Breaking Bollywood`s interaction with director Smeep Kang

Whenever we talk about the Comedy of error genre in Punjabi Cinema, a name often buzz in our minds, and this name is none other than Smeep Kang. He has made his own ground in Punjabi Cine Industry with his hard work and amazing sense of comedy. Undoubtedly, He is father of Comedy of error genre in this rapidly developing industry. In an exclusive interview with Breaking Bollywood, director Smeep Kang has shared his experiences and achievements.

Q1. From 'Mahual Thik Hai' to 'Carry On Jatta', from a struggling actor to star director, can you explain this journey in few words?

Ans: Obviously not, it is very tough to explain this long journey in few words. When i was studying in Chandigarh in a technical college, Late. Jaspal Bhatti ji offered me a leading role in 'Mahaul Thik Hai', a comic sattire on corruption in Police Department. I experimented my acting skills with that role, but i was not critically accepted by our film critics. It was the time, when i decided to be part of the creative team as an director and film like Carry On Jatta happened.

Q2. How you get star studded 'Carry On Jatta'?

Ans: After the commercially failure of Chak de Phatte, Harbhajan Maan gave me a chance to direct is upcoming family drama with new rising singing sensation Gippy Grewal, but due to some issues Gippy rejected that movie and asked me to work on any another script. Then i started to write Punjabi Cinema`s first comedy of error subject, Carry on Jatta. After the super success of Mel Kara De Rabba and Jihne Mera Dil Lutya, Gippy just not only star in the film, he even produced it with his brother Sippy Grewal.

Q3. How was your experience to work with Gippy Grewal?

Ans: Gippy Grewal is undoubtedly a brilliant singer and hard working actor. He is improving his acting skills day by day. I don`t know, you have noticed or not, but his performance in 'Bhaji in Problem' is his best performance till date. Hope, he will do same in his future projects.

Q4. How was your experience to work with Akshay Kumar and Viacom 18 in your last project 'Bhaji in Problem'?

Ans: There is no word to appreciate the efforts of 'Akki Bhaji', which he has done for us. He is one of the great actor and producer today we have in our country. Akshay is a producer with the combination of discipline and professionalism. Even, i was in shock after listening his pure accent of Punjabi. And Viacom 18 is a big corporate and distribution house, but surely they have to learn a lot to be a permanent part of this regional industry.

                             Smeep Kang with Prince Vij (Right To Left)

Q5. Your previous project 'Bhaji in Problem' is not a huge success. Any reason?

Ans: We have done very hard work on script and creative level. But obviously, lack of ground promotion is only reason behind the decent business of the film. Viacom 18 and Grazing Goat production`s lack experience about marketing may be a big reason.

Q6. Nowadays, Punjabi films are giving tough competition to Bollywood biggies in Australia and Newzealand. The latest comparison is Chennai Express VS Jatt and Juliet 2. Do you have any specific reason for this?

Ans: No doubt, Australia and Newzealand are biggest territories for Punjabi films. The only reason behind this is the number of Punjabi`s are living in these countries. According to a survey conducted by Punjabvision.com, mostly Punjabi`s prefer punjabi film as compare to Bollywood stuff. It is the only reason that Jatt and Juliet 2 and Bhaji In Problem have done phenominal business that Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan starrers.

Q7. In current scenario, only singer cum actors are doing big project rather than professional actors. Why our film makers are not giving more preference to professional actors, who really know the A,B and C of Acting?

Ans: Firstly, singer cum actors have great fan followings in their filed and their fan base plays a very important role during the opening weekend of the film. If we compare the collections of Gippy Grewal starrer with Harish Verma starrer, then it is obvious that Gippy is a clear winner. No doubt, we have versatile actors like Jimmy Shergill, but audience is not accepting versatility, they demands just senseless script. Secondly, singers cum actors are the reasons behind the hit music album of every film.  

Q8. I have loved your work as an actor in 'Lucky Di Unlucky Story'. Do you think, you should do more acting assignments?

Ans: Well, Thank You Prince for the compliment. Yes, i wants to do few more acting assignments, if i will get interesting offer. But it is difficult to do acting in own direction. Because i mostly work with big star cast, so i can`t manage the frame with my self as an actor.

Q9. Can you please aware our readers about your upcoming projects?

Ans: Currently, i am doing 'Double di Trouble' with Dharmendra and Gippy Grewal. It is going through its last schedule and slated to release early next year. Carry On Jatta 2 will go on floors in the first week of March and may be release till the end of the year. I am making my debut in bollywood with an untitled film, which will star Gippy Grewal in leading role. This film will be produced by Subhash Ghai under Mukta Arts banner.

Q10. Your personal favorite actors?

Ans: Dharamendra is my favourite bollywood actor and Gippy Grewal is my favorite Punjabi film actor. 

Interview Conducted By:
Prince Vij

An interview with Star Director Smeep Kang

Review Of Warning (3D)

  Produced By: Eros International and Benaras Mediaworks 
  Directed By: Gurmeet Singh
  Written By: Tejpal Singh Raawat and Rajesh Chawla
  Starring: Varun Sharma, Madhurima Tuli, Sumit Suri, Manjari Phadnis and Jitin Gulati
  Star Rating: 2 Stars

Whats Good: The Cinematography, Beautiful locations of Fijji, Few 3D Effects, Underwater Shark Sequences, Crispy Dialogues and Youthful Sex
Whats Bad: Senseless Story, Slow Pace Screenplay, Illogical Sequences, Overdose of Nudity, Lazy Editing and Lack Of Emotions
                     Script Analyze
    Warning (3D) is an official remake of Hollywood film Open Water 2. Warning (3D) is such a senseless story with lots of senseless logic. Even there are some thrills in a story line, but these kills your patience and stamina. Film open with a sequence where one friend Anshul (Varun Sharma) send a message to his old friends to create a reunite. And next day, he attend a call of his friend, who invite them for reunite in Fijji. In Fijji, Taran takes them on a yacht and they all having a lot of fun on board. Next day, they all decides to swim in the ocean, and one by one they jump in a deep sea. Even, Sabrina (Manjari Fadnis) who have great water phobia, with the help of his ex-beau Taran. Suddenly, one of their friend realized that the staircase, which would lead them back to board, is not accessible, due to an error on the part of Taran. The entire drama and thrills starts from this moment. They spend their entire night in deep sea and face some dangerous sharks. So, what happens thereafter? Do all the friends survive or die one by one? Climax clears few answer and few left unanswered. 
     Screenplay penned by Tejpal Singh and Rajesh Chawla, is not as good as story demands. Slow pace of screenplay create lots of boring moment and even 3D effects failed to pick it on higher level. Screenplay contains lots of illogical scenes, like making of a rope with the undergarments and death of a french girl with just few slaps. Even lot of nudity, also disturb this slow screenplay. While, youthful sex keep you engage with the film. Tejpal Singh has penned very crispy and entertaining lines, which gives you few laughs.
                       Performances
     Mostly all the actors, acted well in their own parts. But Manjari Fadnis, is top on the game. She acts with effortless ease. She played the character of a good friend, loyal wife and emotional mother with very natural acting. Varun Sharma acts well, but looses in few parts, especially in emotional scenes. Madhurima Tuli impressed with her acting as well as with hot skin show. Jitin Gulati also lives his role and use the right quantity of work. Suzana Rodrigues is just a glam doll, her bikini sequences may impress the masses. Overall, every actor does right job, in their respective characters.
                                   Direction
    Gurmeet Singh added every positive aspect (3D effects, hot bikini sequences, Sharks and Sex), but he fails to provide a strong narration, which is the biggest drawback for the film. His direction looses in many parts, especially in post interval. Even, he failed to answer all the questions and audience feels something incomplete. Chiragh Todiwala`s editing is lazy, it could be much sharp. Vintee Bansal`s sets are outstanding.
                                My Word
      Warning (3D) is just a big #Crap on the name of India`s first 3D Underwater film. These type of underwater stunts we earlier seen in Akshay Kumar starrr 'Blue'. If you really wants to enjoy some underwater scenes, then just buy a fish pot and watch it with 3D glasses, rather than spending your expensive time on this film.
                                 Box Office Perdiction
      Warning 3D is getting mixed to negative word of mouth from audiences and critics. So, it is not easy to recover its cost. Film have done a very dull business of 80 Lakhs on its first day, and film is looking to get the tag of a big disaster.

Review By: Prince Vij

Review Of The Lunchbox

Produced By: UTV Motion Pictures, Dharma Productions, NFDC and Sikhya Entertainment PVT. LTD.
Directed By: Riteish Batra
Scripted By: Riteish Batra
Star Cast: Irfan Khan, Nimrat Kaur and Niwajjuddin Siddiqui
Star Rating: 4/5

Whats Good: Everything
Whats Bad: Nothing

                      (Script Analyze)
     
Reteish Batra penned a simple, but a sweet story with lot of emotions. His story portrait the life of two 'MumbaiKars', who even don`t know each other, but still communicate with hand written letters through interchange of Lunchbox. Saajan Fernandez, an aged Government employee is old client of Mumbai`s 'Dibbawala' tiffin service. Illa is a busy housewife of a person, who have an extra-marital affair, but she still does every effort to impress her hubby. One of the effort is making delicious food for his hard working husband with new recipes. One day, Lunchbox of her husband inter exchange with that aged, Saajan, who find her food very delicious. On the very first day, Iila realized that her husband had not get that tiffin. After a day, she send a hand written letter in same tiffin to address the person. Even Fernandez replies to the letter, and this communication goes on next level that Iila shared even her husband`s extra martial stuff with Saajan. One day, they decided to meet in a restaurant, do they meet? Climax clears all the answers.
     Reteish Batra`s screenplay create funny, Cute, sweet, logical and bitter moments in drama, which made the movie more than interesting. The best thing about the screenplay is some humorous moments, Like the concept of Deshpaandey Aunty. The nuanced flow of screenplay keep you stable on the chair and create more excitements in drama. The scenes between Saajan and Shaikh (Niwajjudin) are mixture of cuteness and fun. Dialoges written by wasan Bala, Nimrat Kaur and Reteish Batra are class appealing.
                              (Performances)
      The Outstanding performances is another USP of this film. Every actor does an extraordinary job in their respective roles. Irfan Khan lives the role of an aged and lonely person with his effortless work. His facial expressions while reading letters and body language during journey in train sequences is marvelous. Film by film, Irfan is breaking his own records, in the field of good acting. Nimrat Kaur is very special gift of Punjab to the Hindi Film Industry. In every scene, she shown her perfection as Iila with a very natural acting. She well played the character of a lonely woman, disciplined mother and caring wife. Niwazuddin Siddiqui is sure shot winner as charming Shaikh. His entry on screen, always give a light smile on the face of viewers. He delivered his lines in very humorous way, which gives a feel good moment. Liellete Dubey is very natural as Iila`s mother. 
                           (Direction)
       The man behind this master piece, has done a remarkable job as an director. His every effort paid off through his brilliant direction. His honest narration even don`t give you a single boring moment, but gives you lots of logical sequences. The Lunchbox is an cinematic excellence, because of Reteish Batra`s hardwork behind the camera. Micheal Symond`s cinematography is brilliant. John Lyons has cut the film in very crispy manner as an editor.
                                (My Word)
      The Lunchbox is not only a film, it is an balanced diet with the proteins of Mumbai`s beauty (Local Trains, Heavy Traffic, Dibbawala and Strange Lovestory) and Vitamins of a rich content. You can`t miss this excellent piece of cinema, which made just once in few decades. Just run to your near cinema and enjoy this delicious food of Iila with the sweet dish of a crispy love story.
                               (Box Office)
 The Lunchbox is completely multiplex film, which is made for class audience who respect an intelligent cinema. UTV released this film with 400 prints and the main target is A grade multiplexes of metropolitan. Film is doing pretty business in target cities and collected 13 Crore till date.

Review By:
Prince Vij
                                  
  

Review Of Shudh Desi Romance

    Produced By: Aditya Chopra (Yash Raj Films)

    Directed By: Maneesh Sharma 

    Written By: Jaideep Sahni

    Star Cast: Sushant Singh Raajput, Parineeti Chopra, Vaani

Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor

    Star Rating: 2.5 Stars

Whats Good: Fresh Content, Beautiful Locations Of Rajasthan, Youthful Humor, Interesting Dialogues, Few Performances and Entertaining First Half

Whats Bad: Slow second half, Few illogical scenes, Boring screenplay in few parts and Lack of Hit Music

Script

Writer of acclaimed films like Chak De India and Band Baaja Baaraat, Jaideep Sahni has penned the script for the film. His story turns around a confused or misunderstood youngster, Raghu (Sushant), who is a tourist guide in Jaipur by profession and also works as paid guest (Baraati) for well known caterer of Jaipur, Goyal (Rishi Kapoor). Marriage of Raghu is arranged with Tara (Vaani Kapoor), but in last minutes he feels doubt about his marriage, when he is going to bride`s town with Baraatis in a bus. In same bus, he meet to an English-Speaking paid guest Gaaytri (Parineeti Chopra), before reaching the destination, he falls in love with Gaaytri and on the wedding day, he runs away from the marriage. After this, Raghu and Gaytri have a Live-In relationship. The two decides to get married, but on the wedding day Gaaytri run away from the wedding. As drama passes, Raghu meets Taara at the marriage of her brother in Jaipur and they fall in love with each other and suddenly Gaytri also comes in wedding as paid guest. So, what happens next, is all about the climax.

     Jaideep Sahni`s story is very fresh and entertaining. But his story is more class appealing rather than mass. Complicated relationships and Live-In stuffs is not come in the interest area of masses, Senior Citizens or Single screen audiences. Ofcourse, Youth and Urban audience will surely like this concept. 'Bathroom Humor' and Lots of kissing scenes disturb the slow going screenplay. Sahni`s screenplay takes lots of up and down in both pre and post interval. First half is still good, but second half disappointed badly. Dialogues are interesting, but only a selected section can understand few complicated dialogues. Overall, Jaideep Sahni`s script is average.

Performances

Sushant Singh Raajput acted well and played Raghu with a natural humor. His facial expressions and dialogue delivery is just outstanding. Parineeti Chopra is outstanding as matured Gaaytri and her acting is effortless. Debutant, Vaani Kapoor did an confident debut, even in bad written character. Rishi Kapoor is just superb as Goyal and his Rajasthani accent is more than good. Rajesh Sharma makes his presence as Mausaji. Supporting cast impressed in their respective roles. Performances wise Shudh Desi Romance is just fantastic.

Music
Sachin-Jigar`s music is good, but not mass appealing. 'Tere Mere Beech Mein' is good, and 'Gulabi' is okay, but songs could be much better. Background music is outstanding. Jaideep Sahni impressed with his meaningful lyrics.

Direction

Director of acclaimed film, Band Baaja Baaraat, is captain of the ship for Shudh Desi Romance. His matured direction picked the slow screenplay and fresh content on entertaining level. His narration style will surely appeal to youth or urban audiences, but a section, who generally watch brainless films, can be disappointed.

My Word

Shudh Desi Romance is story of today`s youth, who are not sure about their complicated relationships and it also put light on urban life style with the stuff of live-in relationship. SDR is made for those people who are waiting for any fresh content. Surely, it is a one time worth watch for today`s audiences.

Box Office Prediction

Yash Raj Films has spent approx. 30 Crores on the production/promotion and distribution of the film. It is an well planned distribution by YRF, they have given more screens to multiplexes rather than Single screens, because of content. It is not a mass film, it may recover the budget but huge collections are not expected by the trade.

Review By:

Prince Vij