AASHIQUI 2 REVIEW BY SAMEER VALECHA

AASHIQUI 2 REVIEW BY SAMEER VALECHA:

Star cast: Aditya Roy Kapur, Shraddha Kapoor, Shaad Randhawa, Bugs Bhargava, Mahesh Thakur, Shubhangi Lathkar and Salil Acharya

Director: Mohit Suri

Producer: Bhushan Kumar (T-Series) Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt (Vishesh Films)

Music: Mithoon, Jeet Ganguly and Ankit Tiwari

Genre: Romance

Censor Details: U (Hindi)

Synopsis: AASHIQUI 2 traces the journey of a young couple and the turbulence in their lives... Rahul [Aditya Roy Kapur], a singing sensation, falls in love with the voice of Aarohi [Shraddha Kapoor], who aspires to be a singer and sings at clubs and bars. Rahul takes it upon himself to make Aarohi a singing star, builds her confidence and even arranges for her audition with the music baron [Mahesh Thakur]. Gradually, Rahul and Aarohi fall in love with each other.

Script Analysis: Continuing a franchise has become a trend with Vishesh Films. They have very intelligently established some franchises in Indian Cinema like Raaz, Jannat, Murder, Jism and now Aashiqui. One thing which distincts Aashiqui from the others is that its earlier installment was made 23 years ago. Coming to the story that has been penned by Shagufta Rafique, an old horse in the Bhatt Camp has done a wonderful job with the story line of this film.

Things have been kept simple since it’s a love story and the setting has been very modern. It livens up the romantic side in you. Also the screenplay has been written very intelligently adapting almost all the songs from the film. There is a very little space for punches and over the top dialogues in such romantic flicks but still I felt that the some of the lines spoken were mesmerizing.

Direction and Music: Mohit Suri, after having tasted success at making thrillers and actions flicks now tries his hand at a romantic film. Mohit has enhanced this wonderful film with some remarkable moments. It seemed like he’s an expert at making romantic films.

Music of Aashiqui 2 is the backbone of the film. 3 different composers have come together to produce an album, which in real words can be called – BLOCKBUSTER! Tracks like Tum Hi Ho have become a sensation throughout the country. Whereas other tracks like Sunn Raha Hai, Piya Aaye Na, Chahun Main Ya Na, Bhula Dena and Meri Aashiqui have also become sleeper hits.

Star Performances: Aditya and Shraddha deliver what I will call once in a lifetime performance. They have both excelled to a level, which is more than expected. Aditya had shown his acting skills earlier in Guzaarish whereas Shraddha delivers it this time with a BANG! The chemistry, which they share, is incredible and amazing.

Shaad Randhawa, seen on-screen after 3 long years played an important character and played it with ease. Also Mahesh Thakur as Sehgal did a good job. Other supporting cast did not have much to do but were all-fine in their respective roles.

Final Say: Aashiqui 2 is a pure romantic film at heart which gives you goosebumps on various occasions. Also the film has some powerful share of music and performances which make it a comfortable drive to the plexes to have fun.

Paisa Vasool: 80/100

RANGEELAY REVIEW BY SAMEER VALECHA

RANGEELAY REVIEW BY SAMEER VALECHA

Star cast: Jimmy Sheirgill, Neha Dhupia, Binnu Dhillon, Rana Ranbir, B.N. Sharma, Shivender Mahal, Jaswinder Bhalla, Tej Sapru and Rana Jung Bahadur

Director: Navaniat Singh

Producer: Eros International (Sunil Lulla) and Jimmy Sheirgill

Music: Jaidev Kumar

Genre: Comedy

Censor Details: U (Punjabi)

Synopsis: Rangeelay is the story of a group of recovery agents – Sunny (Jimmy), Titli (Binnu) and Shotgun (Rana), Sunny being their leader. He falls in love with a girl, Simi (Neha Dhupia) who is cool, sexy, arrogant and a carefree girl. She likes life to be daring and challenging and doesn’t believe in love. She is not a girl who will easily fall for any man. Sunny tries and tries hard to get Simi.

Script Analysis: Dheeraj Rattan and Navaniat Singh, whenever they have come together, have created magic ion screen be it Dharti or MKR. Rangeelay falls flat within the first 30 minutes of its beginning and fails to keep the viewer interested in the plot as the storyline becomes very predictable. Also it has nothing new to offer for the audience. The makers have gone with the tried and tested formula of making a comic entertainer instead of experimenting something new.

Screenplay is patchy in parts and good in other. Few things have been left unexplained and what I felt was that the screenplay writer failed miserably to justify a connection between various events. Dialogues were again good. Jaswinder Bhalla and Binnu Dhillon’s punches were good and saved the film a bit.

Music and Direction: Navaniat Singh, an experienced campaigner in Punjabi Cinema has done a decent to average job in this film as a director. Where the film went wrong was in its scripting stages and also the choice for the main lead actress, which I will discuss at a later stage. Also the cinematographer choice was made wrongly. Someone inexperienced was handled a vital job.

Music by Jaidev Kumar was a big big disappointment. Personally I did not feel any track is going to be a long-term hit. Jaidev failed to produce some iconic peppy as well as romantic numbers for Navaniat's film this time around. But still Headache, Boliyaan and Yaara Tu are good to as my picks from the album.

Star Performances: Jimmy Sheirgill, acting in a Punjabi film after almost 2 years has done a descent job. He is a fine actor blessed with some talent in acting. He saves the film with his performance to some extent. Neha Dhupia, the lady from Hindi films is a wrong choice for the role. Female lead in the film has a strong character, but Neha seemed to be a wrong choice for the role. Although she seemed to be okay with her Punjabi language but what she lacked were expressions. Binnu Dhillon, no need to say was superb as he has been. His dialogues were peppy and provided laughs. But he was under utilised and could have been used more.

Rana Ranbir was disappointing in this film and did not perform upto his potential. Shivender Mahal and Jaswinder Bhalla share great chemistry among themselves as Army and Police men. The arguments among them were just fantastic. Tej Sapru and Rana Jung Bahadur were wasted and failed to create much impact.

Final Say: Rangeelay is a big sized disappointment. The film has some great names attached with it in almost every department but still it lacks that thing in it to be a successful film. The story, Neha’s performance and Music are a big let down for this film. Can be avoided this time.

Paisa Vasool: 40/100

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EK THI DAAYAN REVIEW BY SAMEER VALECHA

EK THI DAAYAN REVIEW BY SAMEER VALECHA:

Star cast: Emraan Hashmi, Huma Qureshi, Kalki Koechlin, Konkana Sen Sharma, Pavan Malhotra, Rajatava Dutta, Bhavesh Balchandani, Visesh Tiwari and Sara Arjun

Director: Kannan Iyer

Producer: VB Pictures (Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj), ALT Entertainment, Balaji Motion Pictures (Shobha and Ekta Kapoor)

Music: Vishal Bhardwaj

Genre: Supernatural Thriller

Censor Details: U/A (Hindi)

Synopsis: Bobo [Emraan Hashmi] is India's leading magician. But unknown to even his girlfriend Tamara [Huma Qureshi], Bobo's life is falling apart. Going through hypnosis, a terrifying story about his childhood surfaces involving a 'Daayan', who has not only destroyed his family, but also promised to return to haunt Bobo. He chooses to ignore it and move on with his life. Just when his career and love life is at full swing, enters the irresistible Lisa Dutt [Kalki Koechlin]. Bobo is convinced that she is the Daayan.

Script Analysis: Daayans are a supernatural thing in this modern day world. This film, based on a short story written by Mukul Sharma takes us back to the world where we can still believe that a Daayan can exist. Mukul along with Vishal Bhardwaj have co-written the story and dialogues for this film. The story is something I have seen and herad for the first time and is really very different from regular off-break Hindi films.

It is not a regular horror film where you get shocks or Goosebumps after a while but it has a story to tell which is links the past to the present. Screenplay is well written and equally supported by dialogues, which were natural. Vishal Bhardwaj wrote them. First half is the best and most gripping whereas the second half gets slow but soon picks up towards the finale.

Direction and Music: Kannan Iyer, after writing the screenplays for 2 Hindi films makes his directorial debut with this one. Being in the industry for so long, he knew very well about his job and makes a decent debut. He’s done a convincing job. I am very much impressed with the whole set up of the film. He makes sure that the film has all kinds of plots – Horror, Love Story, Song and Dance and some action too.

Music by Vishal Bhardwaj was soothing. Tracks like Totey Ud Gaye and Yaaram were convincing.

Star Performances: Emraan Hashmi has developed a new habit of trying his hands at all different kinds of genres. Here he does a convincing job once again as always. He is adding films after films to his list of perfect roles. Huma Qureshi does a good job playing a modern daygirl after playing a small-town girl in her initial films. Kalki was natural playing the NRI Canadian girl.

Konkana Sen Sharma has re-invented herself with this one. She is a talented actress and this role would only take her talent to the next level. Her father Mukul Sharma (the writer) seemed to have written an author backed role for her. Child Artists were all convincing, Bhavesh Balchandani, Visesh Tiwari and Sara Arjun. Pavan Malhotra and Rajatava Dutta provided good support.

Final Say: On the whole, Ek Thi Daayan is a convincing film in its genre. First half is excellent, but the second half is somewhat disappointing but soon picks up. But this one has set a new tone for the horror films to come in future.

Paisa Vasool: 70/100

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