Movie Review: Balak Palak

When was the last time you thoroughly enjoyed a ‘bold’ movie with your parents?

“BP” (Balak-Palak) is a Marathi Comedy drama film directed by Ravi Jadhav (Natrang fame) that deals with importance of sex education and tries to help parents realize how important it is to communicate transparently with your children.

The best thing about the name is that you don’t realize that there’s a sub-text that says “Balak-Palak” and I can pretty much guess what your initial reaction would be on hearing/reading the word “BP”.

I am going to use the word “BP” a few more times. So the squeamish can please stop reading. ;)

But the movie deals with exactly what’s in your head right now.

“Balak Palak” revolves around four adolescents growing up in a chawl,  Bhagya (Madan Deodhar) , Avya (Rohit Phalke) , Chiu (Bhagyashree Shankpal), Dolly (Shashwati Pimplikar)  who discover one day that an elderly female friend has 'eaten dung'(shen khalla) . Their curiosity brings them to Vishu (Prathamesh Parab) a boy who tires to explain the meaning and later joins the gang in their “adventures”.

And what follows is a laugh-riot. :D

Beautifully shot and terrifically acted, “BP” is one of those films that are so enjoyable that you never realize that you are watching them for the second time and still laugh on the same jokes.

The music given by Vishal-Shekhar is fresh and energetic just like those kids. The direction by Ravi Jadhav is outstanding and I tip my hat to him because this could have so easily turned into a vulgar joke-fest but he handled everything sensibly.

About the performances, everyone has performed well but the one gem of a performance that eats the cake here is Prathamesh Parab as Vishu. With his charming dialog delivery and '36-teeth' smile he is genuinely funny and completely owns the show.

However, at its heart, “BP” is a beautiful thought provoking film which deals with an important issue that is relevant and needs to be addressed by every parent.

BUT I must warn you. It is achingly funny and I mean that in the best possible way. :)

Movie Review: Life Of Pi

First thing’s first. I have not read the book. So there’s nothing that I carried in my head other than an image of a boy stuck on a boat in the middle of an ocean and some animals to watch in 3D.
Frankly speaking I did not know what to expect other than the small description that I read on IMDB which says:

“A young man who survives a disaster at sea is hurtled into an epic journey of adventure and discovery. While cast away, he forms an unexpected connection with another survivor ... a fearsome Bengal tiger.”


“Life of Pi” is a movie which, in my opinion, has been wrongly marketed as a 3D movie. It should be called ‘4D’. Well not because of the jaw-dropping special effects and (certainly not because I am high right now) but it’s for a different reason. I would come to that in a moment :)

From the word GO this movie engulfs you in the beauty of its world subtly. The opening sequence of a zoo slowly lets you settle in as the colorful birds and animals fill the screen and then the wonderful story of “Pissing Patel” begins. (Yes you read the name correctly :) )

For the dummies who seek instant gratification, this movie has plenty of “Oh! Look at that” moments to offer. But at its heart, “Life of Pi” is a beautiful slow brooding movie that grows on you.

The cast includes some of the best names in the industry so it’s practically impossible for anything to go wrong in the acting department. Irrfan Khan, Adil Hussain and Tabu are very good in their respective roles. The newcomer “Suraj Sharma” does an incredible job in spite of the fact that he’s facing the camera for the first time.

But the real stand out performance here is from “Richard Parker” the animated Bengal tiger. Filled with articulate menace and genuine helplessness, the character oozes out true human emotions. And it’s easily one of the best animated characters that I completely fell for. Right from its introduction to the final frame of this movie(probably the best I have seen) the tiger keeps you alert and hooked.

This movie fared “very good” in my cards if not for that final twist towards the end where the director does something spectacular. He adds a fourth dimension to the tale(4D). :)

Instead of being a pseudo-intellectual drivel which it could have so easily become, it sticks to entertaining you and then provides you with a twist that deepens everything that you just saw, making it.. “divine” :)

Conclusion: IT WAS FREAKING AWESOMEEEEE! :D