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Reviews
Delhi-6 (2009)
A well intended venture that loses the plot (slight spoiler)
Rarely one comes across a Hindi movie where almost all the punch-lines are delivered by the non-lead characters. It was a novel idea. This movie was showing all the signs of being a cute collage of interesting characters and their lives in Chandni Chowk. There were beautiful moments in it which would have left its indelible footprint on your memory. Just then, the director, all of a sudden, decides to preach the audience about the values of communal-harmony and about the danger of the evil-spirit (in the guise of a "Kaala bandar") that resides in all human beings in general. This is where the movie loses the plot (in the last half hour). The sequence with Amitabh Bachchan was uninteresting to say the least.
However, it would be unfair on my part if I do not mention the commendable performance by an ensemble cast. Vijay Raaz as Inspector RanVijay, Sheeba Chaddha as Rajjo, Aditi Rao as Rama bua shine like pearls. Rahman's music is mesmerizing as usual. But the real star of the movie is Sonam Kapoor who makes every frame that she is a part of, a visual treat. She slips into the character of the aspiring singer with nonchalant ease and makes it absolutely charming.
Agantuk (1991)
Ray's own take on "civilisation"
It does have the quintessential charm of Ray's craftsmanship. Having said that I must admit that this movie cannot be placed in the same league of "Charulata" or "Aparajito".In spite of being witty the dialogues are verbose at times. The characterisation of the main protagonist(Manomohan Mitra) looks forced in few occasions. In the character of Prithwish Sen Gupta one finds a very "cliched villain" which is quite uncharacteristic of Ray. I need not mention that the words uttered by Manomohan Mitra are nothing but Ray's own "commentary" of modern contemporary society. They are rich in value and devoid of hypocrisy.Probably it would have been lot nicer if the "commentary" would have unfolded in terms of the narration of the story rather being put in the dialogue directly which gives it a theatrical quality instead of adding cinematic value.
However the conflict of the characters,their apprehensions and predicaments are portrayed very beautifully.This movie is gifted with excellent performances from all the actors. Undoubtedly it will be a treat to Ray's ardent fans.