Gehraiyaan (Depths)

 Movie Review (Hindi)

A movie that has romance, tragedy and suspense so beautifully packaged that the audience cannot resist. The fast paced story line has a lot of secrets to reveal and director, Shakun Batra, has done a wonderful job with the pace. 

Deepika Padukone has it in her to light up the screen, not just because of her beauty but for her acting skills as well. She simply needs the right director, as this movie proves. All the other characters provided the support required to make the movie what it is, a thriller that stays with you. Having Naseeruddin Shah and Rajat Kapoor just added to the attraction quotient.

Thank you Shakun Batra and the entire team that wrote the screenplay. We could do with some more of this genre of movies.

Madaari

Movie Review (Hindi)

Irrfan Khan is one of my favourite actors and I wanted to watch this movie only because he stars in it. As usual, he did not let me down. But the movie did. I was impressed with the opening and the jump cuts and the montage effect. Each of the actors played their parts so well but the story just lost its grip. I certainly did not expect it to end the way it did. All the effort, the buildup and then nothing. I know it is nice to reveal that our politicians fleece us and make false promises, but what's new? Also, could the director not come up with a PM who did not look like our own Prime Minister? 

The movie reminded me of A Wednesday starring Naseeruddin Shah, the common man, who like Irrfan, takes on the system and demands justice. Comparing the two, Madaari loses. 

Such scope to let the actors carry the film forward and such mishandling in telling the story!! On the whole, please watch but do not blame me if you get bored at times!!

Movie Review (Hindi)

Dedh Ishqiya (One and a half loves)

A rib tickling comedy after a long time . This is what happens when Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi take their place on screen once again after Ishqiya. With their superb comic timing, the two thugs steal our hearts yet again. Madhuri has finally earned her space once again with her wonderful rendition of Begum Para who seeks solace in her companion, Muniya's (played by Huma) love. The strong women characters neatly balance the uncle - nephew duo. Vijay Raaz, the villian of the piece is surprisingly good, making his presence felt. This happens only when the characters are well defined. Vishal Bharadwaj has mastered the art of writing dialogues. The refined Urdu poetry coupled with the choicest abusive words in Hindi is quite a volatile mix. The success of the film lies in the subtle old world charm merging beautifully with the not at all subtle world of crooks out to get money, power and love (or the idea of it).