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

KITES: Film Review

Will this KITES fly high? I wish it should, because of HrIThik for sure!
Rakesh Roshan's (note that.. only as a producer) KITES has a blend of 4 languages. Hindi, English, Spanish and the fourth one - Body Language. English (Hrithik), Spanish (Mori) and Hindi (Ranaut) love story is that the two lead players cant understand each other's mother tongue. But what one can feel and understand is the Body Language. And the chemistry between Hrithik and Mori is the best scene (seen) in recent times.They surely deserve the Hot Romantic Couple Award (also termed as Jodi No.1). The film truly is a Bollywoodish film made on International Standards. You are 'bout to watch a Foreign Film with Indian Actors in it.

Its Flashback time. As the film starts from the End to several incidents in Hrithik's exciting fast paced life and back and fro, the flashback to present sustains in the film. A Vegas Taxi driver in Mexico woo's every other woman and then marries her, for the sake of dollars and getting a Green Card. Woah!! Yet its not permanent relationship. Ranaut is one such girl and so is Barbara. They meet and split. Again to reunite and this time, true love attracts both of them. The Greek God runs away with his pretty engaged fiancee/wife to exotic locations, speedy cars and zoom vroom sequences. Hair raising incidents and Plot twist followings to a Climax that the recent generation had never seen before. But the older generation has had seen it in 1980's (Ek Duje Ke Liye).

Basu is known for his realistic, jaw dropping and enthralling films, but Kites would definitely seem an unusual outing for him. Yet, Kites works and only because of Anurag! While the writing of the film is flawless, Anurag’s handling of the script is the silver lining. Each scene is handled with such care and precision that the characters and situations are captivating.

Barbara Mori is a refreshing actress to watch. Apt for the role, one could wish that she would get more Bolly offers. But thats a million dollar question as every film in the making will not want a character like hers to fit in. Ranaut has no scope in the film, except for small few scenes at a casino and a Fire Dance with Hritik. There is this brilliantly executed Latin infused instrumental number that showcases the dancing talents of Hrithik Roshan.

Its only Hrithik and Hrthik that one can put his penny to watch the film. He is truly the Hero - who carries the entire film on his shoulders and can flag the Kites to high point with the home banner FilmKraft to get in moolah from across the globe (It has International Version too). I would re-baptize his name as HIThik Roshan!

Language No Bar. Sex No Bar. Is Film ko kya tum dekhoge Baar Baar. Yes.. for HITik's sake; the style, the demure, the look and the feel of the film (no matter it may be boring for some, but the bottom line is that - Only the Persona and the Presence of Hrithik - this KITES will definitely fly High!

Sundeep Malani
I luv Hritik!
A Film Critic!

Film Review - BUMM BUMM BOLE

BUMM BUMM BOLE.... Masti Main Dole : The Adidas 'SHOE' must go on!

Brother - Sister Bonding of Darsheel and Ziyah takes you to the innocent world which will drive a cohesive force for a family to come with their children and watch this shoe (show). Safari losing a shoe and then going to the school with the exchange of the shoe from his leg to his sister's and then finally running a marathon to win a shoe for his sister makes the film a worth while watch. Although the film is a bit boring at places, the innocence of the child actors (who can be called superstars.. as they have pulled in the crowd to a Full packed theater) is applauding. And guess what, this comes from a mad caper director Priyadarshan, who for a change does not have Akshay, Paresh and Shetty in his film. But with an Adidas to sponsor the film's shoe - the 'Children of Heaven' looks very branded and ends up losing the charm at many places. Remember Ghai's Yaadein that went of 'memory' because of the 'In film ads' forced upon even at a emotional scene? Ditto goes here too.The film is about the Shoe... And Brand Adidas puts in moolah and spoils the scene too as the camera has to focus on the brand.
Performance wise, Atul Kulkarni and Rituparna play the parents to perfection. But its the Kids (here in this film, its not Darsheel but the Baby Ziyah (Antara from Zee TV) who can pull in the crowd and this doll is surely to be cuddled, hugged and worth to pay a multiplex amount to watch her on big screen!

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic

Badmaash Company Review

At the Box office, it will fetch 'Kum Penny' and its obviously a BADmaash film!

Bluffmaster, Bunty Aur Babli and now Badmaash Company! No... the plot are not the same but the treatment is. All the three films were about 'cheating' and 'bluffing'. Gags and Change of Looks, wigs and Make overs... Sethi's BC is about the gang of 4 sum friends who make quick and insane money out of cheating customs and land up making business in America. Its the time in 1990's when Finance Minister Manmohan Singh chopped away import duty. They make money out of conning import companies, again. Money Money Money...Its the time, that Paisa Boltha Hai, and Success Main Aadmi Sab Kuch Bhool Jaatha Hai. The friends separate and then what follows later is a BADmaash Company. I am being loyal to Yash Raj Films and so I watch all his productions. But that does not mean that I should praise all his films. So, you got the point!
Parmeet Sethi who got his break with DDLJ from this production house has got his first directorial debute too. Styling and Scenes copied from a couple of Films put together (Hollywood and Bolly). Shahid is cool and carries off the negative character once again with his own style. Anushka is the Hot new Bipasha in town. Its better the Indian Idol remain Idol for the TV channels. The fourth one, least said the best! Finally, This Company ko Box office pe bahuth 'Kum Penny' milega. And Its obviously a BADmaash film!

Sundeep Malani
Film Critic

HOUSEFULL has been a HOUSEFOOL and will sure be declared a HOUSEFAIL!

First things first - The films title does not justify the film at all. Not even from a single frame, at least! No idea why was the film titled HOUSEFULL.
Now, let me move on to the story of the film. Story, did I say? There is no story at all in the film, but the film just moves on with some forced situations and characters appearing and the foursome (Akki, Dips, Lara and Ritesh) have to move forward to become His wife, Her Husband, His Cook, Her Maid.. Actually its not a Confusion for the audience but for the two other characters (Boman and Ramphal), add forced character Lilette Dubey and a bit of Jiah Khan (appearing and disappearing). Malaika to start with and to end with and Chunky Pandey just joking and irritating with his loud Italian style (Just Jokingggg!).
The song in the film goes, He's a Loser.. And this applies directly to Sajid Khan (as he is a loser), the film is a dud, Yawn! I hardly smiled at a few scenes, but then there is nothing 'ha ha ha' about the film, not even the final episode where everyone in the House (a Party Hall, though) goes 'Ha Ha Ha, Hee Hee Hee, Ho Ho Ho'! This is such a tasteless humor. Sajid has heavily inspired by Priyadarshan type of climax for this House!
In a nutshell - the film has all these ingredients: Bad crap Joke, Senseless scenes, Animated Parrot and a Tiger to fear, A monkey to slap, Kanta ben type Gay imaginations from two some to three some, Pappa Jag Jayega, Beach Wear, Irritating Akhree Pasta, Lie Detector, forced Apni Toh Jaise Taise, Laughing Gas, Ha Ha Ha, Hee Hee Hee, Ho Ho Ho..The film is a Super Duper Hit (Well, Lol! I am just Jokinggg!!)
No doubt the theater was Housefull, but actually Sajid has fooled everyone of us with the teaser and claiming it to be best comedy (oops..no ways, Hey Baby was far better), that we all inside the Theater House were looking more like Fools - watching the film, and some even enjoying to such crude crap humor. I would consider myself a HOUSEFOOL to have watched this film. I can rather catch it at my House and have my FULL family watch it for free, then I can call it as HOUSEFULL!
Box office wise, the film fails badly and it can be declared HOUSE-FAIL!

Sundeep Malani