Review: Patiala House

Verdict: Good!

"K" Rating: 3

Watch: Theater/DVD

Patiala House is a full on family drama with sports and racial discrimination as the backdrop. It sheds light on the fact that often due to prolonged suffering/bitterness racial discrimination victims  turn around to be racists themselves. Sometimes they need a reality check, even if it means standing up to them. Patiala House conveys a strong message to its global NRI audience while exploring the  meaning of patriotism.

Patiala House is about a father-son relationship and "doing what one was born to do". A cricket prodigy Gattu (Akshay Kumar) gives up his sport and dream for his father's false pride. A strict,stubborn patriarch played by Rishi Kapoor who still harbours animosity towards the "goras".The stern "Bauji" reminds one of the likes of Chaudry Baldev Singh in DDLJ and Thakur in Sooryavansham. Together Akshay and Rishi carry the film solely on their shoulders in this formulaic melodrama by Nikhil Advani.

An old proverb says 3rd time is a charm - and it certainly holds true for Comedy King Akshay Kumar, who's last 2 attempts (8x10 Tasveer and Blue) at serious cinema failed at the box office. Akshay is back with Patiala House- his portrayal of restrained emotions, vulnerability and profound sadness are powerful and moving.Anushka Sharma adds freshness even in her chatterbox avatar. However the Anushka-Akshay track comes across as half baked. Dimple Kapadia suits well as the diligent devoted Punjabi housewife  howbeit she has little scope. Ensemble cast of the film is apt but the storyline flounders to develop its characters to be convincing. 

Shankar-Ihsaan-Loy have given memorable music to the film - apart from some hardcore Punjabi Number's like "Laungh da Lashkara",the album also has some soft soulful numbers like "kKyon main Jaagoon"  and "Aaddat Hai Vohi".


On the whole it is an entertaining drama!

Fabulous Feburary

Love is in the air as February is fast approaching. We've got a cross-generational conflict between father and son, a fun love story and a woman's quest to find love with her seven husbands. Here is a list of movies which make it to our list for a "dekho" with good company!

                                                                            February 11th, 2011

Pataila House: Directed by Nikhil Advani, this multi-starrer has Akshay Kumar,Anushka Sherma, Dimple Kapadia,Rishi Kapoor and Prem Chopra as the main performers. With Cicket as the backdrop,this sports drama film is set entirely in the UK.Patiala House is about British-Indian identity and the cross-generational conflict between father and son. Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is already making waves. It is produced by none other than Akshay Kumar's "Hari Om Productions".

                          February 18th, 2011

7 Khoon Maaf:This black comedy-thriller, directed by Vishal Bhardwaj stars Priyanka Chopra in the lead role. It is based on Ruskin Bond's book Sussana's Seven Husbands. The seven men who will be seen in the leading roles are John Abrahim, Nasseruddin Shah, Irfan Khan, Vivaan Shah (Nasseruddin Shah's son), Neil Nitin Mukesh, Annu Kapoor and a Russian Actor  Aleksandr Dyachenko.This will be the second time that Priyanka will be seen in a negative role after her award winning performance in Aitraaz.

                     February 25th, 2011

Tanu Weds Manu: This is a fun rom-com directed by Aanand Rai. It  has Kangana Ranaut as the outspoken,headstrong girl from Kanpur and R.Madhavan the calm, collected doctor from London in search for a bride. Add Jimmy Shergil into the equation and vola! one has an interesting Love triangle. Watch out for this whacky comedy!

Preview: Patiala House

Directed by Nikhil Advani, starring Akshay Kumar and Anushka Sherma this sports drama film is scheduled to release in Feburary 2011. Set in the UK, its about British-Asian identity and the cross-generational conflict between father and son.