harsha442 Reviews

Khakee: The Bihar Chapter (2022– )

Brilliant, But With A bit of Dishonesty/Uneasiness?

[6/10 · 24 February 2023]

As many watchers of the series, I felt the brilliance of this unique Police-Gangster drama, where there is a little bit of sympathy and heart for the fightback from the backward class or the Have-nots of the society.

But, I felt the need to research a bit more about the real story like many f us, i guess. After some research, I realized that much of it was mingled and fictionalized for creative, dramatic or other purposes.

However, finally I felt the series has the balance shifted against the Have-nots a bit, in spirit as well as script.

And the questions I got are these: Can such a film be possible against the atrocities of Powerful communities, which there are many? Is there political backing for this particular drama to stir up the politics in Bihar, possibly to advantage some? There are many bureaucrats who have powerful stories and went against the government in one way or the other, but none of them could get a powerful stage like this particular officer, Why?

Drushyam (2014)

'picture'-smart

[8/10 · 11 July 2014]

An uneducated but smart individual rises up to the challenge to save his family from the consequences of an accidental event. The movie starts with introducing the important characters and the kind of relations among them with a tinge of humor.

The turning point comes when the family gets an unwanted visitor(to put it In Rambabu's own words). From there on, the movie takes an engrossing exploration into the actions of the protagonist, intelligently hiding some important activities, which will be disclosed in a later part in a thrilling revelation.

The various popular tollywood names get mentioned too as the protagonist is a fanatic movie watcher. Also, some recent movie clips are played as he uses the knowledge of them to solve some issues. At times,

The screenplay took care of almost everything. The actors did their part perfectly. The roles of Ravi as police constable Veerabhadram, Krithika as the eldest daughter of Rambabu and Nadia as woman IG officer are the characters to watch out for beside Venky and Meena.

The (borrowed) telugu protagonist takes few blows without any theatrical retaliation, for a change.

An intelligent film and an engaging watch.

Bobby Jasoos (2014)

Jasoosi(spying) made easy

[6/10 · 4 July 2014]

Viday Balan has owned the character of a young woman living in the Hyderabad old city. As the movie is totally centered upon her character, it's a commendable job not to make it boring. The screenplay and a bit of situational humor helped the smooth flow of the movie.

The movie starts with a good surprising introduction scene and goes on pleasantly to introduce the complete picture of Bobby's world. The interval break arrives at the right point as Bobby gets surrounded by the problems: missing girls, unwanted marriage proposal, her father's restraint to talk to her and her friend's love affair with Lala. The second half reveals how Bobby deals with them, with some compassionate scenes.

The thing that goes against the film is its small subject that all eventually come to. Also, the many disguises that Bobby wears seem unnecessary most of the time.

Rush (I) (2013)

Adrenaline, Passion & Drama

[10/10 · 6 March 2014]

'Rush' starts with how Nickie introduces his rivalry with James, and the backdrop of it, while a race is going to start. James, a lover boy with girls queuing after him and Nickie, a technical expert on cars, both besides being the unmatchable drivers that they are.

The interactions between the two racers are handled well and exemplary, especially after what they go through. And the humor attached to the dialogs at different stages is engaging.

Different strokes for different folks, even though they share a passion.

The movie, interestingly,  does go, one, two steps deep into the dangers and technicalities of racing at high speeds, which can take lives at the instance of a minute miscalculation on part of the driver or the team. 

Its good on movie's part to show the glimpses of the real persons at the end of the movie.

All in all, 'Rush' makes for a two hours of fascinating watch.

Shaadi Ke Side Effects (2014)

Enough entertainment for a suggestion

[7/10 · 4 March 2014]

A family person may need some space for self even after marriage, but how far can (s)he really go looking for it makes the subject.

The movie starts with a confident young married guy who seems to know how to keep his married life happy, But he panics soon as he becomes a father and tries to adjust himself to his new 'family'.

The movie does exaggerate some aspects for the sake of humor.For an example, the ordeals of fathers in a supposed kids play. And the side effects that the title mentions were mostly one sided. But the director did try to make amends in this aspect with a hint at the end of the movie.

All the characters were carefully drafted and meticulously used.

1: Nenokkadine (2014)

1 to 'n'th stage of hallucination

[8/10 · 23 February 2014]

The story opens with a dream and then the only song of the rock-star that we will be knowing, unfortunately a let down as Devi's voice hasn't suited mahesh at all. Right after the song, he kills one of those 3 killers and surrenders himself to police. 

But the TV journalist Samira who shoots the killing reveals some interesting facts and from there on joins Gautam's chase to find solace. The first half keeps the audience in check at each point with a tad of confusion. But the interval ends on a high with the audience getting some sort of idea about whats real and what was he hallucinating. 

That's not all!, There are more surprises to come which may or may not be hallucinations and how every one including Gautam try to use them to their own advantage. As the movie reaches climax, there comes some more twists and turns(some 'U' turns as well).

There are some loose ends but it's an absolute hallucinating thriller but takes some time to get you into the groove.

Highway (I) (2014)

towards freedom

[7/10 · 21 February 2014]

Veera is the young member of a wealthy(closed!) family, being which she feels suffocated. And Mahabir is a member(rather leader) of a thieves(rather dacoits) group, who is sick of rich people, who, according to him, are looting every one . Both characters have strong personalities and emotions that come out at various junctures.

The movie portrays two persons aggrieved with the happenings in their life coming together incidentally and search for freedom and peace in their own way.

The depiction of the slow change in the feelings between Veera and Mahabir is smooth and realistic enough for their, rather diverse backgrounds.

Randeep is so natural in the character that he suits better to that rather than his original self. Alia too is convincing in most part of the movie, except in few emotional scenes, but she gives her best in the climax scene, where it is crucial.

Good use of the plot to show scenic beauties of the high north. It should also be appreciated for highlighting one of the serious societal problems India is facing for a long time, now.

About Time (I) (2013)

About Life and loving it as one lives

[8/10 · 19 February 2014]

The movie sails on smoothly through out with situations tailor made to suit genuinely to the fantasy element that carries the film.

The relations between the main lead and various persons in his life are depicted beautifully including the romance between the two main leads. The situations that narrow down Tim's time traveling escapades are logical and intriguing.

Honestly, I can't make out whether the plot was thought of in order to make the point that the movie makes at the end or it was just stumbled upon the end point during the development of the plot.

The music composition enriches the situational mood completely.

***SPOILERS*** At times in the movie, Tim uses his time traveling to change certain mishaps. So when he says at the end of the movie that he doesn't use time traveling anymore meaning that one doesn't need time traveling in order to be happy, there seems to be a contradiction. ***SPOILERS***