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.

Revolver Rani

Anyone who refers to Revolver Rani as an absolutely nonsensical, over the top, blasé, idiotic, unbelievable, ridiculous, ludicrous, abnormal, bizarre, eccentric, gross, unexpected, unusual, weird movie is absolutely right!!! You can refer to it with any of the adjectives that I have called out but you cannot say that it is a bad movie by any stretch of imagination. Anyone who does refer to Revolver Rani as a bad movie is taking life way to seriously and is no familiar with exploitation movies.

Gangs of Wasseypur 2

Try and watch the trailer of Gangs of Wasseypur 2 (GoW2) before you actually watch the movie. It will give you a strong flavor of what you have in store of what can be easily termed as the most awaited sequel from the Bollywood stable in the recent and also the not the recent past. The lucky ones probably got to see the trailer at the end of Part 1 itself if your screen didn’t scrimp on saving power for a few minutes. For the not so lucky ones there is you tube.

GoW2 continues from exactly where it left off in GoW – with Sardar Khan’s death. But a few minutes into the movie and you will know that you are in for something that is even more gory and bloody as compared to the precursor. In about 10 minutes, there are 2 funerals and one chopped head – both of which are shown in as much graphic detail as you could probably get out from the censor board.

Sorry about the spoiler but it just left a lasting impression in my head. I can remember very few (if any) movies which are this graphic in nature and grabs hold of you with both hands and shakes you up in such a short span of time. And all of this is inspite of its really slow pace.

The onus of running the Khan family then falls squarely on the shoulders of Faizal Khan (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) who has to now try to achieve a fine balance between his fascination for the green drug, his attraction to Mohsina (Huma Qureshi) and his mother’s expectation of revenge.

GoW2 also sees the introduction of 3 new characters. Faizal’s younger brother who speaks with a lisp who is fondly called Perpendicular. At age 14 he is uses Faizal’s fear to the maximum along with his almost fair weather friend called Tangent. And the most important character being Faizal’s step brother – Definite (Zeishan Quadri). The former and the latter are strongly sketched through the movie – especially Definite.

The hallmark of GoW2 will undeniably be the blood and gore that it has shown as blatantly as the censor board could have allowed. But this can at no point take away credit for the clean character sketches of each and every role or the stunning performances from each and every one in the crew. Even if it is a small role like that of Tangent, Shamshad or Guddu, the effort put in is simply superb. Anurag Kashyap could not have come up with the goods once again without these performances. To me, the find from the series would be Richa Chadda, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Tigmanshu Dhulia.

Watch out for yet another fabulous score from Sneha Khanwalkar. I personally think she is insane. One cannot make music that is so apt for a movie and of such high quality if you are normal. Not to forget the hilarious and talented performances from Yashpal Sharma. To me, GoW 1 and 2 have been the movie of the year to date. 7.5 on 10 for this one as well.

Watch the trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S3PZbL8JGYQ

Gangs of Wasseypur

It is very difficult to find fault with the likes of Anurag Kashyap because more often than not, he makes masterpieces. Masterpieces which are fleshed out to the level of detail that leads to most people to interpret the movie as too slow. Like I mentioned to someone a couple of days back that movie makers such as Kashyap and Dibakar Banerjee put so much of emphasis on characters that the intensity often comes at the expense of pace and is not appreciated by most people. Gangs of Wasseypur is no different from any such movie that you have seen from Tipping Point productions.

GOW gets to the table the atypical commitment towards making a movie that one has come to associate with the likes of Anurag Kashyap only. The emphasis on each character and each frame is stunning. And in this case, Kashyap has gone to great levels to get the back story absolutely in place before moving on to the actual story, for which we will have to wait for a while. The back story itself has taken over 150 minutes of which the first 90 minutes itself gets to a point where you actually start to wonder – is there an interval to this movie? So on a not so serious note, ensure that you relieve yourself before the movie starts lest you are not able to hold back too long

The back story starts way back in the 1940s where the roots of Wasseypur are established. It is a small village on the outskirts of Dhanbad – primarily dominated by the Qureshis who gain their livelihood by robbing trains of the British Raj. A new smart alec Sultan Khan throws a cat amongst the pigeons and earns the wrath of the Qureshis who are actually butchers by profession.

He is banished from the village and starts to make a living in Coal Country where he is noticed by a new Thekedar (Contractor) Ramadhir Singh and taken under his wing. Sultan eventually gets eliminated by Ramadhir when inadvertently learns of Sultan’s ambitions to take over from him. Many moons later Ramadhir is a politician and Sultan’s son Saradar has grown in stature and slowly but surely starts avenging his father’s killer.

Part 1, spans 3 generations of the Khans and the Qureshis with Ramadhir being the constant feature across all of them. GOW, one may rightfully feel, is a bit stretched because after all of this, we still have another part to go. If there is a flaw, this would be it. And that in some scenese, Anurag’s human nature comes to the fore with some silly consistency errors and some even sillier factual errors. Albiet not visible to the normal human eye for certain.

One this is for certain though. The performances from every single person – lead or supporting is stunning – superb work by the Casting director – Mukesh Chhabra. The extras may not have done too well though which is very unlike Kashyap again. The screenplay is absolutely Jharkhandi and so is the music from Sneha Khanwalkar. Both keep the interest and humour alive in the movie which would otherwise have put the audiences to deep sleep. I was unable to catch the name of the editor but without the superb cuts, GOW would not have turned out to be a brilliantly finished movie.

That its an Anurag Kashyap movie in itself is enough reason to watch it. But that it is a very well made one will only make it better. But be prepared for the slow pace. 7.5 on 10 as of now. I may take the rating higher once I have watched 2. Mind you, watch 1 and you will not be able to skip 2. Enjoy!!! Oh yes, I forgot – extreme violence and super gory scenes – not for the light hearted.

Watch the trailer on http://www.youtube.com/user/Viacom18Movies?v=j-AkWDkXcMY

RockStar

Away…. Beyond all the concepts of wrong doing and right doing
There is a field….. I will meet you there – Rumi

The movie ends with this couplet. And probably sums up the entire story quite aptly. The story of Janardhan Jhankhad (Ranchhod Das Chanchad has started a trend with Bollywood which will be here for a long time to come) – JJ for short is a sadak chhap Dilli ka Chhokra (a roadside romeo) from Pitam Pura. He has known only the guitar from the time that he was born probably. But as the lyrics state is, “Jo Bhi Mein, Kehna Chahoon, Barbaad kare, Alfaaz Mere” (Whatever I would like to say are ruined by the words I use). There is no X factor. And as his mentor, Khatana (Kumud Mishra) tells him – he can never be a star because he has never seen tough times. Never been hurt in love. Never fallen seriously ill. Still has his parents and family. So JJ decides to make an attempt to fall in love with Heer Koul (Nargis Fakhri) from St. Stephens. Violent rejection followed by a slight softening of the stand followed by a friendship which never seems to turn into love for a long time. But after Heer gets married, JJ or Jordan as he is known now finds his groove and turns into a Rockstar.

Something missing in the story? Maybe I have summarized it in a matter of fact way. But that’s not it. There is that little something that has me a bit muddled in my head. Because I left the hall feeling a little let down and yet reasonably satisfied with my experience. Rockstar is definitely not giving Shaitan a race for the best movie of the year in my books. But it is not that feeling that has me confused. I will definitely pen it down in the future.

The editing is slick from Aarti Bajaj. Just the right cuts at the right times and piecing it together to give a collage that just comes together very well. Rahman’s music along with Irshad Kamil’s lyric is superb. One of his better pieces of work. Most importantly, fits very well with the movie and comes out as a blend of a soundtrack and typical Bollywood singing. The costumes are real and very appropriate. Jordan’s costumes will definitely start a fresh trend in dressing and facial hair. Some consistency errors but only if you have a good eye. The camera work is solid again which ensures that Ranbir’s fingers on the guitar are not visible (mostly) when he may not be playing the right notes.

Imtiaz Ali keeps getting better with his direction in each movie. Rock Star is his 4th movie and he experiments this time by varying the pace from the exceptionally fast moments to the snail paced sequences. And just as you are about to give up, he ups the ante and gets you back into the movie. Ranbir Kapoor continues to be intense and committed on screen (so what if he isn’t with his women). And the support cast has performed really well with Kumud and Piyush Mishra bordering on outstanding.

The only thing I could genuinely find fault with is the acting of the speculated next Kapoor Khandaan Ki Bahu (Daughter-in-law of the first family of Bollywood). It was Nargis Fakhri who probably single handedly took away the intensity of the movie and probably the only reason I will give Rock Star less than the 7 it could have got. Nargis dear – New York calling back I guess.  We will miss you at least for your gorgeous looks. But don’t worry – Ranbir will be with you where ever you decide to go – the chemistry between the 2 of you is so thick, you will need an axe to chop through.

All in all, RockStar is a well made movie and worth a dekko if not 2. I give it 6.5 on 10. Shaitan’s place as the best movie of the year from Bollywood is firmly secure. Don’t see anything else coming up in the next few weeks to displace it.

Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cn1jx_JUpi0

Bhindi Bazaar Inc

Assimilate these 3 sentences
1. “Kisi Ne Kaha Hai ki khel harne ya jeetne ke liye nahin kheli jaati. Woh usne zaroor haarne ke baad hee kaha hoga”!!! (Someone once said that it doesn’t matter if you win or lose in a game. He must have surely said that after losing a game).
2. What goes around – comes around
3. Maro yaa Maaro (Eat or be eaten)
The entire concept of Bhindi Bazaar Inc. can be explained with just these 2 sentences. A simple concept of every subsequent person in the food chain wanting to grow a bit too fast for his own good in the race to be at the top of Mumbai’s biggest area for crime – organized or unorganized – Bhindi Bazaar. The story of Fateh (Prashant Narayanan) and Tabrez aka Tez (Gautam Sharma) who grow up as the best of buddies and as protégés of the local “Maamu” (Pawan Malhotra). But what does Maamu do? He is the local handler for all the pickpockets in a part of Bhindi Bazaar. And extremely organized set up. And one that comes with its own hassles of restricting yourself to the area that has been assigned to you. As was found out by one of Maamu’s men who strayed into the area of their arch rivals from next door, the area across the tracks, led by Bhaiyyaji (Piyush Mishra) and his right hand man, Sankat Pandey. Superimpose all of this with a Pharma Company that is trying to use this network of crime to spread flu so that their drug starts flying off the shelves and of course the most important person of all – the guy who controls it all from his air conditioned sprawling Apartment – the big boss – Shroff (Kay Kay Menon). That my friends is the best way I could give you a synopsis of what you are in for when u walk in to watch BBI.

In a bit over 2 hours, newbie director Ankush Bhatt tries his best to get a bunch of people of act but fails quite miserably at it. Kay Kay Menon and Piyush Mishra need not be told usually what to do on screen and have the capabilities to figure out what is to be done by themselves. Kay Kay however has a staid role which is more of a Sutradhar that a lead character. Prashant Narayanan and another newbie Gautam Sharma both flatter to deceive. Somewhere I have always thought that Prashant can be a much better actor but keeps getting into these roles which require him not to shave and speak in a very “Mawali” (Rowdy) fashion. Gautam Sharma will take a long long time to get upto speed with the concept of acting. We then come to the 4 pieces of furniture. Firstly Shilpa Shukla who has been out of a job since Chak De and is desperate to get her 15 minutes of fame back. Then there is new comer Shweta Varma who is as frigid on screen as a polar ice cap with no sight of global warming. And the last but one piece is the very slutty winner of an MTV VJ or model Hunt – Vedika Pratap Singh – whose only job it would have seemed was to to show off her cleavage (which was clearly enhanced) and have 3 sex scenes with different men. And rounding off the entire shebang with the disappointing cousin of Jenny from the block – Caterina – who was being spoken about over the radio as the next big thing in item numbers – NAH!!! Nothing u will miss.

In the end what would have been basic fodder for the likes of an RGV turns out to be a damp squib to say the least. To summarize – Strong but beaten to death concept, below par direction, Under utilized actors, inconsistencies galore, one reasonable song, 3 sex scenes, one item number and Jackie Shroff (yuck!!!) & Deepti Naval in special appearances – if you believe this whets your appetite then go right ahead with BBI. I kinda wasted my time on this 4 on 10 movie.

Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKqEwde6Rb4

Lafangey Parindey

Read in Hindi - “Dard Aur Mard mein Duh or Muh ka fark hota hai. Duh aur Muh matlab Dum. Dum hai to Dard mein bhi Mard ban sakta hai”. What could have happened after a line like this in a movie?

a. The Audience gives a standing ovation with whistles and cat calls galore and in some instances even showers a few pennies onto the screen
b. The Audience does not even understand it and realizes it much later while reading a review like this one that there was this line said in the movie

The former is possible if and only if, it was done in the 70s by our very own Angry Young Man OR more recently in a movie that I am desperately waiting for starring Salman Khan in the lead doling out such dialogues. Expect the former to be magnified manifold. Lafangey Parindey unfortunately falls in the latter category. How did someone as versatile and talented as Pradeep Sarkar expect the grandson of one of the most famous singers in this country to pull this dialogue off is completely beyond me. What I mean to say is wasn’t there enough evidence in all movies after Johnny Gaddar that this gentleman is a little challenged in the acting department and definitely does not have the capability of pulling off Salman Khanish dialogues????

Anyways, lets get to the story now. Pinky Palkar (Deepika Padukone) works @ a skating rink @ R City Mall (proudly and prominently displayed - Make mental note to visit skating rink when possible). She is considered to be God’s gift to skating in India by her colleagues and partner. But her life in an unknown chawl in the by lanes of Mumbai has till now kept her protected from the possibility of getting her ticket out of the grime and the rut that she believes she was born into out of lack of choice. Nevertheless, she stumbles upon “India’s Got Talent” which has a cash prize of 50 lacs and that would become, no points for guessing, her ticket out of the chawl.

Now there is our hero, One Shot Nandu (NN Mukesh) who makes his living out of fighting blindfolded. Lives in the same chawl as Pinky but has not romantic inclinations whatsoever. Is our atypical chawl dude whose kicks in life come from the fact that his friends think the world of him. Women have no place in his life. Not interested. Nada. His hero in life is Anna (Kay Kay Menon) who is makes his living as a hired killer. Both pay obeisance to Usman Bhai (Piyush Mishra) the local don. Nandu wants to grown up to become Anna and in the enthusiasm accepts a job of being Anna’s driver on a job to knock off a rival gangster. Things go horribly wrong and Anna gets shot. As they are getting away, Nandu also runs over someone coz his attention was towards Anna who is half dead. Anna doesn’t make it and the someone turns out to be Pinky who slips into a coma and eventually loses her sight for good.

I did not expect much from Lafangey Parindey as such. I had mentioned that in my update on the first look as well. I must say, it kind of lived upto my expectations. The story is quite decent but as we are seeing quite often these days, the execution fails quite badly. Deepika continues to get full points for confidence in front of the camera but really does not execute the role of the blind Pinky to perfection. Neil Nitin Mukesh shows flashes of his Johnny Gaddar days but doesn’t capitalize on it. And as I had mentioned earlier, Pradeep Sarkar kind of lets you down. One would have expected much better from his side. Dialogues are quite insipid. Music not too great. Would anyone know if they used body doubles for the skating sequences? If not then that would be the only impressive aspect about the movie. Below average overall. 3 on 10 is the final verdict.

Tere Bin Laden

Ali Hassan (Ali Zafar) is your regular UDP (Ullu Da Pattha – as the song claims) from Karachi whose only obsession in life is to move to Amreeka as a journalist. Unfortunately, his first attempt leads to him getting deported thanks to something he does (which is why he is called a UDP) and then 6 unsuccessful attempts later, he finds himself as a small time reporter @ Danka TV run by a self obsessed Majeed Khan (Piyush Mishra). Ali’s cameraman is Gul (Nikhil Rathnaparkhi).Majeed ensures that his employees, especially the editing guy Mohammed Latif (Chirag Vora) is given as much hell as possible. Ali on his part keeps stepping in to save Latif from Majeed’s tantrums.

Ali is still not willing to give up on his Amreekan Dream and makes contact with Jamaal Bhai, proprietor of Lashkar-e-Amreeka (invading Amreeka since 2002). Jamaal claims to be able to send anyone to Amreeka thanks to his contacts @ the right places. But his services come @ a hefty price of Rs.272000 OR he could send you over free in more questionable methods at your own risk.

Ali and Gul are always given insignificant coverage areas one of which leads them to Muqabla-e-Baang, the local Rooster Crowing Contest which is won by Sikander, owned by the local chicken farmer Noora (Pradhuman Singh). While editing the shots, Ali & Gul realize that Noora bears an uncanny resemblance to none other than Osama himself. Desperately in need for the money, Ali hatches a plan and convinces Noora to shoot for a programme for an Arabic Channel. Latif poses as the owner of the channel. Being the proud chicken farmer that he is, Noora is more than glad to get his 15 mins of fame with Sikandar.

Now Ali is faced with a task of building the rest of the team and he ropes in Zoya, a local make up artiste who works with Jamaal Bhai and wants to start off her own beauty parlour if she has the monies. The last team member would be the voice over artiste who goes by the name of Comarade Qureshi and is currently a small time Radio Jockey. Qureshi takes some convincing but finally gets on board.

Our gang of 6 now goes on to shoot the video where Noora, unknown to himself, is sending out a warning threat to Prez George W Bush about how his atrocities will not be tolerated anymore. After this, Ali (posing as Khabri) locks in a deal for Rs.10 lacs with Majeed himself who in turn sells the video to Live India for Rs.30 lacs. What follows is a brilliant satire on how paranoia strikes the US and how our heroes cope up with the same. The humour is very slick and definitely way ahead of the slapstick junk that we get these days.

What makes TBL extremely good for Indian Cinema is that most of the names are vastly unknown. First time director Abhishekh Sharma should be thrilled at what he has achieved with TBL. Thank you so much Abhishekh for reaffirming our faith that the breed of good tasteful humour is not dead.

The acting is significantly above par with the exception of Nikhil Ratnaparkhi who could be perceived to be a little over the top – but only just a little. Ali Zafar shows good promise. The rest of them have always been cast as less than supporting roles in other movies but TBL gives them a good chunk of screen time which no one else has got to date with the exception of Sugandha Garg in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na.

Tere Bin Laden is an exceptional effort and a welcome relief to the world of Bollywood Comedy. This one is a must watch @ 7 on 10.