Movie Review - Agneepath (2012)

After ages I am writing something on movie or as a matter of fact again re-visiting Movie review. It’s cold Saturday night and I chose to watch "Agneepath" without any strong reason instead to occupy myself to watch something grandeur on movie hall. Cineplax in InOrbit, Pune is highly recommended for good movie experience.

As a start, if you are big fans of Remake...this is not for you especially if you are diehard fan of Old Agneepath and Amitabh awesome trademark dialogues & genius acting! If you are on other side of fence and hate the idea of making remakes of old classic...this is for you as it’s only pick the similar plot but Story and screenplay writer did justice to their salary cheque! They just didn't mere copied and pasted but develop new twist and turn. So, there is something for everyone! Let delve further..

Storyline

It follows old Agneepath on plot where there is a town called Mandwa and a teacher Dinanath Chuahan with strong beliefs who wish to instill same in his son Vijay (Hrithik Roshan). Turn of events bring him in face to face with Kancha Cheena who killed him brutally in front of whole village and his son so make pave for himself as king of Mandwa. Vijay leaves the Village with his pregnant Mother (Zarena wahab) to Bombay with desire for vendetta. He reaches to Mumbai dongri area and lands up in Red light area welcomed by Kali (Priyanka Chopra) and Dongri clan. He met Rauf Lala (Rishi Kapoor) in whom young Vijay saw the opportunity to get a mentor and path to power and progress before he prepare himself for face to face challenge with his ultimate rival Kancha Cheena. Story bring further characterization of Kali making pave for Vijay, Vijay desire to reunite with his mother and sister who left him due to his inclusion in crime, his never cleared or described relationship with police chief Gaitonde (Om Puri), he cheats Rauf lala due to again ill-described sinister plan and finally get back to Mandwa to have one last and final round with Kancha Cheena.

Performances

I love Amitabh and everything he do. I love Hrithik and everything he do. I am no big critic he can feel proud who made this comment but as common but avid movie watcher, I think he is as good as legends of Bollywood and when he will retire eventually...he will be on similar ladder. He can emote with his eyes and body and when he adds word in characterization, we can saw a very talented actor on screen with great screen persona. He is no Amitabh of Agneepath and it’s unfair to compare. He played character as asked by Director Karan Malhotra though I feel huge emptiness in new age Vijay who is cunning, cheat and not so confident as compare to old age Vijay who is natural charmer, supremely confident and takes bullet on chest instead of shooting on someone's back. Same goes with Sanjay's Kancha Cheena character. Awesomely portrayed with very dark hue but very different from Danny's one. Though no complain and I loved Sanjay's faithful portrayal. Something run through my spine when he killed Master Dinanath and I guess he is successful in portrayal of a evil who consider himself as God of Mandwa. Priyanka was hugely natural and in full form though has less screen space to share. Om puri in his usual self. Biggest addition and surprise of new agneepath is Rishi kapoor. What a performance from a man who in his all life played only positive lover boy character. Awesome work and portrayal though I missed Mithun's character and I guess it can't be repeated so writer decided take the character out completely. Smart act.

Technical aspects

Cinematography is awesome and production values were world class. No compromises were made. Background score is good and haunt you well during extreme graphic violence scenes. Music of movie was above avg and I particularly like "Abhi mujhe main kahin" though "Chinki Chameli" is mostly talked about so I don't want to add a single word on it. Hate it completely and idea of having such things in such movies.

Overall, New Agneepath is satisfying experience and will bring loads of awards for Sanjay for his portrayal of kancha cheena and few for Hrithik. Though movie release in first month of year can make most of people forget in which year it comes which is bad proposition for awards. It's not in competition with original but created a space for itself and can be remembered by this generation as one of their classic movie in coming years.

I come out of hall finally reciting…..

Tu na thamega kabhi, tu na mudega kabhi, tu na rukega kabhi,

Kar shapath, Kar shapath, Kar shapath,

Agnipath, Agnipath, Agnipath.

Ye Mahan Drushya hain,

Chal raha Manushya hain,

Ashru, Sweth, Rakta se Latpat Latpat Latpat..

Agnipath, Agnipath, Agnipath.

Kaminey...SDM....Disappointments!

Some good 6-7 months back, I watched Slumdog Millionere (SDM). I was little drunk cause came directly from a Party to movie hall but in full consciousness to understand the nitty gritty of a movie, which build a mammoth expectations especially in India. Reason are numerous but for Indians, it a movie made on them with their surroundings as center pivotal of movie. With almost unknown cast in lead but with Anil kapoor and Irfaan Khan in cast and genius A R Rehman at music helm, there is some expectation from my side as well. After slipping comfortably in PVR Premier (Gurgoan) screen number 2 (hmm...or 3), first thing which took my notice is Screen i.e. The aspect ratio of screen looks like 1.85:1 which is quite unusual in itself as mostly screen are in ratio of 2.39:1 in India (I can be incorrect here about precise aspect ratio but its unusual as compare to normal movie screens over which I watched movie so far). Anyhow, movie started and layers started unfolding in front of me; and slowly and slowly my disappointment level increased. Its very hard to write what one expects from a movie which can be different based on your life, experience, social interactions etc etc. But for me, after watching a whole lot of world cinema, Hollywood real good movies and some bolly cream as well, Its need to have something which really can touch at least some part of your heart or mind. For me, SDB doesn't done that. I find it quite mediocre movie which doesn't have a mass or class appeal but none the less created by media.

I felt the same experience when i watched Kaminey yesterday. Though this time I didn't gone to movie hall because of swine flu scare still making rounds in Pune but ordered on Tatasky showcase. I was quite charged to watch after watching its promo and the amount of hype surrounding it. But again. Some disappointment. I don't want to judgmental and pronounce any verdict but again it fail to justify the hype and ho halla surrounding it. To start with, first, bad sound recording. Initial half an hour into movie, I find it hard to understand dialogue which was uttered in Hindi forget about Marathi and Bengali ones which too I can understand as I know both the languages on basic level. Then the shaky camera movements. Looks like Vishal bhardwaj forget to use Trolley to put camera on and use Human holding the camera most of time. Second half though has his moments but i guess overall music is only saving grace along with some performances but supporting cast especially Amol gupte and the one playing Tashi. But what surprised me the herd attitude of media. Once, two or three main league critic said that movie is awesome, nobody have courage to Stand and say no man...its just above avg. No good. NO Quentin Tarantino. At least not worthy of praise it get. People are gaga over Priyaka chopra performance. Come on. I don't know from when the over the top melodrama stands in for good acting. She is far better in Fashion as compare to Kaminey. Same for Shahid. Only well written character. off course he put in effort but again....I seriously don't think he even can match 30% of what Aamir Khan can do in such roles. Way to go boy though off course you are riding the right bicycle.

I don't think my post qualify as review, which even is not my intention, but it smy effort to share my point of view. If somebody disagree, I am more then happy to listen his side of story. If you thought or at least still thinking of watching SDB or Kaminey, my only advice. Go and wash all your expectations. May be you may like them. Happy movie wathing.

* If you really want to watch something meaningfull, My recommendation is to watch "Into the wild" and if you want the blast, you might like to Try "Snatch".

Fashion - Music review

I usually don't write Music review as I am no expert in music but still I have ear which are listening all sorts of rhythms from last 29 years and perfected enough to differentiate between various nuances of different instruments, frequencies, sounds etc.

Madhur Bhandarkar is director associated with mostly movies (Corporate, Page 3, chandni bar..) which are strong in content and don't rely on typical bollywood format which heavily rely on music to take story forward but Fashion become an exception and that too a good one. Enough to push me to write something on it and also it will kill my long absense from blog.

Coming to Album. It Contains 4 original songs, 1 theme song and 5 remixes of all original songs (which is also quite an fashion in itself to provide remix of all the songs in bollywood flicks nowadays). The music is composed by duo Salim-Sulaiman (SS) who recently earn name by composing chart buster Chak de india of movie with same name and almost become national anthem of India last year. They really look in great form in this album and make maximum use of opportunity given to them on such a contemptory movie on a very different theme not touched by any director so far in India (aka bollywood).

Fashion album open with "Fashion ka Jalwa", song sing by SS fav singer Sukhvinder supported well by Satya and Robert. Songs started in high node with loud drum beat with Satya rendering Jalwa and Robert giving some funky rap. Then Sukhvinder took over with over the top voice giving right punch to words and singing in enthu mood. In between we can listen a female voice in two different place i.e. One singing in Soft English lyrics while another (I guess hard kaur) singing English rap. Overall a decent start to Album.

Second Song start with a very pleasing voice rendering words in arabic which is actually Salim himself behind mike. More and more composer nowadays giving themselves chances to sing song and look like this become a trend now but no problem till they sound good which Salim is as he has very good voice i.e. neat, clean and pleasent on ear drums. Starting music piece is also awesome and I am sure will be used in movie as various places as background. Then a releatively new voice Shruti Pathak took over, who has unconventional dusky voice, but matching the song requirment. The song has every potential to be listen in repeat mode for sometime and will be a great piece for people who loves listening music in car. Song become little dull in middle but still has capacity to become one of the best song of 2008.

kuchh khaas comes third in album and for me the best song of album. But it can confuse people easily that who the composer is, if anybody don't know it is SS, as Pritam is written all over it, as this kinda music is what pritam has perfected over a period of time i.e. Soft ballad with haunting feel to it. Mohit chauhan can undoubtly the best choice to sing this song as he has same capicity like Lucky ali and Faisal kapadia (String lead singer) to make any song special just by his musculine raw vocal cord. He is well supported by Neha bhasin (band Viva member) who I guess has her first bolly number. She was also disappeared long from music scene but I should say that she has voice which can be of some interest to some music director of bollywood but definetly has face to die for so she should try for acting rather then singing alone. Her another Viva member Anouskha too sang some bolly numbers and have definetly better mature voice then Neha. Anyhow, Song really turned out to be great listen and would really be loved by classes and masses.

Aashiyana comes next. Has a very peppy start with Salim again behind the mike for complete song crooning aashiyana words again and again. Song smoothly slip into next gear and become more fast in treatment but comes very easy on ear. Lyrics is ok kind but Salim voice fills the gap and the songs become more then average. It will slowly grip you and I am sure will come out as another winner in already looking magnificent album.

Theame of Fashion is last song of album. It start again with voice crooning in arabic with excellent use of Sontoor strings in backdrop. Then songs become conventional with loud drub beat and inbetween use of Sontoor strings. Also, some alap by unknown singer giving much required feel to theme. Overall, attempt is quite good and I am sure it will be used in movie during fashion shows. This song is again remixed by Midival Punditz with karsh kale. Midival punditz has earn quite a name for themselves in worldwide music scene and has some great work behind them. They have kept the soul of theme intact but made it trance by adding lots of electronic loops. Verdict - good fun listening when car is moving fast and have some shots of vodka working overtime.

I am not commenting on remixes of other songs as I don't like the whole idea of giving remixed versions in album. Let them done by DJ on dance floors. Still, all remixes are done neatly and will liked by people who love loud outdone work on original peices.

Overall, the album has huge potentional and will have all the grooves to turn out as one of the best album of 2008. Still in my opinion, it will be more like by classes then masses.

My Rating: ****/5

Race - Movie Review!!

Star cast: Saif, Anil Kapoor, Akshay, Katrina, Bipasha, Sameera

Director: Abbas Mastan

Review:
Story of two brothers in which one (Smaller i.e. Akshay) is always wanted to back stab his brother (bigger i.e. Saif) cause he always win the race (no matter whichever is the ground). With lots of twist and turn, finally big one knows small brother plan and change the course of whole thing. There is wicked Inspector (Anil) who help Saif in his plan.

Truly speaking the plot is complete naunsense and even I am not enjoying writing further about it. If you haven't watch or have hand on faced paced Hollywood flick, probably these Indie flicks may excite you i.e. some wire hanging action and some fast paced car's.

Performance wise Saif stands among all. Akshay is some kind of stereotype in his acting especially in this kinda movie (he is too good in Gandhi my father). Anil as good as always. All gals are pretty wasted in movie especially Katrina and Sameera who has nothing to do in movie except some skin show which even not worth enough to cause you some pleasure ;-)

All in all. A dekho kinda movie when you have nothing to watch. Strictly NO for watching on Movie hall as not paisa vasool.

* This time I have intentionally reduced my movie review for giving concluding preview instead of confusing further. Do comment if you dislike/like the approach.

Chak de India - Movie Review

Star cast: Shahrukh Khan and his girl hockey team

Director : Shimit Amin

When I first Saw the poster of movie on Web or promo on TV, for me it was just an another flick on movie + Sport. The only change was that this time instead of Cricket, they have chosen even more sounding bore 'Hockey'. So, truly speaking, I had no interest in movie despite it has Shahrukh Khan in it (which also doesn't attract me anymore because of his portrayal of same old emotion in same old manner). But suddenly on Saturday morning, there is huge BUZZ on television channels about movie, creating some feel good factor, so for a movie buff like me, it enough to give me a kick to go and watch the movie.

The movie start with introduction of Kabir Khan (Shahrukh) as one great hockey player and how he miss one final and important panelty against Arch rival Pakistan which kills his entire career; and being Muslim, add more misery in his life as people start treating him like a Pakistani residing in India and still playing for Pakistan. He has to left his home as well as Hockey for some 7 year before he return back as Coach of Women Hockey Team, who is looking for coach to lead team to world cup, just to prove that his is still hard-core Hindustani from heart and the best player in hockey. What he get is bunch of 16 gals, who all hale from diff part of India and have lots of ego. They all lend up to play for themselves and have no respect for country or team. Then start the grooming of Gals by coach Shahrukh and how he get involved with each players in order to improve them as better player. He finally able to manage to take women team to Australia for Women Hockey world cup final and how he make them to win against all odds. Don't think that I have kill the excitement of Story as pleasure of this movie doesn't lie in Story but in character development and screenplay.

The cast of movie is just so Amazing. After years, I have seen such a good cast especially these bunch of gals who before doing movie neither was Hockey players nor actresses except one or two odds. Chitrashi Rawat as Komal Chautala, Shilpa Shukla as Bindia Naik, Vidya Malavade as Vidya Sharma and Tanya Abrol as Balbir Kaur are just better then any existing actresses. Other gals too have worked wonderfully and especially Sagarika Ghatge (Preeti Sabarwal) who would definitely go very far as she has a face of actress but need more polishing in terms of acting. Now Shahrukh. What I can say. Speechless is what I become as he really dominate all the scenes and looks so convincing as coach of Indian women hockey team. After few minutes in movies, you really start looking him more as hockey coach rather then Star Shahrukh Khan.

Shimin Amin as director already proved himself with Ab tak chappan and this attempt is even better then earlier. He really have grasp on trade and not a single moment come in movie where you will feel to move out of chair. The pace is kept at quite a good speed i.e. neither fast nor slow, and you will cherish every moment which is been lived up on screen. They best part is that it has no routine songs or useless romance exist between coach or any player. Songs are played in background and especially Chak de india number by Salim - Sulaiman duo will pushed you so much that you really want to jump in movie theatre and want to say aloud...Chak de India.

Finally, A MUST DEKHO movie for everyone along with your whole family. Be prepared to paint you face with tricolour as you will experience same kind of thrills, voices, buckups and clapping which you mostly found in cricket stadium between India and Pakistan matches during movie. Excellent attempt to lift some hope for our dying national game "HOCKEY".

Rating (out of 5): ****

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People Who want to know more about movie and cast, check the official page:

http://www.yashrajfilms.com/microsites/cdi/cdi.html

Gandhi my father - Movie Review

Star cast: Akshaye Khanna, Bhoomika Chawla, Shefali Shah, Darshan Jariwala

Director : Feroz Abbas Khan

Review:
From very long, we are seeing movies on Gandhi. And mostly, the light is always on portrayal of Gandhi as freedom fighter or man with principles. But when I heard that a movie is being made which will highlight Gandhi as Father and stress on his relationship with his Son, it instantly hit my attention as this is one territory which is least being explored as it has his own dark side and less people shown courage to dwell into it. Fortunetly, Anil Kapoor (Producer) and Feroz Abbad Khan (Director) did.

The story start with Gandhi working in South Africa and his relationship with white people and his wife. Latter Akshay (Harilal) joined his father for becoming a barrister but his dream took overturn when his father (Gandhi) pushed (Or motivate) him to become freedom fighter. It showcase that Gandhi believes more on practical study rather then formal education. Harilal too try to walk on his father footstep but soon failed as its infatuation towards his wife, children and his own dream of becoming big success altered his path and then start the repulsion between son and father. He finally defeated his father in terms of pursuing his dream and to left him on his own terms. He return back to India but there start his unsuccessful stories, which become bigger and bigger with time. I am leaving reader to see movie to catch further story...

Performance. First Akshay. He has given best performance of his tenure so far and is absolutely convincing in his portrayal as Harilal Gandhi. The scene in which he reach the room, where his wife dead body is placed is one where you can see a fine actor, which is hidden/developing in Akshay. Darshan jariwala is also good as MK Gandhi and able to live up such a larger then life character. He performed well and with quite an ease. Shefali Chaya (Now Shah) as Kasturba is brilliant actress and already proved her metal in TV serials. Bhumika chawla too performed well but actress of her candidature is waste in these kinds of role. Other actor have also justifies their performances.

Technique and Make up is also good and cinematography especially that Duo tone color picturisation was too good. Costume looks and match with context.

Overall, a worth seeing movie which is definately slow in progress and impatient people may find it boring, but give you an insight of area which is not brought to silver screen till date. Also, the way story progress and connection of scene may look worn to some people; and to critics especially, but for an average movie watcher like me, it still enough to give it a go.

Rating (out of 5): ***