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.

Okay, Simran tells the story of its eponymous 'heroine', a young Indian immigrant in the US who becomes a serial bank robber to repay her debts following major losses in a gambling bout. Once she performs successfully her first robbery there's no looking back for her. Said to be based on the true story of Sandeep Kaur, a young Sikh immigrant in the US who made headlines following a number of successful robberies, this crime comedy is not just about the protagonist's crimes but also her life in general. It is with the robberies that the film picks up a little but sadly it is really poorly executed and there's some sort of amateur feel to it which is very present all along and is hard to shake off. Especially for those who watch American films of the sort, even the low-budget independent ones, the film's flaws and inept handling especially of the criminal activities and characters become more strongly evident. The American actors in the bit parts are also very poor. This is not to say the film is not good at all, it is watchable although it lacks this special something that would captivate. And it's a shame when you have a leading lady who is as strong as Kangana Ranaut. She is effortless in the part, playing it with a nice touch of self-deprecation and managing to evoke some empathy from the viewers in light of her impossible tribulations. Sadly, the material lets her down and the entire thing is not fully realised. Simran is not a terrible film, for sure. It is enjoyable in parts, it is funny in others, and Ranaut does make up for some of its flaws, which is enough for one watch but doesn't call for more.

The film does not know if it wants to be a drama or a comedy. It fails miserably at both. It does not work as a comedy because there are no funny dialogues. The film had lots of opportunities to be funny but all of them were lost. The drama parts with the family values and the romantic angle are even more pathetic. No one could save this film, not even Kangana. And seriously the free spirited girl act which Kangana Ranaut plays in every film she is in, is getting a bit old.

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/