Revolver Rani

Directed by the renowned theater veteran Feroz Abbas Khan as his second film post GANDHI, MY FATHER (2007), this is indeed a courageous attempt by the makers, since there When they released its first teaser, everybody got excited riding on the QUEEN wave assuming that here comes another gem from the talented yet under-rated actress Kangna Ranaut. But the impact reduced a lot just after a few days, with the film's complete theatrical trailer coming in having numerous shot being blindly fired by every character on the screen just like some uncontrollable kids. So the doubts were clearly there watching the 2-3 minute glimpses and they all came true as I watched REVLOVER RANI this Friday with a mixed kind of excitement.

Directed by Sai Kabir with an inspired vision reminding you of explosive films by Tigmashu Dhulia, Anurag Kashyap and to some extent RGV too, the film no doubt walks on some ground breaking lines initially. But only after the first 30 minutes, it simply becomes anybody's guess that this is yet another example of those bad films with excellent promotional stuff fooling the audience. Strangely progressing with many weird insertions REVOLVER RANI even becomes intolerable post intermission and that is the reason I witnessed a few youngsters moving out of the theater too shouting out loudly cursing the makers.

In short, nothing really works in this film having an extremely potent plot with a huge potential. The direction portrays it all in a silly kind of lazy mode with an equally less energetic background score having quite weak arrangements and the performances too fail to pick it up ever in the entire duration. Here I would not like to blame the writer completely as he does come up with few interesting sequences at regular intervals. But it's the execution of the twists which fails to impress the viewer throughout, turning them to something bizarre too at times. Cinematography & productions values constantly give you the feeling of watching something above the routine. But the poor to mediocre songs act as a few more nails in the ready coffin visibly. The director tries his best to convert everything beautiful into ugly following an intentional mode and such is his confidence in this unusual product that he even goes on to add another ugly scene in the end pointing towards a sequel too.

Honestly REVOLVER RANI remains a perfect example of the truth that actually a film is all there in the mind of a director only and the actors are just performing their individual scenes as given to them on the sets. Because here you can clearly see every single actor in the film performing as if he is acting in a cult movie, to the best of his or her ability, without having any idea of what it's going to be as a final product in front of the real audience sitting in the theater. Kangna tries to behave as cruelly (or kinky) as possible with her given lines and Vir Das works hard to provide the lighter moments required through his great comic timing. Plus we also have Piyush Mishra, Zakir Hussain, Kumud Mishra, Pankaj Saraswat & Zeishan Quadri too giving their sincere performances offering some timely pleasure.

Yet there is no QUEEN here in REVOLVER RANI and the film is a big mess despite having such talented names in the cast.

This is my first review here and am compelled to write one because of a lot of shitty ones floating around. This movie is by far kangana's best work till date. Rarely dies one see such boldness and aggression in a bollywood actor, so much so that no past references come to mind. Kangana has completely broken the mould and come out with something innately local. The film itself has moved past many stereotypes like a woman playing the savior to her lover with such machismo. Piyush mishra, as the machiavellian balli mama is great too.

But the film truly belongs to Kangana. This girl, is leaps and bounds ahead of any other Indian actress in recent times

Reviewed by: Dare Devil Kid

Rating: 3.5/5 stars (0.5 stars solely for Kangana Ranaut's stupendous performance)

Revolver Rani" is Kangana Ranaut all the way, from first frame till last. After her career-defining turnover in the highly acclaimed "Queen", she follows it up with an equally succulent performance in a film, which though not as brilliant as "Queen" is still decently entertaining fare. Without taking away anything from the Director - Sai Kabir does fashion a good film that captures the murky politics and rustic climes of Central India - it is Kangana's performance that elevates this crime- comedy, eventually making it punch much above its weight.

Though Sai Kabir, writes and directs a well-planned script - paying lavish homage to Tarantino (clearly his idol), Kashyap (clearly another inspiration), and Dhulia (yet another inspiration but also his mentor and producer) - he keeps losing his grip over proceedings and at times the homages do appear to deviate from the narrative at hand. However, just when there appears to be a dip in the story arc, Ranaut comes along and holds things together with her theatrics, histrionics, nuanced emotions, brash dialogues, and delightfully mouthed expletives. Make no mistake, Kabir does weave an engaging political yarn with loads of dark humor, but unfortunately doesn't manage to maintain a lucid flow throughout. Perhaps, he'll get better with experience - this is after all his debut feature. The cinematography paints an earthy canvas of the rustic interiors of the country, the editing is moderately passable, the background score could have been way better, and the songs are nothing to write home about.

Providing terrific support to Kangana are the reliable as ever Piyush Mishra (one of his best performances yet) and Zakir Hussain. Sadly, for the first time, Vir Das underperforms, and it could just be that he was terribly miscast in the roles of a scheming romantic hero. Zeishan Quadri is grossly underutilized in a poorly written role. "Revolver Rani" serves up a treat for fans of Kangana Ranaut, while also catering to patrons of crime movies and those who enjoy dark comedies. Bollywood finally has another top class actress besides Vidya Balan to bank on in today's times - one who can be relied upon delivering a strong performance consistently along with oozing star power in her roles.

Kangana Raunat has garnered accolades over the years thanks to power- packed performances in FASHION, LIFE IN A METRO and the recent QUEEN. Revolver Rani definitely rest on the shoulder of Kangana Raunat as there is nothing much to talk about the movie.

Revolver Rani is set against the backdrop of politics in Madhya Pradresh where there is no friends , no enemies only your heart to follow.

First time director Sai Kabir chooses the subject quite daring but seen ample times on Indian Screen. True he choose a female protagonist as the leader of opposition party and few scenes do tickle your funny bone but maximum time screenplay is crumbled into web of errors and insensible scenes. Cinematography is quite efficient capturing the essence of Gwalior. Art direction is pretty good. Editing is poor. Dialogues are punching. Songs are tuneless. Coming to the performance, Kangana Raunat is one of the finest actors of Indian Cinema. The actor is dreadful yet subtle, fiery yet humorous, emotional yet unforgiving. It is her versatility which makes the movie watchable. Vir Das is just about okay. Piyush Mishra and Zakir Hussain are brilliant.

Overall, Revolver Rani could have been better.It is the versatility of Kangana Raunat which makes the movie watchable. Average 2.5/5

'Revolver Rani' is a proper Bollywood satire, consisting of intelligent writing, dark humour and terrific parodies. And I never expected Hindi Cinema to properly pull off such a thing. Other than the smart screenplay, it's Kangana Ranaut's terrific acting prowess which makes the satire effective. The films takes a lot of hilarious jabs at mob rivalries, politics, religious and cultural issues, Bollywood industry, and most of all, our very human nature.

Kangana plays the role of the lead protagonist Alka Singh, who is a gun-blazing mob-head and political leader. Brought up without parents, and only by her uncle, she's a cold-hearted leader seduced by an aspiring actor only for his gain. It's the political rivalry between the two mobs which forms the basic premise of the story. The supporting performances are quite commendable, especially that of Piyush Mishra, who plays Alka's uncle.

And people who are calling it a remake of Kill Bill are out of their minds. Other than one or two inspired moments from the Taratino Violence saga, the movie is completely original.

The movie can only be enjoyed by people who can understand political satires and like black comedies.