Film Review: BABY

Mumbai’s cynical audience broke into spontaneous applause thrice!

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Danny Denzongpa, Anupam Kher, Kay Kay Menon, Rana Daggubatti, Sushant Singh, Taapsee Pannu
Director: Neeraj Pandey

Venkat wanted to see this film even before it’s release. But I didn’t want to see a picture with the title Baby. That was before I got to know that it was directed by Neeraj Pandey who has also helmed films such as A Wednesday and Special 26. Then Venkat, Vinny and I decided to catch it at Cinemax Sion on Tuesday. 

THE STORY

Feroz (Danny Denzongpa) heads a secret Anti Terrorist Squad of twelve members. It’s a trial venture to last for five years and hence he has named it Baby. Four years ahead, the number of members has come down to Feroz plus just four, the rest having been killed during operations. But their success rate is too good. Ajay (Akshay Kumar) manages to uncover a plot for bombing a mall in Delhi. It is thwarted by him and Jai (Rana Daggubati). During the mission, they get to know that more bombings are lined up in the main cities of India. While chasing Bilal (Kay Kay Menon) and terrorist leader Maulana (Rasheed Naz) across Nepal and Saudi Arabia, Ajay and Jai get into deeper trouble along with Priya (Taapsee Panu) and Shukla (Anupam Kher). Will they get back alive? 

MY PERCEPTION

The film was very fast-paced and interesting. Every single actor fitted his/her role and has performed perfectly well. The best part was that the film had only half a song, that too in the background. 

Danny Denzongpa has given an excellent performance as Feroz who heads the Secret Squad. Akshay Kumar looks fitter than ever and is simply awesome as Ajay who balances a secret and dangerous career with a loving family. Anupam Kher’s role is small yet very good. The boy who plays an engineering student was simply amazing. Taapsee Pannu’s fight sequence was a pleasure to watch. 

The audience broke into spontaneous applause at least thrice during the course of the film, which is saying a lot. 

I only wish they had come up with a different title. Baby sounds so innocuous. 

VERDICT: All-in-all, a very good and intelligent film that’s worth a watch. 

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

Film Review: SANKAT CITY

Cast: Anupam Kher, Kay Kay Menon, Dilip Prabhavalkar, Rimi Sen, Chunkey Pandey, Rahul Dev, Sanjay Mishra, Hemant Pandey
Director: Pankaj Advani

THE STORY:

Guru (Kay Kay Menon) is an automobile thief whose partner is Ganpat (Dilip Prabhavalkar). They bite of more than they can chew when Guru steals a Mercedes belonging to Faujdar (Anupam Kher), a criminal don who loans people big money that they wouldn't dare to not return. Mona (Rimi Sen) cons people into parting with their money quite easily and she partners with Phillip Fattu (Hemant Pandey) who doubles as Faujdar’s chauffer. Then there is the film production unit who owe Faujdar money. You have to watch the film to see more such characters that are extremely well fleshed-out.

MY PERCEPTION:

The film is hilarious from the word go. It’s very light and fast and very neatly packaged in under two hours. There is just one song that fits into the background if you don’t count the one at the end when the credits roll. Kay Kay Menon takes the prize when it comes to acting as the expressions that chase on his face are nothing short of brilliant. Dilip Prabhavalkar gets the second prize and the dialogues between the two are perfectly turned out. The comedy timing and the way the plot and characters are woven together are excellent. All the other actors have done their parts quite well. What made me the happiest is that the film is very well edited without any scene dragging its feet.

Verdict: Don’t miss the film.
Rating: **** Snazzy

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