Andhadhun - Movie Review

Ayushman Khurrana is known for selecting versatile subjects and unique roles since debut. However, success also has been accompanying him with recent movies unlike the roller-coaster rides previously. His last 2 movies, "Bareilly Ki Barfi" and "Shubh Mangal Savdhan" have both been critically acclaimed and commercially successful. His new release "Andhadhun" has got an interesting subject of blind man in a murder premise. The trailer also was intriguing.

Story : Ayushman plas a blind pianist who teaches piano classes and looks for inspirational tunes. Radhika Apte, daughter of a restaurant owner, gets him a job to perform at their restaurant. In short time, he gets good recognition for his skill. He goes to teach piano class at home to Tabu on the request of her husband as an anniversary gift. A crime scene happens at that house and how it effects the life of the hero forms the story.

Performances : Ayushman stands out as the blind pianist with his body language, dialogues. He is known as an spontaneous actor and this film proves it again. His acting prowess improved the impact of thrilling episodes in the movie. Next standout performance in the movie is Tabu. Should say this is a comeback movie for this talented actress who gets to play a meatier role after many years and she has just nailed it. Andhadhun clicks because of these 2. Radhika was apt for the hero's love interest and played it effectively. Anil Dhawan as Tabu's husband, Manav Vij as Inspector, Zakir Hussain as doctor are other prominent characters who have done justice to their roles. There are hardly 3 or 4 supporting characters in the movie and there is no unnecessary casting. 

Technicians : It's a fantastic team work. Editing has been crisp and cut to point. Art work has been very good with great ambience created according to the mood and locations. Cinematography is subtle and suits the thriller movie concept. Songs are limited but good, background score is an asset to the film generating curiosity and lifts the tempo. Director "Sriram Raghavan" has been outstanding with the writing. The screenplay. plot, casting, executing everything were phenomenal. This is going to be remembered as one of the best thriller movies in the bollywood history. Especially, the 1st half of the movie needs to get special mention. This is one of the best 1st halves i've ever seen. There is a surprising twist or a shocking element in every 15 minutes since start. Compared to this exceptional 1st half, the 2nd half might look a bit slow down. But the overall experience is a thrilling ride and I don't remember when was the last time audience enjoyed a thriller with so much fun and interest. The way the 1st scene of the movie is interlinked to the climax is great. 

Positives :-

Ayushman & Tabu
Screnplay
Terrific 1st half
Entire Casting

Negatives :-

Not much, to some extent 2nd half may look clumsy

Analysis :-

This is a thriller one should not miss. It has the surprising element and edge of the seat moments throught out and a lot of brains and efforts would have gone through in the making. 

Rating - 4/5. Must Watch Thriller, Trust me, You would be Shocked

96 - Movie Review

Story : 1996 batch school students meet for a reunion after 22 years. Ex-Lovers Ram and Janu, the lead pair meet after 2 decades again and the way they share their memories, the time they spend on that reunion night and the confessions they make form the story.

Performances : Vijay Sethupathi as "Ram" was phenomenal. A Travel photographer by profession looks and acts tough with everyone becomes a completely different person, shy and tensed guy when he faces "Janu". Vijay excelled in the character and seems completely natural. Slowly as story unveils, he opens up his emotions and confesses his love, sacrifices, struggles. Trisha as "Janu" was equally good and gives a stellar performance. Story is narrated in such a tough way and involves us so deeply, that we urge for entrance of "Janu" which happens only after 1 hour of movie and people cheer for her entrance with joy. The teenage "Ram"and "Janu" have to be given special mention for their tremendous portrayal of characters with ease. They looked so natural that everyone is reminded of their school days. Glad to see Janagaraj on main screen after many years. Friends of Ram & Janu during school and as grown-ups have done a decent job with subtle humour.

Technicians : Music of Govind Menon is the biggest asset for the movie, be it the soothing background score or songs. Music is soul of the movie. Next comes the cinematography and art work which complement the story to a great extent. Production values are good, no unnecessary costs were done. Very simple and straight forward narration, as per the demands of the story. Prem Kumar direction is of top notch with perfect screenplay and engaging narration. One would not be rushed into the story, the director slowly injects the characters first, next their bonding, their friendship, their childhood days, teenage love, pain, dissociation, confession, tears in a sequential manner. One cannot detach from the story even after coming out of the theatre. That's a rare and huge impact in the digital world.

Positives : Everything

Negatives : Nothing (Glad it had sub-titles for better understanding of dialogues for non-tamilians like us)

Analysis : '96 has everything in right place and is the love story in purest form. No selfishness, no vengeance, no threatening, no cheating. Pure love and care for another is narrated in an very touching way.

Rating : 4/5 (Must Watch Love Story)

Aravinda Sametha - Movie Review

NTR has been on a success streak with average or Superhits consistently Temper, Nannaku Prematho, Janatha Garage, Jai Lava Kusha. Trivikram just had a jolt in the form of "Agnyaathavasi" and is looking to back to gain back his reputation. This rare combo created interest in everyone.

Story -

Veera Raghava Reddy had to take up violence due to faction feuds in their villages. However, aftermath of this violence costs lot of lives and tears and his grandmother creates an awareness in him to stop violence and he leaves hometown to bring peace. Then he meets Aravinda who is studying on "Losses of Factionism" and Raghava gets attracted to her. How he brought peace in the village with the inputs from Aravinda forms rest of the story.

Performances -

NTR as usual was terrific in his role conveying all emotions perfectly. He was good in Action sequences, Emotional scenes, heroic scenes. Pooja Hegde though present in the major part of the movie isn't a pivotal role of the movie. Title of Aravinda Sametha is nowhere justified or logical. She looks cute and her smile is awesome, but that's it. Jagapathi Babu gave a memorable performance as it has lot of physical and mental stress and he has done justice to the role. Sunil is neither a comedian nor a character artist, felt he was wasted in the role. Entire story is narrated from Sunil's version. Eesha Rebba role was unnecessary. Supriya Pathak, Naveen Chandra, Naresh, Srinivas Reddy, Devayani, Nagababu, Sithara, Eeswari Rao, Brahmaji, Rao Ramesh, Shubalekha Sudhakar were okay in their roles.

Technicians -

Music is a huge let down. Thaman hasn't done anything great. Peniviti song was good, Anaganaga song was okay. Remaining songs were disasters. Background score is also very poor as it doesn't elevate the scenes where required. Agnyaathavasi songs were far better than this and don't understand what difference Thaman created by replacing Anirudh. Cinematography and Art work is good. Action sequences are done effectively and are not overboard. Trivikram has failed both as a writer and director. Story is not at all new and narration was not engaging even. Movie looks like a rehash of Mirchi, Dammu. It is not that comedy is mandatory for a movie to be engaging. But the emotions should connect the audience and narration should be gripping for generating interest, which didn't happen. Most part of the movie is boring except for a few episodes. Relationship between lead pair is not established properly and is not convincing at all. Some dialogues are illogical and confusing also. Guruji (Trivikram) is not yet back and if this is the form he's going to continue, days are not far that he would join the school of Krishna Vamsi, Sreenu Vaitla.

Positives -

First 20 minutes
Warning scene over phone from Rao Ramesh office
NTR and Jagapathi Babu performances

Negatives -

Uneven Screenplay and dialogues
Illogical sequences
Boring narration

Analysis -

When a rare combo of NTR and Trivikram happens, audience expect a memorable ride which doesn't happen with Aravinda Sametha. Idea was good but execution fell flat and doesn't seem heading in right direction. Could have been far far better if it was Old Trivikram, hope he finds his magic wand soon. NTR also couldn't save it.

Rating - 2.5/5 (Won't recommend to watch).

All reviews are 3 and above, don't understand why. Either I'm wrong or they are convinced. But I didn't enjoy this movie, so it's my personal opinion. Similar thing happened with Aagadu also. Reviews were good and movie was horrible.