Archive for Uncategorized

Aishwarya Rai’s Pink Dresses—Why the Hype?!

February 18, 2009 at 6:26 am · Filed under Uncategorized

For the past few days I’ve been  seeing photographs (all over the web) of the various dresses Aishwarya Rai is wearing at various locations for Pink Panther 2’s premier shows. Truth be told, in the black gown she was looking like a monkey. Yes, she was awful with a plastic face. Her expressions are artificial and lifeless.

Seeing all these photos I wondered how much her role is in the film and I got curious to see how the film has performed at the box-office. Guess what? Pink Panter 2 is an utter flop at the North American box office. In it’s second weekend it slipped to #8 and it’s opening was poor.

So why all this hype over her dresses for an utter flop film? In stead, can the media please focus on the little slum kids headed for the Oscars and how their life has changed (sponsored education)? instead of focussing on the silly outfits of a silly model.

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Will SRK’s Billu Barber be a Blockbuster Flop?

February 3, 2009 at 1:26 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , , , ,

Produced by Shahrukh Khan’s home banner and featuring SRK himself, Irfan Khan starrer Billu Barber is a pre-destined Blockbuster-release. The film will be Irfan Khan’s biggest opener and his career’s biggest commercial film, but if the news I gathered is corrected the film is on it’s way to become a Blockbuster Flop.

The film is made on a modest budget of 18 crores, which means this entire cost can be recovered in the first weekend itself combining domestic and international markets (by banking on the SRK factor). However, I read that the film has been sold for an astronomical price of 50 crores to Eros International. This means that up untill the 50 crore number is touched the film is not even safe. Now, keep in mind this is Irfan Khan starrer and not an SRK starrer and the film was an utter flop in Tamil and Telugu, which featured none other than Rajnikanth himself. I’ve seen the Telugu version and looking at the trailers, the music album (SRK has 4 tracks for himself), I have a feeling the film will lose steam on it’s first Monday. This is a weekend-family film.

I am surprised that SRK, for all his claims of being a student of economics and understanding the economics of film making (he said he doesn’t charge much, but takes a share of the profit), has sold the film for such a high amount. I was hoping all along that the film will be sold for a modest amount (say 25-30 crores and the rest could have been a share of the profit). Had that been the case the film would have gathered super-hit talk within three days as it reached it’s break-even and anything more than that would have only added to the film’s stamina at the box office. Yes, SRK’s production house could have just taken a share of the profit.

Our film makers need to understand that the below-average remake material they present is not worth the astronomical prices they are sold and brought for. Anyways, lets wait and see if Billu Barber will deliver a hit hair cut at the box office. The key to success for any film, big or small, is the rate at which it is sold.

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Dostana (2008) Review— Just a Gay Comedy

November 16, 2008 at 9:53 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , ,

mrinkenti3Other than the gay comedy, more of that later, the only acheivement of this film would be that it helps break a stereotypical image we’ve had all along about Karan Johar films that they are all about rona-dhona-aur-pyaar. In Dostana there is no Karan Johar signature except those that come before the film begins where he says he is missing his family and the fact that the entire film is shot in a foreign country. There is no heavy sentiment, ultra dramatic scenes etc, the film delivers most of what the trailers promise. Yes, it delivers gay comedy in huge doses and episodes of fun, but unfortunately the trio have nothing memorable to tell about their donstana.

dostana_releasedaypicKunal (Abhishek Bachchan) and Sam (John Abraham) are two cool dudes, the first a photographer and the latter a nurse. So cool that they both sleep with girls in the same house, wake up, introduce each other over juice and cereal and go by their day. All of a sudden, Sam and Kunal don’t have a house to stay and find themselves looking for the same house, which only wants two girls in the two available rooms for Neha baby (Priyanka Chopra). For a reason we never know, Sam and Kunal are so desparate for the house that they decide to lie that they are gay. And thus begins the dostana among Sam, Kunal, and Neha; Neha is hot wearing beach-like skimy outfits so obviously Sam and Kunal are drooling over her all the time. No other twists or turns come by which take the story to the next level. Abhimanyu (Bobby Deol) is the new boss for Neha and yes, he too gets attracted to her. Thus, most of the second half is all about how Sam and Kunal misguide Neha, Abhimanyu, and his son and at the end their bluff is called and pay for that act of lie wit a gay kiss in the climax!

The film has the expected gay comedy bits strewn at several places in the film. The best episode in the film is when Sam’s mother Kirron Kher comes from London to Miami when he accidentally gets the snail-mail from the US Postal Dept about her son’s gay status. Add to this, a tiny appearence of a gay Boman Irani. Rest of the film just seems to move on without much point or purpose. Of course, the production house goes all out to remind the audience that this half-baked comedy is coming from the house that brought  you Kuch Kuch Hota Hai with John enacting a SRK in the background. The problem is that the story is not anchored well in a plot. For example, why do Sam and Kunal suddenly need a house? why is Sam so desparate for the house to the extent that he pops the idea of being a gay couple? no sense at all. The story could have been built better.

The best performance in the film is by Abhishek Bachchan who really lives it up being gay. I am sure he must have watched Friends at least adostanabigposter 100 times closely watching the performance of Joey because beleive it or not he acts just like Joey. Same mannerisms, body language, and way of talking. And check out Abhishek narrating the origins of their gay love and you feel he finally got a role that fits him best! John Abraham is fine and takes his shirt more number of times than Salman would. Bobby Deol looks like a dumb zomby-like cartoon with the same expression(s) whether he is happy or sad. Priyanka Chopra is fine, same act as usual, but here she looks like a LUX-TV Ad all throughout the film. The taking of the songs are good in the first half–maa da ladla is fun to watch. Shilpa Shetty sizzles (pointing to her breats as ‘yeh jawaniyan’) though in wierd outfits in Shut Up and Bounce that rolls as the titles begin. At several place in the film you wonder why Abhishek Bachchan ever agrees to do films along with handsome hunks who are showing their bodies of steel—he made this mistake in Dhoom and now agian here. Yes, the final gay kiss between the two lead actors is shot like the highpoint of the film. Parents wanting to take their kids might want to talk about being or not being gay.

Mr. Inkenti’s Movienomics Verdict: Only One Thumb Up. Has its share of fun, but it is gay and has a pointless story.

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Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi First Song Promo is a Super-Hit!

November 3, 2008 at 1:49 pm · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Haule Haule we see Shahrukh Khan taking a bath in the outdoors in old-style, making his toast, eating alone, washing his dishes, riding and getting on and off the good old scooter with number plate PB 02 AC 2001 with PUNJAB POWER written on the leather cover. The song is good, and SRK adds the magic touch with his slow and gracious hand movements and trademark facial expressions.

The first song promo, 70 secs, for RNBDJ is a super-hit without a doubt because it continues to keep up the tempo the First Look set. We see a different SRK doing what he does best always, but the packaging is different. The heroine is a disappointment though. Definitely will not pull the crowds in like Deepika did for OSO. If she is supposed to be the oridnary jodi that the movie is talking about then she does fit that bill of being ordinary and decent. The backdrop setting of the basti or colony is superb, photography and all the related works are top class.

The song is good, yea…just good. I am eagerly waiting for the album. Will the album have any blockbuster-classic love songs? or will they all be just good like Haule Haule? SRK says the film wants to make a point and as I already wrote the point is as old as the hills so what needs to be seen is the story–will it captivate the heart?

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The Himesh Reshammiya Phobia

October 15, 2008 at 10:12 am · Filed under Uncategorized

We all know about the the Himesh Reshammiya (HR) mania–whether it is Hyderabad or Delhi, auto or gym we hear HR crooning away to glory. But did you know about the HR phobia? I began observing it among my friends and colleagues while convincing them in vain to go for the First Day First Show of Karzzz with me.

Two more days to go for Karzz, which is releasing in 20 single screen theaters in Hyderabad city in addition to 5 multiplex chains (Prasads, PVR, Adlabs, CinePlanet, Talkie Town). By any standard, this is a release that honors the Star status of Himesh Reshammiya. However, the advance booking for Karzzz at Prasads, Hyderabad, which is the busiest multiplex in the city, opened to a rather slow response. What caught me by surprise is that only three shows will be screened the opening day (Prasads does even 10 for major releases). On the other hand, Karzzz will open in three main theaters–Ramakrishna 70mm, Santosh 70mm, and Padmavathi 35mm, which goes to show HR’s mass star status. This is a rare feat for any star. Be sure to see masses thronging the single screens.

This actually fits well with the HR phobia I am observing among my friends. I am not a HR fan, but I enjoy the mass hysteria he has created. However, none of my friends are prepared to watch Karzzz on the FDFS. They are not willing to watch it even if they are paid a Rs 1000! They freak out in astonishment when they hear of HR. To be honest, even I was like this untill I saw Aap Ka Suroor. Nope, I didn’t become his fan, but I was bowled over by his fan following. I bought the ticket in black (Rs30 ka Rs100) on the third day for a morning show and there was hysteria inside the theater. Every line he spoke there was applouse! I tell this story to all my friends who think HR is nothing but total waste. Yes, I went alone to watch it as none of my friends were willing to come.

It is the same story now for me with Karzzz. It will be interesting to see how the director, Satish Koushik, will re-create the 1980-Karz magic, which had blockbuster songs, performances, and faces. For Aap Ka Suroor, there was the initial curiosity to watch HR as a hero, but this time around it will depend on how the film is delivered. Lets see how Mass Star Himesh Reshammiya delivers his Karzzz to his fans on October 17th, 2008. With no other major release, Karzzz is the diwali blockbuster release. Good luck Himesh! Let the box office fireworks begin!

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Bollywood Meltdown & Crisis— Goldie Behl’s Drona Sequel!

October 9, 2008 at 6:18 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , ,

Move over the Global Financial Crisis, Stock Markets being butchered the world over, and “toxic assets” of our financial institutions, there is much danger on the way. Just as I was reading all the news about the meltdown of global markets and preparing to blog about it, my computer screen nearly cracked reading this piece of news on Indiafm.com that Goldie Behl is determined to make a sequel to the disasterous Drona!

You’ve got to the read the article to believe what I am saying. Mr. Behl feels that he made a wonderful fantasy film for kids at a time when families have no option but to see violence and sex comedies. Further, Abhishek Bachchan who was at this worst playing the grumpy Drona is supportive of the idea because he feels that the unit did something new and original and anything new takes time to grow. Clearly, the two are completely deranged. Whats seems to have excited Goldie Behl even as audience across the country are simply not showing up to watch his film or leaving once the film has started is that Shahrukh Khan and his son have loved the film. Now, we all know that SRK surprised everyone by attending Drona’s preview show with the Bachchan parivar. Either SRK and his son are deranged or SRK is falsely encouraing Abhishek-Goldie combo to deliver Drona-2 and make a complete ass out of themselves, further taking revenge on the Bachchans.

From the first day first show audience have kept away from this film. Now, I wonder who will produce the sequel and what Eros will say when Goldie floats the idea. If EROS really has so much money then instead of producing Drona-2, they can put that money to save our nation’s stock market from crashing further. But if this really begins to take shape then what can the bloggers community do? should we organize rallies, send mass emails requesting, pleading the Govt. to ban any attempts of making a sequel to Drona?

Goldie Behl and Abhishek Bachchan need to be ashamed of themselves for standing by such a false product. In stead of accepting the mistake, they are going around town supporting the load of crap Goldie Behl directed and Abhishek acted. If Drona’s sequel is produced then it is the begining of Bollywood’s Meltdown!

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Chintakayala Ravi Review— Not As Funny as the Title

October 7, 2008 at 10:49 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , ,

When I first heard that Victory Venkatesh’s film under production is titled Chintakayala Ravi the Telugu film industry was going through one of it’s rough patches where it is bereft of any novel film worth watching twice or for that matter once. None of the top, middle,  or entry level heroes were giving any worthwhile movies except Venkatesh who was giving us 100-days films one after the other although with decreasing quality. But with a truly funny title, I really thought novel and genuine humor would be brought back in to mainstream commercial blockbuster releases. Alas, my wish has not come true for Chintakayala Ravi, much like Venkatesh’s previous releases, is trashy, half-baked and rehashed material that fails to generate the required comedy. Alas, Venkatesh, and above all, desperate Telugu film lovers yearning for a full-fledged entertainer from [one of their] Stars get to carry this heavy and stinking burden.

Chintakayala Ravi (C Ravi) is the ladla son of Seshamamba (by the evergreen over-action queen Lakshmi) who has told every living and non living object in her village that her son is a kemputer engineer in USA. Based on this she is in search of an English speaking bride in her village and she finds this in Lavanya (Mamata Mohandas). However, our man, C Ravi is a designer drink maker in a Bar called Green Wave (i think, could some one correct me if I am wrong) making English drinks with a native touch like Bapatla Martini Blasters etc. Because his mother is ‘mad’ly obsessed about her son’s career, C Ravi cannot tell her this bitter, strong alcoholic truth. Meanwhile, the match is fixed and duets are executed and in one moment of truth C Ravi writes a letter to Lavanya telling her the truth. But his good-for-nothing friends, as always, play spoilsport and hide the letter inisting their friend to drink and deliver the truth over phone. But C Ravi passes out and his friends tell some nonsense about his true age and make C Ravi believe that Lavanya knows the truth and continues to love him. Meanwhile, even as all this is going on, Sunita (Anushka) bumps into C Ravi at several places and has a not-so-pleasant experience every single time and concludes he is a crook. She investigates, finds the truth about this career, leaks it to her best friend Lavanya, and breaks all hell on C Ravi’s family when C Ravi goes to India for the engagement.

C Ravi is now enraged that his family was insulted because someone leaked his secret career (reminds you of Munnabhai…eh?), but unlike Munnabhai he is not out to become a Software Engineer, instead he wants to (comically) wreak Sunita’s life. But how can Victory Venkatesh be so rash that he simply fools his parents all these three years? Yes, now comes the sentiment that actually does touch you when the reason for C Ravi becoming a drink maker is revealed. On his arrival, he gives away his money, $20,000, to his just-met roomate when he suffers a brain damage and needs surgery. Anyways, Sunita comes to know of his truth, becomes friends with C Ravi, and both begin to fall in love, but just when they are going to tell each other they have to go to India to attend C Ravi’s marriage with Lavanya. The guy whom C Ravi saved tells them about the Greater-than-God-Greatness about C Ravi. Oh yeah, at the end, thanks to a spy-cam operation by one of the family comedians everybody gets a glimpse of the pure gold that C Ravi’s heart, soul, and body is made out of. He marries Sunita at the end.

The biggest problem with the film is that the director did not have the confidence in his abilities to come up with something new and different and thus the entire second half is a rehash of various Hindi films—from Hum Tum to Partner. There are times when you feel you are watching Karan Johwar’s Tollywood debut. The worst of all is that Om Shanthi Om’s signature tune has been used (i request T-Series and Red Chillies Production to cut this out). Ok, even Prabhu Deva did the same with NVNV, but it was excellently done and it clicked; here it falls right on its face. Add to this, there is lots of crude and toilet humor, which does not quite click when you have to see Venkatesh farting or shitting. At least, it was not done well. The director somehow caught hold of a really funny and fancy title, but the content that is presented is absolutely worthless. The only saving grace is the reason because of which C Ravi could not study, but again that is not the be-all and end-all as there several other ways to get on with your career. The mother-son sentiment is nicely done. Unfortunately, Bhramanandam does not get any comedy else the film would have been even more watchable. Sunil is great as usual, but it is the same act again. Ali does the Nachimi act from Chirutha (I didn’t know it was developing into such a franchise!). NTR Jr. makes a special appearance which makes you go ‘why did he come and go?’. Arti Chabria is unnoticable in a dance number. The songs are fine with Nahi Chodunga Sunita being the highlight.

Analysis and logics apart, the film does not provide the kind of entertainment one expects from such a funny title. Most of the jokes did not even get a response (in a mass center like Lakdikapool’s Sensation Sunshine) as they are more suited to the multiplex-US crowds. Venkatesh is as usual good, but you feel uncomfortable to see him in boxer shots, farting, and shitting. And when you see Venkatesh in those cool and trendy gets-up you go “asala veediki intha avasarama…?!“. But because it is Venkatesh, all such antics will pass and though audience, critics, and reviewers might not like the film it still might just sail through because it is Venkatesh heading this load of trash. Add to this the fact that there is nothing else in Tollywood that features a Big Star, the hapless audience will watch it. However, it is about time Venkatesh checked his scripts because honestly there is not a single Venkatesh film that is worth a DVD-buy after Nuvvu Naaku Naachavu. So just enjoy the title of the film and wait to watch this film on cable because very soon you will hear news that his film’s sattelite rights have been sold for some insane amount to our local channels.

Mr. Inkenti’s Movienomics Verdict: Only One Thumb Up. Strictly for time-pass, and it is not a total diaster. But don’t be deceived by the title.

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Kung Fu Panda Review— Panda Dada Ko Jai Bolo!…Panda Dada Zindabad!

October 3, 2008 at 11:30 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , , ,

I fell in love with Kung Fu Panda and it’s concept way back in May 2008 when I saw the trailors on Y! Movies. Since then I have been waiting to watch this film. It is quite a shame that such a gem-of-a-film, which released on June 6th only released in Hyderabad on August 15th and a bigger shame is that I saw it so late. I was also annoyed with Hyderabad multiplexes as none brought it in to their plexes, instead Prasads was kind enough to use its monoply might and forced everybody to watch it on IMAX for Rs.200/per ticket. Now, that is the biggest shame. I tried to boycott the film at Prasads and wait for the DVD, but I could wait no more to watch Kung Fu Panda, which is a total joy ride from first frame to last.

Kung Fu Panda is about a “fat” Panda named Po, his passion and desire to be a Kung Fu Master and his boring real life job of a cook making Noodles. The film opens in grand style showing a Kung Fu Master that has mastered the elements and everybody around him are in awe and shock, but the Master wakes up from his dream to his reality (reminded me of Megastar’s Gang Leader opening sequence). Po faces an internal conflict about his passion and his job for a living working in the family’s Noodle shop. He is unable to tell his father about his Kung Fu dream, but mentions that he had a Noodle Dream. Hearing this, the father is excited and is happy to inform Po that soon he will tell him the secret ingredient in the noodle soup. Meanwhile, there is something mystic and exciting brewing elsewhere to shape and determine the destinies of their village and Po’s. Legend has it that one day the Dragon Warrior, the destined person who will read the Dragon Scroll, will be chosen by the Master Turtle. Only the Dragon Warrior can bring peace to their land and fight the evil Tai Lung (the white Tiger) that is destined to escape from prison and wreak havoc in their land. Master Shifu has already trained five warriors who are referred to as the Furious Five (Viper, Mantis, Monkey, Tigress, Crane) to fight evil and bring peace. It is expected that one of the five will be chosen to be the Dragon Warrior. But everyone is in for a surprise when the fat, sloppy, and lazy Po is chosen!

Shifu is furious initially, but comes to terms with the decision of his Master and wants to test the Panda. Even the furious five are upset with him and do not welcome Po leaving him to contemplate on his sad state of affairs. But Po is reinvigorated when the Master Turtle tells him that he must understand his destiny and believe in himself and believe in his own potential. Master Shiffu also is asked to believe and trains Po to fight Tail Lung that has escaped from prison. It is also revealed that Master Shifu had adopted Tai Lung and trained him, but when the Master Turtle did not choose him as the Dragon Warrior, the evil in the Tiger was unleashed. Now, with even the furious five failing to stop the Tiger, our hero Panda-Dada Po succeeds in stopping him. In this process he learns about the power of self-confidence and to beleive in one self. Po also learns from his father that there is no secret ingredient in the soup, in reality, and that what is needed is belief that one’s own potential is the answer to success.

The story written above might sound like a serious film, but every line above is backed by sequences that are funny and hilarious. You’ve just got to watch the film to enjoy the humor. If you like Jack Black’s (voice of Po) style of dialogue delivery then you will have double fun watching this film. The following scenes are highlight:

(1) The attempts of Po to enter the Palace and how he lands from the sky on a seat fitted with fireworks to be proclaimed the Dragon Warrior.

(2) All the scenes that involve training Po–absolutely hilarious.

(3) The scene where Po is doing push-ups with dumplings beneath.

(4) Towards the climax when Po thinks Shifu is dieing as he closes his eyes only to be shouted back by Shifu that he is only resting and not dieing.

(5) The Master Turtle telling Shifu that there is no good or bad news, only news, but exclaims that Tai Lung’s escape is indeed bad news.

(5) The climax fight with the Evil Tiger. Particularly, the one where as the Tiger is strangling Shify, Po comes up the stairs panting for breadth to surprise and shock the Tiger that he is “the fat Panda”

The technology in the film is simply superb. And on IMAX it is just beautiful. Like most Hollywood animated films, this film too has high technology and a heart and soul. It has humor and with Jack Black’s voice for the Panda it is just hilarious to watch this Chineese Panda talking in American slang! The message of the film too is sweet, simple, and effective. The message reinforces the beleif in destiny and self confidence. In the case of the film—you need to be destined to even realize that the power and secret of success is within You. This is why Po was selected because he was destined to realize the power within. Another beautiful message is that the Dragon Warrior, or a supreme warrior is someone who will bring peace, not war, to the people and land. Thus, in today’s world it means that to be powerful means you must bring peace and stability to people. This is a very piognant and powerful message that be meditated upon at length.

Dreamworks Animations has already announced a sequel to Kung Fu Panda that is expected to release on June 3rd, 2011. The DVD of Kung Fu Panda will be out on November 9. I know friends of mine who have seen this film on a pirated CD. Please, do yourself a favor, watch this film either in theater or on an original DVD. If not for the story or message, just watch it for the work and effort put in by the artists and technicians behind this film. The same applies for other animated films like Wall-E.

Mr. Inkenti’s Movienomics Verdict: Two Thumbs Up!

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Ashta Chemma Review— Play this Funfilled Game!

September 17, 2008 at 12:03 pm · Filed under Uncategorized

The makers of Ashta Chemma claim that it is the “biggest small movie ever made”; honest about being a small movie and super confident about being the biggest small movie. In fact, this statement carries a lot of weight for it is the success mantra for small budget films with small time actors with great talent. The film has to be Big, with a capital B, on its content—performances, freshness, comedy, and of course story. Looked at it this way, it is more challenging to make a hit small film because it has to score on several points at the level of innovation; big films can still be mundane and still score a hit. In this context, Ashta Chemma, does a great job in living up to it’s makers claim: while it may not be the biggest, it is certainly one of the finest and funfilled small films to have come to Tollywood, at least in recent times.

Lavanya (Colors Swathi) is a hardcore Prince Mahesh Babu fan. She is obsessed about him and goes in to a frenzy when news breaks out about his marriage. Apparently, Mahesh’s marriage becomes a Statewide catastrophe for young women with many reaching the state of insanity (imaginative, but for Mahesh?!). Finally, Lavanya comes to terms with Mahesh Babu’s marriage by deciding that if not Mahesh, she will marry someone with the same name. Thus begins the search for another Mahesh by her aunt (Jhansi) and her neighbor friend Anand (Srinivas Avasarala). Aunt is unsucessful, but Anand finds a cool dude at the F-Lounge Bar whose name is Mahesh (Nani). Anand then moves swiftly by introducing Lavanya and Mahesh, sparks fly and everything goes great untill Lavanya shows her Mahesh tatoo (don’t worry, it’s on her hand) and reveals her obsession for Mahesh Babu and the name Mahesh. Hearing this, her boyfriend-Mahesh gets wild and worried.

In a hilarious flashback, which has to be seen on screen to be enjoyed, it is revealed to us that our Mahesh is actually Ram Babu. Yes Ram Babu–the guy whose parents were village leaders and elders and gods and have now left their legacy to be carried out by Ram Babu. Yes, Ram Babu dispenses justice, equality, love, and wealth and is the village God, but in his private time to de-stress and remind himself of his sanity he dances to Micheal Jackson’s Iam bad..ia m bad…. So Ram Babu keeps coming to hyderabad and lives his alter ego of Mahesh–the cool guy. Anand takes it up on himself to resolve this and makes a surprise visit to Lakavaram, Ram Babu’s village, to flirt with his beloved sister. From this point on the story moves with several twists and turns that never slow the pace down and are full of fun. From the city the entire film moves to the green locales and the village of Lakavaram where the tale unfolds.

Colors Swathi has a limited role and is restricted to only her trademark overlycute-overaction, but it fits well given her crazy characterization of someone crazy about a cine star. The highlight of the film is the performance of Nani and Srinivas Avasarala. Both these actors are first rate and really pour life in to the film with ther comic timing. I really feel like watching this film again for their acting. Nani as the guy constantly in one peril after another and Srinivas as the cool guy in bermudas constantly looking for trouble with that smirk on his face. Both of them are simply superb! Jhansi and others are good. In addition to acting, it is the fun filled sequences and twists that click big-time! If you thought the film is all about Mahesh, then you’re in for a surprise!….the serious aunt who is constantly chiding Lavanya for her mad obsession with Mahesh is herself in love with another star….the Power Star Pawan Kalyan!….this photo of Pawan Kalyan in a still from Jalsa sent the audience in to a frenzy!

If you are wanting to play this film (the posters say “play me”), then simply go for it. After a long time this year, we have a film that everybody can enjoy! The film opened in a limited release with no main theater in RTC X Roads, Hyderabad, but given the postive word of mouth the film is bound to grow in strength.

Mr. Inkenti’s Movienomics Verdict: Thumbs Up!

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Phoonk Review— B Grade Wannabe Horror Flick

September 5, 2008 at 11:41 am · Filed under Uncategorized ·Tagged , , ,

Truth be told, I am sick and tired of Ram Gopal Varma’s (RGV) films. He made some films that are undoubtedly golden classics and he should now leave in style. Even Sarkar Raj couldn’t save him. This is the reason why I didn’t watch this film on the first day, but waited till I heard something good. However, much to RGV’s horror his horror film, for which a contest was conducted (money for watching it alone), was termed a not-so-horror film on the first day itself. But the talk was good. I finnaly saw it; while it has it’s share of thrills, the film is really a B-grade wannabe horror film.

The story is about a religious family whose head of the house is an athiest. Rajiv, the man of the house, is a successfull businessman, but believes that everything he got is because of his work and not because of God. On one party night, he fires his two partners for dishonestly. Much to his headache, one of the partners is a spooky lady who practices black magic. She curses Rajiv’s daughter, Raksha (Ahsaas Channa). Raksha is possessed and the family doesn’t know what to do. Modern science doesn’t seem to help, so finally Rajiv brings in a swami-ji to do the needfull and drive out the black magic. It succeeds and everybody is happy.

The first half is a big drag with no story. The second half is where some action is going on and if this didn’t happen the film would have flopped. The story actually is not scary. Everytime the audience sits-up it is only for the loud-sudden blast of music—cummon now, is this a scary film? and whats with the dolls and stationary animals?—makes no sense at all. The movie will also remind you of Bhooth. Ahsaas Channa as Raksha the possessed child delivers a knock-out performance.

The film is actually inspired and lifted from a Telugu film/tv serial called Tulasidalam, which my wife says was far more thrilling than Phoonk. And that is correct, Phoonk does not thrill you. However, the film has gone well with the audience because there are a few sequences that are spooky—

1. Rajiv walking in the middle of the night and seeing a different reflection of his in the mirror

2. the maid seeing the grandma meditating and accusing her of being the evil spirit and stretching her arm from door to door with a lime in her hand.

Unfortunately, these two sequences are dreams. The film should have been thrilling enough to include such incidents as part of its narrative. There is no adventure in the film. Another problem with the film is that there is no suspense about who is donig the black magic. Madhu (Ashwini Kalsekar), who is one of the partners who is fired, is shown very wierdly from the first frame onwards leaving nothing to your imagination. Perhaps, RGV didn’t want to take chances with the twists as he got the twist of his life when audience drew a blank to his twists in Sarkar Raj.

The film also carries a powerful tagline (“it is supersition till it happens to you”) and a discussion that is part of probably any household—superstition versus science. The film fails to bring out such a differentiation even though RGV touches upon it here and there through dialogue. In the end, after all the fighting between the swamiji and Madhu, Rajiv’s wife (who is beliver in God) tells him that the doctors did the miracle. So what does this mean? Nothing, it is just RGV trying be over-smart as usual. What could have been a cultural phenomenon (like the i-see-dead-people) is wasted. Anyways, RGV made good use of his by-now standard and typical camera movements, loud-sudden music, and is happy that he wouldn’t be kicked out of the industry. He is even planning Phoonk-2 (somebody, pls stop him!)–except the same stuff.

Mr. Inkenti’s Movienomics Verdict: Only One Thumb Up. Nothing special about Phoonk, but for a few sequences. You can safely wait to watch it on DVD/VCD.

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