film. 

The bone of contention would be the characterization; the Rani from Delhi was so believable the same cannot be said about this lady who could join the Expendables because she shoots to kill.  Set in Chambal, Alka (Ranuat) plays the tough woman with a past that is best left behind. Her uncle (Piyush Mishra) lends her a hand to become the leader. Vir Das plays her toyboy who aims to make it to Bollywood but then there are many other usual suspects like corrupt politicians and cops who are on the wrong side of the law.

There are a few nice bits like the shootout and the excited newsreader episode which allows you to indulge in a few laughs. But towards the end it all gets a bit too high handed and the plot is lost.

The heroine’s character is interesting, I don’t think there are many dacoits who aspire to wear clothes from Paris and want to go to Italy as well.

On the acting front, while Piyush Mishra is in his element as usual, Vir Das is a let-down.

Kangana Ranaut strides into her role with confidence and conviction. The same alas cannot be said of Revolver Rani as a film. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 27th Apr 2014

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