Revolver Rani

Directed by the renowned theater veteran Feroz Abbas Khan as his second film post GANDHI, MY FATHER (2007), this is indeed a courageous attempt by the makers, since there When they released its first teaser, everybody got excited riding on the QUEEN wave assuming that here comes another gem from the talented yet under-rated actress Kangna Ranaut. But the impact reduced a lot just after a few days, with the film's complete theatrical trailer coming in having numerous shot being blindly fired by every character on the screen just like some uncontrollable kids. So the doubts were clearly there watching the 2-3 minute glimpses and they all came true as I watched REVLOVER RANI this Friday with a mixed kind of excitement.

Directed by Sai Kabir with an inspired vision reminding you of explosive films by Tigmashu Dhulia, Anurag Kashyap and to some extent RGV too, the film no doubt walks on some ground breaking lines initially. But only after the first 30 minutes, it simply becomes anybody's guess that this is yet another example of those bad films with excellent promotional stuff fooling the audience. Strangely progressing with many weird insertions REVOLVER RANI even becomes intolerable post intermission and that is the reason I witnessed a few youngsters moving out of the theater too shouting out loudly cursing the makers.

In short, nothing really works in this film having an extremely potent plot with a huge potential. The direction portrays it all in a silly kind of lazy mode with an equally less energetic background score having quite weak arrangements and the performances too fail to pick it up ever in the entire duration. Here I would not like to blame the writer completely as he does come up with few interesting sequences at regular intervals. But it's the execution of the twists which fails to impress the viewer throughout, turning them to something bizarre too at times. Cinematography & productions values constantly give you the feeling of watching something above the routine. But the poor to mediocre songs act as a few more nails in the ready coffin visibly. The director tries his best to convert everything beautiful into ugly following an intentional mode and such is his confidence in this unusual product that he even goes on to add another ugly scene in the end pointing towards a sequel too.

Honestly REVOLVER RANI remains a perfect example of the truth that actually a film is all there in the mind of a director only and the actors are just performing their individual scenes as given to them on the sets. Because here you can clearly see every single actor in the film performing as if he is acting in a cult movie, to the best of his or her ability, without having any idea of what it's going to be as a final product in front of the real audience sitting in the theater. Kangna tries to behave as cruelly (or kinky) as possible with her given lines and Vir Das works hard to provide the lighter moments required through his great comic timing. Plus we also have Piyush Mishra, Zakir Hussain, Kumud Mishra, Pankaj Saraswat & Zeishan Quadri too giving their sincere performances offering some timely pleasure.

Yet there is no QUEEN here in REVOLVER RANI and the film is a big mess despite having such talented names in the cast.

Revolver Rani. 2014 shall be remembered as Kangana Ranaut's year. One month back she was seen effortlessly playing a nice, lovely and innocent Rani in Queen and now turning everything upside down she plays a psychotic dacoit cum politician Alka Singh and again very effortlessly. She strikes a fine balance between madness and vulnerability but unfortunately unlike Queen, Revolver Rani fails as a movie. Apart from Vir Das playing the selfish toy boy of Alka and Piyush Mishra playing no barred king maker uncle of Alka, other actors and their characters fail to impress you. First one hour of movie fails to strike any chord. Second half succeeds somewhat making you laugh by the hilarious sequence of Vir Das going into a loop of marriages and Kangana taking the charge when she chooses love over hate. Director Sai Kabir seems to be overly inspired by the work of Quentin Tarantino so he tries to put so much style in his bad world but does it without any subtleness. Music is so badly done that makes you cringe and absence of a strong villain in front of Kangana hurts the drama. I am going with generous 6 out of 10 for Revolver Rani. It's something fresh for world of Bollywood but apart from Kangana's fearless performance nothing there is quite right.

This is my first review here and am compelled to write one because of a lot of shitty ones floating around. This movie is by far kangana's best work till date. Rarely dies one see such boldness and aggression in a bollywood actor, so much so that no past references come to mind. Kangana has completely broken the mould and come out with something innately local. The film itself has moved past many stereotypes like a woman playing the savior to her lover with such machismo. Piyush mishra, as the machiavellian balli mama is great too.

But the film truly belongs to Kangana. This girl, is leaps and bounds ahead of any other Indian actress in recent times

Kangna Proves Her Mettle, Yet Again with 'Revolver Rani'. The National-Award-Winning Actress delivers a fearless, sterling performance, that even over-powers the film. She's wow & how!

'Revolver Rani' Synopsis: An aggressive political leader falls in love with an actor, in the middle of a warfare. Chaos ensures...

As a film, 'Revolver Rani' is a mixed bag. There are some gripping moments, but they are few & far between. The political/violent backdrop is initially entertaining, but later appears bland & stretched. Even the love-story angle, is just about passable. Sai Kabir's Screenplay is good, but only in parts. The first-hour is strictly okay, while the second-hour is partly gripping. His Direction, on the other-hand, is abstract, but appealing.

Performance-Wise: Kangna is the life of the show. She delivers even when the film falters. Without doubt, its amongst her finest performances to date! Vir Das does a fair job. Piyush Mishra is natural to the core. Zakhir Hussain is outstanding. He enacts the villainous politician with effortless ease.

On the whole, 'Revolver Rani' is a Kangna show all the way!

Brash, offbeat, unconventional - this sums up the latest outing of the latest Queen of Bollywood, Kangana Ranaut. This bandit queen avatar of hers is no less interesting where she immaculately displays the anger, attitude, madness, vulnerability and insecurities of Alka Singh. Boss, Kangana has literally replaced Vidya Balan in the territory of varied women-oriented dhansu films (2 in a row this year itself)!

As far as the movie is concerned, the storyline lacks depth but it is the realistic performances of all actors which infuses life in the movie. Director Sai Kabir has literally tread Tigmanshu Dhulia's lanes with this one. Another good part of the movies is the surprise element and twists and turns it keeps throwing till the last scene making it pacy and thrilling, esp in the second half.

Madhya Pradesh, the bihads of Morena and Chambal and local politics literally come alive on screen. Enough comic value is added by melodramatic characters, their mannerisms and Hinglish takia kalams. Vir Das has for the first time got a chance to play a lead role (though the hero remains Kangana), but he doesn't disappoint. All other actors esp. Piyush Mishra as 'Mama' do full justice to their roles.

Music is as unconventional as the movie (Nice to hear Asha Bhosle and Usha Uthup after long).

Verdict: Not meant for all. Only those who are really interested in off- beat and non-mainstream (typical rom coms type) cinema, should venture in.

My rating: *** ½

P.S.: The symbolic comparison of our (Revolver) Rani with Rani Laxmibai in the climax should not be missed.:)