Shaurya - Review
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'.
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 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.
Strangers - Review
Substitute the Indian faces with non-Indian actors -- French/Italian/German -- and STRANGERS would easily pass off as a foreign film since the concept is very unlike what we’ve seen on the Hindi screen so far.
One may draw parallels with STRANGERS ON A TRAIN, but as layer after layer is peeled off, you realize that STRANGERS travels on a different track. But the problem is, STRANGERS caters to a very, very tiny section of moviegoers -- intelligentsia. And that’s its biggest problem!
Two men, complete strangers to each other and diagonally opposite personalities, are travelling in a first class compartment in England. The claustrophobia of a closed space and the coincidence that they are both Indians, binds them to each other.
Mr. Rai [Kay Kay Menon], the management giant and Rahul [Jimmy Sheirgill], a writer with a flop career, in their efforts to entertain each other throughout the journey, drop clues and fill in the missing pieces into stories that are never told unless, between complete strangers. Four lives are put at stake and everything is about to change…
The director gets major help from two major departments -- cinematography [splendid] and background score [electrifying].
Both Jimmy and Kay Kay are highly competent. STRANGERS should occupy the top slot in Jimmy’s body of work. Kay Kay delivers an accomplished performance yet again. Nandana Sen handles a complex role with panache. Sonali Kulkarni [sp. app.] is perfect.
On the whole, STRANGERS is a well-made, intelligent thriller, but it caters to a miniscule audience only. At the box-office, the non-awareness of the film as also the non-happening promotion will hit the film hard.
Go - Review
Really, what were the director and his team of writers thinking when they made this apology of a film? Most importantly, how did RGV okay this script? Wait… is there a script in the first place?
You're numb and speechless as you come out of the screening of GO. Was it real? Or was it a bad dream? Nothing works, except, to an extent, new-find Gautam.
Come to think of it, GO looks like it has been created by an amateur, who was suddenly given a camera and told to shoot whatever he sees in his lens. The plotline is so outdated and the screenplay so directionless, it makes you sad that the once innovative RGV has fallen to such lows.
In a nutshell, here's another turkey from Factory!
The writers of this film deserve the Razzie for coming up with this tacky script. The idea must've been, let's pack 4 songs, 10 fights, 4 chases, 5 hot scenes, 5 confrontations and of course, 2 people on the run, 1 corrupt minister, 1 dishonest cop, 1 henchman and 2 sidekicks. Picture tayyar hain, the writers must've screamed!
Although the songs seem forced, the sound of a few numbers stays in your memory. Cinematography lacks finesse.
Gautam sparkles in a couple of scenes. His expressions are right, his dialogue delivery is fine, his stunts are first-rate and he has a well-toned physique as advantage. Nisha Kothari is terrible. And what did Kay Kay see in this role? As for Rajpal Yadav, why has he hammed so much? Ravi Kale, Govind Namdeo and Sherveer Vakil display one set of expressions all through.
On the whole, GO is a bad product. As simple as that!
Go - Preview
Born in upper middle class of Bombay Suburbs, Abhay is bratty, quick witted, very independent and only child of his parents. He has an absolute belief in his ability to tackle any situation, though his lack of practical experience may contradict such a claim. He turns his charm on in a jiffy, eases his way out with a smile and makes people believe in him. He believes in loyalty and forms very strong bonds.
Nisha Kothari as Vasundhra Dave
Neighbor of Abhay comes from a similarly affluent background. Pretty and knows it, naïve and does not know it. Sweet natured and really does not mind Abhay pulling her leg. She tries to pay back in same coin and succeeds mainly because of unbelievable simplicity in her way of thinking. Has utmost belief is in her relation with Abhay and she has never tried to question it. She has a romantic streak in her and believes in chocolates and flowers.
Rajpal Yadav as Kay Jagtap Tiwari
A chameleon like conman who believes that he can con anyone at anytime, this belief leads to his downfall more often than not. His cons are swashbuckling and his appearance in constant makeover. He tries to reinvent himself into a new character everyday. What he does not know yet is that it is cagier to con him than him conning anyone else.
Kay Kay Menon as Nagesh Rao
Through years of his service serving justice he has lost out on his sense of right and wrong. There is deep seated bitterness and resentment that his honesty and ability has not been recognized or rewarded. A ticking time bomb and he is about to change his tracks.
Ravi Kale as Arjun Patil
From son of a primary school teacher in rural Chandarpur to Chief Minister of Maharashtra it has been long and arduous journey for Arjun Patil. Now he has got the power and he would do anything to keep it. He knows the art of politics and understands the culpability of power.
Discretion is second nature to him and backstabbing a habit which he has developed through his meteorically rise in power.
Ranga is a gun for hire, he has been in service for Arjun Patil for quiet a few years and he has a grudge that his loyalty has never been rewarded. Simple minded and very dangerous, he is not really pursued by logic or morality.
SYNOPSIS
Tow lovers, Abhay & Vasu run away from home, little realizing that they will run into a whole bunch of colourful characters including: a rogue cop, a mean killer, a crafty conman and a chief minister who kills his own deputy. As the stakes get higher and the chase picks up, it’s up to Abhay to save the day. It’s a racy story which constantly collides with heady action, super scares and compelling humor. It’s a full speed entertainment right from the word GO!
Life in a... Metro - Review
METRO charters a new path because the multiple stories run concurrently. Also, the characters are, in some way, linked with each other.
With METRO, director Anurag Basu proves for the third time [after MURDER and GANGSTER] that he's an incredible storyteller. The complexities in relationships, the shortcuts one adopts in life to attain the goals and the corrosion of ethics and values have been depicted most convincingly.
Yet, METRO is no landmark film. It doesn't sweep you off your feet…
If Anurag Basu, the director, deserves brownie points as a storyteller, Anurag Basu, the writer, is just not in terrific form this time around. Reason: The culmination of a few stories, besides the unique concept of using the 'Metro Band' in every song, prevent the film from reaching dizzy heights.
Rahul [Sharman Joshi] works as a call centre executive in Mumbai. He silently loves his colleague Neha [Kangana Ranaut]. A smart young woman who has climbed the ladder in a very short time. And hard work is not her only secret. Because her boss, Ranjeet [Kay Kay Menon], loves her and is willing to shower her with gifts and opportunities… only if she is willing.
Neglected by an indifferent husband and bogged down by family chores, Shikha is soon attracted to Akash [Shiney Ahuja], a struggling theatre artist whose wife divorces him because she cannot stand his failures anymore. Akash and Shikha's love blossoms and she almost crosses her limits.
Amol [Dharmendra] is a 70-year-old man who returns to India after 40 years. To spend the last few years of his life with his first love, Vaijanti [Nafisa Ali]. The lady lives in an old-age home and is Shikha's aunt who gives moral strength to Shikha.
Shikha's sister and Neha's room-mate, Shruti [Konkona Sen Sharma], works at 'Radio Mirchi'. In her 30s and still a virgin, she's desperate to get married. She is dreamy eyed about her RJ, Wishy K [Gautam Kapoor]. She also meets Debu [Irrfan Khan] through a matrimonial site. She hates him. But Debu doesn't.
Now let's have a microscopic view of what works and what doesn't…
Also, the handling of the multiple stories concurrently is praiseworthy, for not once does confusion prevail since so much is happening to so many characters.
On the flip side, the culmination of a few stories looks hurried and half-baked. The Dharmendra - Nafisa Ali story deserved a better conclusion. The one depicted in the film is so filmy! Similarly, Kangana suddenly realizing that she needs to be with Sharman in the end [she leaves Kay Kay stranded] looks unbelievable.
The culmination to the Shilpa - Kay Kay story is ludicrous. Shilpa is about to leave her home when the door bell rings and she finds her husband [Kay Kay] staring at her. He seems repentant and one assumes he has returned home on a rebound [Kangana has dumped him]. Surprisingly, Shilpa goes back to the heartless guy, bidding goodbye to Shiney, who genuinely loves her. Wrong ending!
Another area where the film suffers is that each and every song has the 'Metro Band' coming up from nowhere and humming the lines. Agreed, they are good singers and using the Band in a song or two would've been okay, but every song? They're such a terrible put-off! Besides, the music [Pritam] is strictly okay.
Irrfan is the life of the show. You're bound to run out of adjectives to describe this performance. He's sure to appeal to every strata -- elite, intellectuals, classes, masses, kids… Konkona compliments Irrfan beautifully all through. A brilliant performance yet again. Dharmendra is simply superb. He makes you moist-eyed at several places. Sharman Joshi underplays his character beautifully.
Kangana is not in form this time. Shiney Ahuja is passable. He deserved a few more meaty scenes. Nafisa Ali is grace personified. Gautam Kapoor is adequate. Manoj Pahwa is okay.
On the whole, METRO could've been a path-breaking experience, but the faulty writing throws a spanner. At the box-office, the film caters to the multiplexes of big cities mainly. The initial weekend business will be encouraging at select metros, but things might get shaky eventually.