New Bollywood Movies Reviews, Press reviews and Members' reviews - pls share |
New Bollywood Movies Reviews, Press reviews and Members' reviews - pls share |
Sharmila-Sweet |
Nov 19 2009, 12:39 PM
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#1
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Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 915 Joined: 17-October 08 From: India Member No.: 75253 |
Kurbaan Film Review [SPOILERS]
First things first. Kudos to Karan Johar for shifting gears completely and entering into serious territory. Of course, we do love him for his K-class cinema: all his crunchy popcorn films beginning with K, ever since Kuch Kuch Hota Hai redefined mainstream romance. But Kurbaan doesn't need the popcorn at all. It keeps the screen on overboil for most of its screen time with its hard-hitting storyline that dares to venture into undefined territory. Like Khuda Kay Liye, Kurbaan too looks at the other side of Islamic fundamentalism and puts the post 9/11 tumult in perspective. Who are these guys who carry anger in their hearts, revenge in their heads and bombs in their pockets? Why are they hell bent on blasting the world, irrespective of the anguish it spells to all and sundry? Can there be a purpose behind their madness? Is one man's terrorist actually another man's activist? Kurbaan, written by Karan Johar, raises these pertinent - and extremely topical - questions, without glossing over the one undeniable truth: a suicide bomber can never solve the inequities of the world, Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, notwithstanding. So we have Ehsan Khan (Saif Ali Khan), the Pakistani who lost his wife and kid to American excesses, seething with a desire to avenge his loss. He isn't the archetypal, skull-capped, bearded fundoo, mouthing soliloquies on jihad and intifada (uprising). On the contrary, he's suave, sophisticated and a charmer, tutoring the world on the misconceptions of Islam in the modern world. Small wonder then he manages to win the heart of college professor Avantika (Kareena Kapoor) and follows her to New York on her stint with NYU. But the domestic idyll is short-lived as Avantika soon discovers it isn't her neighbours (the Afghani extended family, headed by Om Puri) alone who have suspicious antecedents. Husband Ehsan too is an integral part of the plot to bomb America for its excesses against Muslims, the world over. In a classroom sequence, the film tries to put Islamic fundamentalism in perspective by linking the rise of the Muslim terrorist to America's oil-grabbing foreign policy and its questionable attempts at destabilising oil rich countries in order to remain a superpower. Almost every member of the sleeper cell that comprises the Afghan family has a sad story of loss and horror that drove them into becoming fidayeens (suicide bombers). And before you begin to question the filmmakers for going too lenient on terrorism, you find Avantika who remains a non-convert till the very end. Articulating the voice of reason - and non-violence - she questions her husband and oscillates between love and hate for the man who has fathered her child. A prisoner in her own house, her only hope is Riyaaz (Viveik Oberoi), the undercover journalist who has his story of personal loss that pitches him on the other side in this war. He is determined to fight the terrorists and derail their plot of bombing America. Karan Johar's story has gravitas. Renzil D'Silva's narrative keeps you on the edge of the seat, for most of the time. Salim Suleiman's music score has a melodious feel. Hemant Chaturvedi's cinematography serenades both Delhi, where the Saif-Kareena romance blossoms and New York, where it cracks up. And the performances by almost all the lead characters are gritty. If Om Puri paints a chilling picture of the terrorist who masquerades in the garb of the commoner and Kiron Kher makes the myth of a suicide bomber plausible, then Viveik Oberoi lends credibility to the voice of the progressive Muslim. But it is the chemistry between Saif and Kareena that lights up the film as the duo bring to life a picture of passion and restraint as the doomed lovers. We do however wish their relationship had a stronger emotional graph, post the startling revelation. How did the duo contend with the fear, hate and disillusion that crept in after Saif revealed his true identity: a bit more on that? And a bit less in the length of the film which could do with some taut editing in the second half. Also, there are a few inconsistencies that mar the film's realism. Why does the FBI loom large like a know-it-all, do-it-all figure? Not only do the FBI sleuths always be a step ahead of the terrorists and arrest them without actually knowing who they exactly are, they also emerge unscathed in a suicide bombing attacking where almost everybody crumbles. Super Uncle Sam, did we say! But Kurbaan sure does strike a chord and sets you thinking on stuff that needs to be sorted out before the new world order - a more humanitarian, less violent - sets in. Don't miss it. A word about Performances: Saif and Kareena transport their off screen tuning to the big screen. While their passionate encounters are a class in aesthete, their delineation of Ehsan and Avantika is mature, restrained and realistic. Om Puri, Kiron Kher and Viveik Oberoi are in sync too. Music: While Salim-Suleiman have come up with an entire audio track which fits in with the ambience of the film, it is Shukran Allah and the title track, Kurbaan Hua which have lingering notes. More importantly, the songs blend in seamlessly with the story and have not been filmed as your run-of-the-mill song-dance numbers. Dialogue: The conversation amidst the diverse protagonists has a realistic edge and seem straight out of life. It's only when he tries to explain the theoretical basis of Islamic fundamentalism that Anurag Kashyap, dialogue writer, seems to enter the realm of text-book knowledge. The exposition seems a rattling of newspapers headlines. Story: Karan Johar explores new depths with his insightful story on the world's most pressing problem: terrorism. Cinematography: Hemant Chaturvedi uses his camera deftly to create stunning vignettes of Delhi and New York, without losing out on the seriousness of the plot. Styling: Kareena looks svelte in dresses and tights and brings to life a glamorous professor who dons the hijab with equal felicity. Saif is his usual dapper self, making casual seem haute. TOI Don't let someone become a priority in your life,
when you are just an option in their life. |
Sharmila-Sweet |
Jul 1 2011, 10:08 AM
Post
#2
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Regular Member Group: Members Posts: 915 Joined: 17-October 08 From: India Member No.: 75253 |
Bbuddah...Hoga Terra Baap
By Taran Adarsh, June 30, 2011 - 16:14 IST Flashback 1970s and 1980s. An Amitabh Bachchan film was considered an event. A sea of people would make themselves comfortable outside the theatre premises on Sunday night itself, although the advance booking counters would open only on Monday morning. Most theatres would be packed for the entire week in a matter of hours. Most Bachchan starrers ran for 25 weeks, 50 weeks, even 100 + weeks those days. Films helmed by Yash Chopra, Manmohan Desai, Prakash Mehra and Ramesh Sippy were adored and revered and even those helmed by not-too-successful names or relative newcomers were greeted with similar enthusiasm. The Hindi film industry was referred to as a one-man industry then. The Bachchan mania was invincible and indestructible. Write your own movie review of Bbuddah...Hoga Terra Baap Considering the iconic status that Bachchan Sr has achieved, every film-maker aspires to work with him at least once in his lifetime. Puri Jagannadh, the man behind many a successful film in Telugu, pays homage to the veteran in his debut film in Hindi, BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP. This film relies entirely on the persona and charisma of this iconic actor of Indian cinema. BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP has the 69-year-old Bachchan enacting the role of a defiant, flamboyant hitman in his inimitable style. With BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP, the angry young man of the 1970s and 1980s re-surfaces to re-live various roles that he enacted in those memorable films. This one's a masala film all the way. Right from a medley of Bachchan hits to the expertly crafted action sequences to the by-now-famous Bachchan baritone, this one has it all. Frankly, masala films and path-breaking story don't go hand in hand. It's the moments that make a film. And BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP is no different. This one also rests on a skeletal plot. But that one man makes a world of a difference -- Amitabh Bachchan. He's angry [dare not call him 'Bbuddah'], but has a soft side too. He bashes the baddies, squeezing them like oranges. He gets the best lines to deliver and believe me, it makes the fan in you clap and cheer on several occasions. Let's face it, no Hindi film actor has ever had the opportunity to portray a part that Bachchan gets to portray at the ripe age of 69. Besides saluting the actor for delivering an electrifying performance, I would also like to salute the indomitable spirit and energy of this iconic actor for essaying the role with gusto and zest. Final word? Bachchan fans -- especially those who have grown up on his movies -- are sure to relish it. Even if you're not a Bachchan fan, watch this one for one simple reason: They don't make them like Amitabh Bachchan anymore! Viju [Amitabh Bachchan], an ex-gangster, arrives in Mumbai on a mission. He is flamboyant, wears loud clothes, is arrogant and hits back when people call him 'Bbuddah'. At first, everyone thinks that he's on a mission to assassinate the ACP [Sonu Sood], but there's a hidden agenda, which is revealed much later. BUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP is a Hindi film packaged like a well-made South Indian fare: the style of narrating the story, the slick edit, the fast pacing, the stylized action scenes, the larger-than-life characters… The film commences on a pulsating note [Bachchan's intro is smashing], but the first hour works sporadically. While the portions involving Bachchan are exhilarating, there are multiple tracks in this hour which get on your nerves. The scenes in the coffee shop, for instance, are most irritating. Also, the track involving Raveena Tandon comes across like an unwanted guest. If the intention was to evoke laughter, sorry, it doesn't work. The story actually takes off at the interval point, when an unexpected twist startles the viewer completely. From this point onwards, BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP only scales higher and higher, reaching the peak towards the action-packed finale and the subsequent emotional reunion. I'd like to single out the confrontation between Bachchan and Prakash Raj in the final moments of the film and also the soaked-in-emotions sequence between Bachchan and Hema. It's the perfect icing on the cake! While the written material banks too heavily on the tried and tested formula, director Puri Jagannadh ensures that he doesn't disappoint the hardcore fans of the icon. Bachchan is known for, besides his acting potential, larger than life roles and witty/smart dialogue. Puri presents Bachchan like a true superstar and gives him lines that would garner ceetees and taalis, especially when he's confronting the baddies in the movie. Vishal-Shekhar do a super job while composing the medley of Bachchan hits, 'Go Meera Go', the soft and soothing 'Haal-e-Dil' and the title track, which comes at the very start of the film. Amol Rathod's cinematography is perfect, while Vijay's stunts are stylish. Bachchan is truly the Baap and this film reiterates this fact yet again. His character, his attitude and the dialogue he delivers will remain etched in your memory for a long, long time. His attire may raise eyebrows initially, but once into the film, you will realize it gels well with his character. Hema Malini is, as always, graceful. The chemistry between the senior actors is refreshing. Raveena is saddled with an ill-defined role and that's the prime reason why she doesn't leave an impact. Sonu Sood is first-rate, confident at every step. Not once do you feel that he's overawed by Bachchan's towering presence. Sonal Chauhan looks pretty and acts well. Charmee Kaur is likeable and contributes to the funny moments. Prakash Raj is super. In fact, it's a treat to watch powerful actors like Bachchan and Prakash Raj embroiled in a confrontation. Makrand Deshpande is wonderful. Shahwar Ali is okay. Rajeev Mehta irritates. Again, this track seems completely unwanted. Rajeev Varma has a half-baked role. Vishwajeet Pradhan and Atul Parchure are passable. On the whole, BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP is a must-watch for Bachchan fans. Even if you're not a fan of this iconic actor, watch it for a simple reason: They don't make them like Amitabh Bachchan anymore. A masala entertainer all the way, BBUDDAH HOGA TERRA BAAP may get affected by the omnipotent and unstoppable DELHI BELLY and TRANSFORMERS wave on Friday [although single screens would perform better than plexes], but the business should multiply on Saturday and Sunday due to Bachchan's bravura act and rock-solid post-interval portions. The producers [A.B. Corp, Viacom18] have already recovered the cost of production by selling the Satellite rights for a hefty sum and recovering the balance amount [P&A] from theatrical business should be a cakewalk, ensuring good profits to the investors in the final tally. 4/5 |
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