'Ishaqzaade' - love beyond boundaries in UP's badlands (IANS Movie Review)

                Film: 'Ishaqzaade'; Cast: Parineeti Chopra, Arjun Kapoor; Writer-Director: Habib Faisal

What does one do when love strikes during times of war? And make no mistake. Elections time in a small dusty town of Uttar Pradesh is akin to war. Guns are fired randomly at enemies, real or imagined. Enemies fall to the ground. Morals lie crushed under heels. And finer feelings are buried under a rubble of trouble.
Into this town, here named Almora, enters love on silent feet. Well, maybe not so silent. 'Ishaqzaade' is a very noisy film. The hero Parma (debutant Arjun Kapoor) is an uncouth animal, whose disgusting habits include kidnapping the town's nautch girl from a rival's party to dance at his grandfather's wedding. Later, his moral temperature dips to an all-time low when he takes loathsome revenge on the girl he loves to hate.
As the Muslim girl Zoya, Parineeti Chopra fills the screen with a tempestuous charm. Naturally spontaneous and vivacious, she reminds you of the early Jaya Bhaduri. Her character is a sharp-shooter with a tongue to match. And when she gets brutally compromised by Parma, she reacts like a wild cat raging against the promised full-cream milk that curdled when she was not looking.
Habib Faisal, who made the mellow, mild-mannered middle-class comedy 'Do Dooni Chaar' about a college professor's dream of buying a scooter, here shows a completely unexpected side to his cinematic vision. The landscape he paints in Almora is so volatile and violent, you pray for atonement for these characters.
The lovers don't exchange chaste glances and furtive kisses. They embrace passionately and smooch each other's lips off. And when they make love, it seems they are waging war on the world. Full-blooded, voluptuous and eminently earthy, 'Ishaqzaade' is a pickled, aromatic roller-coaster ride through the badlands where blazing guns mean families are at one another's throats.
The first-half of the narration builds up to an engrossing case for Parma to inflict his uncouth and aggressive malevolence on Zoya. The confrontation scenes between the two, written with the right amount of zing and sting, are first-rate. Remarkably the adversaries-turned-lovers keep drawing attention to each other's religion without mincing words. The two religions are almost thrown at one another as taunts. Riot or wrong, who can tell?
What Faisal wants to say, and we would be better off if we pay heed, is -- it is imperative to address the Hindi-Muslim divide headlong, or else blood would continue to be spilt each time two people from different communities 'dare' to love each other.
'Don't even think of it. An Indo-Pak war will break out,' the Muslim girl warns the Hindu boy. And then proceeds to break the self-imposed rule with a rush of rebellion and passion that seems to replicate the flow of adrenaline in the virile script.
'Ishaqzaade' is written in blood, dipped in passion, and shot in vivid colours of life, strife and other bitter embers of the communal fire. The director constantly attempts to bring alive the cluttered milieu of a lawless north Indian town. Faisal succeeds to a remarkable degree.
His characters speak an easily recognisable language from Uttar Pradesh's heartland where even daughters are taught to fire a gun before they learn the alphabet. The supporting characters don't fake it even for a second.
Many scenes convey warmth and empathy without a jot of self-consciousness. The characters are all played by unknown local UP actors who are born to the milieu. The director builds a believable arc of love and revenge. His lovers are so well-conceived on paper, it would have taken two truly idiotic actors to ruin their characters.
Luckily, Parineeti and Arjun are anything but incapable actors. They imbue the violent ambience with their own peculiar chemistry.
The bloodshed never stops, and the action is relentless. Hemant Chaturvedi's cinematography creates a world that is real and at the same time, highly cinematic.
There are many reasons why 'Ishaqzaade' is a remarkable film. It enters the killing fields of Uttar Pradesh. It chases down our two protagonists and then watches them get into a crisis with no end. In the end, we are looking at two young vibrant people whom we love because they love one another irrespective of the differences.
This is not a film which offers a pretty love story with gentle love songs. Even the music (by Amit Trivedi) sounds like a war cry. As for Parineeti and Arjun, never mind the destiny that lies in store for their characters in this film. They are here to stay.

Gabbar Singh movie review

Dabangg sees remakes being made on the trot and fearlessly at that. Osthe in Tamil saw Simbu reprising Salman 'Chulbul' Khan.

Pawan Kalyan in and as Gabbar Singh in the Telugu adaptation sees him recapping the bald-faced one liners without impunity.

Regulation high flying kicks in slo mo by the leading man that even Tottenham midfielder Sandro - trending online for his martial art style kicks in the locker room - wouldn't dare act out.

That the Andhra Pradesh Police Officers' Association had earlier raised an objection to Pawan Kalyan's misuse of the police livery in the film considering he isn't a cop but wears the uniform anyway didn't seem to impact the opening response to the film; the audience wants its corrupt cops (or pretenders to the throne), revenge drama, family bonds and song interludes when the hyperbole gets a bit grating.

Still too early to predict whether Gabbar Singh will do for Pawan Kalyan-Shruti Haasan what Dabangg did for Salman Khan-Sonakshi Sinha, but the music, we hear, is already a hit.

Now, it's a no-brainer why the film is called Gabbar Singh. Pawan Kalyan obsesses over the sadist dacoit made famous in Sholay and renames himself thus without ever having heard of a notary ever. But don't question logic, not when it's Gabbar Singh socking it up to Chhedi Singh, here called Sidhappa and played not by Sonu Sood but by Abhimanyu Singh (Remember Ransa in Gulaal?) who is a lawbreaker in his own right but understandably wants to be a legislator. Ho-hum.

Salman roars in 'Ek Tha Tiger', teaser gets roaring response

Mumbai, May 11 — Salman Khan jumps, punches and kicks like never before in "Ek Tha Tiger". The teaser of Kabir Khan's film has just been released and it has received a positive response from the film fraternity as well as the fans.
The teaser went online Thursday and it has also been released with the film "Ishaqzaade" Friday. Anurag Kashyap describes it as "intriguing", while Preity Zinta says Salman "rocks" in it.
The trailer suggests the Yash Raj Films (YRF) production is about intelligence agencies of India and Pakistan, and narrates the story of an agent named Tiger, essayed by Salman.
The trailer is purely action based, and hints at the core idea of the film. However, the romance bit of the film is not shown in the teaser as there is not a single footage of Salman with his co-star Katrina Kaif in it.
Nevertheless, it has hit the right chords with industry members, critics and trade analysts, who have lauded the teaser, which has Salman firing guns, jumping from quite a height, fighting ruthlessly and ultimately, walking with an intense look on his face.
Kashyap tweeted: "'Ek Tha Tiger' trailer is super awesome... very slick and very intriguing... super curious now... and envious... jaldi dikhao (show it quick) sir."
Preity wrote: "Saw the trailer of EK THA TIGER n Omg! Salman Rocksss!!!"
Filmmaker Goldie Behl was also all praise for the teaser, which jammed the YouTube view meter within three minutes of its launch and caused the YRF server to be in danger of crashing, according to Khan.
"'Ek Tha Tiger' teaser is awesome! Very rarely do we see commerce and art woven so seamlessly together kabirkhankk has rocked it," tweeted Behl.
Film critic Anupama Chopra, a Shah Rukh Khan loyalist is in awe of Salman after watching the trailer.
"Loved the trailer of 'Ek Tha Tiger'. Think I am finally ready to convert to the cult of Salman," Chopra said in her feedback, while film critic Taran Adarsh wrote: "'Ek Tha Tiger': It's the Baap of all promos. AWESOME. This one will shatter every record in sight. Await the new hurricane by."
Khan, who has earlier directed "Kabul Express" and "New York", is happy with the response.
"Thank you for the overwhelming response to 'Ek Tha Tiger' teaser," he tweeted.
The film, which will also see Katrina indulging in some daredevilry, is slated for an Eid release this year.

'Jannat 2' - a promising offer from Bhatt camp

Jannat 2 movie review. Starring: Emraan Hashmi, Randeep Hooda and Esha Gupta. Directed by: Kunal Deshmukh.


 There is a memorable moment of flushed pain at the end of this textured film on arms and the mangled, when Randeep Hooda symbolically throws out his wife's memories from the car window.

Life's life that. Sometimes you need to just roll down the window and throw away the extra baggage that you carry around in the name of love and commitment.

Shorn of artificial affectations Jannat 2 is easily the best film from the Bhatt camp since "Gangster" years ago. Neither as gruesome as "Murder 2" nor as bland as "Blood Money", "Jannat 2" brings forward some inspired writing and two watchable performances that lend a blend of the bitter and the biting to the proceedings.

Let's get one thing straight. "Jannat 2" leaves behind the world created in "Jannat 4" years. This is hell, for sure. Shot in the dark ember hues of a scorching humid sweltering May evening when all things bright and beautiful shrivel up in the heat, "Jannat 2" is not for the squeamish. Once you stop wincing at the volley of MCs and BCs(some of them quite unnecessary, I thought) "Jannat 2" (ironical title, if ever there was one) sucks you into its murky world of illegal arms and other soul-bartering deals with the devil.

Don't believe the silly promotional trailers of "Jannat 2". There is nothing funny, flippant, flighty or farcical about this film. It's a brooding intense study of the troubled relationship - or a bro-mance, if you will - between a burnt-out alcoholic cop (Randeep Hooda, spectacular in his devastated avatar) and a gun dealer who turns police informer when love hits him where it hurts the most.

Emraan Hashmi as Sonu Dilli (whatever!) kind of takes over the film from the first frame. He loves his character and embraces it unconditionally. He gets to play all the roles that his fans like to see him in-including the incorrigible kisser's part - and he does them all effectively.

But Hashmi is best at expressing the wonderment and self-abnegation of love.
The courtship scenes with the self-important doctor (debutante Esha Gupta) find Emraan Hashmi expressing a kind of bewildered intensity that makes you believe this guy can give up a life of crime for the girl.

But the film belongs to Randeep Hooda, make no mistake about that. Every word he speaks is delivered with a sledgehammer's impact. Playing a cop grieving for his murdered wife Hooda's angst spills out of every shot. You can't take your eyes off the screen when he is around.

The resonant writing (Shagufta Rafique) restricts the dramatic tension to the two principal male actors. These two guys love to hate each other. All the energy that the narration so effectively exudes emanates from the two main actors and then spills out into various directions. Somewhere in the mid-section the plot begins to get somewhat predictable and baggy, what with arms dealer Manish Choudhary snarling his threats so loud, you wonder if villainy in our films got stranded in the 1970s.

But then comes the end-game. The climax chase shot in a mosque's courtyard is absolutely heart-in-the-mouth. And then comes the end-game where Mahesh Bhatt's masterly touch comes into play with such luminous alacrity that that you are left finally with a film that tells us it is easier to live with hatred than pain.

Director Kunal Deshmukh demonstrates a far firmer grip over his characters and plot this time than he did in politically correct "Jannat" and the soggy "Tum Miley".

Besides Hooda and Hashmi who bring to the narrative a rugged immediacy, the film pitches forward some brilliant supporting performances by little-known actors like Zeeshan Mohammed Ayub (playing Hashmi's sidekick) and Brijendra Kala (Hooda's right-hand man).

Delhi, the city that houses many Bollywood tales of late, is shot by cinematographer Bobby Singh in shades of grey and dusty brown.

Satyamev Jayate: Aamir's TV show is a movement

 New Delhi: Bollywood actor Aamir Khan finally made his television debut with the highly talked about television show 'Satyamev Jayate'. While Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan’s game shows were high on entertainment value, Aamir chose to be different. His highly emotional chat show, aims at bringing a change in the society.
Real people and real stories form the strength of 'Satyamev Jayate'. First episode of the show aired today, focused on the issue of female foeticide in India. We come across such reports almost everyday in newspapers and news channels, but hardly pay any attention. Aamir Khan deserves an applause for bringing up such a sensitive issue and presenting it in a hard hitting way.
The amount of research Aamir and his team has put into the show was clearly visible with the facts and figures presented. Every aspect of the issue was covered with great diligence. The show began with some shocking stories of mothers who struggled to give birth to their girl child and how they are bringing them up now.
                                     

Not many know that every year 3 crore girls are killed even before taking birth. Contrary to our assumption, educated people from big cities foster such practices. On the show, Mitu Khurana who is a doctor by profession revealed how her in-laws tortured her when they found out that she was pregnant with twin girls. Wife of an orthopedic surgeon, Mitu's story was an eye opener for all.
This was followed by interviews with experts, doctors and media persons as well. Footage of a sting operation done seven years ago by two reporters was also included in the show. Cost of a girl’s murder is just Rs 2000, and how casually medical professionals talk about it is shocking.
The only light moment in the entire 90 minute show was Aamir’s conversation with some young men from a Haryana village. They are all unmarried as the number of girls in their village is extremely low.
From interviews, bar charts to video conferencing, different formats used in the show enhanced the impact of the message. In past, we have seen shows like ‘Aap Ki Kachehri with Kiran Bedi’ and ‘Rakhi Ka Insaaf’, trying to establish a connect with the common man. However, Aamir Khan’s ‘Satyamev Jayate’ surpasses all of them in terms of content and appeal as well.
Aamir completely understands the pulse of TV audiences. The daily soap obsessed Indian viewers will like the show as its high on emotional drama. Known as a perfectionist in Bollywood, Aamir’s presence on the show will increase its mass appeal as well.
'Satyamev Jayate' is not just a show; it’s a movement to change people’s mindset. What we saw and heard today on the show will surely stay with us for a long time. Aamir ended the show with moist eyes and promised to be back with an equally hard hitting issue. Known for his meaningful films like 'Rang De Basanti' and 'Taare Zameen Par', this show will increase Aamir Khan’s popularity multiple times.
First episode of the show was impressive, let’s see if the further episodes live up to the expectations or not.

IPL 2012: RCB hoping to return to winning ways against Kings XI Punjab

Bangalore: Dropped to the fifth position from third in the points table, Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) would look to return to winning ways against an improving Kings XI Punjab here on Wednesday to brighten up their play-off chances in the fifth edition of the Indian Premier League.

The loss against Kolkata Knight Riders by 47 runs in their last game notwithstanding, RCB would look to draw inspiration from the five-wicket win against Kings XI Punjab in the last encounter between the two sides at Mohali.

But RCB will have to fight tooth and nail against Kings XI to conjure up a win at the Chinnaswamy Stadium.

It has been a mixed outing for RCB so far in the tournament, winning four games and losing as many from nine outings with one match against Chennai Super Kings being washed out.

RCB`s foreign recruits -- Chris Gayle, AB de Villiers and to some extent Tillakartane Dilshan -- have played stellar roles in the victories, but the form of its domestic players has been a major worry for the Bangalore outfit.


Gayle and de Villiers have been at their devastating best with the bat, but find themselves waging a lonely battle time and again because of the lack of support from domestic players.

Virat Kohli, Saurabh Tiwary, Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara all have failed to contribute with the bat so far, thereby putting extra pressure on the foreign players, especially Gayle to do the bulk of the scoring.

After showing great promise in Australia, Kohli has failed to live up to his reputation, scoring just 147 runs from eight innings with only one half century against his name.

But the young Delhi batsman would be desperate to turn things around and strike form in tomorrow`s match.

RCB would look a completely different side and be more formidable if Kohli gets among runs, which would also boost the confidence of Tiwary, Agarwal, Pujara and others.

Among pacers, Zaheer Khan has impressed in patches up but R Vinay Kumar and young Harshal Patel have been expensive.

Spin wizard Muttaiah Muralitharan did well in almost all the games he played, but the RCB team management is in a dilemma how to fit in both skipper Daniel Vettori and the Sri Lankan in the scheme of things.

Young left-arm spinner KP Appanna, who fashioned a win against Rajasthan Royal by claiming four wickets for 19 runs, too has impressed all and sundry in his limited outings.

On the flip side, Kings XI is slowly and steadily finding their form after a slow start to the tournament.

And come tomorrow, the Punjab outfit would look to extend their winning run following the the seven-run victory over defending champions Chennai Super Kings in their last game.

Kings XI has eight points from nine games with four wins and five loses and the visitors would look to increase their tally to keep alive their play-off chances.

But Punjab`s misery is compounded by the absence of their skipper Gilchrist, who is out with a hamstring injury.

In the absence of Gilchrist, Kings XI would be banking heavily on stand-in-skipper David Hussey to deliver the goods. The younger among the Hussey brothers, has so far scored 210 runs from eights innings at an average of 30.

Besides Hussey, another Australian Shaun Marsh has also been amongst runs. He has so far notched up 258 runs in nine innings and has been instrumental in Kings XI`s wins.

Young Mandeep Singh, who has 234 runs under his belt, would also like to carry on his good showing up the order.

On the bowling front, the inclusion of Parwinder Awana and Azhar Mahmood has added a sting to Kings XI`s pace attack, which also has a wily customer in Praveen Kumar.

Kings XI`s spin department is being led by leg-spinner Piyush Chawla, who has so far picked up 11 wickets from nine games with an economy rate of 6.26 runs per over.

But the weather God can spoil the home team`s party yet again as the local Met department has forecast isolated thundershowers with 30 per cent chances of precipitation by 2100 hours tomorrow.