Neerja - Movie Review

Ratings: 3/5 

Neerja is a film which will bring tears to your eyes. It is a tribute to India's braveheart Neerja Bhanot , who sacrificed her life to save lives of other passengers. Certainly, a story which deserves to be told a million times so that everyone can admire her bravado and bow their head in immense respect. 

Neerja as a film scores very high on emotion but falters on execution. Kudos to marketing team of Neerja, who pulled every string to create sensation in the media about this story. Not only every news channel is airing their own version of documentary but they even got interviews of Pan Am 73 survivors. They have cached in every human emotion to garner enough empathy towards the film. This is a good starting point and would be a crowd puller in cinema halls but it can't be a replacement to a movie well made. 

Plot of the film is like an open book and audience know it by heart. Screenplay, dialogues, performance and direction is what can make or break this movie. I personally liked the Screenplay, especially movie starting on 2 parallel tracks, one with Neerja thread and other one on terrorists thread. You'll often see flashes of flashback to Neerja's earlier life challenges and comparing them to current situation. However, in a bid to show authenticity all the dialogues in terrorists were in Arabic/non-hindi laced with subtitles. I appreciate director's thought but it was a bit pain to make a sense of all the chaos. All the dialogues lacked luster and sounded like a very routine conversation. 

Sonam Kapoor bagged a dream role, where entire movie revolves around her. Even a slight effort would have given her accolades. But alas, she is consistent on her mediocrity, playing a daredevil role like a sissy. Neerja definitely demanded a much more fearless performance which Sonam Kapoor is incapable of. I would have expected someone like Anushka Sharma or a younger version of Sushmita Sen to do this role. Shabana Azmi and Yogendra Tiku's performance lacks a punch despite of being such senior actors. 

Direction of Ram Madhvani is average and there isn't anything worth appreciating. His immaturity is quite evident and he proved to be just another rookie. There isn't much scope of music, cinematography, sets and costumes as per the script. 

Right from the first scene, director is reminding audience again and again, this girl is going to die..this girl is going to die. For e.g. Brother saying "Read this magazine later on, as if you are going to die". Mother saying "Where is that ring, I made for your safety. God forbid if something happens to you". Well based on Neerja Bhanot's character and her being inspired from Rajesh Khanna's Anand character, film should have been made a little more lively instead of morose. Something on the line of classic Anand would have made this film even classier. 

Verdict: Watch it for the emotion and not performance. Neerja Bhanot's story is deserved to be told to every Indian. Even with half-baked characterization and its glitches, movie will make you cry. Much better than other alternatives like Fitoor and Sanam Re. I must say a very good timing for Neerja. 

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Aligarh - Trailer Review

Trailer Appeal - 4/5

Aligarh is based on the real life incident of a professor in Aligarh Muslim University, Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, who was suspended from his job because of his homosexuality. Under the Indian Penal Court, homosexuality is a crime as per section 377 which dates back to 1860 and is still under existence.The film is slated to be released on 26 February 2016.

You can't ask for more when you have 2 stalwarts like Manoj Bajpai and Rajkummar Rao sharing the screen space. Manoj looks intense yet restrained in the trailer. You can feel him imploding with the constant moral policing of society. It would be a good change to see him in a different avatar, where he won't be mouthing heavy weight aggressive dialogues. 

Rajkummar Rao plays a journalist and is honest portrayal of the character is clearly evident. No matter whether role has great scope or not, Rajkummar Rao always leaves a lasting impression. That is why this is the 3rd movie of Rajkummar back to back with Director Hansal Mehta. Good luck guys. I am anxiously waiting to see you marvel at silver screen.


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Bollyreviewsnow Cine Awards 2015

Welcome to Bollyreviewsnow Cine Awards 2015! First of all heartfelt thanks to all of you who are reading this post and have loved Bollyreviewsnow. Wherever we are, its only and only because of all of you! Year 2015 witnessed ~204 movies getting released in Bollywood (including dubbed), out of which we had only 5 Super Hits or Blockbusters. But, we really don’t care about how many of them crossed Rs 100 Cr mark. Rather, we’ll be recognizing those performances which touched your hearts. We’ll salute to those artists who made you laugh…who made you cry…who made you applaud...who made you glued to your seats or made you give a standing ovation. Without further ado, here we go: 

1. Best Actress in a Supporting Role

a. Tanvi Azmi - Bajirao Mastani 

b. Tabu – Drishyam 
c. Shefali Shah – Dil Dhadakne Do 
d. Priyanka Chopra - Bajirao Mastani (WINNER) 

Tanvi Azmi as Maa Saheb was extremely intimidating it was good to see her in such a different avatar. Tabu as a shrewd Inspector General was above average. Shefali Shah as the super elite, classy mother did a fine job. Her role had scope to show varied emotions, which she could have played better.

Priyanka Chopra - Best Actress in a
Supporting Role (Bajirao Mastani)

Priyanka Chopra as Kashibai looked authentic marathi mulgi. Expressions of Priyanka completely stood out - Be it dancing on Pinga, taunt in her tone in her conversation with Bajirao, hatred in her conversation with Mastani and dichotomy in her decisions between what is good for Kashibai Vs what is morally right as Peshwain? Congrats, Priyanka for winning the Best Actress award in a supporting role. 

2. Best Actor in a Supporting Role

a. Deepak Dobriyal - Tanu Weds Manu Returns

b. Sanjay Mishra – Masaan / Dum Laga Ke Haishaa
c. Nawazuddin Siddiqui – Bajrangi Bhaijaan
d. Nawazuddin Siddiqui – Badlapur (WINNER) 

Deepak Dobriyal has a wonderful comic timing and he gagged us all in TWMR. Sanjay Mishra is a learned actor and was impressive in his limited role of a helpless father in Masaan and Dum Laga ke Haishaa. In Bajrangi Bhaijaan, Nawaz was brought in towards 2nd half which have him limited screen time but he infused energy into the film at right time. 

Nawazuddin Siddiqui - Best Actor in
a Supporting Role (Badlapur)

But, acting prowess of Nawazuddin Siddiqui in Badlapur was class apart. I loved the shrewdness of Nawaz when he talked to Inspector (Kumud Mishra) or his passion of a love struck Romeo during his scenes with Huma Qureshi. He has done such roles of poor-guy-getting-beaten-up umpteenth times and have mastered it by now. Congrats, Nawaz for winning the Best Actor award in a supporting role for Badlapur. 

3. Best Actress in a Leading Role

a. Anushka Sharma - NH10

b. Deepika Padukone - Bajirao Mastani
c. Radhika Apte – Maanjhi / Hunterrr
d. Bhumi Pednekar – Dum Laga Ke Haisha (BEST DEBUT)
e. Kangana Ranaut - Tanu Weds Manu Returns (WINNER)

Anushka Sharma was impressive in her intense, strong character with admirable conviction in NH10. Deepika Padukone for once was fantastic in Bajirao Mastani, be it her sword fighting, skillful kathak dance, anger on her face when she is slaying enemies and her fearless face when she counters arguments of her ill-wishers. Radhika Apte effortlessly transitions from a practical modern women in Hunterr to an innocent village damsel in Maanjhi. 

If there is one thing Dum Laga Ke Haishaa would be ever remembered for, then it would be for lead actress Bhumi Pednekar. No amount of words can describe the brilliance of this actress. She is impressive in all the areas be it her expressions, dialogue delivery or immersing herself in the role. 

Kangana Ranaut -Best Actress in a 
leading Role(Tanu Weds Manu Returns)

Kangana Ranaut left me spellbound with the character of Kusum "Datto" in Tanu Weds Manu Returns. There is a stark contrast between 2 characters yet Kangana graciously exhibited both roles with panache. Be it the look, haryanvi accent or mannerism of characters, Kangana left no stone unturned. It was indeed a tough choice to choose between Kangana and Bhumi. We at Bollyreviewsnow award Bhumi Pednekar as the Best debut actress award and Kangana Ranaut as the Best Actress in a leading role. 

4. Best Actor in a Leading Role

a. Amitabh Bachchan – Piku / Shamitabh

b. Ranbir Kapoor – Tamasha
c. Gulshan Devaiah - Hunterrr
d. Ranveer Singh - Bajirao Mastani
e. Nawazuddin Siddiqui – Manjhi (WINNER) 

Off late Amitji’s roles have been very subdued and I have been missing that persona of Amitabh Bachchan which exuded confidence and who could carry off his arrogance with a poise. I was thrilled to see that angry young man in Shamitabh. In Piku, Amitji 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. 

Ranbir Kapoor handled his highly ambiguous characterization very well in Tamasha. Alas, his role was highly confusing for which I won't blame the actor. Gulshan Devaiah was truly amazing as the Mandar Vasu in Hunterrr. You'll see his different shades as "Confident Vaasu" as well as "Nervous Fiancee". 

Confidence oozing out of every pore of his body, demeanor of a Peshwa leader, stern face of a warrior, authentic marathi accent and deft wrists holding his sword. I almost got goosebumps witnessing brilliance of Ranveer Singh in the Bajirao Mastani. He didn't act like a Peshwa, he became a Peshwa for Bajirao Mastani. 

Nawazuddin Siddiqui - Best Actor ina leading Role (Manjhi)

I have always appreciated work of Nawazuddin Siddiqui but Manjhi was the first time that he has left me awestruck. By far, one of the best work done by him till date. From a romantic fun loving guy to an adamant gutsy old man. What variation, what emotions! Kudos to Nawaz for such stupendous performance and Congrats for winning the Best Actor award in a leading role. 

5. Best Director

a. Ketan Mehta – Manjhi

b. Shoojit Sircar – Piku
c. Dibakar Banerjee – Detective Byomkesh Bakshy
d. R Balki – Shamitabh
e. Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Bajirao Mastani (WINNER) 

Manjhi could have easily veered into the territory of boring documentaries. It required the vision and expertise of an able director like Ketan Mehta to tell that compelling story infused with emotions and laced with the petals of romance. Shoojit Sircar kept the mood of Piku subtle without any dramatically overwhelming melodrama. Detective Byomkesh Bakshy had a very gripping but complex story which is the highlight of this film. I am glad that this movie was in able hands of very skilled Dibakar Banerjee. Shamitabh was a brave attempt by Director R Balki to present a fresh concept to Bollywood audience who have gone habitual to rotten ideas. Salute to Balki for such a brilliant direction, script and screenplay. 

Sanjay Leela Bhansali - Best Director 

         (Bajirao Mastani)

Bajirao Mastani was a cherished project of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who left no leaf unturned to make it a grand success. SLB was not only the producer and director but also composed the music for this film. He didn't shy away from making his actors cry and curse until he got what he wanted from them. Congratulations, Sanjay Leela Bhansali for winning the Best Director Award for 2015. 

6. Best Film

a. Badlapur
b. Hunterrr
c. Dum Laga Ke Haisha
d. Bajirao Mastani
e. Manjhi (WINNER)

Revenge is a dish best serve cold. Plot of Badlapur was based on this statement, which was made famous by Don Corleone in Godfather. All the characters had a darker side and audience empathized with as well as hated every character as the film progressed. 

If there was a movie which made me laugh in a long time, it was Hunterrr. A bold attempt by Phantom Films, known to make offbeat cinema with a growing cult following. Dum Laga ke Haisha reminded us of clean family movies made by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. It was a light and realistic film minus all the melodrama, tears and melancholy. Bajirao Mastani was a historic romantic colorful saga which invoked multitude of emotions as each crease of story unfolded to offer something different. A great film made with fantastic Costumes, set designs, locations cinematography and visual appeal. 

Manjhi - Best Film(2015)          

Bahut Bada Hai Tu. Bahut Akad Hai Tohra Mein. Dekh Kaise Ukadte Hain Akad Teri. There couldn't be a better tribute to Dashrath Manjhi and showcasing the saga of his unflinching arduous mammoth dream than the film Maanjhi. Though, it is sad that it took so long for his "madness" to get recognized. I can bet that if this was not a real story, no one would have even dared to pen a fictional script like this. We Congratulate Maanjhi for winning the award of Best Film for 2015. 

Hope you liked our choices and appreciate unbiased and unpaid Bollyreviewsnow Cine awards. It is always our endeavor to recognize meaningful and quality cinema, which would be remembered in history of Bollywood. Thanks for staying with us!

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