Kaminey (2009)

Pretty Good

Just perfect...

I cannot think of one single thing that I would change about this film. The acting is incomparable, the directing deft, and the writing poignantly brilliant.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

It's hard to tell if the original draft by Cajetan Boy (credited with the idea) explored the various facets of brotherhood. Given Bharadwaj's Shakespearean leanings, it is likely that they are his own. After multiple viewings, this aspect of Kaminey gains more prominence than any other and that includes the more exalted - Bharadwaj's TarantinoRitchiesque approach to the screenplay, Shahid Kapoor's research behind the execution of the speech defects, Amol Gupte, Priyanka Chopra and Dhan Ta Nan. The elderly Bengali brothers Mujeeb and 'Fumon' are avuncular in their adoration of Mikhail who prefers Charlie's company much like Charlie himself. The estranged twins, Charlie and Guddu must exorcise their childhood demons before they can patch up things between them. The cops Lobo and Lele are a Vega brothers-like (Tarantino's unfulfilled project with Travolta and Madsen playing their characters from Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs) couple, gun touting and cool in a crisis. Also, Lele's devotion seems matchless until it is tested. And then there's Bhope Bhau who inspires a fraternity that lasts as long as notions of lucrative gain remain with his 'baarat'.Vishal Bharadwaj's flair for dialogue that alternates between pithy modern-day aphorisms and poetry ("kare woh, bhare main") is evident here too, although it is much toned down in comparison to Maqbool and Omkara. 'Bhanwara aaya re ... phatak' and 'Pehli baar mohabbat ki hain' are examples of his musical and poetic abilities.

A movie that has something for everyone. This vishal bharadwaj movie scores in almost every department. Shahid kapoor have finally grown out of his chocolate boy image with his sterling portrayal as guddu & charly. Priyanka & amol gupte have also given memorable performance. Climax scenes, seems like an ode to d gangster movies of 70s nd 80s, takes the viewer to hitherto unknown levels of cinematic exaltation. Bg score and music blends to the scenes and adds up to the final show down. yes, comparisons can be made. but the director has to be credited for not compromising for commercial gains. ample use of humour, at times being satirical augers well with the plot. This film has proved again that good story backed up with credible performances and not just stars are needed to set d cash registers ringing….

Vishal Bharadwaj takes a break from Shakeshpeare and decides to give the Bollywood audience a break from candy-floss films (read that as K-Jo, YRF and their lookalikes!). He gives us a taster session of Tarantino & Guy Ritchie, famed for their distinct style of film-making. Unique (and loony) characters, tension-building scenes, unexpected turn of events, razor-sharp lines, strong background score - you name it "Kaminey" has all the ingredients. There is no "Once upon a time....." business here, the audience find themselves thrown into the middle of quagmire owing to which in the first few reels you find find yourself gasping to comprehend. Not being funny, but only the smart & intelligent stay with the proceedings. Brilliant performances from all actors, including the host of new faces.۩ Shahid Kapur:: Guddu & Charlie - not exactly "chalk-and-cheese" there, as you would normally expect in a storyline of identical twins. Let's say one is slightly more deceitful. Divide the stutter and lisp between them and Shahid gets a role of his lifetime which he delivers with utmost perfection.۩ Priyanka Chopra:: Just about completing her home-run and needless to say her performance as the Maharashtrian girl is a feather in the cap.۩ Amol Gupte:: Another Mahesh Manjrekar in the making. ۩ Deb Mukherjee:: Nice to see him after a long sabbatical, though short- role."Dhan Te Nan" is an obvious scene-stealer while the rest of the numbers would take sometime to catch up. Gulzar's lyrics as usual is mystical.Crap was the word that first came to my mind when I watched "Pulp Fiction" but it took a couple of years of maturity to retrace my steps and appreciate the body of work. It goes without saying "Kaminey" deserves a second-time watch to get the gist and perhaps a few more to notice the grammar of fine film-making.

'Kaminey' follows Ram Gopal Verma's style of execution. Having worked with Gopal Verma, Vishal Bhardwaj has obviously adapted some of his style. This is very different from Bhardwaj's previous films and it certainly does not measure up to any of them. The story is not too different from any other gangster flick but it is treated well. It is perhaps Bhardwaj's most energetic film but at the same time it also follows a slow pace. The cinematography is competent. The songs are quite funny. Shahid Kapur and Priyanka Chopra are quite good but I liked Chandan Roy Sanyal the most as Charlie's wacky friend. Though I found 'Kaminey' to be enjoyable, it still lags behind when compared to Bhardwaj's previous films which are close to masterworks. To me 'Kaminey' had nothing new or much to offer. I suppose the director wanted to make something rather mainstream and he succeeds at that but what's next?