Category - Bollywood

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Average Rating of All ‘Laal Rang’ Review – 2.5 stars” style=”rounded” bg_color=”#1e73be” txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”” icon_type=””] Laal Rang Review by Mohar Basu on The Times Of India Rating: The best thing about Laal Rang is its novel idea. It is dark, murky and lays the perfect plinth for an enchanting film. The bad news here is that it is an opportunity lost. Director Syed Ahmad Afzal fails to lap up the chance to deliver something memorable. His approach lacks clarity. The convoluted screenplay is unsure about where it is headed. Despite having all the makings of a macabre thriller, Syed goes for drama. There is romance, bromance, tears, heartbreak and enough material to make ‘fifty shades of sappy’. Laal Rang Review by Urmimala Banerjee on Bollywood Life Rating: The film does not boast of a great story. For a film with a social angle, some might find it a little simplistic or even a bit superficial. The first half drags a little as the director establishes the bromance between the two over long drives, drinks and love gyaan. The love story of Shankar and Rashi (Meenakshi) could have been explored in a better manner as it impacts the climax of the film. Given the funny tone of the film, the message gets a tad diluted. Laal Rang Review by Manjusha Radhakrishnan on Gulfnews Rating: The women seem to the weakest link in the film and that is highlighted because the twists in this tale are dictated by these two men who seek their approval. While the first half is well-paced, the second half doesn’t have the same momentum. However, it’s a fascinating expose into the immoral world of blood trafficking. The poor agreeing to donate their blood for some quick money and a packet of glucose biscuits is revolting, yet you can’t seem to tear your eyes away from the macabre. However, you need to be patient with this film as it tends to inject unwanted romantic twists and drama into a film that could have been gripping even without those crutches. Laal Rang Review by Saibal Chatterjee on NDTVMovies Rating: Laal Rang is a slow-burning drama about human blood-hounds that takes a while to come into its own, but when it does it has enough meat to last the course. Hooda might be in a ‘rockstar’ league of his own, but he does receive solid support from the other principal cast members, all of whom play characters firmly situated within the realms of the real and tangible. Akshay Oberoi, who has a hard act to follow, manages to hold his own. Rajneish Duggal, in the guise of a cop, has far less footage but makes the most of the limited opportunities. Piaa Bajpai informs her interpretation of the character of a gauche girl who speaks ‘Rapidex’ English with gay abandon, with warmth. The cast also has Meenakshi Dixit in the role of the woman Shankar loves and Shreya Narayan as the lab supervisor who has a massive crush on the blood pilferer. These may be walk-on parts but the characters aren’t insignificant. That’s the hallmark of a good script: even the minor figures have a defined role to play. A small film whose impact is enhanced manifold by Randeep Hooda’s presence, Laal Rang also has other bright spots. But cottoning on to them might call for patience. Laal Rang Review by Kunal Guha on Mumbai Mirror Rating: Hooda as a Haryanvi hooligan is effortless, yet his performance doesn’t seem to lack much effort. He nails the casual manner of a rural ruffian. But a lot rests on Akshay Oberoi’s inexperienced yet overenthusiastic shoulders. He is committed as the naive, enterprising lad who’s only too glad to make a quick buck or 30. His character’s time lapse is fairly convincing and his transformation from young and adventurous to mature and cautious is well furnished with moustache and glasses. Piaa Bajpai’s pseudo hinterland accent is annoying and every frame she features in is excruciating to endure. Meenakshi Dixit and Rajneesh Duggal barely have much screen time and their contribution to the film would be somewhere between none and zero. Review by Jaidev Hemmady on Movietalkies Rating: Syed Ahmad Afzal, who had made his directorial debut with ‘Youngistan’, did not make a mark with his debut film, but with Laal Rang, he is sure to be noticed. Though the film takes its time to get to the point, it is quite entertaining while being realistic at the same time. The dark humour and the Haryanvi touch to the dialogues, adds to the appeal of the film. The music is not that memorable and the plot could have been a bit pacy with a not too predictable climax. However, all said and done, Laal Rang is not a bad watch and for fans of Randeep Hooda, the film will surely be a weekend treat. Review by Manisha Lakhe on Nowrunning Rating: The writing is clever and funny and keeps you wondering ‘what will they come up with next!’. You like the minor characters like Dracula, Neelam the office admin lady, Rakesh’s parents, Rakesh’s ditzy girlfriend (the ‘I studied English with Rapidex English Speaking Course’) and Babuji co-conspirator of the Blood Bank (Rajendra Sethi). Each one owns the role they play. Which makes for an amazing watch. But then there are too many clever things being attempted here. And that slows the pace of the film until you are ready to give up. The music is forgettable and feels like an intrusion. But the film scores all its stars for the unusual treatment of a problem, the clever writing and of course the gorgeous body that is Randeep Hooda. Review by Vishal Verma on Glamsham Rating: The Haryanvi accent, Randeep Hooda’s flamboyance (sadly nothing much can be said about his love interest Meenakshi Dixit who is a waste), Akshay’s confidence, Pia bajpayee’s impressive innocence, the dark humour by the little ‘baba’ are the highlights but the messy, easy, tepid and tedious treatment makes LAAL RANG a mere collection of elements rather than a distinct story, the movie fails to capitalize on the sobering subject of blood trafficking. Review by Shubhra Gupta on Indian Express Rating: Then it boils down to the usual cat-and-mouse game between a diligent cop ( Duggal) and the blood robbers. And Hooda—an actor who is always watchable, especially when he is strutting the walk– loses yet another opportunity to break out of the long run of indifferent films he’s been stuck in. Review by Mehul S Thakkar on Deccan Chronicle Rating: The film appears to be going slow in portions when you feel the topic can move on. However, the director from the first scene itself makes an attempt to never really rush into scenes. Even the background music by Mathias Duplessly syncs well with many intense scenes but Bawli Booch songs stands out from the rest of the tracks. Poonam (placed by Pia Dixit), who manages to speak ‘Rapidex English’ has a lot of sincerity in her performance. She makes a promising debut and wins heart with her acting. Akshay Oberoi also manages to find his place under Randeep’s towering personality. Rajneesh Dugal as a tough cop makes an impact. Meenakshi Dixit, who plays Randeep’s love interest, is seen in an extended cameo. Laal Rang Review by Indiaglitz Rating: ‘Laal Rang’ has a great theme attached to it which should have been told in an interesting manner with the help of good actors and an experienced director. This colour of excitement and aggression ends up being the colour of boredom. Review by Rohit Vats on Hindustan Times Rating: Laal Rang doesn’t delve deep into the criminals’ modus-operandi, but the two leads try their best to make up for the lack of the nitty-gritties. Laal Rang has a shade grey and is much more high voltage than an ordinary thriller. Nobody could have played it better than Hooda. It’s his film. Review by Namrata Thakker on Rediff Rating: Laal Rang does not pack a solid punch because of its choppy storyline. Also, since the film is set in the heartland of Haryana, all the characters speak in Haryanvi, which after a point becomes too much. If you don’t listen carefully, you may miss the point. Review by Harshada Rege on DNA India Rating: Randeep as the lovelorn head of the illegal business is absolutely effortless. He has a brilliant sense of timing while delivering his lines. And while his character has the swagger and style, it also has many human qualities to it. Randeep is in good form here. Akshay is competent as the guy who wants to make a quick buck. The bromance between the two actors is likeable. The idea is novel, unfortunately, the execution doesn’t do it justice. Review by Shubha Shetty-Saha on Mid-Day India Rating: One must give credit to Afzal for being sensitively able to explore the growing friendship between Shankar and Rajesh and also the awkward yet sweet romance between Rajesh and his Rapidex English speaking girlfriend Poonam (Pia Bajpai). Also, he has picked the right star cast, which largely contributes to the film. While Akshay Oberoi is earnest and shows huge potential, it is Randeep Hooda who gives a killer performance in this one. One didn’t have doubts about Hooda’s talent earlier, but it is roles like this that fully show what he’s capable of. Not many actors can come across as so hot and cool at the same time. Review by Subhash K Jha on Bollyspice Rating: Laal Rang is a riveting topical tale powered by a Haryanvi heft that is captured mainly through Hooda’s swaggering performance. There are moments when his brotherly affection for Oberoi seems so genuine it almost seems to exist beyond the conflicts portrayed in the plot. Laal Rang rolls up a swinging slithering mass of livid emotions and throws it in our face. Though some of it misses its mark, this is undeniably a film worth a dekko. Best Rated Films in 2016 Neerja – 4 stars The Jungle Book – 3.8 stars Airlift – 3.7 stars Kapoor & Sons – 3.7 stars Aligarh – 3.6 stars Fan – 3.5 stars Zubaan – 2.6 stars Saala Khadoos – 2.6 stars Ki & Ka – 2.5 stars Bollywood Diaries – 2.5 stars Ghayal Once Again – 2.4 stars Tere Bin Laden Dead Or Alive – 2.3 stars Jai Gangaajal – 2.3 stars Fitoor – 2.3 stars Rocky Handsome – 2.1 stars LoveShhuda – 2 stars Love Games – 1.7 stars Teraa Surroor – 1.7 stars Sanam Re – 1.6 stars Sanam Teri Kasam – 1.6 stars

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Average Rating of All ‘Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd.’ Review – 1.1 stars” style=”rounded” bg_color=”#1e73be” txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”” icon_type=””] Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd. Review by Bollywood Hungama Rating: Right from the word go, the film’s screenplay (Asad Ajmeri – Akashdeep) fails to establish any kind of connect with the audience. And it is this disconnect that actually acts as a roadblock for the film at regular intervals, thus making the film into an extremely boring and lacklustre affair. It won’t be wrong to say that the film has (Asad Ajmeri – Pawan Soni) an apology of a script. And it is purely because of this reason, that even the film’s screenplay falls absolutely flat on the face. It seems that, with such a kind of screenplay, the audiences are either being tested for their patience levels or are being taken for a royal ride! One really wonders as to how (and under what unavoidable circumstances) the film’s script was approved in the first place. In addition to that, one also wonders about the reason as to how could some of the most seasoned actors of Bollywood gave their nod to be a part of this senseless film. Added to all of the aforementioned factors is the insipid direction (Akashdeep) that takes the film nowhere. The director has failed miserably in his task of creating a film that shares its name with the duo (Santa and Banta), who are best known for their senseless but funny jokes. But, with this film, Akashdeep seems to have made a mockery of not just the film, but also the laurels which the characters Santa and Banta enjoy. The film has got a vague first half as much as the senseless second half. The jokes in the film (which are supposed to invoke laughter) fall flat totally and end up irritating (to the core) the audience after a while. With the kind of proceedings that the film exhibits, one does really feel that, rather than taking resort to the jokes/one liners that the movie has, the film’s makers could have incorporated jokes/gags from the innumerable Santa-Banta joke bank that is freely available. In totality, SANTA BANTA PVT LTD could be easily termed as one of the worst film of 2016 so far. Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd. Review by Rohit Vats on Hindustan Times Rating: Of course, Santa-Banta jokes pepper this narrative, but the mere compilation of them does not work; they restrict the situational humour from blossoming. The screenplay is so shoddy that even Irani and Das seemed bored. Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd. Review by Manisha Lakhe on Nowrunning Rating: Half an hour into the movie you have been assaulted by not just bad jokes, but animation as well. The entire movie has been shot at the hotel the cast probably stayed in but the budget seems to be unlimited. There are helicopters and small airplane, and rides in a souped up motorbike. Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd. Review by Suhani Singh on India Today Rating: Poor Lisa Hayden takes her part of a secret agent so seriously that she forgets that this is a comedy. But given that nothing about this film is even remotely funny, you can’t blame her. Irani and Das stick out as sore thumbs as two Sikh buddies, struggling to uplift the proceedings. It’s not entirely their fault for apart from bad casting, the film has a bad script with jokes that fall flat. But it does come with the odd warning sign. “Main toh pagal ho jaaoongaa,” says one frustrated character. It is akin to what the audiences will feel after watching this film. Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd. Review by Jaidev Hemmady on Movietalkies Rating: The film is without doubt one of the worst movies ever seen by yours truly (and I have seen quite a few duds) for the simple reason that the writers got lazy with the plot and decided to fill the narrative with as many ‘Santa Banta’ jokes that they could gather from text messages that we send to each other when bored with whatever life has to offer. To give credit where it’s due, some of the gags do evoke chuckles, but only because we have heard them before and the ‘déjà vu’ effect works its magic. At times, it feels like the makers wanted to roam Fiji and decided to justify the trip by attempting a film. The film also stars Neha Dhupia and Lisa Haydon, who seem to have been brought on board just to display their curves and even that gets boring after a while. Review by Vishal Verma on Glamsham Rating: Bollywood is used to objections in titles, content etc in the movie coming from various corners.. movies like SANTA BANTA PVT. LTD can trigger a revolution and provide a solution for such torture in future. A printed warning on its posters like we have in cigarettes and liquor. Something like this – Watching this movie may be injurious to your pocket, health and belief in laughter. Review by Saibal Chatterjee on NDTVMovies Rating: Santa Banta Pvt. Ltd. runs for nearly two hours, but neither the pair of makeshift sleuths for whom videsh translates to Ca-nay-daa nor the nonplussed audience is anywhere nearer the truth by the end of it all. The film is liberally peppered with silly Santa Banta PJs but the joke is nearly always on this bizarre concoction. Review by Mohar Basu on The Times Of India Rating: This film gives annoying a new meaning. It takes special kind of talent to make something as boring, ridiculous, vain and unfunny as this. It will be blasphemous to call it a comedy. And the fact that it stars the funny guy Vir Das and the witty Boman Irani, is a shame. The lethargic writing and amateurish humour doesn’t have a hint of vibrancy. It is as dull as dull gets and even triple strength Americano can’t help you stay awake while watching this muddled mess. Review by Preeti Kulkarni on Bollywood Life Rating: For the most part of the film, you would look helplessly at the red EXIT sign in the theatre wanting to escape this boring film. Even the picturesque Fiji Islands won’t help spark your interest back to the film! The lead actors try really hard to make you laugh but in the end get utterly exhausted with their attempt! Review by Bryan Durham on DNA India Rating: The fact that I watched this film expecting at least a few guffaws. There are none to be had. Akashdeep has a sturdy cast at his disposal and he squanders the opportunity to make it work to his benefit. Lever as the Nepali don is about the worst thing you’re going to see this year. The plot doesn’t have loopholes, it has black holes that suck your sanity in. And what forgettable songs! Who thought it was a good idea to make this film? Review by Shubha Shetty-Saha on Mid-Day India Rating: 112 minutes of this movie and not a single second that could justify why a movie of this kind was being made. In the beginning there is a longish disclaimer that painstakingly describes how the movie’s characters should not be taken seriously. Well, if half that effort were used in writing some genuinely funny dialogues, perhaps that disclaimer would be required. No one’s going to take this film seriously anyway. Review by Kunal Guha on Mumbai Mirror Rating: Boman Irani will be answerable in his afterlife for being associated with this film. Considering the state of his film career, Vir Das is already paying for his terrible choices. Neha Dhupia is a bit too jaded to play the damsel in distress, but Lisa Haydon was well cast, if she was supposed to portray a desi Lara Croft that is. Utterly wasted in the film are Vijay Raaz, Sanjay Mishra, Johnny Lever and Ram Kapoor. Review by Subhash K Jha on Bollyspice Rating: The comic world of Santa Banta Pvt Ltd is suffused in an exasperating chaos. You want to be amused. You wait for punchlines. There is not one gag here that would evoke even a mild laughter in the audience. But if you appreciate some very accomplished comic actors trying to make sense of a plot that couldn’t have made sense even to those who wrote it, this is your film. Best Rated Films in 2016 Neerja – 4 stars The Jungle Book – 3.8 stars Airlift – 3.7 stars Kapoor & Sons – 3.7 stars Aligarh – 3.6 stars Fan – 3.5 stars Zubaan – 2.6 stars Saala Khadoos – 2.6 stars Ki & Ka – 2.5 stars Bollywood Diaries – 2.5 stars Ghayal Once Again – 2.4 stars Tere Bin Laden Dead Or Alive – 2.3 stars Jai Gangaajal – 2.3 stars Fitoor – 2.3 stars Rocky Handsome – 2.1 stars LoveShhuda – 2 stars Love Games – 1.7 stars Teraa Surroor – 1.7 stars Sanam Re – 1.6 stars Sanam Teri Kasam – 1.6 stars

[mks_button size=”medium” title=”Average Rating of All ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ Review – 3.7 stars” style=”rounded” bg_color=”#1e73be” txt_color=”#FFFFFF” icon=”” icon_type=””] Nil Battey Sannata Review by Saibal Chatterjee on NDTVMovies Rating: Nil Battey Sannata is easy to recommend. It is light-hearted, easy on the eyes and mind, and full of heart. This film says a great deal about a girl-child’s struggles, a mother’s hopes and the ways of the education system. But, in the end, Nil Battey Sannata is also a good old story about life and its vicissitudes. Nil Battey Sannata Review by Suhani Singh on India Today Rating: Tiwari’s film is as much about the mother-daughter bond as it is about the significance of aspirations and hard work. For all its plusses, Nil Battey Sannata has a few minuses in the unwarranted and mushy Sanjay Suri cameo, tendency to protract the gimmicky battle between Chanda and Appu and the preachy happy ending. Further, the implication that Appu’s desire to be a maid or her friend’s to be a driver makes them less driven human beings could have been addressed with some subtlety. But Tiwary does nail her two female leads, offering viewers a nuanced portrait of a temperamental teenager and a spirited woman. Nil Battey Sannata Review by Gautaman Bhaskaran on Hindustan Times Rating: It is not just a touching story of a mother and her daughter but also a great chapter on the importance of education. It tells us that a parent’s limitations need not stop his/her child too. Bhaskar affirms this with a rare power and simplicity — a yawning difference from the parts she played as a modern woman in the Tanu Weds Manu series. As is often believed in Bollywood, an actor must be able to let go his/her own self and sink into a character and she does. Nil Battey Sannata Review by Shubhra Gupta on Indian Express Rating: Any parent can recognize this mix of feelings—loving their child to distraction, and climbing walls due to frustration, caused by the self-same child—both at the same time. Bhaskar does a good job of the bewilderment, annoyance and plain wordless affection that comes from a deep maternal place. The little girl is appropriately scrappy and needy. These two are the mainstay of the film. But the one who helps add a well-judged layer is the school principal, played by the reliably excellent Pankaj Tripathy. ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ has a strong message about how education can change your life. It does underline the message, but stays just short of being preachy or message-y. And leaves you with a warm glow. Review by Aarti Iyengar on Bollywood Life Rating: Overall, this film is like a treat to all the mothers and daughters out there. The relationship that Ashwini has captured is astounding. Every daughter can relate to this film even if they don’t fall in the poor background as the film is more than that. Review by Mohar Basu on The Times Of India Rating: Nil Battey Sannata is a rare film, the kind that will bring tears to your eyes but leave a smile on your face. It is gratifying to watch something unpretentious in times when masala films are stooping to entertain. Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari makes you buy into Chanda’s innocent world, where happiness is found over relishing a plate of Chow Mein while watching a horror film. Review by Manisha Lakhe on Nowrunning Rating: The movie is just so amazing because the solution brings a smile to your face. The mother uses this reverse logic on the child to egg her on to getting better marks. The child is unsuspecting and falls hook, line and sinker to the ‘project get the child to study’. Review by Jaidev Hemmady on Movietalkies Rating: Aanand L Rai, who is known for making simple yet poignant stories set in North India, comes up with yet another winner in Nil Battey Sannata. The mother’s struggle to give her daughter an education, which will in turn provide her with a fighting chance when dealing with the world, is damn inspiring and touching. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari, the director of the film, weaves a beautiful tale of love, motherhood and aspirations, which will leave you teary-eyed. Review by Vishal Verma on Glamsham Rating: NIL BATTEY SANNATA is an applauding cinematic triumph, Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari gives a little gem of a humanistic, motivating and beautiful fable that celebrates the joy of having a dream and is an ode to woman hood and motherhood, anchored by Swara Bhaskar’s career best performance till date. Highly recommended, it’s a must if you love good, inspiring cinema. Review by Namrata Thakker on Rediff Rating: While the first half is breezy and to the point, the second half seems a bit long. Certain scenes could have been done away with but the story and amazing performances make up for that. There is hardly a dull moment in the film. Overall, Nil Battey Sannata throws light not only the endearing mother-daughter relationship but also subtly explores issues like poverty and education. Review by Asira Tarannum on Deccan Chronicle Rating: Debutant director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari has shown this heart-warming story in an entertaining and emotional way. The climax of the film makes one choke. Though the first half is slow, the second half picks up the pace. The casting of every character by Mukesh Chhabra is apt and Riya is a great find. It’s refreshing to see Swara switch from being a talkative sister to Salman Khan (Prem Ratan Dhan Payo) to a single mother. She bears the burden effortlessly. Producer Aanand L Rai and Eros have shown that small films can be brought to the celluloid with entertainment. Nil Battey Sannata Review by Indiaglitz Rating: ‘Nil Battey Sannata’ is an outstandingly honest film which caters to all those who love good cinema with lots of emotional angle attached to it, especially a must watch for the teenagers and their parents. Though, the masala movie loving audience might shy away from this film. Review by Shubha Shetty-Saha on Mid-Day India Rating: While the first half is smooth and keeps you involved, the second half falters at many points and the climax seems too convenient and hurriedly wrapped up. Review by Kunal Guha on Mumbai Mirror Rating: For Swara Bhaskar, this is a careerdefining moment, as it gives her a chance to present her range as an actor. She channels a small town maid and worried mother with just enough crinkles on her forehead. Ratna Pathak Shah’s Mrs Diwan is deliciously matterof-fact and occasionally, even a bit disinterested in her maid’s woes, which gives her character a distinct edge. Pankaj Tripathy, as the quirky maths teacher, provides much comic relief, Ria Shukla is suitably grumpy and headstrong as the quintessential brat and Sanjay Suri is restrained in his cameo. Review by Sonia Chopra on Sify Rating: This is a fine debut by Ashwini Iyer Tiwari, yet another entrant from advertising. The pace is measured, and that works in favour of the film. The only hitch is that the solutions are too simplistic. So, Math can be learnt by mugging up a few cutesome limericks, and a single incident can dissolve a character’s cynicism and change everything. However the good far outweighs the flaws. For the outstanding story, interesting storytelling style, and incredibly authentic performances, this one is a must-watch! Review by Subhash K Jha on Bollyspice Rating: Director Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari keeps it smilingly simple. Simple and straight. Thankfully there are no bouts of furious sentimentality. Swara plays Chanda with feisty positivity and yet this is not a character or film that romanticizes poverty. It isn’t even a lyrical celebration of destitution the way Satyajit Ray’s Pather Panchali or Mira Nair’s Salaam Bombay was. Best Rated Films in 2016 Neerja – 4 stars The Jungle Book – 3.8 stars Airlift – 3.7 stars Kapoor & Sons – 3.7 stars Aligarh – 3.6 stars Fan – 3.5 stars Zubaan – 2.6 stars Saala Khadoos – 2.6 stars Ki & Ka – 2.5 stars Bollywood Diaries – 2.5 stars Ghayal Once Again – 2.4 stars Tere Bin Laden Dead Or Alive – 2.3 stars Jai Gangaajal – 2.3 stars Fitoor – 2.3 stars Rocky Handsome – 2.1 stars LoveShhuda – 2 stars Love Games – 1.7 stars Teraa Surroor – 1.7 stars Sanam Re – 1.6 stars Sanam Teri Kasam – 1.6 stars