MOVIE REVIEW: Kaalakaandi
Kaalakaandi
(meaning Mayhem in Marathi)
Starring: Saif Ali Khan, Sobhita
Dhulipala, Vijay Raaz
Director: Akshat Verma
Music Directors: Sameer Uddin,
Shashwat Sachdev
Akshat Verma’s directorial debut is not a film for the average Hindi movie buff. Too freewheeling and full of outrageous humor, as was Delhi Belly which Verma wrote, Kaalakaandi can be appreciated only by those who like their cinema whacky and whimsical. However, after a very promising beginning, the film seems to run out of steam post-interval.
Everything happens during the course of a single night in Mumbai. To be precise, three largely disconnected parallel tracks unfold, which eventually do meet in the end, but the link seems tenuous. While one features an ambitious young woman (Sobhita Dhulipala) all set to fly off to the U.S., and her boyfriend (Kunaal Roy Kapur), the second narrative thread involves two small-time crooks (Vijay Raaz and Deepak Dobriyal, both terrific), who hatch a dangerous get-rich-quick plan.
But the meatiest track is the one featuring the principal protagonist Rileen (Saif Ali Khan), who decides to throw all caution to the wind and experience life as never before, after being told by the doctor that he has only a few months to live. Rileen’s heartwarming bond with a transvestite, Sheela (Nyari Singh), is the highlight of this track—funny, yet sensitive and genuine.
Kaalakaandi is powered by its performances. The Feroze Khan wannabe Neil Bhoopalam deserves a special mention.
TOP 10 SONGS
1. Swag Se Swagat (Tiger Zinda Hai)
2. Aaj Se Teri (Padman)
3. Ghoomar Song (Padmavat)
4. Ban Ja Rani (Tumhari Sulu)
5. Chalti Hai Kya (Judwaa2)
6. Mere Rashke Qamar (Baadshaho)
7. Main Kaun Hoon (Secret Superstar)
8. Hawayein (Jab Harry Met Sejal)
9. Mehbooba (Fukrey Returns)
10. Aaj Zid (Aksar2)
(Left) Tiger Zinda Hai
TOP 10 MOVIES
1. Tiger Zinda Hai
2. Fukrey Returns
3. Golmaal Again
4. Tumhari Sulu
5. Newton
6. Kaalakaandi
7. Bareilly Ki Barfi
8. Secret Superstar
9. Ittefaq
10. Qarib Qarib Singlle
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