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SUNDAY, AUGUST 12, 2018 (PAGE 4) MOVIE­REVIEW PERSONALITY High on guns and action RATAN KAUL VISHWAROOP II continues from where the first film forward manner and at the same time, some extended ended. After the plan of Al-Qaeda terrorist Omar Qureshi sequences are also added. The manner in which it’s done Ambassador of Public Diplomacy (Rahul Bose) to attack New York City is disrupted by RAW is very bland and disinteresting. Also, VISHWAROOP Agent Wisam Ahmad Kashmiri aka Vishwanathan aka Vis doesn’t have a recall value and the first half wasn’t a criti- Ashok Ogra (Kamal Haasan), the former and his aide Salim (Jaideep cal or commercial success. Moreover, it had come 5 ½ Ahlawat) escape. Wisam’s wife Nirupama (Pooja Kumar) years ago. As a result, most of the moviegoers will have no Festivals and exhibitions play an important slowly begins to accept the fact that her hubby is a dash- clue of the events that unfolded in part 1. But Kamal Haasan role in promoting cultural heritage and ing secret agent and not an effeminate dancer that she and team assume that viewers very well remember what diversity. They are catalysts for intercultural loathed. Wisam, Nirupama, Wisam’s protégé Ashmita all happened in VISHWAROOP. Even after the recap por- dialogue and they reach out to people from (Andrea Jeremiah) and Wisam’s boss Colonel Jagannath tions get over and the film comes back to present day, noth- (Shekhar Kapur) then head to United Kingdom where they ing much happens in the story. The intermission point is different backgrounds and across generations. get ambushed and they suspect that it’s the handiwork of random but in the second half, a new chapter begins with the expat Rajesh Mehta (Ananth Narayan Mahadevan). All this allows us to enjoy diverse range of music and visu- no connection as such to the underwater sequence that al and performing art forms thus enriching our lives. In many Soon Wisam discovers that Omar has planned to explode happened before the interval. This bit too takes a lot of time ways, these events are the embodiment of our civilizational the bombs situated under water since the time of World ethos and heritage. Respecting and celebrating diversity. At the launch of the book on Mr. Narendra Modi War 2 and thereby destroy the city of London. He also finds to come to the main point and once it does, it is very abrupt- ly and hurriedly done. This is particularly true in the case of India - its rich tradi- Credit goes to Ratan for conceptualizing the Delhi Litera- out about another shocking terror attack planned by Omar tions, art and music and literature and films - need a platform in Delhi. What happens next forms the As for acting, Kamal Haasan is decent and tries to give ture Fest in 2013 - a fest that has now become an annual event. for wider dissemination and exposure, thus, fostering under- She also organizes several international conferences, sem- rest of the film. standing and appreciation. inars, and award functions. And these joyous events can only take place only when The annual International Women's Day awards' that she there is conscious effort to seek larger public participation launched over a decade ago is much eagerly anticipated event Kamal Haasan’s story through promotion. That calls for fruitful cooperation in Delhi's calendar. between artists, writers, musicians, authors, government bod- No wonder, Ratan has emerged as a well known name in has some promise and ies …and those who have the requisite expertise in organizing the social, cultural, diplomatic, business and political circles it could have made for such events and create necessary media hype to motivate peo- of Delhi and beyond. Notwithstanding these multifarious ple to attend and participate in these festivals. activities, she continues to be a proud Kashmiri by heart: she a nice, espionage action Coupled with art and cultural festivals, lately publishing is the Executive President of the Kashmiryat Preservation industry too has shown robust growth with many Indians opt- Foundation. thriller. But Kamal ing to write books. Book launches too demand great organi- The Public Diplomacy Forum (PDF) founded by Ratan zational skills to influence sale/readership. Kaul and Shilpa Raina Wahal is in the forefront of shaping Haasan’s screenplay It is in this context that Mrs. Ratan Kaul who describes her- evolving debates across issues, ranging from global gover- is very weak and self a Public Diplomat has earned a name. Looking at the range nance reforms and climate change to peace in their mother- of activities that she engages in, perhaps, one can call her a land Kashmir - showcasing to the global community the Par- disjointed. The true Ambassador of Art and Culture, and Public Diplomacy. adise that Kashmir was. She is a Social Architect and a Peacenik. Always elegantly dressed, Ratan is always thinking of new- sequences are not She has been in the forefront of organizing art fairs and er ways of showcasing our rich cultural heritage, promoting exhibitions to enhance opportunities for artists, broadening artists and authors and ways to further the cause of peace stitched together well. the contemporary art audience, and establishing a continuous across religious and caste divide and international borders. dialogue between artists and public. In not too distant past art One newspaper described her path-breaking, proactive Kamal Haasan’s story has some was bought for art's sake and not for investment purpose. and pragmatic- encapsulating her personality and several promise and it could have made for a Today commerce defines art scene- thus attracting decent roles that she performs with great ease and sophistication. buyers. She plays an important role in projecting young tal- nice, espionage action thriller. But Apolitical by nature, Ratan hobnobs seamlessly across par- ented artists who otherwise would remain unnoticed. ty barriers: Sonia Gandhi, Sushma Swaraj, Shashi Tharoor, Kamal Haasan’s screenplay is very weak Late last month Ratan organized an event that saw the Farooq Abdullah etc… and disjointed. The sequences are not stitched together his best shot. But due to faulty writing and execution, his inauguration of the Prithvi Fine Art & Cultural Centre, New That she is at ease with all shades of politicians is only performance gets affected. Also, some of his dialogues are well. There are some individualistic scenes involving Delhi - founded by noted artist and poet Sangeeta Gupta. because she remains singularly focused in her mission and Wisam and Nirupama and even Wisam and his mother difficult to decipher. Rahul Bose has a very short role this I first met Ratan at a book launch several years ago, and does not allow herself to be sucked into political maneuver- (Waheeda Rehman) that stand out. But these scenes have time since the film goes off track and hence he gets limit- since then I have been a witness to her commitment and pas- ing that defines Lutyens Delhi. no connection as such to the main plot and that’s not good ed scope. He hams all the way like never before. See it to sion for promoting art and culture and introducing authors - She is a recipient of several Awards and accolades, fore- for a film that’s actually an action entertainer. Atul Tiwari’s believe it! Pooja Kumar makes her presence felt more in both known and new to the general public. most among them being 'Ambassador of Peace ' from the Peace dialogues are simple and aren’t memorable. the sequel and gives a fine performance. Also she adds the Authors, editors and other book-minded people talk a lot Federation at Geneva and the PRIDE of INDIA in the catego- Kamal Haasan’s direction is very poor and he complete- required sizzle in few scenes. Andrea Jeremiah too has a about the importance of book launches to generate lots of ry of 'Outstanding Woman Achiever '. ly lost the opportunity of taking this franchise forward better fleshed out role and she’s confident. Shekhar Kapur media coverage, favourable reviews and word of mouth Ratan is an alumnus of Sophia College, Ajmer and has nicely. The film doesn’t involve or move viewers at all and is dependable. Ananth Narayan Mahadevan is memorable momentum. earned her Master's Degree in Linguistics from Delhi Univer- there are too many tracks running simultaneously and but his track doesn’t serve much of a purpose and it was It is true that book launches that she arranges do not guar- sity. She is an excellent communicator. none of them leave an impact. What works are the few flawed. Jaideep Ahlawat gets some scope only towards the antee book's success and authors are not doomed if there is Ratan is also Vice President of Indian Council of UN Rela- scenes that are helmed well like Ashmita and Wisam find- tions and Consulting Editor of Business Sphere. She is also end. Waheeda Rehman is endearing but again, her track no launch. But a successful launch has its own rewards. ing the bug in the room in UK, the action sequence in the "Launching a book is exhausting. There are so many mov- associated with J & K NGO -Aashiana. is just forced in the film. Yusuf Hussain is okay while Rajen- beginning, the underwater action madness and Wisam’s ing pieces of getting a book out on the market. It is lot of hard In short, Mrs. Ratan Kaul is one of the most prominent heroic entry in the finale. dra Gupta is disappointing and it was frustrating to see work," Ratan explains. faces outside of Parliament and Board-rooms.

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