Masala Movies - Why do films like Chennai Express work ?

With the way Chennai Express has broken records despite being such a ridiculous bad movie... I thought of writing this post.  My question is - Was it the movie that won, or the non-stop promotions of Shahrukh or it only tells the big bad truth about Indian audience ? Surely its not the 1st one for me...

Just today I saw a post on facebook comparing Chennai Express with Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, and as expected Chennai Express got more votes in it too. Needless to say that the blind fans are the ones who prefer a bad movie over a very good one.


Its not the first time when a over the top senseless movie earned lot of money, many salman films did it in past, specially Bodyguard or Race2. Par afsos tab hota hai jab you see a stupid movie get the no.1 tag and break records. It tells how bad audience taste has become.  I wont be surprised if some shahrukh lovers call Chennai Express as one of their everfav shahrukh movies. Maybe I have to stop associating 'Intelligence' with fans as well as lovers.


The main point is, why do Masala movies earn so much. Even 3 Idiots apart from 'action' had everything in it but if you have good sense of watching movies, you would agree to me that 3 Idiots was miles ahead of Chennai Express in quality (No, I am not aamir fan.. and Yes, I am Shahrukh lover).

The aam janta doesn't like 'no entertainment' movies, 'Shanghai', 'Lootera'  and 'Madras Cafe' are best examples. Shanghai was a total failure at boxoffice, despite being among the top5 films of the year for me. Lootera had small entertainment quotient that definately helped it, but I noticed people having problems with the content in theatre. Madras Cafe has worked very well so far, but why not 100 crs or 200 crs for films like this ?

Does it mean that masala movies have repeativity value ? Or does it mean that there is audience that watches masala movies again and again, but the audience that watches non-masala movies don't like to re-watch it ?  The masala loving audience mainly constitutes either the aam janta or the family audience, while non-masala reduces both of those audiences to a larger extent. Probably there lies the difference why the former films work so much.

Please don't give me the crap that people come to watch movies to free their mind therefore they love masala movies. That's the cliche and idiotic line I have heard from many people.

I don't keep track of Hollywood movies, but would love to know if bad movies earn so much there too ? And are its audience also so stupid like ours to not accept that they liked a bad movie.


If every good film or atleast 70% of them were accepted by the audience, then I would not have felt bad watching Chennai Express reach 200cr. But, its not the case.. here people make bad films earn way too much, and good films end up as flops most of the times.

I don't know if that day would ever come when the cards reverse and people appreciate good films more. If they like bad films that also is welcome, but please prefer good over bad.  Its true that everyone have their own likings but another fact is.. when bad films work so much, the film-makers get excited to make more poor movies because they know that audience is there who would accept it and take it to 100 cr or above.


Today I unfollowed shahrukh for first time on twitter, such is anger towards a super bad film doing so well. Now, I would follow him only when he does a good film...

This post is only for those who didnt' like Chennai Express, the others won't connect to it. and I have no interest to connect to them either.

May Indian audience change for good one day and our films grow creatively ....

Trailer : Diana

I still remember that day when she died, I was watching the live telecast of her cremation on T.V channels. I didn't knew much about her then except that she was known as 'Princess Diana'.. and I still don't know much about her.

Somehow I feel I would connect to this movie, it looks well made from the trailer, and from it looks like Diana's personal life got affected due to her professional duties. Might even be a oscar performance by Naomi Watts like Meryl Streep in 'The Iron Lady' was last year.

I am definately not gonna skip this movie, even if it gets below 2 star ratings by critics.

Movie Analysis : Madras Cafe

Directed by : Shoojit Sircar
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2855648/


Superbly shot and edited political thriller, with few weak points

Read at your own risk, the post is full of spoilers... 


You direct very well, edit very well, shoot it very well... but you make mistakes in the way you narrate it out to the audience and there you mess it up. Madras Cafe works for me so much, yet the fact that Vikram (John Abrahim) narrates the story to a father from the start doesn't gel with me at all.

For people like me (I am sure there will be), who didn't knew a thing about Rajiv Gandhi's assassination, I just didn't want to know in the first conversation scene itself that Vikram failed to save his life. I know most of our films have happy endings, this one doesn't have it.. so that could be one reason why director wanted to take confidence of audience that what the film will be heading to. And other reason would ofcourse be, that he expected most of the audience to know how Rajiv Gandhi was killed and the film will not try to develop thrilling moments for that.

But my question is, if they started the story right from the developments of Tamil Sri Lankans and LTF, with voiceover of John (not narrating to the father, but to the audience), and then taken it to the right end. Then, there was a chance of that feeling coming 'kya pata bach jaaye', who knows director opted for new ending, who knows its not totally realistic depiction. That suspense factor director missed out.

Plus, the final beautiful lines of Rabindranath Tagore looked awkward the way they were shown. Instead of it, should had kept visuals with silent background score, and the lines said  over it.. it would had made it look much better.

Despite all the mentioned problems I had with the film, what I loved was Shoojit's direction, and the editing. The editing was so tight, and it didn't allow you to remain with a latest proceeding, immediately shifting to next one. That made 1st half to certain extent confusing, which is commendable work. The fast cuts allowed the thrill element sneak in at various parts, be in 1st half or the finale of 2nd half. Good background score used too, be it the south song (I dont know which it was) used when Vikram goes to Jaffna for 1st time, or that theme which is used frequently  when something big is about to happen. I like how they showed the assassination day too, the whole effect of pre-blast, and post-blast was superb. And I am saying that when I knew (or was allowed to know) that he will die now.

The conversations between Jaya (Nargis Fakhri) and anyone else she talks with in entire film, appeared very wierd, for the simple reason that she talks in english and other person replies in hindi. What Shoojit should had done is kept the entire conversation in English or let Nargis speak few words in hindi.  He tried to keep it very realistic and not compromise on using dub for her, but this way he made those scenes look slightly awkward to say the least.

The tension built right from the moment the flashback begins till the assassination day had no scope of a song at all. So, its good to see Shoojit didn't bow down to the demand of entertainment seeking audience forcing song into narrative.

Regarding how accurate the facts are in the movie, I would say Shoojit has fictionalised it in various ways. Most facts are right, and some aren't shown probably citing the risk of film not getting released. Therefore blaming the director or writer for not including various portions associated with the event would be bad. In any case, its not a Rajiv Gandhi biopic, it just involves his character, and that main day when his assassination happened, thats about it.

Among Performances, John Abrahim does pretty well in the main plot where he plays the officer. Only place he looks out of sort is the scenes with father in church. Nargis Fakhri did fair work, leaving asides the hindi dialogue problem. Her expressions and body language playing the reporter was bang on.

The supporting cast was very new, and it kind of reminded me of Kahaani. New cast and so effective as well as powerful performances. Prakash Belawadi and Siddhartha Basu were the pick of them, probably the reason their close up shots look so good too. Would love to see more of them in future films.


Overall, Madras Cafe is a very good political thriller.. it does have its lows but doesn't effect the main impact of the plot. Plus, some good performances from the starcast. It had in it to be India's Argo as John said once in interview, but I would say it missed out on that by some margin.


Verdict : VERY GOOD


P.S : If you are going to watch this film for entertainment value, please stay away  and watch the stupid Chennai Express once again instead. Madras Cafe is only for quality and intelligent movie lovers.

Movie Analysis : The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Directed  by : Sergio Leone
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0060196/

Long but very engaging and brilliant in all aspects.

The Ugly : God is with us, because he hates the Yanks too.
The Good : God's not on our side, because he hates idiots also.

The opening credits begin with that splendid background piece that has been thereafter used in numerous hindi films. Its very much like Pulp Fiction, only difference being that here no scene comes before credits. The theme is used many times in narrative, though I felt it was over-used but I didnt mind it as I like the theme very much.

The pace of movie is slow, so much that it takes almost 10 mins before a character says a dialogue. All 3 characters are introduced in reverse order of the title, The Ugly (Tuco) played by Eli Wallach, The Bad (Angel Eyes) played by Lee Van Cleef and The Good (Blondie) played by Clint Eastwood.  All have dramatic starts and ends to their sequences. I loved, 'The Bad' one specially, as it had slightly longer suspense drama.

The story is about finding the gold buried under a cemetary about which only a certain Bill Carson (Antonio Casale) knows. The Bad is after it, while The Good and The Ugly get invovled into the race out of nowhere.

The scenes between The Good and The Ugly provide excellent humour, specially Eli Wallach who seeks revenge from Blondie for betraying him. But he always ends up getting himself in trouble, and Blondie too later. That scene where Tuco makes Blondie walk across desert was superbly shot. Also, the makeup work done on Blondie, it was hard to see his face with those closeup shots.

My personal fav scene is when Tuco has to suddenly change his tone with Blondie, 'You are my friend, dont die, dont die'. That one where Tuco goes to buy pistol, full comical scene. Or when Tuco thinks the horses coming aren't enemies, and he would say hello and go away.. the look on his face when the officer's uniform turns from gray to blue.  That final scene when all three have to earn the gold, its superbly cut and intentionally lengthened with wide shots to mid shots to extreme close up. I actually guessed wrong as to what would be the outcome of that sequence. And the final dialogue of Tuco to Blondie, a abuse inspite of what he did for him.. just to live upto his name 'The Ugly'.

And I loved the end too, the director very well justified the titles given to all the 3 characters, their fate was similar to it. He creates the drama, with Blondie knowing half the secret about gold, and Tuco other half.. as a result both can't kill each other. That scene where Angel Eyes says that isn't 3 the perfect number, just a giveaway to where the final sequence will lead to.. as other people gonna get eliminated. The last scene where as viewer we watch what is going to happen with Tuco as he looks for help from Blondie, again drama built by extending the time to the scene.

Also, the small plot where Tuco and Blondie again land into a unknown territory thanks to Tuco mainly.. was very well put into the narrative leading to the climax of gold in cemetary.

All three main leads did great work, though Eli Wallach was my pick of the three as he would bring a light humour in almost every scene involving him. Also, Clint Eastwood was excellent, love the scene where he asks Tuco to bring his ear closer as he spills water over him saying my friend will take good care of me. Lee Van has the lesser screen time of them I guess, though he creates his bad image right from first murder he does, or the music scene where he beats Tuco.

Cinematography is excellent, also the camera angles.. for instance when Tuco runs around the cemetary, all his pov shots were well cut with other angles.



Overall, I completely enjoyed the movie, great performances and technically without any flaws. Yes, its nearly 3 hr long but do you mind watching a long movie with all those merits, I doubt so.

Movie Analysis : Once upon a time in Mumbaai Dobaara

Directed by : Milan Luthria
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1891884/

Akshay's superb Villianeous act makes this a very good watch.

Read at your own risk, post is full of spoilers. 


Having loved the 1st part, the expectations were high. I wasn't quite happy when through trailers I came to know that this part will be more on tried and tested formula of love triangle, and not on underworld. But I knew there will be great punchlines and the setting of 80s to cover up for it.

To replace Ajay and Emraan wasn't going to be easy, while Akshay very much lived upto the standard of the role, Imran failed miserably which was quite expected.

I like the screenplay, despite being a love triangle.. they presented it in such a style that I kept interested in it till the right end. I enjoyed 1st half more, mainly because the love triangle comes into existence during 2nd half. Some great punchlines written by Rajat Arora. Yes at places, its overdone but I found that in the first part too. Only dialogue I didn't like was when Jasmine (Sonakshi Sinha) shoots for a movie, and her director tells her that a guy can never differentiate between love and friendship. Thora generalisation jyada ho gaya. And that one where Shoaib says 'villain hoon main', there was no need to mention it.

The climax had a surprise element in it, and I didn't mind it. But I would had preferred Shoiab (Akshay Kumar) not getting hit by 2nd bullet. I am assuming that they have killed Shoaib character, though close up shot of him dead wasn't shown. I hope that's not the case. To be frank, I would had loved something else in the finale, like Shoaib escaping alive and enjoying.. that final frame of 1st part with Emraan far away from Mumbai at a place safe and full of power. I missed that in this finale, when he says 'Jis tarah jeet li mumbai dobara, jasmine ko bhi jeet lunga'.. it didnt give any strong impact because his enemy Mahesh Manjerakar was not powerful at all.

Milan Luthria has shot the film very well, once again giving the 80's touch.. I didnt like Taiyyab ali song audio wise, but the way its shot.. I enjoyed watching it. Also, the idea of keeping Akshay mostly wearing a goggle was very good one, gave a added meaner touch to his character. The shots of foot of a person walking in anger, a famous person coming out of car in style looking at gathered public, and the extreme close up shots of Akshay during start of the movie.. was all very well done. Manish Malhotra's costumes were great as always, colorful to Aslam, while Shoaib mostly in blazers or shirts, and Sonakshi mostly in suits though she sneaked in a dreamy sequence wearing her favourite sarees.  She actually looked very beautiful in the suits.

My favourite moments were, when Aslam (Imran Khan) meets Shoaib for first time, mainly for my fav background score that comes, and then the cricket scene only for the bg and style of Akshay again otherwise the actors playing the commentator were over-acting.  Police-Shoaib/Imran chase scene. The interval sequence where Shoaib tells what he would do to Aslam in the end of movie. The scene where Shoaib says 'shoaib toh pyar bhi pyar se nahi karta'. And the way Shoaib kills his main enemy in pre-climax. The parallel cut of Aslam's talks to Jasmine in hospital to Shoaib's gang spreading fake news about Aslam-Jasmine, and later cut to Shoaib thinking what he would be saying to Jasmine.. reminding of similar sequence in 1st part. Special mention to the scene where Shoaib enters police station and leaves.. though very un-real, it was cinematically awesome to watch it.

Special Mention to the scene where Jasmine says 'bas dua mein yaad rakhna', and Shoaib goes into the memory of Sultan with the shot of Ajay Devgan shown. It was super, and also I thought the opening credits could had shown 1st part highlights in fast forward with background theme running, that way they would had included Emraan Hashmi too.

Music was a dissappointment, I specially missed a 'Parda' kind of enegertic cabaret track. The only song I loved was Bismillah, which was only for the voice of Anupam Amod, otherwise it was a decent track only.. and it was used badly in narrative too.

The background score however was brilliant once again, they kept main one absolutely same like in 1st part while there was another theme they used from 1st part that comes when Mumtaz's first scene is shown. And the new theme they used just in this movie was right at beginning in the bike chase, that theme is later used at few other places too. My fav remains the main theme, but I loved other too. For me, along with Akshay and Sonakshi, it was background score that kept me happy.

Akshay Kumar is tailor made for these kinda of roles, the way he walks, his mannerisms or the dialogue delivery.. he brought additional style into the character, more of a extension to what Emraan had done to the character in the final portions of 1st movie. Only 2-3 places, he hammed but that's very much neglectable. I specially loved the scene where he gets angry at one of his person Jimmy 'Ghanta, ghanta tere haath mein tha.... hass rahi hai mumbai, ki ghanta shoaib raaj karega mumbai par'.  Also, the pre-climax portion where he wants to finish off Aslam (Imran Khan).

Imran Khan looks good in the romantic portions, but in gangster part.. he looked uncomfortable and out of sorts. For instance, that scene where he shows anger at his friend Dedh Taang (Pitobash) for betraying Shoaib, how badly he acted there when Pitobash on other hand was bang on with his part.

Sonakshi Sinha was superb, I would like to say that this was her best role among all the masala movies she had done till now. This one gave her ample scope to even shine in a masala movie, though Lootera can't be surpassed. Her first conversation with Shoaib is hillarious, then the way she calls her at awards party or the dumb innocence at inter-course word, and also the adjustment of her voice at places, be it when she says to shoaib 'baatein bhi acchi kar lete ho' or when she accuses him 'tumse bura aadmi maine kabhi nahi dekha'. The cuteness on her face when she says to Aslam 'main logon se milti hoon, ginti nahi hoon'. I think she could enter my league of favourite actresses, if she keeps doing these kind of good roles, always felt she had talent unlike the socialite people who find ways of speaking crap on her looks. Acting matters boss, and she has it in her.


Pitobash was superb in supporting role, love that dialogue involving him 'ladki jab roti hai toh bahut reasons hote hai, par ladka roye toh reason ladki hi hoti hai'.

Sonali Bendre gets 2-3 scenes only in the movie, but I liked them, for it showed the matured relation Shoaib-Mumtaz shared with each other.

Chetan Hansraj was hamming to the core, totally miscast. So was Sophie Chowdhary, but she looked smashing hot in that black saree.

Vidya Malvade is wasted in small role. Mahesh Manjerkar is fine, loved his 'No tension' dialogues a lot, and those 'ha ha' after every dialogue.  Abhimanyu Shekhar gets wasted too, unlike Randeep Hooda in 1st part.. he doesn't get good enough screen time. If he got it, he would had done well..

Vidya Balan gets a nice special apperance.

Mushtaq Khan, Hussain Shaikh and Sarfaraz Khan do well in supporting roles.


Overall, Once upon a time in Mumbaai Dobara works only due to Akshay's villianeous act, Sonakshi's great contribution and excellent background score. For me 1st part is still better than this one.. but I can watch this one again and again for the mentioned reasons.


Verdict : NICE

Movie Analysis : Before Sunset

Directed by : Richard Linklater
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0381681/

This one is less romantic, and takes more of a realistic way.. still full of engaging conversations.

When you are young, you just believe there will be many people with whom you will connect with. Later in life, you realize it only happens a few times. 


Before Sunrise ended with a montage of all the places where Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy) went to in Vienna, and a soft background piece runs with it. Did they meet after 6 months or not, was the question left unanswered...

Richard this time puts the montage right at beginning, showing us all the places both Jesse and Celine are going to walk around, with a fitting background song. Jesse is in Paris for the reading of his book which is about that one night with Celine in Vienna. Just as he is answering questions of press, suddenly appears a smiling woman standing beside the door, i.e Celine .. and they both happen to meet finally after 9 years which in their conversation later they reveal that they didnt meet as planned.

Unlike the 1st part, what I found missing in this film was the romance. By that I don't mean that Jesse and Celine didn't look like a good couple. But, now their weak points came out much more (I will talk more about it in Before Midnight post). Like Celine asking if her looks changed, Jesse honestly answered and Celine little, just a little freaked out. Or when Jesse told the world aint a mess, how Celine gets hyper to claim what she said was right. Then, there's the car scene where she lets all her anger out and almost accuses Jesse that her current suffering or whatever life she lives now is only due to him for giving her that one romantic night she couldn't forget.

I have no problems with the behaviour Celine shows, only thing is that this made her look slightly vulnerable and less lovable. She mentions how many relationships she has been through, and mentally it took a lot out of her.. maybe that brought such a change. Interesting to note is that scene where Jesse says that he loves her company still despite all the anger and maniac kind of woman she has become now. He's happy to be around her however she has changed in those 9 years.. just doesn't matter to him. Maybe director could had changed something about Jesse character too, if you compare both characters in two films, Jesse would still appear the same.. atleast thats how it looked to me.

Also, the conversations are at times regular and non-interesting topics. Like the social life Celine talks about. I missed those astrological, guy saying poem, phone game, q&a.. In short, this one had no scope for all that. As the characters have matured, changed and have their own partners. That made it look realistic and take away that touch, which comes in only one frame and it was the last one where Jesse is looking at Celine closely sitting at a couch, she is dancing and saying 'baby, you are going to miss the plane'. She isn't warning her, she is telling her you will miss it for me, and Jesse too answers 'I know, I will not go'. He was never interested to leave, he just wanted to be there with her, finding excuses to travel, take ship trip, asking to drop her or listen to her song. He even refers to it when he asks Celine 'He knows where he's going ?', Celine says 'Yes' and he says 'Glad, somebody does'.  He isn't sure while all those conversations are going that what he is about to do would be right, because he is married and has a son.. but he knows he lives a unhappy married life.

Another problem for me was the runtime, it ends too sooner. 117 mins is too short, why didnt they made it atleast of similar time as last if not long. The impact is still there, but its like when you watch something nice you want it to not end too quickly. I would had prefered this ending only though, its left to viewers to decide just like Jesse says in beginning.. if you are romantic you would say he didn't take flight, a cynic,then he took flight and if confused then you are asking it to me. I guess I am the romantic one.

For me the best moments of the film were, when Jesse is narrating what his new book could be about in the reading, he is telling about the person who is in both the moments, and just then Celine appears at the book store. Its like director wanted to use that new book story as reference to Jesse and Celine. Also, how Jesse lies to Celine at first, that he also didn't show up 6 months later at Vienna. The conversation about memories, love, breakup, dreams.. were very meaningful like 1st part. Also, at many places Jesse is looking right at her when she's not talking. And that moment is chosen in this film too where there's a long silence after Celine says something too deep, its the scene where they are on ship and she tells that she likes to see little details in the people, and she misses them the most later.


If given a choice, I would prefer to see Before Sunrise over Before Sunset.. it sounds wierd coming from me. I usually opt to watch realistic romantic movies, this one is very realistic but that romance of Before Sunrise just isn't there. Or maybe after 5-10 years, my choice may change..  Before Sunset is still a very good movie, but less romantic for me.

Trailer : Lunchbox

Superb trailer. The tagline 'Can you fall in love with someone you haven't met' reminded of Sirf Tum. But this one looks more mature, upto the point without melodrama and the means through Lunchbox makes it very different. I am keen to watch what happens when Irrfan and Nimrat meet.

Nawazuddin appears to be in a supporting role this time.  Seems to be another Irrfan performance that I may love. Love that scene where he wonders what to do with the letter Nawazuddin finds in lunchbox and then in end he puts it in his pocket..

Hope the film lives upto the standard of this trailer. But for a change english dialogues didn't turn me off in a indian movie.

Dil gira dafatan - Delhi6

Sung by : Ash King and Chinmayee

As much I love 'Rehna Tu' song from the album, I more often than not end up listening this song too whenever I get a chance. I don't know if its right to call it a unknown gem, rahman lovers probably would know this song and love it too. Still, unlike Masakalli or the religious track or kaala bandar, this one went very much unnoticed.  Though, it was used well in the movie by Rakesh Om prakash Mehra.

Its my most loved song of Ash King till date. The song makes me travel through a heart that loves someone but that person can't see the love.



Dil mera... dil mera
dil meraaaa... dil meraaaaaaaa

Aaa aaa Ooo .. dil mera, dil mera...

Dil gira kahin par dafatan
dil gira kahin par dafatan
jaane magar yeh naiyyan
teri khamosh zulfon ki gehraaiyaaan
hai jahaan dil meraa
uljha hua hai wahin kho gaya
tu magar hai bekhabar, hai bekhabar...

Dil gira kahin par dafatan
kyun goonj rahi hai dhadkan ..
jaane magar yeh naiyyan


Sipiyon ke honth se moti chalak rahe hai
ghazlon ki sohbat mein geet bhi behak rahi hai
samundar lehron ki, lehron ki chadar odh ke so raha hai
par main jaagun ek khumari, ek nasha saa
ek nasha sa ho raha hai
tu magar hai behakhar, hai bekhabar...


Dil gira kahin par dafatan
kyun goonj rahi hai dhadkan...
Jaane magar yeh naiyyan
khushboo mein lipte mausam
Teri khamosh zulfon ki gehraiyaaan
hai jahaan dil meraaa..
uljha hua hai wahin, kho gaya..
Tu magar hai bekhabar, hai bekhabar...

Motion Poster : Dhoom3

The first look looks very interesting. I hope this movie doesn't dissappoint me, unlike many other people I had loved Dhoom2 and ofcourse Dhoom too. Aamir-Katrina pair is something to watch for. Expecting trailer with Shuddh Desi Romance probably.  

Teaser : Boss

Poster gave me bad feeling, same happens with this teaser. Khiladi 786 Part2, lets see if the trailer changes my opinion. For the moment, it looks like another over the top action-comedy movie of Akshay Kumar. Not my type. 

100 crore Club - Hindi Movies

Last Updated  - 2nd, June 2015.

This list I got from Bollywood Hungama website... 36 films have crossed 100 cr mark. Most likely the list would be near to accurate.

The numbers are in crores.

1. PK - 340.80
2. Dhoom3 - 284.27
3. Krrish3 - 244.92
4. Kick - 231.85
5. Chennai Express - 227.13
6. Happy New Year - 203
7. Three Idiots - 202.47
8. Ek Tha Tiger - 198.78
9. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani - 188.57
10. Bang Bang - 181.03
11. Dabangg2 - 155
12. Bodyguard - 148.86
13. Singham Returns - 140.62
14. Dabangg - 138.88
15. Rowdy Rathore - 133.25
16. Jab Tak Hai Jaan - 120.85
17. Ready - 119.78
18. Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram Leela - 116.33
19. Jai Ho - 116
20. Agneepath - 115
21. Ra.One - 114.29
22. Ghajini - 114
23. Holiday - 112.18
24. Barfi - 112.15
25. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag - 108.93
26. Don2 - 106.71
27. Golmaal3 - 106.34
28. Housefull2 - 106
29. Ek Villain - 105.62
30. Son of Sardaar - 105.03
31. Tanu Weds Manu Returns - 103.42
32. Bol Bacchan - 102.94
33. Two States - 102.13
34. Grand Masti - 102
35. Race2 - 100.45
36. Singham - 100.30


The red marked movies don't deserve a place in the 100+ crore club for me. Interesting thing to note is that almost all of these are either masala movies or comedy, with exceptions of Dhoom3 and Kick who were able to please me with its style. Also, most of them earned so much due to mad promotions or item songs to bring in the 'aam janta' to the theatres.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag and Barfi would be the two films that made me most happy when I came to know that they entered 100 core club. These films were creatively different, and the actors would have gone through a harder journey filming it than they would had done in any of their other movies.

PK’s record would be quite tough to break though it will happen some day, who knows this year only. Aamir Khan has tendency to always go one step ahead.  He was first to give 200 cr movie, and now 300 cr movie. And thankfully, both those movies were worth it.

I for one don't give importance to how much a film earned, because I liked the movie or not is the question. But if I do like/love a film, then to see that film do well at boxoffice is always nice. Though in our country, good film has less value, stardom is favoured. And I guess even when all 3 khans retire, this attitude of people wont change as actors get fanclubs with one hit film only these days.

Hoping some better and good films enter this 100 crore club in future.


---------

Movie Analysis : Chennai Express

Directed by : Rohit Shetty
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2112124/

Another senseless and stupid movie from Rohit Shetty, Shahrukh overacts.

I am not much of a fan of Rohit's kind of cinema, plus I don't like watching Shahrukh in these no logic over the top masala movies. So, with almost no craze I watched the movie, and it worked in me not feeling disappointed. The movie was ofcourse below average as expected.

As always Rohit's film is full of spoofs and dialogues that make fun of other's film, mainly shahrukh movies and his own movies in this case. The best one is when Rahul (Shahrukh Khan) gives hand to Meenamma (Deepika Padukone) who is running to catch the train ala Simran of DDLJ, and once Rahul helps her .. he says 'Yeh maine pehle bhi kiya hua hai'. Also, the song conversations between both was funny, specially the 1st one, and the nirma (i think yehi tha) one later by Shahrukh.

There are few more such moments that made me laugh. But they couldn't divert the fact that it wasn't a good film.

Crashing of cars is also part of the film, since Rohit Shetty is director. I actually liked that scene where Rahul uses that long knife (dont know what its called) onto the tyre of a moving car, he brought good style into that.

The start to movie is funny with the voiceover of Shahrukh, but after that I had to wait until Shahrukh-Deepika scene for next laugh. This is how films goes, one good laugh followed by a dull period that has over the top filmed scenes. Then, the latter part of movie tries to go romantic which doesn't work either. To worsen it, the climax is a long preaching by Shahrukh. And Rohit is keen to do a full DDLJ tribute even in the climax. Actually for a second I thought I am about to hear the dialogue 'Jaa Meenamma Jaa (ofcourse in tamil dialect)', thankfully they didn't go to that extent.

One thing that was worth applauding was the south background, there were moments when I felt I wasnt watching a hindi movie. Also, no subtitles for scenes that involved tamil without any  translations by actors was right decision.

Music is decent, with Titli and  One Two Three Four my favourites. I loved Priyamani in the latter song, also the choreography with those finger steps and the leg moves was very nice. Even Lungi Dance has some great steps making visuals good to watch.

Shahrukh Khan overacts right from the 1st dialogue in that flashback sequence where he keeps shouting 'Goa is on, Goa is on'.  Or when his voice tone changes feeling scared to see the people associated with Meenamma in train. He does have some good scenes, but as a whole his comedy didn't work. He should take some mature roles now, and avoid such masala films which I know he wont.

Deepika Padukone is impressive, and I particularly loved her accent. But, its not a performance that I would remember in future like it was with Yeh jawaani hai deewani. If it was a good film, maybe it would had changed that for me.

Nikitin Dheer is once again in a small role, but still much better than what he got in Dabangg2. Rest supporting cast did fair work.


Overall, Like his previous films Rohit's Chennai Express also contains some funny scenes, but the product as a whole is very much average. Its hard to completely dislike a Shahrukh Khan movie, I can't recall when it happened last for me.. this one came very close to that.


Verdict : BELOW AVERAGE

Shahrukh Khan's new release

Looking forward to Shahrukh's next Chennai Express today. But everytime his film releases, it takes me back to 2007-2011. During those times, I would go and see the film and most of the times come back having loved or enjoyed major part of film. But on social sites, people (or the so called fucking haters) had already posted their crap on how bad the film is in abundance. And it used to irritate me a hell lot. It used to give me a feel of why do these people not even give the film a chance, and if they do give it a chance do they really watch the movie with the notion 'I may like it' or its always 'Bakwaas movie honi hai, har scene pe galti nikalenge'.

I tolerated these people for all those years, unfortunately I had no other option then. To add to it, they included few people whom I didn't expect to talk that way. But you can never force anyone to love a actor or a movie even if they are very much like your friends. It comes naturally. Only the decency to behave comes through the childhood habits, which many didnt have or maybe some people behave immaturely for a longer time period. 

Now, that time is gone. I no longer remain in touch with any of them, even twitter and facebook is locked for me all the time. During Jab tak hai Jaan, I still was available in these two places, and therefore I again ended up reading opinions of quite a few people. But this time, I have no one's comments to read.. not even friends. Sorry, But I have gone too far ahead now to ask you or answer you when you ask me 'kaisi lagi film, mujhe aisi lagi, mujhe waisi lagi etc etc'. Now, its just my opinion.. you wanna read it  then sure, else no problem. 

Also, I watch Aamir or Salman movies in full houses without caring which kind of theatre it is. But when it comes to Shahrukh movies, I decide which particular show and theatre would have decent audience who would either comprise of shahrukh fans or ones who dont show hatred uselessly. 

But yes, everytime I look forward to his new releases, his over-promotion always turns me off. Why the need to promote the film that much, let the film do the talking instead. I do like to point out things like this which I don't like about him, and I will always do that. I am not the one who would say lovely things all the time like a die hard fan. I can't do that for anyone, never.  Though, despite all that, Shahrukh is and will always remain my preferred favourite Khan. 

I have to say that Chennai Express wasn't I wanted to be that first movie, mainly because I atleast for now feel that I may not like it forget about loving it. But then trailers do mislead sometimes. So, fingers crossed. 

And lastly, forget the bashing of shahrukh that will begin from evening across all social platforms, I am expecting much more for Deepika's dialect getting criticised. I have loved her in all promos, including her dialect.. thank you.

Ready... Steady.. Po.

Movie Analysis : Before Sunrise

Directed by : Richard Linklater
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112471/

Splendid romantic movie that has endless great conversations. 

Jesse (Ethan Hawke) and Celine (Julie Delpy), two strangers meet on a Europe train, a random conversation and they start getting interested in each other to such a extent that Celine accepts Jesse's proposal of one full day adventure with him at Vienna.

I remember when I saw this movie 1st time some years ago, it was the first one where I saw characters go on talking and talking, and yet a story kept moving along very well. I guess I haven't seen similar kind of film yet.

What's worth applauding is how the director doesn't make the movie dramatic when he could have done it. For instance, when they fall in love, he doesn't start showing romantic conversations, their conversations still remain random. Instead what he does very well is he ends many conversations with a silence where either Jesse or Celine is looking at each other or both look at each other for few seconds. The only time director gives a total romantic scene comes right at the end, and it was a masterstroke because thats when you could feel what both characters would be going through, and again the idea of not showing the intimacy made it extra good. For me that scene is special, for reasons that can't be mentioned.

Also, whenever the conversation has a chance of getting bad to extent of fight, its stopped right there, for instance the guy-girl debate they do or when Jesse shows his non belief in the palm reader or the beggar who writes the poem where Jesse ends conversation with 'Nothing, I just loved it' to avoid a arguement. The director opts not to go on the silly note, and keep it simple romantic with no unwanted problems.

Both Ethan and Julie have such great chemistry, its hard to imagine for even a second that they are performing those characters, and not living them.When they meet first, they interact at times awkwardly because they are yet to know each other. They walk on bridge and have a feel of 'this is so wierd'. As the day goes on, and they talk.. they finally open up to such a extent that they love each other's company fully.

Their conversations takes up childhood, death, love, break up, parents, own vision of life, fear of plane travelling, religious and many other endless things. My fav one is when Celine says 'If there's any kind of magic in this world, it must be in the attempt of understanding someone sharing something'. And its the conversation that follows longest silence moment between them. Mostly every conversation is meaningful and not there just for the sake of it.

Also, the cow play scene, the Q/A, mimicry of Jesse kiss by Celine and the phone call on table were quite funny. While thinking of a 13 yr old girl whom Celine met when she herself was 13 was a emotional one, or when Jesse narrates the story of his grandmother's death. The one where Jesse makes Celine stand still, to take her photo in his memory.

The slow montage used to show all the places both visited in the end, was a beautiful sequence. Special mention to the background score, which is always light and in sync with the proceedings.


Before Sunrise is a superb romantic movie which always makes me feel happy and good. Its funny and entertaining but most importantly very engaging throughout.

Movie Analysis : Chor Chor Superchor

Directed by : K. Rajesh
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2337292/

Good comedy, finally Deepak Dobriyal gets lead role

The movie begins with a character trying to learn how to pickpocket by another guy who is expert at it. Its a 4-5 group of people working for Shuklaji (Avtar Sahani), and they have their setting with the police guy getting his share too. But their rival wants one of Shuklaji's person knowing they are capable bunch and would help him a lot. However, Shuklaji declines his offer. Satbir (Deepak Dobriyal) is a straightforward, honest and truth speaking person. He opts out of Shuklaji business, and finds work at a decent place. But a girl Neena (Priya Bhatija) enters his life and he falls for her. Little does he know, what motive Neena has got in her mind.

1st half quickly establishes the plot without consuming much time, and the plot of Satbir and Neena is also done with quite quickly with a song that brings them close. Satbir in that samosa getup was funny, specially when he tried using escalator or while running on road in that getup.  Another sub-plot is that of Roni (Anshul Kataria) who kidnaps a rich person, and in order to get money from him, offers him food with price-tag for instance, 1 gulab jamun worth 1 lakh. Though this subplot could had been developed much more.

2nd half is very entertaining, with the whole idea of Satbir, and brilliant use of Jai Ram ji Ki song on it... also very well edited. The scene where they meet the head of channel on road, or the finale with the rival person were hillarious. Only problem was 'Gaali dete hothon ko' song, which was totally forced in.

The duration of movie is short, that works in its favour too.

Deepak Dobriyal gets enough screen time for a change, and how well he uses it. Notice the scenes where he looks in the mirror or the one where he goes to channel place and comes out, looks at Neena and says his feelings of being hurt without saying anything.

Rest cast did a fair job, specially that rival person to Shuklaji who was also in Commando. Anshul Kataria's dubbing was not properly done though.

Despite having liked the movie, there was still that feel of 'aur achi ho sakti thi, kuch missing tha'. But, keeping that aside, Chor Chor Superchor was a good movie, and great to watch Deepak Dobriyal in a better and effective role.


Verdict : NICE

Movie Analysis : The Conjuring

Directed by : James Wan
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1457767/

Scary, Very Scary with a good screenplay. 


When I checked the trailer, I had made up my mind that I wont be watching this one. I was mainly scared that there will be gore in the movie which I bloody hate. But, good reviews couldn't stop me from taking a chance and it paid off well as hardly 1-2 scenes had gore.

The story is set in 70's, and the shots do actually give a feeling that the characters are actually in 1970's only. Paranormal investigators helping a family which is terrorized by a spirit in their house, is a story I haven't seen in past. To add to it, the idea of keeping all solutions of their past cases into  their own house, was hell scary for me.

Screenplay is good, they keep the main focus on the family comprising of Roger (Ron Livingston), Carolyn (Lili Taylor) and their daughters. While the other plot revolves around Ed (Patrick Wilson) and Lorraine (Vera Farmiga) who play the paranormal investigators. I specially loved Lorraine, the vulnerability she brings into both the plots with her performance, special reference to the first scene when she enters Carolyn's home, or when she goes inside cupboard to check for clues.

Carolyn plays her part very well, a loving mother and then the dealing with spirit, protecting her daughters. Brad (John Brotherton) added good humour in his small supporting role.

The story of Doll was a very good idea, only thing I couldn't understand was how did the Doll get out of the room to harm the small girl when its clearly shown that it was kept locked.  Also, I would had loved if the climax was extended by 5 mins, just to increase the thrill.

The exorcism part was new to me, not seen much of english horror movies but some of reviews I read suggested that its borrowed from past films. Whatever it was, it gave a thrilling edge to the climax.

Another good thing was that they allowed everyone in family get affected by spirit, thereby reducing the cliche chance of one family member getting affected and others believing that person only when the spirit has full control over the person. Thankfully, its not the case here.

Yes, the door opening, the night particular time to bring spirit etc are there.. but you can't get away not keeping them in a horror movie more often than not. What is also admirable that there are scenes where you are taken by a surprise, you expect this coming and something else comes, and sometimes you expect nothing and suddenly hell what did I just saw. There was one moment in movie when I almost jumped out of seat, never happened with me in a horror movie before.

The ending shot of the movie was scary and perfectly done.


The Conjuring is a very well made horror movie that does scare you (atleast it did to me), at the moment I can't rate it among alltime horror movies but maybe after 5-10 yrs when I do it.. it may find a mention in my top horror movies list.

Movie Analysis : B.A. Pass

Directed by : Ajay Behl
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2408040/

Very Bold, and well directed with a good story. 


Mukesh (Shadab Kamal) loses his parents, and with two sisters his responsibilities increase. His grandfather sends him to his aunt's house in Delhi against his wish. He is on a college course to get b.a degree.. but he leads a very dis-sastisfied life with the aunt making full use of him at home making him do household stuff, while the aunt and his son both give a I don't care attitude to him. The only peace Mukesh finds is in the new made chess friend Johnny (Dibyendu Bhattacharya). Mukesh goes to collect fruits box from Sarika (Shilpa Shukla) who is friend of her aunt. Sarika couldn't resist the opportunity of being alone with husband away, as she tries seducing Mukesh. Only with time Mukesh realizes what life he is about to give himself with this physical involvement with Sarika.

The reason I loved the story was that in a situation of crisis when earning money becomes neccessary, one often indulges in a wrong profession or wrong act. Same happens with Mukesh in this story, he gets a opportunity to earn easy big money so he is attracted to it despite the initial hesistation. Kudos to the director Ajay Behl who slowly establish his life post the death of his parents. Also, the sexual scenes are very well shot, and for a change they are bold in real sense.

There were 3 endings possible for the film, I would certainly have gone for the other two instead of the one director went with. But, the one he goes with is very much applicable to the story. Also, that one twist in the end was shocking, hard to digest maybe because that particular character never really shows signs of such act.

I love the scene where his learning to play chess is parallely cut with the sexual relation he has with Sarika.  Also, when he tries calling every person he knows, in a situation of total crisis. Or when he yells at Mukesh for all his money stuck at a place. The time when Mukesh doesn't know what to say to his sisters, or when they tell him how bad the hostel is where they are staying. And when the timing of the phone call of his sister is very bad.

Shadab Kamal delivers a very fine performance. Shilpa Shukla (chak de india fame) did really well for accepting such a role and doing it that well. Dibyendu Bhattacharya is excellent in supporting role, I love the friendship he shares with Mukesh. Rajesh Sharma is as always efficient in his performance.


B.A. Pass is very good movie for a great story, the way the first time director Ajay executes it, the way its shot, tight editing with duration of just 107 mins and good performances from the starcast. Thanks to the promo which showed views of Vishal Bharadwaj on this film, that prompted me to give a go to this movie, and it was a time well spent.


Verdict : VERY GOOD

Movie Analysis : The Smurfs 2

Directed by : Raja Gosnell
Imdb link -> http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2017020/

Below Average, and quite boring. 

Haven't seen the 1st part, and I don't think there was much connection or confusion for me due to that. Found the movie very below average, and not interesting. Only the bonding between Smurfette (Katy Perry) and her new found sister + brother was the part that I liked. The mischief they do together, and relation they develop after initially having dislike for each other.  Smurfette and her new sister were the best animated characters of all in the movie, looked cute and sweet in their mannerisms.

Gargamel (Hank Azaria) was good, but many times I found his dialect hard to decipher. His conversations with cat did give some hillarious scenes. The sub-plot of father-son relation between Patrick (Neil Patrick Harris) and Victor (Brendan Gleeson) was un-necessary. Though, Victor's transformation into duck and the scenes that followed it were good ones.  Also, the Tiffany scene done by Grace (Jayma Mays). And that character who is always positive in latter part of movie.

Another drawback was the story, which was quite ordinary, and simple screenplay didn't help either.

The Smurfs is watchable only for the mentioned scenes and the bonding between 3 Smurfs. Not too many laughs unfortunately...