While most people would go in with extraordinary expectations for Madhur Bhandarkar's follow-up to the National Award winner "Page 3," I decided to leave the expectations at home and watch the film as a stand-alone. Corporate follows the life of Nishigandha Dasgupta(Bipasha Basu) as a fast rising executive caught in a power struggle between two corporate giants.
The film is definitely worth one watch, and sadly worth only that. The Pros of the film include it's boldness and cynical humor. The sets and costumes are well designed and dialogues are crisp. The plot is a good power struggle with everyone trying to come out on top. Showing the fact that one individual can't beat the system is one of Bhandarkar's strengths. Bhandarkar craftily shows how each character manipulates and uses the others to his/her advantage. The helplessness and selfishness of each character is also well scripted.
As far as the acting goes, Bipasha Basu, Rajat Kapoor, Raj Babbar give lukewarm performances, and the underrated Kay Kay Menon outshines all by playing the character of a weak individual to perfection. Other subtle yet praise-worthy performances include that of Lilette Dubey and Harsh Chhaya.
Now the cons: Unfortunately most of who go to watch "Corporate" have already seen "Page 3." therefore, with identical plots of everyone out to stab each other in the back, Corporate is a poor cousin of Page 3. Another instance where Bhandarkar fails is taking liberties with the viewers willful suspension of disbelief. He has over simplified the business/political world to the point that it seems that a handful people are running the economy and the country. Overcasting and incomplete character sketches are also a problem (What Samir Dattani and Minisha Lamba were doing in the film I really wonder: They had all of 10 minutes screen time - combined! and with nothing to add to the plot)
Overall, If you see the film without watching Page 3, and letting go of your reality check, it is a lot more enjoyable. Otherwise exposing the same social evils that "Page 3" did, Corporate beats the same dead horse.
The film is definitely worth one watch, and sadly worth only that. The Pros of the film include it's boldness and cynical humor. The sets and costumes are well designed and dialogues are crisp. The plot is a good power struggle with everyone trying to come out on top. Showing the fact that one individual can't beat the system is one of Bhandarkar's strengths. Bhandarkar craftily shows how each character manipulates and uses the others to his/her advantage. The helplessness and selfishness of each character is also well scripted.
As far as the acting goes, Bipasha Basu, Rajat Kapoor, Raj Babbar give lukewarm performances, and the underrated Kay Kay Menon outshines all by playing the character of a weak individual to perfection. Other subtle yet praise-worthy performances include that of Lilette Dubey and Harsh Chhaya.
Now the cons: Unfortunately most of who go to watch "Corporate" have already seen "Page 3." therefore, with identical plots of everyone out to stab each other in the back, Corporate is a poor cousin of Page 3. Another instance where Bhandarkar fails is taking liberties with the viewers willful suspension of disbelief. He has over simplified the business/political world to the point that it seems that a handful people are running the economy and the country. Overcasting and incomplete character sketches are also a problem (What Samir Dattani and Minisha Lamba were doing in the film I really wonder: They had all of 10 minutes screen time - combined! and with nothing to add to the plot)
Overall, If you see the film without watching Page 3, and letting go of your reality check, it is a lot more enjoyable. Otherwise exposing the same social evils that "Page 3" did, Corporate beats the same dead horse.