Corporate

After watching director Madhur Bhandharkar's Chandni Bar and Page 3, this was definitely a highly anticipated film by critics and fans alike. This time he was getting his hands dirty in the big bad world of corporate after tackling the dark world of bar dancers and celebrity-hood. The fact that this is the third installment of his trilogy, I was sure he will be dealing into the realistic topic of corporate firms and yet there was very little to predict or expect. The movie starts off on a nice solemn note as we are introduced into the rivalry of the 2 big enterprises. Do not expect any big twist or turns in the story, but the story just moves Madhur way. Performances by Bipasha and Kay Kay are on top note. Bipasha is impressive as hard-worker who will do anything to get her work done, and Kay Kay is very realistic. Short comedy and jokes scenes in between do not work. If he was trying to pull a Ram Gopal Varma, Madhur still needs to master the skill of developing character roles, however his effort is well appreciated and managed to keep me glued on my seat, regardless of the low quality VCD. Relating to the first 2 films, this film to does not end on a happy note... well just goes to say life goes on!!

After the exposé on Mumbai's "Page 3" society in a film of the same name,this one veers into the world of business barons and boardroom battles. The movie is based on the philosophy that in business, the ultimate goal is profit. And it does not matter if ethics are completely bypassed to achieve it. People who've seen Page 3 will identify Bhandarkar's signature style, especially the boldness with which he blows the cover off the perverse lifestyles of the rich and powerful. Sleaze is of course there in ample helpings. There are also the "aside" acts involving the lower wrung characters where they make fun of their bosses, as in Page 3.

The movie begins with a subtle note about the corporate world in India and then unfolds itself into the dirty and disgusting games which the men in power play so that they could remain on the top. The performances of all the characters are beautifully done. No-one looks out of place. The main character that stands out is the performance by the leading lady Bipasha and Kaykay. The music is huge let down as there was no need of putting any songs in the movie but they were pushed into situations not required. The movie unfolds a beautiful story which is so close to the real corporate world. Indian cinema requires such kind of movies to made more. Keep up the good work Madhur Bhandarkar...

I saw corporate on DVD one afternoon expecting to fast forward through most of it but I was pleasantly surprised as I hardly touched the remote. (I did use it to get fast forward through the songs though)

The actors were pretty good especially Rajat Kapoor who gave an excellent performance showing all the nuances of his character. Most actors even Shahrukh would have gone overboard playing the corporate leader but not Rajat. The ensemble cast all performed well underplaying their roles which is not usually a Bollywood preference with their larger than life characters. Bipasha, Raj Babbar and the actor playing the politician were quite good.

Songs were not really required, I preferred it when they were in the background.

Although i am sure this movie will not do well at the Box office but I found it intelligent and well made so do watch it.

I found this movie to very entertaining. It could have been directed in the Ram Gopal Varma manner with nothing to disrupt the flow of the plot. Too bad that Bollywood fans only really reward masala movies. It dissuades people with good stories from relying solely on them. This was a serious role for Bipasha so they couldn't have doing her usual naach routine. But the main thread of the story, of the trench warfare between large corporations was gripping and well-presented. I think the fallout where assistants took the fall for policies they fought is quite realistic. Only in Japan do you ever seem to see the persons ultimately responsible taking their responsibility. Elsewhere the rationale seems to be "I don't have to, therefore I won't". The script didn't cop out on that point which earned it some respect.

I think this is the first meaty role I've ever seen Rajat Kapoor do, and he did it well. Bipasha's role was atypical, and she fit into it way better than I had any right to expect. Same with Kay Kay. I've worked for many decades in corporations, and the whole thing rang true to me.

I give it four out of five stars.