Ungli (उंगली)

"Ungli (उंगली)"

Watched Hindi movie "Ungli (उंगली)". Story, screenplay and direction Rensil D'silva. Produced by Hiroo Yash Johar and Karan Johar of Dharma productions. Music is by Aslam Keyi, John Stewart, Gulraj Singh. It stars Kangana Ranaut, Randeep Hooda, Angad Bedi, Neil Bhoopalam, Imran Hashmi, Neha Dhupia, Sanjay Dutt and Raza Murad. Guest appearance Shraddha Kapur, Arunoday Singh. The film runs for about 1 hour 58 min and was released in 2014. 

A medical intern, a mechanic, a Computer shop owner and a crime reporter are fed up with the corruption in the system and decide to take matters in hand and punish the bureaucrats and politicians. Public enthusiastically names them Ungli gang. Police wants to unmask them and assign the case to Sanjay and Imran.

Can police apprehend Ungli gang? Why did Ungli gang become vigilante? Will they be content with punishing petty government employees or they have a larger target?

The story is simple. The reason for the friends becoming Ungli gang is not portrayed powerfully. The story has a flow but the story and its handling appears superficial. This movie could have been made profound but director missed the opportunity.

There are some obvious flaws / errors. Why would a corrupt police officer offer a plum position to honest officer and ask him to pay bribe? Why would one make a graffiti on the wall of HQ, that can become a proof against them? Why would one paint Ungli graffiti on open terrace at the gang rendezvous? Does everyone use saliva to count money?

Kangana had a limited role and is mostly wasted. Randeep and Angad make an impact. Neil is OK. Imran has got an unnecessary kissing scene based on his reputation rather than story. Sanjay is decent. The movie had one hit song.

Watch if you have a free afternoon and don't want to go out. Not a must watch.  

Bazaar (बाजार)

"Bazaar (बाजार)"

Watched Hindi movie "Bazaar (बाजार)". It's written and directed by Gauravv K. Chawla. Produced by Nikkhil Advani, Viacom18 and others. Music by multiple music directors. Written by Nikkhil Advani, Aseem Arora and Parveez Sheikh. Cinematography by Swapnil Sonawane. The film features Saif Ali Khan, Chitrangada Singh, Rohan Mehra, and Radhika Apte in main roles. The movie runs for about 2 hours 15 min. This film was released in 2018.

Saif (Shakun Kothari) is a ruthless self made businessman and Chitrangada his wife. Rizwan Ahmed (Rohan) is a stock trader from Allahabad who revers Saif as  God and comes to Mumbai to work with him. Here he meets Radhika. What follows after that is exactly like share market, lots of up and down. 

This movie shows the back room dealings, insider trading, exploitation, blackmail and what not. It's a world where money is God and nothing else matters. It's a roller coaster ride. 

Saif is impressive as ruthless businessman. He underplays the character and exudes tension with his each dialogue and move. He has matured as actor with age. Chitrangada has very limited scope, but appears stiff and not natural. I expected much more from her.  Rohan is smart and his acting is intense. Although this is his debut film, he doesn't let that know by his acting. Radhika plays a meaningful role and does justice to director's trust. There is a sizzling chemistry between Rohan and Radhika.

Some if the things appear simplified. They could have been made more intense and more shocking. Had it been done this movie would have remained in public memory for years.

Writers have used Warren Buffet's two rules as Saif's rules, with a slight alteration. Writers have also used the Monsanto controversy in this movie using fictitious company. They also use 2G scam. Embedding real incidents gives authenticity to fiction and makes it more appealing.

Music is ok. Cinematographer has limited scope as large portion of movie is shot indoors,  but he does well for outdoor scenes.  All in all a good package. 

Recommend watching.