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Best Bollywood Suspense Thrillers ever made (20+1list)

Best Bollywood Suspense Thrillers ever made.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Best Bollywood Suspense Thrillers ever made – Exciting thriller movies crafted in India, specially in Bollywood are always difficult to
find. Let’s admit, over the last five decades our priority has been Bollywood-Suspense-Thrillersconsistently making romantic dramas and thus the evolution of all the other genres were somewhat delayed and neglected.

But that doesn’t mean Bollywood have not churned out quite a few quality suspense thrillers, good stories, intense and unpredictable endings, often punched with some comedy and song sequences – but pretty much effective and focused for our Indian audience.

Listed below are some of the Best Bollywood Thrillers ever made. Enjoy the thrill.

20. Mahal (1949)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgevPWAKRqI

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersAshok Kumar visits an old palatial building to claim his inheritance but soon encounters a mysterious woman Madhubala who seems to be the ghost from a portrait.

“Ayega.. ayega… aanewala, aayega….” unforgettable music by Khemchand Prakash, lyricist Nakhshab Jarchavi and sung by 19 year old Lata Mangeshkar.

Directed by Kamal Amrohi (his debut film), a trend-setting thriller that changed the fate of Bollywood suspense movies forever!

19. Woh Kaun Thi? (1964)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u574BjGyrOY

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersIn a stormy night the doctor gives a lift to a white-sareed-lady to the graveyard! She was singing the famous song ‘Naina Barse’ (Lata Mangeshkar). But then his mother selects a girl for his marriage and she turns out to be the same one from the graveyard!

Starring Sadhana and Manoj Kumar in the lead, supported by K.N. Singh, Prem ChopraHelen among others; directed by Raj Khosla who also directed Mera Saaya (1966), another brilliant thriller! 

18. Howrah Bridge (1958)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjZ0DCaPSP0

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersTo investigate his brother’s death a man comes to Kolkata, he soon falls in love with a dancer who helps him solve the mystery.

Melodious evergreen songs like ‘Aaiya Meharbaan’ sung by Asha Bhosle and music by O.P. Nayyar.

Directed by Shakti Samanta, starring Madhubala, Ashok Kumar, K.N. Singh, Om Prakash and Madan Puri, a superbly entertaining thriller adored till date.

17. Gumnaam (1965)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RQDuQxxMLg4

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersAdopted from a famous Agatha Christie novel, eight people stranded on an island, a butler ready to serve them but then they start dying one after another. And the killer must be one of them!

Directed by Raja Nawathe, starring Nanda, Manoj KumarHelenMehmood, Pran and Madan Puri among others.

The famous song ‘Gumnaam Hai Koi’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar, music by Shanker and Jaikishan is still one of the most popular suspense music – a classic!

16. Bees Saal Baad (1962)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NHNb5uypKvA

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersThe grandson of the ill-fated Thakur family, returns from abroad to claim his legacy but all his ancestors were killed and now his life is at risk too!

Directed by Biren Nag, starring Biswajeet, Waheeda Rehman, Manmohan Krishna and Madan Puri. The haunting yet soulful song ‘Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil’ sung by Lata Mangeshkar and music by Hemanta Mukherjee is from the same movie.

15. Teesri Manzil (1966)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EOgirs8vE_A

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersA girl is murdered and an investigation is going on, the only clue being a button from an expensive coat of a killer!

Directed by Vijay Anand, starring the famous pair Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh, supported by Prem Chopra and Iftekhar.

A milestone for Bollywood murder mysteries with brilliant songs that shot Rahul Dev Burman into stardom.

14. Ittefaq (1969)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-XssGa12LF4

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersOn a stormy night, an accused murderer escapes from a mental hospital and seeks refuge in a woman’s home. But then there is another murder in the house- did he do it?

Directed by Yash Chopra, and superb performances by Rajesh Khanna and Nanda.

13. Dhund (1973)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SI9oPHDbn38

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersA traveller takes refuge in a home where he finds an attractive woman involved in a murder. He falls for the girl and decides to help her, protect her from the police but then things are not as clear as they seem.

Directed by B.R. Chopra, a much underrated suspense thrill that deserves much more recognition and popularity. Navin Nischol, Zeenat Aman, Sanjay Khan and Danny Denzongpa at their best.

12. Khamosh (1985)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hFnEAAT3yo

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersDirected by Vidhu Vinod Chopra (one of his earlier films), and undoubtedly the best suspense thriller of the 80s.

A film-shoot location where murders are committed one after another and the audience will keep guessing the killer till the very end.

Superb cast including Naseeruddin ShahShabana AzmiAmol PalekarPankaj Kapur and Sudhir Mishra among others.

11. Aankhen (2002)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBRv4P-sHQQ

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersAn eccentric bank manager sacked from his job seeks revenge by training three blind men to rob that same bank. ‘A dangerous game is about to begin’

Directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, a crazy heist thriller starring Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Arjun RampalSushmita SenParesh Rawal and Bipasha Basu. One of the most entertaining suspense thriller from Bollywood!

10. 100 Days (1991)

Film trailer/film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFgh9XR-7zk

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersThis film directed by Partho Ghosh makes me nostalgic since as a kid it was my first experience of a typical Bollywood-thriller!

Starring Jackie ShroffMadhuri Dixit and Javed Jaffrey, it’s about a woman who has visions of murders being committed. And when she wants to find the truth behind her nightmares her own life comes in grave danger.   

9. Khiladi (1992)

Film trailer/film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQxA21_PFmQ

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersAbbas Alibhai BurmawallaMastan Alibhai Burmawalla (as Abbas-Mustan), the director duo famous for their thriller films with numerous plot twists and this film was their first major success. 

Akshay Kumar starts his hit run of Khiladi-series, also starring Ayesha JhulkaDeepak Tijori and Sabeeha. A perfect who-done-it that can’t be missed.

8. Gupt: The Hidden Truth (1997)

Film trailer/film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSuuFvgI09k

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersDirected by Rajiv Rai, one of the most popular films of the late 90’s not only for the thrilling story line but for it’s brilliant music as well.

The governor is found murdered and the prime suspect is his own son who is desperate to prove himself innocent. 

Bobby DeolManisha Koirala and Kajol all entangled in a dangerous love triangle that threatens everyone around them. 

7. Kaun? (1999)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqtSQ6KWRSg

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersBack in the days when director Ram Gopal Varma belted out one hit after another.

One of the most innovative film of the time; a woman alone in the house and the a serial killer is on the loose. And then the door bell rings!

Urmila MatondkarManoj Bajpayee and Sushant Singh – such brilliant performances!

6. Bhool Bhulaiyaa (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0DopZosR84

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersDirected by Priyadarshan, this film is undoubtedly the most entertaining one in the list.  

A newly married man returns to his ancestral palace along with his wife, ignoring the various ghost stories rumored about the palace. But then the stories seems to be true!

Akshay KumarVidya BalanAmeesha PatelShiney AhujaParesh RawalRajpal Yadav – all at their very best. A thrilling story told in style.

5. Manorama Six Feet Under (2007)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocT2Wrq3v9Y

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersDirected by Navdeep Singh, a classy thriller that tells a slow gritty tale – a series of murders, a young man who investigates, but soon finds himself sucked into a deadly web of lies.

One of Abhay Deol‘s earlier films before he shot to fame with Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! and Dev.D.

Also starring Gul PanagRaima SenSarika and Vinay Pathak.

4. Aamir (2008)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vHgYGTvMpBw

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersA fast and speedy thriller that races the audience through a series of chaotic events that happens to an innocent man, who is forced to take part in dangerous illegal activities.

Directed by Raj Kumar Gupta, this one is a pulse racing thriller, that too almost in real time and with some amazing plot twists. 

Rajeev Khandelwal at his best and look out for superb soundtracks.

3. A Wednesday (2008)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGfwASavWNQ

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersA brilliant script and perfect execution by director Neeraj Pandey (his first film). 

On a Wednesday a common man threatens the police chief and make demands to release some terrorists. The power of a common man is finally unleashed.

Superb performances by Anupam Kher, Naseeruddin Shah and Jimmy Shergill

2. Johnny Gaddaar (2007) 

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZCxKgD5yiw

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersWhen the protagonist Neil Nitin Mukesh is seen reading a James Hadley Chase novel we get a hint of his own fate in the film – aiming for a short cut to riches, falls for the wrong woman and then a series of betrayal, lies, deception  that finally decides his destiny.

Directed by Sriram Raghavan, one of the most stylish thriller of our times. Dharmendra, Vinay PathakZakir HussainRimi Sen, Dayanand Shetty and Ashwini Kalsekar.

1. Kahaani (2012)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j1wEeuAosNM

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersAnd the latest and probably the best by none other than Sujoy Ghosh.

A unique tale of a pregnant woman searching for her missing husband in Kolkata, but the search becomes difficult when every one denies her husband’s existence!

Vidya BalanParambrata ChatterjeeNawazuddin Siddiqui and also the famous Bob Biswas a.k.a Saswata Chatterjee.

and now, (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most innovative one. A must watch).

+1. Karthik Calling Karthik (2010)

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIZ2OwW7HJU

Bollywood-Suspense-ThrillersDirected by Vijay Lalwani, this one is the story of some mysterious calls that helps a lonely man to gain confidence in himself. He soon excels in his job and also wins the heart of a co-worker but the calls doesn’t end there. But then who is calling whom? 

Farhan Akhtar and Deepika Padukone have great chemistry but the real winner is the great story line full of suspense and thrill. One of the very few good psychological thrillers from Bollywood. A must watch!

Similar Interest: Best Bollywood Thrillers of 2016

Similar Interest: Best Bollywood Thrillers of 2015

Similar Interest: Best Psychological Thrillers

Similar InterestBest Spanish Thrillers of Recent Times

Similar Interest: Best South Korean Thrillers of recent times

Similar Interest: Best French Thrillers of Recent Times

poster curtsey: www.webmallindia.comcomedy-movie-download.orgwww.impawards.comimdb.com, www.bollywoodmdb.com

Best of Bollywood 2015 (10+1list)

Best of Bollywood 2015.

written by Souranath Banerjee

Bollywood cinema essentially means films made in Hindi language, generally produced and distributed in and around the Bombay Film Industry.

Last year 2015, according to me, was a good year for Bollywood.

Films, some of them of finest quality have been made or released, which successfully maintained the thin line between aesthetics and entertainment, and kept both the critics and the audience content.

And so, here is the list of Best of Bollywood 2015. Hope you agree with me on this. (If not, then let’s at least disagree on it)

10. Drishyam

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AuuX2j14NBg

Drishyam-posterA thrilling tale of a common man who by his intellect and imagination tricked everyone in order to save his family.

Directed by Nishikant Kamat, a south remake starring Ajay DevgnShriya Saran and Tabu.

A thriller that keeps you on the edges of your seat and doesn’t reveal the suspense till the very last shot of the film.

9. Bajrangi Bhaijaan

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vyX4toD395U

Bajrangi-Bhaijaan-posterA Salman Khan film, that has a realistic story line, enough scope for acting and most importantly high on emotions and less on dramabazi!

Directed by Kabir Khan, this one is about a big hearted man who went all the way to Pakistan to unite a cute little girl (who is also mute) with her parents.   

A perfect family entertainment clubbed with fun-filled sentiments.

8. Tanu Weds Manu Returns

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wGGmyaurjAI

tanu-weds-manu-returns-poster1With 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.

(Click for the review)

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. 

7. Nh10

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9icNqWlylw

nh10-poster1A perfect romantic trip turns into a nightmare.

(Click for the review)

Directed by Navdeep Singh, this is one hard hitting thriller where a urban woman experiences the brutal face of rural India, as she unintentionally becomes involved in a case of honor killing.

Raw, edgy, gritty and very much realistic, and undoubtedly Anushka Sharma‘s best performance till date.

6. Bajirao Mastani

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eHOc-4D7MjY

Bajirao-Mastani-poster2A take on the life of Baji Rao Ballal Balaji Bhat, a Maratha general of the early 1700!

(Click for the review)

Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, there are rarely any Bollywood films (if any) that are so pleasing to your eyes that the story, content and characters almost get sidetracked by the sheer beauty of each and every frame.

5. Margarita, with a Straw

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YORjJiWBxAg

Margarita-with-a-Straw-posterDirected by Shonali Bose and Nilesh Maniyar this is an exceptional film about a young girl with cerebral palsy who is not afraid to fall in love!

(Click for the review)

Kalki Koechlin – her innocence, her vulnerability, her dialogue delivery, her body language, expressions, her smile – she is the reason to watch this film.

4. Talvar

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aQNMsw8Ljjc

Talvar-Poster2Directed by Meghna Gulzar, this one is a well researched version of the Noida Double Murder Case of 2008, also known as the Aarushi-Hemraj murder case.

(Click for the review)

A gripping tale that often makes it difficult for the audience to remember that after all, it’s a fictional representation of the dismal crime and its aftermath.

3. Piku

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oeiKUlUUNQ8

piku-poster1Directed by Shoojit Sircar, one of the best entertaining films of the year, emotional, real and so much fun.

(Click for the review)

Amitabh Bachchan as the selfish constipated dad,  Deepika Padukone as the devotedly caring yet tired of taking-care-of daughter and Irrfan Khan as the suitable suitor (perhaps).

2. Titli

Film Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OOqiQiMkXDA

titliA family whose family-business is car-jacking, often violently abusing the passengers and looting their valuables. The youngest member of this family is named Titli, and this is his story of freedom.

(Click for the review)

Superbly directed by Kanu Behl, the film even got a nomination at the Cannes Film Festival!

  1. Masaan

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IVZzYa0MxM8

masaan-posterBrilliantly directed by Neeraj Ghaywan, there is a certain honesty about Masaan that eventually grows on you and within it’s 100 min screen time, the film compels you to relate to it’s characters.

(Click for the review)

Shot in Varanasi, stories and incidents are threaded together like precious little pearls and the thread being the holy Ganges!

and (The ‘+1′ film is not necessarily the best but certainly the most crazy one. A must watch).

+1. Manjhi: The Mountain Man

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I9KAoTQlEWs

mountain-man-poster-1Directed by Ketan Mehta,  a brilliant biopic of Dashrath Manjhi, a man who single-handedly (with only a hammer and a chisel) sliced open the mountain to make a passage through it, reducing the distance from his village to the nearest hospital to minimal.

(Click for the review)

It took him 22 years but he made the impossible possible.

Poster courtesy:  www.bollywoodmdb.com

Bajirao Mastani (2015)

Bajirao Mastani review.

written by Souranath Banerjee

‘Cheeteh ki chaal, Baaz ki naazar aur Baji Rao ki talvar par sandeh nahi karte, kabhi bhi maat de sakti hai.’

My Ratings: 4/5.

Almost twelve years back in 2003, director Sanjay Leela Bhansali wanted to make a film Bajirao Mastani with Salman Khan and Bajirao-Mastani-poster2Aishwarya Rai in the lead roles. But fate had some other plans. 

Finally in 2015, the film was made, i may add very beautifully made, with a fresh cast, Ranveer SinghDeepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra.

Now, there are rarely any Bollywood films (if any) that are so pleasing to your eyes that the story, content and characters almost get sidetracked by the sheer beauty of each and every frame.

Bajirao Mastani is one such example of cinema.

Mr.Bhansali along with his cinematographer Sudeep Chatterjee and production designers Saloni DhatrakSriram Iyengar and Sujeet Sawant have managed to create stunning painting-like-shots (many Bajirao-Mastani-poster3of the frames in the film actually resembles classic paintings of famous Marathi painters) and have enthralled us with these great visuals through out the film.

And talking about the story of the film, (without going into the debate of how much historical authenticity it has), I would say it comes under the classic ‘doomed love story’ category, where love wins only through destruction of them who are in love!

Baji Rao Ballal Balaji Bhat, a great Maratha general of the early 1700, who though happily married and Hindu, falls in love with a charming half-muslim princess Mastani and eventually makes her his (second) wife.

But Baji Rao’s family (especially his mother and brother) are not too happy about this second marriage. So correspondingly, they humiliate Mastani and try to kill her a couple of times.

Bajirao-Mastani-poster7At the end, they do understand that ‘Baajirao Ne Mastani Se Mohabbat Ki Hai, Aiyashi Nahi’, but by that time it was too late!

Acting wise. superb performance by Ranveer Singh; his way of speaking Marathi, his body language as a warrior, his confident dialogue deliveries – basically he did look the part.

Deepika Padukone and Priyanka Chopra also did great job, and played out the perfect love triangle scenario.

Even the secondary characters Tanvi Azmi (as mother), Milind Soman (as minister), Aditya Pancholi (as the rival), Vaibbhav Tatwawdi (as brother) and Mahesh Manjrekar (as Maratha King) – all were at their best.

The content is relatively simple but the presentation is creditable, a Bajirao-Mastani-poster4bit too loud often (specially the dialogues) but again, that’s the part of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s filmmaking style I guess.

A clever move to put a disclaimer in the very beginning of the film which basically said that the film doesn’t claim to be faithful to any historical facts; and then only did all the fuming historians calm down and concentrate on their popcorn tub.

Don’t forget the numerous elaborately choreographed dance sequences; decent musical score by Sanchit Balhara and Sanjay Leela Bhansali himself.

Do watch it in big screen to absorb the opulence and grandeur of this film.

P.S – Bajirao Mastani is banned in Pakistan since it is regarded as ‘a historical drama that is indirectly against Islam and Muslims.’ (No idea why or what that means).

Poster courtesy: www.muchask.netdailyroabox.comwww.bollywoodmdb.com

JIO MAMI – an Introduction

JIO MAMI – an introduction.

written by Souranath Banerjee

MAMI-poster“We feel it is the need of the hour to disseminate and inculcate good cinema among Indian audiences” (-1997).

The above quote is a part of the Mission Statement from the Mumbai Academy of Moving Image (MAMI) Board of Trustees; a public trust established in 1997, by a group of film industry stalwarts spearheaded by master director Hrishikesh Mukherjee.

And indeed, MAMI has kept it’s promise.

MAMI-pic2Ever since it’s foundation, the non-profit seeking organization has been successful in bringing us the best of both Indian and World cinema every single year.

This year 2015, filmmaker Kiran Rao, the current chairperson of this prestigious trust, along with Festival Director Anupama Chopra and Creative Director Smriti Kiran has presented us with the 17th edition of the traditional Mumbai film festival.

A few other trustees, all well known figures of Indian Film Industry, the likes of Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone, Karan Johar, Siddhartha Roy Kapur, Vishal Bhardwaj, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar, Vikramaditya Motwane, Riteish Deshmukh and others.

MAMI-pic1And of course, thanks to Co-Chairperson Nita M.Ambani and Uday Shankar, the CEO of Star India for making 29 October to 5th November 2015 (the festival dates) a blessing for all film lovers in Mumbai.

5 venues chosen that includes PVR Juhu, PVR ECX Andheri, PVR Phoenix Lower Parel, PVR Ghatkopar and Regal Cinemas.

Three sections of competition as in ‘International’, ‘India Gold’ and
‘Dimensions Mumbai’; while some other film-categories comprise of ‘World Cinema’, ‘India Story’, ‘MAMI tribute’, ‘Discovering Cinema’, ‘Restored classics’, ‘Half ticket’ and such.

MAMI-pic4A total of over 200 films from over 35 countries, and on top of that special workshops and interactive sessions taken by renowned film-makers the likes of Girish Kasaravalli, Adoor GopalakrishnanSujoy Ghosh and Rajkumar Hirani.

As Kiran Rao mentioned ‘a world of images and coversations that could inspire and provoke’ – a complete package of cinematic experience that you simply cannot afford to miss.

Hope to meet you all film lovers at the JIO MAMI 17th Mumbai Film Festival, do enjoy the lovely days of uninterrupted Cinema.

MAMI-art-posterLink for the film schedule at www.mumbaifilmfestival.com.

And by chance if you still haven’t registered then please do it now.

Registrations and Bookings at in.bookmyshow.com

Piku (2015)

Piku review.

written by Abhikendu Deb Roy

Ratings: 4.5/5.

Shit happens, probably the reason Piku was ever filmed. There are certain films where one aspect of the script gets more importance than the characters present in the film. Shoojit Sircar, who always comes up with out-of-the-box ideas for his films, gives life to ‘Constipation’ in his new film ‘Piku’. Not only does the film explore more on bowel movement, it also sheds light on the beaut father-daughter relationship.

Piku-poster1To be honest, Piku doesn’t really have a story. It is simply an assemblage of the daily fights we have with our parents, the skip-a-beat moments when we receive romantic vibes from another person or maybe the arguments families have regarding property sale. It is these nuances which make the film highly relatable. You will, however, never feel the absence of a story, because the premise keeps you engaged all throughout the road journey from Delhi to Kolkata. Screenwriter Juhi Chaturvedi collaborates such moments and stitches a well knit script out of it.

‘Bhaskor Banerjee, Bangalee’ – the prudent selfish constipated 70 year old widower effortlessly emanates ‘Hypochondriasis’ or illness anxiety disorder from every organ of his body. Amitabh Bachchan delights us time and again, sometimes irritating us with his stubborn attitude and at times being the sweetest white-haired child ever. Deepika Padukone has proves herself again as ‘Piku’, her eyes emoting tiredness alongside care and affection for her dad. Piku is the sole person ‘Bhaskor Babu’ can depend on. Irrfan Khan is one of the gifts to Bollywood which shall be cherished for life. Jishu Sengupta and Moushumi Chatterjee get into the skin of their characters with ease, as well.

Cinematographer Kamaljeet Negi frames the locales of Delhi, the bylanes of Kolkata and the Ganga ghats of Banaras with utmost passion which is exhibited on screen. The scenic beauty of the Delhi-Kolkata Expressway does snatch your attention at times from the cute little fights between the father and the daughter. Editor Chandrashekhar Prajapati makes the film as crisp and tight as possible, limiting the duration to around 2 hours 5 minutes.

Piku-posterThe greatest gift of the film, after the cast, is its music. Anupam Roy’s first Bollywood work leaves us mesmerized. Each and every track comes up right at the correct situation, at the correct time. The Journey Song is the jewel of all the songs, the only complaint being that the full song is never played in the film. The background music, again by Roy, is apt for the film and sets the mood of the scenes quite justifiably.

Final Verdict: The ‘Bangalee’ biasness shall always remain. A certain ‘Ei Poth Jodi Na Shesh Hoye’ sung by Bachchan, the father-daughter duo dancing their hearts out to ‘Jibone Ki Pabona’, the ‘Angry Not-So-Young Man’ mouthing cuss words like ‘Shuorer Bachcha’, there’s too much bangalianaa screaming out from the pages of the scripts. This light-hearted family entertainer, which also allows us to learn to take responsibilities of your parents after a certain age, is the perfect mood fixer for the weekend. Go and watch the film, you shall walk out of the theatres mesmerized and ‘Bezubaan’.

Happy New Year (2014)

Written by Abhikendu Deb Roy.

Ratings: 3/5.

A mission is usually of three parts – the aim, the act and the outcome. Mission ‘Happy New Year’: To accomplish an act of theft in the midst of a World Dance Championship. Result: No prizes for guessing, mission successful. It is the act in between which is the essence of this 3 hours long movie.

Director Farah Khan, after a disastrous Tees Maar Khan, is back with the actor she had started her career as a director. Needless to say, the entire plot revolves around Shah Rukh Khan, a meticulous planner who is out there to take revenge for his father’s imprisonment due to a false accusation. A commercial movie like this can never end with a gory conclusion; so you know what happens at the end. It is how he arranges his teammates for the dance competition and the theft likewise is what makes the journey interesting.

Happy New Year was meant to be an SRK movie. Right from his entry exhibiting those 8-pack abs, hoots and claps across the hall are heard every now and then. His acting can never go wrong, and maintains the personality of a team leader. He appears stylish as well, his golden streaks and a rugged goatee being in fashion these days. However, Shahrukh looks tired and aged in some of his scenes, the energy missing almost throughout the entire film.

Boman Irani, Abhishek Bachchan, Sonu Sood and Vivaan Shah play their parts pretty moderately, with a few glimpses of overacting getting noted down from each of them at parts.

Unlike other Khan movies, this is one of those very rare specimens in Bollywood where heroines are just not merely diminished to the role of a showpiece. Farah must be appreciated for giving Deepika Padukone enough opportunities to showcase her talents. Deepika works wonders for this film and is probably the brightest actor among them all, emanating positive vibes and energy.

A linear script keeps the plot simple, but makes it too predictable at parts. Logic is seriously lacking in the script, but one must not, in such a film, ask for explanations of a double role or a team of non-dancers winning the trophy on an international platform. It does carry a few minor twists here and there which take the level of interest for a viewer a few notches up the hill.

With dance championship as one of the building blocks of the film, you can expect superbly built stages with a visual treat of lighting. Inspite of indoor sequences predominant, the set design has been put to larger-than-life situations with intricate detailing of the canvas. Cinematographer Manush Nandan is apt for the portrayal of such a magnanimous film.

180 minutes may seem too long for a film these days, but once you dig into that couch at a plex with a tub of popcorn, you won’t get a hint of how the time is passing by, thanks to the moderately tolerable rib-ticklers and the adrenaline upsurge. But there were patches of the film which could have been done away with, had the editor Anand Subaya noticed.

Dance numbers are expected from a film with such a theme, and there are too many. Countless songs tend to drag the film a bit, but you will enjoy the beats of Indiawaale and Satakli. The only romantic number Manwa Laage has a déjà vu of the romantic hero. But that one song during which you just cannot take your eyes off from the screen is Lovely, the introductory item song of Deepika. Vishal-Shekhar could have come up with a soundtrack of superior quality.

Final Verdict: You will like the film if you are a Shah Rukh fan and if you go in with the mindset of enjoying a masala flick. We however miss the romantic chocolate boy Shahrukh from the olden days. There is a pinch of patriotism in the potboiler as well. It is surely an entertaining film, but surely not a meaningful one.

And also expect Shah Rukh’s youngest son Abram to headbang with his doting father at the end of the movie.

Finding Fanny (2014)

My Ratings: 3/5.

In our school/college days we all must have come across such so-called ‘cool’ kids who would wear weird clothes, have tattoos in unexpected places, sport bizarre haircuts or act funny – basically do anything to look different.

Finding Fanny is one such pseudo-cool film that tries hard to be different (unfortunately a bit too hard).

No doubt the film has a fresh feel to it and the first half shoots up your anticipation to a positive high but alas, then comes the second half.

Backdrop being a small village named Pocolim in Goa, Finding Fanny is based on a very simple premise – five lazy people in a mission to find – as the name suggests – Fanny (ones long lost love).

Now as they say that the destination is not important but the journey is, Finding Fanny indeed starts off as a very interesting journey.

After Being Cyrus and Cocktail, this time Director Homi Adajania has managed to rope-in a dream cast for his film.

Naseeruddin Shah, Pankaj Kapur, Dimple Kapadia, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor and each of these actors has done justice to their unique characters.

Naseeruddin plays the very shy and meek ex-postman Fredie who misses his one true love Fanny (a 46 year old incomplete love story); though I felt Naseeruddin’s character didn’t get much of a chance to show off in comparison to others.

On the other hand Pankaj Kapur plays the famous artist named Don Pedro Cleto Colaco and he is hilarious with his strange ‘Madame’ accent and a few artistic affinities.

Dimple has given a very natural performance in the film playing a widow named Rosie; her curvy voracious figure still remains the inspiration for many (especially the artistic minds).

Deepika, the second widow in the house named Angie. She manages to remain this cute, innocent, village-girl (virgin too) for most part of the film except may be for once – the night when the car broke down in the middle of nowhere but she slept comfortably in her bra the whole night and that too after loosing her virginity to her long lost childhood friend (also a dear friend of her dead husband!).

And then there is Savio Da Gama, Arjun Kapoor who has a good screen presence and this kind of roles of aimless angry lover boys suit him perfectly.

But then again, I think the real stars of Finding Fanny are Anil Mehta, the cinematographer and to some extent the colorist of the film too.

Because I think it’s kind of a challenge in itself to show Goa without its beautiful beaches and the blue sea and yet make it look beautiful; and Finding Fanny, no matter what happens to the storyline is a pleasure to watch.

If the story in the second half made a little bit sense then I am sure Finding Fanny would have been a much better movie.

A fun film, a combination of slapstick and dark comedy with some very odd events (let’s call them twists) in the storyline.

Watch at your own fun.

 

Upcoming Bollywood must watch Films

Upcoming Bollywood must watch films. Some of them are artistic and others very much commercial.

But i am sure each one will entice you with their unique trailer. Hope you enjoy them as much as I did.

So let the fun begin.

1. Margarita, with a Straw

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JoStgCKMllI

Margarita-with-a-straw

Almost after a decade the director of Amu, Shonali Bose (my personal favorite) is back with her second film.

The trailer looks superb and Kalki Koechlin yet again amazes us with her exceptional acting.

Sonali Bose along with Nilesh Maniyar share the director’s credit. I didn’t get a proper poster for this film (probably not released yet) so using a picture from twitter instead.

2. Bang Bang

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRARHtMzZQE

Bang-bang

Hrithik Roshan and Katrina Kaif are back with a bang (a double bang actually), good news for those who loved their chemistry in Zindagi na milegi dobara.

The trailer promises an action packed film with dangerous car chases, gun fights and of course the dance numbers to entertain us.

Thrilling and fast paced, directed by Siddharth Anand and the screenplay by Sujoy Ghosh.

3. Monsoon Shootout

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJAMZQHA97U

Monsoon-shootout

Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Tannishtha Chatterjee and Vijay Varma in the latest crime drama based on Mumbai underworld.

Directed by Amit Kumar the film has already earned a name in the festival circuits.

The trailer looks good, very realistic and well shot. Anurag Kashyap being one of the co-producers i hope this film lives up to it’s expectations.

4. Haider

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xakmvJ0WPa4

haider

After adopting Maqbool from Macbeth and Omkara from Othelo, Vishal Bhardwaj is back with another Shakespearean play adaptation -Haider based on Hamlet.

Shahid Kapoor with a skull in his hand, Tabu, Shraddha Kapoor Irrfan Khan, K K Menon all geared up to present the tragic tale of Haider.

Hope the film is as good as it’s trailer.

 

5. Qissa: The tale of a lonely ghost

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ORO6Zp0oHDU

qissa

Something unique and completely different from the trend, Qissa is a film that shows huge potential.

Directed by Anup Singh, the film has already been screened and applauded in many international festivals. Finally awaiting it’s release in India.

Irrfan Khan, Tillotama Shome, Tisca Chopra at their best; the trailer looks great, very well shot but doesn’t really reveal much.

6. Daawat-e-Ishq

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtsHlYO6TUc

daawat-e-ishq

Hyderabad in the background this one is Habib Faisal‘s upcoming film after his last two hits – Do dooni chaar and Ishaqzaade.

Parineeti Chopra and Aditya Roy Kapur make a fresh pair and are also good actors. Their chemistry will be the USP of this film.

YashRaj coming up with yet another romantic film and the trailer looks pretty cool.

7. Titli

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8GseAIMlyvI

titli

The film that competed for the prestigious Camera d’Or in the Cannes Film festival. 

Overall very natural acting, directed by Kanu Behl the film already has some rave reviews and a trailer that promises a lot.

A fresh cast who acted superbly and an unusual story line. Hope it can win over the Indian audiences pretty soon.

8. Happy New Year

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0mrzMQJMQ8

Happy-New-Year

The king Khan’s latest film yet to release.

After Main hoon na and Om Shanti Om the director Farah Khan and Shah Rukh Khan teams up again.

This time also joining the team are Abhishek Bachchan, Deepika Padukone, Boman Irani.

Hope this film brings a happy new year for us.

9. Ugly

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ougQY2-zpk

ugly

Anurag Kashyap direction and a very interesting trailer to watch.

A thriller, the story revolves around the kidnap of a 10 year old girl of an aspiring actor.

It’s raw and dark and it promises everything that we expect from an Anurag Kashyap film.

Personally a big fan of his cinema and eagerly waiting for this one.

10. Finding Fanny

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5O86FUOrlkY

Finding-Fanny

After Being Cyrus and Cocktail, director Homi Adajania comes up with his latest film, a romcom it seems.

A very talented cast and so good acting guaranteed, shot in the scenic Goa in the background; the film looks like a lot of fun indeed.

Naseruddin Shah, Dimple Kapadia, Panjak Kapur, Deepika Padukone, Arjun Kapoor – all driving around Goa to find Fanny i guess!

11. Sulemani Keeda

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CdbxunrkZd4

sulemani-keeda

Very interesting concept and a fresh cast.

Sulemani Keeda is about two writers who want to make it big in Bollywood and what happens in their lives when they are given a choice between love, friendship and their career.

A comedy by debutant director Amit Masurkar which promises to win over the audience. There isn’t a proper trailer out yet i guess.

12. pk

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KDFDawjXsXg

PK

After his blockbuster hit Dhoom 3 Amir Khan is back.

And after his blockbuster hit 3 Idiots Rajkumar Hirani is back too.

Trailer not released yet but this is probably the most awaited film of this year. I am sure entertainment is guaranteed.

In this poster thankfully Amir Khan is wearing clothes instead of a radio.

13. Mary Kom

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OxsKcx1IwI8

Mary-kom

A film based on the life of Mary Kom, five time world boxing champion; it’s about how she has challenged herself and achieved such glory.

Priyanka Chopra  playing the leading role  looks very athletic and perfect for the role.

Directed by Omung Kumar and produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali the trailer promises a very real and entertaining film for the audience.

14. Rang Rasiya

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tO576oIWuwE

Rang-Rasiya

Made in 2008, finally Rang Rasiya is getting a release.

Directed by Ketan Mehta, the film  seems to be on a controversial topic, it’s about an artist Raja Ravi Verma of 19th century who painted deities.

Randeep Hooda, Nandana Sen, Paresh Rawal have done a great job, the film looks like a riot of colors. I am very curious about this film.

 

15. Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal

Film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9DWghUPBQg8

Kamaal-dhamaal-malamaal

Priyadarshan coming up with his latest laugh riot, the trailer looks hilarious.

Om Puri, Shreyas Talpade, Nana Patekar, Asrani, Shakti Kapoor, Paresh Rawal, Madhurima Banerjee – as usual an array of actors and nonstop comedy.

If you are a fan of Priyadarshan films like me please add this film in your watch list.

 

See you in the theaters. Have fun.