Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani

Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani (2023)

Directed by: Karan Johar
Starring: Ranveer Singh, Alia Bhatt
Written by: Ishita Moitra, Shashank Khaitan, Sumit Roy

I absolutely loved a Bollywood film after a long time! It's a classical story with very conventional beats - but done with fresh air. This film again proves that conventional stories done with fresh air always work. It's a classic Indian love story of a couple who have to get their family's approval to get married. Although this is added up with an interesting premise - both Rocky and Rani stay at each other's houses for a while. The film's biggest strength is the solid setup. They set up both families with such detail and finesse that the film creates a playground for itself - to flesh out beautiful drama. The first half gets slightly annoying at places because of it's overtly musical treatment - although it definitely felt very fresh. The opening of the film felt like Wes Anderson making a film about Indian households. Though the content of the film is very rooted and conventional - Karan Johar experiments with style and craft and he does it so well. Rocky seemed annoying as a character in the beginning, but oh boy he wins your heart. I was very concerned with the introduction of Rani's character - if the film will get into preachy, activist territories - but then I realized that they're doing this only to establish difference between the both of them.

There is a lot of heart in this film. Some of my most favorite moments in the film - Rocky joining his to-be father-in-law to learn Kathak - I had tears in my eyes, Rocky joining him in the performance and Rocky's monologue at Rani's house. Ranveer Singh's performance was so good - I vividly remember a moment - it's a very small moment but it made me fall in love with his character. When the grandpa suddenly becomes conscious and says something, and again falls unconscious, Rocky's father asks him to call an ambulance - and the force with which Rocky yells 'nurse' 'doctor' and the force with which he runs - that tells you that if Rocky loves you - he's going to do anything for you. The film beautifully talks about how everyone's busy canceling everyone instead of trying to think with some empathy. It's a much-needed film in the current climate. Classic-conventional love story done with nuanced writing.

Pathaan (2023)

Pathaan

Directed by: Siddharth Anand

Starring: SRK, Deepika Padukone

I loved the teaser of this film and had a lot of expectations, because I enjoyed almost every film in the whole Spy Universe of YRF and this film seemed like a simple, focused, stylish, action flick. But I didn't enjoy the film as much, mostly because of the writing. To me, the image of SRK was outpowering the character a bit too much, to the point where I could feel no stakes or tension, which is key for an action film. The bits that I enjoyed was the cameo crossover (loved the painkiller bit), the backstory of Pathaan and Besharam Rang. My main problem with the film was that the action episodes seemed very convenient - for example in the heist scene - Deepika honeytraps the guy and Shahrukh does the Ka.. Ka.. Karen thing, and then when they actually go and steal it - they just go, show the man some cleavage and steal it. The only obstacle they face is physical force which they easily fight. Take the heist scenes in Dhoom 2, all of them are extremely clever. You don't see them coming. In this film, no matter how bad a situation people are in, they just fight their way out of it. 

I liked the Dimple Kapadia bit, because I didn't see it coming. Usually such parts are played by men, I liked how they flip the cliche this time. And this was the only part where I felt some real conflict in the film. Although inspite of the scale of the film, when John Abraham's character says, he needs Kashmir, it didn't seem as authentic and real. Perhaps because the film doesn't explore these settings in detail as much. Also the only clever bits in the film, Deepika and SRK's track felt a little similar to Hrithik and Aishwarya's track in Dhoom 2. Apart from all this, I enjoyed seeing SRK on screen after a long long time, but I wish the writing of the film had a little more depth. It would've taken the film to another level.