Sadiyaan Release Date : 02,Apr 2010

Producer Raj Kanwar
Director Raj Kanwar
Music Adnan Sami
Writer Raj Kanwar
Lyrics Sameer, Amjad Aslam Amjad
Release Date 02-Apr-2010

Movie Review:

We rarely make desi movies these days. Palatial mansions, swanky cars, designer outfits, the latest handsets and gizmos have replaced large kothis, traditional outfits, ghoda-gaadis and makke di roti aur sarson ka saag. True to its name, SADIYAAN takes you to a different era, when the warmth of relations mattered the most, when blood was thicker than water, when promises were meant to be honoured.

SADIYAAN is set in the 1970s, but travels to the partition days. Raj Kanwar tackles a unique theme this time – of two mothers. The first is the biological mother, who gets separated from her child during the partition. The second raises the child like her own, when she crosses to India after partition. The basic premise is wonderful and you can draw parallels with Hindu mythology.

SADIYAAN is divided into two parts. The first part focuses on the love story, which falls on the predictable, mundane stuff, with the Hindu-Muslim angle thrown in. But Raj Kanwar reserves the best for the second part, when the two women meet and the story takes rapid turns. But, let’s face it, SADIYAAN is not everyone’s idea of entertainment, since the ‘multiplex junta’ doesn’t patronise desi cinema anymore, unlike the single screen audience that adores this kind of cinema.

So what’s the final verdict? Watch it if you like desi melodrama of yore, which comes alive with SADIYAAN.

SADIYAAN is a period drama based on an incident which happened during the partition. It’s the story of two mothers, a Hindu played by Rekha and a Muslim mother played by Hema Malini.

In the chaos and confusion during partition in 1947, Benazir [Hema Malini] leaves behind her child in the mansion she lived in, before moving to Lahore. The child is rescued by Amrit [Rekha] and Rajveer [Rishi Kapoor], who try hard to locate the parents of the child, but in vain. They decide to raise the child themselves.

Ishaan [Luv Sinha] falls in love with Chandni [Ferena Wazeir], who lives in the same city [Amritsar]. However, Chandni’s parents oppose the match, since Ishaan is a Hindu. Amrit and Rajveer decide to reveal the truth to Ishaan and also to Chandni’s parents.

Two commonalities in Raj Kanwar movies… One, he has always stressed on drama in his movies and SADIYAAN is no exception. Two, the maker has often worked with newcomers [SRK in DEEWANA, Aarya Babbar and Amrita Rao in AB KE BARAS and Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra in ANDAAZ] and now, it’s Shatrughan Sinha’s son Luv Sinha in SADIYAAN.

SADIYAAN has two stories running concurrently – the love story [Luv, Ferena] and the story of two mothers [Rekha, Hema Malini]. While the love story is hardly exciting since it relies on the tried-and-tested stuff, the Indo-Pak angle in the mothers’ story makes this part extremely watchable.

The best moments are reserved for the second hour, with the penultimate moments proving the mainstay of the enterprise. However, as mentioned earlier, desi themes aren’t too popular these days, except in the hinterland. Hence, a film like SADIYAAN has its limitations to cut across to a universal audience. Another drawback is that a love story should be embellished with lilting music and unfortunately, Adnan Sami’s music is a letdown.

Directorially, Raj Kanwar handles the dramatic moments with flourish, but the writing, especially the love story, is archaic. Also, what was the need to force comedy in the narrative? Cinematography is alright, but the locations are eye-filling.

Rishi Kapoor, Rekha and Hema Malini are the lifeline of the film. Rishi is top notch. Rekha is amazing, while Hema is perfect. In fact, it’s a treat to watch the two actresses share screen space after a really long gap. Luv Sinha needs to polish his acting skills. He’s slightly awkward in the first part, but decent in the second half, when the goings-on get emotional. Ferena is a decent actor, but needs to work on her makeup and wardrobe.

Javed Sheikh is appropriate. Deep Dhillon is good. Vivek Shauq is getting typecast. Avtar Gill is perfect.

On the whole, SADIYAAN is an emotional drama narrated in old-fashioned style. If old world charm still excites you, there are chances you may like this one.

Well Done Abba Release Date 26-Mar-2010

Producer Reliance Big Pictures
Director Shyam Benegal
Music Shantanu Moitra
Writer Ashok Mishra
Lyrics Swanand Kirkire, Ila Arun, Ashok Mishra
Release Date 26-Mar-2010

Shyam Benegal’s political satire, Well Done abba narrates the tale of Armaan Ali (Boman) who works as a driver with a big businessman in Mumbai. After he arrives back from his leave, his boss decides to sack him since he came back after 3 months instead of the allotted 1 month leave. It is then when Armaan narrates the story behind his 3 months absence. Armaan narrates - He had gone back to his hometown Chikatpalli in Andhra Pradesh to hunt a groom for his daughter Muskaan (Minissha) who stays with his twin brother Rehman Ali (Boman again) and his wife Salma (Ila Arun).

Buzz up!

It is then when he finds out the state government has started a special scheme under which those living under the poverty line will be given a sufficient amount to build a well on their land. But when he decides to avail of this scheme, he has to face corruption at every drop of the hat. Eventually, he ends up with literally no money in hand to dig the actual well. Reason, every single person involved in this scheme ends up looting his share of pie from the amount the government had sanctioned. But his fiery daughter decides to turn the table back on all the corrupt officials’ heads. Arif (Sameer Dattani), the motor mechanic who is silently in love with her also joins her mission. The trio’s plan works and things spiral so much out of control that the Government gets on the verge of a collapse!

Benegal’s Well Done Abba is a sweet gem that works despite no big names. A very witty film that’s very well written (by Ashok Mishra) packing in many things together that are relevant to today’s society. The satirical humour may not exactly be of the laugh out loud variety but it manages to keep you smiling throughout the film. It ends up making just the right statement on the many development projects that the government initiates but which frequently get hijacked by systemic corruption.

Only issue many may have is with the pacing of the film. The initial few reels are extremely slow paced but with the introduction of each new character, the film picks up pace. However, one feels, too much screen time is given to the forever horny couple played by Ravi Kissen and Sonali Kulkarni and their track gets repetitive. music by Shantanu Moitra works in the context of the film.

But the film works big time because of the casting. Benegal has a keen eye for roping in just the right actors for his characters and he succeeds yet again. Boman in a Hyderabadi accent is simply superb. He is very good in the emotional moments with Minissha. He is hilarious in his twin brother’s role who is a thief. Minissha Lamba finally gets that role which she can be very proud of in her career. She fits the role to the T. Sameer Dattani is very natural and likeable. Ravi Kissen brings in the laughs as the engineer who is forever in the mood of making love to his wife. Sonali Kulkarni is wasted though.

Amongst the rest cast are Shyam Benegal regulars such as Rajit Kapoor, Ravi Jhankal, Yashpal Sharma and company who excel in their parts. If one remembers the TV serial Farmaan, its pretty lead actress Deepika Deshpande makes a comeback with a cameo in this one playing Rajit Kapoor’s bickering wife. Well Done Abba is not your usual comic fare. This Shyam Benegal gives a strong message without compromising on its entertainment. Do watch this one.

Mitali Mittal vs Karan Mittal Release Date : 26,Mar 2010

Producer Dinesh Chugh, Rajeev Kore
Director Karan Razdan
Music Shamir Tandon
Writer Karan Razdan
Lyrics Shabbir Ahmed
Release Date 26-Mar-2010

The Film

Mitali Mittal vs Karan Mittal is woman centric film with the female protagonist fighting for lawful right to live as she was subjugated to domestic violence and inhuman treatment.

The Synopsis

Mitali (Rituparna Sengupta) is a middle class girl and a busy model. She dreams of a happy married life. As fate would have it, she meets Karan (Rohit Roy) who belongs to the super rich business family of Mittals. While Mitali is a homely girl, Karan is flashy and flamboyant. But somehow, Karan is very much attracted by Mitali and he goes to Mitali’s house along with his parents (Dolly Thakore and Amar Talwar) and proposes marriage. Mitali’s parents (Reema Lagoo and Anjan Srivastava) are overwhelmed and agree for the marriage.

Once married, trouble starts for Mitali particularly from her mother-in-law and also from her husband. She walks out from her in-law’s house and files a case as she was subjugated to domestic violence and inhuman treatment. She hires a lawyer (Suchitra Krishnamurthy). Karan hires a top rung advocate (Gulshan Grover) to defend him.

The court proceedings lead to a surprising climax.

The Performances

Rituparna Sengupta gives a powerful performance as the woman wronged. Rohit Roy fits his role like a ‘T’. As parents Reema Lagoo, Anjan Srivastava, Dolly Thakore and Amar Talwar give very convincing performances. As advocares Suchitra Krishnamurthy and Gulshan Grover are very effective. All others do well too in author backed roles.

The Techniques

Karan Razdan scripted and directed an intense movie about domestic violence and the entire film is very topical in the present Indian social scenario. Cinematography is profound. Editing is punctual. Music enhances the narration style. Technically this is a well made film. Production values are high.

The Verdict

Mitali Mittal vs Karan Mittal is a must see film. It is stylish and slick with sick characters torturing decent people and getting kicked for that.

Hum Tum Aur Ghost Release Date : 26,Mar 2010

Producer Arshad Warsi, Maria Goretti
Director Kabeer Kaushik
Music Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Writer Arshad Warsi, Arshad Sayed, Soumik Sen
Lyrics Javed Akhtar
Release Date 26-Mar-2010

In this peculiar fantasy of a world, a Cosmo magazine editor (great opportunity for drowning the leading lady in labels) has fallen for a refusing-to-grow-up fashion photographer. Editor (Dia Mirza, very good) and Photographer (Arshad Warsi, coming alive only during the sparse comedy), exchange sentimental `i love yous’ in every sentence. There’s a parallel track about his assistant (Sandhya Mridul) who he insists must wear mini dresses; irked, the editor girlfriend drinks up and does a hot number on the dance floor with him. Okay.

Moving on, the leading man realises he can see dead people. As is the case with most films of this genre, a psychiatrist is summoned who instantly says he is 'hallucinating due to exhaustion', and then spits out the 's' word.

Nowhere in the film, however, are we in a quandary whether he’s indeed suffering from schizophrenia or can he really connect with spirits. The ghosts put forth their requests to him; he agrees hoping they’ll stop harassing him thereafter. The requests range from playing cricket to marrying Aishwarya Rai – an attempt at caricaturing the ghosts for laughs. Finally, a lady ghost pleads with him to help her find her son, whom she’s been searching for 30 years; while the girlfriend gives him an ultimatum to shape up or ship out.

While the first half is about too little, the second tries cramming in too many things. The story doesn’t have enough substance to thrive through the running time, which is why the viewer is worn-out much before the finale.

Hum Tum Aur Ghost doesn’t know what it wants to be – a frothy romance, a dark comedy, or an Arshad-Warsi-starrer (his first production, this).

Of course a film can be all; but here, it’s none. The romance is tiresome because of weak characterisation, the comedy is laboured, and Warsi has done far better. Situations are repeated endlessly, from the ghost track to the insipid romance. Speaking of character sketches, they’re implausible. Working and living aboard, the characters choose to converse with each other in flawless Hindi.

Also, the editor’s rarely working (she’s sifting through glam photographs most of the time, yet picks up an excellence award) and mixes the personal with professional, firing her boyfriend for an assignment because he didn’t return her calls. Armaan’s graph appears slightly more fleshed out, because he has more screen-time. Heck even the ghosts appear, disappear and reappear indiscriminately.

Kabeer Kaushik (Chamku, Sehar) tells the story in an inhibited manner, playing by the rules, even adding an unwarranted emotional angle. But then the credit for this film gone wrong must also be shared with Arshad Warsi who is responsible for the screenplay-dialogue of the film. Admittedly a few witty dialogues combined with Warsi’s mumbling delivery style do crack you up – but that’s hardly a cause to spend two hours plus on an otherwise convoluted picture.

It's a Man's World Release Date : 26,Mar 2010

Producer Vijay Pereira, Rishiraj Handa
Director Rishiraj Handa
Music Gaurav Issar, Saurabh Sengupta
Writer Saurabh Sengupta
Lyrics Saurabh Sengupta
Release Date 26-Mar-2010

Like any successful entrepreneur, Vishal Rana (Mohsin Akhtar) has a blueprint for wealth creation. Though his mode of operation may not be found in a best-business-practices manual, his vision has plenty of takers. “It’s A Man’s World” is a compelling story of the hopes and dreams of his recruits who come to Mumbai from small towns in pursuit of a single-minded goal: To make big money and to make it quick. Perhaps, the one thing they have in common with their dollar-eyed counterparts in India’s premier B-schools.

Shakti is the erstwhile heart throb of teenyboppers in a sleepy town in Punjab. His father’s business goes bust, drowning the entire family in debt. Hoping to cash in on his chocolate boy looks, he makes the long trip to Bollywood. But barely gets beyond the casting couch. True, he steadily builds up a fan following, but it’s only at the local dance bar. And his nearest rival is a sex worker named Dimple. A woman he can’t help falling for despite their constant bickering.

Mikhil, from Uttar Pradesh, dreams of marrying his childhood sweetheart, but the murder of his father at the hands of land-grabbing relatives shatters his rose-tinted world. He seeks the help of an uncle in Mumbai to rebuild his future. Betrayed again he lands a profession that could easily set him up for life, but also ruin the chances of living with his one and only love, Lali, happily ever after.

Krish is very close to his mother. The fact that his father batters her has only strengthened the bond between mother and son. Determined to save her from such sustained cruelty, he escapes to Mumbai in search of a life that he can flee his mother to in the shortest possible time. He prospers swiftly enough to plan his mother’s journey to a new beginning. But will she approve of the means he’s chosen to this well-intentioned end?

Ranjit left Bihar as an eleven year-old to work as a domestic help in the city. After years of abuse at the hands of his paedophilic master, the boy discovers another way of making a lot more money to send back home.

To each of them, the hard-wired Vishal is a saviour - in a slave-driving, whip-cracking, ruthless sort of way. Much like aggressive managers that the over-ambitious corporate world breeds, Vishal is willing to do harm to achieve his objective. He’s prone to violent outbursts and undermines others without remorse. But the boys remain grateful. He has groomed them and given their small-town personas an urban makeover and a shot at easy wealth.

Until Aditi enters into Vishal’s life. And so the saga continues, this constant intertwining and unraveling of Dreams, Hopes, Reality - the very strands of our existence – pulling together to shape the evolving tapestry of life. It’s a Man’s World puts forward the shocking lives of male prostitutes blended with the humane and emotional side of the flesh trade.

My Friend Ganesha 3 Release Date : 26,Mar 2010

Producer Baba Arts Limited
Director Rajiv S. Ruia
Music Amjad Nadeem
Writer S. Sachindra
Lyrics Shabbir Ahmed
Release Date 26-Mar-2010

My friend Ganesha – Naughty Niceness

In the third of the series of Ganesha movies, we have Ganya (Rahul Pendkalkar), an orphan left at the mercy of his uncle Naagesh (Sayaji Shinde) and aunt Chandramukhi (Himani Shivpuri). They aren't kind to him and in fact the only reason they are even keeping him with them is because he is the heir to lots of financial goodies. So when he runs away they are pretty uptight about their 'wealth' slipping away.

Ganya runs away and hides inside the jolly Shamsher's lorry. Shamsher, afraid of the liabilities that a kid brings along drops Ganya off at a Ganesh temple where as luck would have Gangu Tai wife of Shamsher and a bubbly female who longs to have a child takes him home.

But Ganya is soon found out by Bala (Makrand Anaspure, the pesky little brother of Chandramukhi, and taken to the Haveli where endless hours of being behind locked doors and serving his uncle and aunt are in store. Ganya is heartbroken and as taught by his surrogate mom Gangu Tai, prays to lord Ganesha to take him back to his 'Aai'. Lord Ganesha is impressed and appears to him. He frees him from the locked room and helps him go to his Aai's home.

However back at the Haveli we have another Ganesh (courtesy the miracle of lord ganesha), who also happens to be lookalike of Ganya, wreaking havoc and chaos. He is making everyone dance to his tunes. However, this is not enough to drive away the evil aunt and uncle. It takes a proper Bollywood 'ishtyle' fight complete with bamboo sticks for them to finally get the message. We have a happy ending when Ganya ends up with Gangu Tai and Shamsher with the grand Haveli all for themselves!

Yay…

The clean cut entertainment value of the film can be quoted as its USP. The Tom and Jerry kind of antics are adorable!

The color scheme of the film is bright. Perfect for kiddos at whom the film is aimed.

Ever heard a Ganpati bhajan with a bhangda twist? You'll catch it on this one.

All of the actors, especially the kid Rahul Pendkalkar, have done a splendid job!

Yawn…

My friends Ganesh-3 is being touted as an animation film. However, there's not much of it in the film. And whatever is there lacks luster and is amateurish.

The story seems to be a reverse of Cinderella with the evil twin angle tossed in…

Yes or no?
The film is a lot of fun, laughter and entertainment. Something the entire family can enjoy.

Rating: ***

Prem Kaa Game Release Date : 26,Mar 2010

Producer Ashok Kheny
Director Ashok Kheny
Music Raju Singh
Lyrics Javed Akhtar, Kiran Kotrial
Release Date 26-Mar-2010

Story: Arbaaz Khan gets the seven-year-itch when his wife, Tara Sharma goes to Mysore on family business, with their precocious kid. Can't blame him, since the no-brain neighbour, Madhuri Dixit, literally throws herself on him, with her funny mission of finding love, not marriage.

Movie Review: Sad. Salman Khan tries so hard to add some humour to this humourless film. But nothing seems to work. Neither the apology of a plot that tries to preserve the sanctity of marriage amidst extra-marital flings. Nor the plethora of comic actors, headed by Johnny Lever, who ironically make you cringe with their loud, crude, no-laughing-matter acts.

Try figuring out what the filmmaker means when he likens marriage to a public toilet and wives to an internet virus. Maybe Tara Sharma and newcomer Madhuri Bhattarcharya might be able to shed some light on the similes, as they try and keep pace with Arbaaz Khan's wooden antics.

Confused, Unimaginative. Avoidable.