A period drama of the 60s, a visual treat of Bombay of that era, Bombay Velvet is created with artistic grandeur, has been let down by a confusing plot.
Anurag Kashyap has to be applauded for lavishly recreating Bombay of the 60s. This is where it ends as the film has neither the entertainment factor or the chilly seriousness of a mafia ruling the politics and maneuvering the city plans for its benefits.
Anushka Sharma is the cute fashionable jazz singer Rosie who sparkles in embellished body-fitting gowns.
Bombay Velvet revolves around the story of how Bombay transformed its landscape during the 60s and 70s and the corrupt administration, which is hand in glove with the mill owners and the rich. This apart, the story is woven around the backdrop of Ranbir-Anushka romance.
Ranbir Kapoor’s character is used by people around him, including his mother. A small time hood, with an aim to become a ‘big-shot’ before he dies, Ranbir plays an ambitious street fighter, with a painful childhood. Ranbir gets into the skin of his character and is so realistic that one feels for the person Johnny Balraj.
Karan Johar’s role as a media mogul Kaizad Khambata has a striking introductory scene. There on the steely-antagonist’s impact gets wearing off. Karan’s performance as an antagonist is overshadowed by powerful performances by Manish Chaudhary, apart from the lead pair.
Anushka Sharma’s 1960’s look recreation appears right, with simplest of the make-up with emphasis on different hair styles. She plays the vibrant Jazz singer who is shown crooning on the hits of 60s and a couple of original peppy numbers.
One character that is really outstanding is that of Satyadeep Misra as Chimman, who is Balraj’s friend in his life and crimes.
Seasoned actors like Kay Kay Menon and Manish Chaudhry have least of presence and scope in this drama. Vivaan Shah as Anushka’s chauffeur is shown having his desire for the sensuous singer.
Bombay Velvet begins with quick pace at which multiple things happen in the first half, making the viewers to get confused.
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Cast of Bombay Velvet:
Ranbir Kapoor as Johnny Balraj, a boxer/street-fighter
Anushka Sharma as Rosie, a jazz singer
Karan Johar as Kaizad Khambata,
Kay Kay Menon as the detective – Inspector Kulkarni
Manish Choudhary as Jimmy Mistry, a newspaper editor
Siddhartha Basu as Romi Patel
Satyadeep Misra as Chimman, Balraj’s friend
Vivaan Shah as Rosie’s chauffeur
Mukesh Chhabra
Remo Fernandes
Raveena Tandon
Mrinmoy Goldar
Varun Grover
Credits of Bombay Velvet:
Banner – Phantom Films, Fox STAR Studios
Directed by Anurag Kashyap
Produced by Vikas Bahl, Vikramaditya Motwane
Written by Vasan Bala, Gyan Prakash, Anurag Kashyap, S.Thanikachalam
Based on Mumbai Fables by Gyan Prakash
Music by Amit Trivedi
Cinematography – Rajeev Ravi
Edited by Prerna Saigal, Thelma Schoonmaker
Bombay Velvet, Hindi movie review
