Badlapur

I've loved Sriram Raghavan's films. They're a bit different from the rest that Bolloywood turns out year on year. And he knows how to make a good thriller and keep his fans like me edge of their seats.

Badlapur is the story of Raghu (Varun Dhawan) who is simmering in revenge after his wife and son are killed in a bank robbery all gone wrong. Of the two robbers, Liak (Nawazuddin) is caught and arrested and sentenced for 20 years. He claims that he did not kill the women and child, it was his partner who did. Raghu waits for the next 20 years to get is revenge.

On the face, Badlapur is a revenge story. But see inside and its a tale of two lonely men trying to seek comfort and solace. And in the 15 years, they become desperate. One has time while the other hasn't.

As the movie progressed, it did manage to pop up a few questions - about the concept of revenge, redemption and right or wrong?

And these questions came thanks to the brilliant performance of Nawauddin. Nawaz is at the moment India's best actor and he just leaves his mark. U feel anger and pity while also laugh at his stupidity.

Varun is good and uses his eyes well but no where close to Nawaz. The rest of the cast is very good in their small roles especially Huma Qureshi, Prathima Qazmi and Radhika Apte.

The movie does have a few pits and you might question the roles played by the women.

However, this is a brilliant psychological thriller and a must watch for all thriller fans.

After a long time I watched a good Bollywood movie. The movie revolves around the concept of revenge. But as you would have seen so many movies regarding that, so why watch this? This is why, this movie is more practical than many of the other movies. Here the protagonist is not ethically correct every time and that is true for any common man. In the end, the movie has a message for people who thinks revenge is the best way.

Extremely well chosen actors, from Nawaz to Divya, all have acted well. Nawazuddin has done a extremely stunning performance and shows the mettle to outshine any protagonists in the movie. Varun Dhawan for a change has done a very good work unlike his usual style of chocolate boy. Must watch for people who can handle a bit of gore.

Other reviewers have appreciated the movie but has under-rated it, but I must say, it is an 8 all the way.

BADLAPUR - The movie starts with a African quote , 'THE AXE FORGET , BUT THE TREE NEVER' .

This quote almost describes the main theme of the movie. Its the Tree(Raghu played by Varun) who wants to take revenge from the Axe(Laik play by Siddique). But its not a typical revenge drama in which we have a perfect hero without any sins inside him , neither the villain is a total sinful person. Rather the characters are of Grey nature and have both goods and bads inside them. It almost feels like it has been made by Anurag Kashyap , it also have the typical awkward comic situations like of which we have seen in Gangs Of Wassypur , and its good to see that their exist another director (Sriram) who can make movies like Kashyap. But one thing that lacks in this film as compared to Kashyap's film is that the shocking element. Kashyap always keep some twists in the film to shock us which was absent in the film. In an interview Varun have said that this film will raise some debates , and i agree with that. Normally Bollywood movies show that there is a villain , who kills any person from Hero's family and our Hero take his revenge , its for his inner peace as well as for justice to some extent. But the real question is that , is revenge is a right solution to compensate the murder of your loved ones. Is killing back the murderer will give you peace , i don't think so , and the same thing has been proved by the climax which is too much unconventional as it shows the revenge didn't do anything good to our hero as he too is a sinful person and has done his part of sins for the sake of revenge . Also the villain shows the white side of his character shockingly. Which may not be liked by everyone. The film also ask a question that whether its needed to give a person who has done a tragic sin a second chance .

As i said the movie lacks the shocking element , because of that some scenes felt flat as our hero doesn't seems like he has a particular plan and is only doing random things. Also the revenge drama only starts in the 2nd half so in the first half the movie actually doesn't move much in the first half. Varun Dhawan has got a lot of complaints that he cant do different roles other that comic character as he is perfect for comedy. This will prove all those persons wrong (i am also one of them). Its not like he has nail it totally but for an actor just three film old (all the three films being too light on nature) he has done a pretty good job. And he will only get better from here. Now he is a threat for his generation of actors. To write about Siddique is being difficult now a days. He shows so much perfection to his character that leave no words to describe it. For me its actually too difficult for a hero to shine in a film in which Siddique plays a villain. Siddique has stolen the lime light from Salmaan in kick and now he has stolen all the praise from Varun(Luckily in Kahani & Talaash Siddique doesn't have a too much important role otherwise he should have stolen it from Vidya and Aamir too) . And his next will be with Srk in RAEES , be aware Shahrukh. Among female leads i would appreciate Radhika Apte who has done a good job specially in the scene where he has to create voices to show fake sex. Songs doesn't interrupt the movie at all as they appeared in background. Editing could have been better as i think revenge dramas if not directed by Kashyap like Gangs of Wassypur should not be more then 2hrs , and it is 20min long. I so much wanted this movie to be directed by Anurag Kashyap , he could have made this better. Never the less movie is dark , and by dark i mean too dark , there are dark cinematography , dark humor , strong sexual scenes(for which the movie has been given A certificate so family audience should stay away from it). Not for every type of audience , couldn't recommend it to every one , so watch it at your own risk. 7/10 By ANuP APu KuMaR

Although Nawazuddin steals the show with his maniacal-deceptive- cunning performance, BADLAPUR is definitely a game changer for Varun Dhawan. Director Sriram Raghvan tells us about an ordinary man who went on doing extraordinary cruelty to avenge his family's death.This story is dark and violent yet different from stereotype thrillers. First half is brilliant,you cannot take your eyes off the screen for a single moment. Second half doesn't live up-to the expectation,story telling could have been more tight and impactful. Varun Dhawan as Raghu has delivered a performance that will be remembered for years, you will get to see a completely different Varun. He has brilliantly portrayed his character and makes the audience feel for him. Nawaz, well every time he manages to surprise his audience. His character Laik has weak physique and cunning brain. Some of his interactions were mind-blowing and claps worthy. Both Varun and Nawaz have carried the film really well on their shoulders. Yaami Gautam, Huma Qureshi, Radhika Apte and Vinay Pathak impress in their cameos. Sachin-jigar's music is good, thumbs up for 'jee karda'. Climax of the film is really impressive and i must say Sriram(after his poor Agent Vinod) is back with a bang. Oh yes, do not miss the beginning.

Badlapur is a well-made and highly enjoyable thriller cum psychological drama. Sriram Raghavan has already proved time and again his knack for this kind of thing, and the results here are very good albeit, honestly, not his best. The director's unique style of symbolism along with a very matter-of-fact portrayal of the events and some superb camera work, works to great effect. The sex sequences, however, looked forced and not very credible and provided nothing but occasional shock value in what could have been bold but clean entertainment. Needless to say, technically the film is an absolute winner, and the dark narrative is aided by great music.

The film is gripping and tense, but it has meaning and works as an absorbing dramatic story which dives well into the psyche of the protagonist. Beneath the surface, it poses interesting philosophical questions on the nature of revenge and the point of its outcome. On the one hand, it gives the avenger a purpose and a possibility of psychological redemption as well as a feeling that justice was made. On the other, it is destructive, empty and doesn't let him go on with life. Both these facets of the concept of revenge are very well portrayed here through the journey of the protagonist, whose wife and child were killed by two criminals.

The film is led by a flawed yet competent performance from Varun Dhawan. Nawazuddin Siddiqui is excellent as the foe, and so is Vinay Pathak. Among the women, Huma Qureshi is very strong in a supporting role of an atypical prostitute, and Radhika Apte does very well later on. Even in the smallest of parts, Ashwini Kalsekar can be trusted to leave a mark (she was phenomenal in Andhadhun). This is generally true of Divya Dutta but she gets a preachy, wishy-washy role. Yami Gautam is luminous. The film ends on a slightly sugarcoated note but provides a long-needed catharsis to this intense story. Indian film noir, indeed.