Against the flickering light of a black and white movie playing in a theatre, you see the rapt face…  

Against the flickering light of a black and white movie playing in a theatre, you see the rapt face of petty thief Balraj (Ranbir Kapoor) as he watches the climax of the 1939 gangster classic The Roaring Twenties. James Cagney, shot dead, lies in the arms of Priscilla Lane; she tells a cop, visibly heartbroken, "He used to be a big shot." Balraj is moved, his eyes are moist, and you have a sinking suspicion that you know where director Anurag Kashyap's Bombay Velvet is headed.While the opening credits reveal that the script is inspired by historian Gyan Prakash's book Mumbai Fables, the film itself is primarily about the fictional love story between Ranbir's Johnny Balraj, now a bonafide gangster, and nightclub singer Rosie Noronha (Anushka Sharma). Their relationship plays out against the backdrop of 1960s Bombay, a city on the threshold of becoming a metropolis. All the action is centered in and around jazz-club Bombay Velvet, owned by conniving newspaper baron and bootlegger Kaizad Khambatta (Karan Johar), who makes Johnny his flunkey, but gradually becomes obsessed with him.On the surface, Johnny is the manager of Bombay Velvet, but he actually makes Khambatta's problems go away – by kidnapping, blackmailing or killing people who stand in the way of Khambatta's ambition to transform Nariman Point into Bombay's Manhattan. Other key players include Johnny's childhood friend and sidekick Chiman (a nicely understated Satyadeep Misra), rival newspaper owner Jimmy Mistry (Manish Chaudhary), and an investigating officer who won't give up (Kay Kay Menon in great form).Subterfuge, blackmail, thwarted love, and at least two unconvincing plot twists – the first involving a coveted negative, the second being the sudden appearance of a twin sibling – all add to this dense script. Yet, despite its overcrowded plot, the film is let down because the love story at its centre feels hackneyed.That's a shame, because Bombay Velvet has all the trimmings – solid performances, a terrific jazz-soaked soundtrack by Amit Trivedi, and excellent production design that takes you by the hand into the city of the late sixties. But how you wish the script had lingered more on the greedy government-mill-owner-media nexus that took over mill lands to create the urban landscape of Nariman Point. Unfortunately, the film is too often waylaid by Johnny and Rosie's predictable drama. It's perplexing – more than once you catch yourself wondering, "What happened to the story of Bombay?"It seems as if multiple threads in this narrative were left incomplete, possibly chopped away at the editing table. Coherence, or the lack of it, is a big issue in this film. Characters like Mistry and Mayor Romi Mehta (Siddhartha Basu) aren't entirely convincing, and the Fight Club- inspired underground-boxing subplot is contrived. To be fair, however, the film has some enduring moments: a sweet exchange between Rosie and Johnny in a bathtub, a tense wordless phone call between Johnny and Khambatta, and that mad drum solo that matches the sheer intensity with which Johnny takes on Khambatta, all guns blazing Scarface-style. These are some of the bits that stay with you.Of the cast, Karan Johar is surprisingly effective in his debut as the snarky, manipulative Khambatta. A scene in which he leaves a room to hide an uncontrollable laughing fit over Johnny's naivete is one of the best in the film. Anushka Sharma as Rosie never feels like an adequately written character. Despite being one half of the film's central love story, it's a part that doesn't come together and is seldom compelling. The actress does much better expressing Rosie's pent-up pain in the marvelously realized Dhadam Dhadam number.Ultimately, it's Ranbir Kapoor, soldiering on as Johnny Balraj, who infects his part with considerable charm, capturing his hotheaded nature, his bottled fury remarkably. You're riveted by his display of rage against a slimy photographer who threatens Rosie, and likely moved by his grief when he bids goodbye to a close friend. It's Ranbir's performance that glosses over many of the film's problems.Bombay Velvet doesn't have the raw energy or the unforgettable characters of Kashyap's Gangs of Wasseypur. It's never as involving a story as Black Friday. And yet what you cannot deny is the sheer craft that Kashyap brings to the enterprise. This is an ambitious saga; skillfully mounted. You're fascinated by the resemblance to real-life figures, the unwavering attention to detail, and little touches that are vintage Kashyap – like a stand-up comic making political barbs back in the day. The missing piece of the puzzle, sadly, is the inconsistent script…one that never lets us truly care for the characters, one that leaves too many questions unanswered.Much of the film dazzles, but I found myself longing for some soul. 

I would have given it a 1, but the cinematography and music were good. That is why I gave it a 3.…  

I would have given it a 1, but the cinematography and music were good. That is why I gave it a 3. Well, I am a big fan of Anurag Kashyap. In fact, he is one of the few directors in Bollywood who make good movies. I loved Black Friday, Dev D, GOW and Ugly was nice but with this movie he has disappointed me. It started with a good premise but soon turned itself into a really slow film. It seems like he didn't know what to do with the rest of the film. First of all, the story is clichéd. We have seen this thing many times where a guy wants to do something big and he gets all the necessary help from a guy who is big. It takes bits and pieces from Hollywood classics like Goodfellas, scarface, Godfather 2, Mean streets etc. Most of these are directed by Martin Scorsese who is an inspiration for Anurag so it can be assumed that he did it on purpose. The good things about this movie are Cinematography, Music by Amit Trivedi and the set design. Ranbir is OK, and Anushka plays her character nicely, but the surprise here is, Karan Johar. In the end, I would like to say that don't spend your money on this film. Go and watch Mad Max: Fury Road instead which is one of the best movies I have seen this decade.Anurag should do small budget films and that is what he does best. I don't want him to make money with this film otherwise he will start making sh*t like other Bollywood directors and I don't want that to happen. 

Visuals are outstanding. Credit goes to cinematographer #RajeevRavi and art director #SameerSawant…  

Visuals are outstanding. Credit goes to cinematographer #RajeevRavi and art director #SameerSawant . I wish movie could have complimented that. Starting few minutes promise to offer something new and interesting but then movie slips down and entangles in its complexity. It tests your patience in climax. You need director by your side to explain lots of things. Director shows the smoking warning signs throughout the movie to show his protest of Censor baseless instruction, which I support. Initially boxing ring intrigues you but after so many repetitions, it bores. Same happens to the songs coming between scenes. Surprisingly most of the times protagonist gets hurt on his right eye and left cheek as if all opponents know his weakness!? Film is been promoted as love story but I could not get this emotions in a single scene even. After all its lengthy and slow. Performance wise Anushka Sharma is very good and she easily fits herself into the character. Ranbir Kapoor is impressive. Karan Johar is surprise packet. In the scene where he controls his laughter, he is too good. Rest are just OK. Music is soothing but somehow its in overdose. 

Anurag Kashyap's 'Bombay Velvet' has finally arrived. But was all the hype  

Anurag Kashyap's 'Bombay Velvet' has finally arrived. But was all the hype  

The film, that's set in the era of 1949, welcomes the audiences with a track by Raveena Tandon…  

The film, that's set in the era of 1949, welcomes the audiences with a track by Raveena Tandon Thadani (special appearance). On the other hand, while a young Balraj (Ranbir Kapoor) is busy taking his baby steps in this man-eat-man world, he also spends his time in the red light district nursing frustrations of seeing his mother getting slapped and abused. Youth throws him in the boxing ring of free-for-all fighting to earn some ready cash. He then comes across Chiman (Satyadeep Misra), who not just becomes his partner in crime, but also his friend for life. As they march ahead in life, they, gradually land up becoming the henchmen for Kaizad Khambata (Karan Johar), editor of the tabloid 'Torrent' and also a top wheeler-dealer. Impressed with his dare devil attitude, Kaizad appoints Balraj to manage his club named 'Bombay Velvet'. In addition to this, Kaizad also entrusts him with the task of wiping out the 'Communist's opposition to this 'Capitalist' plan. But he meets with a roadblock called Jimmy Mistry (Manish Chaudhury), editor of pro-labour class tabloid 'Glitz'. It is then, that the beautiful jazz singer Rosie (Anushka Sharma) is sent as a honey trap to lure Balraj by Jimmy. But the duo consummate their passionate romance and become inseparable. The henchman wants to have his share of the pie in the new money-order and that's when the drama turns bloody and what-happens-after. Meanwhile, Kaizad tries to adopt the policy of divide and rule between Balraj and Chiman. Does Rosie become successful in her role of a honey trap, does Kaizad become successful in separating the Balraj-Chiman duo and what ultimately happens to 'Bombay Velvet'... is what forms the rest of the story. Pros - Film is visually stunning. The music and special effects are outstanding. One liners are outstanding and to be apllauded. Cons - No matter how glamour or class you show in movies, it should have a script, screenplay and a climax which is important! BV's climax is just as awful as Roy. I was and always will be proud of Anurag K's films like Gangs of Wasseypur and Queen. I was proud to say that i'm his fan but this film has turned it down. Last Words: *If you want to see for Ranbir, please go because his acting is outstanding. The way he delivers his role and dialogue - 5/5 stars! *If you are Anurag Kashyap fan and want to continue to have faith in him, go at your risk or please avoid!