Film Review - Amit Sahni Ki List

 

Almost Listless

Film: Amit Sahni Ki List

Cast: Vir Das, Vega Tamotia, Anindita Nayar

Directed by: Ajay Bhuyan

Duration: 1 hr 55 mins

Rating: * *

Amit Sahni Ki List is your run of the mill romantic comedies with a formula that has been pretty much done to death by now.  A guy keeps searching for the right girl all his life and when she comes, another one follows suit leaving the bloke all confused as to which one to choose. There is still ample scope to make a charming film from that one line brief but alas, you could write a program to launch a satellite while watching the film and still follow it to the tee.

Vir Das plays Amit, an investment banker who has everything going for him, almost. He is particularly finicky when it comes to women, they must posses certainly qualities, he has a list of criteria to be fulfilled and being a Sachin Tendulkar fan being one of them.  In most cases the relationship ends on a sour note, till he meets Mala (Vega Tamotia) who sweeps him of his feet. With all boxes ticked on his list, they get engaged and then he meets Devika (Anindita Nayar) who also fits the bracket. Like several other countless heroes before, Amit can’t make up his mind, which girl to chose.

The execution is particularly dull, while it tries to be all hip and urban (like the mother who keeps using text lingo like IMHO, LOL) there is very little connect with the characters, particularly Amit Sahni. You don’t know if you should like him or hate him for whatever he does. 

Vir Das is best suited as a supporting actor, he can’t quite carry off a film on his own but Vega Tamotia shows some spark. Amit Sahni Ki List tries hard to achieve something but ends up being listless.  

Published in The Navhind Times on 20th July 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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