Indian movies

Let's clear a misconception before we get down to reviewing SHAURYA. It's not a war film. It's not jingoistic. It doesn't spew venom on the neighboring country. It doesn't show mutilated bodies or blood-soaked faces and limbs.

Sure, SHAURYA has the backdrop of the armed forces. But it's about a court martial. It's about two friends, who're pitched against each other in a courtroom. The 'culprit', in turn, doesn't want to defend himself and remains a mute spectator for reasons best known to him.

SHAURYA is a serious film and raises a serious issue in the penultimate 20 minutes. And that's where it scores. Director Samar Khan gradually builds up the tension and when it explodes in the finale, it leaves you stunned and speechless. Most importantly, it makes you uncomfortable… perhaps, that's one of the reasons why it succeeds.

SHAURYA is about the common man, but as a cinematic experience, it's more for the discerning viewer looking for a hatke theme, thirsting for a story in those 2 hours. Most importantly, it does justice to the tagline - 'It takes courage to make right… right'.

Captain Javed Khan [Deepak Dobriyal] is charged with mutiny, treason and killing a fellow officer. Even when he is held for court martial, he refuses to speak in his defense as the secret he holds is too powerful for the establishment to handle. Assigned for this task are Sid [Rahul Bose] and Akash [Jaaved Jaaferi], two best friends, lawyers and very ambitious individuals who have contrasting views on life.

Nevertheless, this one case changes their lives forever. The case takes them to Srinagar. While Akash, for whom winning the case matters the most, follows the blueprint, Sid discovers a new meaning in life, Kavya, Javed and of course, the man in question, Brigadier Pratap [Kay Kay Menon].

Why is Javed silent? What is the truth of that night? Why is Brigadier Pratap hell-bent on getting Javed convicted? Will Sid have the courage to save Javed's life?

SHAURYA isn't a flawless script. But it has been treated with utmost realism and sensitivity by Samar Khan. Talking of the narrative, the film could've done without the item song at the very start [and what was Pawan Malhotra doing in this song?]. Besides, one fails to understand why Deepak Dobriyal doesn't confide to his mother, since the family has always taken pride in the fact that they've adhered to principles all their lives. Besides, the film could've been shorter by at least 15/20 minutes. The second hour drags at places!

Despite the hiccups, SHAURYA delivers what it promises. At the end of the screening, you actually pinch yourself. Did the same guy who helmed this riveting fare called SHAURYA, direct KUCH MEETHA HO JAYE, a bitter cinematic experience? The execution of SHAURYA is impressive and Samar also succeeds in extracting stellar performances from the ensemble cast.

Despite the shortcomings, the screenplay is tight, not deviating from the core issue. The reason that compels Deepak Dobriyal to shoot a fellow officer and also the powerful climax prove that the writers [Jaydeep Sarkar, Aparnaa Malhotra and Samar Khan] know their job well. There's not much scope for music in a film like this, therefore the two songs don't make much of an impression. However, in terms of melody [Adnan Sami], 'Dheere Dheere' has a soothing effect on the listener. Carlos Catalan's cinematography is topnotch.

The story rests on five actors - Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Jaaved Jafferi, Deepak Dobriyal and Minissha Lamba. Rahul excels in a role that fits him like a glove. In fact, this performance easily ranks as one of his finest works. Kay Kay is dynamic. Watch him explode in the climax and you realize the potential this actor possesses.

Jaaved does a decent job. However, his character is relegated to the backseat after a point. Deepak conveys a lot even when silent - that's the sign of a fine actor. Minissha is effective. Besides, she looks the character. Amrita Rao handles her part with maturity. She's first-rate. Seema Biswas, as always, is a complete natural.

On the whole, SHAURYA is a well-made film that will have to rely on a strong word of mouth to sustain in the coming days. However, the film deserves to be tax-exempted since it's a genuinely deserving case.

It started with PARTNER eight weeks ago. Then HEYY BABYY three weeks back. It's DHAMAAL now. Howlariously funny, Indra Kumar's latest outing completes the hat-trick of laughathons that succeed in entertaining you from start to end. Like its predecessors, DHAMAAL is abundantly rich in humor and most importantly, has the right set of actors to carry off those roles with aplomb.

DHAMAAL lives up to its title. It's non-stop dhamaal for the next two hours. Sure, there're inane situations and jokes that cater to the popular tastes, but when did Indra Kumar and his team of writers [Paritosh Painter, Balwinder Suri, Bunty Rathore] ever set out to challenge Einstein? The mantra is simple: Let the auditorium reverberate with laughter. And DHAMAAL succeeds in its mission!

Any hiccups? The post-interval portions aren't as funny as the first hour. More on that later! But the film works in totality and that's what matters at the end of the day. With MASTI, Indra Kumar proved that he knows how to tickle the funny bone. With PYARE MOHAN, he tripped and ended up bruising himself. With DHAMAAL, he sprints back to the junta's hearts.

So what's the final word then? Go, watch DHAMAAL and have dhamaal. But do carry a rumaal since this madcap comedy is quite kamaal in parts. You'd cry laughing!

Roy [Riteish Deshmukh] believes that he is the best detective in the world. Manav [Javed Jaffrey] actually happens to be the biggest idiot in the world, but is blissfully unaware about it. His brother Adi's [Arshad Warsi] half knowledge about everything only adds to the great expertise of this group. The final component is Boman [Aashish Chowdhary], who's Mr. Scared.

These four idiots live and work together. Their idea of work? Doing small-time con jobs! The thought of earning an honest living has never even crossed their minds. One day, while trying to save a dying man, Bose [Prem Chopra], they get their big break. Their life is made! Unfortunately for them, Inspector Kabir [Sanjay Dutt] has been chasing Bose for the last ten years. He finally finds him. Only dead!

Desperate for his promotion, he questions the suspicious-looking foursome he finds next to the body. Inadvertently, they blurt out the secret before managing to escape. Now begins a marathon chase.

DHAMAAL begins with gusto. The introduction of the four characters at the very start makes the viewer aware of what to expect from each of them. The sequences that follow [taking the horse painting at condolence meetings] are rip-roaringly funny. Ditto for the sequence when they're mistaken as gangsters and arrested by the cop [Murli Sharma]. Another sequence that's sure to bring the house down is Asrani's vintage car going up in flames and also Sanju tying the four to a tree. The first hour rocks big time!

The writers continue to inject humor in the second hour as well. Only thing, the jokes work at times, but look forced at places. Take, for instance, the track of the robbers inside a bus and their interaction with Ritesh. Non-happening! The aircraft portion [Asrani, Aashish] is excellent, but one should know where to end a joke. Never stretch it beyond a point, but the writers do. Resultantly, the impact gets diluted. Sanju's accident and the entire cliff track, again, is mediocre. The search for the 'Big W' in the park, beneath which lies the treasure, is funny, not hilarious.

Directorially, Indra Kumar is in form. Opting for a new team of writers this time around, he gets it right on most occasions. The two songs at the very start [Adnan Sami] are interesting. Vijay Arora's cinematography is nice. Dialogues are excellent.

The one performance that stands out from the rest is that of Javed Jaffrey's. He's magnificent in a role that seems tailor-made for him. What timing! The viewers are sure to go into raptures. Arshad Warsi is not in his element. Also, why is he looking so tired? Ritesh Deshmukh is dependable yet again, although his track suffers in the second hour because it lacks meat. Aashish Chowdhary is a revelation. Confident and easygoing, he shows a flair for comedy. Sanjay Dutt is alright. Asrani is mind-blowing. It's a treat to watch this veteran in a meaty role again. Suhasini Mulay, as the landlady, is first-rate.

On the whole, DHAMAAL is one joyride that should keep its investors smiling!

Remaking a yesteryear hit is considered an easy route for winning plaudits and paisa. With a readymade script at your disposal, all you need to do is cast the right set of actors, hire a director who's equally charged to remake the film and who'd do complete justice to the material, retain the popular songs from the original [if need be]… Presto, the new avatar is ready for public viewing!

But the new avatar may not necessarily be as effectual as the original. That holds true for VICTORIA NO. 203, directed by Ananth Narayan Mahadevan. It's a great idea to remake a rollicking entertainer like VICTORIA NO. 203, but the 2007 interpretation lacks the heart and soul of the original.

One of the prime reasons why the original worked was courtesy the fun element, besides packing every available ingredient in those 2 hours. The new version starts off brilliantly, but runs out of breath after the initial 20 minutes. And the graph only goes downhill thereafter.

To sum up, this Victoria is hardly a fun ride. Not all diamonds sparkle!

VICTORIA NO. 203 takes off with a display of diamonds worth Rs. 300 crores. Bobby [Javed Jaffrey], a rich industrialist and his moll Devyani [Preeti Jhangiani], are smitten by the diamonds. Bobby is willing to do anything to acquire them. When the diamond owner denies his offer to buy the diamonds, his ego is hurt. He hires the services of Ranjit [Kamal Sadanah], who in turn hires a burglar, Tora [Tora Khasgir], to steal the diamonds.

Tora performs a daredevil heist and escapes with the diamonds. She has an agenda of her own and plans a double cross with her brother Karan [Rajesh Khera]. Just as she is about to escape, Ranjit stabs her. She escapes though and falls next to Victoria No. 203 in which she hides the diamonds. The Victoria driver Raman [Jatin Sial] offers to take her to the hospital and in the process gets caught by the police, who suspect him for attempted murder.

Raman's daughter Sara [Soniya Vinod Mehra] is forced at this stage to ride the Victoria in order to earn money for her father's trial. She is unaware that she is riding around Mumbai with diamonds worth Rs. 300 crores in her Victoria. Jimmy [Jimmy Joseph], an expert on diamonds, takes a ride on the Victoria and instantly falls in love with Sara.

Raja [Anupam Kher] and Rana [Om Puri] are two small time crooks who are released from jail. They hear about the diamond heist and are extremely impressed, hoping one day they will be able to do something of the sort. All the characters meet in a climax and none of them know where the diamonds actually are.

If you watch VICTORIA NO. 203 with a magnifying glass, you'd agree that it packs every masala on the shelf. There's a heist, there're light moments aplenty [courtesy Raja and Rana], there's emotional bonding [father - daughter], there's romance, a dash of oomph and of course, thrills. And all this is merged to create a wholesome entertainer that doesn't bore you even for a minute.

But the new version looks disjointed. Sure, the script remains the same, but the holding power is clearly missing. The heist at the very start is superb [reminds of SHALIMAR], but the comic scenes are far from funny. You do break into a chuckle at times, but Raja and Rana here aren't as impactful. The comedy falls flat. The romance too is far from exciting. Ditto for the thrills!

Director Ananth Narayan Mahadevan is a talented storyteller, but he's not in his elements this time. The music is a mixed bag. The two tracks from the original ['Do Bechare' and 'Thoda Sa Thehro'] are the only ones that work. Cinematography is eye-catching.

Om Puri is in form, but Anupam Kher isn't. Om seems to be enjoying his part, while Anupam looks mechanical. Jimmy Sheirgill deserved more footage. He's okay. Soniya Vinod Mehra has a long way to go before she can be called an actress. Javed Jaffrey is competent, as always. Preeti Jhangiani is a revelation. She looks alluring and enacts her part well. Kamal Sadanah does a fine job. Tora sizzles. Rajesh Khera and Jatin Sial are wasted.

On the whole, VICTORIA NO. 203 doesn't work. It's a bumpy journey for this Victoria at the box-office!

Victoria No. 203 is a story about a diamond heist and how the lives of so many different people get intertwined in the search for lost diamonds.

The movie takes off with a display of diamonds worth 300 crores. Bobby Bombata (Javed Jaffery) who is a rich industrialist and his moll Devyani (Preeti Jhangiani) are smitten by the diamonds. Bobby is willing to do anything to acquire them. When the diamond owner denies his offer to buy the diamonds, his ego is hurt. He hires the services of a cat burglar, Tora (Tora Khasgir) to steal the diamonds.

Tora performs a daredevil heist and escapes with the diamonds. She has an agenda of her own though and plans a double cross with her brother Karan (Rajesh Khera). Just as she is about to escape, she bumps into the infamous Ranjit (Kamal Sadanah) who stabs her. She escapes though, and falls next to Victoria No. 203 in which she hides the diamonds. The Victoria driver Raman offers to take her to the hospital and in the process gets caught by the police who suspect him for attempted murder.

Raman's daughter Sara (Sonia Vinod Mehra) is forced at this stage to ride the Victoria in order to earn money for her father's trial. She is unaware that she is riding around Bombay with diamonds worth 300 crores in her Victoria. Jimmy (Jimmy Joseph) an expert on diamonds, takes a ride on the Victoria and instantly falls in love with Sara.

The story also entails Raja (Anupam Kher) & Rana (Om Puri) - two small time crooks who are recently released from jail. They hear about the diamond heist and are extremely impressed, hoping one day they will be able to do something of the sort.

All the characters meet in an unbelievably hilarious climax and none of them know where the diamonds actually are.

Will they ever be found, or will they just disappear in the fog??