Welcome to Karachi

7 reasons why I won't watch - Welcome to Karachi

Many of you have asked me about my opinion of Welcome to Karachi. I have decided not to watch it until it comes on Set Max within 2-3 weeks. Here are my Top 7 reasons for not watching it. Some of these reasons might resound well with you:

1. I am allergic to bullshit and Jackky Bhagnani is a known allergen.

           2. This movie would be 6^th Flop in a row for Jackky Bhagnani. Even Unmukt Chand has better track record in IPL.

     3. In Jackky’s previous movie Youngistaan, his role was inspired by wannabe young PM – Mr Pappu. Just imagine what Jackky aspires to be!

   4. Lead actress for the film is Lauren Gottlieb. That sounds more like a tongue twister than the name of an actor. 

    5. I don’t like anything which is remotely associated with Pakistan. Whether it is Karachi sweets or Karachi’s streets. 

    6. When Producer Vasu Bhagnani has done so much cost cutting in story, direction, actor etc. We should do the same for tickets. Moreover, Tickets aren't priced Rs 100/- anymore! 

7. Quoting what Rajeev Masand said  “Such scenes of inspired lunacy are sadly in short supply here. The film drags on incessantly, a bunch of unimpressive songs stretching out the running time. When the lights come back on in the end, you’ll want to run for the exit.”

Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Wedding vows or post wedding woes!

Tanu Weds Manu Returns is everything which Tanu Weds Manu was not. TWM was a light hearted romantic comedy about friendship, festive wedding atmosphere and Kanpuriya Style. TWM made you laugh with the antics of Pappiji (Deepak Dobriyal) and one liners of Raja Awasthi (Jimmy Shergill). TWMR will make your heart melt for various characters in different situations.

TWMR is an emotional family drama which deals with the stress in the relationship between Tanu and Manu. This stress isn't affecting just 2 lives but 10 other lives associated with these two characters, like a chain reaction or dominos effect. TWMR is not an outstanding film like its prequel which immortalized various characters in memory of audience. But, it is still an above average film which one should watch. Personally, I was disappointed because I was expecting to watch same chemistry of romantic comedy. Did the director surprise me? Of course, he did but I was more shocked than surprised.

Coming to the acting department, Kangana Ranaut leaves you spellbound with the character of Kusum "Datto". There is a stark contrast between Tanu and Datto and yet Kangana graciously exhibited both roles with panache. Be it the look, haryanvi accent or mannerism of characters, Kangana leaves no stone unturned. Especially, the scene where Datto gives her introduction to Manu would make you stand up and clap for her. Madhavan has done the role of "Big Loser" multiple times and no one else could've looked so helpless and pitiful. Suits his image, which he did effortlessly. Deepak Dobriyal, Zeeshan Ayub, Swara Bhaskar, Jimmy Shergill are all class actors and have done wonders on silver screen. But, in TWMR their roles are limited to just being "Shaadi ke Baraati". They just have to be around Tanu and Manu to support them. Rajesh Sharma as Datto's brother is the dark horse in this film and one of his monologue in his village is worth mentioning.

Plot of the film is indeed unusual and kudos to Himanshu Sharma for the story. But, I didn't like the ending of the film. Story is going in a direction, then sudden jerk and situation changes and the end. Funny it might sound, but that's like high school mathematics problem of deriving a theorem. Wherever you're stuck, it is LHS = RHS, hence proved!

Krsna Solo & Tanishk-Vayu have given a melodious music with a good variety. Banno is already a chart buster and you can't stop dancing to it. Move on and Mat ja re has a melancholic touch. Old School girl is extremely funny and reminds me of "Moora" song of GOW 2. Ghani Bawri was a nicely timed situational song. Otherwise, peppy but it brings a lump in the throat.

Verdict: An above average film that can be watched with family. Just be clear that it isn't a romantic comedy but an emotional family drama. Else, you might be a bit disappointed like me.

Ratings: 3.5/5

Bombay Velvet

Bombay Velvet - All Style, no substance

Bombay Velvet is the age old story of 1970s, where a 20 something protagonist arrives in "Sapno ka Sheher" and wants to become "Mumbai ka Raja" overnight. Whether it is Deewar or Satya, basic plot remains the same. However, narrative of the film and screenplay is largely inspired from the west. Bombay Velvet was a personal ambition of Anurag Kashyap. He grew up watching gangster movies, heavily influenced by Martin Scorsese and his genre. He wanted to give a desi twist to Scarface and made Bombay Velvet. I even found the look and mannerism of Ranbir inspired by Al Pacino.

Direction of Anurag Kashyap is above average but there is hardly any scope of marvel with such a cliched plot. Movie is based on a novel, Mumbai Fables by Gyan Prakash. Anurag has tried to show entire novel in 150 min and hence you'll find movie extremely fast paced with tons of characters leaving you baffled. Editing is done by academy award winner Thelma Schoonmaker but I felt she has done a shoddy job this time (or she couldn't cope up with overpowering director).

Ranbir Kapoor has done a good justice to his role but I didn't find his performance anything close to clap worthy. Anushka Sharma was totally wasted in this film and she hardly has any juicy role. I had very high expectations from Karan Johar after watching him in the trailer. He carried off Kaizad Khambata very well in the beginning, but somewhere in between he lost the character and came back to his Koffee with Karan antics. There were so many characters - Kay Kay Menon, Manish Choudhary, Siddhartha Basu that none of them had anytime to show their skill.

Music by Amit Trivedi was a big let down and all the songs were boring. He tried to give it a touch of 1960s Jazz era but couldn't create something as catchy as Kaisi Paheli Zindagani - Parineeta. One team whom I would give full marks for Bombay Velvet is its art directors. It was a mammoth task to create Bombay of 60s and they did it brilliantly with all that razzmatazz.

Verdict - Don't go with high expectations. If you are a hardcore fan of retro gangsta movies Or if you want to see old styled Bombay, you might find it appealing. Otherwise, it is OK to give it a pass. 

Ratings: 3/5

Piku

Piku - Only motion, no emotion

With so much of hype around Piku, I had a peek of the flick this weekend. It is one of those recipes which has all the necessary ingredients but doesn't leave you with a lasting aftertaste. On top of it, entire movie is about the grand quest to seamless bowel movement. Please avoid any popcorns or sandwiches during the movie.

Amitji has played the role of an extremely irritating father. As anyone would have expected, he played this role to perfection with a constipated look and eyeballs bulging out of sockets. Irrfan's role looked very restrained and it was like a Ferrari driving at 40 km/hr. There is so much more to this actor which didn't come out. Deepika had to just look beautiful in different attires, give her dimpled smile, roll her eyes and yell at Amitji in a monotonous syllable. Nothing really great.

Full marks to Juhi Chaturvedi for spinning a fresh story. Shoojit Sircar kept the mood of movie subtle without any dramatically overwhelming melodrama. Anupam Roy has composed some soothing numbers which are good to play in car on a nice drive. I have seen him live in one of the plays and he has a long way to go. When the movie starts, an appealing Bengali musical tune gets played in the background of casting. If I find it somewhere, that is going to be the next ringtone of my phone. 

Overall a different movie, very nice attempt but nothing outstanding. I can compare this movie to Indian film "The Bong Connection" for some parts. However, I feel that Bong Connection did a much better justice of being closer to the roots. 

Verdict: Watch it if you want to see something different without any expectations. There isn't anything better in theaters anyway. 

Ratings: 3/5