Simran

Simran is a commentary on the lost American dream, the societal lookout on an independent Indian woman and the misplaced fear on brown people post 9/11.

The main supporting characters are all one note – the frustrated father, the emotionally fragile mother, the caring partner, the stereotypical colleagues and such caricaturish villains that it is hard to care for any of these people. And this is where Simran falters.The film struggles with identity crisis- it can't seem to decide if it wants to be a comedy or a serious film and this is most evident in the second half when things become so absurd that you will find your eyes rolling.

https://commentatorship.wordpress.com/2017/09/16/movie-review-simran/

I don't know where to begin. I watched this movie after reading some unfavorable reviews and knew what I was up against. I had zero expectations and decided to catch a screening only because I had time to kill and this movie had the best ratings out of the many that were being screened. Unfortunately, I underestimated the true potential for Indian cinema's bizarrely terrible mainstream products. This was perhaps the highlight of amateurish modern-day direction and the writing was only a shade better to begin with, but oh boy, did that change fast.

I'd hate to spoil the movie for you, but let me just say that there is plenty of action, all of which is the most non-sensical bullshit produced this year. There is plenty of drama; perhaps a tad extra for my taste but nothing out of the ordinary for a Bollywood film trying its best to be serious. There is plenty of humour, all of which is wrought with so much cringe that your face hurts from contorting it into odd shapes and forms. And then there is the absolute insanity that is Kangana Ranaut's performance as a five year-old child.

But hey, maybe you enjoy shitshows like the vast majority of Indian audiences that patronize cinema halls across the country. Maybe you enjoy shoddily written character plots, bad acting, abysmal direction, and the occasional racial stereotyping portrayed so conveniently. Maybe you just love seeing glimpses of a foreign country you've never been to and dream of settling down in for god-knows-what reason and seek inspiration only through fictional films that have no semblance of reality. But hey, maybe you're just an idiot.

In short, Simran was a traumatising experience and I doubt I could watch another Bollywood film this year because I might have just developed a new phobia.

Mark Twain said, 'truth is stranger than fiction.' Indeed it is. Watching Simran reminded me of that as I was left puzzled and, at times, impressed by the lead character's ways. The expectations from a Kangana Ranaut led film are naturally high and if she's in a foreign land dealing with her issues you believe you may get another royal bonanza but, sadly, Simran is no Queen.

More than halfway into the story you finally realize why the movie is called 'Simran.' It's a well executed sequence but I wish there were more of those. Based on the true story of a woman who goes to extreme lengths to pay off her debt, this is a bizarre and astounding tale. Praful Patel is a 30 year old divorcée who, much to her father's dismay, still lives with her parents in Atlanta. She works in housekeeping and has been saving up to buy her dream house. An unplanned trip to Las Vegas blows her world to smithereens. One mistake after another and she's left saying, "mujhe jooye aur chori ki lat hai" (I'm addicted to gambling and stealing) to a hopeless romantic who is trying to court her. He laughs and doesn't believe it for a second. Oh well, she warned you buddy.

This is a highly unusual movie that manages to pack in some surprises. Praful is an antihero who isn't easy to like yet you don't want her to get in trouble. Such a layered and deeply flawed character is a rare treat. And a woman at that, gasp! Ms. Ranuat is a force of nature. She is brilliant and doesn't falter even when the film does. The movie is worth watching for her abilities alone. Because that's what you get. A terrific actor burdened by a sloppy screenplay.

Kangana's alleged involvement in every facet of the film has raised eyebrows since its inception. I don't care who truly wrote and directed the movie but they should've done a better job. The story is delicious but the screenplay needed more weight and the direction required a sharper eye. Many of the dialogues are catchy and delivered with precision. I love a good gray character and watching Praful dig herself into a hole was certainly not boring. A few scenes stay with you but it's mostly underwhelming.

A talent like Ms. Ranaut needs, no demands, a better film. The filmmakers around her need to step up their game. Simran is far from unwatchable but it won't have you jumping for joy…maybe just taking a small hop.

I walked into the movie theatre with no preconceived idea of the movie. The ticket was just 90 bucks and it had Kangana as the lead. How bad could it be? Very Very Very bad.

It is very easy to shake of a bad 'commercial' star film. Almost all of them are bad and no one really takes them seriously. However , it is much more frustrating to watch an amazing performer like Kangana get caught in an awful script which she apparently wrote herself!

The movie starts of very nicely. Watching an independent , hardworking NRI woman let her hair loose in Vegas was immensely fun. If the film had followed that path of her balancing work and play we would have all had a good time.

The films plot goes awry when our heroine loses all her money to gambling and ends up owing money to a shady gangster type person. Instead of trying to work for it or report to the police about the goondagiri of the moneylenders she decides to coerce her father to give money. When doesn't work out she plans to rob a bank acting like she is carrying explosives.

Read more in my review here:- https://assortedboxblog.wordpress.com/2017/09/29/oye-simran-arey- kingsman/

The movie is not bad.. Not like usual Bollywood movies.. With its bold theme, it is a good entertainer. Kangana is good as always ably supported by other actors. Three things I liked most are : 1. Main protagonist with her false sense of rebelliousness, finally coming to her senses and reconciliating with her parents. 2. The anguish and helplessness of her father who always wanted the betterment of her. We all can connect with him. 3. Her fiance trying to help her in spite of knowing her true nature..