Day: March 29, 2024

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Patna Shuklla : An effective legal drama that focuses on an educational scam involving roll numbers

On more than one occasion, ‘Patna Shuklla’ feels like a flashback to the ‘Jolly LLB’ movies. But still, it makes for a good watch.
Patna Shuklla (Hindi), 29-03-2024, Crime, drama, 2 hours 5 minutes, U/A, OTT
  • Main Cast: Raveena Tandon, Manav Vij, Chandan Roy Sanyal, and late Satish Kaushik
  • Director: Vivek Budakoti
  • Producer: Arbaaz Khan
  • Music Director: Karan Kulkarni
  • Cinematography: Neha Parti Matiyani
  • Rating: 3/5
  • Published in: Southfirst

Courtroom dramas based on different social topics are one of the most explored genres in India Cinema. The latest in the genre is Vivek Budakoti’s Patna Shuklla.

It doesn’t throw any surprises, and the viewers can easily guess where the proceedings are headed. However, what works for Patna Shuklla is having its heart in the right place.

The director deserves credit for exploring the topic of mark sheet exchange.

This scam is carried out to help rich students pass the exam, despite not being academically brilliant.

Synopsis

Raveena Tandon and Anushka Kaushik in a still from ‘Patna Shuklla’. (Screengrab)

Tanvi Shukla (Raveena Tandon) is a small-time lawyer. She specialises in writing affidavits apart from her cooking skills.

Her life takes a dramatic turn when a third-year BSC student Rinki Kumari (Anuskha Kaushik) approaches her. Rinki fails an exam but firmly believes that some mischief has happened.

Tanvi Shukla decides to fight for the girl but things are not so easy.

A big hurdle comes in the form of Raghubir Singh (Jatin Goswami), who files a nomination in the upcoming elections. He warns Tanvi against proceeding with the case.

Soon, Tanvi finds herself in a huge crossfire that has repercussions in her personal life.

To put it simply, Patna Shuklla is about how Tanvi delivers justice for Rinki by overcoming various hurdles.

In the past too, several movies have shed light on the flaws in the education system. But director Vivek Budakoti is successful in engaging the viewers.

The process of exchanging exam papers and how it affects the careers of underprivileged students has been depicted well.

The scenes between Rinki and Tanvi have some solid emotional moments. The viewers can feel the desperation of Rinki and root for her to succeed.

Performances

What also works majorly for Patna Shuklla is the characterisation and Raveena Tandon’s performance in the title role.

The actor does a good job of portraying the grit of Shuklla. Raveena shines in the intense portions and is equally good at showcasing her vulnerability.

A particular mention must be made of her performance after an important revelation where she breaks down.

Manav Vij as Tanvi’s husband is also crucial to the storyline.

Raveena Tandon and Chandan Roy Sanyal in ‘Patna Shuklla’. (Screengrab)

Initially, he doesn’t take a stand for his wife and discourages her from proceeding further. But he is not a monster either who imposes himself.

Manav Vij makes a striking impact as a man, who comes with his inner dilemmas regarding his wife’s stand.

Late Satish Kaushik has a pleasing presence as a lower court judge. For the large part of the movie, there is an easygoing nature but at the same time, he is not a judge who can be taken for granted.

Satish Kaushik portrays the different facets with his usual effervescence.

The rest of the performances are also mostly spot-on, with a particular mention of Anuskha Kaushik.

What does not work for Patna Shuklla though is the huge deja vu of the Jolly LLB films.

For example, Chandan Roy Sanyal plays an opposing lawyer modelled on Annu Kapoor and Boman Irani.

Chandan Roy Sanyal is decent but is unable to bring the required verve. As a result, the courtroom sequences between Raveena and him feel one-sided.

The songs also come across as uninvited guests slowing down the proceedings.

Verdict

At two hours and 5 minutes, Patna Shuklla makes for a crisp and gripping watch in spite of the Jolly LLB hangover.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/patna-shuklla-hindi-movie-review/

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Crew : A much-needed female buddy film in mainstream Hindi cinema

Despite the implausible heist portions of the second half, Rajesh A Krishnan delivers a fun movie aided by the trio.
Crew (Hindi); 29-03-2024, Comedy-Thriller, 2 hours 4 minutes, U/A, Theatre
  • Main Cast: Kareena Kapoor, Tabu, Kriti Sanon, Diljit Dosanjh, and Kapil Sharma
  • Director: Rajesh Krishnan
  • Producer: Ektaa R Kapoor and Rhea Kapoor
  • Music Director: Badshah, Diljit Dosanjh, Vishal Mishra
  • Cinematography: Anuj Rakesh Dhawan
  • Rating: 3.5/5
  • Published in: Southfirst

The number of movies with well-known female actors playing buddies can be counted on fingers, particularly in mainstream Hindi cinema.

Sure, there have been the likes of Parched (2015) and Dhak Dhak (2023). Both movies celebrated sisterhood in their own way. But, as far as mainstream cinema goes, male bonding has always been more in number.

Rhea Kapoor went against the tide when she produced Veere Di Wedding (2018), starring Kareena Kapoor Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, and Shikha Talsania.

Veere Di Wedding had its problems in terms of storytelling. But it still did strike a chord with the target audiences.

And now, Rhea Kapoor is back with another female buddy film starring actors from different schools of acting — Tabu, Kareena Kapoor Khan, and Kriti Sanon.

Writers Nidhi Mehra and Mehul Suri have taken inspiration from the real Kingfisher Airlines and the fugitive Vijay Mallya.

Nidhi Mehra and Mehul Suri along with Rajesh A Krishnan have combined elements of heist and comedy and have made a movie that engages the viewers for the most part.

Synopsis

Tabu in ‘Crew’. (X)

The story of Crew is about three air hostesses — Geetha Sethi (Tabu), Jasmine (Kareena Kapoor Khan), and Divya Rana (Kriti Sanon).

On the surface, the three appear to be leading a glamorous life, but in reality, they struggle to keep themselves afloat.

For example, Geetha wants to use her provident fund to start her own business with her husband (Kapil Sharma), while Jessica is looking for someone to fund her start-up.

On the other hand, Divya has loans to repay. Additionally, she has given a picture of being a pilot to her parents when she actually is an air hostess.

The three work for Kohinoor Airlines, which is on the verge of bankruptcy. They have been facing a salary crisis for the last six months.

Crew begins with three of them being detained on suspicion of smuggling gold, but that is only a part of the movie.

In simple terms, the story of Crew is about how the trio is pushed to a corner and takes a route that isn’t ethically right to survive.

The film also gets into a heist mode in the later half when the three decide to take revenge on the fictional Vijay Mallya when he flees from the country.

Sisterhood and chemistry

Kriti Sanon in ‘Crew’. (X)

For a film of this nature, the female actors must have a crackling chemistry and a genuine sense of sisterhood.

Fortunately, both the sisterhood and the chemistry are very much on point.

The jokes, the fights, and the eventual patch-up feel authentic.

Rajesh A Krishnan also deserves credit for never getting into a judgmental mode about the things the trio do.

All three come with their share of flaws, and this makes the movie more endearing.

The brilliant performances, particularly of Kareena Kapoor Khan and Tabu, make Crew hugely enjoyable.

After an intense performance in last year’s Jaane Jaan, Kareena lets her hair down in a complete contrast role.

Her Jasmine is a hustler who is unapologetically greedy and doesn’t mind showing off. However, there is also a deep loneliness.

Kareena does a terrific job of portraying the different facets of Jasmine.

Tabu’s Geetha is someone who is torn between her responsibilities and desires. The accomplished actor is her usual brilliant self. Some of her comic exchanges with Kareena are an absolute riot.

The two also have a delightful action scene in a private jet.

Kriti Sanon is fairly good and holds her own, particularly in the scenes portraying Divya’s moral dilemmas.

Other characters

Kareena Kapoor Khan in ‘Crew’. (X)

Despite their limited screen time, the male characters are also fun to watch. The husband and wife scenes between Kapil Sharma and Tabu have a lot of warmth.

The same applies to Diljit Dosanjh as Jasveer. The actor is his usual charming self and the way he flirts with Divya is adorable.

The viewers feel bad for Jasveer when Divvya deceives him for her needs.

Khulbhushan Kharbanda is Jasmine’s grandfather and an important pillar of support.

Again, the scenes they share are few. But still, Khulbhushan Kharbanda makes for an adorable grandfather.

Implausible heist drama

A couple of aspects come across as stumbling blocks in Crew. One is the heist portions, which border on being quite silly.

The landing portions of the film could have been done with better writing.

Also, the styling of the characters in some scenes leaves a lot to be desired.

They come across as too stylish, which doesn’t gel with the protagonists’ backgrounds.

Verdict

Keeping aside these small niggles, Crew is a breath of fresh air in many ways. It is a definite respite from the regular propaganda and the mass-heavy films we have been seeing in Hindi cinema of late.

https://thesouthfirst.com/entertainment/crew-movie-review/