New Delhi: After a series of Fridays after Fridays of lacklustre releases, Bollywood buffs are finally spoilt for choices. As many as four movies are vying for the viewer's attention at the box office this weekend and viewers and critics are all praises for at least two.
In the first five months of 2011, at least 31 Bollywood films have hit the silver screen but there have been only a handful of movies that had in them the ability to draw the crowds to the theatres. Also thanks to the Cricket World Cup, it was an also extended dry day for Bollywood addicts.
These are not the big budget films with superstars in the cast, but the other Bollywood, riding on good writing, imaginative direction and focused acting, that has brought back quality cinema to one of the world's largest film industries.
Raj Nidimoru and Krishna Dk directed Shor in the City is the undoubtedly the pick of the week. Tagging the film as "a living, breathing slice of busy Mumbai," CNN-IBN's Rajeev Masand gives the film a rare 3.5 rating. "A delicious mix of quirky humour, gruesome violence, and surprising sensitivity, Shor in the City works on the strength of its smart script and consistent performances from its ensemble cast. Tusshar Kapoor surprises with a mature turn, and his delicate romance with Radhika Apte makes for some of the film's warmest moments. But the actor who dazzles here is Pitobash Tripathy as the eccentric small-time goon Mandook, who steals every scene he's in," Masand writes in his review.
"This is one of those films that completely surprised me by how much fun it was. Now it's your turn to find out!" Masand recommends.
Onir's four-movies-in-one package I Am is also a 3.5 star fare. An "honest and hard-hitting feature," says Rajeev Masand. "Accompanied by a haunting score, I Am is an occasionally disturbing, but ultimately hopeful film about companionship and acceptance in this judgmental world," Rajeev applauds the film as a must watch.
The third release, Vinay Pathak and Lara Dutta starrer Chalo Dilli has got mixed reviews and is said to be a copy of John Hughes' cult hit Planes, Trains and Automobiles. While Masand rates the movie as an average 2/5, he points out that Chalo Dilli does have a "few moments of inspired lunacy provided by Vinay Pathak."
Govinda's Naughty @ 40 appears to be the dud of the week. A desi take on The 40-Year-Old Virgin, this Jagmohan Mundhra directed film is directed more towards the masses.
The year 2011 has so far been a damp squib for Bollywood. In Bollywood, hit films happen at regular intervals, but good films are more of a rarity. This week, therefore, is surprisingly different.
The next weekend also has a couple of interesting movies slated for release. Vikram Bhatt will attempt to scare the audiences with his 3D horror flick, Haunted and a new film - Luv Ka The End - under a new 'youthful' banner from Yashraj.
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