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Friday, April 19, 2024
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BOLLYWOOD RADIO
EDITOR'S PICK
Rating: **
"Radio" starts off in a way
similar to "Love Aaj Kal", just like the Saif Ali Khan-Deepika
Padukone film began with a break up, "Radio" has a divorce starting
the proceedings. To the credit of director Ishaan Trivedi, Himesh Reshammiya and
a couple of well integrated songs as part of the background score,
"Radio" manages to impress in the first 30 minutes.
The way scenes unfold is indeed different. The unique narrative keeps one
reasonably engrossed in the proceedings. But once the conflict in RJ Himesh`s
personal life is established with two women (ex-wife Sonal Sehgal and co-RJ
Shenaz Treasuryvala) adding to the confusion, the movie starts meandering.
The writer`s intent about showing past love coming back in the protagonist`s
life is understandable but somehow the final outcome isn`t engrossing enough.
Yes, the songs are soothing but they are so many and come in quick succession
that they tend to become distracting after a while. Moreover, the proceedings
cease to be gripping enough with the drama fast losing its sheen.
The silver lining here are the performances. Himesh shows improvement over his
"Aap Kaa Surroor" and "Karzzzz` days and comes up with a natural
act for most part of the film. Enacting emotional scenes is his forte, as
evidenced in his countless music videos, and this is on full display in
"Radio" as well. Watch out for the sensitive moments that he shares
with both the women.
Shenaz as well as Sonal fit into their parts quite well. In fact they not just
look good but also stay within their characters to come up with an act that is
definitely better than expected from people who have just started off. Yes, they
do become part of a couple of inexplicable and embarrassing scenes like the one
where they start breaking the plates in a restaurant. Or the one where Shenaz
dresses up as a clown. But leaving such aberrations aside, they do show sparks.
One can`t fathom though the need to have Paresh Rawal in the narrative. He is
completely isolated from the storyline and fails to give a final punch in the
finale. Paresh Rawal`s role seems to be a case of a last moment addition in the
script. As a prank caller hired by the radio station, his jokes fall flat. And
he doesn`t share a frame with any other actor even once.
The second half of the film doesn`t quite stand strong on it`s feet. A scene or
two do bring in an emotional touch to the story but beyond that
"Radio" doesn`t quite get the right tuning on. In the end, what
remains with audiences is a good soundtrack and performances.
One can clearly sense that Himesh has made a sincere effort to stand tall as a
leading man in a non-masala film like "Radio". He cannot be written
off yet and has it in him to do more movies provided he gets a better platform.
`Radio` a Himesh Reshammiya act all the way
Composer-singer-actor Himesh Reshammiya, whose last two films bombed at the box office, has done away with his trademark cap, got rid of his nasal twang and is back to prove his acting prowess with a new look in Radio that releases this week.
Produced by Ravi Agrawal, the movie has
been directed by Isshaan Trivedi. Also starring are Sonal Sehgal and Shehnaz
Treasurywala.
My last two films (Aap Kaa Surroor and Karzzz)
were super flops but my instinct says that this one will do well... my character
(in the movie) is that of Vivan Shah, a radio jockey who solves people`s love
problems, but his own personal life has many problems, Himesh, who has
completed 100 films as a composer with Radio, told IANS.
His wife leaves him because of compatibility issues. So he has many
complexes and is a confused man. In this film, relationships and sensibilities
of today have really been highlighted, he added.
The 36-year-old also spoke about his different voices in the film.
I have sung in two different voices in the film. One in a medium octave
and one in my trademark high-pitched voice, said Himesh, who has completed
his 500th song with the film`s track Man ka radio.
In the film, Vivan is a successful radio jockey on a popular radio channel in
Mumbai.
He has acquired everything in life but his marriage is unsuccessful. So he
divorces wife Pooja (Sonal) on grounds of incompatibility.
Though he still carries a soft spot for Pooja, he soon realises that he wants to
spend his life with another girl Shanaya (Shehnaz).
The movie has already recovered its investments courtesy its music that has
become a hit.
`Radio` was made at a budget of Rs.6 crore (Rs.60 million). Thankfully,
the money invested in making the film was recovered through music, said
Himesh.
Releasing the same week as Radio is Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan`s
Paa but Himesh is undeterred.
He believes he will be able to win his fans back with Radio.
I`m trying to improve at every stage. I hope that people like the film
because it`s about a common 34-year-old man. It`s a character you can identify
with, he said.
