Tag: imtiaz ali

Jab Harry met Sejal (2017)

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Finally! After a while I liked SRK as a romantic lead in a fun film which didn’t take itself too seriously. Imtiaz Ali has a certain way of story telling, and indulges you with glimpses from his past patterns.

Anushka is far and away one of the best talents we have in this industry, she is the life of the film. Her range of emotions make you laugh and cry with equal ease. Her portrayal of Sejal is dramatic, naive and very funny.

SRK has done a role stepping outside his usual realm, yet being unapologetic about it. He is real, and from the credits scene onwards, he establishes what Harry is all about. He hits the humour home every time, deriving it from his apathy towards the bizarre situation he is in.

The story is convenient to drive the plot forward and show you stunning Europe. The logic isn’t strong, but the moments that make up the interactions between the couple are super. The chemistry is intense and some of the songs are well placed and soulful.

The title is a rip off and the story is oft repeated, but watch it for the banter between the two, which is the best part of the film, and let’s you sail effortlessly from start till end.

3/5

Tamasha (2015)

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I would like to start with a big pat on the back of director Imtiaz Ali who had the guts to make this film. A commercial canvas as large as this exploring minute, nurtured passions and ambitions is truly commendable.

It’s everyone’s story. There will be some part, or more, that you will identify with. How we don’t chase our dreams, or why we conform to society. How we don’t realise when we became part of the race, a race that nobody ever really wins. How we have to find ourselves first, before hoping to find love. And how we have to be our true, genuine self to achieve anything of value in our life.

This and a lot more is woven into the film. A wise man had once told me ‘there are only 5 stories, it’s how you tell them’. This film says similarly, on the outset, but manages to give you the essence and learning of many stories.

Deepika is the golden girl with a magical touch. She outdoes herself in every role. This film shows her depth as a young actor. Careless abandon, intense pain, unrequited love and everything in between is natural and effortless.

Ranbir Kapoor is back! It was refreshing to see the spectrum of his talent after a while on screen. His suppression, his angst, how his passion spills into the life he has created for himself shows that he still is one of the best actors we have. He embodies everyone’s story.

The movie shows a philosophy of life, true to many Indians, on screen, in an eccentrically real way. It’s a class film, where many supporting actors act as sign posts and turning points. Vivek Mushran is a revelation! Beautiful locales and soulful music complete the Tamasha.

3.5/5

Highway (2014)

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What can you expect from a young actress who plays a rich spoiled kid in her first film? Her second film also starts off the same way. ‘Poor little rich girl’ wants to get away from her abundant and opulent life. Get away she does, when she is kidnapped.

From gun shot to gun shot, her performance left me flabbergasted. I was more in shock at how well she acted, how she managed to portray a deep, meaningful character, with so many layers, without saying or doing much. A few glimpses into her world and we were drawn to her story and plight in an instant. She had two very powerful, long, emotionally packed scenes, which she knocked out of the park!

Randeep Hooda, donned the character of the scruffy, unkempt captor so well, with a convincing command over the local language. He has one scene which displays his emotionally caged Mahabir, who matches Veera’s echoes of hurt and childhood suppression. She develops the Stockholm Syndrome towards Mahabir and some of his gang, perhaps as a reaction to the lack of unnecessary violence.

Cinematographer Anil Mehta has captured time and tide in sweeping montages, showing Indian landscape and highways as never seen before. The journey seems endless, yet not pointless. Director Imtiaz Ali has gifted the audience a long nurtured story, which takes you on the winding road within, as it does on screen.

A brilliant set of performances with a visual treat which puts you in a reflective state.

3.5/5