I have seen Madhur Bhandarkar's earlier films, Chandini Bar and Page 3 and I was tremendously impressed with both of them. Naturally, I had a lot of expectations from 'Corporate'. The promos looked interesting and the film was being promoted in a big way. I watched the film yesterday and I must say...I'm disappointed. The film revolves around the corporate world, unmasking the treachery, betrayal & lack of ethics of corporate giants & Politicians. In some places, the movie has striking similarities to Page 3 and the director's signature style comes across. The same sleaze (Big shots like ministers and top notch executives sleeping around), pre-marital sex, peon's huddled together discussing the personal lives of their bosses and who's sleeping with whom , item numbers popping up when not required, actresses with no integrity
..and so forth. It gets a little tiresome at the end and u end up thinking "Doesn't anyone have principles? Are all the rich and powerful the same?"
What is most disappointing in this film is the character of the main protagonist. In Bhandarkar's earlier movies too, women have been the main protagonists but in this movie, you don't feel for Bipasha's character. Even though she is victimized, you don't feel any sympathy for her. I'm in no way saying that Bipasha has done a bad job in the movie but it's certainly not a role that she'll be remembered for. Her character in the film, Nishi, is of a divorced corporate executive who is ambitious, intelligent, crafty and who doesn't hesitate to resort to a few tricks of her own to steal the company secrets of a rival. She is single, independent and not in any way bothered about the fact that she is the butt of office gossip because of her relationship with the chairman's brother-in-law. She knows exactly what goes on in the corporate world, all the shady deals, the fact that her boss can stoop to any level for 'profit' (which BTW, is the bottom line in the corporate world) and yet, she blindly owns up to a crime that she has not committed (throwing away her reputation & career) and expresses full faith in her company and colleagues that they will eventually bail her out. I mean, that is something which is a little hard to digest. You might end up thinking "Well, serves you right for being so stupid!'
As for the performances, this movie can in no way match up to Chandini Bar or Page 3. Everyone is just about OK. I feel Kay Kay has been wasted. He is such a talented actor but has so little to do in this movie. Minisha Lamba & Sameer have insignificant roles. Raj Babbar, Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Apte and Harsh Chayya are adequate.
But everything said and done, I'd still recommend this movie because it is watch able. The first half is boring but the pace quickens in the second half & the plot becomes interesting towards the end. Only one word of caution .....don't expect too much.
What is most disappointing in this film is the character of the main protagonist. In Bhandarkar's earlier movies too, women have been the main protagonists but in this movie, you don't feel for Bipasha's character. Even though she is victimized, you don't feel any sympathy for her. I'm in no way saying that Bipasha has done a bad job in the movie but it's certainly not a role that she'll be remembered for. Her character in the film, Nishi, is of a divorced corporate executive who is ambitious, intelligent, crafty and who doesn't hesitate to resort to a few tricks of her own to steal the company secrets of a rival. She is single, independent and not in any way bothered about the fact that she is the butt of office gossip because of her relationship with the chairman's brother-in-law. She knows exactly what goes on in the corporate world, all the shady deals, the fact that her boss can stoop to any level for 'profit' (which BTW, is the bottom line in the corporate world) and yet, she blindly owns up to a crime that she has not committed (throwing away her reputation & career) and expresses full faith in her company and colleagues that they will eventually bail her out. I mean, that is something which is a little hard to digest. You might end up thinking "Well, serves you right for being so stupid!'
As for the performances, this movie can in no way match up to Chandini Bar or Page 3. Everyone is just about OK. I feel Kay Kay has been wasted. He is such a talented actor but has so little to do in this movie. Minisha Lamba & Sameer have insignificant roles. Raj Babbar, Rajat Kapoor, Vinay Apte and Harsh Chayya are adequate.
But everything said and done, I'd still recommend this movie because it is watch able. The first half is boring but the pace quickens in the second half & the plot becomes interesting towards the end. Only one word of caution .....don't expect too much.