Cineplot.com » Comedy

Action Replayy (2010)

admin — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 03:43:05 +0000

Action Replayy (2010)

Is there more to Vipul Shah’s take on Back To The Futuresque film than just the item number ‘Zor Ka Jhatka’, or is Aishwarya looking attractive in a jumpsuit all that we can look forward to? All these questions and more can and will be answered by watching Action Replayy (AR), the latest work of the man who has brought us films like Aankhen, London Dreams, and Namastey London.

AR is a film about, it seems, marital disputes and the affect they can have on the offspring. In Bunty’s (Aditya Kapur) case, the effect is that of him never wanting to get married. His parents’ fights aren’t just arguments that end in one or the other making up with their partner, but rather with Akshay Kumar becoming more long-suffering and Aishwarya Rai shopping some more. Speaking of whom, it was a good call to style her as a tricked out older woman rather than a sad woman trapped in a bad marriage with her roots showing. Score a point for the stylist of the film. Speaking of which…

AR builds a lot of its foundation on the fact that it is set in the ‘70s. The sets, with Mumbai spots being refurbished to look new (or to look like they exist again), are groovy. It’s always fun to watch a period piece, simply because it is interesting to note how many details from those times can be recreated, and for someone who has never been to India except for the old family photos and old Hindi cinema, AR is a treat to watch as it creates some of that ambience you see in older Indian films. Old Indian movies always featured those old Ambassadors and the homes that just somehow look different from the houses we are used to seeing now, and the essence of another time is captured well in AR.

Then there are the costumes. They might not be exactly what the girls wore back in the day, but they are strongly based on the idea of what they did wear, only seemingly more stylish somehow, which means the clothes have somewhat been played with to appeal to the sensibilities of a new century.

Also, how can anyone resist a film with time travel (as in the Back To The Future trilogy?) Or a really not so serious take on sci-fi (as in Honey I Shrunk The Kids)? Both make for really good means to while away time, without having to invest too much of your brain into the plot, the character development or the subtle nuances of great cinema. Although BTTF was great cinema, no two ways about it. Anyway, AR does a lot of that pleasantly mindless entertainment thing, and though it sometimes seems like the film is being carried upon Aditya Kapur’s fairly new Bollywood existence, that’s not entirely a bad thing.

Aditya has previously starred in London Dreams, and has a pretty chunky role in AR. He is the son, the best friend and the cool guy who coaches his dad on how to be equally cool and win the heart of the object of his affection. Only in AR, Bunty, as the son has to first make his father think/ feel that the pretty girl next door, Mala, with the attributes of your local badmaash is in fact the object of his affection.

Mala, played by the stoniest woman known to mankind, Aishwarya Rai, actually manages to be…not so Aishwarya for once. Yes, the high pitched voice is in place, as is Aishwarya’s penchant to not look sad or affronted even when she is, but there are times she actually breaks out of all the usual trappings and really slides into her role of someone who enjoys picking on the effeminate Kishen (Akshay Kumar). This is Aishwarya’s other release this month, along with Guzaarish, and it seems that she is totally on an acting high with both, even though AR isn’t rated as high as Guzaarish.

Akshay Kumar is pretty funny as usual. His comic timing is excellent and he works well with Bunty’s character. The actors all play off each other and each one is endearing in their own way – even Neha Dhupia, who has perhaps the smallest part in the film.

That said, AR keeps up the humour factor pretty steadily except for the few times that it falters. The jokes are not Hera Pheri funny, but they still induce smiles and chuckles. AR builds itself a sweet momentum, but then doesn’t know where to go with it – Amina Baig

Rating – 3 out of 5

Cast and Production Credits

Year – 2010, Genre – Comedy/Drama, Country – India, Language – Hindi, Producer – Vipul Shah, Director – Vipul Shah, Music Director – Pritam Chakraborty, Cast - Akshay Kumar, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Randhir Kapoor, Neha Dhupia, Kiron Kher, Om Puri, Rannvijay Singh, Aditya Roy Kapoor, Sudeepa Singh, Rajpal Yadav

Do Dooni Char (2010)

admin — Sun, 24 Oct 2010 21:58:40 +0000

Do Dooni Char (2010)

Real, sweet, simple and sensitive - these four words define Do Dooni Char, which is a tribute to all the teachers and the teaching community. It is a movie that makes you remember all those teachers who have taught you the most important lessons of your life. It is a movie that makes you realize that life isn’t easy. It is a movie that shows you that it’s not easy to get everything you wish for in life. It’s a movie that touches upon the nuances of real life.

Do Dooni Char is the story of a mathematics schoolteacher Santosh Duggal [Rishi Kapoor] who struggles very hard to make both ends meet for his family. His wife, Kusum Duggal [Neetu Kapoor] handles the domestic chores struggling to keep the household expenses low while his daughter, Payal Duggal [Aditi Vasudev] hopes for an upscale lifestyle. Mr. Duggal’s son Sandy Duggal (Archit Krishna) wishes the same and secretly attempts to upgrade his standard of living by trying his hand at betting.

Mr. Duggal’s extra earnings from tuition classes can’t meet the high expectations and aspirations of his middleclass family. Every small raise and bonus has too many takers. The real journey, however, starts when the Mr. Duggal, who currently has a scooter, decides to buy a car for his family due to societal pressures. Stuck between car models, bank loans, EMI and down payments, Mr. Duggal tries all he can to get his family a car. If he manages to succeed or not and how exactly is what the rest of the narrative is all about.

To sum up, the entire film is based on financial issues faced by Mr. Duggal and his family and the narrative runs on a single conflict – Duggals purchasing a car. Still, the narrative doesn’t seem monotonous at any point though it does get slow. Also, indeed the film focuses on the life of lower middle income group and the scarcity of resources but it isn’t a sad or depressing movie. Director, Habib Faisal has made sure to keep it lighthearted while telling a very real and sensitive story.

There are parts of the movie which everyone can instantly relate to. First of all, the common man shares the same demands, dreams, insecurities and situations as shown in the film. Moreover, we all have had moments when we really want something but can’t get it due to financial restraints. That is precisely what has been highlighted in the film. Also, the part where Mr. Duggal’s daughter comes home and tells him she got a job at a call center and then doesn’t get permission to do it is also very close to real life. We see such scenarios everyday in real life.

The film has some very sensitive scenes. For instance, when Mr. Duggal finds out his son has been earning money through betting, instead of beating him up, he takes him out and engages him in a casual yet very meaningful conversation. Such are scenes that show what parenting is about.

Not only is the story touching but the dialogues are also very well written and some of them touch your heart instantly. For example there’s a sequence where Mr. Duggal says, “khali fees bharnay se papa ki duty nahie hoti poori, papa ki duty hai bachoon ki khushiyan and us main no discount!” This might be a simple dialogue but ask a father how real it is and only he will be able to tell you what all it takes to keep his kids happy.

The actors have done a superb job and what else could one expect from these two Kapoors? Rishi Kapoor gives a fantastic performance and makes the role of an honest teacher look very real. Nitu Kapoor has given a perfect come back with this role and looks beautiful and elegant. She has given a very natural performance, which was demanded by her role. Even the kids are suited for their roles unlike most kids in Bollywood films. So the film does score good points as far as the performances are concerned.

The second half of the film is slightly slow and one expects more essence in it. The climax could have been much better and interesting. Still the movie doesn’t make you press the forward button. While talking about the weak points of the film, we can surely talk about the music because it is very weak. A better soundtrack could have easily increased the ratings of Do Dooni Char.

All in all, there’s a lot that Do Dooni Char teaches. It teaches that more than anything else in life, it is self esteem and respect that matters, which can’t be gained by money. Do Dooni Char is not for those who seek glamour, fun and music in a film. In fact, this film would please those who are struggling for something in life and will motivate them to work harder but I would suggest you all to wait for the master print to watch it since it’s not on at Pakistani cinemas – Hafsah Sarfraz

Rating :- 3 out of 5

Cast and Production Credits

Year – 2010, Genre – Comedy, Country – India, Language – Hindi, Producer – Arindam Chaudhuri, Director – Habib Faisal, Music Director – Meet Bros Anjan Ankit, Anjan, Cast - Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Archit Krishna, Aditi Vasudev, Akhilendra Mishra, Supriya Shukla

Khichdi – The Movie (2010)

admin — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:22:15 +0000

Khichdi - The Movie (2010)

TV serials are known for coping [Ahem, I mean taking inspiration from] Bollywood movies and stretching them into never ending sagas and soaps for the small screen but this is the first time [at least, in India] that a TV show is turned into a proper full fledge film. If you are a couch potato who watches everything that comes on the idiot box, you will remember khichdi as the hilarious insane weekly TV show that aired on star plus. Fast forward a few years and the same show has been transformed into a film. Khichdi – the movie takes the idiot box legacy to the silver screen!

Narrated by Jackie and Chucky, two wise kids from the hysterically crazy Parekh family, Khichdi – the movie revolves around Parekh family, which is dumb beyond belief. This family consists of Babuji, Hansa, Praful, Jayshri, Himanshu and the kids. Hansa’s brother Himanshu has an aim to have a memorable and legendary [more like filmy] love story. The fact that he’s not in love with anyone or not capable of attracting a sensible girl is a totally different story altogether. After the death of Hansa’s father whose last wish was to fulfill Himanshu’s aim, the entire Parekh family sets out to find a girl for Himanshu.

For no rhyme or reason, Parminder, Himanshu’s neighbor falls in love with him and the two get engaged without any hurdles. As they are about to get married, Himashu realizes there is nothing legendary in his love story and that’s when this ridiculous story takes an even more ridiculous turn! Thus begins the journey to make Himanshu’s love story a memorable, filmy and legendary one. So from here onwards the laugh riot starts. How, in this uproariously foolish process, they mess things up and how at the outrageous climax Himanshu finally wins his love back, makes up the insane story of Khichdi – the movie.

If you are one of those people who don’t care about the story and logic and want to have a good laugh, Khichdi – The Movie is for you! It’s one of those movies that don’t make sense at all but while watching it you still can’t help laughing throughout. Every dialogue is written in a way that it’s bound to give you a split on the sides. There isn’t even one serious scene in this movie. Even the death scene of Hansa’s father and the funeral have been injected with humor.

Supriya Pathak as Hansa has given a perfect performance in Khichdi, like she did in the serial. Her comic timing and senseless acting is flawless! Rajeev Mehta who played the role of Praful [Hansa's husband] has done equally well. Every scene they have enacted leaves you in a fit of laughter. The rest of the cast has done well and it’s their performance that makes Khichdi – The Movie what it is.

While we appreciate the actors, we cannot neglect the writer of the film. Aatish Kapadia the writer and the director of Khichdi has done a great job. His dialogues have literally breathed life into the various roles. Every dialogue is so funny that one is bound to stop thinking sense and laugh at it. Kudos to Aatish for that!

However this Khichdi does come with its flaws too. To begin with, the love story isn’t convincing at all. Himanshu and Parmindar look at each other and fall in love. That’s not even how love at first sight is. Also, agreed it was a comedy film but they have made fun of literally everything – from death sequences to funerals and even elders. There’s a part where Jayshri says “Babuji ko daal koyen main” and Himanshu picks up Babuji and throws him in the well. It was hilarious to see but since it’s a family movie one could argue as to what they are teaching kids who are also viewing.

Music of Khichdi – The Movie is an extremely weak point. Instead of putting in such a number, they should have cut the element of music altogether. The film would have remained equally good or actually better. Also, post interval the proceedings begin to drag. That’s when it looks like this is a collection of four episodes of Khichdi TV show put together and not an actual film. The jokes become less funny and it seems like a cold drink that has been left for a while and has lost its fizz. They could have easily chopped off half an hour from the length and retained the charm.

The cameos by Farah Khan, Satish Shah and Deven Bhojani are pleasant surprises [which aren't surprises for you any more, thanks to yours truly]. All in all, Khichdi – The Movie is not targeting to those viewers who wear a thinking cap while watching a film. Watch it if you are a Khichdi fan or want to have a good laugh! – Hafsah Sarfraz

Rating :- 2.5 out of 5

Cast and Production Credits

Year – 2010, Genre – Comedy, Country – India, Language – Hindi, Producer – Jamnadas Majethia, Director – Aatish Kapadia, Music Director – Raju Singh, Cast - Supriya Pathak, Anang Desai, Rajiv Mehta, Nimisha Vakharia, Girish Shahdev, Kesar Majethia, Markand Soni, Kirti Kulhari , Jamnadas Majethia, Satish Shah, Deven Bhojani