DHOOM 3 - Lacks The Punch

Cast:  Aamir Khan, Jackie Shroff, Abhishek Bachan, Uday Chopra & Katrina Kaif.
Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya.
Producer: Aditya Chopra

Duration: 172 Minutes

Dhoom-3 for me personally has been the biggest let down in the Dhoom franchise. Heavily inspired from the movie The Prestige, coupled with some illogical plot and laid back performances, this one just misses the bus. Contrary to Dhoom franchise, this one lacks the style and whoomph quotient and relies mostly on melodrama.

Without revealing much about the plot, Dhoom 3 is about Samar (Aamir Khan) who is set to bring down the most happening bank in Chicago for the reasons (Please watch the movie) and how Jay Dixit (Abhishek) & Ali (Uday) counter him is the plot.

Vijay Acharya has done some fabulous job with his camera & taking. Especially the first introduction sequence of Aamir khan, Malang Song & the way Chicago has been run down is amazing. But in spite of these magic moments due to its weak script Dhoom 3 just doesn’t make it.

Coming to the performances except of Aamir Khan, hardly others impress you. Uday with his comic timing gives in a breezer of relief. Abhishek Bachan has been below power and Katrina Kaif is hardly put to use by the director. Even the music when compared to later has been below power.

All in all, in spite of all the flaws Dhoom 3 is good one time watch.  

Rating: 2/5

Zanjeer– Chain of Errors

Cast: Prakash Raj, Priyanka Chopra, Ram Charan Tej, Mahi Gill & Atul Kulkarni.
Director: Apoorva Lakhia.
Producer: Puneet Prakash Mehra & Sumeet Prakash Mehra.

Duration: 122 Minutes

Statutory Warning: You would be disappointed if you are expecting something similar to 70’s classic Zanjeer. This one is not even close.

Zanjeer is a chain of errors, do not know from which link to begin. Whenever you are remaking a classic the underling rule is latter, if not better at least should not let down the first. Apoorva Lakhia has just done everything to bring down the epic. (Finally RGV Ki Aag has some competition now -Joke)

Vijay (Charan), an angry young cop transferred 17 times to his credit, gets his 18^th one to Mumbai. Mala (Priyanka), an NRI and a witness of a gruesome murder by Oil Mafia headed by Teja (Prakash Raj).  Mala confides with Vijay for protection which later culminates into a love story.

Cut to Sher khan (Sanjay Dutt), a foe turned friend to Vijay helps him in nabbing Teja and putting an end to oil smuggling. This is 2013 Zanjeer for you.

The Bad: As I said, Zanjeer is chain of errors right from its weak script, wrong casting, over the top performances & some no performances.

The director if not anything should have tightened his script with all its loop holes. Ram Charan has just one expression for the movie be it action/romance or anything. Priyanka trying to be cute just becomes unbearable. Prakash Raj is just repetitive and over the top.  An actor of Sanjay Dutt’s caliber is under used for the movie. Lastly, Mahi Gill the famous Mona Darling is no match for Helen by far. Not much to credit for the music except for the romantic tune between the lead pair is just a face saver.

The Good: Personally a small performance by Atul Kulkarni as crime reporter just stands out.

Zanjeer can be avoided!

Rating: 1/5

Shuddh Desi Romance – You get what you see!

Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Sushant Singh Rajput & Vaani Kapoor.
Director: Maneesh Sharma.
Producer: Aditya Chopra.

Duration: 132 Minutes

Shuddh Desi Romance is a movie which is real, with all its complexities and confusions that’s the best part. Keeping the morality aspect out of the window, Jaideep Sahni (Chak De India Fame) has penned down a story which is socially so relevant.

Raghu Ram (Sushant), is a man with his own inhibitions about marriage and related issues absconds on his wedding day leaving Tara (Vaani).

Cut to, as time passes he enters into a relation with Gayatri (Parineeti) who ditches him on wedding day, a girl with similar marriage inhibitions. Cut to, Taara takes an entry in Raghu’s live again. Only to make matters more complex Gayatri too returns in Raghu’s life.

Go and watch the movie to see how this complex puzzles unravel.

The best part about Shuddh Desi Romance is its script & lyrics by Jaideep Sahni. He penned it down with utmost honesty that, he broke the myth given every situation it’s not necessary that you should have a perfect logical reason for doing it. The ending bus scene between Taara & Gayatri just depicts this, where in Taara do not have logical reason for leaving Raghu which she openly admits. Be it the characters their dilemmas, confusions, blunders and conversations Jaideep has kept it all real.... kudos for him.

Coming to the director Maneesh Sharma (Band Baaja Baarath Fame) had done perfect justice to the script. He brought novelty to his character’s which is commendable. Parineeti,Sushant & Rishi Kappor have done an amazing job. But for me the show stopper is Vaani Kapoor who is so fresh and all relaxed with her role.

Credits to the music duo Sachin-Jigan for some amazing foot tappers, watch out for title track at the end, with a zest of Rajastahni zing, it’s here to stay for some time. Lastly, to cinematographer for showing the pick city so beautiful and en excellent presentation of the song “Gulabi”, double thumbs up.

There is nothing negative for Shuddh Desi Romance, except for a fact that the older generation might not relate with it.

It doesn’t matter go for it…in the end you get to see what you do (Wink….Wink)

Rating: 3.5/5

Satyagraha – An Effort Wasted!

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Amrita Rao & Manoj Bajapi
Director: Prakash Jha
Producer: Prakash Jha, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ronnie Screwvala.

Duration: 152 Minutes

Shot at the backdrop of Anna Hazare’s movement Satyagraha is totally an effort wasted. The film revolves around the events that led to Satyagraha, similar to the one done by Mr.Anna Hazare of course with lot of melodrama, emotional atyachar and politics in it !

Dwaraka Anand (Amitabh Bachchan) an upright man who lost his son in the ugly game of politics takes a stand. A stand, to get the corruption out of the system and making people get what their right is.

His movement is joined in by Ajay Devgn, Arjun & Kareena Kapoor who becomes his supporting pillars. How these events finally lead to the good winning over bad is Satyagraha.

The Good: The good thing about Satyagraha is, Prakash Jha has kept the coin transparent which shows the pros and cons of a moment like this. He made sure he got the best cast available who have done a splendid job, especially performance by Mr.Big B …..just a phenomenon. Prakash Jha perfectly depicted how movements like this are socially hyped so as to make an issue vibrant.

The Bad: Satyagraha is an encyclopedia of errors. Right from the script which keeps falling apart in the name of emotions, to many loose ends that just needed a perfect knot. Too many technical errors just makes this movie fall flat, How come a man owning 6500 crores just gave up his entire property in a days time and still doesn’t get prosecuted. A reporter who should be unbiased becomes a member in the movement stays in the same house with Mr.Anand but yet continues to report news? Ajay Devgn no matters, what drives the News channel car as his personnel property. Adding to all the above flaws bad music and awful lip synching by actors just makes this boring.

Satyagraha would have been better had the director has taken up a stand to show what is real rather than giving up the plot to current political situation. .

Watch Satyagraha only for Mr.Big B you would be happy with him……!

Rating: 2.5/5

Chennai Express – Boarding this is a must…!

Cast: Shahrukh Khan & Deepika Padukone.
Director: Rohit Shetty.
Producer: Gauri Khan, Siddharth Roy Kapur and Ronnie Screwvala.

Duration: 142 Minutes

Rahul (Shahrukh Khan), a late bloomer in love & life is all set to make his boring life happening by setting on a tour to Goa with his friends. Before that, he has to take detour to Rameshwaram for offering his grandfather’s last rituals.  

He sets his journey with Chennai Express amidst huge confusion, which lands him with Meena Lochini (Deepika Padukone) and the henchmen sent by her father Durgeshwara, Don of Kumbhan city.

Rahul & Meena are forced to return to Kumbhan wherein she is forced to marry Tangaballi another don from the same city.  

Meena with Rahul escapes from Kumbhan only to be chased by Durgeshwara & Tangaballi. Chennai Express is tale of Rahul & Meena finding their love amidst the two chasing dons & some tough situations.

Chennai Express is a perfect entertainer for all sections. Rohit Shetty has given a clean film which has every ingredient that makes your money & most importantly time worth it.

Crisp & tight story, good music, fabulous actors and the never ending fun, typical Rohit Shetty style just makes this movie a good watch.

Some good foot tapping numbers from Vishal-Shekhar, immaculate camera work (Watch out for Helicopter angels) and special performance from Shahrukh & Deepika will be the things to watch out for.

Shahrukh sticking to his words has placed Deepika before him in credits…..a welcome change.

All in all board this Express for sure, to experience a fun filled ride. Double thumbs up for Chennai Express. Go for it!

Rating: 4.5/5

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – A Joy Ride…!

Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Aditya Roy Kapur, Kalki Koechlin & Farooq Sheikh.
Director: Ayan Mukerji
Producer: Karan Johar & Hiroo Yash Johar

Duration: 159 Minutes

Watching Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is like weaving small diamonds together which have their individual charm yet brighten up into a completely beautiful set. Ayan Mukerji picked up these diamond like moments in our relationships be it with family, friends and love and put it to audience so splendidly.

Naina a.k.a Scholar Naina (Deepika Padukone) the book bug & Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor) the adventure freak/Hippie come off age together with their set of different values. How value system of both the characters change with rush of events like Love, Fun, Friendship & Responsibility is the story line.

Ayan Mukerji has splendidly shot those beautiful moments between friends, lovers, family which are a treat to watch. Especially few scenes between Ranbir & Deepika or Ranbir & Farooq Sheikh are a must watch.

Exciting tunes by Pritam coupled with amazing dialogues, picture perfect camera and lastly the magical touch of Ayan Mukerji just makes this movie so irresistible.

Like they say there is always one scar left, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is hampered by its sluggish pace.

Coming to the performances Ranbir & Deepika have just lit up the screen with their performance. Ranbir plays to his man-child image and delivers another remarkable performance. Deepika plays as commendable part as Naina, supported by some fine performances from Aditya Roy Kapur and Kalki Koechlin. The best for me is small cameo by Farooq Sheikh which truly stands out.

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is bubbly, breezy and filled with small moments of brilliance that would keep the audience gripping. Enjoy this fun ride.

NOTE: All Madhuri Dixit fans better catch up your seats from the beginning for some Ghagra :)

Rating: 4/5