The Zoya Factor is based on Anuja Chauhan’s debut novel of the same name. Sonam Kapoor plays Zoya Singh Solanki, advertising agency exec and unwitting lucky charm for the Indian Cricket Team. Dulquer Salmaan, whom you might remember from Karwaan, plays the captain of the Cricket Team.
Ergo, romance.
Rating : 3.5/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2019
Running time : 2 hours 13 minutes
Director : Jagan Shakti
Cast : Akshay Kumar, Vidya Balan, Taapsee Pannu, Sonakshi Sinha, Kirti Kulhari, Sharman Joshi, Vikram Gokhale, Nithya Menon
Kid rating : G
Mission Mangal is based on the real-life Mangalaayan – India’s successful mission to Mars, launching the satellite into orbit around the red planet. The story goes thusly: after a failed GSLV launch, scientist Rakesh Dhawan is relegated to the Mom (Mars Orbiter Mission) or Mangalayaan project. The project has tight resources and is considered almost an impossibility. But with Dhawan’s encouragement and Project Director Tara Shinde’s can-do attitude the ragtag team is confident of its success.
The film rests heavy and is made interesting by having a two-pronged approach – the technical and the personal. Kudos to the director for making the film explain its technical aspects in layman terms (complete with audio-visual presentations, including one with puri-frying), which makes the film accessible to many viewers who might have otherwise been turned off by dry science.
Mission Mangal also gives us the back-stories of all of its women-heavy crew. Where Krithika Aggarwal (Pannu) is worried about her injured soldier husband, Neha Siddiqui (Kalahari) faces discrimination because of her religion. Eka Gandhi (Sinha) is ready to leave India and move to the the US, and newly-pregnant Varsha Pillai doesn’t think she can cope with a stressful job and being a mom at the same time. Tara (Balan) is their valiant leader, and she herself is juggling her all-consuming work and her brimful personal calendar and homelife.
The technical challenge is interesting and the characters likable, especially when they all get on board with Tara’s vision and enthusiastically work on vanquishing their goals. Vidya Balan breathes life into her character, and really makes the film what it is. Akshay Kumar is a bit waffly for a Mission Director but he does deliver the patriotic speeches with gusto! Plus it is sorta an underdog story – they are fighting against great odds, on an extremely tight budget, looming deadlines, and no one expects them to deliver anyway. What else is there to do but succeed?
Mission Mangal delivers more drama than science, but that is why it succeeds. It is a well-executed, feel-good ride, and post-watch I’m very well-pleased.
Kidwise: kid-friendly.
The trailer for Saand ki Aankh looks really interesting. It also has a fabulous cast – Bhumi Pednekar, Taapsee Pannu and Vineet Kumar Singh (of the gorgeous Mukkabaaz).
The only unknown quantity here is Tushar Hirandani who debuts as director with this venture. Hiranandani, to his detriment, has written abominations like “Ek Villain” and “Grand Masti”. But then the film is also co-produced by Anurag Kashyap, so we shall see!
Rating : 1/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2019
Running time : 2 hours 52 minutes
Director : Sandeep Reddy Vanga
Cast : Shahid Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Soham Majumdar, Arjan Bajwa, Suresh Oberoi, Adil Hussain, Kamini Kaushal
Kid rating : PG-13
Kabir Singh (Shaid Kapoor) is the top student at a medical college. He is also a super-jock, a womanizer, used to throwing his weight around and getting his way. When he sees fresher Preeti Sikka (Kiara Advani) and falls in love with her, he uses his college seniority and clout to start a relationship with her. When the tumultuous relationship is brought to an end by her arranged marriage to someone else, Kabir goes to pieces . . .
The film details out the start of the relationship, its aftermath, and it’s affect on Kabir. This film is about Kabir, his life, his moods, his wants and his way. He is up one day, depressed another and dead-drunk the third. His friends and family try to make him see reason but they can only do so much.
Kabir Singh is a well-made movie, finely crafted, nicely paced etc. But, and this is a big but, this “love story” makes my hackles rise. While Shahid Kapoor gives this role his all, the character of Kabir is repellant and pretty loathsome. Kabir wants the girl, whether the girl wants him or not is immaterial. Preeti (Kiara Advani) is a meek, submissive sort of person, almost without a tongue in her mouth – her first dialog is 50 minutes into the film, and all she asks for in that line is validation from Kabir “What do you like in me?”. She is led by Kabir from the classroom to impromptu “dates” under the pretense of teaching her a subject, and she follows him meekly. Some of that might be explained away by his college seniority and the fear of “ragging”, but the film takes it to an incomprehensible level.
Kabir does as he wants with Preeti, and that apparently is quite alright with her. This, we are expected to believe, is ultimate, sublime love, although his behavior towards her is abusive. Instead of dissing such behavior, the film forgives all in the end, and Kabir (spoiler alert!) gets the girl, the approval of his family, the whole shebang!
This stalkerish, controlling, abusive behavior is quite a dangerous thing to portray on screen as “love” because it is apparently being taken as the epitome of romance by some youngsters. While Kabir’s character is a new low, Bollywood has long been on this slippery slope with its sexist agenda, and the whole “boys will be boys but the women have to be pativrata naris” philosophy.
Kabir’s behavior is problematic, and the film indicates that by the perceived disapproval of his family and friends. But on the flip side, he still remains the hero here, not the villain (there is no fall from grace), and receives no lasting reprimand. Also the film is sympathetic towards Kabir – he is the focus, we are prompted to laugh at his “predicaments” – like when his impromptu plan to rape a woman at knife-point is foiled, and he, poor chap, has to go without. Boo hoo. Were it that film-makers would turn as kindly a gaze towards put-upon Bollywood-ian women!
I see Kabir Singh referred to as “romance” and it makes me want to barf. So, despite the fact that this film is well-made, has a great star-cast and supporting cast, and some melodious music, I highly de-recommend it.
Kidwise: Be wary of the massively problematic tone. On screen there are some lip locks/love-making.
Rating : 3.6/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2019
Running time : 2 hours 47 minutes
Director : Vikas Bahl
Cast : Hrithik Roshan, Sadhana singh, Pankaj Tripathi, Aditya Srivastav, Mrunal Thakur, Amit Sadh, Nandish Singh
Kid rating : G
Super 30, as you know, is based on the real life educational program started by Anand Kumar, who sought to educate 30 underprivileged kids and prepare them to sit for and pass the IIT JEE. The program has been very successful and the film tells us of how it started. I’m not sure how much of the film has been “dramatized” to make an impact but it does make a moving story, told with heart, and is a good watch.
Anand Kumar (Hrithik Roshan) comes from an impoverished background. When he joins an IIT-prep institute as a teacher, he realizes the plight of motivated students who are unable to afford the high price tag the coaching institute demands. The unfairness of it all strikes home. He ropes in his brother (Nandish Singh) and mother (Sadhana Singh) and starts his own free institute to coach poor students for the IIT JEE, under the belief that “Raja ka beta raja nahin banega” – the son of the king will be the king no more; he will be king who is worthy of ascending the throne.
For starters Super 30 is a classic underdog story, so the premise is pretty crowd-pleasing. Anand as a protagonist is almost powerless – he has neither money nor clout. His enemies (Aditya Srivastav as coaching institute owner Lallan Singh) are powerful, capable and willing to employ underhand tactics when words will not work. All Anand has is his belief in the rightness of his work, and the will to succeed.
Anand’s students come from poverty-stricken backgrounds and are beset with feelings of inadequacy and feel like imposters demanding an education, while the English-speaking rich kids of the other institutes poke fun at them for their clothes, language and behavior. Indeed, director Bahl (Queen, Chillar Party) has shown the class divide very well. It is an enormous chasm which Anand encourages his students to cross – the crossing is hard and movingly portrayed.
Super 30 is a journey, from the rocky start to the successful finish. The end is known of course, but the film makes the journey interesting. Kudos to Hrithik Roshan who turns in an amazing performance. While I still think that he is too pretty for the role, despite efforts to de-glamorise him, this is probably one of the best performances of his career.
It was lovely seeing yesteryear actress Sadhana Singh as Anand’s mother. Pankaj Tripathi (who seems to be in every film – not that I’m complaining) as the spineless Minister and Srivastav as the wily Lallan Singh make a mark on the film. Mrunal Thakur makes an impressive Bollywood debut and I look forward to seeing her in the upcoming Batla House.
Recommended.
Kidwise: Some scenes of violence although the film is primarily family-friendly and clean.
From the director of the magnificent D-Day comes Batla House. Starring John Abraham (with a mustache) the film is based on the real-life “Operation Batla House”. Eagerly anticipating this one!
Rating : 4.3/5
Genre : Drama
Year : 2019
Running time : 2 hours 20 minutes
Director : Anubhav Sinha
Cast : Ayushmann Khurana, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Sayani Gupta, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, Nasser, Isha Talwar
Kid rating : A, R
Ayushman Khurana is Ayan Ranjan, an IPS officer posted to caste-ridden Uttar Pradesh. A modern, well-educated, city-bred young man Ayaan is astounded at the stranglehold of caste and creed in this community. When a gruesome rape/murder case come to light, Ayan realizes that he’ll have to fight corruption, and backward notions to provide justice to his people.
Anubhav Sinha surprises me very pleasantly. His Ra One was alright. I wasn’t impressed by Tum Bin2. I didn’t expect Article 15 to be this good a film. But it is! It is a fantastic film, and it might be the best film of the year. Sinha helms it expertly, layers it beautifully, building up his characters so that we know them, sympathize with them and root for them. Article 15 is also well-paced and ratchets up the tension nicely.
I must say that Khurana can really pick his films. Article 15 is proof and what a remarkable film it is! Ayan is a hero unlike any other – a soft-spoken, non-snarling (for comparisons with Singham – which I also liked) mature young man who doesn’t flex his muscles or even engage in a single fist-fight. He leads by example, with courage and grit, not giving in to baser compulsions or stooping to the levels of his enemies – the stuff that true heroes are made of!
In most traditional Hindi films, the hero is this almost God-like character with astonishing good-looks, astounding physical prowess, the ability to beat up a dozen goons with ease, and/or wily street-smarts. Khurana’s Ayan has none of these (although he cuts a fine figure with that moustache) and comes across as a down-to-earth man grappling with extraordinary issues, using brain instead of brawn. Even without these hero-ish qualities, there is no doubt that Ayan is the hero, just by dint of his evolved thinking and the courage he displays. So very refreshing!
Ayan’s sounding board, his conscience, is girlfriend Aditi (Isha Talwar), who, in her brief role, does well. Khurana of course is marvelous. Equally marvelous is Manoj Pahwa as Brahmdatt Singh, the corrupt officer under Ayaan. Kumud Mishra is Jatav, the Dalit man who has risen up to being a Sub Inspector but still serves in deference to the upper-caste Brahmdatt Singh. Mishra is magnificent; he makes the film better just by being in it.
From start to finish, Article 15 is a fine product. Its strong storyline, wonderful acting and awe-inspiring message are worth watching. Highly recommended.
Kid-wise: Scenes of violence against women, intimidation, and women strung up from a tree.
Rating : 2.5/5
Genre : Thriller
Year : 2019
Running time : 1 hour 57 minutes
Director : Prakash Kovelamudi
Cast : Kangana Ranaut, Rajkumar Rao, Jimmy Shergill, Amrita Puri, Amyra Dastur
Kid rating : A, R
Kangana is Bobby, a voice-over artist with a serious wannabe-heroine vibe. She also has had a tragic past, which has led to various neuroses – she’s the very definition of eccentric, to put it mildly. When a chirpy, very-much-in-love couple move in next door, and Bobby crushes on the husband, you know that bad things are a-coming for the Mrs.
So I’m going in expecting another Kaun, but Kaun it is not. Judgmental Hai Kya is a valiant effort at the psychotic-murder-mystery genre, and it does start off well. But it wanes, and how!
Maybe I’ve had my fill of well-done English films of this genre. Maybe it is that post-intermission the film gets predictable. Maybe it is that the characters explain themselves too much, it is all laid out for you to see, no guessing required.
Ranaut and Rao do well – there is none better to play a crazy, unhinged character than Kangana – but they can’t help the poor execution. The supporting cast is good too, but alas! They can’t do much either. Director Kovelamudi can’t build the tension, or inject the required amount of nail-biting suspense into the movie. There is no sinister undercurrent, no dark presence of evil like there should be.
What is done well is portraying the schizophrenic aspects of Kangana’s life. But that trippy, smart depiction aside, Judgmental doesn’t quite cut it. The 2.5 stars are for trying.
Kidwise: Not gory, but scenes of violence involving blood and sharp objects.
Based on India’s successful launch of Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission), Mission Mangal has a great cast: Vidya Balan, Akshay Kumar, Taapsee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari (of Pink) and Sonakshi Sinha. And the trailer looks interesting!
Rating : 3/5
Genre : Comedy
Year : 2019
Running time : 2 hours 6 minutes
Director : Laxman Utekar
Cast : Kriti Sanon, Karthik Aryan, Vinay Pathak, Pankaj Tripathi, Aparshakti Khurana
Kid rating : PG
Luka Chuppi stars Kriti Sanon as Rashmi, a modern girl, daughter of orthodox Hindu politician Vishnu Trivedi (the marvelous Vinay Pathak). Kartik Aryan is Vinod ‘Guddu’ Shukla, a television reporter in Mathura who works with free-spirited Rashmi, when she needs an internship and dad calls in a favor. The two fall in love, but Rashmi is unwilling to make any commitments until they test-drive the relationship. They hatch a plan to try a live-in relationship away from home, but all that can go wrong with this scheme does.
OK, so this movie turned out to be better than expected. The comedy is mostly situational, with the occasional double entendre thrown in. The plot’s pretty basic and pits the modern generation against the tradition-steeped parents, where the youngsters preach live-in and the oldies are the moral police. Except when the tables are turned, Rashmi and Co. realize how much they value the sanctity of society-ordained marriage (what!). Ergo, Luka Chuppi is not the kind of film that you take away any gyan from, because it’s pretty confused itself.
Since it is Mathura and Gwalior, director Utekar goes to town with the small-town homilies on sanskaar, the nosy neighbors, the suspicious landlord etc. The whole small-town milieu is done well and fun to watch.
The lead roles do not require too much acting; there is some dialog-baazi and lots of squirming ☺. Some romancing, song and dance. Sanon and Aryan serve adequately. It is the fabulous supporting cast that makes the film – Pathak as the self-righteous father, Alka Amin as the emotional, weepy mother, Aparshakti Khurana as Guddu’s friend and Pankaj Tripathi as the lecherous brother-in-law are all very good.
The plot does have some holes – how does Rashmi turn out to be so different from her tradionalist dad and her ghungat-shrouded mother? And for all the sermonizing about how young people are forward-thinking, how does a modern gal like Rashmi forget her career aspirations the moment she dons a mangalsutra? Sexism anyone?
Luka Chuppi take on progressiveness appears gimmicky and based on the flavor of the month because it knows not what it wants, and philosophically doesn’t have a leg to stand upon. However it still works as a decent, light comedy. Quite alright for a one-time watch.
Kidwise: Pretty non-scarring.
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