R…Rajkumar is a no brainer that relies on formulaic over the top entertainment

Film: R...Rajkumar

Cast:  Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, 

Sonu Sood, Ashish Vidyarthi, Mukul Dev, Asrani

Director: Prabhu Dheva

Rating: **

What’s it aboutThe Shahid Kapoor in Kaminey and the Shahid Kapoor in R…Rajkumar are very two different people. While the former relied on making his character believable, the latter tries very hard to make Rajkumar into this year’s biggest caricature. Desperately wanting to recreate the success of Rowdy Rathore, Prabhu Dheva uses the same formula mixing it in an old bag of tricks that has Shahid caught up in an illegal opium smuggling run by two warlords (Sonu Sood and Ashish Vidyarthi). The kahani mein twist comes when he realises his object of affection Chanda (Sonakshi) is also being pursued by his former ally and now enemy Shivraj (Sood). All hell breaks loose and we are subjected to the usual dosage of over the top dialogues, goons being flung in air and loads of pelvic thrusting! 

What’s hotShahid is remarkably earnest in his desire to make Rajkumar as likeable as possible. Unfortunately, a hapless script and a poorly sketched role reduce him to making faces, jiggling his backside and showing off his dance moves. Pritam delivers two chart busters with the lyrically genius Gandi Baatand addictively melodious Saree Ke Fall Sa. Prabhu Dheva gets full marks for attempting to choreograph the latter in an unique way (the background dancers hide their faces doing a singular step through out). Sonakshi puts all heart into Chanda and makes the otherwise loud affair a bit bearable with her comic timing. Sonu Sood looks the part and gets enough opportunity to show off his well chiselled torso.  

What’s notIn an attempt to follow the ‘bigger the better’ mantra, Prabhu Dheva goofs it up. Not knowing where to stop, he inflicts us with a barrage of action scenes that go on forever. Wonder, how the writers didn’t find it odd that Sonakshi who comes across as a strong-headed independent girl who fights goons and can protect herself in the first half, suddenly cowers and becomes a helpless lass hiding behind Shahid’s bronzed shoulders. Even if we give logic and reason some rest, such loopholes are too glaring to be ignored. Dialogues sound like lines from a limerick contest. Silent ho ja warna mein violent ho jaunga sounds like a poor substitute for Rowdy R

athore’s roaring Don’t angry me.

What to doWatch it if you are in the mood for a loud no-brainer that relies on formulaic over the top entertainment. 

Watch 'Club 60' for some heart touching performances from Sarika and Farooque Sheikh

Film:  Club 60

Rating: **

Cast:  Farooque Sheikh, Sarika, Raghubir Yadav, Satish Shah, Tinnu Anand, Sharat Saxena and Vineet Kumar

Director:  Sanjay Tripathy

What’s it about:

Club 60 is a story of a couple who deal with loss and realize that life goes on and sometimes the best moments are reserved for the last. Farooque Sheikh and Sarika play husband and wife who hit a roadblock when they hear news of their son being killed in a freak shoot out in the US. However, they are not the only ones struggling to cope with personal tragedies, the couple joins a club made for people over 60 where they befriend a bunch of oddballs with different back grounds and areas of work. Most of the film deals with how life can be colorful and fun even in the 60’s and the camaraderie between the friends.

What’s hot:

Sarika and Farooque Sheikh deliver some strong performances. The two are utterly likeable and believable as the couple who wants to make an effort to get over their past. Dialogues written for Sarika and Sheikh are simple and touch the right chord.

What’s not:

Club 60 is heavy in content and the lethargic pace doesn’t help in keeping our interest alive. Because the matter of the film is serious and deals with senior actors , most of the scenes and moments become tedious and boring. Supporting cast is uneven in terms of the characters and performances. While Satish Shah and Vineet Kumar are engaging, the same can’t be said for Raghubir Yadav who hams it up for most of the part. The cheeky banter between friends and trying to keep the young spirit in them alive goes a bit over the top and is unconvincing.

What to do:

Watch it for some heart touching performances from Sarika and Farooque Sheikh. Overall Club 60 will struggle to lure in new members. 

'Sholay' 3D - The epic adventure is back, rush to the screens now!

Film: Sholay
Directed: Ramesh Sippy

Rating: *****

Starring: Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjeev Kumar, Hema Malini, Jaya Bhaduri and Amjad Khan

When Sholay first hit the screens in 1975, it was pegged as the greatest story ever told and the greatest star cast ever assembled. 39 years later, nothing has changed. A film, that’s quite easily the most influential movie-going experience of our times, does not need a review. So let’s just stick to an update only for the enjoyment of reliving the adventure.

  

The legendary story of Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) who hires two small-time crooks, Jai (Amitabh Bachchan) and Veeru (Dharmendra) to fight the might of Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan) is back – and this time, in 3D. For those who didn’t get the chance to watch this epic drama when it was first released in 70mm and stereophonic sound, now is the time. That’s because no amount of DVDs and Blu Rays can ever do justice to the magnificence and the opulence of Sholay on the big screen. Plus, the novelty of watching it in 3D brings a different flavour to all those unforgettable scenes, dialogues and characters that will be etched in our memories forever.

Be prepared for the ride of your lives – it’s time to rejoice the everlasting dosti between Jai and Veeru; the hysterical antics of Basanti (Hema Malini); the silent love of Radha (Jaya Bhaduri); the emotional resilience of Thakur and the awe-inspiring aura of Gabbar. Not to mention the varied other characters in the movie that became an integral part of film history – Sambha (Macmohan), Soorma Bhopali (Jagdeep), Jailor (Asrani), Kaaliya (Viju Khote) and many others.

The 3D conversion could’ve been more polished for a film of this stature. Still, the effect is spellbinding. The train sequence (still the best train sequence ever shot in Hindi cinema) is the highlight – new effects have been added to enhance the 3D element. With a length of over 3 hours, the 3D gets tiresome in parts but the sheer grandeur of the film keeps you going.  The songs and background score have been re-created by Raju Singh and that’s a huge plus in the new version. Without losing the essence of the original, Singh delivers a spectacular punch. Technically, Sholay 3D is par excellence – it’s great to see a crystal-clear, polished version of your favourite film in a new avatar.

Sholay is also a prominent film because of the people associated with it. Director Ramesh Sippy is remembered to date, for this offering, which remains unparalleled even in his career. Salim-Javed, the greatest writer duo India has known, consider it one of their finest works. RD Burman’s music, Dwarka Divecha’s cinematography, MS Shinde’s editing and Ram Yedekar’s production design continue to remain a class apart.

India’s epic adventure is back – rush to the screens now!

Mr Joe B Carvalho' offers very little entertainment at the price of its ticket

Film: Mr Joe B Carvalho

Director: Samir Tewari 

Rating: *

Cast: Arshad Warsi, Soha Ali Khan

What's it about

Arshad Warsi is a brilliant actor when given the right script. Unfortunately in Mr Joe B Carvalho he is at the mercy of his director and script. In this case he plays a detective caught in the plot of mistaken identity.

Jaaved Jaaferi plays a terrorist names Carlos who impersonates various people. Soha Ali Khan provides the glamour by dancing, showing up in a bikini and attempting a very bad imitation of Salman Khan's popular Chulbul Pandey act.

A cat and mouse game of chor-police the story starts dragging in the first half and the song and dance routine make it more weary.

What's hot
There are a couple of scenes that stand out because of Arshad and Jaaved's comic timing. When given some good material to chew on these two can actually bring the house down.

What's not 
The screenplay suffers lack of imagination. The sub plots, situations and dialogues leave very little scope for any originality. Almost everything you watch in the film has been attempted elsewhere.

With stand up shows and comedy nights doing the round on television every day, writers need to be on their toes to attempt this genre. Ranjeet and Himani Shivpuri's characters ham their way through the film.

What to do 
With very little entertainment offered at the price of its ticket, Mr Joe B Carvalho is a feeble attempt that fails to provide any comic relief.