Dum Maaro Dum | Movie Review | Critique

For some good reason, I always find the plot of Abhishek Bachchan's movies very interesting and for some real bad reason, he screws up most of them. Luckily, in Dum Maaro Dum AB was not the culprit. A shabby and overtly cliched script laced with stupid and unrealistic drama screwed it up all. After an interesting first half, the half baked script ruined it totally.

A cop with shady background and a family tragedy is given top job to screw everyone with 'stuff' in Goa. Then there is a tycoon who proclaims himself to be a humanatarian and does the 'stuff' business in hindsight. Then there is a kid who is arrested for smuggling the stuff and there is a supporting friend who wants to save him. Lots of intelinks and cliches in lives of people plus lots of loop holes in the plot. This is Sippy's movie? They made Sholay, if I am not wrong. First 30 minutes into the movie, you like it because Prateik delivers an amazing performance. As AB enters the picture, DMD becomes a more sophisticated version of Saif's Race. As Rana comes into scene story settles for a while but Bipasha's portion is raw shit. A tycoon with no personal security, yes Aditya Pancholi is no where close to his best as an villain in Striker. He is fat and appears comical when he tries to be dangerous.

Music is ok. Cinematography is good. Among all, Rana and Prateik were impressive. Rest were just forgettable. Story is too dramatic and though they try hard to keep it a secret, little thinking will reveal everything in the first half. Atleast, it happened to me. Direction is poor. And yeah... this movie is low on action, low on content... and what not.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Raavan Movie Review | Critique

Rating -2/5 stars

Often comes a movie, that makes you feel the rush of excitement before you enter the cinema. But when you come out you feel disappointed. Raavan made me feel the same thing. The premise of the film is not without promise but the execution is silly to say the least.

For example, if Govinda plays modern day Hanuman, does he have to fly over trees? Does Abhishek Bachchan have to do his stupid jhak-jhak-jhak act to tell us he is crazy (and frankly it doesn't work)? Does Aishwarya Rai have to say the corny line to Vikram, "Get a good mahurat and kill off this Raavan"? Do the characters have utter the word raavan every half an hour? This are the kind of things that come to your mind when you are watching. In some scenes it seems difficult to believe Mr. Ratnam directed this movie. AR Rahman's music has been wasted songs at times seem forced

Abhishek Bachchan clearly does not fit in to the role of Beera for most parts. Aishwarya Rai is good in parts, but her dressing corners on vulgar at times. Vikram, ah! He is the only saving grace of the film, He plays Ram with negative shades. The fact is he seems more menacing than Abhishek in whole of the film which should have been other way round. I seriously wish to see the other version in which Vikram plays Raavan, He has an excellent screen presence. Govinda and Ravi Kishan are good but they too overacted in some scenes, especially Govinda.The actress who plays Supnakha has performed excellent in every shot she is in.

"So, is there not anything good in this movie?" you may ask. Thankfully the answer is no. The cinematography is excellent. Though design of Beera's den did remind me of Cuppola's "Apocalypse Now" starring Marlon Brando. Set design is superb. The are scenes that have the spark of Mani's brilliance. The scenes of married Vikram and Aishwarya have that physical chemistry, as it should be between to people in love. The scenes in which Abhishek lusts for Aishwarya have immense sexual tension

There are some diamonds in Raavan but they are buried into much rubble to make any difference.

P.S. Every film this yearfor which we have waited has disappointed. Lets hope rest of the year does not disappoint. (But when Anurag Basu and Mani Ratnam fail then there isn't much left to expect right?)

Written By Ali Naqvi

Raavan by A R Rahman | Music Review

I dont know if its destiny or pure coincidence that I am coming back on ReelMag reviewing my favorite, A.R.Rahman's work , that too for Maniratnam, which is ofcourse not by chance that His best music has been reserved for him. It’s largely traditional folk-based music, with a modern touch but it will take time to grow on you.

1. Beera : Congo beats welcome you to the world of Beera, the main character. Lyrics by Gulzar are situational and might be more appreciated after the release of the movie. Singing by Vijay, Mustafa are first class with vocals by Keerthi adding drama to the track. A typical Rahman’s experimental with fusion of Indian and Afro music.


2. Behne de : A slow start song, but as it gains pace, oozes melody from start to end. Gulzar’s striking metaphors are a treat to listen to and visualize. Karthik has given his best performance ably supported by Mohamed Irfan.

3. Thok de Khilli : A mixing pot of dholaks, guitars & shenai, takes a start as a dance number. Sukhwinder Singh adding his exotically rich voice and energy with an Arabic essence in the in-between phrases. But not a hit in the offering.

4. Ranjha Ranjha : My favorite in album, fusion of peppy modern beats and traditional folk. Rekha Bharadwaj’s sufi type chanting of "Ranjha Ranjha" is phenomenal blended very well with Javed Ali’s voice and amazingly written lyrics by Gulzar.The richness of Rahman’s music is undescribable.

5. Khilli Re : The only romantic track in album. It is a mix of contemporary music with retro, quite reminiscent of the 80s romantic songs. Lyrically it has nothing special to offer but melodiously crooned by the first-timer Reena Bhardawaj.

6. Kata Kata : A distinct Rajasthani folk has the essence of euphoria with layer upon layer of mind-boggling notes. The multi-faceted singers energize the song, thanks to the folksy lyrics.

Raavan music has variety, class and rustic flavor that deserves repeated listening to be fully appreciated. But one thing, which never before happened with Rahman, that some songs have some similarity to one of his previous compositions, Ranjha – Maiya (guru), Kata – Azeem o shaan (jodha akbar), Behne de – Tu meri (jaane tu).
 
Written By: Neha Jain