Kalyug - My Review
Previously titled “Blue Film”, I thought Kalyug was going to be another skin-flick by the Bhatt clan. So with a remote in hand, wary eyes, and after making sure no one was home, I sat down to watch this movie!
The first half surprisingly is void of any skin-show at all and the story begins like any other love story of a simple boy and girl. The build-up of this innocent love story makes one wish the best for this couple while “jiya dhadak dhadak” plays in the background. Just when you think they are on their way to a happy life together forever, their lives are disrupted by the brute charges of making a pornn film and distributing it on a popular Indian pornn site. The girl cannot bear the humiliation and commits suicide. Although the love story is very sweet and could keep going forever, the pace of the film really picks up here when the boy (Kunal Khemu) decides to get to the bottom of this web of lies and deception that surrounds him and probably thousands of other innocent couples. The quest takes him to Zurich, Switzerland where a major porr industry flourishes under business magnate Simi Roy ( Amrita Singh).
The Bhatts have come up with something very believable this time. From the simple life of a Kashmiri boy to the brutal truths about life and the billion dollar porn industry, Kalyug will keep you hooked on till the very end. Scenes in the movie, especially the second half are very well executed and handled properly! The theme of the film, human trafficking is handled deftly, is very believable, and could happen to any one of us. The hunger for power in Simi Roy, the helplessness of the porn star Annie (Deepal Shaw), the lecherous acts of a porn dealer (Ashutosh Rana), and the “dard” and anger within Kunal, all combined make for a perfect “tamasha”..all right in sync with the film’s tag line “Kisi ek ka dard kisi aur ka tamasha ban jaata hai”.
There is no unnecessary skin show in the film and the songs are also well placed. They are well used and do not seem out of place at all. From the sweet, lovable tunes of “jiya dhadak jaaye”, to the painful “aadat” and the very erotic “dheere dheere” the music and lyrics of all the songs are completely in sync with the narrative! The highlights of the film are the arrest of Kunal and Smiley, the scenes between Amrita Singh and her daughter, Kunal’s meeting with Ali (Emraan Hashmi), Annie’s story, and the climax - very well shot and apt! The dialogues are very effective, crisp, and have a lasting effect,especially when they are executed in crisp tones by Amrita Singh in silent rage. The theme of the story is such that had it not been handled well…it could have potentially been all skin, and no show! Full points to director Mohit Suri for being an amazing story teller and executing a very sensitive issue almost perfectly!
Amazingly, the director was able to extract stellar performances from the complete cast and crew as well! The girl (Smilie) is allright in her small role. Deepal Shaw, although ugly, is very competant with her acting skills while Kunal Khemu is an actor to watch out for. Sure, Khemu is crude at times in the movie but with time this guy will surely polish his acting prowess and is one to definitely bag some debut awards this year! All three newcomers, although not much eye candy are definitely skilled and will go a long way.
Amrita Singh is the stunner and is absolutely terrific with her negative shades!Never does she twitch her eyebrows, nor raise her voice, in fact there is a glossy wetness in her tone as if underneath there is a fathomless emotional ocean (which there is as we see in the film), yet she conveys the menace, the sinisterness in an impeccable manner that leaves the audience shuddering in her cold, clammy deathly stare. A character of strength and notoriety, she exudes immense power even till her downfall - and when she does so, it is with dignity befitting the stature of her negativity, quite akin to a Shakespearan character!. Rocking the screen everytime she appears, Amrita Singh is sure to bag nominations in the best negative role category this year.
Even the girl who plays her daughter gives a splendid performance. The biggest surprise of the film for me was “bheege honth” boy Emraan Hashmi. Although, in a small role (thankfully), Hashmi delivers a performance befitting his character and does it with ease. Yes yes, do not faint, I liked Hashmi in this film! And like DJ said, “the director didn’t let loose a female in front of him, so the viewers were saved that way”.
The film is very refreshing, leaves you stunned and thinking, and ofcourse is a welcome change from the previous sleaze show associated with the Bhatts and Emraan Hashmi! Different from the Chopra and Johar love recipes, this one might not be appealing to all but will surely find an audience and carve its own niche. A perfect blend of a believable theme, a good script, crisp dialogues, skilled direction, good music, smooth narrative, and excellent performances, Kalyug is easily one of the most underestimated films ever.
Even if you are still skeptical about this film, earlier titled “Blue Film”, dont be! It is surely worth watching. It might just break all your preconceived notions about a movie on human trafficking.
Thanks Deepak for helping me out with this post!
ME FIRST!
Yeah true, even I was very skeptical in watching this film. But the end result is truly good. I think the pace and narrative flow were its other big plus points, apart from the performances. And yeah yeah, Deepal Shaw was quite a revelation, and not in the way we all thought she wud be! She is perhaps the first music-video girl who can actually turn in a performance! Koena Mittra and company can burn in shame and hell now!
Hats off to Suri for a well made film…and Kaushie, great review! Thanks for the mention, u know u r always welcome
Okay okay you first Deepak Abhi kitna “morally” yeh pata nahi! hehe
And yep agreed, the pace and narrative are definitely plus points..but i was so awed by Amrita Singh that just blabbered on about performances! LOL..deepal shaw is a revelation both ways! Although I must say that I would give her a few more movies till she becomes a good actress. But yea FAR better than the still as a rock Koena Mitra! and thanks much for your help and liking the review..yours wouldnt have been much different right?
From a technical stand point this is one good film…eye candy-wise I am not so sure hehe!
Yeah true, those who went to see ‘Blue Film’ wud be soooo disappointed and might just complain , ‘ke waakay kalyug hai’
LOL….so true!
isnt that you were complaining? hehehhee
oopsss..isnt that WHAT you were complaining..
wow. nice post. and its not in the theatres still.. but ill get a dvd n watch it
first coz I want to watch it, and 2nd, coz ive read abt it….
LOL , now now now Kaushie, mujhe ‘blue film’ dekhni hogi i wudnt wait for bollywood to give me that, wud i? ;-P he he …
GeminiGirl thanks for liking the post! and yes two great reasons to watch it! I wanted to watch the movie coz i had heard one or two good reviews from friends! And was not dissappointed at all!
tsk tsk Deepak sudhar jao …abhi bhi time hai!uparwaala tumhaara bhala kare!
Couldn’t have agreed more with you on the review of this movie. I had this movie sitting at my home for so long, but everytime I thought about watching it, I was surrounded by other ppl, and I just put some other movie instead. Finally got a chance to watch it, and must say, it exceeded my expectations. Each & every character lived up to the role.
True Mannat, I think as it is everyone had really low expectations from this one but it turned out to be a very well done movie and like you said..true every character lived up! Waise, how are you? and how have you been? Happy new yeaR!
Hi Kaush,
A nice review of the movie. I will surely see it now. How is life then.
hi kaush, very nice post. summed up well. I have not seen this movie. maybe will catch it on a Cd.
well i still have to watch this movie…..am already fida over kunal kheemu….like the songs of this movie…i read somewhere that Smiley is Mohit Suri’s sister….n i like all the Bhatt movies….every time they pick a new subject….new cast….i mean most of the time…n they have short phillums….2-21/2 hrs….
after reading this review, I think I am convinced that this movie is worht watching… but now the question is, is it still playing anywhere?
Havent seen the movie but shall now surely catch it soon….love the songs of Kalyug, especially ‘Jiya dhadak dhadak’ n ‘Juda hoke bhi tu’ will see n then comment in detail…but a nice review
hey gurl….this sure was a good movie. emraan is plain hot stuff….thats all i have to say… and that daughter of amrita singh i think did a very good role. and oh yeah….still cant get enuff of the songs!
oh before i forget….like the new template!
Hi Kaush!
wonderful review..lets see if I can get hold of the movie..anyway, ur college started ?
Hey Kaushie!
Kya haal hai?
Yes I liked Kalyug as well. I didnt realise that it was a Bhatt film till it started and I was like…”uh-oh” but I was pleasantly surprised as well.
Loved the tune and words of Jiya dhadak dhadak….
Very mushy and romantic indeed!!
You have written this review like an extremely professional TOI review! *hahaha* I enjoyed reading it!
BTW i couldnt see this post on your blog but only via DJ’s link….. i wonder why?!
gud review gal!!…
loooved thos two songs jiya nd aadat..teh hav become an addiction…hmm..managed to watch half of the movie ..buh had to quit watchin the other half as i had to go out.
will ahfta get mah hands on the c.d
nice review… wanted to see this film… last week we had to opt between 15 Park Avenue and Kalyug… and atlast myself, chandu n pv.. ended up going to 15 Park Avenue as we thought Kalyug might not be tht gudd..
but seems this one is worth watchign after readin ur review..
anyway, 15 Park avenue is also not tht bad.. afterall.
Neatly presented kaush, and will try to watch this. Thanks for the review
Well i watched the movie a while back . I thought it could have been much better .I mean was there a criterion that to get a role in the movie an actor/actress had to be ugly !!!!! especially that girl smily Man was she pathetic or what .Kunal khemu does show promise hope he polishes himself . On the whole te movie had a good theme but could hav been better . And yes the music rocks .
Oh I juz liked the music…..
Rest…ummm i dont know….probably i watched a cam print so i dont like it….is it ?? aah no no ….i dont like some of the screenplay too! but its okie….comming from Bhatti sahab…it was more than what was expected..!
Hari Thanks, do try to watch it without any notions. Just watch it for its narrative, presentation, and performances.
Priyangini Thanks much. Do try to catch it.
Mehak Thats the thing about Bhatts. Even if they have copied or “inspired” almost everything, they have something new to offer to the indian film audience and yes thank heavens! those movies are short!
ITNL Good question! haha..probably not..try to catch it - you might jsut like it!
Anz Haanji, zaroor dekh ke batana how you like it..songs are hummable and good.
Gnextdoor hmm am not sure about the hotness but he was decent in this movie. Also, I totally agree with the daughters role….acted very well.
Mehul Haanji started! and yep try to catch it..you might end up liking it. Also…aapko Facebook pe dekha nahi bahot dino se…aapke pictures dekhe lekin! I need to write someting on your wall soon!
Nupur thanks for the professional compliment! I actually was re-reading it and was like..yeh kaaafi serious sound kar raha hai! but thanks..and like many others who have seen this..you too agree..and ofcourse jiya dhadak dhadak is the currenttune!
RON! Sorry girl I havent been around to your blog..shall do so asap! but i love the songs too..and yep ttry to finish the movie!
Prasad — hmmm I havent seen 15 Park Avenue but was wondering how it was..aapne green signal diya hai toh should try and watch it..waise do try to catch this one too
and You chandu and PV went to the movies? I should come to Bangalore again..need to meet up with you all again!
JS Thanks so much
Saba LOL..that was probably the criterion! Smiley is actually good looking but in the movie she looked ugly…and Kunal needs to do something about his hairstyle. and sure it could be better..but honestly..i was very pleasantly surprised that it did not turn out what I had thought it would be. It actualy was narrated well!
iooiooi Hmm sure! you are entitled to liking and not liking the movie right?!? but yesBhatts se zyaada expectations bhi nahi hoti…
thats quite a review , Need to catch up with this movie
PV thanks much! I read your review on 15 park avenue..but havent commented yet…you did quite a good one too
The movie looks good and different but I don’t have much time to download the same, so will watch it sometime in future.
You were watching the movie like you are litreally watching a “Blue Film”, poora mahaul bana ke, kya baat hain…;-)
I always prefer Boy-Meets-Girl-In-Bar-Movies (read Bhatt kinda movies like Jism) over Boy-Meets-Girl-in-Bra-Movies (read Chopra kinda Neal N Nikki)
Hey.. Nice review kaush…
I was not reading reviews till now, and after reading this one, i realised i got to start reading them!!!
Well, i am back after a loooooooooooong break!
oh no, nothing is fair with me! nothing will ever be! just after reading ur post in the noon, I rented the DVD in the evening just to bring it home and check it wasnt working! Now, my place has just one DVD store and I have only one DVD player. Now wot do I do to watch the movie
:P okay, dont worry that much, I will watch it sometime
loved ur ode to B’s b’day wala post.. infact all ur posts dedicated to u and ur love are so from the heart.. always leaves Me touched..!!
yayaaa.. sure.. u r welcome to b’lore again.. anytime..
)
come with B too…
waise.. here.. we all meet up regularly…and even now the meeting place is the very same pizza hut where we all first met
last week if 15 park avenue tickets were sold out we wud have watched kalyug, now wid this review, i see another reason to meet my frenz & watch this..& as prasad said, we r meeting @ same pizza hut.. ahem her highness showed us the way & we r following
hey Kaush…have been good…and sorry haven’t been able to visit your post that often. Just bz with my work and home. But I will definitely be a frequent visitor now.
Happy New Year to u too.
good review. i haven’t seen the movie kaush dear, and i don’t think i will either. But the song, jiya dhadak dhadak has become one of neeraj and my favourites.
finally on saturday i saw kalyug…..
hi kaush nice review…although i missed d movie…but i will definately try to get hold of the cd…me saw zinda couple of days back n i must say its a good movie..
hey kaush..i had reservations about watching the film too..but now can breathe a sigh of relief and watch it…:)…thanks-RS
Hi….how hv u been ? Good review….guess I’ll watch this flick afterall.
Get ready for the news of the day…I have started a new food blog (surprise surprise). Welcome to “Ricky Da Dhaba”. Today is the opening ceremony, so please come and savour the flavour. Visit http://rickydadhaba.blogspot.com/ now……
even i want to watch it.but time kahan…btw how r u kaush?
Hmmmm feel like giving it a try! I hate the usual Bhatt crap though
waiting for rang de basanti ka review!!!!
Ab do comments ke liye chhodna zyadti hai … so here we go…the 49th comment!
And now the 50th one!
Aur yeh wala 51st shagan ke liye…ab ek update do turant!
(LOL, the word verification is PMbudalu…sounds like PM-buda-aaloo he he he)
LOL @ DJ
)
kaushjiiiiiiii… kahaan gayab hueee aap???
Hmm, didn’t anyone consider whois search to find the owner of the site? the info could’ve been wrong, but it was worth trying.
Kaush, Valentine’s day wishes…
[…] Kalyug - Quite an insightful and interesting film. Kaushie did a nice review - read here. […]