Filmistaan
Movie Info
Synopsis
An affable Bollywood buff and wanna-be-actor Sunny (Sharib Hashmi), goes with an American crew to remote areas in Rajasthan to work on a documentary film. One day after pack-up an Islamic terrorist group kidnaps him. When the group leader find that the inept terrorist had mistaken their prisoner for the American crew-member he decide to keep him hostage until they locate their original target.Wikipedia
Starring Cast
Filmistaan Reviews
6
'Filmistaan' works best as a movie about the magic of movies. It's a celebration of India's song-and-dance film culture and heightened emotions... one that unites fans in their shared love for this unique art-form. For its sheer inventiveness and for some terrific comic moments, this film is worth a watch.
4
There are a few enjoyable moments in ‘Filmistaan’, but the potential is never fully realized.
8
Don’t be put off by the name or the lack of stars. This is a lovely little film that will sneak into your heart.
10
Filmistaan is packed with great background scores, unfaltering narration and stellar performances. It's also one of the best films I've watched since Queen and D-Day; it's absolutely flawless.
8
In a nation of star-worshippers, this film devoid of superstars brilliantly stands out. Aaj khush toh bahut hain hum! Ab bas, tareef pe tareef ...
7
Fresh and funny, this is a small film with a big heart. Shot on a shoe-string budget, and no star power, Filmistaan relies on it's script and its actors to carry the film. And they both do a wonderful job. Both Sharib and Innamulhaq are perfectly cast and delight with their performances. The developing friendship between the two is captured beautifully. Sunny's obsession with Bollywood is something that most people will relate to.If you are a Bollywood fan, you cannot miss this one.
8
Nitin Kakkar’s Filmistaan is a crackling movie to the core that doesn’t give you one dull moment in its lambent tapestry. Sharib Hashmi is precocious for a debutant and along with Innam’s adept performance, the duo deliver a effulgent film. I, for one, didn’t get enough of the film and can’t wait to pay the price and watch it again.
8
The film has a perfect balance of humour, seriousness and emotions. The film beautifully defines the relationship between India and Pakistan and forces us to re-think about the baselessness of our sour bi-lateral relations.
6
Filmistaan depends far too much on its hero to control the proceedings. The climax drags as one awaits Sunny's fate. As a film recognising the influence of cinema, Filmistaan is engaging, but not as a kidnapping thriller.
8
FILMISTAAN walks the tightrope between offbeat and commercial with gusto. This is a massively entertaining film. A film that shouldn't be missed at all. Watch it. Now.
-
It’s seldom that we make introspective films laced with dark humour. It’s great to find such superlative effort from first time filmmaker. We need to invest in such cinema as it’s important that young filmmakers shouldn't lose faith in their vision. Go watch the film to understand the futility of Partition and to laugh at our obsession with cinema. And yes, to support good filmmaking as well...
10
FILMISTAAN is a film that cannot be missed. Watch it for its storyline. Watch it for its execution. Watch it for its many excellent performances.
7
A story with great potential, it could have been better. But watch it anyway because its simplicity is beautiful.
9
This quirky charmer from first-time director Nitin Kakkar is fresh in vision and enchanting in execution.The only happy outcome of the cross-border divide is a heartwarming film such as this.As we often say about the Wagah border, this you gotta see.
-
For an (almost) all new cast and first-time director, it’s commendable how ‘Filmistaan’ creates a vibrant frame in spite of relying (rather heavily) on the clichéd Bollywood dream.So, head to the cinemas, you won’t regret it.
-
Filmistaan may win accolades from the critics and a thin section of the audience in the big cities but that’s about all. Save for a few multiplexes in the major cities, it can’t hope to score at all. Even if collections pick up, that will happen in a handful of cities only.
Audience Reviews for Filmistaan
-
Filmistaan is easily one of the best films about movies in Bollywood, but unlike most of the films of this kind, its not in Bombay that it is set. The film is set in borders of India and Pakistan, where superstars and classics are worshipped like gods and temples. It has humour and a little sensation, but it is a very simple film with warmth which you must embrace whenever you watch.
Let me warn you the film has a forgettable second half despite its memorable performances. Post-interval too, some moments feel like pure drags. But it stays with you as long as you keep watching it- watching the movies- and be in your mind too.
I'm going with 3 out of 5 for 'Filmistaan'. You need to watch it because it is easily one of the best Hindi films this year which transcend the borders of limitless storytelling, be it literally, be it the metaphor. Strong it is, and so is it simple.0September 26, 19 -
Filmistaan, a film by Nitin Kakkar (his debut film), a tribute to Film Industry for its completion of 100 years of cinema. Before its official release on 6th June, 2014, it has won many accolades and awards during various cine festivals (Refer a subheading ‘Awards’ towards the end of this review). Partition could just divide the land, but people’s hearts still remain united. People across the border love watching Bollywood films, it is a great source of entertainment for them. People appreciate the work of artists irrespective of their nationality, rather the fans exist everywhere. Essence of this movie is that a film, its characters, overall this form of art can spread love amongst people, can remove the fences. Nitin has highlighted Indo-Pak cross-border issues but he also projects that people still feel connected with one another. Will we ever get back our old days of togetherness?
The movie begins with an aspiring Bollywood actor Sunny aka Sukhwinder Arora’s (Sharib Hashmi) audition for a chocolate advertisement. Although Sunny is not able to get through audition, he gets an opportunity to be an assistant director for an American film crew shooting a documentary in Rajasthan (Indo-Pak Border), for which he travels outdoor along with them. A militant group mistakenly kidnaps Sunny instead of Americans, and make him hostage in a small village in Pakistan in Aftaab’s (Inaamuihaq) house. Aftaab, a peddler of pirated DVDs, is a great movie buff, who dreams of making his own film one-day. Aftaab and Sunny hit it off instantly due to common thread between them – Bollywood Movies. Even amidst crisis and gun-toting terrorists around, Sunny’s love for cinema remains intact. He does not lose his sense of humour. He entertains children with his mimicking various artists. He is passionate about his camera (which was with him when he was kidnapped).
The mood of the movie never gets grim in spite of the unfavourable situations. The scene where Sunny directs his own ransom video, and insists upon multiple takes is just hilarious. Another scene, where Aftaab does a screening of Maine Pyar Kiya for the villagers, a segment comes where no audio is there due to poor quality of that pirated DVD. Sunny rattles off those lines effortlessly, a very enjoyable scene. It is so touching to watch the camaraderie between Sunny and Aftaab.
What all events unfold? Is Sunny ever able to come back to India? To what extent Aftaab and Sunny bond? Is Sunny able to make a bond with militants as well? Which one amongst the two win – love or hatred / anger? Does love take precedence over hatred?
Both Sharib and Inaamulhaq have given brilliant, simple, natural and endearing performances.
I just felt that the end could have been clearer. But yes definitely, this movie deserves your watch.
1June 09, 14 -
"As a movie, there is nothing particularly wrong with Filmistaan. It’s a nice story with decent acting, good characterizations and overall it’s comparable to your typical Hollywood “feel good” dramedy in the way it handles itself. Of course, the melodrama and slow-motion sequences meant to evoke empathy for the Indian’s plight goes a bit too far over the line and reminds us that this is after all, a Bollywood film about the love of Bollywood films. Can cinema really change the world? Can it really bring a mutual understanding between Indians and Muslim extremists in Pakistan? This “amaan ki aasha” film makes the case that yes, it can."
FULL REVIEW: https://extrasensoryfilms.wordpress.com/2014/08/25/filmistaan/0June 27, 17
