Madras Cafe (2013) Reviews

• Wow!!!... Intellectual, Gallant and a Brave Factual work of Cinema... Caution: Miss This At Your Own Risk.!!!

  shubh_328-471-8176872013-09-08

  It took 3 films and 7 years for Shoorjit Sircar (director) to deliver us with undoubtedly the best political thriller we can savor ourselves over a long time. 'Madras Cafe' is unarguably a gem of a movie that belongs to a rare genre of Bollywood cinema and deserves much more attention and applause than what it's being receiving. The film is based on the backdrop of the Sri Lankan civil war in the late 1980's and early 1990's. It crosses its path with the plotting and execution of the then, Indian Prime Minster, whom we understandably can make out as Late Mr. Rajiv Gandhi. This film is so well crafted; it was not possible to find out a loophole in the entire plot. John Abraham (Producer), who plays as a RAW Officer has done a 100% justice to his character Vikram Singh. There are noticeable fluent and honest performances from Siddharth Basu and Nargis Fakhri (Rockstar) on the other hand as well. If you want to know more about what's inside, you have to go and watch it yourself. Although just do a bit of homework on the Lankan civil war events that occurred in the late 80's. You would not regret it. There was one drawback of the movie though. The movie had an end. But as they say 'All good things comes to an end'. So, I guess it to be that way. Madras Café is a slap on the faces of all the directors and also on the ignorant and bogged down movie goers who are ardent worshipers of senseless commercial cinema that has plagued Hindi movie industry over the last year and half. John Abraham here has to be appreciated immensely for the effort he has put in out of the movie, since; there was no one who was ready to produce this movie earlier until he accepted this project to invest in. Thank you John Abraham and Shoorjit Sircar. Without any second thoughts, being thankful and much obliged with this Intelligent and brave cinema,.. I'm going with an esteem ★★★★★★★★★✩ (9.1/10) for Shoorjit Sircar's Madras Café. This one is a Must Watch. Watch and BE ENLIGHTENED.. Cheers

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• This café serves a exceptional 'espionage thriller'

  FilmyPanda2013-08-23

  Review of MADRAS CAFE *** This café serves a fantastic exceptional 'espionage thriller' ***. There is no spoon feeding in narration. So, Be alert. & when they starts to serve on screen,be ready to fill mind's cup with all the thrilling elements. WHAT'S GOOD :- • Script & screenplay • Fast & furious pace • Awesome blend of history & fiction • Under played characters, not a single actor went overboard. • Twist & Turns at right time, with right amount. • Well shot scenes, real treatment. WHAT'S BAD :- BAD, This word does not exist in Shoojit Sarcar's vocab. Yahaan, Vicky Donor, Madras Café. All the three films prove it. LOO BREAK :- Yes, there is a tiny moment,the so called 'Interval' for that.Use it,if u feel like. SCRIPT ANALYSIS :- script writers--'Shubhendu Bhattacharya & Somnath Dey'. Dialogue -'Juhi Chaturvedi'.The movie, which is set against the backdrop of Sri Lankan civil war, revolves around the serious subject of terrorism and shows how the characters are caught in the political turmoil. In this movie, a important piece from the war history of India & neighborhood is taken, which is then mixed or blended with fiction to give it a shape of script. And what an amazing mixture, it turns out. In the first half, a buildup/set up is provided for the upcoming events regarding war's violence, political conspiracies, disguised investigation, emotional sacrifices, betrayal and assassination. Lots of things unfold in this part at a smooth pace, in context of film. So, go with flow. Don't let yourself, get behind. Because 2nd half is just simply awesome. Due to the fantastic set up provided in 'before interval session', Interesting & gripping Events unfold and follow each other at a very rapid speed in this post interval part, which is most important spice to make a thriller. Some great things needs special mention like, whole things are done without any sort of melodrama. Correctors and situations are written and kept very real, which keeps the audience engaged till the end. Dialogues gives a good support to showcase the intensity of situations and language is used for different correctors by keeping in mind the background of those correctors. Overall, this is a superbly written, well researched, out of box type script. Which presents a new genre and awesome entertainment without compromising on quality. PERFORMANCES :- John Abraham, An actor is tried to present in this movie by Shoojit and john grabbed this chance with both hands. He is fully into his corrector of an Army investigation officer, who is appointed by the Research and Analysis Wing (RAW) in the War Zone. he has kept his tone down and underplayed it, which works in context of movie's real setting. Nargis Fakhri is playing a war correspondent. Whatever screen space is given to her, She has done good job. She has sort of re-discovered herself as an actor after a near miss performance in 'rock star'. Siddartha Basu as R.A.W Head is fitted to the bill and comes out with a good performance. Rashi Khanna as John's wife looks graceful and gives a caring wife role full justice. Prakash Belawade, who plays John's superior Bala, is a delight to watch. Gestures and Restlessness as demanded by his corrector, is totally reflected on the screen. Great work. MUSIC:-'Shantanu Moitra'. There are no songs in the movie as such,everything is played in the background. And in that department Shantanu passed with flying colors. Superb job in background score. Special mention:- Real bullets use in sync sound leaves an incredible impact, it does bring authenticity to the film. EDITING:-'Chandrashekhar Prajapati'. This man has done mind blowing job. For a thriller one ingredient is must, pace. He has given it. Every cut, every frame looks apt for the movie. Not a single scene feels forcefully kept. super work. DIRECTION:-'Shoojit Sarcar'. He is a game changer, that's confirmed. If there was any 2nd thought regarding that, in any mind. This movie is going to clear it. What a direction, just awesome work. His movie has touched always out of box zones, Madras Cafe is not behind. Although this movie has a theme like real war backdrop & deals with some historical incidents. And playing with history is like playing with fire, because if it gives u edge, it can burn the whole project too (if does not come right). But this critical and intense theme is well handled by the director. he has brought out great performances from his acting team and has pulled off a very difficult film. Job well done sir. Canvas of this movie looks international, and credit for that goes to Shoojit sir and to one more person, Kamaljeet Negi(director of photography), Shoojit's vision has been superbly captured by him, which is visible on the silver screen. Great camera-work. VERDICT:- Well, it's almost a home run. A great thriller backed by a killer script. Sure shot A game changer. As real, as it can get. Yup,Giving 'MADRAS CAFE' 9 out of 10. This movie is not a regular spicy potboiler. Don't expect over the top action, big dialogues. If u like to watch real hard hitting cinema, go visit this CAFE. Otherwise give a skip.

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• Probably the best movie of it's genre from the Indian sub continent

  rajanahuja42013-09-02

  Probably the best movie of it's genre(spy/espionage/war/politics) from the Indian sub continent ever. Well researched, scripted and dramatized with a gripping pace and thrilling twists. Indian commercial movies normally have very faint reflection of reality or they go overboard in their desire to please all with more than a pinch of spice, item songs, super hero justifications and other indispensable Indian commercial considerations. But this one beats it all and yet retains the charm of a commercial flick. A perfect balance and a fine confluence of commerce and art,rarely seen in Indian cinema. A very strong script with probably the first ever peep into the working of Indian Intelligence Agencies and a panoramic capture of serious geopolitical subject with utmost honesty. A movie which remains true to the core yet maintains a edge of the seat drama through out. Not to be missed for the lovers of good Indian cinema, meaningful & superbly entertaining.

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• One of the best Political Conspiracy Thrillers... AWESOME !!!

  RebelRavindra2013-08-23

  Madras Cafe is super awesome, totally moved by this conspiracy thriller. The movie had no regular commercial elements, no songs, no romance, no sh*t. It was bang on target since the first frame of the movie. The whole content of the movie is totally legitimate. Director Shoojit Sircar should be appreciated for a brave attempt on showcasing the political conspiracy involved in the assassination. The direction was great, specially the scene involving the assassination. That was the best scene of the movie. Screenplay of the movie is very tight, It was fast paced, though there are no entertainment elements, The movie will not bore you. My a** got glued to the seat and eyes on the screen. John Abraham did a great job by selecting such kind of a movie. He did extremely well. Will definitely have a re re re re watch for this movie... LOVED IT !!!

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• As good as blood diamond and green zone...

  ckaran802013-08-23

  Madras Cafe is a political thriller which although claimed fictional, is inspired by real events. Its tells the conspiracy behind the assassination of ex-prime minister of India and the War situation in Baffna region of Sri Lanka...The movie is fast paced and is so intriguing and well-crafted that it can be easily this years best... With zero publicity stunts, Madras Cafe director Shoojit Sircar tries to go out of conventions and comes up with this masterpiece...Political thrillers are ones which people in bollywood rarely attempt, and Shoojit does it bravely...Right from the start, the plot involves you in such a way that it is hard to come out of it.The pace of the movie, entangled characters,series of events, unveiling of conspiracies and then finally the climax- all are up to mark and hence make this movie a spectacle to watch... The Screenplay is fabulous- it divides the movie in two parts efficiently. First, the war conditions in Baffna and then the assassination plot.In between shocking plots are revealed and it covers a vast script in its runtime.The reason why i compare this with Hollywood masterpieces like blood diamond and green zone is not because of the similarity, but due to the fact that Madras Cafe maintains the originality of facts while imbibing the fast paced and thrilling plot. John Abraham plays the lead role and this could be his best performance after dhoom, and does total justice to his role.Nargis Fakhri is the surprise package and shows that she can be versatile...The supporting cast is totally naive but they give their very best... The only drawback or error you can say is relatively average editing.Its cliché and too short for many scenes... But as a whole, Madras Cafe is a sinister, evil political thriller which is supported by intense acting and direction and the plot is simply ravishing.Its a sign that bollywood has started making sensible movies on a large scale. Madras Cafe is not for crowd who like Chennai Express,Rowdy Rathore or Dabang, but it for those who acknowledge movies like A Wednesday, Shanghai and Rang De Basanti. This one wouldn't be watched on a large scale, won't gross in hundreds of crores,will not receive flurry of awards...but for me its simply one the best that bollywood has ever produced...

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