Happy Ending (21 Nov 2014)

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Ileana D’Cruz, Kalki Koechlin, Ranvir Shorey, Govinda, Preity Zinta, Shivani Tanksale

Director: Krishna DK, Raj Nidimoru     Music: Sachin-Jigar     Writer: Krishna DK, Raj Nidimoru, Sita Menon

Running Time: 136 minutes

‘Happy Ending’ is like an age old and time tested multi course meal served in a new diner which calls out the name and necessity (also read as state-of-no choice) of each course before serving the same. It seems as if the sellers don’t really believe in their wares, but end up offering the same (albeit packaged differently) acting on the law of demand and supply. But neither do they fulfill the buyer’s expectation, nor is their new packaging attractive enough to hold the buyer’s interest!

Yudi Jaitley (Saif Ali Khan) is a USA based ‘one book wonder’ writer and a casanova. He is phobic of love/marriage and has thus indulged into a trail of shallow relationships with the opposite gender. He likes to enjoy his relationships without any strings attached. So, the moment a girl utters the quintessential ‘I love you’, he mumbles and fumbles, but never reciprocates the same. Only two steady relationships of his life are Montu (Ranvir Shorey), his long time BFF and Divya (Preity Zinta), his ex GF, the one he actually loved. Both are married. Yudi also has a paunchy, beardy, bespectacled, shorts clad and ever-eating  alter ego Yogi who forecasts the impending turn of events.

Yudi’s free spirited lifestyle and the state of no new publication since five and a half years, result into his bankruptcy. While scouting for new assignment, he witnesses a rival writer, Aanchal Reddy (Ileana D’Cruz) gaining momentum with his publisher. As expected, in due course of time, their rivalry gives way to attraction and companionship. But this time, the tables are turned. And Yudi is the one who utters the magical three words in vain!

Alongside, Armaan (Govinda), an aging actor visits USA for dual purpose. First – to avail the top notch cosmetic surgery to attain a younger face and toned up body (read six-pack), and Second – to approach Yudi to pen down a highly inspired (read copying from a plethora of hit movies) rom-com that will change Armaan’s status from a single screen actor to a multiplex actor. And yes, there is also the nutcase Vishakha (Kalki Koechlin), Yogi’s dentist, who is in love with Yogi and too mesmerized to break up with him, in spite of him repeatedly trying to do the same!

As per the movie title, the protagonist is expected to avail happiness aka success in both love and career. And the movie progresses on the similar lines.

The movie has a story, but its execution is not up to the mark. It is a classic case of casting gone wrong. Also, in spite of good effort, there is no chemistry between the lead actors. Preity Zinta just plays a cameo in the film and surprisingly there is perfect chemistry between Saif and Preity. Alter ego concept could have been made so much interesting, but it comes out as plain vanilla. Saif has been a pro in playing such roles. But the well settled real life mid forties ‘nawab’ with his diva like new wife, grown up kids and estates galore, can no more look or act like a playboy. Music is average and a bevy of singers have been used. The track ‘G Phaad Ke’ will be a hit amongst the disc goers. Cinematography has well covered the west coast of America.

Saif looks charming and is good with comedy. Ileana has acted well. She looks stylish and confidant, in fact a little too confidant. Kalki appears like a psycho in love. Whether the role demanded the same, or it was her style of execution, its debatable. Ranvir and Shivani are OK. Its Preity, who doesn’t try too hard and still brings the life in the couple of scenes that she is in. Govinda is especially good with his action-reactions and dancing. While dancing, he simply captures the screen. But you do miss the ‘connection’ that he had with his co actors in all of his earlier films. Call it computer wizardry or something else, but the scene towards the end where Govinda appears with a much younger face, six pack abs etc. is a pleasant surprise.

Kill/Dil (14 Nov 2014)

Cast: Ranveer Singh, Ali Zafar, Parineeti Chopra, Govinda, Alok Nath

Director: Shaad Ali   Writer: Nitesh Tiwari, Shreyas Jain, Nikhil Mehrotra   Music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Running Time: 145 minutes

The centre point of the movie is the critical choosing of the protagonist between ‘Kill’ and ‘Dil’ aka heart (read sweetheart), and hence the name Kill/Dil. Alongside, the movie also ‘kills’ your celluloid expectations and breaks your trusting ‘heart’. And you are left wondering, how come the dynamic combination of – country’s most successful production factory with one of their cherished directors, team of young and successful lead actors, middle age veteran actor; can be submerged in the platter of a shallow plot, incomplete characterizations and unfocused direction! 

Bhaiyaji (Govinda), an anti-social, finds two abandoned newborns amongst garbage. He brings them home and they grow up as Dev (Ranveer Singh) and Tutu (Ali Zafar), who carry out shooting assignments for Bhaiyaji without any question or remorse. Rather, they carry out their executions with fun and style! And they never miss.

In a disc, Dev saves Disha (Parineeti Chopra) and her friends from some gun pointing rowdies. Disha is a super rich urban girl who works for the rehabilitation of jail inmates. This chance meeting eventually leads to love and Dev’s heart filled with new found love finds it impossible to further kill. He tries to turn a new leaf, so as to protect Disha from his past misgivings. Tutu unconditionally helps him in the process. This irks Bhaiyaji to no end as he cannot bear to see his return on investment go awry. And thus he arranges for Disha to know the truth in the most ruthless of manners. Disha breaks off with Dev, giving him no choice but to return to Bhaiyaji. Instantly, Bhaiyaji gives a heavy assignment to the killer duo. Will Dev be able to kill again? What will be the fate of his love? Therein lies the movie suspense.

The movie is filled with designer wear and style. It has good music and cinematography. Couple of tracks will be quite a hit amongst the disc goers. The music directors, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy have used a bevy of good singers for their tracks. However, the movie lacks logic and depth. The protagonists live on a rooftop with basic and depreciating furniture. However their cooking table is laden with modern and sleek kitchenware. Actors have performed well but many scenes are pretty boring. All the actors are emitting their individual energy. But there is no fusion of the same into one big energy, that runs throughout the movie and makes it entertaining to the audience.

It is noteworthy to see the protagonists perform the action of killing as pure duty towards their provider and then going back to him with the sentiment and expression of that of children, who have scored highest in their class and will be loved and rewarded for the same!

Ranveer Singh has acted very well. His child like glee is endearing. Also, he appears very sincere and natural in crying scenes, something which very few male actors can boast of. Ali Zafar has completely given in to his character, never bothering for angles or screen capture. Parineeti has experimented with delicate (read skin showing) designer wear, which has not gone well. She is blessed with the screen presence of a la Kajol. Wonder why she is trying to fit in the shoes of the delicate damsels? Also, in her bid to appear stylish, she has over acted. Govinda has appeared in a full fledged role in an A-list movie after a gap of almost seven years. Still he is natural and commanding. As expected, he has been given some mean dance moves and he has performed them with aplomb. But dancing seems very out of character for the dominating and ruthless killing contractor played by him.

Last but not the least, don’t miss the red imprint of Govinda’s palm on Ranveer Singh’s face after a stinging slap scene. Whether its real or makeup, its definitely minute production design.