[DialOne]

With his new film Ishaqzaade, Habib Faisal takes a brave leap away from the aspirational middle class Delhi terrain he ploughed so expertly in Do Dooni Chaar (his directorial debut) and Band Baaja Baraat (which he wrote).

In Ishaqzaade, set in the fictional small town of Almore, the dreams that drive Faisal’s characters are no longer the little desires of little people: a new car, a bigger binness. What the Chauhans and the Qureishis are fighting over is Almore itself: a place whose location in the badlands of North India is announced as clearly by the swirling clouds of dust that rise from its roads as by the gunshots that casually punctuate every sentence – alongside the gaalis. The game might be grubby, but the stakes are high.

Qureishis. Among the grown-up children of the two families, each now plotting the political downfall of the other, are Parma and Zoya.
Faisal’s arresting opening scene – the children of both families pelting stones at each other going home from school – sets the tone of the very adult war to follow: epic, but also down-and-dirty. The film opens in the run-up to an election, in which the Chauhans are determined, by hook or by crook, to wrest power back from the currently-in-power Qureishis. Among the grown-up children of the two families, each now plotting the political downfall of the other, are Parma and Zoya.

The necessary outside of this patriarchal world of ghar-grihasthi is another kind of female presence: Chand, the local kothewali, a sinuous charmer with a soft spot for Parma. It’s easy to see what Habib Faisal is trying to do here, setting up the brothel as the one place where the bitter Hindu-Muslim feuds of the world outside have no purchase. It’s a cliched idea – the *****house as the place without prejudice, the great equaliser – but it might still have worked if it were written with more nuance, or given more meat by the sadly underwhelming Gauhar Khan. As it is, Faisal gives us a one-line depiction of the way women from these worlds eye each other with suspicion (“Hum dance waliyon ke munh nahi lagte,” says Zoya to Chand) – and then proceeds to break the barriers down with an ease that defies belief.

Ishaqzaade has many strengths. The locales – from crumbling railway sheds to a vast school chemistry lab – are nicely used without drawing attention to their own artistry. Faisal’s usually impeccable dialogue is occasionally overbaked, but it has undeniable grit: which recent Hindi film has had the courage to have a protagonist calling his lover a Musalli? Arjun Kapoor plays his combination of machismo and childish stupidity with exaggerated gestures that annoyed me rather than winning me over, but Faisal’s central characters are still more sharply realized than most directors can manage. And anyway, the film is worth watching just for Parineeti.

But ultimately, Ishaqzaade fails us. Not just because it gives us a climax that feels like a cop-out, even as it strains desperately to be epic. But because its final tragedy is triggered by Zoya’s still surviving faith – in herself, the world, and the lout she so inexplicably loves – while we who are watching can only wonder why she didn’t give up on all of it long ago

[Acalsenunse]

I have seen the movie last week and i too feel ist not an very good movie..its an average love story.. could have been better !

[Guloqkcm]

Released On: 11 May 2012

Directed By: Habib Faisa

lStarring: Arjun Kapoor, Parineeti Chopra, Gauhar KhanHabib





Faisal's directorial debut DO DOONI CHAAR, starring Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Kapoor, depicted the aspirations of a middle-class family. It won immense critical acclaim, appreciation of the viewers and the Best Hindi Film National Award. Now his second film ISHAQZAADE has generated tremendous buzz thanks to its raw and edgy trailers, likable music and also for its setting -- the Hindi belt where guns still reign supreme. And you aren't disappointed either, for the film meets the lofty expectations, assuring you that the 2+ hours were well worth it!

Yash Raj Films returns to the era of action after a hiatus, but they have not done away with their core USP, romance, as ISHAQZAADE is a passionate love story, which is the emphasizing theme of the film. In fact, ISHAQZAADE is not only about aggression and romance, you also get a glimpse of the arrogance and conceit of people in small towns in India.

The story unfurls in the idealistic and intimidating scenario of North India. ISHAQZAADE depicts the love story of two defiant, rebellious individuals. A passionate love story ignited by extreme dislike. It revolves around two disputing political families, two fiery individuals and their battle for control and superiority. The two characters, Parma [Arjun Kapoor] and Zoya [Parineeti Chopra], who have been told since early days to detest each other, are almost equipped to eradicate each other and then something happens in their life post which they realize they are actually quite alike. They start wondering when we both are so similar in our personality and stance, why have we got this extreme dislike for each other?





In such a setting, when two people, who have been loathing each other all this while, fall in love, things go askew.

The chemistry between Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra on screen certainly follows the model of the chemistry that was created in DILWALE DULHANIA LE JAYENGE, BUNTY AUR BABLI and BAND BAAJA BAARAAT. It's infectious and that, in my opinion, is the hallmark of the film, besides the script of course. In the initial portions, both Arjun and Parineeti are at loggerheads, bartering cusswords, flaunting guns and trying to be one-up on the other. Their love story towards the middle of the first part is equally electrifying and the portrayal by Arjun and Parineeti gives the film the required sheen.

The post-interval portions have several euphoric moments. The heated conversation involving Arjun's mother and the aftermath is brilliantly penned and executed. Ditto for the sequence when Arjun apologises to Parineeti in this hour. It's truly emotional! The only hitch is that the film slows down before it reaches the finale thanks to some unwanted sequences [the sequence in the laboratory] and some songs in this hour. The culmination to the film is a highpoint and mirrors a reality as well.

Habib Faisal belongs to a fresh class of writers and film-makers who does away with the beaten to death drama that one gets to watch in films of this genre. Filmed at actual locations of Uttar Pradesh, the story of ISHAQZAADE has universal appeal and could have been set in any of the big cities, but the small town milieu lends the plot a kind of passion missing in large metros. Perhaps, the magnetism towards love is that much stronger in a small town, also the conflict of the people opposing love is manifold stronger likewise.





Amit Trivedi, one of the most gifted and skilled musical talents, comes up with a harmonious and pleasant-sounding album. 'Ishaqzaade', 'Pareshan', 'Aafton Ke Parinde and 'Chokra Jawan' -- each of those tracks are popular already. The best part is, the songs of ISHAQZAADE have not been filmed on romantic landscapes, but at humdrum locations, which makes it so real and very much in sync with the mood of the film. I'd like to make a special mention of the cinematography [Hemant Chaturvedi], which captures the essence of North India and the rustic flavor so well. The background score [Ranjit Barot] adds a lot of pep, while the action and chase sequences [Sham Kaushal] are wonderful.

Arjun Kapoor makes a fantastic debut. He has a peerless body language and a 'I-don't-give-a-damn' kind of an approach in the movie. The youngster, with his untidy look and impish smile, has already won female reverence prior to the release of the film and after having watched him emote, you can confidently say that he's blessed to depict this rebellious character in his launch vehicle itself. He comes across as fiery and rustic and at the same time self-assured and assertive in this reckless and intrepid character.

To acquire a film of this scale and magnitude is a triumph by itself for a beginner, for a script and character like this happen once in a while. Parineeti Chopra is simply fantastic in this high-voltage drama. Playing the part of a spirited gun-toting girl, she is not the regular timid, decorous, withdrawn Hindi film heroine. She portrays the violent behavior coupled with the audacious and brash attitude with aplomb.

Gauhar Khan is lovely in a special role. Also, she dances very well in the two tracks. Anil Rastogi [as Arjun's grand-father], Natasha Rastogi [as Arjun's mother] and Ratan Rathore [as Parineeti's father] are natural to the core.



On the whole, ISHAQZAADE, a volatile and intense story with ample doses of fanatical romance, should appeal to a pan-India audience. This broadly engaging love story has a winsome pair who deliver dexterous performances, besides popular music and several poignant moments, which should appeal to fans of mainstream films. Go for it!

[QwOpHGyZ]

Viewers review of Ishaqzaade is out and in some time critic review would also be out.

Movie: Ishaqzaade



Usually it happens that when you expect a lot from a movie it disappoints you. Same is the case with Ishaqzaade, the much hyped and the much awaited movie brings you nothing more than frustration. The movie that was able to create much curiosity through its trailers was unsuccessful in attracting the audiences during the actual show. The movie had nothing that usually Yash Raj films have, bad storyline, vague direction and absurd screen play. Only if they would have worked on story a little more precisely and directed it a little better, the newcomers, Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra would have been successful in presenting their acting skills.

One of the viewers after watching the movie said, “I had great expectations from the movie and was really excited to watch Ishaqzaade, the reason I came for first day first show. But the movie was not able to excite me, complete bizarre movie”. While another one said, “the only good part about the movie was its songs, but the actual reason i was here was i wanted to see the two comers, they looked cute together in trailers, but the movie is completely hopeless.” In a nut shell, Ishaqzaade, is a complete no-no film, not even worth watching once.

[JimmyHas]

Director Habib Faisal comes up with a winning love story – one that is a tragic reality in several small towns in India – and spices it up with tangible romance and drama
Ishaqzaade is a love story set against the backdrop of two political families – the Qureshis and the Chauhans – living in a small town called Almor in what looks like Northern India. The patriarchs of both families are fighting to become the next MLA, involving in caste politics to fill their vote bank. It’s an environment of hooliganism and hatred.

Parmar Chauhan (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya Qureshi (Parineeti Chopra) too get involved in the fight for power and supremacy. While Parmar wants to prove his worth to his grandfather, Zoya harbours political ambitions. Can love bloom between these two gun-toting hot blooded youngsters, amidst all the hatred and politics? It can and it does, as one would have expected it to from the beginning. But it is the ‘how’ that makes the film exciting.

This is not just another tale of two people whose hatred turns into love and how they fight societal norms. There is more to it than the cliche. Caught in the crossfire of hatred and politics, the rowdy Parmar and fiery Zoya are forced into an irreparable situation. Interestingly, Chand Baby (Gauhar Khan), a dancer and prostitute who is on the fringes of society, seems to understand love better than the so-called upholders of the family name and the drivers of the political system.

What makes Ishaqzaade stand out is the script. Habib Faisal scores high in the writing department. He proved that even with his first film, Do Dooni Char, where he made a simple story about a middle class Delhi family an adorable and entertaining watch. In Ishaqzaade, the way Faisal makes his characters react to each other and to the situations unfolding around them is what keeps you hooked. You get the feeling that he is losing his grip towards the end, but he comes right back and makes up for it. Habib has cast an ensemble of completely unknown faces to support Gauhar Khan, Arjun Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra. And all of them do complete justice to their parts. Habib uses the character of Parmar’s mother to offset the political environment. A character that seems weak at first, but turns out to be much stronger than the others who openly wield their power.

Habib creates a web of politics, hooliganism, culture and the small town view of inter-religious marriage beautifully and with great detail. It’s a reality that we watch on news television and often choose to shut our eyes to.

Amit Trivedi’s score is perfectly in sync with the storyline and adds to the drama unfolding on the screen, bringing alive the romance developing against a ruffian ambiance.

The strength of the film also comes from the gritty performances of its lead cast. Gauhar Khan makes a huge statement with her role as Chand Baby. Here’s one actor who is yet to be used to her full potential. She looks good and breezes through the part of a prostitute with great ease and dignity. But what everyone has been waiting for is to find out if Boney Kapoor’s son and Anil Kapoor’s nephew Arjun Kapoor can act. There is no doubt that this young man can hold his own in front of the camera. He showed lots of promise in the trailers, and he does live up to all those expectations. You can see that he has worked hard to get into the skin of the rugged and unabashed Parmar. Yet, he leaves you with a feeling that a lot more effort will be required on his part if he wants to add more depth to his roles in the future and sustain his career as an actor.

Even though he is impressive, it’s Parineeti who steals the show from the debutant. After winning accolades for her role in Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl, Ms Chopra lifts her performance one notch higher with Ishaqzaade. She plays the rebellious and fearless character of a Muslim girl with great conviction and strength. Here’s an actor to watch out for. It’s rare for a one-film-old actor to be able to convey the minutest of emotions and expressions with this much ease and confidence. Her spontaneity and naturalness bring the screen alive.

Parineeti’s performance is one of the aspects that make the film worth your while. Also watch Ishaqzaade for the raw, volatile and fresh chemistry between Arjun and Parineeti, for the almost flawless writing and direction by Habib, for a different kind of romance and, last but not least, the subtle and underlying statement of the harsh realities of small town love.

[enfoires]

Nice

[IssuessBratte]

Nice Movie Must Watch

[dfuzioniag]

thanks

[Obebtetibre]

Cast: Parineeta Chopra, Arjun Kapoor, Gauhar Khan

Director: Habib Faisal

In a fictional small town in North India, battle lines are drawn between political families, the Chauhans and the Qureshis, sworn enemies, each seeking victory against the other in the forthcoming elections. Against this tense terrain, director Habib Faisal sets his Romeo & Juliet story, 'Ishaqzaade'.
Arjun Kapoor is Parma, the loutish grandson of the Chauhan patriarch who gleefully loots local vendors and sets fire to their shops when they beg for a little compassion. Parineeti Chopra is Zoya, feisty daughter of the senior most Qureshi, who'd much rather have a gun over brand new gold earrings. Like most love stories in Hindi films, this one too starts off on the wrong foot, when Parma storms into the Qureshi estate to take off with the local nautch girl who is performing there. In the fight that breaks out, Parma pulls out his gun at an infuriated Zoya, who is determined to get revenge. She gets that opportunity on campus soon after, and predictably a romance between the two is on the cards.
The film's first half coasts along nicely, culminating in a delicious, unpredictable twist. But as the film's second half kicks in, it becomes clear the writers had no idea where to go with the story. Which is possibly why the love-struck couple spends the entire post-intermission portion just running.
Like in 'Do Dooni Chaar', director Habib Faisal's last film, and in 'Band Baaja Baaraat', his breakout script, the real pleasure in 'Ishaqzaade' lies in its colloquial language, believable characters, and lived-in locations. Faisal gives us a leading lady worth rooting for in Zoya, a firebrand who knows how to take charge. Parineeti Chopra breathes life into the part, emerging the biggest strength of this film. As Parma, meanwhile, that unlikely leading man with no moral compass, Arjun Kapoor is confident but at times awkward, and his rawness shows.
Much of the film's strengths come undone by the use of such tired cliches as the religious differences that stand in the way of true love, and the sacrificial hooker with a heart of gold. Also Faisal resorts to an unforgivably unoriginal climax – for both the resolution of the lovers, and their families – that sticks out in a film with such promise.
'Ishaqzaade' benefits considerably from Amit Trivedi's excellent soundtrack and Hemant Chaturvedi's sharp cinematography. Faisal creates a believable world with charming characters, and his leads have crackling chemistry. I'm going with two-and-a-half out of five for director Habib Faisal's 'Ishaqzaade'. It's far from perfect, but you won't be bored.

Rating: 2.5 / 5