Film Review - Dedh Ishqiya

Sight For Sore Eyes

Film: Dedh Ishqiya (with English Subtitles)
Cast: Nasseruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi, Huma Qureshi
Directed by: Abhishek Chaubey
Duration: 2 hrs 32 mins
Rating: *  *  *  *

Once in a blue moon you get a film that is delightful, has a good story, excellent dialogues, is very well acted and also very witty - in other words, it has the X factor. During times when, forget the sequel, even the first part of most films is unbearable, Director Abhishek Chaubey who delighted us with Ishqiya (2010) doesn’t disappoint. The surprise element may be missing but be that as it may, Dedh Ishqiya is more than just one and half times better than most of the weekly stuff dished out every Friday.

The devil as they say, lies in the detail and since a lot of attention is paid to it here, it is this element that will enamor you. It has been a while since we saw some chaste Urdu (or Hindustani as it is known in cinema) on the big screen. Darab Farooqui, Vishal Bhardwaj and Abhishek Chaubey have done a marvelous job as far the writing is concerned - the dialogues are seamless, not a single line looks out of place.

Last time around, the lingo was Bhopali but this time, we are in Uttar Pradesh, where Khalujaan (Nasseruddin Shah) and Babban (Arshad Warsi) are back to their antics. After stealing a necklace they part ways only to meet again in Mahmoodabad in Awadh at one of those crumbling mansions where poetry sessions are still the in thing. The host is Begum Paro (Madhuri Dixit) a widow who is looking for a suitor. Her woman Friday is Muniya (Huma Qureshi) who is also in the thick of things and Vijay Raaz plays a politician who is first in the queue to become the Nawab of Mahmoodabad. In one of the many hilarious scenes, he kidnaps a poet curiously called Noor Mohammed Italvi, whose mummy is Italian and father is an Indian.

Love, heartbreak, deception, double crossing – its all there to make up for the second half which includes a shoot out filmed at a fairly deserted railway station, with Begum Akhtar’s Wo jo hum mein tum mein karaar tha playing the background. 

And who would have thought that someday we would hear Begum Akhtar (Hamriatariya pe aao is also brilliantly used) and Yo Yo Honey Singh in the same film!  

There are some hilarious scenes like the all night stand off between the two warring sides and some funny lines like the one where a U.P. don (Salman Shahid) says “Batman ka naam suna hain? Agar Joker mar gaya to saala Batman kya karega? Ghar baith ke aataa goondega?”  There are evocative scenes as well where the Begum calls Khalu by his name (Ifthekar) and he replies by saying that his first name never sounded so good.

The writers have also pushed the envelope as far as portraying the relationship between the two prime characters is concerned.  

For those interested in poetry, there is a lot to appreciate here, especially the many verses of Dr. Basheer Badr (Yahaan libaas ki keemat hai aadmi ki nahi / mujhe gilass bada de sharaab kam de)

Nasseruddin Shah in the costume and the character, reminds you of another role that he essayed, Mirza Ghalib. Needless to say, his performance is solid. After last weeks disastrous Mr.Joe B.Carvalho, it is such a relief to see Arshad Warsi do a role where he can truly showcase his talent. Vijay Raaz as the desperate lover is perfect for a few laughs. Like their counterparts, the ladies also have delivered what is expected. Madhuri Dixit’s as the dignified widow is apt and a feisty Huma Qureshi shows that she is a powerhouse when it comes to talent.

Dedh Ishqiya is sight for sore eyes. Go for it.

Published in The Navhind Times on 12th Jan 2014

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Film Review - Yaariyan

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The Worst Students Of The Year           

Film: Yaariyan

Cast: Himansh Kohli, Serah Singh, Rakul Preet Singh

Directed by: Divya Khosla Kumar

Duration: 2 hrs 5 mins

Rating: *

If you ask a seven year old kid to tell a story they will surely come up something better than Yaariyan. This film is an insult to anyone who has something that even remotely resembles intelligence. Meant to be a Gen Next story it is so silly that it makes you laugh, unintentionally. 

Debutante director Divya Khosla Kumar tries to do a student of the year, in this case with a tinge of patriotism because these bunch of kids have to beat the Australians at rock music, rock climbing, bike racing, chess and other assorted tom foolery.

So there is this school in Sikkim wear the girls wear clothes that would make the Baywatch girls look over dressed. Himansh Kohli plays Lakshya who is desperate to kiss a girl. Defying all the laws of physics, he even once saves a pussy cat on top of a building and that impresses the Principal Jim Martin (Gulshan Grover) a lot.

When the school is in trouble because of an Australian tycoon, the principal summons his best students to compete with the Aussies. There is a brainy girl Saloni (Rakul Preet Singh), “Uski memory computer se bhi zyaada tez hain” says the principal. So this bunch of guys and girls go to Australia to participate and they even sing a song that starts during day time and ends at night. No wonder everyone looked exasperated. But they don’t win a prize because it’s a Hindi song and hence it cannot be rock.

The story is regressive, silly and just about everything in the film looks fake, including the acting. The only one I felt sorry for was Deepti Naval. Surely, she deserves better than this. And so do we.

Published in The Navhind Times on 12th Jan 2014

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Film Review - Grudge Match

Old But Not Gold

Film: Grudge Match

Cast: Sylvester Stallone, Robert De Niro, Kim Bassinger

Directed by: Peter Segal

Duration: 1 hr 52mins

Rating: * *

Recently we saw Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger come together in Escape Plan but the movie turned out to be so-so. Now the prospect of two actors like Stallone and De Niro together in one film that too with a boxing story (Rocky vs Raging Bull) is also exciting but unfortunately it doesn’t go beyond that hoopla.

 The basic outline of two aging rival boxers coming out of retirement has some promise as far as the story is concerned but the screenplay is very ordinary and has too many clichés.

Stallone plays a retired boxer named Razor (whatever happened to normal names? ) and his one time rival was The Kid (De Niro). They won one match a piece during their previous encounters and now Razor is in need of money so he is coaxed by a promoter to have a deciding match even though both the boxers are no longer a part of the sport. 

Kim Basinger plays Razor’s love interested who cheated on him by having an affair with his rival so there is emotional drama in it as well but it doesn’t hold any value.The story appears very artificial with no depth to speak of. The point about family bonding is a drag and even the boxing match doesn’t hold much interest.

The only reason you might want to watch the film is because of the two lead actors. And if you do, make sure you stay till the end credits roll, the best part of the film, a cameo, is during the credits.

 Published in The Navhind Times on 12th Jan 2014

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Film Review - Wolf of Wall Street

                                                    

Money For Nothing 

Film: The Wolf of Wall Street

Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill

Directed by: Martin Scorsese

Duration: 2 hrs 54 mins

Rating: *  *  *  *

Based on a book by Jordan Belfort (inspired by his own true story) The Wolf of Wall Street, to begin with, proves that director Martin Scorsese is on the top of his game. A film of this caliber had to be made by someone special and Scorsese has delivered the knockout punch.

It also has a superb screenplay by television writer Terence Winter and even though the film clocks three hours (six minutes have been chopped off by the censors), they are the breeziest three hours you’ve encountered at the cinemas in a while. This is one helluva trip.  

Jordan (Leonardo DiCaprio) was just an ordinary guy till he got a break on Wall street as a dealer. Soon he branched off and started on his own and with a motley crue, it didn’t take him long to climb the ladder. Their modus operandi was simple – sell penny stocks to unsuspecting clients and make money. Soon he had so much that didn’t know what to do with it.

Apart from the love of money, there were other serious vices as well – drugs and women. In the form of tablets or powder Jordan was addicted to it and he also left his first wife and married a pretty woman (Margot Robbie). The chickens had to come to roost and greed may be good, but not for long as finally, the long arm of the law catches up with him.

Reflecting the high that Jordan has all the time, the pace of the film is relentless and every scene exudes so much energy. Scorsese has also laced it with humor which is not necessarily meant to be funny-you may let out a chuckle but the irony of the situation at times goes beyond the obvious humor. And that’s where Scorsese might also be trying to make a point about the perils of a fast life. He also doesn’t pass any judgment on the characters - it is all there for the audience to see.  

We don’t really know how much of Jordan’s claims are true and about the accuracy of what has been depicted. But that aside, what we do know is that Scorsese has made a film that will stay with you for a long time and you wouldn’t mind watching it again to admire his art.

Margot Robbie (who was also noticed in About Time recently) as the trophy wife not only looks pretty but acts with confidence. Jonah Hill as Jordan’s partner is aptly cast and the other supporting actors like Jean Dujardin and Matthew McConaughey make their presence felt. The film is also a triumph for Leonardo DiCaprio who has given an outstanding performance. Surely he is in the race for the Oscars with this film, not that it matters a lot.

The Wolf of Wall Street is one of the best films in recent times, don’t miss it.  

Published in The Navhind Times on 5th Jan 2014

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Film Review- Sholay 3D

   

     

Still The Greatest Story Ever Told

Film: Sholay (3D)

Cast: Seriously, you don’t know?

Directed by: Ramesh Sippy

Duration: 3 hrs 20 mins

The greatest story ever told is back on the big screen, this time in 3D. Over the years, reams have been written, hours have been spend discussing and dissecting Sholay which is not just a film, it is a part of our pop culture. The characters have become a part of folk lore and the dialogues are still so popular that you can virtually have a communication with someone using only the immortal lines penned by Salim-Javed.

The question to ask anyone is not if you have seen Sholay but how many times?

For those who have missed out watching it on the big screen, here is an opportunity of a life time. And the good news is that the 3D version is pretty neatly done, it may not add a great deal of value but it doesn’t take away anything either. Besides, there is nothing on earth can add any more value to Sholay.

This 3D release is the same as the original censored version with the ending that we all know of. Most film lovers are aware that Sholay was originally shot in 35mm and then blown to 70mm for theatres that were compatible for that format and there weren’t too many in those days. This version also fits the screen (like 70mm) and hence everything appears ‘closer’ in tight frames.

The background score has also been reworked with modern technology although I would have been perfectly happy to hear it in the original format. Some of the sound effects have been enhanced take for instance Gabbar Singh’s entry scene, the sound of his boots is almost scary.

Has the film dated over the years? Not at all. Maybe a couple of scenes like Jaya Bhaduri’s flashback for instance could be trimmed but otherwise the whole 204 minutes of it is still a treasured gem. Right from the opening bars of R.D Burman’s memorable theme music to the end, this is one heck of trip. The fight sequence on the train is still one of the best ever and even with all the CGI, none of the contemporary films can match that.

Basanti in kutto ke samne mat nachna, tere kya hoga kaliya, tumhara naam kya hain basanti, Loha hi lohe ko kat ta hain, yeh haat mujhe de de thakur, Bahut yaraana lagta hai, Kitne aadmi they?, Hum angrezon ke zamaane ke jailor hain, Arre O Saambha,  Itna Sannata kyo hai bhai? There is perhaps no other film in the universe which has lines that are so popular like the ones mentioned above.

So ahead, make you day. Again.   

Published in The Navhind Times on 5th Jan 2014

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Film Review - Timepass

Straight From The Heart

Film: Timepass (Marathi)

Cast: Prathamesh Parab, Ketaki Mategaonkar, Vaibhav Mangale

Directed by: Ravi Jadhav

Duration: 2 hrs 20 mins

Rating: * * *

Director Ravi Jadhav scored at the box office with Balak Palak and his latest venture Timepass is more than just what the title suggests. It offers some solid entertainment and also makes some valid points about the society.

If the Nagraj Manjule’s brilliant Fandry was about the caste divide, Timepass delves on class but with a slightly lesser intensity. There is also common link between Sujay Dakahe’s Shaala, Fandry and this film – they all have an adolescent love story around which everything else revolves.

Dagadu (Prathamesh Parab who also acted in Jadhav’s Balak Palak) is a young guy who has failed repeatedly in Std. X. His father who drives and auto rickshaw to make ends meet, kicks him out of the house and Dagadu becomes a newspaper delivery boy. One day he sees Prajakta (Ketaki Mategaonkar, playing a similar role to the one in Shaala) and instantly falls in love.

Now Dagadu is not the ‘smartest’ guy around, he is more like what is conventionally referred to as a tapori. But he is a sincere and earnest boy who wears his heart on his sleeve and that’s the reason the girl falls for him. Her background couldn’t be more contrasting though – her father (Vaibhav Mangale) is a disciplinarian who wants to raise his daughter with ‘traditional values’. Interestingly though, in a conversation with the rickshaw driver, he mentions that doesn’t believe in the class divide but is more concerned because the boy whom his daughter loves is uneducated and coarse in the way he speaks.  

For most parts, the film will have you in splits and that is primarily because of Dagadu’s character and his lines, which are some what similar to Munnabhai’s lingo. It is only in the last lap that the film looks a bit stretched and labors a bit.

Technically, the film is quite polished and the songs are well shot and integrated in the story. Prathamesh Parab deserves an A for his acting and has a terrific sense of comic timing. Ketaki Mategaonkar has been there done that but it has to be done again and she fares well.

Timepass offers some wholesome entertainment and is eminently worth a watch.

Published in The Navhind Times on 5th Jan 2014

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Film Review -The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Just Do It

Film: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty

Cast: Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig

Directed by: Ben Stiller

Duration: 1 hr 54 mins

Rating: * * 1 /2

Based on the short story of the same name by James Thurber, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty is the second feature film, the first was made 1947. Incidentally, both films are made by Samuel Goldwyn productions.

This is a modern day adaptation that has its moments, but on the whole the film is a bit too ‘bookish’ – you can almost feel turning the pages as the story progresses. Ben Stiller who has directed the film (after the enjoyable Tropic Thunder) plays the lead role of Walter Mitty who is a negative assets manager at the Life magazine. Since the film is set in 2011 (there is a reference to the volcano in Greenland which erupted couple of years ago) I can only assume that the photographer referred to in the film still used film role and didn’t go digital.

So Mr. Mitty is an introvert who works hard and does his job well. Till he discovers that a particular negative sent by the top photographer Sean (Sean Penn) is missing. In order to trace the same, Mitty has to get in touch with Sean who is globe trotting without a phone or email. Using clues from the other negatives, Mitty embarks on a journey that takes him to Greenland, Iceland and then to the Himalayas all in search of that one picture.

The larger message here about being adventurous in life and living it king size becomes apparent in the second half, especially after the numerous conversations that he has with the representative of a dating website.

Kristen Wiig plays his romantic interest and it is always good to see the lovely Shirley Maclaine who plays Mitty’s mom. It takes a while to figure out the direction in which the film is going. But once that is clear, there aren’t too many surprises left. So all you have to do is enjoy the gorgeous landscapes because there is precious little otherwise as far as the story is concerned, which takes it self a bit too seriously. 

Published in The Navhind Times on 5th Jan 2014

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