My Name Is Khan - A bundle and burden of expectations...

My Name Is Khan (2010)

Director: Karan Johar
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kajol
Release Date: 12th February, 2010

SRK has been the reigning King of Hindi Cinema since the mid-nineties. He has continuously conquered hearts and the box office. SRK’s magnetic and larger than life screen presence and ability to emotionally connect with audiences of all ages is unparalleled. However, the one thing his critics have held against him is that he has always worked with only a few set of people and very rarely gone out of his comfort zone. In the past, SRK has proved his critics wrong as two of his best performances - Mohan Bhargav (Swades) and Kabir Khan (Chak De India), have been roles where he has portrayed characters different from his image.

Playing the character of a Muslim Man suffering from Asperger’s Syndrome is a departure from the usual and yet another chance for SRK to prove his critics wrong. Although it would be a different role, it would not really be a first of its kind attempt. In modern times in Hindi Cinema, Hrithik has successfully played the role of a mentally challenged man in 'Koi Mil Gaya' in 2003. The best performances in my books by actors portraying such characters have been the OSCAR winning performances of Dustin Hoffman and Tom Hanks in Rainman and Forrest Gump respectively. The bar is already very high and it is going to be very challenging for SRK to make Rizwaan stand out from everything else we have seen in the past. It is the sort of role which either has the potential to be one of the biggest highlights of his career or is a role which he could easily end up hamming.

SRK and Kajol after all those years of sizzling chemistry are back on the big screen with My Name Is Khan. In all probability, the film could be their last film together. It will be interesting to see how their pairing in this film stands out from their past work together.

Candy floss film-maker Karan Johar has gone on record and said that making MNIK has been a spiritual experience for him. His last film ‘Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna’, although not universally liked, was a brave film. Just 30 minutes of editing inconsequential scenes like the Black Beast kidnapping saga and Dev's son's football match, would have resulted in a very to the point and hard hitting film. My Name Is Khan, I believe, is going to be a novel attempt by the film maker.

Honestly speaking, the first trailer of My Name Is Khan ( www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8nACZEsVgs ) was a bit of a letdown. The mother preaching in the starting and Kajol acting hysterically was unwanted. The trailer tried to say too much and should have been crisper. The second International Trailer ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDkARnVxpHQ ) looks very promising. It emphasises that the movie is esentially a love story in the socio-cultural backdrop of a post 9/11 America.

In recent memory, 'New York' and 'Kurbaan' have been based on the plight-of-muslims-in-a-post-9/11-America. While Yash Raj’s ‘New York’ was a decent effort, Dharma Production’ last movie ‘Kurbaan’ was according to me a very shoddy, sensationalistic and an improbable story. If My Name Is Khan is supposed to be one of the best movies coming out of Hindi Cinema, it is imperative that it is backed by a good script. Again, it will be very interesting to see whether the story writer has been able to differentiate and do justice to the story and the theme respectively.

20th Century Fox has reportedly bought the distribution rights for the film for INR 100 crore, which if true, is a record. From a marketing angle, it will be interesting to see the kind of business this movie does. Going by the past record of the SRK-Karan Johar duo, MNIK has every potential to break all box office records for a Hindi Film overseas. Recently, Three Idiots has made INR 315 crores in the first 20 days of its release and become the highest grossing Hindi Film of all time. It will be a very tall order for MNIK to get past those numbers. Brand SRK Vs Brand Aaamir - who will come out on top?

The preview clearly captures why 'My Name Is Khan' is one of the most anticipated movies. All questions will be answered on 12th February. Get your tickets booked in advance!

An Instant Connection!

3 Idiots (2009)
Director: Raj Kumar Hirani
Cast: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R. Madhvan, Boman Irani, Kareena Kapoor

Rating: 3.5/5

If I had predicted 8 years back when I was in Class IX that I would study Commerce for the next 5 years, do an MBA and take up a job in Sports Marketing, many of my peers would have been amused about my slightly off beat path, while the uncles and the aunties would have scorned and said “ Beta science kyu nahi lete, intelligent ho, tum engineer ya doctor bano.” (Thank god my parents are not one of those uncles and aunties and I did what I did and in future will do what I want to do with complete freedom!) Though, now we have people taking up off beat professions and doing well for themselves, the typical middle class view of education has remained unaltered over the years. Education system itself hasn’t changed much – emphasis is still on rote learning; and doing a B.Tech, MBBS or an MBA ensures one a successful career.

It was high time that a movie was made to portray and challenge the values of our education system and who better than Raj Kumar Hirani, the man behind the ‘Jaadu Ki Jhappi’ and ‘Gandhigiri’ to give his idealistic and super entertaining take on this issue.

Three Idiots based in a very stereotypical setting of an Indian engineering college makes a mockery of the education system where engineers don’t graduate but they are manufactured with complete disregard to their raw materials i.e. their talent, passion, mental framework and area of interest.

The biggest plus point of this movie is that it does not preach, it connects and connects like no other! It is through a well knit story with capable actors that the director manages to captivate the audience for over two and a half hours and inject ‘gyaan’ from time to time while not compromising on the entertainment dose. Raj Kumar Hirani knows when to give what dose and in what strength.

The movie is a quintessential bollywood entertainer and the director uses all clichés and ‘creative freedom’ to drive the movie along its runtime. A group of three friends having different background and varied interests, bond and cherish each other for a lifetime like Dil Chahta Hai.

The film does well to show a typical lower middle class setup. Raju Rastogi played by Sharman Joshi has a sick father and an unmarried sister at home and relies on astrology and religion to overcome his dire circumstances. The film has audience in splits when Raju’s domestic life is shown in black and white with melancholic music playing in the background. Farhan Qureshi’s (R. Madhavan) parents on the other hand have sacrificed all luxuries in life so that they could support their son and see him become an engineer.

The protagonist Rancho played by Aamir Khan is a witty guy who thinks out of the box, defies and challenges set patterns and values of education, brings a revolution in his friends' lives, confronts his dogmatic and vindictive college Dean and has a subtle love interest in Pia who turns out to be the Dean’s daughter!

In 1989 he played a college student, hung a guitar on his shoulders and sang “Papa kehte hai bada naam karega....koi engineer ka kaam karega.” It is remarkable that 20 years down the line he can still convincingly portray the character of a 20 something. Aamir has indeed traversed a long way and 3 Idiots establishes his unique indomitable niche in Hindi Cinema. Here’s one actor who has managed a difficult feat – of continuously doing meaningful, yet commercially successful cinema (I have deleted Mela and Ghajini from my memory).

Aamir’s role in three idiots doesn’t really stretch his capabilities as an actor. The role could very well have been portrayed by a Ranbir, a Shahid or an Abhay Deol. But what a superstar like Aamir can do to the character of Rancho, none of these guys can. As Aamir gives gyaan to his two friends and explains them the funda of ‘aall iz well’, you know that he is successfully elevating this movie to a cult status!

Sharman Joshi and R Madhavan playing the other two leads give a subdued yet effective performance and let Aamir drive the show. Kareena is at her bubbly best! But the two performances that really stand out are that of Omi Vaidya who plays Chatur and Boman Irani who plays the college Dean. The movie would not have been even fifty percent as humorous had it not been for the antics of Chatur who pulls off one of the most hilarious five minute speech one can ever hear. Boman Irani is the only character in the movie who I think is irreplaceable. All you can say when you watch Boman is “Hail Sahastrabudhhe”!

The film is well complemented by cinematography, music and choreography. The opening shots which zoom past the Himalayas and the ending scenes shot in the serene and isolated valley of Ladakh are a visual treat. Swananad Giri pens some meaningful lyrics which are backed by good music and renditions by Shantanu Moitra and Sonu Nigam respectively.

Three Idiots, even though crowd pleasing is not above its flaws. Hirani sticks to his tried and tested formula of pitting a Hitler type figure against an idealist hero. There is way too much glycerine used in making this movie! The mawkish sentimentality in some of the scenes is uncalled for. In order to prove the genius in Rancho, the director resorts to an unimpressive gimmick in the end. The “All Iz Well” funda over stays its welcome when it is used as a device to culminate the climax of the movie. Also, there is no denying the fact that 3 Idiots is largely inspired from Chetan Bhagat’s ‘5 Point Someone’ and there is no justification for the filmmakers to not give the credit to the author for the story right in the starting credits.

Notwithstanding its flaws and controversies, 3 Idiots is a good effort which gives the audience what it needs most – entertainment. The film is Hirani’s way of saying – “Indian Film Audience, tussi great ho, tohfa kabool karo.”


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P.S. Writing this review is like coming out of hibernation for me. Many of you have complained about my absence but the new job has made me BUSY in the true sense of the word. I have missed reviewing some major movies like Kurbaan, Paa and Rocket Singh ( My favorite movie from 2009) over the past few months but will try to be regular with my reviews at least for the big movies. The OSCAR season is knocking and it will be great to review the favorites for this year. My next blog entry will be about my expectation from 2010's most anticipated movie - My Name Is Khan.
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Wake Up Sid is a Breezy Watch..

Wake Up Sid (2009)
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Kon Kona Sen Sharma,

Rating: 3/5

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There are movies which have a subject matter you can relate to, movies which are a reflection of the lifestyle and attitudes of the new generation. These movies have characters you can identify with and their story is essentially one that you know as it has already unfolded or unfolding in your life or the life of people around you. Wake Up Sid is one such movie. It is yet another addition to the F5 Club as I call it. F5 Club consists Hindi movies (Eg. Dil Chahta Hai, Jhankaar Beats, Dev D & Luck By Chance) which have F5’ed (read Refresh) the multiplex going audience by serving them a slice of their own life.

Many of us (the self made kind) have always said to ourselves – “Oh these rich brats have had it all easy in life having being served everything on a silver platter. What do these kids know about responsibility and the struggles of everyday life?” Siddharth Mehra played by the dashing Ranbir Kapoor is one of those rich brats who lives life king size and whose occupation is spending his father’s money! In Sid’s dictionary, the words love, work and study don’t exist! He flunks his college exam, refuses to join his dad’s business and leaves home after a fight with his parents. But for all his immaturity and I don’t care attitude, Sid is a sweet and endearing character, a person you would like to befriend. The movie is about the series of events that lead to Sid’s awakening as a mature and independent man. The plot is as predictable as a straight line yet you relate to it as it sucks you in for those two and a half hours while you sip Coke and munch your pop corn.

Besides the coming of age of Siddharth Mehra, Wake Up Sid is a feel good romantic movie. The romance between Sid and Aisha, a girl who shifts to Mumbai to pursue her passion as a writer is not of the love at first sight variety. Opposites attract but it takes time for the realization of mutual attraction to set in, something which is shown well in the movie.

The young debutant director Ayan Mukerji proves that often the person who writes the script is in the best position to direct it. The story and its subsequent execution has both simplicity and honesty. This honesty is reflected in the way the characters are etched out. Sid’s friends are real and ordinary looking people, the kinds who are not necessarily the most stunning looking people you will ever see. Then there are Sid’s parents with whom he does not share a very close relationship with. His mom like any other mom barges into his room without knocking, cleans up the mess inside, dotes on his son and insists that he eats ghar ka khaana. His dad on the other hand is a go getter, a self made man who is proud of his achievements on one hand and dismayed by his son’s aimlessness in life on the other.

Ranbir Kapoor once again shows his charm and swagger as he plays Sid effortlessly. It is true that the role doesn’t really stretch his acting capabilities but he needs to be credited for sustaining audience interest in a predictable plot. Ranbir is without a doubt, a mega superstar in the making. Konkona Sen, the seasoned actress is at her best playing a role which she has played many times in the past. It is a master stroke by the director to get Kon Kona to play Aisha instead of one of the reigning queens of Hindi cinema. Konkona fits the bill perfectly. The casting of the support cast is good and director manages to extract quality performances.

Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions adds to the movie the bright, colorful and larger than life glitz it is known for. Whether it is the sea being overlooked by the Bombay skyline or the colorful and often creepy streets of the suburbs and its defaced buildings, top notch cinematography ensures that Bombay is captured brilliantly. Having been born in Bombay ( I insist on not using Mumbai) and spending the first three years of my life there, this movie made me miss that city. The flair, passion for life, the mad pace, and the clichéd - never say die attitude of the city is in the backdrop a very important character of this film.

With the music of Wake Up Sid, Shankar Ehsaan Loy have added yet another feather in their cap. The soundtrack is uplifting and Kya Karoon (a quintessential feel good song) & Iktara (soulful and additive) are the best picks in the album. It is a pity that the male version of Iktara which is there as a background score in the movie was not included in the album.

Despite being bound by limitations of being predictable and moving at a slow pace, Wake Up Sid works because it is honest (Yes I once again use that word). It is a movie which makes you reminisce those times when you were uncertain about the direction your life is going to take or that time when you were unsure of your feelings for someone or the first time you really felt a sense of purpose and pride. If a movie manages to strike a chord like that, it is a successful attempt. Wake Up Sid is an urban story which is well presented.

Whaaaaaaaats Your Raaaaaaaaaa..... Well, what was the name again?

WHAT'S YOUR RAASHEE? (2009)
Cast: Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker

Rating: 1.5/5

There was a man who made Lagaan, a film which enthralled one and all leading to a nationwide hysteria for that elusive Oscar, then, a few years later he made Swades, a film which touched the hearts of Indians living both inside and outside the country. His third directorial venture, Jodha Akbar was charming despite its alleged historical inaccuracies. A Hat-trick of these three successful films made us all believe that the man – Ashutosh Gowariker had truly made his mark as one of the best directors in the country. But wait.... because when you watch his latest movie ‘What’s your Raashee?’ (WYR) you are shocked in disbelief! ‘What’s Your Raashee?’ is an excruciatingly painful watch. Two years ago, Ashutosh Gowariker made a comment that he was tired of making serious films and having being inspired by films like Harry Met Sally he wanted to make a Rom-Com. ‘WYR’ is his attempt at a rom-com and I will not hold back when I say that it is a horrendous attempt, an attempt which both he and his audiences would like to forget as soon as possible.

Zodiac Signs is a discussion topic which fascinates many and is strongly believed by people following astrology. Many of us have read the famous Linda Goodman Sun Sign book in which the characteristics for various sun signs are scaringly accurate. Ashutosh Gowariker’s ‘WYR’ revolves around this concept of sun signs. The protagonist played by Harman Baweja has to forcibly marry due to family pressure and for this purpose he sees 12 women from different zodiacs in order to marry the one with whom he is the most compatible with. The 12 women are played by Priyanka Chopra and when Harman asks his Nanaji as to why does he see the same face in all the 12 women, his Nanaji says “Isliye kyunki tumhe har chehre mei apni sapno ki Raj Kumaari dikh rahi hai.” Gah! It is lameness like this which makes the film fall flat on its face!

The film gets from bad to worse. There is a song and dance routine with each girl, a couple of ridiculous and unwanted plots involving the protagonists’ brother who owes money to the mafia and an astrologer turned detective who crops up regularly during the movie and makes you want to pull your hair in disgust. It would still be acceptable if this film would not take itself seriously but there comes a point when Ashutosh Gowariker starts giving social commentary about child marriage! It’s almost as if Ashutosh Gowariker is committing Hara-Kiri.

With 12 different roles you expect Priyanka Chopra to shine but in the end you are rather underwhelmed by her performance. She does make a mark in three characters but a lackluster script with poor execution lets her down. It is a shame that the characters she plays hardly represent the qualities of the respective zodiacs. Where is the stubbornness in the Aries girl? Where is the moodiness in the Cancerian girl? Where is the split personality or dual side in the Gemini girl? Where is the fickle nature and the indecisiveness in the Libran girl? Ashutosh Gowariker creates characters according to his whims and fancy with complete disregard to astrological literature which is supposed to be the basis of his movie. Harman Baweja on the other hand is sincere, acts well and is perhaps the only saving grace of the movie. Here’s a guy who has been ridiculed for being a clone of Hrithik Roshan but in WYR he is unfazed, showcases his talent and delivers a noteworthy performance.

At 3 hours and 35 minutes, ‘What’s Your Raashee?’ is a mega blunder! It should be included as a case study in film schools of how not to make a movie. If you are still interested in seeing the movie at the cinemas, my advice would be to carry your folding bed, blindfolds, some cotton plugs...all for a comfortable sleep.

An exhilarating ride of kameenapan...

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