'X: Past is Present' - Movie Review By 'G9 Divya Solgama' (*ing - Rajat Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Radhika Apte, Swara Bhaskar, Aditi Chengappa, Anshuman Jha, Bidita Bag, Pia Bajpai, Parno Mitra, Gabriella Schmidt)

'X: Past is Present'

Movie Review By 'G9 Divya Solgama'

'Too Many Cooks Spoil The Broth..'

Expectations:

Director Hrihiskesh Mukherjee’s debut film ‘Musafir’ (1957) could be termed as one of the earliest films to have multiple episodic stories attached to it. Decades later this national award winning film, inspired many film makers including Ram Gopal Varma, who after attempting something similar in ‘Darna Mana Hai’ (2003), ventured into a new style of film making with its sequel ‘Darna Zaroori Hai’ (2006). This movie had seven different directors narrating their spooky tales. Though, these attempts failed to register at the box office but, still kept inspiring film makers to make films (Dus Kahaniyaan, Bombay Talkies, etc) in similar style. The latest to join these style of films is ‘X: Past is Present’, which has eleven film makers directing their part of the same film. The promos looks exciting so let’s find out whether ‘X: Past is Present’, will deliver us a fine film due to so many talented names attached to it or might end up joining the list of failed films from this genre.

Story:

‘X: Past is Present’ is a story of a film maker K (Rajat Kapoor), who meets a mysterious girl (Aditi Chengappa) in a party. K’s every interaction with this girl reminds him of his past lovers (Radhika Apte, Huma Qureshi, Swara Bhaskar, Bidita Bag, Pia Bajpai, Parno Mitra, Pooja Ruparel, etc). The memories starts to disturb him and adds on to his curiosity related to the identity of this girl. What happens next, is what the entire film is all about.

Screenplay & Technicalities:

The story idea on papers looks interesting but, when it comes to executing, it fails to match up with the required standards. There are couple of interesting chapters featuring Parno Mitra (one of the best track), Swara Bhaskar & Gabriella Schmidt, but the rest of them only caters to the pseudo intellectuals due to its repetitive and absurd narrative part. Rii Sen’s track is one of the worst track from the film. There are many abrupt and uninteresting tracks which could have been omitted from the film. The narrative part between Rajat Kapoor and Aditi Chengappa is the only decent part of the film which could have been much better. The connectivity in the film is not up to the mark due to the non-linear screenplay. There are lots of abstract camera shots which dilutes the flow of the film. Editing fails to work in the favour of the film.

Music & Direction:

Background music by Sudeep Swaroop is good but fails to enhance the level of the film.

The talented team of multiple young directors (Abhinav Shiv Tiwari, Anu Menon, Hemant Gaba, Nalan Kumarasamy, Pratim D Gupta, Q, Raja Sen, Rajshree Ojha, Sandeep Mohan, Sudhish Kamath & Suparn Verma) fail to create something interesting and engaging. There are few good moments and tracks, but, the grey tracks overtakes the mild positivity of the film, in a big way. One can easily see the high influence of world cinema style of film making in couple of the directors, who ends up giving us the worst tracks in the film.

Performances

Rajat Kapoor is fine in his part and has been decently supported by Aditi Chengappa. Besides them, Anshuman Jha (as young Rajat Kapoor), Swara Bhaskar, Radika Apte, Bidita Bag, Parno Mitra, Gabriella Schmidh, Pia Bajpai and few more are good in their small part. Huma Qureshi’s track needed more depth. Neha Mahajan, Richa Shukla, Rii Sen, Usha Uthop and others are wasted.

So bol meri 'Filmi Khopdi' iss film mein kitna hain Dum???

Dum??? Well, the movie has a decent plot line but, fails badly over its execution and confused arty style of writing. The connectivity and engaging factor is highly missing due to which the movie seems boring and dis-interesting at many points. It’s often said that too many cooks spoil the broth and one can see that happening in case of ‘X: Past is Present’.

Ratings - 1.5*/5

'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' - Movie Review By 'G9 Divya Solgama' (*ing - Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Swara Bhaskar, Anupam Kher. Directed by Sooraj Barjatya)

'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo'

Movie Review By 'G9 Divya Solgama'

'Colossal Pauperism..'

Expectations:

Before the arrival of 'Maine Pyar Kiya', the Rajshri banner was known for its small budget simple films. Most of these films starred new comers or narrated the tale set in rural parts of India, but with melodious music and family values attached to it. It was the young vision of director Sooraj Barjatya, which enhanced the level of this traditional banner with his debut film 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. A romantic film which was modern and fresh with all the family values attached to it. Despite of having a flop, one movie actor Salman Khan and a less known T.V actress Bhagyashree, Sooraj confidently released the film with new technology of 4 track stereophonic sound. The movie went on to become one of best romantic films from our country. Similarly, in order to survive piracy Sooraj's second film, 'Hum Aapke Hain Kaun' was released in selected cinemas. The cinema halls just like in case of 'Maine Pyar Kiya' were enhanced and refurbished but this time with better seating and dolby sound. They created the whole marriage celebration atmosphere by adding lights and decorations in those cinema halls. This unique strategy worked in favour of the film and ended up making this film a blockbuster landmark film. 

Though, the marketing strategies mellowed down in his later releases and in case of 'Vivah', it was restricted only to the small towns and single screens. Sooraj’s latest film marks the comeback of superstar Salman Khan in the banner with their film ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’. The movie has been shot in a grand way and is released in totally different style than what Rajshri have been doing in past by releasing it in maximum cinema halls from our country. ‘PRDP’ has superstar Salman Khan, the grandness of Rajshri banner, festive season and a mammoth release but, along with all these positive points it also has to pass the acid test of mega expectations attached to it. Thus, let’s find out whether ‘PRDP’ will managed to give us yet another typical Rajshri-Sooraj Barjatya type of film catering to the family audiences or might be like all those big product type of films which are made only to encash over the past glories attached to it.

Story:

‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ is a story of Prince Vijay Singh (Salman Khan) who is gearing up for his royal coronation to become a king. Sadly, Vijay’s relationship with his step siblings (Neil Nitin Mukesh, Swara Bhaskar, Aashika Bhatia) has soured down, due to which his step brother tries to kill him. Vijay Singh survives the attempt with help of his loyal manager (Anupam Kher). Till the time Vijay Singh recovers, the manager places Vijay Singh’s lookalike Prem (Salman Khan), who visits that town in order to meet his idol princess Maithili (Sonam Kapoor). What happens next is what the entire film is all about.

Screenplay & Technicalities:

The story is highly inspired from the popular adventure novel ‘The Prisoner of Zenda’ and also has few shades from films like ‘Raja Aur Runk’, ‘Dil Hi To Hain’, etc. The predictable plot has been stretched to its fullest with back to back three songs in the start of the film which are abruptly placed. Despite of that, the first half is still watchable leading to a thin line second half which keeps going on and on without halting at any point. The last hour of this almost three hour long film is the worst part of the film which involves over dramatic track of Samir Dharmadhikari leading to unconvincing track of Armaan Kohli followed by predictable fight between Salman and Neil leading to fake goodbyes with a filmy reunion ending. The flow of the film is so slow and lethargic that despite of lot of things happening out there, still there is nothing concrete happening in the film. Though few scenes involving Salman Khan and Anupam Kher followed by Salman and Swara Bhaskar are good and has that typical Rajshri flavor indulged in it, such movies need more of such scenes. Despite of such grand set up and huge grandeur attached with the film, the movie looks fake and artificial. There are some bad scenes like the whole football track, flashback scenes, Armaan Kohli’s track and few more which disengages you from the film at many points. The cinematography is good and movie has been presented in a grand way. 

Music & Direction:

Music has been one of the highest point of the Rajshri banner. Even with less known music directors, they managed to create magic frequently. Sadly, here, despite of having Himesh Reshammiyaa the music is not up to the mark of Rajshri banner. ‘Prem Leela’ has Salman Khan flavour in it. ‘Aaj Unse Milna’ is typical Rajsrhi style of song and has the soul intact. The title track is the best track from the film and has been brilliantly choreographed. “Jab Tum Chaho’, ‘Halo Re’ and other songs are unwanted. ‘Tod Tadaiya’ is worst placed song in the film.

 After the release of ‘Maine Pyar Kiya’, ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’ and ‘Hum Saath Saath Hain’, director Sooraj Barjatiya was blamed of being stuck in one particular style. He tried to break it with ‘Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon’ which ended up as one of his worst film. He mildly came back with his stuck style in ‘Vivah’ and in ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’, even that is missing. He fails to create those magical sweet and emotional moments and focuses more on the style and gloss attached to the film. The simplicity is nowhere to be found in terms of writing nor direction.

Performances

Salman Khan looks great in few scenes but in the later part looks highly beefed up and totally stiff. The required innocence is invisible making him look methodic. The charisma due to which Salman has managed to pull many weak films is highly missing and seems fake at times. Sonam Kapoor looks smashing in traditional avatar, but fails to do justice to her role. Swara Bhaskar and Anupam Kher does their part with total grace. Deepak Dobriyal, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Manoj Joshi, Sanjay Mishra, Samir Dharmaadhikari and Suhasani Mulay are wasted. Armaan Kohli reminds of his ‘Jaani Dushman’ act.  

So bol meri 'Filmi Khopdi' iss film mein kitna hain Dum???

Dum??? Well, the movie lacks the required dum needed for a typical Rajshri banner type of film. It has few comical and emotional moments along with couple of enjoyable songs, but besides that, there is nothing cherishable in this film. Maybe the presence of Mohnish Behl, Reema Lagoo and Alok Nath would had filled the weak spot but if only wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Similarly, in case of ‘Prem Ratan Dhan Payo’ instead of being a royal entertainer this movie ends up as a result of colossal pauperism.

Ratings - 1.5*/5