Friday, August 30, 2013

Satyagraha: Friday (Day 1) Box Office Collections

Satyagraha, starring Amitabh Bachchan-Kareena Kapoor-Ajay Devgn-Manoj Bajpai-Amrita Rao, had an above average occupancy on its opening day at the Domestic Box Office. The film’s screen count was approx 2400-2500 and made a business of around 11 crores on 1st Friday i.e. Day 1 at the India Box Office.
Amitabh Bachchan in Satyagraha Movie Stills
Amitabh Bachchan in Satyagraha Movie Stills
Multiplexes and single screens both fared more or less similar. Being a political drama set in Madhya Pradesh, this Prakash Jha directorial raked up a good moolah in the CI circuit and Delhi/UP circuit as well.
Satyagraha’s box office performance remained stable in the morning and afternoon shows. However, it showed massive pickup in the evening and night shows resulting a good Day 1 collections.  The movie will surely pick up today and tomorrow, as the word of mouth publicity is strong and growing stronger!

Satyagraha Has A Good Occupancy On Day 1 | Box Office

Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha opened to an above average occupancy in most circuits on the day of its release. The morning shows recorded an occupancy in the range of 70%-80% at most single screens whereas the multiplexes saw a little lower occupancy in the range of 50%. But, overall the start is good for this multi-starrer, despite getting mixed reviews from the critics.
Amitabh Bachchan in Satyagraha Movie Stills
Amitabh Bachchan in Satyagraha Movie Stills
The film is heavy on star value with the presence of actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn and Kareena Kapoor, there are mixed reviews on the film. However, it might manage to withhold a mass appeal given the volatile theme of corruption and its effect on people. A raging issues in the country right now, the occupancy is expected to grow over the later shows and the weekend

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Box Office Predictions: Satyagraha

Last four weeks have been rare instances of films enjoying a solo release for themselves and Satyagraha is last of the season before multiple films start hitting the screens week after week. After Chennai Express, Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! and Madras Cafe, this Prakash Jha directed film is yet another solo release of the week and it would be looking at making a killing out of the platform meted to it.
Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn And Amrita Rao in Satyagraha Movie Poster
Satyagraha Movie Poster
The film appears to be yet another hard hitting tale from the director and since it is being pitched as Raajneeti 2 now, expectations have gone further up. Moreover, the film has an A-league cast comprising of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpai which makes it quite attractive on the face value. Since the film isn’t one of those quintessential masala, family, action or comedy affairs, it can’t be expected to show houseful boards all over from Day One. However it is the kind of affair which should see good escalation with word of mouth as the opening day settles down.
The film is also important for Ajay Devgn since it arrives after Himmatwala and also marks his reunion with Prakash Jha. The year so far has seen multiple genres turning out to be successful at various degrees. A social affair, Satyagraha could well join the league though the kind of scale and setting that the film bears warrants that it has a good run at the box office. Since this isn’t the kind of film which is made primarily for an opening weekend, Satyagraha would have to see a good run in theatres. It would be interesting to see if it adds on to UTV’s dream run after Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Chennai Express.

Satyagraha Review

Rating: 2.5/5 stars (Two And Half Stars)
Director: Prakash Jha
What’s Good: A well intentioned social drama.
What’s Bad: Over dramatic, fractured script and a plot that goes haywire.
Loo break: Too many!
Watch or Not?: Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha is an altruistic film with a clearly positive motive at heart. However, with a script that drags, characters that are both predictable and caricatures Jha has made you familiar with in his previous films, this one is a tiresome tirade!
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Dwarkanath Anand (Amitabh Bachchan) is an upright, moralistic man who has his principles in the right place. The film begins with a clash of ideologies between Dwarka and his son Akhilesh’s (Indraneil Sengupta) friend Manav Raghvendra (Ajay Devgn).
After Akhilesh dies in a mishap, a local minister announces a compensatory amount for Akhilesh’s wife Sumitra (Amrita Rao). Despite taking innumerable trips of the local office, she is unable to procure the amount given the corruption at a grass root level. An agonized Dwarka slaps the collector following the face-to-face debacle! Though he is imprisoned, Manav along with local politician Arjun(Arjun Rampal) and journalist Yasmin (Kareena Kapoor) trigger off an entire campaign against corruption by mobilizing the masses of the city!
Inspired from the real life instance of Anna Hazare’s Jan Lokpal Andolan, Satyagraha blends fact, fiction and slices from history to make a well intentioned film.
Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn And Arjun Rampal in Satyagraha Movie Stills
Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn And Arjun Rampal in Satyagraha Movie Stills

Satyagraha Review: Script Analysis

The story that I was expecting to be gritty ended up grating my nerves. Coming from Prakash Jha, a man whose Damul ranks amongst my personal favorites, the fan inside me was severely bruised. This is a poorly researched film that bends below his standard. Maintaining a politically righteous stance, it is commendable that the man has given his take on corruption, but for most part the script is both frustrating and convoluted.
Based on Anna Hazare’s campaign, the story lacks the usual gripping tendency that Raajneeti or Chakravyuh had. Anchored on real life events, the director played safe with a politically correct ending that lectures you against turning rebellious.
There are far too many flaws than I can point. Ajay’s character had a strong driving force and perhaps the most meticulously written one. The local leader, the widowed daughter-in-law and even the renowned journalist are all mere shadow of characters without any real conviction in place. If they weren’t actors you knew, they would easily settle into being extras. The romantic track between Ajay and Kareena is stark, sudden, unexpected and absolutely an unnecessary diversion in the story. Their (cheat) kissing scene will crack you up. Being the same actors who brought soul to their characters in Vishal Bharadwaj’s Omkara, their chemistry was utterly dull in this film.
At many crucial places in the first film’s first half, you’ll lose interest. There are a very unintended comic moments that I recommend you don’t miss for the sheer lameness. ‘Jantaaaa Rockkssss’ is a rock song which professes the power of common people. I really wish Prasoon Joshi had used some other words than these!
Manoj Bajpai still remains the same scheming antagonist playing a character with the same shades, only a different name! It’s a surprise he hasn’t got bored of playing the same role over and over again! Frankly I am tired of watching him do the same feat all the time! Given his talent, he might consider putting it to some better use.
I was hounded by a plethora of visions while watching the film. Prakash Jha’s previous films and Anna Hazare’s campaign apart, you’ll be reminded of the ‘Chauri Chaura’ incident which dismissed Gandhi’s popular Non-Cooperation Movement. Somehow the ending seemed very similar to Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Rang De Basanti, just a little less impactful and diluted version of it. A messy hotch potch of too many issues, Satyagraha failed because of an overambitious plot that couldn’t encapsulate the zest of its theme lucidly.

Satyagraha Review: Star Performances

Amitabh Bachchan with a colossal screen presence towers over most of the other characters. He still talks, walks and speaks like a superstar, no wonder he is called the Shehenshah of Bollywood.
Ajay Devgn is adequate in his role, but fails to render the required dramatic punch to it.
Kareena Kapoor is nothing like the veteran Christiane Amanpour, her character was rumored to be essayed on. Hard to decipher her philosophies, the script invests very little time ensuring she has an ample role to present a counter view.
Arjun Rampal settled for an unusually flimsy role and after seeing him as Rudra Pratap Singh in D-Day, I feel Jha could not efficiently bring out the impulsive side that he intended to evoke from him ala Raajneeti.
Amrita Rao is shaky and definitely looks overshadowed by the other brilliant actors on screen.
And lastly, Manoj Bajpai is a bellowing, scheming, sly politician – a role he has mastered after regularly playing it in Jha’s stints. He is near perfect in his portrayal but the wickedness of the character remains unjustified!

Satyagraha Review: Direction, Editing and Music

Prakash Jha furthers his prevalent problem and he still shies away from making a notoriously compelling point. From a confident filmmaker like him, who ventures into risky terrains of bold cinema that are social commentaries, his characters have become stereotypical – an upright man of values, a young counterview of the same (a consumerist in this case)  and a turbulent scheme of things! Still the philosophical dilemma is gripping in parts, mostly in the film’s second half. The impact of the powerful moments are rather ephemeral and a very few scenes manage to touch you. The scene where Dwarkanath breaks down at the spot where his son died is pristinely shot, but sadly Jha gives us these overwhelming tinges in rarity this time. The screenplay is shackled and the editing is shadily done as the film treads at a tedious 150 minutes plus show. The music is mediocre and nothing except ‘Raghupati Raghav’ will give you goosebumps.

Satyagraha Review: The Last Word

Prakash Jha’s Satyagraha is a weightless film that leaves by a transitory impact on its audiences. Wasting the enigma of such talented bunch of actors, the film with its overbearing story and its erratically structured plot lacks the much needed blaze. Emerging as a warped product of political correctness with an unconvincing climax, somehow the entire product had the stench of unbearable staleness. It wasn’t a terrible film, just not the promising Prakash Jha venture you might have wanted to watch. I am settling for a 2.5/5 for this film. You might have to drag yourself to hear the lecturing saga on corruption, but it is bearable only for a one-time shot!

Satyagraha Trailer


Satyagraha releases on 30th August, 2013.

Salman-Aamir’s Andaz Apna Apna’s Animated Version Shelved?

One of the Bollywood’s best comic capers that has managed to carve for itself a cult status, Andaz Apna Apna is facing troubles with its animated 3D version. Filmmaker Rajkumar Santoshi who had directed the film was keen on the animated version. But the film’s producer Siddharth Jain told a leading daily that the 3D version of this comic flick has chances of getting shelved due to monetary crunch.
Andaz Naya Naya Movie Poster
Andaaz Naya Naya Movie Poster
The film that was being made on 15 crores budget has been reportedly kept aside for the time being, citing reason that animation is still not so overwhelming popular in India and Indian animated films have limited business prospects. The film, that was 35% complete, also had Salman Khan agree on lending his voice for the film. However, the producers felt there was a lack of market for the animated version in India and hence, the project is shelved for now!

Phata Poster Nikhla Hero New Poster Out

There has been immense hullabaloo about how mesmerizing the box office collections of Chennai Express are. While a section of the audiences are celebrating the triumph of their favorite star’s box office victory, the intelligentsia has been mourning the celebration of moronic film replete in gags. I had maintained the safe way out by deciding to abandon my brains just before I entered the theater to watch Chennai Express and I managed to scrape out with a passable entertaining time. However, the ‘hate’ comments of our loyal readers haven’t stopped coming in ever since. And with Chennai Express surpassing the box office records created by 3 Idiots, the looming question remains – do good content films get their due value from box office?
Let’s direct our attention to the much touted 100 crore club of box office. With 22 films in the club, there is a real dearth of impressive concepts in the club that epitomizes success of films. What exactly is a successful film – a content rich, refreshing film that is hard to forget or a blunder like Aashiqui 2 which dishes out the same old wine in a new bottle? The reason why I cared to mention Aashiqui 2 is because the film has recorded the highest profit this year, without entering the “100 crore club”. Personally, business prospects and cinematic aspects are distinctly different, cinema these days focus exceedingly on business rather than on content.
Chennai Express And 3 Idiots Movie Poster
Chennai Express And 3 Idiots Movie Poster
In many of my columns I’ve pointed out to the distinction between a thorough commercial film and decadent intelligent film. But it is only recently that the gulf between these films have become more apparent. I have been fed on the pedigree of Bollywood and respecting commercialism is inherently in me. As Neo realist pioneer of India, Satyajit Ray pointed out, “Film is the highest form of commercial art!” Bollywood has literally personified commercial cinema for years. Be it films like Sholay or Don, there is a visible presence of effervescent writing and refreshing ideas.
But the problem with commercial films these days is slack and stale writing that has nothing new to offer in terms of content. Stories more or less settle on similar plots and commercial films work mainly either for their stunts or their star value. Amongst the 22 entrants in the 100 crore club, 6 are either completely lifted or rehashed versions of South flicks – namely Singham, Ghajini, Son Of SardaarRowdy RathoreReadyBodyguard. While Race 2, Don 2Housefull 2 and Golmaal 3 are franchises which rely mostly on their successful predecessors to work into hits! Bol Bachchan and Agneepath are both remakes of old Hindi films which we might end up watching simply for the nostalgic feel. And in the end, there are those films which work mostly because of its star value. Be it Yash Chopra’s last film Jab Tak Hai Jaan or old flames coming back together in Ek Tha Tiger or Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, the reason why these films worked despite the lack of a fresh script is simply because of star value and sleek direction.
There are rather few films in the 100 crore list which really have made a place on the basis strong plot. Anurag Basu’s Barfi!, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra’s Bhaag Milha Bhaag and mostly Rajkumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots have claimed the place more for the plot of their films and less for the star value of it.
Even if Chennai Express has managed to surpass the box office numbers of 3 Idiots, it is indeed not a cue for people to thrash 3 Idiots saying how Aamir Khan is a lesser star than Shah Rukh Khan. Though hero-worship is quite a trend in our industry, it would be better if script looms as the hero in the larger picture of cinema. And as for box office numbers, they have never been indicative of good films.
The most celebrated films of Bollywood have been underrated at box office. In the end, it is the films that linger on in our memories. Chennai Express might rake up way more than 3 Idiots in the domestic circuit, but when one has to name the most memorable films of the decade, it wouldn’t even stand a chance. Human brain is thus, in the long run it manages to dissipate the fragile and remember the strong. When it comes to cinema, the best of films are the only ones that sustain over the content drained, quick hefty earners, that fail to carve a place!
I am not ashamed to say that a 3 Idiots or a Barfi or even a Bhaag Milkha Bhaag will establish itself in my memory far more strongly than the flimsy likes of Chennai Express or Ek Tha Tiger, which I’ve already forgotten. And for our readers, box office numbers are not slaps on critics. In the words of LA Times’ critic Kenneth Turan, “Critics are not meant to be applause meters! Everyone goes there, it must be the best theory doesn’t apply to films at all. We judge on variant criteria than audiences, that’s our job!”

Singh Saab The Great’ Brand New Posters Revealed

Some todu, action-packed posters of Singh Saab The Great has been revealed, featuring the original Dabangg actor – Sunny Deol. SSTG is a story about a common man, who takes pride in his honesty. He leads a simple life and believes in true values.
Sunny Deol plays a Collector of a small city of UP, who fights corruption, injustice. The story is driven by love and its strength. It is a story about Change not Revenge.
The film is slated to release on 22nd November 2013.
Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great Movie Poster Pic 1
Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great Movie Poster Pic 1
Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great Movie Poster Pic 1
Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great Movie Poster Pic 2
Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great Movie Poster Pic 2
Sunny Deol in Singh Saab The Great Movie Poster Pic 3

Box Office Predictions: Satyagraha

Last four weeks have been rare instances of films enjoying a solo release for themselves and Satyagraha is last of the season before multiple films start hitting the screens week after week. After Chennai Express, Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! and Madras Cafe, this Prakash Jha directed film is yet another solo release of the week and it would be looking at making a killing out of the platform meted to it.
Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn And Amrita Rao in Satyagraha Movie Poster
Satyagraha Movie Poster
The film appears to be yet another hard hitting tale from the director and since it is being pitched as Raajneeti 2 now, expectations have gone further up. Moreover, the film has an A-league cast comprising of Amitabh Bachchan, Ajay Devgn, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpai which makes it quite attractive on the face value. Since the film isn’t one of those quintessential masala, family, action or comedy affairs, it can’t be expected to show houseful boards all over from Day One. However it is the kind of affair which should see good escalation with word of mouth as the opening day settles down.
The film is also important for Ajay Devgn since it arrives after Himmatwala and also marks his reunion with Prakash Jha. The year so far has seen multiple genres turning out to be successful at various degrees. A social affair, Satyagraha could well join the league though the kind of scale and setting that the film bears warrants that it has a good run at the box office. Since this isn’t the kind of film which is made primarily for an opening weekend, Satyagraha would have to see a good run in theatres. It would be interesting to see if it adds on to UTV’s dream run after Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani and Chennai Express.

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Chennai Express Makes 170% Profit At The Box Office

Chennai Express, that made a whooping 202.50 crores business at the Domestic Box Office in a short span of time, is now the Biggest Grosser Of All Time. Made on a budget of approx 75 crores, the movie has seen a profit margin of 170% and with that the film stands at No. 6th position at the ROI (Return On Investment) List.
Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai Express Movie Stills
Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai Express Movie Stills
This SRK-Deepika Padukone starrer has surpassed Arshad Warsi-Boman Irani starrer Jolly LLBwhich holds a profit margin of 167% at the Domestic Box Office.
The film going by its great pace at box office and tremendous likeability factor will surely cause more ripples on the Koimoi ROI list in the weeks to come!

Not ‘Mental’, Not ‘Jai Ho’; Salman’s Next Titled ‘Azaad’?

There have been immense speculations about Salman Khan’s upcoming flick which was tentatively titled Mental. However, there was no official confirmation from Sohail Khan, Salman’s brother who is directing him in the film, regarding the film’s title.
After much talk of the film’s name being changed to Jai Ho, sources are now revealing that the production house have now zeroed on the title Azaad which might also be Salman’s name in the film.
Salman Khan
Salman Khan
Essaying the titular character, this will be an immensely important film for Salman who will be returning after more than a year on the eve of Republic Day in 2014.
Be it Jai Ho or Azaad or even Mental – Salmania magic will be enough to run the venture!

Madras Cafe: 1st Saturday Box Office Collections

Madras Cafe on its 1st Saturday saw a massive pick up at the box office. The film’s collections on the second day swelled and the estimated earning was in the range of 7-7.5 crores. The film’s total collections have snowballed to 11.90 crores at the domestic box office.
John Abraham in Madras Cafe Movie Stills
John Abraham in Madras Cafe Movie Stills
Shoojit Sircar’s caliber at creating a political thriller is stellar and that is perhaps the most persistent reason why Madras Cafe has been received positively by critics. The film performed well in urban zone and multiplexes, whereas the single screens were lukewarm in receiving it.

Thursday, August 22, 2013

Chennai Express Made More Than 100 Crores Profit

Chennai Express has maintained its earning spree at the box office and despite its lavish budget, the film has managed for itself hefty profits. Approximately made on a budget of 75 crores, the film has earned off a profit of 117. 25 crores at the domestic box office so far. The film’s profit rate so far rests at 156%.
Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai Express Movie Stills
Shah Rukh Khan in Chennai Express Movie Stills
In almost 2 weeks of its run at the theatres, the film has smashed the pre-set records of box office. It has already surpassed other major releases of the year namely Shootout At Wadala, Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Kai Po Che! and Chashme Baddoor and is currently at Number 7 position on Koimoi’s List of 2013′s Movies with Best ROI.
Koimoi.com Bollywood Box Office – 2013 Movies With Best ROI
(all-India net collections) (in Rs. crores)
Koimoi analyses the profit and loss measures of each film that is released, keeping a close eye on the investments made on it. The profit margins of the films are calculated on the basis of the film’s return on investment (ROI). ROI is calculated by the number of times a movie earns over its production and marketing costs. Contrary to popular belief, 100 crore club is not the index of profit or success. But it is the ROI the film garners that makes it lucrative of profit incurring as a venture!
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ROI Rank
Movie Name
Producer
Cost* (Crores)
Lifetime India BO (Crores)
ROI
(BO less cost)
(Crores)
ROI multiples
ROI/COST%
1
Vishesh Films/T-Series
12
85.40
73.40
612%
2
Dharma/UTV
45
190
145
322%
3
UTV
12
46
34
283%
4
Excel Entertainment
11
36.50
25.50
232%
5
Vishesh Films/Fox Star
7
20
13
186%
6
Fox Star
12
32
20
167%
7
Red Chillies Ent. & UTV
75
192.25*
117.25
156%
8
Balaji/White Feather Films
26
62
36
138%
9
Bhaag Milkha BhaagViacom 18 & ROMP50102.5052.5
105%
10
and
UTV
and
Viacom 18/Shomaker
25
and
20
50
and
40
25
and
20
100%

OUATIMD Crosses 50 Cr Mark After 1st Wednesday At The Box Office

OUATIMD maintained a steady pace on its 1st Wednesday at the domestic Box Office. This Akshay Kumar starrer has raked an income of approx 4.10 crores yesterday, taking its total domestic collections to 53 crores at the Box Office.
With this the movie has now surpassed the lifetime collection of Kai Po Che!that made a business of 50 crores at the Box Office. OUATIMD now stands at No. 9 position at Koimoi’s Top 10 Indian Movies 2013 list.
Sonakshi Sinha in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! Movie Stills
Sonakshi Sinha in Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai Dobaara! Movie Stills
The film hasn’t lived up to the overwhelming buzz that was around it. It could have performed way better had it not faced the clashing with Shah Rukh Khan starrer Chennai Express.
However, the film majorly failed due to a bad script and dull performances. Failing to enthrall like its prequel edition, it was almost a damp squib. Milan Luthria who has delivered many hits for the same production house before has now delivered a fairly unimpressive feat!
Koimoi.com Bollywood Box Office – Top 10 Indian Movies 2013
(all-India net collections) (in Rs. crores)
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Bollywood 2013
Box Office Positions
Movie
Lead Stars
Directors
India Nett Collection
in Crores
1
Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone
196.75*
2
190.03
3
Farhan AkhtarSonam KapoorDivya DuttaPavan Malhotra, Yograj Singh, Rebecca Breeds
 Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
103.50
4
Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, John Abraham
Abbas Mustan
102
5
85.40
6
Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Kajal Aggarwal
Neeraj Pandey
70
7
Aanand L Rai
62.75
8
62
9
53*
10
50

Box Office Predictions: Madras Cafe

Two years after Force, John Abraham is returning in a solo action avatar with Madras Cafe. This time around he is producing the film as well while reuniting with Vicky Donor director Shoojit SircarMadras Cafe has an altogether different stage and setting though as it is set as an intriguing dramatic action thriller.
Box Office Predictions : John Abraham in Madras Cafe Movie Stills
John Abraham in Madras Cafe Movie Stills
The film’s promos indicate that an exciting affair in the offering though to begin with, the target audience is upmarket multiplex crowd. This isn’t one of those ‘masala’ action affairs where gentry is expected to clap and whistle. Instead, action is a part of a narrative which should cater primarily to those who have followed and appreciated cinema of this genre coming from Hollywood.
This means that from critical acclaim perspective, the film should see a Thumbs Up. Also, while one doesn’t expect horde of audience stepping into auditorium from the very first show, it should see a good escalation in the evening and then during the weekend owing to target audience footfalls.
The film would primarily see a comparatively larger multiplex presence since a large share of the single screens would be occupied by  Chennai Express and Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbaai Dobaara!.

Madras Cafe Review

Rating: 4/5 stars (Four Stars)
Star cast: John Abraham, Nargis Fakhri and Siddhartha Basu
Director: Shoojit Sircar
What’s Good: An engrossing monologue which excavates one of India’s most overbearing conspiracies left back in the dusty pages of history.
What’s Bad: There is no commercialism, which has been smartly avoided so as to not dilute the subject matter. Music, background score has been kept limited to create any unwanted flavor to the drama than the story already contains. They are not really negatives just slightly deterring for the general public.
Loo break: None
Watch or Not?: Shoojit Sircar and John Abraham have teamed up again to come up with one of India’s most bold and matured political thrillers! Designed with a deep rooted sense of urgency, the film builds an overwhelming tale around the darkest phase of the Lankan Civil War that marshal to conclude with a rushing end which we are all familiar with. In between the flashbacks and conspiracies, Madras Café is a film with a gritty, convincing and engrossing plot that will revel in its ability to leave you with an uneasy and helpless feeling!
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Vikram Singh is deployed on a covert oppression to Jaffna. After India and Sri Lanka signed the peace accord in the mid 1980s, India took it as their mission to help its neighbors relieve themselves from the ethnic strife between the Sinhalese and the Tamils. Hatching a plot to bring down Anna, a popular Tamil leader in the zone, Vikram begins with trying to team up with Anna’s opponents in the beginning.
Falling prey to a leak, he loses his first shot with Anna and gets kidnapped by his forces! However, now hell bent on getting Anna to bow down, he teams with Anna’s own men and manages to ambush his army. However, Anna manages to survive and returns even more powerful by eradicating Indian forces off Jaffna and Lanka.
Plotting ways to kill the former Indian Prime Minister fearing that he will return to power, the film is a tussle between the war makers to safeguard their interests! And for Vikram, it is the story about how India lost its Prime Minister in an assassination which the nation has still not forgotten!
John Abraham in Madras Cafe Review (John Abraham in Madras Cafe Stills)
John Abraham in Madras Cafe Stills

Madras Cafe Review: Script Analysis

Recreated out of real life instances, Sircar doesn’t cheat us at any level. His story is a dramatized version of real life instances, with the parallels so apparent that they aren’t very difficult to decipher. There are no false jingoistic traps laid or judgment calls commanded. Luckily for the good of its audiences, the film invokes a strong sense of realism largely as the director doesn’t waste time in creating ornate sham of filmi-ness. The script itself gives very few problems to hang around as it envelopes a rather clear cut story which is a coalescence of history and drama which is a quasi fictional account of India-Lanka Peace Accord which culminates into the death of Rajiv Gandhi.
Writers Somnath Dey and Subhendu Bhattacharya dynamically build a piquant movie which has a stirring premise. Folding in well the background of ethnic strife in Sri Lanka, the film carefully holds its ground with an antagonist whose motives are beyond power. The film’s forte is how it tells such a volatile story with utmost sensitivity without taking sides. It is pro human and definitely not anti any group, culture or leader.
The unlikely twists and pauses build consistently the right aura and mood of the film. Keeping it somber and dull, the film’s pace is rightly packed with thrills. In no part of the film is there a single dull moment which sags or falls loose. It has no allegations or derogatory remarks but a simplistic narration of the course of events. The film’s trajectories don’t foster any shade of righteousness and strictly refrains from evoking any wrong sentiment.
The drama factor doesn’t take fancy to over the top melodrama thankfully; its pace doesn’t slack or the momentum of its happenings doesn’t veer away. Our hero is a faltering human who doesn’t end up saving his wife or the life of the Prime Minister who is slayed eventually. It is this realistic approach that popular cinema misses and Shoojit Sircar, along with his writers, whose toiling at assembling the film’s skeletal groundwork shows in terms of the film’s clarity, have put up a bravura show! 

Madras Cafe Review: Star Performances

John Abraham as Vikram Singh topples all his previous performances. He isn’t a very flattering actor but his clever choice of role and wicked acting surely shows a remarkable improvement. He isn’t the John who couldn’t emote. He is the John who isn’t afraid to take up challenging roles and carry them out gracefully.
Nargis Fakhri with her British accent is confident. She may not be a show stealer but does her bit with élan retaining the correct persona for it.
Siddhartha Basu is quite a natural as he smoothly slips in the role of R.D. His intelligence shows in his eyes, and he manages to command respect in his character! Never stepping a wrong stone, the man should have taken up acting long back!
The supporting actors are all impressive but in the end, this film is more about its intent and plot than about its actors!

Madras Cafe Review: Direction, Editing and Music

Shoojit Sircar is back after a long hiatus since Vicky Donor. He strings into the same plot, the emotional wreckage and physical devastation of war to emphatically put forth the futility of it all. In the climax, Shoojit concludes with, “One man’s revolutionary is another one’s villain!” followed by a few stellar lines of Tagore! Truly, in the clashes of mindsets the only people who suffer are commoners who seek only peace and happiness from their lives.
As Lankan leader Anna strives to garner power and Indian Government attempts to achieve their political motive of maintaining monopoly in the subcontinent by maintaining friendly relations with Lanka to obtain access into the South East Asia, Sircar wonderfully relates the story of anarchy, bloodshed and meaningless war which continued for 27 long years killing thousands. In the end, he does have a potent message about the nugatory nightmare of the wrath of war! Shoojit intelligently executes a crisply written story which is executed breathtakingly. The editing of the film is quite well done, as the docu-drama style stir up any boredom. Shantanu Moitra’s music is pristine and haunting as the climax wraps up with Papon crooning Maula Re.

Madras Cafe Review: The Last Word

Madras Café is a hypnotically created masterpiece which thrives in the freshness of its conception. Using history with drama to build a persuasive tapestry of enthralling action, energetic plot and skillful narration of the grim phase of Lankan War, Shoojit Sircar astonishes with this fascinating docu style dramatic movie. I am going flatly with a 4/5 this triumphed work of passionate and compelling cinema.

Tuesday, August 20, 2013

Abhinav Kashyap & Remo D’Souza’s Special Appearance In Besharam

Ranbir Kapoor starrer Besharam has some special appearances in the title track of the film. The title track features the director of the massy film, Abhinav Kashyap and the director-choreographer, Remo D’souza.
Ranbir Kapoor in Besharam Movie Stills
Ranbir Kapoor in Besharam Movie Stills
After the track Batameez dil being a chart-buster and getting popular among the audiences with Ranbir’s moves choreographed by Remo D’souza, the actor-choreographer duo is back again to create magic in his next film; Besharam’s title track.
The superstar, Ranbir Kapoor insisted that Abhinav and Remo should be a part of the song. In fact, the actor choreographed the shot with Abhinav and Remo.
The trio had an amazing time while shooting for the song and the song will surely be a treat to watch for all the crazy fans of Ranbir Kapoor as he puts on his dancing shoes yet again.

Akshay Kumar Pulled Over By New York Cops

It seems like stars need to prep themselves for all kinds of sticky situations while travelling these days. Sources close to the actor revealed that Akshay Kumar had to face the New York Police Department on his recent trip to New York! So what charge was the Khiladi booked under?
Akshay Kumar
Akshay Kumar
Reported by Zoom, Khiladi Kumar was leaving a mall post a shopping spree when he was halted by an NYPD officer! When asked to pull over and confirm his identity, Akshay Kumar got a little worried. Much to actor’s relief the reason for this pull over was that the officer was a huge fan of the star and wanted to play a prank on the biggest prankster of Bollywood!
An admirer of Akshay’s perfect comic timing and wit, the officer knew exactly who he was and later requested him for a few pictures as well!
Akshay may have been the godfather of pranks on his film sets but it seems like his fans have gone a step further in reality! ‘