Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II

Bollywood is witnessing a transformation, maybe slow but yes its there. At least we have the new kids on the block who are seriously attempting to defy the Bollywood standard formula. And thanks to the media and internet such movies are being watched and appreciated.

Not getting much into the storyline, the movie shows from two perspectives. One from the underworld (Prashant Narayan) and the other from advertising agency executive (Arshad Warsi).

Arshad Warsi was good trying to balance his character of various shades.

Prashant Narayan - I noticed him in Chhal and surely he is the one to lookout for. He is Naseer and Om Puri rolled into one.

Sandhya Mridul was obviously trying to shrug off her goody-goody image from the TV serials and Saathiya. Sadly she couldn't carry the character of police officer too well. Even the character's name Agni was a bit too heavy for her personality.

Suchitra Pillai as Shalu was good. Perhaps Sandhya and Suchitra could have swapped their roles for effectiveness.

If the role of Gangutai could have been changed to a male don and performed by a seasoned actor like Sayaji Shinde, it would have carried a greater impact. It was a bit hard to digest a female Mumbai don, otherwise Pratima Kazmi's performance was first-rate.

Mahima Chaudhry's track in a special appearance as herself is interlaced well into the story.

Songs are quite noticeable. Noteworthy to mention are Allah Ke Bande (by Kailash Kher) and Sajna (by Shibani). To be frank, it was the former song which compelled me to watch the movie.

As the credits rolls we see a special word of thanks to Coen Brothers, Quentin Tarantino and Ram Gopal Varma - our director Shashanka Ghosh's obvious inspiration for abstract direction styles.

The humour keeps the pace of the movie going. Actually its dark comedy - if you happen to enjoy QT movies then you will definitely like it and feel pleased that Bollywood is evolving.

This movie could be a good pedestal for the director and we sincerely hope that is roped into one of biggie production houses. Roll on Shashank - we are waiting.

This is the funniest, slickest Hindi movie I've seen. It is what I hope Bollywood is changing to. This film gives me hope for Indian movies in the international scene. The dialogue, the acting, the plot, and the asides were all meticulously crafted. I haven't been this more thoroughly and cerebrally amused by a movie, let alone a Hindi movie, in a while! Yes, some of it was predictable, but what movie doesn't borrow from predecessors (Or Tarantino?)? I particularly liked the voiced-over thoughts for Puneet (Arshad Warsi) and Agni (Sandhya Mridul). Gangubai (Pratima Kazmi) was a hoot; Mahima's cameo fantastic. And the music -- what a refreshing change. Besides the My Name is ... song, everything else is beautifully fitting. A side note: it's unusual to find a short-haired heroine in a Hindi film and that, too, was striking.

One of the very few movies which try something different....has a Ram Gopal Verma flavor to it.. and the characters are first rate... Although based on the underworld theme the movie never goes grim. The story is engrossing and keeps a good pace...the songs are perfect for the kind of story line although the song in the second half with Maria in it could have been avoided. Prashant Narayanan is a great actor and I don't understand why he is not getting roles in movies...Great potential.... Sandhya Mridul is OK...but her looks don't go with the character she plays.... Arshad Warsi is good and Prashant Narayanan steals the show...Kazmi is great too.... Awesome movie.. Great going Shashank......

An unconventional and surreal 'reaction to Bollywood' as the film calls itself, Waisa Bhi Hota Hai is an unconventionally comedic and serious movie with the main character who is a Ad writer in Bombay, with a cop girlfriend and a gangster best friend. The plot is decent, and so is the acting. The dialogues are quite amusing in a subtle and intelligent way, so rare for any bollywood flick. I expected to see an independent-style gangster production with profanity and more-than-needed violence, but it was definitely a pleasant surprise. Could have been better, but a good rent if you're sick of the the regular overdramatic/romantic/too serious crap that comes out.

Punit (Arshad Warsi) is a copywriter for an ad agency in Mumbai, has a falling out with his cop girlfriend Agni (Sandhya Mridul), ends up sleeping on the street and saves the life of an underworld bad guy Vishnu (Prashant Narayanan). A strange friendship develops between Punit and Vishnu that is hard for Vishnu's boss Ganpat and his arch nemesis Gangu-Tai to comprehend. A band of drinking Sikhs, Mahima Chaudhary (as herself), a newspaper reading trio, and several singers all play a part in the story, although some merely to confuse the deliberately zig zag narrative. Punit wants to get out of Mumbai and retire to Nainital. His dream becomes real in a most unusual way! The movie has excellent performances by Arshad and Prashant, the female Don is hilarious, Sandhya Mridul is good, the usual gang of goons do their job well, but for me the show stealers are the paggad wearing boys who shake it up in a night club! I wanted to get up and dance with them. The story is inspired by many a Tarantino, Coen Brothers film and happily gives them due credit!

The music is excellent and gave rise to two great singing careers, Kailash Kher and Rabbi Shergill. The songs are lovely but I love that My name is .. Bhangra number, wacky and toe tapping good. The film is unusual, sustains interest throughout and is worth a watch.