Archive for the ‘cinema’ Category

Production designer Sukant Panigrahy turns director and needs money to complete ‘Atlas’

Posted: November 25, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cast & crew, cinema, first look, News, songs & videos, Story / Plot / Synopsis, Thoughts
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Its always nice to bump into someone whose work you are familiar with and about whom you have heard some good stories. Met Sukant Panigrahy at Film Bazaar (IFFI Goa) today. Though I had never met him but we had some movie connection too. A box of dvds (from USA) sent to me by a common freind of ours landed up at his place because I was too lazy/busy to collect. And Sukant knew that the second box of dvds sent by the same freind reached my place.  Ok, time to barter then.

Sukant started out as a production designer and has worked on some big budget films (Gangajal, Tashan, Chak De India, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom among others. Click here for the IMDB list). He candidly admits that its all bullshit for Bread & butter. His last release which got noticed was Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D. And now he has turned director with a film titled Atlas.

Atlas is the story of a waiter in a beach side bar, who has a fragmented isolated existance. His lonely life is alieviated by an obsession with Laila, a free spirited woman of the night. Satish Kaushik &  Helen Jones are in lead roles. With whatever funds he could manage, Sukant has shot some portion of the film and has cut a trailer out of it. He is now looking for a producer who can help him complete the film. Do check out the trailer and if you like it, do spread the word.

 

Unknown director Simon Brand to sue copycats Sanjay Gupta & Suparn Verma for Acid Factory!

Posted: November 16, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cinema, gossipmongers, Hollywood, News, plagiarism, Thoughts
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acid-factory-cut2Its not Unknown anymore! In this era of social networking, how do you expect to steal and run away. Acid Factory is directed by Suparn Verma and produced by Sanjay Gupta. Earlier we wrote about the Acid-Factory-Unknown plagiarism issue here. They set a new benchmark by even copying the trailer of the film!

Dear Guptaji and Vermaji,

Havent you heard “kanoon ke haath bahut lambe hote hain”. Its time to shut the dvd shop! Cntrl C + Cntrl V is getting too risky. Learn the other commands soon!

According to reports in international press, Simon Brand, the director of Unknown has got to know about the film Acid Factory, has seen the trailer and now is planning to take the matter to court and sue the makers of the film. You can read the reports here and here.

The reports are in French/Spanish, and if you are too lazy to do the translation, we have done it. But since its google translation, you might have to jumble few words here and there.

Director desolate with the copy that Indian industry has its ‘Unknown’, ‘Acid Factory’ is bet of the year.

You can change the actors, the title – by Unknown (Hollywood, 2006) for Acid Factory (Bollywood, 2009) – are still shots and sequences and a slight film draws up another success. The director of Strangers (in Portugal) is inconsolado with a new episode of shameless plagiarism of the Indian industry.

“I was in shock,” said the Colombian director Simon Brand. “It took me a while to assimilate it, especially after seeing the trailer on the Indian tape. I found a copy that is identical to the point of stealing plans and entire sequences,” he said, desolate, the filmmaker. In 2006, in a discreet, left the film that told the story of five men who are in a factory without knowing who they are. This thriller is starring, among others, James Caviezel, Joe Pantoliano and Greg Kinnear.

Three years later, the streets of major cities in India are filled with posters for a big Bollywood production – a budget five times that of Unkown. Five men are in a factory without knowing who they are … The movie is signed by Sanjay Gupta, who perhaps should think three times before going through Hollywood – accuse him of, among the 13 films he has done, have made plagiarism by 95%.

The story is not new and even classics (Godfather, etc. ..) have been “adopted” by Bollywood, who does not pay a penny for the rights. “After the initial run, it is difficult to prosecute them,” says Brand. Acid Factory debuted there 15 days.

The other report has more details, including the director’s plan to sue the makers of Acid Factory….

In the United States has struggled to get into theaters, but in India is the big bombshell of the season. The streets of large cities have been papered indas for weeks with the announcement of the release of the film, while Hollywood was just one more. The American version is called ‘Unknown’ (2006). The Indian, ‘Acid Factory’. But this is not the story of a comparison, nor a remake, but of a plagiarism by any measure.

Simon Brand, director of the Colombian original version released in Spain under the title ‘blank mind’ with James Caviezel, Joe Pantoliano and Greg Kinnear as protagonistas’-heard the case a few weeks ago in Los Angeles, where he lives five years. It was told by her producer or his agent, but an Indian journalist who called him to interview him about it.

‘I was shocked,’ admits Brand. ‘It took me a while to assimilate, especially after seeing the trailer for the film in India. I found that is an identical copy to the point that they have stolen entire flat and take ‘.

And do not lie. It is true that the plot is the same-five men wake up locked in a factory, and none of them remember how they got there or who they are-but with Indian actors, produced by one of the directors of the highest reputation in his country, Sanjay Gupta, and the title changed to make it more attractive.

Then, according to criticism from several local media, the thriller is a chain of sequences copied frame by frame, of the Colombian film director. Some go further, asserting that the 13 films directed, written or produced by Gupta, 95 percent are exact copies of Hollywood titles or Korean films.

It seems that not alone and that plagiarism in Bollywood is already part of the culture of the industry. Crushing machine by the intellectual property rights have come films like ‘The Godfather’, ‘Kramer vs. Kramer’, ‘My friend the ghost’, ‘Sabrina’, ‘The Hand That Rocks the Cradle’, ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers ‘,’ The Fugitive ‘and’ Sleeping with the enemy ‘, to name a few of an endless list of titles of current and classic cinema.

But nobody could stop them. Even 20th Century Fox, which in May this year filed a lawsuit against the film by BR Films ‘Banda Yeh Bindaas Hai’, arguing that it is an exact copy of ‘My Cousin Vinny’, starring Danny de Vito and Marisa Tomei.

‘Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors’
Even Harry Potter has been victim of Indian intellectual property theft. ‘Hari Puttar: A Comedy of Terrors’ is the Indian version of the character of JK Rowling, but so far have escaped any sanction despite the demand for Warner.

Now, two weeks after the release in India of ‘Acid Factory’, Simon Brand is expecting that the lawyers for the distributor of ‘Unknown’ in Asia to take action on the matter, while acknowledging that it will be difficult.

‘I talked to industry insiders familiar with the matter and tell me that when the film has already opened in the United States sue for plagiarism is complicated because it is a common practice in India’, says Brand, who claims to feel a ‘huge powerlessness and frustration “to see how he copied their work without receiving any reward for it. And that the Indian film was shot with four or five times more than his budget.

It has a director with his second film, ‘Paraiso Travel’, managed to beat all box office brands in Colombia last year and be compared with ‘Amores Perros’ and ‘City of God’. “The problem is that piracy was and is unstoppable, has Brand, who, despite everything, he dreams of making films of high power in India someday.

 As Dhoni says in the Aircel tvc “Aur bolo” !

VOTD : The amazing story of Aron Ralston, soon to be a Danny Boyle film!

Posted: November 14, 2009 by moifightclub in cinema, Hollywood, News, songs & videos, VOTD
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Yes, after much speculations Variety has confirmed it. And to quote Variety, here is the synopsis of the film.  

After his right forearm got pinned for nearly five days under a boulder during a climb in Utah in May, 2003, Ralston used a dull knife to amputate the limb. He then scaled a 65-foot sheer wall and hiked out before running into a family that gave him water and food. He was finally rescued by helicopter.

And if the synopsis doesnt excite you, check out the video. The amazing story of mountain climber Aron Ralston, in his own words.

Film Reviews : Tum Mile & Aao Wish Karein

Posted: November 14, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cinema, film review, News, reviews
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Lil late on reviews this week. Only because we were not interested in any of the two hindi releases of the week. Tum Mile is from Bhaat Factory, directed by Kunal Deshmukh and stars Emraan Hashmi and Soha Ali Khan. And here is the report card.

Taran Adarsh (Indiafm) – On the whole, TUM MILE caters to the youth mainly. At the box-office, the Vishesh Films – Emraan Hashmi combo has cultivated a strong fan-base over the years and coupled with good music, which is also very popular, the film should find itself in the comfortable zone – 3/5

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – You may survive the floods, but Emraan and Soha’s bak-bak will most certainly kill you! – 1.5/5

Gaurav Malani (ET) – Tum Mile might be dilute on the deluge but concentrates on having its heart in the right place. Watch it as a disaster flick and you will find it disastrous. Watch it as a love story and you will love it – 3/5

Khalid Mohamed (PFC) – To the immense credit of director Kunal Deshmukh, he shoots it with such sensitivity and grace, that you’re convinced that he’s an underrated director. Both Deshmukh and Mohit Suri (Woh Lamhe) from the Mahesh-Mukesh Bhatt factory are excellent technicians, and deserve to be in the A-list of mainstream directors – 3/5

Rediff (Sukanya Varma ) – Ultimately, though, Tum Mile’s true strength lies in the combined appeal and compelling performances of Emraan and Soha. Awe-inspiring it is not but engaging? By all means – 3/5

Mayank Shekhar (HT) – Alongside posters and promos of 2012, this reel or two was meant to be cinema about a shaking catastrophe. You realise, while the romance and its conflicts are short-lived, this is not a disaster film at all. I mean this as much for its genre as hopefully its fate among the public – 2/5

Anupama Chopra(NDTV) – The film strains for poignancy as the lovers realise that life is too short but their epiphany is more tedious than moving – 2/5

Nikhat Kazmi (TOI) – What really stands out in the film is the acting. Emraan and Soha create a chemistry that is brimming over with warmth and remains quite unpredictable till the very end. Their conversations — and concerns — are straight out of real life – 3.5 / 5

Minty Tejpal(Mumbai Mirror) – Emraan is fairly intense in his performance, while Soha is quite spunky, but together they are a bit flat. The music is fairly melodious, though there are no tracks that really jump out. However, the film is worth watching on a rainy day. Just don’t expect to be swept away – 2/5

Shubhra Gupta (Indian Express) – Hashmi and Khan have a good fit, though, and their lovers’ tiffs feel real: Deshmukh has an ear for dialogue and gets his leads to spar in believable ways, especially when Hashmi behaves like a spoilt brat artist, and she an unrelenting career girl. Pity about the lax climax – 2/5

Kaveree Bamzai (India Today) – All the drama is in the breaking up and making up between Emraan and Soha and though both have put in likeable performances-Soha even foregoing make-up for it-it is too much water, too late and too limp – 2.5/5

Anand Vaishanv ( Buzz18) – While the disaster angle is clearly a gimmick. And the lovers could very well have sorted out their differences on a station or an airport lounge, the film is engagingly shot. Tum Mile is eventually just another love story punctuated with some 26/7 sequences. Watch it only if you are a die hard Emraan Hashmi fan – 2/5

The other release of the week is Aao Wish Karein stars Aftab Shivdasani and Aamna Shariff. Its directed by Glenn Baretto and is Aftab’s home production. And did we tell its written also by Aftab! Aur bolo!

Anupama Chopra (NDTV) – Week after week, critics lament the lack of original work in Bollywood. But after watching Aao Wish Karein, an agonizingly boring rework of Tom Hanks’ Big, I wished that the makers had been less original and copied more diligently – 0.5/5

Taran Adarsh (Indiafm) – On the whole, AAO WISH KAREIN is engaging in parts, but how one wishes the film would grab your attention in entirety. The wish of striking a chord and hence, succeeding at the box-office won’t come true for this reason – 1.5/5

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Far from achieving the fairytale feel it was going for, Aao Wish Karein is a colossally boring film that packs clunky dialogue, a predictable narrative and a muddled message in the end. Barring a few superb songs, this film is a miscalculation on all counts – 1/5

Minty Tejpal (Mumbai Mirror) – Yup, the same Big story, only Aftab is no Tom Hanks, and the less said about the direction the better. However, in good old Bollywood style, it’s the ending that’s the real double whammy. Go watch it if you wish – 1.5/5

Shubhra Gupta (Indian Express) – Good proposition for kids, and adults, to buy in. But `Aao Wish Karein’ falls in between two stools, and becomes a film which appeals strongly to neither – 1/5

Nikhat Kazmi (TOI) – Obviously inspired by Tom Hanks 1988 classic (Big) that was nominated for two Oscars, the film lacks all the masala that made Penny Marshal’s film such a winsome experience. Also, the romance between Aftab and Aamna is quite thanda. Thoda aur wish karein? – 2/5

 

Aamir Khan & Kareena Kapoor’s zoobi doobie in 3 Idiots!

Posted: November 11, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cast & crew, cinema, first look, News, songs & videos, Thoughts
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Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Mani Ratnam wanted them together, Vishal Bharadwaj also wanted them, but for some or other reason the films never happened. The two actors are working together for the first time in RajKumar Hirani’s 3 Idiots. A new song from 3 Idiots, featuring both the actors is just out. Those of you who love dissecting the chemistry (or physics/biology) check out the video and let us know what do you think. 

The music of the film is by Shantanu Moitra and lyrics by Swanand Kirkire. The song zoobi doobi has retro sixties  club number feel to it and the intial hook sounds a lot like Main Hoon Na’s gori gori, which we love. There are few things which nobody does better than Farah Khan!

And if this rewind to bollywood’s sexy sixties club number is a genrae, then our favourite is Woh ladki hai kahan from Dil Chahta Hai. This song is also choreographed by Farah Khan. Bollywood is in her blood! Enjoy!

First Look : Kurbaan’s music video

Posted: November 9, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cinema, first look, News, songs & videos
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After Kaminey, this one got to be the title song of the year…Kurbaaan hua! We have it in non-stop loop! What powerful lines….Poori huyee har arzoo, har dastaan meri…..yeh tum shuru huye jahan…main khatam hua…kurbaan hua! And Vishal Dadlani does a terrific job with this song after he bored us to death with his Aladin nursery rhymes!

The film stars Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi and is directed by Rensil D’Silva. The promotional music video of the film is out. Have a look.

VOTD : When A R Rahman was Abdul Rahman – good ol’ Surbhi days!

Posted: November 8, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cinema, songs & videos, television, Thoughts, VOTD
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Remember the good old Surbhi days! The ever smiling faces of Renuka Shahane and Siddharth Kak. The one show which made postcards so popular that Postal Department had to introduce high priced competetition postcard for the same. Recently a freind mailed us a link to one of the Surbhi videos and we were smiling all over again!

In Video Of The Day (VOTD), its a feature on Abdul Rahman – the Saptah Ka Kalakaar! There is also a sound bite of H Sridhar, his super talented sound recordist whose recent death was a big loss for Rahman. The video is by team director Suhail Tatari. Our guess is he is the same guy who turned director with Summer of 2007 starring Sikander Kher and Gul Panag. Lets us know if we are wrong. And check out the video. The music of Roja still sounds so fresh…ahh magic!

 

If the title is not enough for LOL, there is more of Prince – Its Showtime!

Posted: November 8, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cast & crew, cinema, etc, first look, gossipmongers, News, pics, reviews, Thoughts
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PrinceWhat else do you expect if its a Vivek Oberoi film. Its got to be the ROFLOL title of the year! WTF is ITS  SHOWTIME! And Prince!! Kahan ka bhai ? Kidhar hai mere laal ? And if thats not enough, check out what the producer of the film Tips have been upto!

Here’s a video uploaded by the makers of the film that gives us audience reaction to the trailer/promo/first look of the film, and if they are going to watch the film or not, based on what they saw!

We are ROFLOL watching this video. Why ? Read on.

1. Who edited the video ? Why do we need to hear the invisible man’s voice some 50 times asking the same question – what do you think of the trailer ? Just once and it would have been perfectly fine. Then put all the answers together.Its simple.

2. Do check out the way the invisible man asks the second question, in authoritative voice – So, you are going to watch the film, for sure ?

He doesnt look for options. He doesnt ask the question – Are you going to watch the film ? He already knows the answer. He is just re-confirming it. And he adds “for sure” too.

3. And where is the promo ? What trailer have they seen that has impressed them so much! Except one, there is no more bad, or even not-so-good reaction.

4. Why is the voice so concerned about asking who the producer of the film is ? Brand recall ? We seriously doubt. Or is it because Tauranijis would sign the cheques and they would love to hear their names. And from what we know about them, they surely love their name and face on every possible place!

5. If its about making the right buzz by getting audience’s reaction, then check out how the Paranormal Activity guys used the test screening for their promo. The film made on 15,000$ has made close to 100 million$! As the rulebook says, show it, dont say it!

Yes, we are waking up to Hollywood’s mantra of test screenings and all that jazz. But its still what we want to hear. The last film which got fantabulous response at test screenings was Imran Khan’s Luck. And we all know the result. Well, we said and wrote much more just by reading the script. And even put out an open bet, its all here. So, Dear Mr Filmmaker, do mail us the script if you really want some honest feedback ? We are not in any entourage party!

Also, the problem is we dont get the right feedback from the viewers always as there is a sense of gratitude for making you the chosen one to have a sneak peek. There is always sugar coating as nobody wants to say it as it is. Much like what happens at a premiere of any film. Nobody hates the film, everyone congratulates the director and every member of the film is made to feel that its the best that they have done. Once out of the theatre, the smses starts.

Aamir Khan’s The Falling – plot details!

Posted: November 7, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cast & crew, cinema, News, Story / Plot / Synopsis
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Aamir-KhanWe know that the header and the pic on the left corner is gross injustice to the director of the film Anusha Rizvi, but we also know that when the film will release it will be marketed as a film from Aamir Khan Productions. Because thats the name which sells the tickets! The film has been produced by Aamir Khan. Anusha used to work with english news channel NDTV 24X7 before turning filmmaker and is now ready with her debut film titled The Falling.

The film stars Raghuvir Yadav, Onkar Das , Nowazuddin , Naseeruddin Shah and Aamir Bashir.  Weekly film newspaper Screen has published the story/plot/synopsis of the film. To quote…

The Falling, is not just a take on farmer suicide but also on media’s obsession with ‘breaking news’ and publicity-hungry politicians. While Raghuvir Yadav plays the role of a farmer who announces his suicide days in advance, Nawaz (last seen in New York and Dev D ) essays the role of an aspiring hotshot reporter who decides to go town with Yadav’s announcement. His news catches the attention of news channels and politicians, which in turn results in Yadav’s character failing to commit suicide. The story’s irony lies in the fact that Nawaz’s character, which unknowingly acts as a catalyst in saving the farmer’s life, kills himself after he finds himself disagreeing with the ethical standards being practised by certain sections of the media. Interestingly, while shooting across homes, fields and roads at Badwai village near Bhopal, the unit managed to keep reporters, shutterbugs as well as locals at bay.

You can read the news item here also. The film’s shooting is complete but the release date has not been announced.

Film Reviews : Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani & Jail

Posted: November 6, 2009 by moifightclub in bollywood, cast & crew, cinema, film review, reviews
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Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab KahaniIts that day of the week which we love the most! Filmy Friday! This week there are two new hindi releases – Ajab Prem Ki Ghajab Kahani (APKGK) and Jail. Or as they are saying, its Ranbir Kapoor VS Neil Nitin Mukesh, now that Imran Khan is miles and miles behind!

APKGK is directed by Raj Kumar Santoshi and stars Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. And here are the early reviews…

Taran Adarsh(Indiafm) – On the whole, APKGK entertains majorly. At the box-office, the fantastic pre-release campaign coupled with the terrific chemistry between Ranbir and Katrina, excellent music by Pritam and tremendous appeal for youth should ensure a big start for the film at the ticket window – 4/5

Anupama Chopra (NDTV) – Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, a comedy set in a comic book universe, is a frustratingly uneven film. Some of it is genuinely funny and delightful and some of it is repetitive, and annoyingly tedious – 3/5

Raja Sen (Rediff) -Honestly, it’s just good to watch a film with memorable comedy again. Heaven knows its been a while. And one that takes us back to a different, more wholesome kind of cinema. Even as the climax drags into predictability, Santoshi ensures that even divine intervention — to pull it all back on track again — comes with laughs. Gotta love that – 3.5/5

Mayank Shekhar (HT) – You look through this hollowness, and sense there is not a comic bone at all. There is certainly no romance either. Good boy (Ranbir Kapoor) fumbles and chases good girl (Kaif) through multiply tiring sequences. Saawariya for a debut was a poor practical joke on young Kapoor. This humourlessness, if at all, is infinitely sappier.

Gaurav Malani(Indiatimes) – The one thing you can’t overlook noticing in Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is how Rajkumar Santoshi takes liberal references from every popular prem kahani of Bollywood and ends up with an ajeeb (weird) jumbled screenplay – 2/5

Nikhat Kazmi(TOI) – Gazab comedy, this one. Really, Ranbir is a revelation, Katrina is full of beans and the newly formented Ranbir-Katrina chemistry sets the screen on fire in this mad hatter’s tea party that takes you on a roller-coaster ride as Raj Kumar Santoshi tries to retrack his way to his Andaz Apna Apna days – 4/5

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Despite its hiccups, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani is not an entirely unwatchable film, and the credit for that goes squarely to its leads who invest sincerity and genuine enthusiasm while attacking their roles. Katrina Kaif breezes through her scenes, endearing you to the vulnerable Jenny; striking up a radiant chemistry with her co-star. As for Ranbir Kapoor, he is the brightest spot in this ordinary film, rising above the script’s many holes, occasionally even making the stupidity work – 2.5/5

Khalid Mohamed (PFC) – The kid’s brilliant. So watch it Hrithik Roshan, Shahid Kapoor and all the big and small Khans. At the rate he’s going – by sheer evidence of his screen charisma, technical felicity and youth power – Ranbir Kapoor is more than likely to be the Next Best Thing, if he isn’t one already. He’s RK Jr and he’s more than super A-Ok -2.5/5

Shubhra Gupta(Indian Express) – Once upon a time, Rajkumar Santoshi made a lovely little film which was all fun and games. ‘Andaz Apna Apna’ (1994), which came at a time when neither Aamir nor Salman were Superstars Inc., has traveled well—its unfettered joyousness delights at every fresh viewing. The same cannot be said for Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani – 1/5

Kaveree Bamzai (India Today) – The movie sails because of Kapoor’s effortless ease. He dances like a dream, looks good enough to take your eyes off Kaif, and raises a lot of laughs with his goofiness. And guess what, he looks pretty in pink too. Ad he has a memorable no sorry, no thank you dialogie as well: all he wants is to be Kaif’s friend, no complaints, no demands. This one, ladies and gentlemen, is a stayer. See you around, Ranbir – 3/5

Minty Tejpal (Mumbai Mirror) – For the most part of the film, you do drool, mostly over the totally delicious lead pair, and often enough over the ridiculous dialogue in this absurd, mad comedy being played out on screen. Ha ha and a hoot. In fact, the first half of the film just rocks all the way – 3.5/5

Anand Vaishanav (Buzz18) – With such a gorgeous pair, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, could have been a charming joyride. But instead it settles for a routine, time pass watch. Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif’s chemistry shines long after the curtains fall down – 2.5/5

Jail is directed by Madhur Bhandarkar and stars Neil Nitin Mukesh,  Mugdha Godse and Manoj Bajpai.

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Because it’s well-intentioned and settles for a hopeful message, you stay with the film despite the fact that it’s never quite compelling. It’s got its heart in the right place, but sometimes that’s not enough – 2.5 /5

Anupama Chopra (NDTV) – Bhandarkar’s cinema has often been called hard-hitting but the trouble with Jail is that it simply doesn’t hit hard enough. See it if you must – 2.5/5

Taran Adarsh(Indiafm) – On the whole, JAIL is a well-made film from an expert storyteller. At the box-office, the film will appeal to those with an appetite for hard-hitting, realistic fares, but its clash with APKGK will affect its business to an extent – 3/5 

Khalid Mohamed (PFC) – Okay, okay, for heaven’s sake this is a Bhandarkar, Madhur Bhandarkar movie. Get real, appreciate Jail for being as rough, real and dammit, outspoken. Sorry guys, want to..however it’s anything but. It’s just not in the league of the eye-opening Fashion, Traffic Signal, Page 3 and Chandni Bar, which have their loyal admirers including the National Film Award juries. Yeah – 2/5 (there’s nothing here that you don’t know or haven’t seen already)

Raja Sen(Rediff) – The detailing is shoddy, the characters cardboard and the dialogue plain laughable. Jail is a formulaic, below average Bollywood headache, slowed down to lugubrious dullness. Groan. Leave it be, this prison of cardboard and cliche. We all deserve better – 1/5

Mayank Shekhar (HT) – What we may have liked to know, like with any story, is something more about the hero himself — his past, his conflicts, his shattered dreams. It could’ve greatly helped with the sorely missed empathy. But that’s not to be. I guess, only in a film-culture as less evolved as ours, would a movie with merely a setting, pride itself so much on realism alone – 2/5

Kaveree Bamzai (India Today) – There’s a sense that we’re sitting in on a reality show, that it’s Bigg Boss Season 4 set inside a jail. You find yourself wishing Mukesh’s ordeal ends, not so much for him as for you. Hey Mr Bhandarkar, it’s time to think of a new formula, or choose a subject that thrills like Fashion- 2/5

Gaurav Malani(Indiatimes) – Compare Jail to Madhur Bhandarkar’s earlier works and you would be disappointed to a degree. Nevertheless, compare it to many other mediocre movies of today and Jail is still a step ahead. Jail is captivating but not consistently – 2.5/5

Minty Tejpal (Mumbai Mirror) – The movie itself is more like a well-researched documentary that teaches you a few new things about life in jail, so it’s pretty instructive for anyone planning on landing up there. The promos of Jail read, ‘sentenced on November 6’. Yes, ‘sentenced’ is right – 2/5

Shweta Parande(Buzz18) – If the film works, it will only be because of Madhur’s execution. Otherwise, Jail has nothing new to offer – 2/5

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