ravi-unadkat Reviews

Drishyam 2 (2022)

Almost perfect thriller

[9/10 · 18 November 2022]

This movie is pure magic. We don't see such simple story telling which is so complex, detailed and well thought in nature.

Each character has a role to play and is an integral part of the entire movie. I don't see a single scene which was forced or out of place.

Overall awesome story, writing, screenplay, background score, acting - almost everything except few loose ends. I guess those loose ends are intended to lead us to part 3.

Ajay Devgn, Akshaye Khanna, Tabu and rest all casts steal the show.

Story has a nice built up and they spent good time to establish the world. Post interval the movie gets into its zone and leave you speechless at the climax.

It's all about true content and genuine acting.

Recommended!

Happy Bhaag Jayegi (2016)

Fun filled film

[7/10 · 21 August 2016]

This is an Anand L Rai's production and he is known for fun filled film with strong emotional connect, here emotional connect is missing but trust me this film has quite a few moments worth watching for. There are so many characters in the film, but Abhay Deol bags the meatier role and as usual excels in his role. His love interest Zoya (don't know her real name) enacts her part so well, she conveys her anger, hope, helplessness beautifully. More than the story of Happy, the Abhay deol (Bilal) and Zoya's love angle shines in the movie.

Other than all these Ali Faizal and Jimmy both known for good to great acting skills shines well. Piyush Sharma gets gem of the lines in this film and provides heavy dose of laughter. Diana Penty gets an easiest role to play here, most of the work is done by male actors here, she comes back to screen after 3-4 years but this role does not back her skills she shown in Cocktail.

There are no songs you will remember after watching this, and in 2nd half the story does not move much but at climax again it brings smiles at your face.

This is better watch then Rustom and Mohenjo Daro together, it's a pure fun watch. Go with no expectation and you shall return smiling.

2 hours worth refreshment, that's it this movie is.

Bajirao Mastani (2015)

Powerful movie

[7/10 · 23 December 2015]

I found BM powerful movie. Definitely stretched for good 30 minutes but still it had heart at right place and all characters in the movie has given their heart and stand tall among all. You cannot single out a person who did good or bad.

Ranveer is revelation. Post his boyish act in Dil Dharkne Do, this was completely different role and he scores brownie points yet again. Just watch him for last 10 minutes and you can see Bajirao & Devdas together.

Deepika is just awesome, she perfectly portrays the complexity she gets thru, her eyes speak more. Love between him and Ranveer looks real but somehow that kills the excitement to see them because we know they are lovers in real life plus their steamy outing of Ramleela of same director is not very old.

Priyanka for me steals the movie. She has multi-layered role. She is bubbly at a times, she is like kid, a dotted wife and daughter in law. She gets chance to show her character on various scenes and shows talent beautifully. All including me thought PC may have made wrong selection of this role but after seeing movie your heart goes out for her. She goes from strength to strength. Her last scene with Ranveer in her room is just awesome. He literally overpowers Ranveer in those moments. Just awesome.

All rest supporting actors did wonderful, there was no weak acting anywhere. Story was stretched a bit too far as usual Bhansali style :) but sheer artistic presentation win over you. Sometimes you do not see actors in movie but you notice the set up, the sets, costume and colors.

SLB -you have made a proud movie, well done sir. Awaiting for more & more.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)

An outdated drama presented in grand manner, but very much likable

[7/10 · 12 November 2015]

Let me put it this way. how do you want to spend your day; roaming around an amusement park with lots of sci-fi rides and fun which is totally techno made or would you like to roam around a beautiful garden with colorful roses and natural aroma. If your taste is natural beauty then this movie is for you.

Let me put this way as well, this entire movie has less CGI compared to the trailer of Dilwale just released.

It's all natural, back to 90s were technology was not so advanced and making grand and glorious sets was only fort of Badjatya. He is indeed in that in 2015 too. Welcome to dances which has 100 dancers wearing same dress and running around in perfect rhythm with each beat. These is all pleasing to eyes. There is a freshness in air, there are less mobiles or selfies or laptops. There is a simplicity, there is an acting. there is a family.

Salman Khan is the khan we have as of now. No other hero comes near him. His charisma is such strong that you will carry him with you when you leave theater. Sonam Kapoor obviously looks younger than Khan but I guess her make-up and clothes give her some age so as a pair they look very cute. And yes she is taller than him and it's evident in quite a few scenes.

Anumap Kher does best, only he could have done justice to this role. However as a royal loyal guard I also felt Mr Bachhan also could have added another layer to this film.

Neil Nitin Mukesh, is treated like a side-liner in this movie, it is sad to see talent like him is given such treatment. Loved him in Johny Gaddar & New York. Arman Kohli bags a good role but in entire movie he constantly gives same facial expression.

Rest of the characters does well to keep movie running.

Few Negatives :

1) Story - outdated is the only word. 2) Climax - big let down 3) Loopholes - too many and quite visible

Enjoy with your family because such movies do not come every year, this should be treat to Rajshree production fans, Salman fans and also India families will love this movie.

Yes this movie has potential to spoil Ranbeer's next movie Tamasha which comes two weeks later, this has such a power to eat that movie's probable business.

Promotion of Dilwale is also on in this movie, suddenly from the middle of the movie Prem turned into Prem Dilwale and from that point he is addressed only as Dilwale :)

Hero (V) (2015)

Pathetic movie

[2/10 · 2 October 2015]

Really don't know what is wrong with Salman ? movies do not ride safe just on his name or a song that he sung. Movie cannot run if he just says lies after lies, few are as below.

1) Sooraj will replace me ? come on Salman, he has to live may be million years more to come close to you 2) I have involved in frame by frame making of this movie - top most lie, and if it's not lie then this should be his last attempt to get involved into film making

This film is so lousy along with it's hero that that lady man Heropanti's hero look legend against Sooraj.

Tigmashu Dhulia - please stop acting, if you have not noticed your facial expression remained same all along the movie. You should stick to making Saheb Bivi & Gangster movie where you direct good actors unlike you.

Drishyam (2015)

It can't get better than this

[10/10 · 4 August 2015]

Please do yourself a favor, stop reading reviews of this film, go and watch this absolute mind blowing thriller which is rare gem of Indian cinema. This movie will be remembered and compared to all upcoming thrillers to come from Bollywood at least till we are all alive. A rare masterpiece delivered.

Best movie of Ajay's career. Tabu was just awesome and matched to Ajay's powerhouse performance. Shriya, both daughters and all policemen did wonderful job to keep us glued.

There are few disturbing scenes which may not go down with kids under age of 12 so I would not recommend to go with kids in this movie. But this movie must be watched by all adults and also by all policemen.

"Visuals can be deceptive" - they really are, and so wonderfully that you will be satisfied completely after watching this.

Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)

Fresh-witty-classy-awesome watch

[8/10 · 16 June 2015]

Loved the movie. Thank god I did not see the movie with high expectations and did not watch it in 1st week of it's release. If I had then I would have gone with ZNMD sort of expectations and would have felt otherwise, I got mixed reviews from friends and different web forums so went with low or no expectations and I was like wow, I did something good for me to watch this piece.

Enter the world of rich families with familiar problems of all classes. misfit couples, spoiled brats, ego classes, not speaking of problem until it's killing point, return of Exs, gossips, love & trust between sibling & friends, smart plans, foul plans, loud celebrations, ruling parents and most importantly follow your heart situations. I hope I did not miss anything.

This movie had everything I was looking for, 170 minutes it was long and I have habit to watch how much time is left to complete any movie, I did the same this time too, but wanted to see this movie even more, it was that sort of magic created on screen.

Acting wise everyone topped each other. I did not like Ranveer, but boy he managed to earned lot many more fans from this movie alone. PC looked gorgeous and acted fabulously. Anil Kapoor and his wife Shefali gave run for money to all young leads. Wanted to see more of Farhan and Anushka somehow they were underused. Rahul Bose did well as expected but more was needed from him to have a deep impact of how was he with his wife. Rest all actors filled the gaps so well.

Music could have been better, this is first time I felt the movie had less songs than it was required, two of the songs I liked and will be there on my playlist.

Loved the ending, and it has potential to have part 2, as what happened with all leads plus all side characters as you have invested in them as their built up was quite nice.

Movie had number of funny moments, so you catch your breath and then again lose it in quite a few situations. So movie keeps you engaged in those 170 minutes of run and entertains very well.

Zoya - I am your fan now, you did wonderful ZNMD and again you had your unique way of handling family drama, hats off to you lady. Awaiting for more from you. Please do not take another 4-5 years to come in :)

Tanu Weds Manu Returns (2015)

Best of 2015, 1st women centric film to do 150Cr business in India alone

[10/10 · 8 June 2015]

This is an excellent film, it's an epic in itself. I loved 1st part for it's wacky tone and was awaiting for 2nd part to release since I heard it's in making. Movie always belonged to Kangana, and Maddy supported it very well.

Very happy seeing a women centric movie without any superstars (Khans, Roshans, Devgns, Kapoors, Kumars) doing wonders. This is true cinema at it's best. Business it is doing and also how it's liked by both Critics and Mango people.

Heros of the movie are the director and his team, they believed in this concept, their strange star casts and see the magic.

I hope they come back with 3rd part, there is a story left there. Kusum is upset, Raja still finding love, dejected boyfriend of Kangana and the lead pair who are together but how long can they be cozy cozy with each other which was shown on last scenes. How can I forget Mr Pappi also looking for bride :) Mr Rai please bring on the concept and make part 3, people will take it like never before.

How would this movie have fared if any of the super stars have performed in this, will it have broken 300Cr mark, may not, the thing is that any male superstars would have tried to gain few more scenes to make it their movie and that's where movie would have failed. It's Maddy who remained in side of the frame and rest all did magic.

TWM, then Raanjhanaa an now TWMR - way to go Mr Rai.. awaiting for your new offerings. You have really nailed it, for me you are standing along with Rajkumar Hirani if not above. You give quality movie with believable story, do not involve action, no dark/vulgar comedy, bring families together, solve their problems in most funny way and still get success in getting return on your investments. Great work, way to go gentlemen.

Baby (I) (2015)

Yet another gem from Neeraj-Akshay-Anupam

[10/10 · 16 March 2015]

Welcome to an exciting ride you may not have come across in any bollywood movie so far, yes as per excitement comes this movie scores more than "A Wednesday" which was as per me the recent best movie in business.

Movie nicely balances the work of all stars, obviously Akshay is in pivotal role from word go but you do notice each and every actor has their presence felt except KK, more was expected from him may be his character was not established yet.

There are some plot holes in the movie but pace of the movie is so fast if you think over what happened in last scene you will be lost, so you do not care and want to see what happens next that's where Director scores.

Akshay who is best in the business, does 3-4 mindless movie and then comes up with a quality, he is able to manage every aspect of acting so well. He is fit, energetic, smart, tough but at the same time follows orders of his seniors. There is a strong sense is set in the movie is that our hero is not hero, he is a human being and tries to adjust in situations.

Some of the best scenes when Akshay slaps minister's PA, when he says sorry to him after sometime, special appearance of Tapsee Pannu and the tension it creates, Danny answers to minister when he says does government take care of these men and final 20 minutes of movie, things go so fast you rarely blink or may get short on your breath.

Very few movies make you take long breath when climax comes and you realise movie got finally over, and you get a chance to look who was around you, it is that sort of a movie.

India will be proud of making such a movie. A masterpiece indeed.

PK (2014)

Expected better than this, this is not in level of 3 Idiots

[5/10 · 20 January 2015]

Had a great expectations from this movie. I am Hindu and aware of loop-holes in age old traditions, some had a meaning but some really does not.First of all I wanted to stay away with movie with some friends calling it is just to malign Hindu religion, so I stayed away for 3 weeks but then thought to give a shot as I heard it's on line of Oh My God !!

Movie started well, an alien look for Amir, and he was nude and that was for quite literally long time, I think such scenes are rare in Indian cinema with numero uno actor in it :) but he did it fabulously. Just when excitement was about to begin he loses his remote and from that point we come to know what's the story is all about as trailers did good job :) so from there it was on predictable line.

Munnabhai, Sushant have guest roles and they did pretty well. Anushka (duck lady) was major disappointment in the movie. This role did not demand any new thing for her, and she also did not get any scenes to shine same goes with Boman - how he was used in both Munna bhai also in 3 Idiots but here he is there for thankless role.

And there are many many faces from Rajkumar Hirani's previous films who come and go.

Music is also big letdown for this movie, none of the songs really have anything to carry.

Every now and then movie gave me feeling that Paresh Raval is better actor and Oh My God ! was a better movie than this one. Paresh Raval being a human but non-believer on god looked more real in his argument, acting and really nailed the traditions. Here Hirani plays safe, he tried to nail the issue but again does not do with full of heart - something stopped movie from going all in and proving the point.

Oh My God had loop-holes but the arguments which was made in movie in brilliant scenes in courtroom really stood out. But here the confrontation between Swamy and PK was just for 15 minutes and Swamy lost the argument just based on one prediction. More solid point should have come at that time to look it more convincing, but again Hirani wanted to unite Sarfaraz and Duck lady so he did it.

And yes what I really did not like is why Sarfaraz was made Pakistani, I mean I am okay that Pakistan's people are honest and may be good at heart but the same conclusion was okay even if Sarfaraz was an Indian but from Muslim family - no ? But again logics were gone for a toss the moment the remote was stolen so suddenly.

I am going with 5/10 stars, and I take that blame because I watched Oh My God !! at least 10-15 times and every time I see I feel fresh, and I really doubt if I am going to watch PK on television (may be for my kid I may have to do)

Earning 300 crore does not mean movie is good :) it's weaker movie in all sense. Expected much better from Hirani after his three superior movies he made in past. Hopefully he comes up with better engaging storyline next time. And for Aamir - I am awaiting for a quality movies like TZP, Sarfarosh, RDB and of course 3 Idiots.

Action Jackson (I) (2014)

Not up to standard

[6/10 · 15 December 2014]

Ajay Devgn is not wrong choice to play AJ but he definitely should have avoided dance numbers and no so comedy scenes in 1st half of the movie. This movie had potential to be very serious type along with good humor which was there on 2nd part the jokes came along with movement in story so it's fine but jokes in 1st part was neither funny nor connected with the story.

I do not understand the role and importance of Sonaksi in the movie, other two heroines were good. The vamp has done an excellent work considering it's her 1st movie.

I loved the movie in 2nd part - and sometimes you need to have right tempo in a movie from start, this movie actually takes start after an hour and that's where none is interested.

Prabhu is known for dance numbers, jokes but here they are too loud. Also some scenes will not attract family audience and Ajay is a star where families come in numbers as he does clean comedy (barring few :))

Overall, if you are an Ajay fan then go thru torture of an hour in movie and then this film will take off and will keep you entertain till end.

Dawn of the Planet of the Apes (2014)

Awesome sequel ever made

[10/10 · 5 August 2014]

DOTPOTA is one of the very rare sequel which actually lifts up the bar of the franchise. It's first part was spellbinding and I had very high expectation from the 2nd part since characters are very raw here, nothing fancy no giant machines, there are CGIs however main motive of the movie is to convey a story which is compelling.

Movie gives you everything, shy of relief, happiness, an inside view of how apes have formed their world and still want to see another spices - Humans on planet earth.

Just like first part this part as well is battle between good/bad, trust/betrayal, anger/wisdom, relations between good human and apes. Very rare movies these days leave you thinking after you leave the hall, this movie is one of them.

I am already excited to see 3rd installment of this series which is due in July 2016.

Two thumbs up for this movie, go for it. There are not many movies in 2014 worth watching for, this one is. Do not miss. Even if you haven't watch 1st part, after watching this you will definitely google 1st part :)

The Villain (2014)

Movie with no motive

[3/10 · 20 July 2014]

Full of spoilers

Guys - this movie is pointless, emotionless, story-less, romance-less, chemestryless... everything is less & more less.

The only good thing of the movie is music, which is above average and suits movie completely, but what comes around along with songs is very irritating.

You do not go ahead with anything, nothing is believable except character of Ritesh wife. The most annoying part of the movie is no chemistry between leads - both S - Shradha and Siddharth are good actors what let them down is no real turn of events which make you believe they are actually in love.

Shraddha has some sickness and she is going to die, please for the sake of creating emotion you want to add that, fine - but then they never told what illness really is, then she has wish list to fulfill which our heroes does copied from Rockstar :) - fine but then she gets cured and can live for life long and then she was killed .. come on if you wanted he to be killed why you added scenes where she was made comfortable of living long ..

You cannot relate to characters. Acting wise Ritesh does excellent job, given a good script he can do wonders.

I know I am being too negative of the product, but I had a high expectation from this film, I hate both Aashiqui .. but still this movie was appealing.

Very smart thing makers did was making eye catching, attention grabbing trailer of the film - the first trailer kept everyone guessing and eventually converted them to foot falls. So credit of success of the movie should go to promotions which took place.

Hope we get at least one good movie in 2014.