kunalkhandwala

Since the 90s, J.P. Dutta has ruined war cinema for hindi films. The overly dramatic, passionate screaming and sentimental yearning for those left behind at home just became a cliche that was hard to shake off. Farhan Akhtar's Lakshya was the sole anomaly in this genre that was relatable, relevant and exemplary in its story telling. The advent of a new age of visionary artists who were past the phase of concocting stories with heroes larger than their characters has finally led to justice. Aditya Dhar's research on the Uri attacks must be thorough because there is no sensationalism to convince us about the events. Political agendas, media coverage and public sentiment are kept at subtle levels so as to keep the viewer engaged with the characters and their motivations. A fictional account of the operation and its preceding events it may well be but make no mistake; Uri showcases the Indian Army's tactical prowess and therefore, is a heavy action film.

Major Vihaan Shergill (Vicky Kaushal) has a proven track record of a successful surgical attack at the Myanmar border with his precise planning and execution. His ailing mother (Swaroop Sampat) keeps him posted in the Delhi headquarters, away from other action in Kashmir where his brother-in-law, Major Karan (Mohit Raina) is making the family proud. It is easy to invest in these characters with the sincerity depicted by the actors and the viewer's acute sense of what is coming. The Mahadev actor Mohit Raina, especially creates an impact in a few scenes as he takes charge of the camp's defense against the terrorist attack. Sprinting across the screen, dodging bullets and determined to kill the attackers, we root for this army hero to save the day from devastation. The film's title makes a timely appearance at the end of this intensity only to stir you at the Army's memorial service for the fallen soldiers like no tragedy has since Rang de Basanti. The attack was especially personal for Major Vihaan who motivates his commandos with a powerful element apart from their extraordinary individual capabilities - Rage. The encounter during the surgical strike is a visceral manifestation of this anger that is accurate enough with one bullet but there is no hesitation to portray the ruthlessness with which they shoot each militant more than once. This is a different Indian army that is shaken to its core and will show no mercy. As Paresh Rawal's Govind declares that with a surgical strike, a New India will tell the world that it is capable of not only entering enemy turf but also killing them on it, director Aditya Dhar's follow through on this bold statement is a far cry from the cliche, over-the-top dramatization of J.P. Dutta's army ventures. Precise to the point of the operation's planning, clinical in execution with exemplary cinematography, a tense and pulsating background score and the deployment of all modern arms and ammunition that support the valor of a spirited commando unit, Uri looks and feels like a Hollywood action film in its visual style and crisp editing. It is real, visceral, slick and engaging cinema that makes you respect the technical team that enabled it all. This is a no-nonsense retelling of the events that shook the nation and how the people in power made bold decisions to restore faith and pride in the citizens.

The performances by a competent cast are well confined to the tone and emotional depth of the characters in their situations. This is a critical area where a sound technical film can fall on its knees with miscasting and cliche performances but here, even a special appearance by Rakesh Bedi in an unusual role draws chuckles and not ridicule. Such is the impact of a fine cast that includes the likes of Paresh Rawal, Rajit Kapoor, Mohit Raina , Yami Gautam and the most credible Vicky Kaushal.

Aditya Dhar deserves a lot of praise for keeping it relevant to the new gen audience that now demands realism when depicting true events. Uri invokes patriotism without the usual chants and long speeches. It trades drama and hyperbole for surgical execution of a script that stays faithful to its topic. The victory song during the end credits is a high voltage anthem featuring Daler Mehendi of course, because who else can better vocalize passionate patriotism.

4.701 on a scale of 1-5.

Karan Johar has experienced a slump for several years with his own directorial ventures. Not since Kabhi Alvida na kehna has he delivered an engaging romance or social drama that appealed to the masses. His decision therefore, to return to a love triangle story brings with it the apprehension of walking the same old path but also the nostalgia of the days when a romantic drama was portrayed as a beautiful saga. With some melodious tunes by Pritam, a beloved cast comprising of contemporaries such as Anushka Sharma, Ranbir Kapoor and Aishwarya Rai, 'Ae dil hai mushkil' has the promise of Karan Johar's grand return to form....

Ayan (Ranbir Kapoor) befriends Alizeh (Anushka Sharma) at a bar after a quarrel with his girlfriend. They try to hookup but he fails miserably. Instead, Alizeh chooses to hang out with him for the night, enjoying various other venues in his company. They get better acquainted with each other and even decide on double dating with their significant partners. Lisa (Lisa Haydon) portrays a convincing bimbo who eventually breaks the relationships for both parties, thus giving Ayan and Alizeh the opportunity to take a break and travel to Paris where the fun and joy of their new found friendship takes a different course for Ayan. Predictably, he falls in love with Alizeh but the feeling isn't mutual. Therein appears Ali (Fawad Khan), Alizeh's ex boyfriend who she still misses terribly even though she celebrated her breakup a few nights ago at a party. Mysteriously, she decides to leave with him, abandoning Ayan at the drop of a hat by Ali. These unusual circumstances are too much to cope with for our rom-com hero. It only gets worse for him when Alizeh invites him to Rajasthan for her wedding with Ali. Ayan struggles to maintain a celebratory composure through most of the events but his love for her shows true form when he suddenly breaks into singing Channa mereya. This emotional melody rises to another level with its timing in the screenplay.

Right after his abrupt departure, Ayan encounters Saba (Aishwarya Rai) on his flight back home and shares his plight. Months later, they meet up in Vienna and a new love story begins. This one is far more steamy and sensual with Aishwarya looking her ravishing best. Unfortunately though, for our confused Ayan, his heart is divided and most of it is still yearning for that friend he left behind. They reconnect but it's not all that pleasant. Break up, patch up, break up and it's all going around in a sad circle for him. The story of Ayan and Alizeh isn't over just yet as Karan Johar drags it into yet another stage. By the time it's all over, we realize that it has been a mushkil safar if not totally a suffering.

Karan Johar repeats some of his narrative inconsistencies and lack of character detailing. Similar to his prior films, we have no idea how a young MBA student can afford to fly in a private jet and take numerous vacations without any support from his family, friends or stable lifestyle. Alizeh's past relationship is also confusing as she dances to a breakup song in celebration and a few minutes later, abandons all that she stood for and is smitten for the very lover she detested. Saba is an urdu poet by profession and that justifies her lavish lifestyle in Vienna of all places. Add to that, the lack of nuance in the story of 2 people who grow from acquaintances to inseparable friends. Johar's only credit should be the first half of the film when Ranbir and Anushka are at their natural best and when the script is far more engaging and enjoyable. The almost saddened, frustrated tone of the second half is what brings the film crashing down.

Pritam's music is refreshingly melodious and peppy when it needs to be. The title track is of course a trademark Arijit Singh rendition whereas Bulleya is elevated with Shilpa Rao's mesmerizing vocals. Breakup song and cutie pie are necessary fun songs in the first half but it's Channa mereya, brilliantly written by Amitabh Bhattacharya and sung by Arijit in a melody that conveys Ayan's feelings in the best manner possible.

Aishwarya Rai returns to a glamorous form and is most mesmerizing to behold in any outfit. Fawad Khan though brief in appearance, leaves a good impression and it's a pity that talents such as his will be left across the border due to inane politics. Anushka Sharma clearly brings the screen to life with a vivacious performance. She is clearly among the best female actors of her generation along with Kangana. Ranbir Kapoor has hit a wall. Ayan is almost his 9th character of a struggling lover whose immaturity, lack of understanding, stubbornness and inability to redirect his energy to love elsewhere, leads to a frustrating story. Ranbir's character is at the center of the film's story and he does well to carry such a burden but it soon becomes predictable. If he doesn't pick up roles like Rajneeti, Rocket Singh or Barfi, his hard work and likability will degenerate rapidly. Discredit for this also goes to the director and story writer who fails to enrich India's current darling.

ADHM is a fine example of how an Indian film can make big money at the box office with a stellar cast, exemplary music, glamorous looks and just a half decent narrative. It's just a shame to see Karan Johar return to his director's seat and deliver a mediocre film under a big banner. Watch it for the actors and the music but don't expect to walk out with tears or heartfelt joy. Those were long gone before the yawns took over.

• 6.76 on a scale of 1-10.

Marvel's superheroes prepare for the eventual onslaught by Thanos in the upcoming Infinity Wars but while their powers can defend Earth from most dangers, they stand little chance from mystical threats. The little known world of sorcerers has its guardians who are tasked with the protection of our world, led by the Ancient One; the sorcerer supreme. When a past apprentice goes rogue and opens gates for the dark power to obliterate Earth, an unlikely wanderer knocks on the door of Kamar-Taj seeking supernatural healing for his irreparable hands. Simply based on his filmography, director Scott Derrickson must have employed some sorcery to convince Marvel and Disney to let him work on such an important character in the Marvel Universe but he delivers a totally unique, spectacular and almost transcendent take on Doctor Strange.

Stephen Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) is a highly accomplished neurosurgeon whose successful career brought with it a burden of arrogance that is deeply knitted into his character. A distracting phone call sends him flying off the side of a mountain in his Lamborghini, resulting in severe injuries especially to his hands. The accident rendered him incapable of performing surgeries and after several futile attempts to revive them, he had lost all hope until he was directed to Kathmandu by a paraplegic who miraculously walked again. Strange arrives at Kamar-Taj. Little known to him are the mystic wonders and powers that lie within and once he is forced to shed his disbelief and inhibitions about things beyond his understanding, he quickly learns directly from the Ancient One (Tilda Swinton) and Mordo (Chiwetel Eljiofor). As he grasps the possibilities of the mirror dimension, astral planes and the power of spells, the real threat of Kaecilius (Mads Mikkelsen) strikes the 4 sanctums that protect the Earth from the dark dimension. No sooner has Strange barely learned to harness his newfound powers, does he have to wield them to protect the falling sanctums. Meanwhile, his fellow surgeon, Christine Palmer (Rachel McAdams) is perplexed by the stranger things around his mystical appearance whenever he brings in an injured sorcerer or himself to her. Stephen's curiosity also draws him to a secret book owned by the Ancient One from which, Kaecilius had stolen some pages containing powerful time bending spells. Using the closely guarded Eye of Agamotto, Strange views the stolen pages and unleashes a forbidden power that breaks the laws of nature. Strictly warned against such uses of the Eye by Mordo and by the sanctum's guardian, Wong (Benedict Wong), Strange quickly realizes that his trip to Nepal for curing his broken hands now gets him involved in stakes far greater than a revival of his medical career. Kaecilius plans to overcome all the sanctums and break the mystic spell to open the portal for the dark dimension and its sinister lord, Dormammu who will trounce Earth completely.

The showdown of sorcerers occurs at the Hong Kong sanctum with Strange and Mordo's late arrival. The sanctum has already fallen and the dark dimension is entering Earth. Strange's audacious attempt to reverse the effects of Kaecilius' attack involves some persistent negotiation with Dormammu with the help of the time bending powers of an Infinity gem. This is also when Benedict Cumberbatch delivers his his trademark act of a renewed, wise and in-command hero that saves the day. Being an arrogant surgeon with gifted hands wasn't out of his comfort zone at all (Sherlock) but sorcery was a first and he depicted his character's coping with the mystical themes, characters and superhero powers with likable credibility. Cumberbatch will shine brighter among Marvel's other heroes and will certainly maintain his commanding presence as was evident in the mid-credits scene with Thor. Rachel McAdams is sincere with her character and is a welcome addition to the supporting ladies in the Marvelverse. Chiwetel Ejiofor denounces rule-breakers and his dedication to the Ancient One makes him a powerful sorcerer. His role might dramatically change though. Benedict Wong breaks away from the Asian stereotype in Hollywood and rather than being a warrior, he simply remains the guardian of mystical books in an imposing manner that seconds his performance as Kublai Khan on Netflix. Tilda Swinton showcases the wisdom and apprehensions of the Ancient One who has been around long enough. As a mentor to a struggling doctor, she approaches him with sternness, humor and wisdom that makes the mystic world more approachable for Strange.

Scott Derrickson does not compromise with the film's visual appeal. Each magical trick, mystical action and execution of a spell is portrayed with eye popping effects that show us dimensions never seen before. Were it not for Swinton's gradual explanation of the world of sorcery, the visuals were rapid and unabating. Apart from the creative efforts behind making the film, its engaging storyline, the introduction of one of the most interesting Marvel heroes and a superlative performance by Benedict Cumberbatch make 'Doctor Strange' a must watch for comic book fans on IMAX. The sorcerer's growth in mystic abilities and his involvement with the Avengers will only make the upcoming wars more exciting.

• 8.412 on a scale of 1-10.