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Tag: Saurabh Shukla

  • DS Group’s Pulse launches new TVC with a new tangy twist

    DS Group’s Pulse launches new TVC with a new tangy twist

    Mumbai: DS Group, a multi-business corporation and a leading FMCG conglomerate, launched a new TVC for Pass Pass Pulse, the nation’s favorite hard-boiled candy. The brand’s foundational message, ‘Pran Jaaye Par Pulse Na Jaaye’, is echoed once again in the film, where Saurabh Shukla and Abhishek Banerjee take center stage, embodying its essence. Conceptualised by Wunderman Thompson (Delhi), this quirky and fun film highlights the fact that people would do just anything to hide their favorite Pulse candy from others.

    The storyline of the new TVC film by DS Group shows Saurabh Shukla’s hand stuck in a jar. Everyone in the household tries every possible way to take his hand out, but all the efforts go in vain. An X-ray reveals that he is holding onto a Pulse candy hidden inside the jar and not taking his hand out intentionally to hide it from others.

    Commenting on the occasion, DS Group general manager, marketing, DS Foods, Arvind Kumar said: “DS Group’s Pulse is all about a great tasting candy that you would never share with anyone. Our campaign line ‘Pran Jaaye Par Pulse Na Jaaye’ talks about this in a simple yet creative manner. This latest TVC brings this to life with yet another hilarious story that showcases people going to any extent when it comes to procuring/hiding their Pulse candy.”

    Commenting on the campaign, Wunderman Thompson SVP & ECD Sundeep Sehgal said: “Pran Jaaye Par Pulse Na Jaaye is a promising idea that we have built over the years. To take things a notch higher, we developed yet another ad that showcases unique ways people adopt to hide their Pulse candy. We had a lot of fun making it and we are sure that the audiences will find it super entertaining”.

    The campaign is now live on leading channels, YouTube, social media, and OTTs.

    DS Group is known for its expertise in innovative Indian flavours and fragrances. Pass Pass Pulse, the hard-boiled candy from DS Group stormed this market with its launch in 2015 and since then, is the leading candy brand in India. The tangy twist to the conventional taste makes Pulse an absolute standout! Pulse Candy continuously endeavours to engage with consumers through creative and innovative ways to develop a stronger connection. Launched in 2015, Pulse Candy comes in five mouth-watering flavours, i.e., Kachcha Aam, Guava, Litchi, Orange, and Pineapple. The brand continues to enjoy popularity with the burst of tanginess and a feeling of fun and peculiarity that each flavour commands.

  • Flipkart Health+ & Lowe Lintas unveil celeb-led campaign to boost UP presence

    Flipkart Health+ & Lowe Lintas unveil celeb-led campaign to boost UP presence

    Mumbai: Flipkart Health+, the digital healthcare marketplace platform of India’s homegrown Flipkart Group, rolled out a captivating new advertising campaign in collaboration with Lowe Lintas, the creative agency of MullenLowe Lintas Group. This campaign aims to establish Flipkart Health+ as the preferred platform for online medicine purchases in Uttar Pradesh (UP).

    To strengthen its foothold in UP, the campaign focuses on exciting seller discounts on medicines, making Flipkart Health+ an attractive option for consumers seeking affordable, genuine, and reliable medicines. Moreover, the company has deployed various initiatives to improve delivery speed and the availability of a wide range of medicines to enhance the overall customer experience. In addition, Flipkart Health+ has also initiated offline awareness activations at seller partner stores to boost the campaign.

    The campaign created by Lowe Lintas Bengaluru showcases Flipkart Health+ as the go-to platform for all medicinal needs with a localized touch. Both the films’ narratives are centered around the dynamic relationship between Saurabh Shukla and Sparsh Srivastava, set against the backdrop of UP. The grandfather-grandson duo navigate through a local setup. Both campaigns comically endorse the convenience, reliability, and cost-effectiveness of purchasing medicines via Flipkart Health+. This approach adds authenticity to the campaign and enhances its resonance with the local audience.

    Speaking about the campaign, Flipkart Health+ head of marketing & growth Dhruvish Thakkar said, “Within a short span of two years, Flipkart Health+ has established itself as one of India’s most trusted online pharmacy brands that is solving for affordability and accessibility across India. We’re excited to strengthen our presence in Uttar Pradesh through offers and initiatives that elevate customers’ experience and position Flipkart Health+ as a reliable healthcare partner. Through the campaign, we aim to underscore UP as a priority market for Flipkart Health+.”

    Lowe Lintas Bengaluru executive director – head of creative, copy (South) Arpan Bhattacharyya also added, “As UP is a priority market for Flipkart Health+, we dug into the colorful fabric of the land and came up with characters who could deliver the message with a signature punch. We kept the messaging simple and to the point. And then turned it over to the magical duo of Saurabh Shukla and Sparsh Srivastava who added more than just a dose of swagger to the campaign. Hopefully, it’s just what the doctor ordered!”

  • Prime Video drops trailer for Jitendra Kumar and Shriya Pilgaonkar’s ‘Dry Day’

    Prime Video drops trailer for Jitendra Kumar and Shriya Pilgaonkar’s ‘Dry Day’

    Mumbai: Prime Video, India’s most loved entertainment destination, unveiled the trailer of the Amazon Original movie Dry Day today.  It is a powerful and emotional story that delves into the complexities of addiction, love, and the extent of a man’s sacrifices for his family. Directed by Saurabh Shukla, and produced by Monisha Advani, Madhu Bhojwani, and  Nikkhil Advani,  under the banner of Emmay Entertainment, the comedy-drama features Jitendra Kumar, Shriya Pilgaonkar, and Annu Kapoor in pivotal roles.

    The film is set to premiere exclusively on Prime Video in India and across more than 240 countries and territories worldwide on 22 December. Dry Day is the latest addition to the Prime membership. Prime members in India enjoy savings, convenience, and entertainment, all in a single membership for just Rs 1499/ year. Dry Day is a story of an imperfect hero who challenges societal conventions, rebelling against norms out of love for his unborn child. The trailer of this comedy-drama intricately explores the societal impact of alcoholism, presenting a thought-provoking narrative rooted in social relevance.

     

     

    Speaking about the film, Director Saurabh Shukla said, “The movie is a social satire presented with a hilarious tragic-comedy of errors with lots of drama and emotions. Dry Day gives an important and relevant message about alcoholism and I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to craft this film, aiming to entertain and enlighten the audiences. It brings me immense joy to partner with streaming service Prime Video, Emmay Entertainment, and a talented bunch of actors, collectively breathing life into a compelling and beautiful narrative.”

    “Dry Day is a captivating blend of comedy and drama, offering a rollercoaster of emotions,” shared actor Jitendra Kumar. “It was an exhilarating experience playing the character of Gannu in the movie. Getting into the skin of this intriguing character was like adding a new skill to my toolbox. The character’s struggle to defy all odds in pursuit of trust adds depth to the narrative of the film. I’m excited for audiences to witness this unique journey on screen. The film’s fusion of heartwarming moments and compelling storytelling is something I can’t wait for people to experience and appreciate.”

    Playing the role of Nirmala, actor Shriya Pilgaonkar shared, “The experience of working on Dry Day has been wonderful and enriching in so many ways. It’s a film that will entertain you and emotionally strike a chord as well. I enjoyed building that relationship between Nirmala and Gannu. The story of our film is all about the transformative power of love and it will also draw your attention to certain important societal issues. I’m so grateful to have got the opportunity to collaborate with Saurabh Sir and the wonderful team at Emmay Entertainment.  The writing is fantastic and I was most excited to film my first Holi song! “

  • Gas-O-Fast signs on Saurabh Shukla and Biswanath Basu

    Gas-O-Fast signs on Saurabh Shukla and Biswanath Basu

    MUMBAI: Mankind Pharma’s Gas-O-Fast, known for its natural antacids, is focused on establishing a stronger presence across the nation. They recently got Saurabh Shukla and Biswanath Basu on board as brand ambassadors for their new campaign. Saurabh Shukla is a well-known face at a Pan-India level whereas Biswanath Basu is particularly popular in the eastern states. Both these celebrities will help tap into new markets, bringing certain credibility on deck for the brand to take advantage of.

    Keeping in mind both the actor’s forte – a brilliant comic timing – the new campaign is designed in a fun and quirky way. The humour being evoked in the film stems from something close to the product world – heartburn – coming alive in both, its literal and metaphorical sense.

    Commenting on the campaign, Mankind Pharma DGM Joy Chatterjee said, “It was time for us to broaden our market base by establishing our presence across the country. This venture demanded fresh pieces of communication with acclaimed celebrities for higher brand recall. Thus, Saurabh Shukla and Biswanath Basu became a fitting choice for us.”

    The campaign was conceptualized and executed by ADK Fortune, a WPP agency. managing partner Subroto Pradhan added, “It was important to play on the discomfort of heartburn. We thought in a category which mostly rides on the problem-solution approach, a tinge of humour that brings out the ‘jalan’ as an emotion could do the trick. And who could better deliver that than Saurabh and Biswanath.”

  • World Television Premiere of Raid on Star Gold

    World Television Premiere of Raid on Star Gold

    MUMBAI: This May, Star Gold to bring the World Television Premiere of Raid. Touted as first Bollywood project to be based on an Income Tax raid, this Ajay Devgn starrer hit will be showcased on 27th May 2018, Sunday at 1 PM on Star Gold. 

    The Home of Blockbuster gives you an opportunity to witness the latest action-crime thriller, “Raid”, telecasting within 2 months of its theatrical release. Helmed by Raj Kumar Gupta, who is known for directing movies like No One Killed Jessica and Aamir yet again brings another gripping story which is rooted in reality.

    Based on a true incident from the 1980s, Raid explores one of the most high-profile raids executed in the country, boasting power dialogues and eminent star cast. Starring Ajay Devgn as an honest government officer and masterful Saurabh Shukla in the role of a wealthy goon, the drama also features Ileana D’Cruz portraying the role of Ajay’s wife. The couple seem to have teamed up together for the second time after Baadshaho.

    Centered around the longest and well-crafted Income Tax raids of the country, Raid showcases the struggle an of an upright Income Tax Officer, Amay Patnaik who conducts a raid at the mansion of the most powerful man in Lucknow.
     

  • Jagga Jasoos – a disappointment both as a musical and as a comedy

    Describing a film as a musical is a misnomer as the genre does not exist and in any case music as we knew it has virtually ceased to exist Hindi films which have lyrics that pass off as songs.

    Jagga Jasoos takes inspiration from various sources like the popular comic series, The Adventures Of Tin Tin, Hollywood musicals of the sixties and some from India. It has described as a musical, adventure, romantic, comedy.

    Ranbir stutters in his speech.His father, Saswata Chetterjee suggests that if he converses in verse he will not stutter. That is what makes it an excuse of a musical as he rhymes all his dialogue. Adventures are aplenty but lack impact as they happen suddenly and are forced most of the time. As for comedy and romance, they are missing.

    Ranbiir Kapoor is a school student staying in a hostel (time he grows up to more mature roles if he wants his films to work) who plays jasoos (detective) on the side. His comic books are popular and a journalist, Katrina Kaif, reads them out to a bunch of children regularly. This is perhaps the longest introduction of a hero in any film!

    The film starts with the much publicised Purulia arms drop incident. Saswata, who was a sole witness to the dumpingt vanishes soon after. Getting down to tracking him, Jagga Jasoos is roped in as a result of Katrina having narrated two of his adventures to children. In one of the stories Katrina who has gone to follow the story of the arms drop, gets involved with Ranbir who is after the arms smugglers.

    This takes the film to half time in the film when Ranbir decides to trace his father. He asks Katrina to join him. In the process, they land up in Africa and realize that though the main arms dealer is some two headed man who owns a Russian circus, some of the Indian officials are also involved, including Saurabh Shukla, a government investigator.

    Shukla thinks Saswata has been killed by his men but oddly enough, is told by Ranbir that his father is very much alive and is somewhere in Africa! Why should he do that when he knows Shukla is not worthy of trust? So Ranbir along with Katrina are searching for his father while Shukla is out to eliminate them.

    The usual chase follows as Ranbir and Katrina find ways to escape like in a train, a car, a scooter or even an airplane conveniently placed for them whenever they need them.

    The film clearly has a very loose script and hinges between being a children’s film and a serious subject of arms smuggling. The director has no grip on the proceedings and there are many glitches. With just Ranbir and Katrina with a couple of unknown faces to Hindi screen, it becomes a drag and the length of 142 minute duration adds to the woes! The film being dubbed as a musical fails as only the already popular number Galti se mistake…passes muster. Cinematography is good. The climax has been rushed.

    As for performances, Ranbir Kapoor shows no improvement, and Katrina seems to be losing her charm. Saurabh Shukla does well as usual. Saswata Chetterjee does very well.

    Jagga Jasoos has taken almost three years in the making but comes up with a totally disappointing result.

    Producers: Siddharth Roy Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Anurag Basu.
    Director: Anurag Basu.
    Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Saurabh Shukla, Saswata Chatterjee.

  • Jolly LLB 2….Lacklustre

    Jolly LLB 2 is, what the Hindi film industry has got used to describe as a sequel and this one is supposed to be a sequel to Jolly LLB (2013). The film actually is another comic satire on the judiciary like the earlier one and the same director if that qualifies it to be called a sequel.

    Otherwise, the film is just using the title considering the earlier Jolly LLB was a fair success.

    Jolly LLB 2 takes similar start as the earlier one in that, though Akshay Kumar’s character is a qualified lawyer, he works with a senior solicitor in Lucknow where he is mainly an attendant to his boss, never trusted to take up a case or stand in court.

    Akshay has a demanding wife, played by Huma Qureshi, in that Akshay has to do all the house work, make whiskey for her, cook for her etc. While Akshay has but one ambition, that is to have his own chamber and take on cases independently, Huma’s ambition is to wear Gucci dress. Akshay can’t afford it so, on one occasion, she gets a Gucci dress on rent. That is the kind of comedy the film offers.

    Sayani Gupta’s husband, Manav Kaul, has been killed by the policeman, Inaamulhaq, passing it off as an encounter just to get accolades and his next promotion. Pregnant Sayani wants Akshay’s boss to take up her case but he is not even willing to meet her. Akshay lies to her and accepts two lakh from her as fees for his boss and uses it to get his own chamber. Sayani commits suicide and guilt-ridden Akshay decides to take on the might of the local police.

    The rest of the film tries to replicate the earlier version as the big time lawyer defending the cop here is the character played by Annu Kapoor while the judge is Saurabh Shukla, straight out of Jolly LLB. A novice, Akshay tries to get a conviction for Inaamullah but Annu comes up with all sorts of antics most of which are farcical, let alone be convincing.

    For distraction, some song and dance routine is put in at places but that hardly helps. The fact is, there is little scope for a heroine in the story. Instead, the couple also have a child nobody knows to what purpose except to stretch the film. This aspect actually bogs down the film.

    The court proceedings are lackluster and get neither serious nor funny. Characters pop out from nowhere as if to give the film another twist; the ploy fails.

    The film suffers right from conception stage as the script is poor lacking the expected thrill and twist and turns from a courtroom drama. The comparison with the earlier film is inevitable as, even the comic quotient, is missing in most parts. Direction is patchy. Music has no decent song to offer and only drags the film. Editing is slack. Production values are below par.

    As for performances, Akshay Kumar tries his best but lacks his usual élan. Annu Kapoor goes overboard being loud. Saurabh Shukla is okay. Huma Qureshi was not needed in this scheme of things and, while she is there, she adds nothing. Imaanulhaq does well and so does Sayani Gupta.
    Jolly LLB 2 is an average fare lacking the required entertainment value.

    Producer: Fox Star Studios.

    Director: Subhash Kapoor.

    Cast: Akshay Kumar, Annu Kapoor, Huma Qureshi, Saurabh Shukla.

  • Sony LIV to premiere Aamir Khan’s ‘PK’

    Sony LIV to premiere Aamir Khan’s ‘PK’

    MUMBAI: Sony LIV, Multi Screen Media’s (MSM’s) digital video entertainment brand serving and streaming content both on mobile & web, is all set to bring the movie that created history.  An exceptionally well crafted movie ‘PK’ directed by Rajkumar Hirani will be premiered on 22 June onwards for a week at Sony LIV app and web. So now one can watch their favorite movie end number of times for free!

     

    Cinema lovers and Aamir Khan fans now have the chance to delve into the rib-tickling histrionics of the lovable alien played by the superstar as he questions the religious dogmas and superstitions that plague India. With Anushka Sharma, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla, and Sanjay Dutt in supporting roles, viewers will journey with PK as he makes satirical observations about the peculiarities of human behavior and beliefs.

     

    So whether you missed the film on the silver screen or you’d like to immerse yourself in its comical moments and applause-worthy dialogues all over again, don’t forget to tune into Sony LIV!   

  • ‘Jai Ho! Democracy’: Freedom misused

    ‘Jai Ho! Democracy’: Freedom misused

    MUMBAI: Jai Ho! Democracy raises some hope because of a few names in its cast and credits. The film is written by Ranjit Kapoor, the co-writer of the all-time classic comedy, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), and also has some talented actors in Om Puri, Annu Kapoor, Satish Kaushik and Seema Biswas.

    However, as the film unwinds, rather than entertain, it goes on to belie your expectations.

    There is an incident at the border. A hen lands up in no man’s land and an Indian army cook is asked to go retrieve it. Once in no man’s land, the Pakistani soldiers start firing at him. The Indian troops contemplate whether to retaliate. The media gets wind of the situation and turns it into a ‘on the verge of war’ story.

    Concerned with the media outcry, a committee is set up to look into the matter. The representatives come from various parties and states. The idea is to create comedy through the conflict of communicating due to language barriers. The committee goes by the rule book and instead of discussing the situation, gets entwined into technicalities.

     

     

    A contradiction to the committee’s communication problem is displayed in no man’s land where an Indian and a Pakistani soldier come face to face. They have no problem communicating as both speak Punjabi. They start in Punjabi for which no subtitles are deemed necessary. Both soon embark on a nostalgia trip about the pains of partition and crave for an undivided country.

    The film is only 96 minutes long and yet feels like 36 minutes too long. The script is a total let down and its attempts to create humour fall flat. Of the star cast, which turns into caricatures, only Annu Kapoor does the Tamilian politician act well. Rest fill the bill.

    Direction goes the same way as the script: nowhere.

    Jai Ho! Democracy is a let-down and waste of talent.

    Producer: Bikramjeet Singh Bhullar

    Director: Ranjit Kapoor

    Cast: Om Puri, Annu Kapor, Satish Kaushik, Seema Biswas, Adil Hussain, Aamir Bashir, Grusha Kapoor, Benjamin Gilani

     

    ‘Kaagaz Ke Fools’: Yawn Some

    Kaagaz Ke Fools is a film about a husband-wife relationship, which is always sour. Strangely both love each other but it never shows.

    Vinay Pathak aspires to be a writer but being the honest and principled man that he is, he won’t write anything cheap or filthy. He works for a small advertising agency, writing copy for lingerie and other such products. He is not ambitious while his wife, Mugdha Godse, nurses all the ambitions.

    Producers: Faisal Kapadia

    Director: Anil Kumar Chaudhary

    Cast: Vinay Pathak, Mugdha Godse, Saurabh Shukla, Raima Sen

    Vinay is supposed to be a talented writer but since he won’t break his rules about clean writing, no publisher is willing to publish his work. As a result he is still sitting on the very first book he has penned. Mugdha is a full time nag and the amount of nagging she does to egg him on in his writing would have made any man commit suicide. He loves his wife immensely and tries to placate her every time she starts off.

    There is a gathering at Vinay’s friend’s house where one his friends provokes Mugdha asking about Vinay’s book and how his own book has sold about 1.75 lakh copies. To bring luck, Mugdha even asks a Feng Shui specialist to rearrange her house. Vinay is against all these things and again an argument starts. Vinay is not the suicide type so instead he leaves home trying to find alcohol and shelter in his friend’s house.

    There again he comes across the same friend whose book has sold 1.75 lakh copies. An argument ensues and is about to become violent when Vinay is asked to leave.

    Vinay meets a friendly rickshaw guy who takes him to an illegal bar cum whorehouse cum casino. Here, he is asked to try his luck at game of cards egged on by Raima Sen, a prostitute who hooks her customers from this place. Vinay wins some real money. Seeing a prospective client in him, Raima takes him to a friend’s house to seduce him. Vinay is totally sozzled by then and keeps uttering Mugdha’s name while keeping Raima at bay.

    After some forced sequences which are meant to be comic, Vinay’s book is published, the title having been changed from ‘Ek Thehrisi Zindagi’ to ‘Ek Tharkisi Zindagi’ and, predictably, it becomes a bestseller.

    The problem with the film is that the script is totally contrived. Characters are supposed to be Punjabi and actors trying to use Punjabi slang is hardly funny. Direction is poor with unnecessary cutting and shifting of scenes. Music seems inspired from old time Asha Bhosle repertoire. Cinematography is average. Editing is non-existent.

    Vinay Pathak does what he does in all his films, playing an honest simpleton which, for him, does not take much effort. Saurabh Shukla’s playing of a pucca Punjabi is jarring. Mugdha’s nagging is overdone. Raima makes faces, which cannot be passed off as acting.

    Kaagaz Ke Fools is a poor fare with no hope at the box office.

  • ‘PK’…Mildly bubbly!

    ‘PK’…Mildly bubbly!

    MUMBAI: The expectations from PK would, naturally, be as high as director Raju Hirani’s three earlier classic hits, the Munnabhai two and 3 Idiots have built. The basic theme remains the same: that of delivering a full-fledged sermon. If 3 Idiots was on education, PK serves to be a satire on the exploitation perpetuated in the name of religion by self-styled god men. This is not a mean thing to achieve for a believer, which most of us in India are. We can’t reject our God hence Hirani seeks outside help.

     

    Aamir Khan is an alien who has been sent by his people to do a research on earthlings when they realised people similar to them exist on earth. Aamir’s folks on his planet do not believe in covering their naturally given body by outer layers like clothes and, hence, he lands in the far flung desert of Rajasthan totally nude. The only thing on his body is a pendant tied around his neck which is his remote to contact his spaceship when he is ready to return to his home planet.

     

    As Aamir lands he sees an earthling near railway tracks who also gives him his first experience with the ways of earth people. This stranger tugs at his pendant and makes a run for it getting on to the running goods train. Aamir proceeds to the nearest town where he steals clothes from intimate lovers making it out in parked cars; money comes along in wallets of the stolen clothes and when it falls short there is always a blind beggar around to steal from.

     

    In the town, Aamir comes across Sanjay Dutt, a helpful soul. Aamir has no language because on his planet people communicate mind to mind. He tries to grab hands of every woman he sees. Sanjay thinks Aamir is in a need of a woman and takes him to a whorehouse where he holds her hands for a few hours and transfers her vocabulary to himself. 

     

    Sanjay tells him that to find his remote; Aamir will have to go to Delhi where costly stolen goods are sold. However, not knowing where to start looking for his remote, he is told that only God can help him find his lost property. Aamir sets out in search of God but soon realises that different people hold different beliefs. He alternates between mandir, masjid and church in an attempt to find the real God. While his attempts create funny situations, it also conveys the hypocrisy as well as the contradictions of various faiths.

     

    When a god man or a politician has to be exposed, a TV reporter in the story has become sort of mandatory. Here Anushka Sharma is the one. Her assignment is to ‘report’ a story on a suicidal puppy! That is when she spots Aamir doing his antics and always on the run as he keeps offending people of some religion or the other. She thinks there is a huge story here to which her boss, Boman Irani, does not agree. Anushka devotes her working hours and more to be with Aamir.

     

    The search for his remote leads Aamir to a God man, Saurabh Shukla. Saurabh has bought the remote from the man who stole it and is passing it off as bead that fell from Lord Shiva’s Damroo. He declares to his devotees that God wills him to build a massive temple for this bead. This is his way to extract funds from his devotees. Anushka has an axe to grind with the Swami. Her parents are blind followers of Saurabh and she holds him responsible for breaking her romance with a Pakistani boy, Sushant Singh Rajput, while they are studying in Belgium.

     

    She joins Aamir in exposing Saurabh. While Aamir only wants to prove that Saurabh’s communication with God is reaching ‘wrong number’, Anushka knows Aamir will unwittingly expose Saurabh to be a fraud. In a series of TV reports, Anushka manages to unmask all god men of all religions leading to a finale where Aamir and Saurabh come face to face on a TV debate. Anushka gets her love back, Aamir gets his remote and Saurabh loses everything.

     

    PK does not quite bear the Raju Hirani stamp; while the script holds well through the first half and is fairly entertaining, its loses steam as the film proceeds into second half. While becoming a sermon on frauds operating as god men, the subject is dealt with at length and with better effect in OMG: Oh My God, which came out not very long ago. The end is rather tame until it brings Aamir back for the concluding scene. Raju Hirani is in his element but the script holds him back to some extent. Also, the film does not have a full-fledged romantic track. The film has a fairly good musical score with couple of hummable songs in Dil darbadar…. and Chaar kadam…, the others being thematic. The film needed some trimming for sure.

     

    Aamir has to carry this film singularly on his shoulders and, being an alien, with limited expressions. However, he manages to put in a great performance conveying the innocence he is supposed to. Anushka Sharma is good. The others have bit roles with Sushant exuding great charm, Boman being his usual self and Sanjay having nothing much to do. Saurabh’s character is not properly etched.

     

    PK has been released on a massive scale with enhanced admission rates and Christmas holidays to follow soon, which would aid it to a great extent to overcome its comparison with Hirani’s earlier films.

     

    Producers: Vinod Chopra, Raju Hirani.

    Director: Raju Hirani.

    Cast: Aamir Khan, Anushka Sharma, Sanjay Dutt, Sushant Singh Rajput, Boman Irani, Saurabh Shukla.