Permanent Roommates- webseries REVIEW.

                                                                                  Genre- Sitcom                                                                                      2 seasons- 7+7 episodes
                                                             Time duration- 55min each

                                                             Written by- Biswapati Sarkar.

“Indian series? Mujhe toh Naagin pata hai.
 Web series? Wannabe Game of thrones hai kya?
 Accha utna sadist nahi toh wannabe FRIENDS? Accha wesa nahi hai?
 Indian series hoke Balaji is not the producer WHATTT?
TVF kaun hai yaar, AIB ki branch hai koi?

When students go abroad for studies, they leave with a suitcase filled with hopes of their parents and hearts of their lovers (also daadi ke Aachaar ka dabba.) More than India’s economy, high school lovers are the ones to be worst hit by this constant brain drain from India. While some hearts are left back at the check-in counter of the airport, a few of them do make it to the foreign country.
Everybody knows about the insecurities and ‘skyping’ phase associated with long distance relationships. But what happens once this ‘long distance’ ceases to exist between a relationship? TVF’s answer to this question- Permanent roommates.
Web series as a medium in India is currently in its inception phase and is catching up quite a rage. Permanent Roommates- a third kind of love story as they fondly call it, ironically is the kind that takes you away from the fairy tales and brings you back to the reality which is not that bad after all. I say that because there is not one character in the series who doesn’t remind you of someone from your life.
Be it Mikesh’s father- who reminds you of that distant happy-go-lucky uncle of yours,

Or Tiwari- who acts innocent- is cunning- still dumb- but is helpful.

Or Leo- who once lived off his girlfriend’s chillar but later formed a ridiculously huge empire of his own.

Or Tanya- practical and composed she might be, but still ends up falling for someone exhibiting neither of these virtues.

The web series has dealt with the after effects of a long distance relationship really well. A long distance relationship sometimes works not because of the love, but because of it being a safe haven for the couples who can’t actually deal with each other in real life. Ironically, conflict happens when the couple actually starts living together. And this point is exactly where Permanent Roommates gives its important message-
“You don’t always need to be practical. Sometimes you need to be hopelessly romantic for a relationship to maintain its charm.”
With the catchy one liners, out of the world plot twists and innovative use of characters, the writers maintain a grip on the viewers through their constant humor. Permanent Roommates is among the precious pieces of entertainment where the story is the actual hero; no over the top acting or useless drama.
A series can capture your mind for a relatively prolonged period of time depending upon its content. Having done said that, I can effectively say that Permanent Roommates won’t be a waste of your time and internet speed. Go watch it if you haven’t already.

I would rate it- 4.5/5

CONJURING 2- Movie review

    Since time immemorial horror flicks have used the tried and tested cliché, that the 'shy' ghost decides to show itself only to that one person (preferably the youngest and naïvest) whose claims are bound to get dismissed by his friends. The revelation of a presence of that ghost to everyone is considered either as the climax or the end of the film. Story and Direction wise James Wan has been clear in his approach to staying away from this cliché by keeping the ghosts in conjuring 2 as 'bold' and beautiful. *grins*

Conjuring 2, thankfully doesn't use any cheap thrills or scare tactics to make you panic every now and then. What it offers you instead, is a TERROR that builds up as the story progresses.

There is something specifically attractive about a horror flick, which apart from giving the essential 'WOAHs' 'OMGs',  has got a substantive plot to offer you as well. That way you are ensured that if not the chills and screams, it at least gives you a story to ruminate on.
Another interesting aspect about Conjuring and Conjuring 2 is that, although the movies aren't connected to each other as far as the plot is concerned, there is a certain reason why events happen the way they do and a kind of link is established.
The climax would still make sense even if you don't try to figure out the link. Although reasoning out the climax by linking it to the previous film would leave you astounded.
Simply put, Conjuring leaves you with certain questions unanswered in your mind; conjuring 2 answers all of them IF you pay close attention. *winks*
To talk about the negative aspect of the film, there are certain scenes which don't make any sense with respect to the plot of the film. But again, you can always consider them as those questions to be answered in the next film.

If you are someone who is going to the film expecting your lover to hold your hand and scream and shout every now and then, maybe it is not the right film for you.
Verdict- I am never watching a horror flick in a theater again.
Oh I mean, 4.5

Movie Review- Phobia

Phobia.

-By Pawan Kripalani

You are all alone in a room. A dark, noiseless, spooky room. You suddenly start feeling cold, but that doesn’t bother you because you are occupied by your thoughts. The feeling of numbness engulfs you. You are about to fall deeper into that abyss when suddenly something taps you on your shoulder. You answer to that tap by looking beside you. You suddenly spring back to life realizing that it is your sister tapping on your shoulder, urging you to get up and exit the cinema hall, because even the end credits roll of the movie Phobia has ended.

Oh wait. That was about me and I wasn’t intending to explain what the word ‘phobia’ is all about. The movie will do that job better.

    Phobia, literally means ‘an irrational fear of something.’ Depending on the environment and surroundings and with the increasing population, different kinds phobia have developed overtime. Agoraphobia (fear of open public spaces) is the one which Mehek (Radhika Apte) deals with in the film.

    In the past as well, Bollywood has released movies dealing with medically generated conditions. While some of them like Paa (Progeria), Tamasha (Depression), Taare Zameen Par (Autism) went well with the audience, the others like Margarita with a straw (Cerebral Palsy) failed miserably at the box office. Although Phobia belongs to this sphere of Bollywood dealing with medical conditions, but the treatment given to it is what sets it apart from the rest of them.

    The entire film is shot in one single house. The movie has clearly steered away from using any bombarding horror music, clowns in hideous make-ups, to portray the existence of non-existent horror. The movie has kept the concept of agoraphobia original, and it has revolved around the life and experiences of the person (i.e Mehek) who suffers from the same. Still, the movie gives you the requisites of any horror film like ‘the chills’, the occasional gasps and goosebumps (a lot of them). Radhika Apte has put in a lot in terms of acting for this film and for that she definitely deserves a standing ovation. Another person worthy of an applause is the DOP (Jayakrishna Gummadi) who by his cinematography has made sure that the viewers altogether don’t develop claustrophobia (fear of closed spaces) by viewing the same room for 2 hours!

         The movie is a must watch for anyone who is in for a psychological thriller. It is definitely not for the ones who are expecting an ensemble cast of ghosts wrapped in white cloths and skeletons doing all sorts of things from screaming to doing Bharatnatyam.

Rating- 4.5 star

Character I would have liked to play- Mehek.