Patiala House - Movie Review

Cast :: Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma & Rishi Kapoor

Director Nikihil Advani and Akshay's last outing together, the infamous CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA, remains a favorite punching bag to this day. Besides, PATIALA HOUSE comes at a time when people have had an overdose of Akshay starrers. I reiterate, there ought to be at least six months' gap between two films of a major star, while this is Akshay's fourth release in six months [KHATTA MEETHA - 23 July, ACTION REPLAYY - 5 November and TEES MAAR KHAN - 24 December]. Moreover, the film opens exactly one week before the keenly anticipated World Cup cricket matches and coupled with that, it will have no breathing space as the very next week witnesses the release of another much-awaited film 7 KHOON MAAF. Expecting PATIALA HOUSE to overcome these hurdles is tough, mainly when the chips are down!

The chips are down also because people assume PATIALA HOUSE to be something which it is not. Let me clarify that PATIALA HOUSE is not an 'extension' of Akshay's previous films. Sure, PATIALA HOUSE has its share of humorous moments, but the humor is of the subtle kind here. Nor can one compare it to NAMASTEY LONDON, since that film was more of a love story between a British-born Indian and a desi Indian, while PATIALA HOUSE is more of an inspirational film. It's about chasing your dreams as and when you get another opportunity, if you don't succeed the first time.

Essentially, PATIALA HOUSE is a somber film, with the focal point being drama and histrionics rather than the slapstick wit or in-your-face comedy that one anticipates from an Akshay starrer. It's more about familial bonding, with a sport [cricket] interwoven in the screenplay. This one doesn't tickle your funny bone; instead it moistens your eyes thanks to the poignant moments in the narrative, especially the penultimate moments of the film. Those exhausted of watching Akshay getting typecast in similar genre films will drop the charges while watching this one. This is, without a shred of doubt, amongst Akshay's finest performances.

On the flip side, the screenplay of PATIALA HOUSE is erratic - vacillating between engaging to run of the mill to flaccid moments. In fact, a chunk involving the game plan - the family trying various gimmicks and ploys to conceal the truth from Rishi Kapoor - is lame and bizarre. Ditto for the romance between Akshay and Anushka; it comes across as half-baked and looks tame. Even the members of the family, most of them, have ill-defined characters. Fortunately, these deficiencies get camouflaged as the father and son get set for an emotional showdown in the pre-climax. From this point onwards, right till the euphoric victory, the film reaches its pinnacle.

PATIALA HOUSE is an underdog. The expectations are zilch, the odds are not in its favor, but the film throws a pleasant surprise. Go for it!

At Patiala House lives the Kahlon family ruled by Bauji [Rishi Kapoor]. They follow his diktats as he tries to hold onto his 'Indian values' in the land of the goras. The younger generation at Patiala House wants to assert themselves and follow their dreams, but is held back by their respect and love for Bauji and the shining example of Bauji's eldest son, Parghat Singh Kahlon aka Gattu [Akshay Kumar].

Gattu's decision to turn cricketer and play for England is unacceptable to Bauji, who tears his dream apart right in front of his eyes. A dejected Gattu decides to live the life that his father forces upon him. Gattu genuinely cares and respects his father's opinion, so much that he is prepared to let his own dream be sacrificed in the process. Will Bauji loosen his hold and let the youngsters find their own dreams, instead of following his? Will Gattu get a second chance to live his life?

There's no denying that the story of PATIALA HOUSE reminds you of Gurinder Chadha's BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM, wherein Parminder Nagra, as the second-generation Sikh girl, defied her parents' wishes to play football. However, PATIALA HOUSE is a film about attachments, affiliations and familial bonding, about respect and trying to adjust to contradictory values that generally crop up when one relocates to another country. More importantly, it's about dreams and aspirations and how fate offers you a second chance in life. PATIALA HOUSE is not one of those atypical mass entertainers that focuses only on providing entertainment, while the story takes a complete backseat. This one, thankfully, has a story to tell. And an interesting one, frankly. Also, as much as this film focuses on the relationship between the father and son, it also weaves the popular sport well in the narrative and that makes for an interesting viewing. However, the cricket factor is subsidiary; the focal point remains the father-son conflict. Nikhil Advani ensures that beneath the familial bonding and curbed aspirations, there's an underlined message as well: Chase you dreams, don't give up, you live only once!

The film has some striking moments and I would like to single out the ones when writers Nikhil Advani and Anvita Dutt Guptan take you back in time to a younger Rishi Kapoor and Akshay's childhood. The racist attacks and how it impacts the family is straight out of life. Besides, the vital sequence in the film - Rishi commands the young Akshay [enacted by Usman Qureshi] to abandon his plans of playing for England - is utmost convincing. The climax, of course, is powerful and the hallmark of this enterprise. It evokes emotions on dual levels - when the father decides to watch his son play cricket and also when Akshay wins the match for England. Ideally, the film should've concluded on this euphoric note, but the song thereafter lessens the impact of the exhilarated climax.

Director Nikhil Advani regains his position as a compelling storyteller, which he had lost post SALAAM-E-ISHQ and CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA. He illustrates his proficiency in the dramatic portions, handling the father-son sequences with dexterity. The soundtrack [music: Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy] is melodic, with 'Kyun Main Jaagoon' being the best track of the enterprise. The song conveys the spirit of the film well. The placement of 'Laungda Lashkara' may be debatable, but the song is tuneful nonetheless. The background score [also by S-E-L] is classy. Santosh Thundiyil's cinematography is stunning.

Gattu is a character anyone can relate to or empathize with and to portray that convincingly is indeed difficult, but Akshay plays this part with rare maturity. It's a complex role to portray since he has to conceal the emotional turmoil he is experiencing within, yet wear a cheery expression against all adversities. The viewer is sure to connect directly and indirectly with this character, even if he/she may have not have experienced what he does in this film. Also, Akshay ensures that his bowling skills look absolutely realistic on screen and he does justice to the sport.

Rishi Kapoor, cast as the patriarch of a family settled in U.K., gets it right yet again. Note his dialect and body language in particular. As Bauji, the veteran actor delivers a sparkling performance, which would rank amongst his superlative work when you look back at his illustrious career. Dimple Kapadia doesn't really get much opportunity initially, but is wonderful in the penultimate sequence when she confronts Rishi Kapoor.

Anushka is an integral part of the story. She is Akshay's shoulder, an unconditional support for him and she fits perfectly into her character. Amongst the plethora of actors, Armaan Kirmani [as Akshay's brother] is excellent, Jeneva Talwar [as Armaan's pregnant wife, Akshay's sis-in-law] is top notch and Usman Qureshi [essaying Akshay's earlier years] is natural. Tinnu Anand is competent, as always. Prem Chopra is okay. Soni Razdan does a fair job. The kid who plays Anushka's brother is smart.

On the whole, PATIALA HOUSE is a film about attachments, affiliations and familial bonding. It's a compelling watch, more for its drama and histrionics than anything else. It's a film that explores the father-son relationship and not just those in India, but around the world should be able to relate to the predicament depicted in this film. The hallmark of the film is the merging of its engaging drama with cricket and that's what makes this product stand out from the earlier Akshay starrers. Especially its penultimate 30 minutes, which is the brightest spot of this enterprise. If the movie succeeds in pulling the heartstrings of the moviegoer, it would propel Akshay back in the same position he once was after the victory of NAMASTEY LONDON and SINGH IS KINNG.

Download Patiala House Mp3 Songs
01 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Patiala House - Aadat Hai Voh@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Patiala House - Tumba Tumba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Unplugged)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Patiala House - Aval Allah@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Patiala House - Aadat Hai Voh@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Patiala House - Tumba Tumba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Unplugged)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Patiala House - Aval Allah@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

Watch Patiala House Videos

Patiala House - Music Review

Cast :: Akshay Kumar, Anushka Sharma & Rishi Kapoor

Without an iota of doubt, expectations surmount whenever a filmmaker like Nikhil Advani, who has always been a connoisseur of excellent music, teams up with music giants of the stature of T-Series and so is the case in their latest venture, PATIALA HOUSE. The film stars "Khiladi" Akshay Kumar whose films have always boasted of chartbusting music and Anushka Sharma who too has been very lucky as far as music of her films is concerned. And it is just a coincidence that the music of both their latest, TEES MAAR KHAN and BAND BAAJA BAARAAT respectively is topping the charts presently. And we are quite sure that their next, PATIALA HOUSE, will follow suit. The reason being the multitalented Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy who have been assigned the task of handling the music department this time too, very much like Nikhil's last three ventures, KAL HO NA HO, SALAAM-E-ISHQ and CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA.

Since the film is about a UK based Sikh family, it's but natural that the music will have heavy Punjabi influences and the very first song, "Laungda Lashkara", is one such number. Hard Kaur, who also features in the film, spices up the mood and sends the tempo racing as she starts the proceedings with her much loved characteristic rap which features intermittently during the whole song and is one of the highlights of the track. Jassi ("Dil Legayi Kudi.." fame) is in cracking form as he renders this very different Punjabi love song, along with the sweet sounding Mahalaxmi Iyer, who modulates her vocals to match Anushka's husky ones. The tune that Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy choose is very rhythmic and foot tapping and the arrangements are not too harsh and loud, after all it's SEL and they never go over the top! It's after quite a while that we have had a sweet Punjabi favoured love song that we fall in love with instantly (like in LOVE AAJ KAL), one which leaves the listener asking for more. Anvita Dutt deserves credit for conjuring up lyrics that are not heavy duty and has just the right mix of Punjabi, English and Hindi, yet simple and comprehensible, one which most people can understand without taxing their brains. The remix version "Laungda Lashkara" by Harry Anand is more pacy making the song even more dance oriented targeting the youth and GenX.

All those who have loved S-E-L in their last chartbusting yet classy outing, MY NAME IS KHAN, this one is for them as the next song is pretty much in the same corridor as "Noor-E-Khuda". Soothing piano notes, just the right precursor that sets up the somber mood and commences the song, "Kyun Main Jaagoon", a semi-philosophical, introspective, soulful number. Shafqat Amanat Ali is excellent as his vocals convey the cry of anguish of the main protagonist played by Akshay Kumar (who not being allowed to pursue his passion) with ease and aplomb.

The soft flowing melody combined with just the right minimal music arrangements, especially the piano interludes, blend seamlessly with the vocals and make this song a pleasure to listen to. Anvita's lyrics once again deserves brownie points as the crux of the film is conveyed easily through some brilliant words- "Mujhe yun hi karke khwabon se juda, Jaane kahan chhup ke baitha hai khuda."

The song also appears in two more versions. First is "Kyun Main Jaagoon" Unplugged and "Kyun Main Jaagoon" Remix. The unplugged version is for those who like things soft, subtle .with minimal music arrangements, just guitar and piano and crystal clear vocals. The remixed version has been handled classily by Asia Dub Foundation and converts the soft soothing number into a happening track, fit enough for clubs and discotheques.

The title "Rola Pe Gaya" was just an indication that we were in for some rollicking fun in the upcoming track and how right we were because this song has everything that we were expecting and even more! The start is a bit misleading as one gets the impression of a traditional Punjabi "mehdi" wedding number, but Hard Kaur puts things right on track with her superb rap. With S-E-L's "Where's The Party Tonight" (KANK-2006) still popular, here is the follow up to the iconic party number as Shankar gets behind the mike for this fun celebratory track, and one is forced to jive, such is the groovy rhythm of the "dhamaal" track. Master Saleem, Earl and Mahalaxmi Iyer join in the fun with renditions that exude energy. Shades of Lata's evergreen "Rangeela Re" is very evident but the way SEL have used it to suit their style is commendable.

There was no need for a remix version and "Rola Pe Gaya Remix" by Harry Anand can be called space filler but the fun continues here as well so one does not mind at all.

Soft guitar strums evoke feelings of timeless romance as the next song "Aadat Hai Voh" unfolds and this song is nothing short of a marvel, and the reason is that SEL have not followed a beaten path as seemed from the start. The song has contrasting shades of soft love ballad converging into a superb hard rock crescendo and a back up chorus, which is absolutely mind-boggling, a tad, Vishal Bhardwaj style. And after SEL it's our rocker Vishal Dadlani who deserves kudos for an excellent rendition, superlative control over his vocals and magical voice modulations, from soft to husky. Just brilliant. Lyrics too are very good, "Usko banane wala kuch kuch toh behka hoga, Jab bhi padi hogi uspe nazar". A number one can hear over and over again until it becomes an "dat".

Suraj Jagan and Alyssa Mendonsa come behind the microphone for "Baby When You Talk To Me" which is a classy and clever fusion of soft rock (reminiscent of Beatles /Elvis era) and typical SEL melody and they succeed in their effort of providing thorough entertainment. The highlight of the track is the main chorus, "Baby when you talk to me, Manzil mili gali gali" which is also the "mukhda" of the song and as one can make out a light hearted fun filled love ditty. The song also appears as a remix version by Andrew T Mackay (produced and mixed by Shantanu Huldikar) and it's even better than the original. More zing, more fun!

Renowned Punjabi "sufi" singer, Hans Raj Hans(of Dil Tote Tote fame) continues the celebrations in his usual grand style as we come across another wedding track, "Tumba Tumba" (Tumba - A musical instrument, a plucked spike lute used in rural Punjabi folk songs) that sounds straight out of Sooraj Barjatya films (read HUM AAPKE HAIN KAUN). The composition is partly sung in the "qawwali" mode, and that is the best part about this song. Lyrics are full of humour and in parts a bit Punjabish, especially the start, but the rest of the song has simple wordings that fit in the situation, and one can imagine the whole setting of the song through the wordings. Indian musical instruments like "sitar", "ektara" and also harmonium have been used to good effect.

Last up is "Aval Allah", a very popular Sikh devotional song (hymn), which provides just the right finish to a classy album. A brief soul cleansing, spiritually enlighting number that sends the strong message of equality of all and is rendered superbly by Richa Sharma, whose strong and clear vocals are picture perfect for this track. The Shabad Gurbani, "Aval Allah noor upaaeiaa, Kudrat ke sab bandey, Ek noor te sab jag upajaiaa, Koun bhalae ko mande?" Roughly translated it means, "First Allah Almighty created the light, then by his creative power, he made all mortal beings. From one light, the entire universe welled up, so who is good and who is bad?"

To sum up, one is spellbound as Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy prove once again that whenever they have been entrusted with the task of composing for a big project they always rise to the occasion and deliver the goods. Last year it was Shah Rukh Khan's MY NAME IS KHAN, where they showed their class and versatility, and they have come out with flying colours once again in case of PATIALA HOUSE.

Download Patiala House MP3 Songs
01 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Patiala House - Aadat Hai Voh@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Patiala House - Tumba Tumba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Unplugged)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Patiala House - Aval Allah@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

01 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Patiala House - Aadat Hai Voh@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Patiala House - Tumba Tumba@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
07 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Unplugged)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
08 - Patiala House - Aval Allah@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
09 - Patiala House - Kyun Main Jaagoon (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
10 - Patiala House - Baby When You Talk To Me (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
11 - Patiala House - Rola Pe Gaya (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
12 - Patiala House - Laung Da Lashkara (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com

Watch Patiala House Videos