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Published in 2006 as a Marathi original and translated as an English fictional drama novel in 2013, Cobalt Blue (2022) is the narrative of a sister and brother who fall in love with their tenant. A cinematic adaptation of the famed novel, written and directed by Sachin Kundalkar, the trailer was released in 2021.

Considering the novel’s ingenious aspects, expectations were bound to run high. However, the question remains: Does the movie stand up to the novel? Read the article to find out. 

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: A Blotch Adaptation Of The Bestseller Novel

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: Cast and Story

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: Cast and Story

The movie Cobalt Blue (2022) starred martial artist cum Bollywood sensation Prateik Babbar as the unnamed tenant, Anjali Sivaraman as Anuja, and Neelay Mehendale as Tanay. A couple of the bestseller’s sensual representation and search for sexual intimacy make up for the transition from text to screen.

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It also puts the story of Anuja, the female tomboy who favors hockey over domestic chores. The novel presents the story of the guy who unshackles the siblings in completely different manners from the brother and sister’s perspective. The tenant turns the lives of the siblings upside down. The movie attempts to settle the thin line between fantasy and invigoration but fails most of the time. 

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: A contrast of text to imagery

Unlike the novel, the movie explores the notions of gender, sexual identity, and family. Somehow, the movie reminds the audience of Luca Guadagnino’s blockbuster and Oscar-winner film, “Call Me By Your Name.” Kundalkar has attempted to recreate the immensely aesthetic sensibilities of the same by setting the movie in an insanely idyllic location, Kerala. However, the movie doesn’t make up for the gay supernova, Call Me By Your Name. 

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: A mere distaste

Even though the director tried his best, the twirls in the plot mostly turn out unbelievable and illogical. It can easily be deciphered that most dialogues in the movie are excerpted from the text as they seem better to be read than spoken. A majority of lines are flat with unnecessary & irregular dramatic pauses. It gives space to aesthetics, with warehouses turned into galleries, lakes, and houses alongside waterline. Nonetheless, the plotline remains devoid of any interesting or eye-catching moments except for this. 

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Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: Absurd representation of the queer world

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: Absurd representation of the queer world

Tanay’s lustful gaze throughout the movie forwards a sense of discomfort as it dominates sexual desire, even toward his professor, the barber, and the strangers on the street playing football. The movie further goes to the extent of the character being shirtless for most of the time to portray sexualization. 

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: Oddities in the girl-centric scenes

The void in the sister’s perspective is a lack in the movie. Unlike the novel, the movie fails to present the dual view from his or her’s perspective. Anuja and the tenant’s premier encounter is bizarre. The boy picks up a bra and asks the neighborhood girls if it belongs to them. When he swings the bra around his wrist, things turn extremely odd, and Anuja snatches it. The consecutive interactions are no less annoying. The movie crashes to tell Anuja’s story, abstracted in a few scenes. 

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: A contrast in his and her story

The politics of gender and family are in the spotlight. One of the provoking moments includes Anuja’s dad convincing her to file rape charges, and she refuses to do the same. From Tanay attempting to involve in sexual activities in public arenas to crashing into the tenant’s room, their relationship remains unquestioned. On the contrary, even though he constantly longs to see the tenant’s room, his sister is usually prohibited. 

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Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: Final words

Cobalt Blue (2022) Review: Final words

Overall, the movie breaks down to catch the audience’s attention. Although the story comes up with certain interesting and thought-provoking ideas about the loneliness of a queer man in pre-IPC 377 abolition, the movie’s imagery turns out to be a downfall.

Prateik’s restricted screen presence makes it difficult for the audience to connect with him, thus feeling like his character has been undersupported. A couple of scenes and parts in the movie don’t set aptly, thus highlighting the flaws in the direction.

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All India Rank Movie Review: Unconventional Brilliance

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All India Rank Review

All India Rank Movie Review It Breaks All Conventions with A Narrative Never Seen Before

In his breakthrough directorial debut, All India Rank, writer, and lyricist Varun Grover takes you back in time to the years following India’s economic freedom to present an engaging and dreamy slice-of-life, coming-of-age story of a hesitant IIT aspirant.

With its quiet, strongly anti-formulaic, and scattered methods, All India Rank differentiates itself from the web series Kota Factory and Aspirants, as well as the film 12th Fail. It avoids typical techniques and avoids a simple climax by distributing creative animated interludes.

All India Rank chooses to keep the protagonist’s fate up to the audience to decide whether or not he qualifies for the examination while following the young boy’s annual journey as he studies (against his advice) for the upcoming IIT-JEE test.

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All India Rank: Plot, Trailer, Cast, Release Date And Reasons To Watch -  Spotlight Central

 

Plot

Vivek (Bodhisattva Sharma) is in a class of hopefuls when he hears something. However, we do not know for definite whether he believes it. At the beginning of the film, he is taken out of Lucknow to Kota so he can prepare for the IIT entrance exams. He’s an arrogant, awkward 17-year-old with a Walkman and an insulated thermos. “I have no aspirations,” he confesses an innocent teenager’s confession, unimaginable — then and currently — in aspiring middle India.

We follow over to his parents, who are saving money so that their child can study comfortably. His father, a low-level government employee, discusses the benefits of the best engineering degree: work, respect, and convenient living. There is a fourth benefit that he is unwilling to immediately point out: social standing.

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All India Rank trailer: A realistic take on the education system. Watch |  Bollywood - Hindustan Times

The story is just as it is about a child wrestling with the complicated calculations of life and education, added to by his fiercely passionate father – his mom is not only more accepting, but she is well-prepared to let the boy choose his direction in life.

All India Rank is a nostalgic depiction of an exciting decade in which India changed quicker than it ever had since independence.

Vivek comes across as genuine but lost, as children his age should be. He gets comfortable with two of his roommates and falls for clever, dedicated Sarika (Samta Sudiksha).

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In one scene, the entire group rides down to a riverbank to shoot the wind. Grover sets the setting with the sounds of nature and the group’s minor questions about themselves.

The turn of the century is still a long way off. Vivek isn’t the type of guy who likes speaking for himself. His racing emotions pull his focus away from the challenge at hand, and a couple of dismissive coaching center employees introduce him to attractions he had previously avoided. However, his father’s severe words do not leave him free.

All India Rank Movie Review: In Varun Grover's Nostalgia Laced  Coming-of-Age Drama It Is The Parents Who Grow Up More Than The Hero!

All India Rank refuses to employ the framework of ceremonies of transition films to depict Vivek’s quest for discovery. It breaks loose from the traditional genre tone.

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Instead of aligning with the audience’s expectations, it provides an immersive understanding of the influence the so-called “success” industry might have upon the minds of young people.

Performances

All India Rank Movie Review: In Varun Grover's Nostalgia Laced  Coming-of-Age Drama It Is The Parents Who Grow Up More Than The Hero!

Bodhisattva Sharma excels in his performance of the character Vivek. He has understood his assignment incredibly well and delivers accordingly. He beautifully manages to capture the plight of many, a problem still relevant to this day, the cut-throat competition of IIT-JEE.

What stands out especially are the moments when he is too scared to speak or express himself in front of his father, his eyes and body language convey his helplessness and fear.

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Samta Sudiksha has also done her job incredibly well with the role of Sarika. Samta Sudiksha portrays the determination and perseverance of Sarika amazingly. She is clever, intelligent, and extremely observant of her surroundings.

All India Rank movie review: Varun Grover makes a tender, crowd-pleasing  debut | Bollywood - Hindustan Times

The parents of Vivek, played by Shashi Bhushan and Geeta Aggarwal have also done a terrific job with their roles. Their roles are completely contrasted in nature which is why they complement each other well, Bhushan portrays the angst of the father while Chadda reverses it with her compassion. Vivek’s mother’s personality is quite distinct from his father’s. She and Sarika are both calming forces for Vivek. However, the complexities of numbers and the unresolved issues of the educational system far exceed the boy’s moments of personal pleasure.

Writing and Direction

Varun Grover, an Indian Institute of Technology (BHU) graduate, created this script about ten years ago; he’s worked before as a lyricist, stand-up comedian, and writer for the contract. In All India Rank, Varun Grover draws on personal substance, but the film also reveals his keen interest in historical study (there is a humorous mention of the fact that the initial IIT campus was originally a British jail).

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Educational institutions and academic stress have been well-known in Hindi cinema over the past ten years, particularly in detailed web series such as Kota Factory and Laakhon Mein Ek. As a result, the All India Rank experiences a little tiredness due to repetition. Many of the concepts and perspectives appear to carry over from previous releases.

Varun Grover’s expertise as a writer can be seen in his controlled style, which avoids showy theatrics in favor of a strict and considered narrative. The film neither praises nor mocks the IIT ambition, accomplishing a careful balance that speaks to the middle-class fears shared by many potential candidates.

All India Rank (2023) - IMDb

Technical Aspects

The sound design of Vinit D’Souza, paired with songs and background score by Mayukh-Mainak, and Varun Grover’s verses, quietly plays on the establishing indicators of India’s pre-consumerist popular culture and celebrates an essentially relaxed time which was about to shift significantly for the youngster at the core of the film as well as the nation in its entirety as it marked the 50th year of independence.

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Prachi Deshpande, the production designer, uses a variety of props and material elements to bring the decade of 1990 to life. You note Gabriela Sabatini posters in the hostel, glasses of Maza, video game stations, PCO booths, and the then-PM H.D. Deve Gowda’s mention on the wall and are immediately taken back to earlier times.

Concluding Thoughts

All India Rank is full of beautifully striking details that set it beyond the sum of all of its parts, turning it into a sensitive, universal tribute to a time of change. One should see it as it can take you somewhere rarely seen in Hindi films: a place where ideas, feelings, and barely expressed issues take priority over storyline and explanation.

All India Rank' movie review: Growing up with Grover

 

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Another of the film’s merits is that it manages to grab attention without controlling its audience. Rather than hammering audiences with a victorious story, All India Rank softly understands the flaws and frustrations that come with chasing the goal of success.

For those looking for a theatrical experience that goes over genre stereotypes, All India Rank provides an exciting story that makes an unforgettable impact. If you have any experience with its subject issue or aren’t, going to the theatre to see Grover’s directing debut is undoubtedly worth it.

 

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Unveiling Netflix’s ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’: A Perfect Gen-Z Movie

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Kho Gaye Hum Kahaan

Unveiling Netflix’s ‘Kho Gaye Hum Kahan’: A Perfect Gen-Z Movie

The year 2023 has been quite a fruitful year for Bollywood. We have seen quite a variety of films that have not compressed themselves into the typical standards of the industry. We have had action thrillers, dramas, romantic comedies, and a resurgence of a genre that had not made its appearance for quite a while – Noir (Merry Christmas).

But a film that was quick to get all the eyes on it for its unique script choice and themes was the Arjun Vairain Singh directorial Netflix film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.

Netflix movie Kho Gaye Hum Kahan review: A timely tale that speaks directly  to Gen-Z

The thin line between real and virtual is rapidly becoming thin. Completing a particular task without checking social media posts on your phone might be considered a challenge today. Offline seemed to be labeled the new luxury. It’s become a pressing necessity in a world destroyed by the evils of virtual curses.

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Plot

Two flatmates, Ahana (Ananya Panday) and Imaad (Siddhant Chaturvedi), in addition to their buddy Neil (Adarsh Gourav), think about these ideas the hard way. Imaad, a stand-up comedian, looks for comfort on Tinder, Ahana dreams about a fairy tale romance with Rohan (Rohan Gurbaxani), and Neil dreams of opening his gym, but each faces their challenges. The three of them are preparing for an awful reawakening when they see the consequences of their social media behaviors in their daily lives.

Set in Mumbai, three close friends go through life, relationships, and professional problems in this emotional-social-slice-of-life drama that untangles itself like a thriller.

What Works?

The Dynamic Between The Trio

The three of them who live in Mumbai might not fully understand the other person’s goals in life and work, but there is always an air of empathy, unspoken compassion, and a sincere attempt to be there for one another. Immersed in the mess of everyday life, they frequently look for solace not in each other’s friendship, but by surfing through social media pages and admiring the lifestyles of others who allegedly have happy lives. Their experiences of loss, romance, and ambition intersect in the virtual world, and this is at the core of Kho Gaye Hum Kahan.

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Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' trailer: Of friendship and social media - The Hindu

Director Arjun Varain Singh’s slice-of-life social drama serves as a biting social satire on the existential crises of youngsters and Gen-Z as a whole. His urban narrative reflects our current mental state. How did documenting moments turn into making content? Why did swiping right and left take over our lives? What begins as a light-hearted friendship story quickly transforms into a dark interpersonal thriller about trauma and isolation in the digital era.

Writing

Writers Zoya Akhtar, Reema Kagti, Yash Sahai, and Arjun (story) cleverly include class differences into the narrative. It’s all recognizable, from Adarsh Gourav’s Neil, an ambitious fitness teacher who judges himself for not fitting into the mold, to influencers advertising a lifestyle they couldn’t otherwise afford.

Netflix film Kho Gaye Hum Kahan review: Fascinating if flawed portrayal of  the social media generation

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan makes you conscious of the dangers of social media, often focusing on the hollow views of people who use it to present another version of their lives to the world, and at times even causing you to get anxious about your virtual existence because it is not as real as one would like to believe. Little subtleties in the writing allow the characters to communicate their story more effectively and without becoming overly shallow.

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Except for a few rare events, the writing primarily deals with first-world concerns, which, while authentic, are also set in an affluent environment. The plot is vague in parts. Much is left to the audience’s imagination.

Roommates rarely cook or split bills. While some additional details on the co-living scenario would have been helpful, the distressing, mystery-filled treatment overshadows the plot. Each scenario makes you nervous and makes you fear for the worse. The intent is spot on, as are the main character’s performances.

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan review: lost in the malaise • Akhil Arora

What makes the plot more compelling is that the screenwriters refrain from choosing a lecturing approach; no uninteresting speeches are trying to teach you why you should or should not use social media.

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The film does not try to present a manual of regulations of do’s and don’ts, but it does pass on a message that acts as an everyday lesson quietly. The film never loses its focus despite being 2 hours and 15 minutes long. Some portions were hurrying and we could have used more context.

Several well-written scenes stand out, including Ahana’s confrontation with her lover, Imaad’s argument with Neil after he pulls on his romantic status for his stand-up set, and Neil’s disappointing moment on Instagram. Imaad’s stand-up acts are genuinely funny with excellent comic timing.

The Performances

Ananya Panday has played the part of Ahana beautifully. She is lively, adventurous, and vulnerable, yet she does not sacrifice her core values. The additional layer to her character offers her plenty of room to perform, especially in the intense scenes. She convinces you to place yourself in her flaws and worries.

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Netflix drops trailer for 'Kho Gaye Hum Kahan' featuring Ananya Panday,  Siddhant Chaturvedi

Siddhant Chaturvedi is so smooth and natural on the screen that you almost believe he’s doing stand-up as a side job. He manages to make a strong onscreen presence and does not allow you to be sidetracked. He provides Imaad with an amazing combination of softness and a detached attitude.

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan 2023 Hindi Full Movie 720pAfter his critically lauded performances on the internet, Adarsh Gourav breaks free in Kho Gaye Hum Kahan. He is much more relaxed, at ease, and makes an immediate impression on the audience. Adarsh, possibly the most complex of the three leads, is never exhausted and maintains his composure. He remains with you as he skillfully expresses Neil’s emotional struggle and buried fury.

Final Thoughts

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan Review

Kho Gaye Hum Kahan presents a coming-of-age story in a simple yet effective manner. The storytelling isn’t overly dramatic. The discussions are straightforward and relatable. It is a fresh and frightening modern-day horror film that tries to confront you with the truth. It will make you reconsider posting pointless pictures, stalking your ex, wasting your time on reels, etc.

The emotions depicted differ in nature, but the plot never drifts. If Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is right and a person checks their phone an average of 234 times each day, it’s no surprise that a film like this results in an engaging watching experience on the screen.

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Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Movie Review: Sci-Fi Rom-Com Which Can Be Skipped

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Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Movie Review: Sci-Fi Rom-Com Which Can Be Skipped

The movie Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya follows the life of Aryan Agnihotri, played by Shahid Kapoor, a robotics’ engineer who falls in love with his aunt’s assistant, Sifra, only to find out later that she is a robot. What happens later forms the premise of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, where Aryan and Sifra navigate their way to make the relationship work. While the idea of a human-robot relationship in an Indian film may seem new, the film is nothing but an attempt to test your patience and sell you what has already been sold to you before, but in a different package.

The pitch of the film is incredibly bland and loud; it tries to present itself as a “no-brainer,” but what the duo of Amit Joshi and Aradhana forgot to add to the memo was the fact that no-brainer films are, at the very least, entertaining. This film comes nowhere close to that. Keep reading the Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya movie review. 

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Movie Review: The flaws in the flow

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya' review: Overemployed android | Mint Lounge

The writing of the film is all over the place, the screenplay of the film is incredibly confused, the dialogues include the likes of “Dhumrapan nahi isse sutta maarna kehte hain,” the characters are mostly like caricatures, and the first half of the film is incredibly dull and boring; it’s almost like an extended T-Series music video.

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The idea had a lot of potential on paper and has been captured very effectively in films like Her, but the themes of this film are incredibly half-baked. As an audience, you cannot care enough about Aryan and Sifra; it fails to engage you in any way. The shifts in the screenplay are too abrupt and frequent, which throws you off, starting from a breezy beach romance to the pair accepting their situation to random incidents happening along the way that have no significance to the plot or the screenplay to a comedy of errors in the family. The film is incredibly confused about what it wants to portray itself as.

The climax had a lot of potential and could have been the saving grace as far as the writing is concerned. The ideas and troupes could have been interesting, and they would have elevated the screenplay, but the disjointed writing of the film sticks out like a sore thumb and restrains it from thriving.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Movie Review: Performances

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya film review: Simplistic sci-fi with some winning humour

Perhaps the only aspect that can engage you as a viewer is the performance of the film. The chemistry between Shahid Kapoor and Kriti Sanon works well for the film.

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Shahid Kapoor has done a commendable job with the role; he is whacky and tries to do his best with the half-baked character and the cringey dialogues. Kriti Sanon is the standout from the cast, as she beautifully balances the complexities of their dynamic. She had a lot of potential in this role and could have done even better if the writing of the character had more potential, which sadly isn’t the case.

Ashish Verma as Shahid Kapoor’s best friend Monty, has also played his role incredibly well and steals every scene he features in. He has a limited screen presence, which also takes away from the film’s overall impact.

The other characters can best be summarised with the fake laugh of Sifra, as they add nothing more than annoyance to the film-watching experience.

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Also, read:

Review Of Bambai Meri Jaan Web Series’s Gangster Saga On Prime Video

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Movie Review: Technical Aspects

The frames of this film can make you go blind (yes, they are that bright). There is nothing new in terms of camerawork; it follows the typical Hindi cinema camera work without any newer element or innovation, which is a wasted opportunity considering the subject of the film. There could have been some form of redemption.

The remake of the title track is terrible. Right from the costumes to the choreography, it just doesn’t work. The steps are awkward, the pairs look uncomfortable while performing, the song has too many cuts, and the costumes are horrendous.

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In contradiction to the title track, Laal Peeli Akhiyaan, and Akhiyaan Gulaab is phenomenal. The pair put their best foot forward and do a commendable job in the former, while Shahid Kapoor moves like a dream in the latter and kills it. The choreography in both the songs are both fun and fantastic and has been executed really well.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya Movie Review: Conclusion

To conclude, Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya could have been a fun and entertaining comedy of errors, consisting of whacky gags and with the presence of a recurring emotional arc, but the film falters terribly in the writing and execution and wastes the talent of brilliant actors, which includes the likes of Shahid Kapoor, Kriti Sanon, and Dimple Kapadia. 

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