Review of Phantom

Watch the trailor here

Mumbai 28th Aug 2015(Sana Sayed): A Phantom-like vigilante is surreptitiously chosen by RAW officers to bring the perpetrators of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks to book.

A shamed army officer, Daniyal Khan (Saif) is living a life of anonymity. Court-martialed because evidence points out that he was not with his team when the enemy attacked, he yearns to earn his stripes back. As it so happens, there is a covert intelligence group, who is seething that the Centre has not been able to avenge the 26/11 Mumbai carnage.

They know permissions from official quarters will not come. So, they just take it upon themselves to launch a `punish-those-terrorists' movement. After all, like one young officer (Zeeshan Ayub) says, 10 audacious guys from across the border did bring Mumbai to her knees on that fateful night in 2008, killing 166 people.

So Daniyal is despatched across continents to find the fanatic four who plotted 26/11. They even whisper to him that, he can `accidentally' kill.

As court-martial led soldier Daniyal, Khan takes the idea of a game face to a whole new level. For all of 147 minutes, he sports precisely one expression, give or take some make up and facial hair. He doesn't move as much as lumber, he is thoroughly indiscreet and everywhere he goes, he sticks out like a sore thumb. If this was because of his good looks, we'd forgive it. But Khan spends the entire film looking both awkward and impassive, as though he's got a hangover and is doing his best to block out the headache.

One can't help but feel that there was hope and a prayer governing the decision to name Katrina Kaif's character Nawaz in Phantom. Sadly, those prayers were not answered. Almost sharing a name with Nawazuddin Siddiqui doesn't ensure the transference of his acting ability. Compared to Khan's one expression, Kaif has none. Whether she's crying over lives lost or reminiscing about having tea at the Taj Mahal Hotel, there's not a hint of emotion to mar her perfect complexion and gorgeous features.

As cinema, this thriller is over-simplified, though the gloss adds to the large-screen appeal. Saif is adept; Kat is pretty appealing (pun on the pretty because her make-up is intact even in the battlefield). Zeeshan and his jingoism in the climax gives you that proud-India moment. And, if you're still licking the wounds of that senseless Mumbai massacre, then Phantom is the balm you should reach out for.

PHANTOM RAISES A TOAST TO THE ANONYMOUS INDIAN BRAVE HEART

Review of Brothers

Watch the trailor here

OK

Mumbai 14th Aug 2015(Sana Sayed): Everything about the movie is special and is a visual treat, especially the second half. Audience are turly enjoying Sid and Akshay’s fight scenes. They are too composed with the film and can’t forget the scenes between David and Monty.

'Brothers', an official remake of the 2011 film, 'Warrior', is about the Fernandes family that loves a special kind of sport, Mixed Martial Arts. And as we know by now, this sport means no stopping at anything when it comes to beating your opponent to a fine pulp. So no prizes for guessing what the always frowning Fernandes' do to fill their free time or whenever they are in need some extra cash.

Gary Fernandes (Jackie Shroff) is an excellent street fighter but a terrible family man and alcoholism is his problem. His long suffering wife Maria (Shefali Shah) is trying to raise the sons David (Akshay Kumar) and Monty (Sidharth Malhotra) almost single handedly. Tragedy strikes and Gary is sent behind bars. David is estranged from his brother.

Now all grown up, David is a school teacher married to Jenny (Jacqueline Fernandes) and struggling to bear the hospital expenses of his ailing six year old daughter. He wants to get back to street fighting, while Monty is already a sort of a champ in the field. The first half of the film is an emotional narration of the background story, explaining why the three men share such a passionate love hate relationship.

There are some moving scenes, like the one where Gary comes to ask David for forgiveness and manages to catch a glimpse of his grand-daughter for the first time. Or the one where younger David welcomes Monty into their home. The one scene at the graveyard is quite memorable too. But surprisingly consistency is an issue here as some other scenes come packed with a heavy dose of melodrama, lack logic and move at a painfully slow pace. The second half is where all the action literally is. The two brothers vie for the MMA championship and end up facing each other in the ring at one point, ending in a fantastic finale.

The film actually belongs to the two brothers. Akshay Kumar and Sidharth Malhotra have literally put their blood and sweat into the characters they play. A well-deserved applause for these two actors, who not only look convincing as brothers but also as the mean machines that they turn out to be. Action is a familiar ground for Akshay, but even off the ring he plays the role of a helpless father and helpless son effortlessly.

Sidharth goes about doing his job with a lot of sincerity and dedication. Even when he is not fighting, he is subtle and discerning as he plays wronged son, who's outwardly quiet but with a lot of rage inside him. Jackie Shroff is excellent in parts, but tends to go a tad overboard in some parts. But overall a good, endearing performance.

Jumping jack-queline (watch the film to know why) is pleasant to look at and does best of her limited role. The trying-hard-to-look-important Kiran Kumar (who plays Peter Braganza, a former MMA champ), the commentator-with-verbal-diarrhea-but-making-absolutely-no-sense Raj Zutshi etc. get in the way. A background score with lower decibel levels and smarter dialogues might have made this a better film. But still a good one time watch, especially if you are a fight junkie.

Even many Bollywood Celebrities are sharing their positive views. Jacqueline Fernandez hasn’t had much to play in this flick. It was purely the trio’s show. Yeah, this film belongs to Jacky Shroff, Sid and Akshay. The climax is something you shouldn’t miss. Sid and Akshay as Monty and David, exchanging blows is just too heart touching and you will feel the pain too.

On the whole, Brothers has won the audience hearts and kudos to Karan Malhotra and Karan Johar. So folks stop reading the review and take a look at the rating and just rush to the theaters to watch this masterpiece.

Pulkit Samrat to be seen with Ajay Devgn and Shruti Hasaan in BAADSHAHO

Bhushan Kumar and Milna Luthira’s joint production
Baadshaho starring Ajay Devgn and Shruti Hassan releases on 25^th March 2016.

Mumbai 8th Aug 2015(Sana Sayed): Pulkit Samrat will be seen next in Ajay Devgn’s next movie Baadshaho.  The film will be directed by Milan Luthria starring Shruti Haasan and Ajay Devgn in lead roles.

What we hear is that, his role is going to be an interesting and a powerful one. The film will go on floors this September.

CONTACT US:

Saba News and Views

Sana Sayed

Madina Clinic

Near Madina Masjid

M.G.Road , Sion 

Mumbai  400017.

Mob. 9769853496 /9324322009.

Team “Rambhajjan Zindabaad” enjoys an Iftar party

Mumbai 13^th jul 2015(Sana Sayed): Producer Khalid Kidwai';s upcoming film “Rambhajjan Zindabaad” is a fun riot. A glimpse of the fun was witnessed recently as the talented team of the film came together for a grand Iftar party. As the ongoing pious month of Ramadan reaches its last phase the makers of “Rambhajjan Zindabaad”  decided to through a lavish iftar party. The party held on 10^th of July saw many renowned personalities of the tinsel town. Zakir Husain, Abhay Joshi, Ram Sethi, Tanisha Singh among others were spotted at this iftar party and some renowned artists moved earlier.

The film starring veteran actors Om puri, Kulbhushan kharbanda, Jagdeep along side other character actors Abhay Joshi, Zakir hussain, Ram Sethi, Khushboo Kkamal  is currently under post production and is all set to release in end of September this year.

Producer Khalid kidwai also took this occasion as a platform to announce the next film venture from his production house Atlantic Adventure Limited “Mr. Buddhoo” which is currently in the pipeline. “Mr. Buddhoo” Stars national award winning actor Rajkumar Rao, Rituparna Sengupta. The film also has yesteryear  actor Jagdeep, Zakir hussain and actress Tanisha singh in pivotal roles. It will be directed by Dinesh Chandra Mishra.