gnv6417308

152.Gangs of Wasseypur (revenge drama) ***l/2
Cast: Manoj Bajpai, Tigmanshu Dhulia, Richa Chaddha, Reemma Sen, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Piyush Mishra, Huma Qureshi
Direction: Anurag Kashyap
Duration: 2 hours 40 minutes
Language: Hindi (A)

* Sweeping story of gangs fighting over the coal capital of the country, where rivalry and revenge cut deep, and 'coal'-blooded crimes are second nature. Shahid Khan is betrayed, and his sons and grandsons swear to avenge his dishonour and death.

This one's a gang bang. Sorry, make that a gang bang-bang; because that's how this story explodes -with bullets, blasts and bust-ups. Throw in gallons of blood, body-counts and 'boom-boom', true Bihari ishtyle. It doesn't need coal to fuel this revenge drama. It fires on Anurag Kashyap's penchant for the dark, dubious, deadly and daring. Starting in 1941, in the dusk of colonial India, Wasseypur (Dhanbad) — the land of coal and scrap trade — simmers an age-old hatred between Muslims and Muslims (Qureshis v/s Pathans). And the bloodbaths, power struggles, family feuds and gangwars rage over three generations.
In this complex drama, with mobs of men (where you almost forget kitne aadmi the) and myriad shades (mostly dark), the word to remember is Revenge. And revenge is best served hot, 'koyla' hot! Shahid Khan (Jaideep Ahlawat), a good-willed-^oonrfa, impersonates the dreaded Sultana daku (the real Gabbar of colonial India) and loots British trains. Growing gang rivalry compels him to flee his territory, and resettle as a mazdoor in Ramadhir Singh's (Tigmanshu Dhulia) coal mines, where he's betrayed and murdered. But revenge grows in the genes; son Sardar Khan (Manoj Bajpai), swears (on his bald pate), that he won't grow his mane or rest until he has Ra-madhir's blood on his hands. He's a hot-gun really, in bloody war and in bed.
While he's married to the feisty and hot-tempered Nagma (Richa Chaddha), who bears him three sons (including Nawazuddin as Faizal), he sleeps around, philanders and marries the doosri au-rat, Durga (Reemma Sen); a Bong firebrand, no less. History repeats, in (Francis Ford Copolla's) 'Godfather'-style, as the sons-of-Sardar add their meaty parts to this bloody enterprise, of potent men with powerful 'pistols'.
Manoj Bajpai, in this fully loaded role, is spectacular. He gustily brings to life Sardar Khan, peaking his performance with devilry, crudity and cuss words, while ably toning it with comic moments and a human touch.
Truly, a raw diamond in this coal mine. In his acting debut, Tigmanshu Dhulia, with a striking command over his role, is 'bang' on. The real find in this mine-of-a-cast, boy gang film, is Richa Chaddha. She appears like a mini-handmade bomb, but is quite explosive. Reemma Sen, with few dialogues shows her curves and contempt
with ease. Piyush Mishra, as the narrator of this long-winding saga (and Sardar Khan's chachha), magnanimously stays in the background, but silently offloads shocking shades of his character.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui, as a pothead son with a devious mind, even in a brief role leaves a solid impact. Director Anurag Kashyap, in his trademark style of story- telling—realistic, with strong characters, over-the-top sequences, and unadulterated local flavour (crude maa-behen gaalis galore), gruesome bloody violence and raw humour — interestingly spins this twisted tale.
This first of a two-part film, is ambitious indeed; showing promise of brilliance in parts, but not bullet-proof to flaws. With a runtime this long, meandering side tracks and random subplots, countless characters, documentary-style narrative backed with black and white montages from actual history, it loses blood in the second half because of the director's over-(self)in-dulgence.
The dialogues are 'killer', adding more quirkiness to this chaos. The electric background score (GV Prakash) keeps the tempo in this drama, and the music (Sneha Khanwalkar) though folkish, is hip and cool.
But beware; GOW is not for the weak-hearted. So, hold on to your guns, gamchas and' womanly as'.

* Tip-Off: Brace yourself for the crudest gaalis, blood-baths and gory visuals of hanging carcasses.

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153.StreetDance 2 (musical) ***1/2
Cast: Falk Hentschel, Sofia Boutella, Tom Conti, George Sampson
Direction: Max Giwa and Dania Pasquini
Duration: 1 hour 25 minutes
Language: English (U/A)

* Street dancer Ash wants to give it back to the Invincible dance troupe post a humiliating stint. Just one problem: The dancer is just a popcorn seller.

Who said boxing rings are all about power punches, sucker blows and jab! Try the Samba, Tango, Salsa... and rest assured, the challenge will be worth it. Just like it is for Ash (Falk Hentschel) who forms a dance troupe from scratch. Now, that is when we know StreetDance 2 is going to be pretty different from it's prequel. Get ready for a trip round the world — London, Paris, New York, Amsterdam — as the dance master is all out to select the best of them all. And once the team is in place, you shall have no reason to complain, specially if you are into (street) dancing. The finale at the European Dance Competition is worth the effort.
Now, for the storyline. There is nothing much to boast about, but then movies like these were never meant to be high on the intellectual quotient; it needs to give you the high as far as the moves go. And that it does. There is break dance, freeze, hip hop. There is also popping, locking, slouching.
But then more than the moves, it's the multi-talented, multi-cultural and multi-indigenous troupe that needs to be applauded here. Not to miss out is the fusion: StreetDance (2010) was all about the Street dance — Ballet combo; StreetDance (2012) is about the Street dance-Latino effect. Special mention: The thumping music.
So, here's calling all you movers and shakers out there... if dance is your food for life, step on...

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154.Supermen of Malegaon (documentary) ***1/2
Cast: Shaikh Nasir, Shafique Sheikh, Akram Khan, Farogh Jafri
Direction: Faiza Ahmad Khan
Duration: 66 minutes
Language: Hindi (U)

* Meet the supermen of Mollywood — Malegaon's filmmakers who let nothing stop them...

The release of Supermen of Malegaon (SOM), alongside Hollywood's Spiderman and in the 100th year of Indian cinema, could not have been better-timed. SOM marks new zest enlivening Indian documentary. It reflects global interest in desi movies. And it celebrates, with empathy and wit, our own fascination with films and the magic they make.
SOM follows the adventures of a band of Malegaon men, led by local movie-maker Shaikh Nasir, producing a parody on Hollywood's Superman. Malegaon lies 300 kilometres from Mumbai, its economy based on power looms worked by labourers up to 12 hours a day. These workers turn with delight to Hindi and Hollywood films, loving their fantasy and joy.
Little wonder the town is flooded with things fil-mi, from cinema theatres bursting at their seams to DVDs sold on wooden carts, actors' hairstyles sculpted by barbers and starry kites dotting the skies, all thriv-
ing amongst henna-haired elders, mosques and stream, giggling children, muddy ditches, hazy looms and bleating goats.
But cinema in Malegaon isn't escaping reality. It becomes a way for locals to re-interpret reality itself, remaking hits from around the world. Hence, Nasir, who earlier made Malegaon ke Sholay, featuring dacoits on cycles, turns to Superman, grinning to the camera behind, "Pehle Bollywood se takkar liya, ab Hollywood se lenge."
Inspired by cinema from Chaplin to Schwarzenegger, Nasir bands together a likeable bunch — soft-faced Shafique with Bachchan-obsession, shaadi video-maker and actor Akram, Farogh, a writer with drawling appeal. Together, they make SOM, the painfully thin Shafique reinterpreting a super-human with human weakness, wonkiness and wit.
As Nasir's crew tackle challenges — Shafique nearly drowning when Superman saves kids in a river, the camera falling in, scouting a pouting heroine as Malegaon's conservative Muslims won't let local women act, producing expensive 'chroma effect' by draping fluorescent cloth on a screen, even impaling Superman's buddy on a horizontal 'flying' pole, leaving the sidekick panting for a 'pain-cooler' — the camera follows with quiet intelligence, probing, not judgmental, empathetic, yet non-sentimental. Only a few quibbles — Malegaon's women are seen but hardly heard. Nasir's sibling drama is uncovered but unexplored. And how the money works could be clearer too.

Crucially though, SOM gets why Malegaon is crazy about cinema, even making its own — movies capture our madness, melancholy and magic, mirroring these to us, making us love what we see. It is in cinema that India's vibrant creativity — its tales and taboos, its violence and splendour, its lilting music and haunting poetry like Malegaon's amazing 'Chand se khitaab' — find free and faithful expression.
Cinema in India makes us laugh at our weaknesses, applaud our strengths, watch with tenderness and heart our grim lives and eternal hope. That is what makes it precious. And it is this quality of understanding that makes Supermen

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155.Daal Mein Kuch Kaala Hain (comedy) *
Cast: Veena Malik, Irfan Malik, AN Hassan, Shakti Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Bobby Darling
Direction: Anand Balraj
Duration: 2 hours
Language: Hindi (U/A)

* A suitcase full of cash is the shortcut to success for this wannabe actor. So much so, she is ready to say 'yes' to a crazy, not-her-type movie maker.

Daal mein kuch kaala hain! Hona hi tha...because...
1) The movie has just too many characters — some eleven... and counting.
2) The characters have names you don't want to hear — Daaboo, Kamalfeku, Chilambhai, Gopalyeda...
3) Debutante Veena Malik is only heard screaming, screaming and screaming throughout the movie.
4) The actors are all look-alikes of Am-itabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Salman...
5) The jokes, thankfully not double meaning this time, stem from the Am-ar-Singh-Big B dosti.
6) The songs begin and end with Mumbai's vada pav fixation.
7) The movie begins with a disclaimer that goes all out to dedicate the same to Dev saab. Speechless, are we!

The only thing that is bang on here is the title track — which appears after every few seconds. It says: Sab (money matters) gadbad ghotala hai. And we cannot but agree. After all, money can't buy everything... at least not ideas.

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156.3 Bachelors (comedy) **
Cast: Sharman Joshi, Manish Nagpal, Raima Sen, Riya Sen, Manoj Pahwa, Himani Shivpuri
Direction: Ajai Sinha
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes
Language: Hindi (A)

* Amit (Sharman Joshi) and Jai (Manish Nagpal) fall for Neha (Raima Sen) and Nisha (Riya Sen). But before they can settle down in marriage, there is a whole lot of confusion that needs to be tackled first.

We know the release of 3 Bachelors has been stuck up for some ten-odd-years now. So naturally expectations are not high. Rightly so, for everything - just everything - seems stale in here.
The plot is seen to death: Two college boys (Amit and Jai) can never find accommodation in the super expensive Maximum city. What's next? One of them dresses up as the wife and the so-called couple happily finds shelter in the same outlet that has their respective girlfriends on the ground floor. Of course, the movie, right in the beginning, unabashedly owns up to getting all that makeover idea from Chachi 420. Add to that a sub (love) plot of yet another bachelor, Deepak Verma (Manoj Pahwa), and you know stale is just the beginning.
The performances sadly are nothing much to talk about. While Himani Shivpuri (she has maximum screen time) is seen playing the 'toofani danda' — the college principal who does not believe in love till she herself falls into a love
trap, the Sen sisters are there as mere eye candies. Even the item song seems dated. Not so much for the lyrics and tune, but more for the item girl herself — the long lost Nigar Khan.
Interestingly, there are a couple of one liners (out-and-out adult, mind you) and moments that manage to make you laugh... somewhat. But then it's all in flashes... primarily in the first half. The second half is all bhashan on love, family, friendship, duties....
Finally, the Big Q we just can't stop ourselves from asking: Sharman, is that really you...all skinny and skimpy? Guess we need to blame it on his (Shar-ma Joshi's) not-so-Ferrari-Ki-Sawaari (read struggling) days.

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157.Dylan Dog: Dead of Night (thriller) ***
Cast: Brandon Routh, Anita Briem, Sam Huntington, Taye Diggs
Direction: Kevin Munroe
Duration: 1 hour 47 minutes
language: English (A)

* Detective Dylan Dog is happy snooping on cheating husbands. Of course, there's a famous past he lays claim to. What? Dylan excelled in paranormal cases. He was the link between the real and the living dead. Little does he know it's now time to get back to what he does best — fighting the bloody creatures....

If fear factor is what you're looking for (since the filmmakers classify this as horror), there are the typical elements to choose from — blood dripping from the ceiling, someone appearing from nowhere on the other side of the window pane, scary masks of sharp-toothed monsters.
We, however, are a little brave... so we don't really get all that scared. If laughter is what you're looking for
(since the filmmakers classify this as comedy too), there are a couple of moments and one-liners in there. Again, there is nothing that seems enough to really tickle our funny bones.
So does that mean Dylan Dog: The Dead of Night is just not watchable? It is watchable, for the movie is based on Tiziano Sclavi's Italian comic book series by the same name. So thrill, action, speed, chase, mystery and supernatural are there aplenty.
Of course, the one standing out in this bloody war on the streets is Brandon Routh. As detective, Dylan Dog dressed in the signature red shirt is convincing, cool, calm and suave. Watch him in the final sequence where he guns down the werewolves Bond style. Next is Sam Huntington's Marcus who gives us the much-needed relief in this hit-and-run werewolf versus human battle. It's only when he turns into the living dead... feasting on zombie buffet and getting a job done at the body shop does the fun begin.
Till then, it's over to werewolves, vampires and zombies who are struggling to be the master in this (somewhat cliched) war of the good monsters versus the bad ones.

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158.Cocktail (Romantic comedy) ***1/2
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Diana Penty, Randeep Hooda
Direction: Homi Aaajania
Duration: 145 minutes
Language: Hindi (U/A)

* Gautam likes Veronica. Veronica likes him too. Gautam falls for Meera. Now what does Meera do? Three close friends find themselves caught in a vortex of emotions.

Two's company; is three a crowd? Homi Adajania's romantic comedy Cocktail is a slice-of-life film mounted beautifully and imaginatively on a large canvas with the vibrant colours of London, Cape Town and New Delhi. The film addresses the proverb — two is company, three is a crowd — situation throughout. With some super-light, sweet moments that one has seen in the mid-90s American sitcom Friends that revolved around a group of friends in Manhattan; Cocktail deals with the fun moments and then the emotional turmoil faced by three Indian friends settled in the UK, whose paths cross inadvertently
Saif (Gautam) — the flirt, Veronica (Deepika) — the rich-bitch and Meera (Diana Penty) — the simpleton, find themselves under one roof singing daaru desi and dancing to turn hi ho bandhu in perfect sync and rhythm. To start of, the wild yet vulnerable Veronica and the shameless flirt Gautam are happy to be in a no-commitment relationship, providing laughs galore. Veronica's best friend Meera is also happy to be the wallflower around the house, making sure not to get in the way
Written by Imtiaz Ali, the script in the pre-interval phase breezes through with some light-hearted camaraderie between the three lead actors; some comic moments (provided by Dimple Kapadia playing Saif's loud Punjabi mother); and has rocking tracks by Pritam that transport you straight into nightclub mode, singing and moving in your cinema-hall seats.
However there's also a downside. For example, the music provides an adrenaline rush and the comic scenes make you smile; but there's a drastic drop in the tempo during some of the talkie portions, where the gaps in the conversation make you restless. Also the friendship between the two girls— Veronica and Meera — is captured realistically and runs deep; but the same cannot be said for the relationships the girls share with Gautam. While Veronica and Gautam's equation comes across as flaky; Gautam's love for Meera too could have translated into a deeper passion. The longing and the yearning doesn't come across like it did in Jab We Met or Love, Aaj Kal.

In all fairness, where Cocktail scores is the fact that most of us living in urban metro India will definitely be able to identify with the three principal characters and the emotional upheaval that this bunch of friends go through. The bonding, the fun-filled moments do strike a very real chord.
The film takes a more serious turn in the second half when friendship makes way for love. Yes, Cupid strikes at the intermission point; and the film follows the oft-seen path of a typical triangular drama that has been a Bollywood staple through the last two decades.
Cocktail does have some terrific highs. One is Deepika Padukone's performance. Easily the best in her five-year-long career; Deepika also looks sensational throughout. You almost wish the camera had stayed longer on her in that red itsy-bitsy bikini. DP will definitely win notices and nominations for her near-faultless performance of the rich-spoilt-neglected-girl-with-a-heart-of-gold. Saif is terrific in parts, insipid in others. And the other DP, Diana Penty makes for a pretty picture; but she could certainly do with some polishing. Randeep Hooda as a rake, running a hoax marriage business, is completely wasted.

Pritam's music is charged and chartbusting. While 'tum hi ho bandhu' and 'daaru desi' are right on top; 'yaari-yan' and 'jugni' are stirring and soulful. The dialogues are funny; even outrageous with lines like — 'I'm carrying his bun in my oven' and 'you're lonely -I'm characterless.'
However, Cocktail should be truly applauded for being bold. As a film it breaks shackles and ushers in a new free spirit that Gen-Now will relate to.

* Tip-Off: Go see Cocktail with your closest friends. It will definitely strengthen the bond.

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159.The Intouchables (drama) ****
Cast: Francois Cluzet, Omar Sy, Anne Le Ny, Audrey Fleurot, Clotiide Molle
Direction: Olivier Nakache and Eric Toledano
Duration: 1 hour 52 minutes
Language: English (U/A)

* The rich Philippe's life changes post a paragliding experience gone wrong. He takes to the wheelchair for life. So what he wants next is a caretaker. Enter Driss, who not just takes good care of Philippe, but also takes his friendship with Philippe to a whole new level.

Now how many of us out there can make the best of the very little (literally) that we have? How many of us can laugh at our own shortcomings — both physical and emotional? Guess not many. After all, no one is born a hero; you become heroic only when you decide to be one. Celebrating this spirit of never-say-never is The Intouchables — story of a white aristocrat Philippe (Francois Cluzet) who hires the black Driss (Omar Sy) only later to realise life is all about living in the moment... a true story based on the memoir named You Changed My life by Abdel Sellou.
For the record, The Intouchables became the second most successful French film of all time, breaking all box office records outside the English circuit. And it's not just the plot that helped the movie do this. It's also the perfect blend of the drama (all serious and emotional stuff bringing out the helplessness of a then-adventure-freak-now-differently-abled man) and comedy (smart dialogues coupled with funny moments... at time irreverent) that works big time. There are even some Obama-Bush-Kennedy jokes in there.
Next are the performances. While Francois Cluzet as Philippe brilliantly metamorphoses into the what-the-heck-I-can-do-it persona from the no-woman-will-love-me-ever, Omar Sy's Driss gives you that extra dose of humour — situational, through expressions and dialogues. So much so, you can't think of anyone more deserving for the Cesar Award for Best Actor this actor lays claims to. Sample this: His references at a job interview are Kool Gang, earth, wind and fire. He has a problem with fixed timings at work and loves to doze-off when on duty He finds all that classy jazz music 'Tom and Jerry' stuff.
In fact, the real winner in the movie is actually Driss. Not because he does not throw in the towel after a week — understandably Philippe is a difficult man to please. Or for that matter, not even because he tips Philippe on thev erogenous zone. While he is making Philippe like his own self — all happy and lively, he is seen adapting to all that aristocratic way of life. He no longer thinks red splash on white is a piece of trash one should never buy; he no longer wants money for every little gesture he does. But before that here is Driss... who finds molten cake all squashy and raw.... who mistakes foot cream as hair shampoo wondering where all that lather is....

A feel-good dramedy... against the sparkling Paris by night. A feel-good real life story of two buddies who continue to live happily ever-after even today.

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160.Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter (thriller) ***1/2
Cast: Benjamin Walker, Rufus Sewell, Dominic Cooper, Mary Elizabeth Winstead
Direction: Timur Bekmambetov
Duration: 1 hour 45 minutes
Language: English (A)

* As a child, Abe (Abraham Lincoln) witnessed the most disturbing event of his life — the death of his mother after she was bitten by a vampire — and that changed him (and his life) forever. Abe then took it on him to play hunter and end the walking dead citizenry. But then, this war with vampires was all about a tyrannical movement called slavery.

Abraham Lincoln would have surely had a good laugh after seeing this one. You, on the other hand, will surely have fun while watching the movie. And that's because this wicked period tale keeps • your mind busy all throughout — you find it really hard to distinguish fact" from fiction. Of course, those of you who have actually read Seth Grahame-s Smith's fiction novel by the same i name have all your facts in place. So much so, expectations (of those into 1 the literally side) are a bit high. Does Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, the movie, deliver?
The setting works brilliantly. It's dark, sepia and old European charm. Add to that loads of fireworks, blood-i stained teeth of vampires, bats aplenty, music in sync with the huffing-puffing steam engine, gothic architecture...
and visually you have nothing much to complain. Special mention: The 'dinner is served' scene. And if you are patient enough till the end, the action (and speed) is unlimited.
Sadly, the first half is rather slow. Even the action cuts find place only when the vampires are spotted on screen. But when the fangs do what hands cannot, the energy is feverish... breathless... gruesome. Now, that is not to say there is nothing in the earlier part of the movie that gives you your money's worth.
Mary Todd (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) as the woman who is always on the lookout for out-of-the-box adventure steals the show when she uses Lincoln's hat as a stool... simply to rise to his level (in every sense of the word) and kiss him. Later, Mary Winstead is more convincing as the
mother who has lost her little son... and as the wife who chooses to be the woman behind the successful man.
Next is Dominic Cooper's Henry who as the suave, calm and if-need-be-deadly vampire completely overshadows Benjamin Walker's Abraham Lincoln. But then it's only when the carefree and confused Benjamin turns into President does he fit the role to the tee. He is commanding, towering and above all, human. Don't miss out the makeover too — gangly with tired eyes.
Finally, it's writer Seth Grahame-Smith for kicking all that Vampire butt... and director Timur Bekmambetov who makes sure to add his bit to this entertaining and engrossing slice of historical revisionism. Watch what he does with all that American silver. We wish, apart from Lincoln's fight with the axe, he had done a little bit more with the depiction of all that Lincoln-ic speeches and anti-slavery slogans, movements and its very end.
So who is the real hero in here? None other than Abe... Abraham Lincoln... the former President of the United States... for living a life that hardly needed vampires to make it incredible!

* Tip-Off: If you like to spin vampire yarns based on sweet nothings and a happily-ever-after theme, this one is not for you. This one is for those who like to see their vampires bloody, with no trace of humanity.

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161.Billa 2 (action-thriller) ***
Cast: Ajith Kumar, Parvathy Oomanakuttan, Bruna Abdullah, Vidyut Jamwal, Sudanshu Panday
Direction: Chakri Toleti
Duration: 129 minutes
Language: Tamil (A)

* Loyalty above life — that's David Billa 's maxim. Anyone who lets him down is dead meat.

Bilia 2 is a medium-paced action thriller with lots of bloodshed and mercifully no gore. The film is a prequel to the 2007 Ajith Kumar film Billa and sends out just one message — If people are inconvenient or disloyal, just kill them all and come back alone.
So, throughout the two-and-a-half hour movie, Ajith(David Billa) turns himself into a mean-killing machine who is adept at using a knife, a gun or even his bare fists to pound people to pulp.
The narrative is linear; it talks of the rise and rise of Billa who finds himself virtually jobless in a refugee camp for a brief while. Destiny sends him on a chore to deliver fish. Voila, there are diamonds in the fish belly and before you know Billa is fishing diamonds out of the black soil. He is also eliminating a few bad guys along the way at regular intervals; almost like a terminator.
The action moves from the south of India to Goa and also nestles lovingly in some exotic locations in Georgia and eastern Europe.
But almost all other aspects of this film — including the weak music, the practically non-existent Kollywood dating, and buffoonery — are minimal because the entire focus is on showing Billa to be a relentless killer. Not one to
rest on his laurels, he moves from smuggling diamonds to dealing in drugs in a jiffy. And he makes even quicker progress to smuggling illegal arms. It is as if the director is in a tearing hurry to see Billa rise to the top of his heap. No soul-searching for this hero, who by the end-credits becomes the top villain.
So is there any emotional connect in the film at all? Yes, Billa has a disabled sister in Madras (this is a prequel remember and Chennai is referred to as Madras). But the sister conveniently dies after just one scene and Billa is left babysitting her young daughter — Parvathy Oomanakuttan (Jasmine).

Coming back to the film, it's clear that Jasmine is infatuated with Billa but he of course has no time for her puppy-love. Instead, he prefers to make eyes at his boss Sudhanshu Panday's (Abbasi) girl Bruna Abdullah (Sameera). But even this love story is lacklustre because Billa is quintessentially a gun-guy and not your average rose-type.
While the girls have been shortchanged by the script-writer and given extended cameos; the two villains — Abbasi and Dimitri — have their screen moments. Both Bollywood exports to Tamil cinema, these good-looking guys manage to make the mark. Especially in the case of Vidyut who is a martial arts expert and his screen introduction is truly impressive.
Coming to the protagonist — Ajith's entry on screen at the multiplex where we watched Billa 2 was greeted with deaf-
ening whistles. Though his screen character is unidimensional, Ajith manages to charm with his lopsided smile and some heavyweight dialogues. Check this out—'another man's fear is our strength'; 'to be my friend you don't need any qualifications, but to be my enemy you certainly need status.'
Whistle, clap, clap when more of these lines are thrown at an audience that has put Ajith on a pedestal long enough.

* Tip-Off: If you're an Ajith fan — Billa 2 is a must. If you're an action afficionado, it's a treat. If you're neither, then don't bother.