Mumbai Meri Jaan --- Movie Review

This year has been quite dry when it comes to the quality of films that have been produced . In fact there were just 2-3 films that satisfied me and made me think it of as a brilliant piece of cinema . The interesting thing to note is that the Two films that I found great this year (Aamir and Khuda Ke Liye)were both based on terrorism and its aftermath . The third film this year that has impressed me is again having a terrorist background and that is Mumbai Meri Jaan . This film should not be called a film , it is more of a docu-drama sort of film which has depicted the reality of Mumbai and Mumbaikars , their problems and their Life in general covering all strata's of Society. This film is almost like a Reality Special Report that a channel like NDTV makes with real stories and real characters which makes us realise how tough life can be and how nobody gives a damn how tough your life is . You have to sort it out yourself .

The film though is based on Mumbai Blasts but neither it focusses on the plan of Blasts neither does it focus on catching of criminals . As the name suggests it is about the life of Mumbaikars and how their life gets affected by a terrorist activity .The film is has no common story but has strong characters and each character has a story of his own . The film focusses on various issues that are surrounding us apart from the big Terrorism issue . It makes a black humour of those issues that we don't take up seriously but terrorism is the Baby of those small issues itself . It portrays that if we sort out those small issues in our life then automatically the big issue of Terrorism will end .

The film focuses on lives of Five Peoples who belong to different sections of society and all live in Mumbai . Soha Ali Khan who is a Journalist , Kay Kay who is a simple computer assembler looking desperately for some work ,Irrfan Khan who is a Tea Vendor , Paresh Rawal who is a Police Constable and R. Madhvan who is working at some organisation on a high post and pay scale . Soha Ali Khan is a typical Television Reporter who just cares at giving news and tries to sensationalize everything like every typical channel does . She is a famous reporter and is ready to get married with her fiance who doesn't like Media because of their irresponsible behaviour .

Kay Kay is an Educated Struggler who struggles for existence and has lot of debts on him . He doesn't like Muslims at all and thinks that all of them are Terrorists . He is very radical about religion and practically hates every Muslim .Madhvan is an upper middle class guy who works and earns but still prefers to travel by Local Train because he thinks that more the people travel by public transport , the more organised the traffic of Mumbai would be and basically cares about our country and loves Mumbai and India a lot . He declines all his offers to go abroad because he likes Mumbai and India a lot .

Irrfan Khan is a very poor and innocent Tea Vendor from south and he tries to adjust in Mumbai with just bare necessities of life . He too wants to go to Malls and Multiplexes and live a life like many people live in Mumbai but he can't . Then there is Paresh Rawal who is a corrupt Police constable who is just about to retire . He is good at heart and quite honest at heart but he also gets involved in the system and can't do anything about it because he is too small a person to do anything about it .

Amongst all of these only two get affected directly from the serial Train Blasts , Madhvan and Soha . Madhvan's friend gets injured and loses his hand and Soha loses her fiance in the blasts . The plot of Madhvan shows how he gets terrified after the blasts as he just narrowly escapes those blasts . He gets scared a lot and he starts having Mental Anxiety problems and his love and trust for Mumbai and India also starts shaking . After the blasts Kay Kay starts probing into blasts himself along with his friends because he has suspicion on some Muslim guys that regularly visit a restaurant but are missing after the blasts . After the blasts the Police start their usual routine of High Alert in the town and try to tighten up the situation of the city . Soha gets the shock of her life and takes a break from her job but her channel decides to do a byte on her . She gives them the permission and faces the same questions that she used to ask early and realises how hard it is . She gets to face the other side of her profession and her perspective changes . Irrfan in order to take his revenge from rich people spreads rumours of Bombs in Malls and watches them run for their life . While doing this he doesn't realise that how much problem he is causing and his rumour can get dangerous .

The whole movie revolves around these different plots with Mumbai being common in all their plots . How they slowly slowly recover from the blasts and how they realise their mistakes and also the fact that though the city has many problems but still it is the spirit of the city that makes them still live their . The whole movie is a mirror image of our society and its happenings . But as they say sometimes others have to show you the mirror to you so that you realise that what flaws you have . The same job has been done by Director Nishikant Kamat who has shown us what we see daily but act like blind people who haven't seen anything .

The film is not made like a typical film that moves according to a single story . This one moves in a random way and portraying each story simultaneously .Each story has something to offer and sends out a message in general . The movie starts off with archive footage of Mumbai and how it has changed over the years . The beginning of the movie is quite strong and creates an impact on the viewer's mind . But it is after sometime that the movie comes into its true element which it has maintained for the entire length .The plot of Irrfan Khan though was quite moving but still it was unnecessary and could have been avoided . Most of the time the film has Serious tone but some scenes have still been dramatized and some being over-dramatized . Especially the scene where Irrfan lifts his both hand and looks towards the sky while a heavy background score is played is quite out of the place and frankly speaking a little stupid also . The movie though surrounds the Mumbai blasts yet it has talked very less about the blasts . The Mumbai blasts have been used more as Publicity tool to attract the audience . Black Friday as we all know is an exceptional film and not only does it focus on the Mumbai Blasts of 1992 but also in the process sends out a strong message .

Talking a little about the acting , the film has some of the finest performances by all the actors in it . Especially Kay Kay and Irrfan who were at their best . Kay Kay is one of the best actors in the Industry yet he has done very few roles and that too mostly in Multi-starrer films . He is one of those actors that get under the skin of the character effortlessly and are quite natural about it . His acting just mesmerizes me and I am a huge fan of him since his Television days . The other fine performance is by Irrfan . His plot though wasn't that strong yet he delivers his best and it is because of him that his plot can be seen . Soha has also done a fine job but she can do much better . Paresh Rawal is a seasoned actor , he also gives a fine performance . The character of a Marathi Constable suits him perfectly . Madhvan's role wasn't that good but he still acts quite well . He also can do much better than this .

Overall , the film is very good but it lacks that cinematic approach and hence would please only selected audience . The Director Nishikant has worked more hard on the scenes rather than the complete film . He has shown some of the most finest scenes and has created several moments throughout the film but there was no common thread that could hold all these moments and hence you have a feeling after watching the film that something was missing . The Acting , Direction , Cinematography and Background Score were all good but that soul is what was missing . But still , the film is different type of cinema and it should be appreciated for its effort . The film though might not work that much but has certainly won all the accolades that it could have .

Indian Audience has seen such type of cinema very few times and Documentaries have also never got popular in India thats why this film also won't work on a commercial level . The Director has worked differently on the Five Stories of Five People and if you are ready to accept that then only you can watch it .

Still , the film is recommended from my side because it has very strong messages in it that have been presented in an excellent manner . The film has some of the finest acting performances and number of moments that make it worth a watch .The film also shows the life of Mumbai and Mumbaikars in a very realistic manner so it is a must watch for all the Mumbaikars . The film ends with the Famous song "Ae Dil Hai Mushkil Jeena Yahan , Zara Hatke, Zara Bach ke, ye he Bombay meri Jaan " which very well puts up the entire lifestyle of the city .

Movie Rating : Three and Half out of Five Stars ; Fabulous acting and some great moments .

Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam --- Music Review

The third film of Sanjay Chhel as a Director , Maan Gaye Mughal-e-Azam is all set for release and the music of the film is out now . The Music of the film is by Anu Malik who is kinda a second choice these days since Pritam has taken his place of Lifting tunes and making popular music out of it . The last film by Anu Malik was Love Story 2050 whose music wasn't blockbuster but still wasn't that bad either . One thing that I have noticed that Anu Malik has given his best in the movies where SRK was in lead . Otherwise his albums were average package of some hits and some flops .

This time he has been opted by Sanjay Chel for his movie who himself has been a writer on several good projects but his last two films as director didn't do well , Kya Dil Ne kaha (*ing Tushar & Esha) and Khubsurat(*ing Sanju and Urmila) . This film has the hit jodi of Rahul and Mallika who gave a hit film together (PKSE) . The lyrics of this album are also from the Director himself . Now lets talk about the soundtrack.

The album starts off with "Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya" which is on air these days . The song is a good blend of the original super hit song and some new lyrics and singing style . The song has been sung well by Anushka Manchanda , Ishq Bector and Mahalaxmi Iyer . The tune didn't impress me that much but still it is not that bad either . The song has some nice DJ Beats and would sound good on a good speaker system . The lyrics aren't that impressive and it is expected in such a song .

The next track is the best track on album "Marmari Baahein" which is a nice Romantic and sensuous track by Kunal Ganjawala and Mahalaxmi Iyer . The tune again didn't impress me much and it is a typical one but the beautiful singing by Kunal and Mahalaxmi make it one track to hear again and again . The Lyrics of this song are also the best on the album . This song has a similar feeling as "Tere Bin" of Bhagam-bhag had . Anu didn't work that hard on this track as he could have since the Lyricist and Singers did more than half of the Job themselves .

The next track on album is a ghazal by Pankaj Udhas - "Ek to sharab Kum" . Pankaj Udhas has returned after after a long time with this Ghazal . The Ghazal is good but it is not one of those popular Ghazals so it won't work in the people at large . The Hardcore Ghazal lovers might love it but not general public . The tune is a typical Ghazal tune and nothing new about it with a little bit bass in it .

The next track "Ishqaiyaan" is by Sunidhi . The song can be called a "Modern Mujra" song . The song hasn't come out that well as it could have . The lyrics aren't that strong , neither is the tune . Of late Sunidhi is not getting good songs and she has been type casted even though she has sung beautiful songs like "Bhaage Re Mann" in Chameli .

Then comes a remix version of Marmari Baahein which has Anu Malik holding the mic . If its a anu malik album then one song has to have him . At least he has featured in a remixed version . The song is sort of a Lounge Mix more than a remix and sounds good .

After this comes a second part of to Ghazal "Ek to Sharab Kum" , frankly speaking , which I didn't listen to so can't say anything about it . Didn't like the first part , why would I listen to the second part .

Then there is a remix of Ishqaiyaan which is good but since the original is not that great , I didn't like this one either .

Overall , the album has only one song that's good i.e. Marmari Baahein . Both Anu Malik and Sanjay Chhel , the lyricist , have disappointed me . They didn't put their best efforts in .

Album Rating : Two out of Five Stars ; not recommended only one song is good .

Welcome --- Movie Review

One of the last big releases of the year , Welcome is a tough competitor for TZP and probably would out-do TZP in terms of Box-office numbers . The movie is Directed by No Entry fame Anees Bazmee and produced by Firoz Nadiadwala . The movie is quite different from Anees's first offering No Entry in terms of comedy style and also actors . The main drawback of the movie for me was the fact that it was not at all situational based comedy and situations were created hypothetically , just like in any David Dhawan's film . If you are a big fan of David's cinema then you would for sure enjoy this movie a lot .

The movie is not meant for intellectual type of people and it may disappoint them . The film targets the common audience and hits a bulls eye . The Movie has many comic scenes that would tickle your funny bone for sure . But I am dissapointed because I expected more from Anees after his last film. But it is not his fault . All the movies made under Nadiadwaala's production are same because they interfere in the film for sure and hence Anees won't be having freedom . Once Saajid Khan rightly said that they are the Bruckheimer's of India and follow the same formula .

Talking of the film , it moves around Akshay & Katrina who want to get married but Akshay's uncle Paresh Raawal wants to get Akshay Married to some respectful Family people . But Akshay and Katrina fall in love and then starts the game of turning Nana & Anil into good honest people from goons . Though Akshay is suppose to play the lead role but in my opinion its Nana who stole the show and walks away as a lead of the film . Akshay and Katrina just perform the romance part of the movie with very few comic scenes for them . Nana is just outstanding as he is and has the best dialogues in the movie . Anil has done just regulation stuff and got laughs only for his abusing on screen . Mallika got to do more "Acting" than Katrina though her role was short . There is a whole Bhaagambhag in the end as there is in any comedy movie .

Just go out to watch this movie without thinking of story and other things . No Entry had a new story and great situations . This one doesn't , but still I would refer the movie for Nana fans and also David Dhawan's fans . It wont disappoint you . If you liked Partner then you would love this one . Akshay's and Paresh's fans may get disappointed for their small role in the movie and not much comedy from them .

The Music is average and looks good only in movie . Malaika does an item number in the movie which is so-so and only one thing was noticable in that song - Malaika's ugly Pregnancy Strech Marks . The make-up man failed over there . Cinematography is good and involves UAE like any other Nadiadwaala movie does . Overall it can be watched once if you want to laugh a bit and enjoy mindlessly . Considering Partner ,the Movie do very well at the Box-office and Akshay would have a perfect new year . This time probably he edited his own part by mistake .

Movie Rating : Two and a half Stars for fabulous acting by Nana Patekar.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa -- Review

First of all sorry for the late review ( I am saying just like the whole world reads it !!! ) But still . I couldn't watch the movie because it was Running House Full on the weekends and I couldn't get a ticket. Considering that by now a lot of you might have seen it or heard about it , for the first time I am giving a full review . Those of you who have yet not seen it you can skip some paras and go down straight .

*** SPOILER Warning --- Plot Details Under ***

Well the movie starts quite well and starts in Priyadarshan style with all the Fun and Frolic . It starts with Priyan's Favourite star Paresh Rawal and also his other favourite Asrani acting some quite funny sequences ( The third favourite Om Puri is missing in this one ) . Paresh Rawal renovates the King's Old Palace which is widely popular as Haunted Mansion throughout the Village . The starting sequences very effectively shows that how some mistakes and co-incidents can take a shape of some paranormal activity just because of Fear and Imagination running wild . On this effort I would like to compliment Priyadarshan who tried to expose the so called paranormal activities and how they exist in our minds only . He has done this in his own funny ways .

Then comes the Prince , Siddharth Chaturvedi ( Shiny Ahuja ) from US along with his wife Avni ( Vidya Balan ) . He marries Vidya in US without saying anything back home in India to his Uncle Badrinarayan (Manoj Joshi ) , whose adopted Daughter Radha ( Amisha Patel ) was waiting since her childhood to marry the Prince . Shiny is supposed to be the next king after his fathers death and hence is subjected to crowning ceremony . Well I forgot to mention the haunted palace is being renovated by Paresh on the orders of shiny because his wife Vidya wants to live in a old palace being a student of architecture herself . Hence without listening to all Haunting Stories of the Villagers they go and live in the palace . Then Vidya starts exploring the whole Palace and opens a room on the third floor which has been locked because of some Spirits of and Old Dancer and her lover which have been trapped inside by some great Tantrik Yagyaprakash Bharati (Vikram Gokhale) .

Since Shiny and Vidya being from US don't believe in all this crap and hence She opens the room . Then start a series of strange things happening with every villager going paranoid and thinking it to be done by the so called spirits . Shiny still doesn't believes all this and some how due to some coincidences starts having a doubt on Amisha to be behind this due to jealousy . So Shiny decides to consult his Psychiatrist friend to help Amisha get rid of her psycho behavior . Then comes the Hero of the story Dr. Aditya Shrivastav (Akshay Kumar ) to set the whole situation straight . Akshay is best in his comic skills and he does create a laugh riot . He starts inspecting the whole situation and after a long series of events realises that Vidya Balan herself is the culprit behind all of this . He realises that due to a disturbed childhood she suffers from a multiple personality disorder and sometimes behaves as the Dancer who comes back to take revenge . He then with some help from Shiny and the Tantrik treat her in a strange way and recover her back to normal .

The most outstanding performance is delivered by Vidya Balan who at times scares you with her scary expressions ( reminds of Urmila in Bhoot ) and splendid acting performances . She is really not of her times , roles with some period element only suit her (considering Hey Babyy ) . She is no doubt among the best Female Actors in India today .

Akshay does what he is best in doing , Comedy , but with perfect acting and not by dialogues . There is nothing new by him but just the same old combo of Priyadarshan + Akshay at his best . Yet he makes you laugh the most .

Amisha has given her best because I think she can't do it better than this and Shiny is also good . He does look like a prince . Nothing much for him in it .

Paresh , Rajpal and Rasika Joshi all are tereffic actors and hence deliver what is expected from them to perfection .

Neeraj Vohra has written a good screenplay except the songs which pop in between which were quite a turn off , considering the title track being played in end credits .
The Bengali track played in between the movie is catchy and creepy both . Kudos for the background score .

The suspense behind the whole creepy things is well kept by Director and hence holds the interest of people in the story . Yet the whole flashback sequence of the Dancer and King in the end is quite boring . But during these scenes I realised how much he is inspired from South-Indian films and hence puts a little southern flavour in his movies .

I have only one complaint against Priyadarshan that he should have sticked to his Non Existence of Meta-Physical activities belief . He some how diverts from this belief and in the end makes the viewer confused that whether he/she should believe in these things or not . Instead of all the Multiple Personaliy Disorder thing he should have shown something like a Hidden Treasure being guarded by someone insider or something even more interesting . Maybe I expect a lot from him because I think he is one of the finest film-makers , its just that he is not pushing his limits .

*****Spoiler Ends Here *****

Yet it is a good Entertaining Film better than some of the last attempts of Priyadarshan . Packed with some good acting performances and tight screenplay and popular title track it is bound to work among the masses considering it is the festival season . After a long time a wholesome entertaining film has released so it will be a hit no doubt . Go for it , see a new side of Priyadarshan .

From my side it gets Two And A Half stars for good comic sequences and some good thrills in between .

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