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krishnapreethika
Reviews
Shamitabh (2015)
Drag
Shamitabh is a very unlikely possibility ... I share this for the following reasons.
1. Two unknown people come together to collaborate for their own good (sans the usual 'mutual' approach seen in the beginning at the least). Sinha is a difficult man right from the beginning and the friction is needlessly dragged for a good length of the movie ... On the other end, if it was about a built camaraderie gone wrong over time, the story would have made sense like in Omkara. Human beings usually take an avoidance approach at the earliest time possible with strangers and after a few benefits of doubt if there was 'trust' factor applicable between both. The plot lacks strength.
2. This is my personal opinion: Dhanush and Amitabh has given great performances individually and together too but the voice doesn't match. Dhanush did stand taller to the extent he could but his Shamitabh's (the name is a misfit) survival hinging on Sinha exclusively was a ridiculous plot. Abhishek's sounds real than Amitabh's given the age difference ... And to emphasize severely on Amitabh Bachchan's imminence (his baritone voice) doesn't seem the best approach. The director's bias for Amitabh has gone overboard. Had the voice been someone else's, I don't think there would have been any story. Had Balki tried a clash between Rajinikanth and Dhanush as two super-stars who admire each other secretively, there would have been thrill. There are several other contexts where Dhanush/Amitabh combo could be tried ...
Balki has a glorious example of Mohan, the Karnataka-based actor who sizzled with a dubbing artist in his Tamil films initially ... the relationship fizzled out and Mohan's career did get doomed. Balki's enthusiasm has translated into short-sightedness.
3. To think that none picked Dhanush's speech difficulty in the industry is a bit too much. And I am bored seeing Dhanush killed for no real reason and to see him die back to back in two Hindi films is just too much.
PS. Akshara is alright. Got to see more of her in the screen to take a stand ...
Life in a Metro (2007)
Listen to the heart (?)
Amol laments about losing 40 years for nothing ... He didn't listen to his heart ... This inspires Shruti ... it clicks ... fair enough ... Both Rahul and Neha calls it quits and unite for good ... Anmol and Shivani do get to spend time together in a 'notebook' style with a slight deviation ...
What I found odd was Ranjeet-Shika-Akash trio ...
I get to see how people evade responsibility and seek cheap thrills when the marriage is not working out ... I have come a long way in that I don't judge them for their shortcuts anymore but I still feel one must work their way out in or out of marriage ... Ranjeet is an MCP who thrives on his spouse's vulnerability forgetting completely of his scandals ... and he returns to his wife because things didn't work out with his subordinate ... Shika is probably scared of her societal image and chucks Akash ... since I missed out part 5 of the movie, I cannot take a stand on Akash entirely ... this was the sloppy part of the movie ...
Of course India cannot deal with the possibility of Shika parting with Ranjeet for Akash ... but I don't feel justified with her choice of Ranjeet (I might miss out an important element of Shika ya Ranjeet ya even Akash from part 5, I couldn't find) ... Assuming the part missed doesn't alter the movie much, what do they want to teach their daughter? Is this the director's message too to the public? Be it Ranjeet-Shika ya Akash-Shika, the story could have brought a bit more dignity to the relationship that worked and didn't but if the message is union sans love (for the sake of other comforts), again it could have been shown in a dignified way ...
Given the fact that I missed part 5, I cannot take a stand on Shika ... but why do I feel already disrespectful of Shika? Well, my intuitions might be right or wrong but that's the review for you guys ...
Worth watching once for sure. A good cast ...
PS. I would be a typical Indian had Akash shown in a new relationship but I like the fact that he is shown to have taken a stand about staying in India for whatever it means ...
Gangster (2006)
So-So
I had always been amused by the fact that a whole lot of Indian movies, focusing on organized crimes, aims apparently at a soft side of a cold-blooded killer for women and romance. I am not sure why Shankar must be a Hero or even an anti-hero, just because he loves the lead woman dearly? This needs sorting from the fraternity of directors. And all the terrorists and mafia-men shown are very good-looking menfolk invariably? Is there any specific reason?
PS. Why is the poster lacking (Shankar) Ahuja and showing Grover?
The story is a predictable one as far as Shankar is concerned. The twist came with the introduction of Akash, more so, of his profession. The greater twist was he was not in love with the lead woman as is usually typecast in many other movies.
For a 17-something, Ranaut was a pro! Ahuja had some intense scenes to play but Emraan being Emraan, had to play out the scenes of intimacy. One has to wait and watch Ahuja for further performances.
Fashion (2008)
Hats off
Glad to see people explore topics far and wide ... Fashion ... Hats off to the director for such a good idea ... he must continue his streak with women- oriented movies ... what does he mean this was his last of such a theme?
Janet blossoms beautifully ... the rest Rahul/Rohit fit well as the comeback team ... thanks to the crucial role of parents too.
While I would want to give credits completely to Meghana, Sonali was the needed catalyst to pep Meghana up ... Sonali was Meghna's constant reminder of how far can one stretch ... Sonali was the show stopper ... I loved her walk over the ramp with the attitude more than of Meghna's ...
Nevertheless, Meghana stole the show with Abhi ... Anisha played her part well too ...
One of those great movies where all had a solid role to play ...
Mardaani (2014)
Raw and Ripe!
Mardaani is a movie to watch ... sex trafficking was shown raw: that's how it has to be ... it has to rip the viewer's heart ... this cannot happen unless reality is shown as it is ... Real movies gives me a high ... Go for it!
Rani was at her best performance at Mardaani ... The attitude she showed was nothing less than stunning! The young mean man who does all the trafficking does mesmerize with such a seductive voice and I loved the response he received at the end ...
I am not a typical Rani fan but when I saw her power performance in here, I knew she has a lot to offer ... Rani, don't stop ... keep acting and do great movies as these ...
Shahid (2012)
Thumbs up
Islam is easily and sadly one of the most condemned faiths in the contemporary world history, across the west, middle-east (with regards to Israel) and India: it is often associated with Jihad, Taliban, etc. Even amongst those I have interacted with, a good majority identifies themselves with the religion more than with nationality or even integration if they are immigrants, which makes them more as victims, minorities, etc. Of course, my view could be parochial but I don't blame me either for a few reasons: 1. How many have risen within Islam against terrorism, Jihad and the likes? 2. How many are attempting to bridge the religious/cultural divides? How many empower their common Muslim men and women? As much controversial as this sounds, the truth is, why do we hear very less of such noble efforts? I am sure there are a whole lot of people from Islam who carry out such commendable efforts but where are they? I am quite open to the possibility that media (and others) than Islam could be responsible for keeping us all in the dark.
The late Shahid Azmi is a breath of fresh air: he is the first activist I have heard of, to stand up for a common Muslim man in the context of terrorism in India. Respects. I followed him both in the movie and Wikipedia: the transition from Wikipedia to Cinema seems fairly accurate. We need to hear more of such activists and leaders from Islam to change our world views about the religion. Keep them coming.
Anwar (2007)
Good Attempt
We need movies as this to weaken the senseless hatred we harbor within ourselves ... only to be ignited by the trivia in the name of religious divides ... The word 'Muslim' has several dimensions to it: 'terrorist', 'minority', 'victim' to name a few ... Personally I love to see movies where fundamentalists who misuse Islam (Hinduism), where Muslim (Hindu) leaders who fight terrorism fought in the name of Islam (Hinduism), where muslims (Hindus') victimization and their perpetuation, and where integration is achieved must be explored in depth. Such movies alone can help a common man of India take a more rounded stand when it comes to such divides. Great work Jha and team.
Siddharth has a very vulnerable face and of course the soulful songs fill the rest ...
Delhi-6 (2009)
Good Attempt
Delhi-6 is a great attempt aimed at bridging the illusory Hindu-Muslim divide amongst an otherwise co-existent community of Hindus and Muslims using 'kala monkey'. It makes sense that Roshan was created to bring forth the blend, not only as someone born of a mixed marriage between a Hindu father and a Muslim mother, but also of someone who is far from such illusory divides (that India still goes through) as an outsider, an American.
There were other sub-plots like the unbelievable superstition Indians steep themselves with and the romance, which converges at the last moment ... this must appeal to the intellectual movie- goers (although loosely in my opinion), if not the masses.
Delhi-6 is an icing over films like Kya Dilli Kya Lahore and Anwar, which were either bridging attempted between two individuals of separated nationalities across the border or none at all. We need many more such integrating themes, which makes people think before they act foolishly.