Shamelessly Entertaining Dirty Picture

The reason why Kolaveri Di works is because it “entertains” and nobody bothers if it has great singing, beautiful arrangements, melodious music or deep meaningful lyrics. It appeals to that side of ours which doesn’t always look for logical reasons for enjoying. The same stands for the famous ‘Nakka Mukka’ song which also features prominently in this film for its length. ‘Sex Sells’ because in that moment of ecstasy no one looks out for rationality. The central character of the film Silk Smitha and the film itself is based on this idea of pure entertainment.

The film lives up to the promise it makes and in a way pays a perfect homage to the character of ‘Silk Smitha’. The biopic moves about in a very entertaining manner with sequences unfolding in a series of double meaning dialogues and quirky characters. In fact it won’t be too wrong to say that the dialogues are one of the strongest features of the film on which the entertainment part rides. Rajat Arora to that effect has done a fantastic job in terms of screenplay, story and dialogues which make it a meaty and crisp product.

The screenplay of the second half though doesn’t match up to the first half and certain sequences could have been avoided. Especially the sequence where Vidya Balan picks up a verbal/dance fight with a new kid on the block could have been done better. One other place where the writer could have done a better job is the climax of the film which in a way turned out to be a very expected, lacking the irony of being a celebrity associated with soft porn. The film is a bit like glamorized version of 1997 Hollywood Film “Boogie Nights” which was out and out based on the Porn film industry of west. But as I said this film lacks the irony which Boogie Nights beautifully portrays. Barring the end, the writer(s) have almost done a flawless job and need to be complimented for that.

Vidya Balan has acted really well and carries the entire film on her shoulders. It is one of those rare Bollywood films which have given a female lead the central character of the film and has not at any point of time let the likes of Naseeruddin Shah or Emraan Hashmi overshadow the character of Silk Smitha . The credit goes to both Milan Luthria and producer Ekta Kapoor for making a female centric commercial film. The star of the film is Vidya no doubt , but still in my opinion she hasn’t really pushed the envelope in terms of acting as I expect a lot from her. I could still see traces of real life Vidya Balan in it instead of a full blown Silk Smitha.

Naseeruddin Shah was also a bit disappointing, lacking the usual on-screen aura that is there around his characters no matter how small they are. Emran Hashmi has done well as a jealous director who hates stars and their tantrums. I would like to specially acknowledge him as very few Indian “Stars” actually take a backseat in a film and don’t mind being underplayed. The art direction team and cinematographer Bobby Singh have also done a fab job, successfully recreating the time that the film is set in. The background score by Vishal-Shekhar adds to the narration of the story , using the song Ooh La La and Nakka mukka in an appropriate manner.

Last but not least, Director Milan Luthria, has definitely made a good film striking a proper balance between entertainment and storytelling. The story has been told in a very entertaining manner which would excite you as an audience and also shock you in certain portions. Overall, it’s a paisa vasool package of titillation for the hardcore single screen type of audience and also of story/acting which would appeal to the “multiplex” adult audience. Definitely deserves a onetime watch.

Kismat Konnection — Movie Review

Long time after , Aziz Mirza is back with Kismat Konnection and the genre is still the same , a simple love story surrounding a young couple and in that simple story he has again tried to convey a simple and short message with it . This time one major thing has changed and that’s the lead actor . It was alwaysSRK along with either Juhi or Rani but now its Shahid with Vidya . The movie is the first release for Shahid this year and second for Vidya after the not so successful Halla Bol . Vidya was always paired with more older heroes like akshay , ajay and Sanjay who are well over their 40’s and in this one she has been paired with an actor of his age group . So does it work ? Yes , but only to an extent .

Lets first talk a little about the film . It surrounds a young guy Raj Malhotra played by Shahid who is from Toronto (Canada) and his tryst with his destiny . He is one of the most ambitious and successful student at his college . He is an all-rounder in his college and is very popular among the students . But his destiny takes a U-turn and his bad luck prevents him from achieving anything in Real life after the college . The once winner turns into a hardworking loser in life . All his colleagues become greats in their respective fields but Raj who is an architect by profession doesn’t even get his first chance to prove himself . He along with his friendHiten Patel played by Vishal Malhotra keep trying their bad luck expecting it to change one day . In the mean time Shahid has a very close accident with Priya (Vidya ) and he meets her on road and their first meet turns into a quarrel . He keeps bumping into her afterwards and always in a bad situation which actually ends up quite well forShahid .

Well , after getting fed up of his bad luck Shahid at last decides to consult an Oracle , Haseena Baanu Jaan played by Juhi Chawla . Haseena advices Shahid that their will be some lucky charm that will change his life , he just needs to identify that lucky charm and keep it with himself for good luck . He realises thatVidya is his lucky charm and every time she bumps into him something good happens to him . Then once again luckily Shahid meets Vidya and this time he doesn’t let the opportunity go out of his hands and introduces himself to her and makes amends with her . Then they start meeting often . In the mean timeShahid gets a chance to design a mall and the builder Mr. Gill played by Om Puri gives him a chance to show his designs for the mall . Then Shahid decides that he would take Vidya with her while he shows the design to Gill so that they get approved . But Shahid comes to know that Vidya is a caretaker of a Community Center for the Old Aged and it is that same community center that is supposed to be replaced by the mall that has to be designed byShahid . Vidya asks Shahid for his support against the builders and Shahid plays a double game with her promising her that he will design the mall in such a way that her community center doesn’t get destroyed just for the sake that She comes along with him to show the actual designs at Gill’s office . Then asShahid lies to her his conscience keeps fighting with his mind and he realises that he has fallen in love with her . Then starts the whole sequence ofShahid trying to hide his lie and how in the end truth comes out and how he with his own will and Vidya’s luck manages to bring back the things to their best .

Talking a little about the acting , the film surrounds completely around Shahid and has very less for the other characters . Shahid acts pretty well in the film and Vidya also does her bit quite well . The chemistry between them is at times quite good and at times a little dull . Overall , they look good on-screen together but certainly not amongst the great . I felt thatAziz could have kept one romantic kiss between them at the moment in a party when Shahid and Vidya confess their love for each other . But Aziz kept it till tight hugging only and made it a complete Family film . He is a director of the old school so probably he doesn’t believe in on-screen kisses . It can also be the case thatShahid or Vidya might have denied doing the scene considering Shahid’s recent break-up . But still I believe one kiss would have made a difference to the film and the actors should have taken it professionally rather than emotionally . Anyways its just my opinion and Kisses aren’t compulsory for showing the chemistry between the actors .

Shahid and Vishal have great chemistry in between them and they look quite funny on screen together . They have been paired after a very long time sinceshahid’s first film Ishq-Vishq which was a hit and it also had some quite funny sequences involving both of them . Juhi Chawla as usual does comic roles at her best and I still believe she hasn’t got the Role of her life and she can do a very funny character on screen . Her portrayal of an Occult specialist is just fabulous and she has put her real life character in it . IfJuhi would have been a Oracle , she would have been exactly as what we see in the film . Om Puri does his part quite well and his wife which has been played by Himani Shivpuri has a very short role but a very comic one . She also acts very well and delivers her best in the small bit .

Talking a little technically , the screenplay is a little slow and they could very well have reduced some 20-25 minutes from the film . At some points the screenplay becomes very slow and impatient people are bound to crack at those points . Women who are more patient than Men in my opinion would definitely like the film and won’t have any complaints . But if the Director would have reduced the length a little , the impatient men would have also liked the film . The target audience I think were Women and it really delivers according to their expectations . The story being written by a women ,Rahila Mirza , daughter of Aziz , it is really visible on screen that it has been written by a women and hence it is more for Women . Rahila has done a good job considering this was her first . But she needs a lot more hard work to become one of the best .

Apart from the little slow screenplay , the film is good and can be watched once if you have a little patience in you . Don’t expect a brisk love story and you might like it . The background score is also good especially the whistling music whenever there is something wrong happening withShahid due to his bad luck . The music of the film is quite strong and it is what keeps the audience a little entertained in between . All the songs are good apart fromSoniye which wasn’t necessary at all and shouldn’t have been kept in the film . The cinematography is quite beautiful and Canada has been shown in a very beautiful way . Direction is also good but some of the scenes have been kept in the very old stereotypical style and could have been done better .

Overall , the film is little slow but still can be watched once . Aziz Mirza has himself admitted that it is a very simple love story so don’t expect any fireworks and you won’t be disappointed . Simple old story put up in same old style yet you won’t get bored at any point if you got the patience .

Movie Rating : Two and Half Stars out of Five . Good for one time watch .Shahid’s fans won’t get disappointed