Review: ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI

Watching this film, you definitely get Rewinded to those days when you were in 1970 - ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI
Don, The Great Gambler, Shalimaar - These were some of the films that were made in 1970s. And now you get to see a new film with the old style. Once Upon A Time in Bombay (hey, its about 70's and the city was called Bombay) just recreates the same magic and feel that was seen by the generation who are now used to popcorn cinema in multiplex.
Its Blast from the Past as Its the Time for RETRO - All you Gen X guys who have missed the drama, action, dance and the feel of Bell Bottom Pants, Cabaret Dances, The Looks and the Costumes and of course, BOMBAY of 1970 - get ready to watch it on a multiplex with whistles and applauds. Its a wonderful experience. And worth a watch and your penny! The movie revolves around the lives of the two gangsters Haiji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim played by Ajay Devgn and Emraan Hashmi. The movie has a beautiful way of describing the time of the Underworld period. Ranaut and Desai playing their lady love Dolls and sweethearts. The clash between the two gangs (minus the guns and wars) but only with the sharp hitting dialogues (wonderful) is the USP of the film. The music is also pleasant especially the Pee Loo number.
Well, I will not divulge you the story of the film - as this is one such film which I would strongly recommend all of you to watch it for the experience that I had cherished and most of you too, of watching a film in the 70's. Hatts off to Milan Luthria and Balaji Films for bringing this 'old' formula in the 'new' film that is worth saying 'Old is Gold'

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic

Review: KHATTA MEETHA

Bahuth hi KHATTA aur kuch MEETHA nahi! - yeh film PHEEKI hai!

So you all must be waiting to see the antics of Sachin Tichkule, who has been showing everyone the 'Road' to failure! Yep.. I am forced to use this sentence right in the beginning, as the road to success is hardly seen in the film. Do not go by the trailers, that seems to be promising and by the Television channels where Akki happens to be the guest at every other serial and reality show. This Reality is that - The film falls flat and therz nothing Bitter neither Sweeter about this Malayalam remake of Priyadarshan himself. Corruption and Murder. Road Block and Tractor Factor. There are more Pot Holes in the film and also in the script. This road to Akshay Kumar's successful career is definitely a failure. Priyadarshan's magic has lost and the climax is nothing worth laughing! Remember that, all Priyan's climax makes you go Ha Ha Ha.. Hee Hee Hee.. But, this does not!
Now for some Khattas and Meethas.
All about Bribe and no Bravery (Akshay is not in his Khiladi form) and his comedy does not evoke laughter. Very Khatta. Not at all Meetha. More like a Ordinary Man (with his dress code of a Government employee), Akki does not impress the cine goer. Trisha could have had a better launch in Hindi. After seeing her in this film no one would compliment her for her 'Pheeki' role. Very Khatta. Not at all Meetha. The only four actors who are more Meetha's for their role (performance) are Johny Lever, Rajpal Yadav, Mohan Joshi and Asrani (the best amongst the entire cast)
Overall, this film is neither KHATTA (Bitter) nor MEETHA (Sweet), but very PHEEKA (Tasteless). Rather, go and watch the old film of the same name (not the same story) - KHATTA MEETHA or catch the SALT (Angelina Jolie) film! coz sometimes its better to taste your buds with different flavors!

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic

Review - LAMHAA

Yeh LAMHAA bahuth hi disturbing hai!
Kashmir - The Name itself makes you imagine of the snow valleys and the ice skates! A beautiful land (paradise on earth) wherein Hindi films romantic songs were picturised down the years. The most beautiful one being 'Roja' song - Yeh Haseen Wadiyan, Yeh Khula Aasmaan!
The same Haseen Wadiyan is been shown by Rahul Dholakia with shocking and breath taking moments in the film that deals with terrorism, politics, militants, CBI, Officers, Agents. Thats the issue here. The Kashmir issue. It was Parzania then by Dholakia that was disturbing and today its Lamhaa that is still disturbing.
The army gets wind of some big operation by militants in Kashmir. Its Election time and Dutt enters but in a disguise to investigate the polls, so that everything goes normal. Kher is the biggest leader in the state who has been guiding the state since Bees saal. Opposing him is his once right hand man and an ex-militant who has turned to peace, Kunal. Bips is been adopted by Kher. When the truth is revealed its a web of conspiracy that threatens to derail Kashmir's only hope and Bips love interest Kunal.
The film has lots of twists and turns that confuses the audience. But, technically the film is of International standard and deserves to be applauded and seen in festivals on the worldwide platform.
Sanjay, Kunal, Bipasha and Anupam are all excellent in their performances. Its Mithoon's song that keeps you haunted. And yes, Dholakia's film is actually disturbing!

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic

REVIEW: AMEN

AMEN - A MEN 2 MEN Film!

The Poster says: Life does not chose your parents or sexuality! And then, boldly the title AMEN. Guess what the title has to do with the film that is about 2 Gay Men. Well the explanation goes thus: God created Man and said AMEN. So, God created himself in a human form. And we say, God is within us. So a Man is within a Man! And that we reflect ourselves on the Mirror!
Well.. this explanation is definitely one's imagination and not justified in the film.
While I mentioned its MEN 2 MEN film, its because the film is about these 2 MEN (Jitin Gulati and Karan Mehra) and directed by 2 MEN (Ranadeep Bhattacharya and Judajit Bagchi).
Now let me get on to the plot.
Meet Andy (Jitin) - A Handsome 'Man' who is all set to get committed (married) and before doing so, wants to experience sex. But does not want to indulge in pre-marital sex, does not want to go to a sex worker, instead knocks the door of another Man whom he hooked up for Sex.
Meet Harry (Karan) - Another Handsome 'Man' who is a Gay. He is all excited when the hook up Andy walks in to his residence. All alone and sexcited to get into the act.
Andy and Harry without wasting time, get undressed and get into the act. But... there lies the hitch! A dramatic twist takes place and Andy gets frustrated. How the two of them interact with their past forms the rest of this bold short film!
The film hits you like a shot in the heart. The way the duo directors have got the duo actors to perform is to be appreciated. The duo equally compliment each other with their 'Body' Language as well. They both were indeed 'Men' for each other! While Karan is more on a softer side, its Jitin whose performance registers! The three other Plus point of the film is: Excellent Cinematography, Good Background score and the Perfect Location that of a Furnished Artistic House.
Hatts off to Harish to have made this project and the back up he got from his friends. He definitely needs a Thumbs up and pat on his back! A Gay to go! (oops, Way to go)
And I end this review with a prayer that - the film do wonders in festivals abroad and win the team an award too. AMEN!

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic

Review : MILENGE MILENGE

..MILENGE? Audience Shahid aur Kareena ko kabhi nahi MILENGE!

Remember Shahid and Kareena - Jab They Met... It was a Super Hit! Now, after 2 years they are meeting again on screen which they had met Six Years Ago! Did you get that! Well, Its almost 2 years now since Jab We Met hit the screens and now Boney has released a film that was made 6 yrs ago. But, will they meet again as the posters say 'Milenge Milenge'. Yep, on screen of course. Of screen, No chance! As the film has hit the halls - there has been no Bebo and no Shasha doing the promotional activities at all. They actually are not interested in Milna. They are happy being Split!

Getting back to the film, if you have thought that the film is a remake of 'Serendipity. You are Right! But, wait, this is Satish Kaushik's film. So its obvious that he remakes films from South. And why not, this Southish Kaushik has copied frame to frame a lot of scenes from the Madhavan - Nisha Kothari starrer Tamil film 'Jay Jay' which was over 7 yrs now! And with my Review here - Its Official! Milenge Milenge is a remake of a South Film 'Jay Jay'.

Bebo needs a Baba in her life who has Good Qualities and is a strict No No for Smoking, Drinking and Telling Lies (In this era, Kaun Hai Jo Aisa Kartha Hai?).. Every Human Being is a Liar! Liar!! And Baba who wants to get Bebo, happens to read her personal diary and pretends to be of her choice hiding all his Negative Habits from her. When the truth is out, they split. Destinations elsewhere! Judaai Judaai! Well, in between this a 100 Rupee Currency with a Phone Number in it travels around India from North to South, East to West from the beginning of the film till it reaches the Climax - and that Currency unites the Lovers! Sirf Tum, anyone once again? So.. If you feel that you are watching a 2010 film, think twice. It is a 'period' film that happened years ago and finally hits the halls today!

The film is fine in some parts and yawns in many sequences. Shahid overacts and Kareena is overweight. The chemistry between both of them is as good as they were in those forgettable flicks like 'Chup Chup Ke, 36 China Town and Fida'. Jab We Met was an exception of the couple that will never ever be recreated again! Definitely not with this pair ever! So, I guess with this film NOT doing well, and the chemistry between the two have lost, Kareena is SAIF today!

About watching the film, All I can say is this film can be easily skipped at a multiplex and wait for some more time before you happen to see it on a World Television Premiere on your Small Screen at Home!

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic!

Review - I HATE LUV STORYS

I don't HATE this LUV STORY :) - Its A HIT Luv Story!

Raj aur Simran. Yeh Naam toh suna hi hoga. Yes..DDLJ, which was not a Karan Johar film, but he had assisted Aditya Chopra for that film. Today, KJo's assistant (Punit) has directed I Hate Luv Storys and has brought in Raj and Simran in it. But wait, this Raj and Simran are not SRK and Kajol, they are Sameer and Sonam. Cute lovers, Raj woos Simran daily with his bunch of white Roses to her. Popcorn Dating, Ice Cream Eating, Romantic Candle Light Dining - Everythingz Fine. Their Luv chemistry is average on screen until a Casanova flirt Imran (J) comes in picture who Hates Luv Storys. (Looks like he is an RGV fan, who cant stand KJo type of films) and cant withstand Romantic Film Maker Sameer Soni's love subjects. But, has to work under him as his assistant director and has to also be a colleague to Simran, who is an art director and luv's romantic films. Yep.. The subject of the film is a film atmosphere with the setting of a film set. You gonna watch a Film set in a Film theater. Jai (Hates) and Simran (Loves) Luv Stories. While Simran always believe in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, J ko Kuch Bhi Nahi Hota Hai. The opposites do attract after a while and then, finally Jai ka Dil Toh Pagal Hai. Its Luv which wins! J Loves LUV story and poor Raj hates luv storys. Lol!
Do not get confused with the way I have written this review.
The film reminds you of Jaane Tu.. (not because the similarity of Imran Khan's character and his presence), but the feel of the film and the climax (with a interesting one here). And besides this, lots of scenes will remind of of other films for sure! But, you cant tell them as remakes, its inspiration. What say, Its all Filmi. Right?
Well.. I do luv Love stories and I have loved all Yashji and KaranJo's love stories (Lets be practical, Kjo's films are more like Yashji's and Adi's films... so they are like a Family). I luvd Lamhe, Chandni, Darr, DDLJ, Dil To Pagal Hai, Kuch Kuch, Kal Ho Na Ho, Kabhi Alvida...
But I did Hate a few of Adi's products like Thoda Pyar No Magic, Nil N' Nikky etc. So, in a way we do Hate Luv Storys too.
But, this one is NOT to be hated. Its a film that every teenager would luv to watch with his/her valentine. Debutante Punit Malhotra has presented the film in a way Yashji presented Dil To Pagal Hai and KJo presented Kuch Kuch Hota Hai in the initial beginning. But with more colors, fashionable clothes (excellent Manish Malhotra creations) and beautiful settings which is a treat for your eyes. Roses, Chocolates, Clothing's, Greetings, Songs, Gifts and lotsssa more that today's generation loves. Go watch it.
The film according to me should be 'HIT' LUV STORYs. (As the film will be HIT for sure).

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic
I Love LUV Storys!