Monday, January 24, 2011
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Anasuya - A perfect multiplex film
| Banner: | Flying Frags | |||||||||||||||||||
| Cast: | Bhoomika, Abbas, Nikitha | |||||||||||||||||||
| Direction: | Ravibabu | |||||||||||||||||||
| Music: Producer: ReleaseDate: | Shekar chandra Flying Frogs and Suresh Productions December 21, 2007 |
The new cinema in India is the multiplex cinema. A genre by itself, it includes all films with a quirky plot and narration. Usually such films do not boast of big cast and ostentatious spending. Instead, their success depends on the narration and the way the script is handled by the director. Bhoomika’s film Anasuya too falls into the same category.
It is what can be safely called the multiplex film. It has no big names barring Bhoomika. Then, the story is a thriller. Well, thrillers are what are making the audiences come to the theatres this winter. Last week, it was Charmme in Mantra and now we have Bhoomika in and as Anasuya. For most part, it is a rather interesting film, especially the way Ravi Babu has chosen to narrate it. He resorts to the no-nonsense formula and sticks to it till the very end.
Bhoomika plays an investigative journalist Anasuya in the film and an orphan. No, there is no link there. It is sheer coincidence. But her being an orphan leads to her adopting another orphan who is thrown out by her masters after being exposed by Anasuya. A serious take on child labour woven into the plot. So in comes a little girl into the life of this undercover journalist, who works for NTV. Some brand placing! Initially it’s a good run for our brave and enthusiastic journo. She even meets Mr Right, played by Abbas, who is a task force police officer.
But then there has to be a twist, which comes when Anasuya’s uncle Joseph is murdered. From here, Anasuya tries to find out who murdered her uncle and why. There are other murders too, all of which lead her to one conclusion. Being the brave girl, she sets out to find out who the murderer is. Since it is not putting two and two together, she even ends up being framed for a murder herself. So, now will she come out innocent or is she a part of the big game? Watch the movie to find out.
Ravi Babu has gone on record saying he had offered Bhoomika just a guest role, before she offered to play the lead. But after watching Anasuya, you cannot help feeling that the casting of Bhoomika works for the film. Somehow, you want to believe that she is a sincere and hardworking girl and you naturally empathise with her.
As for the rest of the cast, they play their parts well as the supporting cast, be it Ravi Babu, Nikhita or Abbas or the little girl.
Coming to the film, the first half promises much. Though the second half is a bit of a dampener, it is still worth watching as it keeps you with the film. Ravi Babu manages to keep his script tight. There is no unnecessary padding, no detours. He simply sticks to his plot and narrative. But he could have edited a bit off the second half.
Like in all his films, he sticks to a particular colour palette. In this case, he uses a lot of greys. The tones are subdued to heighten the sense of suspense. Thankfully, he does not have many songs and that works for a thriller.
It may not be new. It feels as if you had watched some Hollywood thrillers on similar lines. Still you can venture out to watch it over the weekend. At least, thriller’s the flavour of the season. So be ‘in’, by watching it.
View the Trailer
Mee Sreyobhilashi - Few sobs and some laughs
| Banner: | Visu Films Pvt. Ltd. |
| Cast: | Rajendra Prasad, Naresh, Krishna Bhagwan, Ali, Brahmanandam |
| Direction: | V.Eeshwar Reddy |
| Production: | Dr. Y.Sonia Reddy |
| Music: Producer: | Koti CC Reddy |
It is a theme that has been dealt with earlier. But it does manage to strike a chord with the audience every time, it is dealt with. Pathos somehow draws viewers. Though some times, sad endings may not always work. So, the best way to tackle such heavy subjects is to treat them in a lighter vein. Mee Sreyobhilashi is one such film. The film is a take off from a Japanese film Ikinai, where twelve men in deep debt take a bus trip to a mountain to fall off a cliff and commit suicide leaving insurance money for their families.
In this version closer home, Rajaji (Rajendra Prasad) is an elderly gentleman whose daughter commits suicide after being jilted in love. Heart-broken Rajendra Prasad decides to end his life. As he plans a death trip to Srisailam, he gathers others for a bus trip, so they can all fall off a cliff. However, their suicide pact becomes an open secret and police begin to chase them. Now, will they be successful is for you to figure out.
However, unlike the original, the director fails to establish the motive for others in the journey to commit suicide convincingly. The film loses pace along the way and you wish the director had better control on the way the film progressed. Somehow, there is an effort to make the audience sympathise with the characters, rather than helping them to emphatise with their reasons. But the main strength of the film lies in handling such a serious subject in an entertaining way. At least, the director makes a sincere effort in trying to incorporate some laughs to make it watchable. So it is not weep-weep all the way.
The plot hardly moves in terms of geography and most of it is shot in the bus. Yet, you do understand that it is pertinent to the script not to wander around. However, like all such movies, Eeswar Reddy gets carried away once in a while and tries to prove a few too many points. You wish he could have left the audience to move with the characters along the plot, instead of trying to pinpoint where to look and what to look for.
However be warned that mass suicide pacts are a common phenomenon in Japan. Be open to watch something you may not relate to entirely in India. From our side, we feel it’s a laudable effort. But it is for you to decide if you would want to watch such
touching subjects. Of course, there is comic relief. Still, if you don’t mind carrying a hanky along, then venture out to watch it.
View Movie Trailer
My Name is Anthony Gonsalves
Starring:Amrita Rao
Nikhil Dwivedi
D Santosh
Lilette Dubey
Hrishita Bhatt
Mithun Chakraborty
Director: E Niwas
Music: Pritam Chakraborty
Release Date: 2008 (India)
Genre: Comedy / RomanceRelease Date: 11 January 2008
Amrita Rao is back with a 'hot in new avatar for her forthcoming release ''My Name is Anthony Gonsalves' produced by Sahara One Motion Pictures. Riding high on the super success of 'VIVAAH' Amrita seems quite pleased with her makeover in 'My Name is Anthony Gonsalves'.
Says Amrita " It surely is a new look for me. As an actress one cannot restrict oneself to a particular image, and needs to constantly keep on experimenting with different kinds of look, costumes and characters. Though I love being called the girl next door, I want to change the definition a bit. The girl next door can have a great sense of humour, be attractive and 'Hot'.
She adds " TUM MILEY' is one of the most romantic song, I have ever done. I was just sporting the attitude of the song. Additionally it was shot in idyllic goa. I just share a certain karmic connection with the place. And besides, I share a great comfort level with Nikhil. Mark my word; he is one of the most confident newcomers in Bollywood. His second name should have been 'Confidence'.
Incidentally whilst shooting in Goa, Amrita surprised the locals with her command over 'Konkani'. Whilst shooting for the song, she even learnt to cook the authentic goan delicacies at Britto's in Baga, Goa.
So whilst every third person is packing their bags to herald the New Year in Goa, Amrita will be seen in a new avatar in the first mega release of 2008!!View the Trailers
Tuesday, January 1, 2008
The top grossers of 2007
This year may not have been as huge for the Hindi film industry as 2006 was. Last year, we saw huge hits like Lage Raho Munnabhai, Rang De Basanti, Dhoom:2, Krrish and Phir Hera Pheri.
But 2007 was good too. Lets take a look at the big hits.
But 2007 was good too. Lets take a look at the big hits.
Welcome, Taare Zameen Par
Welcome Starring:
Akshay Kumar
Katrina Kaif
Anil Kapoor
Nana Patekar
Firoz Khan
Mallika Sherawat
Director: Anees Bazmee
Music: Himesh Reshammiya, Anand Raj Anand
The recent releases, Welcome and Taare Zameen Par have opened very well. Though these movies are definitely a part of the top 10 hits of 2007, we will not rank these films, as their gross collections are not known yet.
Om Shanti Om
Starring:
Amitabh Bachchan
Shahrukh Khan
Deepika Padukone
Shreyas Talpade
Priyanka Chopra
Director: Farah Khan
Music: Vishal Dadlani
This year's biggest hit is Om Shanti Om, Farah Khan's tribute to the 1970s cinema.
The Shah Rukh Khan-starrer broke new records, as it crushed last year's biggest overseas hit, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Karan Johar's KANK grossed $1.35 million in the US and Canada, while Om Shanti Om grossed $1.5 million in just three days of its release.
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