Tag Archives: Deepak Dobriyal

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo_Poster_Wallpaper_Salman Khan_Sonam Kapoor_Swara Bhaskar_BollywoodirectRating: 2/10
Release Date: 12th November 2015
Time: 174 minutes
Director, Writer: Sooraj Barjatya; Music: Himesh Reshammiya;
Starring: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Anupam Kher, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Swara Bhaskar, Deepak Dobriyal, Armaan Kohli, Aashika Bhatia

This is not just a silly story, it’s a flawed, silly story dipped in gulab jamun ki chasni. It’s death with a thousand, slow, torturous cuts, and each cut is coated with sugar. It’s the same old, packaged as the same old – no attempts to give the story a modern twist – the heroine still simpers and makes semi-orgasmic expressions when the hero touches her and the hero still speaks as if he’s stuck in the black and white era. Nothing bad happens in the film, but everything occurs in agonizing slow-motion, with camera shots from three different angles, music at every turn and characters looking like they are all in a Maanyavar ad.

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Salman Khan has two roles. For his first one, he doesn’t have to stray too far from his previous film (Bajrangi Bhaijaan) and is a Ram-bhakt, expert participant of his local village Ram-Leela. Who fell in love with a princess, Sonam, as she descended from the steps of a helicopter (impeccably dressed) while conducting flood relief operations for her charity. He decides he’s going to meet her (with his side-kick Deepak Dobriyal), as she’s going to attend her fiancée, a big-shot prince’s (the other Salman) crowning ceremony. However, evil forces are trying to take the life of this prince – there is a dastardly attack – and Ram-Leela Avatar is forced to step into the shoes of the Prince by the kingdom’s loyal advisor, Anupam Kher.

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The Ram Bhakt soon realizes the Prince’s forte wasn’t human relationships – he has to mend quite a few fences – first with the Princess, Sonam, who’s mad at him for some past errors. Then with his step-sisters (Swara and Aashika) and then also with his step-brother (Neil). He proceeds to do this in full nautanki style, behaving illogically, inappropriately at every occasion. Like converting a formal function into a football match between men and women. Doing everything the Prince didn’t do – eat spicy food, cook, roam around with his fiancée etc. We then have a couple of very predictable twists, dealt with in an equally predictable manner – some tears, some muscles, some melodrama – followed by an even more predictable ending.

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Sonam continues to irritate. And display her lack of acting prowess. The fact that she also looks less than half her hero’s age doesn’t help the film. Salman has either of two expressions in the film – one is his beatific one, with folded hands, asking for forgiveness / love / help etc (in the villager role). The other is angry (in the Prince role). Anupam Kher takes over the Alok Nath sanskaari role, while Neil Nitin tries unsuccessfully to look angry while leading the spoilt, rich lifestyle.

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Nothing, of course, makes any sense. You can begin with the logical questions (what was the villain’s grand plan at the end?). And then ask a few existential ones (why does Sonam get so many roles despite her impressive failure rate and equally impressive lack of acting skills ? Or even, Why do films like this get made at all ?)

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There are a few moments of mirth but they are too far and few and are sandwiched between many minutes of agony. Every scene is stretched, really ridiculous songs are inserted at every possible opportunity (there is one song – I’ve named it the chaatwala song – where basically Deepak Dobriyal and Salman recount all the different kinds of savouries you get in India), tears milked whenever the chance presents itself – and it’s really a gooey, syrupy painful film where the hero can do and experience nothing bad. Apart from his heroine.

My review of the film in one sentence is presented in this audio file: Click Here

Review Written By- Apurv Nagpal Author of Eighteen Plus 

Featured article from Bollywoodirect.

Caution: The opinion expressed in this article are the personal opinion of the author. Bollywoodirect and Cinemaforensic is not responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability or validity of any information in this article. The information/Opinion, facts appearing in it do not reflect the views of Bollywoodirect & Bollywoodirect doesn’t assume any responsibility or liability of the same.

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Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)

Tanu Weds Manu Returns review.

My Ratings: 3.8/5. (i hope i don’t have to change my ratings in the future).

Whenever a sequel comes up of some successful RomCom, invariably it proves to be unworthy of it’s preceder. But Tanu Weds Manu Returns is probably the exception that proves this rule!

Tanu Weds Manu Returns may be not as subtle or emotional as Tanu Weds Manu (2011) but when it comes to pure entertainment it’s spot on target. 

tanu-weds-manu-returns-poster3And this time it’s an all and all show for Kangana Ranaut. With a double role (playing the sexy Tanu and the tomboyish Datto) Kangana Ranaut yet again shows that she is currently THE best actress in Bollywood. Extraordinary performance – her body language, her accent and the matured way she handles two completely different characters is highly creditable. 

Madhavan (Manu), though eclipsed by Kangana’s brilliance still holds the ground as an actor and plays an important part in balancing out the overall madness. 

Jimmy Shergill (marriage isn’t everybody’s game after all), Eijaz Khan (the Sardar in Dandiya custume), Swara Bhaskar (the best friend with a secret), Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub (the lawyer lover-boy) and Rajesh Sharma (the savior Uncle) – all perfectly fits into their characters.

But Deepak Dobriyal needs a special mention. His over-enthusiastic and hilarious performance adds an unique comic flavor to the film. 

tanu-weds-manu-returns-poster1Decent cinematography by Chirantan Das and the credit for the music goes to Krsna Solo and Rdb; specially the chartbuster song ‘Banno tera Swagger’ is definitely a dance number.

Even the beautiful song ‘Ja Ja Ja Ja Bewafa’ sung by Geeta Dutt in 1954 in the film Aar Paar is played in the background – nicely used for emotional effect.

Directed by Aanand Rai and written by Himanshu Sharma Tanu Weds Manu Returns guarantees a smile on the audiences face as they leave the theaters. And believe me that’s a huge achievement. 

Cheeky dialogues, hilarious situations, peppy songs and brilliant acting; no wonder Tanu Weds Manu Returns is this year’s most successful Bollywood film till date.

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