Naseeruddin Shah is India's finest actor.

One man makes all the difference - Naseeruddin Shah. To breathe life into such a simplistically written character is indeed a challenge, and Shah does exceedingly well and actually with his brilliance takes it to another level. So strong is his portrayal that you almost empathize with his angst. You forget that he is just an actor mouthing lines given to him by the dialogue writer. Shah becomes the character. That intensity in voice, that anger in eyes, those frail expressions of a middle-class existence in Mumbai are so apparent in Shah’s interpretation that you want to see more and more of him. And if the claps of audience in the theaters are anything to go by, the country’s finest actor’s performance in ‘A Wednesday’ has really hit you hard!

It's obvious why one might be inclined to see this film in favourable light. A person-on-the-street's grouse against the escalating threat to their lives; be it through recurring terror attacks or even monsoon floods. Post-such episodes, most of us whip ourselves back into normalcy, only for the freshest incident to dip us back into gloom. Yet, we do nothing about it.

‘A Wednesday’ is a film centered on burgeoning terrorism globally. This time it is the common man who wields the mike and makes himself heard. It is he who asks questions of his survival, his well-being, his life. Questions that are being asked all over the world but find it increasingly more difficult to be answered in India torn as it is with communal strife, poverty, external aggression and an outdated system. The film takes the system head-on and forcing itself to take a look at some uncomfortable truths. But this film takes a route few have trodden by showing drastic repercussions of its continual inability to tackle life-threatening issues. The film builds this catharsis, and the choices the characters make are brilliant in a tightly wrapped screenplay. The film doesn't fall prey of the usual setback of thrillers starting off impressively but losing momentum midways. It's consistent all through and the imaginative culmination imparts the film that extra sheen.

Debutante director Neeraj Pandey brings to us, idealistic and incorrupt officials ready to lay down their lives at a moment's notice but he does that with a touch of realism that makes them believable. He invests a human side to every character and juxtaposes the human dilemmas and pressures of the profession ably in each. ‘A Wednesday’ is a very brave film and Pandey should be applauded for the effort. It’s not an offbeat film but a completely commercial film with a message and by no means is the film a patriotic or jingoistic film.

The confrontation scenes between Anupam Kher and Shah are a treat to say the least. Anupam Kher comes up with a fine performance. Jimmy Sheirgill and Aamir Bashir are equally adept and gracefully natural. Deepal Shaw as a news TV reporter is quite capable and her voice is dubbed with a typical accent characteristic of the profession.

Besides a tight script, the film has very focussed direction by Neeraj Pandey. A lot of the film has been shot by Fuwad Khan in stylish top-shots where the characters - terrorists and counter-terrorist maneuverings appear larger than life and yet miraculously shrunken in the cosmic scheme of things. Editing and music keeps the energy and pace of the film going and increases the upbeat tempo.

And finally, it could have been any day of the week, but it is about a Wednesday, and a significant Wednesday at that. Watch it for its riveting plot and brilliant performances.

ROCK ON is SPOT ON!!

I saw ‘Rock On’ a couple of days back. After I came out of the theater, I went back to all the things portrayed in the movie, and thought it was a very influential movie signifying some of the very bitter truths of life. Each one of us has some dream. Someone wants to be a pilot, someone wants to play cricket for India, someone wants to make an Oscar winning film…. ‘Rock On’ is a fairy tale that pushes you to live that dream. If you have a dream left behind at the back of your mind, watch ‘Rock On’ it will give you a perspective, of where you are and where you could have been and whether you would want to be there. Follow your dreams and life will literally be on a song else five years down the line, a disgruntled you would shout at your wife ‘Dus saal pehle mainey yehi zindagi chuni thi… Yes it was a compromise but compromise kaun nahin karta?’.

‘Rock On’ is not just about dreams and music. It's about relationships also. As all of us would agree relationships can get really complicated and messy at times. ‘Rock On’ captures it beautifully, effectively and sensitively. ‘Rock On’ is an extremely well shot film with each shot actually communicating with the audience rather than just moving the film ahead and every scene enacted has an ease that almost seems like candid camera. The experience is quiet exhilarating also because it is the first Bollywood film that actually depicts a rock concert.

The onscreen performances of the actors mirror the status of their characters in the band throughout the movie. Almost as if the rock band’s chemistry is shared by the four actors. Also, despite parallel narration of two time-spans, very rarely does any scene seem out of place. ‘Rock On’ seems to be clearly designed by Farhan Akhar as his own acting debut and he doesn’t let himself down. Lending voice to all his songs helps him to get into his character with effortless ease. Arjun Rampal looks mature in his character and comes up with a career best performance. Purab Kohli has a natural flair for comedy and Luke Kenny is impressive in his role. From the female leads Shahana Goswami comes up with the most compelling act and is a natural scene stealer. In a small yet significant role Prachi Desai justifies her poised presence.

Being the first of its kind in Bollywood the rocking music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is the talk of the town and for once you don’t feel that songs are forced into a film. Jason West’s camerawork is just fabulous; Baylon Fonseca’s sound design is excellent. Although Abhishek Kapoor has been credited with story and direction but you can easily witness the ‘creative’ imprints of Farhan Akhtar.

‘ROCK ON is SPOT ON’ and is going to become a cult hit, one that achieves cult status and mainstream success as well.