Monday, March 21, 2011

'Ishquiya' and more Manoj ... Clinton, Priyanka G and others.




































Here's the much delayed 'Ishquiya' review....

A case of freak Bollywood casting….

I watched ‘Ishquiya’ last night ( yes, I know…. I am guilty of being way behind schedule on this one!), and I thought to myself, there are two kinds of male stars in Bollywood, just two – star sons … and the others. If you are not a star bachcha or bhaanja, your chances of making it to the big league are discouraging, if not downright dismal. Look at Arshad Warsi in ‘Ishquiya’ ( and earlier in ‘Munnabhai’, of course). The guy has what it takes in terms of macho, good looks as well as prodigous talent. He is red- hot sexy in ‘Ishquiya’ and it is obvious what Vidya Balan’s character sees in him – pure testosterone. The scene in which she nicks his thumb with a knife and then sticks it into her own mouth to suck on it, is so erotically charged, it beats Munni’s and Sheela’s jhatkas hollow. I don’t know whether it’s the surma in Arshad’s eyes ( a bandit from Bihar wearing blue lenses and electric blue eyeliner? Sab chalta hai in Bollywood, boss), or his daredevil attitude – but it works big time. Compare his rugged masculinity to the sissy, chocolate boy looks of the star- sons ruling the roost – those milk sop, namby- pamby mama’s boys who can’t say ‘boo’ to a goose. And look at Warsi in this particular role… even when the heroine isn’t sucking his thumb provocatively, kissing him passionately or rolling around in bed with him after a raunchy dance number. This guy delivers big time… and that isn’t easy when an actor is pitted against veteran Naseeruddin Shah…. yes, even for the luscious lady’s attention. He gets the best line in the movie when he points out to Naseeruddin that what he (Shah) feels for Vidya is called ‘ishq’, but his own ‘ishq’ for her is dismissed as sex!
As a Bhardwaj movie, I was pretty disappointed with the award-winning ‘Ishquiya’. It was way too glossy, for one. And had the look and feel of a well produced television serial set in the badlands of India. Most of the characters were pretty one-dimensional. And it wasn’t clear whether the director wanted to make a rom-com, a comic caper, or a strong, statement film. By casting Vidya against type, Vishal made his boldest move. And on her part, Vidya was wow! Those tantalizing backless cholis, and the carefully disheveled hair… the kohl-lined eyes and nude lipsticked mouth! But more than all of that, her uninhibited, sexually charged performance in which she plays one man against another with such ease, and makes complete lattoos out of the lot, has the audience panting for more. Since this is a movie more about sexual politics than gang wars, kidnappings and caste equations, Vidya is the one person who holds it all together. Also, the cheeky kid who plays Nandu , the teen Thakur who is trained to handle guns and kill on sight, is a terrific find. She has certainly come into her own with two outstanding performances within a span of a few months (“Nobody Killed Jessica,” being the other one). Vidya, like Arshad , is an ‘outsider’ who is not a pampered, superficial, anorexic star daughter . She doesn’t need to bitch out co-stars, nor flash her designer labels ( can these ladies spell ‘Prada’?) to attract attention. Vidya is far too refined for such cheap stunts. Yet, she is right up there , giving a run for their money to all those clotheshorses with zero talent but loads of attitude. Vidya could become an iconic, superstar – like Vyjayanthimala before her. I will not say Hema Malini or Sridevi, who lack Vidya’s histrionic depth and range . Will Arshad and Vidya team up again? No chance! ‘Ishquiya’ was a freak case of inspired, brilliant casting. After its stupendous success, it will be business as usual for these two – more commercial Bollywood junk. Pity!








21 comments:

Anonymous said...

Chaudvin Ka Chand Ho, Ya Aaftaab Ho..

Pooja Rathore said...

Pictures are good i liked priyanka's ,sush, vidya also madhuri and Mr nene.
I have not watched ishquiya wil watch and tell my views. your review is in depth liked it.I heard ishquiya 2 is in the making.

Neha said...

Vidya and Sush are looking amazing! Great shots!

And you are right, Arshad Warsi is a great actor, but then the industry is too fixed on star sons and daughters to give such talented ones good and meaty roles.

Another Kiran In NYC said...

Yaar Nepotism IS Indian Culture.

It is not about "known name ke bina piccchur nahi chalegi". It is about Nepotism.

Nuff said.

Have not seen Ishqiya yet, but will do on your recommendation.

Saw a brilliant film called "The Pool". Nana Patekar stars with completely unknown, debutant actors. Thought provoking and very good.

चंद्रमौलेश्वर प्रसाद said...

`sexually charged performance in which she plays one man against another with such ease, and makes complete lattoos out of the lot,...'

Does it needs histrionics of Vidya... any woman would do it :)

Divya (Virmani) Chadda said...

The best review I could have possibly read for Ishqiya. I absolutely adored the film and totally agree on their solid and bold performances. Without a doubt, the thumb sucking scene takes your breath away. The lady has some substance. I still remember her very first performance in Parineeta. Mind-boggling, I must say... One of the best movies made in Bollywood. Bhardwaj is the man! Don't forget Omkara... Johar's and Chopra's should get some film training from the Man!

On a side note, great clicks. It's always a delight to see Madhuri...she's so natural. Gosh, I adore her and envy her dancing skills. LOL... :)

Madhu said...

I liked Ishqiya. I had some trouble understanding the language but it was easy with the sub titles. BTW, I am quite surprised that you didnt see this movie for so long, considering Vidya won so many awards for her role.

Gaurav said...

Did you say Sridevi lacks depth and range in acting?...really?..well, we dont think so!..this statement was a blunder from you!...how could you club her and Hema Malini together?...Just watch 'Khuda Gawah' or 'Gumraah'!...her style is different, but she is probably the best actress in India...I hope, an apology for your ill considered remarks, is in line...

Kaleidoscope said...

It was not a Vishal Bhardwaj film as a director. Director was Abhishek Chaubey.

hamaarethoughts.com said...

Hema malini was a star at her time..amazing roles and great performances..Vidya can never be in her shoes...and sri devi you cannot compare to Hema malini or Rekha...
they are all different and brillant actresses...Vidya balan has yet to prove!
its my personal opinion..

goodluck said...

Vidya is an interesting actress. As for thumb sucking, Navin Nischol did that in Aastha, a Rekha starrer. Arshad Warshi is really good. It is better he reamins in that slot of occasional interesting roles than becoming a boring one dimensional star. Navin Nischol belongs to your time. Dont you have any fond memories of him or his films? Many love his gentle sophistication. Who can say all Delhi boys are rude?

Tsomo85 said...

I've been looking forward to see Ishqiya after it has won so many awards. Vidya and my old time fav fav Vyjantimala does belong to same type of category. And love almost all of their films. Infect sometimes I get amazed by Vyjantimala's acting skill & love the way she dance & wears her sari. But I'm also big big fan of Sridevi & her crazy roles in films. She does it so well. About Hema Malini, she is the dream girl & nobody can beat up her beauty queen image! hehe

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Buzzintown Blogger said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
srijithunni said...

Hema Malini, is definitely not a great actress, but Vidya Balan is definitely not a greater actress than Sridevi. Vidya had a dream role of 'Shobhana`s' from the original of Bhool Bhulaiya, but she screwed it up pretty bad.!

I guess I can understand you are gauging Sridevi's abilities by her Hindi Movies alone. She has delivered some awe-inspiring performances in Tamil and Malayalam movies.

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P said...

AGREE with you.. Balan and Warsi are superb and inline with Shah. Please do check my review out.. I had jotted down some of my views on the same :)
your opinions will be much appreciated :)

http://pn-world.blogspot.com/2010/02/ishiqkiya.html

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
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