Badrinath Ki Dulhania - Movie Review

CAST: Alia Bhatt, Varun Dhawan, Gauahar Khan, Shweta Basu Prasad, Rituraj Singh, Sahil Vaid, Aparshakti Khurrana, Swanand Kirkire

DIRECTION: Shashank Khaitan

DURATION: 2 hours 19 minutes

The moment you see the film is set in Jhansi, you know that sooner or later, there will be a line involving a certain legendary queen known for her valour. Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya beats the drums for its women, loud and clear; sometimes a tad too loudly and clearly, but that’s okay, because it’s that kind of film.

It is the kind of mainstream film which wants to shift the goal-post of how ‘heroes’ and heroines’ are constructed and presented, without being too radical, but making clear, at the same time, that some elements will be deployed differently. I noted those strokes, as we are meant to. And I smiled through much of the film, as we are meant to.

The moment you see Badri (Varun Dhawan) and Vaidehi (Alia Bhatt) meet-cute in a wedding, you know where they are headed. His ‘tenth class pass’, uncomfortable-with-Engliss-brashness rubbing up against her ‘padhi-likhi’ ambitions creates the outlines for their romance, and because it’s Jhansi, we know that she will be the Rani, and he will be her Raja.

The challenge of any rom com is to get past its predictable beats. The setting lends the film freshness. The creation of a credible, lived-in family — Badri’s formidable ‘pitaji’ Mr Bansal (here I have a quibble: Ritu Raj looks much too young to be the papa of two adult males), meek ma, supportive ‘bhaiyya’ and ‘bhabhi’, and Vaidehi’s parents (Swanand Kirkire as the put-upon, ‘dahej’-fearing father is excellent) and an older sister who finds an unlikely mate (Aaparshakti Khurana) — and friends, is also a strength.

So is the lead pair, whom we’ve seen in the same boat in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaiya: in this second instalment of what looks like a franchise, they are sharper, more vivid, and better attuned to each other. What’s also nice is that they are given flaws (nothing too serious, and nothing which cannot be addressed by the end of the film, but clearly there all the same), making them relatable.

Varun Dhawan and Alia Bhatt are surrounded by a bunch of able actors, all of whom are given things to do. Of special note is a terrific act by Sahil Vaid as the Hero’s Best Friend, who bids fair to be the best part of the film. Apart, of course from Bhatt, who manages to pull off a pitch-perfect performance as the ‘dulhaniya’ with a mind and will of her own. Dhawan is good too, as the entitled wealthy boy-who-may-never-turn-into-man, and then finding his feminist feet. He is unafraid to give his heart away, and admit to it, and shed tears when it is time. Boys do cry.

The post-interval proceedings are marred by a huge contrivance, and turn into a bit of a meander. And there are some portions which are bunged in as set-pieces, instead of moving organic parts. A couple of times, the film’s let’s hear-it-for-the-ladies comes off as a simplistic flourish. But overall, the film works as a flavoursome romance with a pair which grows into each other, and with each other.

Oh! and before I forget not to miss out on the much awaited, hyped and re-done song Tamma Tamma (which is a part of the movie and thankfully not a promotional song) – Both the actors Marvel their way through it with some brilliant choreography by Bosco Martin – but still the Original – Featuring Sanjay Dutt AKA Baba and the ever glowing Madhuri Dixit remains – unmatched and so does the choreography of Saroj Khan.

I’m happy to cheer any film which tacks on the word ‘respect’ with ‘love’, and does a climactic take-down of patriarchy, even if it’s all broad brush-strokey and dialogue heavy

My Rating: 3/5

Noor - Trailer Review

Sonakshi Sinha is fantastic actor and we have seen the Dabangg girl in almost every role, but her upcoming movie Noor is something different, makers of Noor have released the trailer and we can say that it is worth to watch and you must have not seen Sonakshi Sinha playing such a character Movie is based on the Pakistani novel Karachi, You’re Killing Me, the books tells the story of a young journalist unable to tolerate the elite of Karachi.

Sonakshi Sinha has surprised us with her new avatar in the film. Since last few movies, she has been choosy about her scripts and we are thankful that she chose this one to prove her versatility! The trailer starts with an introduction to her character ‘Noor’ a joker- journalist as she terms. She is clumsy, confused and funny, all at once! While we feel that she is not much keen about her profession, things turn out to be serious, which makes her carry the tag of a journalist seriously! From a casual girl to a truth-seeker journalist is what the trailer of Noor promises us.

Sonakshi was last seen in Force 2 opposite John Abraham and this outing seems to be an interesting role play for the actress.

Directed by Sunhil Sippy, the film stars Kanan Gill, Shibani Dandekar, Purab Kohli in pivotal roles. The film is slated to release on April 21.

Logan - Movie Review

CAST: Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart, Dafne Keen

DIRECTION: James Mangold

DURATION: 2 hours 21 minutes

Hard to believe it has been 17 years since the first X-Men movie with Jackman as Logan, and in middle age he’s still muscled-up and ropy — maybe even ropier, given how alarmingly the veins stand out in his arms and chest.

Prepare to be surprised because Logan is a violently nihilistic, at times quite depressing and also brutal social commentary on the current state of things in America. But more importantly, it’s the most perfect, emotionally resonant possible send-off to Hugh Jackman in his final performance as the titular character.

The first scene itself gives you the realization that Logan is unlike any other X Men movie, and in fact unlike most other superhero films. The hero wakes up in a car which is being robbed by hooligans, but he looks old and haggard and struggles to dispose of them.

A younger Logan would have finished the goons in two seconds but this time he lets himself get beaten up, almost as if he wants the pain. Seeing Jackman’s bitter and gaunt figure living in a dusty, isolated little quarry near the Mexico border is reminiscent of the setting in Unforgiven. We realize Charles Xavier (Patrick Stewart), who is now very old and senile is living with him in a cramped up space, a far cry from the Xavier mansion he grew up in. Logan works part time as a cab driver to pay for Xavier’s medicines. It’s all gloomy as hell.

Things only change for the worse when Logan’s hideout is attacked by a group of mercenaries led by a robotic armed Donald (Boyd Holbrook) looking for a mysterious angry girl named Laura (Dafne Keen) who may be a mutant of some kind. The film then becomes a road trip where Logan attempts to ferry the girl to a safe haven while taking care of Xavier who seems to have lost control of his mental powers.

This information of things having gone bad for these characters is rendered in an unforgivingly bleak fashion. It’s almost feel like you’re watching something set in the Juarez section of Sicario. Then there’s the violence, which is spine chillingly vicious – Logan does little to restrain himself from stabbing people in the face, slicing off their limbs, beheading or impaling them.

It’s been some time since I’ve seen a film in which the violence rendered an emotional reaction – this is because the violence is not glamorised but used as a tool to send the message that bloodshed and murder is a reprehensible act.

Then there’s the father-daughter dynamic between Logan and Laura that is just beautiful and also reminiscent of Terminator 2. The physically broken and emotionally shattered Logan is to deal with a child who seems to face the same predicament as him – it’s as heavy a theme an audience friendly superhero film could carry, but it just works as masterful storytelling rather than a contrived diatribe.

Much like last year’s Deadpool the action sequences are pulled down in scale so it’s a nice change from the usual set up of building being destroyed. What’s more – it’s in 2D instead of 3D – a ballsy move by the studio especially since this is a big superhero movie.

As a bonus, director James Mangold, who is well versed with Westerns (he made the excellent 3:10 to Yuma) incorporates his love for the genre right into the heart of the film. And if your tear ducts tend to open easily you might want to carry some tissues to the theater and whip them out in the final act – which is a poignant goodbye the Wolverine we knew, but also a tender look into the future for the franchise.

My Rating: 4/5

Deadpool 2 - Trailer Review

If you’ve seen Logan by now, you know that the latest X-Men film comes with a fun little surprise: a teaser trailer for Deadpool 2, a sequel that hasn’t even started filming yet. Now, that trailer has arrived online, just in case you want to watch it again.

To be honest, the Deadpool 2 trailer is more of a short film than a trailer, Fox’s answer to Marvel’s defunct “One-Shots” that they used to include on their Blu-rays and DVDs. There is no release date, no proper title, and no footage from the actual film (which is still be being written). However, there is the promise of more Deadpool in the future and considering what a gigantic success the first film was last year that will be a welcome announcement for anyone who leaves their home to see the new Wolverine movie on opening weekend.

Anyway, this teaser sees Ryan Reynolds suiting up once more as the insane, fast-talking superhero and the gags are fast and furious and dirty and very, very silly. There’s extensive use of the most recognizable superhero music of all time, a fourth-wall shattering call-out to a crew member on the first movie, an amusing cameo, and a pitch-black conclusion that brushes right up against the boundaries of good taste. This won’t change the minds of anyone who didn’t like the first movie, but fans (and I’m one of them) will surely appreciate what’s going on here. Honestly, this feels like a fun back-up story you’d find at the end of a larger Deadpool comic.

The only major change is the man behind the camera. Deadpool 2 will be directed by John Wick co-director David Leitch and he reportedly helmed this footage. There’s not much to judge quite yet, but he does showcase a strong eye for comedy in these three minutes (and we already know he can shoot great action). I especially enjoyed just how ridiculously depressing and dilapidated the city around Deadpool appears to be.

This trailer arrives before much of Deadpool 2 is set in stone. There are rumors that Drew Goddard has jumped on the screenwriting team and that Stranger Things star David Harbour is being considered for the role of Cable, one of Deadpool’s frequent comrades (and foils) in the X-Men comic books. And of course, a full blown X-Force movie (which would unite Deadpool with other mutant antiheroes who have a habit of not taking any prisoners) is still moving forward.

Deadpool 2 is currently set for a March 2, 2018 release date.

Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana - Trailer Review

‘Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana’ is the second movie of all the lead roles in this film, Gurmeet Choudhary entered into Bollywood with movie ’Khamoshiyan’ , son of Naseeruddin Shah Vivaan Shah debuted in Bollywood with ‘Happy New year’ and daughter of Kamal Hassan Akshara Haasan entered in Bollywood with movie ‘Shamitabh’.

Now all the three are back in with their second movie ‘Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laddoo Deewana’ and the makers have released a trailer of the movie.

Talking about the trailer it looks like the movie is comedy movie and it will be full of drama and romance.

The trailer also shows two brides and two grooms hilariously trapped in their own problems. The film, which has emotions and comedy in equal measure, follows the journey of its titular characters.

Movie also features Saurabh Shukla, Sanjay Mishra, Darshan Jariwala, Ravi Kishan, Suhasini Mulay, Navni Parihar, Kishori Shahane, Jyoti Kalsh and Ehsan Khan, the movie has been produced by TP Aggarwal and Rahul Aggarwal. It has been shot in various locations across Vadodara.

‘Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laaddoo Deewana’, produced by Star Entertainment Worldwide Pvt Ltd, releases April 7.

Anaarkali Of Aarah - Trailer Review

Swara Bhaskar is all set to return in a never-seen-before avatar in 'Anarkali of Arrah'.

'Anarkali of Arrah' is the story of an erotic singer played by Swara Bhaskar who hails from Arrah in Bihar and is popular for her songs that make you read between the lines. She is the star performer of her troupe and is confident of her success.

However, her life takes a twist when she has a confrontation with a very powerful man of the region (Sanjay Mishra, probably his first negative role), followed by a serious conflict. The movie also stars Pankaj Tripathi (Gangs Of Wasseypur and Masaan fame).

How she fights the misogynist beliefs of the society, forms the crux of the film.

Produced by Priya and Sandiip Kapur, written and directed by Avinash Das, the film is set to release on March 24.

Sarkar 3 - Trailer Review

The trailer of the third installment of Ram Gopal Varma’s Sarkar 3 released yesterday. Gritty, intense and powerful - these are words one usually used to describe Ram Gopal Varma's brilliant gangster sagas in the '90s and early 2000s. While the world thought that the filmmaker has lost his magic touch, boom - here comes Sarkar 3.

The third part in one of his most popular franchise - Sarkar 3 - marks the return of Amitabh Bachchan as the dreaded gangster politician. The flick is named amongst the most anticipated films of the ongoing year.

Right from the word go, it's a Big B show all the way. Powerful voice and a menacing look, the mega star's stances and dialogues are ones that will call for ceetees and taalis in the audience.

The story picks up after both his sons Vishnu (Kay Kay Menon) and Shankar (Abhishek Bachchan) are no more. Nagre is angrier and smarter and now has his grandson Shivaji (Amit Sadh) getting ready for his turn to rattle the system. Sadh looks convincing as the brash grandson and Ronit Roy too seems to be all set for another impressive performance after Kaabil.

With the ensemble cast including big names like Rohini Hattangadi, Jackie Shroff and Manoj Bajpayee, there seems to be a lot to watch out for in the film. Yami Gautam seems to have finally got an image makeover and for a change, she leaves an interesting trail regarding her character in the film with her glimpse in the trailer.

Once again, like the previous films, the dialogues are sharp. Towards the end of the trailer, we even get the famous punch line ‘Mujhe Jo Sahi Lagta Hai, Main Wohi Karta Hoon’.

Of course, it is impossible to imagine Sarkar without the famed ‘Govinda’ track and so that’s another winning point of the trailer.

It is scheduled to hit the screens on April 7, 2017.