Student Of The Year

Student Of The Year

Quick Review By - Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)

I did not have much to write about this film, so am including my brief impressions I had posted on my Facebook page. Karan Johar's Student Of The Year is in my view an unapologetic inaneness set in an Utopian chic campus that is a vacuous candyfloss which yielded me but one gem at the end of the 2 hour+ brainless ride - Varun Dhawan..I shall look out for what he would do in the future..End of the day, Hmmm! No regrets, just an inexplicable empty abandon lingers as one strolls out of the theater  coupled with that familiar feeling of "I knew all along this is what I would get". Enjoy, if you have nothing better to do.

Barfi

BARFI

Quick Review By - Lt Col D Purushtohtman Pillay (Retd)

The simple story of discovery during the journey of life, of the nuances of love by two challenged and one normal young soul, that defies societal definitions and physical afflictions, set in a misty Darjeeling.

A good story, but horribly confusing screenplay; salvaged only by the excellent performance of the lead pair. Despite its length and many flaws; primarily due to the story being told through multiple perspectives, it is in the end, an unusual, yet nice love triangle that elicits many heart-warming laughs because of the simple situations and innocence of the protagonists. A different viewing experience from the run of the mill fare that is being churned out by Bollywood of late. One leaves the cinema happy that true love needs no words and will always find its way. A big round of applause for Ranbir & Priyanka, Illeana did her bit very creditably. Must be complimented for its positive portrayal of the differently abled. See it one wont regret it.

Jab Tak Hain Jaan

Jab Tak Hain Jaan 

Quick Review By Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)

For the diehard romantic three hours might not be too long, if one is not looking for realism and a coherent story. The plot as it unfolds, at oft-times flirts with the 'ridiculous', victim of being overwritten in portions. For samplers - How does a London returned 25+ rustic Punjabi waiter, transform into bomb disposal genius Army Major? But when a master craftsman is casting his spell one has no choice but to waive it as acceptable cinematic liberty. In any case one goes to a YRF to get seduced & mesmerised by 'LOVE'. On that count there is no compromise; he is absolutely on top of his game - Yashji's magic works like a charm & sadly we will be missing it from now on.
All the elements of a typical YRF viz; emotions/locales/ensemble cast/tug at the heart strings etc are present in dollopsful. Notably the songs however didnt really enthuse me as much as it used to in the past, mind you his last Veer Zara is still on my favourite playlists even after so many years.
SRK is looking fresh and young & gets to competently play many roles and turns out a charming performance, Katrina looks beautiful through the movie & a club sequence brought out the liberated dancer in her like never before, to me the bonus surprise packet was the effervescent Anushka. It is certainly a good watch; however one doesn't need to be in any tearing hurry if tickets are hard to come by in the opening week; you can wait to watch it after the initial euphoria; this potboiler should endure for a bit at the box office; notwithstanding competition from Ajay's SOS and later Aamir's Talaash. I liked what I got to see, hence recommend a watch; there is beauty, energy, appeal & an unmistakable magic in the way the three core performances were stitched together. Thank you Yashji!

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Talaash

Aamir Khan's 

Talaash - The Answer Lies Within

Review By Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)

Is a well crafted story of a guilt ridden cop's journey to redemption in the course of investigating a complicated murder mystery.
Noir-like Talaash, set in the crime-ridden underbelly of Mumbai, is certainly not the ultimate whodunit. Yet it is a compelling, well-performed tale that is multi-layered in its construct. On the primary level it is about the central protagonist battling grief and personal tragedy, yet on another level it is an engaging study of human relationships tested on the belief in the paranormal. Whispered gossip has it that this film has some similarities with an American crime thriller "Act of Providence", a novella written by Joseph Payne Brennan and Donald M Grant in 1975, with the story set in Rhode Island. Infact both the respective protagonists are investigators battling grave personal crisis at the time of investigating a crime involving a water body.
The mustachioed brooding Aamir with a permanent furrowed brow on a troubled face represses his emotions rather remarkably. It is rumoured his character draws heavily from Leonardo DiCaprio's Teddy Daniels of Scorsese's "Shutter Island", though that should not take away from his remarkable essay. The scene towards the end when he has an angst-releasing breakdown; by the lakeside, on reading the note purported to be from his son exonerating him from any guilt was brilliant, it is worth going miles to see that one scene.
Rani as the troubled wife and Kareena as the hooker deliver admirable performances. But then, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as the limping brothel-flunkey Taimur is absolutely terrific.
Mohanan's cinematography leaves one raptly engrossed and one can barely blink lest one should miss what is on screen.
Ram Sampath's ambivalent soundtrack with is multi-themed zesty renditions gets one seduced to its intense techno beat compositions drawing heavily on electronic sounds for its layering of moods. Javed Akhtar's lyrics are as good as it always was. Further, Kagti's unique hold on her craft ensures every song in the drama is perfect where it is placed, and serves to carry the suspense forward.

The Zoya-Reema team has served up yet another delectable fare, and it confirms this twosome as a formidable storytelling talent which would continue to engage and entertain us for a long time to come
You can’t miss this one. I quite liked it. Go for it!