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