Review of Mee Raqsam . . .

 Review of Mee Raqsam . . . 

Produced by Shabana Azmi Ji and Directed by his brother Baba Azmi Mee Raqsam is a story based on Father-Daughter relation set in Mijwan (District-Azamgarh, State - Uttar Pradesh). It's loosely based on the real life instance of Shabana ji and her father Kaifi Ji as he supported her to become an actress that time and Kaifi ji also belonged to Mijwan and it was his dream to shoot a film in that town which is finally fulfilled by his son.

Story of a teenager school girl Maryam (Aditi Subedi) in the very beginning we see she is loosing her mother and she's is the only one child of parents so live with his father who is by occupation tailor. played by Danish Husain.

Once her father notices her desire to learn the traditional and most worshiped dance form of India Bharatnatyam. He encourages her to take the classes as if she wants to learn it. As she joins classes to learn that dance form then the story picks up.

It's India a country of different cultures, religions, communities so people also have different views some have became understandable and accepted the change and breaking stereotype while still some are narrow minded who believe and follow whatever they heard from the old people of the community.

This story of Maryam starts to turn around when their relatives, neighbors and community people started to know that she goes to Bharatnatyam classes because they think that it doesn't belong to their religion. They are Muslims and being an orthodox they believe dancing women is Tawaif. It's their personal views not a view of whole community or all people.

Her father Salim is supporting her fully as he believes it's a traditional dance of India not particularly belongs to any community or not restricted to limited communities any one can learn and perform it.

Another supportive person is her dance class teacher Uma who's identifying her talent in very first meeting and she's so happily teaching her the dance.

Life of Father and Daughter is becoming more complex when their community people come to know about dance class and specially community leader Hasim Sheth (Nassiruddin Shah is opposing Salim and tries to convince him that it's not in the favor of religion. He encourages other community people to stop business with Salim and they take back the fabrics which were given to sweing earlier and also stopping him to enter in the Masjid for prayers that's the worst thing Salim is facing because of dance class of her Daughter bu still Salim is not taking a step behind as he believes "Art is beyond to any religion or gender".

Their relatives including Khala, Nani etc are not in their support and showing their anger and disagreement towards the decision taken by Salim.

Another opposing person is the organizer of dance academy played by Rakesh Chaturvedi Om who also believes this dance doesn't belong to their community and he is considering them not Indian by tagging them all the time. In India we all have these kind of people in each community who doesn't feel good when any person from another community or religion is doing some work which is not in the favor or their views.

Baba Azmi delivered a thought provoking film which is also a feel good cinema specially because of it has soul. Concept is regular we have seen many times where story of two communities and hero or heroine taking the stand against it but here it's the core story is 15 years old Maryam and her desire to learn art and the support she gets from his father. Thus it's a more Father Daughter story than a community.

Recently i have watched a film where Father was a hero that was Pareeksha and here too most impactful and effective character is Salim who is standing by her daughter's desire and goes against the whole community and other community no matter how much he has to face as he states in one dialogue that it's not like I'm against our leader Hasim Sheth but I'm with the truth and it's battle of truth and my daughter is learning dance which belongs to Indian culture and we are Indians.

There are some damn good dialogues my most favorite one is when that organizer's daughter(Shivangi Gautam) is also supporting Maryam and she tells her father what if she is momedian isn't she an Indian? That's the most powerful dialogue in whole film.

Several scenes are so well executed where Salim encouraging Maryam to join dance class, followed by Shraddha Kaul's scenes with Farrukh Jaffar at home, Auto Driver Ashfaq who is a fan of Salman Khan and his support to the Salim tailor is also very good portion, Naseer sahab's guest appearance also leaving an impact to the story, Uma teaching and supporting Maryam in dance is very nice moment, climax part where Maryam is performing is damn good sequence and my most fav frame from the whole film is at last when Salim is helping Maryam to getting ready at home.

Maryam is a heart of the film it's a debut film of Aditi Subedi but she has that ultimate talent of dance and expressions. She nailed it completely. It was so delightful experience for me to watch her performing the Bharatnatyam. I would love to see her more work in future.

Danish Husain OMG what simplistic yet strong role he played of Salim. He realises the situation of daughter who just lost her mother. He's standing by her side till the end. I loved his work in Tajmahal 1989 series and here also he nailed his role so appropriately. Whenever even he doesn't have the dialogues he shines on the screen too.

Other notable and appreciatable casting i would like to mention

Shraddha Kaul, Farrukh Jaffar & Juhain Ahsan also lending good support as cousin of Maryam and fits in her role perfectly and looks so natural.

On the whole it has a strong message on Art, community, religion, desire, truth, society but a must watch to witness the bonding between Father and Daughter.

Kudos to Danish Husain, Aditi Subedi, Baba Azmi, Shabana Azmi and entire team for creating a package which has soul.

My Ratings

3.8/5.

--- by Harsh Desai Filmy . . . 

Review of Khuda Haafiz . . .

 Review of Khuda Haafiz . . . 

Faruk Kabir who started his career in Bollywood as an assistant director in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani and on this occasion of Independence Day his directed film Khuda Haafiz arrived starring Vidyut Jammwal in a lead role.

Now what to expect from Vidyut? Obviously it's out and out action flick. Jumping on walls or terraces or jumping from windows and some breathtakingly awesome stunts we all expect from his films as we have seen his image as commando one man army but here die hard action fans won't find it here or will find acrions in less quantity than his earlier films. Khuda Haafiz is a more thriller.

Story set in 2008 where recession hits the nation so badly and many people lost jobs. It's story of software engineer Sameer (Vidyut Jammwal) and getting arranged married to Nargis (Shivaleeka Oberoi). It's set in Lucknow and after marriage both of them loosing their jobs and to survive in that critical situation of recession they are consulting one recruitment agency which is outsourcing the people to Arab countries. Both of them getting job at Noman a fictional city which we see Uzbekistan in real. First Nargis is getting appointment letter before Sameer so she has to go there first to start the job then after few days Sameer shall get his appointment letter. Sameer didn't want to let her go alone but as situations were too bad because of recession they had to take this decision and next day when Sameer gets a call from Nargis and she says that she's in problem and then Sameer goes there to find her from this the story picks up.

It's a thriller where a common man Sameer is on a struggle to find his wife in unknown country without any clues. As he goes there he's facing such problems, he's getting clues, he's also fighting to the local goons of there etc we see in Khuda Haafiz.

From very beginning it's on right track and nowhere it's loosing it grip. It has song when they're getting married but not a waste of time like other masala films. It's length is ok for me aa it didn't bore me for any scene.

It has some good supporting casting too. Anu Kapoor who's playing local taxi driver there in Noman who's helping Sameer in finding his wife.

Shiv Pandit is playing cop along with Aahna Kumra as colleague.

Nawab Shah is also there with deadly look.

Story is regular but still screenplay is so engaging as they more focused on presentation of it.

Execution by Faruk Kabir is top notch for this story. He made it simply solid one. Nothing that lacks efforts such as Vidyut's acting also other actors' acting, camera work, action sequences, thrills, emotions and most importantly spotlighting two dark facts one is recession and another women's illegal businesses.

Faruk Kabir succeed in covering such aspects mentioned above in well manner that makes a film decent watch.

Some scenes of the film which i loved are:

- Vidyut and Shivaleeka's bus stand scene when Vidyut is getting angry because she cries.

-Vidyut'sinteractionwith Indian ambassy official and requesting to help with such emotions that won my heart to see that fear on common man's face.

- Vidyut is fighting with the group of people in very less space that's the best executed scene of the film, came work is superb there also actions are damn good.

- Aahna Kumra's fight sequences.

- Climax Action scene is very well crafted and looks like Hollywood action sequence.

So here in terms of acting Vidyut gas got more scope and for action he has less here and he satisfactorily does his job with justice to his role Sameer as he also gets hurt and bleed because he's not a fighter or an army person here but he's common man and that's i liked about his role.

Faruk Kabir's Khuda Haafiz is a decent watch for me and I'm sure those who like thrillers will definitely like this one simply made film.

My Ratings for Vidyut's efforts in both actions and acting

3.2/5.

--- by Harsh Desai Filmy . . . 

Review of Raat Akeli Hai . . .

 Review of Raat Akeli Hai . . . 

In Bollywood we have very less films of murder mysteries genre nowadays web series coming, some south Indian films are also there and some hindi also made earlier like Drishyam, The Body etc but still i feel Hindi films are less in the genre compared to Hollywood as they are making some damn good movies on WHODUNIT? kinda stories.

Honey Trehan's debut film murder mystery Raat Akeli Hai set in Uttar Pradesh Kanpur where in one family the head is murdered named Thakur Raghubeer Singh (Khalid Tyabji) who was going to marry his mistress Radha (Radhika Apte) who is less than half of his age. 

His family members are main suspect as on wedding night they are the ones who all are available there in the house when murder happened.In family there's Son, Daughter, Son In-Law, Nephew, Niece, Wife's Brother also a maid girl and of course his new second wife etc now the question is who done it? What was the purpose behind the murder?

To solve this mystery one cop is taking charge named Jatli Yadav (Nawazzuddin Siddiqui) earlier Jatin but somehow his name is changed to Jatil means a tough in Hindi language.

Jatil Yadav is a bachelor and almost crossed the age of marriage but still his mother (Ila Arun) is keep finding a girl for him that's the only her wish to see his son married and settled. Jatil shows disinterest in marriage but his mother thinks that when he wear a cop uniform and goggles he's looking like Ajay Devgn as his color tone is also little dark but doesn't look less than Hero.

Few weeks back I watched one web series on Voot channel The Raikar's Case which is also a WHODUNIT? murder mystery i liked it too.

This screenplay is penned by Smita Singh which is interesting, intriguing and entertaining too. In the first half as investigation starts it's fast paced till interval and also after interval first portion is fast paced but last 30-40 minutes in my opinion is little slow as comparatively earlier portions. Still there are no scenes where i lost the interest.

Writing is so engaging and resemblance is such things makes it more classy. Specially three characters written so well Nawaz, Radhika and Chunni (Riya Shukla) who's playing Maid of the Thakur family. Chunni's father was a driver of the family and almost five years back he and first wife of Thakur Singh both were died in card accident hit by truck. During this investigation Jatil found that case is linked too and then there's one more murder happens as it's little suspense so can't write more about it here. But chunni's character plays very pivotal role here.

Radha excellently played by one of the finest actress of recent times Radhika Apte who's Baazaru Aurat here and Thakur was going to marry him but none of the family members like her as they feel she's ruining the reputation of the family in society.

Radha has also connection with Jatil in past. When he's coming to interrogation he recognized it.

Jatil Yadav is another brilliantly written and well enacted character by Nawaz Sahab. He reminds me of his earlier Cop's role Majmudar from Raees which was fantastic performance and yes like always this time too he's nailed it completely. I feel for this role he didn't goes over or lower not for a single moment. Whether his scenes with mother in house or interrogation with family members or talks with senior (Tigmanshu Dhulia) or interactions with political face (Aditya Shrivastav) who's also connected to this family each scene from beginning to end he shines as rough and tough cop aided by another cop (Shreedhar Dubey) does an impressive job.

Other actors from the family members also done very good job specially Shweta Tripathi she has less to do but she steals the show in her scene and specially mention Shivani Raghuvanshi is another brilliant performer in the film.

What we expect from murder mystery? An engaging screenplay? Great performers? Intriguing background score? Besides having all these things another USP of the film is it's cinematography done by Pankaj Kumar. What fantastic camera work whether it's indoor or outdoor each shot taken so perfectly adding cherry on the cake.

Art Design is also very fine. Color combination somewhere dark and somewhere yellowish obviously when there's UP and Cop scenes they have to make it yellowish don't know why but it's trend since years whether its Dabangg or any RGV films hahahaha.

Several long lasting impactful sequences such as Jatil's mother's emotional touching scene as she remembers his husband, Jatil meets Radhaika, Jatil interrogates family members, Jatil is having meal with colleague at restaurant, Aditya Shrivastav scenes with Jatil, Shweta Tripathi's scenes etc are so perfect for neo noir drama.

Story is simple like all murder mysteries but i can say technically it's extraordinary film. It's great experience that some film makers are making this kind of cinema in Hindi film industry so some how we can achieve that level of cinematic treasure in future.

Kudos to Honey Trehan and team Raat Akeli Hai for delivering very interesting film in WHODUNIT? genre.

It's available on Netflix OTT platform.

My Ratings

3.5/5.

--- by Harsh Desai Filmy . . . 

Review of Lootcase . . .

 Review of Lootcase . . . 

From 90s to 2010 or somewhere between these approx 20 years before a decade from now many comedy films came such gems like Andaz Apna Apna or Govinda's films in 90s then later post 2000 Akshay Kumar did back to back comedy films like Hera Pheri which are remarkable forever for Bollywood.

Film maker like Priyadarshan also used to make back to back comedy films before a decade but nowadays these kind of natural out and out comedy films are missing or rarely comes. In recent times in the name of comedy they delivered sexual content or abusive words for OTT release as there is no censorship's interfere.

After such long time one out and out clean decent comedy film came which is indeed natural comedy and perfect family entertainer Lootcase which is co-written and directed by Rajesh Krishnan.

It's not comparable to gems which i mentioned above but still a satisfactory film in that comedy genre.

Lootcase as title resembles it's a story of one suitcase filled with 2000s Indian currency notes found on road by Nandan a middle class man working in paper printing press and living with his wife and son.

In the beginning of the film when he comes out of public toilet at late night and find a suitcase and asks "Last Time Puchh Raha Hun Kiska Suitcase Hai Yeh?" but actually there are nobody so he takes this suitcase with him and from here the story of that suitcase begins later he names it Anand Petikar as he brings joy initially into his life.

Here story is as simple like we have seen several times specially in Priyadarshan's films where all the characters of the story are running behind money and eventually happy endings so public can bring the good laughter memories with them.

Here i will rather prefer to write more about characters than a storyline

Nandan (Kunal Kemmu) is a middle class man who's earning and manages to run his house but still that salary is not enough for having Chinese with family in restaurants and taking his son to water park and for that kind of living he needs some extra income so they can live happily. Happiness comes in his life as he gets that suitcase but he hides it to empty neighbor house and doesn't tell to his wife as his wife believes it's Kaala Dhan after all so it won't bring happiness to them.

He's buying of all the things he wanted to buy earlier such as Oven kinds stuffs. This is one side story of that suitcase as there are lot more characters involved behind that suitcase.

Lata (Rashika Duggal) plays wife of Nandan who complains all the time about less earnings of Nandan and he need to work some extra to get some extra so they can spend some extra for them and for their son.

Corrupt minister played by (Gajraj Rao) whom this suitcase actually belongs to which is his consignment to send someone but somehow their goons leaves on road that night and runs away.

Gajraj Rao is manipulative way to convince people to do his work is the most funny part of his character and he keeps funny smile on his face to fullest till the end

Another character is Bala a gangster played by Vijay Raaz who's also involved somehow to that suitcase as there's one important secret file too. Bala is big fan of National Geographic and also keeps telling his other goons to take the subscription of Nat Geo.

His scientific names of animals and metaphorical references to humans is funny moment of the films and proves excellent writing.

Corrupt minister hires illegally one corrupt cop Kolte played by very talented (Ranveer Shorey). He's also getting unofficially investigation in search of lost suitcase of minister with these top performers actors who're playing outstanding characters making the film a perfect comedy i can say in recent time which is enjoyable by family audiences.

Performance by Kunal Kemmu is OUTSTANDING here undoubtedly he's underrated actor of our industry. He has damn good comic timing and from very first scene he's totally into the character of middle class man.

Rasika Duggal needs no introduction as she's excellent in acting and here she lends very good support as Lata. She has some very good dialogues to deliver at right time like "Ghar Me Chini Kahtm Ho Gayi Hai".

Gajraj Rao is exceptionally brilliant as corrupt MLA and loved his role too. He is a truly natural actor.

Vijay Raaz what a brilliant performer all the time whether it's Run or Dhamal or Delhi Belly he definitely leaves a strong impact like no one else does. Here as Bala gangster his performance and dialogues delivery is damn too good.

Ranveer Shorey is also very talented actor we have in the industry and as a corrupt inspector here he nails it completely. He has some really good scenes where he shines and gives best to his role.

Child Actor Aryan Prajapati special mention has got some really good dialogues in least screen presence but with his 2-3 dialogues he steals the show.

Other supportive casting like Akash Dabhade also lends good support.

Music is ignorable here.

Screenplay is written by Kapil Sawant along with the director Rajesh Krishnan. It has length of 2h20m almost and writing a screenplay of a comedy films where story is simple but everything depends upon the screenplay and dialogues to make a film more engaging and it really needs trickiest writing skills to achieve that thing. From very beginning to end each scene is well written and directed. Films like this needs back to back engaging and entertaining scene as audiences shouldn't get a bored till the end. They excel in that. I watched it when released last week but today as I'm writing this my view i still remember each scene and dialogue of characters and that's the examples of perfect comedy film's writing.

Direction is so appropriate and never lost an interest in a single scene while watching it except one unnecessary song.

In the end i would like to mention some unforgettable dialogues from the films such as 

- Tu Kiska Aadmi Hai Bala Ka Ya Omar Ka? Main Lata Ka Aadmi Hu

- Meri Drawing Kharab Hai

- Lagta Hai Iski Drawing Bhi Kharab Hai

- Mai 2 Shabd Kahuga Next Question

- Mai Kuchh Nahi Boluga Ab Bas Log Galat Matlab Nikalte Hai

- Maine Apka Bag De Diya Aap Mera Bag Do Warna Lata Ghar Pe Chilayegi

- Papa I Know Ghar Me Paiso Ka Tension Hai Lekin Mera Water park Cancel Mat Karna

And there are lot of funny LOL moments dialogues in the film like this. Those who have seen will get it and those who haven't then go watch it as nowadays rarely this kind of comedy films coming. It could be new trend to make a SAAF SUTHRI comedy films with some really good actors. If it was released it in the theatres the definitely would have worked due to word of mouth. But sadly it is available directly on Disney Plus Hotstar OTT platform. 

If you like soft comedy entertainment to be enjoyed with family then it's must watch.

My Ratings

3.8/5.

--- by Harsh Desai Filmy . . . 

Review of Pareeksha : The Final Test . . .

 Review of Pareeksha : The Final Test . . . 

Prakash Jha is that film maker of India who is popular for political drama like Rajneeti, Apaharan, Gangajal etc but in my opinion i feel that he's the one who has something in his story which tells a soulful tale of any common man. Pareeksha is loosely based on true story of Bihar.

It's a mixture of education drama and sacrifices of Father to educate his child in better private school than government school. He believes that his son won't get success like others if he studies in government and his occupation is hand rickshaw puller who is riding rich families' children to their school which is private named sapphire school affiliated with CBSE. As we all know the difference of education between private schools and government schools in our country.

Bucchi (Adil Hussain) lives  in lower middle class colony and in same colony one old aged Muslim uncle lives he keeps saying he couldn't succeed as he studied in government school and didn't have enough sources to get educated in private school so eventually at this age too he's selling books to children.

After and seeing this kind of examples he has decided to make his son Bulbul (Shubham Jha) study in sapphire school where he's going to drop several students by his rickshaw.

At one point some how he gets some enough money for admission fees and he decides to admit his son in sapphire school so he can get more brighter than he's already. Bulbul is definitely an intelligent and topper in his school already but that's government school and getting rank in private school that too with CBSE that matters the most as Bucchi believes.

So how he manages to get his son admitted in sapphire and how far he goes to fulfill his unending expenses of private school the film is all about.

We all know besides fees there are lot of things in private school which is not affordable by any lower middle class family so it's sad fact of our education system that even bright students can't get chances to study in a decent school due to non availability of enough money.

Set in backdrop of education this has political sides too obviously Prakash Jha is a master in presentation of political drama.

Film starts with one desire of father for his son and then how far he goes and what he has to pay to fulfill the desire is the main intention of the story.

Bucchi has only one son and wife Radhika played by Priyanka Bose who is also doing labour's job in utensil factory.

Simple yet well intentioned story presented with honesty. Screenplay is soulful somewhere i found it so regular but still it has that touch of reality so i could digest it well.

Direction is superb as always by Prakash Jha. Loved many scenes such as from very beginning when Priyanka Bose is not well and having headache and his son is talking not to go for work today that's really emotional scene, followed by Bucchi's meeting with principal of sapphire, Bucchi's ferry scenes with rickshaw, Bucchi's going to arrange money in unethical way for his son's education, Bulbul's interview with school authorities etc but above from all these scenes what are show stealer and amazing scenes are of Sanjay Suri who's playing role of SP in the film.

One point in the story SP meets Bucchi and realizes his desires for his son and meets his son Bulbul and sees the spark in the bright son and decides to help him and his colony's children as they have hunger for study he himself decides to teach them after his official duty hours. He is SP but he studied in government school in his village and confesses to Bucchi that even from government school study a children can do better in a life as he's setting his own example.

One more scene of Sanjay Suri where some political leaders came to know that he's teaching to students in that colony he comes to him and offers him to give classes to their students too that scene is reminder of last year's Hrithik Roshan's big hit Super 30. In return he tells that slum's students having that hunger while others don't have that to succeed and that's why he's teaching them after duty hours.

India has some really good persons at good positions like this SP and i feel so proud when i see someone is doing something for children for education without selfishness that's greatness and humanity at it's best.

Sanjay Suri is damn good in playing that positive role. His character and himself both deserve salute.

Editing, Music, Cinematography, Casting etc good. A very well direction makes it worth watch for me.

Shubham Jha's debut is also very fine. He did good job as Bulbul.

Priyanka Bose is outstanding in her role of mother. She has done acting seems so realistic.

Adil Hussain is always a greatest treat for me and here too he has given an award winning performance as Bucchi. His dialogue delivery, emotional scenes, i could see that desire, hope, tension, care for his son on his face. Indeed an amazingly played role of a hand rickshaw puller.

Lastly Sanjay Suri as SP Kailash Anand excels in his part and his presence takes the screenplay to more superior level. He's very good actor and this role is so inspiring and would love to see him more in future.

Overall it's a decent watch for me and stood out as honest attempt in this genre by Prakash Jha and team. It's out on ZEE5 Premium platform.

For emotional and realistic parts

My Ratings 

3.3/5.

--- by Harsh Desai Filmy . . . .