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.
Showing posts with label Tena Desae. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Tena Desae. Show all posts
Friday, 16 January 2015
Friday, 4 January 2013
Table No. 21
Vivaan (Rajeev Khandelwal) and Siya Agasthi (Tena Desae) are an apparently happily married couple who win a trip to the magical islands that Vijay Singh (the ace golfer) calls his home. For those who are unaware of where Vijay Singh comes from it would be the Polynesian island country of Fiji.
On their last day, they are invited for their anniversary lunch to a hotel owned by Abdul Razzaq Khan (Paresh Rawal) who seems to be a man of means to put it mildly. Now Vivaan and Siya are in trouble back home because Vivaan doesn’t have a job. Khan has come to the table with just the solution that they want. Something that will solve all their problems.
At stake is a nominal sum of Rs. 21 crores. That’s Rs. 210 million for the non Indians or $4 million. What would you be willing to do to get that amount into your bank account? Lets rephrase that question. What would be willing to do that is considered legal and have that amount in your bank account in about 3 to 4 weeks?
My guess would be – A LOT. Well Vivaan and Siya have to play a game which is Mr. Khan’s version of Sach Ka Saamna (Moment of Truth) & Who Dares Wins put together. Ironically Rajeev Khandelwal is the host of Sach Ka Saamna in real life. But in reel life as the poster calls out (very cornily of course) – IF YOU LIE – YOU DIE!!! (guttural laughter follows. Similar to the one from MJs Thriller video).
Khandelwal’s choice of movies has typically been good to date. Aamir, Shaitan & Soundtrack to name a few. And if you would look @ Tena Desae’s career, she has had a few bit parts in some good movies and has done a decent job in them. Some of them have been Hollywood hits as well. And as for Paresh Rawal – all of us are aware of his prowess as an actor.
So Table No. 21 should have been a good, safe bet right? If I consider the storyline then yes. It is a safe bet. In fact an interesting story. But that would not say much because, standing in your way of what could have been a really good movie is one Aditya Datt. Aditya’s direction can be best described to that of a cat that has been cornered by a few dogs and it doesn’t know where to go or how to escape.
A topic / story like this needed to be handled with far more intensity and attention to detail. The make up is all over the place. There is unnecessary use of songs / music in the wrong places. At least 20 minutes could have been chopped off. Just a few ways that Aditya could have made this really worth it.
Amongst the new crop of directors, someone like Bejoy Nambiar would have probably got these missing elements in. But then Bejoy is due to release David in 4 weeks. Lets hope that makes up for the weak start to 2013. 5 on 10.
Trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsC1MI9NvSs
On their last day, they are invited for their anniversary lunch to a hotel owned by Abdul Razzaq Khan (Paresh Rawal) who seems to be a man of means to put it mildly. Now Vivaan and Siya are in trouble back home because Vivaan doesn’t have a job. Khan has come to the table with just the solution that they want. Something that will solve all their problems.
At stake is a nominal sum of Rs. 21 crores. That’s Rs. 210 million for the non Indians or $4 million. What would you be willing to do to get that amount into your bank account? Lets rephrase that question. What would be willing to do that is considered legal and have that amount in your bank account in about 3 to 4 weeks?
My guess would be – A LOT. Well Vivaan and Siya have to play a game which is Mr. Khan’s version of Sach Ka Saamna (Moment of Truth) & Who Dares Wins put together. Ironically Rajeev Khandelwal is the host of Sach Ka Saamna in real life. But in reel life as the poster calls out (very cornily of course) – IF YOU LIE – YOU DIE!!! (guttural laughter follows. Similar to the one from MJs Thriller video).
Khandelwal’s choice of movies has typically been good to date. Aamir, Shaitan & Soundtrack to name a few. And if you would look @ Tena Desae’s career, she has had a few bit parts in some good movies and has done a decent job in them. Some of them have been Hollywood hits as well. And as for Paresh Rawal – all of us are aware of his prowess as an actor.
So Table No. 21 should have been a good, safe bet right? If I consider the storyline then yes. It is a safe bet. In fact an interesting story. But that would not say much because, standing in your way of what could have been a really good movie is one Aditya Datt. Aditya’s direction can be best described to that of a cat that has been cornered by a few dogs and it doesn’t know where to go or how to escape.
A topic / story like this needed to be handled with far more intensity and attention to detail. The make up is all over the place. There is unnecessary use of songs / music in the wrong places. At least 20 minutes could have been chopped off. Just a few ways that Aditya could have made this really worth it.
Amongst the new crop of directors, someone like Bejoy Nambiar would have probably got these missing elements in. But then Bejoy is due to release David in 4 weeks. Lets hope that makes up for the weak start to 2013. 5 on 10.
Trailer on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsC1MI9NvSs
Saturday, 19 May 2012
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
I saw the trailer of The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (TBEMH) over 3 months back down under. I was actually quite certain that some moron somewhere in this country will find some of the things said offensive enough to file a Public Interest Litigation and ensure that the movie never sees the light of day in India. Something like the powers that be did with Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom. Thankfully that didn’t happen unless of course there is something that was done behind the scenes that we are unaware of. I was not complaining either ways.
TBEMH traces the lives of 7 people who have one foot in the grave – each with a secret of their own who find themselves in India at the same time. Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench) has just lost her husband who she was severely dependent upon. Graham Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson) leaves London on a whim of sorts – just like that in the middle of a speech from his colleague – he packs his bags and heads off to India. Douglas (Bill Nighy) and Jean (Penelope Wilton) Ainsley are a couple who are dealing with coming to an age where they cannot afford to buy more than very basic accommodation in an old age home.
Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) has come to a point where her hip bone has given way but she is some sort of a racist and doesn’t like to be touched by anything that’s not white. Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup) and Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) are 2 people who do not believe that age has anything to do with being sexually active. In the case of Cousins, he just wants to get laid. But Madge’s desires extend to finding a single man of royal blood.
Norman and Madge are actually the funniest characters in this geriatric Romantic Comedy from the table of John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Captain Correlli’s Mandolin) who is known for spinning stories that touch your heart. Madden has once again stuck to his strength of fleshing out each character beautifully. Each of the 7 people are introduced in just under a minute right at the beginning before the actual credits start. The sequence is really well done.
Madden need not have worried about the acting department in this one (or previous ones) because he has picked up his cast to a perfection. To me the outstanding performance came from Maggie Smith who will definitely stake a claim to Uncle Oscar this year. Add to the performances some vintage British humour and dialogues that will stay with you for a really long time such as, “I am single by choice. Not just my choice” OR “When I want your opinion I will give it to you” or the more serious, “The only real failure is the failure to try. And the measure of success is how we cope with the disappointment that comes with trying”. Beautifully written words from Ol Parker. Adapted from the book Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach, this is one Brit RomCom you must add to your weekend watches. 7 on 10.
Trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi929996313/
TBEMH traces the lives of 7 people who have one foot in the grave – each with a secret of their own who find themselves in India at the same time. Evelyn Greenslade (Judi Dench) has just lost her husband who she was severely dependent upon. Graham Dashwood (Tom Wilkinson) leaves London on a whim of sorts – just like that in the middle of a speech from his colleague – he packs his bags and heads off to India. Douglas (Bill Nighy) and Jean (Penelope Wilton) Ainsley are a couple who are dealing with coming to an age where they cannot afford to buy more than very basic accommodation in an old age home.
Muriel Donnelly (Maggie Smith) has come to a point where her hip bone has given way but she is some sort of a racist and doesn’t like to be touched by anything that’s not white. Norman Cousins (Ronald Pickup) and Madge Hardcastle (Celia Imrie) are 2 people who do not believe that age has anything to do with being sexually active. In the case of Cousins, he just wants to get laid. But Madge’s desires extend to finding a single man of royal blood.
Norman and Madge are actually the funniest characters in this geriatric Romantic Comedy from the table of John Madden (Shakespeare in Love, Captain Correlli’s Mandolin) who is known for spinning stories that touch your heart. Madden has once again stuck to his strength of fleshing out each character beautifully. Each of the 7 people are introduced in just under a minute right at the beginning before the actual credits start. The sequence is really well done.
Madden need not have worried about the acting department in this one (or previous ones) because he has picked up his cast to a perfection. To me the outstanding performance came from Maggie Smith who will definitely stake a claim to Uncle Oscar this year. Add to the performances some vintage British humour and dialogues that will stay with you for a really long time such as, “I am single by choice. Not just my choice” OR “When I want your opinion I will give it to you” or the more serious, “The only real failure is the failure to try. And the measure of success is how we cope with the disappointment that comes with trying”. Beautifully written words from Ol Parker. Adapted from the book Foolish Things by Deborah Moggach, this is one Brit RomCom you must add to your weekend watches. 7 on 10.
Trailer on http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi929996313/
Saturday, 20 August 2011
Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande
This movie can be described with inspiration from one of the greatest leaders of all time – Abe Lincoln (coincidentally saw Bad Teacher yesterday which had a small snippet of Lincoln). Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande is a movie of THE Pravin Dabas, by THE Pravin Dabas and for THE Pravin Dabas. I had thought of this line about a week back when I saw the posters of SDGB for the first time – hadn’t seen them because I have hardly been in Mumbai for the past few months. And believe you me, this is the first line that came to my mind. The poster had Dabas all over it. And if that was not sufficient, it is also produced by – no points for guessing – Preeti Jhangiani (for those who are unaware, she is THE Mrs. Dabas). Notice the use of the article before Pravin Dabas. Quite intentional since the entire movie is pretty much about him, only him and no one else but him – maybe some extended family but that’s about it. Right from the start credits, where you will notice at least 4 mentions of Dabas all the way to the end credits where u will notice probably 6 of them. And there is barely a scene where he isn’t present. How much of obsession with ones own self Mr. Chironjilal?
Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande is actually about a social cause and due credit to Dabas here because he doesn’t waste too much of time actually getting to the topic. A few minutes of build up and we cut directly to a bunch of farmers led by Malik Bhai (Yashpal Sharma) who are fighting for their rights. Their land has been taken away from them forcibly and the government has paid them a princely sum which is 1/8th of the actual value. All a big scheme which is being controlled by business tycoon Agarwal (Anupam Kher) along with the Chief Minister, Jaya Gulati. To help manage the situation, they call upon the services of the local goon, Fauji (Sharat Saxena) who deputes the task to his trusted lieutenant, Rajbir (Dabas – god I thought I would never get to him tried my best ). Rajbir has just returned from jail. He quickly gets around to getting laid by a bikini clad woman in a Jacuzzi, then gets laid by his ex girl friend Neha (Tena Desae) who is due to get married (so much for fidelity) and also gets to listen to a few senti words from his Tai (Neena Kulkarni). All of this changes his orientation and he wants to help the farmers out – Wow!!! That was quick!!!!
But the movie isn’t. It drags on a bit too much for my comfort. There is loads that I would have cut. But Dabas chose to make it the way it has been. Credit to Dabas in terms of being able to direct himself which not too many people can do. And the fact that he chose his support cast reasonably well helped him out significantly. Most of them are either seasoned actors or fresh actors who seem to have spent quite sometime in theatre. All with the exception of Tena Desae and Udit Khurana who were really bad. What Pravin Dabas sucks at though is all the other aspects of movie making – cinematography was almost non existant and also editing. The script was almost an excuse. Music had nothing much to write home about either. I give this 4 on 10 purely because Dabas tried to and I am quite certain he will get there in the world of cinema. Hopefully sooner than later. All the best Mr. Pravin Dabas.
Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDenL5FXomA
Sahi Dhandhe Galat Bande is actually about a social cause and due credit to Dabas here because he doesn’t waste too much of time actually getting to the topic. A few minutes of build up and we cut directly to a bunch of farmers led by Malik Bhai (Yashpal Sharma) who are fighting for their rights. Their land has been taken away from them forcibly and the government has paid them a princely sum which is 1/8th of the actual value. All a big scheme which is being controlled by business tycoon Agarwal (Anupam Kher) along with the Chief Minister, Jaya Gulati. To help manage the situation, they call upon the services of the local goon, Fauji (Sharat Saxena) who deputes the task to his trusted lieutenant, Rajbir (Dabas – god I thought I would never get to him tried my best ). Rajbir has just returned from jail. He quickly gets around to getting laid by a bikini clad woman in a Jacuzzi, then gets laid by his ex girl friend Neha (Tena Desae) who is due to get married (so much for fidelity) and also gets to listen to a few senti words from his Tai (Neena Kulkarni). All of this changes his orientation and he wants to help the farmers out – Wow!!! That was quick!!!!
But the movie isn’t. It drags on a bit too much for my comfort. There is loads that I would have cut. But Dabas chose to make it the way it has been. Credit to Dabas in terms of being able to direct himself which not too many people can do. And the fact that he chose his support cast reasonably well helped him out significantly. Most of them are either seasoned actors or fresh actors who seem to have spent quite sometime in theatre. All with the exception of Tena Desae and Udit Khurana who were really bad. What Pravin Dabas sucks at though is all the other aspects of movie making – cinematography was almost non existant and also editing. The script was almost an excuse. Music had nothing much to write home about either. I give this 4 on 10 purely because Dabas tried to and I am quite certain he will get there in the world of cinema. Hopefully sooner than later. All the best Mr. Pravin Dabas.
Watch the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDenL5FXomA
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