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Jatt: A Sunny Deol mass extravagance

Jatt written and directed by Gopichand Malineni is the perfect example of Bollywood’s growing obsession with fusion cinema the garnishing of South Indian tadka in a north body. For fans of Sunny Deol particularly the single screen ones the movie will be an absolute delight. At the age of 67 Sunny Deol still packs a punch with his dhai Kilo Ka Haath. The group of villains led by Randeep Hooda are formidable too

Starcast: Sunny Deol, Randeep Hooda, Regina Cassendra, Vineet Kumar Singh, Saiyami Kher, Jagapathi Babu and others

Genre: Action drama

Story, direction and screenplay: Gopichand Malineni

Dialogues: Sai Madhav Burra and Saurabh Gupta

Producers: Naveen Yereneni, T.G Vishwa Prasad and others

Production Companies: Mythri Movie Makers, Zee Studios and People Media Factory

Music: Thaman S

Running time: 2 hours and 38 minutes

The mega success of the films Pushpa 1 &2, RRR, KGF 1&2 and Kalki 2898 AD has created an identity crisis for Bollywood’s commercial cinema. A certain desperation has come in wanting to have the south Indian Masala in a North Soul. A very good example of this is last year’s Baby John directed by Atlee’s assistant Kalees. On numerous occasions Varun Dhawan was trying to ape the charismatic Vijay Thalapathy forgetting his own strengths. Not surprisingly the movie ended up as a box office turkey. Just a few weeks back there was AR Murugadoss Sikander with Salman Khan. Instead of being an Eid treat it ended up as a massive disappointment even for hardcore Salman fans. Jatt directed by Gopichand Malineni doesn’t match up to Atlee’s Jawan which had a good fusion of South Melodrama combined with the Starpower of Shah Rukh Khan. However, Jatt is a competent cocktail of action and melodrama powered by Sunny Deol’s larger than life persona.

The storyline of Jatt kicks off in the year 2009 in the jungles of Sri Lanka. Randeep Hooda’s Ranatunga is a former LTTE fighter. He along with his brother Somulu (an entertaining Vineet Kumar Singh) and a few more stumble upon a buried treasure amidst the ruins of a civil war. This revelation of a buried treasure pushes Ranatunga and co into the depth of greed. Soon Ranatunga establishes a vast criminal Network with the help of acquired gold. A major strength of Ranatunga apart from his brother Somulu is the wife played by an excellent Reginna Cassandra. At this point you have the entry of a mysterious stranger played by Sunny Deol. True to the title Sunny Deol plays a powerful Jatt with no fear and truly a bulldozer capable of demolishing any number of men. His arrival in the town causes a big mayhem starting off from a scene in a roadside shack which is a perfect mixture of comedy and action.

It goes without saying that Sunny Deol is the lifeline of Jatt. The actor makes even the outlandish of situations work with his powerful presence. He delivers the punchlines with the required intensity and also shines in the melodramatic portions. Jatt is an absolute goldmine for Sunny Deol hardcore fans. The actor also raises chuckles with his understated comic timing. The best example of this is the scene involving a simple apology request over a dropped idli. A lot of the first half has this as a recurring point raising many chuckles. Of course, in the action scenes he pummels the bad guys in Nandamuri Balakrishna style but because of the conviction the suspension of belief becomes easier. Talking about the punchlines a special mention must be made of the scene where he says “Yeh Dhai kilo ke hath ki taakath north dekh chuka hai, ab south dekhage (North has already seen the power of this 2.5 kilo arms, it’s South turn now).

Randeep Hooda as Ranatunga

Jatt also benefits from the strong batch of villains. Randeep Hooda does a very fine job in conveying Ranatunga’s greed for power and money. The way he hacks people with a cold and calculated demeanor makes him for a perfect despicable opponent. Vineet Kumar Singh as Somulu too has a lot of fun as a deranged younger brother. After Chhavva and Superboys of Malegaon Vineet showcases a different facet of him. Regina Cassandra too springs a pleasant surprise as Ranatunga’s spouse and partner in crime. She perfectly conveys the ruthlessness and ambitious nature while being elegantly dressed.

Reginna Cassandra also springs a pleasant surprise

Saiyami Kher and the fellow women officers offer an interesting counterpoint to their male ones. They are miles ahead in terms of both bravery and honesty. Saiyami Kher brings in an emotional depth as a determined police officer with strong mental strength. Talking about the other actors Jagapathi Babu as CBI officer Sathyamurthy has a strong presence but the veteran is mostly seen travelling first in a private plane and then in a car heading towards to the village where Ranatunga is causing carnage. His only job is to applaud the strength of Sunny Deol’s character.

A major problem with Jatt is too much of gruesome violence even for the standards of mainstream commercial cinema. The violence is often graphic making it a difficult watch particularly for the ladies and family audiences. The women characters often become the punching bag for the gruesome acts of violence. The movie features numerous shots of them being assaulted and in some cases helpless too.

The inherent South melodrama makes Jatt a tough watch too specifically for those who don’t have much exposure to South commercial cinema. A perfect example of this is the character played by a highly melodramatic Zarina Wahab. Thaman’s songs don’t add much to the plot. A special song by Urvasi Rautela in particular leaves a bitter after taste with its tacky choreography. The background score is very loud and jarring in nature however in some portions it does make an impact like the fight scenes featuring Sunny Deol and his entry.

Final word: This Sunny Deol mass extravagance is a treat for those like the fusion of south larger than life with north tadka. For the rest though its avoidable.

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Veera Soora Dheeran (Part 2): A delightful star vehicle with an in form Vikram

S U Arun Kumar’s latest directorial is a major departure from his previous movie Chittha in more ways than one. This one is more generic and not as hard hitting in comparison to the last one still Veera Dheera Sooran Part 2 makes for an engaging mass cinema. The surprise package is comedian Prudhvi Raj who excels in a negative role.
  • Starcast: Vikram, Dushara Vijayan, S J Suryah, Prudhvi Raj, Suraj Venjarmoodu and others
  • Genre: Action drama/thriller
  • Writer and director: S U Arun Kumar
  • Producers: Riya Shibu and Shibhu Thameens
  • Cinematography: Theni Eshwar
  • Music: G V Prakash Kumar
  • Production Company: H R Pictures
  • Running time : 2 hours and 30 minutes

Before dissecting Veera Dheera Sooran 2 its necessary to look at why it’s called part 2. A major reason for the movie being called part 2 is that the characters already know each other with established relationships. The movie is both a sequel and prequel simultaneously. Prequel because there is an important flashback explaining the events leading up to the current predicament of its titular protagonist.

The storyline of Veera Dheera Sooran mostly takes place during a particular night. The movie starts off with a woman coming to the house of Periyar Ravi and his son Kannan (Prudhvi Raj and Suraj Venjaramoodu respectively). The woman accuses the father and son of causing harm to her husband. Both of them deny having any hand in the matter but its clear that neither of them are good souls. Meanwhile the husband is seen in the police station giving an important complaint, this compliant has the potential of causing mayhem in the life of Periyar Ravi and son Kannan. S J Suryah is SP Arunagiri, Arunagiri has some old scores to settle and he decides to use this as an opportunity. The situation reaches a point where Periyar Raj is left with no other option other than to bring back his trusted henchman Kaali ( a robust Vikram). Kaali is now a settled family man having left his dark past long time back but eventually gives in due to the continuous pleading of Periyar Ravi. Dushara Vijayan plays the strong housewife Kalai. This is the story in brief nothing more can be revealed.

Vikram and Dushara Vijayan

A strong aspect of Veera Dheera Sooran 2 is how the director has balanced the massy pitch with vulnerability. There is a palpable tension particularly in the first half, Kaali is seen in a very vulnerable situation going through a lot of internal and external conflicts. He is up against individuals whom he cannot completely trust but at the same time has no other option other than to help Periyar. The shared history between Kaali, Arunagiri and Periyar Ravi is kept to a bare minimum making the viewers connect the dots themselves.

The cat and mouse game also has some thrilling moments like the portion involving the dangerous landmine. Even the first interaction between Kaali and Arunagiri has some powerful mass moments with well written punch lines.

The movie also benefits from the fantastic technical department headed by Theni Eshwar’s fantastic cinematography. The way he captures the grittiness of the night situations with the hand held shots and the dim lighting helps significantly in creating a tense atmosphere. GV Prakash’s songs along with his background score also elevate the movie in many ways. His background score particularly stands out in the moments of tension.

Although Veera Dheera Sooran 2 is essentially a mass movie the writing is pretty layered. The best example of this is SJ Suryah’s Arunagiri. The character starts off as a sincere police officer but soon the viewers see him becoming the instigator. He becomes a man consumed with revenge with a calculated malice. The actor dials down his trademark eccentrics showcasing a different facet of him. Even the character of Dushara Vijayan’s Kalai isn’t one dimensional. Kalai is shown to be a sensible and lovable wife but even she picks up a knife at a certain point due to certain circumstances.

S J Suryah as Arunagiri

What pulls down Veera Seera Dhooran part 2 is the flashback portion. The writing starts to get tedious slowing down the movie’s pace significantly. Also the film’s generic storyline with the traditional elements of the hero outsmarting the villains reduces the tension. The pre climax with Vikram taking on the many baddies in spite of being thrashed and even shot makes the proceedings difficult to digest even in the template of mass commercial cinema.

In the role of Kaali Vikram delivers an outstanding act, its a far better star outing than the unnecessarily convoluted Thangaalan. The actor particularly shines in the portions where Kaali is going through a lot of emotional turmoil. The surprise package though is comedian Prudhvi Raj who is generally known for his numerous comic roles. As Periyar Ravi Prudhvi Raj does a terrific job in conveying both the menace and also the vulnerability of a family man. A scene which particularly stands outs is the portion where Periyar pleads for Kaali’s help. There is a palpable helplessness wonderfully conveyed by the actor. Dushara Vijayan also makes a significant impact. Her part of Kalai isn’t there just for the sake of it, she adds an emotional depth. Suraj Venjaramoodu as the impulsive son also has his moments.

Prudhvi Raj as Periyar Ravi is the surprise package

Veera Dheera Sooran Teaser

Final word: Veera Dheera Sooran is a must watch for fans of rustic action dramas and Vikram.

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Test: An intriguing character study exploring the themes of morality and ambition

Much like its title Test plays out like a five-day test match in the beginning portions gradually building up the tension and the conflict points, however it hits a sixer with a crucial twist and the second half in particular plays out like a roller coaster.
  • Starcast: R Madhavan, Nayanathara. Siddarth, Meera Jasmine and others
  • Genre: Drama/thriller
  • Writer and director: S Sashikanth
  • Additional writer: Suman Kumar
  • Producers: Chakravarthy Ramachandra and S Sashikanth
  • Cinematography: Viraj Singh Gohli
  • Music: Shaktisree Gopalan
  • Production Company: Y NOT Studios
  • Streaming site: Netflix
  • Running time: 2 hours and 26 minutes

Characters with grey shades always make for fascinating on-screen characters, the reason being many of us have a grey area within us. More often than not a person being good or bad depends on how you react to the circumstances. Sometimes even the purest person can become evil due to an inability to cope with the challenges.

Test directed by S Sashikanth begins with an interesting quote. “A hero will sacrifice the person they love to save the world, but a villain will sacrifice the world in order to save the person they love.” this quote perfectly sums up the core theme of Test. The three protagonists are often pushed to their limits forcing them to choose between morality and self-interest. The plot of Test primarily focuses on three characters from different paths of life, but their journeys get intertwined. Arjun Viswanathan (Siddarth) is a major batsman going through a professional crisis. He is almost at the end of his career. There are huge rumors of him retiring during an important test series against Pakistan. In order to save his career Arjun resorts to media manipulation forcing the selectors to play him. On the other hand, you have R Madhavan’s Saravanan and Nayanathara’s Kumudha. Sarvanan is an MIT scientist struggling to get his project on alternative energy approved, he is also drowning in debt. Kumudha on the other hand is longing to become a mother through the procedure of IVF, but it isn’t happening due to certain problems. As the plot progresses all three characters face life alternating scenarios where their integrities are put at test.

As already mentioned, the movie Test plays along the lines of a five-day test match. A majority of the first half is devoted to establishing the different hurdles faced by the characters. Director S Shashikanth along with Suman Kumar slowly build up the simmering tension particularly the dynamics of R Madhavan and Nayanathara. Towards the end of the first half the movie gets into a thriller mode with the backdrop of match fixing and a crucial change in the character of Sarvanan. From here the graph of the movie becomes more interesting.

R Madhavan and Nayanathara share a magnetic chemistry

A strong aspect of Test is the psychological insight that the director and the writer have given exploring the motivations of the primary characters. This can be particularly felt in the character of R Madhavan. There is an interesting juxtaposition here. Saravanan is someone who is working on a groundbreaking project which could benefit the humanity however he doesn’t have the privileges of Siddarth’s Arjun. The survival struggle of Saravanan and Arjun’s fight for legacy raises interesting questions.

Test also benefits immensely from the on-screen chemistry combined with the performances of Madhavan and Nayanthara. Both the actors share a magnetic chemistry whether it is some of the lovey Dovey moments or the more intense ones when their marriage starts to crumble. R Madhavan as Saravanan delivers a truly scintillating act. The way he goes from loving to slowly grey and eventually psychotic is brilliant to watch. A major reason for the second half turning out the way it does is due to his outstanding act. R Madhavan is truly aging like fine wine proving his versatility with wide range of characters. A specific portion worthy of mentioning here is a slap scene featuring Saravanan and Kumuda. A wide range of emotions are on display ranging from frustration, concern, instant guilt and then regret. This portion itself is a perfect example of why R Madhavan is one of the best actors working in the industry today. Nayanthara as Kumudha also delivers a strong act. The way she portrayals the dual shades of her role the motherly concern for her students by becoming their cheerleader at the same time the grey shades too is a sheer delight to watch.

A lovey dovey moment between R Madhavan and Nayanathara

Siddarth as Arjun though could have done with more intensity. His act is more internalized and does suffer somewhat from weak writing. Having said that Siddarth also gets into his groove when the stakes become very high, and Arjun goes through an emotional upheaval connected to the missing son. Meera Jasmine as Arjun’s wife does a fine job too. The confrontation scenes between the two actors strike the right emotional cord. Having said that here too the writing could have been much better. The subplot of India and Pakistan test match feels like more of an add on and doesn’t add much to the proceedings.

Siddarth as Arjun

The music by Shaktisree Gopalan is a major speed breaker. The songs don’t add much value to the proceedings. However, the cinematography of Viraj Singh Gohli is of a good standard. A particular mention must be made of his work during the emotional scenes.

Final word: Watch Test if you like complex human dramas and of course if you are an R Madhavan fan

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Lucifer 2/ Empuraan: A fine balance between fan appeasement and politics

Much like the first part, director and actor Prithviraj Sukumaran creates an intricate world gradually revealing the various layers. The movie beats are familiar to part 1: at the same time he is successful in building fresh socio-political scenarios particularly the angle of religious propaganda
  • Starcast: Mohanlal, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Abhimanyu Singh, Prithviraj Sukumaran and others
  • Genre: Action thriller
  • Director: Prithviraj Sukumaran
  • Writer: Murali Gopy
  • Producers: Antony Perumbavoor and Gokulam Gopalan
  • Cinematography: Sujith Vasudev
  • Music: Deepak Dev
  • Production Companies: Lyca Productions, Aashirvad Cinemas etc.
  • Running time: 2 hours and 59 minutes

Lucifer 1 directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and featuring the legendary Mohanlal was a good mixture of fan service and a turbulent political landscape. The movie focused on the huge vacuum left by the death of Sachin Khedekar’s PK Ramdas. The power dynamics, particularly who would become the next leader formed the central plot of the movie. Mohanlal’s Stephen Nedumpally is a powerful and mysterious man changing the course of the story. Initially not much is known about him but slowly viewers come to know about the influence he yields. He plays a significant role in the ensuing political drama.

A major strength of Lucifer 1 was the grey shades of not just Mohanlal but also the other important players, specifically Vivek Oberoi who nailed his negative role. The biblical references also gave the movie a certain gravitas. With Lucifer part 1 Prithviraj Sukumaran showcased a different side to Malayalam cinema. The second part of Lucifer comes after a significant gap of six years. Part two of Lucifer/ Empuraan has clearly upped the scale in terms of presenting a larger-than-life cinema while retaining the political undertones.

Lucifer part 1 image

The second part of Lucifer begins with a disturbing incident of communal violence. Hindu pilgrims are killed in a burning train leading to an absolute mayhem (we are reminded of Godhra). There is a lot of bloodshed with a small Muslim community being butchered, raped and killed by Balraj (Abhimanyu Singh) and his men. The lone survivor is Zayed Masood (Prithviraj Sukumaran). These beginning portions set the political undertones of part two. From here the focus shifts to God’s own country Kerala. Jathin Ramdas (Tovino Thomas) son of late PK Ramdas blinded by hatred towards his late father makes the decision of joining a party which is both extremist as well as communalist. Abhimanyu Singh’s Balraj is the head of this one. The subtle political subtext of the plot can be easily understood if the viewers scratch beneath the surface. Running parallel to this, an international conflict between two crime syndicates unfolds. At this juncture Stephen Nedumpally also known as Abraham Quereshi makes a comeback to the state of Kerala.

As already mentioned, Lucifer 2 has an intricate plot gradually revealing the various layers. The first half has a slow build up as it juggles between various tracks. This can be a patience tester for a section. Also, Mohanlal’s entry much like the first part takes its own sweet time but the slow build up is worth the wait in the eventual scheme of things.

The delicate balance between fan appeasement and the social commentary is a sheer delight to watch. At the beginning of the movie there is a quote “Power corrupts, but absolute power corrupts absolutely.” This angle comes out strongly in the character sketch of Tovino Thomas whose personality has undergone 360 degrees turn. The creeping ideological differences between Jathin Ramdas and the sister Priyadarshini played by Manju Warrier give the movie some of its best moments.

One of the major themes in Lucifer 2 is the angle of religious extremism and the terrible effect it has on humanity. There is an important dialogue delivered by Nikhat Khan in an extended special appearance regarding how the future generation shouldn’t get caught in the trap of religious propaganda and the dangers of religion as a tool in politics.

Mohanlal as Stephan Nedumpally also known as Abraham Quereshi/Lucifer once again delivers a strong act in spite of having a late entry. Mohanlal brings in the right amount of charisma and mystery making Stephen a very enigmatic person much like his other popular character George Kutty from the Drishyam films. The actor conveys a lot with his subtle expressions. A particular mention must be made of Mohanlal’s performance in the scenes where he meets Indrajit Sukumaran’s Govardhan and a pastor cum father figure. There is a visible political and religious subtext giving the viewers goosebumps.

Manju Warrier’s character has a different arc this time and the actress does a very good job in showcasing the evolution of Priyadarshini. The way she portrays the strong inner strength in a nuanced manner makes for a wonderful watch.

Prithviraj Sukumaran as Zaya Masood much like the first part has limited screen time, still he makes his presence amply felt. The backstory gives a certain emotional heft which Prithviraj makes complete use of. Of course, the dynamics between Stephan and Zaya could have done with more exploration, still the back story gives an emotional insight into why Zaya is a trusted aid of the titular protagonist.

Prithviraj and Mohanlal from a song in Lucifer/ Empuraan 2

Abhimanyu Singh as Balraj also makes a significant impact, although his character arc lacks the nuances of what Vivek Oberoi played in the first one. Tovino Thomas also shows his versatility with his excellent portrayal of a changed man.

Tovino Thomas also shows his versatility with his excellent portrayal of a changed man

Technically speaking Lucifer2 / Empuraan is a visual feast with its grand scale. The cinematography of Sujith Vasudev enhances the movies visual appeal. The background music is also of a very high standard particularly in the combination scenes of Mohanlal and Prithviraj.

Final word: Lucifer 2/ Empuraan is a worthy follow up. It treads on familiar lines while giving something new.

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Adolescence: A haunting cautionary tale particularly for parents

Behind the scenes third episode of Adolescence web series

Adolescence directed by Philip Barantini is a thought provoking tale on the modern pressures faced by parents in this rapidly changing world thanks to the massive technological developments. The director does a fantastic job in exploring the issues of societal pressures and online radicalization among others.

Starcast: Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Faye Marsay and others

Direction: Philip Barantini

Creator and writer: Stephen Graham

Additional writer: Jack Thorne

Music: Aaron May and David Ridley

Producer: Jo Johnson

Production Companies: Its All Made Up Productions, One Shoe Films etc.

Cinematographer: Matthew Lewis

No of episodes: 4

Streaming site: Netflix

Raising a child successfully is easily one of the most difficult tasks for any parent more so in today’s digital age. The influences from outside specifically the online culture comes with its share of both positives and negatives. Additionally giving your child sufficient time isn’t easy for those who have hectic working schedules. The latest Netflix show Adolescence has been the talk of the town ever since its release. The series has struck a huge chord with not just the western audiences but it has also broken language barriers. A prime reason for that is the shows central theme which has a universal resonance.

The central plot of Adolescence is the arrest of James Miller (an outstanding Owen Cooper). James is arrested for the murder of his fellow female classmate in the nearby woods. Stephen Graham and Christine Tremarco play James Miller’s parents Eddie Miller and Manda Miller respectively. Naturally both of them are heartbroken at this revelation. Their life undergoes a 360 degrees turn struggling to comprehend on how their seemingly good son can be capable of a crime like this. Adolescence doesn’t play out like a traditional whodunit because after a point it is firmly established that James is indeed the killer. The focus is more on the psychological and emotional trauma faced by the family.

A major strength of Adolescence web series is how Philip Barantini along with Stephan Graham present a realistic picture on the issues faced by modern parents. On many occasions Adolescence holds a mirror to today’s society hitting a raw nerve. By the end of the show many parents or going to be ones will definitely think about how much are they really present in the lives of their children.

The show also does a very good job in portraying the hidden struggles which youngsters face unknown to the parents and how a huge divide is coming between the parents and children. Adolescence also presents a disturbing picture on the dangers of online bullying and incel culture. Incel culture refers to a community of men who are frustrated with their inability to attract women sexually. They often blame the women for their failures.

Another big strength of Adolescence is the characterization of the central character coupled with Owen Cooper’s outstanding act. The series doesn’t entirely demonize James Miller, instead the show treats him as a victim of an ecosystem which fosters alienation. The perfect example of this is the scene between James and clinical psychologist Briony Ariston (Erin Doherty).

Erin Doherty as the clinical psychologist

In this portion a psychological insight is given into the actions of James with specific focus on the culture of incel and online bullying. There is a dignity and sensitivity in the way these portions have been filmed. The entire track reminds the viewers of James not being a complete adult yet. The fact that James is still a growing boy makes the situation even more tragic.

Mention must also be made of Ashley Walters as DI Bascombe. There is a nuanced approach in the way the role has been written and performed. At no point DI Bascombe comes across as overly aggressive or antagonistic.

Ashley Walter as DI Bascombe

As James Miller Owen Cooper expertly handles a complex role way above his age. A particular mention must be made of his performance in the third episode. The unhinged manner in which he plays the series most crucial portion firmly establishes him as a talent to look out.

Stephen Graham is another actor who stands out with his heartfelt portrayal of an emotionally charged father. The way he portrays the feelings of guilt, grief and self doubt is a sheer delight to watch. The actor specifically stands out in the scene where he questions his entire existence of being a parent. One of the most stand out scenes belong to Stephen Graham and Manda Miller. There is a very poignant conversation between them when Stephen Graham’s Eddie says the following dialogue.

Stephen Graham is another actor who stands out with his heartfelt portrayal of an emotionally charged father

“I used to play with him, then work picked up and I started coming home late. Maybe I didn’t give him the time I should have”. This dialogue very aptly sums up the importance of an emotional presence in the life of a child.

Another very striking aspect of Adolescence web series is the way the show has been shot. Cinematographer Matthew Lewis has filmed each episode as continuous shots with no visible cuts. This adds to the immersive nature of the show.

The one slight flaw in Adolescence is the lack of complete perspective from the side of girl’s family. Obviously the girl’s parents would also be going through major emotional upheavals. But this isn’t touched upon in the slightest.

Final word: Adolescence is a spine chilling drama very much worth your time. The show is truly a banger.

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My Melbourne: A heartwarming anthology

My Melbourne deals with important social issues with the standout segment belonging to Kabir Khan and Puneet Gulati. It’s the most crowd-pleasing one in a good way talking about race and how the medium of sports can break cultural barriers
  • Starcast: Ryanna Sky Lawson, Jake Ryan, Arushi Sharma, Jackson Gallagher, Arka Das, Setara Amiri and others
  • Directors: Onir, Rima Das, Imtiaz Ali, Kabir Khan etc
  • Writers: Nazifa Amir, Shivangi Bhowmick, Samira Cox etc
  • Cinematography: Brad Francis
  • Music: Anurag Sharma and Brad Francis
  • Producer: Mitu Bhowmick Lange
  • Production Company: Mind Blowing Entertainment
  • Running time: 1 hour and 40 minutes

The trend of anthologies has provided an interesting alternative to mainstream cinema. This is primarily due to two reasons, one there is no pressure of box office as a result you can experiment more, and secondly big stars aren’t needed for an anthology movie. Much before the 2013 Bombay Talkies you had the 2010 anthology I Am, a collection of four short movies directed by Onir. The anthology I Am dealt with plots ranging from child abuse, gay rights, the inner turmoil of a Kashmiri pandit who returns back to her native state after a huge gap of 20 years etc. Since then, numerous anthologies have come from both Hindi and the southern industry.

I am directed by Onir

The plotlines of My Melbourne anthology are based on four real life incidents covering the themes of race, gender, sexuality and disability. A common aspect binding the four together are its theme of finding hope in the most unlikely of places and how there’s always a ladder called faith.

1. Nandini

My Melbourne kick starts with Nandini directed by Onir and William Duan. The story focuses on an emotional reunion involving a father and son. Indraneel (Arka Das) is living with his boyfriend Chris (Jackson Gallagher). Out of the blue the estranged father Mihar (Mouli Ganguly) comes to Melbourne. The reason being a ritual for late Indraneel’s mother. The plot focuses on the unspoken emotions between the father and son along with the theme of acceptance. Director Onir brings his trademark understatedness to this sensitive tale. The struggles faced by the queer community in terms of family acceptance has been brought out in a subtle yet highly effective manner. More than the dialogues the affective building of tension makes it an engaging watch. The romance between Arka Das and Jackson Gallagher is also subtly depicted through affectionate gestures. The eventual reconciliation between the father and son will make the viewers emotional.

2. Jules

The second story Jules has been co-directed by Imtiaz Ali and Arif Ali. This segment revolves around a newlywed Indian Woman Sakshi (Arushi Sharma). Sakshi has many dreams, but her confidence is very low. This is majorly due to the fear of a new place along with an oppressive husband who treats her as a piece of furniture. She uses social media as a shield to cover up her insecurities. However, in true Imtiaz Ali fashion Sakshi’s life undergoes a huge change when her path crosses with that of Jules (Kat Stewart). Jules is a 52-year-old homeless woman with a foul tongue and a strong survival instinct. In this story Imtiaz Ali and Arif Ali have covered the theme of patriarchy. Jules suffers somewhat due to a slightly sketchy writing. The dynamics between Sakshi and Jules could have done with more exploration still the segment has its moments due to the message and also the wonderful acting performances. Arushi Sharma does a very fine job in portraying both Sakshi’s vulnerabilities and also her eventual transformation. Kat Stewart looks every inch the character particularly her body language.

Kate Stewart as Jules

3. Emma

Emma directed by Rima Das and Samira Cox deals with the theme of disability. Featuring an all-Australian star cast the segment features Ryanna Lawson as Emma. Emma is a talented deaf dancer in her early 20’s. The main theme of Emma is how she overcomes both self-doubt and a certain discrimination from her own community. An important part of her journey is Nathan (Nathan Borg) Nathan is a successful deaf dancer; through him Emma finds the strength to pursue her dreams. A major strength of Emma is how Rima Das and Samira Cox have explored the topic of Usha syndrome. Usha syndrome is a combination of both hearing and vision loss. Ryanna Lawson playing Emma delivers a solid act perfectly capturing the characters internal conflict.

4. Setara

The last one Setara directed by Kabir Khan and Puneet Gulati is the most mainstream among the four stories in a good way. Kabir Khan brings his trademark underdog story troupes with great affect as already witnessed in 83 and Chandu Champion. The director’s political knowledge also comes in very handy. This segment deals with the issue of race. Setara Amiri plays a fifteen-year-old girl. She has relocated to Melbourne fleeing from the Taliban rule in Afghanistan. Along with the mother and an elder sister Setara is trying to rebuild her life. A strong aspect of Setara is how the two directors have explored the issues faced by the refugees and how sports can play a key role in overcoming adversities and also break cultural barriers. The later aspect comes out in an impactful manner in the way Setara plays for the Australian school team. Another noteworthy thing about this segment is how the story plays around with the common notions attached to Muslim women wearing hijab. Setara is somebody who stays true to her cultural identity but that doesn’t come in the way of her playing cricket through which she makes her own distinctive mark. Setari Amiri’s portrayal of a confident schoolgirl is a treat to watch.

Setara directed by Kabir Khan

Final word: My Melbourne makes for a wonderful viewing particularly for fans of intimate stories

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The Diplomat (“A True Hero needs no weapon): A focused rescue drama with a restrained John Abraham

Director Shivam Nair along with writer Ritesh Shah craft a fast paced tale drawing the viewers into the world of diplomats operating in a tense political atmosphere. The fast paced storytelling is also an hindrance due to the rushed nature. Thankfully the movie doesn’t become overtly jingoistic with unnecessary dialogue bazzi
  • Starcast: Sadia Khateeb, John Abraham, Jagjeet Sandhu, Kumud Mishra, Sharib Hashmi and others
  • Genre: Thriller/drama
  • Director: Shivam Nair
  • Writer: Ritesh Shah
  • Producers: John Abraham, Vipul D. Shah, Krishna Kumar and others
  • Music: Anurag Saikia
  • Cinematography: Dimo Popov
  • Banner: T- series Entertainment, JA Entertainment etc
  • Running time: 2 hours and 17 minutes

Shivam Nair’s The Diplomat focuses on the real life struggles of an Indian citizen duped by a Pakistani man. The Pakistani man played by Jagjeet Sandhu in the movie is already married several times. Sadia Khateeb of Raksha Bandan fame plays Uzma Ahmed. She seeks a refugee at the Indian embassy where John Abraham’s JP Singh works. He is an Indian diplomat working in Pakistan. In simple terms the story focuses on the physical and emotional turmoil faced by Uzma and how she eventually makes it back to India overcoming various hurdles starting from JP Singh’s initial distrust about her identity.

Sadia Khateeb as Usma in second picture

A strong aspect of The Diplomat is how it sucks the viewers into the world of diplomats. The tense political atmosphere in which they work has been wonderfully showcased. Given the environment that they work in to trust someone on face value isn’t easy and this comes out in an impactful manner in the way JP Singh is initially apprehensive about Usma. There is a cold hearted approach in the way JP goes about interrogating Usma, at the same time we see JP having a constant inner battle on whether she is actually innocent or a spy in disguise. This has been both wonderfully written and enacted.

As already mentioned the tagline of The Diplomat is a true hero needs no weapon. The way JP Singh operates even in the most volatile situation does absolute justice to this theme. John Abraham at no point goes out of character getting out of tricky situations with his mind power than using fists.

Given the background of India and Pakistan Shivam Nair and Ritesh Shah could have easily gone overboard with bombastic dialogues and crowd pleasing action however the makers do away with these troupes. Of course patriotism is an inherent part of a movie like The Diplomat and the character of Jageet Sandhu is purely evil playing on the Hindutva slant at at the same time though it doesn’t paint all Pakistan’s or Muslims as pure monsters. A good example of this is the character played by Kumud Mishra. He is a Pakistani lawyer who plays a significant role in Uzma going back home. Similarly there is a very crucial scene when the Pakistani Judge doesn’t succumb to the pressure tactics of Jageet Sandhu’s Tahir by telling him to not make his personal matter an India Pakistan issue. This is refreshing to watch.

Talking about the flaws the fast paced screenplay is both a plus and minus. Because of the fast paced screenplay some of the plot points aren’t properly developed. This is particularly true in the case of Tahir duping Uzma. Their interactions before the ordeal she goes through has been sketchily written. How she easily trusts Tahir talking about her failed marriage and the health issue of her daughter is just skimmed through. Even the subplot of the daughter is written in an haphazard manner and forgotten soon. Even the family track of JP Singh particularly his talks with the son breaks the movie’s flow. Lastly attempts at comedy through the character of Sharib Hashmi also becomes a speed breaker. Thankfully these screenplay defects don’t derail the movie completely, a major reason for that is an evolving bond between JP Singh and Uzma along with the emotional core of Usma’s struggles.

Sadia Khateeb as Uzma is the movie’s beating heart. She delivers a first rate act perfectly capturing the horror of a woman who is shocked by her own naivety in trusting a stranger and is desperate to get out of the hell. The way she portrays the fighting spirit of Usma is very commendable. John Abraham in a refreshingly different role plays his part with the right amount of restraint, the various shades of JP starting from the initial suspicion, then the inner dilemmas and eventually becoming a strong pillar of support has been wonderfully portrayed by the actor.

John Abraham plays the various shades of JP Singh well

Special mention must also be made of Jagjeet Sandhu. He plays the detestable Tahir with gay abandon making the viewers hate him to the hilt. Kumud Mishra in a small but important role also makes his presence amply felt. Revathy as Sushma Swaraj also does a fine job again in a brief yet important role. Sharib Hashmi though is thoroughly underutilized.

Jagjeet Sandhu plays the detestable Tahir with gay abandon

Talking about Dimo Popov’s cinematography his work deserves a specific mention in a tense chase sequence involving Tahir and JP.

Final word: The Diplomat is worth a watch particularly for those interesting in knowing how diplomats operate.

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‘Court-State Vs A Nobody: Delivers an important message on the misuse of POCSO

The set up of ‘Court- State VS A Nobody has certain elements from the Jolly LLB movies. Much like Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumar Priyadarshi also plays an underdog lawyer waiting to prove his mettle. The movie does suffer from logical drawbacks particularly in the second half still the performances coupled with the emotional core make it sail through
  • Starcast: Priyadarshi, Harsh Rohan, Sridevi Appala, Sivaji, Saikumar and others
  • Director and writer: Ram Jagadeesh
  • Genre: Legal drama
  • Additional writers: Karthikeya Srinivas and Vamsidhar Srigiri
  • Music: Shravan Bhardwaj
  • Producer: Prashanti Tripirneni
  • Banner: Wall Poster Cinema
  • Running time: 2 hours and 29 minutes

Before dissecting ‘Court- State Vs A Nobody it is necessary to applaud Nani for backing a social issue like this through his production house Wall Poster Cinema. While it is debatable on why back a movie showcasing the negative side of POCSO instead of a positive one at the same time though a subject showcasing the misuse of POCSO is also necessary to make people more aware about the law. In the age of pan India cinema where there is an increase of macho heroes stories of underdogs standing up for the marginalized sections is very important.

Nani should be applauded for backing a social issue like the misuse of POSCO in the age of Pan India cinema

The core plot of ‘Court- State VS A Nobody revolves around the false imprisonment of a 19 year old boy Chandrasekhar (Harsh Rohan). Chandrasekhar hails from a poor family, he isn’t into studies much, instead he juggles between multiple part time jobs. On the other hand you have Jabilli (Sridevi Appala). Jabilli come from a rich family. Mangapathi (a terrifying Sivaji) plays the powerful uncle. Mangapathi is a despicable bigot with regressive views. Jabilli and Chandrsekhar slowly fall in love, the situation takes a very dark turn for Chandrasekhar when Mangapathi with his influence and connections falsely implicates Chandrasekhar under the POCSO which is actually meant to punish sexual preparators. The rest of the story focuses on how Priyadarshi’s Surya Tej gets involved with Chandrasekhar eventually delivering justice.

The first half alternates between a budding love story and Surya Teja’s attempts to establish himself as a solid lawyer. Both these segments have their high points at the same time a certain repetitiveness also creeps in the portrayal of teenage love. The initial conversations between Chandrasekhar and Jabilli on the phone feel like a series of verbal abuses but things start getting better when they actually fall in love. The tender moments between them in particular leave a strong mark. The audiences feel very sorry for Chandrasekhar when he is falsely accused and root for him to come out safe.

The complexities involved in a legal case like this and how this makes the situation very difficult for Chandrasekhar has come out well in both the writing and direction. The director also does a very good job in exploring the psyche of Mangapathi. The way he behaves likes a self appointed custodian is representative of the numerous bigot male family members that we do read and also come across in real life. By its very nature Mangapathi character is loud, Sivaji delivers a terrific performance fully embodying the class and caste fanaticism of Mangapathi. The senior actor is truly having a fantastic second innings. First the role of a strict yet lovable father in the web series ’90’s a middle class biopic and now this.

The characterization of Surya Tej coupled with Priyadarshi solid act is another plus for the movie. Surya Tej is an underdog with major ambitions of making it as big an independent lawyer. There is a crucial point in the movie where Surya Tej feels cheated due to an important CCTV footage. There is a palpable pain in the way Surya Tej expresses his anger to Chandrasekhar’s friends.

Through the character of Surya Tej the focal point of the movie which is the misuse of POCSO has come out very well. There are important dialogues where Surya Tej talks about the judicial system needing to follow a certain discretion by understanding the difference between an act of rape and a supposed sexual act. He also breaks the societal stereotypes by talking about how a boy and a girl being in one room doesn’t always mean sexual intimacy. In the same scene valid points are also made on making the citizens more aware about the laws of our country. This aspect comes out in the dialogue where Surya Tej talks about the one mistake which Chandrasekhar did by going into the room with Jabilli.

Talking about the courtroom drama some parts in the screenplay suffer on discrepancies. For example allegations on Chandrasekhar are accepted without any medical examination along with the fact that it takes so long for Jabilli to make an appearance in the court.

Given the nature of the movie there isn’t much scope for the cinematography department still the courtroom setting has an authentic feel. There is only one song in the movie which is a love ballad called Premalo. It’s quite a tuneful number capturing the teenage love perfectly.

Premalo song perfectly captures the teenage romance

As far as the young leads go both Harsh Rohan and Sridevi Appaalla do a very fine job in making the viewers emphasize with the characters. Harsh Rohan though has the tougher role given the background of Chandrasekhar. He gets the more emotionally demanding scenes and the young actor makes full use of it. Mention must also be made of Sai Kumar as a top lawyer and the boss of Surya Tej. There’s a very crucial scene where his character gives an advice to Surya on the importance of bouncing back and how a lawyer should properly perceive the case scenarios before coming to the conclusion of who is right and who is wrong. Rohini as Jabilli’s mother lends a quiet strength in the scenes where she finally understands her daughter and gives it back to Mangapathi. Harshvardhan as the cunning lawyer does a fairly impressive job although his character arc could have been better designed.

‘Court- State VS A Nobody is an admirable attempt at portraying an important social issue. In spite of the logical lapses the movie benefits from a strong emotional core.

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Officer on Duty: A taunt investigative drama

The best thing about Officer on Duty is how director Jithu Ashraf humanizes the protagonist who is deeply flawed both as a police officer and human being. However the film is also guilty of repeating familiar troupes involving violence and brutality against women.
  • Starcast: Kuchacko Boban, Priyamani, Jagadish, Vishak Nair and others
  • Director: Jithu Ashraf
  • Genre: Crime drama/ thriller
  • Writer: Shahi Kabir
  • Cinematography: Roby Varghese Raj
  • Music: Jakes Bejoy
  • Producers: Martin Prakkat, Renjith Nair and Siby Chavara
  • Production Company: Martin Prakkat Films
  • Running time: 2 hours and 17 minutes

In Indian cinema portrayal of cops as can be broadly divided into two major categories. On one hand you have the very righteous police officers like Ajay Devgan from the Singham films or even Prakash Jha’s Gangajaal. On the other hand you have someone like Sangaram Bhalerao akka Simmba inspired by the junior NTR starrer Temper. In both Temper and Simmba the leading men start off as corrupt police officers more interested in acquiring money than helping common men. Eventually though they undergo a huge metamorphosis.

Jithu Ashraf’s Officer On Duty on the other hand focuses on an extremely short tempered cop with a huge emotional baggage. The movie wastes no time in establishing the personality of Kuchacko’s CI Harishankar. We see him getting extremely angry at his subordinates and also hitting a women on her stomach just because he considers her a suspect. His relationship with the wife Geetha (a solid Priyamani) is on the verge of dismantling. At the same time Harishankar carries the baggage of an emotional trauma due to the death of his elder daughter, she is the victim of a vicious gang who runs a big chain of drug trafficking and also sexual crimes. Initially the movie appears to be about a minor crime related to a fake gold chain but as the plot progresses things start getting sinister with some major revelations.

BTS shot from Officer on Duty

A strong aspect of Officer on Duty is how Jithu Ashraf along with Shahi Kabir gradually reveal the various layers. How a minor case of a fake gold chain snowballs into something very dangerous keeps the viewers guessing about where the movie is heading. The characterization of the central character coupled with a fantastic Kuchacko Boban is another major plus for the movie.

The violent streak in Harishankar is wonderfully balanced with the psychological trauma he is going through. A very good example of this is the scene where Harishankar stumbles upon a hanging body triggering a panic attack. How Harishankar reacts and the subsequent portions leading to an important flashback leads an emotional weight to the proceedings.

The introduction of the drug trafficking gang lead by a psychotic Vishak Nair in the role of Christie adds further intrigue to the proceedings. The second half features numerous intense sequences where Harikrishna is desperate to catch this criminal gang. There is an important mini flashback in the second half dwelling into a personal animosity linked with the wife of Harikrishna. In this portion there is a dastardly police officer whose inhuman behavior act as a major trigger for the heinous set of crimes.

The sequences of substance abuse portions doesn’t boast of any novelty as it is mostly a series of close up shots involving white powder still the movie keeps the viewers engaged. A particular mention must also be made of the gruesome action sequences. These portions by nature aren’t everyone’s cup of tea still it’s a treat for those who enjoy raw and hardcore action. There are numerous shots of Harikrishna and Christie getting physically wounded but still taking on each other.

Jakes Bejoy’s background music also plays a major part in adding to the atmosphere of dread. His music is also of a good standard. The cinematography of Roby Varghese Raj is very gritty giving it an authentic feel.

As already mentioned Kuchako Boban is simply top notch in a complex part. He plays the troubled police officer with utmost ease. He particularly shines in the intense sequences. Priyamani as Geeta also makes her presence amply felt. In spite of having less screen time she is successful in bringing out the inner strength of strong mother.

Mention must also be made of Jagadish as Chandrababu. The actor delivers a heartfelt performance as the father going through a tough time. Among the baddies Vishak Nair and Ramzan stand out. After his terrific negative role in Kangana Ranaut’s Emergency Vishal Nair impresses once again perfectly embodying the ruthlessness and the psychotic nature of Christie.

Harishankar versus Christie

Final word: Officer on Duty is worth watching if you are a fan of violent crime thrillers/drama

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Waking of a Nation: A slow burn but an engaging watch particularly for history buffs

The web series suffers somewhat from the constant back and forth and also the theatrical nature of the courtroom proceedings still the series is worth watching. Apart from exploring the events leading up to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre the series also gives an underlying message on the importance of unity
  • Starcast: Taaruk Raina, Sahil Mehta, Nikita Dutt, Carl Wharton and others
  • Director and creator: Ram Madhvani
  • Writers: Shantanu Srivastava and Shatrujeeth Nath
  • Genre: Historical Drama
  • No of episodes: 6
  • Streaming site: Sonyliv
  • Cinematography: Kavya Sharma
  • Music: Sameer Uddin
  • Producers: Ram Madhvani and Amita Madhvani

The Jallianwala Bagh massacre is easily one of the most gut wrenching chapters in Indian history. The blood bath which took place on the peaceful protesters that day can never be forgotten. The Jallianwala Bagh episode has already been explored with gut wrenching affect by director Shoojit Sarcar in the moving biopic of Sardar Udham Singh portrayed masterfully by Vicky Kaushal. The 2006 movie Rang De Basanti also featured a crucial subplot related to the Jallianwala Bagh massacre. Ram Madhvani’s latest directorial is more about the events which trigged the massive bloodbath through the character of Kantilal Sahani (Taaruk Raina).

Director Ram Madhvani on the set of the web series Waking of a Nation

Kantilal Sahani is a member of the Hunter commission . Kantilal Sahani is a young lawyer newly returned from London. He is a beneficiary of western education. This makes him an outsider amongst the friends group something which he is always reminded about. This character of Kantilal Sahani is supposedly inspired from Sri Chamanlal Harilal Setalvad. A man known for cross examining General Dyer. Through the turbulent journey of Kantilal Sahani the web series explores the ideological struggles of the times between various aspects like reform and revolution etc. The close knit friends of Kantilal Sahani include Ali Allahbaksh (Sahil Mehta) and Poonam Aulakh (Nikita Dutta) among others. The friends represent different perspectives of the Indian freedom movement embodying the diversity of India both religious and ideological.

An image from Waking Of a Nation

A strong aspect of the web series is how Ram Madhvani along with his writers dwell into the political environment leading up to the bloody massacre. Ram Madhvani and the writers are particularly successful in shedding light on the controversial Rowlett act. This Rowlett act gave Britishers complete freedom to imprison individuals without any trial.

A major portion of the web series is about the aftermath specifically the hunter commission inquiry meant to investigate the massacre. The courtroom drama though bordering on theatrics offers a fresh lens.

A very interesting aspect of the web series is also how Ram Madhavani depicts the massacre. He avoids the explicit route instead the reliance is more on sound design and the panic stricken reactions of the people present there along with the not visible carnage makes for a haunting experience.

He allows the viewers to interpret and fill in the gaps using their own imagination. This method leaves a much more impact than the use of graphic method.

The friendship angle and the creeping ideological differences between Kantilal Sahani and his friends has also come out well. The journey of Kantilal Sahani both internally and externally has been well written and brilliantly performed by Taaruk Raina. There is a very poignant moment where Kantilal Sahani imagines his group of friends whom he has lost along the way. The audiences see Kantilal pouring out his anguish on how he has been left behind with so many families looking at him as a beacon of hope. In the same portion there is a key revelation acting as a layer of guilt. This acts as a major trigger point for the case Kantilal is fighting. Previously the viewers see that Kantilal has major ambitions of going to London. While he is fighting the case an unofficial offer is made to him but Kantilal refuses.

These events show the growth of Kantilal. There is another equally poignant bit where he reads out the names of the people who have lost lives in the massacre. The pain in the eyes of Kantilal perfectly reflects emotions which others in the room are also undergoing.

The web series also subtly touches upon the aspect of racial discrimination followed not just by the British but Indians too along with the tendency of discrimination on the basis of religion and caste. The underlying message of how we need to be united irrespective of which religion and caste we come holds a lot of relevance to today’s political environment.

Waking Of a Nation is very non linear in style with multiple timelines. This for a section of people can prove to be a major hindrance. Also the web series can feel sluggish for some given the deliberate slow pace.

The cinematography of Kavya Sharma is also of a very high order. He brings the colonial times to life with his fantastic cinematography. His camerawork deserves a special mention too in the recreation of 1919 Amritsar along with the massacre. The soundtrack of Sameer Uddin is haunting as well perfectly capturing the emotional turmoil.

Apart from Taaruk Raina Sahil Mehta also deserves major appreciation for his striking performance in the role of Allahbaksh. Allahbaksh is often assertive with his ideology and acts as a major foundation for the change in Kantilal.

The British characters thankfully don’t speak in broken Hindi. Among the foreign actors Carl Wharton is top notch as the head of human rights commission. Alexander West as General Dyer is also successful in making the viewers hate him. Paul Mcewan as Michael O’ Dyyer is understated yet highly effective as a man who is extremely calculative.

Alexander West as General Dyer

Final Word: Waking of a Nation is a searing take, a must watch for fans of detailed history lessons.