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Khuda Haafiz (2020)
Strictly for Vidyut Jammal Fans, only then you will be satisfied!
The movie got nothing new to offer, outdated storyline with a poor execution. However, No complaints about the performance, all the cast were perfect in their role. The action sequences were very well Choreographed, that's the only rewarding factor in this movie.
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl (2020)
Simplistic
Gunjan Saxena: The Kargil Girl is neither a biopic, nor a war drama. So, please don't expect a high octane action sequences. It's a story about a woman, who is so determined to be a pilot and doesn't think anything beyond that.
It also gives a settle message that women can achieve anything they want to and men should treat a woman for what she is rather than judging her by the gender. It also depicts how the women have to go through all the patriarchy stereotype society or a Male chauvinism.
There isn't much of a Kargil background story, except for the last 20mins, which is kind of both satisfying & disappointing at the same time. Now Jhanvi as Gunjan... Every time when Pankaj Tripathi was shown on the screen I was like give me more of him, he was so Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious in the role of Anup Saxena. This man is a true genius in acting, which he does with so much of ease.
Vineet Kumar Singh, Angad Bedi & Manav Vij does the justice to their role. And no I didn't not forget to continue about how Jhanvi's performance was in the movie. It's just that I'm still confused with her expressionless acting, totally forgetful.
Overall, Gunjan Saxena is a simplistic film presented by Sharan Sharma & team without overdoing or over-decorating with a patriotism yet something was definitely amiss.
Shakuntala Devi (2020)
Pure Vidya Balan's show!
After a back to back disappointed Direct Digital Release from Prime Video looks like we kinda have the better one. Still, not the best!
Shakuntala Devi works only when you consider this as a pure Bollywood entertainer instead of looking it as a movie based on a real life person. The movie gets most of the things wrong, that's why the makers haven't claimed this to be a Biopic. Still, I felt they went too much with the "creative liberty"
Vidya Balan as Shakuntala Devi shines in a few moments but also wasn't that convincing, I'm not saying the performance was atrocious. Felt it was more of a "mothers & Daughters" conflict tale than the portrayal of a Mathematical genius.
Sachin-Jigar's music was okayish. Keiko's Cinematography and the color grading of the film was aesthetical and it went quite well with the layered narrative. The 127mins seems really long, especially after the first half of the movie. That's when the monotonous feel hits.
To sum up Shakuntala Devi is yet an another Bollywood Melodramatic Movie with the label of "Inspired by the true events." And definitely not a Re-Watchable worthy!
French Biriyani (2020)
It's a Under-Cooked Biriyani!
The movie opens with the intension of serving the platter full of comedy entertainer for the start 2 hours. And it begins the same way, but towards the end of the first half it's nothing but all pandemonium.
Avinash Balekkala's writing is as much Confused as the character of Simon is in the movie. I wish Pannaga Bharana had directed "French Biriyani" first and next the "Happy New year," Al least then I wouldn't have the same problem that I've now with his direction.
I'm not saying French Biriyani is completely non-sense, the movie had its fair amount of the laughs. But, it didn't not work out as a complete package. Felt like I'm watching some various clips of comedy scenes from a different movies. There wasn't any proper vision in the story telling.
Huff the Climax! Seriously, what was that?
Avane Srimannarayana (2019)
Avane Srimannarayana is a Stone Cold Masterpiece (Ahem! Could Have Been)
Sachin Ravi's debut directional is warm, funny, smart, intelligent, entertaining, convincing and also tad longer. Apart from our Narayana (Rakshit Shetty) It is Achyuth Kumar, Balaji Manohar, Pramod Shetty, who steals the show. Hmm, what? No, I didn't forget to mention Shanvi Srivastava. One cannot forget her performance nor her characterization, something which is more enlivening. However Bhatru's cameo goes unnoticed. Rakshit Shetty's acting seems to be forced at a few parts. Idk whether it was deliberated or not.
The film is induced with an atmospheric experience (Thanks to Karma Chawla's cinematography and Sachin's editing is a major plus) as they display very pleasing visuals with the splendid color grading and spaced out background score (by Ajneesh Loknath who always surprises with his remarkable works) with the circumstanced music to keep you hooked into the treasure hunt. The resulting blend of evolving sensibilities with top notch production choices creates an the interpretation that respects the vogue that the film set in while suiting current attitude & trend. It delivers everything that a fan could want in a film. It's a cinematic epic that displays the talent of everyone involved in the project. On the other end the Climax seems to be a bit rushed, which, if it had worked this could have been the quintessential movie that the fans of Rakshit Shetty always dreamed of. Which is the downside of the narrative. Aaand and and Charan Raj's Narayana Narayana song is supercalifragilisticexpialidocious.
The Tashkent Files (2019)
Quality Film
India is the land that has produced the greatest kings, spiritual leaders, Political leaders & Heroes but it has always been un-blessed to witness someone leading it to the destined glory. The land, indeed was invaded several times, witnessed the traitors multiplying within & outside of it; who conspired to see its downfall. Every time a patriot rose to the occasion, the conspiracies scuttled that patriotic march. The land still stands deprived of wanting a Leader/Hero to march it to the DESTINED GLORY.
The Tashkent Files deals with the conspiracy around the death of the former PM of India, Shri Lal Bahadur Shastri. The film throws some of the unknown & shocking facts around the mysterious death of late PM who died in Tashkent after signing the peace agreement with Pakistan. The conspirators, agencies & the people are highlighted on the front page of The Tashkent Files; its only the veiwers who have to comprehend by connecting all the DOTS.
Vivek Agnihotri comes up with well researched subject, for which the entire nation is waiting to know the truth behind the mysterious death since Jan 11,1966. From the death to the funeral, many questions gets raised and the reasons behind; how the post-mortem was not performed on a person who was the second PM of India. Inspite some melodramatic scenes, a lot of detailing has gone into the making which emerges as a hard-hitting PUNCH. The audience will leave the halls with too many things to ponder.
The casting is perfect, every character justifies his/her role, though at times it becomes melodramatic but it's the suspense & wanting to know more about the conspiracy hatched for true patriotic's sudden end nullifies those few odd moments.
The Tashkent Files has certainly left the Left-Media bruised & it was obvious for them to rate this hard-hitting film in a poor light but the audience across the NATION have lapped up and as a result the film is still running in the halls since April 12,2019. Kudos to Vivek Agnihotri & his entire Team for opening The Tashkent Files under day-light.
Super Deluxe (2019)
'Super Deluxe' is bit lengthy and boring film, yet I call it supercalifragilisticexpialidocious!
No doubt Thiagarajan Kumararaja's Super Deluxe is one of the masterpiece and the cult classic film in Tamil. The moment I saw the posters of Park Chan-wook's Sympathy for Vengeance, Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill and a picture of David Lynch at the DVD Rental store in the film, I was sold, that's when I thought this is going to be full paisa vasool padam. You're getting a full package of four Film (since it has four different story) wrapped and served on a platter.
In one of the interview Thiagarajan Kumararaja said he's afraid to write and he's lazy. Seriously...? When he can create wonders like Aaranya Kaandam and Super Deluxe when he's afraid and lazy, just wonder what would be the outcome if he's not lazy or afraid.
Take a bow to the writers - Kumararaja, Mysskin, Nalan Kumarasamy and Neelan K. Sekhar for crafting such a phenomenal story across their views on life, relationships, love, sex and spirituality. And an extra effort made by Kumararaja to hyperlink those stories along With Idiosyncratic and Palpable characters.
Samantha as Vaembu, is one heck of a performance. For the fact, she wasn't the first choice for the character, many leading actresses had turned down playing Vaembu. And now I can say, no one else could have done it better than Sam, she's irreplaceable.
And our very own Makkal Selvan Vijay Sethupathi playing the transgender women Shilpa, the episodes between him and his son Rasukutty (Ashwanth Ashokkumar) Was so pure, for sure you will fall in love with that kid. Bagavathi Perumal as SI Berlin is one character where the audience will feel like thrashing him, Shilpa-Berlin and Vaembu-Berlin scenes, will definitely fill the rage in the eyes of the audience for its own reasons. Leela's (Ramya Krishnan) dialogue towards the end of the climax, will definitely hit you hard.
Fahadh Faasil as Mugilan, Mysskin as Arputham, Gayathrie as Jyothi and the four kids. You will witness some awe-inspiring performance by each and everyone, proving their caliber. Even the minor characters, has done some stupendous job in acting.
Once you understand Kumararaja, the same lengthy and boring scenes will now slowly transit to an interesting setting. Vinod and Nirav Shah cinematography elevates the story, the color pattern, the unconventional camera angles, along with the crisp editing by Sathyaraj Natarajan, I was spellbound.
If you've already validated 'Rowdy Baby' as Yuvan Shankar Raja best in career in terms of its quality treatment and popularity, then you must Watch Super Deluxe. As they say, there's something more than that meets the eye, U1 's sound design techniques is one among that. Every minute detail that you witness in his background scoring along with Illaiyaraja songs, is something which can be considered as the added bonus to your paisa vasool ticket. And the ride ends with the compelling climax.
If one can even enjoy the steady frame for more than 8 seconds and the silence within that. Then it has to be Thiagarajan Kumararaja's Film.
Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (2019)
Well Made film with good performances
It's always tough to make a come back after few flops, it's always challenging when there's many walk-outs in the middle of filming, which further forces you to helm the project - A period film - do or die situation in all means and to add more miseries; when the entire environment around you is scheming and hostile. It takes Kangana Ranaut to once again rewrite her own trajectory, which once again propels North-bound and this time it's with Manikarnika.
Kangana Ranaut is the heart and soul of Manikarnika and none of her contemporary can ever come close to her, none could have performed like her. She retreated herself and lived as Jhansi Rani Laxmi Bai to retell the legacy and bravery which will forever remain in the hearts of Bharatvarsh's people.
Manikarnika is a well made film with good performances by all, Dialogues, BGM, VFX works goes well with the theme. Kangana excels even in her maiden directorial venture.
Though the first half drags and goes a bit slow with unwanted songs, but it's the second half which complements the cause. The war episodes, the action sequences are well choreographed.
PS: Shut the left-biased media and keep thronging to the movie halls to watch Nationalists films which are literally burning them. Many more in the offing in the coming months.
Mufti (2017)
Bhairathi Ranagal and Gana Steals the Show!!
There are many ways a film creates and holds the hype right from the commencement to its release. Mufti did exactly the same, it not only created the hype but also held the pulses of the people patiently all through the year and those became impulsive the moment the trailer was released and then those were again held back until the film was officially released. Now the film, in reply, is getting pulsating response as a payback by the audience.
Mufti, right from its film's title to star-cast and their appearances, created raging curiosity among the audiences but barring few niggles it completely lives up to the expectations.
This underworld-crime thriller starts with a spy-operation by Police Department in collecting the evidences against Bhairathi Ranagal (The underworld Don Character played by Shivanna) to bring him to the books but fails miserably resulting in loss of lives. Gana (The undercover cop character played by Sriimurali) is planted as one of the gangsters in Bhairathi Ranagal gang and what unfolds on the screen further is an engaging crime thriller along with predicable drama (with a mixed sequences of politics-comedy-romantic). Gana slowly understands the pain-points of Bhairathi Ranagal which made him to take up the crime who acts malevolently against the odd ones and remain equally benevolent to the needy ones. Gana who joins the gang to arrest Bhairathi Ranagal ends up becoming an admirer of his benevolence but this underworld-crime thriller, as expected, ends within the confines of the law.
The director has cleverly drawn the parallels between the characters ie Srimurali Vs Vashisht Simha, Srimurali Vs Shivanna, Shivanna Vs Devaraj and then there is an emotional parallel between Shivanna and his sister which is expressed through emotional-act with no-word-uttered between the both until the climax. All the roles played by each character stands aplomb.
Every star in this film has his own mass-appeal and screen presence which is perfectly used by the Director and nowhere the movie goes beyond the line to overly-commercialize the enterprise( except comedy-romantic tracks).
Shivanna has played many Don roles in the past but this will stand aloof in his list. His acting and more importantly the dialogue delivery looks stylish and something stands as a renewed energy on a whole. Srimurali's intensity, his high octane action sequences and perfect one-liners takes the lion-pie of Mufti and he perfectly plays as a foil for Shivanna. Then comes Vashisht Simha who plays wily-gangster role and perfectly grabs whatever the screen time is allotted wish his screen time was stretched a bit more. Devaraj, the seasoned actor easily glides into politician role. Prakash Belwadi is apt in small role.
The entry scenes of Sriimurali and Shivanna, train sequence, action sequence at temple, accident trap by Devaraj for Sriimurali with flashback dialogue, pre-climax fight, climax and couple of emotional scenes stands tall along with crisp dialogues. If cinematography by Naveen Kumar is cynosure to eyes then music and background music by Ravi Basrur is the soul of the film.
In spite having just two songs in the film and slightly predictable narration the film never dips or bores but what completely distracts or disowns the same narration are the unwanted comedy tracks of Chikkanna-Sadhu Kokila as well as romantic-track between Shanvi Shrivastav and Srimurali. If the Director wants to make this film look classical then he should sit tonight and completely edit these two tracks and send apology letters to the concerned actors involved in these two tracks for editing out their scenes.
Narthan(who earlier assisted to Prashant Neel for his Ugramm), the Director has choosen the underworld crime thriller to make his perfect launch in a big way. His toil is completely shown on the screen. The story, the roles written for the character, shooting the sequences aesthetically , capacity of handling such big star-cast, the costumes, the sets etc glitters on the screen as drama unfolds with a pulsating background music and visual delighting cinematography.