The Common Man Speaks

Special 26 Box Office Prediction

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Director: Neeraj Pandey

Producers: Wide Frame Films, Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and A Friday Filmworks

Writer: Neeraj Pandey

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Anupam Kher, Manoj Bajpayee, Jimmy Shergill, Kishore Kadam, Rajesh Singh, Divya Dutta, Kajal Agarwal

Music: M M Kreem and Himesh Reshammiya

Genre: Thriller

Release Date: February 8, 2013

Analysis:

Star Value: Akshay Kumar is one of the biggest superstars ever in Hindi cinema. This fact, coupled with the presence of class performers like Anupam Kher and Manoj Bajpayee ensures that the star value for Special 26 is high.

Hype: The promos of the movie have created good excitement and eagerness to see the film. The issue about real versus fake CBI officers has gone down well with the audience along with the fact that the film is based on an unreported crime of the 1987 era. And since this is Neeraj Pandey’s first film after the classic A Wednesday has added on to the hype.

Music: There is no scope for music in such genre of films. ‘Dhar Pakad’ is the only song that is somewhat known.

Prediction:

Special 26 will get a good opening at the box office. However, unlike most Akshay starrers of recent years, this film won’t get a rocket start at the ticket window due to the genre. Hence, it won’t rely on the collections of the first weekend. This is one of those content based films which slowly climb up the box office ladder due to positive word of mouth. Of course, this would happen only if it manages to impress with the content in the initial days. Its chances rely both in single screens and multiplexes.

Special-26

Vishwaroop/ Vishwaroopam Review

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Director: Kamal Haasan

Producers: Raajkamal Films International and P.V.P Cinema

Writer: Kamal Haasan

Cast: Kamal Haasan, Rahul Bose, Andrea Jeremiah, Pooja Kumar

Music: Shankar Ehsan Loy

Genre: Action

Rating: * * * ½

Plot: Nirupama (Pooja Kumar) marries an elderly Kathak dancer Vishwanath (Kamal Haasan) not because she loves him but only to get a green card and complete her PhD. After fulfilling her motive, she needs a reason to separate from Vishwanath. Hence, she hires a detective to keep a look on Vishwanath as she doubts him having an affair. But since the tactic goes horribly wrong, Nirupama realizes the mystery behind her husband’s actual profession!

Review: There are good films been made every now and then but there are very few which can be described as landmark films of Indian cinema. Kamal Haasan’s Vishwaroop (Hindi dubbing of Vishwaroopam) is certainly one of the rare films that deserve such distinction for various reasons despite the fact that it falls short of being a classic. In fact, it also won’t be an overstatement to say that India finally has its own action flick of international standards.

Talking about the shoddy controversy surrounding the film, there is not a single frame that can be termed even close to offensive to any community. The ones who are up in arms against Vishwaroop are either too dumb or too evil!

Every great film has a solid base in the form of a watertight story and Vishwaroop is no exception. The movie tells a fascinating tale about terrorism from the point of view of a mysterious central character. In the initial moments, you are hugely surprised to find only light humorous moments.

VishwaroopamBut once the plot point is introduced, you are in for an intriguing roller coaster ride. It starts from Haasan’s sudden fight scene which can be described as one of the best seeti-bajao moments in recent years! You are also left amazed by the realistic portrayal of Afghanistan. Truly an example of brilliant set designing! Haasan has also shown some experimentation in the form of abrupt freeze framing and replays of some scenes which works very well!

As mentioned at the start, the film isn’t entirely superlative. The story doesn’t quite take off in the second half, although this doesn’t give rise to boredom in any way. Haasan also misses out on including more clap worthy moments which was surely possible due to the subject and the central character’s heroism. Such a moment was definitely needed in the climax which doesn’t provide the punch that one expected. But this in no way turns you off due to the memorable moments earlier and the fact that the makers reveal their plan of making a sequel.

A word of caution for the weak hearted: The film would have done without so much of gory violence. Although it deals with terrorism, there was no need to show hands being chopped off and a body half cut off in an explosion in such a mass oriented film.

The movie wouldn’t have become what it is without Sanu Varghese’s brilliant camerawork. The same amount of praise should be given to the background score and editing. Music wise, the powerful title song rightly suits the film and Haasan’s character. Apart from this, the track ‘Jung Hai’ is worth mentioning.

Kamal Haasan carries the film on his strong shoulders and how! He is brilliant and completely believable as a secret agent. Getting into the psyche of a character is what is shown by him. He also plays a completely opposite character of a Kathak teacher and is remarkable even in that! Rahul Bose stuns with one of his career best performances despite Haasan’s constant presence.

Andrea Jeremiah lends perfect support to Haasan and so does Shekhar Kapur. After Gangs of Wasseypur, Jaideep Ahlawat once again impresses. Pooja Kumar, the foreigner male in Haasan’s team and the rest of the actors are likable too.

Overall, Vishwaroop is a memorable cinematic experience which shouldn’t be missed. Given its content, it should do well at the box office even in Mumbai and north India.

Phalke’s magic recreated on big screen!

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Indian cinema took birth a hundred years ago when Dhundiraj Govind Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra was released in May 1913 at Mumbai’s (then Bombay) Coronation Theater. The film was a result of some painstaking efforts by Dadasaheb Phalke, due to which he acquired the title – Father of Indian Cinema. Now, almost a hundred years later, the magic of Phalke’s earliest films was recreated on the big screen recently at Mumbai’s National Center for Performing Arts (NCPA).

Raja-Harishchandra-movieA group of audience that had gathered was bestowed with a memorable experience of watching Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra (1917), Kaliya Mardan (1919), Lanka Dahan (1917), Shri Krishna Janma (1918) and a documentary on him named Dream Takes Wings (1970).  Composer Rahul Ranade’s background score was added to the films to make viewing more pleasurable for people of today’s era who aren’t used to watching silent films. The screening was made possible by the National Film Archives of India (NFAI) based in Pune. The event was a part of NCPA Flashback Series which is started to celebrate 100 years of Indian Cinema.

Veteran filmmaker Shyam Benagal, who was the guest of honor at the event, seemed pretty excited for the screenings. “It’s a pleasure to see Phalke’s films. His (Raja Harishchandra) was the first film to be made completely in India. So it is Phalke who is responsible for spreading cinema in India,” he said. Benegal also revealed how quickly cinema got acceptance in India. “After the introduction of sound (talkies), Indian cinema just took off as if it was invented here.”

Shyam-BenegalBy going back to the pre-independence time, Benegal also criticized the need for films to be censored. “British Government used to ban films that had nationalist sentiments. Unfortunately, even 66 years after independence, films are still censored, which, I think, is ridiculous in a democracy.”

Director of NFA Prashant Pathrabe shared some good news for the audience. He said screening of more of such classic films under NCPA Flashback Series would take place at the end of every month at NCPA for the next year. “We would love to take our association with NCPA forward,” he said.

Some of the films that would be shown in the upcoming NCPA Flashback Series include Sant Tukaram (Marathi, 1936), Sikandar (Hindi, 1941), Achhut Kanya (Hindi, 1936), Manthan (Hindi, 1976), Devdas (Bengali, 1935), Chandralekha (Tamil, 1948), etc.

So if you are lover of quality cinema, you know where you should be heading at the end of each month!

To receive updates on the upcoming screenings, visit – http://www.ncpamumbai.com/
Facebook page – https://www.facebook.com/NCPAMumbai
Twitter page – https://twitter.com/ncpamumbai

Race 2 Review

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Direction: Abbas-Mustan

Producers: Tips Music Films and UTV Motion Pictures

Writers: Shiraz Ahmed and Kiran Kotrial

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Amisha Patel

Music: Pritam

Genre: Thriller

Rating: * ½

Story Outline: After amassing abnormal amount of wealth through crook, multi-millionaire Arman Malik (John Abraham) is enjoying the luxuries of Europe with his step sister Alina (Deepika Padukone) and girlfriend Onisha (Jacqueline Fernandez). This is when Ranvir Singh (Saif Ali Khan) enters his life. Through some illegal ideas, Ranvir helps Arman add up to his already colossal wealth. But why is Ranvir doing such favors on Arman? Meanwhile, cop-turned-casino-owner Robert D’Costa provides all the support to Ranvir but is he really on his side?

Review: Abbas-Mustan’s Race 2 reminded me of the old phrase ‘Jana Tha Japan Pohoch Gaye Cheen (China)’. Although the intention of the makers might have been to make a sequel to the impressive thrilling ride Race (2008) but knowingly or unknowingly the director duo ends up making a sequel to their last film Players (2012). Second movie in the line of Players… Need I say more?

Race 2 has almost everything needed for a racy thriller – mind-blowing action sequences, exotic locations, thrilling chases, twists and turns, lots of style, expensive cars, choppers and some foot-tapping music. So what went wrong? Well, I did mention the word ‘almost’ in the second last sentence which was used for the most important thing – s-c-r-i-p-t!

Race-2The problem with the writing is that the story doesn’t unfold at a good pace as a lot of footage is given to some unconvincing, lame sequences and, of course, lots of glamour (read: cleavage and thighs). And when the story does move forward, it mostly produces twists that are not only predictable miles back, but also unintentionally hilarious. An example of just taking the genre and the audience for granted! The disgustingly cheap conversations between Anil and Ameesha’s characters truly deserve special mention!

To its credit, the film does have few things going though. Some chase sequences and stunts are out of the ordinary. The camerawork (Ravi Yadav), background score and some super-stylish editing also deserve praise. Pritam has come up with some good tracks (hoping they are original), although the songs are forcibly placed!

Saif Ali Khan pulls of the character of Ranvir Singh quite well but this time he isn’t as convincing and powerful as he was in the 2008 movie. John Abraham shows a lot of style but acting-wise, he is pretty average. A talented as well as experienced actor like Anil Kapoor is simply wasted! It was also disturbing to see his character indulge in such cheapness!

Deepika Padukone and Jacqueline Fernandez are just used to expose their toned bodies forcefully! Although, acting-wise, the former is okay, the latter is simply poor! Lastly, there is Ameesha Patel who gives one of the most irritating performances in recent years!

Overall, while the two main characters in Race 2 are constantly trying to fool each other, it is the audience which ultimately gets fooled. Due to some hype, the film might get a decent opening but it will struggle at the box office once the word spreads.

Akaash Vani Box Office Prediction

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Direction: Luv Ranjan

Producers: Wide Frame Pictures

Writer: Luv Ranjan

Cast: Kartik Tiwari, Nushrat Bharucha

Music: Hitesh Sonic

Genre: Romance

Release Date: January 25, 2013

Analysis:

Star Value: As the lead actors of Akaash Vani Kartik Tiwari and Nushrat Bharucha are just one film old, there is no star value in the movie. However, the fact that the full team of the well appreciated Pyaar Ka Punchnama has returned can be considered its star value.

Hype: The promos of the movie have garnered a decent response, if not very good. The promotions and marketing hasn’t been bad. Overall, the hype and excitement for Akaash Vani is above average.

Music: The film has good, melodious numbers but apart from ‘Rumani’ no other song is much known to the masses. The music has a better chance if the film succeeds at the box-office.

Prediction:

Akaash Vani will get an average opening at the box office. Its chances rely more in the multiplexes of the metros. It will struggle in the single screens and smaller centers. The fact that it will be released alongside a hardcore commercial film like Race 2 will surely affect its business. Hence, it is vital for Akaash Vani to get very positive initial reports.

But one should also note that this is a kind of film which doesn’t rely on the collections of the first three days. If it manages to impress the audience initially, especially the youngsters, it can even pick up during the weekdays and the next weekend as there is no major release next week.

Akaash-Vani

Race 2 Box Office Prediction

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Direction: Abbas-Mustan

Producers: Tips Music Films and UTV Motion Pictures

Writers: Shiraz Ahmed and Kiran Kotrial

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez, Amisha Patel

Music: Pritam

Genre: Thriller

Release Date: January 25, 2013

Analysis:

Star Value: With a host of well-known actors like Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, the star value for Race 2 is obviously high.

Hype: The thrilling and exciting promos have gone well with the audience. The makers have also promoted and marketed the film well. So there is a good amount of hype for Race 2 but it is not as high as the makers would have expected.

Music: The songs ‘Allah Duhai’, ‘Party On My Mind’ and ‘Lat Lag Gayi’ have slowly become popular. The music of Race 2 has played a good role in popularizing the film.

Prediction:

Although not excellent, Race 2 will get a decent to good opening at the box office. Being a western or modern flick, it will fare well in the metros both in single screens and multiplexes, provided it gets good initial response, but its chances are doubtful in the smaller centers.

Although the film will face some mild opposition from Akaash Vani (also releasing on Jan 25), the big advantage it has is that there is no major release next week. However, it will struggle if it doesn’t manage to impress at the onset. And scoring Rs 100 crore, dream of every hardcore commercial product these days, looks doubtful for Race 2.

Race-2

Inkaar Box Office Prediction

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Director: Sudhir Mishra

Producers: Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Tipping Point Films

Writers: Manoj Tyagi and Sudhir Mishra

Cast: Arjun Rampal, Chitrangada Singh, Deepti Naval, Vipin Sharma, Shivani Tanksale, Rehana Sultan

Music: Shantanu Moitra

Genre: Drama

Release Date: January 18, 2013

Analysis:

Star Value: Arjun Rampal and Chitrangada Singh are not superstars but they are famous enough to push a section of the audience to the theaters. The former has improved his acting skills in recent years while the latter has always given impressive performances.

Hype: The hype for Inkaar is quite good, although only among the urban population due to its subject. The promos have not only impressed the audience but also helped in creating a mystery as to who among the two characters is guilty.

Music: ‘Maula Tu Malik’ has become popular while the other songs, which are also impressive, might slowly find takers if the film becomes a hit.

Prediction:

Inkaar will get an average to decent opening at the box office. Due to the subject and the modern corporate world in which the story is based, it has a chance only in the multiplexes of the metros. It will struggle in single screens and smaller centers. It has only a week to earn as both Race 2 and Akaash Vani are hitting the screens next Friday. Hence, Inkaar has to impress at the onset else it will be difficult for it to succeed at the box office.

Picture Courtesy - Inkaar Facebook page

Picture Courtesy – Inkaar Facebook page

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola Box Office Prediction

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Direction: Vishal Bhardwaj

Producers: Fox Star Studios and Vishal Bhardwaj Pictures Pvt. Ltd

Writers: Vishal Bhardwaj and Abhishek Chaubey

Cast: Imran Khan, Anushka Sharma, Pankaj Kapoor, Shabana Azmi, Aarya Babbar

Music: Vishal Bhardwaj

Genre: Comedy/ Drama

Release Date: January 11, 2013

Analysis:

Star Value: Imran Khan and Anushka Sharma are not big superstars but they are popular enough to pull a good section of the audience to the theaters, especially youngsters. Plus, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola also has legends of Indian cinema in the form of Pankaj Kapoor and Shabana Azmi.

Hype: The film has managed a decent hype before its release if not tremendous. The funny promos with unusual dialogues have made heads turn. Anushka’s ‘Dekho Magar Pyar Se’ tattoo and ‘Gulabi Bhains’  have also largely helped.

Music: Although Bhardwaj is known to be a talented music director, the songs of this movie haven’t become known. But the reason for this is that the makers haven’t used the music much to promote the movie. The title song is the only one which is famous and appreciated.

Prediction:

Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola will get a decent to good opening at the box office, although not excellent. Even if it gets a decent response, it will make the producers happy as it has good two weeks to earn. Since it is a rural film, it has a chance of earning even in smaller centers, provided it doesn’t get initial negative response.

Picture Courtesy - MKBKM Facebook page

Picture Courtesy – MKBKM Facebook page

 

Dabangg 2 Box Office Prediction

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Direction: Arbaaz Khan

Production: Arbaaz Khan Productions

Writer: Dileep Shukla

Actors: Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Sonu Sood, Vinod Khanna, Deepak Dobriyal

Music: Sajid-Wajid

Genre: Action/ Comedy

Release Date: December 21, 2012

Analysis:

Star Value: When you have Salman Khan, the biggest superstar currently, in the lead, there are no prizes to guess that the star value for Dabangg 2 is supremely high! And with the presence of Sonakshi Sinha and Prakash Raj, it just gets bigger!

Hype: The excitement for Dabangg 2 has been high ever since it was announced since the first installment in the series was highly appreciated by audience of all age groups and in every region. As expected, the excitement just got increasingly high ever since the trailers and songs were released.

Music: The music hasn’t created as much buzz as the first movie before the release. Nevertheless, the song ‘Fevicol Se’ is known while other songs like ‘Dagabaaz Re’ will slowly go up the charts once the film releases.

Prediction:

It is easier than a child’s play to predict the box office outcome of a Salman Khan film these days. Like the superstar’s previous films, even Dabangg 2 will take the box office by storm, both in single screens and multiplexes and in big cities and small towns.

The question shouldn’t be whether it will reach Rs 100 crore. The question should be whether it will manage to break Ek Tha Tiger and 3 Idiots’ record. It also has chance to become the highest money grosser in a single day. The record is currently held by Ek Tha Tiger which earned Rs 33 crore in one day. The release of Dabangg 2 will also ensure an almost end of the journey for Talaash and Khiladi 786 at the ticket window.

Picture courtesy – Dabangg 2 Facebook page

Life Of Pi Review

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Direction: Ang Lee

Production: Ang Lee, Gil Netter and David Womark

Writers: Yann Martel (novel), David Magee

Cast: Suraj Sharma, Irrfan Khan, Rafe Spall, Adil Hussain, Tabu

Music: Mychael Danna

Genre: Adventure

Rating: * ½

Plot: Based on the novel by Yann Martel, the film tells the story of Pi Patel (Gautam Belur, Ayush Tondon, Suraj Sharma and Irrfan Khan), son of the zookeeper Santosh Patel (Adil Hussain). Due to some problem, Pi’s family is forced to shift their house and zoo from India (Pondicherry) to Canada. Since it also includes the stressful task of shifting all types of animals thousands of miles away, Santosh arranges for a special cruise as a mode of travel.

During their journey, a disastrous storm takes place which separates Pi from his family. Worse, he lands on a lifeboat with a zebra, hyena, an orangutan and the Royal Bengal Tiger. Later on, only Pi and the tiger are left on the boat. Will Pi be able to survive with a wild beast on a journey that looks like never ending?

Review: Life Of Pi achieves the incredible by shooting some unthinkable scenes with some jaw-dropping visual effects. However, such mind-blowing thrills and visuals do little to amuse you when the overall experience is a deadly mixture of boredom, disturbance, irritation and depression!

Before Pi’s family commence their voyage, the film appears quite interesting, especially during Pi’s interaction with his parents and his take religion. Things are quite okay even during the voyage and the storm incident, which is captured brilliantly. However, some time after Pi lands on the lifeboat (second half), the proceedings go on to disturbing levels.

By this time, we start doubting that the film just has no story to tell. That indeed turns out to be the case as you are just subjected to Pi’s miserable experience on the lifeboat which not only becomes a difficult test of your patience but also makes you cringe with some disturbing and depressing incidents. No doubt, the camerawork and the way of filming deserve salute but why should one invest money and time to watch such a story? Such a tale suits only for a novel.

The background score is commendable while the editing should have been tighter. The 3D effects in some scenes are of top draw but there should have been some more out-of-the-screen moments.

Some performances leave you spellbound. Suraj Sharma’s debut act is one such performance that deserves tons of praise, especially since he is someone who is never been into acting or performing arts. Irrfan Khan once again shows why he is one of the finest actors to have emerged from India. Adil Hussain and Tabu provide mature acts. Rafe Spall fits the bill perfectly. All the animals too deserve applause for being able to do what they were asked to.

Overall, one and a half stars for Life Of Pi for the breathtaking visuals and performances.