Revolver Rani

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.

Brash, offbeat, unconventional - this sums up the latest outing of the latest Queen of Bollywood, Kangana Ranaut. This bandit queen avatar of hers is no less interesting where she immaculately displays the anger, attitude, madness, vulnerability and insecurities of Alka Singh. Boss, Kangana has literally replaced Vidya Balan in the territory of varied women-oriented dhansu films (2 in a row this year itself)!

As far as the movie is concerned, the storyline lacks depth but it is the realistic performances of all actors which infuses life in the movie. Director Sai Kabir has literally tread Tigmanshu Dhulia's lanes with this one. Another good part of the movies is the surprise element and twists and turns it keeps throwing till the last scene making it pacy and thrilling, esp in the second half.

Madhya Pradesh, the bihads of Morena and Chambal and local politics literally come alive on screen. Enough comic value is added by melodramatic characters, their mannerisms and Hinglish takia kalams. Vir Das has for the first time got a chance to play a lead role (though the hero remains Kangana), but he doesn't disappoint. All other actors esp. Piyush Mishra as 'Mama' do full justice to their roles.

Music is as unconventional as the movie (Nice to hear Asha Bhosle and Usha Uthup after long).

Verdict: Not meant for all. Only those who are really interested in off- beat and non-mainstream (typical rom coms type) cinema, should venture in.

My rating: *** ½

P.S.: The symbolic comparison of our (Revolver) Rani with Rani Laxmibai in the climax should not be missed.:)

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

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

Revolver Rani. 2014 shall be remembered as Kangana Ranaut's year. One month back she was seen effortlessly playing a nice, lovely and innocent Rani in Queen and now turning everything upside down she plays a psychotic dacoit cum politician Alka Singh and again very effortlessly. She strikes a fine balance between madness and vulnerability but unfortunately unlike Queen, Revolver Rani fails as a movie. Apart from Vir Das playing the selfish toy boy of Alka and Piyush Mishra playing no barred king maker uncle of Alka, other actors and their characters fail to impress you. First one hour of movie fails to strike any chord. Second half succeeds somewhat making you laugh by the hilarious sequence of Vir Das going into a loop of marriages and Kangana taking the charge when she chooses love over hate. Director Sai Kabir seems to be overly inspired by the work of Quentin Tarantino so he tries to put so much style in his bad world but does it without any subtleness. Music is so badly done that makes you cringe and absence of a strong villain in front of Kangana hurts the drama. I am going with generous 6 out of 10 for Revolver Rani. It's something fresh for world of Bollywood but apart from Kangana's fearless performance nothing there is quite right.