SARDAAR JI 2 - Movie Review

Rohit Jugraj directs SardaarJi 2, the sequel stars Diljit Dosanjh, Monica Gill, Sonam Bajwa and Jaswinder Bhalla in the lead roles. The SardaarJi team are back with the sequel and they sure lived up to the hype and managed to top the first film with a well-crafted movie altogether. The first half of the film piles the comedy and hysterical entertainment in this fast paced start whilst the second half, despite maintaining a bit of that comedy, it tends to become more of a rollercoaster ride with emotional attachment to it adding a bit of a change to the mood.

POSITIVES

•  Credit needs to be given to the writers and the team behind the film who have without a doubt managed to top off the first film, a sequel that needed to be just as good, if not better. The dialogues were remarkable, noteworthy one-liners that the audience will walk away cherishing with laughter. The dialogues were so good that it made this entertainer, a film that you just did not want to look away from.
• The performances were top-notch. Each of the cast members played their roles really well, leaving a outstanding appreciation. As for the comedy aspects, the acting was timely and felt it was carried out with perfection making this the type of movie that you would not want to see, coming to an end.
•  The creative department, attention-grabbing scenery and camera work that requires to be praised for a Punjabi film as well as prominent input from the filmmakers to ensure the typical flashback scenes were not utilized very often as it usually tends to be done. There is a particular scene of the present, the past, childhood and elderly all added in one scene. That was amazing to see and raises eyebrows with such execution being well made to help narrate the story. There were other scenes with cloning of Diljit, this was created nicely, leaving no room for distraction and made to look realistic rather than overly fake.

NEGATIVES

• Some scenes do end up jumping from one to another, leaving loopholes in the story that is being showcased. This did not feel smooth and lacked the innovative transition in the odd few scenes where it was quite evident. Down to the faults in the certain parts of the script where a build up was occurring but then instantly moved on to the next scene. This happened a few times, but it quickly keeps you away from recalling this as you are surrounded by comedy scenarios. 
• There also were scenes in the screenplay that did not gel well enough together leaving a questionable thought at first, whilst I did see several scenes that could have been neglected as it had no significant bearing on what was to transpire ahead, this did not elaborate the scenes to the fullest.

CAST

• DILJIT DOSANJH (Jaggi) - SardaarJi needs no analysis; once again he proves his worth with one of the finest performances. He seems to do no wrong and continues to maintain the 'King of Panjabi Cinema' label and demonstrating it with such finesse of onscreen presence. Diljit Dosanjh, the soul of the film carries it with his comedy credentials and maintains a solid, engaging and captivating performance to lure the audience in to being glued to the film. He was funny, amusing and is the type of character you just do not want to see go away from the screen. 
• MONICA GILL (Sohni) - Being the hostile type of individual at first and independent character, Monica was an exciting watch. A rising face in the cinema and yet once again she proves to be an ideal and likeable character. She performed well in the film bringing the action and the tension to the movie. She has left a great impression and she should be proud of the way she performed as it gave a female character some good importance in a film as most movies tend to be male dominated 
• SONAM BAJWA (Diljot) - Sonam continues to have an input and despite playing second fiddle to Monica, Sonam still manages to keep pace with the rest and this was great to watch, adding more drama within the love triangle and story. Both actresses worked well with Diljit as well as with each other, the platform to give females a worthy role and a significant role was a delight to watch and their roles did justice to the film, credit goes to them both as Sonam brings the calmness to the scenes. 

RATING

Overall, I would rate SardaarJi2 a rating of 4/5. Have to applaud the creative mindset behind the film, assuring that the sequel did well enough to try and beat the first film and I truly believe this has been accomplished. The film was packed with it all, from comedy to drama, tension and action with a touch of romance just to blend it in. The characters played with flair and the story was an interesting concept, allowing characters to nurture in way more than what you as an audience could have imagined. Highlight from the film would definitely be the dialogues, which were superbly written in making sure SardaarJi2, was an entertaining watch. Yes the film does have loopholes at times but it never derails the attention from the comedy and the Desi-ness from it, allowing pure packing of a film. 

UDTA PUNJAB - Movie Review

The much awaited, pulsating, dramatic and informative film Udta Punjab has FINALLY graced the cinemas. Directed by Abhishek Chaubey, it stars Shahid Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor Khan, Alia Bhatt and Diljit Dosanjh. This is a film based on the youth of Punjab under the high levels of drug use, trying to depict and raise awareness of it in Punjab. The first half contains many lively scenes that turn this screenplay into a fascinating one. Portraying the use of drugs, the effects of drugs and how society is being tarnished. The second half is a bit slower as it exposes the consequences these individuals as well as the youth face with drugs around them. 

POSITIVES

- A revealing film trying to raise an awareness of the situation in Punjab, the film brushed upon several issues alongside of the main subject matter that is drugs. The film did not neglect those elements surrounding the drugs for example the politics behind the government, police officers, parents and their lack of control towards their kids, these were all evidently screened. Everything materialized in well and this has to be praised highly for the screenwriters. They used their initiative in giving significance on the subject as a whole, rather than just a single aspect 'drugs'. 

- Through the works of the writer and director, I felt they both utilized the 4 characters outlook and produced it well together in one movie. Whenever the characters changed to progress their sides of the story, it did not feel dragged and nor did it become sidetracking when making that transition. Each story was engaging and as an audience, it made you feel keen on wanting to see what happens next. The way it was being narrated on screen was enough in giving each character adequate screen space as a platform to make Udta Punjab a good watching story. 

- The simplicity of the movie makes it more believable and easy to follow along as the film developed. Nothing has been featured too glamorous or over-the-top with the acting. There are scenes where the film tries to illustrate glimpses of the good in the youth of Punjab. Then the film shows kids in the society, which is all overshadowed by the subject matter of drug use. The film in overall does satisfactory in keeping the awareness solid rather than just presenting a movie for entertainment purposes.

- Actors were a delight to watch, they performed their respective roles with immense effort. It was showing on screen, the focus was evident and it clearly made the film a laudable watch. Each actor was different from another, but they never seemed as if one was being exposed as a bigger star than the other. Obviously we know each of them come with their own status and their involvement in cinema, but in this film, it seemed more of a collective attempt, maybe due to the seriousness of the project. But it was just exciting to see the way they were presented to the viewers.

NEGATIVES

- Certain scenes showed lack of realism, we all know the affects and struggles one addict faces if taken away from. There comes a moment in the film when one of the users is kept away from it, he causes a tiny tantrum but not much to disrupt those around him. This takes away bit of that gritty chaotic influence of drugs from Udta Punjab slightly.

- I would have liked to see more point of views of the parents of the youth who have been affected by the influence of drugs. Maybe having their side of the story would have added more of an emotional appeal to the scenarios as well as giving more bearing to the main characters to go on and doing what they did individually with their respective roles towards the climax of the movie. I also felt the climax was rushed. The prospect for more elaboration on specific elements was missed, leaving to a rather quieter closure to the movie. 

CAST

• SHAHID KAPOOR (Tommy Singh) - The Punjabi gabru executes strongly in his character as the rock star and drug addict, showing two sides in his role. It was great seeing him on screen especially with his Punjabi roots being portrayed heavily, he manages to bring a better-off feel in the film even when it is a serious situation. His acting was superb, an essential part of the film carrying the movie forward with his energetic, wild and rocking persona of Tommy as well as playing the mentally affected, weak and change of mindset personality really gave Shahid an acting podium in this film. He manages to express various emotions, allowing good character development in the movie. 
• KAREENA KAPOOR KHAN (Dr Preet Sahni) - Kareena was a pleasure to watch, her existence in the film exhibiting hope to the youth. It was good see her play the doctor role rather than her usual glamour and upper class persona. She was strong in her actions and that was complimented well as she has been presented in as a natural person. 
• ALIA BHATT (Kumari) - Not dolled up as per usual, Alia put in a fine performance to stay on the levels of her seniors in the movie. She did well around a bigger star cast and manages to captivate the audience’s attention. Alia had a big role in the film and she never once faltered or stoops behind. Also goes to show, her versatility as an actress and willingness to try other challenging roles, she carried out her duties remarkably 
• DILJIT DOSANJH (Sartaj Singh) - The King of Panjabi cinema graced the Bollywood cinema and has left a visible mark. Once again proves his versatility as a fine performer. Diljit was an interesting watch, trying to take him seriously as we know him more for his comedy roles in Panjabi Cinema. But in Udta Punjab, Diljit acted strongly, leaving a positive impact in a film that is revealing negativity in the youth of Punjab. His on screen chemistry with Kareena Kapoor Khan was a touch of brightness in this dark thrilling movie. What also stands out promisingly for Diljit is the ability to create striking facial expressions to express his feelings when serious and sad. A decent effort, which can be appreciated and cherished for the masses after watching him in Udta Punjab as a well-mannered cop officer.

RATING

Overall I would rate Udta Punjab 4/5. After all the controversies, the doubts and finger pointing, the film lived up to the hype and overwhelmed me as a viewer. So much has been shown, plenty more could have been incorporated as well to add more, but there was enough to see why the Udta Punjab team were desperate to have the film screened to the world. Udta Punjab stays true to the core, showing the wakefulness and excessive use of drugs in society today. The significant exposure of drugs and the bearing it has on people associated with it is very informative, in a way also teaching the consequences. The details were not too explicit, but enough to leave a striking affect to the viewers mindset. With a good story concept, this was compliment well by praiseworthy performances by the lead cast to ensure this must-watch film was worth the wait and censor board battle. I highly do recommend you go watch this film in cinemas, it may not be for everyone but it is a film that needs to be given a chance for at least a one time watch, to understand and get to witness to eagerness and urgency behind the team wanting to create something so delicate.