Jawan

 Movie Review (Hindi)

Shah Rukh Khan (in a double role) is a complete treat for the eyes. His last movie, Pathan, was quite the sizzler but this is several notches higher. It provides a roller coaster ride with all the masala and slickness one can think of, no time to breathe, not even during romantic interludes. After all, Atlee is the director. Then there are actors like Vijay Sethupathi, Deepika Padukone, Nayantara, each one doing their job commendably.

Even though the movie highlights such important issues as corruption in Health services, Agriculture, Armament deals, Elections, there is hardly time for each of these to take root in our minds.  

As a person who enjoys Shah Rukh Khan films, I wish I could see him do more films similar to Swades, Chak De, My Name is Khan, and so many others. 

What I mean is - films where he is everyman.

Raees

Movie Review (Hindi)

I am happy to write that I enjoyed this movie. Seeing the last few duds, barring Dear Zindagi, I was a little nervous. But Shah Rukh did well. A bootlegger with a heart of gold who ultimately has to pay for his crimes.... Shah Rukh aces at playing grey characters. Again he is not the typical Raj but matures into a man who knows his mind. Nawazuddin Siddiqui, his nemesis, fits his role beautifully as he does every role. 

There was no let up in the story telling and that pleased me. The songs as usual were placed there for whatever reasons, known only to the director, Rahul Dholakia. Mahira looks pretty, though I hope to see her showing off her acting prowess sometime soon. 

Hoping to see more of movies packing punch.

Dear Zindagi

Movie Review (Hindi)

I know I am a little late in catching this movie but I had been waiting. Somehow I knew I wouldn't be let down and when I finally watched, I wasn't. Let down, that is.
Shah Rukh Khan apparently played an extended cameo. Whatever that means. But he shone in it. I think he does a good job of playing characters close to his age. Patients are bound to fall in love with this psychologist.

Alia Bhatt plays a young talented cinematographer with aplomb. Her independence, ambitions and her relationship issues come out beautifully. Director Gauri Shinde indeed has the pulse of today's youth.

So we see broken relationships with parents and boy friends, single woman roughing it out in a big city, looking for good job opportunities, living a bohemian lifestyle, relying on a close circle of friends. These are what most young women face in today's world.
If only solutions could come in the form of the handsome and humorous Jehangir Khan!!

Just a small question --- Why this title?

Looking forward to Gauri's next...
BTW thanks to the producers for backing this movie!! 

Dilwale

Movie Review

I heard a rumour - Shahrukh Khan now-a-days acts in movies only directed by his friends.  A rumour mind you, because I am sure a man who has been in this industry for a long time knows that a good friend and a good director do not necessarily go hand in hand. 
By all means act in mindless movies directed by buddies but please do not release it for the public who might just watch it expecting some kind of entertainment, instead of a two hour plus headache!!!
What is this movie, Dilwale??? Did everyone lose sense of what a story should be or how one delivered dialogues, or move towards more natural acting?? 
The garish over the top set, the strange lack of chemistry between Shahrukh and Kajol, and my total disconnect with the movie led to a very miserable two hours plus. Though I did enjoy one song, and to enjoy that I simply needed to shut my eyes.

So a good hearted mafia don, Kali, (hero), falls for the enemy'daughter, Mira (heroine) who stabs him in the back. Later, she falls in love with Kali and both are happy, when the enemy decides to kill Kali and his father. Showdown-- Mira sees gun in Kali's hand while enemy dies. No explanation required. She shoots Kali. End of Act I. 
Years later...  Raj, our hero, escapes the bullet and works as a car modifier, hero's 'mentally retarded' brother, (I thought he was) falls for girl who turns out to be Mira's sister. In between, Boman 'King' Irani pops in as a comic drug lord.
What a story!! And yes, the pictuesque locales with the cutout poses by the lead pair is really really jaded.
Another mistake I made -- I saw this movie a day after I enjoyed Bajirao Mastani.

Shahrukh, please have a little consideration for your audience. Maybe there are a few who are still waiting for a Chak de or Swadesh.

Movies

Saw three of the latest Bollywood releases.
OMG - Oh My God: Well, surprisingly, a good movie. Deals with all those questions any thinking person might have about the existence of God and the relevance of the God concept in today's society.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan: An all out Shah Rukh Khan starrer but loved Anushka's character and the ease with which she did it. Katrina needs many many lessons in acting and then I don't know if it will help.
Talaash: Very disappointed with this one. Never thought an Aamir Khan starrer would let me down.The first half was good but the second half could not hold my attention at all what with spirits of kids and young women making their presence felt in the most innocuous ways!! Rani was the only saving grace.

SRK and the Kolkata Knight Riders

Sunday, April 20, 2008 was a memorable day for me. After all, I caught the Knight Riders in action LIVE at the Eden Gardends! Yes, I did get to see Shah Rukh Khan too, a feat that I had imagined as being near impossible. It was evident that besides the match, the crowd had gathered in large numbers to see the Bollywood star and his entourage. What I cannot understand is the bitterness in media circles on this aspect. When you have someone like SRK coming down to Kolkata and a team like the Knight Riders playing , what are the crowds supposed to do? Ignore the fact??? Cricket has certainly not lost anything with the IPL. In fact, it has gained ground. Cricket and glamour have always gone hand in hand, only this time there is a pressure to perform well. So let us all sit back and enjoy the good times ahead with similar sporting events. Great going, SRK!!!!