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Reviews
PK (2014)
An average commercial film
OMG!! PK... The art of storytelling is where you create some characters and then fill various colors in these characters. Story teller has to be respectful to its characters so that each can make an impact on the 'Celluloid Collage'. RKH's movies always have a strong central antagonist character around which the story revolves. This movie lacks such a character. There is so much time given to build Aamir and Anushka's characters that the other characters fail to relate with the audience. The chemistry between Anushka-Sushant is under developed so when it is used in the second half, it doesn't generate the 'Awww moment' RKH expects. Love angle between PK and Anushka appears to be totally unnecessary and a 'Bhaste aaf time'.
Comparisons are bound to happen between OMG and PK as PK's script borrows ideas from OMG. Where OMG was a 'Thought Provoking' movie, PK tries to 'Entertain' the audience rather than raising the important issues. For me OMG is still a refreshingly original film that stayed on the subject rather than exploring commercial dimensions like PK does.
A below average climax, unimpressive music and under developed characters makes it an ordinary commercial film.
At best, the movie is a one-time watch and not RKH's best work.
Anita (1967)
Raj Khosla, Sadhna & Manoj did it again
Sadhana is often designated as the 'Mystery Girl' of bollywood and rightly so. Her character in Anita is an entwined mystery. Interwoven with glamour, suspense and drama she perplex the audience.
Raj Khosla, I must say, has an inimitable style of presenting the movie with plenty of windows and mirrors. He has adopted some of his camera angles from his mentor the legendary Guru Dutt. The script is cleverly designed as it keeps the viewers intrigued.
The summary of the story is- Neeraj (Manoj Kumar) and Anita (Sadhana) are in love and Anita's dad in against their marriage. On their wedding day Anita disappears and the mystery starts building. Neeraj leaves the town and receives a letter from Anita that she's in danger. Neeraj comes back to the town only to find that she was pregnant and has committed suicide. He eventually discovers that she was suffering from Multiple Personality Disorder. He tries to investigate a little more and comes to know a new episode of Anita's life with every step. Entangled in love, he assigns the investigation to a private detective agency. Anita, however keeps making her presence felt in Neeraj's life and eludes when he tries to chase. After a series of events we finally discover the big secret.
The trio's (Raj-Sadhna-Manoj) earlier movie 'Wo kaun Thi' was awesome and they conjure the similar magic in Anita as well. Young music duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal's music is melodious and is in synchronization with the theme. Background score is mysterious and engaging.
The screenplay may not be as fast and binding as the duo's (Raj-Sadhna)'Wo kaun Thi' and 'Mera saya' but like a cliff-hanger, it surely keeps you glued to your seat till the climax.
My rating is 7/10. It's a must watch for Sadhana and Raj's fans.
Guru (2007)
Maniratnam turns Businessman from Director
Madras Talkies- What an image this brand had! 'Roja', 'Bombay', 'Dil Se' are one of the finest piece of art from it which, received a tremendous response from both Critics and Box office. I understand that Critical Acclaim and Box office success seldom go hand in hand (Dil Se being one example).
'Guru' clearly gives an impression as if its sole aim was to raise stacks of cash at Box office. Cleverly chosen star cast includes actors from each geographical zone: East- Mithun Chakravarty. Hindi Speaking (North, Center, West)- Abhishek Bacchan. South- Aishwarya Rai, Madhavan.
Abhishek looks tired; Aishwarya looks too beautiful to fit in this role. The director fails to build convincing characters so such a wonderful cast appears ineffective.
The story starts with the ambitions of a guy and ends with his justifications of taking a devious course to achieve his goals. What message does it give to society? The final scene Court Room drama was totally meaningless. How can over 50 legal claims reduced to 2 just by one supposedly impressive speech by Guru Bhai?
The music is ordinary and stands nowhere in from of the music of Roja, Bombay and Dil Se. Rahman is so complacent by the fact that whatever he makes is admired by Bollywood.
Guru is a wonderful example of what happens when a great filmmaker curbs his instincts to come up with a money spinning effort possibly to support his crumbling production house. There are people (viz. Gulzaar, Shyam Benegal) who have always given priority to critical acclaim over Box office success. I used to count Mani in that class but not anymore.
You come out of the Cinema Hall and curse yourself for watching this flick. Request to Maniratnam fans- Please avoid this or you'll lose respect fro Mani's earlier works as well.
Anyway the meaningless film is a big hit along with its ineffective music. It bagged quite a lot of awards as well. But I strongly believe that people who have understanding of art would agree with my point of view.
Serendipity (2001)
Too many coincidences
This is a movie with lot of incidences happening in an unrealistic fashion. It reminds me of our Bollywood Romantic flicks which often have a number of coincidences.
Anyways if you keep your 'left brain thinking' aside and just start enjoying the movie it'll appear a cute one.
The couple Cusack-Becknisale have an amazing chemistry. The innocence of Cusack and the charm of Becknisale keeps you glued to the screen. She has faith in her fate and she believes that if Cusack and she are meant to be together then fate will reunite them. Cusack already attracted to her tries to find her but they don't meet until the fate turns their way. It takes a series of predictable events to reunite the couple and you reach home feeling good about it.
Bhavani Junction (1985)
A clash of titans
It is an impressive effort from the writer Jainendra Jain but the real attraction of the movie is the performance of the protagonist Shatrughna Sinha. The whole movie is based on his agony and revenge to his wife's murder. He has proved again that he is not less that any successful concomitant actors of his era. Shashi Kapoor is very effective and when both Shashi and Shatru are on screen it looks like a clash of titans. Shashi, a relentless king, is not ready to sacrifice his son despite his heinous deed. The director has successfully shown Shashi's Father-King dilemma. Mazhar Khan is natural and Zeenat Aman's role is ordinary and rest of the cast is supportive.
Overall an underrated/unhyped movie but a good one to catch. Brilliant performances and a good story is what makes it a must watch.
Katha (1983)
A class act by auteur
Good things come to those who wait but by that time all the better stuff is gone. The above quote is so true in concomitant world and the movie too gives the same message quite strongly. The movie is basically a satire on the Rabbit(Farookh) - Tortoise(Naseeruddin) story. Rajaram (Naseeruddin) successfully depicts the tortoise and Basudev (Farookh) doesn't disappoint either. But the real credit for this movie goes to the auteur- Sai Paranjpye. She builds the character so well that the story despite lack of any Indian movie spice flows smoothly. Both the protagonists have done their parts superbly. Rest of caste is used beautifully to develop the two main conflicting characters. In the end the Rabbit migrates and Tortoise wins and our story teller- Daadi Maa says "Ye bhi koi jeet hui bhala" As all tortoise gets is a bouquet of wilted flower (Used metaphorically).
MP3: Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (2007)
Beautiful Creation by Robby
A teenager love-story full of emotions with lots of mischief and teenage vigor.
Full marks to Robby for that. He has done justice to every character. Hazel (Ayesha) looks beautiful and Ruslaan(Rohan) has completely immersed himself in the colors of teenage. I think both have a good future. This movie should again bring back the Bollywood focus to Teenagers and their life.
The Music is just like the icing on the cake. The songs like 'Who am I, Kaun hoon Main' and 'Title track' are pretty good songs. Full marks for the timing of the songs and situational lyrics also. The songs never seemed to be haulting the story rather they just enriched the color and texture of it.
Little bit of drama but I guess that's excusable as it's a Hindi movie. The second half takes a dramatic turn and at that point one gets a feeling that Robby has lost the track. Considering it's his one of the starting attempts I'll not be very harsh on him.
In short, a commendable effort by all. We hope to see more of Robby in future.