Yes...u read it correct...finally we have a BAD movie from Mani Ratnam. One of the accomplished directors, with an illustrious career comprising of movies like NAYAGAN, , KANNATHIL MUTTHAMITTIL, DIL SE (Yes..i found it engaging ..enough!!) and the more recent ones YUVA and GURU. I've been observing this for the past two years that all the BIG film-makers are having a tough time making movies that correspond to their reputation. Most of them were duds. Take..for that matter Ashutosh Gowariker, Rakeysh Mehra, Raju Hirani, and now the latest addition to the list the perfectonist
Mani Ratnam !!
The film opens with an audacious opening scene where Ragini (Ash Rai-Bachchan) is kidnapped. That was it...the last best thing about the movie. AB Jr has the potential, that Ratnam sees in him, But this is ones just bad writing, no character development for neither of the lead actors. Ash has to look beautiful (Bloody beautiful ...!!), indulge herself in some adventure sports and scream every time she regains consciousness. Vikram is wasted in a role that could've been so much more,(he was more frightening than Beera. Credit to him for that). AB Jr could not do much because of his half-baked role. His is a case of missed opportunity. Beera could've very well become the new GABBAR SINGH or LANGDA TYAGI...but instead he is nothing but a re-done avatar of (his Yuva-character) Lallan singh !! He lacks the sinister-charm to fright u .. everytime he is on screen (that too is the writer (Ratnam's) fault) .From the supporting cast Govinda, Nikhil Dwiwedi and Ravi Kishen do their best with what they have, adding some spice to the brain-dead lines.
The photography is very good. Internationally acclaimed technicians Santosh Sivan and V. Manikandan do a splendid job to make sure that the audience don't leave the movie midway and atleast watch it for the eye-watering scenic beauty. Art Director Samir Chanda puts up some extra-ordinary sets in the forest (deserves recognition !!).
The Music is haunting and fun at the same time. ARR does experiment (as always !!) for some western- cum-african background orchestration. "Jaa re...udh jaa re..." is one of the classics of the year and the accordion will haunt u even after u come out of the theatres. The picturisation of the songs are fresh, even though the narrative does not completely convince us for its necessity.
I won't delve any deeper for the rest of the movie, because its just plain BAD !! But...all hope is not lost. Sometimes even Sachin gets out for a duck. Its just one of the bad days for Mani, which i'm sure he'll overcome. Expecting LOTS of good cinema from u Mani .....
My rating: *
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