2 States

My review: 2 States

After Chetan Bhagath’s novels were successfully made into feature films with “3 Idiots” and “ Kai Po Che”, now third in the line is his debut novel “2 states”. Adapted on the screen and directed by Abhishek Varman “2 states” deals with the clash of cultures, ethos, mores, customs and lifestyles when two people who belong to different regions of the country fall in love. Though this is not the first time theme of this type is dealt with onscreen, like Chetan’s previous works, the subtle humour (though there are generous dose of racial slurs and cultural stereotypical jokes) laced with impactful emotional connectivity the script has with the audience bodes well for this movie too. 

Abhishek Varman has adopted the novel well onscreen. Many script-writers lose out on the intensity and emotional connect a novel might have with the readers but here Abhishek has managed it very well. The central idea of a Tamil girl and a Punjabi guy falling in love and wanting to get married with the approval and blessing of their parents by trying to make them see eye to eye is in itself a subject inherent with lots of firework. The writer has to just channel it in a proper manner so that the impact is maintained throughout. Abhishek has sure done it with aplomb making it a thoroughly enjoyable fare. 

Alia  Bhatt after her immensely impressive performance in “Highway” has again carried this movie on her shoulders with ample support from Arjun Kapoor. She has gotten into the skin of the character of Ananya Swaminathan, making her detractors eat humble pie who espoused reservation on her essaying the role of a Tamil girl. She gets her Tamil right in those places where she mouths them though they are few and far in between. The amazing transformation from Alia Bhatt, the person into Ananya Swaminathan on screen is amazing. Arjun Kapoor plays second fiddle to Alia though he is the narrator and has more scope. The support cast led by Revathi and Amrita Singh spice up the proceeding.

On the flip side, the number of ethnocentric jokes and dialogues could have been toned down a bit. Though the makers have aspired for realism on screen it may raise a few eyeballs down south especially those slurs on the colour of the skin. Especially the dialogue in response to “90% of the Tamilians are better qualified to marry my daughter”, “...but 90% of the Tamilians are dark-skinned no..?!”.  By trying for humour at the expense of skin colour, the makers have once again proved how regressive their thinking is.

On the whole, “2 States” is entertainment guaranteed if one is prepared to overlook minor insensitivities on the part of the makers.

Bottomline:  Triumph of  love.

3.5/5

                                                                                           

Ulidavaru Kandanthe

My review: Ulidavaru Kandanthe

After his critically acclaimed and immensely successful "Simple Agi Ondh Love Story", Rakshit Shetty has taken his plunge into direction with "Ulidavaru Kandanthe". Movie is sure going to be a cult classic in Kannada movie industry, if not Indian cinema. Inspired by the Akira Kurosawa's classic " Rashomon" in terms of its screenplay, Rakshit has presented a movie which is rich in its thematic narrative. Movie mainly focuses on one incident that happens on a fateful day and the perspectives about that incident from six persons point of view.

Aided by one of the most taut screenplay one can write for this kind of a narrative with each episode seamlessly merging into a wholesome one, it is by far the best scripted movie this year. Movie has screenplay  from the point of view of six persons along with the one of the narrator, but not even at a fleeting moment can you find yourself confused or dazed. And the movie is thoroughly enjoyable nonetheless in spite of what may appear to be a experimental subject. That is mainly due to the dialogues which are razor sharp, written in casual chaste lingo and mouth effortlessly by the actors. 

Rakshit Shetty carries on from where he left in his previous movie SAOLS. He has a ball as a cantankerous goon Richi baying for revenge. His mannerisms and body language along with his unique dialogue delivery make it a memorable role. Kishore is his usual restrained self. He brings in to use his vast experience. Achyuth Shetty has another notable role after his' in "Lucia". Sohaan as the peculiarly named Democracy does a brilliant job, an effort belying his age.  

Rakshit Shetty is ably supported by Karm Chawla, the movie's cinematographer and Ajaneesh Loknath, the movie's music director.

On the whole, "Ulidavaru Kandanthe" is an exhilarating movie watching experience. Must watch for everyone whether you know Kannada or not.

Bottomline: Cult classic. 

4/5 

O Teri

My review: O Teri

If not for the dearth of movies at the particular time slot and desperation of me and my wife to watch one or the other movie on that fateful evening, I would have not even glanced at the poster of this sham of a movie  titled "O Teri". That some one had the audacity to make this movie, if not for the tax purposes, makes me sheath in anger at the money that they are able to waste like this. Unless one is intellectually challenged it would be difficult to follow this movie, leave alone enjoying it. 

What would have made good actors like Anuphem Kher and Vijay Raaz to sign this movie, I  didn't know they are so desperate for the dearth of opportunities. At least Vijay Raaz gives the ones who have paid their hard earned money and their valuable time some respect with his sincere effort, as usual. Others in the cast are despicable to say the least. Mandira Bedi and Sarah Jane Dias......Lol. Pulkit Samrat has the same expression throughout like a kid auditioning for the child part of Lord Krishna with stolen butter in his mouth. Bilal Amrohi is not meant to be an actor, but yet the makers have unleashed him to terrorize the viewers. 

On the whole, we could have spent our time arranging and re-arranging our home time and again on that fateful evening than having seen this bull crap, that would have been more entertaining and less injurious to our mind, body and soul.  

0.5/5

Maan Karate

My review: Maan Karate

Being ambitious and self-confident is a proven recipe for success. However, being over-ambitious and over-confident is a sure path for self-destruction. The writer-director, Thirukumaran and the protagonist, Sivakarthikeyan of the movie "Maan Karate" must realize this if they intend to continue their endeavor in the Tamil movie industry. 

Sivakarthikeyan must understand that he is a  performer first. He is not yet a star and trying to do a Rajnikanth or Vijay on screen is not his cup of tea nor the audience are that dumb to get taken in by all his narcissistic cravings. Even the big "stars" of Tamil cinema themselves have started to either do away or tone down the self-reverential introduction songs. But it is not only plain irritating but also hideous to see these wannabe stars trying to boost their so-called "image" after just two or three movies of their's doing well at the box-office. He is still brilliant with his comedy timing, humorous body language and expressions, Siva is a blast in the first half. When he can perform so well with his comical avatar, one gets taken aback when suddenly there is a jump in his character sketch from that of a clown into a mass hero just in matter of minutes. Tamil audience have not yet become that retarded to buy into these juvenilities.   

Movie starts of in a promising note with the fantasy element interestingly staged to prime the curiosity of audience. And the first half is a laugh riot, though more of the infantile type, nonetheless keeps the audience in good humour. Thirukumaran has done well in these sequences, his flair for comedy is very much evident here. But post intermission, movie takes a nose dive sagging with unwanted sentiments, protracted hero-building and a very ordinary, if not pathetic ending.  The last 40 minutes of the movie spoils the whole movie to a point of no return, making it a futile watch undoing all the revelry of the first half. 

Sivakarthikeyan this time in his endeavor to become a "star", apes Vijay's style and mannerisms for the substantial portion of the movie. In between inspiration from Rajnikanth, Dhanush and Silambarasan are also evident at various sequences. Whenever he is on his own doling out his razor sharp witty one-liners and sarcastic interludes Siva is terrific. But in the sentimental sequences and action sequences he is all at sea and the viewers may find it difficult to take him seriously in those. Hansika Montwani is there in the movie to scare the viewers with nonsensical expressions in her attempt to look cutesy and "bubbly" (a word that seems to have been specifically invented to  describe the average Tamil movie heroine). Less said about the characterizations and performances of the others in the support cast the better with the exception of Satish who is getting better with every movie of his.  

Anirudh's music is not up to the reputation he has created for himself in his brief career so far. The usual energy and pep that is evident in his music is missing this time. Sukumar has done his job pretty well as the cinematographer of the movie. 

On the whole, what could have been a fun-filled no-brainer gets bogged down by the lofty over-ambitious tweaking by Thirukumaran to cater to the demands of a wannabe "mass" star.

Bottomline: Losses the fizz halfway.

2/5

Highway

My review: Highway

Two movies over the past two months have got released with almost similar theme of self-actualization of the female lead, though the settings and the socio-demographics are totally different. And both these movie in their own way have dealt with the theme adeptly. "Highway" is Imtiaz Ali's 5th movie as a writer-director and most impressive of his so far. The other movie I was talking about was Vikas Bahl's  "Queen". 

It is so bold of Imtiaz Ali to touch upon child sexual abuse in such a matter-of-factly manner that is so rare in mainstream movies made in India. He aims at not only espousing the horror of the same that leaves a indelible mark in the victim's personality but also unravels the hypocrisy of the society which tries to wish-wash it from getting prominence rather trying to hush it up. Thus instead of emotional emancipation the victims get bogged down by the horrors of the experience and inaction of their saviors. Hence when they finally get chance for catharsis even the most dangerous of situation might become abreactive like what the protagonist of this movie Veera Tripathi finds herself in. 

Movie works to a great deal mainly due to its lead pair's terrific screen presence and performances. Randeep Hooda is fast building up a reputation for himself as a power-packed performer to look out for. As a ruffian Mahabir Bhati he is rock solid. Alia Bhatt is brilliant in only her second movie. She owns the screen with the confidence of a veteran. It is clearly one of the most memorable performances this year thus far along with Kangana's. 

On the whole, "Highway" is a powerful movie that is not only entertaining and engaging but also handles an important issue to ponder over adeptly.

Bottomline: Bold attempt.

3.5/5

Nedunchalai

My review: Nedunchalai

"Sillunu Oru Kadhal" director N.Krishna is back after a hiatus with his period flick "Nedunchalai". Movie starts of in an interesting premise of a highway with the story happening in the 1980's, and the lead actors being a highway robber and a petty dhaba owner. When you brace yourself for an exciting journey through this highway the journey itself gets tedious with its mundane happening and sluggish pace. As a result though you don't feel bored you don't feel satisfied either. 

Krishna has tried to explore new territories this time and one should appreciate for his understanding of the landscapes and lifestyles of people of the region bordering Kerala in the south of Tamil Nadu, that too of the mid-late 80's. He has woven the story that runs parallel with the various historical events of the time with references to those events along the narration. He gets it right with most of the things but looses it when it comes to weaving an interesting screenplay that keeps the viewers in its bounds. As a result end of the day one feels something is missing with this flick. 

Movie's slacken pace and non-riveting screenplay gets somewhat salvaged by wonderful performances from the cast. Aari as the protagonist "Tharpai" Murugan doesn't get much chance to showcase his histrionics abilities for most of his expressions gets drowned in the generous dose stubble on his face. But he makes up for it with his body language which he gets it right most of the time. Movie also marks the debut of one of the most promising newcomers in recent times Shivada Nair. She is terrific in her role as the dhaba owning independent girl Manga who falls in love with the ruffian protagonist after initial misgivings. 

Prashant Narayanan with his menacing eyes is good as the cantankerous Inspector Masanimuthu but he is strongly accented as far as his dialogue delivery is concerned. Salim Kumar, a leading character artist from the Malayalam cinema industry keeps the audience in splits in his comical avatar. 

"Injathe" is a terrific number from C.Sathya, the music director though none of the other songs pass muster. Rajavel has done a good job as the cinematographer of the movie. Movie looks rich and technically sound. 

On the whole, "Nedunchalai" is a case of wasted potential, what could have been an engrossing romantic-thriller ends up being yet another mundane rustic tale from the south.

Bottomline: Tedious journey.

2.5/5