Kaanchi Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

Kaanchi Rating: 2.5 |

Subhash Ghai is back on the director’s chair after a hiatus. After YUVVRAAJ [2008]. It’s indeed a long sabbatical, considering the Showman has continuously churned out movies in varied genres. Mostly entertainers. With KAANCHI, Ghai decides to entertain in his own way, yet attempts to drive home a message.

A number of film-makers have attempted movies on the woman of today. Someone who is feircely independent and charters her own path in life. More recently, Vikas Bahl’s QUEEN narrated the story of one such woman. In KAANCHI, Ghai attempts to narrate the story of a small-town girl who locks horns with the high and mighty over personal issues. An interesting concept indeed… However, what could’ve been a lone woman’s fight against the corrupt and evil forces loses track midway since Ghai tries to pack in just about every commercial ingredient to woo the spectator. More on that later!

First, the premise! KAANCHI tells the story of Kaanchi [Mishti], whose life turn upside down when the young son [Rishabh Sinha] of a politician [Mithun Chakraborty] unleashes hell in her life. She decides to pick the pieces of her life by shifting to Mumbai and settling the score with the oppressors.

KAANCHI starts off very well, with Ghai capturing certain moments that stay with you. The first hour has several engaging and interesting episodes, while the twist in the tale that leaves Kaanchi shattered is the highpoint of the movie… one expects the post-interval portions to only go forward from this point. Sadly, KAANCHI hits a rough patch in the second hour.

What could’ve been a thought-provoking film deviates into sub-plots that seem far from interesting. For instance, the entire track involving Rishi Kapoor and Mishti looks ridiculous. Additionally, the portions that show Mishti landing herself a job in Mithun’s home and the sequence when she discovers the relationship Mithun shares with an important member of his political party is absolutely weird. Even the closing stages — Mishti fighting the opponent — is far from real. Like I pointed out earlier, Ghai tries to pack in too much for the entertainment-seeking spectator, which, in the final tally, appears forced in the scheme of things. The run time is another deterrent, which could’ve controlled had Ghai eliminated the unwanted tracks in the narrative.

Ghai’s attempt to balance entertainment with the serious issue that he desires to address via KAANCHI also does not work completely because at the end of it all, instead of forcing us to confront the stark issues and bitter truths, the outcome neither falls into the typical Ghai entertainer bracket, nor do you applaud the courageous fight for justice of the protagonist. On the brighter side, Ghai does succeed in transporting you to Mishti’s world at the commencement of the film. The relationship between Mishti and her mother and also between Mishti and her lover Kartik is wonderfully depicted.

The songs are melodious, but not the type that have recall value, something Ghai’s previous endeavours boasted of. Recall the soundtrack of Ghai’s earlier films and compare it with this one. The title track is melodious, while ‘Kambal Ke Neeche’ brings back memories of ‘Choli Ke Peechhe’. The DoP captures the beautiful locations with aplomb.

Ghai rests the plot of KAANCHI on Mishti’s shoulders and though the actress looks beautiful [reminds of Aishwarya and Mahima from certain angles], she does a confident job of interpreting her part. Also, her fragile face bears the scars of trauma effectively. Kartik Aaryan does a good job, although one misses his presence after a point. Rishi Kapoor looks out of place in a character like this, while Mithun Chakraborty steals the show. Rishabh Sinha as Mithun’s son is first-rate. Chandan Roy Sanyal is too good.

Adil Hussain manages his part efficiently. Mita Vashisht is wasted. Mahima Chaudhary appears in a cameo.

On the whole, KAANCHI could’ve been a riveting fare, but doesn’t rise beyond the ordinary in the final tally.

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  1. Author
    sputnik 10 years ago

    Revolver Rani Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

    Rating: 2.5

    It’s back to the hinterland. Back to the region of goons, bullets, bloodbath and slimy netas. Back to the world where human life is cheap, the characters are either grey or black, the lingo is loaded with expletives and the games people play may seem contemptible to us, but is a way of life for them. Striding into the territory of Tigmanshu Dhulia’s PAAN SINGH TOMAR and BULLETT RAJA and Anurag Kashyap’s GANGS OF WASSEYPUR, REVOLVER RANI, directed by Sai Kabir, is set in the region where alliances are twisted according to convenience.

    While Kangna’s Plain Jane act in QUEEN continues to wow spectators across the globe, the talented actress sports a new avatar in REVOLVER RANI. It’s a 180 degree turn actually, since Alka [Kangna’s character in REVOLVER RANI] is wild, kinky, impulsive, explosive and violent.

    Let’s enlighten you about the plot before we move forward! REVOLVER RANI is set against the backdrop of goons and politics. The reign of Alka Singh [Kangna Ranaut], a politician, has come to an end and her opponents [Zakir Hussain, Kumud Mishra, Pankaj Saraswat], who have won the elections, are out to settle scores with her. But before that they decide to hit where it hurts: they kidnap Alka’s toy boy Rohan [Vir Das], an aspiring actor…

    While the promos may give an inkling of what to expect from the film — one expects the film to shatter the laws of conventionalism — the fact is REVOLVER RANI comes across as a distant cousin of BULLETT RAJA and GANGS OF WASSEYPUR. Now this is all the more surprising since a name like Tigmanshu Dhulia is attached to the project — someone who has consistently raised the bar and carved his own path with several remarkable films. Director Sai Kabir attempts to amalgamate a love story with hi-octane drama, political maneuvers and rustic action and also coats it with the local flavor to make it seem authentic and bona fide, but something’s amiss. After a fairly engrossing first hour, the post-interval portions slide downwards.

    Let me elaborate! REVOLVER RANI isn’t consistently engaging and that’s a minus. The sparkling moments dry up in the second hour and what ensues is the usual game of one-upmanship between two warring factions. Random sequences are forced into the goings-on and they make no impact whatsoever. A tighter and an invigorating screenplay would’ve only helped — the director had a clever concept on hand, frankly — but he lets go of the opportunity.

    The characters too — the opponents especially — transform into being mere caricatures after a point. In fact, most twists and turns are foreseeable, except for a few fleeting moments that catch your attention. The director does come up with an interesting twist towards the closing stages, but making Kangna single-handedly eliminate dozens of attackers appears unreal. The makers have also kept the provision for a sequel, which seems unnecessary.

    The soundtrack of REVOLVER RANI gels with the mood of the film, but the appeal is restricted. The dialogue are raw and rooted in reality.

    Kangna goes full-throttle in REVOLVER RANI and emerges trumps. There’s a strong possibility that people may walk in keeping Kangna’s stellar act in QUEEN in mind, but the actress is sure to make heads turn with yet another super act in REVOLVER RANI. Enacting the part of a woman who has the power and loves to flaunt it, Kangna shoulders the attitude with aplomb. The body language, the lingo and the attire [including funky glasses and metal accessories] makes her appear alluring, no doubt. Vir Das gets ample footage [despite Kangna dominating the screen time] and the actor makes a strong impression.

    Piyush Mishra effectively plays out the part of Kangna’s trusted uncle. Zakir Hussain continues to deliver in his own way. Kumud Mishra is in his elements. Pankaj Saraswat is alright. Zeishan Quadri gets minimal scope.

    On the whole, REVOLVER RANI has engaging moments, but they are few and far between. This being Kangna’s immediate film release after the remarkable success of QUEEN may benefit the film to an extent.

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  2. aryan 10 years ago

    Kaanchi Public Reviews

  3. aryan 10 years ago

    Revolver Rani Public Reviews

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