KAMINEY(2009)
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Amol Gupte
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Rating: 3.5/5
Many of you, my dear friends and esteemed readers have complained why I haven’t reviewed Kaminey as yet. The fact is that like every major release hitting Indian theatres, I did see it on the day of its release - 14th August, but as I got out from the theatre I was dazed. For once, I wanted to reserve my judgment as I don’t think I had absorbed the brilliance (or the possible lack of it) in the first viewing. One thing was for sure – Kaminey warranted a second viewing and after having finally seen it for the second time with a fellow film enthusiast I finally write my review. Read on...
Shahid Kapoor’s character Charlie says in the beginning of Kaminey, “Yeh life badi kutti cheez hai”. With this very dialog the director, Vishal Bhardwaj stamps his authority on the movie and reminds us of the rusticity of Omkara.
The setting is grim and murky and not once in the film do you see a scene set in broad day light with a clear blue sky and the sun shining! In this backdrop unfolds the lives of two twin brothers Charlie and Guddu. Wait, did anyone just shout the words – cliché, formulaic or been-there-seen-that? Hang on, because this is not the run of the mill “twin-brothers-parting-in-a-Kumbh-Mela-and-uniting-after-20-years-to-take-revenge-on-their-father’s-killer” saga. Vishal Bhardwaj has his own take on Hindi cinema’s (I hate the use of the term Bollywood) favorite storyline. True, that there is a Deewar between the two brothers but this deewar is sans the two Ms – Maa and Melodrama.
The story takes its precious time to truly engulf you. There is some confusion as seemingly random scenes roll out one after another and half an hour into the movie you haven’t been able to figure out what is really happening! It’s almost as if, it is a deliberate attempt on the part of the director to go slow with the screenplay in order to enable the viewer to absorb himself in the setting the movie has been executed in. But one hour into the runtime Vishal Bhardwaj successfully manages to finely sketch the different characters and put various shades to them. The characters are real and life like speaking everyday language like you and me, yet living realistically dramatic ordinary lives.
The lives of a group of gangsters trying to close a major drug deal with help from top brass of the Mumbai-Anti Narcotics Bureau, a Raj Thackeray proto-type with a ‘Jai Maharashtra’ propaganda trying to get his sister to forcibly marry a Builder’s son so that he can get dowry in his election fund, a local goon wanting to recover his lost savings from a fraud informant and stumbling upon a golden guitar in the process, his estranged brother – a regular next door guy struggling in life and who due to circumstances very hesitantly has to elope with the girl he loves, all intervene through a bizarre series of events and mayhem ensues!
If Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction is the spinal cord of the movie then Shahid’s performances as Charlie and Guddu are the heart of the movie. These two roles present a major challenge to Shahid but he rises up to the challenge and makes the most of it. He proves that his acting capabilities are not limited to the chocolate boy roles we are accustomed to seeing him in. Again the credit goes to the director for the brilliant characterization. In Charlie, Shahid has got a memorable character which will be etched in the viewer’s memory for times to come. Shahid is so good that at the end of the movie you cannot think of any other actor who could have done justice to the two roles. And yes the lisping and stammering act which has already become a rage is pulled off ‘awefomely’ by Shahid! He is without doubt a HUGE Superstar in the making.
Priyanka Chopra (I admit without any qualms that she is my image of the ultimate woman) as the lead actress on the other hand plays the role of Sweety which is beneath her super glamorous image. She carries the toned down look of a Maharashtrian girl with great Chutzpah. Again thanks to the director, her character has some brilliant moments in the movie. Like in that raunchy scene where she tells her lover Guddu when they are making out in a tent and ready to go all the way – “Tere mere beech mei koi teesra aa jaaye, mujhe pasand nahi!” Go figure what that meant! Then there is that scene in the end when she pulls off a ‘Bride’ (Read Uma Thurman in Kill Bill) by picking up a machine gun and pointing and shooting at her own brother for conspiring to kill her lover!
Amol Gupte shines in his portrayal of the Mahrashtrian politician. The casting of the rest of the supporting actors is spot on and their performances A grade. It’s a relief to see fresh faces in the supporting cast and it is this freshness that adds newness to this film!
Kaminey truly has some magical moments. It is commendable how the director amidst the bang-bang mayhem has managed to incorporate a love story between Guddu and Sweety and make it so endearing. The scene where Guddu lashes out on Sweety after finding out that she fakes her stammering deeply moves you. In that very scene the director is able to highlight the insecurity of Guddu’s character on one hand and Sweety's deep love and willingness to go to any lengths to be with him on the other. Then there is that hilarious Bhope Bhau vs. Tope Bhau confrontation which is another masterstroke!
Vishal Bhardwaj recently said in an interview that he considers himself a music director first and then a film director. The background music and soundtrack of Kaminey is pulsating! The Kaminey album has something for everyone. Listening to ‘Dhan Te Nan’ in a Dolby Digital theatre gives you gooseflesh and increases your rate of blood circulation! The lyrics for other songs are brilliantly penned down. Sample this:
“..Ishq mei jalte hue saans tezaabi lage, raaz khulta nahi, koi toh chabhi lage.” (Raat Ke Dhai Bajein)
“...Meri arzoon Kamini,,mere khwaab bhi Kaminey.. ek dil se dosti thi, yeh huzoor bhi Kaminey...” (Kaminey)
“...Yaad hai peepal ke jiskey ghaney saayein they, humnein gilhare ke joothe matar khaaye they...yeh barqat un hazrat ki hai, pehli baar mohabbat ki hai.. aakhri mohabbat ki hai” (Pehli Baar Mohabbat)
Mohit Chauhan’s rendition of ‘Pehli Baar Mohabbat’ is divine. He is arguably the number one playback singer these days with tracks like Masakali (Delhi 6), Khuchh Khaas (Fashion), Tune Jo Naa Kahaa (New York) and Yeh Dooriyan (Love Aaj Kal) to his credit.
Kaminey won’t connect with the sensibilities and tastes of the average Indian movie goer. It requires the viewer’s attention and intelligence throughout. The film cannot be labeled a masterpiece as it loosely draws inspiration from films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Pulp Fiction. But it is not a mish-mash or a rehash of these films. In fact it is a brilliant fusion between the two different worlds of cinema. The movie’s real star is the director Vishal Bhardwaj who proves that what Guy Ritchie/Quentin Tarantino can do, he can do as effectively, if not better with a desi tadka! Kaminey is an insane ride. Jump in and enjoy this ride with the Kamineys and sing - Dhan Te Nan..Te Nan..Te Nan
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Amol Gupte
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Rating: 3.5/5
Many of you, my dear friends and esteemed readers have complained why I haven’t reviewed Kaminey as yet. The fact is that like every major release hitting Indian theatres, I did see it on the day of its release - 14th August, but as I got out from the theatre I was dazed. For once, I wanted to reserve my judgment as I don’t think I had absorbed the brilliance (or the possible lack of it) in the first viewing. One thing was for sure – Kaminey warranted a second viewing and after having finally seen it for the second time with a fellow film enthusiast I finally write my review. Read on...
Shahid Kapoor’s character Charlie says in the beginning of Kaminey, “Yeh life badi kutti cheez hai”. With this very dialog the director, Vishal Bhardwaj stamps his authority on the movie and reminds us of the rusticity of Omkara.
The setting is grim and murky and not once in the film do you see a scene set in broad day light with a clear blue sky and the sun shining! In this backdrop unfolds the lives of two twin brothers Charlie and Guddu. Wait, did anyone just shout the words – cliché, formulaic or been-there-seen-that? Hang on, because this is not the run of the mill “twin-brothers-parting-in-a-Kumbh-Mela-and-uniting-after-20-years-to-take-revenge-on-their-father’s-killer” saga. Vishal Bhardwaj has his own take on Hindi cinema’s (I hate the use of the term Bollywood) favorite storyline. True, that there is a Deewar between the two brothers but this deewar is sans the two Ms – Maa and Melodrama.
The story takes its precious time to truly engulf you. There is some confusion as seemingly random scenes roll out one after another and half an hour into the movie you haven’t been able to figure out what is really happening! It’s almost as if, it is a deliberate attempt on the part of the director to go slow with the screenplay in order to enable the viewer to absorb himself in the setting the movie has been executed in. But one hour into the runtime Vishal Bhardwaj successfully manages to finely sketch the different characters and put various shades to them. The characters are real and life like speaking everyday language like you and me, yet living realistically dramatic ordinary lives.
The lives of a group of gangsters trying to close a major drug deal with help from top brass of the Mumbai-Anti Narcotics Bureau, a Raj Thackeray proto-type with a ‘Jai Maharashtra’ propaganda trying to get his sister to forcibly marry a Builder’s son so that he can get dowry in his election fund, a local goon wanting to recover his lost savings from a fraud informant and stumbling upon a golden guitar in the process, his estranged brother – a regular next door guy struggling in life and who due to circumstances very hesitantly has to elope with the girl he loves, all intervene through a bizarre series of events and mayhem ensues!
If Vishal Bhardwaj’s direction is the spinal cord of the movie then Shahid’s performances as Charlie and Guddu are the heart of the movie. These two roles present a major challenge to Shahid but he rises up to the challenge and makes the most of it. He proves that his acting capabilities are not limited to the chocolate boy roles we are accustomed to seeing him in. Again the credit goes to the director for the brilliant characterization. In Charlie, Shahid has got a memorable character which will be etched in the viewer’s memory for times to come. Shahid is so good that at the end of the movie you cannot think of any other actor who could have done justice to the two roles. And yes the lisping and stammering act which has already become a rage is pulled off ‘awefomely’ by Shahid! He is without doubt a HUGE Superstar in the making.
Priyanka Chopra (I admit without any qualms that she is my image of the ultimate woman) as the lead actress on the other hand plays the role of Sweety which is beneath her super glamorous image. She carries the toned down look of a Maharashtrian girl with great Chutzpah. Again thanks to the director, her character has some brilliant moments in the movie. Like in that raunchy scene where she tells her lover Guddu when they are making out in a tent and ready to go all the way – “Tere mere beech mei koi teesra aa jaaye, mujhe pasand nahi!” Go figure what that meant! Then there is that scene in the end when she pulls off a ‘Bride’ (Read Uma Thurman in Kill Bill) by picking up a machine gun and pointing and shooting at her own brother for conspiring to kill her lover!
Amol Gupte shines in his portrayal of the Mahrashtrian politician. The casting of the rest of the supporting actors is spot on and their performances A grade. It’s a relief to see fresh faces in the supporting cast and it is this freshness that adds newness to this film!
Kaminey truly has some magical moments. It is commendable how the director amidst the bang-bang mayhem has managed to incorporate a love story between Guddu and Sweety and make it so endearing. The scene where Guddu lashes out on Sweety after finding out that she fakes her stammering deeply moves you. In that very scene the director is able to highlight the insecurity of Guddu’s character on one hand and Sweety's deep love and willingness to go to any lengths to be with him on the other. Then there is that hilarious Bhope Bhau vs. Tope Bhau confrontation which is another masterstroke!
Vishal Bhardwaj recently said in an interview that he considers himself a music director first and then a film director. The background music and soundtrack of Kaminey is pulsating! The Kaminey album has something for everyone. Listening to ‘Dhan Te Nan’ in a Dolby Digital theatre gives you gooseflesh and increases your rate of blood circulation! The lyrics for other songs are brilliantly penned down. Sample this:
“..Ishq mei jalte hue saans tezaabi lage, raaz khulta nahi, koi toh chabhi lage.” (Raat Ke Dhai Bajein)
“...Meri arzoon Kamini,,mere khwaab bhi Kaminey.. ek dil se dosti thi, yeh huzoor bhi Kaminey...” (Kaminey)
“...Yaad hai peepal ke jiskey ghaney saayein they, humnein gilhare ke joothe matar khaaye they...yeh barqat un hazrat ki hai, pehli baar mohabbat ki hai.. aakhri mohabbat ki hai” (Pehli Baar Mohabbat)
Mohit Chauhan’s rendition of ‘Pehli Baar Mohabbat’ is divine. He is arguably the number one playback singer these days with tracks like Masakali (Delhi 6), Khuchh Khaas (Fashion), Tune Jo Naa Kahaa (New York) and Yeh Dooriyan (Love Aaj Kal) to his credit.
Kaminey won’t connect with the sensibilities and tastes of the average Indian movie goer. It requires the viewer’s attention and intelligence throughout. The film cannot be labeled a masterpiece as it loosely draws inspiration from films like Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, Snatch and Pulp Fiction. But it is not a mish-mash or a rehash of these films. In fact it is a brilliant fusion between the two different worlds of cinema. The movie’s real star is the director Vishal Bhardwaj who proves that what Guy Ritchie/Quentin Tarantino can do, he can do as effectively, if not better with a desi tadka! Kaminey is an insane ride. Jump in and enjoy this ride with the Kamineys and sing - Dhan Te Nan..Te Nan..Te Nan
