Thursday 31 January 2013

Sanket’s Review: “Vishwaroop” is shocking, thrilling and insightful.


Cast: Kamal Hasaan, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar, Jaideep Ahlawat.

Director: Kamal Hasaan

Length: 2.25 hours approximately.

Easily the best film of 2013, VISHWAROOP is shocking, thrilling and insightful. Its far from perfect film, not even close to it, but it has lot more to serve. The plot of the film is interesting, although executed in very cinematic format, and the story is well penned. VISHWAROOP also taps heroism like many Hindi films based on terrorism, but with strong support of story.

The film starts slowly and steadily. Hasaan takes too much of time to unspool the basic plot and some scenes are dragged like in the very beginning that dance teaching portion. However the film gets more interesting when we know something is wrong. The first action fight of the film will leave you whistling, cheering and clapping! Action sequences are marvelously choreographed. The first half plays on for 90 minutes which is too much after a point. The whole “Jihadi” drama is engaging and dramatically clever, but it could have been well trimmed.

However, the second half of the film is excellent and it keeps you on your toes. The film deals with thriller like no other film did in recent past. The editing deserves a special mention here and so does our writer-director-actor Kamal Hasaan who gets everything right. The finale of the film is wondrous and leaves you vexed.

Although VISHWAROOP stealth keen fully from one portion to another, it has got its setbacks. The character of Pooja Kumar is caricaturist which doesn’t fit. Often the film tries to show her a bimbo, ditsy…whatever! Not taking away the smart character building of some important characters, but still its these petty things that draws your attention.

Shankar-Ehsaan-Lloy’s music is good. The background score is excellent and adds essence to many scenes. The cinematography is superlative. The action scenes, as mentioned before, are scrumptious and its an enchantment to watch such action scene in Bollywood flicks. Two big thumbs-up there.

Kamal Hasaan plays his both shades with zeal. He has confidence written all over his face and he is terrific in the action scenes. Rahul Bose plays his part well, though his one-eyed characteristic was not needed. Jaideep Ahlawat in a small role delights you with his act.

VISHWAROOP is a film you cannot afford missing! The perilous situations in the film create tension on your faces and the film leaves you both satisfied and disturbed! Go, buy yourself a ticket- you will surely be rewarded!

Rating – 3.5/5 (Very Good)

Saturday 26 January 2013

Sanket’s Review: “AkaashVani” often dodges between boredom and lovable.


Cast: Kartik Twiari, Nushrat Bharucha, Gautam Mehra, Sunny Singh, Sana Shaikh.

Director: Luv ranjan

Length : 2.30 hours approximately.

To tell a very simple message of simple people, Luv ranjan makes his protagonists go back and forth in their relationships and the story goes so haywire that at one point you realize that their problem could be solved with just one meeting where all can sit and have a talk! To drag the film to 2.30 hours when the story has plot holes from all sides, it becomes impossible to sit through! Thanks to the warm chemistry our lead pair shares, AKAASHVANI has moments packed up nicely, but in between the delightful moments there are scenes which are lazily shot. That particular scene on Railway station where the pair sits and cries on endlessly will help you laugh out loud!

The film coasts along breezily for first 30 minutes or so. That interesting scene where the love birds discuss their future honeymoon and the actor can’t help but crack some puerile but funny one-liners! The humor is lit by double meaning jokes and sexual indications, not that I am complaining but then it sets the wrong tone for the film. The film draws very heavy dramatic situations several times after our lead pair is send off back and separated from each other! The songs aimlessly thrown at every moment gets on your nerves especially because they do not carry the story ahead, instead they only add up to its excessive length!

Second half starts with modicum of respite. That husband-troubling-wife portion, although over the top, gets engaging because its more fun than watching the actors crying for no rhyme or reason.  The film takes too much of time to do simple things and it doesn’t help you enjoy even good moments to the fullest. Thanks to the supportive set of friends the love birds has, the camaraderie between this group has realistic shades.

The songs are placed too many times, though few are good. Camera work is good for sure. The execution by Luv Ranjan is affected because the writing is major culprit. Add to that few dialogues which not only cringe you but also makes you cry for mercy! Awful writing!

AKAASHVANI though is not entirely unwatchable. In-fact it often dodges between boredom and lovable. The lead pair has good acting genes. The film is major focused on the female lead played competently by Nushrat Bharucha. She performs very well and tries every bit to make the character believable, but the script and screenplay lets her down! Kartik Tiwari again makes a positive impact and supports to make their chemistry work at times! Their friends played by Sana Shaikh and Gautam Mehra play significant part to add breeze to the proceedings. Sunny Singh is reasonably okay.

Watch it if you there is nothing much to do. But yes, get ready to be exhausted by its length.

Rating – 2/5 (Average).

Thursday 24 January 2013

Sanket’s Review: “RACE 2” is thoroughly enjoyable despite its filmy clichés.


Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, John Abraham, Jacqueline Fernandes, Amesha Patel.

Director: Abbas-Mastan

Length : 2.25 hours approximately

Spoon-Feeding in thrillers is something that plays major spoilsport, but keeping things unanswered doesn’t harm any less. In this week’s sequel to that excellent 2008 thriller, RACE 2, Abbas-Mustan serves you entertainment but with hurdles. RACE (2008) was interesting because it had many twists and turns thrown at regular interval making the pace brisk and keeping the audience guessing! RACE 2 also offers few twists, although few predictable, but the pattern of twists is mostly borrowed from the first installment. Anyhow, nitpickings aside, RACE 2 still has entertainment galore because of its grandeur, its bizarre and weird elements.

The film takes too much of time to construct its premise and too much of time is submitted to side characters. The track involving the fruit-lover Anil Kapoor and his ditsy companion played by Ameesha Patel this time, only plays comic part and not to the fullest unfortunately. The double meaning jokes works hilariously but falls flat occasionally. Still there are few wonderful moments to cherish about. That excellent chase sequence in first half, from building to building or in middle of busy roads is engaging and keeps you hooked. Also that thrilling portion, just before intermission, where too much of story is prevailed and also a smart connection to a character of Bipasha Basu. Unlike many sequels, RACE 2 doesn’t throw away all the previous characters. Although two songs in this first half placed almost back to back, takes away the pace irrespective of their wonderful choreography!

The second half gets very engaging with every episode smartly directed. Although, the writing is too clunked towards the last 20 minutes, but still the second half solves too many blemishes. That heist scene, though bit out of logic, is one of the best part about the film. That boxing scene however which is attached with the heist portion doesn’t help much. That boxing scene plays on for too long for its own good and it doesn’t really pull the story ahead. The climax of the film in the aero plane is good, but the twists and turns are not exactly smart! But at the end, RACE 2 is thoroughly enjoyable, thanks to its gripping second half, despite its filmy clichés.

Pritam’s music is soulful and stays with you even after the show. All four songs are well choreographed too but they are placed in the wrong time. The cinematography will leave you asking more of locations. Its an outstanding work! The writing of the film however doesn’t have that wit and cleverness which was a major positive of the 2008’s runaway hit. Abbas-Mastan knows their job well and its displayed in many scenes. The heist scene specifically will give you all the reasons.

Saif Ali Khan again infuses proper blend of elegance, expressions and body language. He never misses a single breathe and turns his character to a dashing devil with incredible ease. Deepika Padukone shines in her role and her notorious expressions tagged with glamorous look makes up for a good portrayal! John Abraham has it in him although at times he doesn’t deliver. Anil Kapoor sadly doesn’t have as much role as much he had in previous film, still he gives you few good comic bits despite a weak helping hand from Ameesha Patel who doesn’t leave up-to what Sameera Reddy did in RACE. Jacqueline Fernandes plays her part decently, but a better performer could have been better for the film.

In the end, RACE 2 doesn’t match the sheer brilliance of its first part, but still manages to entertain you for its 2.25 hours of run-time. The dashing actors, beautiful cinematography, foot-taping music tracks, good performances from its major cast and several engaging moments with couple of unpredictable twists is enough for you to buy a ticket. Watch it as just another film, and you might even love this one!

Rating – 3/5 (Good)

Saturday 19 January 2013

Box Office Predictions of RACE 2


Released 5 years ago, RACE registered a record-breaking opening on its first day and went on to collect a handsome amount of 63cr in its entire run which was excellent back then! Looks like RACE 2 is all set to double that figure. Starring Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Jacqueline Fernandes, Amisha Patel, RACE 2 is directed by Abbas- Mastan and the the film is about to release on 25th January. The music has been decent but the film will still start with very good collections because of the brand name.

Opening day- 14.5cr

If word of mouth is good,
Weekend 1- 50.5cr
Week 1- 77cr
Lifetime- 128cr

If word of mouth is Mixed,
Weekend 1- 48.5cr
Week 1- 71.5cr
Lifetime- 98cr

If word of mouth is Bad,
Weekend 1- 47cr
Week 1- 67cr
Lifetime- 87cr

Sanket’s Review: “Inkaar” is frustratingly poor film.




Cast: Arjun Rampal, Chitrangada Singh.

Director: Sudhir Mishra

Length : 2.05 hours approximately

Coming from Sudhir Mishra, its hard to believe INKAAR is such a frustratingly poor film. The director has made good to brilliant cinema in past like “Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi”, “Khoya Khoya Chand”, “yeh Saali Zindagi”, but this time around his film based on a solemn issue like sexual harassment is unengaging and largely disappointing! The film is brought on from a wafer thin plot where there are innumerable flashbacks. Seriously, the writers, if any, must go back and learn their principles. The way flashbacks are written and brought, it only makes the viewer feel flustered and flummoxed!

Be it the first half or the second half, INKAAR repeats many episodes in just different settings. The dialogues are so clunky that it bewilders one to see such contrived dialogues in a Sudhir Mishra’s film. The story explained by the two protagonists in their own versions is also executed and it only puzzles the audience to catch who is right, and who is not! Although the songs intervenes pleasantly and saves few lapses of these 125 minutes long bore! The climax of the film, easily one of the worst climaxes in recent times leaves you with more embarrassment! Frankly, if not for that overlong climax, INKAAR would have not been that bad.

The problem with the film is, it tries to wrap too many ideas and throw at audience to decide for the conclusion. The film never takes its own efforts to step in and give its own decision. Mishra tries to make it engaging by adding various elements. This time he even plays with his camera and gives us those dancing camera angles which is signature style of RGV’s film-making!

The music of the film is good. “Maula tu maalik hai” and “Darmiyaan” remains with you even after the show ends. The cinematography is nothing great! Mishra uses that dark light to direct most of his parts, all the flashback portions! That climax where we are served a dramatic scene in a wash-room which has a dim-light and our actor are expected to perform under it. Why that was needed Mr.Mishra? It really shows how desperate our director was to give it a more dark angle. Mishra and his work is disappointing!

The film doesn’t boast of any such great performance which could have given the film a certain amount of credence. Arjun Rampal’s expressions are too simple to understand what is in his mind, despite he having a very layered character in the film. Chitrangada Singh does well in early part of the film, but as soon as the film gets very determinant about its subject (sexual harassment), she also lose herself in a saddled role!

INKAAR could have been a good film had it stick to its major conflict right from the commencement to the culmination. But the film is so brutally puerile that our audience feels purloined about their hopes on this great director! Mishra, lets just forget this as a bad dream and look for something on the lines of “Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi” if not any better!

Rating – 1.5/5 (Bad)

Thursday 10 January 2013

Sanket’s Review: “Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola” suffers from its over-ambitious director, though is saved by the performers.


Cast: Pankaj Kapoor, Imran Khan, ANushka Sharma, Shabana Azmi, Arya Babbar.

Director: Vishal Bhardwaj

Length: 2.30 hours approximately

Vishal Bhardwaj is known for making “out of the box” type of cinema. He has given us some gripping tales in past like “Omkara”, “Maqbool”, “Kaminey”, but sadly it seems the director is losing his hold over his films which reflected in “7 Khoon Maaf” and now “Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola”. Bhardwaj infuses so much of smart narration that it sidelines a well written script. What queers me is that he attempted pronounced humor in his film making a caricature out of Arya Babbar! Who would have thought of slapstick gags in a film directed by Bhardwaj!

The first half of the film has some ace and the story unfolds smartly. But the film focuses too much on trivial things adding to its overlong length. The last 15 minutes before inter-mission is the best thing about the film and will surely bring the house down with enormous laughs! But sadly, this is the only memorable bit of the film, and may be the only scene where Bhardwaj strikes chord with his direction.

The film loses its momentum post-intermission where too many songs eats up the story. In-fact, the film delves in conventional zone too easily and the film only drowns. The whole climax is disappointing because it doesn’t make up for all the lapses, in addition it adds one! The whole “Gulabi bhains” portion which was highlight of the promos becomes nothing but just a half-baked plot.

The music score is fine with two energetic numbers- “O boy O boy Charlie” and the “Title track”. The dialogues are humorous aplenty times and also connect with the rhythm of the film. The story and screenplay is too simple though smart at times, especially in first half. But sadly the film suffers from its over-ambitious director, though performances save the film. The songs which are added in every important situation of the film cringes you and it is a sign of banality, to be really honest! Bhardwaj surely can do much more than just this.   
That brings me to the performers- Pankaj Kapoor springs life in the film. He has remarkable energy and he carries his role with aplomb. Imran Khan meanwhile does justice to his job. He together with Pankaj Kapoor lit the screen and those 15 minutes just before the interval will tell you all. Anushka Sharma is saddled with unimportant role although she sparks in few of the scenes like the climax one. Shabana Azmi is first-rate, while Arya Babbar is still to learn acting.

“Matru ki Bijlee Ka Mandola” is watchable a film, but it disappoints because of the names associated with the film. Bhardwaj surely should be thankful to the performers that they saved this film from being complete disaster. Strictly average! Lower down your expectations and you may come out less disappointed.

Rating – 2/5 (Average)

Wednesday 9 January 2013

Box Office Predictions of MATRU KI BIJLEE KA MANDOLA

2013's first biggie "Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola" is releasing on 11th January, though it has paid preview shows from Thursday evening. Starring Pankaj Kaporr, Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma, the film is directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. The music has been caught up with the youth and they will take it in a good way! Lets predict the numbers..

Paid Previews (PP) - 1cr

Opening day- 7.75cr

If word of mouth is Good,

Weekend 1- 29cr 

Week 1- 45cr 

Lifetime- 74cr 

If word of mouth is Mixed,

Weekend - 27cr

Week 1- 40cr

Lifetime- 57cr

If Word of mouth is bad,

Weekend - 25.5cr

Week 1- 37cr

Lifetime- 48cr


*Note- All predictions include 1cr extra from Paid Previews predictions. 

Tuesday 8 January 2013

Sanket's Verdicts of 2012's films.



The verdicts are given on the basis of Trending (Word of mouth) and The Business (Profit/loss) of the film.

Sr.No.
 Name of the film
Total BO collections
 Final  Verdicts








1.
Players (3/5)
29.5cr
Flop




2.
Chaalis Chaurasi (2.5/5)
4.5cr
Flop




3.
Ghost (Not seen)
7cr
Average




4.
Agneepath (2.5/5)
119.5cr
Hit




5.
Gali gali chor Hai (3.5/5)
4cr
Flop




6.
Ekk main aur ekk tu (3/5)
40.5cr
Above Average




7.
Ekk deewana tha (2/5)
7.5cr
Below Average




8.
Tere Naal Ho gaya (3/5)
20cr
Above Average




9.
Jodi Breakers (2/5)
10cr
Flop




10.
Paan Singh Tomar (3.5/5)
15cr
Hit




11.
London Paris New York (2.5/5)
7cr
Flop




12.
Will You Marry Me (Not seen)
1cr
Disaster




13.
Kahaani (3.5/5)
59.5cr
Blockbuster




14.
Chaar Din Ki Chandni (2/5)
5cr
Disaster




15.
Agent Vinod (2/5)
45cr
Flop




16.
Blood Money (2/5)
10cr
Average




17.
Housefull 2 (3.5/5)
112.5cr
Super Hit




18.
Bittoo Boss (1.5/5)
2cr
Disaster




19.
Vicky Donor (3/5)
41cr
Blockbuster




20.
Hate Story (2.5/5)
12cr
Average




21.
Tezz (3/5)
16cr
Disaster




22.
Jannat 2 (2.5/5)
43cr
Average




23.
Fatso (Not seen)
1.5cr
Flop




24.
Dangerous Ishqq (1.5/5)
9cr
Flop




25.
Ishaqzaade (4/5)
46cr
Hit




26.
Department (1.5/5)
13cr
Disaster




27.
Rowdy Rathore (3.5/5)
131.5cr
Super Hit




28.
Shanghai (1.5/5)
24cr
Average




29.
Ferrari Ki Sawaari (3/5)
31cr
Average




30.
Teri Meri Kahaani (2/5)
27.5cr
Flop




31.
Gangs Of Wasseypur 1 (2.5/5)
28cr
Above Average




32.
Supermen of Malegaon (3/5)
1cr
Flop




33.
Bol Bachchan (3/5)
100.5cr
Hit




34.
Cocktail (2/5)
74cr
Above Average




35.
Gattu (3.5/5)
1cr
Flop




36.
Kyaa Super Kool Hai Hum (3/5)
43cr
Above Average




37.
Jism 2 (1.5/5)
35.5cr
Below Average




38.
Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 (3.5/5)
23.5cr
Average




39.
Ek Tha Tiger (3/5)
186.5cr
Super Hit




40.
Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (2.5/5)
12.5cr
Average




41.
Joker (2.5/5)
20.5cr
Disaster




42.
Raaz 3 (2/5)
68.5cr
Hit




43.
Barfi (3/5)
106cr
Super Hit




44.
Heroine (2/5)
34cr
Below Average




45.
OMG Oh My God (3.5/5)
83.5cr
Blockbuster




46.
Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal (2/5)
8cr
Below Average




47.
English Vinglish (2/5)
37cr
Hit




48.
KLPD (Not seen)
3cr
Disaster




49.
Aiyya (1.5/5)
5.5cr
Flop




50.
Bhoot Returns (Not seen)
4.5cr
Below Average




51.
Makkhi (3/5)
5cr
Below Average




52.
Student Of The Year (2.5/5)
63cr
Hit




53.
Delhi Safari (Not seen)
3.5cr
Flop




54.
Chakravyuh (3/5)
16.5cr
Below Average




55.
Ajab Gazab love (1.5/5)
9cr
Below Average




56.
Rush (2/5)
2.5cr
Disaster




57.
1920 Evil returns (Not seen)
23cr
Above Average




58.
Luv Shuv tey Chicken Khurana (2/5)
8.5cr
Flop




59.
Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2.5/5)
102.5cr
Average




60.
Son Of Sardaar (2/5)
88cr
Below Average




61.
Talaash (2.5/5)
91cr
Above Average




62.
Khiladi 786 (1.5/5)
63cr
Average




63.
Dabangg 2 (3/5)
150cr*
Super Hit









*The collections of Dabangg 2 are mere approximate.
*Note-  1.The films are listed in order of release.
           
2. The ratings in the bracket are given by author to the content of the film. 

Total Disasters- 8/63 (12.70%)

Total Flops- 14/63 (22.22%)

Total Below Averages- 9/63 (14.29%)

Total Averages- 10/63 (15.87%)

Total Above Averages- 7/63 (11.11%)

Total Hits- 7/63 (11.11%)

Total Super Hits- 5/63 (7.94%)

Total Blockbusters- 3/63 (4.76%)

Total All time Blockbusters- 0/63 (0%)