Jaane Tu . . . Ya Jaane Na

Banner: Aamir Khan Productions & PVR Cinema
Cast: Imran Khan, Genelia D'Souza, Manjari
Genre: Love
Music: A.R. Rehman
Story - Dialogues - Lyrics - Screenplay - Direction: Abbas Tyrewala
Producers: Mansoor Khan & Aamir Khan
Release Date: 4 July 2008

Review:

A nephew wins over a son. The nephew of star Aamir Khan, Imraan Khan, mesmerizes his audience with his debut 'Jaane Tu Jaane Naa' with his sexy looks and histrionic skills. The female star Genelia D'Souza looks very cute & bubbly and performs excellently well.

Imraan Khan has followed in the footsteps of his father Mansoor Khan who launched Aamir Khan in his 'Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak' (QSQT) though Imraan's movie falls far short in respect of script, music and the treatment.

Still, Genelia D'Souza looks good as long as she doesn't speak a dialogue. No sooner she delivers a dialogue than she is exposed. Though it has some comic sequences, but suffers from inconsistency. This flaw in the movie's story is somewhat taken care of by the deftness of debutante director Abbas Tyrewala.

Let's analyze the story that revolves around the central character of Jai Singh Rathod played by Imraan Khan. While Jai aka 'Rats' is by far the most non-violent Rajput (unusual though) hates to pick up fights, bubbly Aditi Mahan aka 'Meow' is quite a violent person. She screams, shouts and brings the whole house down. However, Jai is capable of calming her. Though belonging to two opposite directions, they attract each other.

In spite of their chemistry being the same, they are too good friends to think on such lines. But, soon they realize that this chemistry is nothing but love. In the story, Jai (Karan known as Rotlu) is accompanied by a bunch of three friends -- Alishka (as Bombs), Nirav (as Jiggy) and Sughanda (as Shaleen). All of them play their roles well but disappear later leaving no trace.

While Ratna Pathak Shah and her husband (in real life) Naseerudin Shah are at their best, Jayant Kripalani and Anuradha Patel (as Genelia's parents) are sweet and Ayaz Khan (as Genelia's fiance) leaves an impression. Paresh Rawal is fantastic (his usual) in a comic role. Alas, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan hardly have a role to play and therefore disappoint the audience. Hence, everyone in the cast has justified his or her role. The director though a newcomer has fared very well.

The film is good for the young ones who would like to relive their past breezy college times. Besides, its two songs - "Kabhi Kabhi" and "Pappu Can't Dance" are worth remembering. We wish the director had made the second part of the movie as interesting as the first one. Thus, the movie would have ended with a proper climax and will not be a loser as it is likely to meet its low cost.

Ready (denikaina)

Banner: Sri Sravanthi Movies
Cast: Ram, Genelia, Brahmanandam, Sunil, Jayaprakash Reddy, Supreet, Shafi, Bharat, Kota, Nassar, Chandra Mohan, Tanikella Bharani, Srinivasa Reddy, Ravi Varma, Sudha, Vidya, Surekha, Apoorva, Tamanna (SA) & Navadeep (SA)
Genre: Comedy/Family
Cinematography: Prasad Murella
Stunts: Peter Hynes
Editing: M R Varma
Art: AS Prakash
Choreography: Sankar, Suchitra Chandrabose & Prem Rakshit
Dialogues: Kona Venkat
Story – Screenplay: Gopi Mohan
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Director: Seenu Vytla
Producer: Sravanthi Ravi Kishore
Release Date: 19 June 2008

Review:

Story:

Chandu (Ram), an engineering student, falls in love with Pooja (Genelia), an NRI who comes to visit her uncles in Rayalaseema. A mistaken identity makes Chandu kidnap Pooja who is about to get married. The rest of the story is all about how Chandu sends Pooja back to her place and how he marries her by convincing elders.

Artists Performance:

Actors: Ram looked fine in his role and he seamlessly executed the same. His dance in the first song is very good. The scenes in the second half where Ram makes Brahmanandam a bakra are entertaining. Genelia is an asset to the film and the dubbing of Savita Reddy goes well with her. Brahmanandam as McDowell Murthy steals the show yet again with his hilarious comedy in the second half. He is like the second hero of the film. After Dhee and Krishna, this is the third film where he had the crowds in splits. Sunil did the role of a 'theda candidate'. His bharatanatyam (spoof of Sagara Sangamam) and the way he slaps himself is good (typical Seenu Vytla brand). The third impressive characterization comes from the kid who acts as JP's grandson. Jaya Prakash Reddy and Kota are good. Nasar and in parental roles are adequate. The way Surekha scolding her son to vent frustration on JP is humorous. Tamanna and Navdeep did guest appearances

Technical Departments:

Story - Screenplay - Direction: Story of the film is intricate. The screenplay by Gopi Mohan in the second half delivered the much required punch. You do not see Seenu Vytla brand of comedy in the first half except for a couple of scenes with Sunil. Most of the second half belongs to Seenu Vytla. The way he introduced Brahmanandam and made him an integral part in the second half is strategic. He extracted solid performance from Brahmanandam without being repetitive. Direction of Seenu Vytla is good in the second half.

Other Departments: Songs and background score by Devi Sri Prasad is good. The bonhomie song towards climax is a good on the screen. Dialogues in the film are in good health, away from vulgarity. We do except a better cinematography for a film of this stature. The money spent on the film could not reflect on its visuals, showing mediocre output in patches in certain scenes. Fights by Peter Hynes are well choreographed, but the script of the film does not really demand such buildup. Editing of the film is passable and the first half needs some trimming. Production values by Sravanthi banner are very good.

Analysis: First half of the film is mediocre. The second half is good with hilarious comedy by Brahmanandam. On the flipside, a better editing of first half and some of the fights would do something good to the film. This film is stuffed with ample commercial elements, mainly the vibrant comedy. Ready has potential chances to bring a hat-trick for Seenu Vytla after Dhee and Dubai Seenu. This film is worth a watch for the comedy.

Mere Baap Pehle Aap

Cast: Genelia Dsouza, Akshaye Khanna, Naseruddin Shah, Shobhana, Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav, Manoj Joshi, Archana Puran Singh Genre: Comedy, Romance, Slapstick, Family, Relationships Lyrics: Tausif Aktar, Vidyasaagar Music Director: Sameer

Director: Priyadarshan

Producer: Ketan Maroo, Mansi Maroo Release Date: 13 June 2008

Review:

Janaradhan [Paresh Rawal] has spent his life bringing up his two kids, Chirag [Manoj Joshi] and Gaurav [Akshaye Khanna]. Now when the duo has grown up, Gaurav takes up the responsibility of his father. They both manage the household chores and their business to the best of their abilities. Though he is the younger son, he treats his father like his son. Gaurav shouts, threatens, fights, even locks up his father occasionally so that his prankster-friend Madhav [Om Puri], who is desperate to get married, does not spoil him.

Madhav and Janaradhan, who are always in search of a bride for Madhav, forever land up in trouble and every time Gaurav has to bail them out and face the embarrassment.Gaurav starts getting prank calls from a girl who turns out to be his old college friend Shikha [Genelia D'Souza]. Shikha is staying with her guardian Anuradha [Shobhana], who happens to be Janardhan's first love.

Gaurav and Shikha notice changes in Janaradhan and Anuradha's behaviors when they come face to face after many years. They come to know about their past. Now Gaurav wants his father to get married to his lost love. Of course, the path is not so smooth, there are obstacles.

Mere Baap Pehle Aap is a complete time pass venture. Priyadarshan is very clear that he isn’t out to become a Madhur Bhandarkar or Amole Gupte and take away accolades. Priyan establishes his connect with the masses and is no doubt the good luck charm for all his producers.

Mere Baap Pehle Aap takes off as a complete laugh riot. The sequences and flow of events are so well executed. No one does such sequences better than Priyan. His characterization is simply splendid. For those who have had a sensation that Paresh Rawal is overdoing his comedy bit, watch this flick.

Priyan just didn’t want to rely on comedy to run this flick but ropes in drama too. The drawback comes in here as he fails to sustain the length of the film which goes over 2hrs 30 mins. Except for the last 20 mins or so, the movie is tightly held and bound by Priyan’s style and brilliance.

Cinematography by Piyush Shah is a delight with the splendid locales of Goa, Kerala etc. The movie requires a little trimming.

Music by Vidyasagar blends well with the film. The ‘Ishq Subhanallah’ and ‘Maine Hawa’ are tracks out to become hits provided they are promoted well.

On the acting front, Akshaye Khanna fits the bill and excels with his expressions, dialogues and body language.

Genelia does well primarily with her expressions. She’s one heroine who is set to go places. No one besides Priyan could have given her such a meaty role.

Om Puri comes in as a revelation with comedy. The actor makes you giggle nonstop. Watch the interaction between him and Genelia at a mall. It’s hilarious. He is no doubt the best in this flick.

Paresh Rawal too excels with comedy and this time doesn’t look or sound repetitive. The sequences involving him and Archana Puran Singh are splendid. Do watch out for the combination of Om Puri and Paresh Rawal.

Rajapal Yadav surprisingly is barely there. Manoj Joshi is ok. Shobana impresses. Archana Puran Singh does well with her bit as the cop.

Mere Baap Phele Aap is the right mix for the family. It’s sure to make you either giggle or laugh for most portions. Priyadarshan proves it once again that he holds stron.

Santosh Subramaniyam

Banner: AGS Entertainment Pvt Ltd
Cast: Genelia, Jayam Ravi, Prakash Raj, Kausalya, Geetha, Premji Gangai Amaran
Genre: Family
Music: Devi Sri Prasad
Director: Raja
Producer: Kalpathi S. Agoram
Release Date: 11th April 2008

Review:

Hats off director Raja and Jeyam Ravi for hitting the bull's eye for the fourth time in a row. The duo continues from where they left in Unakum Enakum to provide a feel-good light-hearted family entertainer sure to be enjoyed with the family. It is a whiff of fresh air amidst the nauseating action-packed flicks where men run around wielding guns aimlessly and the hero mouthing punch dialogues. The movie probes deep in to the psyche of parents and their grown up children to analyse where and how conflict between them starts. It also presents a solution. Prakashraj plays a dotting father while Jayam Ravi his callous son. Both have handled their roles with ease and elegance. Both are natural and render justice to their characters. Ravi is bubbling with energy and is enthusiastic on screen. He is charming and elegant. Genelia is the perfect foil for the female lead. In the role of a innocent and fun-loving girl, she has managed to deliver one of her best performance so far. She is spontaneous as an happy-go-lucky-girl and expressions come out quite comfortably from her. Hitherto she was looked as a glamour doll in Kollywood. Thanks to director Raja, she has managed to prove everyone that she too can sparkle in performance-oriented roles. Santhanam in the company of Premji Gangai Amaran evokes laughter. His slapstick comedy evokes laughter at several places in the theatre. The movie has a huge star cast which includes Kousalya, Geetha, Shayaji Shinde, Sathyan and former Indian cricketer Sadagoppan Ramesh. All have a contribution to make in the movie. Devi Sri Prasad's pulsating musical score is a major highlight of the movie. The racy numbers linger in our hearts, while his background score sets up the momentum. Santosh (Jayam Ravi) has everything in life, but in excess amounts. His father, Subramaniam (Prakash Raj), decides on what is good for Santosh and gives him more than what he asks for. But never he gives a chance to his son to express his opinion. He selects the girl of his choice to Santosh. That is when Santosh meet a bubbly beauty Hasini (Genelia), whom he has waited all his life for. Now he has a complex situation. First he need to propose and win her over. Then convince his over-obsessive father. Then make his ladylove's father accept him. Then break the engagement. How he successfully comes across all these is Santosh Subramaniam. Raja now joins the big league of directors delivering a movie that will satisfy all sections of the audience. Producer kalpathi Agoram should be equally complemented for churning out the venture. Santosh Subramaniam is no doubt a film that is sure to spread santhosam (happiness) to one and all. Director Raja said, “I had taken great pains with Genelia’s character and she has done justice to the role of a chirpy, innocent girl. Genelia will definitely make her mark in the industry.” Genelia steals the show in the role of Hasini. Her spontaneous and innocent performance convinces everyone that no other actress could do the role like Genelia.

Mr. Medhavi

Banner: Lifestyle Art Films
Cast: Raja, Genelia, Sonu Sood, Dharmavarapu, Suman, Tanikella Bharani, Suman Shetty, MS Narayana, Brahmanandam, Hema
Genre: Love
Music: ChakriCinematography: Sunil Kumar ReddyArt: KV VarmaEditing: KV NagireddyStory - Dialogues - Screenplay - Direction: Neelakanta
Producer: Bodduluri Rama RaoRelease date: 26 January 2008

Story:

Vishwak (Raja) is an orphan who is adapted by his school teacher. Later Vishwak becomes independent and takes care of himself. During this process, Vishwak becomes manipulative guy in order to succeed life. During his childhood, he happens to meet an NRI kid called Swetha who joins his school for a few days. They develop a close friendship. They happen to meet again after they grow up. The rest of the story is all about whether they fall in love or not.

Artists Performance:

Raja is looking very handsome in this film. He suited the role very well and got into the skin of the character. Genelia is cool as usual. Her performance is excellent when she invites Sonu Sood to her house. She gave a matured performance in the climax of the film. But her make-up and hair style should have been better. Sonu Sood did a guest role and he is adequate. MS Narayana and Dharmavarapu Subramanyam provided comic relief. Suman, Hema and Tanikella Bharani are good.

Technical Departments:

Story - Screenplay - Direction: Story of the film is simple and narration is linear. Mr. Medhavi who is an expert at giving love advices to everybody failing in his own case resembles us of Hitch. The director followed different narrative (like main leads narrating the story in Mr & Mrs Smith) in the film. Screenplay of the film is adequate and there is a nice twist towards the climax. Direction of the film is good. Neelakanta stuck to his own plot instead of diverting the attention in order to attracts the masses. However, the narration of the film is very slow and there are boring moments in the second half.

Other Departments: Main asset of the film is the superb cinematography by Sunil Kumar Reddy. Shot framing, lighting techniques and camera angles are different. Music by Chakri is good. The kids songs and Manasu song stand out. However, the last two songs in the second half appear forcibly inserted. Dialogues are well written. Editing is alright.


Analysis: The film starts with an interesting note. The kids episode is impressive. First half is decent. The second half has some dull moments, but the climax twist makes it up for sagging second half. The plus points of the film are casting, narrative style and clean concept. On the flipside, the second half should have been in a more interesting way. The way Raja is taught about relationships is good. Neelakanta should be appreciated for having guts to insert the ‘HR SWOT’ episode in the film which lasts for over 15 minutes. On a whole, Mr. Medhavi is a well intended and a decent film. This film will definitely appeal the ultra A class audiences. The commercial appeal for an average moviegoer is very much limited.