I AM Because of YOU - Showcasing Onir's FOURthcoming Identities

I AM so excited to write a Review about I AM. But, someone is stopping me from writing it. Do I listen to him? Or do I write? Well, I think I should listen to him and not write the review now. Well, the person who is stopping me to write the review is MYSELF. The Inner self. My conscious. My heart is not permitting me to write. Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin.... Why? Because, although I am greedy enough to share the review first - the good soul inside me, says: Have patience. You have seen it. Its not only Your Film. Its EVERYONE's film. It reminded me of the entire crew (Anticlock Films), it reminded me of the Critics who have watched so far, it reminded me of the near and dear ones of Onir who have watched and above all - It reminded me of Almost the Audience (YOU) who have invested in the film.
Well, you have waited so far. So wait for a few more days as I AM will be released shortly. And I do believe, this film will be the only film that should be watched directly and NOT by going through a review/critic. Everyone has a Right to Write Praises about this film!

To give you some information about the film.
Let me Clarify here: This is NOT a Review. But a PREVIEW.
I happened to see the film on Friday Night at a Preview Theater with Onir, Juhi Chawla, Abhimanyu Singh and Akhil Chaudhary (the assistant director). Besides the other guests included Harish Iyer (on whom the film Abhimanyu is based), Vivek Vaswani, Juhi's mom and Abhimanyu's family and a few of Onir's friends - as we were all there for a support. A support for good films and Onir always delivers - subjects that one can always treasure as Bests of Bests.

And, here he has delivered Afia, Megha, Abhimanyu and Omar (although I happened to see a premature baby as the film has some work to be completed - as in the titles and a few post production work, before the First Copy is out and yet to be Censored for the ticket audience to watch) - The film is PROMISING!

The film starts with a Bong and ends with a Bong (Of course, its also made by a Bong). It starts with Afia (Nandita Das) and ends with Omar (in which Rahul Bose features). You could read it either ways too. Stars with a Bang and ends with a Bang (now the definition of it - wait till YOU watch it)

The journey of Afia from Kolkatta moves to Megha in Srinagar and then Abhimanyu residing in Bengaluru and finally Omar in Mumbai. And Suraj, Rubina, Natasha and Jai travel along with them in their journey. So, When the film is titled I AM AFIA, MEGHA, ABHIMANYU, OMAR.. It can also be referred as I AM SURAJ, RUBINA, NATASHA, JAI... Because.. I AM BECAUSE OF YOU .. And the YOU are the other equally supporting characters on screen.
And Off Screen, I AM (Onir and Suri) BECAUSE OF YOU (Co-Producers/Co-owners/Investors/Audience).

Getting back to On Screen - The First Half are ruled by Women and the Second Half - the Men take over completely. (While writing this note.. my fingers go on to write the Review - But again.. the keyboard 'Delete' button takes over as my Inner soul does not permit me to write. And I am gonna end up with presenting a Showcase of the Film).

The Positive Side of the film is: Sensitive and Appreciable performances by everyone, excellent camera work by Arvind Kannabiran, songs to hum and to have it downloaded as your ring tone, Perfect Presentation by Onir - With the Collage of the Foursome identity films into One.

And the Negative Side of the film: Wish the film was going on for another few more extra 25 minutes. Onir, why did you drop out the Fifth Project 'Rudra'? Yeh Dil Maange More. Wish we could watch some more identity of I AM :)

Overall, the Film is worth every 'Penny'. It will shock you, it will give you goosebumps, it will bring a smile on your face and will shed a few tears down your face! And all those who have invested in the film through Facebook. All I can say to you is: KEEP SMILING, as I AM will make you PROUD. A film that will be treasured for years to come!

Onir definitely needs to be hugged, applauded, praised, rewarded, awarded and given a Standing Ovation at every show that it is been shown. If the multiplexes now start with Jana Gana Mana in the beginning (which forces us to Stand - as a respect to the Anthem), by default - We need to finally give a Standing Ovation for the Outstanding Film that Onir and Suri have jointly produced via Anticlock Films.
And I mean it!

For more Information about the Film: Visit: http://www.iamthefilms.com

Sundeep Malani
I AM proud to be one of the 'Assistant Directors' of Abhimanyu and Omar

RAAVAN Review

TWO in RaaONE Review: Mani Ratnams character has WON my heart - RAAWON!
Please Read this review carefully and then make your decision and comment.
In the beginning of the film the disclaimer comes as usual : This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance of characters to actual persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Now let me get to the film. Mani Ratnam has infact not credited the story to anyone in the titles but has had his name in screenplay. Note that! The story rights of the film is with Valmiki :)

The epic Ramayan's plot - 14 years of Vanvaas is retold here with 14 days of Ragini's RaaVanvas. She is been kidnapped by Beera and tied all the time like a dog, cow and a goat. Welcome to Water Kingdom - as the entire film is shot in waters. Its raining (drizzling) throughout the film and so we have actors without the make up. Mujhe Behne de Mujhe Behne de..... Rahmans music flows along!

The posters say Is there a Ram inside Raavan? Very true, Ratnam brings this out in the film and one can always fall in love with this evil character as he is a heart of gold. But, its time to actually hate the goody Ram who is not a good hearted man as Valmiki described in his book. This Ram (Dev) shoots at innocent and is a coward too. While, Raavan (Beera) is a evil with a heart of gold. Sita (Ragini) actually finds sympathy towards the evil. If Sita had to go through the Agni Pareeksha to prove her innocence, here Raagini is asked by her beau to do a Polygraph test to prove her virginity. And Ragini is todays woman. So, you cant expect her to sacrifice, Instead.... watch the film as the climax is the best part of the entire film, which is open to the audience to actually think about and to debate about.
Come to Reality with this Reelity film - Valmikis version has been followed since ages, Ratnams version is more real in today's corporate world.
More so, Shurpanaka's character is on a positive side while Lakshman is shown to be a rapist. Who 'Nose' the truth, he actually chopped her nose or he played with it.
In the film, Hanuman (Sanjeevini) is shown jumping from tree to tree before you say One two tree - as poor Govinda did not get a chance to sing and dance, he acts like the Monkey in the Jungle. Also, from nowhere reaches the den of Beera to meet Ragini (The plot of Hanuman searching Sita, but unfortunately he does not lit the fire in the camp). So, let me lit that fire here - Is Ram Sena listening and watching this film? As Ratnam's film actually shows - the Evil to be Good Spirit and the Goody to be Devil. Inside Ram is Raavan and Raavan has Ram in him.

Coming to the film - I watched both the versions. Tamil and Hindi. And let me add here even though the scenes and the characters are the same, the way it is portrayed on screen makes a lot of difference.
And truly speaking performance wise, Prithviraj is good as the Hero in the Tamil version. This is definately not Aishwarya's best work till date. Govinda and Karthik (playing Hanuman) is good to be mocked for their character. Bhojpuriya Ravi Kissen can get claps from his Bhojpuri fans, while Shivaji Prabhu enacting the same in Tamil version does not impress. Priyamani for Tamil is a plus point but does not find any sympathy for her character in the same role in the Hindi version. Nikhill Dwivedi (playing Lakshman - not the brother here)'s nude scene is applaud worthy. That brings us to the Nation's Villain in Hindi version - Abhishek Bachchan - He is good as the character Raavan. Performance wise, Terrifying, Psychic and Innocence - Abhi deserves to be nominated for the character. Vikram fails in his Hindi debute as the Hero, but he is excellent in the title role in Tamil. And to compare between the two Raavan's its Vikram who wins over Abhishek Bachchan as RaaWON (only the character).

Getting back to Mani Ratnam's film - I sometime wondered if this was a Ram Gopal Varma film, as the way it is shot reminded only of a RGV film. And if Ram Gopal Varma made his Aag, this is Mani Ratnam's Paani. RGV made the Famous Villain of all time (Gabbar) redo with Big B and Mani has tried the Famous Villain of All era (Raavan) try out with the Chota Bachchan, unfortunately - the film does not have a single dialogue that refers to him/or says that his name is RAAVAN.

And about the verdict of the film - I said, I loved the character of Raavan as the Evil has WON my heart and not the film. The film fails miserably and my friend who was watching the film slept for most of the time in the hall as he found it boring - I had to tell him wake up KUMBAKARAN, you have come to watch RAAVAN

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic

Review: RAAJNEETI

Jha has RAAJNEATLY done this MahaBHARATIYA RAAJNEETI

First Things First. This Politically acclaimed film is NOT about the Gandhis and Nehrus. Katrina Kaif is NOT playing Sonia Gandhi. Ranbir Kapoor is NOT playing Rajiv Gandhi. Naseeruddin Shah is NOT playing Nehru and neither is Manoj Bajpai's character anything to do with actor/politician Chiranjeevi. Now, let me get thru the story. It is a modern day replication of Mahabharata where swords, bows and arrows are replaced with ballot war and lot of bloodshed. In the movie it is shown that how politics is not about running the country but it’s a thirsty war for power. Films have been made up earlier with the same topic (Remember, Shyam Benegal's Kalyug). I hate Politics to the core, but I somehow liked Raajneeti. There is Kunti (a new lady) and her son (Karna). Shah plays the Father whose other Pandavas are Bajpai, Ramphal and Ranbir. Patekar plays Krishna! Oops.. He does not save Katrina's cotton saree as she is not Draupadi here. Period, it is a Political MahaBharatiya Raajneeti. With too many characters to justify the Epic and too many confusions on screen, this is a melodramatic film that can be definitely a two time watch. And watch it for the Ghazab pair (Ranbir and Kaif) which actually is Ajab and Ghazab. Kyunki their Kahani goes twist in the tale. There is politics in their romance, as they get way with different partners, Sarah and Ramphal. Ajay looks like he has walked into his Gangajal/Halla Bol character. Bajpai, Puri and the rest play their roles to perfection. I would love to vote for this Political Party (Ranbir and Katrina) and recommend everyone to watch the film as Jha's film is Politically Perfect (for entertainment). Jha has made this film Raajneatly! Dirty Politics yes. But Neatly done!

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic