Action Replayy Release Date : 05,Nov 2010

Producer Vipul Shah
Director Vipul Shah
Music Pritam Chakraborty
Writer Suresh Nair, Aatish Kapadia
Lyrics Irshad Kamil
Release Date 05-Nov-2010

To recreate the bygone era and tell a story about it is nothing short of a challenge, and that's exactly what director Vipul Shah is out to achieve with his latest outing Action Replayy.

Time travel stories are no longer alien to Bollywood. We have had our share of movies where characters have either travelled into the future or into the past.

In Action Replayy, one of the protagonists travels into the past because he feels only if he betters the past will his family live in harmony in the present.

Special: All about Action Replayy

Action Replayy does not share any similarity with David Fincher's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button [2008]. However, the film does bring back memories of the outstandingly executed Back to the Future, a 1985 American science-fiction film directed by Robert Zemeckis.

The only difference is that the character played by Michael J Fox accidentally goes into the past, but in Action Replayy, the boy seems to be on a mission.

A light-hearted rom-com with a dash of sci-fi thrown in, Action Replayy should be viewed without really seeking much rationale or logic behind every action and reaction.

Of course, Action Replayy is no perfect film, for it has its share of blemishes, which actually curtails its growth to an extent.

Bunty [Aditya Roy Kapur] loves his girlfriend Tanya, but runs a mile whenever she mentions marriage. His phobia with matrimony stems from his parents Kishen [Akshay Kumar] and Mala's [Aishwarya Rai Bachchan] acrimonious marriage.

But now Bunty is in a fix. Tanya's grandfather, Professor Anthony Gonsalves [Randhir Kapoor], has given him an ultimatum - get married to Tanya or stop seeing her. Bunty knows that unless he does something fast, his dreams of living happily ever after with Tanya will bite the dust.

As Bunty's surprise party for his parent's 35th wedding anniversary deteriorates into yet another explosive fight between Kishen and Mala, he decides to turn back the clock and rewrite Kishen and Mala's destiny and alter their disastrous marriage into a romantic affair of the hearts.

And how does he do that? By using the professor's time machine to travel back in time. To a time when Kishen and Mala were not married. To a time when Kishen's father Rai Bahadur [Om Puri] and Mala's mother Bholi Devi [Kirron Kher] were sworn enemies.

To a time when Kishen was a certified nerd, bullied merciless by Kundan [Rannvijay]. To a time when Mala couldn't stand the sight of Kishen and took great pleasure in ragging him.

Images: Akshay & Ash ride the 'love scooter' | Akshay Kumar turns DJ | Preview: Action Replayy

Bunty has to transform his father from a wimp into an eligible bachelor and his mother from a tomboy into the epitome of feminine grace. Then he has to attempt the impossible - make them fall in love with each other.

And finally he has to make his grandparents agree to their love marriage.

Doesn't the synopsis sound really good on paper? But the question is, has the director executed the wonderful story idea with panache and have the writers come up with a taut screenplay?

Action Replayy is the fifth film Vipul Shah and Akshay Kumar have done together afterAankhen, Waqt, Namastey London and Singh is Kinng [which was produced by him and directed by Anees Bazmee], and it's evident that the two share great work chemistry.

Also, I genuinely feel that Vipul's script sense is good; he likes to attempt diverse genres, exploring new territories each time he attempts a film.

When attempting a movie on a concept like time travel, it's imperative that the writing should be so persuasive that the viewer is influenced into believing that people can travel into the past or future.

In this case, a little bit of additional gyan would have only enhanced the impact of the story. But whatever minimal is said about time travel in the film doesn't register effectively. An unfortunately, the time machine itself looks tacky and tawdry, and does little in convincing you that this piece of scrap can transport you into a departed era - 1975 in this case.

The screenplay writing is flawed and a few tracks just don't cut ice. The track involving Rannvijay is lacklustre and the least convincing. Also the track involving the warring neighbours [Om Puri and Kirron Kher] is half-baked.

The portions involving Randhir Kapoor and Neha Dhupia are undeveloped and the climax is far from comic.

The blame falls completely on screenplay writers Suresh Nair, Ritesh Shah and Aatish Kapadia for coming up with an unimaginative screenplay, despite having a brilliant concept in hand.

What really salvages the otherwise flawed script is the pace and the length of the film and, of course, the performances of its principal cast. The film moves at a brisk pace, although I wish to add that if a couple of scenes from the first hour are deleted, the second hour would get a bit more impactful.

Vipul Shah seems to have kept a strict vigil on the length of the film, not allowing it to over-exceed and making it less burdensome and more enjoyable for the viewer.

However, the film is not a patch on his earlier works, especially Waqt and Namastey London. He's made far superior films in the past.

Pritam comes up with a likable score, with Zor Ka Jhatka and O Bekhabar, which is soothing and reminds you of a Yash Chopra composition. Nakhre is catchy and hummable. Sejal Shah's cinematography is alright.

I'd like to make a specific note of Salim-Sulaiman's background score, which is amongst the best of 2010. The duo's contribution to the film is immense, since even an ordinary sequence gets enhanced with the right sound.

The costumes and styling deserve brownie points, while the sets of the bygone era are realistic. The only negative is the time machine.

Both Akshay and Aishwarya remain faithful to their characters and come up with winning performances. It requires a lot of courage for a good looking man like Akshay to look the opposite of what he is, with buck teeth and long hair, and he carries it off convincingly.

He's wonderful in both young and old parts. Ditto for Aishwarya, who enacts the over the top Mala with understanding of the character. Even the elderly Mala has been effectively portrayed by her.

The real surprise is Aditya Roy Kapur, who looks extremely persuasive as the demoralised and dispirited son of Akshay and Ash. He's fantastic. This act should open new vistas for the youngster.

Special: All about Action Replayy

Distinguished actors like Om Puri, Kirron Kher and Rajpal Yadav come across as mere props with sketchy characterisations. They are under-utilised, but despite this they give all their might and power to the roles.

Rannvijay is the least convincing, while Randhir Kapoor and Neha Dhupia are wasted.

On the whole, Action Replayy is a light-hearted rom-com. A slightly dreary first hour, but a racy second hour with top notch performances makes it a decent watch this Diwali.

Golmaal 3 Release Date : 05,Nov 2010

Producer Dhilin Mehta
Director Rohit Shetty
Music Pritam Chakraborty
Writer K. Subhaash
Lyrics Kumaar
Release Date 05-Nov-2010

‘Golmaal 3′; Star cast: Kareena Kapoor, Ajay Devgn, Mithun Chakraborty, Kunal Khemu, Tusshar Kapoor, Arshad Warsi, Johny Lever, Ratna Pathak-Shah; Director: Rohit Shetty; Rating: *** – completes a rib-tickling trilogy.

It is touted as the first trilogy of Indian cinema. It’s about time that the distant cousin of Hollywood had one. Yet, what’s important is that Bollywood did not need to have trilogies as one hit film has the habit of spawning a whole generation of films that look and feel like the original. ‘Golmaal 3′ also suffers from that syndrome. Thankfully, it only feels like its previous avatars.

Despite retaining most characters from its previous outings, ‘Golmaal 3′ enters a hitherto uncharted territory. Madhav (Warsi), Laxman (Khemu) and Lucky (Kapoor) are the three scheming sons of Pritam (Mithun) who manage to lure Vasooli (Mukesh Tiwari) into one scheme after another.

However, as luck would have it, in everything they start, they find competition from three other down-on-their-luck kids Gopal (Ajay Devgn), Laxman (Shreyas Talapade) and Dabbu (Kareena Kapoor) with funding from Puppy bhai (Johnny Lever). Gopal and Laxman are the sons of Geeta (Ratna Pathak Shah).

Inevitably, locking horns they end up destroying each others businesses. What the two groups don’t know is that their parents are unrequited ex-lovers. When Dabbu finds out she schemes and unites the two lovers in a marriage without letting their children know about their step-brothers. All hell breaks loose when they finally find out and a hilarious war engulfs between the two groups right under their parents noses.

Like its predecessors ‘Golmaal 3′ has enough laughs going through the film to keep the momentum. Johnny Lever as the Ghajini-style forgetful don who adopts a new filmy avatar every few minutes has the audience in splits. The few spoofs of old Hindi films, full of camera pans and quick zooms, will nostalgically tickle the funny bone. The twists of various popular phrases and known adages, raises more than a chuckle.

Mithun gets to do his ‘Disco Dancer’ once again. Theatre veteran Ratna Pathak-Shah waltzes through the film with aplomb. Arshad Warsi is his usual tapori self while Shreyas Talapade and Kunal Khemu do a good job. It is however the beefed up Tushar Kapoor who seems to be trying too hard, and despite raising giggles, fails to arouse laughter. In the first part he, looking the most vulnerable, was the funniest of the lot.

Director Rohit Shetty tries his best in merging comic vignettes into one comprehensible film. However, had it not been for the funny dialogues, his lack of directorial verve would have shone out. He is spared the fate by some ingenious dialogue writing by Robin Bhatt (‘Aashiqui’, ‘Sadak’, ‘Baazigar’) and Yunus Sajawal.

Now that Bollywood finally has a trilogy, will it please also make one that also has some real standing in the world of cinema?

27-13.20 Nakshatra Release Date : 29,Oct 2010

Producer Ravindra Singh
Director Mohan Savalkar
Music D.J. Sheizwood, 43923, Harry Anand
Writer Mohan Savalkar
Lyrics Harry Anand, Nawab Arzoo, Rani Malik
Release Date 29-Oct-2010

7-13.20 Nakshatra is a film directed by Mohan Savalkar. This film is a romantic thriller that deals the complexities of life. It is a story about a dreamer, whose dream is mislead by destiny, as it charges ahead to prove itself. It is a story about the dreamer who then chases the law of love, truth, justice and destiny.

The film reveals the story of Ajay (Shubh Mukherjee) who gets an opportunity to write a script for a movie, an aspiring screen writer, he is thrilled, more by the thought of finally being able to prove himself to Jiya [Sabina Sheema], the girl he loves. A robbery being the main theme of the plot, Ajay works hard at getting the script right. Just when everything seems perfect, Ajay is arrested for a crime he hasn't committed.

Sharad [Anupam Kher], a family friend, promises to bail him out as soon as possible. But the mystery deepens when a spate of murders start taking place. So who is the main killer and mastermind behind the plot forms the rest part of the film.

Performance wise, Shubh Mukherjee is improved. He delievers a better performance than his debut in Aasma. Sabina Sheema seems confident. She is perfect for her role. Milind Soman is just okay. Anupan Kher has no scope. Rest of the cast are just fine.

Daayen ya Baayen Release Date : 29,Oct 2010

Producer Sunil Doshi
Director Bela Negi
Music Vivek Philip
Writer Bela Negi
Release Date 29-Oct-2010

Daayen Ya Baayen is a film directed by Bela Negi. The film is about a Quoxotian character, inspired from our folk tales of the Himalayas. The movie is simple and believable yet it lacks the drive at several instances.

The film reveals the story of Ramesh Majila (Deepak Dobriyal) who returns to his small scenic village located in the mountains of Uttarakhand. He is looked upon as a hero as any other city return man is treated in the villages of India. He claims to be a writer by profession in Mumbai and wrote for many of the serials that were telecasted. Soon he turns a joke for all the villagers when he decides to settle down in the village and takes the job of a English teacher at the local school. He is looked down by not only the villagers but also his wife for his impractical ambition of opening a Kala Kendra ( art center) , poetic thoughts and radical ways of teaching.

Life takes a dramatic turn for him when one of his random poetic invention gets selected for an ad jingle and wins him a swanky luxurious red car. This prize gets him adorns and love from children and grudge from others. He rises to a heroic status overnight. However his life spirals into a series of comic conflicts as he struggles to match the rest of his life to the car that adorns his cowshed, undoing himself completely in the process and losing the respect of his most ardent fan, his young son. When the car is stolen, he sets out on a journey to recover something more than his prized possession - his lost dignity.

Performance wise, Deepak Dobriyal has done his part very well. Bharti Bhatt is fine as a house wife. Manav Kaul has no scope. Badrul Islam is fine. Pratyush is excellent.

On the whole, Daayen Ya Baayen is a simple film with a simple story yet really enjoyable.

Maalik Ek Release Date : 29,Oct 2010

Producer Kishori Shahane
Director Deepak Balraj Vij
Music Anup Jalota, Jaideep Choudhary
Writer Deepak Balraj Vij
Lyrics Anup Jalota, Manoj Kumar, Amit Khanna
Release Date 29-Oct-2010

It's indeed a whole new role for Jackie Shroff. The actor who enunciated the quintessential tapori in Hindi cinema now plays the saintly miracle man in Malik Ek. And surprisingly, he plays it well, with a restraint and an earthiness that brings alive the seer.

The film is essentially a chronicle of the miraculous incidents that marked the life of people who interacted with the sage and ended up becoming his devotees. But more importantly, it shows the protagonist espousing a secularism that is desperately needed in today's India. When his devotees ended up fighting with each other on his religious affiliations and his antecedents, Sai Baba gave them a sermon on the essential unity of man. Who's a Hindu and who's a Muslim? he yelled and espoused the `Malik Ek' (One God) philosophy to the warring factions.

There is a warmth and simplicity in the narration, although the over abundance of songs and commentary does act as a deterrent. This one's a biography that's essentially meant for the believers.

Musaa Release Date : 29,Oct 2010

Producer Mahendrabhai Katariya
Director Himanshu Bhatt
Music Jaydeep-Eliyas
Writer Himanshu Bhatt
Lyrics Sandeep, Ibrahim Ashq
Release Date 29-Oct-2010

'Mussa' an upcoming Bollywood Movie starring 'Jackie Shroff, Sameer Aftab, Sushant Singh, Yashpal Sharma, Akhilendra Mishra, Daya Shanker pandey, Firoze Irani, Avtar Gill, Monica, Lijna Jariya, Nitin Kothari directed by 'Hamanshu Bhatt' and produced by 'Mahendra Bhai Katariya'

Music is scored by 'Santosh Sharma, Jagdeep, Ilyas'

'Mussa' comes as a package of action, romance, sentiment and drama, that covers all sections of the movie lovers.

Rakht Charitra - I Release Date : 22,Oct 2010

Producer Sheetal Vinod Talwar, Madhu Mantena
Director Ram Gopal Varma
Music Sukhwinder Singh, Bapi, Tutul
Writer Prashant Pandey
Lyrics Sarim Momin, Vayu, Shabbir Ahmed, Prashant Pandey
Release Date 22-Oct-2010

Welcome to the law of the jungle. Where there're no rules. Where the life of a human being is not worth a penny. Where goonda raj reins supreme. Where men are butchered and women abducted and raped. Where the police obey the orders of the goons. Where guns, swords, bombs, knives and sharp weapons are a man's best friends. Welcome to Rakta Charitra, based on the true story of Paritala Ravi.

Buzz up!

Ramgopal Varma is known for dark and gritty cinema and Rakta Charitra is not just the film-maker's, but also Hindi cinema's most violent film so far. Be forewarned, Rakta Charitra is not for the lily-livered. Nor is it for those who love to visit cineplexes with their families, weekend after weekend, to watch that perfect family film. This one has just one song (not needed, actually), no romance, no comedy/humour, no phoren locations, no good looking faces, no family gatherings and no striking sets that are mandatory for escapist cinema. RGV is a rebel, he likes to make movies he believes in and Rakta Charitra proves it yet again.

Let me add, Rakta Charitra is not one of RGV's most accomplished works. Perhaps, one of the reasons could be because he's now churning out gangster and crime-based films with amazing regularity and obviously, there's not much he can explore due to the limitations of this genre. But, yes, Rakta Charitra has a fascinating story to tell and even if you aren't acquainted with Paritala Ravi, you might identify with Rakta Charitra because the essence of the film is revenge.

Final word? With a title like Rakta Charitra and all the blood and gore in the film, it's certain that the film holds appeal for those who like to watch brutality in cinema, which, in turn, cuts off a sizeable section of the audience (ladies and kids). However, from the content point of view, I'd say that Rakta Charitra is the best bet of this week.

Rakta Charitra deals with emotionally volatile people and is set in a rural environment. It tells the story of Paritala Ravi (Vivek Oberoi), a soft-spoken person, who took law in his hands to avenge the murders of his father (Rajendra Gupta) and brother (Sushant Singh). Paritala Ravi's name sent shivers up the spines of not only his rivals, but even the law enforcement agencies. He rose to become a minister eventually. The first part ends with his undertaking a mission to end goonda raj in the state.

By now we've come to expect zany camera angles, tight close ups, a raging background score, power-packed performances and abstract stories from RGV's films and Rakta Charitra is no different. Expect all this and more [read bloodshed] in Rakta Charitra. Since Rakta Charitra is based on a true story, there's not much one can comment on it, but the manner in which the incidents unfold keep you hooked. Of course, it's a vendetta fare, yet one is keen to fathom what essentially provoked a soft-spoken individual to transform into a killing machine.

Barring the incidents in the initial reels, there's not much movement in the story in the first hour. In fact, there are killings and more killings. But the story gathers momentum when an iconic actor turned politician enters the scene and takes Paritala Ravi under his wings. The sequences between Shatrughan Sinha and Vivek are, frankly, the preeminent and most excellent parts of the enterprise. The post-interval is different because the killings reduce and Paritala now fights his opponent from the corridors of power.

Rakta Charitra gets lengthy in its second half and one genuinely feels that RGV should've curtailed the length of the film by a few minutes, although the introduction of Suriya's character at the end only raises the curiosity for the second installment.

RGV has handled a number of sequences brilliantly, but the film leaves you with a sense of deja vu off and on. Glimpses of films like Sarkar and Sarkar Raj, besides Satya and Company, though not remotely similar to Rakta Charitra, flash across your mind. It's a little intricate to encompass all incidents in the screenplay, but writer Prashant Pandey makes a sincere effort. Cinematography (Amol Rathod) catches your eye. Action scenes are true to life. Background score compliments the mood of the film.

All RGV films are embellished with powerful performances and Rakta Charitra is no exception. Vivek Oberoi breathes fire and venom and comes across as the most appropriate actor to infuse life into the character he portrays. He's super efficient and his act in Company and Shootout At Lokhandwala pale in comparison. Shatrughan Sinha is remarkable. A powerful personality could've only been portrayed by a powerful actor and the veteran enacts it with amazing ease. Abhimanyu Singh is superb as the opponent. You hate him for being so evil and that only goes to prove how effective he is. Radhika Apte is good. Zarina Wahab is first-rate. Ashwini Kalsekar is excellent. Ashish Vidyarthi, Rajendra Gupta, Anupam Shyam, Sushmita Mukherjee, Vishwajeet Pradhan and Kota Srinivasa Rao shine in their respective parts. Sudeep and Darshan Jariwala get no scope.

On the whole, Rakta Charitra is not for the faint-hearted or the lily-livered. The violence, the blood and gore depicted in the film will shock and disconcert you, which only goes to establish as to how proficiently the subject material has been treated. The film is targeted mainly at those who love to watch aggression, violence, bloodshed, brutality and massacre on the silver screen, but a chunk of the movie-going audience (ladies and kids) will choose to stay away from this scene of carnage. The business in Telugu and Tamil versions is expected to be excellent, due to the strong identification with the subject material.