Queen Review from BollyWood Hungama!!!

You enjoy a movie even more if it has the unforeseeable factor adjoined to its premise. Thankfully, a number of storytellers in Bollywood are aiming to surprise, shock and charm you with attention-grabbing yarns you haven't witnessed earlier on the Hindi screen. Some get it right, some don't, but what needs to be lauded is the effort to break the mould, to go beyond the stereotype. Vikas Bahl's QUEEN also dares to push the envelope.

The promos of QUEEN bring back memories of TANU WEDS MANU, partly because the protagonist [Rani] seems like a distant cousin of Tanu. But let's get one thing clear: The presence of Kangna Ranaut and North India setting apart, there's no commonality between TANU WEDS MANU and QUEEN. However, one can draw parallels with ENGLISH VINGLISH, since Shashi in ENGLISH VINGLISH and Rani in QUEEN are vulnerable and low on self-esteem, but eventually find their own voice once they resolve to venture out on their own accord.

QUEEN is about a shy and timid girl who travels to Paris and Amsterdam for her honeymoon all alone, when her beau calls off the wedding at the last minute. A quirky concept, yes. But this coming of age story is indeed enjoyable, despite the hiccups.

First, the premise! Rani [Kangna Ranaut] hails from a Punjabi family in Delhi. She has led a sheltered life, having been surrounded by her over-protective, but caring parents, doting grand-mom and younger brother Chintu. Rani is introduced to Vijay [Rajkummar Rao], the son of their family friend. Vijay is attracted to Rani and woos her relentlessly. Eventually, Rani gives in to Vijay's charms.

Vijay and Rani get engaged. Vijay is posted in London, but when he returns to Delhi for the wedding, he's a changed man. He calls off the wedding at the eleventh hour. Rani is heartbroken, her family is shattered as well. Rani resolves to take charge of her life. She decides to go on her honeymoon to Europe. All by herself...

QUEEN starts off as yet another attempt to encapsulate the middle class Punjabi set-up [based in New Delhi yet again!], replete with resplendent song-and-dance spectacle prior to the wedding, but quickly changes lanes as Rani sets out for Paris. Steering away from the conservative route of the woman wallowing in self-pity, Vikas Bahl tells Rani's story with insight and understanding and along with his team of writers [screenplay: Parveez Shaikh, Chaitally Parmar, Vikas Bahl] injects loads of optimism, besides spirited and lively episodes, to portray Rani's emotional rollercoaster journey.

What really works is the way Vikas presents Rani, his lead character. Rani [in her 20s] is no bimbette or abla naari, is stuck somewhere between tradition and modernity, but has a mind of her own. Her experiences outside the comfort zone [on foreign land], the interaction with varied people she encounters in Paris first and Amsterdam later, the atmospherics... the writers unfurl a tale that's utterly believable, besides creating a colorful canvas that's brimming with characters who are *not* cardboard cut-outs. Sure, a couple of episodes may seem quirky, but gel wonderfully in the scheme of things.

Having said that, QUEEN isn't fool-proof either. The bloated run time -- almost 2.30 hours -- acts as a roadblock. Also, the story stagnates in the second half. Besides, there are too many songs, especially in the first hour. As a result, the film feels elongated and also indulgent at times. Thankfully, the film is back on tracks towards the closing stages, when Rani meets Vijay in Delhi. The final act is indeed brilliant!

There seems to be an overdose of songs [Amit Trivedi] here. 'London Thumakda', 'Hungama' and 'O Gujariya' are effervescent compositions, while a couple of tracks only add to the run time. Cinematography deserves special mention. The DoP [Bobby Singh; additional cinematography: Siddharth Diwan] captures the sights and sounds of Paris and Amsterdam wonderfully. Dialogue [Anvita Dutt; additional dialogue: Kangna Ranaut] come across real.

It's hard to take your eyes off Kangna, who captures the nuances of her character spot-on. She's simply outstanding! Even when the goings-on appear stretched, Kangna doesn't miss a beat. The earnestness and sincerity she invests in her performance is for all to see. Additionally, the deglam look and the attire [jeans, kurtas, sweaters, handbag] makes it so believable. It won't be erroneous to state that she turns Rani into the most real woman you've encountered on the Hindi screen lately. Rajkummar Rao sparkles in a role not many actors would've dared to take up, while Lisa Haydon is simply delightful and supremely confident, complimenting Kangna through and through.

Mish Boyko [as Olik], Jeffrey Ho [as Taka], Guitobh Joseph [as Tim] and Marco Canadea [as Marcello] contribute wonderfully to their respective parts. The actors enacting the part of Kangna's parents, especially the grand-mom, are lovely.

On the whole, QUEEN reinvents the genre with its non-formulaic screenplay and skilled direction. A charming little film, this one's made with heart and feeling and it shows. Absolutely recommended! 

Rating:****

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/563941

Rajjo Review from Bollywood Hungama!

Rating:**1/2

 

The getting together of numerous talents in a project instinctively raises the expectations from that film. Have a look at the wonderful talent associated with RAJJO: Kangna Ranaut, Prakash Raj, Mahesh Manjrekar, Jaya Pradha, Upendra Limaye, Uttam Singh [music], Binod Pradhan [cinematography], Muneesh Sappel [production design] and Vishwas Patil [writer; who makes his directorial debut with RAJJO]… Each one of them has proved himself/herself in their respective area of work, besides winning laurels and awards for their meritorious efforts. Expectedly, one hopes RAJJO to strike a chord.

Women empowerment is being stressed upon and women-centric themes are on the rise on the big screen. The Hindi film industry has often mirrored realities and Vishwas Patil's RAJJO, a woman-centric film, attempts to portray the story of a young woman who is pushed into the flesh trade by her near and dear ones, but she puts up a brave fight against the oppressors and emerges triumphant eventually. A well-intentioned film, indeed!

Rajjo is a love story set against the backdrop of the kothas of Mumbai. It attempts to unravel the journey of a nautch girl Rajjo [Kangna Ranaut]. At this juncture enters the college-going cricket champion Chandu [Paras Arora], who belongs to a middle class Maharashtrian family. It's love at first sight for Chandu. Rajjo too gets drawn towards him subsequently and love blossoms.

Begum [Mahesh Manjrekar], a eunuch, runs the kotha. When Begum gets to know of Rajjo and Chandu, she gets them married. Handa Bhau [Prakash Raj], a corrupt politician, desires Rajjo and creates havoc in Rajjo and Chandu's lives. After facing innumerable hurdles, but handling every moment with dignity, Rajjo overcomes the impediments eventually.

RAJJO has an attention-grabbing premise and like I stated at the outset, is well-intentioned too, but the screenplay could've been far more riveting. While the first hour is plain ordinary, the director reserves the best for the post-interval portions. To give the credit where it's due, the second half does boast of several engaging episodes, but the writing tends to get foreseeable at times, which dilutes the impact slightly. Yet, the conviction with which Vishwas Patil has made the film needs to be lauded, since the message he tries to convey is praiseworthy.

Ideally, the music should've been one of the strong points of the film, but barring a track or two, the soundtrack is mediocre. Binod Pradhan's cinematography captures the look of the film right. Muneesh Sappel recreates the red light area of Mumbai with authenticity. Dialogue could've been hard-hitting. Nonetheless, the writers have abstained from using abusive language, cuss words or vulgar content, which is a plus. The director has also stayed away from incorporating titillating visuals or sensuous sequences, which could've deviated your focus from the issue.

Having proved her mettle in films like GANGSTER, WOH LAMHE, RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI, TANU WEDS MANU, FASHION and KRRISH-3, Kangna makes a sincere effort to look the character, enacting her part with grace and elegance. Also, she looks lovely in Indian attire. The biggest revelation, however, are her dancing abilities. She scores brownie points in that department. Paras Arora makes a worthy film debut. He's confident and self-assured, despite being pitted against reputable actors like Kangna, Mahesh Manjrekar, Prakash Raj and Vipin Sharma.

Although Prakash Raj does try his level best to portray the evil side, one feels the talented actor is getting typecast in villainous characters. Mahesh Manjrekar is, as always, first-rate. Upendra Limaye shines in the sequence when he narrates his past, while performing an encounter. Swati Chitnis leaves a mark. Vipin Sharma doesn't get much to do. The actor portraying Prakash Raj's sidekick does a commendable job. Veterans Jaya Pradha, Dalip Tahil and Avtar Gill are effective in cameos.

On the whole, RAJJO is a well-intentioned movie made with gracious objectives of drawing one's attention to the genuine issues that plague the society. However, its release timing seems inopportune. The clash with a biggie like RAM-LEELA may sideline this well-meaning film

 

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/560699 

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Krrish 3 Review from NowRunning!

Rating:***

Statutory Warning: The below mentioned review does NOT cater to the die had fans of the superstar superhero Hrithik Roshan and his films.

At the outset, the third installment of the sci-fi series - Krrish 3 looks like a dish straight out of a Michelin star restaurant but as you sink your teeth in it takes you to a road side stall and as you proceed you find the dish much worse that what the stall offers too.

Keeping up with the spoon-feeding tradition that our Bollywood filmmakers religiously follow, the movie starts with a quick recap of what ensued in the first two parts - Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish - and explains how the story proceeds in Krrish 3, it's as if you'd be lost in the "complexity" of this futuristic saga if you aren't fed with the prior data of India's first superhero.

Krrish 3 Pictures   30 Pictures

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Moving on, Krrish (Hrithik Roshan) is now happily married to Priya (Priyanka Chopra) and lives with his father Rohit (Hrithik again). Life's good for this local superhero who resolves daily petty crimes until the perils of an evil mind Kaal (Vivek Oberoi) start looming large on him. Kaal, along with the help of his "maanvar - a mix of human and animal" troop, is out to destroy the human race by spreading a deadly virus. The genius scientist Rohit then is asked to create an antidote which he successfully does too but it comes in the eyes of Kaal who then is out to destroy the master mind Rohit. How Krrish protects his family, saves his city and destroys Kaal is what follows through the rest of the plot.

All throughout the film I kept wondering who does this movie cater to? The multiplex audiences have all seen X-Men and Dark Knight series to know where the ideas of saving the "Gotham city" or having "maanvars (mutants)" come from. It isn't hard to identify that Kaal is nothing but Professor X meets Magneto or Frogman nothing but Toad or even Kaya (Kangana Ranaut) a shape-shifter. 

And for the single screen, small town mass, the story is so regressive and of the '80s that I am sure the dialogues of the superhero like, "mere pass har pita ka aashirwad hai," (I have the blessings of every father) are going to be nothing but yawn-inducing. 

The intense labour of the father-filmmaker Rakesh Roshan to give India it's very own superhero can be seen. The visuals in the movie are far superior to any sci-fi movie that's ever been made in India. The CGI (Computer Generated Imagery) work is spell-binding making the action sequences in the film a complete visual delight. But it's the laxity in the story aspect that spoils the fun. The cliched Bollywood masala infused with pathetic sound tracks that keep coming in gaps is what ruins your movie viewing experience. Only if Roshans could spend a few bucks more and hire a good writer the film would've made for a classic home-grown superhero saga.

Hrithik Roshan as the superhero bores you this time around with his cheesy sugariness and it's Kaal's devious plans that you want to see with excitement. Vivek Oberoi delivers tremendous performance and everything right from his looks to his acting is laudable. Similar is the case with Kangana Ranaut who is fantastic as the shape-shifter Kaya. Her latex suit, her hair and her walk are absolutely apt for her part and so is her acting. Priyanka Chopra as passable. 

Krrish 3, in summation, scores top marks for the visuals but takes serious beatings in the story and hence ends up disappointing you.

http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/10029/bollywood.hindi/krrish-3/4451/review.htm

Rajjo Review From now Running!

Rating:*(Poor)

There can only be two reasons for Kangana Ranaut to have taken up a film like Rajjo:

1 - She was drugged while signing it.

2 - The producers were happy to offer her heaps of money that too during her lean phase in which this desperate-for-work-actress took up films like Rascals, Double Dhamaal etc.

There can be no other reason why an actress who has immense potential and acting talent would take up a film which has no script, skewed thought and tattered execution.

Rajjo Pictures   52 Pictures

43 More Movie Stills. Click to View All

Rajjo takes off with the introduction of Mumbai's infamous seedy lanes of dance bars and bar girls. With a garish introduction on equally jarring background score, clearly making you brace yourselves over what's to follow throughout the film, comes the dramatic entry of Hande Sahab (Prakash Raj - who repeats his creepy-cum-funny act for the zillionth time). He wants Rajjo (Kangana Ranaut) at any cost and hence comes to the doorsteps of Begum (Mahesh Manjrekar) to take her away. However, we are told that Rajjo had eloped with her lover. What follows is a predictable flashback of how a curious 21 year old young boy Chandu (Paras Arora) lands into a brothel in a bid to 'turn into a man' but falls in love instead with the most popular courtesan. How the two unite throughmarriage but yet face societal rejection is the rest of the plot which tries to find its way whilst getting squashed into multiple pointless sub-plots.

IAS Officer cum collector turned filmmaker Vishwas Patil may have intended to pass a social message with his film hence the gritty subject, however, the film instead of doing any good only makes matters worse for the audience is sure to come out angry at the poor representation of events. 

The main plot, though highly predictable, is a simple one liner where a young boy falls in love with a star courtesan and wants to rescue her from the ruthless world by marrying her. However, it's the disjointed sub-plots throughout the film that makes a mess of a predictable storyline too. 

There are characters in the film and their back-stories, for example, the suspendedinspector and his encounter tales, which have no relevance to the main story but yet takes up ample screen time. Half way into the film it appears the filmmaker doubted he'd get another chance to make a movie hence stuffed everything into one film without doing justice to any plot.

Kangana Ranaut, who just won ample appreciation for her performance and dialogue delivery in Krrish 3, is at back to her faulty self again in this film. It's partly her character sketch and the flawed director and partly her imperfect dialogue delivery that makes one hate her throughout the film but rest assured she is still the best thing in the film. Her efforts in gyrating to the mujra beats can be seen. 

Patil tries to make a hero out of his male lead Paras Arora and it's the inexperience of the newcomer that makes his performance over the top. 

The production quality of the film may be the worst this year. The sets throughout the film appear garish and gaudy. Some parts literally remind you of low budget regional films. 

Music and background score is hackneyed and horrible. The songs which are in plenty sound very old and dated while the background score highly melodramatic. Even the '60s phase sounds new-age compared to this trite album.

Rajjo has many shortcomings making is an easy skip. Filmmaker Vishwas Patil not only fails to extract performance from an actress like Kangana but also fails miserably in putting together a film which can be watched.

http://www.nowrunning.com/movie/12258/bollywood.hindi/rajjo/4465/review.htm