Movie Review::Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana

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The last two movies I watched before Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana(LSTCK) were both serious movies revolving around harsh reality( Chakravyuh) or just slam bang action(Skyfall). So when I sat in the theatre today to watch LSTCK the only thing which I was expecting from the movie that it should atleast prove to be a definitive  stress-buster to me. Coming from the Anurag Kashyap camp it did show a lot of promise in its promos. With the punjabi flavour which has been over-used in the recent past in movies like Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal, Yamla Pagla Deewana etc LSTCK had quite a burden on itself to stand out on its own.

Lights, Camera, Action. Welcome to Punjab; moreover welcome to the world of Khuranas. The biggest of issues are discussed with minimal ease and the smallest of issues(like a wet underwear) holds the highest priority. Omi Khurana(Kunal Kapoor) who had fled from village after stealing money from his house returns only to find out that the famous Chicken Khurana which was made in his grandfather’s dhaba is no longer prepared as his grandfather who was the only one who knew the recipe has turned forgetful and has almost lost his memory. This leaves Omi stranded as he needs money in quick time to return back to UK to solve his problem. Add another complication to the story. Omi’s childhood sweetheart Harman(Huma Qureshi) is about to get married to his cousin and neither of them seem interested in the relation. To spice up the story is Tito Mama(Rajesh Sharma) who looks at things in his own freeloading terms and a drug smoking saint Dolly Ahluwalia. What follows next is absolute madness!
Kunal Kapoor stands tall with a competent performance. Sometimes playing the sensitive munda and sometimes khotte da puttar. Huma Qureshi continues her brilliance from GOW series as Dr.Harman who yearns for Omi. Her scenes with Kunal are simply astounding, sply the bandage scene. My star performer of the movie is Tito Mama played by Rajesh Sharma. Wearing his pajamas and soiled shirt and carrying a broken radio, he is absolutely lovable. Rest of cast Vinod Nagpal who plays grandfather and rest of the family members also pitch in good performances. Special mention needs to be given to the absolutely hilarious dialogues like “Jab man mandir ban jaata hai toh ghanti jaroor bajni hai”. Debutante director Sameer Sharma handles the off-beat crazy subject like a pro and brings out an absolute winner. If only the movie had been cut down by 20 minutes it would have had even more impact. LSTCK is an absolute entertainer to the core with holistic entertainment.
Watch Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana!! Highly recommended for those who simply love Punjab-da life and ishtyle!
-Ashwath
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Movie Review:: Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2

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I typically hate watching movies alone, but sometimes my fanaticism for movies over-rules it and I end up watching movies alone. Gangs of Wasseypur Part 2 was no different as I stepped into the theatre after 10 hours of office work hoping that Anurag Kashyap who had created a new world with Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1 would once again weave his cinematic brilliance into a fine piece of cinema. Let me be frank about GoW 2, it is not a masterpiece as such but does enough justice to     see that it satisfies the expectations which towered after GoW 1.

GoW 2 starts where Part 1 ends. Kashyap wastes no time in introducing 2 of the most interesting characters of Indian cinema- Definite and Perpendicular. Both are Bollywood freaks who with a style of their own; one uses a blade as a weapon which he keeps in his mouth and other one wears the “Maine Pyaar Kiya” jacket. (Watch out for the bike scene) Drama unfolds at a feverish pace with the adventures and mis-adventures of these characters. But essentially the soul of the movie lies in the eyes of Faizal Khan character played by Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He makes you believe that even without cool jackets and rugged jeans an actor can actually play the role of a “HERO” in Bollywood and he does it effortlessly. GoW 2 has an story which is well expected from a revenge saga but the way it is shown on screen is what makes it a winner. Huma Qureshi fits the role of Faisal’s dreamgirl to the T. Richa Chaddha once again shows that Part 1 was not a fluke. Tigmanshu Dhulia and the actor playing the role of Shamshad are equally good in their roles.
As usual there are few scenes which warrant whistles and claps
1. Scene when Tigmanshu Dhulia asks the kid why his name is Definite.
2. Permission scene(yes its there again!!) between Nawaz and Huma.
3. Scene where Nawaz asks a pedestrian his age.
4. Tigmanshu Dhulia explaining why cinema has generated lot of “koofiyaas” in India.
5. Best of all- The Scene where Shamshad chases Definite which has an electrifying background score of Chi Cha Leather!
On the whole GoW 2 promises and also adequately delivers. Going on the crowd response( The evening and night shows were sold out at all screens in Bangalore yesterday- Wednesday!!) this movie is well on way to become a cult hit amongst cinema lovers. About 5 years from now, I may not remember the names of actors in the movie, but definitely the “fictional” characters created by Anurag Kashyap will be etched in my memory. What you waiting for? If you haven watched Part 1, then please watch and I am sure you will follow it up with Part 2!!
-Ashwath

Movie Review:: Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1

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Lights..Camera and Action! The title track of Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi starts playing on the screen and the time in the clock beside the television set is exactly 10:30. This is how unconventional yet realistic(as expected from Anurag Kashyap) is Gangs of Wasseypur Part 1(GoW). Right from the word go GoW is scintillating, gory, realistic and packed with “Bihariya” humour.
GoW is Anurag Kashyap’s baby all the way. He introduces his characters with much elan and garnishes them by giving a regular dose of expletives. The story of GoW tells us about the 2 sets of rivalries. One between Khans and Qureshis, other between Sardar Khan and Ramadheer Singh. Be it showing how there was caste discrimination in rural India(Scene when Sultan is offered lunch by Ramadheer Singh) or how the nationalization of coal gave rise to the powerful coal mafia post Indepedence the movie shows it with panache.Gangs of Wasseypur must be rewarded for its extensive research about the rural setting in Bihar, its treatment, dialogues and diction of each actor in his/her speech. Though the first half of the movie is quite slow it is very venomous.Each and every scene is crafted to suit the perfect Indian sensibilities.

Performances form the core of the movie. Manoj Bajpayee as Sardar Khan is simply astounding. Be it him spewing insults on Ramadheer Singh or acting like a perfect sex maniac with Durga(Reemma Sen) he simply gets into the skin of the character. Tigmanshu Dhulia as conniving Ramadheer Singh is a talent to watch out for. After directing movies like Haasil, Saaheb Biwi aur Gangster, Tigmanshu as an actor delivers a power packed performance which is sure to fetch him an award this year. Richa Chaddha as Sardar s first wife is first rate. She balances the act of playing a perfect mom and “very” understanding wife well. Watch out for her in 2 scenes.1.When she tells Manoj Bajpayee to visit a brothel if he is very “hungry”. 2. Scene where asks her elder son to deliver food to her husband in the jail. Nawazuddin as Sardar s younger son impresses with his short yet stunning performance. He is said to have a full blown role in the next part. Music and background music compliment the movie at every step.

One of the reasons the movie truly appealed to me is because living in the MSRIT Boys hostel, I had heard the Bihari dialect and seen the mannerisms for 4 years. The movie may not be very appealing down south due to the same reason. At the end of the movie when the screen stills at To be continued you realize that you have witnessed a perfectly chiseled diamond in the dark coal mines of Bihar. I am still singing “Jiyaa Re Bihar Ke Laala”.

-Ashwath

Movie Review:: Paanch

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I do not know why I am writing a review for this UN-released movie.It s because I feel Paanch  is a must release considering its mind-boggling storyline, deft execution of scenes and best of all the spine chilling climax! Paanch, directed by Anurag Kashyap was banned by censor board for “certain reasons” which I shall state below:-

The film glorifies violence(As if all the movies releasing these days are perfect for family viewing!); it shows the modus operandi of a crime (“killing of a police officer”-So Censor board should have banned Shaan, Garv, Gangaajal etc); it shows excessive use of drugs(then ban Hare Raama Hare Krishna, Dev D); it has double meaning dialogues (“with sexual undertones”- stop releasing most of  the comedy movies made in India ); it has no positive characters(Still shocked to see this as a reason!! ); it does not carry a social message(Oh right! All the Govinda and Mithun s movies did..forgot?).

I am sure you will agree with me that these reasons stated by Board really seem futile to ban a movie, that too of such a class!

Paanch talks about 4 friends, their love for music, their life entangled in dreams, drugs and deceit.One of them Luke(Kay Kay Menon) is the self imposed leader of the gang who is  slightly better in terms of monetary condition and dominates the group at every instance.They all are a part of  an aspiring band which also has a highly “immoral” girl who is the lead vocalist.Rest of story is  mainly about how a kidnapping act goes  horribly wrong and how the thirst for success coupled by drugs makes the youth crazy and impulsive.But Anurag Kashyap saves the best for climax.

I agree that to make the movie more realistic some of the scenes have been shot with lot of bloodshed and gore, but trust me that’s what makes you feel the world of Paanch.Talking about performances Kay Kay Menon is simply superb.The drunken conversation with Aditya Srivastava will tell you why he is one of the finest actors on screen today.Also his character which is etched out so crisply has a loud voice “Franz Kafka, Van Gogh, Michelangelo were unrecognized geniuses in their life. Recognize me!!”.Aditya Srivastava as Murgi, matches KKM at every step! Rest of the cast also manage to play themselves into the characters.

There are few scenes which will keep lingering in your mind once the movie gets over.

1.Killing of the kidnapped friend by Kay Kay Menon.

2.Police officer s first meeting with the group.

3.Set of events which occur post the  murder of the old man.

4.Climax! Nothing beats this one!!!

Thanks to torrents, i was able to watch this magnificent piece of cinema and also appreciate it!Easily a 4 on 5 for this movie.It would go down as one of those movie which are strictly one-time watch mainly because of the riveting story and suspense.I am just amazed by the fact that Paanch made almost 10 years ago not only  has Anurag’s brilliance all over it but also has was far ahead of its time.Only if it was appreciated at the right time then we would not have made such a maverick movie-maker take a back seat and wait for his time to come; which finally has.

Ashwath