Prem Ratan Dhan Payo

It has been nearly 2 months since I put the proverbial pen to paper.  I have watched movies in the interim – they are like the air that I breathe – but a combination of writer’s block and just plain lethargy prevented me from writing.  Not that cinema of the likes of Pyar Ka Punchnama 2 or for that matter Shandaar didn’t inspire me to overcome the lethargy.

Roy (2015) (Hindi)

In my books, Roy, was one of the movies of 2015 that I was really looking forward to.  The posters gave a feel of a slow but different and dark movie with Ranbir Kapoor and Arjun Rampal.  The rumoured story was one of a love triangle and Ranbir Kapoor playing a thief.  Enough to get your intrigued and want to watch.

Baby (Hindi) (2015)

One day…. Maybe someday soon, we will see a refreshing and reassuring Bollywood Espionage movie that is action packed from start to finish.  Stuff that most of our aspirations are made of right? Well fasten your seatbelts and get ready for a ride that has been most strangely named BABY.

Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene

The biggest challenge in watching Sharafat Gayi Tel Lene begins from frame one. That challenge goes by the name of Zayed Khan - the second worst actor in the world (the worst would be Fardeen Khan). Thankfully the trailers prepare you for this challenge and it doesn't come as an unpleasant surprise. Thank God for small mercies.

The Shaukeens (2014)

Towards the end of The Shaukeens, there is a scene wherein Ahana (Lisa Haydon) has landed a plump role in an Akshay Kumar movie and is struggling with that evergreen dialogue, “Mein Tere bachche ki maa ban ne waali hoon”.  It is supposed to be a scene wherein she is acting in a manner that she doesn’t know how to act.  Little did she realize that it came naturally to her.

Sonali Cable

Sonali Cable is a movie meant for the common man, the aam aadmi or the mango people as it is hep to call them these days.  It is one story that represents the millions of small business owners across the length and breadth of this country.  And to see a story written about one of these in a positive light is definitely one thing that they got right.

Ekkees Topon Ki Salaami

While my first movie of the day (Tamanchey) had very little even remotely good, my 2^nd one yesterday was almost the opposite.  I say almost because like a lot of cinema these days, it had a lot going for it but the finishing was just not there.  It left me with mixed feelings but definitely more good than bad.

Daawat-E-Ishq

The weekend is here and it begins with an invitation from Yash Raj films.  An invitation to love / romance.  I know. I know.  That is a corny translation and I should have thought of a better one.  But Daawat-E-Ishq is exactly the kind of RomCom that deserves a corny opening line like this one.

Main Tera Hero

And he is back!!!! About a year after his biggest disaster in which he made a hash out of a wonderful Sai Paranjpe classic, he is back to being his old self. One that the sly old fella spoilt us with in the late 90s and early 2000s – usually with a certain Govind Ahuja in the lead.

O Teri

A CBI Assistant Commissioner who hasn't been given a car by his employees is ambling around on a desolate Delhi street in the middle of the night. It is coincidental that he is leading an investigation involving some leading government officials.

Gang of Ghosts (Hindi 2014)

Most Satish Kaushik movies are fraught with corny lines that make your cringe.  Usually he is also in front of the camera to delivery these liners in his typical poetic manner but this time around he decides to stay behind.  Let’s have a look at some of these vignettes from Shri Kaushik’s latest release – Gang of Ghosts.

Total Siyapaa

Do you remember a director called E Niwas? The one who did Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega some 13 years back (2001) and an extremely forgettable movie called My Name is Anthony Gonsalves around 6 years ago (2008)? Total Siyapaa is his attempt to make a comeback into cinema.  Regretably, Eeshwar Niwas will remain a one-movie-wonder with Shool (1999 – Manoj Bajpayee).

Mahabharat (Animation) (2013) (Hindi)

The trailer starts with the predictable, “Yada Yada hi Dharmasya….” (for translation, visit - http://www.asitis.com/4/7.html).  That and the really bad quality of animation visible on the trailers prepared me for pretty much the worst.  The fact ironically remains that India will be the largest exporter of animation in the world (citation needed) but will not spend money in making a quality animation movie.

Gori Tere Pyaar Mein!

Half of the Gori Tere Pyaar Mein!’s battle against me was already lost when I realized a couple of minutes into the movie that it has been set significantly in THE VILLAGE.  Now, now people, don’t get me wrong.  I have nothing against villages.  But I have a lot against one particular village.  For those who know me, this particular village is also known as – BENGALURU.  I call it the largest village in the world.

Yamla Pagla Deewana 2

Sangeeth Sivan takes over from Sameer Karnik, 2 years after the latter gave us a movie that was in terms of quality, nothing worth writing home about.  However, there were some moments attributed to the lead trio which ensured that the movie didn’t flop.  YPD2 is no different.

Hum Hai Raahi Car Ke

Jyotin Goel used to be a director in Bollywood in the 80s and 90s.  I am not sure if you remember a movie called Inaam Dus Hazaar starring Sanju Baba, Meenakshi Seshadri and Amrish Puri.  If not, then maybe u may remember Zahreelay (1990) or Safari (1999) both starring Sanju Baba in the lead. If not, then you must go back and check out these classics from Bollywood.

Aurangzeb

Aurangzeb was known for his resoluteness towards one goal and one goal only – that of taking the empire from his father.  He went to the extent of jailing his own father for no apparent reason other than greed for the throne.  That, is the apparent logic for this thriller based out of Gurgaon that shows the deep rooted nexus between politicians, gang lords (mafia) and cops.

Chasme Baddoor (2013)

I tweeted this and also mentioned it in my review for Himmatwala.  I seriously think that there should be a governing body that controls movie names and remakes.  People should not even be allowed to use names of movies that have achieved classic / cult status.  Remakes are actually the next level.

Silver Linings Playbook

Of all the movies nominated for the Academy Awards this year, this is one that has got 8 nominations.  But mind you.  Unlike its counterparts, it has got 8 nominations in all major categories – Motion Picture of the Year, Directing, Lead Actor, Lead Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Editing & Adapted Screenplay!!!

Special 26

Neeraj Pandey’s debut into Bollywood could be equated to a storm.  While it was a remake, A Wednesday, created a lot of ripples across the film world.  Of course he was aided by a few of the best names in the industry.  2 out of those – Anupam Kher and Jimmy Sheirgill form part of the crew for Special 26 as well.