Mukkabaaz

Phantoms are back in action in association with Anand Rai for the first time, witnessed this mind blowing 150 min sports/ political drama a month back in a film festival, if it would have been any other director this one might have been a normal sports film but Kashyap as usual throws light on the reality with huge research on the background of Indian sports and the politics behind it, also involves the social issues the country is facing. Vineet Singh truly has put sweat and blood along with his acting talent to deliver this stellar performance, Jimmy Shergill and Ravi Kisan both joining hands with Kashyap for the first time have done a brilliant job. This one's truly a powerful comeback by Kashyap with literally a PUNCH. Kudos to Kashyap !!! Super excited for 12th January !!!

This is the kind of movies that Bollywood needs to make and not the bull shit like 'Tiger Zinda hain' (which I didn't watch after seeing the trailer). Great movie. Good story, acting and direction.

This insightful and true story reveals what is both beautiful and ugly in India and sheds light on what keeps the second most populous country in the world at the bottom of the Olympics. It is also the story of a young couple in love who struggle to live on their own terms in an arena that is far less forgiving than a boxing ring.

Defeating other boxers is the easy part for Shravan. He is tough, well-trained and smart. Troubles really begin when Shravan falls for Sunaina. In the process he picks a fight with her uncle Bhagwan, also Shravan's coach. Next to Bhagwan, Rocky's coach Mickey looks like Miss Kitty. Bhagwan relentlessly punishes and humiliates Shravan with severe beatings, false charges, imprisonment, disqualifications by corrupt officials and more. When he cannot shake Shravan, Bhagwan goes after his support network; torture, kidnapping, rape and robbery. He throws his own brother on the street and breaks his knees. Bhagwan claims to be the victim. "When a boxer is knocked out," he says "it is the coach that bleeds." Shravan tries to turn his anger into positive energy, and funnel it into his boxing gloves and his love for Sunaina.

"Boxing is not a world of glamor like it is in West," said director Kashyap after the film's world premiere in Toronto. This film shows why this is sadly the case. It also provides a balanced snapshot of contemporary India with its amazing colors, song, dances and light, as well as its haze, corruption, crime and debilitating caste system. Actor Vineet Kumar Singh took a year off to train for his role as Shravan, and such thorough preparation is evident in his tremendous performance. The story is too long and disjointed in places, yet all together it is a fantastic, enthralling and dramatic portrait of the hypocrisy and corruption, as well as the beauty and color, in India. Seen at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Anurag Kashyap is redefining himself. I didn't like his last two films Bombay Velvet and Raman Raghav 2.0. But I like this one. I was amazed to see the whole story which was shown to us in trailer was there in first half itself. I got excited to think what the film will tell in the second half. First half was full of love, songs, romance, fight, and happy ending. Second half contains the issues in Government sectors, offices, sports and above all Uttar Pradesh. I wish Ravi Kishan's character had been written more. He suits in his perfectly. Debutant actress Zoya delivers superb expressions. Jimmy Shergil is as usual outstanding. Vineet Kumar Singh is terrific. He is now become star. Everyone knows that he can act superbly. But after this film, everyone would know that he can hold the entire film too. Songs are superb. Mushkil Hai Mel, Pantra, Bahut Dukha hai - Every song has its own charisma. Overall, a very good start of this year with this film. Kashyap, take a bow!

#mukkabaaz 2hrs 35 mins

imdb -8.4/10.

PLOT A lower caste boxer struggles to keep up his career against different odds. Review So.... Anurag Kashyap after a decent film on a serial killer washed his hands for a film(told to be inspired by true events) related with street boxing in the alleys of UP. The film delivers as we all expect from Kashyap's film....brilliant performance,excellent direction and able screenplay.Remember,vineet kumar singh from ugly..he is the main character playing the street boxer shravan singh here.In his role he is more than perfect in his role...well adjectives will be short to describe his performance...he gets under the skin role so well that no one will be able to pick out a signle fault.His body transformation for this film is really inspiring.Jimmy Shergill was excellent in his role as Bhagwan Das mishra..the local goon leader and the villian..his body language and local accent was perfect.Zoya Hussein playing the role of a mute niece to shergill shines in her debut performance.Ravi kishan was also good....but the storyline was bit extended and fails to match the heights of gangs of wasseypur,Gullal...his previous masterpieces but this cinema is just short of achieving a classic tag because it slightly lacks kashyap's signature direction style which is unique.The gripping pace of the film will hold you to the seat but last 15-20mins seems to be forcefully extended. The songs of the film "paintra","Bohot hua samman" nicely fits into the film....this is rare type of sports drama made in bollywood with so much reality involved and must deserve a standing ovation for all the efforts the entire unit has made to create this film...9.2/10......