Connect with us

Top News

‘Katti Batti’ – Convoluted, cliched and confusing

Published

9 years ago

on

Film: “Katti Batti”; Cast: Imran Khan, Kangana Ranaut, Vivan Bhatena, Manasvi Mamgai, Director: Nikhil Advani; Rating: *1/2

Imagine you are riding an unruly mare who trots tossing you about, and then after nearly two hour fifteen minutes of a tumultuous and awful ride, reaches you at your destination, safe and sound.

That is exactly what you would experience while watching Director Nikhil Advani’s “Katti Batti”.

On the face of it, “Katti Batti” is supposed to be a rom-com between a die-hard romantic and a commitment-phobic girl, at least that’s what the trailers promised. But what you get is a potpourri of emotional trajectories offered in a non-linear, confusing and obscure manner.

Narrated from Madhav Kabra (Imran Khan) aka Maddy’s point of view, the narration begins with an inexplicable, found footage technique revealing his live-in relationship with Payal Malhotra (Kangana Ranaut). And then we are suddenly thrown into the emergency ward of a hospital where the doctors and Maddy’s friends are trying to revive him after his alleged suicide attempt.

After Maddy is successfully revived, we learn that his drinking Phenyl was an accident. And what follows is Maddy’s pursuit to convince his ladylove to be friends with him once again. Their on-and-off relationship has now hit rock bottom after 5 years of living together.

Kangana and Imran make a lovely, volatile pair. Their on-screen chemistry is palpable.

On the performance front, the film is Imran Khan’s canvas. His is the only character that is well etched. With his look recollecting the charm of Dilton from Archie’s comics, Imran is honest, charming and expressively convincing. You like him when he woos his girlfriend, admire him when he sticks to his guns and hate him when he is boorish and callous.

On the other hand, Kangana Ranaut as Payal Malhotra who comes from a broken family, is an extension of the various roles you have seen Kangana perform in her earlier films.

She brings nothing new to the table, except for confidently carrying herself off with a plethora of outlandish wigs, in the staid role.

Of the supporting cast, Vivan Bhatena is wasted in a bland role as Payal’s ex-boyfriend, Ricky Ahuja. And Manavsi Mamgai as Devika, Maddy’s colleague is passable. But the two characters who really stand out with realistic performances are Maddy’s sister Koyel and his friend Vinay.

And with the director’s sense of infusing humour, the rest of the supporting cast like Varghese Bhai the estate agent, Mr. Ramalingam – Maddy’s south Indian boss, the paan chewing security guard at Payal’s house in Delhi and the salesman at Maddy’s school friend Tina’s shop, are forced caricatures, who are duds with their over-the-top histrionics.

The script written by director Nikhil Advani and Anshul Singhal has a convoluted screenplay riddled with forced humour and glaring plot holes which include underdeveloped characterisations.

For example, Payal is a complex character with perfunctory depth to carry the tale forward. With her family and back story missing, hers is a half-baked character that is cardboard thin.

Also the script is punctuated with songs that do not elevate the viewing experience. The numbers except for the last one are laborious and ear-sores. They explain the situation but neither do they take the story forward nor do they reveal anything new.

As for the direction of this film, like his previous film “Hero”, this one too, is carelessly mounted with conviction of formulaic Hindi masala films.

But what the director does not realise is that too much masala could spoil his film, at least for the audience.

Overall, the tragedy of “Katti Batti” lies in the fault of its director.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading

Top News

Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma

Published

2 months ago

on

September 3, 2024

By

World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.

Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.

During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.

On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”

Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.

It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.

Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.

Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”

On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”

The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.

Continue Reading

Trending