Simran

A divorced lady in her 30s loses all her money in Los Vegas' casino and burrows a huge sum of money from a gangster, which she loses too. To pay back, she starts to rob the banks as the notorious "The Lipstick Bandit." This summons a gullible plot of "Simran," said to be loosely based on a real life story; but nevertheless, it keeps one watching for the curiosity and entertainment it creates. Kangana Ranaut as a feisty single lady steals the show with the shades she gives to her character, and the glossy look of the film often does the wonder. Despite an ease and the implausibility the film carries, it surely is entertaining and worthwhile.

Rating: 2.5 stars out of 4

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.

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.

Sandeep Kaur,an NRI nurse got her media attention when she was revealed as the 'Bombshell Bandit' by the US Police.'Simran',the Kangana starred movie is a fictional representation of the Story of Sandeep Kaur.The name is changed to Praful patel for the sake of the movie along with her profession altered to a house keeping staff in a Hotel.The circumstances sometimes makes someone a criminal.But how can one become a criminal due to their foolishness?And that too adapting never heard simple way of bank robbery in life?

Praful Patel,daughter of traditional Gujarati parents had an ambition to own her house in US.Praful,who was divorced tried to make money for it along with a bank mortgage.But her fate had other ways.Her trip to Los Vegas shattered all her plans.She won at first at the Casino,then lost her money,then tried to get them back.Along with this,she owed money from lenders,This led her to rob banks.Here,instead of heavily planned heists with hi-fi weapons and plans,she just used a piece of paper,lipstick and some mediocre make up.



The story looked promising all over.But on the screen,it was not.The director and the crew failed miserably to bring life to the movie.While,Kangana tried her best to enact the role of Sandeep Kaur to Praful Patel.But she was not even supported by her co-stars who seemed to be acting in an Indian soap opera.With all the confusions caused by Kangana with her personal remarks,it appears that Kangana won't be able to share screen with familiar names for the time being I think.Or else,with a better screenplay and actors Simran had everything to be a 'Queen'.

Finalizando:Except the story and Kangana,what entertained me was her dialogue at the end where he thought about the usual Indian girl.Oh man!!That is something everyone needs to face an caught up in an act if living outside India.Simran is a movie which failed to make a mark with it's flawed execution.