Showing posts with label Forensic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Forensic. Show all posts
(Crisp) Movie Review: FORENSIC by FENIL SETA
10:17 AM
Forensic is a remake of the 2020 Malayalam film of the same name. Unlike several remakes which are copied frame-by-frame, this one is different. The makers have taken the basic idea and have made several changes. Hence, even those who have seen the original will be in for a shock. The idea is very interesting and the film doesn’t bore even for a moment. In fact, the narrative keeps you engaged. The suspense is quite unpredictable. On the flipside, the film is silly in several places. The makers should have done something about it. Thankfully, the pluses outweigh the minuses. Speaking of performances, Vikrant Massey gives a confident and entertaining performance. In a few scenes, he tries to act like Govinda and that backfires. Radhika Apte, as expected, is too good. Prachi Desai is excellent and proves why she deserves to be seen more. Vindu Dara Singh is adorable. Subrat Dutta and Rohit Bose Roy are okay. The child actors, Harbandana Kaur (Aanya) and Nikhil Chawla (Rohan), do very well. All in all, Forensic is a bit silly but works due to the plot, performances and shocking climax.
My rating - *** out of 5!
On most days, I try to voice my opinion, but I am a small fish in this ocean-Vikrant Massey
8:17 AM
Indicating that he has in the past backed films that didn’t match his creative sensibility, Vikrant says Forensic’s content is right up his alley
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 14, 2022)
Vikrant Massey remembers watching the Malayalam film, Forensic (2020), and being impressed by its premise. Little had he imagined that two years on, he would headline the Hindi adaptation of the same name, helmed by Vishal Furia. The actor recounts,
“I thoroughly enjoyed it when I watched it the first time. The film was an eye-opener [on the field of forensic science] and gave an insight into how it functions. I have always believed that the story is the most [crucial aspect] of a film, and the story of Forensic intrigued me as an actor and a viewer.”
The upcoming ZEE5 film, also starring Radhika Apte, revolves around a series of child murders in Mussoorie. A forensic expert, essayed by Massey, is roped in by the cops to aid them in hunting down the serial killer. In Forensic, the actor has found a project that he deeply believes in and the vision of which aligns with his own — something that admittedly doesn’t happen as often as he would like.
“The idea is to go beyond the screen-time and try to bring change [with one’s movie]. But there are days when you have to cut corners. In the past, I have done that to create opportunities for myself. It has made me realise that I would probably, some day, be in a position to do [the films I believe in]. [Today], there are certain things that I am not able to implement [even though] I believe in them. On most days, I try to voice my opinion, but I am a small fish in this ocean. It’s not an actor’s prerogative on what should be done and what should not be done. What has improved is that we have become far more democratic with regard to people’s opinion.”
To understand his part better, Massey met forensic experts. “We had forensic officers on the set. The sophistication with which they operate is unbelievable. They are under tremendous [pressure], and they handle stressful situations day in, day out. After this film, I have more compassion for them.”
I recently got rejected because the other actor had bigger lips and bigger breasts-Radhika Apte
8:24 AM
Radhika, who has a release in Forensic, discusses losing out on movies and navigating the gender-skewed industry
Uma Ramasubramanian (MID-DAY; June 10, 2022)
During the narration of Forensic, Radhika Apte was relieved to notice that the film was not dumbed down, as some Indian movies tend to be. Director Vishal Furia’s thriller expected the audience to keep up with its pace. This was among the many reasons that made her say yes to it.
“In India, we spoon-feed the audience a lot. Everything is explained in a flash cut, almost as if to say that in case you have forgotten, here it is again. I think the audiences are smarter than these [filmmakers] who think they won’t get it. If the audience is not liking your film, it’s not because they don’t get it; it’s probably because it’s boring,” laughs Apte. She plays a cop investigating a series of murders in the ZEE5 film, which is a remake of the 2020 Malayalam film of the same name.
Her 17-year run has proved that the actor has no patience for run-of-the-mill offerings; she is the happiest when telling powerful stories. However, it hasn’t been an easy journey. “In the past decade, I have done a lot of work that didn’t exactly blow my mind. I did everything I was told in order to get commercial viability. That way, I could do all those small films that I wanted to do.”
Even as the industry is inching towards gender equality, Apte notes that there is a long way to go. She points out that she has sometimes been rejected for projects on grounds that ranged from bizarre to downright sexist. “I recently got rejected because the other actor had bigger lips and bigger breasts. I was told, ‘She looks sexier, and sells more’. It was a good film being made by people whom I respect. You look up to [certain people], and think, ‘They won’t be into this’. But they also [have such a mindset]. Hopefully, the more women we have in [positions of power], the more things will change.”
I felt that I was just a part of the rat race-Radhika Apte
8:15 AM
With the pandemic making her reconsider her choice of films and priorities, Radhika says Vikram Vedha and upcoming projects reflect her learning curve
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 28, 2022)
There is no place for run-of-the-mill offerings in Radhika Apte’s filmography. The actor, Netflix India’s original poster girl, is drawn towards unusual stories. So, when she stars as the female lead in Vikram Vedha, one of the year’s big-ticket massy projects, it comes across as almost a deviation. When we get on a call with Apte, we begin by understanding the kind of projects she is gravitating towards in this phase of her career. “I have four films this year — Forensic, Vikram Vedha, Mrs Undercover and Monica O My Darling,” she starts.
So, is she balancing offbeat cinema with a mainstream film or two? There is no formula, Apte insists. “The makers, script and characters are important when you give your nod to a project. As an artiste, I want to be challenged, discover new people and new emotions. But above all else, the priority is to seek what’s inspiring. The pandemic has given me a [new] perspective. I felt that I was just a part of the rat race. I did things because they had to be [done], [thinking] these are my [prime] years as an actor. But now, I want to do what makes me happy. I want to learn, and I am gravitating towards parts I have never done before.”
That explains her choosing Vikram Vedha — a mainstream film with cerebral tonality. The Hrithik Roshan and Saif Ali Khan starrer, adapted from the 2017 Tamil hit of the same name, questions our perspective of right and wrong. She is ecstatic to reunite with Khan after Baazaar (2018) and Sacred Games (2019). “He is hilarious and well-read. Chatting with him is such a delight.”
She will kick off the next schedule in February. Getting into the skin of the character again, after the unforeseen break, might be a tad difficult. “My major portions have yet to be shot. I am looking forward to doing readings with my co-stars and directors to fall right back into the character’s mould.”
I want to do roles that have more substance rather than just playing lead actor’s wife or girlfriend-Prachi Desai
8:16 AM
Titas Chowdhury (HINDUSTAN TIMES; September 12, 2021)
Five years after the release of Rock On 2 (2016), Prachi Desai returned to the screen with Silence... Can You Hear It, a series that marked her debut in the digital space. She was happy to wait for the right content to come her way rather than be part of projects that didn’t challenge her.
She shares, “Not being on the screen post Rock On 2 didn’t deter my spirit. I was okay not doing films during the past few years. I spent my time being engaged in things that can help hone my craft. I watched a lot of content. That helped me understand what I want to do.”
Desai, who will be seen playing important parts in Kosha and Forensic, says that the past few years helped her understand the content that she wants to be a part of. “My approach to my craft had changed,” she remarks, adding, “I had made this conscious decision a few years ago. I want to do something that has more substance rather than just playing the lead actor’s wife or girlfriend. I want more meat to bite now.”
While she has been taking it slow in the past few years, the actor, who turns 33 today, is glad to be spending the day doing what she loves the most. “This birthday, I will be on the sets of Forensic, in the lap of nature, tucked away in the hills and mountains of Mussoorie where the clouds and mist play hide and seek and literally pay us a visit on land,” she says.
Times are tough and so, this birthday will be about being thankful. “After the year we have all had, I am now more grateful for everything. I am trying to make the most of each moment. Waking up to this piece of heaven is making me count my blessings,” Desai concludes.
Vikrant Massey and Radhika Apte understand the demand of the story and give me a balanced performance-Vishal Furia
8:07 AM
Forensic director on how Vikrant-Radhika film has little in common with popular series CSI despite belonging to same genre
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; September 8, 2021)
Over its 15-season run, American series CSI: Crime Scene Investigation garnered immense love from the Indian as well as global audience. Vishal Furia’s next, Forensic, could well be Bollywood’s foray into the genre of forensic procedural. The director, who is currently shooting in Uttarakhand with leads Vikrant Massey and Radhika Apte, admits that it’s a tough genre to attempt.
“In a day and age when your audience is more evolved and film-literate, it’s upon writers and filmmakers to make sure they are at the top of their game. We have tried to make the story pacy, and yet, keep the emotions authentic. Thankfully, I have Radhika and Vikrant who elevate the script. They understand the demand of the story and give me a balanced performance each time they are on camera.”
The film — produced by Mansi Bagla and Deepak Mukut — marks Furia’s reunion with Massey after Criminal Justice (2019).
Though Forensic belongs to the same universe as CSI that revolved around a team of crime-scene investigators, the director says he hasn’t turned to the popular series for inspiration. “The treatment is similar, but I have to be honest to my film. It’s important that we give the story a fresh perspective.”
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