Desi Boyz – Movie Review

Producer: Krishika Lulla, Vijay Ahuja and Jyoti Deshpande
Director: Rohit Dhawan
Cast: Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Chitrangada Singh, Sanjay Dutt, Anupam Kher and Omi Vaidya
Music: Pritham
Release Date: November 2011

Actors Akshay Kumar and John Abraham have already rocked the audience with their slap-stick comedy in the movie Garam Masala. The duo is back with another comic-caper. In their latest movie Desi Boyz, they take their comic-timing to next level, which is sure to entertain the movie-goers.

Desi Boyz is a Hindi comedy drama and the amazing chemistry between Akshay Kumar and John Abraham is the major attraction of the film. Pritham's music, Natarajan Subramaniam's picturisation, fast-paced screenplay and dialogues, graphics work, beautiful locations, costumes and art direction are the other highlights of the movie. But it suffers a setback due to weak storyline and poor characterisation.

The movie is about two jobless youth's struggle for livelihood during recession. Director Rohit Dhawan might have failed to have strong storyline, but he proves that he is no lesser to his filmmaker father David Dhawan in making a comedy. With his dynamic screenplay, he makes sure that the audiences' attention will centre on screen till the end of the film. One thing should be said here unlike his father, he never plays it over the top.

Two friends Jignesh a.k.a Jerry (Akshay) and Nick (John) are working as security guard and banker respectively in London. Jerry has a responsibility to look after his sister's orphan son, while Nick has a high maintenance girlfriend (Deepika Padukone). But hell breaks loose when they lose their jobs due to recession. In a bid to seek desperate measures for survival, they meet Sanjay Dutt, who hires them as male escorts in his company. What happens next will form the interesting portion of the movie.

Akshay Kumar and John Abraham are superb in their respective roles. As far as their acting is concerned, there seems to be a tough competition between the two. Their telepathic conversation in the film is very humourous. Their chemistry is awesome. Deepika grabs the eyeball with her acting, while Chitrangada Singh is a treat to watch. Sanjay Dutt, Anupam Kher and Omi Vaidya also brighten up the screen with their hilarious acts.

Pritham's composition of the songs is very impressive. Especially, title song 'Desi Boyz' and party number 'Tu Mera Hero' are ultra-groovy. Natarajan's cinematography also adds to the richness of the production values. Dialogues and Editing are also commendable.

Overall, Desi Boyz is a good entertainer, which can be enjoyed by comedy lovers.

The Dirty Picture - Movie Review

Producers: Ekta Kapoor and Dheeraj Shenoy
Director: Milan Luthria

Cast: Vidya Balan, Naseeruddin Shah, Emraan Hashmi, Tusshar Kapoor, Anju Mahendru, Rajesh Sharma, Shivani Tanskale, Mangal Kenkre and Imran Hasnee

Music: Vishal-Shekhar
Release Date: December 2, 2011

Director Milan Luthria and script writer Rajat Arora are back with another realistic movie. Once Upon A Time In Mumbai duo's latest film The Dirty Picture is another bold attempt. The movie is daring and provocative, yet it keeps distance from vulgarism and offensiveness.

The Dirty Picture is a biopic on the life of the South sex symbol Silk Smitha. Actress Vidya Balan's bold performance is the major attraction in the movie. Vishal-Shekhar's music, Rajat Arora's dynamic script and sharp dialogues, Bobby Singh's cinematography, Pony Prakash Raj's choreography and beautiful art works and costumes are the other attractions of the film.

The movie is set against the colourful and entertaining setting of the South film industry of the 80s. It revolves around a girl's journey from a makeup artiste to a sex goddess. She battles fame, fortune and alcohol. The Dirty Picture does not focus on the sleaze, but the tragic story of the sex siren, who provided titillation to thousands of viewers, but died a lonely and tragic death.

The first credit of the movie goes to Rajat Arora who has written a wonderful screenplay and power-packed dialogues. Secondly, it is Milan Luthria, who has wonderfully executed them on screen. The narration of the movie is so interesting that it will not let the viewers rest even for a single second. In the second half, Emraan-Vidya sequences slow down the pace, but soon the narration picks up pace dramatically. Of all what strikes one's mind is the recreation of the era 1980s.

Vidya Balan has a role that she has never played before and she has delivered a brilliant performance. She surely wins the heart of the movie goers with her confident act in sizzling show and dare-bare sequences. As an ageing South Indian superstar, Naseeruddin Shah reminds us of the 1980s stars and his acts surely provoke claps, laughs and whistles among the viewers. Emraan Hashmi and Tusshar have also got totally new role. As a headstrong director, Emraan has delivered a bold act, while Tusshar appears fantastic in his role. Others like Anju Mahendru, Rajesh Sharma, Shivani Tanskale, Mangal Kenkre and Imran Hasnee have also done justice to their respective roles.

The Dirty Picture has a rich production values and Vishal-Shekhar's music is the major attraction in the technical front. Their compositions like 'Ooo La La', 'Ishq Sufiyana' are 'Honeymoon Ki Raat' are the pick of everyone. Pony Prakash Raj's choreography and Bobby Singh's cinematography are excellent in these songs. Akiv Ali's editing is also commendable.

Overall, The Dirty Picture is a right blend of wonderful script, amazing direction and bold performance from the lead actors. The movie has a universal theme and mass appealing story. This movie is a good entertainer.