Balak Palak - BP

Language: Marathi
Cast: Subodh Bhave, Madan Deodhar, Anand Ingale, Kishore Kadam, Prathamesh Parab, Supriya Pathare, Rohit Phalke, Shashwati Pimplikar, Bhagyashree Shankpal, Amruta Subhash, Vishakha Subhedar, Sai Tamhankar, Satish Tare, Avinash Narkar,
Producer: Riteish Deshmukh, Uttung Hitendra Thakur
Director: Ravi Jadhav
Music Director: Vishal-Shekhar
Cinematographer: Mahesh Limaye

Balak Palak is Ravi Jadhav's third movie after successful movies Natrang and Balgandharv. So I was eager to watch his next movie. And then the subject movie is very intriguing. It pulled me to the theatre and I had to watch this movie.

Although protagonists of the movie are all the kids mainly, it is not a kid’s movie. Movie talks about very important issue of sex education for kids which is still a taboo for many parents. It shows how If it is not addressed at the right time and with right approach, it could lead kids to wrong doors for answers.

I will highly recommend this movie to everyone not only for Marathi audience but also to non Marathi speaking people. One thing for sure this movie will make many of us nostalgic. All of us gone through this phase and we have a story tell, secret to hide. So BP will take you back to those days.

Movie has amazing content, good story, god screenplay. Movie is funny but it is not a mad comedy. It never sidetracks from the core message the movie wants to convey. Ravi Jadhav proves ones again he is one of the best directors in India. I can’t wait to see his next movie. As for actors, they all gave amazing performance. Not only seasoned actor like Kishor Kadam but even all the young actors did brilliant job. Movie was also a good visual experience, thanks to good work by Mahesh Limaye. Music by Vishal-Shekhar was refreshing. It distinctly sound different from the music we here in Marathi movies. I don’t know what part Ritesh Deshmukh played in making this movie but it was good start for him in Marathi Film industry.

If I have to rate this movie, I will give it 10 out of 10.

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Movie Reviews: Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows - Part 2

Movie Review “Harry Potter and Deathly Hallows – Part 2” (2011)

Genre: Adventure, Drama, Fantasy

Director: David Yates

Language: English

Writers: Steve Kloves (Screenplay), J. K. Rowling (Novel)

Star Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Ralph Fiennes, Alan Rickman, Helena Bonham Carter and others

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2, is the final adventure in the Harry Potter film series. The movie series we all following for about 10 years now, have ended with this movie. In this epic finale, we will see the battle between the good and evil forces. The whole wizarding world is at war. Harry Potter may have to sacrifice himself to finish Lord Voldemort. But one thing is for sure ‘It all ends here’.
This is final movie based on J.K. Rowling’s novel series. I am huge fan of Harry Potter literature but some of the movies were not up to the mark. But last two parts of these movies are excellent. Deathly Hallows – Part 1 was my favorite of this series till I saw the second part. This part has everything action, emotional drama, mystery and very well managed special effects.
Overall the movie series was really entertaining and satisfying. The success of this movie series was in it casting. Each and every character was perfectly casted and each one of them gave brilliant performance. But the casting of Harry Potter, Harmione, and Ron was absolutely brilliant so was their performances along with Lord Voldermot.
The Art directors, costume designers, Special effects Designer and all the technicians made these movies wonderful experience. But ‘It All Ends Here’.

If I have to rate this movie I will give 9 out of 10.

www.TheAmitabh.com

Movie Review: "DUM MARO DUM"

Movie Review “Dum Maro Dum” (2011)

Genre: Crime, Mystery, Thriller

Director: Rohan Sippy

Language: Hindi

Story: Shridhar Raghavan

Star Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Prateik Babbar, Aaditya Pancholi, Rana Daggubati, Mariah Gomes, Govind Namdeo, Deepika Padukone, Anaitha Nair, Vidya Balan

Music: Pritam

Dum Maro Dum is a movie set in Goa. In the movie Goa became capital of drugs in India because of greedy politicians and businessmen. So CM of Goa appoints ACP Vishnu Kamath played by Abhishek Bachchan to hunt down all the drug mafia. Lorsa Biscuita aka Biscuit played by Aditya Pancholi is the main drug dealer in that area. Biscuita uses needy youngsters for drug trafficking. One of such innocent boys is Lorry played by Prateik Babbar who wants to follow his girlfriend to US for higher education. But Police trap him and charge him for drug trafficking. His well wisher Joki played by Rana Daggubati tries his best to get him out of it. ACP Kamath has to find Michael Barbusa, an invisible man who runs this racket through Biscuit. How Kamath does complete his job with the help of Joki and Lorry forms the rest of the story.
Dum Maro Dum is good thriller. Definitely it is not unwatchable. Very well narrated and directed story and well enacted too by most of the actors. Music by Pritam enhanced the movie experience. It has the oomph we associate with Goa. Abhishek Bachchan yet again managed to amaze me with his singing ability. Deepika Padukone in item number was hot.
Aditya Pancholi as a villain did good job. But it left me wanting for little more. I strongly feel Bollywood today missing yesteryears villains like Pran, Amjad Khan or Amrish Puri. Bipasha was almost wasted in the movie. Her role is almost forgettable. Climax of the movie was also little disappointing. Other than that Rohan Sippy did commendable job.

If I have to rate this movie I will give 7 out of 10.

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Movie Review: "TANU WEDS MANU"

Movie Review “Tanu Weds Manu” (2011)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Director: Anand L Rai

Language: Hindi

Story: Himanshu Sharma

Star Cast: R Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut, Jimmy Sheirgill, Swara Bhaskar, Deepal Dobriyal, Ravi Kissen, Ejaz Khan, and others

Music: Krsna

Manoj 'Manu' Sharma played by R. Madhavan is a NRI Doctor living in London. He comes back to India on family pressure to find a bride to be and get married. He begins meeting girls lined up by his parents with his parents and his friend Pappi played by Deepak Dobriyal. First he met Tanuja 'Tanu' Trivedi played by Kangna Ranaut. While this meeting, her parents claim that she is ill so has to take tablets which made her drowsy. While Manu goes on to talks to her, he finds out that she is asleep. But he falls in love with her anyway and agrees to get married. But Tanu does not want to marry him and ask Manu to call off the wedding because she loves Raja played by Jimmy Sheirgill. Manu unwillingly calls off the wedding. But he could not forget her and get depressed. So his friend Pappi tries to get him out of it. He suggests that they should go to their friend’s Jassi played by Ejaz Khan wedding in Punjab. But the destiny brought together Tanu and Manu again. Tanu turns out to be best friend of bride to be Payal played by Swara Bhaskar. So Manu again fall back in web of love. Will he able to win back Tanu?

Main character in this movie was of Tanu. She is loud mouthed, tattooed, rebellious small town girl. Kangna Ranaut did great job in parts but her performance was not consistent enough. She played depressed girl in earlier movies so naturally but this character does not seem to come naturally to her. If she could have done little better the movie could have been outstanding. R. Madhavan was good as usual. But Deepak Dobriyal steals the show in various scenes. Director Anand L Rai did very good job. I will like to watch his next movie. Krsna put together good Music Album.

If I have to rate this movie I will give 7 out of 10.

www.TheAmitabh.com

Movie Review: "DIL TO BACCHA HAI JI"

 

Movie Review “Dil To Baccha Hai Ji” (2011)

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Director: Madhur Bhandarkar

Language: Hindi

Story: Madhur Bhandarkar, Anil Pandey, Neeraj Udwani

Star Cast: Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi, Omi Vaidya, Tisca Chopra, Shazahn Padmasee, Shruti Hassan, Shraddha Das

Music: Pritam

“Dil To Baccha Hai Ji” is first attempt from well known and appreciated film director Madhur Bhandarkar in light hearted romantic comedy genre. Before this he made very hardcore serious film and was very successful at it. So what made him try for a change, only he knows; but I am happy he did not opt for crazy slapstick comedy.

This movie is about three guys sharing a room. Naren played by Ajay Devgn is a divorcee who is going through a midlife crisis. He falls in love with his office secretary June played by Shahazn Padamsee. But in the end he finds out she was never interested in him. Then there is Milind a goofy guy played by 3 Idiots fame Omi Vaidya.  He falls in love with an aspiring actress cum RJ played by Shradha Das. She exploits Milind’s money for her advantage. Then there is playboy Abhay played by Emraan Hashmi. He becomes a toyboy to famous socialite played by Tisca Chopra and enjoys all the privileges from this relationship until he falls in love with the daughter of same socialite played by Shruti Hassan. Who also use Abhay as Toyboy for time being and dumps him.

So this is a story of how all of them fall in love head over their heels and eventually gets heartbroken by girls. Although the script tries to be funny, it failed to do so in various scenes. But as for acting all 3 major actors did great job.

If I have to rate this movie I will give it 6 out of 10.

www.TheAmitabh.com