You can take the Rathod out of Ranjhor, but you cannot take the Ranjhor out of Rathod

It is not exaggarating at all to say that this can be called the DIL CHAHTA HAI of the year. It is dew fresh, it is immensely enjoyable and entertaining minus any form of saccharine or sugar coated romance (which has been almost synonymous with Bollywood). JAANE TU is a breathe of fresh air with a ton load of mint. And the best part of it is, it doesn’t act as a tailor made launch vehicle for Imraan Khan (unlike the other debut releasing this week, yeah the 2050 movie) , but as a whole ensemble entertainer with the perfect choice of actors to play the characters- some unknown, and some very familiar. And oh yes, Jaane Tu is not the debut for Imraan only. It also marks the debut for Pratiek Babbar (son of late Smita Patil) and welcomes back to the screen -Anooradha Patel, Kitu Gidwani and frames Naseeruddin Shah as Ajay Singh Rathod in a painting. Beat that!

Now where do I begin. Of course, from the oil pastel effects when the opening credits are shown. Love all around you in different hues as Rahman’s Jazz settles you down. You need 5 seconds at best to feel it, the smile on your face emerges and you just know it, that this is going to be good. And good it is not, it is GREAT. Of course, we are by now swept by the melody of “Kabhi Kabhi Aditi” to that extent that I have become a bit repulsive to it. But the movie brought it all back. The movie also has a secret character in it- and that is BOMBAY- the roads wet with rain, and reflecting back the streetlights, the necklace at Marine Drive, Sanatcruz Airport, and well, St.Xavier’s picturesque Basketball court. I say -”Aise main Koi Kaise NAA Muskuraye” (How can one not smile at this ). The cinematography is simply put - brilliant.

Next up: Casting Dir. Pakhi. Give her all the adjectives ..the good ones. Excellent job. Because it doesn’t matter if a good actor has got enough footage or not enough lines to speak. It is if he/she can make an impact in even a 2 second appearance. Kitu Gidwani and Rajat Kapoor play the unhappy couple and just a 2 minute conversation is enough for you to believe. Jayant Kripalani and Anooradha Patel on the other hand come across as the coolest parents. Sounds and seems true. Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah play Imraan’s parents. Ratna Pathak is the “Professor turned Naari Shakti” types which suits her to the last inch. And well, what can I say about Mr.Shah. Even in an oil painting, he is able to infuse life. He speaks, I listen, I laugh and then I applaud. Even the silly Khan Bros as Marlboro Men from Ranjhor made me chuckle with the AID..a.S joke. And yes, it is a welcome relief when Paresh Rawal is not considered as the Dean of Comic Affairs and not handed over with the entire comedy department.

As for the new league of actors included, the one that stands out the most has to be Jiggy (Jignesh Patel) played by Nirav Mehta, a typical Gujju in the gang of pals, who naturally stands out with his streaks and off-beat fashion and of course his accent ( Says Sushant as Soo..saant). Stereotype you say, I know a few exact ones in real. The nicknames are even fresh-Bombs, Meow, Rats, Rotlu, Jiggy. Damn it feels like back in college and it feels good. Only that we had a couple of Non veg suffixes and prefixes. But not to forget, in a very short screentime, Prateik Babbar manages to leave a mark. He feels very confident onscreen and doesn’t try to go overboard.And well, Manjari does manage to make my heart skip a beat. As for Soo..sant (actor name unknown), he is the daftest prick ever. Or so did Mr.Tyrewalla intend him to be. And it is these set of actors which give all the moments in the movie, from the Hum Paanch-esque picture talking, to the Gujju Surprise Birthday party, to the three doctrines of Ranjhors. I will not reveal anymore.

And when it comes to the dazzling part, it is indeed the lead pair which scorches the screen. First up,Imraan. The only actor to have showed his butt on Indian cinema (in Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander, source: Channel V interview), Imraan is no lame ass actor making a debut on a Chacha Jaan’s publicity boat. Imraan lives the role with the same credibility as Chachajaan Aamir’s Aakash of Dil Chahta Hai . And thank God, that we are finally over actors aged 40 playing college kids. For a time, I started believing that all actors were doing their PhD and somehow their research work dissertation got stolen. Imraan is a charm to see, not at all methodical, and very real. Of course, half of the credit goes to the director Mr.Abbas Tyrewalla and the writer-Mr.Abbas Tyrewalla. Genelia on the other hand, as the chirpy, over the top types, loud gal of the gang is again very real and is not at all filmsy (you know when reel tries to copy real and in an attempt to spice things up makes the curry inedible). Her yuppiness, envy, anger and most importantly confusion is all visible in her eyes. And damn! she does it so effortlessly. Bravo Bravo!!

To wind up, I’d just say “go watch this one”. Because we have all seen this done before, but never before in such a way. Yeah , another college romance. Yeah, another- boy meets girl-boy and girl confused and fall for someone else-and realisation at climax-boy and girl come of age to unite-kinda story. Yeah, in the words of Mr.James Hetfield -So F***ing What!! You’ll love the narrative and the style of story telling, much like Mala did in the climax and hugged Genelia saying Meow, even when she hasn’t met them even once. And you’d for sure be singing-Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle Ka Naata Koi, without caring for your pitch and scale.

The Shuarya--- Worth a Watch!

Let's clear a misconception before we get down to reviewing Shaurya. It's not a war film. It's not jingoistic. It doesn't spew venom on the neighboring country. It doesn't show mutilated bodies or blood-soaked faces and limbs.

Sure, Shaurya has the backdrop of the armed forces. But it's about a court martial. It's about two friends, who're pitched against each other in a courtroom. The 'culprit', in turn, doesn't want to defend himself and remains a mute spectator for reasons best known to him.

Shaurya is a serious film and raises a serious issue in the penultimate 20 minutes. And that's where it scores. Director Samar Khan gradually builds up the tension and when it explodes in the finale, it leaves you stunned and speechless. Most importantly, it makes you uncomfortable… perhaps, that's one of the reasons why it succeeds.

Shaurya is about the common man, but as a cinematic experience, it's more for the discerning viewer looking for a hatke theme, thirsting for a story in those 2 hours. Most importantly, it does justice to the tagline - 'It takes courage to make right... right'.

Captain Javed Khan [Deepak Dobriyal] is charged with mutiny, treason and killing a fellow officer. Even when he is held for court martial, he refuses to speak in his defense as the secret he holds is too powerful for the establishment to handle. Assigned for this task are Sid [Rahul Bose] and Akash [Jaaved Jaaferi], two best friends, lawyers and very ambitious individuals who have contrasting views on life.

Nevertheless, this one case changes their lives forever. The case takes them to Srinagar. While Akash, for whom winning the case matters the most, follows the blueprint, Sid discovers new meaning in life, Kavya, Javed and of course, the man in question, Brigadier Pratap [Kay Kay Menon].

Why is Javed silent? What is the truth of that night? Why is Brigadier Pratap hell-bent on getting Javed convicted? Will Sid have the courage to save Javed's life?

Shaurya isn't a flawless script. But it has been treated with utmost realism and sensitivity by Samar Khan. Talking of the narrative, the film could've done without the item song at the very start [and what was Pawan Malhotra doing in this song?]. Besides, one fails to understand why Deepak Dobriyal doesn't confide to his mother, since the family has always taken pride in the fact that they've adhered to principles all their lives. Besides, the film could've been shorter by at least 15/20 minutes. The second hour drags at places!

Despite the hiccups, Shaurya delivers what it promises. At the end of the screening, you actually pinch yourself. Did the same guy who helmed this riveting fare called Shaurya, direct Kuch Meetha Ho Jaye, a bitter cinematic experience? The execution of Shaurya is impressive and Samar also succeeds in extracting stellar performances from the ensemble cast.

Despite the shortcomings, the screenplay is tight, not deviating from the core issue. The reason that compels Deepak Dobriyal to shoot a fellow officer and also the powerful climax prove that the writers [Jaydeep Sarkar, Aparnaa Malhotra and Samar Khan] know their job well. There's not much scope for music in a film like this, therefore the two songs don't make much of an impression. However, in terms of melody [Adnan Sami], 'Dheere Dheere' has a soothing effect on the listener. Carlos Catalan's cinematography is topnotch.

The story rests on five actors - Rahul Bose Kay Kay Menon, Jaaved Jafferi, Deepak Dobriyal and Minissha Lamba. Rahul excels in a role that fits him like a glove. In fact, this performance easily ranks as one of his finest works. Kay Kay is dynamic. Watch him explode in the climax and you realize the potential this actor possesses.

Jaaved does a decent job. However, his character is relegated to the backseat after a point. Deepak conveys a lot even when silent - that's the sign of a fine actor. Minissha is effective. Besides, she looks the character. Amrita Rao handles her part with maturity. She's first-rate. Seema Biswas, as always, is a complete natural.

On the whole, Shaurya is a well-made film that will have to rely on a strong word of mouth to sustain in the coming days. However, the film deserves to be tax-exempted since it's a genuinely deserving case.