Kahaani : Movie Review

Vidya does it again. Yes, she is the star of the show all over again. But this time, she's not alone - a powerful, strong and riveting narration that boasts of a killer touch by Sujoy Ghosh - accompanies Kahaani to make a masterful work. Hats off to the writing team Sujoy, Suresh Nair and Advaita. Another star of the movie is Kolkota. Never have I seen such detailed, such dedicated frames for the city of joy. Colorful, crowded, alive and mysterious - Kolkota drives the movie when no one else is there to do so.

All of you know the storyline - pregnant Vidya Bagchi comes Kolkota to find her missing husband only to find twists, tales and surprises on her journey. Vidya shines through out her role as a lady who often is determined, often broken and often charming. She changes color so smoothly and so perfectly, it surprises the viewer like anything else. Its always a delight to see her on silver screen. Oh, and did I mention her little little moments on the screen when she interacts with children - lovely.

Rana - the police officer who helps Vidya on her quest - played by Parambrata Chaterjee - is a find for Hindi films. He charms you with his act that often is endearing and mostly perfect to the core. Actually, the characterization is so perfect that it is hard to forget just any face we see through out the movie. Be it the (scary) Contract killer, charming little kid in the guest house - Vishnu, the IB guys, IB head and even the five minutes appearance of Chaiwallah ladka. Nawazzuddin Sheikh perfects his part of an IB agent bound by duty.

I knew there will hardly be any songs in this out and out thriller. But still, Vishal Shekhar's score totally complements the spirit of the movie. Even though there are only bits used in the movie. On the other hand, background score is by Clinton Cerejo !! He totally makes it a goosebumpy affair with his dark tunes. Superb work. And Oh My God the climax - the sounds of Durga Puja - makes it more intense.

See, how gibberish my review is - it happens, when a movie occupies my mind so much that its hard to put the words together. Phew.. do not - DO NOT miss this 'Mother of a Story' - Kahaani. Hats off Sujoy Babu.

Tags: Kahani, movie review, kahaani, vidya bagchi, balan, bida, sujoy ghosh, Bob Bishwas, Sashwata chaterjee, darshan jariwala, indraneil, who is vidya's husband in kahaani, 

58th National Film Awards (India) : 2011 winners

Awards that went to Hindi Films :

Best Actress  - Vidya Balan (The Dirty Picture)
Best Child Artist: Partho Gupte (Stanley ka Dabba) & all Child artists in ‘Chillar Party’
Best Children’s Film - Chillar Party
Best Screenplay - Vikas Behal and Nitesh Tiwari (Chillar Party)
Best Special Effects - Ra.One
Best Hindi Film - I AmB
Best Choreography - Bosco and Ceasar (Senorita-Zindagi Na Milegi dobara)
Best Lyrics - Amitabh Bhattacharya (Agar Zindagi from ‘I Am’)
Best Makeup - Vikram Gaekward (Baal Gandharva and The Dirty Picture)
Best Costume - Neeta Lulla (Bal Gandharva) and Neharika Khan (The Dirty Picture)


Awards that went to films of other languages : 

Best Actor - Girish Kulkarni (Deool)
Best Director - Gurvinder Singh (Anhe Ghorey Da Daan)
Best Film - Deool and Byari
Best Dialogue - Girish Kulkarni (Deool)
Best Editing - Praveen KL and NBSrikanth (Aranya Kandam)
Best Bengali Film - Ranjana Ami Ar Ashbona
Best Dogri Film - Dilesh Basiya Koi
Best Kannada Film - Koorma Avatar
Best Manipuri Film - Phijigee Mani
Best Marathi Film - Shaala
Best Tamil Film - Vaagai Sooda Vaa
Best Punjabi Film - Anne Gode Da Daan
Best Jury Film - Ronjana Aami Aar Ashbo Na
Best Music - Neel Dutta (Ranjona)
Best Supporting Actor: Appu Kutti

Here is a fantastic playlist of Youtube. Of all movies mentioned here.

Tags: 2012 national awards, 2011 award winners, national award winner list, list of national award winners, national film awards, chillar party 3 awards, vidya balan best actress national award winner, partho gupte, amol gupte, 

Bol (2011)

Another movie that I missed watching in theater in 2011. Directed by Shoaib Mansoor, who shook us with Khuda Kay Liye. Bol, is all the way a Shoaib film that is paced leisurely, revealing dark secrets of the society and ends on a high note shaking typical beliefs.

Bol starts with Zainab [Humaima Malik] who is counting hours before getting hanged at jail. Who, by request of Mustafa [Atif Aslam] agrees to tell her story to media, as a last wish before she dies. Her life story, how she had to commit this crime that led her to this stage. Bol talks about serious issues that are still there in all countries, not alone in Pakistan. Its about treatment the Women are getting. The desire to have a Son, the hatred towards girl child, domestic violence and doing unethical things in the name of religion.

Initially I was keen on seeing Atif in a film. [yes, a big fan I am]. But in the movie, I felt that there was not enough space for him that can show his acting skills. [or maybe that is the reason, he was taken in for this role]. The movie belongs to Humaima, the main protagonist. Who drives the movie. Manzar Sehbai who plays father of Zainab, and her six sisters, is a one whom you'll really dislike. That means he has played his part perfectly. Amr Kashmiri, who plays Saifi - the only brother of seven sisters- is commendable. Though the movie has got its moments that shocks you with stark reality, it loses grip midway. The pace becomes too slow that it feels dragged. But it is saved by special appearance of Iman Ali - a Meena Kumari devotee. Music - one of my top 10 favorites of 2011. Lovely Hona Tha Pyar, to haunting Din Pareshan Hai, to peppy Dil Janiya. The soundtrack is a treat on screen too.

Full marks to Shoaib Mansoor, for choosing such daring subjects for his films. But yes, hope that he won't get typecast and will give something different, yet apt, next time.

Housefull 2 : Music Review

Neeraj Sridhar - oh yes. Starts off this soundtrack too. Papa Toh Band Bajaye is a track that already seems remixed with techno beats and tweaked voice. Ok ok one. Next, which is publicized as new 'Munni' - Anarkali Disco Chali - sung by Mamta Sharma and Sukhwinder Singh sounds forced to give a big hit. But it doesn't work as well as Munni did. [Of course, that was already a tried-tasted-readymade track] Will be hit on screen, and that's it. Doesn't work at all. Bieber/Akon influenced Right Now Now - sprinkled with Eng-Punjabi lyrics. Duh. Last original track Do You Know has been composed with 80s sound. A relief to hear Shaan-Shreya in a melodious mood after former 3 songs. Quite enjoyable song.

Just like the first part, the sequel of Housefull doesn't offer much in terms of eargasm. Sajid-Wajid scores just an average album, wish SEL were here. But what do you expect from a Sajid Khan movie after all. Music in his films, is just used as a filler. So there.

Tags: Housefull 2 songs, download, music review, movie review, sajid khan, nadiadwala, posters, wallpapers, anarkali disco chali video, download, movie, sajid wajid

Ranbir's Nissan (ad) Film is out and Win Ranbir T-shirts

Finally, here it is. The Facebook auditioned film is out. Featuring Ranbir Kapoor along with winners of FB auditions and 100 Nissan Micras ! Enjoy the video and Ranbir's moves ;)

Oh btw, I am giving away 4 T-shirts of the campaign. Courtesy : Good guys at Nissan India. All you have to do is just drop in an Email to dunkdaft at gmail dot com , and mention this post's URL. That's it ! First four of you will get their T-shirt couriered as soon as possible.

p.s. : T-shirts are available in only one size. 'XL'  :-|  and I can ship only in India. 

Tags: Free tshirt, t shirt, nissan, micra, ranbir kapoor, ranbeer nissan deal, fb auditioned movie, 

Agent Vinod : Music Review

Its always an easy task to review Pritam's albums. 2 dance tracks, 4 remixes, a love ballad - 2 unplugged, 2 reprises and you are done. But its not that I am complaining. Most of the time he hits the right chords. And that too, inline with the movie. Agent Vinod is again such an example. 

For this fast paced action thriller - Pritam gives equally fast instrumental track. Agent Vinod Theme Obviously has that 'heard it somewhere' feel, but still, it has that 'play it loud' thing in it. Perfect for setting up mood for the movie. The 'Russian' song I'll do the talking tonight - is again a perfect for the movie. But I seriously wish if it had someone else than Neeraj Shridhar, and puhleez, get rid of Punjabi lyrics. Its the composition that makes it a killer track. Pungi is addictive from very first 15 seconds. A standard Mika song, with fun and pun. Lyrics of Amitabh are outrageous. The backing vocals by Amitabh, Nakash, Pritam and Javed Jaffery makes it more enjoyable. Dil Mera Muft ka - the Techno mujra and Desi remix version, both are different, both has their own plus points in terms of vocals and compositions. Former is a modern mix while later one is more of a 'munni' mix. Techno version has fab chorus singing in its favor. My favorite is Nandini's version. The Techno one. 

Raabta - meaning 'unknown connection'. The word perfectly suits between Pritam and his love for multi-version ballads. He never goes wrong with such mushy songs, and again he never fails but give multiple versions. Raabta - first one sung by Arijit Singh [remember Fame Gurukul on Sony?] and Joy, is reminiscent of Te Amo at places. But after repeated listens, it turned out to be my favorite among all 4 versions. The 'Night in the motel' version sung by Arijit and Aditi Singh Sharma is a piano led one, lovely rendition by both there. Even 'the' Shreya's version (Kehte hai khuda ne) pales in front of it that sounds much like a typical love song. While Siyaah Raatein - by Hamsika and Arijit+Joy, with lovely strings and different interlude pieces. Loved it. 

There, for one of the most awaited film of 2012 - Pritam perfects his part. Now over to Sriram Raghvan. Lets see what he has in store for us. 

Tags: Kareena Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Illuminati Films, Sriram Raghvan, Johnny Gaddar, Movie Review, Download, Songs, Review, Agent Vinod, Ajent Vinod, Russia, pakistan, Mujra, Maryam, Bebo