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Archives for July 2024

Ashok Saraf on Lifeline, “More than the length, the strength of the character is important”

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Veteran legend Ashok Saraf will next be seen in the Marathi film Lifeline. The movie is a social drama with the theme of superstition vs science. Directed by the first timer Saahil Shirwaikar, it will see a tussle between a surgeon, played by Saraf, and a Hindu priest specializing on last rites, essayed by another veteran Madhav Abhyankar.

During the trailer launch of Lifeline last evening, Saraf expressed his happiness at being offered a role in a film with such a subject. He said, “Firstly, I would like to congratulate Saahil Shirwaikar and his father Rajesh Shirwaikar (writer) for choosing such a subject. Till now, nobody even thought about this message that is in the interest of the society. People will understand that importance of doctors (from this film) and their point of view on doctors will change.”

Adding more about the subject, Saraf added, “Blind faith and science are poles apart. They can’t come together. But that conflict has been handled in such a beautiful way in this film that it will stay in the hearts of the audience.”

Saraf also revealed that his screen-time in the film isn’t large but that’s not a concern for him. “My role is very important,” he said. “Its length is less (but) the role has a lot of weightage. So, apart from my role, what else happened in the shoot, I am not aware. But I knew the story. When he (Saahil) narrated it to me, I instantly said yes. The length of the role is not a problem for me. The strength of the role is more important. What I will show through my role and how much it will impact the audience is important for me.”

During the course of the discussion, Saraf was asked the reason for trusting a newcomer like Saahil Shirwaikar and instantly agreeing to do his film. He said, “I felt the one who takes up such a theme with so much confidence, he must have done a lot of study on it. My only criteria were whether I will get to do something different, which I am always searching. I found that in this role. Once I get such a role, I don’t think about its length.”

Lifeline also stars Jaywant Wadkar, Bharat Dabholkar, Hemangi Kavi, Sharmila Shinde, among others. Produced by Crescendo Entertainment, the movie is all set to release in theatres on August 2.

Also read: Paradise (English-Sinhala-Malayalam) review: Provides a gradual hard-hitting jolt

Kill review: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s action ride engagingly stays on track  

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Filmmaker Nikhil Nagesh Bhat’s ambitious action saga Kill is a first not just because of the violence and gore it projects in Hindi cinema but also in terms of cinematic finesse. After going through this ‘ride’, one can vouch that the makers succeeded in their ‘mission’.

Kill revolves around the love story between the commando Amrit Rathod (Lakshya) and Tulika (Tanya Maniktala). The former returns from an army camp after days and gets to know that Tulika’s father Baldeo Singh Thakur (Harsh Chhaya) has planned her engagement with someone else and that too the very next day in Ranchi. Amrit takes his colleague and close friend Viresh (Abhishek Chauhan) to Ranchi.

Amrit gets to know that Tulika and her entire family is returning to Delhi the next day through a train. He and Viresh also get into the same train. Over there, Amrit gets an opportunity to propose marriage to Tulika, for which she happily agrees.

However, unknown to Amrit, Tulika and others, a group of dacoits headed by Fani (Raghav Juyal) and his family members attack the train and start looting the passengers of their valuables. Amrit and Viresh spring into action and this starts a ‘bloody’ battle between them.  

One has come across a large number of Hindi films where a single hero fights against a group of baddies in order to rescue innocents. But Kill stands apart from all those flicks simply by how it executes its goal.

The train compartments built for the shoot purpose are straight out of reality. On top of that, the film is full of fight sequences that take place in such a crammed space. But that space doesn’t act as a hindrance even once. The fight scenes are convincing and entertaining. Hence, the entire technical department deserves praise, especially the cinematographer Rafey Mahmood and Se-Yeong Oh and Parvez Shikh for the fights and stunts.

When it comes to the latter, Kill also goes several notches higher when it comes to violence and gore. One has seen such bloodbaths in the Hindi arena only in a few web series. Such a gore-fest is a first for a theatrical release. Perhaps, Ram Gopal Varma’s Rakht Charitra (2010) and Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal (2023) come mighty close.

Kill also nails it in the casting. Debutant Lakshya proves in his first outing that he is impressive in both emoting and action stunts. Raghav Juyal, who is seen as such a baddie for the first time, excels and entertains. Tanya Maniktala also rises to the occasion and gets to do more than just romance. Ashish Vidyarthi and Harsh Chhaya live up to their reputation of being seasoned performers. Abhishek Chauhan, in a supporting role, is also impressive.

Kill comes with its flipsides though. It is questionable to see one of the richest men in India Baldeo Singh Thakur making his entire and extended family travel in a train for long distance. Fani and his gang members, despite being professionals, don’t resort to guns and execute the whole mission through sharp objects. One can still ignore these aspects so that your overall experience isn’t ‘killed’.

But what hurts the film the most is a tragic incident that happens midway. It somewhere lessens you rooting for the good guys, especially the lovers. Plus, it is not shown to be as devastating as it should have been. This point also ‘kills’ the repeat value for Kill.

Overall: Kill takes the audience on a satisfying action ride without derailing.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Director: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat

Writers: Nikhil Nagesh Bhat (story, screenplay and dialogues)

Producers: Dharma Productions and Sikhya Entertainment

Cast: Lakshya, Tanya Maniktala, Raghav Juyal

Also read: Maharaj review: Karsandas Mulji’s story, unfortunately, is relevant even after 160 years

Book Review: Razor Sharp – Ashwin Sanghi dwells into the serial killer zone

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Since more than a decade, Ashwin Sanghi has gained name and fame for his books in his ‘Bharat Series’. Under its umbrella, he has presented stories that are a mixture of mythology or history with the contemporary times amidst the background of high profile crimes. But with Razor Sharp, the author has dwelled into the serial killer zone for the first time.

The book is set in today’s times in Mumbai. The city is rocked by the murder of a man in an unusual style. His hands are tied behind with a rope, his mouth stuffed with food-grains and a knife is stabbed into the left side of his chest. Senior cop Shinde is given the responsibility of the case. He unofficially takes the help of former senior cop and his close friend Prakash Kadam, better known as Kutta Kadam in police circles.

The middle-aged Kadam once had a promising career in the Mumbai police force but his honesty and morals cost him his job. But that’s not all. He is not in the best of physical and mental health and his current lifestyle is making it worse. A major reason for this is a disturbing past incident which led to his wife Sarla dumping him.

However, despite his physical and mental condition, Kadam is a genius when it comes to solving crime. He has a loving and equally intelligent daughter Ketul, a lawyer, who always helps him in solving complicated criminal cases. Kadam and Ketul’s workload increases as the killer doesn’t stop at just one murder.

Razor Sharp by Ashwin Sanghi

There is no doubt that stories of serial killers are done to death, not just in literature but also in other forms of entertainment. Despite that, Razor Sharp doesn’t get uninteresting due to various reasons.

The biggest being the character of the protagonist and his daughter. There is no doubt that the character of the investigator reeling with a dark past has become a cliché. But Kadam teaming up with his daughter Ketul brings freshness to the scene. Their bond is loving, although not overtly. There are various moments in the book where one smiles because of their conversations.

Although the book is an out-and-out contemporary crime thriller, one finds Sanghi’s love for Hindu mythology somewhere in it. At one point, his fondness for anagrams is also visible. This doesn’t harm the book. In fact, it makes it stand apart from other murder mysteries.

The author’s gripping narrative is felt here too. Hence, like his previous works, the book becomes a fast read with no dull moment. Once again, his language is easy to grasp as it’s a smart mixture of simplicity and richness.  

Razor Sharp also has the presence of political drama that is somewhere linked to the case. Although this adds to the interest, this part should have been simpler. The presence of too many characters who are only addressed by their surnames (Rane, Gaikwad, Patil, Chavan, etc) adds some confusion. The angle of the fake godman Momuma adds intrigue. But one later feels that this part didn’t deserve much footage. In other words, both these sub-plots could have been shortened and this would have made the book crisper.

There are also cuss words in a Sanghi novel for the first time. There is no doubt that this is how people converse, both criminals and the ones going after them, but there is an overdose of it.  

Lastly, the identity of the serial killer takes you by surprise, although it doesn’t give you a jolt. But the situation in which the reveal happens adds a lot of thrill.

Overall: Ashwin Sanghi’s first plunge in the serial killer zone with Razor Sharp turns out to be an interesting read.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Publishers: Harper Collins

Pages: 310

Price: Rs 399

Also read: Book Review: The Magicians of Mazda by Ashwin Sanghi