With more highs than lows of the individuals and a storytelling flaw it never compensates for, The Roshans gets perilously close to becoming a mere vanity project

The Roshans(2 / 5)

The Netflix documentary The Roshans resembles an underwhelmingly written and edited draft of a long manuscript. It does not have any punctuation, leaving the audience’s imagination little room to breathe. It tells and shows you everything, often more than necessary. Take the moment where Rakesh Roshan talks about his struggles as an actor, for instance. We already know that Rakesh is a successful director, without any flops in his filmography. When Rakesh himself talks about his desire to become a director after failures in acting and production, it is obvious that the failures would precipitate his success. But then his son Hrithik Roshan reiterates this point with the most basic line, “Through those failures, he became what he was truly meant to be.”

Streamer: Netflix

Subjects: Roshan, Rakesh Roshan, Rajesh Roshan, Hrithik Roshan

The Roshans, despite its noble intentions, suffers from a repetitive structure that makes it feel longer than it is. In the documentary, speakers often reiterate an idea about the family’s creative prowess or long legacy. For instance, one speaker emphasises one of the Roshans’ brilliance, only for another to immediately echo the sentiment, seemingly intent on overstating their genius. The platitude with which most of the speakers describe the Roshans makes the documentary rather uninteresting, notwithstanding the sheer passion that has gone into every single moment here. In one moment, Rajesh Roshan is described as a ‘very creative person’. The moment comes midway through the section devoted to Rajesh. Of course, he is a music director with a diverse body of work and many successful collaborations. What else could he possibly be, given his profession? In another moment, someone describes Hrithik Roshan as a ‘Greek God’. It then leads to an entire section that simply gloats over Hrithik’s skills as a dancer. It does not take much for us to wonder what is the point of stating the obvious. It feels almost like cricket commentary.

Even when the documentary tries to explore a seemingly interesting facet about one of the Roshans, it does not pique our curiosity enough because we already know it. For example, the portion about Hrithik acting as a young boy in a scene with Rajinikanth or a gangster attack on Rakesh Roshan. It does not take much online research to get these facts.

Speaking of which, the commitment to factual accuracy should not limit a documentary’s ability to be captivating, insightful, and impactful. It is possible to weave a compelling narrative with real-life events even in non-fiction documentary filmmaking. You can provide a comprehensive understanding of the subject matter with expert testimony, archival footage, and interviews. In short, the greatness of a non-fiction documentary lies in its ability to inform, inspire, and even challenge conventions with unique storytelling and other means. The Roshans does only one thing effectively: inform. You start watching it knowing that the Roshans are an immensely talented bunch, and you walk away knowing little else. Thankfully, it stops short of being a vanity project because there is much truth in what it has to say and plenty of honesty.

The first and second episodes about music director Roshan and his son Rajesh stand out more for how they take us to the creative process of these two composers. At least each of the episodes informs you about the sheer range and versatility of the respective talents. It is a clever touch to introduce one of their songs and then show us a corresponding visual of the track from the film. This way, you are not always listening to a monologue. The part where Javed Akhtar says that Rajesh never understood the true level of his skill is one of the few moments that resonate for the pith in it and the sheer lack of platitude in it. And the part where the Roshan brothers, Rajesh and Rakesh, decide to become creative people soon after their father’s passing is poignant because it does not stay too long in the moment or over-emphasise it. You can say the same about Hrithik turning on the radio and listening to his grandfather speak for the first time. What an irony! The man has listened to his grandfather’s music for years but has never heard his voice before! The Roshans effectively crafts an image of a dynasty celebrating itself for posterity. However, it remains questionable whether the celebration resonates beyond the confines of the Roshan family and their immediate circle.

News Credits: cinema Express

Synopsis

While ‘Hisaab Barabar’ deserves credit for highlighting a relevant social issue, it falters in its storytelling and execution.

Hisaab Barabar Review : A relevant message let down by uneven execution

Critic’s Rating: 3.0/5

Story: A lone man’s fight against a corrupt banking system is at the heart of ‘Hisaab Barabar.’ Radhe Mohan Sharma (R. Madhavan), a meticulous ticket collector with Indian Railways, finds himself duped by his bank over a seemingly minor discrepancy. But Radhe’s knack for detail leads him to uncover a massive scam worth crores. Can one common man bring down a powerful bank?

Review: At its core, ‘Hisaab Barabar’ taps into a very relatable issue—how small acts of negligence or exploitation can add up to something monumental. Director Ashwni Dhir drives home the importance of paying attention to these ‘little’ wrongdoings, highlighting how they can snowball into systemic scams. The premise is thought-provoking, particularly for India’s middle class, which often lets such discrepancies slide due to sheer busyness.

However, the execution falls disappointingly short. The first half struggles with a meandering screenplay, circling the same points without making meaningful progress. The film attempts to balance humor with the seriousness of its subject but stumbles badly—jokes fail to land, and the loud, cartoonish background score only detracts further.

The characters are unfortunately one-dimensional. R. Madhavan delivers a dependable performance as the righteous and determined Radhe, carrying the film on his shoulders. Kirti Kulhari’s portrayal oscillates between vulnerability and strength, but her character lacks consistency. Neil Nitin Mukesh, as the eccentric and scheming bank owner Micky Mehta, neither evokes laughter nor fear, while Rashmi Desai as Mona Lisa, Radhe’s pesky neighbor, adds little value to the narrative.

The music is entirely forgettable, doing nothing to enhance the film’s impact. The lack of nuance in both the screenplay and the direction dulls what could have been a sharp, socially relevant drama.

While ‘Hisaab Barabar’ deserves credit for highlighting a relevant social issue, it falters in its storytelling and execution. The thought-provoking message is overshadowed by caricatured characters, uneven pacing, and uninspired humor. A missed opportunity to deliver a compelling drama.

News Credits: Times of India

About the movie

56.6K are interested

Sky Force unravels a gripping story inspired by extraordinary true events surrounding one of the deadliest airstrikes between India and Pakistan. This epic tale of bravery and sacrifice follows the mystery of a hero lost in action and a comrade`s relentless quest for the truth. Packed with emotion, camaraderie, and high-stakes action, Sky Force is a soaring tribute to courage and resilience!

News Credits: bookmyshow

Quick take: Azaad, a period dacoit film, has excellent horsemanship and good performances by Ajay Devgn, Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani.

Critic’s rating (3.5 / 5)

Azaad is a thrilling, high-octane action film that promises to keep viewers on the edge of their seats. The movie combines gripping stunts, eye-catching cinematography, and good performances to create a unique dacoit film. Blending elements of Westerns with the emotional appeal of Lagaan and War Horse, Azaad presents a story that celebrates the bond between a man and his horse, while showcasing stunning action sequences and heartfelt moments.

At the heart of the film is the emotional connection between Govind (Aaman Devgan) and his horse Azaad. This bond drives the narrative forward and serves as a symbol of loyalty, bravery, and perseverance. The relationship is beautifully depicted, and it resonates deeply with the audience, especially during the film’s intense finale, a true highlight of the movie. The race sequence is a pulse-pounding, edge-of-your-seat moment that captures the essence of the film’s emotional core. You’re rooting for Govind and Azaad to cross the finish line as winners, even though you know it’s a film you’re watching.

The cinematography by Setu in Azaad is exceptional. The sweeping landscapes and stunning visuals of Chambal make for a truly immersive experience. The horsemanship stunts, in particular, are executed with remarkable precision. Whether it’s during fierce horseback combat or dramatic chases, these stunts are not only well choreographed but also full of raw energy, adding a palpable sense of realism to the action.

Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani, the two newcomers in lead roles, impress with their performances. Their chemistry is undeniable, bringing an emotional spark to the film. Aaman, with his strong presence, delivers a compelling portrayal of the happy-go-lucky protagonist whose chance friendship with a horse provides him with purpose in life, while Rasha brings a natural charm to her role, and her presence on screen is magnetic. In particular, Rasha’s performance in the item number Uyi Amma has shades of her mother Raveena Tandon, evoking a nostalgic flair while making the role her own. Amit Trivedi has created another earworm with this number.

Ajay Devgn, in a supporting role of a farmer turned baaghi, adds gravitas to the film with his commanding screen presence. His portrayal of a mentor figure adds emotional weight to the narrative, providing guidance to the younger lead while subtly shaping the film’s journey. Devgn’s performance adds a layer of maturity and depth that enriches the story.

The editing in Azaad is sharp and efficient, maintaining the film’s fast-paced momentum without sacrificing character development. The transitions between action sequences and quieter moments are seamless, keeping the energy high while giving enough time for emotional beats to land.

In conclusion, the relationship between the protagonist and his horse serves as the emotional backbone of the story, leading to a breathtaking finale that will leave audiences cheering. With fine, confident performances from the newcomers Aaman Devgan and Rasha Thadani, the undeniable chemistry between them, and Ajay Devgn’s solid support, Azaad is a fast-paced, action-packed film with a lot of heart. Director Abhishek Kapoor again showcases his versatility in giving us a proper daaku film, a genre which hasn’t been explored much in recent times.

News Credits: Filmfare.com