Tamasha – Failed theatrical attempt of exploring love – Not for everyone

It is one of those annoying movies in which everything would be just fine if the director would have been able to convey his message and lead characters to talk to each peacefully in the simple manner that touches the audience. However, then, there would be no movie – although, in retrospect, that might not be such a bad thing, if this movie has not been created. This is a film in which the deep pain of the protagonist is constantly suggested but only spoken near the end of the story. “Tamasha” actors and locations look beautiful, thanks to the cinematography, but the sleek exteriors cannot make up for the shallow storytelling. I can only presume that there was something about this particular story that grabbed Imtiaz Ali and inspired him to make a movie, but whatever it was, he has utterly failed to convey the message and hold the audience.  Director does offer some artful touches and beautiful location and unassumingly beautiful Deepika with the flawed screenplay.

The whole point of "Tamasha”  is that if you are living a life that is completely different than what u truly like then u needs to change and listen your so called “inner voice.”  Such a brilliant concept but Imatiaz Ali’s writer lets him down by delivering the lowest ever performance and Ranvir, and Deepika’s acting will not be able to save this movie disaster.  Both main characters of the film meet at a beautiful location named “Corsica” where Ranbir is spending a holiday and behaves entirely different than his routine life. When they came back to India and mediocre daily life starts ..! This is not what our heroine wants.!

Imtiaz’s heroes are fundamentally different in all his movies. Whether it was Abhay deol in Socha Na Tha, Shahid Kapoor in Jab We Met, Randeep Hooda in Highway or Ranbir in Rockstar, these are not heroes that we see in “YashRaj or Rajshari productions or romantics chocolate hero. However, here Imatiaz comes with the more awkward hero of all time and who is bored with routine-life and nothing much to do than routine life and unable to stuck a chord with the audience.

Tamasha is a cheerless drama where the lead character is struggling to find his inner self.  The reason so many romantic movies fail is that they are micro-managed to the point of madness. Here, the director wants to see Ranbir’s inner battle with his behavior and those dance sequences and he fails completely. The audience wants something that should be like the light that makes them smile and not something makes them feel awkward and bored completely. Director does well in patches and Ranbir and Deepika’ s acting is the positive points for this movie.

Other points are screenplay consists of many sequences that are used to convey darkest emotions does not appeal audience neither it displays any creativity. There is a moment where the audience feels what is the director wants to convey? . Ranbir’s transition of his polite boy to his real inner self who is more outspoken and weird or naughty is tough to handle for the audience. A movie is a couple of hours of air conditioning experience in theater, nothing more. 

To be fair, there are a couple of funny lines here and there But for every sensitive element there are many others that are heavy-handed or cringe-inducing, including some painfully on-the-nose musical selections. Moreover, what a disgraceful waste of a potentially dynamic movie couples, ( Ranbir and Deepika) who actually offer the only reason to sit through such a subpar soapy affair. If you attend "Tamasha" despite these warnings, just be prepared to leave with a look of disdain.

This movie is mainly for deep thinkers and not for everyone who is just looking for pure entertainment and fun. 

Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (KKG) - Perfectly crafted, fascinating musical fiction

Katyar Kaljat Ghusali  (KKG) is an excellent Marathi movie adopted from a musical Marathi play named the same.  It is perfectly crafted, intelligently constructed, strongly acted and fascinating experience. This is one of those films that changes the course way people think about adopting the Marathi drama. This is one of the most beautifully directed screenplay that grips you with an engaging storyline. Overall, you do not watch KKG, but you experience it.

I thought it is a film of big fictional ideas and remarkable discipline of characters. Good characters behave with values till the end, and evil character gives up only in the last few minutes. I am deeply impressed by Subodh Bhave’s work, even though this is his first film as director,  he manages to establish himself among the best filmmakers currently working at the top.

On the surface, this is a story between two musical giants or Gharanas during the British era when artists used to survive due to King’s support. Two musical maestros are played by Shankar Mahadevan and Sachin. While Shankar’s Panditji belongs to maharshtrian classic music Gharana. Sachin’s “Khansaheb” belongs to the Mughal Miraj Gharana. These two Gharanas are shown in a confrontation with each other. Khansaheb gets jealous after he loses 13 years continuously to Shankar Mahadevan. His wife plays a role in a conspiracy to get rid of the voice of Shankar Mahadevan and story goes forward and adds the flavor of revenge. Sakhi Tanwar plays as the wife of KhanSaheb and her first Marathi role, and she does her best. Subhod Bhave makes a late entry into the film before the interval but changes the course of the film. The message of the film is that music should be used to spread love, and it should not be used to gain power and positions. I am not reveling the plot as I want you to see the film.

The magnificent acting of Sachin, Shankar M., and Subodh Bhave binds the film together. The roles of daughters of both singers are played by Mrunmayee Deshpande and Amruta Khanvilkar, and they manage to create a most innocent bond that audience can believe.

The most vital factor is script and the adoption of Natya music. The songs are literate and beloved; some romantic, some comic, some surprisingly philosophical, every single one wonderful. The carefully drafted script and visually spectacular experience makes this movie as best Marathi movie in this year. The film as many songs but all songs is relative and takes the movie story forward. Even if you are not a classic music lover still music grips you with its lyrics.

In the last, in a heart-thumping sequence that reminds us Director Bhave, is one of the best in managing the emotional sequences with the support from his scriptwriter and actors.  Bhave and his cinematographer does some excellent callbacks like when fireflies come along listening to Shankar’s voice. The Graphics of “Kattyar where it goes into water and come-up” is new to Marathi films. Although this is a stellar adaptation in every respect,  filled with vibrant small roles for excellent character actors and instilling two love stories with their own very different feels. One is Subodh’s ( Character Name – Sadashiv)  love for music and his guru, and another is Mrunmayee’s love for Subodh. The fiction-based KKG  is a suspenseful yet thoughtful musical story, which holds the audience throughout.

This is very near to a perfect film. Apart from the wonders of its words and music, KKG is a visual triumph as well.

I strongly recommend this film to everyone and rate this as 4.5  out 5.