Movies:Best of 2011

If you thought Hindi Cinema was just about love stories and dancing around trees, then the releases of 2011, will definitely force you to think again. The year brought on celluloid some brilliant stories and showcased the gamut of talent we have. I would call it the "coming of age" year of sorts - where some movies with thier content, acting, cinematography and graphics competed with Hollywood. Also, 2011 marked the debut of 3D Bollywood films! Here is a list of the top 10 movies of 2011 in the order they were released.

No One Killed Jessica:Inspired by the infamous Jessica Lal murder case of Delhi, this film stars Vidya Balan and Rani Mukherjee in lead roles. Vidya plays Jessica’s sister and Rani portrays a fearless reporter who wants justice. This docu-drama is sensible, sensitive,in your face and thought provoking. 

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Tanu Weds Manu: Rustic and bucolic in its feel, this rom-com is lighthearted with the right amount of drama,action and one-liners. Even though the audience has a clear idea on how the movie will end, it still keeps the audience engrossed,entertained and amused.You will fall in love with this one.

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Pyaar ka Punchnama: It is battle of the sexes in this young, hip movie which stars a host of new faces portraying a variety of identifiable characters. It explores the clichés attached to the genders or gender type-casting in its storyline. Pyaar Ka Punchnama was the surprise package of the year and a definite must watch for the youth!!

Zindagi Naa Milegi Dobara: Watch three friends embark on an once-in-a-lifetime journey to Spain - indulging in some extreme sports while there.Fresh, Fun, Full of witty one-line breathe fresh air to the age old "sseize the moment" philosophy depicted in this movie. The films has Hrithik Roshan,Abhay Deol, Farhan Akhtar and Katrina Kaif in the leads and has some breathtaking cinematography.

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Singham: If action-comedy is your forte, then the Tamil remake Singham does the trick. Ajay Devgn plays the though cop unafraid to do some breathtaking stunts and Prakash Raj does justice as the egoistic comic-villain. The storyline is tight and plays up village ethics and value systems as apposed to the convoluted city ideals. Unlike recent remakes, it does not have boorish language nor any gruesome violence sequences - giving it a mass appeal. 

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Ra.One: is Bollywood's first full fledged sci-fi adventure flick. It marks the onset of India’s new superhero G.One played by none other than Shahrukh Khan. Kareena Kapoor plays the "Chammak Challo" and Arjun Rampal plays the Raavan aka Ra.One. Released during Diwali time, it has an apt story of restoring the reign of good over evil in the world.The film has three versions -Tamil, Telegu and Hindi. Available in 3D

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Desi Boyz: join this mad comedy ride with the two hunks - Akshay Kumar and John Abrahim who take to being male escorts in London, when hit by recession. Add Deepika Padukone and Chitrangna Singh to the equation and the mercury starts soaring. Desi Boyz is perhaps the best comedy flick of the year directed by David Dhawan's son Rohit Dhawan.

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Bodyguard: starring noneother than Salmaan Khan as the Bodyguard of Kareena Kapoor this is an action-comedy. Salmaan returns after Ready in top form with some memorable one-liners. The storyline has something new to offer and the chemistry between the protagonists is smoking hot!
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The Dirty Picture: Film is the biographical account of southern siren Silk Smitha. Her rise to stardom and her ultimate tragic downfall.Viday Balan's unapologetic portrayal of the sex-symbol is commendable. The Dirty Picture has it all - plunging necklines, dumpy hemlines, crassness aglore. However the intentional indecency is supported by a decent, touching storyline so the skin-show doesn't come across as sheer shameless sleaze.Click here to read complete review 

Don-2: Stylish in its look, this action-thriller sequel takes the story forward of the indisputable Don played by none other than Shahrukh Khan. Lara Dutta and Priyanka Chopra add oodles of Oomph to the movie.Witty dialogues, stunning locales, greedy henchmen and some gut wrenching stunts are the USP of the film along with the ruthless, greedy Don. Available in 3D.

Other films which deserve a special mention are the films  Ready which along with Bodyguard set the box office ringing, starring one of the most bankable stars of the industry Salmaan Khan. An art house film which made its way to commercial audience and won appreciation was Aamir Khan's Dhobi Ghat. Ranbir Kapoor proved he is rightfully the heir of Raj Kapoor in his acting talent as showcased in the film Rockstar. If you are a die hard Amitabh Bachchan fan then watch him spoof his own movies in the light hearted action-comedy flick Bhuddah hoga..tera Baap. What a year 2011 has been, with these movies, its a wrap!

Review: Dhobi Ghat

Verdict: Art house cinema/acquired taste

"K" Rating: 3

Watch: DVD

Dhobi Ghat is aptly also called Mumbai Diaries.This film marks the directorial debut of Kiran Rao (Aamir Kha's wife). Dhobi Ghat is poetry on celluloid, an ode to the city of Mumbai by Kiran. It is not your typical Bollywood flick, and marks the beginning of the no-interval movie trend in India. 

It will invoke 2 reactions - coming out of the theater vocally trashing it or walking out reflecting. Hence, it falls into the category of Art-house cinema, one will need to have the mind-set/taste or patience for this movie.

Debutant Monica Dogre is apt as the NRI on a sabbatical in Mumbai. Pratiek Babbar is outstanding as munna - a dhobi by profession.Aamir befits the character of a recluse painter with debutant Kirti Malhotra as his digital muse. And the most important character of them all - the city of Mumbai which grows on its inhabitants as it influences and shapes their lives.A city teeming with migrant workers, struggler, bustling life at every corner be it the high-raised plush homes or the slums. 

 Dhobi Ghat explores human behavior of love, attachment, curiosity,escapism and the constant struggle for survival in hope for a better tomorrow.There are subtle reminders of the class conscious Indian society beautifully shown in the movie like when Shai (an NRI) invites a Dhoobi in for chai, her disapproving maid serves tea in a nice cup and a glass - befitting their social status. 

The background score by the Academy Award winner music director Gustavo Santaolalla is outstanding. It adds depth to the movie and its characters.

Dhobi Ghat definitely caters to the multiplex audience.It creates a calmness in the air and leaves the audience soaked in it as they walk out of the theater into the hustle-bustle of the city they live in.

Jubliant January 2011

2011 is already here! Wow! We hope that this year would be filmastic for the stars, the audience and the box office. Looking at the release lineup of January, the year ahead definitely looks promising. We have two thought provoking films coupled with an equal number of romantic comedies. Here is a look at the movies that made it to our must-watch list:

                                                              January 7th, 2011

 No One killed Jessica

•  Inspired by the infamous Jessica Lal murder case of Delhi, this film stars Vidya Balan and Rani Mukherjee in lead roles. Vidya plays Jessica’s sister and Rani portrays fearless reporter who wants justice.Music is by none other than Amit Trivadi who also provided music for Dev D.The promos look very appealing, promising and thought provoking. A must see!

                    January 14th, 2011
                                                   Yamla Pagla Deewana

      The Deols are back together in a comedy flick after Apne. Sunny Deol plays an NRI returning to Punjab, who is welcomed by two con men played by Dharmendra and Bobby Deol. The title is inspired by a song from the 1975 Dharmendra film Pratiggya. Music is Punjabi-Hiphop-ish, foot tapping – thanks to the 6 music directors who have composed for YPD. This one definitely promises to be a laugh riot.

                   January 21st , 2011

Dhobi Ghat

This film marks the directorial debut of Kiran Rao (Aamir Khan’s wife). It tells the tale of Mumbai city thru the lives of its protagonists. Produced by Aamir Khan, it stars Prateek Babbar and Aamir Khan as well as some new faces. The music of the film is produced by the Argentinean music director Gustavo Santaolalla (Brokeback Mountain/Babel fame). Dhobi Ghat already premiered at Toronto FilmFestival in September 2010, however, it will be commercially released on January 21st, 2011.

                            January 28th, 2011

                                                                                       Dil Toh Baccha Hai  
 After the success of his serious cinema, Madhur Bhandarkar tries his hand on a rom-com with Dil Toh Bachha Hai ji. It stars Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi and Omi Vaidya (3 idiots fame). The female leads are Shruti Hassan (Kamal Hassan’s daughter) Shazahn Padamsee and Tisca Chopra. The title of the film has been taken from the 2010 hit film Ishqiya. Pritam provides the music for the film.