Sunday 30 October 2011

RA.VIEW.ONE



Allow me to quote Mr. Shekhar Subramaniam and myself, “Burai sang jo mel rachaaya, kabhi na chute uska saaya”
Achhai sang jo film banaye; poore jag mein who chha jaaye!”
RA.ONE is a sincere effort from the entire team to make an important breakthrough in the history of Indian Cinema.
The film starts with dream sequence with subtle humor to incorporate the star studded guest appearances and to introduce the central character of the film Prateek (Armaan Verma) who loves video games and their very cool baddies.
Prateek’s father is the not so cool, normally clumsy video game maker Shekhar Subramaniam (Shahrukh Khan with the curly locks) who eats noodles with curd with the help of his hands and his mother is the glamour girl- chic mom, whose doing a thesis on Indian gaali’s which are women centric, Sonia Subramaniam (Kareena Kapoor)
The story unfolds as Shekhar makes a video game for his son, where the villain is more powerful than the hero. Prateek gets very happy and is excited to play the game first. The gaming champ starts playing the game and reaches the final level and leaves. And RA.ONE- the villain is after Lucifer to finish him and prove his invincibility.
Shekhar and his colleague Aakashi are killed by RA.ONE in the process of setting things right. RA.ONE is now out of the virtual world after Prateek who is now with the support of his mother only after the tragic death of his father. He has to protect himself, his mother and find out his dad’s murderer.
And, to protect him with this impossible mission enters G.ONE (also played by Shah Rukh Khan sans those curls), the cool, powerful superhero from the same video game.
The story travels to India as the Subramaniam family shifts back to their home of memories, along with G.ONE who is protecting them, in order to stay away from the evil intentions of RA.ONE.
But RA.ONE (played by Arjun Rampal in the second half) is ever more powerful in the hunt of Prateek, travels to India- here we get to see the ultimate battle between RA.ONE-the super villain with a H.A.R.T and G.ONE-the superhero with a H.A.R.T.
Chammak Challo and the loads of VFX set it all in tune.
 the writing of the film has much to criticize. Though some dialogues manage to pull attention. Certain language that has been used is not a very comfortable language to be used in front of kids.
Humor is subtle and manages to pull many a light moments.
Shah Rukh’s act as Shekhar Subramaniam looks caricatures, but the entry of G.ONE sets the energy flowing, with the charm and performance King Khan is convincing, adorable and redefines his standards.
Kareena Kapoor is the most gorgeous CHAMMAK CHALLO! Outdoing herself again with a mystique performance. Her train scene, where she’s under the control of the baddie manages to give you goosebumps.
Debutante Armaan Verma could not have asked for anything better! Remains adorable son throughout.
Arjun Rampal- the hottest baddie is very impressive with his short act, well toned body and well written dialogues, who can forget- “raavan ko tum har saal islliye jalate ho, kyonki tum jaante ho who kabhi nahi marta”
Anubhav Sinha’s direction falters at many places and events, but the performances manage to let go.
Not to miss, Rajnikanth’s cameo as CHITTI is worth a ceete!
The VFX are simply outstanding. They put RA.ONE on par with any Hollywood film.
What lacks is the emotional element and grip of writing. More attention is given to the VFX than the story. This can be disappointing for the adults.
But since the Baadshah Khan himself dedicates it to the Kids, they are sure to enjoy it and fall in love with the Game.
RA.ONE IS EVERY CHILD’S GAME THIS SEASON!!!
RA.ONE is a complete entertainer! Paisa Vasool!
RA.ONE’s technical excellence is a breakthrough for Indian Cinema. It shows that Indian Cinema wont be lacking behind. And there will be more of films of this genre!
DON2 has already declared its 3D release. And the game has just begun!
RA.ONE is definitely a hats off to SRK for bringing forth important breakthroughs in Indian Cinema- technologically, marketing, promotions, concepts!!!
The most expensive film is sure to set the Box Office across the globe on fire!
***1/2+1/2 (for the daring to bring up this kind of a film)

Monday 24 October 2011

WAY TO RA.ONE...




It’s less than countdown time…
A few hours from now efforts of more than 5000 skilled people, 5years of patience and consistency, 5 times the budget of a normal venture, over 5 months of promotions and a dream of one man who thinks with his heart and his brain follows and the his audience of millions across the globe!
He is no small man…
And this is no small a project…
I’m talking about the Baadshah of Bollywood- Shah Rukh Khan and his magnum opus Ra.One!
It was in 2008 where he released his mega projects like Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om after which his last release was My Name is Khan, another bold step to talk about the plight of the Muslims in the USA & across the world post the 9/11 terror attacks. This Aspergers Syndrome Khan went on to win the world with his innocent claim, “My Name Is Khan And I’m not a terrorist”
Wonders it was with Rizwan Khan charming you all over again, with his best paired Simran turned Mandira (Kajol) to recreate magic.
But the question was the ever energetic King Khan who would do 3-4 films a year, a tv show and create lots of buzz with his ever increasing list brand endorsements and a glamorous IPL team to cheer was beginning to disappear!
But where?
Had Khan lost his charm over the Bollywood?
Or was it the ageing factor?
Was he planning to retire?
Or was he scared of the ever competent success of his contemporaries with their films earning over 100 crores???
Had the Khan lost his Kingdom???
And then,
One fine day all the rumours set aside, amidst a commercial break of the Cricket World Cup matches came the trailer of his magnum opus- Ra.One!



It looked grand…and it just got bigger, with the arrival of the Chammak Chhallo! Khan had booked the diwali to burst has mega diwali cracker- and others made way for him by anticipating and post poning their projects.
2months to the release and Ra.One began to spread in the air-brand tie ups, promotions, merchandise, contests, headlines, posters, gossip, magazines, city tours, trailers, games, and everything that could happen began to take shape.
It covered ever mean of social media to reach to the people- facebook, twitter, google plus, youtube, newspapers, grand finale of 3 reality shows at the same time, endless bytes, endless interviews, radio shows, live chat with fans, coverpage of magazines…and the list won’t agree to end there’s such a buzz!
City tours, ad shoots, trips to the edit, allegations and accusations, product launches, brand tie ups- there is so much energy that Khan has spread across the globe!
Truly he’s turned a superhero- more than 25brand tie ups right from mc donalds- where a happy meal can get you your own personal 9” G.One, to tie with the German Car manufacturer-Volkswagen whose cars were blown up in the films shoot, the Ra.One games on playstation, mobile apps and selling double the regular products BRAND SRK has efficiently built brand RA.ONE, which can even boast of a franchise of its own- action figures, notebooks, toys & event a tablet pc! Leaving no stone unturned yet Khan refuses to take the tag of the MARKETING OR THE PR GURU. He’s says that he’s not selling his product but only asking people to come and enjoy an emotional experience, to live a part of him.
RA.ONE IS IN THE AIR!
Where Shah Rukh plays not the title role but G.One , the title character, the evil one is played by Arjun Rampal whose look was unveiled not until less than a month away from release.


Apart from the leading lady Kareena Kapoor, King Khan himself and National Award winner Arjun Rampal, debutant kid Armaan Verma; Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra, Rajnikanth have done cameo’s for this dreamer. Whereas,  the Big B of Bollywood has also been a part of the film by rendering his baritone voice.
But Shah Rukh has a different trump! It’s his introduction of an extensive VFX technology- the film boasts of 3500 VFX to make it a visual treat and experience magnified! Khan believes that after Ra.One many more film makers will use this wonderous technology to magnify Indian Cinema.
And to give all these efforts a grand culmination, Red Chillies Entertainment and Eros Entertainment have bagged a 95% screening of the film. The film will be screened in 3500 screens in India and 500 screens across the rest of the globe!
Not to miss out the film will not just treat you with 2D motion but will also bring forth the 3rd dimension!
And so much in a film truly makes it the costliest Indian Film till date with its budget ranging from around 150-200 crores!!!
CHHAMMAK CHHALLO IS GROOVING!
SRK IS EVRYWHERE ON TV, PROMOTIONS, NEWSPAPERS!
RA.ONE IS THE FRANCHISES- GAMES, TOYS, TECHNOLOGY!
Dawning close to release the team ONE- Anubhav Sinha its director, Khan, all technicians, artists, designers and every brand and person are hopeful, with their fingers crossed and hopes high to touch the hearts of the people!
All efforts are visible like the clouds of rain, thick and full.
It’s about to RAIN!
Ra.One as viewer to me has been a journey of inspiration, a motivation to dream and dream big, its flattering, its stunning, it leaves you speechless and it creates magic! Most of all it brings the feeling of reverence!
I stand up and bow to the efforts of TEAM.ONE…there’s a lot more to learn, lot more to say…somewhere I’m spellbound and speechless!!!
This very respect and salute to the efforts of the dreamer and the believer, of the criminal-whose crime is to make you smile and to make you want to be his Chhammak Challo!!!
We go watch films to entertain ourselves, to enjoy, to be happy, to change our mood or even just for time pass. This time go watch a movie to respect the efforts and passion of its makers- who want to keep innovating and keep bring a positive change to keep you entertained! I assure you this wont be a disappointment!
Do watch RA.ONE for your Raj, Rahul, Kabir Khan, Rizwan Khan, Raju, Shahrukh Khan or if anyone around you, close to you has ever smiled thanks to this man!

                                            RA.ONE- U’RE: THE ONE!
                                            GOOD LUCK TEAM ONE!