Sanket’s Review: “Ankhon Dekhi” is enjoyable comic satire.

Cast: Sanjay Mishra, Rajat kapoor, Seema Pahwa

Director: Rajat Kapoor

Length: 1 hr and 8 min

ANKHON DEKHI talks about family bonding, introspection, and it stretches along on same point for its run-time. But what makes it a nice watch is its terrific writing in first hour that engrossed me thoroughly. There is an inherent heart attached to the film’s premise which consists of an overlong family that is struggling on monetary terms, and has members that are instantly relatable.

The film begins terrifically. The moments that are thrown in narrative perfectly resonates to the atmosphere that the film has. The situations are pretty convincing and that is why one finds himself in the vicinity of ANKHON DEKHI’s world. I felt every nuance of the film and even at a slow pace, the film captured all feelings beautifully. The family tantrums, their commotion, their loud arguments, just about everything hit the bulls’ eye. There is an unmistakable charm that touches your heart- how often do you have such realistic projection of a poor family and that too without being too preachy? The humor is laced nicely throughout the first half.

But ANKHON DEKHI turns the other way post intermission when the laughs are out of the window for few moments. Thanks to the terrific performers in the film that doesn’t let the film go downhill in second half. But there are some moments even here that will crack you up at places and will touch your heart. The end however is too improper for this enjoyable comic satire.

The songs in the film are unusual although they don’t add any effect to the screenplay. The dialogues although give the rooted authenticity to the film and that alone evokes laughters and smiles. The writing although starts on a striking note, but it loses its sheen in second half.

The film is centered on Sanjay Mishra and he is in a fantastic form playing enigmatic oldie who is reluctant to believe anything, unless he witnesses himself, that happens around him- than be it gravity laws or mathematical theorems. Rajat Kapoor deosn’t really come out with the kind of performance that we have seen from him in past. But its Seema Pahwa who steals the film fro under the nose of everyone. She excels in every second that she has a part.

ANKHON DEKHI’s agenda, to be a clean good time-pass, is a quick statement that the film makes in first half. It does go out of the entertaining mould, but yet, in the end it satisfies your want to have good 105 minutes in theater. Its innocence and its integrity is what makes ANKHON DEKHI watchable and enjoyable affair.

Rating- 3/5 

Sanket’s Review: “Raginni Mms 2” is devoid of cold shivers.

Cast: Sunny Leone, Parvin Dabas, Sandhya Mridul, Sonia Mehra.

Director: Bhushan Patel

Length: 2hrs approx

Sequel to 2011’s satisfying horror RAGINNI MMS, the sequel is boring even with aplenty of sex and skin show happening throughout the film. But what was poised as a horror film, turns out to be a completely different and not in a good way.

Although it carries the story from prequel but the film boils down into its own world which is predictable, unengaging and aimless. This film doesn’t even care to nicely create moments that can atleast raise your eyebrows. It has objectionable pace that slacken in every other scene, further breaking the rhythm. Frankly, the director seem to have more of aesthetics of sex scenes, which are deliciously established in few countable scenes and song. But when it comes to narration and horror, he seem to be below average director trying to pick a grip over Bollywood films.

The film gets on your nerves post-intermission when everything falls in place so easily, in the name of convenience that even the self-touted spooky climax falls flat on surface. There is no iota of inventiveness or even regular attempt of horror. Having ugly faced ghosts and haunting background music is too old school a trick to evoke any reaction from the audience.

The couple of songs woven in the narration out of nowhere, are still more enjoyable than the conventional wannabe horrifying scenes. Especially “baby doll” is a chartbuster that is the only thing to take away from RAGINNI MMS 2. The writing is so dull that it can give some of the worst horrors a run for its money to be worse. And the director couldn’t really salvage a film that practically failed in its base.

The actors of the film seemed forced and dragged to screen. I laughed at places where I saw Sunny leone trying to express through her eyes- I really can’t see this lady act. The only scenes that she convinced me were the sex scenes. She seemed too comforted and looked like she was reveling in her glory.

Save it for few countable and deliciously done sex scenes and couple of terrific musical compositions, and there is nothing else one can talk of in Raginni MMS 2. It’s a shame that the makers pitted it as a horror film and could not deliver even a one memorable cold shivering scene. It is a horrifying film, and not in a literal sense.

Rating- 1.5/5 

Sanket’s Review: “Bewakoofiyan” is light-hearted fun.

Cast: Ayushman Khurana, Sonam Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor.

Director: Nupur Asthana

Length: 1 hr and 55 mins approx

Ever since I watched that delightful 2011’s “Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge” directed by Nupur Asthana, I was quite keen in what will come next by the director. BEWAKOOFIYAN seemed too old school, from promos, coming from a director who directed such refreshing film in past. But as a film, BEWAKOOFIYAN is much more than just a regular plot-line. Asthana uses unconventional conversations and conventional situations, which are contemporary and identifiable, and gives you a good light-hearted fun in less than two hours.

The film begins with ease and there’s not much of complex narration here. But director fell prey to using forced comedy and tries to stuff BEWAKOOFIYAN with too much subtlety just to keep the film on right track. It seemed honest for first 20 minutes, but it does drags at places in first half. Although you don’t feel bored, but quite honestly there are only few laughs that run the first half and nothing else.

Its post-intermission when BEWAKOOFIYAN comes out with the real conflict. It seemed like a regular father-in-law-to-be is putting his daughter’s boyfriend on spot, which has happened in past, but there’s a whole new angle that BEWAKOOFIYAN discovers in second half and that’s what takes the film to higher level. Asthana nicely injects humor in her scenes and simultaneously goes pass through usual young relationship issues. Note that scene where Ayushman, who is running short of money, fails to bring gift for his girlfriend. It’s a regular scene that turns out to be one of the best scenes this year because its handled with such passion. Asthana clearly knew her job well when the film steps in second half.

The film is marred at places because of songs coming from nowhere or also because of patches in first half where there is not much happening in the film. The writing is mostly flawed though Asthana is equipped enough as a director to not let a weak script to hamper the entire prospect of the film. The songs are mostly no fun apart from the title song that lands up right at the moment when the film is on its high. The costume designer needs a special mention. The characters feel real also because of their attire and its easy to connect with them. Technically, BEWAKOOFIYAN is as authentic as it gets.

Ayushman Khurana is in an impressive form. His role is marginally reminiscent of his first film, but there’s a thick distinction in the way he acts and a lot of credit must be given to him. Sonam Kapoor although has the easiest role in the film, but she manages to somehow bring a natural touch to her character. One does see such girls at some point of time in their life and Sonam Kapoor plays that part very well. Rishi Kapoor is remarkable as the over-the-top, notorious and loud father who makes you laugh and melts your heart in couple of scenes.

Although one doesn’t come out singing tones of praises for BEWAKOOFIYAN, but it can be a fun watch if something light hearted is what you are seeking for. There’s enough breeze and softness in the film to not let you feel uneasy even though it has bumpy start in first half. A film that may not be something unseen, but a lot better than many lazy rom-coms lately!

Rating- 3/5

Sanket’s Review: “Queen” is an inspiring account of a relatable character.

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Lisa Haydon, Rajkumar Haydon.

Director: Vikas Bahl

Length: 2 hrs and 25 approx.

A great film starts on a paper. One doesn’t simply fall for characters from a world made in movies, which we know is an unreal world. Give it to the terrific writer of QUEEN who knows every nuance that his character will have. He writes a story of a girl who turns from inhibited to uninhibited, traditionally shaped to a reckless roamer. To be honest, there is a little bit of her in every one of us. We all want to come out of some boundaries that we live in and to realize there is more to life than just heartbreaks.

The film’s pitch is high from word go. It doesn’t take its time to establish its characters or try to add any sub-plots and overdo any stuff. All that’s there is all what we want to see. From one scene to other, QUEEN shift its tone excellently. It goes wheel within wheel where you are served with rib-roaring one-liners and situations. Like the one in the sex shop where Kangana buys things oblivious of their actually utilities. I couldn’t control my horse-like laughs. And yet it has a subtle touch to the characters. It hits you hard at places where you know that life can be so tough. Her Paris expedition will leave you glued to the screen without a second of uneasiness. I thought I was watching one of the best films in my entire life.

I did feel the film was going long a very bit in second half although that’s not really a complaint. There was enough happening in the film and enough emotions to not really throw you off. Her Amsterdam friends and her adventures will leave you stunned and solaced. You feel relieved when we see that “Rani” the name of the central character is having a breathe of fresh air, finally!

Amit Trivedi yet again brings a different angle to the film with his songs. “Lonodn Thumak da” and “O Gujariya” slips comfortably into narration and elevates the already good-going film. The visuals are beautiful when the camera peeps into the sparkling Eifel Tower or even the routine visual scenarios. The writer is one of the best reasons why QUEEN is an inspiring account of a relatable character. The film also is aided by spot-on dialogues which finds place in conversational scenes. And ofcourse its Vikas Bahl who never delves into melodrama even when the character is going through solemn issues.

Kanagana surprises and how! In what I call her career best performance, she delivers incredible support to a role that demands unusual softness which is quite different from what we have been offered in Hindi films. Rajkumar Rao is too good in his role and even though he has small role, but he ensures that he does  justice. Kangana’s friends from Amsterdam are all entertaining especially the Japanese guy. Although its Lisa Haydon from the supporting cast who leaves maximum impression. She is adorable.

At one point you might just think, is it the ENGLISG VINGLISH route that the film is taking? Certainly, yes! But it creates a world that is far more engaging and acceptable than that film. The film doesn’t really have any visible social message to it, but hang on, there’s a hidden tip for you, which is exploited couple of times in pasts, but very seldom as beautifully as QUEEN does. A joyride, full of sentiments and laughs and more than anything else, a hope.

Rating- 4/5

Sanket’s Review: “Gulaab Gang” is a pointless film.

Cast: Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla

Director: Soumik Sen

Length: 2.15hrs approximately

We all know that there’s a grace in Madhuri Dixit’s dancing which can woo off many guys and the girls too. But GULAAB GANG director seems to have taken it too seriously who tries to find a place for song when there is no need of one. Even if overlook this understandable glitch, there are lot of other problems the film consists of. The erroneous script in itself create half the path of hurdle and the director could not really salvage a stumbling film like this.

The film is pedestrian from beginning itself. The narration is punctuated with aplenty slo-mos and haunting background score. Each time a dialogue is cracked, there is indulgence of loud sound to lift the intensity level. How I wish they had concentrated on the dialogues which themselves would have made an impact. The action scene placed right before the intermission leaves you clueless of what exactly the film is dealing with- a group of strong women who can fight only with goons or a group of women trying to fix the problems of women. I was confused!

From what could have been a tight, engaging social drama, GULAAB GANG turns out to be your regular hero vs villain structured within political dimensions. It’s a shame that the writers used name of a Real-life “Gulaabi Gang” only to serve you a full-fledged bollywood action affair. Even when the good people are killed in the film, you find it a task to sympathize with any of the character. It mostly rounds around rape victims and their fight-backs. In one honest scene were Madhuri’s character visits a educational class to ask donation, she gives a key speech about hunger management. It’s a well thought of scene, but alas there are hardly any such moments in the film.

The action is strictly sub-standard as it is filled with pathetic lust for heroism and no realism. Its just too much! The music is plain boring and remain pointless portion of the film. Doesn’t matter…the whole film is pointless. The story is packed with lazy twists and the director fails to extract even a single winning performance from his cast.

Madhuri Dixit seemed tired and exhausted in some of her scenes as she is given a much unexplained shape to her character. Although Juhi Chawla is comfortable in a role where she demands her assistants to do some of the silliest stuffs. Its not a great performance by any measure, but she does have her moments of sparks which relieves at some places.

GULAAB GANG feels tad long film even at a modest run-time. The basic premise of the film is itself a biggest setback for the film which couldn’t do even an inch of justice to this real life group of women. Miss it!

Rating- 1.5/5

Sanket’s Review: “Total Siyappa” is a headache.

Cast: Ali Zafar, Yami Gautam, Kirron Kher, Anupam Kher.

Director:  E. Niwas

Length:  1.50 hours approx.

It’s a film that brings in some of the tasteless jokes together only to justify its dimwit characters. So you have a miser guy who choose to buy a bouquet but ends up getting a free one, then you have a missing identity who suffers from amnesia so that he can misconstrue a prostitute to be his mother and than a wife, or you have a guy bursting in hatred against Pakistanis who are his neighbors. If this wasn’t enough, you have a cop, manifesting to be a Mr.Bean with his expressions, who smells terrorism if he hears “bomb” by a passing guy. TOTAL SIYAPPA could have been a joyride if these characters were brought together to make a crazy ride, like that BHEJA FRY, which was meticulously written and mostly played with its characters and not the story.

The film starts pretty decently when the lead pair is trying to expose that our hero is from Pakistan. The humor is nicely melted in conversations. But the film clearly lost its plot just after first 30 minutes. The pace drops considerably and the on-goings is too unreal to tickle you. The dialogues in such films do have a strong impact but here you miss wit and cleverness. Posed as situational comedy, TOTAL SIYAPPA is a film that turns out to be a headache in the in the first half itself.

The film drags every plot of it to an unforgivable extent. Like that scene involving a prostitute trying to get on to Anupam Kher. Its such a long scene that I felt I saw one television daily-episode. I did some speculation that by the end the film will try to bridge all the gaps only to convey “thank-god-its-all-good-now” kind of climax. And I was spot on.

There are some scenes which I genuinely found laughworthy. Like the one in bathroom which is a homosexual gag that made me laugh hard. Or the one where, amidst a tense moment, Kirron Kher accuses Ali afar to rob away a frozen soup box. But unfortunately, you can count on your finger tips the number of times you laughed in the film. Its that low count.

The music is refreshing. The three songs are welcome distraction. The dialogues miss any kind of humor. The director fails to invent innovative scenes which could have pulled off some laughs.

Sadly, even the good-looking pair could not bring much to the table. Having dozen of characters in the film didn’t really did the film any good. Its only Kirron Kher’s character and her performance which is endearing in a film filled with nincompoops.

It’s an honest attempt to make you laugh, but that just wasn’t enough.

Rating- 1.5/5

Sanket’s Review: “Shaadi Ke Side Effects” is repetitive.

Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Vidya Balan, Ram Kapoor, Vir Das.

Director: Saket Chahudhary

Length: 2.25 hours approximately

Husband-wife rivalries are drawing room discussions even among the teenagers. The writer of this film tries to pack all these routine marriage oriented banters in a comic form and tries to give a layer to the whole film by adding underplayed emotions. But what the film lacks is a coherent screenplay which is rather repetitive. The film moves round and round in a loop and at one point we realize that there’s not much the film has to say. It is given that the writer ran out of ideas post-intermission which is why uncooked characters of Vir das and Ila Arun are added but unfortunately they only adds to the already long run-time.

The film’s tone is pretty simple and one the film coasts along with enough subtlety. Some episodes particularly are laugh-riots. Some dialogues are so humorous that you want to forgive films some of its flaws. But SHAADI KE SIDE EFFECTS has no realness in its screenplay. The marriage depicted in the film is partly relatable but mostly imaginative and overdone.

Even in second half the pace is bumpy. The Vir Das plot exhausts the audience because of its irrelevance to the central part of the film. Although there are lot of social and influential ideas stuffed beneath the pronounced humor and unmoving emotions, but all those ideas never comes off full-fledged. Although some scenes does hits the nail like the one where Farhan’s daughter asks him to not to cry and cleans his tears. But unfortunately very rarely does the film displays such immense maturity.

The songs are passable, with “Desi Romance” remaining the best. “Harry is not bhramchari” has peppy tune but pops in untimely. The dialogues are sharp enough at places to evoke smiles and laughter. Although the script is too flawed to put the film in right place. The film takes a haywire route to convey a story that’s exploited a lot of times. Even Saket Chaudhary couldn’t do much to the film apart from ensuring a winning act from AKhtar.

That brings me to the best thing about the film, Farhan AKhtar, who walks a thin line between comedy and drama and does it terrifically. Vidya Balan lends a balance support to the film and she reaches a peak-point in couple of scenes.

In the end, I wish the film played more with conversational episodes rather than forced comedy and drama. I enjoyed it in some bits and spurts, but I was disappointed for sure.

Rating – 2/5