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SUNDAY, APRIL 21, 2019 (PAGE 4) MOVIE REVEIW BOLLYWOOD BUZZ A mystery thriller “Complexity in Kalank grabbed A simple internet search will reveal how so many conspir- instant déjà vu of the Hollywood classic 12 ANGRY MEN acy theories exist when it comes to some important episodes [1957] and its Hindi remake EK RUKA HUA FAISLA [1986]. my attention immediately” of History. The scenario in India is no different and a lot of Post-interval, things do heat up at some places, especially people strongly believe that what history has taught us is not Gangaram showing his true colours and his extremist views. After mesmersing audience with Gully Boy, entirely true. Hollywood has made films and documentaries At the same time, a few developments are quite unconvinc- actress Alia Bhatt returned to big screens out of it while India has lagged behind. But now director Vivek ing. The sudden killing of an important character is bewilder- Agnihotri tries to put forward an investigative thriller based ing. Also, Raagini suddenly becoming a villain in the eyes of with Kalank, which was released on Apr 17. on Lal Bahadur Shastri's death. The result is THE people and media doesn't seem easy to digest. Shyam Sun- Being one in an ensemble cast, Bhatt shared TASHKENT FILES and it releases in the middle of the excit- der Tripathi's monologue in the pre-climax is sharp but the in her recent interactions how she was ing election season. So does THE TASHKENT FILES shake impact is not much. The climax thankfully comes as a shock- the viewer with its content and execution? Or does it fail to er and revives interest. The film tries to appeal to that vast interested in the film right from day one. impress? Let's analyse. section of people who feel that we have been taught incorrect Some excerpts: THE TASHKENT FILES is the story of a group of people history and who believe that a particular political party has trying to understand whether there was any foul play in the been in the wrong all along. Although they'll love the infor- How was your experience working with Madhuri sudden death of a significant Indian Prime Minister Lal Dixit? Bahadur Shastri. Raagini Phule (Shweta Basu Prasad) is a Every actor and a young girl has idolised Madhuri ma'm rookie political journalist in Delhi working for a newspaper some way or the other, be it her dress or dance or smile. It called 'India Times'. She has been given an ultimatum by her was very encouraging for me to have her presence there. She editor (Asif Basra) that she has to submit a scoop in a few was actually smiling at me and supporting me whenever I was days or else she'll be transferred to arts and culture, a beat feeling a little nervous. This experience is something which I that Raagini abhors. One day she receives a call from an will remember for the longest time in my life. I have learnt unknown person (voiced by Vivek Agnihotri) and he asks her the process a lot from her. to write about the mysterious death of India's second Prime What was your feeling in doing the dance Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. He had died on January 11, sequence with Madhuri Dixit? 1966 soon after the Tashkent Agreement was signed follow- Firstly, it was a relief that she was not dancing with me. ing the end of India-Pakistan war. The unknown caller even But at the same time, I was afraid as she was about to be pres- provides all the evidences and references needed for Raagi- ent there though not take part in the dancing. I was grateful. ni to file the story. The article gets published and it goes viral. I am thankful to Abhishek Verman (director of Kalank) for Shyam Sunder Tripathi, leader of the opposition, uses this giving me this opportunity to work hard on my self and share opportunity to score brownie points against the ruling gov- this iconic moment with Madhuri ma'm in a song like this. ernment. Realizing that the matter has become too big, PKR Tell us about Abhishek Verman. What is he like Natrajan (Naseeruddin Shah), the minister of home affairs, mation and shocking details provided in the film, it doesn't on set? forms a committee, and its members are to decide if there is mean they'll go to cinemas to see it as the treatment is not He loves exploring on set. He never does readings or indeed any foul play in Shastri's demise. Shyam Sunder Tri- massy. Moreover, the plethora of information is laid out in rehearsals. pathi is made the head of the committee. Other members such a way that the common moviegoer will get confused and What made you interested in a film called Kalank? include Raagini, author and historian Aisha Ali Shah (Pallavi overwhelmed. A few details are needlessly given to the view- To be honest, we as actors don't judge a film by its title Joshi), social activist Indira Joseph Roy (Mandira Bedi), ers, like the role of Kamraj. Hence, it starts to feel like the and that is exactly what happened with Kalank. The story director of National Archives Omkar Kashyap (Rajesh Shar- makers wanted to also impress audiences with their research made me do this film. The complexity in the film grabbed my ma), scientist Gangaram Jha (Pankaj Tripathi), ex RAW chief and not just tell a good story. attention immediately. Also the film gets a title much later. G K Ananthasuresh (Prakash Belawadi), president of the THE TASHKENT FILES has some fine actors but Shwe- So initially it was the story which made me interested in Young Indian Congress Vishwendra Pratap Singh Rana ta Basu Prasad rocks the show. She gets a very meaty role and Kalank. Title never becomes the reason for not doing a film. (Prashantt Guptha) and retired Supreme Court judge Justice she gives her hundred per cent. In the climax especially, she This is the fourth film where you and Varun Dhawan are want to create something magical. Kurian Abraham (Vishwa Mohan Badola). A few of them in goes on another level. Mithun Chakraborty is a bit over the working together. Is there a huge comfort between you two? You have huge followers on Instagram. Do you this committee, like Aisha Ali Shah and Vishwendra Pratap top but it works and it is good to see him on screen after a Of course there is a huge comfort and also we take that for ever think twice or consult with others before post- Singh Rana, vehemently deny that Shastri's death was mys- hiatus. Pankaj Tripathi adds to the fun initially and then sur- granted. Varun is a person with whom I can share anything. ing? terious and stress that he died of natural causes. Raagini and prises viewers with his extremist views. He is fine although At the same time, we really inspire each other creatively and It is a great medium to share one's stuffs but also we need others put a counter view to prove the matter should be inves- one might also feel that he just walked out of the sets of last also question each other about our works. to keep it real. It is important to keep one's personality. There tigated. Soon, it comes to light that nobody really cares for year's hit STREE and shot for this film without making any Do you think sharing screen space with Aditya Roy are times when I take a break from promoting film-related Shastri and all are there for some ulterior motives. What hap- change in his look or dialogue delivery! Pallavi Joshi is effi- Kapur will help both of you in Sadak 2? stuffs on social media. There are occasions when I share light pens next forms the rest of the film. cient while Mandira Bedi doesn't get much scope. Prakash Of course. I have always known Adi (Aditya) but under- moments without any thoughts or plans. I think that is bet- Vivek Agnihotri's story is interesting and the film rests on Belawadi is dependable and also contributes to the film's fun stood him eventually now as an actor on set. It is very impor- ter. On Twitter, sometimes I think before posting because it a brilliant idea. The material is well-researched and it shows. quotient. Prashantt Gupta is strictly okay. Rajesh Sharma and tant for two actors to understand each other's process if they is more about spoken words. But the character development ought to be a bit stronger. Vishwa Mohan Badola don't get much scope. Asif Basra is Vivek Agnihotri's screenplay is not very effective. A few com- fine. Vinay Pathak (Mukhtar) looks too young for the part of HEALTHLINES mittee scenes are well written and thought of. However, at a spy who has worked few decades ago. His entry is laugh- certain places, it becomes a mess as there's too much of infor- able. Naseerudin Shah is nothing special. Achint Kaur (PKR mation thrown at the audience. Vivek Agnihotri's dialogues Natrajan's wife) is completely wasted. Ankur Rathee (Imran) are acidic and add to the impact. is over the top and showing that he had a past association Vivek Agnihotri's direction is average. There's no doubt with Raagini serves no purpose. Yusuf Hussain (P K Bakshi) leaves a mark. Diabetes and motherhood he has handled some scenes deftly.

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