This latest film by Nagesh Kukunoor (Hyderabad Blues, Rockford) is definitely worth a watch! It is about a B-grade Hollywood actor who, dying from cancer and with his career spiraling downward, takes up an offer to act in a Bollywood movie (in Hyderabad) as a last ditch effort to resurrect his career. The entire movie focuses on how adhoc the movie-making process is in Bollywood; how the stars are revered and nobody really cares two hoots about quality and production values! For instance there is no script! The screenplay is written a few pages at a time the day before the shoot! There isn't much insider stuff in the movie, so it is watchable for non-filmi people too.
Om Puri has done an excellent job! It makes you wonder if all you need is a great actor and the movie will carry itself! Nagesh Kukunoor has come a long way from his previous ventures. There still are a few flaws in the screen flow - you can see some patchy sequences in places - but a vast improvement over Hyderabad Blues! And he has to learn to use music effectively in the movie. There is almost no music in the movie except where absolutely necessary! You know how we all believe there is too much background music in Indian movies; he over-compensated for it by using too little music! The story is light-hearted and almost trivial, unlike typical Bollywood movies with a "strong social" theme; the jokes are funny but not hilarious! Maybe that's why it didn't fare well at the box office.
The bottom line: It is funny and reasonably well-made. The actors all did a great job. Easy-going movie, doesn't play with your emotions a lot! Worth a watch.
Om Puri has done an excellent job! It makes you wonder if all you need is a great actor and the movie will carry itself! Nagesh Kukunoor has come a long way from his previous ventures. There still are a few flaws in the screen flow - you can see some patchy sequences in places - but a vast improvement over Hyderabad Blues! And he has to learn to use music effectively in the movie. There is almost no music in the movie except where absolutely necessary! You know how we all believe there is too much background music in Indian movies; he over-compensated for it by using too little music! The story is light-hearted and almost trivial, unlike typical Bollywood movies with a "strong social" theme; the jokes are funny but not hilarious! Maybe that's why it didn't fare well at the box office.
The bottom line: It is funny and reasonably well-made. The actors all did a great job. Easy-going movie, doesn't play with your emotions a lot! Worth a watch.