Hate Story 3- Movie Review by Shoby

Hate Story 3- Movie Review by Shoby

Rating: 1.5 hearts out of 5

Hate Story has emerged as a financially viable franchise for the makers as the two earlier films (Hate Story and Hate Story 2) have garnered good bucks in the box office. One thing that makes this franchise stand out from the lot is its scripts, stories that are based on revenge. Vishal Pandeya has once again been given the opportunity to direct this installment after the last one.

Hate Story 1 and Hate Story 2 dealt with the stories from a female protagonist's perspective. This time in Hate Story 3) makers have turned the table upside down and told the revenge story of a male protagonist.

Plot initially seems an easy to understand where a happily married industrialist couple are all set to start a new venture, a charity hospital in the memory of Aditya Deewan's late (kind heart) brother, when a stranger enters their life from nowhere to make it a living hell for both of them.

Story looks interesting on papers but unfortunately script is not very convincing. Certain glitches used in the heart of the story seems to be too much artificial and orthodox. Dialogues are not catchy as well, especially where they were required to be more intense.

In the acting department, Sharman Joshi and Karan Singh Grover have undoubtedly lead the whole cast in a very convincing manner. They have given more then their 100% and some of the scenes, where the two are in the same frame are a treat. Zarine Khan has performed below par. Daisy was good in her short role. Immensely talented Priyanshu Chatterjee (Tum Bin fame) has a brief cameo that he played with a great ease. He is such a beautiful beautiful lost talent who still couldn't find a proper place in Bollywood, even after some superb performances in films like Tum Bin, Dil Ka Rishta and Julie.

Music has been a USP of Hate Stories and this time too makers have arranged a handsome musical score for the project. They managed to make one of the biggest hit of last year in the form of Aaj Phir Tum Pe (sung by Arigit) and this time too they have kept the norm by re-doing one of the old classic track (Tumhain Apna Banaey, originally sung by 90's legend Kumaaar Sanu) sung by Arijit again. Other songs of the film are also good and goes well with the proceedings.

Film's length is perfect (Just a bit more than 2 hours), however due to the loosely written script and unconvincing screenplay, it looks a bit stretched. Had the script been written more tightly, film would have gained some good marks.

Overall, it is one of those films that you may enjoy for a single watch, however not best from the makers. It may find some audience in the multiplexes, thanks to the music and oomph factor added in it. 

Ho Mann Jahan- Movie Trailer Review by Shoby...

Ho Mann Jahan- Movie Trailer Review by Shoby...

Celebrated personality of Pakistani entertainment industry Asim Raza is all set for the release of his debut directorial venture Ho Mann Jahan. With a handful of noted projects he has earlier completed successfully, the announcement of his first film has garnered good attraction. Recently he launched the trailer of the movie, which gives a look of "feel good family musical drama".

Musical dramas are so scarce in today's Lollywood and attempting this genre is something big as it involves quite a good volume of risk in terms of acceptance in the society. Trailer he launched gives a quick view of what to expect in the cinema.

Trailers shows a girl in love of painting (Mahira Khan), a boy passionate about music (Adeel Hussain), their bonding and relationship. The family issues about how society reacts to thw artists when they try to explore the built in art and how their lives get effected. It gives a taste of a true family drama.

With a brief introduction of few songs from the films (including already Shakkar Wandaan sung by latest sensation Asrar), this trailer has succeeded in getting quite a good number of views and clicks in video sharing portals, however it is yet to be seen how the film actually comes out as a whole package. Stay tuned and keep guessing as it is coming to the cinema near you on January 1, 2016.

Shakar Wandaan- Song Review by Shoby

Shakar Wandaan- Song Review by Shoby

Leave listening all the foreign imported (full of vulgar and dual meaning lyrics) so called party songs/ item numbers now as our very own party song is ready to hit the screens. Shakar Wandaan (from ARY Film's upcoming production Ho Mann Jahan) is beautifully composed and superbly sung by latest singing sensation Asrar. With typical folk lyrics and use of a blend (somewhat traditional and modern musical instruments), this is one of those songs that you all guys will love to listen and dance while enjoying at the party.

Choreography this time has improved incredibly and Mahira Khan is looking literally stunning. Other actors are also looking great in the festive mood, dancing and enjoying the proceedings. Group dance sequences are also well managed and arranged beautifully in a  proper sync.

Overall, this track is surely a better watch in this era when senseless tunes and meaningless poetry is becoming a fad for item numbers. Latkas and Jhatkas are now on the cards in this very song in all the parties now.

Janam Janam- Song Review by Shoby

Janam Janam- Song Review by Shoby

First thing first, yet another mind blowing composition from Pritam and equally melodious rendition by Arijit Singh. Janam Janam from Rohit Shetty's upcoming SRK-Kajol starrer Dilwale, is one of those songs which stays with you even after long time. One of those soothing compositions that you love to hum.

Its video has some shades of some previous hit Bollywood videos. As it is yet another rain track, the first thing that your mind says is, its picturization is very much familiar to Hum Tum's Saanson Ko Saanson Mein or Fanaa's Koi Baarish Hai. Although it is an entirely different track from both of them. Tune of the song is again a bit samilir to Kuch Bhi Nahi, Kuch Nahi Hai from the movie Maine Dil Tujhko Diya. But it is just a mere feeling and nothing else.

Best thing to me about its whole video is the beautiful use of old and new ambiance at once. In the same frame, you get to see some old and some new stuff (sort of a blend of black & white and color) and it really worked for the video. It made the idea look fresh and went well with the theme.

Song has the beautiful dance sequences (mostly tango) and it ends with signature hand clap step from KKHH (by SRK and Kajol). I know, this onw would be a chartbuster and soon will make an entry in your playlist. Enjoy

Gerua- Song Review by Shoby

Gerua- Song Review by Shoby

The name of Shahrukh Khan is synonym to love. The pair of SRK-Kajol is said to be most cherished romantic couple of Bollywood. Pritam is one of its kind musician in the industry and Rohit Shetty is the Baap of cinema, when it comes to make biggest blockbuster, full on masala entertainers. All of them join together to make one hell of a treat named as "Gerua".

Gerua starts off with the signature SRK step, where he opens his arm to embrace Kajol and it feels like he can grab the whole world in between. Picturized at exotic locations embedded with breath taking cinematography, this one is a sure shot visual treats.

Sung by the celebrated singer of young lot (Arijit Singh), with a touch of some Sufi notes attached to it, Gerua is soothing to ears and eyes at a time. It really is something to watch in Dilwale.

They have tried their level best to surpass the legacy of one of the greatest hits of SRK-Kajol (Sooraj Hua Madham from KKKG) but as matter of fact, Sooraj Hua Madham has made its place, nothing else can take. Having said that, it is no doubt, one of the best numbers came this year. So rang yourself and listen the melodious Gerua.

Deewani Mastani- Song Review by Shoby

Deewani Mastani- Song Review by Shoby

Mastani Bai, the love of Bajirao Ballal when dances in ecstacy, the sequence becomes Deewani Mastani. A song with the lyrics that show the passion and love, Mastani cherishes for Bajirao. It also depicts deep feelings of sadness and desperation for her love.

Shot on a lavish set which looks like some palace of Bajirao, Deewani Mastani sets the right tone for the movie. Sanjay Leela Bhansali has attempted mujras and classical dance forms earlier in Devdas as well. Deewani Mastani is different in a sense that he has used Deepika Padukone in an altogether different phenomenon.

Check the way she looks at Bajirao in the whole song and the way she looks at him at the last very moment. Initial looks are happy, where she is shown as celebrating and showcasing her love for Bajirao, showing the passion at her fullest. And the one last look, just serene, calm, silent and straight, showing the sadness and desparation.

Music is ggod with a flavor of Indian Folk and sung elegently by hte nighingale Shreya Ghoshal. Backdrop folk sounds and alaaps also complement the sound quite beautifully.  Choreographed by very gracefully. With good costumes & sets, sweet voice of Shreya and on top of all stunning looks by Deepika, Deewani Mastani deserves thousands likes. It would be a highlight of Bajirao Mastani, I believe.

Malhari- Song Review by Shoby

Malhari- Song Review by Shoby

"Aandhi rokey to hum toofan. Toofan rokey to hum aag ka darya. Yeh shapat hai Bajirao Balhaar ki".

I bet you have never seen such an intense dialogue delivery from Ranveer Singh. Malhari, another track from Sanjay Leela Bhansali's upcoming magnum opus has been released and in this track, complete focus is on the character of Ranveer Singh (i.e. Bajirao).

Its a faced-paced number which sounds a bit like Tattad Tattad from Bhnsali's last hit Goliyon Ki Raasleela- RaamLeela. With some mere glimpses of war scenes from the film, its video makes us ready to expect what Bajirao's chraracter would look like. Brave, strong and intense perhaps are the best words which can be used to describe his character after watching Malhari.

Malhari is a celebratory song... It looks like an anthem that is sung by all to celebrate the victory of their master Bajirao once he has defeated his opponents in a war.

Choreography is nice and has a signature of Bhansali sb again with a large dance group performing in almost a perfect sync. Sung by Vishal Daadlani, this teaser of a song sets a right mode for a perfect entry of the primary character.

Tum Bin 2- A Sequel to Tum Bin

Tum Bin 2...

We saw some striking performances from Priyanshu Chatterjee, Sandali Sinha and the supporting cast along with some really soothing soundtrack (including hits like Choti Choti Raaten, Koi Faryad, Tumharey Siwa and many others) in Tum Bin, which was released way back in 2001. Directed by Anubhav Sinha (Ra One fame), it was a hit at its time.

News has it that makers of Tum Bin are all geared up to make a sequel of the said movie. However other details are still not known, Tum Bin 2 is likely to come with fresh cast and shooting may gets started earlier next year. Stay tuned on Shobywood for more buzz...

Tamasha- Movie Review by Shoby

Tamasha- Movie Review by Shoby

2.5 Stars out of 5

When artists like academy award winner AR Rehman, most versatile director of Bollywood Imtiaz Ali, supremely talented lyricist Irshad Kamil and two of the cream actors Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone join hands for one project, expectations are sky touching indeed.

The director of critically acclaimed and commercially successful films (Jab We Met, Rockstar and Highway) Imtiaz Ali brought all of them together in Tamasha and obviously it was one of the most anticipated films of the year. Let’s see how much entertainment quotient this Tamsha has in it.

Story is quite complex and at the same time quite simple in parts. A boy meets a girl (like almost all other stories of the world) but this time both of them meet somewhere in the middle of dil and dunya so they decide to fake themselves in front of each other, so they do not disclose their identity and spend 6 days together in Corsica, doing all the silly things and enjoying the life their heart out. Then leave each other and meet after four years in India. What happens next is to be watched in the movie.

The plot, as I said earlier is complex with too many derivatives and it does not let you settle down at one place, so you keep roaming around with the characters from one place to another without getting what actually is going around. It is a typical Imtiaz Ali narrative and he used almost the same technique which was used in Rockstar but this time unfortunately he couldn’t hit the right chord.

Film surely does wonders in patches. In some scenes you feel yourself all geared up to witness what Imtiaz Ali is famous for i.e. intense emotional cinema. Some sequences are beautifully executed with beautiful dialogues and delivery and they really deserve much applaud.

Watch when Deepika says to Ranbir, "Mujhey laga ke theek ho jaey ga. Jaisey humesha theek ho jata hai per 4 saal ho gaey...". Watch the outburst of Ranbir when he utters (read shouts) only one sentence of the whole conversation so loud to Deepika, "... Jo sach hai". Standing ovation for the dialogue writer is due.

No points for guessing in the acting department. When two of the strongest performers are placed in front of each other, they literally create magic. Ranbir (as a person having complex psychological personality) and Deepika have given marvelous performance. Check the change in their body language and attitude, when they meet each other after so long. See, how Deepika responds to Ranbir (after he breaks out). Truly splendid… Javed Sheikh and other supporting cast had nothing much to do, as the story revolves around two characters primarily.

After composing two beautiful scores for Imtaiz Ali (in Rockstar and Highway), this time AR Rehman and Irshad Kamil could not met the expectations honestly. Songs are situational (as mostly in the case of Imtiaz's films) but this time they are not very engaging.

Ravi Varman has captured Corsica beautifully through his art. Editing is confusing, may be due to the subject matter of the film.

Overall, Tamasha lacks that very appeal and authenticity for which Imtiaz Ali is famous. It was a bit disappointment for me, who has always been a fan of his cinema. Hope he comes well after this.

Bahubali- The Beginning… Movie Review by Shoby

Bahubali- The Beginning… Movie Review by Shoby

4.5 Stars out of 5

He literally took the cinema by storm with his creativity and execution when he made Eega (Makhi). Not only the story was refreshing, he filmed it with utmost authenticity and gave us a beautiful product. One of the most creative film makers of our times S S Rajamouli then decided to on to the next big thing in cinema, to make India's most expensive film till date Bahubali. Let me say one thing right at the start of the review, he literally guided Bollywood to an altogether different level by his new offering.

Bahubali- The begining has a plot (and some sub-plots embedded within) that is as solid as a rock. First scene shows a wounded woman carrying a child on her hand while drowning in deep waters. The child is then taken into the custody by some locals. He grows up with the enchantment of climbing up to the jal-parbat (mountains with waterfall) and his (new) parents stop him doing so. One day, after so many trials, he succeeds in climbing there, ultimately reaches the place from where he originally belongs and there starts a roller coaster ride.

What differentiates Bahubali from its counterparts of this era is the treatment by the crew. Not only it is shot in grand locales and astonishing sets, it gives you pure aesthetic feels in the beautifully shot scenes. Watch the arrow throwing scenes for instance. One where Prabhas makes sort of a bridge to reach to the highest peak of the waterfall and one where Tamannaah throws the arrow wrapped by the snake). Similarly, the scene where Prabhas reveals the girl within the character of Tamannah.

To me on of the highest points of the script is the motivational speech by Prabhas in the middle of the war, just after when his army runs back to save their lives. He gathers them and inspires them to move forward, as death is when you run away from the ground. Simply Mind blowing.

A special mention is due for the team responsible in arranging grand sets and locations where Bahubali was shot. Art direction is at its very best. VFX team has also done pure justice to their work, commendable job indeed. Cinematography (by K.K. Senthil Kumar) and camera work is top notch making every frame of the movie worth watching.

Acting is good by the whole cast. Prabhas, Anushka Shetty, Tamannaah, Sathyaraj and almost everyone has performed with utmost authenticity. Music composed by M. M. Keeravani is trustable and goes very well with the proceedings.

It is pertinent to mention the aesthetically beautiful combats and wars choreographed for the last 20 odd minutes. Not only the fighting scenes are convincing but also the war strategies devised for the scenes are worth praising. I believe Indian cinema has not seen anything like this before. Truly wonderful.

Editors has made sure that viewer does not get distracted and bored so editing here is crisp and the film's length is just perfect.

With excellent story line and equally beautiful techniques used to make them look more tangible, Bahubali is no doubt the best thing ever happened to Indian cinema. As Bahubali- The beginning is just half of the whole story and more secrets are yet to be revealed therefore 2016 will witness the release of much anticipated Bahubali- The Conclusion. I hope the sequel gets grander and better.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo- Movie Review by Shoby

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo- Movie Review by Shoby

2.5 Stars out of 5

Rajhri Productions- A name associated with family dramas. This banner has given us some fabulous family sagas over a span of decades. We have laughed out loud when typical “family politics making women’s cheap tactics” have gone wrong in Hum Sath Sath hain and we have cried with the death of Pooja in Hum Aap ke hain Kaun… They have made us emotional in all possible manners by dipalying similar sort of incidents, thus making themselves a brand which is so correct to be called as a family oriented movie maker.

Prem is one name that comes to the mind when we say Rajshri films. From Salman Khan to Shahid Kapoor and from Abhishek to Hrithik Roshan, Prems have been an integral part of the story by Sooraj Barjatya. Let’s analyze the return of Prem that he made this Deewali.

PRDP starts with a brief introduction of a man with a golden heart (Prem Dilwale) who has a wish to meet the royal princess Raajkumaari (Maithili Devi). Prem happens to see the princess when she was doing some social work in a flood relief camp. Prem came to know that he can meet her in Pritampur (the royal state) where she will be having some royal traditional (engagement type) ceremony. Meanwhile, we get to know that prince of pritampur is also Salman Khan (in a duplicate role of Yuvraaj Vijay). Due to some family issues, he is attacked to death and kept away from the people by his confidant. Coincidently, Prem meets with Vijay’s reliable guard Sanjay, who asks him to pose as Vijay till he gets well and here starts a whirlpool of events.

The premise seems to be somewhat old fashioned and it’s a 1000s times tested and tried formula of duplicates. Script and Screenplay has the typical Sooraj Barjatiya’s feel and signature on it. In places, some scenes are beautifully executed. Sets are lavish and grand matching well with the primary theme of the movie. Dialogues are average but goes well with the proceedings. Background score and sound track is soothing but not up to the mark of Rajshri’s. You may feel yourself humming a couple of tunes especially Jaltey Diye (sung by VOI Chotte Ustad fame Anwesha) and Aaj Unse Milna Hai (sung by the seasoned singer Shaan in his ultimate sweet voice).

Salman Khan is as usual excellent in both the roles. Especially his performance as Prem Dilwale is a treat to watch. Sonam Kapoor and Neil Nitin Mukesh are just OK in the roles of Raajkumaari and Chotey Rajkumaar respectively, whereas supporting cast especially Anupam Kher and Arman Kohli have given a very impressive performances.

What goes wrong with the movie here is its length. At times, you feel they are over exaggerating the happenings. Some scenes does not at all go well in this era and gives you a feel of typical 90s cinema. Especially when they arrange a football match in front of Vijay’s sister’s house. One does not expect these type of sequences in today’s cinema.

Overall, this is a feel good movie that you can digest only once. Sooraj Barjatya is no doubt a veteran in cinema and once again he has stuck to his roots but he needs to bring something more fresh in his offerings.