Q2 2018 - Something for every One! Hindi Movies - No more 1 Dimensional

MAINSTREAM BOLLYWOOD

Sanju - 3.75 Stars - PG13 (Biopic)
आधी कहानी पर सेंटी कहानी

 

Director - Rajkumar Hirani.

Actors - Ranbir Kapoor, Vicky Kaushal, Paresh Rawal.

 

Trailer

 

It is not a Sanjay Dutt story it is more of a Ranbir Kapoor story. As told by an accomplished reviewer in my facebook feed (Poonam didi) - it is a disappointment to see the real Sanjay Dutt at the end in the credits song. Ranbir is such a cute Sanju that you forget that he is not the real Sanju!

 

Another well made movie from Rajkumar Hirani. Story is made very simplistic and focusses on acquitting Sanju of the criminal label on him. Some fans who are into life of celebs may not find it fulfilling because only few things have been shown in the movie and much has been left out. It is not a documentary of all juicy gossip you want to find. It is a typical Hirani movie focusing on Son-Dad and Friendship. scenes are well done and Ranbir and Vicky are great as usual. I thought the drug episode of his life dragged a tad bit too long otherwise the movie had its moments. Length is always a problem for Hirani. Struggles of a Star Kid and his missteps are captured well though they did not want to blame it on a strict and busy Dad. It is a fine line and Hirani did a good Job.

Baaghi 2 - 3.75 Stars. PG. (Action)
देसी रेम्बो



Director - Ahmed Khan
Actors - Tiger Shroff, Disha Patani, Randeep Hooda.

Trailer

Action and out and out Action. Tiger Shroff has a niche for himself. It is commercial masala at it's best. It is inspired by Rambo but obviously Desi Rambo ain't gonna take down the system without having something to do with a 'broken heart'. Ex-Girl Friend needs him, he can't say No! Obviously he is indestructible, and the war is on. In some what hilarious ending, for no reason the villain who is living in city suddenly decides to have a home in the jungle so that we can have some Rambo style war in jungle setting. But all is good, when are going all out to make a Action thriller. Disha has not much to do in this one, except to give that 'damsel in distress' look. Tiger is good, he can pull it off. But the cake goes to this blogger's favorite - Mr Style Bhai - Randeep Hooda. The guy is out of this world awesome, he plays an eccentric cop who has is own way of doing cop-giri. The guy is hilarious and has got some good lines as a - hippie-cop. perfect fit to a perfect masala filum...

Hate Story 4 - 2.0 Stars. R. (Thriller)
न हेट बची न स्टोरी



Director - Vishal Pandya
Actors - Urvashi Rautela, Ihana Dhillon.

Trailer

Honestly I don't remember what happens, all I remember I was disappointed. I liked this series, they had this low budget sleazy thrillers which had pretty good story lines with lot of twists and one liners. This one just was one too much this time. 2 brothers falling for the same girl and there are bunch of secrets as things open one after the other. But this time it did not make much sense.

Sonu Ke Titu Ki Sweetie - 3.5 Stars. G. (Comedy / Drama)
दोस्त बनाम प्यार



Director - Luv Ranjan
Actors - Nushrat Bharucha, Kartik Aryan, Sunny Nijar.

Trailer

A movie that generally should have big stars like Ranbir and Ranvirs of the world. Somehow this has  similar upscale feel to the movie, even though it is not a Karan Johan movie. Kudos to movie makers for that. The movie is pretty good and has a good young and new age feel to it. Sonu and Titu are friends and then Titu falls for Sweetie. Sonu does not like it, Sweetie does not like it. Titu is smitten and he has no clue these both are on war for him. The movie does what it does to an extent but misses the final punch to it. It does support this stupid notion in our society that women are some how source of all trouble though all trouble makers are men, but then I don't like to pass judgements of film's intent because in the end it was made for entertainment. Watch it.

Fukrey Returns - 4.0 Stars. G. (Comedy)
चूचे  से दिल नहीं भरता

 

Director - Mrighdeep Lamba.
Actors - Varun Sharma, Pulkit Samrat, Pankaj Tripathi, Richa Chadha.

Trailer

I am sure all of you won't put it at 4 stars, but I can't help it. I am not done with Chuchha. I have lived with many chuchhas in my life and it is hilarious to watch. Fukrey returns doubles down on Chuchha, but it still does not make an overdose. As is the want with all second comings the Fukreys are back in trouble, this time bigger trouble with politicians and cities running after them. Obviously messing up stuff because chuccha is dreaming stuff and the interpretations of what he dreams in not straight forward. It is complete non sense and it works, this time Mr Pankaj Tripathi has a extended role too and it works. Watch it, and don' think too much.  

MukkaBaaz - 4.5 Stars. PG13 (Action / Drama)
मुक्का मार, दिल हार

Director - Anurag Kashyap
Actors - Vineet Kumar Singh, Jimmy Shergill, Ravi Kishan, Sadhna Singh.

Trailer

Anurag Kashyap directing a rugged UP lifestyle Love story, you cant go wrong here. This blogger has bias towards Kashyap and UP based movies, this one tops with awesome regional folksy songs. the product is ugly, sad and beautiful love story. A regular guy wants to become a boxer if that is not tough in a corrupt system, that's not all, he is an eccentric and falls in love with a girl who as eccentric as him. Troubles mount on them, Jimmy Shergill proves he is perfect in any role, but when it comes to villainy he has made a name for himself. Jerk, corrupt and typical UP politician all in one, you loath him and more. You root for the Boxer and the lover in protagonist 'shravan' but it is too much of a stretch to think he will win it all. Ending is something straight out of Anurag Kashyap's eccentric mind. Watch it!

Aiyaari - 2.5 Stars. PG. (Thriller)
वतन से आशिकी का ओवरडोज़


Director - Neeraj Pandey
Actors - Sidharth Malhotra, Manoj Bajpayee.

Trailer

Neeraj Pandey has made patriotic spy thrillers his own. He has had some good success and has got the blue print down on these movies. This one checks all the boxes, if you like this genre then go for it. This blogger does not particularly enjoy international espionage patriotic thrillers unless they surprise me. There is a secret force doing illegal stuff internationally for Indian intelligence. It kind of feels over the top the stuff they are doing, but o well... it is a movie! Guru Manoj Bajpayee is a patriot but chela Sidharth has other things on mind. The game starts, what happened to Sidharth what is going to happen? Will international arms trafficker win? etc etc... I think problem to an extent is Manoj Bajpayee, he is not fit for the role. Lately he looks jaded, old and tired. He has this fake hair that don't look good and his acting has come down a level. Second problem is the movie is a little too jingoistic at times. Again, not a bad one. Its good time pass.

NEW AGE HINDI MOVIES

Pad Man - 3.5 Stars. PG13. (Social Drama)
आदमी हो तो ऐसा



Director - R Balki
Actors - Akshay Kumar, Sonam Kapoor, Radhika Apte.

Trailer

The man is crazy, this guy can go to any extent to alleviate the troubles women go through making for some hilarious situation. A social reformer who created menstrual pads out of nothing but pure will and passion. The film has a documentary feel to it and hence does not rise beyond a certain level. A good and entertaining movie and always shocking to see where rural India is at.


Lust Stories - 4.0 Stars. R. (Mature Adults Drama) - NETFLIX
लस्ट के सामने प्यार क्या चीज़ है?



Director - Dibaker Banerjee, Anurag Kashyap, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar.
Actors - Kiara Advani, Radhika Apte, Bhumi Pednekar, Manisha Koirala, Vicky Kaushal.

Trailer

4 directors try there hand at Lust story, not Love but Lust and what a varied, vivid, different pictures they paint. All 4 of them have their moments and are master pieces in their own right.

Karan Johar's is the most entertaining with a great message, girls have desires! he directs a funny and smart movie about a girl who is married to a guy who loves her but does not understand that she can also have needs. Their hilarious journey of love and lust ends with some lessons. This is the last one so you can jump to it in case you don't want to sit through more darker, artsy ones before it.

First one is Anurag Kashyap's expectedly whacky movie of a teacher (Radhika Apte) stalking a student after a one night stand.

Second one is Zoya Akhtar's section showing a slice of lust life with not much of beginning and the end. But life it what it is, it does not really begin and end crisply.

Third one is interesting one from Dibaker Banerjee, and probably the most interesting of the lot with Manisha Koirala getting what she wants after she has an affair with her hubby's best friend, she plays her game well! Watch it, but be patient with this movie.

Ajji - 3.5 Stars. R. (Revenge Drama)
सुपर गर्ल, वंडर गर्ल अब देखो आजि गर्ल


Director - Devashish Makhija
Actors - Sushama Deshpande

Trailer

A disturbing tale of real life. A slice of real life that plays itself every day in streets. A poor 8 year old girl is raped by local thug. Life is such a burden on the family without the 'incident' that now with it, no one has time to care for the girl, except for Ajji. Old and struggling to help family meet ends something breaks in her. She wants to do something about it. Sadly that's when reality shifts to Film and Ajji goes about trying to plot revenge. Gory and disturbing the movie is definitely made with a revulsion towards what we have come to know as society. Still it is worth a watch, because some times you can be shook out of your comforts and face reality.

Missing - 3.0 Stars. G. (NETFLIX) - Thriller
सस्ती जुगाड़ू थ्रिलर


Director - Mukul Abhyankar
Actors - Manoj Bajpayee, Tabu, Anu Kapoor

Trailer

What's up with Netflix, they are taking movies that are made on dirt cheap budget! Come on guys keep some standard. More on Netflix choice later in the blog. A couple come to a resort and their toddler daughter goes missing. Search starts and everything starts looking shady. Are they married? is there a daughter? is the neighbor weird? is the cop crazy? This is the good part of the movie. The bad? once the producer decided to sign Tabu and Manoj he said to director - No more money for you. The resort is empty, the staff is like 5 people. I think the entire movie has 15 people total. No music nothing. Tabu can't carry the entire movie!! especially when Manoj Bajpayee has become a huge liability for all his movies. He has forgotten how to act. Don't know what's wrong with him. The guy who once mesmerized us with a out of whack performance in 'Aks' has dropped down to being a non-actor. Anyway if you are doing nothing and you have a Netflix account you can fast forward half of it and watch the rest. It has good twists in the end.

Raid - 3.75 Stars. G. (Drama / Thriller)
एक रेड ने रेड मार दी


Director - Raj Kumar Gupta
Actors - Ajay Devgan, Saurabh Shukla, Illeana D Souza

Trailer

This is a perfect movie for Ajay Devgan, made for him. Finally a good selection Ajay! North India in 80s, an honest IAS officer in a corrupt system and some dialogue baaji. The movie is well made straight out of 80s. I was surprised to see an entire movie made on one income tax raid! The movie though slow.. keeps your interest and I finished in one sitting - a definite sign of a good engaging movie. How many crores can you find in one raid? go watch it.

Kaalakandi - 4.0 Stars. PG13. (Drama)



Director - Akshat Verma
Actors - Saif Ali Khan, Neil, Amyra, Sobhita, Deepak Dobriyal, Kunaal Roy Kapur, Vijay Raaz.

Trailer

I like Saif in these movies, his big budget spy movies flopped, it was a boon in disguise. He did some good cinema. I am in awe of the new writers and directors on hindi movies, Akshat Verma has written and directed this one, and he is good at his craft. Now you have seen enough of these movies, this genre got popular with 'life in a metro'. Movie is about 4 stories intertwined together in one night. A lot happens in one night, Saif is just one of the stories there is an engaging one going on between great duo of Vijay Raaz and Deepak Dobriyal. It is entertaining and fast paced and a lot happens to keep you engaged all the way to a cracker of an ending.

Hichki - 2.5 Stars. PG. (Social)
आइये सीखिए कुछ


Director - Siddarth Malhotra
Actors - Rani Mukerjee, Neeraj Kabi.

Trailer

Now you have seen many of these kind of movies too. Underdog fighting against all odds. Problem is we have seen too many of these and now we need them to be really good to make an impact. Rani plays a girls who has Tourette syndrome (which I found out what it is during this movie) and she wants to be a teacher. Her passion and her handicap are not on the same page. She gets to make a change to lives of kids who also are fighting a battle where they are handicapped by society. You get the gist. It is a feel good story but you know what is happening, and once you know what is happening that's what is happening. So.... it happens.

Pari - 3.5 Stars. R. (Thriller / Horror)
ऐसी परी से डायन अच्छी



Director - Prosit Roy
Actors - Anushka Sharma, Parambrata Chatterjee.

Trailer

Kudos for even trying this. Anushka is great, the girl is not ok with what she has. As is the problem with most hindi movies ... they lose you in first few minutes. You need to work through this movie's first half. It was probably trending towards a 1.0 stars until halftime, then it takes off. Don't watch it as a horror movie but more like a thriller. Horror aspect of movie is not that good.

The movie is about a girl who is found chained at her Mom's jungle home. Mom dies in a car crash. The girl has no one left and the guy who's car was involved .... gets involved. As you have often heard, if a movie has Rajat Kapoor it can't be bad. Rajat Kapoor is the twist in the tale, he is the crazy guy searching for the girl... or is he the only sane one? Watch it!

B.A. Pass 2 - 1.0 Stars. R. NETFLIX (Drama)
बी ए पास और एक्टिंग फेल



Director - Shadab Khan, Shabaad Khan.
Actors - Kritika Sachdeva, Sanghmitra Hitaishi, Sasho

Trailer

One of the worst Netflix has bought. They need some quality control now that they have started a heavy influx of hindi movies. The movie had some terrible actors. Generally a movie has a unifying theme to it, this one just went on and on and I could not find why the movie is made? What's the point of it all? A girls fights with her parents and runs away from home to come settle in Mumbai. She has no plan and hence becomes an actor. Then the weirdness starts .... I have no clue what was going on after that, and in case you reach the end. If you had any hope from the movie, that hope will be sucked out of you. If anyone figures why the movie is called BA pass .. please call me.

ARTSY
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Rukh - 4.0 Stars. PG13. (Drama.)
ऐसे कैसे जाने दू?


Director - Atanu Mukherjee
Actors - Adarsh Gaurav, Smita Tambe, Manoj Bajpayee.

Trailer

His Dad dies in a car accident. Just like that one fine day his life goes for a toss. There are times when you can't let things go or things won't let you go. He keeps obsessing and things keep getting complicated. Truth sometimes let's you make it go away. In one day things can go back to normal and you can start breathing, but you have to go through a grieving period and some more. Slow paced and a little haunting but the movie does a good job.

October - 4.5 Stars. R. (Drama.)
दर्द की कीमत चुकानी पड़ती है


Director - Shoojit Sircar
Actors - Varun Dhawan, Banita Sandhu

Trailer

Some movies get over and you sit there and don't move. You sit there and you can't shut off the TV. You move and go to bed but the movie is with you, not because it was exciting or entertaining but because it just made you feel something which you lose in day to day life.

Varun Dhawan does a Judwa2 and then he does an 'October'. He plays a regular person you can so identify with. He is not good at most things in life, but his human is alive in him. He is not successful in any way but he has something good about him. Then an incident happens on a new year. A co worker girl is critical in the hospital, something breaks in him. He can't let it go (similar to Rukh), he gets stuck with one thing. The regular stupid life which people live he can no longer live. He is stuck in his head and heart. No he is not in love, he just has love in his heart! O.. so beautiful. Watch it if you got loads of time and you still have something alive in you besides running around in your mechanical life.

Gurgaon - 3.0 Stars. R. (Drama)
पागल फॅमिली की पगली दास्तान


Director - Shanker Raman
Actors - Akshay Oberoi, Ragini Khanna, Pankaj Tripathi.

Trailer

 Though the movie has it's moments, but the movie just doesn't move after few initial reels. A rich crazy family has issues like all other but this one has too many issues going. If you think the start is weird wait till the end and things get more and more weird with a weird ending. Not badly made but somehow the depressing nature of the movie got to me. It was very weirdly depressing movie. fast forward and watch is my recommendation on this one.

Unusually good start to Q1 2018!

MAINSTREAM BOLLYWOOD

• Tiger Zinda Hai - 3.0 Stars. NETFLIX. YouTube. (PG)
• और मरेगा भी नहीं! 

Trailer

Director: Ali Abbas Zafar.
Actors: Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif.

This is sequel to super hit movie 'Ek Tha Tiger'. I did not watch it but it was supposed to be great. This is typical big budget thriller. Salman plays the comfortable role of being a super hero, with Bond, Rambo and Jason Bourne all in one. All aspects of a thriller are covered - international crisis, one man saves all, edge of the seat thriller, twists. Obviously in these movies plans go awry and never work out the way they are supposed to. You know the drill. It is all done very well. 

Salman's natural reaction is to underplay everything (since Maine Pyar Kiya days) and he broods and underplays the super-agent character. Katrina looks 'different' probably she wanted the rugged look. She definitely acts better than her early days. (Hindi Movies - Only profession which gives you decades to learn the basics). 

There are cringe worthy scenes, especially when Pakistan - India bhai chara is shown in typical right wing style. Agents talking how we could have won all world cups... huh. Please! can you find something else to talk? Indian - Pakistani couple, making agents join hands to fight common enemy. Too much of the typical-ism when it comes to 2 country problem. You know how right wing will hate everyone but when discussion erupts they say how we all were the same and how cute it would be to be together.... give me a break. 

Otherwise the movie was ok, good watch. But nothing stands out, there is nothing that you go - wow that was new.

• Judwaa 2 - 0 Stars. NETFLIX. (G)
• वही चला देते... फिर से क्यों बनायीं?

Trailer

Director: David Dhawan
Actors: Varun Dhawan, Jacqueline, Taapsee.

Look up the old Judwaa and watch it again. Thank you. What is the point of making a remake? If you are going to make every scene identical to last one? Nothing changes in the movie including atrocious acting of the 90s. Remember the faces that Karishma and Raveena used to make in govinda movies? and it was supposed to be comic acting? The same faces are made by a great actor like  Taapsee Pannu!!! can you believe that?? yuk. Taapsee we need a public apology from you. Even the jokes remain insensitive and stupid like the original. If someone has a speech impairment that is something to laugh at.

• Tubelight - 2.5 Stars. (G.)
• सलमान पूरी पिक्चर में रोयेगा... देखना है ?

Trailer

Director - Kabir Khan
Actors: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan.

This was actually a movie where Salman did some risk taking. The movie was in salman territory but still it was as far as he can go. He cries the entire movie (which is an achievement for him). He plays a character that is author backed - made to be felt bad for... character. The movie is based in 1960s India - China war and is about 2 brothers, one who goes to war and other who stays back (Salman) because he is 'slow' mentally. He longs for his brother, will he come back? will he not? The movie had a dated feel to it, the direction was dated too. It is a bad idea to make real life brothers into reel life brothers, they over play their love and it is not 'comfortable' to see.

• Ittefaq - 3.5 Stars. NETFLIX. YouTube. (PG.)
• गलती से मिस्टेक.... या सोची समझी साज़िश. 

Trailer

Director: Abhay Chopra

Actors: Akshaye Khanna, Sidarth Malhotra, Sonakshi Sinha

Remake of 1970s suspense thriller. Not a bad idea, but because very few people have seen the original why would people get excited about a remake? Anyway .... the good part was the movie had a 2000s feel and not just copied like in case of 'Judwaa'. Also I am sure the twists and turns are different. It is not a bad movie and it doesn't go on a break neck pace either. It is nice movie to sit home and watch in leisure. A man is running away from a crime scene and ends up in a apartment asking for help, it all ends up in a 'dead body' in the apartment. Who done it? The girl in the apartment? the boy who came to apartment asking for help? Sonakshi looks uncomfortable in the role, 

Siddarth Malhotra after a string of good performances comes up with an ok performance. It is refreshing to see Akshaye Khanna is the role of the cop who solves the mystery. Movie has the same problem that almost all hindi movies have - Editing. They could have done away with 10-15 minutes.

• Toilet Ek Prem Katha - 4.0 Stars. (G.)
• टॉयलेट और मोहब्बत की जुंग में जीत हमेशा टॉयलेट की होती है. 

Trailer

Director: Shree Narayan Singh.
Actors: Akshay Kumar, Bhumi Pednekar.

It is difficult to make a mainstream entertainer which has a very strong social awareness content. This movie achieves that perfect balance. It boldly breaks a lot of stereotypes especially around love and sacrifice which are put on high pedestal in Indian culture. It shatters the myth that love is above basic needs and toilet. It is not. If you love a person, you have not signed up to love that person for rest of the life irrespective of your own self respect and comfort and freedom. This is way progressive movie than I imagined when I started watching it. I am used to pseudo-progressive Indian movies, but this one surprises you. Good one. It is a love story between a girl who has toilet facility in her city and a boy who's city doesn't believe in toilets as a basic necessity. Love is not everything toilet is.

• Phir Se - 1.0 Star. (PG.)
• कुणाल कोहली की मिड लाइफ क्राइसिस. 

Trailer 

Director: Kunal Kohli
Actors: Kunal Kohli, Jennifer Winget.

The movie is straight out of the Yash Raj movies romance with Kunal Kohli playing  the lead. I don't know why he decided to play the lead in his own directorial venture (saving money?)but it was a bad decision. The movie is a typical love modern out of India love story. All boxes are checked, confused lovers, divorce, mid-life lover, younger girl older boy, gay parents of a straight boy, Europe, etc. Everything a so called NRI, city kids need to call a 'cute love story'. Though nothing Jels, the girl (Jennifer Winget - big TV star) is cute... but the movie is not.

• Padmavat - 4.0 Stars. (PG.)
• सचाई कम सुपर हीरो मूवी ज्यादा. 

Trailer

Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
Actors: Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Shahid Kapoor, Jim Sarbh, Aditi Rao Hydari.

The times we live in, the entire world is competing to prove how backward and how regressive and stupid they can be. Middle east is embroiled in religious war which may put 10th century to shame. In US we want to believe we live in wild wild west and need guns to sell like onions to make safest society in the world feel - safe. Same with all right wing governments around the world trying to bring back glory days of intolerance. How can India be left behind? So our Rajput friends took to the task of proving we can run back as fast as anyone! Rape capital of world - India discussed if showing midriff is Indian or not and went crazy discussing if the director's only aim in life is to throw shade at Hindu / Rajput pride. When we proved that we are bunch of jokers who can be riled up with pretty much anything - the movie got released by dropping "I" and covering midriff of the female lead.

The movie itself got a huge response and this time I felt Bhansali was saved by the controversy, the movie was not as strong as 'Bajirao Mastaani' but then you can't make an epic every time. The movie is good with all the Bhansali grandiose and colors and dialogues well done. The performances as usual were good too, especially Shahid Kapoor who immerses himself as the righteous flawless King Ratan Singh.

The problem is the story and characterization, if there was any doubt about the authenticity of the movie, Rajputs can rest assured it is not history it is more like a super hero movie. Sorry I am sure now Hindu pride would want to take it all back and say - yes this is all true but caricatures that Bhansali throws at us are ridiculous. King Ratan Singh has no negative, he is over the top great, he does not even have a moment of confusion ever! Rani Padmavati.... she is perfect as perfect can be. Though it is great testament to the acting skills of Shahid and Deepika, they still make these characters worth watching. One of the best characters is played by the muse of Khilji. You can tell highly impressive Mr Jim Sarbh is enjoying playing that character. He also gets the best song. The biggest surprise comes with Ranveer Singh as the Villain Khilji. The character looks and acts like a Villain from a super hero movie. There is nothing good or regular or normal he does in any frame!! The songs are good and they grow on you. I love the creative 'Binte Dil'. Watch it - in case you are the only who did not yet. 

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NEW AGE HINDI MOVIES 

• Secret Superstar - 4.0 Stars. (PG13.)
• माँ को बीच में लाओगे तो रोना तो आएगा! 

Trailer

Director: Advait Chandan
Actors: Zaira Wasim, Aamir Khan, Meher Vij, Raj Arjun, Tirth.

Aamir Khan production with Aamir in a small role, this itself makes expectations high. When has Aamir put a wrong foot in business of movie making? This one is no different. Story about a Mother Daughter relationship and how they pull themselves away from an abusive Husband / Dad. It is a tear jerker, because scenes between the couple are well done. There are very strong performances in the movie but the cake goes to - Mr Raj Arjun, the guy as typical abusive husband is 'real', you hate to see him. Movies have power to speed up change, just like Toilet-Ek prem katha, this one also hits the right notes on a social issue. Zaira Wasim is an accomplished actor and her character is well developed. She is flawed and a typical teenager, she has her problems, but her bad is also her good. She is angry, she is creative, she is non-accepting. Aamir is funny in couple of scenes but the character becomes stale after a few minutes. Tirth as 'Chintan' 'Insiya's' best friend and boy friend is awesome and a great comic relief! Go watch it.

• Qarib Qarib Single - 4.0 Stars. (G.)
• अलबेला बाबू परेशां मेम।  

Trailer

Director: Tanuja Chandra

Actors: Irfan Khan, Parvathi, Neha Dhupia.

Another great movie with Irrfan. This guy is gold in these movies, he has found a niche and it is working for him. Parvathy the girl is pretty good herself. Another awesome love story between a weird but 'happy go lucky' guy who meets online this widow with lot of pressures in her life. You can tell they are not made for each other, and you can tell it is all ok for them to be together. A cute love story you are looking for? Here it is. I am so happy with Hindi movies right now, I used to look forward to hollywood small romantic movies, because I thought they did it right and hated 'Bollywood' over the top Yash Raj love stories, bow Bollywood is doing it right and I am a happy customer. 

• Shaadi mein zaroor Aana - 2.5 stars. (G.)
• थोड़ा ज्यादा हो गया 

Trailer

Director: Ratnaa Sinha
Actors: Rajkummar Rao, Kriti Kharbanda.

Tale of 2 movies. First half is a typical 'new age' movie that are here to stay. Middle class small town based movies, the movie goes on a good pace and is building to a crescendo and then the second half comes and takes the movie into 'now we are getting stupid' territory. 

• Tumhari Sulu - 5.0 Stars. (G.)
• सुल्लू कमाल की, पति और कमाल का, और उनका रिश्ता माशा अल्ला 

Trailer

Director: Suresh Triveni
Actors: Vidya Balan, Neha Dhupia, Manav Kaul.

Beautifully done, What a Movie!! A perfectly imperfect couple, how cute relationship. A perfect husband, a perfect wife and an imperfect life. Vidya Balan is a great actor but what about this hidden gem - the husband Mr Manav Kaul. Hats off to him, what a performance. Then there is ever reliable Neha Dhupia. Sulu's over bearing family is just awesome for lack of a good superlative, perfect nuisance but a nuisance Sulu needs. How about the couple's plans to make life better? Their beautiful fights, when you know you are fighting the person you love the most... yea.. somehow they just show it on the screen. As I was writing this review... the rating went from 4.5 to 5 Stars! 

• Shubh Mangal Savdhaan - 3.5 Stars. (R.)
• सॉफ्टनेस पे हार्ड ट्राई 

Trailer

Director: R.S. Prasanna

Actors: Ayushmann Khurana, Bhumi Pednekar.

The new fad is to make these middle class small town Indian comedies, they are refreshing change from main stream bollywood cinema. Now that they are coming in droves, we are getting picky. This is a good movie but definitely over done on the content. Love story around a subject of protogonist's performance anxiety is a difficult one to deal with, but it is easy to joke about. All these movies derail in trying to get to over the top climax, when a simple one would suffice. Love has nothing to do with erectile dysfunction or performance anxiety or sex, love can overcome the sexual barriers. Go watch it.

• Shab - 3.0 Stars. (R.)
• रवीना से प्यार हो गया तो  बच्चा क्या करे ?

Trailer

Director: Onir.
Actors: Raveena Tandon, Simon Frenay. 

Raveena as judge of new talent and how she misuses them as her own muses. At least teh content is different. One of her muses gets stuck to her and becomes a problem. She is juggling too much and the kid is obsessed with her. What to do? Not a bad movie. 

• Mom - 4.5 Stars. (R)
• श्रीदेवी तुस्सी कमाल थी 

Trailer

Director: Ravi Udyawar.
Actors: Sridevi, Akshaye Khanna, Nawazuddin.

Sridevi could act and what an actor she was! In this movie she displays the art of being a super star not just an actor but she was a Super Star. This is a modern day 'Aakhri Raasta' or any revenge drama you like of yester years. Story is wafer thin, there is nothing to hold the movie together but who cares there is Sridevi! Her anger, her longing for being loved by her step-daughter all is shown on her face effortlessly. She goes for the kill and revenge. Then she goes in the face of the Villain and says - 'dekh uski maa aa gayi'. Perfect. This is how an old school revenge drama is done, but main ingredient is an old school stalwart who understands how to do it! Sadly this is the last of this great actor we will see.

• Matr - 0 Stars. (R)
• सब श्रीदेवी नाहि होते 

Trailer

Director: Ashtar Syed.
Actors: Raveena Tandon, Alisha Khan.

Watch Mom and skip this, same thing with feable direction and actors.

• Love per Square feet - 3.5 Stars. NETFLIX. (G.)
• प्यार का घर... या घर का प्यार?

Trailer

Director: Anand Tiwari
Actors: Vicky Kaushal, Angira Dhar, Alankrita Sahai.

Cute love story between 2 people who are looking for a little independence and love in crowded Mumbai. The 2 opposite families come together and 2 people who have not much in common who fall in love and then they are confused what the heck they are doing. It is a good movie but now we see many like these so the novelty factor goes down. 

• Tu Hai Mera Sunday - 4.0 Stars. NETFLIX (G)
• ज़िन्दगी भी एक खेल है. 

Trailer

Director: Milind Dhaimade

Actors: Barun Sobti, Shahana Goswami, 

Bunch of grown ups come together to play soccer and have a good time. Mumbai does not have enough space for them to play. All of them coming from various middle class households bring their own flair and problems. Life happens and there is all sorts of relationships play out in various shades. A good time pass movie, Barun Sobti makes a better come back after some disasters in his earlier forays into movies. (He was a big TV star). The stand out character of the friend who is frustrated with his job and has bottled up emotions in general is played by Avinash Tiwari. 

• Bhouri - 4.0 Stars. NETFLIX. (R)
• भोली नहीं है भौरी है 

Trailer

Director: Jasbir Bhaati.
Actors: Raghuveer Yadav, Masha Pour, Vicky Ahuja

I think it was news few years back and they got inspired to make a movie of it. I resisted watching the movie because the premise looks dark and sad. The movie treats the subject of exploitation of women in villages in a way, that it never dives into sad documentary and never becomes a joke either. It is story of a girl who gets married a third time to a middle aged guy. Because of her being 'fair' and 'beautiful' all evil characters give the couple enough bad time for them to crack. Once they crack .... what does Bhouri do? watch it. 

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ARTSY

• Haseena Parker - 1.5 Stars. (PG13)
• श्रद्धा को अवार्ड दे दो 

Trailer

Director: Apoorva Lakhia
Actors: Shradha Kapoor, Sidhanth Kapoor.

I don't like movies based on so called real life character, especially the under world. We have put them on a pedestal in 80s and 90s... we can stop. Anyway, this is supposedly story of Dawood's sister who is left to fend for herself after Dawood leaves India to become big time underworld Don. She has a family and her own desires but Brother's shadow looms large. The entire narrative of court room drama does not jel, it creates fake over the top drama and yelling. It could have been a straight forward movie which may have created more simple emotions to make it work better. Stand out performance by Shradha Kapoor is the only selling point for this movie. She converts herself into Haseena Parker and has put all she got into it. 

2017 Hindi Movie Awards - Top 10 Movies

Top 10 Movies of 2017 -

1. Dangal - G. (Drama) -
1. For the subtle confluence of Comedy and Drama with patriotism strictly in the backdrop. The moving Daughter - Dad Story with sprinkle of Love, Drama and Comedy.
2. FROM THE FILES - Dangal - 5.0 Stars. G. (Netflix)
   
   Director: Nitesh Tiwari.
   

   Actors: Aamir Khan, Sakshi Tanwar, Fatima Sana Shaikh, Sanya Malhotra, Zaira Wasim, Suhani Bhatnagar.

   Trailer - Dangal

   Everyone has already seen this movie, it has earned like a zillion dollars. So I better not waste a lot of time. But this is first 5 Star Movie for this blog in a few quarters. Also a first for Aamir Khan movie in this Blog (not that Aamir was losing sleep about the fact). Lot of firsts in this one.

   
   

   Why I love this movie - 

   1. Easy to drag this movie into Jingoism, it does not do that. Remains plain and simple ... emotional relationship oriented .. tugging at your heart.
   2. Beautiful chemistry between, daughters and Mom. Especially the girls when they are kids and Mom (Sakshi is awesome). The kid fighters are just as big (if not bigger) part of the movie as the adult ones. I think Zaira is the younger Geeta, she is awesome. 
   3. Narration through the awkward cousin is the master stroke. It is hilarious coming from his perspective the entire movie. Whoever thought of that is a genius. 
   4. Keeping Haryanvi accent in check was also good. Too thick an accent would have killed the narration, perfect amount of subtle comedy with sprinkle of tension at the same time is well done. 
   5. My pet peeve of most Aamir movies are their didactic nature, this one has none. No moments where Aamir is teaching us how to.... 
   6. Songs are great! especially "dhakkad" I can't stop it in my head. A great story of a girl in a country and culture that does not give any voice to girls. 

   Go watch it! ohh... yea you already did. 
3.  
2. Bareilly Ki Barfi - G. (Drama / Comedy) -
1. For the perfect script with minute attention to detail to make situational humor. Perfect acting and beautiful ensemble of all ingredients that a masala movie needs.
2. FROM THE FILES - Bareilly Ki Barfi - 5.0 Stars. G. - This Barfi is an entire meal!

   

   
   

   Bareilly Ki Barfi - Trailer

   
   

   Director - Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari

   Actors - Kriti Sanon, Ayushman Khurana, Rajkummar Rao.

   
   

   You want to make a movie? Then that's how you do it.

   Because there are so many positives I will start with the negative. The ending is a little underwhelming and dragged. could have edited 15 mins.

   Now the positives or the entire movie. There is something called attention to detail and writing a script and dialogues. Hello India! Bollywood! this is how you do it! Every frame is so well done, I can watch the movie again to see what I missed the first time. Each scene has many subtle jokes and emotions going on. Every dialogue comes from daily life of regular folks and are hilarious! They are not jokes inserted in a scene, these are regular words coming out of the situation! The movie just restores faith in film making. If given enough time and resources to the most important department of film making - Script and dialogues people can do wonders! Last but not the least - Acting. This guy - Pankaj Tripathi as the Dad is awesome and a dad that has never been done before. The Dad is cool and progressive, still the most desi Dad you will ever see. I love you Pankaj sir. Then there is Seema Bhargava as the Mom, she was 'Badki' in Hum Log TV serial of 80s, in case you guys are as old as I am. What an actor, She brings 'real life' on the screen with a dash of humor. This couple probably is the best parent couple I have seen for some time.

   Now to - Husband - Wife Tiwaris. Wife directs and Husband writes (Dangal Director), I can imagine how much fun the couple must have had writing this beautiful script and the pains and retakes they would have done to improvise each scene.

   Lastly - Lead roles, Kriti - now you are an actor, what a cute and confident girl, you have been marked by this blogger as an 'actor' huge responsibility Madam! I won't even start with Rajkummar Rao, are you real? You can flip from acting 'Dud' to 'Stud' in 0.6 seconds?? Come on!! The movie is based in UP as the name suggests so if you were born and brought up in the North it is a must see. 

   
   

   What's the movie about? It's about Bareilly ki Barfi. Go watch it if you did not do so yet.
3.  
3. Badrinath Ki Dulhania - G. (RomCom) -
1. Similar to 'Bareilly' above. More of a  pure romantic movie.  
2. Badrinath Ki Dulhania - 4.0 Stars. G. (YouTube Movies.)
   Director: Shashank Khaitan.
   Actors: Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt, Sahil Vaid.
   

   Trailer - Badrinath Ki Dulhania

   Another sequel (to Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania) but unlike others this is well done. Again like most movies nowadays, Female lead (Alia) is a better actor than male lead (Varun Dhawan). Varun plays a small town North Indian character in a fashion typical of Mumbai kid playing a north Indian caricatured character, the way Mumbai kids see north Indians, not what they actually are. But that is small detail that can be ignored. 

   The movie is kind of a modern Raja Babu, with Varun playing a sadak chap illiterate and Alia a smart career oriented girl. The movie does address ills of dowry system but still keeping a main stream Bollywood movie feel to it. Jhansi (Varun) to Kota (Alia) is well done, at least the movie is set partly in india and characters are indian unlike most love stories that are placed in overseas locales. 

   The love story blossoms as twists an turns happen in love story, though the theme of the movie never waivers from Love. Director has deftly handled lot of things and still keeping 'love' at the center. 
3.  
4. Hindi Medium - G. (Drama / Comedy) -
1. Story of all Middle class people, focusing on schools more than necessary. A real issue presented in a very entertaining way.
2. FROM THE FLIES - Hindi Medium - 4.5 Stars. G. (Netflix - only on DVD)Story of the entire world's middle class.
   
   
   

   Hindi Medium - Trailer

   Director - Saket Chaudhary.

   Actors: Irrfan Khan, Saba Qamar, Deepak Dobriyal.          

   A well made movie, though a copy of the Malayalam movie but still it takes a lot to bring a movie to life in another language. This is what movie making is all about. Take a leaf out of every person's life and show it back to them and people laugh when they see themselves in some one else. Parents trying to get their daughter in the best school and going overboard with it. Simple plot but very well executed. It does go a little over the top but it all serves the cause of keeping a topic light and humorous that is anything but a joke in most households.

   couple of clichés did take some sheen off the movie. The husband being more grounded and logical and wife being the diva and completely unpractical and unrealistic. This cliché has been pushed into every male dominated society which bugs me. Though Saba took the cake with her superb portrayal of a wife who wants to best for her daughter. The theme line of the movie is hers - when she equates every failure will drive their daughter to drugs! Though the best actor goes to Mr Deepak Dobriyal as the poor good at neighbor. He can make you laugh and cry in a few seconds. What an actor! Watch it!
3.  
5. Jagga Jasoos - G. (Musical / Adventure) -
1. First complete musical with entertaining Spy story with backdrop of a strong Dad-Son bond.
2.  FROM THE FILES - Jagga Jasoos - 4.5 Stars. G. - Now this is a musical comical jasoos I can root for.

   
   

   

   
   

   Jagga Jasoos - Trailer

   
   

   Director - Anurag Basu

   Actors - Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Saswata Chatterjee

   
   

   Huge warning - Probably this is a little too off the grid for you. It is a through and through musical. There are no regular dialogues everything is a song. So be careful.

   I am fan of people who know what they are doing but they do it anyway, because that's what they want to do. Mr Anurag Basu knew he is not targeting a huge commercial success, but this is something that would have given him a ton of satisfaction. Another first in hindi movies. You know how hindi films are called 'musicals' sorry they are not. They are movies with songs put at various intervals for no reason. Then there is Jagga Jasoos. It is a first musical and it is also a first comic - movie. The entire film is like a Jagga Jasoos comic we are reading as a kid. what a beautiful and creative way to present it.

   Once you accept these 2 realities in the movie - musical and a comic. This is immensely fun ride. You don't want the songs to end, and you want to pay attention on each and every line that is written beautifully. The comic just flows from one case to another. It starts off with an unrelated story about Jagga's school a murder mystery (could have been edited out) and then shifts to the real plot about beautiful emotional story of father-son duo and quest of the son to look for his father and on the way he un-earths a lot of mysteries.

   
   

   This is out and out Ranbir Kapoor movie, some things only Ranbir can do. Who else can look a character straight out of a comic and look incredibly cute with that hair style? Katrina! she has been my punching bag for some time as a non actor. I let her free from my criticism, you do good Kat.

   
   

   Look for songs like Question Mark! well. And Yes, I know you will come back and tell me how bad my reviews are, because you did not like it. But I don't care because you need to grow up and appreciate 'creative' when you see it.
3.  
6. Waiting - PG13 (Hospital Drama) -
1. Life when it hits you in all it's cruel beauty. Waiting for results in a Hospital presented in a beautiful simple way.
2. FROM THE FILES - Waiting - 4.5 Stars. PG-13.
   Director: Anu Menon.
   Actors: Naseeruddin Shah, Kalki Koachlin, Rajat Kapoor.
   
   Trailer - Waiting
   
   

   This Blogger has a rule - If Rajat Kapoor is in a movie, it is going to be excellent. This movie also proves the rule.

   The movie is about 2 people helplessly waiting in hospital as their significant other is battling for their lives. Sounds pretty sad, but it is not. It is a masterpiece with nuances on coping with trauma and just life in general. Beautifully executed, and some great performances by 2 great actors. Kalki is very weird in her body language and sometimes she gets weird roles. But what an actor she is! Rajat Kapoor is also awesome as the doctor dealing with patients and more importantly with relatives. Naseer Bhai is motivated to play this role, and does not sleep walk the role, like he sometimes does in non descript movies.
   Go watch it. 
3.  
7. Newton - PG. (Realistic Drama) -
1. Being righteous is good in thought, if someone starts putting it in action, it is trouble. Rajkummar Rao all the way.
2. FROM THE FILES - Newton - 4.0 Stars. G. - Though you are a Nutan, but you have a Newton in you.
   
   Newton - Trailer
   

   
   

   Director - Amit Masurkar.

   Actors - Rajkummar Rao, Pankaj Tripathi.

   
   

   It is well documented my love for this kid - Rajkummar Rao. I don't know if he has any flaw, maybe that he puts one additional 'm' to his name than needed. This perfectly offbeat film is about Newton (Nutan) who wants to change the system, the young guy wants to make a difference, do something with his life. Everyone can identify with him. We call have a 'Nutan' is us. He becomes an election officer who is there for the love of his job. He will make sure elections are held in a meaningless constituency when no one cares, but Mr Newton cares, because if you do something do it right! Hence ensues hilarious, and still painful elections. And Mr Pankaj Tripathi is in it too. Go watch it!
3.  
8. Michael - R. (Drama / Weird) -
1. Michael has problems and the head is a place lot of problems reside.
2. FROM THE FILES - Michael - 4.0 Stars. R. YouTube Movies
   Director: Ribhu Dasgupta
   Actors: Naseeruddin Shah
   
   Trailer - Michael
   

   
   

   This is a typical Anurag Kashyap Genre (He is the producer it seems) where a movie goes from unstable to weird to whacky.... at the end. If you want to attempt it, have a open mind. Michael a police officer is manipulated into shooting at a peaceful crowd resulting in a kid's death. That incidence haunts him and he completely loses it. He can't come out of the trauma. Rest is all a blurry recollection of reality and imagination of his mind. As he takes us on his confused ride into life after a life changing event. Michael stumbles and stumbles more trying to protect his own 12 year old and himself .... from himself.
3.  
9. Lipstick under my Burkha - R. (Social Drama)
1. Women from all walks of life prove they are just humans, nothing more nothing less, there is nothing you can do about it.
2. FROM THE FILES - Lipstick Under my Burkha - 4.0 Stars. R. - Conservative's worst nightmare

    

   

   
   

   Lipstick Under My Burkha - Trailer

   
   

   Director - Alankrita Shrivastava

   Actors - Ratna Pathak, Konkana Sen Sharma

   
   

   Another brilliant movie for you. Another warning - This is in the 'artsy' genre if you are looking for 'Bollywood style' movie, then stay away. Now for rest of you - I can't believe how good some movies are written, this movie is beautifully directed and written. Lives women from all walks of life have everything in common because .... you guessed it, because they are women. Beautifully portrayed through narration of a sleazy novel being read by Ratna Pathak. A aging Mom may have sexual fantasies and may like sleazy novels, that it self is pretty fresh thought. These are regular girls with all sorts of flaws but they want to be left alone and enjoy there flaws! Just like other people. Well done, go watch it.
3.  
10. Bank Chor - G. (Comedy)
1. A stupid silly comedy.
2. FROM THE FILES - Bank Chor: 4.0 Stars. G. Stupidity sometimes is perfectly OK.
   
   
   

   
   Bank Chor - Trailer
   
   Director: Bumpy.
   Stars: Riteish Deshmukh, Vivek Oberoi, Rhea Chakraborty.
   
   When you don't have a budget but you still make an awesome silly comedy. Hats off to you. I had no hopes from this one. But it turned out to be pretty good. First check out their hilarious spoof on their own movie.
   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vNzwn-pPrPc
   
   There are 3 Bank Chor who are bad at their job. The 2 additional random actors (Sahil Vaid and Vikram Thapa) with Riteish are hilarious and they are really good. There internal jokes about North (Sahil / Vikram) Vs Mumbai (Riteish) are hilarious if you understand them. Then there is internal internal jokes between Sahil and Vikram about Ghaziabad Vs Faridabad jokes (these cities are next to each other). They are even worse than the north Vs Mumbai jokes. Then there is Vivek Oberoi, I don't think he knows what he is doing - but his one line was - यह जितने बेवकूफ दीखते है। ......... उतने ही है  or something like that. It was hilarious.
   You got to be in the right mind though to take such stupidity. And if that is not enough there is Baba Sehgal in the movie too, who is an after thought as he has no real role.
3.  
11. Honorable Mention - Death in the Gunj 

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Best Actors (Male) -

1. Rajkummar Rao (Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton, Trapped).
2. Vicky Kaushal (Masaan)
3. Vikrant Massey (Death in the Gunj)
4. Pankuj Tripathi (Bareilly Ki Barfi, Masaan, Newton)
5. Aamir Khan (Dangal)
6. Honorable Mentions - John Abraham (Rocky Handsome), Manoj Bajpayee. (Bhudia Singh - Born to Run), Deepak Dobriyal (Hindi Medium), Naseeruddin Shah (Waiting), Ranbir Kapoor (Jagga Jasoos)

Best Actor in a Leading Role (Male) - Rajkummar Rao (Bareilly Ki Barfi, Newton).
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) - Pankuj Tripathi (For all 2017 Movies)

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Best Actors (Female) -

1. Kriti Sanon (Bareilly Ki Barfi)
2. Tapsee Pannu (Running Shaadi, Naam Shabana)
3. Fatima Sana Sheikh (Dangal)
4. Richa Chadha (Masaan)
5. Alia Bhatt (Badrinath Ki Dulhania)
6. Honorable Mentions - Swara Bhaskar (Anarkali of Aarah), Aditi Rao Hyderi(Bhoomi), Kalki (Waiting), Deepa Mehta (Midnight's children), Parineeti Chopra (Meri Pyaari Bindu), Zaira Wasim (Dangal), Saba Qamar (Hindi Medium)

 

Best Actor in a Leading Role (Female) - Kriti Sanon (Bareilly Ki Barfi) / Fatima Sana Sheikh (Dangal)

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Best Director (Nominations) -

1. Neeraj Ghaywan (Masaan)
2. Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari (Bareilly Ki Barfi)
3. Nitesh Tiwari (Dangal)
4. Konkana Sen Sharma (Death in the Gunj)
5. Anurag Basu (Jagga Jasoos)
6. Amit Roy (Running Shaadi)
7. Honorable Mentions - Ruchika Oberoi (Island City), Munish Bhardwaj (Moh Maya Money), Alankrtia Shrivastava (Lipstick under my Burkha), Avinash Das (Anarkali of Aarah), Amit Masurkar (Newton), Anu Menon (Waiting), Bumpy (Bank Chor)

 

Best Director - Neeraj Ghaywaan (Masaan)

 

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Worst of the Year -

1. Ajay Devgan (Shivaay, Golmaal Again)
2. Jab Harry Met Sejal - Shah Rukh Khan and Imtiaz Ali.
3. Remo / Jacqueline Fernandez (Flying Jatt)
4. Himesh (Kajraare)
5. Abbas Mastan (Machine)
6. Milan Luthria (Baadshaho)