Kaalakaandi

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Audience Member Kaalakaandi is one of those films that definitely need to be appreciated for its content. Mainstream Indian Cinema lacks films of this kind and one could just keep the flaws aside and appreciate it, for it is rare to come across such attempts. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review flixster f A big let down from the writer of Delhi Belly. This one tried too hard but failed to make me laugh. Rated 1/5 Stars •  Rated 1 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Audience Member 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. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 02/07/23 Full Review Audience Member A rare gem.This will be a legend of a movie ten years down the line. Rated 5/5 Stars •  Rated 5 out of 5 stars 02/19/23 Full Review Audience Member Kaalakaandi is directorial debut of Akshat Verma who previously wrote Delhi Belly. This film is not Delhi Belly 2 as many were expecting it to be. It's a very different and unique film which tells three different stories parallely and as you would have guessed, these three stories intersect each other later in the film. Kaalakaandi has Saif in his best performance till date. This film is just so different and unique and definitely my recommendation to everyone. It's not everyday that you get a film like this coming from the land of Bollywood. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 01/14/23 Full Review mirza m 'Kaalakaandi' has its hilarious moments and a cracking Saif Ali Khan in top form, but lacks the peculiar elements of a good black comedy. Rated 2/5 Stars •  Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/31/23 Full Review Read all reviews

Kaalakaandi

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