Movie Review: Chakravyuh?is not worth a view

Chakravyuh deals with a sensitive topic that should be thought provoking and a major cause of concern in today?s context. However, while watching this movie in the hall, there was only one ?concern??how much longer would this predictable, over-the-top, pretentious drama still continue!!

The trouble with Chakravyuh is that despite the context in which it is set, its treatment is completely commercial and unnecessarily sensational. What worked wonders in a movie like Rajneeti, is unconvincing and plain irritating, in this different avatar which required considerable research and a well thought out plot. In fact, as a friend of mine remarked, it is such movies that make you realize and admire the level of detailing and in-depth research that a movie like Gangs of Wasseypur had. This, however, is the same old wine in a new bottle and it just doesn?t work

In fact, the last line of the movie that comes in voice-over is probably what the movie should have started with and then told a different tale altogether. Chakravyuh chooses, instead, to just highlight the problem and then makes it a mere background for a clich?d story that has been told many times over. The one saving grace this movie could have had despite its ordinary plot and presentation, unnecessary item numbers and ill placed songs was to have convincing performances from the lead cast

However, when that brigade is led by Arjun Rampal you are heading for failure. Arjun Rampal looks the part sure enough..its the acting that?s the problem. Supporting roles and cameos suit him just fine but when he has to emote through clenched teeth dialogue delivery..well that?s probably expecting too much from him. The usually dependable Abhay Deol is also a touch out of place, especially in the latter half of the movie when his character and his voice lack a certain edge. Top that up with Esha Gupta?s amateurish dialogue delivery and the circle is complete. The only respite is the decent performance of Manoj Bajpai and the surprise package of Anjali Patel who also gives a credible performance

As per its name, Chakravyuh ought to have denoted a conundrum - a puzzling web with no straight answers. With what it delivers though, the answer is simple..Chakravyuh is not worth a hall visit

Movie Review: Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana..is a completely ordinary recipe

This is one recipe you don?t want to try. I know variety is the spice of life but this is taking things a bit far. Despite a decent premise, Luv Shuv.. completely fails to bring home the gravy. Instead what you get served is rather raw and unappetizing

Firstly, its not as funny as it should be. In fact, the only laughs that are to be had are provided by the character Titu Mama, played to perfection by Rajesh Sharma and that?s about the only reason you manage to sit through the movie. For the rest, well, it all stands out for the wrong reasons. The plot, if you can call it that, is abysmal and its almost as if the director was thinking on the fly while shooting the scenes, for all the thought that?s gone into it. I don?t know in what addled state this movie was put together but it simply doesn?t make sense

In fact, given the recent success of simple movies that focused on a particular culture and brought out the laughs from therein, Luv Shuv had all its ingredients laid out. However, its not the stuff you use but the way you mix it together that prepares the meal and that spells indigestion for this particular movie. While it intermissions with some promise, the second half starts oblivious to the little that has already been told. Most of your time gets spent in watching how a meal is made, a meal which by now you would happily avoid

Finally, after considerable agony, the movie crawls towards what can be called the climax or maybe the anti-climax ? one can?t be too sure. In terms of acting, there is further misery as no one other than Rajesh Sharma really stand out. Huma Qureshi looks pretty as ever and puts in a decent performance for the limited scope her character gave her. Kunal Kapoor was given more scope to perform but he is still not ready to take on a mainstream character and fails to emote convincingly when it matters most

As per its ingredients Luv Shuv..could?ve been told simply, with a little more sanity with maybe a decent and clear message. By not doing all that and making a pot pourri of events, this dish is best avoided

Movie Review: Jab Tak Hai Jaan..doesn?t take your breath away

Jab Tak Hai Jaan is not your timeless classic of a tale well told and a story unfolding in a manner that would make for repeat viewings. It is your formula Bollywood movie, a formula that has been perfected over time by a master storyteller..well, at least on some counts. On others, its best if you go prepared to make certain concessions.

If you are willing to give up on logic/ believability of certain scenes, go mentally prepared that the movie would seem endless and runtime would be excruciatingly long, there?ll be plenty of unnecessary song and dance that could easily have been avoided ? if you are willing to overlook all that well, then Jab Tak..provides another story of eternal love made quite watchable by the veteran himself. If not, then its best strike to this one off your list at this stage itself

The first half of the movie plays like a musical. With three songs and a long dance sequence crammed in, there?s little room for anything else. There is precisely one moment in the entire first half that would cause some stir and that?s where the master wields his magic wand. Other than that, its pretty much all about the song and dance. While the music itself is decent, one still expects more from A R Rahman, and considering it does nothing to progress the story line, it becomes frustrating

The second half provides more of the story though the twists and turns (if you could call them that) are less palatable. Each new sequence is less convincing then the earlier one and the movie lurches towards a rather delayed climax. Somehow, somewhere things happen and by the end of it all, Yash Chopra manages to convince you that this is yet another story of eternal, never-ending love, but only just, this time round

As for the performances, Shahrukh is predictable as ever and one really can?t see him for the character he portrays. While the same could be said for Katrina, given her historical record, this is probably one of her better performances. The real star of the movie though is Anushka Sharma who brings a natural ease to her character and a lot of freshness to the proceedings. That and the wonderful cinematography of exquisitely shot landscapes are some of the best reasons to watch this movie

So what?s the verdict? Well, Jab Tak Hai Jaan certainly doesn?t take your breath away but despite its flaws its a decent one-time watch especially considering this was Yash Chopra?s swan song and this is a man who has literally immortalised love on the bollywood mantelpiece ? its worth a watch if only to honour his memory