Page 3

Page 3 is one of those films Madhur Bhandarkar makes to expose societal filth. It's partly compelling, but, like most of Bhandarkar's films, it is one-sided and overly pessimistic. This film is all about tabloid journalism, gossip, celebrities, exposing the lives of socialites, whose lifestyle is disastrously boastful, peculiar and repulsive. They party, they care for nothing but fame, they plan parties at funerals, they are craving for more money and a higher reputation, they will do anything to get due exposure in the media, to get their names boldly printed on the daily newspaper's social column known as "Page 3" with huge photographs which will be the center of people's discussions. They are attention seeking, salacious and hypocritical. The film industry is shown as sleazy, with casting couch being a common phenomenon among filmmakers. That's where our lovely heroine, a young social column reporter Madhvi Sharma, is thrown. All these people from Mumbai's elite depend on her articles and she is the right person to befriend at these parties if you want her to mention you in her article. Later in the film we learn that even those who are Madhvi's friends are no different from these high-society people. This was tough viewing for me, although the film is unquestionably brave and the issues it deals with are interesting.

The film's music is average. The only passable songs are "Kitne Ajeeb" and "Huzoor-E-Ala", sung by the two melody queens Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, respectively. Otherwise the soundtrack is bad. One song which was particularly horrendous is "Filmy Very Filmy". The film's writing is quite good. The second half is far better than the first, as it turns more matter-of-fact and exposes much more important issues such as terrorism and child abuse. That's where the film has to be applauded. It was sad to know that people prefer to ignore such crimes out of fear and Konkona Sen Sharma's character's disappointment was very easy to relate to. She is effective throughout the film and her acting in the last few scenes is particularly impressive. Atul Kulkarni's part is very small but he did full justice to it. Boman Irani is solid as the newspaper's editor. Sandhya Mridul is lovable as Madhvi's sassy roommate Pearl who marries an older man for money and is honest enough to admit it. The film's ending is really well-done, and provides a certain sigh of relief after the unimaginably tough revelations. Page 3 is a decent film, it is interesting and at times moving, but the level of interest and its general quality are marred by its exaggerated, overly messy and negative portrayal of the rich and famous.

Were it not for Boman Irani and Konkana Sen Sharma, it would have been difficult to sit through Madhur Bhandarkar's Page 3. The film is an expose of 'page 3' culture but it feels repetitive and monotonous. Bhandarkar clearly doesn't respect the audience's intelligence, since he repeats supposedly sensational facts again and again. Most celebrities are shallow, self-obsessed types. Yes we get it! But, this film is pretty shallow as well. Most characters are one-note and the the acting generally quite weak with the exception of Konkana and Boman. Watchable but disappointing.

Overall 5/10

With stark comparison of reality and Glamour; Page 3 succeeds in delivering the message it was made for. It shows the naked faces of so called socialites who are regulars at Social parties but are seldom seen at actual work locations. With that being said, this movie does the justice to truth as it is not biased against all A-List socialites. It showcases certain characters that are true to their identity. Atul Kulkarni says about a certain character that ****** is one of those people who not show their work but actually do it.

Viewers are taken into darker pits of High class society and what happens behind tall walls of Posh Farm houses. Pedophilia and child trafficking is one of the dark issues woven in the storyline. It also portrays the hold these people have on media. All in all a good movie to watch in case you believe that A-List is all full of Angels.

The first review I saw of Page 3 said "what is madhur bhandarkar finally wants to say?". Should he say something so decisive.

The most beautiful thing about Page 3 is it doesn't take sides. No propaganda whatsoever. This is the film that captures so many angles of an issue(I don't know what do I call as an "issue" here) and yet like any mediocre movie doesn't come up with an solution. I was so intrigued when I realized that the movie ended almost in the same scenario just like it started.

The movie defines so many characters who are completely with completely different priorities and different ideologies and yet they are all a part of the system which is all the more apathetic. I wish i can say more but there would be more spoilers ahead. So watch Page 3 if you wanna see one of the most mature films of the recent times.

I did not like Chandni Bar from the same director.

I did not watch his other movies. They came and went.

But Page-3 is nicely made. Seems real. Like Satya from RGV did.

The mental sickness of the so called high society is the summary of the movie. In the midst of all the sickness, its difficult to lead a normal life which the protagonist, Konkana Sen, does. Serious movie, not to be watched with children or expecting wives. Page-3 of newspapers is the usual place for reporting the activities going on in the parties of the rich and elite who indulge in much more filth then what is reported. How this Page-3 is also a business prospect is shown in the movie. Event management firms get paid to arrange parties and make a rich but not famous people famous overnight by clicking photographs with the celebrities invited to the party.

The western culture has crept into the high society of Mumabi quite deeply. The movie shows it boldly, no holds barred.

Madhur Bhandarkar starts a new journey from here.