On the heels of Raaz-3’s release, we are proud to present renowned film critic Shonali Kapoor’s review. Please be advised that Shonali is not affiliated with BPP®, T-Fare®, Kanti Raj Films, GayfareOnline or it’s subsidiaries in any way. Her opinions are completely personal and do not reflect those of BPP®, T-Fare®, Kanti Raj Films or GayfareOnline. Comments have been disabled for this post.
Kanti Raaj Films like Race and Dostana have proved to be flourishing propositions for BPP and Mr. Bhansali. As a matter of fact, Kanti Raaj Films has made the biggest blockbusters not just in BPP history but the entire Trollywood’s history. After mammoth blockbusters like Race and Dostana, expectations for Kanti Raaj Film’s Raaz-3 were already sky high. Add to that the phenomenal marketing campaign of 3 ‘raazs’ or secrets revealed over the last 3 weeks and you have a colossal film being looked forward to like a major event! So does the film live up to expectations? The answer this time is a resounding YES!
A lot many celebrities become prisoners of fame and eminence, after attaining recognition. The adulation and the frenzy they incite in a public space is enough to award them with a superior feeling. Sadly, when you attain the much desired celebrity status, you also fear losing it all. It's well known that a vicious rivalry exists among Trollywood actresses and their loneliness can make them resort to anything spiteful. Crossing limits is one thing. But practicing black magic and spells is blasphemous. Quite a few names from the era gone by have allegedly indulged in it including Deepika, Amrita, Shravan, Monisha, Malati, Natasha, Richa and Shinata . That precisely is the theme of RAAZ 3.
Saagar Malhotra has not been seen for a while and when we have seen him, he has played characters that are completely opposite his real age, looks and personality. In Raaz-3, the actor get his first shot of playing himself – a middle aged handsome man who loves his wife dearly but is lured by another woman. Much has been written about Saagar’s hunky and buffed up look. While I do agree that he has lost a lot of weight, it appears that he still has a way to go before he’s in great shape. While he is hiding his body behind layers of clothing and behind his wife, I got the feeling that he is still a bit overweight. He no longer has the youthful energy in his face as it has grown a lot bigger. It’s unclear if this is the look that Kanti Raj wanted for the film or if this is how he really looks right now but the look works for a middle age husband. His overall look is very charming and he makes a very romantic and attractive couple with his wife. Malini Nanku has done extensive preparation and even gained weight for this film. All her efforts have paid dividends since she suits her character to the T! Kudos to Raj for casting her in the wife’s role as her jodi with Saagar is picture perfect. For those of you who thought her days were numbered, think again! Malini stands shoulder to shoulder with her biggest new competitor Deepika and is a major force to reckon with. If anyone understands how to stay on top of Trollywood, it’s Malini. Both the new and ageing girls need to learn from her on experimenting with different roles as she has transformed from a sexy seductress in Dostana to a cancer patient in We R Family and now to an insecure and vulnerable housewife in Raaz-3. She emotes with complete conviction and is sure to win all the awards for Raaz-3.
Raaj is to be commended once again for taking a fairly new comer to play the female centric role of Shanaya. Deepika had the enormous responsibility of not just carrying this female centric film on her shoulders but also to look convincing while pitted against veterans like Malini and Natasha. While she does manage to carry the film on her shoulders and plays the part of an evil diva with complete conviction, one gets the feeling that her character was over shadowed by her contemporaries. It could be because her part was portrayed in black and white or because there was more focus on her body than her face. But clearly, this being her second film she has a long way to go before she catches up with her competition.
Item numbers can make or break a film and Natasha’s “chikni chameli” act is no exception. When news of her item number was announced, many skeptics criticized Raj’s casting and some even went on to laugh at Natasha saying she would never be able to do a sexy item number. All these critics and haters will have to eat their words after Raaz-3 releases. Natasha Rai is a complete revelation. She provides a much needed break from the overall dark film with a sexy and sensuous item number that is sure to keep the masses and censors talking for a long time. Natasha steals the show from right under Deepika’s nose with this comeback in a sultry new “chikni chameli” image. It’s very clear that Natasha is finally taking her career seriously and mark my words – this film will put her right back on the top. In an item number with both the veteran Malini and youngster Deepika by her side, Natasha proves that she can steal the show!
The one constructive feedback I have for Raaj is that the makeup of Raaz-3 feels more Hollywood than anything else. Some might see this as a compliment but this is actually a criticism. Why? Because Saagar, Malini and Deepika are all of South Asian descent but their makeup makes them look Caucasian. I felt this to be disingenuous in an industry that serves South Asian LGBT. I have seen all 3 of these actors in person or pictures and can definitely say that the film makes them look very different from what they really are.
Finally, I give this film 2 big thumbs up for creativity, styling, acting and the unforgettable item number. Watch Raaz-3 for Raaj’s terrific direction, Malini’s superior acting and Natasha’s fantastic comeback number.
Shonali Kapoor
10/25/2012
Kanti Raaj Films like Race and Dostana have proved to be flourishing propositions for BPP and Mr. Bhansali. As a matter of fact, Kanti Raaj Films has made the biggest blockbusters not just in BPP history but the entire Trollywood’s history. After mammoth blockbusters like Race and Dostana, expectations for Kanti Raaj Film’s Raaz-3 were already sky high. Add to that the phenomenal marketing campaign of 3 ‘raazs’ or secrets revealed over the last 3 weeks and you have a colossal film being looked forward to like a major event! So does the film live up to expectations? The answer this time is a resounding YES!
A lot many celebrities become prisoners of fame and eminence, after attaining recognition. The adulation and the frenzy they incite in a public space is enough to award them with a superior feeling. Sadly, when you attain the much desired celebrity status, you also fear losing it all. It's well known that a vicious rivalry exists among Trollywood actresses and their loneliness can make them resort to anything spiteful. Crossing limits is one thing. But practicing black magic and spells is blasphemous. Quite a few names from the era gone by have allegedly indulged in it including Deepika, Amrita, Shravan, Monisha, Malati, Natasha, Richa and Shinata . That precisely is the theme of RAAZ 3.
Saagar Malhotra has not been seen for a while and when we have seen him, he has played characters that are completely opposite his real age, looks and personality. In Raaz-3, the actor get his first shot of playing himself – a middle aged handsome man who loves his wife dearly but is lured by another woman. Much has been written about Saagar’s hunky and buffed up look. While I do agree that he has lost a lot of weight, it appears that he still has a way to go before he’s in great shape. While he is hiding his body behind layers of clothing and behind his wife, I got the feeling that he is still a bit overweight. He no longer has the youthful energy in his face as it has grown a lot bigger. It’s unclear if this is the look that Kanti Raj wanted for the film or if this is how he really looks right now but the look works for a middle age husband. His overall look is very charming and he makes a very romantic and attractive couple with his wife. Malini Nanku has done extensive preparation and even gained weight for this film. All her efforts have paid dividends since she suits her character to the T! Kudos to Raj for casting her in the wife’s role as her jodi with Saagar is picture perfect. For those of you who thought her days were numbered, think again! Malini stands shoulder to shoulder with her biggest new competitor Deepika and is a major force to reckon with. If anyone understands how to stay on top of Trollywood, it’s Malini. Both the new and ageing girls need to learn from her on experimenting with different roles as she has transformed from a sexy seductress in Dostana to a cancer patient in We R Family and now to an insecure and vulnerable housewife in Raaz-3. She emotes with complete conviction and is sure to win all the awards for Raaz-3.
Raaj is to be commended once again for taking a fairly new comer to play the female centric role of Shanaya. Deepika had the enormous responsibility of not just carrying this female centric film on her shoulders but also to look convincing while pitted against veterans like Malini and Natasha. While she does manage to carry the film on her shoulders and plays the part of an evil diva with complete conviction, one gets the feeling that her character was over shadowed by her contemporaries. It could be because her part was portrayed in black and white or because there was more focus on her body than her face. But clearly, this being her second film she has a long way to go before she catches up with her competition.
Item numbers can make or break a film and Natasha’s “chikni chameli” act is no exception. When news of her item number was announced, many skeptics criticized Raj’s casting and some even went on to laugh at Natasha saying she would never be able to do a sexy item number. All these critics and haters will have to eat their words after Raaz-3 releases. Natasha Rai is a complete revelation. She provides a much needed break from the overall dark film with a sexy and sensuous item number that is sure to keep the masses and censors talking for a long time. Natasha steals the show from right under Deepika’s nose with this comeback in a sultry new “chikni chameli” image. It’s very clear that Natasha is finally taking her career seriously and mark my words – this film will put her right back on the top. In an item number with both the veteran Malini and youngster Deepika by her side, Natasha proves that she can steal the show!
The one constructive feedback I have for Raaj is that the makeup of Raaz-3 feels more Hollywood than anything else. Some might see this as a compliment but this is actually a criticism. Why? Because Saagar, Malini and Deepika are all of South Asian descent but their makeup makes them look Caucasian. I felt this to be disingenuous in an industry that serves South Asian LGBT. I have seen all 3 of these actors in person or pictures and can definitely say that the film makes them look very different from what they really are.
Finally, I give this film 2 big thumbs up for creativity, styling, acting and the unforgettable item number. Watch Raaz-3 for Raaj’s terrific direction, Malini’s superior acting and Natasha’s fantastic comeback number.
Shonali Kapoor
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