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Barbie: Not just a doll

It is an entertaining film with perfect mix of style and substance. Greta Gerwing gives a feministic touch to the good old Barbie

Barbie (English)                    

Starcast: Margot Robbie, Ryan Gosling, Ariana Greenlatt and others

Director and writer: Greta Gerwig

Additional writer: Noah Baumbach

Based on: Barbie by Mattel

Producers: Robbie Greener, Tom Ackerley and others

 Music directors: Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyatt

Production companies: Mattel films, Heyday films and others

Genre: Fantasy comedy/drama

Running time: 1 hour and 54 minutes

Greta Gerwing created a strong niche for herself with the film Little Women (2019). This novel was adopted by several filmmakers but Greta brought her own distinct stamp. While staying true to the original she managed to bring a contemporary touch.

Ryan Gosling as the most important ken

Now she is back with the film Barbie based on the Barbie fashion dolls. Barbie is set in a fantasy land where everything is utopian. Greta uses this fantasy set up to explore different themes like patriarchy, capitalism, consumerism etc. Earlier also there were television films about Barbie fashion dolls but this one is very different from those.

Some of the Barbies in the Barbie land are just beautiful beings while others are writers, scientists etc. Though it is a matriarchal society there are kens (men) also in this world. Among them the most important ken is played by Ryan Gosling. Among the Barbies the central Barbie is played by Margot Robbie. She falls under the beautiful category. Ryan Gosling’s character aspires to be her boyfriend but she prefers only female friendships.

Things take a turn when Margot Robbie’s Barbie starts thinking about philosophical things like mortality. This leads to many thoughts and she is unable to go about her routine. The magic is gone. She goes to an elderly Barbie who tells her that she must travel to the real world to cure her affliction. Initially she is reluctant to go but later she decides to go. Ryan Gosling follows her without her knowledge. Later she comes to know and accepts him after some hesitation.

What follows is a journey of self discovery and how this trip to the real world turns out to be a life changing experience. For the first time she realises that she is being hated by the human world for her beauty specifications.

One of the best things about the film Barbie is how Greta Gerwing sets up this tale. She immerses the viewers into this fantasy land with brilliant support from costumes, art and set design along with cinematography. The viewers truly feel transported into the Barbie world.

Margot Robbie effortlessly switches from a beautiful doll to a woman of substance

Another aspect that stands out in Barbie is how Greta strikes the perfect balance between entertainment and message. There are many comic moments that leave you in splits. Most of these come from Ryan Gosling. His character goes through a wide arc from comic to emotional and the actor doesn’t miss a single beat. The best part of his performance is his absolute lack of vanity.

Among the characters in the real world the ones that stand out are America Ferrera as Gloria and the teenage daughter (Ariana Greenblatt). Mother and daughter have a strained relationship which changes at different stages. The scenes between them are poignantly written. They become a huge pillar of support for Barbie at a critical juncture. America Ferrera has some impactful dialogues. For example there is a scene where she gives a passionate speech about the contradictory nature of our society. She takes several digs at patriarchy where women are expected to do everything perfectly.

Will Ferrel as ///gloria’s boss

The aspect of consumerism has also come out well through the character of Will Ferrel who plays Gloria’s boss and the head of Mattel Company. It is the company that manufactures Barbies.

Margot Robbie is the perfect choice for the central character as she effortlessly switches from a beautiful doll to a woman of substance. She prefers to be a complete human being with all the imperfections rather than just being a beautiful doll.

The musical numbers of Mark Ronson and Andrew Wyaat are a delight to watch because of their unique staging.

Barbie is worth a watch for not just the kids but to all age groups.

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Bawaal: This Mix Of World War II And Relationship Drama Has Its Moments And Flaws

Weak writing, morose tone of storytelling, and Janhvi Kapoor’s ineffective performance make things worse for the movie.

A downfall for Nitesh Tiwari!
Bawaal (Hindi)
  • Cast: Varun Dhawan, Janhvi Kapoor, Mukesh Tiwari, Manoj Pahwa, and Anjuman Saxena
  • Director: Nitesh Tiwari
  • Producers: Sajid Nadiadwala and Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari
  • Music: Mithoon, Tanishk Bagchi, and Akashdeep Sengupta
  • Runtime: 2 hours 2 minutes
  • OTT platform: Amazon Prime

Nitesh Tiwari is a director who created a strong niche for himself with the likes of Dangal (2016) and Chhichhore (2019). Both films were not only box office hits but also got rave reviews. As a result, a lot was expected from Bawaal.

Unfortunately, his latest directorial doesn’t quite reach expectations in spite of a solid set-up.

Synopsis

The film begins in Lucknow with the heroic entry of the protagonist Ajay Dixit fondly called Ajju (Varun Dhawan). Looking at his swag and the adoration of the locals, viewers think that Ajju is doing a high-profile job.

But actually, he is a history teacher. However, it is quite a mystery how he got the job, given his ignorance of the subject and his lack of interest.

Ajay Dixit has a fake aura that he himself builds over a period of time. For him, image is everything.

In reality, Ajju is just a man-child and also a big liar. He marries Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor) but keeps away from her.

Nisha was a strong independent woman before the rushed marriage. She is now patiently waiting for her husband to accept her even after nine months of marriage.

Ajju never accepts Nisha as a wife because of her epileptic fits.

The self-made image of Ajju comes crashing down when he slaps a student in the class for asking a question about World War II. The student turns out to be the son of an MLA (Mukesh Tiwari).

Expectedly, all hell breaks loose and Ajju is temporarily suspended.

He comes up with a plan of travelling to the various locations in Europe which were ravaged by World War II and teach the students about the tragedy live.

In order to convince his father (Manoj Pahwa), Ajju plans to take Nisha along and paints a picture of wanting to repair his relationship.

His parents fall for this and give him the required money. The rest of Bawaal is about how Ajju undergoes a transformation and learns some important life lessons.

Positives

Before getting into the negatives, Nitesh Tiwari needs to be appreciated for how he uses World War II as a narrative tool.

He uses the horrors to make some important points. For example, in a scene, there is a clear message about the futility of war.

Similarly, in another scene, Nisha talks about the greed of Hitler and explains how not being content with oneself leads to disastrous consequences. 

The scene depicting the gas chamber incident is also quite poignant.

Mitesh Mirchandani’s cinematography in the World War II portions is successful in bringing alive the horrors of those times.

Performances

Of the two leads, Varun Dhawan is the clear winner. His character Ajju shares more than one similarity with Badri in Badrinath Ki Dulhania (2017).

In spite of the similarities, Varun does a terrific job of portraying the different shades. In fact, on many occasions, he seems to be acting on behalf of Janhvi Kapoor as well.

Janhvi Kapoor seems to have walked straight out of the sets of Mili (2022) and Good Luck Jerry (2022). It is puzzling how a supposedly strong woman would stay with a husband for nine months who insults her on every occasion.

Alia’s Vaidehi in Badrinath Ki Dulhania had far more spine, though she eventually ends up with Badri. But that was only after he changes, and becomes a better person.

Janhvi’s expressions hardly change. It looks as if she is forced to act.

Flaws

The biggest issue with Bawaal is the lack of a strong foundation for the love story between Nisha and Ajju.

The combination of weak writing coupled with Janhvi Kapoor’s ineffective performance makes things worse for the movie.

Bawaal also suffers from a morose tone of storytelling. There aren’t many light moments that make your heart flutter.

The lovey-dovey moments can be counted on the tip of the fingers.

The music composed by Mithoon and others isn’t bad but could have been much better, given the genre of the film. The need is for more soulful songs.

Final take

In a nutshell, Bawaal is a huge downfall for Nitesh Tiwari.

(Views expressed are personal.)

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The Trial: A Gripping Drama That Goes Much Beyond The Courtroom

The real-life references that director Supan Verma brings in make Kajol’s web series debut interesting to watch.

A worthy remake!
The Trial (Hindi)
  • Cast: Kajol, Jisshu Sengupta, Sheeba Chaddha, Gaurav Pandey, Alyy Khan, and Kubbra Sait
  • Director: Supan Verma
  • Producers: Ajay Devgan and Rajesh Chadha
  • Music: Sangeet-Siddharth
  • No. of episodes: 8
  • OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

Director Supan Verma’s The Trial is centred on a woman named Nayonika Sengupta (Kajol).

It is a remake of The Good Wife (English, 2009) and deals with many relevant topics like corruption, politics, media trials, and fake news. It also marks the web series debut of Kajol.

What happens that brings Nayonika back to work is what The Trial is about.

Synopsis

One day, Nayonika’s husband Rajiv Sengupta (Jisshu Sengupta) is arrested by the police for seeking sexual favours. This incident results in her coming out of her retirement.

With the help of Vishal Chaubey (Alyy Khan), she manages to get a job at a law firm co-founded by him. Vishal and Nayonika have a past which didn’t end happily.

At the law firm, Nayonika faces the brunt of both gossip and the sexual scandal of her husband before she proves herself as a competent lawyer.

In a nutshell, the series focuses on the different cases that Nayonika takes up along with how she bravely takes on the challenges that arise in both her professional and personal life.

Makes references to real-life incidents

One of the things that makes The Trial interesting is the real-life references that director Supan Verma brings in.

For example, one of the cases is about a cricketer who commits suicide and his girlfriend is hounded by the media. A negative campaign is run against her.

This reminds you of the Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s case.

Here, the director makes some valid points about how these media trials have a severe effect on the person who is already battered.

The Trial also has some satirical commentary on the legal system which lands perfectly.

Realistic portrayal of relationships

Supan Verma does a good job of exploring the dynamics between a mother and her two young daughters. It has been treated in a realistic manner.

The two daughters face a lot of humiliation in school because of the father’s sex scandal. In fact, they are forced to mature before age.

Another track that deserves a mention is the one involving Vishal and Nayonika.

Vishal never lets their bad past come in the way of supporting Nayonika. On more than one occasion, we feel that Nayonika should have ended up with Vishal and not Rajiv.

Further, the back story of how Nayonika and Rajiv ended up together could have been explained better. But still, the scenes between Kajol and Jisshu Sengupta do pack a punch.

The aloofness of Nayonika and her hesitancy to trust Rajiv again has been wonderfully portrayed.

Performances

As Nayonika, Kajol delivers a formidable performance and is successful in bringing alive the different layers. She brings in the right amount of grit, vulnerability, and despair.

Jisshu Sengupta is solid on his part as a guilty husband.

Sheeba Chadda as Vishal’s law firm partner brings in the required authority.

The rest of the actors also deliver good performances.

Final take

Watch The Trial for a realistic portrayal of Nayonika’s professional and personal life.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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Hostel Days: Entertaining And Relatable, Particularly To Hostelites

Without deviating from the usual tropes associated with this genre, director Aditya Mandala makes it an engaging watch.

Director Aditya Mandala’s Hostel Days narrate the tale of six engineering students and the various experiences that they go through in their hostel life.

At the centre of this story are Sai (Darahas Maturu), Chitharanjan Bhattacharya (Mouli) and Naveen Yadav (Akshay Lagusani). The series primarily focuses on bullies in the hostel, last-minute preparation for exams, falling in love, etc.

Without deviating from the usual tropes associated with this genre, Aditya Mandala makes it an engaging watch.

Subplots

Campus dramas have their own magic irrespective of what age bracket the viewers are in. The best thing about it is, as expected, the camaraderie that the director creates between the three men. It feels organic.

There are also certain subplots which deserve a mention. These include body shaming and the love-hate relationship between parents and teenagers. They, too, are dealt with sensitively.

This web series also benefits from the witty anecdotes given by the college staff appearing at crucial junctures.

For example, there are the cameos of Jhansi and Rajeev Kanakala. These special appearances have been smartly integrated.

Performances

The acting, across the board, is quite impressive.

Darahas Maturu as Sai brings in the required innocence.

Mouli Tanuj as the wise Geek is also in fine form.

However, Akshay Lagusani steals the show with his uninhibited acting.

Among the female leads, Jaiyetri Makana shines the brightest as a youngster who is on the path of self-discovery.

Nevertheless, one major issue with Hostel Days is the hangover of 3 Idiots (2009) in the ragging portions. Though it works as a bonding tool between the three friends, the lasting after-effects of such bullying also needed to be exposed.

Final take

In all, Hostel Days makes for a breezy watch, particularly if you are in the mood for something light-hearted.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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Anil Kapoor: An Actor Who Has Been Aging Like A Fine Wine

An overview into how Anil Kapoor can become the next Amitabh Bachchan

Anil Kapoor made his Hindi film debut with a small part in the 1979 film Hamare Tumhare. He appeared as the leading man in the 1980 Telugu film Vamsa Vruksham directed by late Bapu. Anil Kapoor’s first lead role in Hindi was Woh Saat Din also directed by late Bapu. However it was the 1984 Mashaal that gave the actor his first big recognition. In this Yash Chopra directorial Anil Kapoor played a tapori who undergoes a transformation under the influence of Dilip Kumar’s character.  In spite of sharing screen space with legendary Dilip Kumar the actor more than stood his own. He rightfully won Filmfare’s best supporting actor that year.

One of Anil Kapoor’s most memorable films as leading man came in Mr. India directed by ace filmmaker Shekhar Kapur. The film released in 1987 and went on to become one of the major grosser of that year. It mixed science fiction with a relatable underdog story. In the titular role Anil Kapoor delivered a stupendous act. He was in equal measure charming and also vulnerable.

Some of his other notable works as a leading man include Ram Lakhan, Tezaab, 1942: A Love Story among others.

But the genius of Anil Kapoor lies in how he has constantly reinvented himself particularly after he stopped playing the commercial hero. In his second innings the actor has played a variety of roles that ranged from comic, intense and even grey to outright negative characters.

A good example of this range is the Zoya Akhtar directorial Dil Dhadakne Do. This 2015 film saw Anil Kapoor playing a self- made millionaire who never tires of repeating his rags to riches story. But beneath this arrogance his character Kamal is also vulnerable and keeps swallowing anxiety pills. The reason for that is his company is on the verge of bankruptcy.

Anil Kapoor delivered a rousing performance. He effortlessly portrayed the grey shades of Kamal. Some of the best moments in the film belonged to him.

Anil Kapoor has also been part of films specially designed for OTT. A case in point is the 2020 film AK VS AK directed by Vikramaditya Motwane. This unique movie saw Anil Kapoor and filmmaker turned actor Anurag Kashyap playing a fictionalized version of themselves. The film begins with a panel discussion where both of them are participating. A small argument blows up into something severe. Anurag splashes water on Anil Kapoor’s face and leaves the place in a huff. Later he returns and tells him that he has kidnapped his daughter Sonam Kapoor. He also threatens Anil that he has only 10 hours to find Sonam and he cannot go to the cops. He further adds that Anil’s search will be recorded. What follows is an emotional thriller with a twist that viewers don’t see coming. As a tense father Anil Kapoor did a fabulous job. The best part about his performance is his absolute lack of vanity.

Anil Kapoor and Aditya Roy Kapur in Night Manager, Part 2.

If we take some of his outright negative characters the best example is the recently released web-show The Night Manager Season 1 and 2. In this web series Anil Kapoor played a businessman called Shelly. Shelly is supposed to be a philanthropist for the outside world but in real life he is an illegal arms dealer. The monstrous side of Shelly was kept to a minimum in the first season. But in the second season the evilness comes out more. Anil Kapoor delivered a rocking performance both as the suave businessman and also as the merciless monster. One of the scenes in the second season that stays in the viewers mind for a long time is when he talks about bombs in a poetic way while chewing a cigar.

Anil Kapoor in a humour role in Welcome Back

When it comes to comic roles the two Welcome movies are a good example of how the actor left the audiences in splits. In both these films Anil Kapoor is not the main lead. Still he stole the show as one of the main goons along with Nana Patekar. The chemistry between Anil Kapoor and Nana Patekar was great. Even in Mubarakan the actor brought so much energy to the table. His nephew Arjun Kapoor had a double role in the film but the audiences came out of the theaters remembering Anil Chacha more.

Also read: Virupaksha: A solid thriller that is high on both atmospherics and content

After he stopped playing the commercial hero the variety of roles he played increased as we have seen in the above mentioned web shows and films. Here’s hoping that the actor continues to surprise the audiences with many more characters in his upcoming films. Sandeep Reddy Vanga’s Animal, Siddarth Anand’s Fighter etc. are his next big releases. Who knows…he may be the next Amitabh Bachchan!

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Blind: A ‘Sightless’ Thriller

One of the biggest issues with the film is the lacklustre cat-and-mouse game between Sonam Kapoor and Purab Kohli.

Dull direction!
Blind (Hindi)
  • Cast: Sonam Kapoor, Purab Kohli, Vinay Pathak and Lillete Dubey
  • Director: Shome Makhija
  • Producers: Sujoy Ghosh, Avishek Ghosh, and Pinkesh Nahar
  • Music: Clinton Cerejo and Brianca Gomes
  • Runtime: 2 hours 4 minutes
  • OTT platform: Jio Cinema

Shome Makhjia’s Blind is a bland remake of the Tamil thriller Netrikann (2021) which, in turn, was based on the Korean film Blind (2011).

Netrikann also had its issues with the slightly overlong runtime, but it kept the viewers at the edge of their seats for the most part.

Director Milind Rau gave a solid emotional arc that made you sympathise with its visually impaired protagonist Durga (Nayanthara).

The cat-and-mouse game between her and the psychopath (Ajmal Ameer) was filled with many tense moments which makes the viewers root for Nayanthara’s Durga.

On the other hand, Shome Makhija’s Blind is mostly devoid of these elements.

Synopsis

For those who haven’t seen Netrikann, Gia Singh (Sonam Kapoor) in Blind is a police officer in Scotland.

One day a severe argument happens between Gia and her younger brother in a car and Gia handcuffs him to the handle of the car.

Meanwhile, an accident happens and Gia crashes on the road with great force. At that exact moment, another car charges into the already wrecked car which takes her brother’s life.

She recovers but loses her sight and also her job. Her efforts to retain her job don’t succeed.

Meanwhile, several girls in the city go missing. One night, a stranger (Purab Kohli), disguised as a cab driver, offers to drop Gia home. But she soon finds something is amiss about the driver.

The ride becomes mysterious when a few knocks are heard from the trunk of the car. Gia manages to escape from the cab after some fight.

She suspects the cab driver is behind the kidnapping of the girls. The rest of the story is about whether Gia, with the help of the police force, is able to find the psychopath and the dangers she faces along the way.

Positives

Before getting into the negatives, it is necessary to mention the very few redeeming features of Blind.

Purab Kohli, as the serial killer surprises you big with his sadistic portrayal. He is someone who is generally associated with soft characters. But here, the actor successfully transforms into a cold-blooded psychopath.

Vinay Pathak, the police officer helping Gia, is also in good form. He provides some much-needed lighter moments.

A mention must also be made of the chase sequence involving Sonam Kapoor and Purab Kohli. It is one of the few moments in the film where you root for Gia.

Coming to Sonam Kapoor, the actress makes a sincere effort, but her limited acting abilities are terribly exposed here. Sonam doesn’t even hold a candle to what Nayanthara did in Netrikann.

Flaws

One of the biggest issues with Blind is the lacklustre cat-and-mouse game between Sonam Kapoor and Purab Kohli. The issue here is not just about Sonam’s acting, but it is also the dull direction of Shome Makijha.

Though Shome Makijha has been an assistant director for films like Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani (2012), it is clear that he has not learnt anything from those films.

An example of his dull direction is the telephonic conversation, that Sonam has for the first time with the psychopath. It is so dull that the audience goes into a slumber.

Another major problem with Blind is the lack of a back story explaining why Purab Kohli’s character abducts young women and tortures them to death.

Not a single explanation is given about his psychotic behaviour. This angle was much better explored in Netrikann.

Lillete Dubey, as Aunty Maria gets very little to do, and her scenes with Sonam don’t add much value to the narrative.

Her estranged relationship with her mother just doesn’t make any sense. The police officials, with the exception of Vinay Pathak, come across more as buffoons than anything else.

Final take

Blind’s cat-and-mouse game falters despite the few strong performances.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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Neeyat: A Concoction Of Agatha Christie And Sherlock Holmes That Produces More Groans Than Thrills

Director Anu Menon creates the right atmosphere, thanks to the art direction and cinematography, but flounders when it comes to storytelling.

Flat direction!
Neeyat (Hindi)
  • Cast: Vidya Balan, Ram Kapoor, Shahana Goswami, Shashank Arora, Amrita Puri, and Shefali Shah (special appearance)
  • Writer-Director: Anu Menon
  • Producer: Vikram Malhotra
  • Music: Mickey McCleary
  • Runtime: 2 hours and 10 minutes

Director Anu Menon’s Neeyat (Motive) is a solid example of how making a mystery film is not everyone’s cup of tea. Apart from the Agatha Christie and Sherlock Holmes hangover, the film also reminds you of Daniel Craig’s Knives Out (2019).

Neeyat also has a minuscule semblance to the pilot episode of Vishal Bharadwaj’s web series Charlie Chopra & The Mystery of Solang Valley (2023).

Well, there is nothing wrong with getting influenced by the works of others provided you make a compelling film. But Anu Menon’s Neeyat provides very few thrills. In fact, the thrills can be counted on your fingertips.

Synopsis

The film’s plot revolves around a fugitive billionaire Ashish Kapoor (Ram Kapoor).

It is easy to guess that he is modelled by several businessmen who have committed financial fraud and escaped from the country. His over-ambitious behaviour causes many innocent employees in his company to commit suicide.

Ashish Kapoor has a beautiful mansion by the seaside in Scotland. He decides to celebrate his birthday there with close family members and friends. They all have their inner demons.

Present at this party is also the supposed CBI officer Meera Rao (Vidya Balan).

Things take a drastic turn when Ashish Kapoor is found dead under the sea. What follows is a whodunnit where each member is a suspect.

Ram Kapoor & Rahul Bose stand out

There are only a few actors who stand out in this ensemble cast.  Chief among them is Ram Kapoor and Rahul Bose.

Ram Kapoor plays the power-hungry billionaire with panache. He does a swell job of capturing the eccentrics of Ashish.

Rahul Bose also has his moments playing Ashish Kapoor’s brother-in-law Jimmy. His character is a caricature but Rahul Bose makes it land with his enthusiasm.

Last but not least, Shefali Shah, in a special appearance, packs a far bigger punch than Vidya in the entire film.

There are a couple of twists that do take you by surprise — one of them is Ram Kapoor’s character and the other is Vidya Balan’s. But these twists come so late that the audiences are exhausted by that time.

Dragged narrative

As mentioned earlier, Anu Menon does create the right atmosphere. This is majorly thanks to Lydia Moss’s art direction and the cinematography by Andreas Neo.

They both are successful in creating a tension-filled atmosphere. This atmosphere adds more depth to the story than the direction.

Ashish Kapoor’s mansion is also a character in itself.

However, a big issue with Neeyat is the dragged narration of Anu Menon. The film takes a long time to get to the point. The pacing is slow and some layers have been unnecessarily added.

Neeyat also tries to make social commentary on how the employees are left in a lurch because of these power-hungry billionaires, driving them to suicide. But these portions don’t make any impact because of the flat direction.

Another major problem with Neeyat is how Vidya Balan goes about her role as Meera Rao. The energy needed for a female Sherlock Holmes is absolutely missing. Vidya plays her character with unenthusiasm.

Verdict

In all, Anu Menon’s Neeyat produces more groans than thrills.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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The Night Manager Part 2: High On Both Thrills And Human Drama

Part 2 of this espionage drama gives a deep insight into global politics through the character of Shelly played by Anil Kapoor.

Stands out for its performances!
The Night Manager Part 2 (Hindi)
  • Cast: Anil Kapoor, Aditya Roy Kapur, Sobhita Dhulipala, Tillotama Shome, and Saswata Chatterjee
  • Direction: Sandeep Modi, Priyanka Ghose, and Rukh Nabeel
  • Producers: Deepak Dhar, Rishi Negi, and Rajesh Chadha
  • Music: Sam CS
  • No. of episodes: 3
  • OTT platform: Disney+ Hotstar

The first part of The Night Manager followed the journey of an ex-Navy guy-turned-night manager Shaan Sengupta (Aditya Roy Kapur). His life takes a drastic turn when a tormented teenager seeks help from him.

The husband of this teen is a criminal and much older than her. He is also an associate of a businessman named Shelly (Anil Kapoor).

On the surface, Shelly is supposed to be a philanthropist. But in reality, he is a businessman who deals in illegal arms.

Shaan takes the help of a woman called Lipika Saikia Rao (Tillotama Shome) who works for the Indian intelligence.

In spite of his best efforts, Shaan isn’t able to save the teenager. And this leaves him absolutely shattered.

The crux of The Night Manager Part 1 was primarily about how Shaan manages to impress Shelly and gets access to his inner circle.

Season 2 synopsis

The Night Manager Part 2 begins with the illegal arms dealer Shailendra Rungta aka Shelly.

He is still not aware of Shaan’s real identity. His trust in Shaan is so firm that he even makes him a business partner.

On the other hand, Lipika is continuing to trace Shelly at the cost of facing heat from the system.

There is also a secret love story developing between Shaan and Shailendra’s girlfriend Kaveri K Dixit (Sobhita Dhulipala).

However, Shelly’s friend Brijpal (Saswata Chatterjee) isn’t still convinced about Shaan’s reliability. Adding to Brijpal’s woes, he loses Shelly’s trust.

Like most espionage dramas, this web series is also about a man who rises against all odds to save the country. At the same time, The Night Manager Part 2 gives a deep insight into global politics through the character of Shelly.

Sobhita gets a strong role

A big area of improvement in comparison to The Night Manager Part 1 is how the makers designed the character of Sobhita Dhulipala’s Kaveri.

In the first season, she was more of a glam doll. But now, the character has been explored much more.

The romantic moments between Shaan and Kaveri are subtle yet effective. However, as viewers you do wish that Kaveri shouldn’t have been reduced to a damsel in distress towards the end.

Sobhita Dhulipala is quite good and does hold her own opposite the terrific Anil Kapoor.

A peek into world politics

Coming to Anil Kapoor, he does a fantastic job of portraying the evilness of Shelly. The monster side of Shelly comes out much more in The Night Manager Part 2.

For example, there is a scene where he butchers a former associate to death with what looks like a Reynolds ballpoint pen.

One of my favourite moments in the show is when he chews on the cigar and talks about bombs in a poetic way. It is so good to see Anil Kapoor reinventing himself constantly.

As earlier mentioned, the theme of global politics is explored through the character of Shelly.

He may look like the villain, but in reality, he is someone who is very much needed by the Indian government. Because people like him are hired to do the dirty work which the government doesn’t want to lay its hands on.

At one point, Shelly is compared to Osama Bin Laden whom America thought it could control, at least at one point in time.

These moments make the show a cut above the usual espionage drama.

Other characters

Aditya Roy Kapur shows once again why he is perfect for the role of Shaan. He lends the required mystery as Shaan doesn’t express a lot. His good looks also come in handy since Shaan is meant to be a seducer as well.

Another character from The Night Manager Part 2 that stays with the viewers is Saswata Chatterjee’s Brijpal. He effortlessly conveys the turmoil of a man who is losing the trust of his friend.

Tillotama Shome as the heavily pregnant intelligence officer continues her impressive form.

She is in equal parts resilient and vulnerable. She also gets her share of masala moments and the actress knocks them out of the park.

The cinematography by Benjamin Jasper and Anik Ram Verma is of the highest order. The desert shots, in particular, deserve mention.

The background music by Sam CS elevates the drama in several places.

Final take

The Night Manager Part 2 is an espionage drama that manages to stand out with its understanding of world politics and stellar performances.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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Lust Stories 2: An Engrossing Anthology About Love, Sex, And Desire

Much like its predecessor ‘Lust Stories’ (released in 2018), ‘Lust Stories 2’ also offers a fresh perspective on female desires.

Lust Stories (2018) — directed by Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, and Karan Johar — was a well-made anthology about female desire.

The protagonists in these segments belong to different generations, socio-economic statuses, and upbringings. But the common aspect that bound them was sex and lust.

The standout story in Lust Stories was the short directed by Zoya Akhtar. Her story was about a domestic worker and her boss. Zoya expertly tackled the issue of a class divide through the lens of lust.

Now, after a gap of five years, you have Lust Stories 2. Much like its predecessor, this also offers a fresh perspective on female desire.

Made For Each Other

Lust Stories 2 begins with R Balki short Made For Each Other. This short primarily looks at checking sexual compatibility before marriage. It opens with Veda (Mrunal Thakur) and Arjun (Angad Bedi).

You have both families discussing when their marriage should take place. At that exact moment, Veda’s  daadi (grandmother, played by Neena Gupta) asks Veda whether she and Arjun had pre-marital sex.

As expected, this leads to a complete silence in the room. Daadi also adds that checking sexual compatibility before marriage is as important as doing a test drive before buying a car.

In the hands of a lesser actor, daadi’s dialogue may have sounded awkward. However, Neena Gupta makes the cool daadi work with her natural performance. Her scenes with Mrunal in particular are very good to watch.

Mrunal Thakur and Angad Bedi don’t have a lot to work with. Nevertheless, they make for a good lovey-dovey couple.

The Mirror

The Mirror, directed by Konkana Sen Sharma, is more intense than Balki’s short.

Isheeta (Tillotama Shome) is an individual leading a mundane life. She has repressed sexual desires.

But one day, things take a significant turn when she accidentally sees her domestic help (Amruta Subhash) engaging in a sexual act with her husband in her house (Isheeta’s).

Instead of confronting the domestic help, Isheeta gets drawn to the scene. She gets a lot of pleasure from watching them.

This segment primarily looks at the inner desires of Isheeta and the complexities that arise from her voyeurism. This short also shows that lust knows no caste, colour or gender.

Both Tillotama and Amruta Subhash are in wonderful form with their uninhibited performances. Though it reminds you of Zoya Akhtar’s short in Lust Stories, Konkana adds many more layers.

Sex With Ex

Sujoy Ghosh’s Sex With Ex is a thriller in typical Sujoy Ghosh’s style. This segment of Lust Stories 2 doesn’t completely draw you in, but it isn’t a complete waste either.

David Chauhan (Vijay Varma) is involved in an accident on the outskirts of a town. While searching for a mechanic he visits a hamlet where he runs into his ex-wife Shanti (Tamannaah Bhatia).

Shanti was assumed to be dead for a long time. Expectedly, this reunion brings a flood of memories.

The best part of this segment is the real-life sensuality that Tamannaah and Vijay Varma bring to the table. The twist at the end also takes you by surprise.

Tilchatta

The last chapter of Lust Stories 2 is Tilchatta (Cockroach) directed by Amit Ravindernath Sharma.

It deals with two issues mainly — firstly, it is about an upper-caste man who still feels that he is living in the age of kings; secondly, it is about a woman trying to find her agency in an abusive marriage.

The patriarch here is Kumud Mishra and the married woman is Kajol.

Tilchatta takes place in a sprawling haveli. Amit Ravindernath Sharma does a wonderful job of bringing out the toxicity and suffocation that Chanda (Kajol) and her son are going through in that large space.

There is an affecting subplot concerning sex workers since Chanda was a sex worker before getting into this haveli. This subplot adds more heft to the drama.

Both Kajol and Kumud Mishra bring their A-game. Kumud Mishra shows once again why he is considered a brilliant actor. He is absolutely terrific as the torchbearer of patriarchy. The way he unabashedly gazes at the bodies of women with so much lust makes the viewers hate him.

Kajol, as the woman trying to find her agency, conveys a lot with just her body language. As viewers, you want her to take the bold step which she eventually does, although things don’t go exactly according to the plan.

Verdict

Much like Lust Stories, Lust Stories 2 also makes a bold attempt at bringing taboo topics to the forefront through the digital space.

(Views expressed here are personal.)

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Satyaprem Ki Katha: A Heartwarming Story that Makes You Want A Real-Life Partner Like Kartik Aaryan’s Sattu

An important aspect of Sameer Vidwans’s ‘Satyaprem Ki Katha’ is how it looks at the issue of consent in relationships.

Addresses pertinent social issues.
Satyaprem Ki Katha (Hindi)
  • Cast: Kartik Aaryan, Kiara Advani, Gajraj Rao, Supriya Pathak, Rajpal Yadav, and Shikha Talsania
  • Direction: Sameer Vidwans
  • Producers: Sajid Nadiadwala, Shareen Mantri Kedia, and Kishan Arora
  • Music: Meet Bros, Tanishk Bagchi, and Payal Dev
  • Runtime: 2 hours 26 minutes

There is a famous quote in English which says that “Don’t judge a book by its cover”. This goes perfectly well with the film Satyaprem Ki Katha.

The trailer promised a breezy romantic film, but it is more than just a rom-com. Director Sameer Vidwans addresses some pertinent social issues through the lens of a romantic drama.

Synopsis

Satyaprem aka Sattu (Kartik Aaryan) is an underdog who falls in love with Katha (Kiara Advani). Katha belongs to different strata of society which is out of Sattu’s league.

However, circumstances not only bring them together but also get them married. Nevertheless, the marriage doesn’t take off.

Katha comes with a haunting past. Initially, the viewers think it is a case of a bad break-up with her ex-boyfriend. However, it turns out to be more sinister.

The crux of Satyaprem ki Katha is about two things primarily — one is how Sattu wins Katha over; secondly, it is about Katha letting go of her trauma and finding the courage to face the truth.

Picks up pace in second half

The movie does take time to get going. The boy-meets-girl moments don’t have a lot of meat. The director takes time to get to the real meat of the story.

But its picks up after the marriage of Sattu and Katha. The interval point further raises the expectations of the audience and the second half drama is one of the film’s biggest selling points.

Sameer Vidwans does a wonderful job of showing how the relationship evolves between Sattu and Katha. The evolution is not only about their relationship but also about their individual characters.

Societal issues

An important aspect of Satyaprem Ki Katha is how it looks at the issue of consent in relationships.

The film also briefly reminds you of the famous Amitabh Bachchan dialogue “A No is a No”.

Kiara’s Katha is a victim of date rape. Her ex-boyfriend penetrates her badly, even when she resists. Katha’s father has no idea about this.

Kartik Aaryan’s Sattu does come across as too idealistic with his patient behaviour. But as viewers, you don’t mind because Sattu is not presented as some social reformer.

Sattu, of course, has his moments of frustration and the change in his character happens gradually.

The film has also got some entertaining family moments. The best examples are the ones featuring Kartik Aaryan and his on-screen dad Gajraj Rao. There is visible warmth between them in both the comic and emotional bits.

Director Sameer Vidwans presents an authentic middle-class milieu.

Cinematographer Ayananka Bose does a good job of capturing the locality of Ahmedabad.

Performances

The songs composed by multiple composers are mostly melodious. The best of the lot is “Naseeb Se and Aaj Ke Baad“. “Gujju Pataka“, on the other hand, isn’t high on lyrics but Kartik’s dancing along with the peppy tune makes it an energetic track.

Out of the two leads, Kartik Aaryan scores more with his act. He is not only good in the goofy bits but shines equally in intense scenes.

Kiara Advani takes some time to settle down. The reason behind her character’s aloofness doesn’t have the required emotional heft in the beginning. But both Kiara and her character get better as the film progresses. Overall, she delivers a competent performance.

Final verdict

In Satyaprem Ki Katha, Katha is fortunate to have a happy ending which many women can’t hope to have. Many more Sattus are the need of the hour!

(Views expressed here are personal.)