aumlan-971-613355

Back in those days, when I was still a good student & History was still one of my favourite subjects, my 6th standard History teacher had once scolded me thus - and her words are still etched in my memory : To have the ability to perform well, and not to do so, is a huge crime. You, Aumlan, are guilty of it. Mr. Anubhav Sinha - you are guilty of the same crime. Article 15 is such an exceptional film. It is phenomenally made film - especially from the technical perspective, notably the cinematography & the art direction. Sadly, the technical finesse is wasted. The last 45 minutes of the film give it all away. Article 15 is fundamentally, a vehicle for Anubhav Sinha's ideology, and while it is no crime to colour your film with your ideological bias, it is certainly culpable to smear what could have been a brilliant film with your expressions of bias towards a particular ideology. What could have been a fabulous film, turns out to be a downright dishonest, if technically well-made film. Pros : Acting (esp Ayushman Khurrana, Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra, Sayani Gupta & Mohd. Zeeshan Ayub), Cinematography, and Production Design Cons : Direction (dishonest) & Background Music (too loud, at places) My Rating: 2 / 5

The first time in Salman's long & illustrious career that he has worked with Yash Raj. Ek Tha Tiger naturally raised huge expectations. Were they fulfilled? Read on..

Ek Tha Tiger is essentially a montage - mostly of action & chase sequences, and a couple of songs thrown in. Yes, the action is absolutely top-notch, and the visuals esp the cinematography are to die for. Yes, the performances are largely adequate - Salman, Girish Karnad, Ranvir Shorey and Roshan Seth in a cameo; but it is Katrina who is the winner in the performance stakes - whether it is matching Salman kick for kick in action sequences or doing some real daredevil stunts (at least that is what I gather - and boy, she looks really cool in the action sequences).

But at the end of the day a solid storyline and a good screenplay are crucial in how a film turns out. Aditya Chopra himself is listed as one of the story-writers - but I am sorry to say that the storyline is really a downer - I mean, yes, there are a couple of twists, but none that an experienced movie goer would not have been able to guess . Kabir Khan - I had high hopes from u after Kabul Express & New York. Better luck with your next film. I also realize now why YRF were keen on Salman Khan for this film - if anyone can still make such a sorry script work and bring in the crowds, it is him.

My rating is a 3 stars. 1 each for Katrina, the Action/Stunt directors & the cinematographer... very disappointed with the poor story & direction.