First Day First Show

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Only for MMA Brothers

Hindi movie: Brothers

Director:  Karan Malhotra

Rating: 3/5

Brothers is an official remake of Warriors. The story and scripting of Brothers is pathetic. Never can understand why when you have a great script (assuming Warrior was a good script at least) how you can mess it up so badly by infusing emotions, drama and melodrama in it. This is made worse by the over dramatic acting. The direction too is by and large sad, except for the championship fights. Maybe there were 2 Karans directing the film, the first half which is emotional was by the first Karan, and the championship by the second Karan. 

The MMA actions are pretty good. The fights are well choreographed and shot. I specially liked the exercise/training sequences. What is strange is that Jackie comes out as a dummy trainer. There is hardly any training sequence where he features. His contributions to fight is nothing or zilch. Looks like Karan told wife Ekta -- tum emotion dalo, mein fight dekh loonga (you put in the emotions, I’ll take care of the fights). Basically, Ekta has no clue about MMA or fighting -- and apparently the local script team did not bother to strengthen this aspect. 

Akshay does well, but it is Siddharth who steals the show. Jackie Shroff disappoints (not that I expected much from him -- despite Komal Nahta’s effusive praise for him) with his overdramatic performance or a sort of restrained hamming. Hindi cinema is suddenly coming of age. Stars are no more content with their starry ways and want to act. Salman Khan and now Akshay Kumar. Jacqueline too acts well and in fact does brilliantly in some scenes. The encounter with the estranged father Jackie Shroff while holding the grand-daughter was brilliant. Was not very impressed with Shefali Shah. Kulbhushan Kharbanda does a principal act. Ashutosh Rana gets into his Pasha character so well that I had to look up Wikipedia to find out who played that character.

The music is by Ajay-Atul. Nothing spectacular according to me. Mera Naam Mari hai is quite catchy -- but I think the choreography is awful. Kareena Kapoor gets credit for the worst item number that I can remember. 

Watch Brothers for the fantastic action (fight) sequences. If you want story, well read a book!

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Double Seat

Movie: Double Seat

Language: Marathi

Direction: Sameer Vidwans

Rating: 4/5

Marathi cinema is coming of age. I am not sure whether we can say that Marathi cinema is enjoying its Golden period. But the number of interesting and excellent movies coming in Marathi is phenomenal. 

The trailer of Double Seat was very catchy. It sort of made you make a note -- must watch this movie. The movie is about the aspirations of the common man. How he can take a big leap, if he takes a leap in his vision. This is the baap idea of the film. Baap director Sameer Vidwans handles it with a master stroke. In these times, the struggle to get your own home is beautifully and touchingly pictured in an entertaining movie. The twists and turns in the movie are amazing and are well done.

The chawl is a popular backdrop for many Marathi films. A newly married couple are beginning their new journey here. How people adjust in a one room ktichen will be a mystery to those living in swank apartments. The adjustments to be made while living in such a chawl is how the movie begins. I think the build-up of these characters took a bit of time. But after that the pace is very good and gripping.

Ankush Chaudhari is a natural for this role. He amazingly fits into his character. Mukta Barve is good but does not seem to carry with her the entire character of the film (fairly complex if you ask me). But in the later half, which is more demanding, she is brilliant. Vidhyadhar Joshi is phenomenal. Vandana Gupte is good, but gives an uneven performance. Her one-line punches in the beginning are too practised (effortless) for comfort. In the emotional scenes later she shines with her eyes and expressions.

Barring the build-up part, the direction is superb. Scripting of the film is superb. The dialogues are highly inspiring. The humour quotient in the film is high and keeps you entertained throughout.

Brilliant film, brilliant direction, brilliant acting, highly entertaining. 

Glad I saw it first day first show. I went to see it again at Miraj Thakur yesterday (Saturday 4.30 pm), it was housefull. Marathi movie housefull when there are so many Hindi and other competing movies! Miraj has a seating capacity of about 1000. So I was disappointed and also happy! Marathi cinema Jai Ho!