!-- Start Alexa Certify Javascript --> !-- Start Alexa Certify Javascript --> !-- Start Alexa Certify Javascript --> BOLLYWOOD FILM REVIEW: Uninspiring Film: Kaanchi | SILICONEER | MAY 2014

A General Interest Monthly Magazine for South Asians in the U.S.

Northern California:
SF Bay Area | San Jose | Fremont | Santa Clara
Silicon Valley | Sacramento Area
Southern California: Los Angeles | Artesia | San Diego | Inland Empire

Web siliconeer.com
Advertise in Siliconeer | Home | Subscribe Print Issue | About Us (FAQs) | Contact | Locations | Staff Login | Site Map |

ADVERTISEMENTS


PREMIUM

CLASSIFIEDS

MULTIMEDIA VIDEO


BOLLYWOOD | Film Review
Uninspiring Film: Kaanchi

Produced & Directed by: Subhash Ghai
Starring: Mishti, Kartik Tiwari, Rishi Kapoor, Mithun Chakraborty, Chandan Roy Sanyal and Rishabh Sinha
Music by: Simaab Sen


Review by: Joginder Tuteja
Rating: ** (Mediocre)


(Above): Mishti in “Kaanchi.”

When it’s a Subhash Ghai film, you don’t expect anything experimental or new age. All that you look forward to is a drama of yore that earned Subhash Ghai the title of “showman.”

Sadly, Kaanchi doesn’t come anywhere close. Through the film you try to hunt for elements that bring back memories of some of the wonderful work by Ghai that he has been famous for. However, there are just a few faint glimpses, but by and large, the film hardly comes across as a product which has a trademark Subhash Ghai touch.



(Above): A scene from “Kaanchi.”

The film takes a long time to come to the point. The opening sequences are stretched. Mishti and her lover Kartik seem to take ages to unite. However, while you wait for that to happen, there are elements added around a company (owned by Rishi Kapoor, backed by his elder brother Mithun Chakraborty) to take over the township where Mishti and Kartik live.

A few unconvincing sequences follow. The concept of right versus wrong and fighting for one’s rights are established.

Amidst all this there is another angle. A youngster (Rishabh Sinha) is added to the plot, which seems like a quick pass to begin with. To your surprise it turns out to be the crux of the plot, which definitely lacks the “wow!”



(Above): Rishi Kapoor in “Kaanchi.”

Nevertheless, there seems to be some hope once the film moves towards the interval as there are some reasonably well-pitched dramatic sequences put together. Though you don’t step into the second half with many expectations, what amazes you is the manner in which Kaanchi goes further downhill.

Mishti’s visit to Mumbai, the way she meets her childhood-friend-turned-cop (Chandan Roy Sanyal), the ease with which she gains entry into the lives of Rishi Kapoor and Mithun Chakraborty, the sting she carries, the social and political workers that she approaches - it is a free fall!

And that’s not all. There are four to five songs interspersed in the second half, two of them entirely shot on Chandan Roy. At a number of instances there are forced references made to Ghai’s own work from the past. The pre-climax of the bigwigs getting arrested is of convenience too and so are many escapes that Mishti makes. You just hope, albeit faintly, that the climax would bring in a high to the plot but the fight sequence that follows is just average and by the time an epilogue featuring CBI official Adil Hussain arrives, Kaanchi surprisingly gets into a Prakash Jha zone.



(Above): Mishti and Kartik Tiwari in “Kaanchi.”

In the middle of all this, one does hunt for positives and it has to be said that Mishti comes across as a beautiful girl with freshness about her. With baby flesh on her face, she comes across every bit as an innocent girl though her modus operandi leaves a lot to be desired. Also, she clearly makes an attempt to “act” rather than coming across as a natural. Comparatively, Kartik does well during his screen time and it is apparent that he has opened up a lot since his Pyaar Ka Punchnama days. Mithun Chakraborty is good, though he turns monotonous after a point. Rishi Kapoor clearly chose this role for old times sake. Rishabh is just about okay while Chandan has his moments occasionally.

There are attempts being made to project Kaanchi as a film with a message. We however wish Subhash Ghai would rather make a commercial entertainer with larger than life appeal. That would be a movie worth watching!


Joginder Tuteja is a Bollywood writer based in Mumbai, India.

EMAIL US: info (at) siliconeer.com | SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ONLINE BELOW

Click here to read the Current Issue in Magazine format

COVER STORY
The Colossal Indian Elections:
Choosing their New Leader

India goes to polls to elect a new central government and Prime Minister, writes Priyanka Bhardwaj.
In the wake of general elections in India, Siliconeer conducted a sample poll here in the U.S. The results are published in this feature.


EDUCATION
Building Schools in Africa:
TeachTheFuture Foundation

As high school kids we believe that we have the obligation to improve the lives of impoverished kids and it starts with education, write Kaushik, Emil and Karthik.


OPINION
Why I Voted for Modi:
2014 India General Elections

For his vote, Siddharth Srivastava looked at these aspects when he voted for the country’s leadership.


OTHER STORIES
EDITORIAL: India Goes to Polls
SOCIETY: Movies or Politics: It’s All in the Family
FEAT: From Preemie to Taekwondo Pro
SUBCONTINENT: The El Nino Scare
BOOK EXTRACT: Darkest Before the Dawn
TRIBUTE: SF Bay Area Community Leader Naranjibhai V. Patel
BUSINESS: Xoom's New Service: Instant Money Transfer to India
BOLLYWOOD: 2014 IIFA Celebrations in Tampa, Fla.
REALITY FICTION: An Offbeat Story
AUTO REVIEW: 2014 Mazda3 Grand Touring Sedan
TRAVEL: Trip to California State Railroad Museum, Sacramento
BOLLYWOOD FILM REVIEW: Kaanchi
BOLLYWOOD: Guftugu
FICTION: The Scarf
RECIPE: Lamb Dopiaza
HOROSCOPE: May

NEW! The Siliconeer App






ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2014: TAMPA
Siliconeer Exclusive




ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2013: MACAU
Siliconeer Exclusive




ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2012: SINGAPORE
Siliconeer Exclusive




ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2011: TORONTO
Siliconeer Exclusive




ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2010: SRI LANKA: JUNE 2010



ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2009
A Siliconeer Exclusive Photo Essay



ENTERTAINMENT
81st Annual Academy Awards
A Siliconeer Exclusive Photo Essay




ENTERTAINMENT
IIFA Awards 2008
A Siliconeer Exclusive Photo Essay




Advertise in Siliconeer | Home | Subscribe PRINT Issue | About Us (FAQs) | Contact | Locations | Staff Login | Site Map
© Copyright 2000-2014 Siliconeer • All Rights Reserved • For Comments and Questions: info (AT) siliconeer.com