Dil Dhadakne Do

Don't kill me pls - Dil Dhadakne Do!

ऐसी घटिया फिल्म देख कर, रुक जाती हैं साँसे, थम जाती हैं धड़कनें 

कुछ दिन बचे हैं ज़िन्दगी के, जी लेने दो 

धड़कता हुआ ही अच्छा लगता है, कृपया दिल धड़कने दो

Dil Dhadakne Do can be very well compared to buffet spread of Chutney Chang, which has 108 dishes but none of it looks appealing to you. Instead of complementing each other, as a matter of fact, they rather confuse you. Zoya Akhtar - How many people you wanted to stuff in a single movie! What was the point of playing passing the parcel with camera? Couldn't you have chosen 4-5 characters and tell a compelling story with them. We have seen enough of Kekta Kapoor on TV, don't need to replicate it on silver screen.

Entire story (whatever little it is) is narrated by Pluto Doggy Mehra that how each character thinks and behaves. Sometimes, you'll feel as if you are watching a Discovery program on "Human Psychology and Social Behavior as experienced by canines". Right from Anil Kapoor to Ranveer Singh to Farhan Akhtar to Priyanka Chopra, every single character a loser in the film. Everyone's marriage is falling apart. Everyone is helpless.

I could almost hear this legendary song in the background score:
गम दिए मुस्तक़िल, इतना नाज़ुक है दिल, ये ना जाना,
हाय हाय ये ज़ालिम ज़माना |

Acting of every character is utter crap. Ranveer Desperate Singh, Anil Jackass Kapoor, Priyanka Piggy Chops, Anushka swollen lips Sharma - Shame on you for such dismal performance. Shefali Shah was the only saving grace and she managed to exude vivid emotions with excellence, amidst bunch of hopeless nincompoops. Aamir Khan gave voice to Pluto Doggy Mehra. To some extent his narrative managed to sew loose pieces of incidents together in a chronological order. But he said "Dil" so many times, I am sure he must have blurted out "Dil Ki Deal, Snapdeal" a zillion times in rehearsal. Farhan Akhtar was quite capable to pull off entire film single handedly but his entry was post interval. It is like giving last 5 overs to AB Devillers and expecting him to hit a century!

There was no editing done for the film. How could you stretch this baseless banter to 170 minutes? Unbelievable! Soundtrack of the film is boring and none of the songs are catchy. Shankar Ehsaan Loy have disappointed us this time. There is an interesting trivia about song "Pehli Baar". This song didn't use any choreographer. Director asked Ranveer & Anushka to do it impromptu, so that their sizzling chemistry could be seen onscreen. Well, I could only see their incapability loud and clear.

Verdict: Please spare yourself this torture and bless me for sacrificing my evening and warning you in advance. 

Ratings: 1/5 (Points just for you Shefali Shah)

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