Rangoon

Vishal Bhardwaj is back after Haider(2014) with a love triangle set in the era of world war 2. He was saying in promotion that this is his first love story while most of his work before this was containing love story as a backdrop. I was amazed to here this. But after seeing the trailer, I made up my mind that this film is gonna be a Love Story. I was waiting for 24th February since November. You can not believe me but it's true that it was really hard for me to sleep last night. As I'm a huge Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor fan. The curiosity level was damn high. So I went to watch 9 am show.

Movie starts with a tiny but very well captured war sequence. Then moves towards the film industry situated in Bombay. Rustam is a film producer, as well as lover of his heroine Julia. He has been approached by British Officer to arrange a special show of Julia and her band for Indian soldiers working for Britishers. For the purpose of security of Miss Julia, Britishers have arranged Nawab Malik. Journey starts from Bombay to Rangoon in train, but because of a tragedy, Julia and Nawab Malik get closer to each other. Their love makes the way to end or not is the question. Other questions are also there (like some kind of suspense) which we will get to know in post interval part.

If I talk about story, then till interval I was enjoying a good stuff by Vishal. At the moment of interval, Alvida song was playing, and I was just into that. I just loved it! Post interval there are moments, but Julia and her train sequence was the best part. Ending could have been more justified or you can say more detailed. It was cleared but not so much effective. The visuals could have been better I guess. If this is your dream project, than you don't let it go anyway like this. I know i am revealing much, but, I felt it so.

Okay, now only positive talk! Direction and camera-work were as usual like we had seen in Haider. But the Kashmir and its snow were missing. Arunachal was good, but not my cup of tea. Dialogues were good. Shahid and Kangna's dialogues were lovey. Officer's dialogues were the biggest plus point, as they were witty as well as very well spoke. Some Ghalib's couplets from his mouth was a funny thing to see!

Saif Ali Khan delivers an easy performance. He is the perfect choice for Rustam. Kangna is good, but I don't like her in Dancing moves. Supporting cast is superb. All actors and supporters are fine enough. Ye Ishq Hai, Miyan Gaye England, Bloody Hell, Alvida- all are fantastic. Gulzar Saa'b's lyrics are too good. I like Jan Gan Man by Bhardwaj. It gave me goose bumps.

Kissing scenes are best! No one can imagine how to capture a kiss like Vishal has done. I think he is more romantic than serious deep inside his heart. I guess that's why he can compose such a romantic numbers with a great melody.

If you compare this film film with his last film Haider, than for me, it is not that good. Haider was the best film of that year. This is good film, can be there in nominees, but I doubt of its winning. It has many things missing. But for me, many positive vibes the film has been offering since beginning, the climax ruined all. I'm not opposing the script, but I don't like the visuals.

On the whole, Rangoon is a dream project of Vishal. So his fans out there, please go and watch it. Make this film his biggest hit at box office. He is one of the creative and intelligent directors of India. You have to give him what he deserves. This film belongs to him. And this film without its STAR could never been possible. Yes, Nawab Malik aka Shahid Kapoor is at his best. After Haider, Tommy Singh in Udta Punjab and now this film, he is on role! I hope this film gets him another award. He is going higher and higher. No one can give competition to him now as his cinema and his acting skills, both are extremely high. Kudos to Mr. Kapoor.

For Vishal Bhardwaj and Shahid Kapoor, with Love and Respect 8/10.

From Omkara until Haider, I've always admired Vishal Bhardwaj's work based on his writing, direction, acting, and music. I was pretty eager for this film based on the good trailer despite the negativity it received on Youtube but the songs on the other hand made me skeptical about it. But after watching this, I felt that that something went wrong in terms of storytelling and visuals in some way.

So this movie focuses on an actress named Julia who dates a Parsi filmmaker and millionaire Rustom Billimoria who is already married but tries to hide this relationship from his wife. But due to some circumstances, Julia falls in love with an Indian soldier named Nawab Malik who is currently fighting at the Burmese Border along with the British and Japanese army. The love triangle between the actress, soldier, and the filmmaker is basically what this movie is about.

Quite frankly, this film is a bore to many extents. The way the movie started was good and unapologetic making me realize that this film is going somewhere but post interval becomes too far-fest and uneven creepiness starts to crawl in especially with a generic ending which didn't do any justice to the movie.

War genre-based films follow a certain pattern by its set design, costumes, weaponry,and VFX. The film managed to tackle some of these elements but the VFX wasn't crisp enough. Vishal's previous film Haider had all these elements. I believe he should continue making Shakespeare play based films because of the amount of success he retained from these films.

The music was below average especially taking 75% of the film for these songs. What I mean generally is that there were more than 10 songs in that movie and that is how it took so much time of the movie. The lyrics were written like some 5 year old was singing a lullaby. Even with VB composing, he also lost the touch in music.

Despite the criticism, there are some saving grace moments in this film.

The acting was amazing. Shahid Kapoor gives a flawless performance and he started really well in this film. Just stay away from R.Rajkumar and Shandaar's zone please. Even surprisingly, Saif Ali Khan was also good in his part. Kanagana Ranaut's mentality from Queen raised her performance in this movie a notch from the top. But the British Dude was so irritating in this film especially the way he spoke Hindi.

The cinematography and direction was nice especially the way the film was shot. Every frame was executed beautifully and the war scenes were also shot good but like I said, the VFX and editing needed more work.

Overall, this movie is undoubtedly one of the most disappointing films of 2017 and yeah based on the good performances, I would rate it a one-time watch but in my opinion, this VB film is worth watching on a T.V broadcast or on a Netflix.

Vishal Bhardwaj, I would bid this masterpiece for a dollar but not more than that.

2/5

Vishal Bhardwaj directed again in Shakespearean style War and Love triangle saga to give tribute to Azad Hind Fauj like he directed Maqbool, Omkara and Haider Movie. Kangana Ranaut is the USP of this movie as there is just good performance from Saif Ali Khan and Shahid Kapoor. Good Music created by Vishal and Gulzar sahab. There was so many songs which break the pace of the drama. Only Bloody Hell, Ye Ishq Hain and Mere MIyan gaye England were good to listen. Script need to be better treatment as there was more Dance or Performances of Julia but Pankaj Kumar's Cinematography is also good ingredient.

As movie has collected 6 crores on day 1 so it seems 40-50 crores will be lifetime collection.

The movie is good if you forgive the cliché ending. The performances of Kangana Ranaut and Saif Ali Khan is mind-blowing. Kangana Ranaut steals the show. Indeed, she is the 'Hero' of the movie. The cinematography is good. The film shows the INA version of anthem which is worth mentioning. Except for the climax, the movie is worth watching.

I watched Rangoon on Netflix. Since I knew my beloved Japanese actor Satoru Kawaguchi will appear this film, I had been eagerly waiting for this day. (Incidentally, it has not been screened in Japan yet!)

The synopsis of Rangoon is so epic. Love, War, Deceit... there are completely wrapped in beautiful screen images and music. From the beginning to the end, I felt my heart beating so fast. Especially, expressive Julia and stoic Nawab Malik... their appearance that two hearts melt in love is so emotional and heartwarming, but on the other hand I became saddened by the feeling of the tragedy.

Satoru as their prisoner Hiromichi, he played the role of bonding lovers, was surprisingly perfectly. He gives a heartfelt performance as a soldier who is never strong and wants to go back to his mother, and his honest acting and comic timing are surely the jewels in his crown.

By the way, before watching this film, I was worried about how the Japanese army would be drawn in this tale. Its canvas is the Burma campaign during World War II. Even though I knew that Shahid Kapoor would play a BIA soldier, I could not think that Japanese would be drawn a villain.

I was excited to the utmost in the fight scene between Nawab and Hiromichi. Both of them were not villains and desperately trying to live in the wartime. Although each of them masterpieces were Hamlet, both had surpassed themselves. Exactly, Hamlet versus Hamlet. I was so glad because my favorite film is Shahid's Haider and of course I adore Satoru deeply.

The scene where Hiromichi left there, was the most impressive. I have never seen a film which Japanese true colors accurately drawn as much as Rangoon. Kill or shame... he was suffering between honor and friendship. So sad, that was wartime. So I think Director Vishal Bhardwaj is awesome who can draw foreign souls.

Also I found a brilliant actor in this film. Kangana Ranaut... How attractive she is! Her innocent smile, eyes that talk too much, adorable action, dance... I'm sure that there is no same feelings on her face as one regardless of which frame in chosen. She is the best actress I have ever watched, and I guess Rangoon further amplified her charm.

However, there were parts which I did not like. In the same director's work Haider, I found reality in fiction. But in Rangoon, the climax where Julia goes to help her lover has lost reality. Of course I understand that Julia and her ex Rusi are excellent action star, but I wanted to see a scene where Julia and Nawab are joined together in the beautiful river. There are many entertainment films in the world, but I like socially which is the feature of sir Vishal.

Still I love this film. Rangoon, I have a soft spot for there. I learned English to watch this, and as a result, saw the landscape of India I had never seen before, heard beautiful music, knew the history of war. And I made friends of foreigners, my life became rich by talking with them. Thanks a lot of happiness, Team Rangoon, I will never forget your amazing work and two Hamlet's chemistry!