Film Review-The killer

Starcast: Irfan Khan, Emran Hashmi, Nisha Kothari.

Director: Hasnain Hyderabadwala and Raksha

Rating: * *

God knows how this film is getting good reviews, I think it's just about average. The film is just about two hours long and yet quite painful. What makes the film sour in taste are the pathetic C grade actors (I don't know if I can call them actors), ofcourse that is with the exception of Mr. Irfan Khan.

The story is how a professional killer (Irfan) hires a cab, the cabbie being Nikhil (Emran) for the killings that he is hired for and how Nikhil and his bar dancer girlfriend (Nisha) become scapegoats and eventually escape. Actually had it not been for the terrible cast, the film would have been a very fast paced, intelligent thriller. The dialogues are witty, the camerawork is sleek, the location is nice and the camaraderie that Irfan and Emaran share is the only highpoint of the film.

The directors have done a good job in adapting the story but have failed to get the performances out of the actors. The music is pretty ok, nothing to rave about. But the choreography especially in the "Abhi Toh Main Jawaan Hoon" number is hilarious.

Emran, if he does one more film , I swear I will become his die hard fan (obviously in anti thesis). And the less said is better about Nisha aka Mrs. James , is this the only profession that she decided to excel in? I am sure she will take Bollywood to new heights (new heights of non performing). The only show stealer is Irfan , be it his dialogue delivery or his scary dead eyes, he excels and no doubt is the saving grace of the film).

Watch it if you wanna laugh over Nisha's funny gyrations or Irfan's good performance or Emran's stint with acting.

Otherwise Avoid!!!

-Sanketh Rao.

Film Review-Golmaal

Starring: Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Rimmi Sen, Paresh Rawal and Sushmita Mukerjee.
Director: Rohit Shetty
Rating: * * *

It's a totally silly, meaningless and mindless film, but yet its really funny. The very purpose of making this film is to make people laugh and it definitely succeeds in doing the same.

There isn't much to write about the story coz there isn't one!!! The film is full of moments of stupidity and gags and good performances by all the actors. The music is peppy, as is the cinematography.

Ajay Devgan's look is not convincing but his acting is. Paresh Rawal thankfully this time around delivers a controlled performance, and hence is likeable. Sushmita Mukerjee, I think is a really talented actress, whose got her due after a long time. The song picturized on Paresh and her is very well done.

Rimmi does what she always does, how many times will she keep doing that same role of all the boys falling in love with the same girl? Tusshar in the role of a mute guy is outstanding. Arshad and Sharman are also first rate.

I think it's an ideal weekend timepass.

-Sanketh Rao.

To Mumbai - from my heart

I had written this poem long ago for the city of dreams, my lovely Bombay city. After what happened on 7/11, this poem is just a dedication to express my love for my beautiful city.

" She was re-christened over a decade ago, but I still call her by her old name,
because for me she shall always remain the same.
She is the most energetic and beautiful ever,
and to sleep, she goes never.
She is so hip and happening,
to be with her I always keep reckoning.
She was once devastated and destroyed,
but she fought back to become happy and joyed.
Many people on her, cast the devil's eye,
but the spirit in her will never let her die.
I am not with her at the moment,
and its more than two years since I started this advent.
Wherever I am, to be with her I long,
and for the love of her, I have written this song."

-Sanketh Rao.

Film Review-Corporate

Starring: Bipasha Basu, Kay Kay Menon, Rajat Kapoor.

Director: Madhur Bhandarkar

Rating: * * 1/2

Probably after Page 3, my expectations were too high and that's why I was disappointed. Not that it's a bad film or something but it's just that it's not in par with Page 3. But still hats off to the director who came up with such a novel idea. The scripts originality is what makes it worth a dekho.

The problem with Corporate is that the first half of the film goes in making the audience realize what corporate culture is all about, how it works, what do the jargons mean, et al. The film only picks up just a little before the interval. From there on its captivating till comes the abrupt climax.

The film has no hero or heroine, there are just characters so everyone gets a good chance to perform. But the story revolves around Nishigandha Dasgupta (Bipasha Basu) who surpasses all hurdles in her life to reach a peak in her career. She is a no non sense business woman who also manages to stoop to any level to get her work done. But as luck may have it all her modern values get a horrendous bashing and she is reduced to a mere victim in the big bad corporate world.

Music wise there is just no scope in the film, Kailash Kher's "Sikandar" is passable. Camerawork is ok. But the clothes line from Allen Solly, especially that of Bipasha is really commendable.

Most of the performances are efficient. Be it Lillette Dubey, Raj Babbar, Minissha Lamba, Achint Kaur, The minister, Payal Rohatgi, Harsh Chayya all of them have delivered. Only Samir Dattani is the mute player with only one dialogue. Kay Kay Menon in the role of a "loser in life" is also ok.

But the knock out performances are delivered by Rajat Kapoor and Bipasha. Rajat as the manipulative boss has just given that perfect "is there a bigger bastard than me" performance, indeed very good. And Bipasha, I could never imagine that she could deliver a performance of this caliber. She is the biggest surprise element in the film. Be it her looks, her styling or performance, everything is just flawless.

The innovative subject and the brilliant performances get Corporate the "view it once" certificate.

-Sanketh Rao.