rdig1-1 Reviews

Guru (2007)

A perfect example of gripping storytelling and impeccable characterisation

[10/10 · 12 January 2007]

Just returned from the theatres, now that I am home I feel genuinely very happy that Guru Kanth Desai is still going strong. I am also completely confident he will make Shakthi Corporation the biggest company in the world...by now you must be wondering what I am talking about, this is how many viewers would feel after coming out of watching Maniratnam's Guru.

First of all let me start by mentioning Abhishek Bachan's role, as this is the role that Guru is built upon. If there ever was a movie where one actor dominated so completely I would only compare Kamal Hassan in Nayakudu/Nayakan. Abhishek should be very proud of what he has accomplished in Guru, it is something that some actors haven't or will not achieve in a life time. He is impeccable for the hardest of critic to comment. His histrionics are brilliant and the way he lost and gained weight during different parts of the movie demonstrate how serious Maniratnam and Abhishek were in making this movie. Keep the awards ready please...Abhishek Bachan has his name stamped on them.

The story is quite simple; it is the narration and the characterisation that makes this movie so unique and interesting. it's about a common mans journey to build India's largest company with the help of its share holders by whatever means possible. In Guru, Guru Kanth Desai is not portrayed as an invincible man rather he is played as a very good business man who can talk and do right things at the right time. The narration of the story is so tight you never flinch. (This applies only to serious movie watchers, not the ones who cannot do without masala and comedy in a film) Maniratnam is one the best story tellers in our country if not the best, and he does that perfectly again. This will rate as one of the best works of Maniratnam; I would take the liberty of putting this Under Nayakudu/Nayakan which rates first on my list of Maniratnam movies.

The music is by A R Rahman, we all know what happens when Maniratnam and A R Rahman team up. Pure magic is created. More than the songs of Guru, the background score impressed me. It is the music in every important scene that brings the scene to life. Rahman is amazing and like Rang De Basanti the songs just blend into the movie. Not to mention Mayya Mayya and Barso re Megha in the first 20 minutes of the movie brighten up the whole theatre.

A word of mention...

Aishwarya Rai has a very strong role in Guru; strong roles are very scarce in Bollywood these days...especially for female artists. Aishwarya stays with Guru throughout the movie and stays on the top of Bollywood by doing that brilliantly.

Mithun & Madhavan are the adamant characters that fight for the right, when I say adamant they really are in the movie and you feel their willingness to stay on the right side of things all through the movie. All the other supporting roles including Vidhya Balan are brilliantly enacted. There is no character that was underplayed or wasn't justified.

Where does this leave us...? Maniratnam has made a wonderful movie full of strong characters, great screen play, brilliant music and marvellous photography by Rajiv Menon. He needs to be commended for this effort. It is no wonder he takes two years to make out one movie, Guru was worth waiting for...so here I am already waiting for his next

Happy (2006)

A feel good movie

[8/10 · 28 January 2006]

There has been no doubt about Karunakarans brilliance. He has always amazed us with his brilliance, not to mention the many times he disappointed us with his incapability of handling screenplay at the right time, particularly at the end parts of the movie. Happy is a similar movie which has brilliance and also some truly unjustified scenes. Getting on with the review… Happy Story Buny(arjun) a pizza delivery boy ends up marrying Madhumati(Genelia) to avoid her getting married to another person as that would end her dream of becoming a doctor. The story is truly a genuine one, Karunakaran needs to be applauded for his innovative idea, the story is about a pair marrying to avoid the problem at stake. But they progressively realise they love each other. How they overcome the other elements involved forms rest of the story.

Happy Performances Allu Arjun is good in the movie, his histrionics are good, especially his emotional outburst towards the very end of the movie remain with us after the movie. His fights are better than his dances, his flexibility really leaves us in awe. His performance in the songs is truly gracefully. He will have a hard time meeting expectations as he has set such high standards in his dance and fight departments.

Genelia is beautiful in her more traditional chudidaars. But there is a problem with her character in the movie, she cries for the whole movie, Genelia is focused as a insecure character. Karunakaran failed in showing her as a bubbly, chirpy girl. He should have taken care as a girl who is mischievous and naughty in the movie remains in the audience heart for a long time than a girl who weeps all throughout the movie; of course she had her bits of brilliance but over all her performance is OK.

Other Cast members that need mention are Manoj Bajpai, which I thought was a pretty good casting. Rama Prabha, Tanikella Bharani, Suman Setty and Jahnavi are OK.

The Happy Technical team Karunakaran, the man behind happy has done a commendable job. His story, screen play and direction are good in parts. There are a few scenes like Madhu asking Bunny to get out are not justified. The climax part also comes a surprise and we feel that it is totally forced on us to end the movie.

Music is excellent by Yuvan Shankar Raja. All songs are well picturised on good creative themes. All songs are well choreographed as well.

Final Word: A feel good movie that you will not want to miss. After you watch this movie there will be no way you will come out unsatisfied. It has got all the elements of a good fun movie.

TS Rating: 3.75/5 Reviewer: Jeewan

Rang De Basanti (2006)

Rang De Basanti...

[9/10 · 25 January 2006]

Every Aamir Khan movie is special. I was lucky enough to catch the premier show on 25th, the atmosphere was perfect and the buzz of anticipation could be felt in the theatre. As there are no reviews for the movie at that time, we had no idea how the movie would be.

I always thought Aamir Khan was a heavy risk taker. He proves me right again with RDB. He needs to be applauded for not over shadowing his co-stars. Also his enthusiasm to make movies that pack a message to the society needs special mention.

After all the hassles of RDB had from the defense ministry of India, IAF and Maneka Gandhi. RDB finally makes it without losing out on any impactful parts.

The movie starts with Sue (Alice Patton) reading her fathers diary. Her father being an office during the Independence struggle of India writes a dairy glorifying the Indian freedom fighters. Sue rekindled by the diary travels to Delhi to make a documentary. This is where the story starts to form a crux. The whole group comes together. The first 80mins of the movie are really hilarious with DJ (Aamir) one-liners as well as his passes at Sue. Sunil as Sarman Joshi needs special mention as he makes us laugh a lot.

The first half cruises as the documentary develops, so do the group of start thinking more about what they are and what their destinies are. The main part of the movie starts when Madhavan who plays a MIG pilot dies due to technical complications because cheap Russian parts were used in the flights by the defense ministry.

The story that follows after the death of Madhavan is a high-pitched drama. It absorbs us in RDB, the direction of Omprakash Mehra come to the fore. The whole movie runs on comparison to the freedom struggle where few bits of similar situation are shown in Sepia toning.

The movie ends quite dramatically and will be quite a surprise to everyone.

Few points that even the perfectionist Aamir missed are.

? The murder of the defense ministry had to be a bit more complicated than shooting some one on the road side ? The Pilots at Madhavans funeral looked like school kids. This really took the intensity of that scene away.

But saying the above are negative points would be wrong as it would be too critical in an otherwise good movie.

A R Rahman's background score keeps the movie at a fast pace; the songs are all well woven onto the movie.

Some outstanding phases of the movie

? Auditioning after Sue arrives in Delhi ? Auditioning the DJ gang ? DJ speaking in Hindi thinking Sue doesn't understand it ? Scenes between Atul Kulkarni and Kunal Kapoor ? Aamirs funny lines with Sarman Joshi ? Siddartha is ultra cool in the movie

Siddartha quoted in one of his interviews that without Aamir Khan there would be no Rang De Basanti. I would like to applaud Aamir, UTV and Omprakash for making such a wonderful movie. It might not be a complete entertainer but it definitely is undoubtedly one of the better movies. Go for it

Sarkar (2005)

RAM GOPAL VARMA - A mature magician

[10/10 · 4 July 2005]

SARKAR is a creation of a life time from Ramu, it will remain as a highlight in all the artists careers, a great movie...it sucks you into it and throws you out. I watched the movie and before i could realise it started...it finished. When someone says slow narration...they are just ignorant of what cinema making is all about. Amitabh is excellent...on par with him is his son playing hi son in the movie, Abhishek. He is the one actor out of the young genre who will stand tall for a long time. The music of the movie is first rate, it plays a very important role in keeping us glued to what happens on screen.

I read a post saying "a bad adaptation of godfather" lets get this one clear that this is not Godfather. We get that impression because Ramu says he is inspired by the Hollywood movie, very kind of him. I have seen the movie and can confirm that approx 5% meets with what we have seen in Godfather.

Talking about direction, i could write a couple of pages about it, but i prefer to say it is exceptional. Its a pity our movies do not get as much exposure as international cinema, but having watched movies from all other languages, Indian cinema coming from unorthodox directors like Ramu are far better.

Watch the movie or you will miss out on something special.