Poster of the film

Film Review: MS Dhoni: The Untold Story

Director: Neeraj Pandey

Cast: Sushant Singh Rajput, Herry Tangri, Shreyas Talpade, Kiara Advani, Disha Patani, Anupam Kher, Bhumika Chawla, Rajesh Sharma.

Rating: 3 stars

Neeraj Pandey written/ directed M S Dhoni :The Untold Story is the story of Indian Cricket Team’s most prominent and popular captain, his humble beginnings in Ranchi and his passion for the game.

When his coach spots him the first time in the school playground, Mahendra Dhoni is playing football. On being asked if he would like to play cricket, Mahendra responds that why must he give up a big ball for a small ball? Then one night,as he watches his father at work, he sees the stadium lit up for the first time and changes his mind. He is willing to learn cricket and keen on batting but his coach believes that Mahendra/ Maahi has the making of a bowler.

From under nineteen and state level to National and then International matches, Mahendra Singh Dhoni reaches his peak when he wins the World Cup for the country and the nation becomes hysterical.

What works about the film are the highs and the lows, the narrative tells you as much about the person as the profession. We discover that Dhoni is as passionate about football and tennis as cricket and has an aggressive streak that he suppresses and vents out on the field. We learn he is a prankster, sometimes a boaster and lose his heart easily.

What does not work is the selective perception. The film makes a hero out of the cricketer and overlooks anything even slightly negative about the captain. The title suggests an Untold Story but the screenplay borrows from published incidents. One misses the cricket politics, rivalries, the recent scandal and controversies.

It isn’t as if the film does not make you laugh or cry, there are moments you feel jubilant and moments you feel choked but somehow the experience is never complete. At the end of the film you still don’t know the man.

The biggest drawback is the length (over three hours) of the film and by the last hour you are so restless that you are tearing your hair waiting for the climax.

The supporting cast of the film is extraordinary and Sushant Singh Rajput playing Mahendra Singh looks the part.

A still from the film

@bhawanasomaaya

My previous posts can be visited on the following link:

http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in

Yash Chopra with wife Pamela Chopra

There are so many memories of so many conversations… The day I visited your old office in Juhu and Aditya Chopra then your assistant at work told us about his re-editing of your film Silsila. When I visited you on the sets of Faasley in Khandala and we sat late evening chatting on your journey in films. I remember coming home for breakfast and sipping tea in your garden, visiting YRF Studio the first time and strolling with you on your terrace when you spoke to me about your first office in Raj Kamal Studio.

I remember the premier of Veer Zaara, the promotion of Jab Tak Hai Jaan when you became unusually emotional and had to take a break from the interviews.

I remember bumping into you at Bachchan’s 70th birthday party and then came news of Dengue.

It is so many years but it is still difficult for me to attend a FICCI conference without thinking of you or watching a film at YRF studio without missing you…

Maybe you don’t miss us as much because you are probably busy shooting a romantic film with the beautiful apsaras in the heaven.

Yash Chopra

@bhawanasomaaya

My previous posts can be visited on the following link:

http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in

Still from the film Parched

Film Review: Parched

Director: Leena Yadav

Music: Hitesh Sonik

Cast: Tannishtha Chatterjee,Radhika Apte, Surveen Chawla

Ratings: 2.5 stars

Parched is a story of patriarchal tyranny. Of four oppressed but courageous women Rani, (Tannishtha Chatterjee) a widow, Lajjo, (Radhika Apte) who is childless, Bijlee (Surveen Chawla) , a sex worker and Janaki (Lehar Khan) a child bride.

The film proves that India lives in multiple centuries simultaneously so while this village is reformed to possess mobile phones their dream is to own a dish TV so that their men will return home early.

What works: is the spirit and the urge to break shackles. Shot by the renowned Russell Carpenter of Titanic every frame is a treat to the eyes.

What does not: is the story because we have watched these issues (oppression, promiscuity, tyranny, bi-sexuality and sexual gratification) addressed in Rudali, Aastha, Mirch Masala or Rihaee and Fire. The climax is somewhat crazy where the women in search of happiness drive away in a bicycle cart into the rainbow and to feel empowered let go off their vanity and cut their hair.

Would men ever do that, no and it is time to question that why do women need to emphasize their freedom, should not they be taking it for granted?

All the characters are believable and all the performances sensitive. Tannishtha Chatterjee and Radhika Apte are acclaimed actresses but this time Surveen Chawla has the better role and makes a better impact.

@bhawanasomaaya

My previous posts can be visited on the following link:

http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in

Still from the film Banjo

Film Review: Banjo

Director: Ravi Jadhav

Music: Vishal-Shekhar

Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Nargis Fakhri

Rating: 1 star

A slum dweller and his friends work on mundane jobs for a living and in the evening for refreshment play a band at local events. They are untrained but talented and are discovered by a musician of Indian origin in America who has to create an album with new sound.

A friend sends her what he has recorded in the by-lanes of Mumbai at the annual Ganpati festival and she is charged. She packs her bags to arrive in Mumbai to search the band and offer them a platform. They are ready for the experience but there is a communication problem.

Nargis Fakhri does not speak their language but through trial and error they somehow strike a chord and deliver the album she is looking for.

If only director Ravi Jadhav had also managed to communicate with his audience. Sadly all he manages is to create colorful ambience, great posters and cacophony in the name of music. It is difficult to believe that this is the same man who made acclaimed Marathi films like Bal Gandharva and Natarang.

There is not a single, soulful moment in the film that bonds you to the character or the story. No attention to logic, detail or sensibility. Nothing works about the film, not the music, not Riteish Deshmukh unfortunately and certainly not Nargis Fakhri, can she please rethink of a career option.

@bhawanasomaaya

My previous posts can be visited on the following link:

http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in