Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Movie Reviews by Fenil Seta
Movie Review: KISMET LOVE PAISA DILLI by FENIL SETA
07 months ago
In 2007, Sanjay Khanduri delivered a surprise called Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local. The film was wacky and bizarre and used an interesting and novel way of storytelling. 5 years later, Khanduri is back with Kismet Love Paisa Dilli which has lot of similarities with Ek Chaalis… – the protagonists fail to catch the last train, hero is trying to woo the sexy lady with the girl having hidden agendas and hero’s life getting interlinked with those of corrupt cops and goons. Once again, Sanjay Khanduri the writer come up with a fantastic story but is let down by Sanjay Khanduri the director, and screenwriter too. The film is unnecessarily stretched and many so-called ‘funny’ scenes don’t even make you laugh!
The story of the movie: Lokesh Duggal aka Lucky (Vivek Oberoi) is a Delhi-based college student with a rowing eye. While trying to ‘hunt’ a potential prey, Loveena (Mallika Sherawat), he misses the last metro back home. In an attempt to woo Loveena and save her from sadakchaap goons, he’s chased by cops who want to retrieve some tape from him. On the other hand, designer Rohit Pichwadia and his gay entourage, corrupt son of the opposition leader, the buffoonery Kaptaan Sahab (Ashutosh Rana) and his gang and Nunna (Anshuman Jha), a pizza delivery boy with extraordinary powers, too join in for hunting down Lucky, for diverse reasons. How he tackles them all and escapes in the course of one night is what Kismet Love Paisa Dilli all about.
Come to think of it, Kismet Love Paisa Dilli More >
Movie Review: ENGLISH VINGLISH by FENIL SETA
27 months ago
Although English is the link language and more and more children are increasingly being admitted in English-medium schools, there’s still a large population that still can’t speak English fluently. When they are compelled to mouth few words in English owing to social pressures, they at times make a mess of it. This has been reflected in cinema as well and the recent example being Ajay Devgn’s character in Bol Bachchan. But the character was more like a chieftain and hence his mistakes weren’t corrected or laughed upon. But in real life, such mistakes are pointed out and become butt of jokes, which can be extremely humiliating. English Vinglish also deals with this aspect and since the plot was relatable, half of the battle was already won. And thanks to debutant director Gauri Shinde’s direction and script and of course Sridevi’s bravura performance, English Vinglish turns out to be a beautiful and enriching experience. A must watch!
The story of the movie: Shashi Godbole (Sridevi) lives in Pune with hubby, Satish (Adil Hussain), mother-in-law (Sulbha Deshpande) and children Sapna (Navika Kotia) and Sagar (Shivansh Kotia). She’s an expert in making laddoos and even runs a small ‘in-house business’ of the same. Her customers swear by her laddoos but this means nothing for her family. Moreover, she isn’t fluent in English and that is a deterrent as well. The usual ups and downs were going on in her life when suddenly she is called by her sister (Sujata Kumar) to New York for More >
MOVIE REVIEW: OMG OH MY GOD! by FENIL SETA
17 months ago
I have always been a firm believer that cinema doesn’t influence society. It’s vice versa for most of the films. It’s very rare that a film manages to make a deep and tremendous impact and compels the viewer to change his/her thoughts or take charge of his/her messed up life. In the recent times, only Rang De Basanti and Lage Raho Munnabhai were the movies that affected people to an extent. To this list, now add ‘OMG Oh my God!’. Easily one of the best films that I have seen in 2012 or maybe in my life! A must watch!
The story of the movie: Kanjibhai Mehta (Paresh Rawal) is a ruthless atheist. He owns an antique shop in Chor Bazaar, Mumbai and cons his customers on the basis of their religious beliefs. A 3.9 Richter scale earthquake rocks Mumbai and in Chor Bazaar, Kanji’s shop get fully destroyed. When he approaches the insurance company, he is denied claim since according to them, earthquake is ‘an act of God’ and hence can’t be compensated. An angry Kanjibhai hence sues God! So what happens next? Will someone represent God? Or will He Himself come down? Watch ‘OMG Oh my God!’ to find out!
Upon watching the promo of the film, some viewers assumed that ‘OMG Oh my God!’ is another version of Bruce Almighty. That’s far from truth! ‘OMG Oh my God!’ is an adaptation of a play that has successfully entertained audiences over the years. Meanwhile, few were of the opinion that ‘OMG Oh my God!’ might hurt people’s religious sentiments. Again, that is incorrect. ‘OMG Oh my God!’ More >
Movie Review: HEROINE by FENIL SETA
17 months ago
I often get a jolt when I see around a decade-old or half-a-decade old film. I express surprise at the fact that why the particular actress, who then ruled the roost, is no longer seen in Bollywood. She had a fan base, was lusted by many and was a terrific performer as well. But today she’s forgotten and younger actresses have taken over. Few actresses resort to reality shows or playing supporting roles to be in limelight. Others keep on signing films, even stupid ones, hoping one of them will click. Some refuse to accept that their time is over and we saw a dangerous and horrifying version of it 2 weeks back in Raaz 3! And then there are actresses, like the one in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Heroine, who can go to any lengths for stardom. But at what’s cost? That’s the question that Madhur Bhandarkar throws to the audiences in Heroine. Though it has its moments, it’s in no way in the league of Page 3, Corporate, Chandni Bar and other memorable films of Madhur. A good film but surely not the best!
The story of the movie: Mahi Arora (Kareena Kapoor) is the talk of the town. She has just delivered a hit film and has some big endorsements in her kitty. She’s in a secret relationship with superstar Aryan Khanna (Arjun Rampal) and can’t wait for the day when Aryan will finally get divorce from Esha (Shilpi Sharma) and marry her. However, fate has other plans and their relationship is on the brink of a break-up. Her career too goes on a downfall. Mahi keeps moving on and comes across More >
Movie Review: RAAZ 3 by FENIL SETA
18 months ago
Most of the film stars have a limited shelf life. They cause a stir in the initial phase of their careers, turn out to be the next big thing and few years and couple of bad films later, they are suddenly not the next big thing anymore. Someone else (and someone younger) arrives and takes away that tag. Most of such stars come to terms and move on. They either hung their boots or get into direction, production or delve into another field altogether. Few refuse to accept that their time is over. They keep on signing films, hoping that one of them will click and bring back the glory of the days gone by. Meanwhile, their PR machinery keeps coming up with ridiculous but eyeball-grabbing stories. We all are aware of such instances and hence the connect in Raaz 3 happens instantly as soon as Bipasha’s career is introduced. Moreover, the horror scenes, the intimacy and not to forget, the 3D ensures viewers get their money’s worth! Worth a watch!
The story of the movie: Shanaya (Bipasha Basu) was once a reigning actress in Bollywood. However, now Sanjana (Esha Gupta) has taken over the throne. Shanaya turns to God but that doesn’t help. Finally, she resorts to black magic to bring back her stardom. She uses her boyfriend, popular film director Aditya Arora (Emraan Hashmi) to devastate Sanjana. Problem arises when Aditya falls for Sanjana and decides to save her from the evil Shanaya. Will he succeed?
Vikram Bhatt wowed audiences with Haunted last year. The film was ridiculed for More >
Movie Review: JALPARI by FENIL SETA
18 months ago
What a coincidence! 2 films that released this Friday bear titles that begin with ‘J’, for starters! Both films are about characters going from cities or developed places to their underdeveloped villages and trying to bring change and progress. Moreover, the protagonists in both the films were embarrassed with their folks in their respective village and were trying to shield their loved ones from going there. The similarities don’t end here. Both Joker and Jalpari boasted of an interesting idea but the respective directors turned their films into disappointing ventures! More details, later!
The story of the movie: Dev (Parvin Dabas) is a doctor in New Delhi who plans to go to his village Laxmigarh in Haryana to set up a hospital there. His mother (Suhasini Mulay), son Sam (Krishang Trivedi) and daughter Shreya (Lehar Khan) join Dev in his endaevour. Shreya and Sam expected the village to be straight out of a fairy tale. But what they encounter fails to meet their expectations. Ponds and rivers had dried up. Villagers seem to be behaving strangely. Shreya and Sam befriend Ajite (Harsh Mayar) and his ‘gang members’ who tell Shreya-Sam that a witch lives in an abandoned house beyond the hills and no one is allowed to venture to this restricted area. Those who do are believed to have got killed. But Shreya being brave and adventurous decides to head to the witch’s house. And by doing so, she unknowingly opens up a can of worms.
Jalpari is set beautifully in a Haryana village More >
Movie Review: JOKER by FENIL SETA
08 months ago
Over the years, crop circles have mysteriously appeared at many places across the world. Many people have also reportedly claimed to have witnessed aliens and UFOs. Hollywood has gone all out in making some of the most memorable films on these extra-terrestrial phenomenons. As far as Bollywood is concerned, except Koi Mil Gaya (and Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai to an extent), none of the films had aliens as the centre of attention. In that context, Joker comes out at an apt time. But unfortunately, it turns out to be an amateurish attempt. Many jokes fall flat while the second half just doesn’t come out well. Sad, very sad, in fact, especially because the premise was so interesting!
The story of the movie: 1946. Due to a bizarre incident, the British failed to put Paglapur in the map of the country. 60 years hence, the place is still not on the map. Agastya (Akshay Kumar), a resident of the village has shifted base to USA and is trying since two years to communicate with the aliens with the help of a sophisticated device that he has created. However, his efforts don’t bear fruit and he has just few days to prove his worth to the people backing his project. When he learns that his father (Darshan Jariwala) is on the deathbed, he rushes to Paglapur along with his girlfriend Diva (Sonakshi Sinha). Agastya is pained to see the village’s condition even after 60 years of independence. Moreover, none of the three states bordering it are ready to make Paglapur part of their territory. More >
Movie Review: SHIRIN FARHAD KI TOH NIKAL PADI by FENIL SETA
18 months ago
What is our first impression of a person who is 35 or 40+, very successful in his profession, happy-go-lucky but is unmarried?! Of course, the first thing that crosses our mind is either he/she’s divorced/widowed and if not that’s not the case, then ‘something is wrong with that person’! After all, how can he not find a partner yet?! The unmarried person, meanwhile, has to face uncomfortable questions about his single status from his peers and mostly older relatives (married ones, of course) every now and then. The fact that he’s successful professionally and passionate about his work doesn’t mean anything to the society! He/she’s not married till now and that’s not done! Over-enthusiastic aunties, and even uncles, go on a ‘mission’ to find a perfect match for the person and won’t rest until they succeed. That their married life is messed up is another matter though! But this is how our society works and Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi throws beautiful light on these goings-on! Add to this the comic moments and Farah Khan and Boman Irani’s cute performance and Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi becomes an ideal entertainer!
The story of the movie: Farhad Pastakia (Boman Irani), 45, lives in Mumbai’s Cusrow Baug with his ‘over-loving’ mother Nargis (Daisy Irani) and grandmother (Shammi). He’s unmarried and his efforts of finding true love are futile. Possibly, because of his profession – he works as a saleman in ‘Tem Tem Bra and Panty Store’! His family and relatives pressurize More >
Movie Review: EK THA TIGER by FENIL SETA
09 months ago
Another Eid. Another Salman release. Yet again, the excitement is immense. This time, slightly more. After all, Salman and YRF are coming together for the first time. The hit jodi of Salman-Katrina, meanwhile, is collaborating with each other after a hiatus. Exotic locales, peppy music, slick look, action, drama, chase, explosions, romance, masti and a lot more was promised by the promos and songs of Ek Tha Tiger. However, one subtle stuff promised by the trailers was that the film will be in lines of a typical Kabir Khan flick – commercial and entertaining and yet believable and to an extent, bit of realistic as well. In that context, Ek Tha Tiger disappoints. More details later!
The story of the movie: Tiger (Salman Khan) is one of the best officers in the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW). He’s single, doesn’t like to take an off and is always on the lookout for a dangerous, exciting and challenging mission. After his stint in Zakho (Iraq), his senior (Girish Karnad) sends him to a relatively safer mission at Dublin (Ireland). His job will be to simply observe Prof Kidwai (Roshan Seth), an Indian scientist suspected to be sharing sensitive and crucial information with Pakistan’s defence officials. When his attempts to even initiate a conversation with Kidwai prove futile, Tiger takes help of Zoya (Katrina Kaif). As days pass by, Tiger realizes that he’s in love…for the first time ever. However, this marks the beginning of a very difficult and harrowing time for Tiger.
The More >