Good story, Not enough for a whole film

Did you people see the same film I saw?

As Good As It Gets

It's entirely possible that sending the audience out feeling lousy was intentional

Thankfully, the year began on a promising note for the Hindi Film Industry. Thanks to Dedh Ishqiya for that.This is a film that you will like to watch with your boyfriend or girlfriend (whichever is applicable) or spouse. Coz, there are some moments which will linger in head, long after you have seen this film. They may spice up some moments in your romance.This film has subtitles. Thanks to the language used which is more Urdu than Hindi. I believe that since "Umrao Jaan" this is the first good attempt. The film works for the acting. Naseeruddin Shah is effortless. Arshad Warsi is the hyperactive Babban whose wit is hilarious and the spontaneity stupendous. Also they are ably supported by Huma Qureshi and Vijay Raaz and host of others. But above all others I give in to Madhuri Dixit as Begum Para. I love Madhuri Dixit and her dance. Thankfully, she dances and just those 5 minutes of her moves are divine. She has a divine grace in dancing and is surely one of the best dancers for screen. Thanks Madhuri for dancing superbly after a hiatus. The camera work is superb and even the editing is good. At least there is no nonsense. Dialogues by Vishal Bharadwaj and his team are exemplary. In fact the best I have heard in a Bollywood film in long time. Direction till the climax was wonderful and it fell flat in the climax scene. Apart from that, I have no big qualms from this. I am going with 3/5 for a good movie. It may not work for everyone but love and desire have always worked for me.

Thankfully this sequel of the original ISHQIYA, titled in a Fellini inspired style as DEDH ISHQIYA goes way ahead and is able to impress you largely since now there is no confusion of satisfying all kind of viewers in its powerful execution and the film is purely made for a particular section of viewers to say the truth.So in case you cannot appreciate Urdu poetry and are not in love with the language, then DEDH ISHQIYA might not be the film for you. Further if you do need some routine entertaining sequences with few catchy songs or forced in comedy thrown in at regular intervals then also DEDH ISHQIYA might not be a good choice for you either. Because this is actually a film which is more involved & in love with its own characters, the ambiance and its complex story progression full of friendship, lust, love or deceit and is not desperately trying to impress the viewers with any usual tricks or compromises. Continuing with his Tarantino & Guy Ritchie kind of treatment, director Abishek Chaubey uses the same two key characters of Khaalujaan and Babban in a fresh script which has more complex characters and the element of deceit incorporated with some interesting twists and turns in a prolonged (but outstanding) climax. However what takes the film to much greater heights this time is its poetic feel, the colourful tone, a winning sophistication and a lovable charm, well presented by a rare and talented cast ensemble. As indicated by its promos, the dialogues are sharper, with many well written one liners and the film simply transports you to a different rustic world quite aloof to the glossy city charm seen in every other movie. The unpredictable screenplay keeps a gripping hold on the viewer along with a wonderfully stunning DOP and a matching background score wherein you also get to hear few precious golden Begum Akhtar's thumris and a lot more. Plus this time Abhishek plays both the unconventional humour and the sensual card quite subtly without going into any cheap mode.Coming to the performances, every single person featuring in it has simply excelled in his own assigned roles, even if he is standing right behind the lead actors in a scene like Ravi Gosain. Naseeruddin Shah, efficiently lives his role getting deep into the psyche of his lonely character Khalujaan and comes up with one of his finest performances in the recent times. Arshad Warsi is in great form once again with his comic timing and brilliant expressions and its really a treat to watch the scenes where both Arshad and Naseer are together. Huma Qureshi truly surprises you with her cunning appeal and confidently grabs your attention even standing along all the big names unarguably. In the supporting cast, Vijay Raaz repeatedly steals the show with his superb act and Manoj Pahwa also leaves a mark along with Salman Shahid.Talking about the real ISHQ of DEDH ISHQIYA, Madhuri Dixit-Nene, the lady literally makes the younger generation believe that why she did rule the industry in those past decades so strongly. In fact her delightful act of Begum Para, is surely one of the finest come backs ever seen in the Hindi Film Industry till date and she simply lives this rather irregular character like a perfectionist. For instance just try to catch the style she chews her paan with sheer elegance of a royal lady without any visible effort or discomfort. And the way she dances both within the film and in the last end credits track totally blows you over with nothing but sheer admiration for the blessed talent she has. Turning back to the film, it honestly won an extra star, the moment I saw the credits showing the name of Dr. Bashir Badr, for the entire recited poetry used in the film. And for all young friends reading this (interested in Urdu poetry), you actually haven't read a lot, if you still have not read the living legend Dr. Bashir Badr, putting it straight. So I was quite thrilled reading my favourite 'Shaayar's' name in the credits and then the reference of a fictitious poet, Noor Mohd. Itaalvi simply did the trick as it was quite hilarious to use "Itaalvi" as Takhallus in the name (as if coming from Italy). However, personally I missed three things in this worth praising sequel. One, that despite having some quality songs (perfect for the mood of the film), its soundtrack didn't have any catchy enjoyable tracks as 'Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji' or 'Ibn-e-Batuta', suiting the requirement of its two main witty characters. Secondly with such crackling chemistry between Naseer & Arshad there should have been few more fun moments in the film to make it a great joy ride. And lastly I truly missed the voice of Late Jagjit Singh in the mushaira sequence, wherein in Naseeruddin Shah recites an unplugged ghazal in tarannum. And remembering the inimitable maestro, it really would have been 'a rare get-together' of three blessed visionaries once again after almost three decades i.e. of Gulzar, Naseeruddin Shah and Jagjit Singh post their "Mirza Ghalib" days in the late 80s.In commercial terms, no doubt few hit tracks could have made this fabulous film reach much wider audience as it seems. And many may also not find it as entertaining as expected reading the great reviews. Yet the film indeed remains a must watch for all quality movie lovers who were desperately waiting for a well directed Hindi film backed up with some great writing and dazzling performances, from pretty long. To sum it all, DEDH ISHQIYA can easily be called a delicious Nawaabi feast served gracefully by all talented hosts, so be their guest for sure, at the earliest. But as they say, the possibility remains that the Nawaabi feast might not suit many having a routine appetite.

A correction in the number - everything about Dedh Ishqiya can be measured as twice the amount presented in the earlier installment. With more fun-gun n' run and exquisite beauty its like one of the most memorable welcome note to a new year.How are we not bound to enjoy when a screenplay is full of conversations that are saturated with Gulzaresque quirks, lyrics and humor? We have grown up in awe of Gulzar's peculiar lyrics. He is the one writer who presents us the essence of a language, be it Urdu, Hindi, awadhi or punjabi. Sharing the same passion for language, Vishal Bhardwaj and his own style of humor and ethnic dialogs make this film an essential one in the history of Indian films.There is so much to this film. Its like a full course meal. And Urdu is one of the main dishes served on the platter of Khalu and Babban's new adventure. Along the course we are also served Thumris, Mushayras and a Qawwali all wrapped in a Nawabi cloak. All of it is so overwhelming that a second helping is a must.Thanks to director Abhishek Chaubey for breaking the status quo and bringing an intelligent script to the screens. Brilliantly written characters and plot progressions are engaging. Madhuri Dixit makes a strong comeback. She carries the same charisma as she did years ago that made everyone crazy about her. I loved how there is a sad undertone to her character when she is introduced but manages to smile and look beautiful nevertheless. The way Madhuri has pulled off the the conflict of her character is commendable. Huma Qureshi also pulled off a confident portrayal. Naseeruddin Shah as the romantically diverted Khalu uplifts the effect of the Urdu poems with finesse. Vijay Raaz as the wannabe Nawab Jaan Mohammad adds peculiarity to his character and becomes part of the most memorable scenes from the film. Watch the scene where everyone is at gun point and waiting for the other one to drop the guns but ultimately end up standing the same way till morning (its the most intelligent piece of humor in films in recent years).Now for the scene stealer. Arshad Warsi's portrayal of feisty and lustful Babban binds the Ishqiya franchise into one. His mannerisms and comic timing adds Babban to the list of most memorable characters. Lajawaab is the word for this flick.

Dedh Ishqiya - the movie with not one but two femme fatale. Without giving the plot away, suffice to say that if you don't compare it with the first part and allow the movie to stand on its own, it stands quite well, populated as it is by strong characters and wonderful lines including some really wonderful poetry. The subtitles help a lot, BTW, though I am pretty sure that 'snafu' is not what chutiyapa means. The movie is fun throughout and though parts of it are extremely predictable and cartoonish (Vijay Raaz and Manoj Pahwa taking their cartoonish roles to the stratosphere), the treatment ensures that there is never a dull moment and there's always an undercurrent of tension laced with humour. No matter how difficult the situation is, we know that nothing truly bad will happen to our lovable thieves or their paramours even when they are outnumbered and out-gunned in a Mexican standoff. It was good to see Madhuri in a leading role after a long time - her casting was bang on, and even Huma in the role of the fiery Muniya who believes that love and sex are two completely different and unrelated things (really? I thought it was only guys who thought that! ), while at the same time knocking boots with both Arshad and Madhuri (in a scene that was a tribute to Ismat Chugtai's Lihaaf), also pretty much chewed up the scenery whenever she was on screen. (On a separate note, while there is no doubting her beauty and acting chops, she does have a rather hefty presence, our girl Huma, and if this was Hollywood I would have bet that some canny filmmaker would have made a female Grudge Match starring her and Sonakshi). There's not much to say about Arshad and Naseeruddin - they own their respective characters now, and Naseer has set such high standards for himself that you don't really find his exceptional performances exceptional anymore. It's just what we are used to. All in all two and a half hours of good entertainment provided you don't go in with great expectations, do like Urdu poetry and don't compare this movie to the first part.