‘Public Enemies’- KAMBHAKHT ISHQ Review By DON

Do not get confused, i am not gonna tell you about ‘Bale-Depp’ starrer Public Enemies, i am gonna talk about Public Enemies of Bollywood. I do not know why some production houses, some directors and sorry to say some lead players take audience for granted. Not once, not twice, in fact they made it a habit. The era of mindless comedies started in 2007, okay we handled some of them saying ‘Comedies sometimes are bound to mindless’, but how long? Actually the question now is not how mindless, it asks how ‘Cheap’. After watching promos, one can easily guess, where the film will go and what is it all about with no signs of innovation. Still it managed to do beyond that, yes it disappointed in more than one way.

Now lets talk about the movie[amm it really was one?], anyway lets move, its a story about a stuntman in Hollywood, Viraj[Akshay Kumar],Simirta aka Bebo :O[Kareena Kapoor], Viraj is ladies man and a play boy, no matter how clearly he does it, girls keep drooling over him[blondes are so stupid?]. On the other hand, Simi a rude doctor cum part time model. There are lots of questions go unanswered, so i am sorry, why should i bother to find them anyway? Lots of profanities, unnecessary skin show and lots of toilet humor, that defines the movie. Climax was as predictible as a politican promise and emotional ending doesn’t console the ethical blunders in the movie.

Amrita in one scene ask Kareena about the place, ‘Isn’t that Sleazy’, she should have asked the same question to herself while shooting for the movie.

Screenplay was fine and tolerable till first half, but the movie just bites the dust in the second half and audience will go bananas with lots of yawns and sneak peeks. Direction disappointed, the debutant director fails to grip the lousy script, may be it isn’t his fault, he was anyway going to do it. Cinematography was the only good thing left in the movie, camera managed to catch the heart of Hollywood somehow from the first scene, in fact it is one of the best scenes in the movie, don’t know why they repeated same slide in between, rest was good. Music, what to say, Anu Malik disappointed yet again, with only ‘Kyun’ managed to strike my chords, rest were okay to fine. Background music was good.

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Performances, Akshay Kumar brought nothing new to his character and ended up with a loud act, he managed in some scenes but they were far too less in the movie. Kareena on the other hand, disappointed in the way that the character was not suitable for her. Kiron Kher was as usual, over the top, with my no expectations from Aftab and Amrita, so they came out the ones who do not disappointed us to disappoint.

On the whole, Kambakht Ishq is lousy dish served in golden plate of Hollywood, it has very few very good action scenes from Akshay Kumar rest it has nothing no entertain you at all. It may click with rural audience who do not understand some profanities or overlook them, families amm forgeti it. I don’t mind Hollywood stars working in Bollywood but in such way, a big NO!. I will go with one and a half star to this movie for cinematography and few action scenes, and work of workmen behind scenes, these stars are for you. If you are still asking me, Should i go, you should delete the word ‘Integrity’ from your dictionary.

‘Face The Truth’ New York Review By DON

Today, living as a Muslim in this world is really a hard job, if i say hardest, it won’t be wrong. Some say, all terrorists are Muslims, some say most of them are. But both statement hardly find a difference, because at the end of the day, we are pin pointed, no matter how good we are.

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New York, a story of three people, Sameer aka Sam[John Abraham], Maya[Katrina Kaif] & Omar[Neil Nitin Mukesh], first two Americans later one an Indian Muslim, who came to U.S.A for studies and how one incident changed the life of all of them, actually millions like them. The story didn’t covered all, still covered the most. It really gives us a chance to ‘Face The Truth’, but what truth is? which has to be understood by both sides. This movie gives you a chance, may not in a brilliant way, but still manages to click chordes.

It does put forward view point of both sides and gives you a chance to think.

Director Kabir Khan, well known for his ‘Kabul Express’ which was on the very closest issue to this one, did well, in fact very well. He in his ‘restricted liberty’ , holds you till the end and makes a way of every frame before your eyes. Screenplay is quite predictible to some extent, a bit slow at places, still manages to bring out something that leads the movie to the end, a good end. Cinematography was very good.

Music of the movie is touching, be it, ‘Junoon’ or ‘Tu Ne Jo’ or ‘Mere Sang’, they have a good place in screenplay and doesn’t make viewer think, ‘From Where The Song Popped Up’. It does’nt apply brakes on screenplay.

Now one of the best part Performances, some stunners for me this time, Neil as expected did brilliant and leads the chart in every sense. Stunners were John and Katrina, they did well, stunner in the sense…you know what i mean. May be i should credit that to Kabir Khan, he did wonders .Irfan Khan as usual in skin of the character and did justice.

On the whole, New York gives you a chance to see beyond ‘Preconceived Opinions’ about either sides of the story. After a dull phase of ‘Strike’ and not appealing movies in days to come, New York is the best choice. If you want to see a bit of ‘Truth’ and mixed with reasonable entertainment, Go For It.

***1/2

‘Mr Critic’ This is ‘ShahRukh Khan’ the Actor.

It’s a short version of ‘Journey of Sir ShahRukh Khan, mainly focused on his ‘Talent’ and ‘Skills’ in my views. I’ve witnessed some comments on ‘Internet’ that they get bore reading long hectic articles, though they give me a ‘Relief’ if they are about ‘SRK’, anyhow here comes my ‘Summary’ of upcoming ‘Journey of Sir ShahRukh Khan’.

His critics always argue with his repeated roles of ‘Raj/Rahul’ or same ‘Expressions’, but I would call them ‘Non Bats’ who can’t see in ‘Dark’ unlike ‘Bats’ who can see it. Can’t they see the ‘Madness of Rahul’ as character or they are over bored with their metro life to catch the simplicity of ‘Surinder Sahni’ or they are just unaware of the concept of ‘Contrast Characters’ in film like ‘Raj’ of ‘Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi’. They call ‘Don’ not scary and more stylish, but aren’t they aware of the changing world? Or they are too fond of ‘Mother Teresa’ to see the ‘Wickedness’ of DON. Some critics have a view that ‘Swades’ was a ‘Documentary’, they seem to me addicted to Nat Geo rather ‘Celluloid’ lovers, the train scene in the movie with SRK expressions, they must be busy in enjoying pop corn or staring at chicks they don’t deserve when the scene passed by.

Some can not even feel the pride and pain at the same time of ‘Kabir Khan’ and they call themselves ‘Patriotic’, huh! Gimme a break.They argue about his ‘Versatility’, when he is the only ‘Super Star’ of today who had experienced all mediums of this trade. They are ‘Hypocrites’, those who can applaud on ‘Entertainment’ of others but not his. I guess they feel pain in throat to speak a word of ‘Praise’ for his effortless effort. Just because he don’t give 100 retakes, they put him in the league of ‘Entertainer’ rather ‘Actor’, when he qualifies in both cateogories.

Though I give a damn to such so called critics but they need something to be taught, a small way to make them look at things with new perspective, without being biased and let them understand what ‘Natural Performance’ is.

Thank You

‘Craze’ of my ‘Life’

Growing in a place where ‘Craze’ for an actor or star is almost an alien thing, but I grew with this ‘Craze’ inside me strangely. I didn’t knew in my early days, ‘What This Really Is’, it was at first just a fight to see his movies on TV/VCR in 90’s, now it has expanded to infinity. Though my childhood memories are vague, I can easily remember how much I cried to see ‘Josh’, Bollywood was always popular here but masses hadn’t discovered that ‘Craze’ I had or may be I was too ignorant about that ‘Craze’ around me. There was just one inspiration in my life, my Dad and then he entered and the equation never changed after that.

There is some kind of connection, may be same events in life, may be his charisma, may be his humane nature, may be something else, I don’t know and it doesn’t matter too, so I don’t want to know it. I always read in profiles of fans or their post claiming to be the ‘No. 1 Fan of Sir ShahRukh Khan’, I would like to believe that and I do it too. But I believe that each fan is his biggest fan, that’s how he is, evenly connected with his fans. I can bet my life on this; no Super Star ever on face of earth had or will have such connection with his fans like he does.

I’ve been studying all my life but I guess my inner study started right after I read first interview of ‘Sir ShahRukh Khan’, he gave me a new angle, a new perspective, a new hope about life. I am still a KG student in this subject but I would like to end up doing PhD in it. But like Mushtaq Sheikh said, it’s never ending subject, the more we come close the more we learn, and I am still miles away. Having said that, I will continue studying with new hope which he gave me, and live believing that one day I will succeed.

All the optimism I carry in my character, all the brightness left in me, all the colors I see in life are ‘Gifts’ of ‘Inspirations’ I’ve. I always Thanked God such life I’ve, be it my unmatchable ‘Parents’ or ‘Blessings’, I Thank him from the bottom of my heart to make me come across such ‘Persona’ so that I could see life, the way I always wanted. I wish I could bring my heart here in ‘Black & White’ but I am just an amateur writer and I believe, whatever you do, you still can’t bring 100% out, a piece of heart always left untouched.

————-Some ‘Relations’, Some ‘Feelings’ in ‘Life’ are just ‘Inexpressible’.——————

Delhi 6-” Mehra Sir, Sorry No Déjà vu this time”-Review by DON

For the past some weeks, i have been witnessing some of finest scripts and screenplays and i became used to it. So, i was a bit scared before watching this movie with lots of mixed reviews from critics and general public alike. Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra, the man who gave Bollywood “Rang De Basanti” came back with yet another ‘Motherland Love’ thought with his new venture ‘Delhi 6′. When name like Rakesh Mehra and UTV Motion Pictures are associated with a film, one must be expecting a well made film if not brilliant. So, was Delhi 6 upto expectations? My answer is a big ‘NO’.

Basically the film plot never had a central character which makes the story uninteresting for general movie-goer. If we try to find one we will see ‘Abhishekh Bachan’ as Roshan who was presented as ‘Lead’ though he was never meant to be in the plot. The basic story is how Roshan came to India on his Dadi[Waheeda Rahman] wish and how he got attached to the people and place. You will se lots of characters moving around and each character seems to be equal in every respect. This makes the movie unique but again too lengthy and boring. The first half is ‘Intolerable’ but some good scenes saved it a bit. The second half came with a point but with a ‘lame’ finish to the story with equally good message made the movie fell deep in some valley.

Direction was really going nowhere, one can never get a point, what director wanted to show and where we are about to go further. Is this some kind of ‘Punishment’ because i didn’t buy a ticket for the movie, i pity those who did. Some scenes and sequences were well shot and leave a deep mark, but fifteen good minutes can not save the movie. Screenplay, as i mentioned above was confusing. Music was terrific but songs were coming from nowhere except one-two. Massakali was brilliantly choreographed. Cinematography was top notch, i fell in love with Delhi, because as per my information it matches to my home place as well. They captured Old Delhi very well.

Now, the good party of the film, its performances,  like i said, there was not central character and each was standing, shoulder to shoulder in the film. Among top were Divya Dutta, Sonam Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Waheeda Rahman, forgive me if i miss someone. Abhishekh Bachan tried hard and tried well to say in brief.

On the whole, you can watch Delhi 6 if your patience level his high or you want to come out with a good message, still you can only tolerate it once. I will rate movie 2.25/5 for good message and some good moments, am i too lenient? Yes, a bit. In the end, i would like to request Sir Mehra, no Déjà vu, of Delhi 6 again. Please!

Raaz-TMC[THE BRAND DID'NT DISAPPOINTED]-Review By DON

With a decent brand film behind, with promising promos that came, with some missed horror films like 1920 in past, i always wanted to watch this one, that too on 70mm, which is itself a great experience. So as i said with promising promos the movie had good expectations in my mind, neither big nor small. So was it up to expectations? does this endorse the previous brand well? I guess i came out with the answers clearly.

Raaz-The mystery continuous is a story of Nandita Chopra[Kangana Ranaut], Prithvi[Emran Hashmi], Yash[Adhyan Suman], the movie starts off well with some not that horrified but still scary in some way or other. The basic plot revolves around Nandita Chopra and Prithvi who see her future incident and was unwillingly trying to help her. Yash being the host of show, which show superstition is nothing but a disbelief. The story is how they discover this mystery. Why Kagana was going through all this? For answers watch the movie.

Directing a horror movie, that too on superstition, is not everyone’s job. Mohit Suri emerges a winner in this play. Screenplay was written carefully with all the thrill and suspense in it. Cinematography was up to the mark, to say least. Now come the music, the new guys did really well with all the songs almost fits the situations and audience keep humming them. Background score was good too.

Now the performances, Emran Hashmi came yet again with one of his best performances, if not best. He played the character with ease and brilliance. Kangana Ranaut is no surprise after so many good to great performances, your expectations are always ringing high from her, and she didn’t disappoint from this one too. Adhyan Suman, as a debutant and supporting role was good.
Jacky Shroff in his little cameo did a decent job.

All in all, its a good venture. With lack of some Horror quotient, with a not so new climax. The film loose a bit in the end, but there screenplay and director did a good job by moving it as fast as it was needed to keep the film up. The film should be appreciated for its brave steps and good direction with some very good performances. So at last we got a very first good movie of 09.

Now the rating, I would rate it 3.25, because i felt the horror quotient wasn’t able to scare people much, or else it could have been a better movie than this. Still a must watch

Luck By Chance: “Commercial Cinema without an excuse of Commercial Cinema”-Review By DON

We always keep talking about production houses, from old to new, UTV MOTION PICTURES is one name that strike you immediately if you like good cinema. But this production house, Excel Entertainment has its own charm of new talent and brilliant execution of some ordinary to extra ordinary stories. Be it Dil Chahta Hai, DON, Lakshya, Honey Moon Travels, Rock On, and now Luck By Chance, this production house never disappointed audience.

Coming back to the film, which stars Farhan Akhtar[Vikram JaiSingh], Konkana Sen Sharma[Sona] as main protagonists. The film plot revolves around two strugglers, who want to do something in film industry, also known as Bollywood. One gets ‘Big’ with his shining luck, and become over proud. This plot is not new to the viewers as we already have reasonable number of films on the same plot. So Why Luck By Chance is good? I guess very good? The answer is Direction and Screenplay, and who is in command this time, a new talented girl, from talented Akhtar Family, Zoya Akhtar. This was one of the best direction debut to say least, on paper things would have been to simple but what she did is visible on big screen. Screenplay throughout holds well, at some places, there was a let down but over all it was very good. Cinematography was up to the mark. Javed Akhtar’s dialogues were top notch.

Now the performances, the leads were fantastic, Farhan Akhtar proved that Rock On!! wasn’t a fluke and he has many things to offer, be it direction or acting, i seriously have no clue about singing. Konkana, nothing new to be said about her, she has proved herself and again proving her talent, looking forward to both leads in more roles. Supporting cast, the man who shines out was Rishi Kapoor, i have seen a great performance by him after a long time, last must be Hum Tum i remember. Dimple Kapdia was first rate, Isha Sherwani was fine. Juhi Chawla somewhere over lapped but over all a good one.

Now the package part, loads of cameos. First one Hritikh Roshan, he played his extended cameo very well, some lines of him match exactly to Shahrukh’s Interviews. His dance sequence was very good, he leaves a mark. The best cameo to mention would be Shahrukh, his two odd minutes role defines the film its own way, defines a super star, and how he justify his top position. From Aamir to Karan Johar, all were good.

Music wasn’t promising, Shankar-Ehsan-Loy has lost it all the way, from past some months they have lost their touch. The only song to mention will be “Naina” which leaves impression on my ears.

Some of the best scenes from the films which really needs to be mentioned here are,

1- Shahrukh Cameo Scene.
2-Hritikh with Karan Johar.
3- Konkana in Van.
4- Farhan saying Hi to Diya Mirza.
5- Opening Scenes.

Overall, Luck By Chance promises a commercial cinema without excuse of being commercial cinema, doesn’t deceive you with name of ‘Entertainment’. Its a two odd hour show, and i promise you won’t be disappointed, if you like good cinema. I would rate the film 3.75 out of 5, a brilliant direction with a same cup of tea.

‘Billu’ Feeling of Fresh Air-Review By DON

Coming out of hall, and feeling the breeze of fresh air, is what I experienced today. Priyadarshan, a man known for his good comic taste and healthy entertaining cinema brought again a tale of friendship and emotions for you. I had no big expectations, neither no expectations, from the film after promos. So was that worth with such expectations? Answer is YES, it was. It was ‘An ordinary man in extra ordinary circumstances’.

Coming back to the film, it’s a story of Billu[Irfan Khan] a barber, who is living with a brave heart, trying making both ends meet. He has a barber shop, in a severe miserable condition. He has a wife Bindya[Lara Dutta] and two children, in a bad condition yet happy. But things went out of his hand, when a super star Sahir Khan[Shahrukh Khan], who happened to be his old friend, comes to his village ‘Budbuda’ for a film shoot. The news broke into the village, and every one started giving ‘Bhau’ to Billu. So what happened next and how things turned, watch the film!

The film starts off very well with a pure picture of a battered saloon and a beautiful village, Sahir Khan world which was totally opposite to this scenario brought a contrast in the subject. Some viewers may think that songs are coming in a very short time but that’s how the world of Sahir Khan can be showed. The direction was top notch, with a excellent cinematography and a fine screen play. First half, quite fast, actually the whole film passed out very easily, not giving a chance to the viewer to blink eyelash once. Climax was predictable in a way, but was very well used in the script.

Music of the film was youthful, with a decent background score, if not great. All songs were well crafted and choreographed and left a mark on listening ears. My best pick would be Khudaya Khair & Ae Aa O.

Now, the best part among the best parts, performances, Irfan Khan, the man need no introduction excels the role in a quite different way. Lara Dutta, I never thought she could fit such role with such outer look. Shahrukh Khan in his extended cameo again proved, why he is there at the top! His decision of cameos will now hurt me. Rest of the supporting cast including Asrani, Rajpal Yadav and Om Puri were first rate.

On the Whole, ‘Billu’ is a fresh experience with a pure touch of innocence in every character and every frame. If you go with a positive mind, without a preconceived notion, you will come out smiling and tapping you friend, ‘Maza Agaya Yar’.

I would be little lenient in rating the film because I first time saw, my dream star Shahrukh Khan on big screen. My rating for this venture is *** ¾ , If you believe in ‘Friendship’ and ‘Emotions’ you must not miss this one, even if you don’t watch it for a good cinema without any guesses!

Some of the best scenes from the film, I would like to mention.

1-Billu’s Shop description in the beginning.

2- Sahir Khan entry.

3- Inspector Act.

4- Climax Speech.

5-Billu entry in his house after getting arrested.