As it often happens with me, an accidental find is sometimes a gem that you wish someone else had alerted you about. Not long ago, I came across "I am Kalaam", a Hindi movie about role models, being inspired and overcoming the odds. Frankly, any movie that has the name of the former President of India in its title and features him as a source of inspiration, better be good. And it does meet such expectations. Especially since the protagonist in the story is a young boy, played in carefree abandon and impishness by Harsh Mayar. There's another recipe for a successful movie for you. A child who can light up the screen with a smile even in the dreariest of surroundings.

There is something about watching an underdog triumph that makes us stand and cheer. The formula has been repeated innumerable times, yet it never fails to inspire (unless of course, the movie is terribly made). 'I am Kalaam revolves' around Chhotu (Harsh Mayar) who leaves his home to work at a roadside eatery to help his family earn a living. During the early part of the movie you get the feeling that Chhotu is destined for something bigger given the ease with which he learns to handle things at the eatery. His desire to learn and excel is reflected in the fleeting interactions he has with the customers as well (trying to learn salutations in different languages). A winning scene is when he learns to make chai just like the owner Bhatti (played by Gulshan Grover to perfection. It cleansed away years of images of him portraying nasty guys) after watching him do it a few times.

Chhotu's spark to learn turns to a blaze when one day he watches president APJ Abdul Kalaam on a tiny television screen accepting salutes during the Repulic Day parade. The words that the president speaks resonate with him and he realizes that nothing is impossible (all of us who have heard the president speak are familiar with his skills of oratory persuasion). Chhotu christens himself 'Kalaam' and decides to better his lot.

Things take an interesting turn when Chhotu comes across Kunver Ranvijay Singh, a kid much like him with a royal family background. The two develop a symbiotic friendship hidden from those who frown on inter-class mingling. Ranvijay with a shielded childhood, yearns to be carefree like Chhotu and Chhotu in turn  marvels at the books and toys that Ranvijay has, wants to know more about his school and also helps him with his schoolwork. The two spend increasing time together in the charming countryside, learning from each other and often wondering about the inexplicable rules set by the adults.

Throw in some some good music (the impromptu jam session at the Dhabba , boyish pranks, a few dramatic scenes, Bhatti's forlorn love for a gori, and a slightly Bollywood-esque ending and you have a highly enjoyable family film. For those on the fence, if you enjoyed Chillar Party, then 'I am Kalaam' is bound to strike a chord with you.

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I am a huge fan of Shahrukh Khan's Don. In fact, I liked it even better than Amitabh's original Don. OK…Alright.....Amitabh fans…don't go ballistic on me. Amitabh’s Don was a great movie for its times. But to me, Shahrukh’s Don is the perfect package! A totally engrossing story adapted and modified to suit modern tastes and expectations. Narrated in an amazingly slick and modern fashion by the very capable director Farhan Akhtar. Shahrukh's impossibly charismatic Don haunts you in every frame. And the catchy, foot tapping music and fast paced action complete the package.

Watch Don (Free) on YouTube. See the link below.

Obviously, I have been looking forward to the release of Don 2. The promos look amazing and I can’t get enough of the 'Don Says' snippets. The reality was a little different than my expectations though. Shahrukh Khan is still mind blowing as Don, but the story itself leaves so much to be desired. Also, a crisper screenplay would definitely have helped the cause. Farhan Akhtar does a decent job of directing the film but I wouldn’t put this one in the same league as Dil Chahta Hai or Don. The supporting cast appears to be there just because of the demand of the script. I was surprised that even accomplished actors like Boman Irani (Vardhaan) and Om Puri (Malik) leave no mark on the audience. Priyanka Chopra as Roma is totally ineffective. Her role is minimal and her look/make-up is disastrous. In fact, all through the movie I kept thinking about who would be a better fit as Roma, the Junglee Billi. Maybe Kareena Kapoor or Deepika Padukone? Or even Sushmita Sen……as a friend pointed out later. In contrast, I liked Lara Dutta in her almost non-existent role as Ayesha, Don’s girlfriend. She looks glamorous. The music is forgettable, the only saving grace being ‘Zara Dil Ko Thaam Lo’.

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So, what’s the story? Well, the protagonist Don (Shahrukh Khan), establishes his supremacy in the Asian underworld. Now he wants to rule Europe. So he comes up with a complex plan of looting the currency printing plates from a German bank. He enlists the support of Vardhaan (Boman Irani), Jabbar (Nawab Shah), Sameer Ali (Kunal Kapoor), J.K. Diwan (Aly Khan) and Ayesha (Lara Dutta) to carry out the plan. Malik (Om Puri) and Roma (Priyanka Chopra), an Interpol detective are closely following his case. Are they successful with the plan? What unfolds during the bank robbery and how does it end? 

All in all, Don 2 is a one time ‘dekho’. Watch it mainly for Shahrukh’s performance and the overall look and feel of the movie. I do recommend that you watch ‘Don – The Chase Begins Again’ beforehand. It will give you a sense of continuity and also a comparison point. If I had to summarize Don 2 in a sentence, I would definitely say that it is Shahrukh Khan’s movie through and through. Yes, the King is back!!

Watch Don (Free) on YouTube

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I have a confession to make; I love chick flicks and have read the entire Twilight series. So here's an action movie review from a chick flick loving chick.


We want all the batsmen of the Indian cricket team to score a century in every match, we want all the Indian bowlers to throw maiden overs all the time. India, get real, such dream matches happen only once in a while. All that matters is whether India wins the match.
The same goes with cinema. We want all the movies to be perfect. The story, the acting, the songs, the dance, the editing, the photography, everything to be perfect. Such movies are made only once in while. All that matters is whether the movie is entertaining and paisa-vasool?

Pawan Kalyan's Panjaa is good entertaining paisa vasool movie. I think the movie got unfair reviews; I think it is a total paisa vasool movie and I liked it. Pawan Kalyan is so stylish in the movie, I loved his bearded avatar. Whoever, picked his costume, did well. I loved his stylish layering of shirt, sweater, blazer and the cool sun glasses. His acting was the backbone for the movie and he delivered a restrained performance as demanded by the character.

Tanikella Bharani, Jackie Shroff and Atul Kulkarni, the seasoned actors that they are, gave a competent performance. Sesh Adavi was the surprise and did noticeably good. The heroine of the film Sarah Jane looked pretty and reminded me of young Moonmoon Sen.The story was predictable but gave the movie a good pace. Brahmanandam's comedy gave the usual comic relief and the actor has definitely carved a niche for himself. The background score was excellent, the music for Pawan Kalyan's character beats SRK's Don. Excellent camera work, loved Kolkata through the lens, the old Kolkata with the narrow lanes, the yellow ambassador taxis, the tram, Howrah bridge, Vidyasagar Setu and the Victoria memorial.Though I have to mention, the hustle and bustle of Kolkata residents was missing. The village was captured equally well. The scene with Chiranjeevi's poster and Pawan Kalyan was heart warming while not showing more of Pawan Kalyan's dancing talents was truly missed.

The one scene that really bothered me in the movie was showing the gruesome murder of the character Jahnavi. Personally, I find showing violence against women very unsettling.

Bollywood is always lifting movies from the south and repackaging them into hits like Bodyguard and Singham. I find a Rohit Shetty style Singham-Panjaa or a Govind Nihalani style Thakshak-Panjaa written all over Panjaa. Some crisp editing, less fiery pyretic and more superhuman Singham style action, polishing the rough edges on storyline and new set of songs under another director and there will be yet another repackaged Bollywood hit.

All in all, Pawan Kalyan wins the match for Panjaa.He delivers the film; it is an entertaining film and worth a watch.