Anurag Kashyap's 'Bombay Velvet' has finally arrived. But was all the hype & hoopla worth it? The answer, in my personal opinion, is a No! Reason? Well, despite a budget of early 100crs & all the visual splendor on display, this magnum-opus fails in its scripting level, which is its biggest disadvantage!
'Bombay Velvet' Synopsis: An ordinary man goes against all odds and forges his destiny to become a 'Big Shot'.
'Bombay Velvet' is visually terrific & the Art Design is truly remarkable. There is no doubt that 'Bombay Velvet' is highly ambitious & passionately made, but where this biggie falters is its Script. And no film, no matter how big your budget or how rich in treatment, can rise above a weak Screenplay.
'Bombay Velvet' which is based on historian Gyan Prakash's book Mumbai Fables, is a soulless exercise of the yesteryear's. Kashyap & his Team of Writers deliver a story full of loopholes. For one, you don't feel for any of its characters. Be it Johnny Balraj, the protagonist, or his lady-love, Rosie. You never feel ecstatic when they rise above the odds or feel sad when the powerful bodies intend to destroy them. The love-story is ordinarily treated, while the aspect of ambition & crime combined, is lackluster to say the least. The first-hour is a blend of love & creed, while the second-hour is twisted mix of thrills & grotesque action. Sadly, nothing really works!
Kashyap's Direction oozes dreamlike ambition, but its his Shoddily Written Screenplay, that spoils the fun. Technically, the film doesn't falter on any level. Right from the richly done Cinematography, the dazzling Art & Costume Design or Amit Trivedi's mesmerizing Score. Its all done with pure skill. How one wishes, if the Script was half as strong as its technicalities.
'Bombay Velvet' has one more ace & that's Ranbir Kapoor, who's simply superb as the power hungry protagonist. Ranbir displays rage, affection & helplessness, with remarkable conviction. He's doesn't fail to engage, even when the film fails too.
Of the rest of the cast, Anushka Sharma is strictly okay as Rosie. Karan Johar hams as the villain. Manish Choudhary is as usual. Kay Kay Menon is wasted in a tiny role, while Vivaan Shah does a good job as Rosie's chauffeur, who secretly loves her.
On the whole, 'Bombay Velvet' is a letdown in all respects. Body Beautiful, Minus Soul!
'Bombay Velvet' Synopsis: An ordinary man goes against all odds and forges his destiny to become a 'Big Shot'.
'Bombay Velvet' is visually terrific & the Art Design is truly remarkable. There is no doubt that 'Bombay Velvet' is highly ambitious & passionately made, but where this biggie falters is its Script. And no film, no matter how big your budget or how rich in treatment, can rise above a weak Screenplay.
'Bombay Velvet' which is based on historian Gyan Prakash's book Mumbai Fables, is a soulless exercise of the yesteryear's. Kashyap & his Team of Writers deliver a story full of loopholes. For one, you don't feel for any of its characters. Be it Johnny Balraj, the protagonist, or his lady-love, Rosie. You never feel ecstatic when they rise above the odds or feel sad when the powerful bodies intend to destroy them. The love-story is ordinarily treated, while the aspect of ambition & crime combined, is lackluster to say the least. The first-hour is a blend of love & creed, while the second-hour is twisted mix of thrills & grotesque action. Sadly, nothing really works!
Kashyap's Direction oozes dreamlike ambition, but its his Shoddily Written Screenplay, that spoils the fun. Technically, the film doesn't falter on any level. Right from the richly done Cinematography, the dazzling Art & Costume Design or Amit Trivedi's mesmerizing Score. Its all done with pure skill. How one wishes, if the Script was half as strong as its technicalities.
'Bombay Velvet' has one more ace & that's Ranbir Kapoor, who's simply superb as the power hungry protagonist. Ranbir displays rage, affection & helplessness, with remarkable conviction. He's doesn't fail to engage, even when the film fails too.
Of the rest of the cast, Anushka Sharma is strictly okay as Rosie. Karan Johar hams as the villain. Manish Choudhary is as usual. Kay Kay Menon is wasted in a tiny role, while Vivaan Shah does a good job as Rosie's chauffeur, who secretly loves her.
On the whole, 'Bombay Velvet' is a letdown in all respects. Body Beautiful, Minus Soul!