Sanket’s review: “Gangs Of Wasseypur 1” has wit and cleverness, but its way too long.

Cast: Manoj Bajpaaye, Nawazuddin Siddique, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Reema Sen.

Director: Anurag Kashyap

Length: 2.45 hours approximately.

Kashyap known to have pioneered way of narrating story, doesn’t fail this time around, though he doesn’t even excels like he did in “Black Friday”. It’s a 165 minutes long film and still there’s no conclusion in the film and that really step on your nerves. The cuss words are used in abundant but it is convincingly brought in the conversation of characters.

The problem is that it takes too much of time in spoon-feeding. In-fact the first forty minutes of the film is very confusing because the director brings a new character every scene. However the moment Manoj Bajpayee enters the screen, GANGS OF WASSEYPUR 1 takes its flight in a great way. The way Kashyap shots his scenes are commendable. Note that scene when Manoj Bajpayee’s eyes get on a hot women in the village played by Reema Sen. The whole episode between them is humorous as well as poignant, something which the revenge track lagged. But by the time it reaches intermission it’s already 90 minutes down which somewhere eats the plusses. But, it’s a satisfying first half because the humor is so fresh and yet so charming, that you roll on your seat at some scenes.

However, post-intermission is no-elegant in terms of content. It definitely has some amusing part but the story just doesn’t skate ahead. In addition, Kashyap adds two new stories which only put off the film. Also the culmination doesn’t satisfy the viewers because they will still have to watch another one. It’s way too long a film despite it carries wit and cleverness.

The music is catchy. The lyrics have that humor tone to it and enhance the songs. The cinematography instantly takes you to the place because of the realistic capturing. Bravo! The action scenes are noteworthy especially in the beginning. Anurag Kashyap’s direction is routine and yet it works well. The script and screenplay could’ve been much better because some pivotal characters are not well written especially that of Reema sen. Editing is a major culprit. There’s time when you feel that the film should’ve been edited by more than 30 minutes for betterment.

The performances are all first rate. Manoj Bajpayee’s eye work speaks off too much. He is superb in his element. Tigmanshu Dhulia and Reema Sen are good in their brief roles. Nawazuddin Siddique jumps in second hour and leaves a lasting impression, especially because he has a good written material to enact. However, Richa Chaddha stands apart as Manoj bajpaaye’s sharp wife who leaves no chance to hit her family members or even abuse them for a small mistake. It’s a terrific performance.

In final words, GANGS OF WASSEYPUR is surely a decent time pass which could’ve been much more than just that! The length plays the ultimate culprit of this uncompleted revenge story.

Rating- 2.5/5 (Above Average)

Sanket’s Review: “Teri Meri Kahaani” fizzles post-intermission.

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Prachi Desai.

Director: Kunal Kohli.

Length: 2 hours approximately

In this not so happening love story, there’s one hilarious scene of 2012 portion where in a party Shahid Kapoor discovers that her nagging girlfriend is posting all his wild snaps on a social networking site and which is displayed in the party! It is not only funny but so well executed that it sucks you for that portion. The problem with the film is the placement of three stories.

The 1910 track fails miserably and it becomes worsen because that track falls in second half and thus the film spares you with sour taste. The first half though is enjoyable as well as speeds up briskly without getting too much on the dramatic portion. The 1960 track has some is lovable and bring some smile on your face. Shahid Kapoor and Prachi Desai part is fantastic because it has few hilarious moments between them. The Charlie Chaplin tone of 1960 track isn’t suiting but still the romance part sails through. But the 2012 is the best thing happened to this film. The fast, peppy, modern outlook of this part helps the film to gain some positives.

But as pointed, the film fizzle post intermission. The 1910 part has few amazing poem but that is it about this story. And what comes off as climax is disappointing as well as weird. The three stories doesn’t connect anyhow despite the director tries so in the finale. Discordant and completely pedestrian, the second half plays the spoilsport over the whole film.

The music is strictly average. “Mukhtasar” “Uff” “That’s all” are decent songs and all are placed in first half. Whereas the two mediocre “Humse Pyaar” and “Allah Jaane” disturbs the pace of the film! The dialogues deserve special applause. The script lacks any sort of exciting moments in it. The finale is so shoddily penned that it cringes you and you leave the theater exhausted. Kunal Kohli’s direction isn’t any great. After a painful FANAA and good HUM TUM he comes up with an ordinary TERI MERI KAHAANI.

Shahid Kapoor is excellent in 1960 and 2012 part. In-fact he submits the exact expression and he does it so well that you instantly gel to his character. But it’s silly and boring material written for him for the 1910 part which restricts its performance to get even more enhanced. But in overall observation, he is superb and also the film rests too much on his shoulders. Priyanka Chopra also does very good in some scenes. She fills the gap in the 1910 track as well, but the director focuses too much on Shahid’s histrionics and thus Priyanka’s act somewhere gets unnoticed. Prachi Desai and Neha Sharma are good in their respective roles.

On the whole, TERI MERI KAHAANI could be watched at theaters, but do not expect yourself to get entirely entertained. A smarter script and a convincing culmination would have changed everything for the film.

Rating- 2/5 (Average)

Box office Predictions of TERI MERI KAHAANI.

After KAMINEY’s box office success, the pairing of Shahid Kaporr and Priyanka Chopra is back in a Kunal Kohli rom-com called TERI MERI KAHAANI releasing on 22^nd June. The music received mixed reports, but the film will surely have good opening at multiplexes.

Opening day- 7cr

If word of mouth is good,

Weekend 1- 24cr

Week 1- 37.5cr

Lifetime- 60cr

If word of mouth is mixed,

Weekend 1- 23cr

Week 1- 34cr

Lifetime- 43cr

If word of mouth is bad,

Weekend 1- 22cr

Week 1- 32cr

Lifetime- 38cr

Sanket’s Review: “Ferrari Ki Sawaari” definitely deserves a chance.

Cast: Sharman Joshi, Boman Irani, Ritvik Sahore, Paresh Rawal.

Director: Rajesh Mapuskar

Length: 2.15 hours approximately.

In an early scene Sharman Joshi with his kid on his moped, ends up breaking the signal unintentionally but fails to find a traffic inspector to p[ay the penalty. So the moment he finds an inspector few paths ahead, he pays it and indirectly it decodes as a message to his son about sincerity. And if you feel this is over-the-top, then yes, FERRARI KI SAWAARI is a total over-the-top film. There are two stories which revolve in and the director smartly amalgamates both and finds a smoother part out of it. The first being a big dream of a middle class son and his dad and the other one being the lost Ferrari car.

Not entirely satisfying, the first takes haywire situations. There are many plot stuck in the film and each one has two sides to it. Devoid of simplicity, these plots are funny but at times dragged. Some scenes which are surely unnecessary are pulled so much that it becomes tasteless like the one where a politician’s son wants to have a Ferrari drive in his marriage ceremony. The whole plot is contrived and mostly juvenile. But the moments in the beginning when things are easy, lightens up the atmosphere.

But its second half where things speed up! The emotions are extracted in right proportion without giving away the peppy fun look what the film has. In final few minutes, FERRARI KI SAWAARI takes it momentum at all time high and ends up with a sweet note. If you like to see films where the colony members of the protagonists rejoices the sixes and fours of the protagonist and they come out of their house and hover all around, then this one well could be a summer gift to you.

The script may not be that tight because of some bizarre plots indulged unnecessarily. But Rajesh Mapuskar shows his ability and excels in what he does. Come to think of it, its not an easy project, because if the emotions are out of zenith or the comedy is very bad then such films sink without a trace. But thankfully Rajesh Mapuskar is blessed with enough aesthetics and knows how to make the audience part of the film. And that is why this film definitely deserves a watch. Music is fine, though the choreography of “Mala Jau De” is mediocre. The editing especially in first half should have been crispier.

Sharman Joshi delivers a crackling performance as a helpless yet hard-working Dad and a son. He remains in sync for every second. Boman Irani does superb in his role. His expressions are so natural that you connect to his life instantly. Ritvik Sahore as a sensible and outstanding cricketer does his role with aplomb. All supporting cast is amazing. Director deserves special mention for having so many characters and yet drawing good performances from each.

FERRARI KI SAWAARI is a good family cinema. In today’s times it’s a rare such cinema which will bring the families together. Despite of few blemishes, the film works and definitely touches you.

Rating- 3/5 (Good) 

Box Office Predictions of FERRARI KI SAWAARI

FERRARI KI SAWAARI is the first film from Vidhu Vinod Chopra camp after 3 IDIOTS, All time blockbuster! This one carries low expectations thanks to infamous music and lack of any big star. The film is targeted towards children and such films bound to open on lower side. Directed by Rajesh Mapushkar, the film stars Sharman joshi, Ritvik sahore and Boman Irani in main leads. 15^th June 2012 is the date FERRARI KI SAWARI is releasing.

Opening day- 3cr

If word of mouth is good,

Weekend 1- 13.5cr

Week 1- 22cr

Lifetime- 37cr

If word of mouth is mixed,

Weekend – 12cr

Week 1- 18cr

Lifetime- 25cr

If word of mouth is bad,

Weekend 1- 11cr

Week 1- 16.5cr

Lifetime- 20cr

Sanket’s Review: “Shanghai” lacks poignancy.

Cast: Abhay deol, Pitobash Tripathy, Kalki Koelchin, Emraan hashmi, Prosenjit Chatterjee.

Director: Dibakar Banerjee

Length: 1.50 hours approximately.

Adapted from Vissili Vassilikos “Z”, SHANGHAI directed by Dibakar Banerjee is a film that only ends up trying to be different. Gallop it or not, it is deathly slow and very boring post-intermission when the episodes slide down very discordantly and the story hardly moves! Packed in a fictional place called “Bharat Nagar” the film has variety of character and each has his own job to do in this town. If we look at the brighter side of this exhaustingly pedestrian political thriller, there’s some very well handled scene just when the film opens. But maintaining the pace and remaining inside the topic is something what SHANGHAI never peeped at.

To be very frank, the scenes aren’t quite unique or the plot which takes too much time to come on point also has some loop holes. The proceedings get stretched and the momentum never quite takes its flight. The execution is way too different but very inefficient because there are several things happen in this place and each story is displayed alternatively. Thus without the part is completed, the director jumps on the second and then third, and then comes back to first. Consistency is imbalanced and complexity reaches heights. The director assumes as if the viewers knows everything about what the film is all about, and doesn’t even care to explain before he begins.

Bleary and strictly average first half makes up for few hiccups, but later on the story never takes a notch ahead post intermission. In an already drowning film, the things become worsen when you will see the end- point where SHANGHAI could’ve scored some marks. One wonders, why the director maintained so much of gap between each dialogue. One remains disgusted to see the dialogue coming after a long gap. The editing is one of the major culprit.

The two songs- “Bharat mata” and “Imported Kamariya” are good on ears. The former one is very catchy and well choreographed. The script has its share of highs and lows, its just that Banerjee failed to explore the highs in a flourishing way! The cinematography is good because the place is completely fictional and the atmosphere is still to be created.

Emraan Hashmi does a good job and has some good dialogues to deliver. Abhay Deol is saddled with a weak role, though he puts him up well in his role. Kalki’s character becomes more of a caricature because the weird material written for her. Pitobash is superb, though he has very less to do.

SHANGHAI lacks poignancy and also lacks staunch execution. It bores to death and demands too much of endurance which one really cannot insure. It had a game changing topic, but its just a lost opportunity. Desperate attempt, but sadly its colossally disappointing! We surely could have got much better out of this.

Rating- 1.5/5 (Poor) 

Box Office Predictions of SHANGHAI.

After the critically acclaimed LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA, Dibakar banerjee’s next venture ix political thriller called SHANGHAI starring Abhay Deol, Kalki Koelchin, Emraan hashmi. The film releases on 8^th June. The buzz around the film is good enough, thanks to “Bharat mata ki jai” song which really gelled with audience. Lets predict what it may do at box office-

Opening Day- 4.25cr

If word of mouth is Good,

Weekend 1- 16cr

Week 1- 24.75cr

Lifetime- 46cr

If word of mouth is mixed,

Weekend 1- 15cr

Week 1- 23cr

Lifetime- 34cr

If word of mouth is bad,

Weekend 1- 14.25

Week 1- 21cr

Lifetime- 29cr