Showing posts with label Ishani Chatterji. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Ishani Chatterji. Show all posts
Kaabil | Film Review
The biggest question through 2 hours and 19 minutes of Kaabil was: how do Hrithik Roshan and Yami Gautam look so good?! It almost seems like they have emerged from a beauty product advert, with the perfect look and smile. But then, the film is a lot more than just two extremely good looking lead actors, packed with moments that will send shivers down your spine. Read on to know more:
The basic plot of film maker Sanjay Gupta's Kaabil is neither new nor unpredictable; it is everything you have seen before. Yet, there are a few elements that stand out as the highlight in this gripping tale, that has a visually impaired protagonist at the helm of things.
Rohan (Roshan) - a voice artiste meets Supriya (Gautam) - a visually impaired pianist and the two fall in love. All goes well for the newly married couple, who are very much in love, until disaster strikes. Tragedy befalls their happy space, when Supriya is mercilessly raped by a couple of goons, mainly Rohit Roy as Amit Shelar (the constantly drunk, beefed up baddie, who can’t stop leching at women). These goons have strong political connections. Enter Ronit Roy as Madhavrao Shelar, a powerful politician, who takes it upon himself to protect his younger brother - Amit. Meanwhile, corrupt police officers (Girish Kulkarni, Narendra Jha) refuse to help Rohan (duh!). Amidst all this, Rohan takes it upon himself to plan an organised vendetta against the baddies. The climax is sure to keep you hooked, with an unexpected twist. So much, that the audience couldn't stop themselves from clapping.
The climax is sure to keep you hooked, with unexpected twists. So much, that the audience couldn't stop themselves from clapping
While the first half of Kaabil is packed with a series of unfortunate events, making it drastic and intense, the second half is full of vengeance. During the first half, certain scenes will leave you speechless, with goosebumps. However, it's unfortunate how certain technical aspects of the film don’t stand out. While one would want the BG score of a well paced film like this to create an impact, it doesn’t do much. Even the soundtrack does nothing to add to the film. The dialogues are average, with perhaps just the exception of "Hum kamzor nahi hain," a line often repeated in the film, that serves as an idea of empowerment for the visually impaired. But then, that's about it. The other dialogues don't really charge you up.
But, that's where Hrithik Roshan comes to the rescue. As the vulnerable yet determined Rohan, it is Roshan who stands out as the highlight of this film and delivers a terrific performance. It is very evident that the actor has put in a considerable amount of effort for his role. This is undoubtedly Roshan’s film all the way and he gives it his best with a fine act. Yami Gautam, after a point, is just trying to pull a 'damsel in distress' with little success. But, we have to confess, she does pull off a girl next door look pretty well. Roy’s Madhav Shellar tends to be occasionally loud, but overall, the actor does a good job as the badass political figure. Performances by the rest of the ensemble cast is just ho-hum.
It is Hrithik Roshan as the determined Rohan who stands out as the highlight of this film and delivers a terrific performance
Kaabil is a romantic-thriller filled with tragedies, violence and some major twists. But as you leave the cinema hall, what stays with you is Roshan's impactful performance. Kaabil is all about Roshan, as the incredibly talented actor gives it his all to the film, delivering one of his best performances till date.
Verdict: This is a Hrithik Roshan film all the way. Go out and watch Kaabil, only for him!
☆☆☆
☆☆☆
Baar Baar Dekho | Film Review
Nitya Mehra’s directorial debut Baar Baar Dekho has the perfect recipe for a typical Bollywood movie - good looking cast, sizzling chemistry between the pair, catchy music, exotic locales and a love story. What it does miss is that magic or 'super spark' that one would have expected after watching the trailer and promos over the last couple of months.
Jai Verma (Sidharth Malhotra) and Diya Kapoor (Katrina Kaif) are your quintessential rom-com movie couple - absolute opposites, but still so much in love. Jai is a mathematical genius, a man of logic and solutions while Diya is an artist, extremely happy-go-lucky and all about living in the moment. As credits roll out, the film opens with the beautiful and soulful “Kho Gaye Tum Kaha”, sung by Jasleen Royal and Prateek Kuhad. The song has been penned by the latter and really does warm the tingles of your heart.
The movie takes its audience through a 30 year journey of Jai and Diya’s life, as they experience the circle of life. While the first half focuses on all the things that could go wrong in their relationship, the second half takes a cheerful turn. There is a bit of back and forth in time, while Jai tries to make things right. The movie is not focusing on science fiction or time travel, but just highlights the ups and downs in any relationship experienced by a couple (even if you aren’t as beautiful or charismatic looking as these two).
Of the performances on screen, Kaif looks gorgeous through her 30 years of life, even at her 40 something, the woman is a stunner. Malhotra emotes and performs well. Must give Sid some serious credit, as a large part of the film rests on his young shoulders and needless to say, he does good justice to his role. Sayani Gupta [her last release - Fan] playing Chitra, was a bit of a surprise spark. Although she had very little screen time, she did her bit of leaving a mark.
The music was bang on, as expected and everybody looked great. Baar Baar Dekho has it's share of wonderful moments that stay with you. But overall, it falls into the category of films that takes some time to settle into the system. We would say, go and dekho ek baar. That's it!
Verdict: Baar Baar Dekho is a foot-tapping, beautiful looking one time watch, that brings with it some fine performances!
Share your feedback on #BaarBaarDekho with us on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar
Akira | Film Review
Director A.R Murugadoss’ ‘Akira’ hits the screens today. And, when we say hit, we literally mean hit with all the force that Sonakshi Sinha can muster in one breath and break your shins.
Akira (Sonakshi Sinha) is first introduced as a young girl (Mishiekka Arora) who learns early on that one must correct the wrong and fight it out in the world themselves. As a result, her father (Atul Kulkarni) encourages her to learn martial arts, while her female peers are busy with dance. Way to go Dad, self-defence is the key! Akira gets into a messy situation early on and is send to a children’s reprimand home for a couple of years. As she grows up, now fatherless, she moves to Mumbai with her mother, to stay with her elder brother. And things begin to happen.
She starts a new college, probably hoping for a fresh start. But, not only does she get into the bad books of the college bully, but also manages to get involved in this massive situation involving the Mumbai Police, led by this coke-snorting, almost-always stoned ACP (Anurag Kashyap). Thereafter, the movie focuses on how she struggles to prove her innocence, one 'Akira' style slap at a time.
As the movie progresses, there is a lot of bone crunching from Sinha, as she crushes the stereotypes and becomes this badass female version of a Ghajini. Kashyap gets progressively stoned, but is definitely the comic relief among all those slaps and kicks. An interesting addition to the screen was officer Rabiya (Konkona Sen), who is portraying an honest police officer.
While the first half of Akira keeps you on your toes, the second half is when the story loses its plot. The drama escalates and there are plot twists galore. But having said that, it is commendable that AR Murugadoss decided to make this movie woman-centric, when the original Tamil version was the opposite. Clearly, the women kick ass, whether it is via Sinha’s leaping kicks or Sen’s need to find the truth. Sinha is probably the only one who could have pulled this off, with the right expressions and some seriously amazing kicks, punches. Kashyap makes for a fine, 'stoned' cop.
While the first half of Akira keeps you on your toes, the second half is when the story loses its plot. The drama escalates and there are plot twists galore. But having said that, it is commendable that AR Murugadoss decided to make this movie woman-centric, when the original Tamil version was the opposite. Clearly, the women kick ass, whether it is via Sinha’s leaping kicks or Sen’s need to find the truth. Sinha is probably the only one who could have pulled this off, with the right expressions and some seriously amazing kicks, punches. Kashyap makes for a fine, 'stoned' cop.
Akira is not for those who want some intellectual stimulation and feel the need to leave a cinema hall with morals and values. This is one helluva bone crunching, high energy drama, with just the right tinge of laughs.
Verdict: Sonakshi Sinha crushes it in this energetic, action-packed and highly entertaining flick!
Verdict: Sonakshi Sinha crushes it in this energetic, action-packed and highly entertaining flick!
From My Kitchen to Yours - Maria Goretti | Book Review
Abraham Maslow, a humanist psychologist, came up with some pretty awesome things back in the day; some of which I use as daily jargon. His hierarchy of needs (imagine a Food Pyramid), listed exactly what the title says, things you NEED. Like in a food pyramid, the bottom level contains your most important food groups like bread, cereal and rice, Maslow’s pyramid includes physiological needs. I will skip to my favourite physiological need: the need to be fed! Maria Goretti, popular ex-MTV VJ, popular food YouTuber and wife of our favourite Circuit aka Arshad Warsi, has made sure that our most important need is taken for through her new book, “From My Kitchen to Yours”.
I have to admit, I love cooking. So when our editor, Priya, asked me to review this book, my first thought was, “Yaaaaaaaas! New recipies!.” Having said that, Goretti’s book did not excite me much after I went through the listed recipes. What I did love was the narrative that came with the recipes. Goretti is, clearly, a storyteller and the tiny pieces of life she presents before each month is what I enjoyed. She clearly has an eye for simplicity. This was reflected in her recipes and well as her layouts and designs. The subtle colours, adorable mason jars and tiny hearts that were sprinkled across the book really do make it a great look through.
I did venture into my kitchen to put together some of the recipes. The soups were my favourites: the palak soup and the potato and leek soup have made it into my daily diet. The grilled zucchini stuffed with arrabbiata pasta was another favourite along with the chicken breast in coconut cream. I do wish she had some more “fun” desserts but, I think, her simplicity is her superpower. Also, she has spent a lot of time balancing the flavours and that really makes the food sooo good! I cannot stress enough on the design and the photography of the book, it just made me super hungry (actually, I am hungry just thinking about it all!).
With the holiday season around the corner, Goretti’s book makes for a great present. And here’s wishing Goretti lots of success in all her endeavours. Maybe next time, she could take a step back, and focus on just some stories.
Book: From my Kitchen to yours: Food, love & other ingredients
Author: Maria Goretti
Publisher: Om Books International
Price: Rs 995
Have you read this book?
Ioin the conversation on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar and let us know what you think
Ioin the conversation on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar and let us know what you think
5 Times Mindy Kaling Impressed Us With Her Outfits | Style Files
Dr. L aka Mindy Lahiri aka Mindy Kaling is my spirit animal. I just know it! And she has been making a whole bunch of heads turn with, not just her recently published “Why Not Me?”, but also her fabulous outfits! If you watch her show (YOU MUST!), you will know that Kaling is all about mixing prints with prints, neon hues, the blings and all that jazz. And she sticks to this image even she is not Dr. L. Here is my feeble attempt to list out five of her “OMG, I want this” outfits.
When she pretended to wear a one piece
At the Cannes premiere of Inside Out (she was the voice actress for Disgust), Kaling wore, what looked like a one piece gown, a two piece outfit designed by her favorite Salvador Perez. I am not sure what I loved more, the bright colors or the general idea of the outfit!
When she channelled her inner desi girl
For the PaleyFest, Mindy went all Indian with the ethnic Persian blue and gold kurta with a front slit, blue churidaar and a slight dull gold pair of heels. The outfit was from Frontier Heritage and is on my list of outfits for the next Indian (or non-Indian) festival I attend.
When she toned it down
Kaling is usually in the brightest of them all. But that doesn’t mean that she can’t do them dull colours. This Tory Burch outfit is so cute. The printed blouse, suede skirt and boots, not to mention that perfect red lip are so ideal for a sunday brunch situation!
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| At a Book Signing event |
When she went all pink
This was, by far, one of my favourite Mindy Project outfits. Look at all that pink! It was a very classic look, the coat, printed dress and satchel. Only Mindy can wear all that pink and not resemble cotton candy.
When she...who am I kidding, just look at this outift!
Do I really have to spell out why I want to steal this from her?!!!!!!
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| At the Emmys in Salvador Perez |
Don't forget to participate in the #DiwaliWithSpaCeylon contest. Head to our YouTube channel for more details and participate to win festive gift hampers from Spa Ceylon India.
Five Global Fall Trends That We Love | Fall / Winter 2015
Here’s the deal - I (Ishani Chatterji) currently live in New York and Fall here is an absolutely different ball game, compared to what it is in Mumbai. Out here, fall is about apple picking, walking through Central Park to watch the leaves change colors and drinking gallons of Pumpkin Spiced Latte from Starbucks. In Mumbai, fall falls (see what I did there!) around the same time that Mumbaikars experience their second summer along with the splurge of festivities that require them to look like palettes of colours at most times. Having said all of that, Fall is my favourite time of the year in The Big Apple. So I am going to try and put together a quick five “worldly” set of Fall trends for 2015 (and for those in India, you can take it as a guide to look smokin' hot this festive season).
Black IS the new black
The New York Fashion Week saw multiple designers take the “all black or nothing” route this fall. Gothic like outfits combined with sheers, lace and the works were a big hit. Among my favourites were Alexander Wang, Calvin Klein and Coach who did a perfect potpourri of skirts, bling and leather.
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| Alexander Wang F/W 2015 showcase at the NYFW - Image source (pinterest) |
Mosaic Moods
It’s raining colourful mosaics all over the place. From the conventional fit and flare maxi dress to the jumpsuit and fur coat, Fall is a “mosaic” affair this year. Colours ranged from muted shades, pastels like peach and even warmer hues like wine. The trend was widely seen at the Salvatore Ferragamo showcase.
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| Mosaics on the runway at Salvatore Ferragamo F/W 2015 showcase - Milan (Image source: nowfashion) |
Charming Victorians
Who doesn’t love a good ruffle and a high neckline? Add a bit of aristocracy air and you could just be out of a Jane Austen. Grand gown-like lacy gestures, elegant peaches and whites with just the right amount of black, a whole new Victorian era was created on the ramps.
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| Alexander McQueen - f/w 2015 (Image source: notorious magazine) |
Looking East
This happened to be one of my favourite trends. Motifs of the fiery dragon by Valentino, Louis Vuitton’s modern dress with the eastern lines and Michael Kors' shiny blingy gold numbers, the East is taking over.
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| Valentino - F/W 2015 showcase (Image source: pinterest) |
Keep it short
Women are getting comfortable with the raised hemline. Duh, we love our legs! Designers all over are embracing and empowering the mini in blacks, patchworks, warmer hues, eastern motifs and everything under the sun. Love thy body!
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| Dior Pre-Fall 2015 (Image source: dailymail.co.uk) |
So, what's your favourite trend for the ongoing fall season? Got a favourite already? Join the conversation on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar
Text: Ishani Chatterji
Compilation & Editing: Team Dancebee
Holiday Special | Top 5 Lipsticks That are Perfect for Fall / Winter
Fall is all about the changing colours. Transitioning from sultry hot summers, fall is all about embracing the winds before temperatures drop(here’s hoping they do!). While many would consider them earthy tones to be this season’s situation, when it comes to those lips, fall is the perfect opportunity to break into some vibrant tones along with the basics. Here’s looking at the favourites from this fall that could be carried on to the coming winter.
Zoë's Red - L'Oréal Paris Colour Riche Collection Exclusive Reds
This was my go-to color this fall season. A very berry red and just perfect for the Indian skin tone, this shade can be perfect for a 9 to 5 day and for the after hours as well.
Fine Wine - Lakme Absolute Gloss Addict Lip Color
A deep berry pink with hints of silver shimmer, this one is a stunner. I love it for the glittery part ( I love most things shiny!). The texture is smooth and about two swipes can give a subtle color, good enough for the day. The best part about this fine piece of makeup is that it is non-greasy, so the summer fall heat can seldom melt it away.
Nude Beige - Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte
Nope, this nude will not make your lips disappear into your face. A beige with a tint of pink, a spot of shine and warm undertones, this one is anything less of a typical nude boring shade. It's creamy with a hint of a raspberry scent. And the packaging is nothing short of royalty! Yup, I love this one!
Purple Passion - Estée Lauder Pure Color Envy Matte Sculpting Lipstick
This one has been around for a while and is a clear winner when it comes to bold colours. Dark and berry-striden and enriched with a creamy texture, this one is worth every bit of that large hole in your wallet afterwards.
Zenith - MAC Guo Pei Collection
Save the best for the last? MAC is the reigning queen of lipstick brands and love adding a twist to their collections. Guo Pei, China’s famed haute couturier, joined hands with MAC to bring some beautiful jewel tones and rich neutrals. My favorite is the long lasting creamy nude, Zenith. Perfect for all occasions and all times of the day. And do not miss the gorgeous packaging.
While most of these lipsticks are not available in the Indian market, you can always ask your friends and relatives to get them for you during the next trip abroad. After all, you can never have enough lipsticks (not when they are winning both in the colour and packaging department).
Got a favourite lipstick for fall? Join the conversation on Twitter at @priyaadivarekar
