DEAR ZINDAGI - A soft heart touching one time watch!

We have a superstar, a good heroine and a strong script.. so we need not shoot in London or New York or any exotic locations, Mumbai and Goa are just fine!

The movie is a feel good film and also an inspirational one for those who have emotional problems in life with solutions for all. We have the perfect characterisation of Alia as the confused commitment-phobic girl of today's time and SRK as the matured and quick-witted psychologist who is professional yet emotional, a couple of Alia's friends who are fun to watch and stereotypical Indian parents who have performed just satisfactorily. A couple of cameos as well which fit in well with the storyline. The film goes on a slow pace throughout which is weak point of the film especially until you see SRK entering. Also, the music is avoidable apart from one or two good numbers. In addition to it, a few product promotions like eBay and Gionee streched to emphasize.

Despite the slow pace, the story is engaging and presentation is pretty good to watch. The highlight is the conversations of Alia and SRK (therapy sessions as they called it) which could have been the weakest if not written and directed well. Gauri Shinde has done a good job to present them so well with some simple and not so filmy yet amazing dialogues to SRK which makes you wanting to see more of such sequences till the end. For the performances, Alia meets the expectation and SRK is the star of the film playing this difficult and not so starry character with so much ease and charm, he has yet another commendable and unexpected performance after ChakDe India and Don. The thoughts about life and explanations of how simple life can be (like the example of buying a chair or expressing love and happiness) are expressed with clarity and conviction.

Indeed this one is a one time watch for all, especially for the emotional ones.

Verdict - 3 on 5

AE DIL HAI MUSHKIL - The NRI friendzoned Generation...

Who is the Director? KJo and the cast? Ranbir , Anushka and Aishwarya, sounds great right! How I wish could say the same for the movie. The movie involves an immature one sided lover boy and a defensive convenience playing girl with her trump card of friendship... We have a dialogue saying 'Tum meri duniya ho, mera khandaan ho , sab kuch tum hi ho Par mere Aashiq nahi ban sakte aur main tumse jhut nahi bolungi'. Yes, you read that right!

The 1st half is all about the craziness of two young people trying to be fun but doesn't make you laugh for long. We have a Lisa Haydon as a lusty Bimbo (Girls are smart these days KJo, create some better characters for fun) and the cheesiest dialogues of all times which attempts to be a treat for Bollywood fans and reminds you of epic blockbusters which only include Dharma Productions and Yashraj Banner movies (Kuch Kuch hota hai, Kal ho na ho , chandni ,etc.) Those scenes were bearable only because Ranbir and Anushka acted pretty well despite of those cheesy dialogues. Plus we do not see any originality in the situations, some would remind you of Dharma banner movies,while somewhere seems to be inspired from Rockstar and other Imtiaz Ali movies. 

And before you thought you are depressed with the first half wait for the second. Here we have a gorgeous looking Aishwarya who is apparently a Shayar (Shayara the female of it) and that is visible from her dialogues. Come on you don't talk to a layman in Shayaris and Riddles even if you are in such a profession. Here is a world of NRIs who are filthy rich, no passion to be career-oriented, blessed with great talent... that reminds SRK in a cameo, a great painter who is depressed with his one-sided love for his ex-wife, the scene gives you a glimpse of Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna Returns. And you have a climax which is different, shocking and pathetically disappointing to watch. You start waiting for the movie to end. 

The good part is the performances by all the three actors. Hats off to Ranbir and Anushka for carrying it well so that we could sit and watch it till the end. The heartbroken madly in love type of Hero has only three good names in Bollywood currently - SRK, Ranveer Singh and 'Ranbir Kapoor'. They can make you believe that the character is in extreme pain of love be it any weak script as well. Aishwarya has very few scenes than Anushka which seemed the reverse from the promos. Fawad Khan had hardly anything and his major role was the controversy which gave a boost to the movie publicity. The best part of the movie is the music... We have the title track, Bulleya and Channa Mereya which are the soul of this film. The bestest Music, singing and best lyrics for this year I must say. Indeed you have an unnecessary party song and a punjabi wedding song with a Haldi sequence in a Muslim wedding (Misdirection is ok if its a KJo movie but these elements are necessary for business). 

Overall would say good performances, good music, cheesy dialogues, a weak script and bad direction makes it avoidable. 

Rating - Two stars **

FAN - Overexposure doesn't help

It's all about SRK... That could be enough to explain this flick but let's make a bit detailing.
So the movie starts on a high note, u know the basic plot coz of promos. A die hard fan (Srk) and his superstar (srk again) are the central characters. A vfx added Srk looks impressive but beyond a point u get bored to see the two versions of him.
Needless to say SRK acted well as both characters. Even Aryan Khanna can be said is just how SRK would be in real life. Both characters are portrayed and defined well by the maker Maneesh sharma. You can understand the craziness of the die hard fan but the evilness goes a bit too far and illogical at times.
The direction is ok but many sequences like chase scenes could have been avoided (and the song 'jabra fan' could have been added). The movie has its highs and lows. Certain things like no law and order to catch the criminal fan and his capability to reach out places and act to destroy the star makes it illogical for the 2nd half.
Overall this Srk vs Srk movie is all about Srk and too much of it is not convincing to watch in a theatre.

Verdict : 2* on 5

The jungle book 3d - Nostalgia at its best

For the 90's kid it has to be a delight to watch jungle book. The song remade by Vishal bharadwaj is in itself a hit for all.
The movie storywise is almost same as the cartoon film release but the 3d effect is pretty good.
Purposely checked for the Hindi dubbed as it has famous star voices and was ok with the experience though. Irfan khan as baloo is a delight and surprising with Punjabi accent so nicely done. Priyanka chopra as ka and Nana patekar as sher khan are just upto the mark having high expectations from them. Om Puri as bagheera has been pretty calm and composed as needed for the character.
The good part is there is no change in the storyline for the stars. It goes as per the characters.
A one time watch though not the best but for reliving the experience.
Verdict : 3* on 5

Ki and Ka - Somewhat impressive

Ki and Ka selling the funda Ladki and Ladka are no different even if they switch roles.
Balki has been one of the gems for Bollywood because he exactly gives novelty with every script for which other filmmakers struggle. He has a quirky idea to attract audiences to watch his movies atleast once be it Cheeni kum, PA or Shamitabh.
However major problem with his movies is it stretches the same concept till the end making the 2nd half a bit boring and so does happen in this one.
Movie starts with a fresh idea , novel concept to keep u engaged of what happens next. Things go well but off late u feel a bit repetition of scenes which makes the movie just above average till the end.
The movie has excellent performances by kareena kapoor, arjun kapoor and others which is expected from a R Balki movie. Strong and smart characters wierd in their own ways but witty at the same time to impress u.
Music is good with ji huzoori nahi , most wanted munda and foolishq being good songs.
The direction , cinematography and editing are all in place and Mr. Bachchan's cameo (expected one) is fun to watch as usual. Movie could have been better if the 2nd half too had something unexpected to keep audiences engaged but nevertheless a one time watch :)
Verdict : 3* on 5

Airlift - Goosebumps seeing the flag !!!!!

Akhsay kumar has grown with every film not only as actor -but -also as a- producer with Hari om bhatia productions giving sensible and ent-ertaining movies one after another.
The movie is based on a real incident and depicted very nicely. The charactization is just perfect be it the central character, negative ones or supporting. Also direction and editing is pretty upto the mark for this one.
The message and the feel of the story is just bang on. The pace is ok and story unfolds in a proper flow showing how one man can make a difference.

The performances are pretty good be it akshay Kumar the show stealer kr even nimrit kaur , kumud mishra and others.

The difficult part is to show Kuwait and give a feel of an India movie which not everyone has been successful in be it khuda gawah or deewar by vipul shah. But this movie comes to be an absolute Bollywood feel movie.

The music is pretty good with dil cheez tuje dedi, soch na sake and tu bhoola jisse being good numbers.

The movie ends on a very high note wherein the last 1 hour is the best part which makes it a sure shot watch this year.

The first superhit of 2016 and well deserved.

Verdict : 3 and half *