Picture ke side effects

                                 Shadi ke Side Effects -- Movie Review

It's nearly heartbreaking to see a movie with a massive potential like Shaadi completely derail in its second half.

Saket Choudary hits all the right notes in the first hour by choosing a delicious subject.The film delerives all its laughs from the character of Roy played by Farhan as he finds it immensely difficult to cope up with the challenges the new role of being a parent offers him.

Saket never looses steam in the films brisk first half that manages to give you a handful of genuine laughs.The film's problems start right from the intermission point.
Saket,establishes couple as those who clearly know how to adjust among themselves,thus it becomes difficult to digest when Roy all of  sudden goes searching for an advice to his brother-in law .

The film fails to raise any central conflict and Saket's attempt to veer the film to a different territory remains half baked .The fun element goes completely missing from the film and unneccesary tracks like that of the camaraderie Roy shares with his room mate played by Vir Das simply adds to your misery.

The truth is that despite the competent performances ,the film never really rescues itself and twist in the final act appears to be too far fetched and contrived

If you still wish to give this rather under-realised  marriage event a go then do it so for its  cast who share terrific chemistry between them.Watch out for Ram Kapoor especially,he manages to steal the show in a sparkling cameo

                       Highway -- Movie Review                                           

The truth is inspite of having a very admirable idea at its centre.Ali's film never becomes sum of its parts and feels unneccesarily stretched.

The movie is pretty much on course till the interval block but soon looses steam and becomes entirely predictable and extremely slow.The story unfurls when Veera Tripathi played superbly by Alia Bhatt is abducted on the highway by a gang headed by Mahabir Bhati(Randeep Hooda).After coming to know about Tripathi's alleged link with the government Mahabir is made to carry the whole risk singlehandedly and thus beginning the road trip.

The good thing here is that the story telling doesnt appear to be unneccesarily hurried and attempt to play to galleries is also kept in-check.There are a handful of well written and performed scenes in the film's first half and its also interesting to see Ali turn the whole unfortunate incident on its head and make  into sort of a self-liberation path for its protagonist.AR Rahman woos you with his soundtrack that seamlessly blends with the story.

But film's novelty wears thin post intermission as quite expectedly the romance between protagonists start to sprout up.Though we get used to the pace of the film and it continues to mesmerise visually, the story telling seems to have vanished and believability takes a beating.

We fail to emotionally invest in both these protagonists,especially Hooda whose characters comes off as so underwritten.But despite all these odds Highway does manage to give a calming influence .That coupled by string of competent performances and great music makes Highway worth embracing,atleast in parts.

Rating -- 2.5/5

2013 -- A RECAP

It was an year which surely had its positives for me.In fact I am happy announce that it wasn't one of those numerous lazy years that i have had in my life.The year had a pleasant surprise  in store at the start for me and that undoubtedly is something that I would cherish for my entire life.My first attempt at a short story writing competition fetched me an A grade and it was the first time the writer in me was recognised with a backing of a certificate.I also enjoy all the fun we had during the trip as well.It was probably for the first time in my life I had so much fun with my friends.

A certain sense of optimism rose inside myself and I felt like doing things which I owing to certain fears have refused to do.Thus I made it a point to be a part of the college excursion and except for some pitfalls I was able to make most of the tour and enjoyed the destination and the camaraderie to the hilt.

I took part in almost all the functions that was held in my college and some of them ,specifically the Onam celebration shall have a special place in my heart.The best part of the year was that I was able to create a lot of good company from my college and it was great to interact with a large section of people who share the same taste as that of mine.

As year reached half-way mark.I joined a coaching institute and the classes there urged me to have a good outlook on eveything that surrounds me.Thus I  started paying more attention to the things happening in my society and became more inclined to Politics .

For a reasonably long period of three months I stood completely away from the cyber world and devoted more time to friends around me.It also gave me enough time to develop my reading habits .For first time in my life I was able to completely soak in to the world of literature.

Then came along those short film days,for perhaps the second time in my life I became a part of film-making process.And I have to admit that it was an excellent learning experience.In fact that learning didn't have much to do with the film itself but it gave me an opportunity to witness talent of a bunch of individuals and it also reminded me how far way I was from all of them.It clearly made me aware of my weak-links and I have tried to take back all the positive points from each member of the team.

It was an year where I tried to shed all my intellectual prentensions and tried to be myself.I realised that certain things kept myself away from enjoying my life to the fullest and decided that I would try to let more Joy and Happiness spread my life.

It was also good to stick with family at the year end and go on a tour with them.I also decided to make it a point that i remain more focused the coming year and involve myself more in the family matters and offer a helping hand to my Father and Mother and hopefully waste less of their hard earned money.

The year certainly shall be a landmark year since its in this year that I became completely aware of my strengths and more importantly weaknesses.Looking ahead,I feel that 2014 is going to be a tough grind.Its probably period where I will have to make the most important decisions that eventually decide where i would belong.Hope the experiences that I had this year would enable to guide me through those rough patches and see my life with optimism.

This year was mostly about friendship and bonding for me ,so before winding up I would want to thank all those who have been good to me and stuck with me over thick and thin and taught me many important facets of life.And I also wish to apologise if I have let anyone down

As Munnabhai puts it'Mere man bhi yeh likhkar halka hogaya hai'..:)...Happy New Year everyone..