AZHAR~ Emraan Hashmi's second innings.

Release date- 13th May 2016

One Word which describes the film- Optimistic

Best Dialogue- 'Sikka dono ka hota hai, heads ka bhi tails ka bhi, par waqt uska ata hai, jo palat kar upar ata hai.'

Genre- Biography/ Drama

Music- Amaal Mallik, Pritam

Producer- Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor

• Sony Pictures Networks

Writer- Rajat Aroraa

Direction- Tony D'Souza

Cast- Emraan Hashmi, Lara Dutta, Prachi Desai, Nargis Fakhri,  Kunaal Roy Kapur

Budget- 20 Crores approximately

The film starts with Emraan Hashmi telling the audience, 'Main Teen Cheezon Ke Liye Famous Hoon. Ek - Khuda Ko Maanta Hoon. Do Shaadi Hui Hai Meri. Aur Teen - Match Fix Karne Ka Ilzaam Hai Mujhpar. Main Azhar'.

When he says, 'Ek time pe India ka Captain tha, matlab India ka damaad tha', we know we are in for some great one-liners from the king of dialogues, Rajat Aroraa.

The film is shown from Azhar's point of view, how from being loved by the nation, he was shunned by everyone 'Ab Bhi Log Mujhe Dekhte Hain. Nazrae Wahi Hain, Nazariyaa Badal Gaya Hai.'

The story is simple, it's Emraan Hashmi, who with his brilliant portrayal of Azhar, assisted by powerful dialogues, makes the film worth watching. He has lost so much weight that in his clean shaven look, he actually looks like a 20s something, small town guy, with big hopes of making it into the Indian cricket team. Not only he copied his look, but also perfected his walk and the famous wrist shots.

Kunal Roy Kapoor, in a highly unrecognizable get-up, plays the role of Azhar's friend cum lawyer who believes in his innocence and works for years, to restore his honor.

Prachi Desai as the demure housewife and Nargis as the glamorous film-star are like chalk and cheese. Both of them have small yet significant roles which further add more dimension to the protagonist's character.

When Azhar says,'Woh Mera Ghar Thodna Nahin Chahti Thi, Aur Main Ghar Lautna Nahin Chahta Tha' and later, 'Maine use chhod to diya par kabhi chhod nahi paya' we understand that in life every relationship comes with a price.

Lara Dutta plays the role of a public-prosecuter who was once a big 'Azhar' fan. She tells her friend, 'Peeche abhi bhi bhaag rahe hai, bas wajah badal gayi hai.' She looks smart and confident and gets ample opportunity to leave an impact.

Apart from the main characters, other cricketers don't get any opportunity to rise and shine. Gautam Gulati as Ravi Shastri and Varun Badola as Kapil Dev disappoint.

Tony D'Souza, earlier known as Anthony D'Souza made his directorial debut with   Blue (2009') followed by Boss (2013). Azhar, is more believable than his last two ventures.

Both, Itni si baat' sung by Arijit Singh and 'Bol do na zara' sung by Armaan Malik are melodious and can be heard on loop.

The film collected approximately 21 Crores over the weekend, which is good, considering Emraan's last few films were completely rejected by the audiences.

    

In a line, despite the well played captain's innings in the film, people may not change their views about Azharuddin but Emran Hashmi successfully manages to leave an impact in his second innings as an actor.

Must watch for Emran Hashmi's fans and all those who love Rajat Aroraa's one liners.

Review of Policegiri

Release date –5'th July 2013

One Word which describes the film – Combo

Best  Dialogue –
'Aapko dekh kar aisa lagta hai jaise Gabbar Singh ne police force join kar li ho'

Genre – Action /Comedy

Story -  Hari ( remake of the 2003 Tamil film Saamy )

Music – Himesh Reshammiya , Meet Bros Anjjan

Producer - T.P. Aggarwal , Rahul Aggarwal

Direction - K. S. Ravikumar

Cast – Sanjay Dutt , Prakash Raj , Prachi Desai

Budget- 25- 30 crores (approximately) 

The film started in a Rohit Shetty kind of style with flying cars , flying people and lots of gun shots and noise. Sanjay Dutt must have completed the opening scenes just before going to prison as he looked haggard and out of shape.
With the entry of Prakash Raj the film started becoming entertaining. There were many humorous scenes between Sanjay Dutt and Prakash Raj . 

We all have seen many dubbed South Indian films but there is something motivational in watching a film where the hero fights corruption and cleans the city of corrupt politicians.

Prachi Desai is too young to play Sanjay Dutt's love interest . The couple looked very odd. It's good that she had a very small  role and mostly appeared in the song and dance sequences.

Om Puri was totally wasted in the role of a helpless Commissioner .
  
In a line , even though Sanjay Dutt doing policegiri is not as good as Sanjay doing Gandhigiri , the film has a good story and dialogues to keep you entertained .

Time-pass. Can be seen in theaters if you like remakes of South Indian films.

Rank - 22 (out of the 34 films I have seen in 2013)

Review of I Me aur Main

 Release date – 1’st March 2013

One line which describes the film –

"All that glitters is not gold "

Best  Dialogue –

'We are Men. Hum apni territory mark kar rahe hai .'

Genre – Romance / Drama

Story -  Devika Bhagat

Music – Falak Shabir , Sachin-Jigar , Gourav Dasgupta , Raghav Sachar

Producer -  Goldie Behl , Shrishti Behl Arya

Direction - Kapil Sharma

Cast - John Abraham , Prachi Desai , Chitrangada Singh , Raima Sen , Mini Mathur 

Budget – 20 crores (approximately)

As the film title suggest the film revolves around a self centered , immature , compulsive flirt , commitment phobic guy whose phone's voice message says 'Hi, this is Ishaan Sabharwal… If it’s good looking, it’s me!'  His reason for justifying a a 3 years live in relation is as lame as  "We looked so good together"

The central character has shades of  Akash from Dil Chahta Hai (2001) , Karan from  Lakshya (2004) , Sid from  Pyaar Ke Side Effects (2006) and Sidharta from  Wake Up Sid (2009) . The difference is whereas all the above actors did complete justice to their roles , John 's acting  fails to leave any impact on the viewers . 

Why should you see this film-

1.Your wife / girlfriend still has a crush on John Abraham .

2. Your husband / boyfriend thinks Chitrangada is hot 

3. You like the cute Prachi Desai

4. You liked some songs in the film's promos.

5. The film is just 1hour 48 min lng so you won't get bored.  

Why should  you skip this film - 

1. John is a better  producer (Vicky Donor ) than actor. He is tolerable in multi starrers ( Housefull 2 , Race 2 , New York ,  Dostana , Dhoom ) but his solo films have been a disaster. ( Jhootha Hi Sahi  , No Smoking ) 

2. Chitrangada has a very small role in the film ,it's more like an extended special appearance .

3. Prachi Desai is good as the bubbly make up artist but her character in the story comes out as too good to be true .

4. The story and screenplay are weak which result in lack of drama and  sudden  twists in the story .

5. The film has no moral , it is just a mirror of the lifestyles of the current generation who believe in casual relations .

In a line the film has nothing new for the audience and there are many Indian and Hollywood TV serials which have hotter and better dressed stars .

Avoidable.

Rank - 9 (Out of the 14 films I have seen in 2013 )