TALAASH
THRILLER
Watching this film in a theatre is the only way to go about doing things. Do not succumb to buying the pirated version (of any film, for that matter). Moving on from my pointed statement re ethical movie watching, we all know the kind of expectations that are attached to an Aamir Khan film. He has delivered phenomenal performances and while some say that his solo films are a true testament to the pull he has at the box office, it is his presence in multi-starrer films that bring in the audiences for the most part. Had Talaash featured another hero as the main lead, do you honestly believe that the film would start off the way it has? I’m not saying the trailers do not do the film justice. I’m saying that the trailers give away nothing. So there must be something that must capture the viewers’ attention. Oh, and one more thing. Stop predicting what the film can be compared to. It is not like Kahaani. It is not based on Shutter Island. It is not based on any novel. While some elements may seem “borrowed” (which can be the case in any thriller film), Talaash stands on its own. But does it do a fine job in standing on its own?
DABANGG 2
FILM REVIEW Aamir Khan enacts the lead role of Inspector Shekhawat. He is informed of an accident which leads to the death of a beloved superstar. The file becomes his life. A chase that will bring to light his own realizations of the consequences from an emotionally wrought marriage to his wife, played by Rani Mukherji. He will face his own demons. Amongst this mix is the arrival of a sex worker, played by Kareena Kapoor. What starts as a file turns into a complex arrangement of conspiracies, haunting memories, and puzzling (to say the very least) turns of events at every turn. Kudos, firstly, to the director of the film, Reema Kagti who manages not only to keep the audiences’ attention intact but do it so that one simply cannot know what happens. This is the one film in which predictions do not work. The film could have easily fallen flat on its face because this is the kind of film that is easy to imagine but hard to put on paper and film. But what a phenomenal job the directorial and script writing team have done. What helps the film is the haunting background score. It sets the right mood and style, which keeps the viewers engaged no matter what. The film also has a finale that is mind-boggling. And the type of genre Talaash belongs to, the finale is something that is so necessary to get right. And the director gets it all right. There are many thrillers that we watch and we come out having an issue with the ending. That it didn’t end the way it should have. That the ending was
ACTION
The one thing I will credit Sajid-Wajid for, from the very beginning, is that the music of the film
Everyone loved Aamir Khan in Sarfarosh. He was the unexpected choice for a cop’s role back then, when the meatier, buffer men enacted those roles with the power that was “required”. But Aamir set the tone then. In Talaash, Aamir does play a cop, but it is so different from before that you’re hooked from the start. He has a raw edge to his character that one cannot shake off at all. I cannot tell you how impressive the acting is. To put this into words would be an insult to the sheer talent that Aamir Khan is. The camera is over-taken by Aamir from the beginning and you cannot help but wonder just how he does what he does. Rani Mukherji shows us why she is a force to reckon with even today. Do not write her off. A film like this makes me realize how unfair the industry is to women. That after a woman has her “peak” in the industry which is bound to last only several years (a short period of time relative to her male counterparts), she cannot continue to essay lead roles. Rani Mukherji shows us why that is wrong. And why good actors, not “young” looking actors, should stay on in the industry for as long as possible. Kareena Kapoor has magical moments in the film with Aamir. Their chemistry is such that one cannot help but sit up and notice that the two are not just fine actors on their own, but have the ability to shine together seamlessly. The rest of the cast, including Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Shernaz Patel are well-suited and enact their roles with ease. You’re missing out on excellent cinema if you don’t watch this. So do yourself a favour – watch it.
MUSIC REVIEW seems like it is for a sequel of the film. For example, “Dagabaaz Re” is set in the same tone as “Tere Mast Mast Do Nain”. Both are soft, romantic numbers with have capture the feel between the two principal characters. The song definitely has an old school feel to it, and Shreya’s voice definitely has a lot to do with that.
After the ridiculously wonderful and catchy music of Dabangg (remember, “Munni Badnam” and “Tere Mast Mast”), one has ridiculously high expectations of the music from Dabangg 2. So when Sajid-Wajid get together with Salman Khan, we know the music will cater to the audience that the film is directed towards.
anti-climactic. I assure you – this will not be the case with Talaash.
Malaika Arora Khan is back in action after “Munni Badnam” for “Pandeyjee Seeti” which is perfect for the setting that Dabangg 2 takes place in. The song has a traditional Indian folk feel to it and should really get the audiences pumped, both on the dance floor and in the movie theatres. I’m sure this one will get a lot of “seetis”. Now for the song that everyone is already raving about. “Fevicol Se” features Kareena Kapoor and boy, does she do a brilliant job in the song. Playing the seductress, Kareena Kapoor is the perfect choice for “Fevicol Se” despite her
strained dancing abilities. The way Mamta Sharma croons, this song is sure to keep climbing the charts and stay there. We finally get a breather with “Saanson Ne” – clearly the best song on the album. The song is extremely easy to listen to and very easy to fall in love with. The song features Sonu Nigam (arguably, the best singer that the industry has today), who I wish we heard more of in films these days. The song has a comfortable, slow beat to it which is accompanied by Tulsi Kumar’s soulful voice. This has a stamp of a hit. “Hud Hud Dabangg” also makes a comeback in the film – but is completely revived. And it will definitely not be short-lived. The song is memorable and is bound to only help the film itself, bring in the masses and leave them with something to chant with. Expectations met.
BFFC.ca
Dec Jan 2013 21