My Take On CITYLIGHTS - 'Your Heart Will Melt For This Deeply Moving Poignant Saga'

CITYLIGHTS is a film about a poor man who from Rajasthan migrants to Mumbai along with his wife and daughter to earn a better livelihood. Its a story which our people can relate to as this is quite a common phenomena in our country. Most of the poverty stricken inhabitants of small villages head to big cities to change their fortune and improve their living standard. Here the protagonist also aims for the same but as luck would have it, he and his family face troubles one after another in the city of Mumbai and their survival becomes a hell. Ultimately the situation that comes in our lead's life is thoroughly melancholic and will leave your eyes wet. This is however the reality in today's cruel time. What works in this realistic drama are the engaging moments and genuine performances. Hansal Mehta has treated this film with utmost sincerity. He is a fine director and he proves it again. Talking about the acting, Rajkummar Rao is a natural performer who owns the part he plays in his films and this time too, he is damn good. Carrying on his Shahid form, he delivers a remarkable turn as Deepak Singh. You will feel for him in his sorrow. Patralekha has also done a splendid job. She is utterly believable in the portrayal of Rakhi, Deepak's wife. Also Manav Kaul as Deepak's supervisor is a complete revelation. Music by Jeet Ganguly is tuneful. Songs like Muskuraane Ki Wajah, Soney Do touch hearts. Cinematography is nice, background score alright. But i should say technical wise, it isn't as terrific as Mehta & Rao's last outing SHAHID for which both of them won national awards. This one does suffer from some flaws in terms of logic. For e.g, how could a naive reluctant person sans any background get selected in a security firm?, then why don't police appear post several unlawful acts committed? These things have not been justified in the movie. Anyway, leaving these small hiccups aside, CITYLIGHTS is a beautiful emotional film that mostly succeeds in winning hearts.

My Rating - 3.5/5

Not the best yet one of the better films Bollywood has witnessed this year.

My Take On MARDAANI - 'A Smart Paced Thriller That Roots For Women Empowerment'

Sex trafficking and Girl abuse are two of the serious issues our country is dealing with at present. These offences are highly disturbing as lives of the innocent youth & children especially girls get ruined. This movie focuses on how the young girls become prey of the above mentioned offences by the crime doers who sexually exploit them and do their smuggling for money but fortunately there is a saviour in Rani Mukherjee who plays an emotional yet hard hitting cop, ultimately saves the girls from this mess. Directed sharply by an experienced Pradeep Sarkar MARDAANI is a sensitive thriller worth appreciation. The pace of the film binds you till the very end thanks to its tight screenplay which has a gripping story. Thrills, actions & dialogues all are nicely done boasted with solid performances even from the bit players. However its Rani who is definitely the heart of this terrific film. She fits into the character of Inspector Shivani Roy and nails it totally. Its good to see her in such a powerful role and i hope she continues to do fine movies like this on a regular basis. She is no less than a Dabangg or a Singham. Also worthy of applause is the acting of newcomer Tahir Bhasin who shines in this film as the king pin of sex trafficking. The telephonic conversation scenes between Rani and Tahir stand out. There is nothing much to say about the music but the background score is just superb. There are hardly any flaws in this strong and taut movie except for a dramatic finale which however doesn't damage the show.
On the whole, MARDAANI is an important film that has been made well. It deserves to be seen by all to understand the essence of women in everybody's life. It promotes women empowerment and we all must support and encourage the same. 

My Rating - 4/5

Please do watch this film. Its one of the best ones to come out in 2014.

My Review Of HAPPY NEW YEAR Trailer - 'Colorful Entertainer On Its Way This Diwali'

Happy New Year, doubtlessly, is one of the most awaited biggies of 2014. It has a gigantic star cast featuring Superstar Shah Rukh Khan in the lead along with Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood & Vivaan Shah. Its being directed by Farah Khan who in past has given Blockbusters like Main Hoon Naa & Om Shanti Om(both starring SRK). The much talked about trailer of this grand diwali release came out recently. Its lavish, glamorous and larger than life with 6 insane, frolic but determined characters aiming to rob a resort on the eve of New Year, that's why their motto is called 'Mission Happy New Year'. SRK obviously, is playing the leader of the gang. He's looking in great command with fabulous persona and carries phenomenal charm & unbeatable charisma as always. He totally dominates the show. I believe this is gonna be his most snazzy act till date. Deepika sizzles with her oomph factor and seems to be humorous in the movie.Once again SRK-Deepika promise to show great chemistry. Also both Boman Irani & Sonu Sood are having a blast with mad fun. Abhishek meanwhile, doesn't do anything much in it and ditoo for the young Vivaan. But together they all(IndiaWaale) shine as an enjoyable unit. There is also Jacky Shroff as the antagonist. So overall, Happy New Year trailer brings smile and enhances huge expectations. I personally loved it. Now will it worth its hype? Will it emerge as the Biggest Blockbuster of all time? And most importantly, Will it amuse the audience in real sense? These are the questions that remain in our mind and hopefully the answers of these will be all positive considering Farah makes movies to entertain people and her combination with SRK has been fantastic so far. Thus, Happy New Year is likely to be a sure shot winner at the box office and will make a place in people's hearts this diwali.

My Take On SINGHAM RETURNS - 'Too Long, Usual And Repetitive Still A Worthy Successor To Its Predecessor'

I went to watch this sequel to one of 2011's Blockbuster Hits, Singham with not so much great anticipation as i didn't quite find its promos attractive yet to be fair, i didn't come out disappointed. This Rohit Shetty-Ajay Devgn combo has its plusses with some powerpacked moments, high octane actions & stunts, massy one liners and the storyline that deals with a noble subject. However the problem is its way too much dramatic plus that couldn't justify the well intentional plot. But then this is a Rohit Shetty film at the end of the day. So over-dramatization in his films is bound to happen as he always sets the aim to woo audiences and not critics. Still its length is its biggest drawback. I mean Mr.Shetty could have easily made it shorter by 15-20 minutes or so. The scenes featuring Ajay-Kareena doing romance don't impress at all. Also the comic ones are strictly dull and fail to provide genuine laughs. One can't say the same for its action and emotional parts though. They are worth viewing indeed. If i Will about the performances, then expectedly Ajay Devgn in his 'Singham Avataar' has made a huge roar once again. He is compelling in the film. But Kareena is awfully annoying. Only a few good lines have come her way. A very fine talent like Amole Gupte does well but he deserved a better & more powerful role than what he has got in this one. And Daya(the highly popular CID fame inspector) leaves a lasting impression here. I loved him in that 'Darwaaja Tod' moment for which he is immensely famous, and i am sure everyone must have or will.
Music of this film is not bad i must say as both Ankit Tiwary & Jeet Ganguly give a nice track in each. The Honey Singh number which comes in the end is just okay.
Thus, this is a typical Rohit Shetty entertainer which despite its flaws, manages to be called as a respectable sequel. Both the film & Ajay Devgn will be rejoiced by the single screen movie viewers.

My Rating - 3/5 (Wanted to give an extra half but didn't, mainly because of the film's length & repetitiveness)

Go for it friends!!!

Why SHAH RUKH KHAN Is A Complete Actor!

Shah Rukh Khan also known as SRK is a 

worldwide phenomenal figure who represents Bollywood as a major superstar. His stardom is unmatchable and craze is unbeatable. He within his 23

 years of career so far has given a plethora of memorable films as well as some real gem performances. He has shown immense versatility over the years by successfully attempting & justifying diverse genre of roles. People often carry a notion that SRK is only good at romantic films and not the same in other spheres. But the truth is that he does equally well when he tries something different from doing romance. In fact i would say that, he has given standout acts in almost all genres. Apart from wooing audience's hearts in many unforgettable romantic movies such as the evergreen Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, (which is one of his and Indian cinema's most iconic love stories), the classic Devdas, the endearing Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the timeless Dil Toh Pagal Hai or the recent swan song Jab Tak Hai Jaan, he has proven his mettle as a solid actor in thrillers like DARR & BAAZIGAR, patriotic tales like CHAK DE INDIA & SWADES, action flicks like DON & DON 2, family dramas like KABHI KHUSI KABHIE GHAM & KAL HO NAA HO and entertainers like MAIN HOON NAA & OM SHANTI OM. Also his performance in KABHI HAAN KABHI NAA is touted as one of his genuine finest. Moreover, his portrayal of Rizwan Khan in the film MY NAME IS KHAN clears what a fine performer he is. It was probably the most toughest male oriented part ever played in Bollywood but SRK did that with marvelous ease & panache. He won all the awards for this brilliant act that year. And from awards and recognitions point of view, one shouldn't have any query about how many of them SRK has achieved till date. He has won a record number of more than 200 awards globally. Among them he has 15 filmfare trophies, out of which 10 are for the best actor category(8 popular ones, 2 critics). That's just sensational! 

Thus its correct to opine that SRK is not only a popular entertainer we have in our films rather a very corking artist who is quite capable of pulling off almost every role. If he has perfectly charmed the ladies & the youth with his dimple, smile & charisma then at the same time he has also got standing ovations for his several robust performances by all including critics.

Hence, SRK without any doubt is a complete package and that's why he is called the "King Of Bollywood".

My Take On KICK - 'Only Salman And South Films Lovers Will Love, Others Will Find It Mere Average'

Salman Khan films are all about massy entertainment sans any logic or substance. The screenplay in his films have no major role to play. They are only meant to woo the masses and earn huge at the box office. Kick comes under the same genre but with an international style cinematography and picturization. Like Salman's last outing JAI HO, this one is heartwarming at places especially when its climax reveals the noble saga behind Salman's mission of getting kick which is his life's motive but unfortunately the film gets a poor treatment thanks to an uninspiring screenplay coupled with Nadiadwala's amateurish direction.  First half is thoroughly dull till pre interval point where the movie rises up to an interesting mode. In 2nd half the film improves after the entry of Nawazuddin Siddiqui but doesn't quite have an edge of the seat moment or thrill that will leave the audience spellbound. Rather it drags, puzzles here & there and makes u feel bored(if you are a non Salman fan). Climax is good though as it sets the heart at right place yet on a total, its nothing more than a so-so venture. Performance wise, Salman Khan has an indescribable style & magnificent screen presence. He is in form and delivers a quite to charm his fans. Jacqueline meanwhile looks stunningly hot but falls flat in acting. Randeep Hooda plays his part with utter sincerity. Saurabh Shukla does well in providing comedy. And Nawazuddin Siddiqui once again like in every film, shines as expected. I loved his performance the most. He shows cunningness with marvelous humor. Music is just about average with only Jumme Ki Raat & Hangover come out as hummable. Action scenes are well shot. Some stunts impress. Cinematography is top notch but  Nadiadwala's direction lacks command.

Thus overall, Kick is a moderate entertainer. It has some typical Salman elements, flashes of Dhoom series, stylish locales but not proper elegance.

I rate it a generous 3 out of 5.

For all Salman & South Films followers, it will be a treat. But for others like me, its an one time watch experience.

My Take On HUMPTY SHARMA KI DULHANIA - 'A Fun & Timepass Rom-Com'

This youthful romantic comedy has been inspired from bollywood's most iconic & loved love story DDLJ. So its a tribute HSKD pays to the memorable SRK-Kajol starrer. The film starts breezily with several frolic moments shared by its lead pair thanks to their humorous conversations that provide laughs through out the 1st half. But post intermission the movie couldn't quite sustain its delicious touch even though it tried. Particularly the climax which doubtlessly is funny & emotional yet never the less so unconvincing. The problem in script here is that just to make this rom com unique from others, it fails to justify its happy ending. I mean how the almost broken relationship of the leads converts into an union? This is not answered by the director. However,  this film is still watchable for the chemistry Varun & Alia have shared. They look cute & refreshing together and also act nicely. Varun is immensely likeable as Humpty who does well in both comic & romantic part and plays emotional scenes impressively. Alia too is a treat to watch here. She is ethreally adorable & utterly believable as the bubbly Kavya. The role suits her aptly. Among the side performers, Ashutosh Rana is terrific, Gaurav & Sahil(the two friends of varun) are thoroughly entertaining. Sadly though, Siddharth Shukla the TV hunk has nothing much to do in a special appearance. The music given by Sachin-Jigar & Toshi is overally enjoyable. Songs like Samjhawan, Lucky Tu Lucky Me & D Se Dance are hummable.

Thus the debutant director Shashank Khaitaan under Karan Johar production has altogether made a half good amusing love story that can be viewed once or twice. But i don't think it will be quarter as unforgettable as DDLJ or even like Jab We Met. Still its pretty much a sweet, engaging film that mainly works because of its two fresh & endearing protagonists.

My Rating - 3 / 5

Give it a chance friends!