Ek Tha Logic....

Ek Tha Story.....

Ek Tha Chemistry....

Tha.... The operative word.....Tha.....Hai nahi.... Tha....They are extinct now...

Every EID Salman gives us a chance to go into the theater and hoot the hell out of our system... This EID he has decided to make us snore. .. and how ! " Ek tha Tiger " - the name portends extinction and why not? If Tigers would have seen this film, they would definitely be extinct!

For a film based on the 2 intelligence agencies in the neighbouring countries, it sure lacks intelligence! And that's a little unexpected from Kabir Khan. Surprisingly, it lacks the madness of Salman Khan films too. It's neither entertaining nor sensible... it's unadulterated boredom. Especially the first half. If you survive it, you might find the 2nd half a little better. Simply because the 2nd half gives your jaw a break from the continuous yawning caused by the first. 

ETT is essentially a love story..... or so they say. The lead actors have no chemistry at all and are so cold towards each other that even Ranvir Shorey seems to have better chemistry with his beard!!! Salman looks bored as hell and Katrina seems to be doing the film to pay some "pichle janam ka karz ".

The songs are insipid and the lack of story is startling. The director cuts into slow motion shots whenever he wants to lengthen the scene. And don't ask me about logic please... Logic has given up on Salman a decade ago....    The saving graces are the locations and a couple of action sequences. Salman and Katrina seem to be having most fun during the action scenes and the second half becomes bearable due to them.

In the age, where a film is declared a HIT on the first day, this is surely a Blockbuster. But there is no doubt about it.. This Tiger will be extinct soon.. Because this Tiger is looking old and haggard... At best a circus tiger, jumping and pumping at the whip.... So don't even think about going for this film.. You might as well burn 500 bucks...  Coz if you see the film, people might have to apply EK THA before your name too!

Should definitely have been called " Boring Tiger, Hidden Logic "!

Rating: 3 / 10   ( For a couple of high class Action scenes )

This is actually 1 film, made at a leisurely pace, satisfying all whims of a director and his audience, cut into 2. Ideally, it should be analysed as a whole, but because it was released as 2 films, I am writing a review just on this film. You already know, what I thought about film no 1(Click to read). Here goes what I think of no 2.

Gangs of Wasseypur is an epic in terms of its vision, execution and ambition. Years, decades pass and the revenge saga goes on and on and on. Though there is a definite end to the film, the premise has an indefinite loop. And, the genius director proves that he has a voice unlike any in this industry, albeit goes a little overboard.

To pull off a 5 + hours epic without any note-able star power and making it a cult success is not a joke. There is no mediocrity in the making. From the littlest of characters to the nuances in the set design, Kashyap gets everything spot on. A mere character actor “Nawazuddin” of yore, looks like a Mega Star on screen, with complete control of the proceedings.

What Kashyap excels in is Character Development, mixing comedy with pulp and action sequences. He seems to be completely inspired by the Tarantino style of film-making, where the dialogues are brisk and the violence is electric. Even the use of background score/songs to elevate any sequence is  an inspired delight. Sneha Khanwalkar infuses life into the scenes with her delightfully raw and slice of life music.

The first half of the 2nd film is excellent, but things seem to drag on and on in the second. The convoluted tale of crossing, double crossing and double double crossing tests your patience. It seems like a rudderless ride, but you know it’s intentional. And that’s my problem with the film. Just as you start getting frustrated, the heroin sings “Frustiyaayo nahi mooraaaaaaa”!!!

Kashyap goes into over-indulgence, concentrating on set-pieces rather than the entire product. It’s like a kid is given with magical powers and he doesn’t know when to stop using it. I think Kashyap was having too much fun with the talent at hand, and used to sleep wondering what I could do next.

Anyways, though there is a problem with the length, he makes up for it in style.  The movie is definitely worth a watch, only if you have the stomach for some serious pulp. It’s also a masterclass in acting by all the main characters. So go watch it. But as I said earlier – do not expect a classic. It remains an epic quiet literally. Film keh ke leti toh theek tha… yeh bin kahe bhi le leti hai…

Rating : 6.5 / 10 ( Overall)