The Wareblog

THE PLOT –

I don’t quite remember the last time I saw a movie that delivered more on every count than it promised.
3 Idiots is not quite the Sholay of our times nor the Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge of the decade – but in its own way, it is much beyond the league of such movies.
It is absolutely no wonder then that this movie is all set to trash all previous records of the Indian Film Industry – and if I may, perhaps go out and make a mark on the global commercial film platform.
The plot is simple – three college friends and the way their lives are intertwined.
Five Point Someone? Well, that’s best left for you to decide. I really don’t bother who wrote what and what came out of it, all that matters now having watched the movie is that AAL IZZ WELL!!

THE CAST –

Madhavan is superb in his subtle and suggestive act. Parikshit Sahni makes a return to the screen as Madhavan’s father with a tight performance.
Sharman Joshi is his usual impeccable self, it seems he has taken off from where he left in Rang De Basanti.
While Kareena Kapoor and Boman Irani are adorable in their roles, the laugh riot king is without doubt Omi Vaidya who just kills the competition with his class act of Chatur Ramalingam.
And as is customary, a worthy mention goes out to the Ace of Indian Film Industry – Aamir Khan. He does what he does best – deliver distinctively!

THE MUSIC –

Shantanu Moitra again comes up trumps with the score.
While he has been regularly serving collector’s edition scores for Vidhu Vinod Chopra since the Parineeta days, he takes the score to a different level altogether with superbly crafted numbers.
Give Me Some Sunshine and Jaane Nahin Denge are amazingly likeable while Pagal Stupid Mann is adorable. The ace of the album definitely is Behti Hawaa Sa – superbly sung by Shaan and shot slickly in the movie.

THE VERDICT –

There are just no two ways about this – 3 Idiots is the toast of the season, from now on!

THE SCORE –

9.50 / 10.00

THE PLOT –

Much was made of Auro and his class act before the release of this movie. While director Balki deserves credit for conceptualizing this film, where he misses out is the execution and the sustained interest in the movie.
The plot revolves around a single mother, played (a class act) by Vidya Balan, and Auro – her child, who has the rare genetic disorder of Progeria. Abhishek Bachchan plays a vibrant, young politician who coincidentally becomes a part of Auro’s life and that’s where the story starts off – if I may so put it.
What eventually happens and how facts unfold is the only aspect that you are made to sit through for.

THE CAST –

Amitabh Bachchan has lately been trying out movies that will add to his CV value of versatility – Black, Kaante and Sarkar being the previous ones (This is not the forum to write about AAG!!)
While Paa is another great piece of act from the legendary actor, it falls short on promise.
Abhishek Bachchan is just about right in his role but it is Vidya Balan who walks away with a class act.

THE MUSIC –

Illayaraja has scored the music for the film and yes, it again suffers from the Whatever-I-Hum-Is-Awesome syndrome (due credit must be given to the pioneer of this style – A.R.Rehman).
While you bend your ears a little to understand what is going on, you soon give up rightly taking the song to be a filler jingle.

THE VERDICT –

Paa is anything but what was promised at the outset. While it may be a novel movie and one that you probably would do well to sit through, it is not quite exceptional material.
Credit should still be given to director Balki for braving to make a novel attempt.

THE SCORE –

6.00 / 10.00

THE PLOT –

Kurbaan was definitely one of the movies this season that created a lot of pre-release following.
The plot of the movie can easily be mistaken to have been entirely inspired from Yash Raj Films’ New York, released earlier this year.

The movie however saves a lot of weaknesses on the surface through some very well homeworked screenplay and impeccable performances by the starcast.

A Dharma Productions movie has always been a dicey proposition when it comes to expecting the worth of the movies churned out – off late, there have hardly been wow flicks coming out. However, with Kurbaan you are assured of a well crafted film if not one with great content on offer.

The movie begins with the backdrop of the Delhi University and the events in the lives of our leading actor and actress. It moves on to gripping shores when the couple moves to the USA and is in the midst of a sleeper cell setting in a dedicated neighborhood. How their lives then meander through several courses is left for you to witness and take back.

THE CAST –

Saif Ali Khan is exceptional and at times almost carries the film single-handedly.

Kareena Kapoor has been made to look good and as far as her act goes, she does a decent job of executing her role according to the demands of the script at various stages.

Om Puri and Kiron Kher are routine in their character acts also supported in cameos by Nauheed Cyrusi and Dia Mirza.

Vivek Oberoi has been wasted in the movie given his impeccable record of performing character roles suited to such storylines.

THE MUSIC –

The music from Salim-Suleiman is pleasing to state the least. They duo have worked well to keep the earthiness in their music throughout the album.

While Shukraan Allah is without doubt the pick of the songs, the title track is equally well-made to give you the right feel given the backdrop of the movie or without.

THE VERDICT –

Kurbaan is definitely a movie that cannot do severe harm to your merry-making plans on a rainy day.

The film will not be making heads turn or possibly even just break-even at the box office but surely this is a marked improvement from the Dharma Productions stable after some real sub-standard servings in the last couple of years.

Watch it if you need an assurance to keep your faith intact with the production house.

THE SCORE –

6.00 / 10.00