Mumbai meri jaan is a neat film made with a beautifully scripted story and a highly creative screenplay. THe top notch direction adds to the creation and the entire film flows like a mesmerizing symphony.

The film has purposes, it has varied subjects and it touches them with such precision that I can not but marvel at the craft.

This story touches the chords for those who are away from home..not just Mumbai, mind you. Those who have left their homes in search for better life meet the other side of the argument in the character of a young executive of can very well settle abroad for better money and facilities but will not.
He's standing like a rock in the current where everyone finds a reason to leave Mumbai, rahter India. A part of his spirit breaks down with the Mumbai train blasts and his well placed decision of staying put, starts to tear apart.

Media is often known to blind people. People outside the media and people in it. People in the media often forget that what is news to one, may be life to another. A beautiful depiction of a media personnel's life is part of this story. A hot-shot upcoming (and blinded) journo finds that she could not relate to a sensitive and emotional part of her life, as a prime time story.

The well known Hindu-Muslim racist opinions are beautifully encrypted in this story. With the stubbornness broken - not with an intent to break it to pieces, but at least add a well placed crack in it. The way this particular subject has been handled speaks volumes about the story's authenticity and honesty with the different genres of people.

The Mumbai police, another significant segment of this story has filled any possible vaccume.

And like a jingle in a song, a cherry on the cake, is the little compilation of pieces of a tea-seller's life, which spreads across this story.

This film is like musical symphony. A beautiful song, that touched a cord.

But, it is not for you if you're out for serious fun and dhammal. This would touch that level where fun transforms into happiness and it's calm. Often this level comes with evolvement of the soul. So if you miss the calm, you might be missing the level ;)

It's weired how mallika still carries away that young girl's impression with such an ease and conviction. It's a quality that reflects the hidden versatality in this actor. The surface is just being scratched....there might be something beneath.

I'd seen this movie with very low expectation, but I wouldn't let that discount the fact that I enjoyed the movie with all it's silliness and I think it is a well made movie. I'm not a fan of either Mallika or Ranvir, however, I liked both in this movie. I liked the movie for it's light subject, for it's very relaxed storyline and a sweet screenplay. Short, snappy and well-paced.

Here's what I'd suggest, for best results, have a low expectation of this film. It's a not a touching storyline, that it might want to be, or an emotional drama that again it'd want to be. This movie would rather be identified more as exaggeration of the silliness that happens between a girl and a guy. However unreal the beginning of their relationship is, it has been carried off quite well.

Ranvir's down to earth and non-superstar persona has worked well for him in this movie. He's someone who's comfortable in his skin, and comes forth for what he is, rather than imitating someone else, which works great for him.

Though Mallika is pretty much all over the movie, the subtle Ranvir, seems to be the soul of this story.

Bear in mind, when deciding to watch this movie, it is definitely a sweet flick, so unless you appreciate the likes, it's not going to be the best value for your money.

But if iyou are in a mood for slilliness, you may want to find time for this one... I liked it :)

some silly some sweet, some sugar as a treat,
some smiles some love, a small little feat.

two bits.

- Om

The idea is there, the story line is there, the direction is pretty good too...then why does this movie fail to make an impact? any impact.

Not a convincing story? Maybe with a stronger presentation - a better screenplay as well as more realistic characterization the film would be more engaging. Mixing reality with fiction is not an easy job, and being a Da Vinci... needs one to have a solid grip on the story - from the start and right till the end.

The talented Mr. Oberoi, seems to be in dearth of good roles. Zayed is trying to find his foot, his positioning in the market but am not sure if he fits well along side Suniel shetty and Vivek oberoi. In this movie too, he seems like he's walking along boys bigger than him and fights yet bigger boys, not convincing enough.

Yes Tom cruise got away with the similar act in The Firm :) Yes somehow this film does remind The Firm, but the characterization was pretty solid there.

The movie starts off without building Zayed's character. We are expected to belive when the story suggests that Zayed is among the big boys. Other than Zayed's physique, his step-up personality is probably his strongest positioning points. Comedy? nah! I think it will be quite sometime before we can laugh at Zayed's jokes. And taking him as a wonderkid at just face value, not quite possible too. The story teller needs to convince people about taking this guy seriously. Seriously, I mean it :)

Suniel Shetty was there for a little while, wonder what he was doing in that negligible screen space. Vivek Oberoi some how has that confidence and charm, that suggests bigger things for him - I wish him luck - his past movies - especially Company has left a great impression.

The attempt at portrayal of Afghanistan and a terrorist camp have been good but inadequate. I mean, when there have been films like Kabul express, The kite runner etc, one must not try and get away with a shot in the desert and a helicopter. The realism was missing. I'm sure that the screenplay must have been completed in record time, the focus seemed to be in completing the movie rather than telling a story. Could've worked more on Istanbul, on Zayed's character, on Villain's character, on the psyche behind these guys....not just the physique of these guys :)

Screenplay lacked in several respects. Consider Zayed calling his wife, while in middle of Live Telecast as well as Important Tele-interviews and things like a terrorist organization which is supposedly very dangerous having a malfunctioned elevator leading to their most secretive location. A couple of people broke in easily on the "13th floor". The thrill of 13th floor's secret was wrapped up in a couple of minutes.

One could easily miss this movie. It falls in almost none of the genres...or maybe I'm forgetting some. It's not a fun watch...where you can get away with anything..as long as someone's laughing. Nor is it totally an action packed sequel, 'cause the action comes in pieces. Nor is it reality oriented. I'm not sure, who can I suggest to find time for this one :(

Mission Istanbul? You may want to abort this mission.

- Om Puneet Saraf

Serious film watchers may find this film lacking in several respects, but for those who can do a bhangra or a garba even on a rock song :) , ah they have fun, when and where they want to have fun..so they'll find enough to laugh aloud and do a TP (time pass).

There's govinda in it - so the laughs are surely in. The sweet and lovable Aftaab has perhaps his own sort of fan following and does not disappoint them, though it's really not a turnkey film for him. Manoj Bajpai, a serious actor, doesn't have a lot of space in this film. So your fun time is secured by the fun and masti of Govinda.

So, if you looking for some time to kill, and with friends, and you are in a mood to laugh at anything and everything - and generally feel happy, you may consider this movie.(fingers crossed :) )

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Serious Film watchers, COde red! :) Only if you'd like to see a loose story line which appears to be shifting directions from time to time should you go to see this movie. (Please don't, even in such a suicidal state of mind). The screenplay is not bad considering the poor story line. Not much was possible, but that "much" was delivered.

This film reminds me of the tales that suggest how producers interfere with the director's and writer's work to make sure that their films have all the right ingredients of a masala film. If that is not the case, I think the writer and the director will find this film as a learning experience. Nothing more, definitely not something to be proud of. What they can probably exclaim about is only : Honey, I made a film!

To my mind, a very strong subject was picked up in the middle of the story, and a mockery of the same was seen - the loose way it was handled.

The story line has already been discussed, however an attempt at the perception of the film maker for this movie is as follows:

The middle class is caught in an unescapable circle. What they believe and is just, is not what they can stand by with, if they want to make a decent life for themselves. Some of them have ideas to bring about a change in the society but they need a miracle to survive till then. Some of them, believe in themselves and loose the very few friends who were with them in better times. After all, Money hai, To honey hai!(And the title is repeated a few times -probably to justify it). If these few idealistic middle class dreamers would have it, they would bring about a change in the system.

What will happen, if 6 of such mavericks (mavericks - at least for the existing system) get together and also have a fortune! A lot of money at their disposal! They would make their dreams come true and also fight the fight of the common man.

I so wish, the story could deliver this perception....However, this is what the story turned out to be:

- SPOILER ALERT -

Some people want to live their lives and dreams in their own way, they can't. They are fighting a loosing battle, dissapointed and hopeless. They are looking for thin signs of opportunities, but the opportunity was looking for them sicne some time, they just could not identify it.

Finally they did, and just in time, when the life was as miserable as it could be. They all got an opportunity together to realize their dreams.

(How convinient! lol. Lack of imagination?)

Anyways, for some reason - the story shifts to the sudden need to uphold the honor of the great (idiot) essentric who had provided them the opportunity in the first place.

but....turns out the opportunity was actually not just a vast business empire but a vast business empire with a bigger liability.

The story now shifts  to a strong subject, common man. Why must the common person be judged in respect of beauty and handsomeness. The story quickly algns this strong subject to the this group's agenda of saving the vast empire and bang, a purpose attached to the direction, motivation three fold, full spirits up, lots of dozes of great luck and you have  - a pimms cup with fruits and cucumber, but made up of carrot and neem juice ;) , quite a straight forward happy ending of this film.

And before I forget, the  title is Oh so good, and Oh so misplaced. Such a waste!

Just my two bits.

Om puneet saraf

The first of the series Sarkar, ended on a note that said, the best is yet to come!
I'm glad, that Sarkar raj too ended on a similar note.

Might have gone unnoticed, but not many Indian films hold up the stories above the super stars in it. This one did. The character mattered here and the story mattered, not the actor. I'm hoping that this will be no Mihir Virani bouncing back from his coffin after a public outcry, in favor of the bouncing cash boxes. I'm hoping that that the story knows where it's headed. It seems to have a direction and a purpose.

The story is fast paced, moving quickly through the events. The dialogs are snappy, usually short, intense and effective. Catchy ones at that. I'm saying it again, but the speed is unmistaken and intensional.

"Sarkar" built up the story with a base conflict but not the primary one.
"Sarkar raj" moved ahead with addressing a more primary conflict - yes you can fight your internal battles and win a fort, but how do you hold the fort. How do you rule? This movie delt with that question. ANd it left viewers unanswered!

Abhishek held the fort - took over the reins from Amitabh, came forward as a visionary. He moved with a spirit of a warrior, rather a king. He, as the upholder of the interests of his people, is completely focused and nothing and noone can stand in the way of his honest and well placed intentions for his people.

He was stronger than his predecessor. He was a greater visionary. He was even more focused. But even heroes know when to be scared. He didn't.

For those who haven't seen it, I'd recommend it as a good watch.

I also suggest that this movie is not a complete story. This movie seems to be part of a preplanned triology - a series of three movies - no more - a la "Rocky". Or the writer has done a super job at continuation.

Watch it after you watch Sarkar, if possible back to back. Watch it for Abhishek, for an impressive reflection of power shifting from one king to another, and feel a vaccum at the end waiting to be filled. So deep is the vaccum, you'll ache for a moment there - for the next "Sarkar".

- om puneet saraf

It's Kamal hasan after all!

This movie was bound to get reviews on both ends of the road (as well as some inbetweens - mine perhaps). Can't neglect the super effect of super stars in Indian films can we?

Having said that, the base concept of the movie, relating the past to the present and the allmighty to the smallest, is quite interesting, very creative and has been presented in the film without loss of focus. The movie holds a lot of slap stick masala in it's good 3 hrs.

The story begins with a presentation of the belief that everything is connected. Every act, every body and every moment. As the story moves on, a series of events are unfolded which spread across a period of hundreds of years (I think), from the times of ancient India to the present. The usp is how these events, rather these dots, are connected to present a complete picture.

By connecting the series of events, the initial belief which reflected how everything is pre destined, is enforced again and thus the story teller validates his/her belief. Point in case.

Ofcourse, the story has taken a back seat in the movie, in the honor of "Kamal sir". Did I say the usp was the connecting dots - my bad. The USP ofcourse was that first time in the history, an actor was doing ten different roles in one film.

Well marketed and great attempt. And a successfull one at that - the box office has had a bash!

Whether I liked it or not, I'm not sure I'd like to discuss that. My review reserves it's right to express personal views :)

After all, it's Kamal hasan!! ;)

- om puneet saraf

This turtle was a fast food - 'cause it will leave you hungry for more.

Slow and steady - that it was. Built up in a perfect screenplay structure, and gradually advanced to an engaging story.

 though it's been a while since I saw this movie, and I saw it just once, the impression it had left was fairly impressive.

I had a similar subject in mind for my script, and when I saw the title, it was "Omigosh! Someone's done it!" And it was done better than I thought!

The performance of actors was fantastic! As always, quite an underdog, Anil Kapoor does a great Job with the character. And so did the actor that played the wife.

though nothing out of the ordinary, what left an impression was the simplicity with which it was put forward. very believable, very convincing and very honest.

It's not an everyone's watch, and this one is certainly not a children/ teen subject, hence it's slow and steady pace is well placed with the older audience.

For those who had appreciated movies like Hazaar khwahishein aisi, matrubhoomi, shwaas and even "ek hasina thi" - this would be filling spot of time.

Delving more on the very well structured screenplay (from what I remember since I last saw this movie) - it pretty much followed the rules to the "s".

Started off familiarizing the viewer with the prime characters and the conflict. The conflict was not the prime conflict in the film - again the rule acknowledged.

After the first 10 % of movie, the development proceeds towards the primary conflict, when Anil Kapoor kills his wife accidentally. And the primary conflict emerges with what a character in such a situation would do - which carries the movie.

I applaud the the story teller's abilities to narrate a simple tail with such authenticity and recommend the movie for a watch.

It's no bucket of laughs - this movie, it's no fun at all. it's a serious watch - start to the end - but it's a story well told. It's a very well made film!