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.

Singh Is Bliing ~ Comedy of Errors

Release date - 2'nd Oct 2015

One Word which describes the film - Stupidity Reloaded

Best Dialogue- 'Singh jahan pair rakhta hai ... woh ilaaka uska ho jaata hai.'

Genre - Action/ Comedy 

Music -Meet Bros Anjjan, Manj Musik, Sajid-Wajid

Producer - Akshay Kumar, Ashvini Yardi, Jayantilal Gada

Story-  Shiraz Ahmed

Direction -Prabhu Deva

Cast -Akshay Kumar, Amy Jackson, Lara Dutta, Kay Kay Menon, Rati Agnihotri

Budget- 50 Crores approximately

In 2008, producer Vipul Amrutlal Shah and director Anees Bazmee gave us a character Happy Singh who was a good at heart simpleton and used to tell whoever he met,' Main to sach bolta hoon, acchi apne aap lag jati hai.'

After 7 years the producers and director have changed and now we have Raftaar Singh who is an equally happy go lucky guy and loves to spend time with his friends and according to his father has this bad habit of leaving all jobs unfinished.

The film is Akshay Kumar's journey from Punjab to Goa, then again to Punjab and again to Goa, then to Romania and finally back to pavilion Punjab.

Though the film is called Singh is Bliing, it's not Singh who shines but his love interest Amy Jackson who not only gets equal screen space but also better action scenes. In fact it's really surprising to see a slender actress like Amy do action stunts with such perfection that you will be reminded of Hollywood characters like The Bride from  Kill Bill or Lara Croft from Tomb Raider. But then as it's Bollywood the director had to spoil her charm by making her dance in silly songs like Cinema Dekhe Mamma and Dil Kare Chu Che!

Lara Dutta who made her debut in Andaaz opposite Akshay Kumar in 2003 is now reduced to playing the role of a translator which any junior artist could have played.

Kay Kay Menon's entry is good and his dialogue,'I am too good' remind us of the great roles he has done in the past but here he gets no opportunity of showing his talent.

Rati Agnihotri plays the role of Akshay's mother and they are shown sharing a great bond which we can feel when during a telephonic conversation she asks 

'Bada khush lag raha hai tu, ladki kaun hai? ' to which Akshay replies, 'Kamaal hai maa, tujhse kuch nahi chupa sakta.' 

The director has combined all these characters along with lots of junior artists in a 2 hours 25 minutes film which has absolutely no story. To make up for the lack of screenplay there are many songs and dances and some comedy scenes which will make you laugh but by the end make you wish that all this glamour and bling could have done better with a good story. There is also a scene where the hero tries to pass off a bull dog as a lion!

But the tragedy is that this Akshay Kumar starrer got a better opening and business than his last two meaningful films Baby and Gabbar is Back.

The film collected around 21 crores on Friday because of Gandhi Jayanti and almost 65 crores in 5 days.

In a line if you liked Happy Singh and his mind boggling tactics of making you laugh then maybe you can come to like Raftaar Singh too.

Time-pass. Can be seen for Amy Jackson.