Sunday, December 13, 2009

Rocket Singh salesman of the year movie review


Some films absorb you instantly, from the very outset. But it takes time to get into the world of a salesman who thinks from his heart.

Come to think of it, ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR is about a simpleton, but the story of his struggle and accomplishment isn't the kind that would charge you or make you charter a similar path in life. Also, the story of an underdog who comes up the hard way should make you feel euphoric in the end, right? But ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR doesn't.

Frankly, ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR is more of a documentary on the life of a salesman. It's a decent film, no two opinions on that, but the question is, [a] Is the story powerful enough to excite you and [b] Does it grab your attention in entirety? Sadly, the answer to both the questions is in the negative.

There's another problem and this is strictly from the point of those seeking entertainment. A Yash Raj film with Ranbir Kapoor [after AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI] essaying the title role, coupled with fun-filled promos ['Pocket Mein Rocket Hain'] might make you assume that it would offer loads of entertainment, but this has barely a song or two, as good as no romance and hardly any comic moments - the recipe for most Hindi movies.

In a nutshell, ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR is a dull and dry experience.

Harpreet Singh Bedi [Ranbir Kapoor] has just graduated and his marks are, well, let's say a little embarrassing. But marks never stopped him from dreaming of an exciting and adventurous career, and they never will.

He takes a deep, positive breath and dives into the world of sales, rumoured to be an ultra cool career. It's everything he dreamt of, with its smooth dressing, smoother talking men and women who can sell ice to an Eskimo, dreams to an insomniac and a lifetime mobile connection to a dying man. But soon, his idea of success begins clashing with the strange ways of these 'professionals' and 'bosses' he looked up to.

ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR may be based on a simpleton's life, but the viewer gets a hang of things only towards the second hour. The entire first hour is devoted to establishing the characters and also getting used to the way sales persons go about their business.

There's not much excitement in the first hour, barring a few attention-grabbing scenes that pop up intermittently. The story just flows, with the viewer not reacting much to the proceedings. But things change for better towards the post-interval portions when the protagonist and his colleagues' lives get complicated.

At least two sequences deserve a mention here. The first, when Ranbir and his boss have a lengthy telephonic conversation. The second, when the boss realises his folly and apologises to Ranbir. But, unfortunately, the culmination to the story doesn't give the feeling of euphoria or victory. Ideally speaking, it should have. That's one of the reasons why the impact is missing.

Shimit Amin is an efficient storyteller and he has been most faithful to the plot, but if the plot itself has its limitations, there's not much he can do to boost the proceedings. Jaideep Sahni has had the courage to narrate a new story, but the story is one-dimensional. Also, there screenplay is devoid of songs, romance and entertainment, which will go against the film completely.

Salim-Sulaiman's background score is effectual. Vikash Nowlakha's cinematography is alright.

Ranbir Kapoor is an exceptional actor and ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR mirrors this fact. The actor underplays his part beautifully, which only goes to prove that he's equally at ease essaying straight-out-of-life roles. Prem Chopra is exceptional. A number of new faces enact pivotal roles here, but the ones who stand out are Ranbir's boss Puri and colleague Nitin. Both are fantastic.

D. Santosh is first-rate. Gauhar Khan leaves a strong impression. Shazahn Padamsee doesn't get any scope.

On the whole, ROCKET SINGH - SALESMAN OF THE YEAR is more of a documentary on the life of a salesman. Lack of music, romance and entertainment, coupled with zilch hype, will go against the film. A colossal disappointment!

Thursday, December 10, 2009

My Name is Khan 1st promo on Star Plus

Yeah frnd that news is absolutely right, The First look of my name is Khan will unevil on Star Plus

Here’s a first - A promo for a promo!

In a recent promotional video on Star Plus, Shahrukh Khan revealed that the first look trailer of My Name Is Khan will be unveiled on Star Plus on 16th December 2009, at 10 PM Indian Standard Time.

The official theatrical trailer though, will be released with James Cameron’s Hollywood movie Avatar.

Co-written and directed by Karan Johar, My Name Is Khan also stars Kajol, Jimmy Shergill amongst others. The music has been composed by Shankar - Ehsaan - Loy.

The worldwide theatrical rights, on 7th August, was sold to Fox Star Studios for Rs 98 crores.

Release date - 12th February 2010.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Radio Movie Review by taran adrsh


"MUST WATCH RADIO DONT MISS IT"

When Himesh Reshammiya stars in a film, it's got to be a musical. Musical it is, but RADIO also attempts to explore the man-woman relationship in a metropolis.

RADIO rests on a thin storyline. Superficially, it's about a couple that goes separate ways, then man meets another woman, later ex-wife develops a soft corner, much later man is torn between the two women. Haven't we witnessed similar themes in the past? Oh yes, aplenty!


Only thing, director Ishan Trivedi places the story in a radio station and that gives the film a different texture. Also, the film is divided in various chapters - some interesting, some mundane, some yawn-inducing and boring.

The USP of RADIO is, without doubt, Himesh's musical score. The film has some melodious tracks, but how one wishes the super music was complimented by an equally superior script.

Vivan [Himesh Reshammiya] is a successful RJ with a popular radio channel. His wife Pooja [Sonal Sehgal] seeks divorce and the reason cited is lack of compatibility between the two.

Enter Shanaya [Shenaz Treasurywala], who is like a ray of sunshine in Vivan's insipid life. He discusses Shanaya with Pooja, but being a woman, she can see his love for Shanaya. In the end, however, Vivan realises that he may have a soft spot for Pooja, but he wants to spend his life with Shanaya.

RADIO rests on a fragile plot, with the writing holding your interest at places, but blowing away the hard work in its immediate chapter. That's how erratic RADIO is.

Confusion kya hain? The ex-wife can't decide if she wants her man back or not. It was she who wanted a divorce, not the man, but she can't let go off her man for some inexplicable reason. Even the other woman, all of a sudden, wants the man she loves so dearly to go back to his ex-wife. That just doesn't work!

Besides, the narrative is laced with too many songs. Whether or not the situation warrants them, you have one track ready to unspool every 10 odd minutes.

On the brighter side, RADIO has some tender moments too. Note the sequence towards the end, when Himesh pours his heart out to Shenaz. It's a beautiful sequence and the writer in particular needs to be complimented for taking a mature look at relationships.

Directorially, Ishan Trivedi cannot do much given the fact that he's handicapped by a sketchy screenplay, which, ironically, is also penned by him. Resultantly, the film grips in bits and spurts. Himesh's music is top notch. 'Mann Ka Radio' is already a craze and its picturisation needs to be lauded. The other tracks - 'Teri Meri Dosti', 'Zindagi Jaise Ek Radio' and 'Rafa Dafa' - are lilting compositions as well. Attar Singh Saini's cinematography is perfect.

Himesh has grown as an actor and that reflects in certain difficult moments of the film. Shenaz is natural. In fact, she gets it right this time. Sonal acts well, but her character is not well defined. Paresh Rawal's track looks forced. Zakir Hussain is strictly okay. Rajesh Khattar is good.