NOVEMBER 2015 - Movie Of The Month

During November 2015, it was Tamasha film that managed to spark a winning outcome from the main competitive film release in the month. 

TAMASHA directed by Imtiaz Ali, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone in the lead roles. Now this film never appealed to me at first, but having watched the film, it was very thought provoking. I needed to sit back and re-evaluate the film because it does become a bit of a bore at first but as the film developed, the act that Ranbir Kapoor delivered was exceptional. That kept me wanting to watch the remainder of the story that unfolded.

As for the storyline, the film tends to drag heavily leaving a viewing experience disrupted mainly in the first half. As the second half is showcased, it really keeps you gripped to the relationship between Tara (Deepika Padukone) and Ved (Ranbir Kapoor). The film portrays a mixture of emotions hence the reasoning behind the gradual headway of the film. The slow start eventually picks up pace to keeping the viewers lured within. Imtiaz Ali has managed to keep an attractive screenplay which may raise doubts at first but the audience possibly would get proven wrong.

Performance wise, both the leads put in a notable effort that you cannot raise fingers upon. Ranbir Kapoor nails it with his scenes ranging with a variety of changes in mood. His character is one that you would prefer seeing much more of and when not in the scene, then he is heavily missed. The dialogue delivery and change of character during segments in the film helps to instigate a praiseworthy visual for the viewers. Deepika Padukone puts in a good chemistry with Ranbir Kapoor on screen. Her character helped nurture the film from an art to a romantic angle and that dictated the Tamasha to be carried out.

So what I would take from Tamasha is the strong subject of playing with feelings, this is the conclusion that I managed to figure out from watching it and I actually enjoyed it once it began to progress further. The acting was the standout with some fantastic scenes that stood out from the rest.

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo was the major movie to challenge Tamasha during the month of November. It had a good concept with some parts being likeable, but it just never gave me as an audience something new. Whilst Tamasha had more of a significant script it had to be perfected to portray a worthy film.

SARBJIT - Movie Review

SARBJIT is directed by Omung Kumar, with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Randeep Hooda and Richa Chadha starring in the lead roles. Sarbjit Singh an Indian who accidentally crossed the unmarked Pakistan border. Once caught, he was brutally assaulted, falsely accused of being an Indian spy which led to him being kept in prison and tortured numerous times. Once given the death sentence, the Pakistani officials kept delaying the sentence until fellow prison members attacked Sarbjit whom later died in the hospital. This emotionally drenched biopic really is a tragedy; the performance nails it in making this a moving film.

POSITIVES

• The biopic enhances a decent concept to be showcased to the audiences. This impactful and heart-rending movie leaves a heavy mark to the heart. It has the happiness, sadness, with a vast inclusion of teary sensitive moments on screen along with calamity all rolled up into a ball to give you a movie that you do not want to take your eyes off from. 
• What kept me hooked to the film, was the performances, the cast excel in this expressively attractive film. The characters seem to add realism to the film. Such film was bound to have the performances erupting into a praiseworthy attempt; this film does not fail on the acting part, as each main leads put in a fantastic enactment that deserves applause. 
• The moral behind the film is a positive one as well as most importantly, showing female characters in a more dominant influence in a movie. 'Sister fights for her brother's freedom till the very end'. The continuous efforts in saving Sarbjit from a false plot, lures the viewers towards the film. The director has managed to keep the attention to the film despite the screenplay being an inconsistant one at times. The film also touches upon the Indian government's inability to do something for their citizens and this was showcased openly in defining how society tends to lose hope with the government more often. 
• Efforts in transforming Randeep Hooda into Sarbjit were eye-catchy. It is astonishing how his character development transformed throughout the movie. Another significance in the movie as you want to see much more of him as firstly you feel sorry for his character and secondly he helps to add more emotion and gain sympathy. 

NEGATIVES

• The screenplay seemed a bit all over the place, lack of continued execution made the viewing experience slightly shaky. The film needed to be penned better to add to the substantial emotions that were portrayed on screen by the actors. It becomes disjointed as the story tries to progress, leaving the attention to derail at times.
• The inconsistent screenplay falters leaving a questionable thought as a viewer. So much was being compiled together in bringing the facts of Sarbjit. But with a better conviction, the film could have been showcased more impactful with such strong subject matter that was present as the foundation. In the second half especially, the film starts to drag on allowing an unease prior to the climax.

CAST

• RANDEEP HOODA (Sarbjit Singh) - A man who transformed himself for the role, Randeep Hooda is one to recall and remember the most when you walk away after watching this film. He made the pain and suffering seem so realistic through his performance that it actually does bring a tear to the eye at one point. As a traumatized prisoner, Randeep Hooda excels well in his role, portraying Sarbjit as an individual who deserved his freedom. Fantastic acting that can only be praised over again.
• AISHWARYA RAI BACHCHAN (Dalbir Kaur) - A fine performance playing the sister who never gave up as she fought till the end. She added the aggression that was needed when a family suffers extreme pain such as this. Not only do her performance sparks, but also her expressions and appearance tells another story. The exhaustion she goes through, the sadness she has to deal with. Aishwarya Rai put in a battling performance that can only be praised despite at times having some overly exaggerated moments, but she was the spark to the film. 
• RICHA CHADHA (Sukhpreet) - Playing the housewife character, the mother of Sarbjit's kids, Richa Chadha played a pivotal role in being the wife and she manages to carry out her duties really well. Nothing glamorous, simple yet thought-provoking. 

RATING

Overall, I would rate Sarbjit 4/5. The film had it all, the drama that unfolded, the story it tried to teach and tell to those who knew nothing about Sarbjit and the history without questioning how much of this is accurate. Omung Kumar, the director manages to put a movie together that is informative, attractive and decent to watch. Despite the film concept and performances being the highlight, it is the scriptwriting department that adds flaws to the film. It needed to be more heavy duty to add closure to the story and life of Sarbjit. Despite the missing link, the director and the team of Sarbjit have produced a creditable film that deserves to be viewed. A story that will really touch the heart emotionally even though the screenplay needed to be sharper. Do check out Sarbjit, expect the film to depict a story of a man falsely accused and tortured, the pain and trauma one faces physically, whilst the family faces the pain emotionally.