Movie Review: Thalaivii

THALAIVII is the story of a girl’s journey from being a prominent heroine to a prominent political figure. The story begins in 1965. Jayalalithaa aka Jaya (Kangana Ranaut) is an upcoming actress in Tamil cinema. She has been coaxed into joining the profession by her mother (Bhagyashree) so that they can have a steady means of income. In no time, Jaya gets a chance to star opposite MJR (Arvind Swamy), one of the biggest superstars of Tamil cinema. MJR loves Jaya’s attitude and her fearless persona. She, meanwhile, falls for his good-hearted nature. Both end up working in many films together. They emerge as one of the most popular <em>jodis</em>, much to the annoyance of R M Veerappan (Raj Arjun), MJR’s PA. Veerappan believes that MJR’s fondness for Jaya can spell doom for the superstar. A few years later, MJR enters politics and joins DMK, headed by Karunanidhi (Nassar). Karunanidhi wins the state elections by a record margin and one of the reasons is that MJR campaigned for him. MJR sadly is not able to attend party meetings. Also, he is more popular and that doesn’t go down well with Karunanidhi. Both have a showdown after which MJR quits DMK. He decides to float his own political party. Veerappan advises MJR that he should stay away from Jaya before it causes problems for him in his political career. MJR agrees. Jaya is devastated. The story then moves 10 years ahead. MJR has become the Chief Minister for the second time. Jaya is not getting many films due to her age. She starts accepting dance shows. One such show offered to her is a government sponsored one in Madurai. At this event, she meets MJR once again. This time, MJR invites her to join his party. Jaya declines but while going back to Chennai, an incident leaves a deep influence on her. In no time, she enters politics. What happens next forms the rest of the film. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-1269174 size-full" title="Movie Review Thalaivii" src="https://ift.tt/3ha3SwY" alt="Movie Review Thalaivii" width="720" height="450" /> THALAIVII is based on the book 'Thalaivi' by Ajayan Bala. Vijayendra Prasad's story is excellent and does total justice to J Jayalalithaa’s journey from being a film star to being a Chief Minister. It is not possible to show all major episodes and hence the writer has handpicked and chosen the best aspects of her life. Thankfully, it pays off. Vijayendra Prasad and Rajat Arora's screenplay is captivating. There are a lot of dramatic moments in the film and the writers have penned them very well to bring out the desired impact. However, the first half is not as powerful. Also, the focus at this hour is mostly on Jaya’s film journey. Rajat Arora's dialogues are sharp. The dialogue writer is known for some smart, whistle-worthy lines and he lives up to the expectations. A L Vijay's direction is very simplistic and massy. The film is executed in such a way that it is easy to understand for all sections of the audiences. He defines the characters very well from the very beginning and has peppered the film with some well executed dramatic sequences. In the second half, he takes the film to another level. Special mention here should be made of the funeral sequence of MGR. It’s sure to give one goose bumps. On the flipside, he is not in top form in the first half. The scenes are recklessly edited as if to hurriedly reduce the runtime. A few sequences will leave audiences bewildered. For instance, the scene where MJR is shot by a disgruntled film producer is quickly wrapped up and viewers will have difficulty in understanding what exactly happened. This flaw is seen in the second half as well. Why didn’t Jaya inform MJR that her meeting with Indira Gandhi has been successful? Was it a way to extract revenge or something else is again something that can confuse audiences. Lastly, the Hindi version has a major challenge since the film is about a politician down South. Most viewers in North, Western and Eastern India are aware of her but may not be interested to see her biopic. THALAIVII begins with a dramatic scene in the Assembly and sets the mood. One expects fireworks from here on. But the film then focuses on Jaya’s film career. Even here, the makers try their best to keep viewers engaged. The Medu Wada sequence works very well. However, one gets restless as one waits for her political journey to begin. That finally happens in the second half and then there’s no looking back. From Jaya exposing the corruption in the mid-day meal programme to Jaya wooing Prime Minister Indira Gandhi to her campaigning to the climax, A L Vijay keeps the film on a constant high. The funeral sequence of course is out of the world and even the pre-climax and climax contributes to the mass quotient. The film ends on a rocking note. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1269175" src="https://ift.tt/3nf66Pk" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> Kangana Ranaut lives the role and is fantastic to say the least. As the heroine of the bygone era, she is completely convincing and even as a fiery political leader, she rocks the show. In short, this is yet another award worthy performance from the National Award winning actor. Arvind Swamy is a big surprise. He had a very challenging role but he pulls it off effortlessly. Both Kangana and Arvind compliment each other well and their chemistry is electrifying. It’s also praiseworthy how the makers have treated the bond of Jaya and MJR. Raj Arjun is the third most important actor and has a considerable screen role. For most parts of the film, he’s constantly angry with Jaya. However, he plays his part well. His eyes do a lot of talking. Nassar, as expected, is quite nice. Bhagyashree is subtle and apt for the part. Madhoo (Janaki; MJR's wife) doesn’t get much scope. Thambi Ramaiah (Madhavan) is fair. Flora Jacob (Indira Gandhi) is alright but Rajiv Kumar (Rajiv Gandhi) looks ditto like the ex-Prime Minister of India. G V Prakash Kumar's music is poor. The film would have benefited if it had one chartburster. <em>'Chali Chali'</em> is average while <em>'Nain Bandhe Naino Se'</em> is well shot and choreographed. <em>'Teri Aankhon Mein'</em> doesn’t leave a mark while <em>'Hai Kamaal'</em> works more due to the visuals. The title track is the best of the lot. The background score is cinematic and dramatic. Vishal Vittal's cinematography is spectacular. The indoor and campaigning scenes especially are exceptionally shot. Neeta Lulla's costumes are glamorous and reminiscent of the clothes worn at that time by the stars and political leaders. S Ramakrishna and Monika Nigotre's production design is very detailed. The bygone era is perfectly recreated and they have also ensured that the film looks like a grand affair. Pattanam Rasheed's makeup is spot-on. Unifi Media's VFX is decent. Ballu Saluja's editing is first-rate in the second half but in the pre-interval, it’s quite haphazard. On the whole, THALAIVII is a well-made and well-written political saga that is embellished with yet another award winning performance by Kangana Ranaut. However, the poor buzz and prolonged closure of theatres in Maharashtra will affect the box office prospects of the Hindi version to a great extent.

source https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/thalaivi/critic-review/thalaivi-movie-review/kangana-ranaut-starrer-thalaivii-is-a-well-made-and-well-written-political-saga-that-is-embellished-with-yet-another-award-winning-performance-by-kangana-ranaut/

Movie Review: Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings (English)

It has been over two years since the release of the last Marvel film in theatres in India. Since SPIDER-MAN: FAR FROM HOME [2019], Marvel fans have been waiting for the next in the series or rather phase to hit screens. Hopes were pinned on the Scarlett Johannsson film BLACK WIDOW [2021]. However, due to the Covid-19 pandemic that film saw a direct OTT release in India. But now, with SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, Marvel intends on returning to the big screen with a bang. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1266908" src="https://ift.tt/3DI8xQj" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> SHANG-CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS begins with the introduction of a man named Xu Wenwu, who finds the mystical ten rings that grant him immortality and great powers. The plot follows Wenwu as he amasses an army of warriors called the Ten Rings and conquers many kingdoms and topples governments throughout history. In 1996, Wenwu begins searching for the village of Ta Lo, which is said to harbour various mythical beasts, in order to expand his power. He finds the entrance of the village, but is stopped from entering by the village's guardian, Ying Li. The two eventually fall in love and have two children, Xu Shang-Chi and Xu Xialing. Wenwu abandons the ten rings and his organization to be with his family. However, Li is eventually murdered by the Iron Gang, old rivals of the Ten Rings, and Wenwu once again takes up the rings to massacre them and resume his criminal activities. Shang-Chi is brought to the Ten Rings' compound to be trained in all forms of combat by the Death Dealer, a high-ranking member of the Ten Rings. At the age of 14, Shang-Chi is sent by Wenwu to assassinate the leader of the Iron Gang. After fulfilling his mission, a traumatized Shang-Chi abandons the Ten Rings and escapes to the United States, where he adopts the name Shaun. Years later, Shaun AKA Shang-Chi is living in San Francisco and working as valet with his best friend, Katy Chen. One day while on the way to work on the Muni Metro, Shang-Chi and Katy are attacked by members of the Ten Rings led by Razor Fist. Despite fighting them off, Shang-Chi discovers that his pendant given to him by his mother has been taken by them. Fearing that the Ten Rings are going after Xialing for her pendant, Shang-Chi decides to track her down and reveals his past to Katy, who agrees to help him. They eventually find her at an underground fight club in Macau, of which she is the owner; Xialing expresses her resentment towards Shang-Chi for abandoning their family and their father for neglecting her. The fight club is then attacked by a regiment of the Ten Rings led by Death Dealer. Wenwu unexpectedly arrives during the attack and captures Shang-Chi, Katy and Xialing. Once captured they are taken back to Wenwu’s compound, and told that he is on a quest to save his wife, their mother who is being held captive. However, Shang-Chi, Katy and Xialing escape and make their way to the village only to realize that their father had been duped by an evil being and to protect all life on earth they will now have to face their father Wenwu, the leader of the Ten Rings. Being an ode to Chinese culture and wisdom, SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS involves plenty of references to oriental folklore. From stories being told of soul devouring demons to eternal guardian spirits, the film covers a vast gamut. The film starts off on a light note with basic character introductions and soon progresses into laying the groundwork for what is to come. Once Shang-Chi (Shaun) and Katy are introduced, the plot fast moves to revealing who they really are and their backstory. From there we see new characters being introduced, which helps move the story forward. Interestingly, despite being an action film, SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS starts off slow and gathers pace. However, towards the interval proceedings slow down considerably, but pick up in the second half. Humorous elements sprinkled aplenty through the film, with a number of Easter eggs and surprises for true Marvel fans the film keeps the viewer in his seat. The second half of the film though is a well-executed and built action sequence that sees almost all of those introduce in the first half participating. In fact, SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS makes Marvel fans jump with joy as the action unfolds with seamless CGI, well-co-ordinated action &amp; stunts and of course the trademark Marvel flare with the background music building a thumping crescendo till the finale. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Destin Daniel Cretton on Simu Liu, Tony Leung, Avengers | Shang-Chi &amp; The Legend Of the Ten Rings</strong></span> <iframe id="jwiframe" class="playerFrame" src="https://ift.tt/3yIGqNc" width="800" height="340" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Despite this though, for those who have been following the Marvel series from Day 1, SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS seems to be missing a crucial ‘X’ factor, a panache of sorts that made the likes of IRON MAN, THOR, AVENGERS and HULK stand out. But despite this, and the fact that the story is rather predictable the film does manage to entertain and revive a nostalgic feeling of watch a Marvel film in theatres. Performance wise, Simu Liu as Shang-Chi does a good job of essaying the role of a child trained to be a master assassin. Liu manages to execute his action sequences with aplomb while managing to emote as well. Nora Lum professionally known as Awkwafina as Katy, Meng'er Zhang as Xialing, and Tony Chiu-Wai Leung as Xu Wenwu do similarly well in their given roles. A special mention for Tony Chiu here, as he balances his character of a father longing for his children, a husband for his wife, and a warlord for his power with finesse. Michelle Yeoh, and Ben Kingsley are severely underutilized, with one being there only as a welcoming party and the other as a comic interlude. As for the background score, Marvel has time and again proved that they are masters of the game when it comes to using sound in building up to a climax. Be it in any of their previous releases the background score has always played a major role in lending gravitas to the onscreen happenings. In SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS, it is the same, the difference being this time the music feature heavy undertones of oriental instruments. This coupled with flawless CGI, and seamless transitions makes for an entertaining watch. On the whole, SHANG CHI AND THE LEGEND OF THE TEN RINGS manages to revive the Marvel action hero saga rather well. Despite a predictable story line the film is definitely a visual spectacle to be experienced on the big screen.

source https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/shang-chi-legend-ten-rings-english/critic-review/shang-chi-legend-ten-rings-english-movie-review/despite-a-predictable-story-line-the-film-is-definitely-a-visual-spectacle-to-be-experienced-on-the-big-screen/

Movie Review: Fast And Furious 9 - The Fast Saga (English)

FAST AND FURIOUS 9 is the story of Dominic Toretto and his gang facing threat from none other than Dom’s estranged brother. The film begins in 1989. Dominic Toretto’s (Vinnie Bennett) father Jack Toretto (J D Pardo) is a racer who is killed in an accident while racing. Dominic is soon arrested after he assaults the rival racer who was involved in the accident leading to Jack’s death. In jail, Dominic realizes that it was his brother Jakob (Finn Cole) who did some mischief in Jack’s car and that he is responsible for his demise. After releasing from jail, Dominic challenges Jakob in a race. The deal is that Jakob will have to leave town if he loses. Dominic defeats Jakob and the latter runs away. In the present day, Dominic (Vin Diesel), Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) their son Brian are living a peaceful life in a remote region. However, Dominic and Letty miss the thrill of their earlier life everyday. One day, their gang members – Roman Pearce (Tyrese Gibson), Tej Parker (Chris "Ludacris" Bridges) and Ramsey (Nathalie Emmanuel) – come to meet them. They inform Dominic and Letty that the plane carrying Cipher (Charlize Theron) was attacked by some rogue elements due to which it crashed in Montequinto, Central America. Dominic and Letty join them in finding the crash site. In the crashed aeroplane, they find a part of a devise named Ares but they don’t know what it is. At this point, they are attacked by a private army, headed by none other than Jakob (John Cena). Jakob steals the devise from them and escapes. Dominic and his gang then learn that what Jakob stole was one half of Ares. Once they get both the parts of Ares and they are able to unlock it, they’ll be able to hack into any computer-controlled weapons system. The other half of Ares is in Edinburgh where Jakob is headed too. Dominic and his gang follow suit. Meanwhile, they also find out that their deceased gang member Han Lue (Sung Kang) is also somehow connected with Ares. What happens next forms the rest of the film. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1266467" src="https://ift.tt/2WLEW7K" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> Justin Lin, Alfredo Botello and Daniel Casey's story is ideal for this franchise. Daniel Casey and Justin Lin's screenplay is entertaining but has several loose ends. The first half has lot of drama but very little action and even the drama is not that exciting. Also, its predictable; one can easily guess from a mile that Jakob will get double crossed at some point and that he’ll join Dominic. Dialogues are simple and witty at some places Justin Lin's direction is great but one wishes he was equipped with a tighter script. Talking about the plus points, he handles the scale, the action and grandeur very well. A few dramatic scenes are deftly handled. On the flip side, the film has a lengthy run time (2.23 hours). The first half hardly has any action and after a point, it tests your patience. Thankfully, there’s plenty of action scenes in the second half and it compensates for the shortcomings to some extent. FAST AND FURIOUS 9 begins on a sad note, showing how Jack Toretto died. But soon the action shifts to the chase sequence of Central America. This one is a brilliant scene and the much exciting car jump scene involving Dominic and Letty comes within the first 20 minutes. From here, the film falls and rises only during the Edinburgh sequence. The final action scene is exciting. However, one expected a little bit more tension in the space sequence. Vin Diesel, as expected, is at his best. He’s the face of the franchise and he contributes to the mass quotient of the film. John Cena has an important part and is fair. Michelle Rodriguez is restrained in dramatic scenes but quite fun while performing stunts. Tyrese Gibson and Chris “Ludacris” Bridges contribute to the humour in the film. Nathalie Emmanuel springs a surprise in the second half in the Edinburgh chase sequence. Charlize Theron and Jordana Brewster (Mia Toretto) get limited scope. Sung Kang is hardly there. Also the reason why he didn’t die and was underground all these years is not very convincing. Helen Mirren (Magdalene “Queenie” Shaw) is wasted. Anna Sawai (Elle) doesn’t have much to do after her whistle worthy action scene. But she can make for a great addition in the future installments of the series. Lucas Black (Sean Boswell) is strictly okay. Vinnie Bennett is great as the young Dominic. He even sounds like Vin Diesel to an extent. Fin Cole is fine. Jason Statham (Derek Shaw) appears in the mid-credit scene. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1266468" src="https://ift.tt/3jAFR3w" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> Brian Tyler's music is theatrical and enhances impact. Stephen F Windon's cinematography is spectacular. The lensman tries his best to get creative while taking shots and it gives a nice touch. Action and VFX are exhilarating. It is seen to be believed in the land mine sequence and the scenes where the electromagnetic waves create madness. Dylan Highsmith, Kelly Matsumoto and Greg D'Auria's editing should have been crisper in the first half. On the whole, FAST AND FURIOUS 9 is a decent, time pass entertainer which will be loved by the masses and the fans of the series. However, the long length, a comparatively unexciting first half and the prolonged lockdown for cinemas in Maharashtra would affect the box office collections in the long run.

source https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/fast-furious-9-fast-saga-english/critic-review/fast-furious-9-fast-saga-english-movie-review/fast-and-furious-9-is-a-decent-time-pass-entertainer-which-will-be-loved-by-the-masses-and-the-fans-of-the-series/

Movie Review: Chehre

<a href="https://ift.tt/3mAM5m4" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHEHRE</a> is the story of a man who faces a tough time when faced with retired law professionals. Sameer Mehra (<a href="https://ift.tt/38gey8c" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Emraan Hashmi</a>) is the chief of an ad agency called Paradoy. He goes to a hill station somewhere in the North for an ad shoot. But due to a work commitment in Delhi, he leaves from the hill town despite heavy snow. On the way, he takes a short cut to Delhi but due to a tree fall, he gets stuck. On top of it, his car suddenly breaks down. He then meets Paramjeet Singh Bhullar (Annu Kapoor) who advises him to join him to a friend’s place till it’s safe to go. Paramjeet takes him to the house of Jagdish Acharya (Dhritiman Chatterjee) where Hariya Jatav (Raghubir Yadav) is already present. Soon, Lateef Zaidi (<a href="https://ift.tt/3DjJin9" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Amitabh Bachchan</a>) also joins them. The quartet then informs Sameer that they meet everyday and play a unique game. As part of this game, they conduct a mock trial since all of them are retired law professionals. While Jagdish Acharya was a retired judge in a nearby court, Paramjeet was defence counsel and Lateef was chief prosecutor. They invite Sameer to play this game. Sameer agrees. The quartet tells him that he’ll be the accused in their court of law. Paramjeet would defend him while Lateef would try to prove that he’s guilty. Jagdish, meanwhile, would be the judge. Lateef gives Sameer a chance to confess if he has ever done any crime and got away with it. Then they’ll try him for that charge. Sameer, however, confidently tells that he has never committed any crime. Lateef then gets a chance to try him for any crime he desires. In the course of their conversation, Sameer blurts out that he used to detest his ex-boss, G S Oswal (Samir Soni) as he was a tyrant. Sameer also reveals that Oswal died recently and that he took over his position. At this, Lateef decides to try him in their court for the ‘murder’ of Oswal. Sameer is aghast and makes it clear that he hasn’t killed him. But Lateef tells the court that he’s willing to put his legal reputation at stake and that he’ll never play this game ever again if he fails to prove that Sameer hasn’t been a part of Oswal’s ‘murder’. Sameer is a bit apprehensive but then he realizes he need not worry as it’s just a game. But his worries vanish instantly when he finds out that Hariya Jatav was not a lawyer or judge. He was actually a hangman and that he has kept the noose ready, should the accused is proven guilty in their court! What happens next forms the rest of the film. <img class="aligncenter wp-image-1262837 size-full" title="Movie Review Chehre" src="https://ift.tt/2UOhS7s" alt="Movie Review Chehre" width="720" height="450" /> Ranjit Kapoor's story is inspired from Swiss writer Friedrich Dürrenmatt's acclaimed novel 'A Dangerous Game' and is very interesting and unique. Ranjit Kapoor and Rumy Jafry's screenplay is effective for most parts, especially in the first half. But the writing loses grip in the second half, more so towards the pre-climax. Ranjit Kapoor and Rumy Jafry's dialogues are sharp at several places. The 13-minute-long monologue, however, fails to make the desired impact and should have been shorter and should have had the required punch. Rumy Jafry's direction is impressive. For a director who has made light-hearted entertainers in the past to direct a thriller so well is praiseworthy. This is a challenging film as it’s mostly set in one house. But he introduces the characters and their traits very well. The manner in which they take Sameer into confidence is very convincing. In fact, there are no complaints in the first half as the way he builds up the tension makes for a thrilling experience. Problem arises in the second half as it seems dragging. Also, the climax should have been better and nail-biting. The monologue also spoils the narrative. In the past, Amitabh Bachchan had rocked the show with the ‘No Means No’ dialogue in PINK [2016]. It was shorter and far more impactful. Something on those lines was required here but sadly, the monologue turns out to be never-ending and even goes off track. The other problem with the film is that it’s quite dialogue-heavy. The makers have tried their best to infuse drama and tension wherever possible. But even then, audiences are not used to such a narrative and setting. Hence, a subject like this is experimental and would appeal to mostly urban and niche audiences. CHEHRE begins on a great note. Amitabh Bachchan’s entry is clap worthy. The exchange of dialogues here is very smooth and convincing. The way Lateef manages to conclude that Sameer is a culprit through the power of his observation and experience of asking the correct questions keeps the interest going. The intermission point is shocking. The second half starts on an interesting note. The flashback of Sameer and Natasha (Krystle Dsouza) is refreshing as it gives audiences a break from the four-walls of the mansion where the film is set. Initially, it is captivating but towards the end of the flashback, the film becomes predictable. The twist in the very final scene of the film is quite impressive and helps the film to end on a fine note. Speaking of performances, Amitabh Bachchan as usual is excellent and suits the part. His dialogue-delivery is obviously commendable but he’s very impressive in the scenes where he’s simply observing and planning his next wise move. Emraan Hashmi is the surprise of the film. He has always been a great performer but here, he steals the show and stands up in front of the veteran actors. Also, he looks quite dashing. Annu Kapoor is dependable as always and its funny how he pronounces certain words and terms. Dhritiman Chatterjee has limited dialogues but leaves a mark. Raghubir Yadav has a unique look and adds to the madness, especially at the intermission point. Krystle Dsouza is another surprise of the film. Rhea Chakraborty (Anna) has an important part and initially, she appears a bit caricaturish. But then it becomes clear that her character is a bit mentally unstable. She is memorable in two scenes – one, where she almost stabs Emraan, and two, when Emraan asks her for the keys. Siddhant Kapoor (Joe) has no dialogues but speaks through his eyes. Samir Soni looks dull while Alexx O'Nell (Richard) gets no scope. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Emraan Hashmi: "Bollywood Actresses I always wanted to ROMANCE on-screen are Deepika and..."| Chehre</strong></span> <iframe id="jwiframe" class="playerFrame" src="https://ift.tt/38j43Bb" width="800" height="340" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> There are only 2 songs in the film. The title track fails to impress while <em>'Rang Dariya'</em> is forgettable. Clinton Cerejo's background score is subtle yet intriguing. Binod Pradhan's cinematography is superb. A subject like this might lead people to think that they are watching a play on stage. But thanks to the lensman and the way he has captured the shots, it doesn’t feel so. Priya Suhas' production design also deserves brownie points for giving the film a cinematic feel. Shivam Vikram Kapoor's costumes are realistic yet appealing. Redefine's VFX is good in several scenes but weak in the climax. Bodhaditya Banerjee's editing should have been tighter in the second half. On the file, CHEHRE is a well-made film which rests on a unique plot and bravura performances. However, due to the lengthy second half and the experimental nature of the subject, the film will appeal mainly to the multiplex audiences.

source https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/chehre/critic-review/chehre-movie-review/chehre-is-a-well-made-film-which-rests-on-a-unique-plot-and-bravura-performances/

Movie Review: Bellbottom

BELLBOTTOM is an espionage thriller, inspired by a true event. On August 24, 1984, ICC 691 flight takes off from Delhi and gets hijacked. This is the 5^th hijack in 7 years. In the past, the hijackers landed their plane in Lahore, Pakistan, after which the Pakistani authorities negotiated and managed to get a safe release for the passengers. This time, too, the flight moves to Lahore. Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi (Lara Dutta) is all set to negotiate. But she is stopped by a RAW agent, Anshul Malhotra aka Bell Bottom (Akshay Kumar). He has done extensive research on the past hijack operations. He is confident that ISI is the mastermind of the hijack episode. Indira Gandhi and her core team at first doesn’t believe him. But he proves it to them the truth. Indira Gandhi then gets a call from the President of Pakistan, Zia-ul-Haq, to ask Indira if he can go ahead with the negotiations. On the advise of Bell Bottom, Indira tells Zia-ul-Haq not to negotiate. The Pakistan President is taken aback by this conduct. The ISI then sends one of their best men, Daljeet Singh aka Doddy (Zain Khan Durrani) to take over the hijack operation from Lahore. For Bell Bottom, Doddy is someone he personally detests and with whom he has a past. What happens next, forms the rest of the film. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1258999" src="https://ift.tt/3mfk7My" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> Aseem Arrora and Parveez Shaikh's story is fantastic and well researched. It also tells about an important event in history which many might not know about. Aseem Arrora and Parveez Shaikh's screenplay is effective and tight. However, the film could have been tighter in the first half. The dialogues are simple and some of them will create frenzy in cinemas. But a few technical dialogues might go bouncer for the mass audiences. Ranjit M Tewari's direction is supreme and he seems in great form as compared to what he was in his last film LUCKNOW CENTRAL [2017]. He tries his best to keep the film as simple and gripping as possible. He also keeps in mind that it’s a commercial film which needs to work pan India. In this regard, he comes out with flying colours. The first half is where the build up happens and here the film is devoid of action or tensed moments. Yet, he attempts to ensure that audiences have a gala time. He reserves the best for the second half with the climax being the best part of enterprise. On the flipside, the first half, though interesting, could have been better. Also, it’s a 3D film but it doesn’t have the typical 3D effects. BELL BOTTOM starts off with the hijack episode. The entry of Akshay Kumar is superb. The flashback portion are fine; it might seem to halt the narrative but it helps audiences in understanding Bell Bottom’s past and why he joined RAW in the first place. The intermission point is clapworthy. The second half is where the agents reach Dubai airport and try their best to succeed in their mission. A few places, the film slips and drags but it picks up very well in the middle of the second hour. Two twists in the tale at this point adds to the fun. Akshay Kumar is in top form, as expected. He looks dashing and gives a subtle yet massy performance. Lara Dutta is the first one to be credited in the opening credits and she surely is one of the strengths of the film. Her scenes are dramatic and she gives her best. Vaani Kapoor is lovely in a small but significant role. Huma Qureshi is fair, but her character seems half-baked without back story. Zain Khan Durrani is great as the antagonist. Adil Hussain is first-rste, while Denzil Smith gets no scope. Dolly Ahluwalia (Bell Bottom’s mother) is adorable. Mamik Singh (Aashu) is okay. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Vaani EXCLUSIVE on Bell Bottom: “Akshay Kumar &amp; the production, they were GOOD at handling…”</strong></span> <iframe id="jwiframe" class="playerFrame" src="https://ift.tt/3iXf01h ?jwembed=1" width="800" height="340" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Music doesn’t fit well into the film. <em>‘Khair Maang De’ </em>and<em> ‘Marjaawaan’</em> are visually great. <em>'Sakhiyan 2.0'</em> is not there in the film. <em>'Dhoom Tara’ </em>is like the theme song and enhances several scenes. Daniel B George's background score is exhilarating and also has the vintage feel. Parvez Shaikh's action is limited but it is impactful. Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty's production design is reminiscent of the bygone era. Costumes are realistic. The ones worn by Vaani are appealing. VFX is overall satisfactory though a few scenes are not as real. Chandan Arora's editing is neat. On the whole, BELL BOTTOM is a complete entertainer meant for the big screen. Kudos to Akshay Kumar, Vashu Bhagnani and the entire team for pulling off a film of this scale in the pandemic and also releasing it when cinemas haven’t opened everywhere. Definitely a step forward as far as the revival of the film industry is concerned.

source https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/bell-bottom/critic-review/bell-bottom-movie-review/bell-bottom-is-a-complete-entertainer-meant-for-the-big-screen/

Movie Review: Bhuj - The Pride Of India

BHUJ: THE PRIDE OF INDIA is the story of an incredible chapter from the 1971 India Pakistan war. The persecution of East Pakistan residents by Pakistani military in 1971 leads to lakhs of deaths. Innumerable people migrate to India to escape the killings. Hence India too gets involved in this conflict and deploys a majority of its troops on the Eastern border. Taking advantage of this situation, Pakistan begins to attack the defence base of India on the Western side. On December 8, 1971, Pakistan air force suddenly attacks Bhuj airbase, taking commanding officer Vijay Karnik (Ajay Devgn) and everyone else present by surprise. Several lives are lost in this attack and the airstrip is also badly damaged. Meanwhile, Pakistan also destroys Surajbari and Banaskatha bridges and five major roads that lead to Bhuj. As a result, Bhuj and Kutch are cut off from the rest of the country. The Indian air force aircrafts can't even land as the airstrip is destroyed and the engineers that can repair it have run away. The Pakistan army meanwhile has begun advancing towards Bhuj and plans to capture the whole region. The only solution in sight is to get the airstrip repaired overnight at any cost. What happens next forms the rest of the film. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1256086" src="https://ift.tt/2UfUu2z" alt="Movie Review Bhuj - The Pride Of India" width="720" height="450" /> Abhishek Dudhaiya, Raman Kumar, Ritesh Shah and Pooja Bhavoria's story is fascinating and also unknown to most people. Most viewers would be amazed to know that an incident like this occurred and that even the common citizens helped the forces in the war. Abhishek Dudhaiya, Raman Kumar, Ritesh Shah and Pooja Bhavoria's screenplay is a mixed bag. The first half doesn't have much development in the story. But it’s in the second half where the writers show their brilliance. The climax especially is very well thought of. Abhishek Dudhaiya, Raman Kumar, Ritesh Shah and Pooja Bhavoria's dialogues (additional dialogues by Manoj Muntashir) are intended to generate claps. Ajay’s monologue while convincing the villagers is touching. Abhishek Dudhaiya's direction has its share of glitches but overall it's fair. Talking of the pros, he handles the scale of the film very well. Certain dramatic and action scenes are well executed and this also enhances the impact. Also, certain one-take action scenes add to the entertainment quotient. The climax is nail-biting and he really takes the film to another level here. On the flipside, the characters are not well defined. The introduction is very quick of all major characters. For a layman, it’ll be too much to process so much information. Also, one could sense that certain scenes have been cut, possibly to curtail the length. In several action scenes, logic takes a backseat. The scene of Ranchod in the trench in the climax would be loved by the masses but it’s difficult to digest. Also, the first half has some interesting scenes but overall, it fails to make the desired impact as the execution is a bit all over the place. BHUJ: THE PRIDE OF INDIA’s first 5 minutes explain the context through a montage and also with the scene of Pakistani officials discussing their evil plan. The latter is a bit over the top but helps in understanding the conflict. The Bhuj airbase attack scene is shocking but soon the film goes into flashback mode. Here, too many characters get introduced and it becomes a case of information overload. The track of Heena Rehmani (Nora Fatehi) comes as a great respite. Her one-take mirror action scene is one of the best scenes in the film. In the second half, there comes a certain ‘<em>thehrav</em>’ in the narrative. Also, the introduction of Sunderben (Sonakshi Sinha) adds a lot to the film. The best is reserved for the last 20-25 minutes with the aeroplane landing scene taking the cake. <strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">“Ajay Devgn is an INDUSTRY, you can ask him anything about…”: Sharad Kelkar | Bhuj -The Pride of India | Ajay Devgn</span></strong> <iframe id="jwiframe" class="playerFrame" src="https://ift.tt/2VQGk8g" width="800" height="340" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> Ajay Devgn plays a one-dimensional character. But performance wise, he’s first-rate and lifts certain scenes. His slo-mo walk especially is quite exciting and would have led to a riot in cinemas. Sanjay Dutt, too, plays a character whose back story is not properly explained but he is quite good, especially in the fight scenes. Sonakshi Sinha has a late entry but is the surprise of the film. Nora Fatehi charms with her performance and action. Her action scene is one of the highlights. Sharad Kelkar (R K Nair) is, as always, dependable. Ammy Virk (Vikram Singh Baj) is decent and gives his best. Pranitha Subhash (Usha), Ihana Dhillon (R K Nair’s wife) and Mahesh Shetty (Laxman) get no scope. Navni Parihar (Indira Gandhi) is fair. The actors playing General Yahya Khan, Heena Rehmani’s husband Md Hussain Omani, Wing Commander A A Sahu, Mukhtar Baig and Taimoor Rizvi are okay. Music is okay and there’s not much scope for songs. In fact, a few songs like <em>'Rammo Rammo', 'Bhai Bhai'</em> and even the famous <em>'Zaalima Coca Cola'</em> tracks are missing. <em>'Hanjugam'</em> is forgettable but <em>'Desh Mere'</em> is touching. The devotional song of Sonakshi Sinha (<em>'He Ishwar Maalik He Daata'</em>) is powerful but looks a bit out of place. Amar Mohile's background score is exhilarating. Aseem Bajaj's cinematography is impactful. A few shots are exceptionally done. Archana Mishra's costumes are realistic and glamorous in the case of the heroines. Narendra Rahurikar's production design is detailed. R P Yadav &amp; Peter Hein's action is entertaining and grand. NY VFXWaala's VFX is of a good standard. A few scenes were not upto the mark but overall, the VFX team deserve praise. Dharmendra Sharma's editing is a bit quick and haphazard. On the whole, BHUJ: THE PRIDE OF INDIA tells an incredible story from a chapter of Indian history. The performances are first-rate and the film goes on an exciting level in the second half, with the nail-biting climax being the best part of the enterprise. A film of this scale should have been released in cinemas as it’s full of massy scenes that would have generated immense craze among the audiences.

source https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/bhuj-pride-india/critic-review/bhuj-pride-india-movie-review/

Movie Review: Shershaah

SHERSHAAH is the story of a brave Indian soldier who laid down his life during the 1999 Indo-Pakistan war. Vikram Batra (Sidharth Malhotra) stays with his parents in Palampur, Himachal and his twin brother, Vishal Batra. Since the time he was a child, he was interested in joining the army. At college, he meets Dimple (Kiara Advani) and falls for her. She reciprocates his love and both start a relationship. At this point, Vikram decides to join the merchant navy instead of the army as it pays better. One day, when Vikram drops Dimple home, Dimple’s father (Bijay J Anand) catches them red-handed. He tells Vikram that since he belongs to a different caste, he can’t marry Dimple. Dimple, however, protests and even tells her father that Vikram would earn more than him since he’s going to join the merchant navy. Meanwhile, Vikram starts getting second thoughts after his best friend Sunny (Sahil Vaid) insists that he should not give up his dream of joining the army. Vikram tells Dimple about his change of plans. This infuriates Dimple and she requests him not to make any more changes in future plans. Vikram then enrols himself at an army institute and passes with flying colours. In 1998, he gets his first posting at 13th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles at Sopore. Vikram is now a Lieutenant. His regiment comprises Lieutenant Sanjeev Jamwal (Shiv Panditt), Naib Sudebar Bansi Lal Sharma (Anil Charanjeett), Subedar Raghunath (Raj Arjun), Major Subrata Mukherjee (Abhiroy Singh) and Major Ajay Jasrotia aka Jassi (Nikitin Dheer), etc. In no time, Vikram proves his worth when he manages to capture a dreaded terrorist, Attaullah (David Browne), who’s a part of the gang of an evil militant, Haider (Mir Sarwar). Vikram also befriends locals, unlike other soldiers. This proves to be of great help as a friendly local, Gafoor (Zahoor Zaidi), informs him that his son Arslaan (Afnan Ashia) has joined Haider’s gang but wants to leave them. Meanwhile, Haider attacks 13th Jammu and Kashmir Rifles while they were moving as an act of revenge for capturing Attaullah. Naib Sudebar Bansi Lal Sharma loses his life in this attack. Arslaan helps Vikram as he tells the latter about Haider’s hideout. In a risky operation, Vikram leads his team to the hideout and manages to capture and eliminate Haider. Before his death, Haider however warns Vikram that something big and devastating is going to happen soon. What happens next forms the rest of the film. <img class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-1254941" src="https://ift.tt/3CK0uCa" alt="" width="720" height="450" /> Sandeep Shrivastava's story is well-researched and very interesting. Sandeep Shrivastava's screenplay is effective and seamless. The writer has packed in a lot in 135 minutes and yet kept the focus on Vikram Batra’s achievements as an army officer. On the flipside, a few developments are not explained properly in the first half. Sandeep Shrivastava's dialogues are conversational but at the same time also have the required punch and drama. The use of abusive language, however, might not be appreciated by the family audience. Vishnu Vardhan's direction is supreme and he handles the film in a very commercial manner. He also doesn’t waste time and decides to highlight only whatever is required to take the story forward. Hence, once Attaullah is captured, except for a fleeting shot, he isn’t even shown in the film and yet, it doesn’t seem incomplete. Dimple’s father is an important character and even here, the director made his character impactful with minimal scenes. The masterstroke in this aspect is with regards to the character of Vikram Batra’s twin brother, Vishal. The action and war scenes are simplistic and easy to understand. However, the film seems a bit repetitive in the second half, during the scene where the soldiers are trying to capture the strategic points. Also, it is bewildering when and why Vikram suddenly decides to opt for the merchant navy. The other confusing bit in the film is the scene where Gafoor stops Vikram from meeting Arslaan. Earlier it was Gafoor who had approached Vikram and informed him that Arslaan is working for the militants. SHERSHAAH begins on an unusual and thrilling note. The childhood and college scenes of Shershaah are lovely. The scene where Vikram and Dimple finally talk is okay but the scene becomes memorable thanks to the Rock Garden setting. The fun begins once Vikram joins his unit at Sopore and the bond he creates with the fellow soldiers. The scene where Vikram manages to capture Attaullah and the subsequent conversation with Sanjeev Jamwal is excellent. The sudden attack on the army convoy and the death of Naib Sudebar Bansi Lal Sharma is shocking. The scene where Vikram infiltrates into Haider’s hideout and kills him is terrific and would have been greeted with whistles and claps in cinemas. Post-interval, the war episode finally begins and as expected, it's gripping. Some viewers might have complaints here as they must have already seen his life story in J P Dutta’s LOC KARGIL [2003]. SHERSHAAH even recreates the scene where the Pakistani soldier suggests that he’ll leave Indian territory if India gives Madhuri Dixit in return. Yet, the impact is made as LOC KARGIL doesn’t have much recall value. The last 20-25 minutes is very moving and are sure to make the viewer's eyes moist. The end credits last for almost 11 minutes as the makers list out the names, photographs of the soldiers in Vikram Batra’s regiment and the accolades won by them. It’s a lovely gesture and apt for a film that beautifully pays an ode to the greatness of the Indian Army. Sidharth Malhotra delivers the best performance of his career. The actor handles the part with sensitivity and perfection and completely gets into its skin. It also shows that he has evolved as an actor. It’s unfortunate that SHERSHAAH is not getting a theatrical release as it would have given a big boost to Sidharth’s career. Nevertheless, it’s surely a feather in his cap as it proves that his acting abilities are first-rate. Kiara Advani, as expected, has a limited role but looks adorable and delivers a fine performance. The scene where she reprimands Sidharth for changing his career decision proves that Kiara has also come a long way. Shiv Panditt looks dashing and is dependable. Anil Charanjeett is fair while Raj Arjun makes his presence felt. Abhiroy Singh leaves a mark and suits the part. Nikitin Dheer is great and it's nice to see him on screen after a long time. Sahil Vaid, as always, does well. Bijay J Anand is okay. Mir Sarwar is good but has got stereotyped in such roles. Zahoor Zaidi and Afnan Ashia are fair in their small roles. David Browne is hardly there. Shataf Figar (Lt Col Y K Joshi) has an important role and lends able support. Krishnay Batra (Junior Vikram Batra) and Kavay Tuteja (Junior Vishal Batra) are cute. G L Batra (Pawan Chopra) and Kamal Kanta Batra (Vijay Meenu) don’t get much scope. <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Sidharth Malhotra: "Being a SOLDIER was Vikram Batra's only DHARM, he was waiting ke..."| Shershaah</strong></span> <iframe id="jwiframe" class="playerFrame" src="https://ift.tt/3iE4SdV" width="800" height="340" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen"></iframe> The music is average but thankfully, the songs are well-placed and spaced out. <em>'Raataan Lambiyan', 'Ranjha'</em> and <em>'Kabhi Tumhe Yaad'</em> are decent. <em>'Mann Bharryaa'</em> is the best song of the lot and played at a significant point in the film. 'JaiHind Ki Sena' is not a part of the film. John Stewart Eduri's background score is theatrical and enhances the impact. Kamaljeet Negi's cinematography is spectacular and captures the locales of Kashmir beautifully. Amit Ray and Subrata Chakraborty's production design and Eka Lakhani's costumes are realistic. Stefan Richter and Sunil Rodrigues' action is not too gory and adds to the excitement. Also, the war scenes are very well mounted and look very authentic. Red Chillies.VFX's VFX is convincing. A Sreekar Prasad's editing is neat. On the whole, SHERSHAAH is a well-made war saga that is sure to make your heart swell with pride and your eyes moist. Sidharth Malhotra delivers the finest performance of his career in this film which would have been a huge box office hit had it been released in cinemas. It releases just around Independence Day and hence, it’s sure to get very good viewership. Recommended!

source https://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movie/shershaah/critic-review/shershaah-movie-review/