Karthik Calling Karthik - ALL REVIEWS POST HERE

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Neeta

@U-No-Poo

Stunner

+ 5

Posted: 15 years ago

#21

I watched it today, I quite liked it actually :) Farhan rocks as an actor, he is subtle, yet powerful in his potrayel of a subdued guy. Storyline is pretty good too. A few hiccups here and there but overall, it was a good, entertaining flick! Deepika Padukone was good too.

I'll give it 3.5/5

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ajooni

@ajooni

Rocker

Posted: 15 years ago

#22

Director: Vijay Lalwani

Cast: Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone, Ram Kapoor, Shefali Shah and Vipin Sharma

Rating: ***

After watching this film, you won't really miss the guy who took Bollywood by storm with his directorial debut Dil Chahta Hai. For Farhan has ARRIVED as an actor. He may be a superb story-teller but his craft as an actor has just taken a giant leap with Karthik Calling Karthik.

Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) is a typical spineless shy guy who can't even mutter SOS to save his life. He's THAT guy in your office who you can bully to get all of your work done. You don't need a lion roar for that, a dog's woof will do. Having a dj vu moment? Rocket Singh anyone? At first glance it is, but before you realise it, the film takes a 180 degree turn.

He has been hopelessly in love with Shonali (Deepika) but in stead of letting her know, he just writes it down in a mail and never sends it. Shonali on the other hand doesn't even know that Karthik even exists. How SAD! But how do you even empathise with such a loser? Actually let's put that in capital letters L.O.S.E.R. And probably the same sentiments are shared by Karthik….Confused?

Well, we won't tell you who this other Karthik is except that he's Karthik's (loser) mentor and guide. He turns him into an A-class stud from a fungi bud, seriously. He's the guy who teaches Karthik how to stand up for himself and by doing that he not only gets a promotion but he gets the girl too!

But the happiness of this double bonanza doesn't last for long because his new girlfriend has asked him to make a choice, its either her or it's the other Karthik. The decision he makes here after turns his life upside down. Everything he has built falls apart - career, relationship, bank balance - everything comes to naught.

What was his decision? Who's the other Karthik and why is he calling Karthik? To know that you've to watch the movie yourself and to give a little hint, watch it with an open (read: beautiful) mind.

Verdict: Farhan has a chameleon-ike range in this movie. How he changes his colour frame by frame is something to watch out for. His character demands nuances and subtleties and he gives it a 100 per cent. Deepika as Shonali comes across as an extension of Meera (Love Aaj Kal). Not that it's bad, but she has nothing new to offer except for the hair cut may be.

As for the film it remains engaging in most parts but it could have been a good half an hour short. And we wouldn't have complained. Nonetheless the subject of the movie is one of a kind and for that kudos to Vijay Lalwani.

http://www.idiva.com/bin/idiva/Movie-Review-Karthik-Calling-Karthik

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ajooni

@ajooni

Rocker

Posted: 15 years ago

#23

Karthik Calling Karthik review: Take this call!
http://sify.com/movies/bollywood/review.php?id=14932945&ctid=5&cid=2425

Movie
Karthik Calling Karthik

Director
Vijay Lalwani

Cast
Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone

Sonia Chopra

Beautifully textured and constructed, Karthik calling Karthik takes us breath-close to the central character, whom his new boss calls 'a strange fellow'. Plagued by his brother's death as a child, an accident he holds himself responsible for, Karthik's (Farhan Akhtar) sleep is usually a disturbed one. Years of counseling isn't helping either. Fired after being bullied at work; invisible to office crush Shonali (Deepika Padukone), Karthik contemplates ending it all. Just then, he receives a phone call, with his own voice at the other end. This voice tells him how to dissolve all of his problems and regain his life. Karthik Calling Karthik special page Don't you wish you could subscribe to a daily phone service that could give step-by-step instructions on dealing with all your issues? This glorious emotional spoon-feeding takes place morning-after-morning as Karthik's phone rings at 5 am exactly. Things move on perfectly till he talks to Shonali about the calls, which he explains, has him on the other end. Meanwhile this voice, that was guiding him on how to tackle the bullies of the world, becomes the biggest one. What follows are suspenseful moments and twists that'll leave you shaken. The first half follows a relaxed pace; rare for a thriller. It establishes how the underdog character, an IIM-topper and diligent worker, snatches back the respect he knows he deserves. The second half is where the thrills come in. Unfortunately the premise is built on flimsy foundation. We're not sure of Karthik's background in terms of his parents, childhood (hurriedly wrapped up), and growing up. The explanation of how the voice-on-the-other-end knows things about other people is implausible. The doctor's dialogue, the part where it all comes together, is conceptualised passionlessly. This was supposed to be the big jolt; the part where the audience pieces together the puzzle, or solves the Rubik's cube in this case; but it leaves us unmoved. It's like a great joke where the punch line falls flat. Characterisations are superb with nuances borrowed from young, urban India. Take Shonali for instance: a compulsive smoker, with a great career as an architect, and a tumultuous love life punctuated by too many bad relationships. Karthik with his hunched back and eager-to-please demeanour is the typical pushover. He is what Shonali calls a 'safe boy', a term he's not sure he's thrilled about. But she means it as a compliment after all the "jerks" she's met. Complex, fun, bright, this is a pair you absolutely love. It is to advertising professional-turned writer-director Vijay Lalwani's credit for making his character so likeable and real. Lalwani's storytelling is unconventional, fresh, and honest. He draws you into the story gradually, pretty much building the premise and the character sketches through the first half; while making the second half taut and suspenseful. The film has an accomplished technical crew. Cinematography by Sanu Varghese, Aarti Bajaj's editing, Baylon Fonseca's sound are all superlative. Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy is melodious with lovely words by Javed Akhtar. Farhan Akhtar, jack and master of all trades, is as impressive an actor as he is a filmmaker. He essays his character, that the viewer is at once sympathetic to and wary of, with remarkable control. Deepika is fab. She enacts her role earnestly making it real and identifiable. The lack of drop-dead gorgeousness is exactly what works; her casual, everyday prettiness is absolutely charming. For those familiar with Hollywood, this concept is an idea too late; you might not find Karthik calling Karthik all that exciting, having watched several films along the same lines. For others, this story may seem a fresh incentive indeed. Either way, the film is worth your time for the gripping storytelling and marvelous performances. Recommended!

Verdict: Three stars

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Hira

@friends_rock

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 15 years ago

#24

Originally posted by: ajooni

Deepika is fab. She enacts her role earnestly making it real and identifiable. The lack of drop-dead gorgeousness is exactly what works; her casual, everyday prettiness is absolutely charming.
Verdict: Three stars

Originally posted by: ajooni
Deepika Padukone time and again proves that she's as natural as nature can be. She fits to the role perfectly and delivers impressively. Not to forget, she looks gorgeous and every way desirable.

👏👏
👏

Edited by friends_rock - 15 years ago

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ajooni

@ajooni

Rocker

Posted: 15 years ago

#25

Genre: Drama Language: Hindi Showing in: CineStar MOE (04 341 4222), CineStar DCC (04 294 9000), GrandMegaplex (04 366 9898), Reel Cinemas (04 449 1988), GrandMercato (04 349 9713), GrandCineplex (04 324 2000) Drama Hindi Directed By: Vijay Lalwani
Starring: Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone, Ram Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Vipin Sharma

Key Plot: Karthik Calling Karthik is the story of an introvert called Karthik, played by Farhan Akhtar, whose life changes with the help of another man who also claims to be Karthik. It is a journey of one man's victory against all odds.

MSB Review User Reviews

A romantic thriller - Watch it for some edge-of-the-seat moments…

Rating:

Key Plot: Farhan Akhtar plays Karthik, a shy, introvert guy who can't say 'No' to people and ends up being an underdog in his office. He secretly admires Shonali (Deepika) but doesn't have the courage to send her the 1317 emails he wrote for her but saved as draft mails. A strange and inspiring phone call later, he is a revamped man with style and power to face the world and win a respectable position, and ofcourse, his ladylove. But his rosy life doesn't last forever.

Thumbs Up: An unusual plot laced with thrill, suspense, fear and romance; Farhan's super performance, Deepika's vivaciousness, sugar and spice screenplay, edgy sequences and a gripping climax.

Thumbs Down: A major flaw in the film is its dragging pace at times, but the thrilling moments makes up for it. Farhan's transformation looks unconvincing but the answer lies in the second-half. The sad song, aimed to bring about emotions, doesn't excite.

Performances: Farhan Akhtar, the man of many talents, surpasses all his earlier performances as an actor. He is an unconventional hero and a genius. Deepika is lively in her shorter hairstyle and is the GenX factor for the film. Shefali Shah, Ram Kapoor and Vivaan Bhatena add weight to the film in their supporting roles.

Quick Take: 'Karthik Calling Karthing' is a youthful film with suspense, chills and thrills attached. Farhan-Deepika is a sparkling couple on screen. Ad filmmaker turned writer-director Vijay Lalwani scores big with his maiden offing.

Verdict: Go watch this youthful romantic thriller for some edge-of-the-seat moments. Worth a dekho!

http://dubai.mystylebytes.com/movie-reviews.php?id=1770

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Hira

@friends_rock

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 15 years ago

#26

Karthik Calling Karthik Movie Review

E-mail this

Karthik Calling Karthik - Calls for some enigmatic moments

IndiaGlitz [Thursday, February 25, 2010]

What is it?

'Karthik Calling Karthik' is a movie that one can admire without exactly embracing it.

Farhan Akhtar's Excel Entertainment's next after 'Luck By Change' is a paranoia-inducing suspenser about a spit personality in this sort of psycho thriller toned mind –game of a movie.

Crafted with a commanding aloof precision by Vijay Lalwani in his first outing as a writer and a helmer takes an unusual dive into this genre which is not common in Bollywood without apparent rules and manages to generates an intriguing intellectual intrigue that covers 70% of its running time which allows to arouse buffs, trendies and techies more than the mainstream auds.

It's not that dark, edge of the seat thingie but answers your 'inner voice' which demands some expecting moments.

The Story………….. Of course

'Karthik Calling Karthik', is the story of a lovable loser Karthik (Farhan), who lives in fear and how his life changes with the help of someone who also claims to be Karthik calls him and makes him a confident human being but things take a ugly turn when he doesn't listens to one of his advice and loses his job and his pretty girlfriend Shonali (Deepika) and when he overcomes, the viewer gets introduced to an unknown secret.

What to look out for?

'Karthik Calling Karthik' projects the same sense of style that will inevitably be compared to a cross between Asian and Europe cinema that shows glimpse of steely technical mastery in the service of a story that demands an involving narrative.

Farhan Akhtar who after the dramatic appearance in 'Rock On' and the difficult but well done 'Luck By Chance' learns with 'Karthik Calling Karthik'.

The actor is at ease in those sweet romantic scenes and shows confidence in playing the happening guy and simultaneously manages to make the viewers note his discomfort in dealing with a voice that changes everything in his life, a bit more intensity lessons for this role would have worked wonders but still it's a noteworthy performance.

Deepika Padukone, the tall and the beautiful lass, contributes by her all-important warmth in whatever space and scopes she gets.

Ram Kapoor as the Boss and the immensely gifted Shefali Chhaya as the psychiatrist chip in with valuable support.

Technically, the film is immaculate, with Sanu Varghese sleek lensing, rich production design, Aarti Bajaj's sharp editing, Shankar Ehsaan Loy's grooving score "Uff Teri Ada" is finely done and the dense sound work by Midival Punditz.

What Not?

The movie does overlook some vital aspects in the characterization and takes liberties which are not easy to digest.

Like normally a person suffering form Schizophrenia is not aware of what the other character is doing but here its shown that he is aware and unaware according to the demand of the script.

The winding up of the entire plot is hurried and appeared forced that threatens to almost kill the tempo and the mystery tone which was twined around.

Conclusion: Go but with an open mind.

Rating: ***

http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/hindi/review/12000.html

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Hira

@friends_rock

Sparkler

+ 2

Posted: 15 years ago

#27

Faridoon_S

Farhan Akhtar, the incredible actor doesn't hit any false note in 'Karthik Calling Karthik'...an abolute treat

Faridoon_S

KCK as a film is a unique script, executed very well but its not a film for everyone coz of its dark real theme

Faridoon_S

Deepika luks stunning n is improving wid each film as an actress..also SEL's music n background score is Fantastic

Faridoon_S

If u like d unconventiona, d hatke kinda movies, then KCK is up ur alley for sure...

Faridoon_S

i m thinkin, who's better Farhan, actor or director? My immediate reaction is Actor..the guy is Brilliant!!

Edited by friends_rock - 15 years ago