LOOTCASE

#FinalVerdict: ENTERTAINING

Rating: 3 stars

Lootcase is a tongue-in-cheek comedy with an out-of-the-box concept. Lootcase may not be the funniest film ever, but it qualifies as a qualitative, well-shot and thoroughly enjoyable entertainer.

Lootcase delivers what it promises: Enjoyable moments, amusing jokes and non-stop entertainment. Having said that, Lootcase isn't fool-proof either. The bloated run time acts as a roadblock. The film feels elongated and also indulgent at times.

Kapil Sawant and Rajesh Krishnan (story/screenplay) borrow everything available on the shelf and come up with a plot that succeeds in its endeavour of making people laugh. The jokes may seem juvenile, but the impact is very, very funny. Lootcase is a must-watch!

Rohan-Vinayak and Amar Mangrulkar go completely innovative and inventive with the soundtrack of Lootcase. The DoP (Sanu John Varughese) captures the essence of Mumbai extremely well. Sameer Uddin's background score is apt. Dialogue (Kapil Sawant) evoke mirth.

Directorially, Rajesh Krishnan has not only shot the film exceedingly well but has also concentrated on making every sequence thoroughly entertaining. He has ensured that the viewers get what they seek in the film: Complete time pass entertainment. Lootcase rocks!

Some of what's found in Lootcase is laugh-worthy also because of the way in which the actors emote and react. The script contains enough hilarious moments to allow each member of the cast to have a chance to shine. Casting Bay has done an amazing job. Kunal Kemmu is superb, his timing is matchless in Lootcase. The flair with which Vijay Raaz performs and stands out is worth lauding. Gajraj Rao is a pleasure to watch. Rasika Dugal is in form yet again. Ranvir Shorey is outstanding. Aryan Prajapati excels.

On the whole, Lootcase promises laughter and entertainment unlimited, right from the opening credits to the finale. A thoroughly enjoyable fare, the film has all it takes to hit the bull's eye. A clean comedy with no vulgarity, Lootcase is an absolute winner!

RAAT AKELI HAI

#FinalVerdict: GRIPPING

Rating: 3 stars

Raat Akeli Hai works like magic because of its intriguing plotline. The journey, right from start to end keeps you on tenterhooks. And the culmination is what takes this film to dizzy heights.

Honey Trehan joins the ranks of directors who will be one of those calling the shots in the future. As far as the execution of the written material is concerned, the debutant director never takes the been-there-seen-that route even once in Raat Akeli Hai. It does take time to settle down, but once you do get the hang of things, the film offers you twist after twist, throws challenge after challenge. The film has a story to tell and it tells most effectively without any sub-plots or unwanted masala.

Raat Akeli Hai is a first-rate product! The camera movement demands your attention. Cinematographer Pankaj Kumar's output is top class. Sreekar Prasad's editing deserves lavish praises for giving shape to this thriller. The background score (Karan Kulkarni) is stirring. Raat Akeli Hai works primarily because the story (Smita Singh) has the edge-of-the-seat moments aplenty, which catches you unawares as the reels unfold. The story moves in a serpentine manner and it's impossible to guess what the culmination would be. Bravo!

Right from the choice of subject to the choice of actors to the thrilling moments, music and locales, Raat Akeli Hai is a thrill-a-minute saga. Everything is so well synchronized. The finale leaves you awe-struck. Director Honey Trehan gets everything right.

When a film has some of the finest talents sharing screen space, it only heightens the curiosity. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is astounding. Radhika Apte is equally dynamic. Every performance in Raat Akeli Hai is charged. Shweta Tripathi Sharma is first-rate. Gyanendra Tripathi is superb. It's about time filmmakers take note of Shivani Raghuvanshi, Nishant Dahhiya, Riya Shukla and ShreeDhar Dubey. Swanand Kirkire, Ila Arun, Aditya Srivastava, Khalid Tyabji, Tigmanshu Dhulia Natasha Rastogi lend able support. Padmavati Rao is simply brilliant.

Raat Akeli Hai is yet another innovative story with a taut screenplay, riveting direction and applaud-worthy performances. If you are an extremely choosy moviegoer who watches select first-rate films, make sure this movie is included on your listing.

SHAKUNTALA DEVI

#FinalVerdict: INGENIOUS

Rating: 4 stars

Shakuntala Devi proves the adage 'There is no great genius without a mixture of madness' right. A terrific film that stays in your heart, remains etched in your memory and restores your faith in Hindi cinema. Bravo!

Brownie points to Anu Menon-Nayanika Mahtani's dynamic script, Ishita Moitra's razor-sharp dialogue and Antara Lahiri's crisp editing. It is a women's show all the way. Moreover, you cannot draw parallels with any other film. Vidya Kasam!

Shakuntala Devi blends drama, emotions, humour extraordinarily… the icing on the cake being Vidya Balan and Sanya Malhotra's towering acts. The writing holds the spectators' interest and doesn't let you digress from the screen, except for a few minutes.

If Vidya Balan is the driving force on screen, it's director Anu Menon who stands out with a near-perfect film. The concept of Shakuntala Devi is oven-fresh and the handling of a number of sensitive and dramatic moments is noteworthy. Director Menon smartly integrates the songs in the narrative, although, the film would've excelled even without songs. The songs (Sachin-Jigar) are situational. Cinematography (Keiko Nakahara) captures the vibrant colours adroitly. Director Anu Menon balances the rough and smooth incidents in Shakuntala Devi and her daughter's lives beautifully. The culmination to the film is novel. Karan Kulkarni's background score is perfect. You'd have a new phrase to chew on this time: 'Vidya Kasam'.

Shakuntala Devi is unimaginable without Vidya Balan. She can handle the comic sequences with as much flourish as the emotional ones. She is absolutely ravishing. Sanya Malhotra's appearance, mannerisms and dialogue delivery are exemplary. Amit Sadh is excellent yet again. Jisshu Sengupta registers a strong impact. Luca Calvani, Adi Chugh, Sheeba Chadha, Nyla Masood, Prakash Belawadi, Neil Bhoopalam and Purnendu Bhattacharya lend able support. Seher Aly Latif's casting is a lesson indeed and how!

On the whole, Shakuntala Devi is a must-watch for every parent, every child. A remarkable motion picture with an overwhelming message!

YAARA

#FinalVerdict: Decent

Rating: 3 stars

Based on the French film Les Lyonnais (2011), Yaara is well adapted by Tigmanshu Dhulia - an avant-garde storyteller of the present times - to suit Indian sensibilities and the film will have you on edge of the seat as it unfolds.

Yaara is engaging in most parts. It starts off strong enough and keeps the momentum going till the end, though, of course, it goes back and forth at times and that could get a bit confusing. The viewer ought to stay alert and watch the goings-on carefully. As Yaara moves ahead, the narrative vacillates between engrossing and not-too-captivating moments. It also gets talk-heavy at times. The climax could've been more impactful. Also, the concept is too urbane. Tigmanshu Dhulia's dialogue is plain ordinary. The plot takes time to come to the point. But Yaara, in totality, is a well-crafted, well-executed film with the ensemble cast pitching in competent performances.

Siddharth Pandit, Ankit Tiwari, Shaan and Gourov Dasgupta-Roshin Balu's music is another asset. Cinematography (Rishi Punjabi) is first-rate. The look of the film is consistently brilliant. The background score (Clinton Cerejo) is exceptional. Each and every frame seduces you into the world that director Tigmanshu Dhulia recreates so delightfully.

The hard work and expertise of director Tigmanshu Dhulia are echoed by the entire star cast of Yaara. Not just the title leads, but each and every actor delivers top-notch performances. Vidyut Jammwal is simply outstanding. Amit Sadh is commanding yet again. Vijay Varma is in top form. Kenny Basumatary, Anuraag Pandey and Mohommed Ali Shah and Shruti Haasan pitch in terrific performances. Shreya Narayan, Sanjai Mishra and Ankur Vikal may not have many lines to deliver, but they do make their presence felt.

To sum up, Yaara may not be Tigmanshu Dhulia's finest work, but it has moments that prove his supremacy as a storyteller and his effort needs to be lauded. Watch it on for the intriguing characters and terrific performances!