Directed by : Vikramaditya Motwane
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2224317/
Vikram hits the right notes once again so well in just his 2nd movie after Udaan. Having Ranveer and Sonakshi as lead actors, one would had been skeptical about the quality of movie. Though for me Ranveer has been good in his earlier movies. Lootera is a welcome change to both actors who have given one of their best performance of career and who knows might turn out to be their best one even after many years.
The film is set in 50's in Manikpur where Pakhi's (Sonakshi Sinha) father is a zamindar whose friend keeps advicing him of a potential chance of zamindari getting abolished with new laws. Varun (Ranveer Singh), a con-man arrives at Pakhi's place as a archaeologist with aim of taking away all the priceless statues Zamindar had at his place. But as expected in such situation, the character falls in love with the girl. Due to certain reasons, he choses his profession over love.. but destiny makes them meet again in Dalhousie allowing the love to blossom once again.
Vikram establishes key points of the whole film straightaway without telling the background of the characters like the health problem of Pakhi, the story his father narrates to him moments later, dreams of Varun. And that works in favour of the film. He keeps the pace of movie steady, some might find it slow but I felt it was in sync with the story.
He never tries to make Varun-Pakhi romance as priority, the purpose of Varun is more important in 1st half. That is why, their romance isnt given extra time to establish.. we see Pakhi falling in love instantly when she drives car into his bike, and Varun on other hand is slowly falling in love while he is working his way into the work he is doing secretly. I would say it worked for me this way, then it would had if there were more romantic scenes between them.
The best romantic scenes come when Varun and Pakhi interact with their eyes speaking minimal dialogues, or the slow whisper talks. Also, there's one scene where Pakhi and Varun look at each other in 2nd half when Varun is painting, and lips of both actors move very slightly as if they just talked to each other on something (my bad, that was only scene I couldn't interpret). That final dialogue conversation they have, and few secs of silence used when it ends.. loved the entire sequence, probably after mann-marziyaan my best moment.
Editing is good, excellent cinematography, that makes the initial moments of 2nd half more lovable. That is the only time in movie when the pace goes very slow, and again much to the requirement of story. Very good lighting, specially that romantic scene between Varun and Pakhi at her home in 1st half. Even the car scene is well done if the grainy part is ignored. I like how Vikram deals with the dreams of Varun, certain other directors may have glorified it a lot, but he keeps it just a part of story. Dialogues are good, 'ladki ne ladke se kaha ki woh sabse jyada duniya mein usse pyar karti hai ?'
Amit Trivedi's music and background score compliment the screenplay immensely. Ankahee background when Pakhi's father narrates story to her, interval bg and the haunting mann-marziyan bg were my most fav ones. Mann Marziyaan was such a romantic as well as emotional song the way its used into the movie, simply loved that moment in 2nd half. Only Zinda was the track where I would have preferred a good bg, as the song looked out of sort.
There are certain loopholes in the movie, one of that being some loud sound mixing. Like the violin that plays when Varun shifts at Pakhi's place, it was important that it started on low note and lifted up after that (making sure it was low always when dialogue is said). Then, 'taqdeer se bigdi huyi' song almost overlaps the dialogue conversation going on between Varun and Pakhi's father. Also, two grainy sequences, one in 1st half 'the car romantic scene' and the other in 2nd half', wonder if it was intentional or just a mistake gone un-noticed.
Sonakshi Sinha steals the show for me, something I didn't expect would happen as she was the only reason why I felt this movie wont work for me. If you add all her previous films, then also she would come no where close to what she did in just the 2nd half alone in the movie. She simply nailed it. Even in 1st half she is very lovable, note that scene where she says 'mera dil rakhne ke liye toh haan keh dete'. Or when she cutely asks her dad that she wants to learn painting. and how she says 'mat jao' to Varun. The anger and love she shows towards Varun in 2nd half, the way she looks at the tree outside her house, specially the last time with a surprised look.
Ranveer Singh was complete opposite of the roles he did until now, and he did very well. Though at places, he under-played it, and at 1-2 places his dialogue didn't come out rightly, for instance 'tum meri zindagi mein woh eklauta mauka thi' which looks awkward the way he speaks it. I love the scene where his angst at Pakhi comes out in 2nd half, also the interval sequence when he is torn between two worlds.
Adil Hussain as the cop is efficient as always. That chase sequence is another of great sequence of the movie.
The actor playing Pakhi's father was effective too. Also, good performance by Vikrant Messey who plays friend of Deb who time and again imitates Dev Anand being a great fan of his. Dibyendu and Divya Dutta are fine in small roles.
In terms of entertainment, the film has not too much to offer, 1st half has some scenes like the bulb dialogue or painting scene or Pakhi scolding driver. But essentially its a romantic love story of Varun and Pakhi that may or may not find its way together.
I loved 2nd half more, while the final 15 mins is just splendid.
Lootera works for me, it isn't perfect movie but romantic movie lovers (non-fiction specially) should most likely love the movie, specially if you have ever loved anyone.
Verdict : MEMORABLE
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2224317/
Vikram hits the right notes once again so well in just his 2nd movie after Udaan. Having Ranveer and Sonakshi as lead actors, one would had been skeptical about the quality of movie. Though for me Ranveer has been good in his earlier movies. Lootera is a welcome change to both actors who have given one of their best performance of career and who knows might turn out to be their best one even after many years.
The film is set in 50's in Manikpur where Pakhi's (Sonakshi Sinha) father is a zamindar whose friend keeps advicing him of a potential chance of zamindari getting abolished with new laws. Varun (Ranveer Singh), a con-man arrives at Pakhi's place as a archaeologist with aim of taking away all the priceless statues Zamindar had at his place. But as expected in such situation, the character falls in love with the girl. Due to certain reasons, he choses his profession over love.. but destiny makes them meet again in Dalhousie allowing the love to blossom once again.
Vikram establishes key points of the whole film straightaway without telling the background of the characters like the health problem of Pakhi, the story his father narrates to him moments later, dreams of Varun. And that works in favour of the film. He keeps the pace of movie steady, some might find it slow but I felt it was in sync with the story.
He never tries to make Varun-Pakhi romance as priority, the purpose of Varun is more important in 1st half. That is why, their romance isnt given extra time to establish.. we see Pakhi falling in love instantly when she drives car into his bike, and Varun on other hand is slowly falling in love while he is working his way into the work he is doing secretly. I would say it worked for me this way, then it would had if there were more romantic scenes between them.
The best romantic scenes come when Varun and Pakhi interact with their eyes speaking minimal dialogues, or the slow whisper talks. Also, there's one scene where Pakhi and Varun look at each other in 2nd half when Varun is painting, and lips of both actors move very slightly as if they just talked to each other on something (my bad, that was only scene I couldn't interpret). That final dialogue conversation they have, and few secs of silence used when it ends.. loved the entire sequence, probably after mann-marziyaan my best moment.
Editing is good, excellent cinematography, that makes the initial moments of 2nd half more lovable. That is the only time in movie when the pace goes very slow, and again much to the requirement of story. Very good lighting, specially that romantic scene between Varun and Pakhi at her home in 1st half. Even the car scene is well done if the grainy part is ignored. I like how Vikram deals with the dreams of Varun, certain other directors may have glorified it a lot, but he keeps it just a part of story. Dialogues are good, 'ladki ne ladke se kaha ki woh sabse jyada duniya mein usse pyar karti hai ?'
Amit Trivedi's music and background score compliment the screenplay immensely. Ankahee background when Pakhi's father narrates story to her, interval bg and the haunting mann-marziyan bg were my most fav ones. Mann Marziyaan was such a romantic as well as emotional song the way its used into the movie, simply loved that moment in 2nd half. Only Zinda was the track where I would have preferred a good bg, as the song looked out of sort.
There are certain loopholes in the movie, one of that being some loud sound mixing. Like the violin that plays when Varun shifts at Pakhi's place, it was important that it started on low note and lifted up after that (making sure it was low always when dialogue is said). Then, 'taqdeer se bigdi huyi' song almost overlaps the dialogue conversation going on between Varun and Pakhi's father. Also, two grainy sequences, one in 1st half 'the car romantic scene' and the other in 2nd half', wonder if it was intentional or just a mistake gone un-noticed.
Sonakshi Sinha steals the show for me, something I didn't expect would happen as she was the only reason why I felt this movie wont work for me. If you add all her previous films, then also she would come no where close to what she did in just the 2nd half alone in the movie. She simply nailed it. Even in 1st half she is very lovable, note that scene where she says 'mera dil rakhne ke liye toh haan keh dete'. Or when she cutely asks her dad that she wants to learn painting. and how she says 'mat jao' to Varun. The anger and love she shows towards Varun in 2nd half, the way she looks at the tree outside her house, specially the last time with a surprised look.
Ranveer Singh was complete opposite of the roles he did until now, and he did very well. Though at places, he under-played it, and at 1-2 places his dialogue didn't come out rightly, for instance 'tum meri zindagi mein woh eklauta mauka thi' which looks awkward the way he speaks it. I love the scene where his angst at Pakhi comes out in 2nd half, also the interval sequence when he is torn between two worlds.
Adil Hussain as the cop is efficient as always. That chase sequence is another of great sequence of the movie.
The actor playing Pakhi's father was effective too. Also, good performance by Vikrant Messey who plays friend of Deb who time and again imitates Dev Anand being a great fan of his. Dibyendu and Divya Dutta are fine in small roles.
In terms of entertainment, the film has not too much to offer, 1st half has some scenes like the bulb dialogue or painting scene or Pakhi scolding driver. But essentially its a romantic love story of Varun and Pakhi that may or may not find its way together.
I loved 2nd half more, while the final 15 mins is just splendid.
Lootera works for me, it isn't perfect movie but romantic movie lovers (non-fiction specially) should most likely love the movie, specially if you have ever loved anyone.
Verdict : MEMORABLE
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