Kaalakaandi (2018)

Indian cinema is rapt with sentimental, over-the-top and routinely cheesy films that revolve around family or romance or both and barely explores new areas. Other than the occasional horror flick from Vikram Bhatt or something out of the Kashyapscape, there's never any respite from from the drudgery of dance numbers and emo-esque melodies. A film like Kalakandi therefore has the responsibility not only to be different but to be extremely entertaining to stay relevant.That's not a good predicament to be in, though it does succeed in being a black comedy as it claims to be. The first half has genuine laughs. Where it falters as a movie is where it gives in to the lore of backstories and motives. It isn't enough that Saif has a life-ending disease (the news of which triggers the film's "trip"), but also a failed marriage and a son he doesn't get to meet. That story arc finds only 2 mentions and adds no layers to the character.What does work really well are the acid trip visuals. Although slightly incorrect in how they're shown and possibly a bit exaggerated, they do give a kind of preview of what a real trip might be like and also add to the laughs sprinkled throughout the film.Another thing the film achieves, with surprising success for Bollywood, is its treatment of a transgender character. Without being overtly sexual or derogatory, it still goes through the cliches and curiosities around them. That's mature film-making.There's 2 other story tropes, with two young couples at a night out and two thugs planning a way to loot their boss. It's a pleasure to see Shenaz Treasurywala (Ishq Vishk, remember?) and Pappi Bhaiya (Deepak Dobriyal), who holds his own in every frame with Vijay Raaz.The star power is surely with Saif but he never steals the spotlight. It's the perfect kind of film for Saif because he has certain limitations when he's the leading man. Without him though, this would feel like an indie film about getting high and money or something. Him being there helps the film and even the scenes where he isn't there, simply because you want to go back to find out what's up with him.The film doesn't try to tie together the three plots, except a chance meeting of 10-15 seconds. Better editing would help. The one thing I despised was the last scene when Pappi gets hit by a bullet Saif shoots towards the sky. I was reminded of the movie Welcome. That felt obvious for the film and yet very forced.I'd say watch it for the first half, and let the second half go by without complaining.

This one is all Kaala and no Kaandi! A person who is on psychotropic drugs has the potential to create a captivating plot. But this one gets too predictable and stretched out. I am sure many of you have done crazier stuff than the one Saif indulges in the movie.A tepid movie - would rather indulge in something else to get a high!

Delhi Belly created a benchmark in Indian cinema under the black comedy category. It was funny, humorous, and dark which made the film entertaining. Despite the fact that Kaalakaandi didn't create so much hype for the audience and just found out about the film at the last minute, I decided to go and watch it after seeing the trailer.So a banker named Rauleen, who has the decency of any other human being by the fact that he doesn't drink, smoke, do drugs, or even eat butter has been diagnosed with stomach cancer and only has 3 months to live. So with these 3 months, he decides to change himself by drinking and doing drugs and going full on himself. Then there are few more parallel stories such as 2 gangsters that are hungry for money from their boss to a couple that go through certain situations. How these stories collide is basically what this film is about?Let me start off by saying this, I thought that this could just be a timepass but quite to my surprise, I quite enjoyed this film. Akshat Verma who also wrote Delhi Belly managed to implement this with good ease. The jokes in the movie were so funny and realistic that the factors were there necessary to fulfill a good entertaining watch. The writing was good and the dialgues were simplistically consistent throughout the filmThe acting in the movie was simply spot on. Saif Ali Khan gives a remarkable performance as Rauleen and the dialogues helmed by him just chuckled the living shit out of me. Vijay Raaz's take on giving foul words doesn't disappoint and he was also the hilarious factor in the film. Deepak Dobriyal was also amazing in his part and I really do fanboy him as an actor. Shenaz Treasury plays a hoity toity character and she was doggone good in the film. Kunaal Roy Kapur was just there because when I saw him Delhi Belly, he was cracked up well but in this film, he doesn't become the victim in any situation.The music is average and the tracks doesn't have anything melodious to offer.The pacing trips after quite some time because you will get the feeling that the film is doing well in soem point of time but later something interferes with that moment and yeah some scenes were direct ripoffs of Delhi Belly.The direction was okay because the angles weren't shot properly and dutch angles were just unnecessaryOverall, I enjoyed watching a black comedy fater so many ages. It's dark, crude, hilarious, and peculiar. Definitely check this out in a theater near you.3/5 - Bollywood is starting with something good.

'Kaalakaandi' rides on an exciting idea, but entertains only in doses. Writer-Director Akshat Verma delivers a trippy, hysterical & absurd black-comedy that has some LOL moments, but comes across as uneven as it unfolds. Saif Ali Khan, however, aces over all & steals the show. 'Kaalakaandi' Synopsis: Three stories unfold during a wild night in Mumbai, India.'Kaalakaandi' has three stories, out of which only Saif's chapter works. As the man who's diagnosed with cancer, who later decides to let loose & goes all-high & encounters a transvestite, is among the film's strongest points. In his story, there is also Akshay Oberoi, who does something funnily stupid right before his marriage. The other story, featuring the gorgeous Sobhita Dhulipala as a woman who lands in trouble before flying abroad, is strictly okay. But the final story here, based on the supreme talents of Vijay Raaz & Deepak Dobriyal, is a complete waste. Despite two powerhouse performers & a ton of abusive language, this story is devoid of motive or impact. So, 'Kaalakaandi' aims to be a whacky, absurd black-comedy, with Mumbai being a character in itself in the narrative, but Verma doesn't entirely deliver. Had he stuck to only Saif's chapter, 'Kaalakaandi' would've been a laugh-riot, but alas, that's not the case. The remaining 2 stories don't stand out & even the pace in the second-hour, wobbles. In short, 'Kaalakaandi' has hilarious moments, but they are never enough to compensate for the film's other flaws. And then there is Saif. In a fearless, over-the-top performance, Saif returns to top-form after a hiatus. Having wasted his talents in duds like Rangoon & Chef last year, Saif takes on a trippy & crazy part & excels from start to finish. His scenes with the actress who portrays the transvestite, left me in splits. Its a shame that 'Kaalakaandi' can never match up-to Saif's bare-naked madness. Of the rest of the cast, Isha Talwar is excellent & Neil Bhoopalam leaves a mark in a comical cameo.On the whole, 'Kaalakaandi' has its moments for sure, but the minuses hit it hard. Nonetheless, not a bad way to spend the weekend!