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Jaane Jaan (2023)
Jaane Jaan - An Engaging Thriller with a Mystical Jaideep Ahlawat
Sujoy Ghosh's latest directorial venture, Jaane Jaan, takes us on a haunting journey to the picturesque town of Kalimpong, nestled at the foothills of the Himalayas. This brilliant choice of location serves as the perfect backdrop for a story filled with intrigue and suspense.
Based on the novel "The Devotion of Suspect X," comparisons with Drishyam are inevitable, but Jaane Jaan manages to carve out its unique identity. Sujoy Ghosh's screenplay and direction deserve applause for maintaining a gripping narrative that keeps the audience guessing from start to finish. The eerie mood is masterfully maintained through well-crafted dialogues and a haunting background score.
Kareena Kapoor's performance once again reminds us of her talent and her knack for choosing unconventional roles. She breathes life into her character, adding depth to the film's overall appeal. Vijay Varma delivers a sincere performance that complements the film's suspenseful atmosphere.
However, the true star of Jaane Jaan is Jaideep Ahlawat, who leaves an indelible mark with his portrayal of Naren. Ahlawat's performance is both chilling and empathetic, making Naren a character you won't easily forget. His ability to evoke a sense of creepiness while still garnering sympathy from the viewers is nothing short of remarkable.
While Jaane Jaan keeps you on the edge of your seat for the most part, it falters in its climax. The climax lacks the shock value and major twists that one anticipates after an engrossing build-up. It leaves you hanging, and this weakness prevents the film from achieving the status of a "Classic" or a "Great" thriller.
In conclusion, Jaane Jaan is a good watch that demands your attention, primarily due to the mystical and unforgettable performance of Jaideep Ahlawat. The film's atmospheric setting, intriguing screenplay, and the talents of its cast make it worth investing your two hours. While it may not reach the pinnacle of thriller cinema, it leaves you with the eerie charm of Kalimpong and the haunting presence of Jaideep Ahlawat's Naren, making it a memorable cinematic experience.
Guns & Gulaabs (2023)
Falters in-between but still a decent Raj & DK show
As an ardent admirer of Raj & D. K's work, including the often overlooked 'A Gentleman,' I couldn't contain my anticipation upon learning about their latest endeavor, 'Guns & Gulaabs.' Boasting an ensemble cast featuring talents like Rajkummar Rao, Dulquer Salmaan (DQ), Gulshan Devaiah, and Adarsh Gourav, the stage was set for an intriguing and gripping narrative. However, as I reflect upon the seven-episode series, my thoughts inevitably lean toward what might have been.
It's important to clarify that 'Guns & Gulaabs' is far from being a disappointment; it commences on a strong note, and the initial episodes manage to capture the viewer's attention. The climactic episode, replete with twists and adrenaline-pumping thrills, further showcases the show's potential. Regrettably, these engaging moments are sporadically interspersed, leaving much to be desired during the in-between segments.
While the humor occasionally hits its mark, there are instances when the jokes falter, contributing to an overall sense of inconsistency. The pacing of the series, in particular, felt lackluster and, at times, ponderous. It's within these stretches that the show loses some of its allure, struggling to maintain the viewer's engagement.
Despite these shortcomings, the performances shine with brilliance. Every member of the cast brings their respective characters to life with commendable effortlessness. With such a talented ensemble at the helm, the strength of the acting was practically a given.
The unmistakable Raj & DK touch is perceptible throughout the show, offering glimpses of their signature style. However, the consistency needed to elevate 'Guns & Gulaabs' to the echelons of a classic appears to be somewhat elusive.
Summing up, my verdict rests in the realm of decency rather than exceptionalism. While 'Guns & Gulaabs' certainly warrants attention, it falls short of reaching the pinnacle of distinction. Nevertheless, it remains a viable choice if you're seeking a diversion to pass the time.
Phone Bhoot (2022)
An absurdly fun ride despite the weak climax
I barely had any expectations from this film, specially since the trailer was below average and the songs weren't great either. However, after seeing people mostly praising the film, I decided to step into the theatres and I was not disappointed.
The film sets the tone from the disclaimer itself, it's wacky, it's stupid, it's absurd, but most importantly, it's FUN.
Phone Bhoot consists of a lot of pop culture references, be it the tone of the narrator or the countless puns and references present throughout the film which usually hit the mark. Yes, there are a few forced gags which fail to generate any laughter but you will find yourself enjoying the film nevertheless.
Talking about performances, it's about the guys. Ishan and Siddhant absolutely nail their respective roles, their chemistry just makes up for so many memorable moments and the two seem to have pretty good comic timing as well. Katrina does justice to her role, she isn't anything spectacular but is just about good enough. Jackie Shroff in his bhidu mode is whistle worthy, though I would've liked to see more of him. The supporting cast also do justice to their roles.
The only issue with the film is the unsatisfactory climax. What could've been a humorous and chaotic ending ends up being a cgi mesh that's just all over the place. It doesn't by any means, make the film any less entertaining.
The writing caters to those well versed with pop culture and memes i.e., the YOUTH. If you're looking for a way to enjoy your weekend with your friends, GO FOR IT.
Cuttputlli (2022)
A One Time Watch
Before starting, I would like to clarify that I haven't watched Ratsasan yet so I'm judging this as a stand-alone film and not as a remake.
Now, coming to the film, my expectations weren't too high from Akshay Kumar's 4th release of the year since all the other 3 have been absolute duds. Surprisingly though, the film did manage to keep me hooked. The storyline is engaging, the performances are good, Akshay Kumar doesn't deliver anything special but he does a good enough job, the same can be said for the rest of the cast, decent, but not pathbreaking.
The screenplay is a bit too fast at first but settles down after the first few minutes until Akshay Kumar & Rakul Preet Singh break into a horribly tragic song called 'Saathiya' that has no place in a film like this. It made me wonder why on earth was it even made? Specially when they were gonna release it on hotstar? Like, just let us stay invested in the case no?
Putting that aside, the film is gripping and had me curious to know who the killer actually was and for a suspense thriller, I think that's good enough.
I have just two complaints though, 1) the BGM. It didn't have any impact at all, average at best which kinda hinders the film & 2) A RUSHED CLIMAX (which has been a feature of recent AK films tbh), would've loved to see a more detailed origin of the killer, it seemed odd to just end the film like that after so much of building up. A lukewarm ending I must say but an above average film nonetheless.
Last Word : Cuttputli is a one time watch for those who haven't watched Ratsasan. It's nothing special but it's a fairly decent watch for the weekend.