Film Review : Yeh Saali Zindagi

The title makes you wonder if it is another dark feel kind of film like Dev D etc. But instead of calling it dark, it can be related as a realistic film that is very fast paced with a narration that keeps you glued to the screen.

The story of the film is nothing new. There are various sub-plots, Arun(Irfan Khan) is in love with Priti(Chitrangda Singh) but only comes to know later that she never loved him but was after Shyam(Vipul Gupta). It doesnt effect Arun as he loves her unconditionally. Kuldeep(Arunoday Singh) is about to come out of jail and has decided to end his crime life, but he has a tough task ahead to convince his wife Shanti(Aditi Rao Hydari) whose nature is very unlike her name. How the lives of these people get affected by one incident, and what role rest supporting cast play in helping or making it tough for these guys is what yeh saali zindagi is all about.

Now, the thing is that the sub-plots has been made as a complete movie so many times. So, what Sudhir Mishra does is, presents the film in form of a fast paced thriller. He starts the film with flashback that contains scenes from present too. So, a confusion is very well set up in the narration making you totally alert right through. Sudhir doesnt stop here, he puts forward fast montages of past stories of all the main protaganist without wasting too much time on them, also he makes sure that the past stories comes at various intervals and not in a single tone. Also, there are voice over done by Arun throughout the film and then there are few dreamy sequences that Arun goes into at some places.

Well that sums up, how much thought Sudhir had put into the story and screenplay. At intermission, he has kept a dialogue of Irfan saying "Kahaani yahan se shuru hoti hai .. ". Screenplay is very tight, narration style is appealing and impactful. Editing is very good. Good Cinematography. Excellent Background score. And very real dialogues, though lots of cussing done which is expected in a A rated film.

There are still some weak points in the film, the opening credit song sung by Prashant probably was very irritating since he repeats same lines around 4-5 times in a row. The final bullet scene gets too filmy though the scene with the film is very good to watch. While the sub-plot of Bade and Chote i.e Yashpal Sharma and Prashant Narayanan doesnt create that much effect as compared to rest stories, though good thing being that this story is given least importance in the screenplay and kept at supporting role only.

The songs are repeatedly used though no song is used completely. At times, the repeativity doesnt look good. The placement of songs is very good, cant single out any one song in that regards. Audio wise, the songs are awesome. Dil dar ba dar the best of all along with title track. Also, kaise kahein, sa ra ra and ishq tere jalwe have very good moments in their duration too.

Performances wise,

Irffan Khan as always is natural and at his supreme best in his serious look breaking into a humourous dialogue.Chitrangda Singh's acting is visible by the fact that its hard to tell what she wants until the end. Normally, a actress eyes would reveal it, not so in case of her. Looks wise, she looks hot and beautiful as always.

Arunoday Singh has improved since Aisha, though it appeared that his voice was dubbed in the film.Aditi Rao Hydari, the sweet innocent bua of Delhi6, looks extremely hot in this role, and very good performance too.

Saurabh Shukla and Sushant Singh are as usual effective. Yashpal Sharma and Prashant Narayanan are okay. Vipin Sharma shines in a gangster role after getting typecasted in role of father since long.

The sequence where Arun watches Priti romancing Shyam, all the montages, Arun deciding to go back to Priti while driving, Tony telling Priti what she will say to him on phone, Kuldeep taking test of Priti are some of the best directed scenes of the film.

Also, the film keeps the surprises coming, making it hard to predict until the final scene as to what would happen to some of the characters.

Overall, Yeh Saali Zindagi works due to the vision of Sudhir Mishra, the performances from the entire cast and a good music to support it. In short, a complete package film(doesnt refer to action + drama + comedy but performances + direction + screenplay + editing + dialogue + music).

Rating : 4 Out of 5

Masz na imie Justine [Views]

I have seen very few world movies. Dont remember, this could be the 1st one for me. I saw this one around a month ago, but still its there in my thoughts. Re-watched it some days back again.. The story is about a girl who wants to be happy, and feels the guy she loves will always keep her happy. But she is in for a surprise, a surprise that would to a extent end her desire to be happy ever again in life.

Its a story of Mariola who faces some hard circumstances, how the situation gets hold of her and she gives in. The pain, and the willingness to get away always in her eyes. She wants to live as Mariola, but she is forced to live the life of Justine.

The performance by Anna Cieslak who plays Mariola/Justine is outstanding. The sets and cinematography is very good too. The atmosphere or sourroundings set up perfectly brings up that mood where you feel for the character going through so much. There are some very tough scenes that are hard to see, the ones where Mariola for the 1st time goes through the painful life that has been gifted to her.

There are some very good dialogues too, especially the ones where Justine talks with her Grandma in her thoughts telling what she has gone through and what more is yet to come.

My fav one comes right at end of film "How much strength one needs to have? What for? Where is love? Where are dreams ? Where is this bloody justice" . In one single dialogue, the entire suffering of Justine is showcased.

Also, the sequence where Mariola in red dress stands outside a window only to realize that she doesnt have courage to commit suicide either, that entire scene is brilliantly shooted. Its also the poster of the film actually.

Mariola just wanted to be happy, and that's the only thing she was left desiring ever after.

A very good film!

Film Review : Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Jee

Madhur Bhandarkar's attempt at comedy genre, taking a break from serious cinema. Though he admits here too, the comedy would be in a realistic manner. After watching the film only thing I can say is that he was way better at his serious cinema, he has a long way to go in comedy genre.

The story is about 3 guys, Naren(Ajay Devgan), Milind(Omi Vaidya) and Abhay(Emraan Hashmi) who have a common interest i.e finding a loving partner. Naren falls in love with a girl June(Shazahn Padamsee) in his office who is 15 yrs less in age than him. Milind starts liking a radio rj , Gungun(Shraddha Das), madly whom he meets at a party occasion. While Abhay is after money initially flirting with Anushka(Tisca Chopra), later falling in love with Nikki(Shruti Hassan). How all 3 of them try to win their love, and do the girls also actually love them or not, or are we in for another one sided love affair for all 3 lead actors.

The film starts with a voiceover of Paresh Rawal describing the qualities of all the 3 lead actors. It takes 15-20 mins for the story to get settled. Then starts the search of comical scenes that would make you laugh out completely, there comes 1-2 scenes in 1st half. You wonder, 2nd half must give more, but again you get 1-2 scenes at best. And in the end, in a comic film, you are hardly given scenes that could tickle your bone.

Screenplay of the film especially is terrible and just doesnt really interest you. The plot of 3 guys trying to win over their love, having different backgrounds could had formed a good enough screenplay but not the case here. Some dialogues are good, rest are okish. Editing was fine.Background score was good, specially the use of old songs i.e Koi apna hota or the title song theme.

Songs though not appealing enough audio wise, looked better with film. Maybe that defines how much average the film was. I specially loved Jaadugiri and Yeh dil hai nakhrewala with the film.

Climax was completely predictable, but have to say it was very well directed by Madhur. As a debut in comic genre, Madhur has done a decent enough start, should learn with future films.


There were few noteworthy sequences in the film, Mukesh Tiwari-Omi Vaidya talk on 15 yr old 2 girls, Ajay using friend's name to get advice on love from Emraan, Ajay's singing at June friends party, Shruti-Emraan restaurant scene and the heartbreak scenes.

Performances wise,

Ajay Devgan delivers the only excellent performance from the film among the lead actors. He was completely in form yet again continuing his 2010 form. The expressions, the heartbreak, and the repeat of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam in that singing song scene(probably Madhur did it intentionally).

Omi Vaidya was irritating and not upto the mark at all. Infact everytime it appeared like I was watching Chatur again and not Milind. Not a good sign for a actor.

Emraan Hashmi was cool, comic timing was visible especially the home scenes with Ajay and Omi, and the restaurant scene with Shruti. But, the writing in regards to his role definately was a let down, a lot more could had been taken out from his performance but the scope wasnt there.

Shazahn Padamsee was cute looking and beatuiful too but acting wise she was just about okay. Infact, her "Please sir, please, please" kinda of gets irritating after a point.

Shraddha Das was decent, she always appeared to have a slight greyish character. Only her voice I found not impressive.

Shrutti Hassan was below average, I wonder if it was even her  voice in the film or not. She really requires to work on her acting a lot. The expressions either arent there or are overdone while the voice too is so shaky. But she is very appealing when it comes to her looks.

Tisca Chopra was very good in her portrayal of a sexy mom if I could say it. Quite unusual role but she did it very well, not completely convincing though but still much better than any of the female actors in the film.

Rituparna Sengupta and Mukesh Tiwari were good in their small cameos.


Overall, Dil Toh Bachcha Hai Jee is the weakest film of Madhur Bhandarkar(I have seen only Fashion and Jail till now). Still, one should watch it for his try at comedy genre, even though he doesnt succeed at it.


Rating : 2.60 Out of 5

Film Review : Dhobi Ghat

Aamir Production's film always comes up with a view that this film must be really good. So, expectations are always high and this time around Aamir already told in a interview that this film would appeal to only intellectuals or small section of audience. Well, the film does appeal but there are certain problems in the film which usually a Aamir film doesnt have.

The story is about 4 people, Shai(Monica Dogra), Munna(Pratiek Babbar), Arun(Aamir Khan) and Yasmin(Kriti Malhotra), how their lives get inter-connected when they get to know each other and what outcomes it leaves to their lives.

The main problem masses would have connecting to the film is the pace of the film which is very slow, almost reminds of Manorama 6 feet under. Good thing is that the film is just 90 mins long without a interval(which was first of a kind for me).

Kiran Rao as a director in her debut film does a commendable job. The way she has developed the narration, and ofcourse special mention to the editing which was top notch, amazing to see the way the 4 characters are interlinked through tiniest of possible ways. And not to forget, the 5th character Mumbai that is added into each character's story.

Cinematography is good. Dialogues are nice but since I saw hindi version so Dubbing made me not like some of the dialogues. Writing is very good, there is hardly any plot as such in the film.. yet to make the screenplay work means the job of writers was most important.

Only flaws in the film were the character sketches of Aamir Khan and Monica Dogra, especially Aamir Khan whose reactions in scenes with Monica Dogra are bit overplayed. Yet, the way he reacts while watching Yasmin cassettes is too good. While Monica Dogra's intentions as to why she is so curiously following Arun knowing he isnt interested in her, is something to be questioned. Also, the Mumbai character doesnt really get established well enough, it only plays a side role or a communicator to tell that all proceedings are happening at this place, quite tough to connect it with the 4 characters the way Kiran wanted it to.

The background theme used in the film is very good, it mainly comes during the final parts of the film.

Performances wise,

Pratiek Babbar shines in a very well written role. He was so natural and great to watch on screen.

Monica Dogra was good in expressions, hard to comment on her dialogues since it was total dubbing.

Aamir Khan was good in few scenes while okay in rest, not really convincing performance by him for a change.

Kriti Malhotra was the surprise package of the film, never expected her to make such a impact. She was so much like a normal person in real life. Her happiness, trying to be happy, feeling pain and the shocking thing was really well done by her.


Overall, Dhobi Ghat is a well made film. It is definately slow in pace, and also with few flaws but Pratiek and Kriti's performances and very good editing makes it a pretty good watch.


Rating : 3.30 Out of 5 

Film Review : Yamla Pagla Deewana

Three Deols came together again after 'Apne'. I had liked Apne to some extent, and the promos of YPD appeared to be good. But the final film didnt quite live upto the expectations.

The story is about 2 conmens, Dharam(Dharmendra) and Gajodhar(Bobby Deol ) who earn money by frauds and cheats. One day, Dharam's son Paramveer(Sunny Deol) comes back in search of his father and brother. He wants to take them back, meanwhile Gajodhar falls in love with Saheba(Kulraj Randhawa). Gajodhar isnt aware about the background of Saheba, as the brothers of Saheba take her away to get married with a NRI. The rest story deals with how Dharam,Gajodhar and Paramveer gets Saheba back, that involves some funny situations. 

The good thing about the film is that there are quite many comic sequences in both halves, but the drawback of the film is the screenplay in 1st half is not interesting enough. Too much time taken to set the proceedings. Some dialogues falling flat. Certain lack of punchlines in the narration.

Direction wise, this is Samir Karnik's weak film. He did excellent work in Hereos, but here he somehow fails to impress. Editing is okay, 1st half could had been shortened. Dialogues are average.

Also, there are some overdose of melodrama at places in the film that restricts the main appeal of the genre of the film. 

Performances wise,

Sunny Deol surprisingly was the best of all, his comic timing was completely spot on. Had he got good dialogues to deliver too, then his performance would had looked even better.

Dharmendra was slightly laid-back, otherwise it was a nice performance.

Bobby Deol's performance if compared to his last few films has to considered quite good, otherwise not at his best yet.

Kulraj Randhawa somehow lacked that screen presence I was expecting she would have. Her performance was pretty average.

Anupam Kher was very good in his small cameo. Rest supporting cast were decent. 

The english translation scene by Sunny Deol during meeting with Anupam Kher or the one at election speech, the scenes where Bobby-Kulraj try to run away twice and Bobby's attempt to woo Kulraj in 1st half were some of the good scenes in the film.

Songs were over-used, its important when you havent got outstanding tracks to go with, then a certain initative to be taken not to use all stanzas of a song. But not the case here, as a result songs only slows down the screenplay instead of taking it forward. The romantic song Sau baar was the only one that appeared to be used perfectly, while the title track was good to ears.

Overall, Yamla Pagla Deewana is a above average film with some good moments in a not so convincing screenplay or writing.

Rating : 2.75 Out of 5 

Film Review : No one Killed Jessica

*Spoilers in plenty*

Delhi is all about power, here everybody is somebody.. nobody is a nobody here. Thats the line Rani speaks as she introduces us to the film and the city where a major crime is about to take place. 

A girl named Jessica(Myra Karn) working as a bartender at a party is shot dead by Manish Bharadwaj (Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub who is son of a politician. The crime committed by Jessica was that she refused to give a drink to Manish since the bar was closed. Manish offers her 1000 Rs, but when she refuses, he in fist of anger fires a bullet at her. Jessica dies and hence leaves her sister Sabrina(Vidya Balan) to fight for Justice. How and with what hurdles Sabrina gets the justice, is what the whole story is all about with media playing a very important role in helping her, which in this case is Meera(Rani Mukherjee). 

Normally films related to a real life incident that is quite emotional could go either totally wrong while bringing the subject onto the screen or it can be a total hardhitting material. No one Killed Jessica comes into the latter category. RajKumarGupta deals with the subject in such a way that the film neither gives a image of documentary nor it goes completely into the filmy zone. Instead he opts for a path where he will try to keep the subject to as real as possible and at the same time keep a dose of entertainment. He uses real locations, lots of theatre actors, close up camera shots and ofcourse Amit Trivedi's music to his best advantage. 

In the court scenes, he uses the back and fro camera shots, which is very rare. Also special mention the background music, especially the one that plays after Jessica's death portraying the helplessness of Sabrina at many places. 

Very good screenplay, good skip at court cases, upto the point scenes. Editing was good.

 "Sabrina ji kaise log hai yeh, nafrat ho gayi hai mujhe aapki iss high society ke logon se", a dialogue by the inspector to the Jessica Case sums up the 300 witnesses who were present at the party when the murder happened. Very Good Dialogues written, be it Sabrina telling the mediaperson about how that person decided a glass of drink was above her sister's life, Kya kisi ki zindagi ki keemat itni kam hai hamari country hai, says a frustrated, angry and emotional Sabrina.

Locations of Delhi are very well used, just like RajKumarGupta's last film Aamir where he went deep into Mumbai's real locations to make the proceedings happening in the film appear so real as a viewer. 

Amit's Music already had been a sensation, and Gupta makes sure its not wasted as each song gets used in the narration of the story at the right places. Dilli, a sarcastic take on the city while Aali re the signature song describing Meera i.e Rani's character very well. Yeh Pal portrays the sudden circumstances after Jessica's death which she had never thought she would have to face. Aetbaar as expected is the anger of Sabrina towards Jessica's so called well wishers and the system that lets Manish escape. And Dua, the best song visually in the film with a additional stanza not present in audio album, picturised at India Gate, the candle light march inspired from Rang De Basanti film. The song has a very emotional feel in it and Gupta so wonderfully makes those words in the song felt through the picturisation of the song. 

There are few flaws in the film, for instance, the filmy angle given with the repeated dialogue of Manish's mother "Kuch bhi kariye, mere monu ko kuch nahi hona chahiye" or the "kab tak chatt par rahega". Although the court scenes were tackled uniquely, still the writing could had been better. The actor playing Sabrina's mother was touch too melodramatic. And the political leaders portrayal done in the pre climax was I feel not really required.

Gupta again has tried lots of symbolisms and metaphors, "Men at work" used to tell Sabrina that the witnesses are one by one going to betray her since the people are working at that from Manish side. Then, there was Kargil war's soldiers dead comparison done with Jessica dead. And the parallel scene of Manish doing religious act while Sabrina is at hospital with her mother.

These scenes especially leaves a major impact after coming out of the theatre...
• The way Gupta develops the party atmosphere leading upto the death scene of Jessica in the film.
• Sabrina giggling at a conversation by her lawyer in the court at a serious time, in a way showing that she is still in the growing up stage.
• Sabrina walking on a road lost in her thoughts and almost strikes with a huge elephant in front whom she couldnt notice even.
• The use of F word by Sabrina after verdict given by the court, a sign of losing entire hope.
• Interval sequence, the newspaper showing "No one Killed Jessica" with da da dilli background theme. The way Gupta pans the camera towards the camera and zooms in towards the headline, that just generates a emotional touch towards the injustice happened with Jessica.
• The Rang de Basanti candle angle shown as inspiration.
• And the final closing scene of Jessica in the end.


RajKumarGupta had two options, either to go for a good sweet ending by doing another court scene, this time in favour of Sabrina or to end the way he did in the film with a voiceover of what happened later by Rani and ending the film at the graveyard scene. Very good thought indeed, as this way he made much more impact. Though, there would be some people who would have preferred the 1st climax instead.


Performances wise,

Vidya Balan gives her best performance till date.(I am yet to see Parineeta) The way she handles her character that is in a way childish, who likes to keep away from her sister's fun party atmosphere since she doesnt drink nor like to dance as seen by the way she attempts to dance in a scene. How the proceedings around her, makes her grow up, how we see Vidya portray that transition, her state of mind at different stages, her trust broken, regained, her emotions at death of Jessica and how politely she shows her anger at Manish during the journalist tv interview. She is totally flawless. And I especially liked the costumes that were choosen for her, they again acted as a symbolism of the kind of person she was and the person she has now transformed into.

Rani Mukherjee was actually never gone. Just her films werent working, her performances had never gone down. But this film works for her mainly because the character goes with her image very well. She is totally opposite to what Vidya is in the film. Rani is a grown up journalist, who likes to use lots of slangs, likes to be called bitch, smokes too. She very well portrays the attitude her character has towards her work, always dominating and yet cant see any injustice too.

The rest theatre actors and the police inspector especially did a very good work.


In the end, No one Killed Jessica is just not a film. Like Gupta himself clarified in the starting of the film, its a hybrid mixture of fiction and reality. The film gives a message, that you need to fight against the injustice no matter how hopeless your condition is. And more than often, you would require a support like Meera(Rani Mukherjee) does in this film or the media did in the real Jessica case. In such times, you would find who were your true friends and who were just pretending to be your friends. Its a film that should be seen for the storytelling of RajKumarGupta, performances of Vidya and Rani and Amit's Music.


Rating : 4.5 Out of 5 

Music Review : No One Killed Jessica

Amit Trivedi has build a certain reputation for me and many other people too. He is known to give hardhitting music and with a similar film in the name of "No One Killed Jessica", the expectations just doubles.

The album kicks off with, Aetbaar, sung by Vishal Dadlani, Mame Khan and Robert Omulo Bob. Its a loud pitch song that represents a person who is angry and sad as the person's belief/faith in a particular thing is broken off very badly. The song showcases the state of the person so beautifully with well written lyrics "Jal bhun ke raakh hua aetbaar, ganda majaak hua aetbaar". Special mention to the English part of the song and the starting tune used setting the mood up. In the film this song would probably come(if used) when Jessica's murderer is set free by the court or case is closed. One of my very favs!

Next comes, Yeh Pal, sung by Shilpa Rao. Not sure about its use in the film, but the song is about questioning your current life that has changed due to the latest incidents happened with you. Shilpa Rao specially is at her best in the antara part of the song. "Kya bataayen yeh rang bhari haseen titliyon si kabhi, rengte kechuyon jaisi toh nahi thi", Amitabh Bhattacharya at his innovative best in lyrics. The latter part of the song changes mode completely with a sudden change in pitch of the entire song as it totally goes into a instrumental for last 2 mins. This song has in it to make a mark, but thanks to the major impact of rest songs, this one will go un-noticed.

Aali Re, sung by a huge list of singers i.e Tochi Raina, Biswasjit Chakraborty, Shriram Iyer, Raja Hassan, Anushka Manchanda, Sonu Kakar, Aditi Singh Sharma and Sonika Sharma. This is a complete mad mad mad song. The starting of the song is bound to take you by a surprise, as the girls chorus sings "Dhinchak dhinchak dhinchak dhinchak rapa rap rak chika rak chika". The song as of now seems to be filmed on Rani as her introduction song representing the character traits with lines like "Thori si kameeni, thori namkeeni thori si nasheeli, thori zehreeli hai". The lyrics clearly are written accordingly, which may sound a bit wierd to few but they completely fit as per requirement of this song. Amit has this good habit I would say to go for a particular background theme within a song which he does here at 4th min of song, and its impressive one yet again! Just like the song starts, the girls chorus gives it a similar mad finish "Boom boom patakha de .. arrey dekh arrey dekh". Its quite a experimental track by amit that has come out brilliantly.

Next is, Dilli, sung by Tochi Raina, Shriram Iyer and Aditi Singh Sharma. Again what a stunning start to the song, slow build up and then the fast pacy beats as Aditi Singh gets into the song "da da da da dilli dilli ". Tochi takes over then in this rock kinda feel song with very high beats used all throughout the song. The song is a angry take on Delhi through the eyes of Sabrina in the film probably. I somehow couldnt connect properly with the lyrics of Antara, Amitabh Bhattacharya just overdid here I feel. Leaving asides that, its a very catchy track, you just cant resist the beats used here but make sure the volume of your speaker or headphone is as maximum as you can have. There is another version of this song "hardcore version", though it pretty much sounds same to me unless I am missing out something.

Last one in the album is, Dua Karo, by Meenal Jain, Joi Barua, Raman Mahadevan and Amitabh Bhattacharya. Its a song that is asking to say the things inside your heart, praying for a better future. The song might involve the India Gate candle scene by the looks of it. A very emotional feeling attached with this song specially the lines "guzaare kaise saja ke jaise, din ghamo ke lage arse, sab sajde mein, sajde mein, sajde mein.. dua karo". There is a slight resemblance with Amit's previous work that comes during the song when the tempo of the song goes from soft to high chorus. But as a whole, the song comes out very fresh and hence it evokes that emotional touch this song has in it. Special Mention to Meenal Jain who is very impressive in this track.


My Pick(s) : Aetbaar, Aali Re and Dilli

Overall, No one Killed Jessica is another gem of a album given by Amit Trivedi. It easily surpasses his other 2 works of this year and almost touches his magical work in Dev D. As per me, this album is completely worth it especially if you have liked Amit's work in Dev D and Udaan. To end the review with, unless any new mindblowing album comes out within next 25 days, No one Killed Jessica is the no.1 album of 2010!

Rating : 4.75 Out of 5