Review: Ek Tha Tiger

Rating: 3.5/5

Salman Khan, a brand that is getting stronger as each EID passes by. Ek Tha Tiger is the ultimate project that he had always aspired to do, a film with the great Chopras'. Another stamp on sequence of EID releases that he initiated 3 years ago.

Supposedly based on true thrilling events, the film is essentially a romantic story of two spies from different nations which happen to be India and Pakistan. Avinash Singh Rathode a.k.a. Tiger (Salman Khan) is a R&AW undercover agent who is in a constant hunt for ISI undercover agents in various countries. His new mission brings him to Ireland on a basic task of observing a scientist of Indian origin whom the R&AW suspects to have been passing his anti-missile theories to ISI. In an attempt to befriend the professor (Roshan Seth), he encounters his gorgeous care taker Zoya (Katrina Kaif) with whom he falls in love for the first time in his life. Gopi (Ranvir Shorey) Tiger's colleague, is against Tiger falling in love which sparks a few funny moments. The movie starts to thrill you after the intermission and will make you praise the Action Director for making Katrina step out of her comfort zone on screen.

Talking about the performances Salman Khan is his usual self and you would not notice any special effort from him to get into the skin of the character. On the other hand his ladylove has gone the extra mile to give justice to her role. She looks absolutely stunning, but that's not all she has performed some jaw dropping action sequences and don't be surprised if you find people whistling around you at Katrina. Supporting cast is good and worth mentioning, Girish Karnad as R&AW chief as Shenoy, British actor Roshan Seth as the professor and it's a Bollywood debut for punjabi actor Gavie Chahal.

The movie was shot in as many as five countries and the cinematographer has done a good job capturing the scenic beauty of Istanbul and Cuba.

This is Director Kabir Khan's third film and I think the best one till date. Unlike his previous flicks this one is fast paced, action filled, with a simple plot that audiences of our country can relate to on Independence Day.

Aditya Chopra seems to have calculated every aspect of his most anticipated movie. Be it the cast, marketing strategy or even the release date. He knew that Salman has been cashing in on EID releases due to his loyal fan following. Releasing the movie mid week instead of Friday will give multiplexes more time to make revenue rather than just relying on the weekend collection. The ticket price has almost been doubled to recover within a week what was spent on the film's production and trade analysts are already gauging its success.

It's a must watch for all Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif fans!

—   Pankaj Sharma

Review: GANGS OF वासेपुर – 2

Rating: 4/5

As you all know we really appreciated director Anurag Kashyap for his fearless attempt called Gangs of वासेपुर which made an impression on everyone from Cannes to our own Bollywood.

Fans were eager to watch GANGS OF HYPERLINK "http://pankajandmovies.blogspot.in/2012/06/review-gangs-of.html"वासेपुर – 2 which released this week. The only movie I remember that released in 2 parts was Rakht Charitra starring Vivek Oberoi but it couldn’t manage to generate the kind of anticipation GOW has managed to attain.

To enjoy this movie all you need to know is that Faizal Khan’s grandfather and father were killed by Ramadhir Singh. He has inherited revenge, everything else in part 2 falls in place. Cleverly, Anurag Kashyap has steered clear from complicated interlinks and flashbacks which most directors do in their sequels, which makes it compulsory for audiences to watch GOW-1 to follow GOW-2.

Wasseypur is no more the town that was once consumed by the raging war between Sardar Khan and Ramadhir Singh. It has spawned a new generation of money squandering lobbyists, turning into foolhardy gangs overnight. With illegal profiteering through scrap trade auctions over the Internet, corrupt government officials, election rigging and hooliganism, the town got murkier. Everyone wanted alliance with the most powerful man of Wasseypur, Faizal Khan. His sole ambition however, is to destroy Ramadhir Singh, the man with the grand scheme. Gangs of वासेपुर - 2 is a fitting conclusion to this story of vengeance, which by now, not just the family but also this town has come to inherit.

Talking about the performances, every character is just incredible! Nawazuddin Siddiqui's exceptional acting abilities has made his every screen presence a sheer brilliance. Portrayed as an underdog in the first part and the start of the second part he effortlessly transitions between the change of characterizations and comes up as the protagonist who avenges what his family and city wanted.

The casting director Mukesh Chhabra has done a phenomenal job in selecting the robust characters, I will not be surprised if walks away with a couple of awards.

The actresses in the movie leave a lasting impression. Especially Richa Chadda playing Faizal’s mother, who impressively evolves into an aged lady who forces his son to seek revenge.

It's a very well made film in terms of the screenplay, the dynamic between the characters and the raw cinematography. The songs are crude and reflect the flavor of the movie. It is based on real life incidents that occurred in Bihar over a period of 6 decades.

The movie sure has turned out to be a huge success both critically and at the box office.

—   Pankaj Sharma