City Lights : Review

Director: Hansal Mehta
Actors: Rajkummar Rao, Patralekha

Rating: 2 / 5

Movie paces itself very slowly by showing the reason why people vie to leave their state and visit dreamland Mumbai to earn money. It concentrated on how the fast city life fools the innocent families that come from slow backward villages. The slow paced story doesn't make sense for the larger initial half. Till half time there's nothing one can charm about but only a hope that something meaningful will connect soon and justify the initial line up. Film picks up on the entry of security bureau guy who helps in Rajkummar's recruitment as his partner guard. It was this time when you stop relaxing at your seat and genuinely expect some thrill. Little bit unrealistic in it's approach but emphasizes on the extent a person can go for his family. Although movie slows yet again and I'd say luckily the climax was something that makes up for all the slowness that prevailed. It also justifies somehow the initial 2 hours but still not strong enough to make the storywriter guilt free.

Rajkummar was good at his role but definitely not even close to amazing. Hansal Mehta brought out his amazing acting skills in their last venture Shahid but this was just normal. Patralekha was also decent but I'll give maximum marks to the security bureau guard who was the best actor in this flick. He sealed all exciting movements. Hansal Mehta yet again did nothing exceptional but continued his befitting run.

Songs are completely ignorable although Jeet Ganguly puts a decent effort for this type of story.

Overall the movie made by pure heart but extremely slow to pull it over.

Heropanti : Review

Director: Sabir Khan
Actors: Prakash Raj, Tiger Shroff, Kriti Sanon

Rating: 1.5 / 5

Movie is based on a reserve Haryana family that has a very strict tradition of killing the couple if they do love marriage. The script is based on the similar lines with the inclusion of all heropanti possible within. Starts with a very low standard Haryana family acting and you get a feel if it's really the movie you have come for. The story just goes and goes and Tiger's entry is also not impressive. There's almost nothing meaningful in the movie as the script goes by and it feels that movie just has been made to launch the first timers. There are no strong dialogues rather it's full of silly panti. Off-course no brains were used but the sad part was that the few skills that Tiger has, those were also not used well in filming. All these things apart, something was there in the movie that masked the irritation and the second half ties you till the movie end somehow. Ending was albeit an unnecessary drag and it finished with same few standard dialogues used throughout the movie.

Tiger Shroff is known for his athletic skills and it was expected that the movie will have lots of breath taking action scenes but unfortunately that wasn't the case. I think Tiger should work on his dialogues and use voice dubbing for sometime to start with. I feel he should have started his career in a strong villain role. Kriti Sanon was not at all bad but nowhere any promising factor was seen. I would still believe in her that given a good chance, she might have the capabilities to sail through some respectable lengths. Prakash Raj had a strong important role and he was very well up for it. Be it emotional scenes or any aggressive scenes, his contribution was amazing.

Sabir Khan did a below average job in the direction. Although nothing great was expected from him but I would say he could have done little better. Movie flow was below standard for majority of the time.

Music was the biggest hurdle but surprisingly the best part of the movie also. I think the most I enjoyed was only in the songs and nothing else except one small comedy scene by Sunil Grover.

Overall a sillypanti, with only a few traces of heropanti.

Hawaa Hawaai : Review

Director: Amole Gupte
Actors: Partho Gupte, Saqib Saleem

Rating: 4 / 5

There must be a thought on everyone's mind that Amole Gupte is coming up with another similar child story and nothing will be different thematically. Also that it would be just a go to sports flick. But hold on, Gupte has delivered a charismatic cinema here and proved yet again that child stories can be equally innovative every-time as adult stories can be. Right from the word go, this movie wins on all fronts. Apart from a child sports story, it shows the city dimension from street side poor children's perspective. There's a majestic selection of children roles and the way they are used in story is amazing. Solely they become the soul of the movie. Clubbed with entertaining one liners, it's much more to a sports competition. I'd rather say it's an artistic brilliance, making a sports story just a medium of display.

Partho steals all hearts with his amazing acting, improving a lot from his earlier Stanley Ka Dabba. The way he delivers dialogs and gives expression is just phenomenal. All other supporting children were bang on in their roles. Every child showcased great talent. Not to forget Saqib Saleem who impressively does exactly what was expected from him.

Music alone can't be judged here. The way it was blended with the superb lyrics creating a nice background wherever required in the story was amazing.

All above credits goes to the director Amole Gupte. I'll give almost all credits to him the way he has formulated, directed and created this whole saga. I can just hope for another master class from him.

Overall a shear class with all applauds for Amole Gupte.