Film Review: BANG BANG

You can watch Bang Bang for the mind-blowing action 

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Jimmy Shergill, Jaaved Jaffrey, Danny Denzongpa, Pawan Malhotra
Director: Siddharth Anand

Even though Bang Bang didn’t receive raving reviews, Venkat and I were keen to see it and went to Cinemax for the Sunday evening show. How could we miss the Hrithik-Katrina starrer! We did not regret it.

THE STORY

Viren Nanda (Jimmy Shergill) is an army officer who goes to London to get terrorist Omar Zafar (Danny Denzongpa) extradited to India. Omar’s associate Hamid Gul (Jaaved Jaffrey) storms the London prison to help the former escape. Omar kills Viren on the spot. Omar and Hamid decide to terrorise India by getting someone to steal the Kohinoor Diamond from London. Enter Rajveer (Hrithik Roshan) who manages to do the impossible by stealing the diamond. But he refuses to hand it over to Omar’s goons as they act tough. On the run, he meets Harleen (Katrina Kaif) in Shimla. Harleen doesn’t have a boyfriend and likes Rajveer when she meets him, unaware that he is a jewel thief. Rajveer drugs her and takes her along with him as he runs around the globe, away from both the police and Omar’s men. Why would he want the Kohinoor Diamond if not to sell it to Omar? Is he what he appears to be? Will Harleen be able to get together with Rajveer? You need to watch the film to find out.

MY PERCEPTION

The film is a copy of Tom Cruise-Cameron Diaz starrer Knight and Day and is an out and out masala flick. Leave your brain back at home and just enjoy it for the fun and frolic along with intense action. 

Hrithik Roshan looks handsome with fantastic eight-pack abs. But he does look old and tired. That could be the result of his surgery and intense working out. Felt quite sorry for the guy actually.

Katrina Kaif as Harleen is pure eye-candy with not much scope for acting. She’s sailed through the film. 

Danny Dengzongpa, Jimmy Shergill, Pawan Malhotra and the others have good roles and have all performed well. 

Jaaved Jaafrey looks awesome with a tattoo on his throat and makes an excellent villain as Hamid Gul. Kudos!

I am still not able to wrap my head around the story that says Rajveer drugs Harleen and takes her around the world right from the spot where he meets her. Isn’t there something called the ‘Passport’ and then the ‘Visa’ for someone to travel out of the country? This is why I told you to leave your brain at home. No one warned me and I had taken mine along to the film. 

VERDICT: You can watch Bang Bang for the mind-blowing action 

*Silly
**Shaky
***Smart
****Snazzy
*****Super

Film Review: Krrish 3

Krrish 3

It looks like Vivek Oberoi has finally found his calling!

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Vivek Oberoi, Kangna Ranaut
Director: Rakesh Roshan

We have seen Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish. Hence we did not have a choice but to see Krrish 3. I don’t think there was a Krrish 2. I don’t understand the sequence, but anyway, Venkat and I went to watch Krrish 3 on the day of its release at 10 pm at Cinemax Sion.

THE STORY

The story picks off some time after Krrish. Rohit (Hrithik Roshan), Krishna (Hrithik Roshan) and Priya (Priyanka Chopra) live in a bungalow in some remote corner of Mumbai. Rohit continues with his scientific experiments at home and also works in a research lab. While Priya is a reporter with Aaj Tak, Krishna keeps losing jobs as he runs away from work most of the time to save the town as Krrish.

Rohit is into some research that uses solar energy to bring life back into the dead. He tries it on a plant and it explodes. That’s when he concludes that a filter is necessary to do the same. In the meanwhile, Kaal (Vivek Oberoi) is a paraplegic with telekinetic powers. He can use the muscles above his neck and two fingers besides this. He’s completely negative and wants to rule the world. He is based in a lab somewhere in the Alps off Switzerland. Kaya (Kangna Ranaut) and a few others are the Manwars that he has created with his experiments. Manwars are clones made from human (his own) DNA combined with animal DNA. Kaya is a chameleon while there is a frogman, rhinoman and a few others. Kaal hopes that the bone marrow from one of his creations will help bring life to his own body. But he has been unlucky so far. He also creates a virus and has its spread in Namibia. People fall terribly ill and die by the hundreds. Later, he comes up with an antidote that makes him millions.

His next target is the highly populated Mumbai. But he has not bargained for Superhero Krrish……

MY PERCEPTION

Hrithik Roshan was just fabulous as Rohit, Krishna and Krrish. It was amazing to see the narrow shouldered, slightly paunchy Rohit with traces of his retarded nature and the finely honed and chiselled Krishna come together on the same frame. And of course, the man can act too. Congratulations Hrithik on your fantastic performance!

Priyanka Chopra’s role is negligible and nothing worth talking about it.

It looks like Vivek Oberoi has finally found his calling. He plays an excellent villain as Kaal. While the actor’s career path has been pretty turbulent over all the years, he has proved that he is after all in the right profession. Kudos Vivek Oberoi!

Kangana Ranaut has proved once again what a fine actress she is. She has played a very good role – it’s also chunky – as mutant Kaya. A special applause!

Now comes the film! The story is good and the sequences equally so. What I really did not appreciate are the song and dance sequences. They kept distracting everyone from the film. Why can’t we do away with them completely? And they were not even good.

The Namibia virus sequence was horrendous. I for one am glad that my kids are grown up and I did not have to take a 10-year-old to watch this superhero film. I wish they could have gone easy on this one.

While other critics keep insisting that the film apes Hollywood, I would say, why the hell not? If Hollywood films can ape themselves, why shouldn’t Bollywood do that? The fight sequences – while resembling a couple of Hollywood films – were very well shot. Not that I would recommend it to kids, but they were very well made.

I liked the idea of there being a Krrish in every one of us. That is something that will really appeal to kids and those with young minds. It did to me, definitely.

One thing that was not so appealing was Kaal’s tin costume. On the wheelchair he is all elegant. But out of that, I wish they had given him a classier outfit. The tin suit looked quite ridiculous. A cool villain should terrorise, not appear funny and stupid.

VERDICT: All in all, it was a good film. It’s up to the parents what they let their kids see on the big screen, of course.

RATING: ***Smart

* Silly
** Shaky
*** Smart
**** Snazzy
***** Super

Film Review: EK MAIN AUR EKK TU

Has Bollywood finally arrived!!!!!!!!!! A simple, short film with not too many songs

Cast: Imran Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Ratna Pathak Shah, Ram Kapoor
Director: Shakun Batra

I know it’s been a while since I wrote film reviews. While I could not write a review for Rockstar as I left for Chennai some hours later, I did not feel like talking about Don 2 and Agneepath as the violence in both films almost did me in.

Seeing the promos for Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu had put me off watching the film totally. My husband was not keen either. But I noticed that Mumbai Mirror had given it four stars. I did not read the review as I did not want to know the story, etc. I waited the week out for Vini to be free to watch it with me today. Am I glad I went!

THE STORY: Rahul Kapoor (Imran Khan) is the only child of his parents (Boman Irani & Ratna Pathak Shah). He has led a repressed life from childhood and his life has been chalked out completely by his parents. Rahul has accepted his way of life without fighting it. He lives in Las Vegas while working for a big firm. Unfortunately for him, he loses his job due to recession. But Rahul is unable to admit the fact to his parents who are actually visiting with him at that point. He pretends that everything is hunky dory until they leave. Soon after, he decides to go to a psychiatrist and his path crosses with Riana’s (Kareena Kapoor). Almost 27 to his 25, Riana has a tremendous impact on Rahul’s life. She is the exact opposite of what he is. And thus begins the romance…..

MY PERCEPTION: The film is simply superb with just two songs that do not distract you away from the script. Do not go by the promos. They don’t give you a clue about how the film actually is. And better still, the film runs for just about an hour and 40 minutes. Can you believe that?

I just loved the story and was very happy with the ending. It is not just one more romance from Karan Johar and Ronnie Screwvala. Ok, I just realized my mistake. I did not know that Ronnie Screwvala was one of the producers. I would have watched the film without any hesitation if I had. And I also need to congratulate debut director Shakun Batra. Way to go, man!

I am never sure whether Imran Khan is a good actor or bad. I suppose he is both depending on his director. Well, the actor did very well in this film. Kudos!

Kareena Kapoor was also excellent in her role as Riana. Keep up the good work, Kareena.

Boman Irani and Ratna Pathak Shah as Imran’s abominable parents did great work of their roles.

VERDICT: A fun watch with an unexpected but perfect ending. I would say a must watch if you like light films.

RATING: **** Snazzy

* Silly
** Shaky
*** Smart
**** Snazzy
***** Super

Just giving a brief verdict on the other films that I watched but did not write about…

ROCKSTAR ***** Super
Ranbir Kapoor rocked as the hero. I would go so far as to say that Ranbir has proved that he is the best in all four generations of the Kapoor Khaandaan. The music was amazing and the editing simply superb. AR Rahman deserved all the awards in the world for this one. I am proud to be walking the earth in the same times at this gentleman. Mohit Chauhan’s voice is liquid gold.  Need I say more?

DON 2 ** Shaky
The one question that I wanted to ask SRK after watching this one was “why this kolaveri kolaveri kolaveri da?” I am amazed that Farhan Akhtar made this film. Over and above that, SRK received the Zee Critics Award for Best Actor for his performance in this film. Wonder how much he paid for that one? Mr. Khan, please take a sabbatical of may be 2-3 years and come back to filmdom with a fresh outlook. Happy holidays!

AGNEEPATH **** Snazzy
I still did not want to write a review. Hrithik Roshan proved yet again what an excellent actor he is. Sanjay Dutt was a class apart. I don’t think I have ever seen Rishi Kapoor play a negative role. He was simply superb! But the first prize I will give to Kanika Tiwari who played Hrithik’s sister. She was so cute and acted so well, despite talking very less. As you can see, I have not mentioned Priyanka Chopra – well, she is not worth a mention here.

Film Review: ZINDAGI NA MILEGI DOBARA

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar, Katrina Kaif, Kalki Koechlin
Director: Zoya Akhtar

THE STORY: Kabir (Abhay Deol) proposes marriage to Natasha (Kalki Koechlin) and they get engaged much to the thrill of both sets of parents. His best friend Imraan (Farhan Akhtar) goes to the engagement while a third friend Arjun (Hrithik Roshan), living in London, does not attend.

As the film moves on, we get to understand that the Three Musketeers – as the friends are called – have grown up together and are extremely close. Kabir is a millionaire working for his family’s construction business; Imraan works as copywriter for an advertising agency and Arjun wheels and deals at the London Stock Exchange.

The three men plan a holiday in Spain before Kabir gets back home to tie the knot with Natasha. You need to see the film to find out how the holiday changes their lives forever.

MY PERCEPTION: You need to decide whether you want to read from here on as there might be a few spoilers. If you have not seen the film and plan to do so, this is the point you STOP READING.

The movie takes off on a light note with the first half full of witty dialogues that keep the audience laughing away. Thank you Farhan Akhtar for the clean language – it was an absolute relief after Delhi Belly (no offence to that film, of course).

The characters are amazingly sketched. Kabir is all funny and a great tease. But he is a different man in his fiancée’s presence. We realize later that he is not in love with Natasha but has been kind of steam-rollered into making a proposal of marriage. While he is loyal to her, he also takes life quite lightly. Imagine his shock when he finds out that Natasha believes that marriage is so serious that she is ready to give up her career as an Interior Decorator and make him her sole purpose in life. It takes the effort of both his friends and a 3-week holiday away from her for Kabir to get his priorities right. Abhay Deol has delivered one more hit.

Imraan works as a copywriter, and also writes poetry. He is very angry with his mother (Deepti Naval) for not having told him who his real father is. He had believed his mother’s husband to be his father and had been too close to him until his death. He finds out that Salman (Naseeruddin Shah) is his father after the foster one dies. Shocked that his mother could keep this from him, he stays away from her. Later, meeting Salman in person in Spain makes him value his mother better. The meeting between Salman and Imraan shook up not just the latter, but me too. While Salman’s behavior does not fall in with what we believe to be humanitarian values, it’s wholly acceptable from his point of view. “You did ask for the truth,” he says and we catch on. Imraan’s tears touch you very powerfully at this point. Later, when he apologises to Arjun for taking away his girlfriend years ago, you can see the healing take place as the ‘sorry’ is from the heart. Farhan Akhtar Rocks!

Arjun eats, sleeps and breathes money. He has always led life from the poor side of town and he wants to make it BIG before retiring at 40, he insists. He wheels and deals at the stock market and refuses to stop working even during the holiday. It takes Laila (Katrina Kaif) and her deep-sea diving instructions to make Arjun take a new outlook on life. Arjun does not swim as he is afraid. His friends pressure him into joining them on the deep-sea diving adventure and Kabir insists that not knowing swimming is no excuse. Left with no choice, Arjun let’s go of the fierce control that he has over his life for the first time. And learns to live as a result! He sheds tears after the amazing experience under the sea. Hrithik Roshan – what to say? After watching Kites, I had sort of given up on the actor. The film was so disappointing in all ways. I did not watch Guzaarish as I am not a fan of Sanjay Leela Bansali’s work.

But Hrithik Roshan was simply amazing in this film. He is sizzling hooooooootttt for one thing. He emotes beautifully. I suppose Hrithik’s acting skills depends a lot on the director. As the snooty man who is interested more in money than anything else, as the one reduced to tears after deep-sea diving and later the one who crosses over into ‘living life’, Hrithik was simply awesome. Kudos Hrithik!

Katrina Kaif as Laila was very good in her role. You can see that she has worked hard on improving her acting skills and she is getting better and better at it. Of course, she still has some way to go. Congratulations Katrina!

Kalki Koechlin as Natasha was excellent in her role. Way to go Kalki!

The music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy was just perfect for the film. Most of the songs were in the background and a fitting accolade to the meandering roads of Spain as our heroes travel through the country. The ‘senorita’ song and dance sequence was lovely and all the three heroes of the film who have given their voices for the song have performed well. It was Farhan’s voice that stood out amongst the three.

The cinematography was wonderful and it was a pleasure seeing Spain from the film’s angle. The tomatina festival and the bull-race were well-portrayed.

Congratulations Zoya Akhtar for delivering a lovely movie!

VERDICT: If you love life, you will not miss this one. Absolute fun in the first half, the second half sets you thinking very deeply.

RATING: **** Snazzy
(I did not give full 5 stars as I felt that the movie could have been a tighter fit with half an hour less of it)

* Silly
** Shaky
*** Smart
**** Snazzy
***** Super

Film Review: KITES

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Nick Brown, Kabir Bedi
Director: Anurag Basu

I know it’s pretty late in the week and the movie has been in theatres for six days. But, what to do? I found it so hard to kick up the enthusiasm to write about it. Such was my disappointment!

THE STORY: J (Hrithik Roshan) is an orphan who lives off his wits in Las Vegas. He teaches dance and also makes some extra money marrying illegal immigrants who want to gain green cards in the USA. One such ‘wife’ is Linda. Gina (Kangana Ranaut) falls in love with J and would like to marry him. He is not interested in her until he realises that she is the only daughter of a millionaire casino owner (Kabir Bedi). He is accepted by her family and soon they are a pair. Gina’s brother Tony (Nick Brown) gets engaged. At the engagement party, J gets re-introduced to Linda as Natasha (Barbara Mori) who is Tony’s fiancée. As expected, J and Natasha aka Linda fall in love. While the one can’t speak Spanish, the other cannot speak English. That is the beginning of the end of their lives as the powerful casino family has friends in high places and cannot take an insult – a double one at that. J and Linda are on the run for the rest of the film till they meet their deaths at different times.

MY PERCEPTION: Why call the film Kites? Kati Patang is more like it, but I suppose the title had already been taken by the Rajesh Khanna-Asha Parekh starrer of the 70s.

Why does Rakesh Roshan believe that resurrecting a Romeo-Juliet tragedy should pay off at this point in time? The times are not the best we have seen and people are looking to sources to raise their hopes. And Bollywood is facing a dearth of good films and scripts. I definitely expected way more from Rakesh Roshan. This is just too sad for words.

That said, I would not say that the film is a complete write-off. It does have its actors and moments. Hrithik Roshan looks GORGEOUS and acts extremely well – his dialogue delivery, his emoting and his onscreen chemistry sets you drooling.

The cinematography is just awesome and the visuals are a joy.

Barbara Mori looks good and acts well. Simply sweet! Why go all the way to Mexico to bring home an average actress is beyond me.

The poster of the film exuded more heat and sensuality than any of the scenes from the film itself. Work of the censor board – I refuse to believe that one.

Kabir Bedi had a blink-and-miss role while Nick Brown gave a good performance as his son Tony and the villain. Kangana Ranaut as the rich Casino owner’s daughter who falls in love with her dance teacher J, is good, nothing exemplary. I think it’s about time she changed the waif-like looks to something a bit more interesting. It is just too repetitive.

The swing from Spanish to English to Hindi – I know we are going global – but to put it in simple Hindi – कटक्था है. You want to write a story, make a script out of it and present it as a film taking on board an excellent Indian hero and an international (?) heroine. You spend millions on this project. But don’t you care that people understand and enjoy what you have created? This is what I would like to ask the Roshan duo.

Verdict: Those who would watch it would do that anyways as I would never have taken someone’s advice if they had told me not to see the film. You have to actually see it to feel the impact of the disappointment hitting you.

Rating: *½ Shaky (Extremely)

* Silly
** Shaky
*** Smart
**** Snazzy
***** Super

Sharing: ROSHANS IN ONENESS

Many of you must have read the news about the Roshan family visiting the Oneness Temple in South India in the entertainment section of Mumbai Mirror a few days back. I was quite excited to read that Rakesh Roshan planned to celebrate his birthday by visiting the temple along with his whole family including his wife, son Hrithik and his family and his daughter, Sunaina. They were also planning on having a darshan of Bhagavan.
This is indeed a huge breakthrough into Bollywood for the Oneness University. But more importantly, it is also true that it is a fantastic breakthrough for Bollywood to get in touch with Oneness University and Amma Bhagavan. Although other stars such as Shilpa Shetty, Shamita Shetty and Isha Koppikhar are followers of ONENESS, Hrithik Roshan should bring in more followers from the film world.
This picture is of Hrithik Roshan at the Oneness Temple as everyone can see. Welcome to ONENESS, Hrithik, your life’s made.