Talk:Sarbjit (film)

Film Reviews

Film received MIXED reactions as per the below mentioned sources. If the film got completely (or Generally) negative reviews from Critics, then these leading publishers would say that.

• • India Today stated - Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Randeep Hooda's film Sarbjit opened to mixed reviews from the critics, but the film struck an emotional chord with the audience. Despite viewers giving it a thumbs up, the film couldn't manage to cast its magic at the box office on its opening day. - http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sarbjit-box-office-collection-aishwarya-randeeps-film-opens-to-a-poor-start/1/673901.html
    
  • Koimoi mentioned - The film has seen mixed response coming its way with bad, average, good and very good reviews - http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/box-office-sarbjit-has-a-low-start/
    
  • Times of India - On its first day, the film, which has got mixed reviews from critics - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/box-office/Sarbjit-box-office-Aishwarya-Randeep-starrer-opens-to-lukewarm-response/articleshow/52378996.cms
    

Positive/Average

1) Filmfare - 4/5 Stars - http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/filmfare-review-of-omung-kumars-sarbjit-starring-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-and-randeep-hooda-13415.html
2) Zee News - 4/5 Stars - http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/sarbjit-movie-review-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-randeep-hooda-starrer-captures-the-true-grit-of-a-sister_1887405.html
3) Bollywood Hungama - 3.5/5 stars - http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/4766833
4) Times of India - 3.5/5 stars - http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/movie-reviews/Sarbjit/movie-review/52361391.cms
5) IANS - 3.5/5 - http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/sarbjit-immerses-you-emotionally-ians-movie-review-rating-1-2-116052000005_1.html
6) Deccan Chronicle - 3/5 stars - http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/200516/sarbjit-movie-review-too-melodramatic-but-randeep-ash-s-performances-steal-the-show.html
7) Anupama Chopra - 3/5 - http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/sarbjit-review-it-s-got-its-heart-in-the-right-place/story-VRMNergQ5ZwmNYyAV20BBN.html
8) Mid-Day - 3/5 Stars - http://www.mid-day.com/articles/sarbjit---movie-review/17252159
9) TribuneIndia - 3/5 Stars - http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/movie-reviews/shed-tears-for-sarbjit/239607.html
10) Rajeev Masand - 3/5 stars - http://www.news18.com/news/movies/sarbjit-review-not-perfect-but-enough-to-appreciate-1245786.html
11) Sify (Sonia Chopra) - 3/5 stars - http://www.sify.com/movies/sarabjit-review-unbelievable-love-and-unbelievable-cruelty-review-bollywood-qfuobMcjaaiie.html
12) According to Subhash K. Jha - Sarbjit Is A Gem - http://skjbollywoodnews.com/dont-believe-reviews-sarbjit-gem/
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/10538

Negative

1) DNA - 2.5/5 - http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/review-sarbjit-review-aishwarya-randeep-pump-up-the-melodrama-but-fail-to-keep-you-engrossed-2214646
2) Hindustan times - 1.5/5 - http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/sarbjit-review-aishwarya-s-yelling-drowns-the-voice-of-sarabjit-s-sister/story-frenunXSgFfQsjQ5E8FS5N.html
3) Koimoi - 2/5 - http://www.koimoi.com/reviews/sarbjit-review/
4) NDTV - 2/5 - http://movies.ndtv.com/movie-reviews/sarbjit-movie-review-1267
5) India Today - 1.5/5 - http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sarbjit-review-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-randeep-hooda-starrer-is-a-screechy-mawkish-melodrama/1/672893.html
6) Indian Express - 1.5/5 - http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sarbjit-movie-review-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-randeep-hooda-2810125/
7) Rediff - 1.5 Stars - http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/review-sarbjit-a-shrill-soppy-melodrama/20160520.htm
8) First Post - No Rating But Negative - http://www.firstpost.com/bollywood/sarbjit-sarabjit-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-randeep-hooda-richa-chadha-2790936.html
9) The Hindu - No Rating but almost Negative - http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/sarbjit-review/article8623088.ece

This information justifies that film has has got "Mixed reactions" from Critics. Ssg2442 (talk) 19:50, 22 May 2016 (UTC)

BO

• Box Office: Understanding the economics of Sarbjit -
  

Production Cost - 23 Crore:-
Profit – 9 crore before the film release. (India + Overseas theatrical rights – 20 crore and Satellite + music – 12 crore)
1)http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/664
2)http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/box-office-sarbjits-collections-stay-low-on-1st-tuesday/
3)https://twitter.com/Tutejajoginder/status/735654170670305282

• Two weeks Worldwide Gross - 43.88 Crore
  

1)Financial Express.com - http://www.financialexpress.com/photos/business-gallery/271526/sarbjit-box-office-collections-aishwarya-rai-starrer-bags-rs-27-38-cr-by-day-11/4/
2)Bollywood Hungama also gave worldwide earnings - http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/box-office/special-features/id/659

• Sources quoting the film as Profitable venture.

1)Koimoi BO verdict is Plus - http://www.koimoi.com/box-office/hits-flops/verdict-2016/
2)The Express Tribune stated "With a Kjo flick on the floors, both Jazbaa and Sarbjit turning out to be profitable ventures, one can but only wonder what makes Bachchan upstage all the others". - http://tribune.com.pk/story/1114564/a-bachchan-for-all-seasons/

Film definitely under-performed at domestic box-office but turned out to be a profitable venture. Ssg2442 (talk) 16:57, 5 June 2016 (UTC)

As per source, budget should be listed as 15 crore as marketing/promotional costs are excluded from infobox (see the documentation of Template:infobox film), though it can be mentioned elsewhere in the article.- Managerarc™ ^talk 22:15, 5 June 2016 (UTC)

Thank you Managerarc™ for posting the documentation reference. I did not know about this. Good Learning :-)
Cheers! Ssg2442 (talk) 21:32, 6 June 2016 (UTC)

Ash Performance

11:21, 22 May 2016‎ Krimuk90 (talk | contribs)‎ . .(→‎Work after sabbatical (2015–present): Oh come on, her performance was almost unanimously criticized in this. Anupama Chopra gave her the only positive review. The majority viewpoint needs to be represented in this.

@Krimuk90 - Hi there!. Long time :-) I'm trying to understand why you think I wrote without considering majority viewpoint. May be my understanding could be wrong However If i make a point anytime on this article, that does not mean am her Biggest FAN. Lot of folks here assume that way. Anyway, I owe you little bit because you helped me learn a lot of things here. Hence am presenting my thoughts with you.

• My Original comment:-

received mixed reactions from critics, as did Rai's performance. A few reviewers expressed that Rai was "miscast" as she neither looks nor sounds like a Sikh woman. Her Punjabi accent and in scenes where she is made to "scream and shout" was largely criticized. (If i am a FAN of hers or overlooked at reading majority of sources, i would not point that she was miscast. rather i would only show Anupama Chopra's review and say positive.)

• Your Change:-

received "generally negative" reactions from critics, as did Rai's performance. "Most" reviewers expressed that Rai was miscast as she neither looked nor sounded like a Sikh woman. Her Punjabi accent and "her over-the-top performance" was largely criticized.

According to you, The film and Rai's performance was GENERALLY NEGATIVE. I mentioned as "Mixed" after reading the majority of the leading newspapers/sources. (For your reference, I listed them in the Sarbjit Article Talk page) -- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Sarbjit_(film) .

Miscast

Regarding this, I stated as "A Few Reviewers" and You changed it to "Most"....Out of 20 sources, I found only 3 reviewers directly expressing about miscasting her...

1) NDTV (Saibal Chatterjee) - Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan is woefully miscast as the dogged sister of the titular character. As Dalbir Kaur she neither looks nor sounds like a true-blue sardarni.
2) First Post (Anna MM Vetticad) - The primary problem is the casting of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Dalbir. She does not have the look or the body language of a Sardarni from rural Punjab.
3) IANS - Who gave positive review on her performance also said " Unfortunately, even after modulating her voice and emulating the mannerisms of a Punjabi, by no stretch of imagination, can she pass of as a "Sikhni" one is made to believe she is".

Criticism

Coming to performance, She was mainly criticized on these two particular things:
1) Her Punjabi Accent
2) In scenes where she is made to Scream & Shout or Shrill.
(This happened in her previous films too like Ravan & Jazbaa. I wonder why these directors screw good characters with melodrama..)

If you happen to read every review in detail, the critics will point out these two aspects for sure. Hence I mentioned as "Her Punjabi accent and in scenes where she is made to scream and shout was largely criticized"

You have changed this to -> "Her over-the-top performance". I think Perhaps the term "Inconsistent" would be right to say? Did most of reviewers say she was completely negative & over the top in every scene? or her performance through out the film been like that? Some critics clearly wrote that director couldn't fine-tune the emotions well and "She is made (or) required to Scream"... Also you said, "Anupama Chopra gave her the only positive review. The majority viewpoint needs to be represented in this". Not sure how you came to a conclusion on this when i myself pointed out faults and strengths in her performance according to reviews.

Here is what i found from major reviews: They will criticize her screams but not completely Negative of her at the same time.

• The Hindu, Namratha Joshi -> "the director doesn’t seem to know how to calibrate emotions well. He goes overboard with melodrama, is so overtly manipulative that it leaves the various portrayals seem like cardboard cut-outs than throbbing with real life. So you have Aishwarya Rai as Dalbir who is loud, made to scream and shout and weep buckets to show her anguish". However, it’s in the quieter portrayal of grief—at the loss of her newborn for instance—that she seems far more affecting.

She finds problem with everybody's accent - The Punjabi accent of every character seems at variance with the other though they all hail from the same village in Tarn Taran district. In some cases the accent comes and goes at convenience. - http://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/sarbjit-review/article8623088.ece

• Rajeev Masand -> Aishwarya commits to the role, sacrificing vanity for her art, seldom letting her amazing beauty distract from the character. Too bad she's required to scream and shout and weep copiously to express her anguish; the shrillness does her no favors. In quieter moments – like one in which Dalbir can't bear to part with her stillborn baby – the actress shines. - http://www.news18.com/news/movies/sarbjit-review-not-perfect-but-enough-to-appreciate-1245786.html
  
• Sonia Chopra from Sify -> Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan, is impressive. Her unselfconscious performance lets her become Dalbir wholly...Rai-Bachchan rarely falters, except in scenes where she is made to thump her chest with jingoistic dialogue. But then, no actor can survive that. - http://www.sify.com/movies/sarabjit-review-unbelievable-love-and-unbelievable-cruelty-review-bollywood-qfuobMcjaaiie.html
  
• Taran Adarsh -> Aishwarya Rai Bachchan delivers a performance of a lifetime. She imbibes the ageing facet beautifully and extremely gracefully. She has delivered a flawless performance...The vacuousness in her eyes and the shocked body state sends shivers down your spine. Towards the end, Dalbir takes centre stage when her brother is critically injured and she challenges the fanatic forces in Pakistan in an impassioned manner. It is a powerful moment. There are scenes where Dalbir's efforts are questioned by close family members making her character even more Real and believable. - http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/4766833
  
• Subhash K. Jha -> Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is in ample, and amplified, command over her character's gutsy endeavour to break down the defences. Though the performance gets shrill at times, it never loses it power. - http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/movies/features/type/view/id/10538
  
• IANS -> Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Dalbir Kaur puts her heart and soul into her character. She delivers a fairly robust performance and evokes sympathy, not merely on the strength of her performance, but because of the powerful character she depicts. - http://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/sarbjit-immerses-you-emotionally-ians-movie-review-rating-1-2-116052000005_1.html
  
• Filmfare -> Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as Dalbir is the actual lead of this story. Her performance is a bit inconsistent, but scenes where she lets the silences and eyes take over are just marvellous. The actress shows no inhibition in her portrayal of an earthy character and that's commendable. - http://www.filmfare.com/reviews/filmfare-review-of-omung-kumars-sarbjit-starring-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-and-randeep-hooda-13415.html
  
• Deccan Chroncile -> Aishwarya Rai Bachchan displays her emotions with lot of intensity. She convincingly portrays Dalbir's ordeal through her role. As her character grows older, it is remarkable to observe how she has changed her body language and her mannerisms. Scenes between Aishwarya and Randeep in the Pakistan prison will leave you teary eyed. - http://www.deccanchronicle.com/entertainment/movie-reviews/200516/sarbjit-movie-review-too-melodramatic-but-randeep-ash-s-performances-steal-the-show.html
  
• Mid-Day - > A lot rides on Ash's shoulders as this is the role that demands dollops of courage even when under the most vulnerable of situations. She, more or less, gets into character and brings in a lot of energy and required aggression to the table. But, there are points when she simply goes overboard with her display of rage and emotions. - See more at: http://www.mid-day.com/articles/sarbjit---movie-review/17252159#sthash.MN9abSId.dpuf
  
• Indian Express -> First off, she is all wrong for the part, her attempts at the rural Punjabi accent slipping up every so often. And then she goes full tilt at her lines, ratcheting up the volume, to such an extent that you want to tell her to hush. When she does go silent, she is able to convey her pain and anguish so much better. - See more at: http://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/sarbjit-movie-review-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-randeep-hooda-2810125/#sthash.VPNh5kse.dpuf
• Zee News -> (Did not talk particularly about Rai) The biopic will strike a chord for its genuine attempt to share a story not told on the celluloid before, coupled by stellar performances of its lead..Powered by good story telling and amazing performances, 'Sarbjit' is bound to sail ahead, anchored by its true spirit and commitment. - http://zeenews.india.com/entertainment/movies/sarbjit-movie-review-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-randeep-hooda-starrer-captures-the-true-grit-of-a-sister_1887405.html
  
• India Today - The blame lies largely in the script which doesn't leave much for its actors to do other than excessively cry or scream or otherwise sit sulking. Aishwarya Rai wails and shouts a lot and has another struggle - with the Punjabi accent. But she does shine in moments of silence. http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/sarbjit-review-aishwarya-rai-bachchan-randeep-hooda-starrer-is-a-screechy-mawkish-melodrama/1/672893.html
  
• Anupama Chopra - This is easily her bravest and most challenging role. As an actor, she has stretched herself to breaking point. Aishwarya’s biggest crutch has always been her blinding beauty and she entirely lets go of that. There are scenes in which she impressively holds her own. But in places she is shrill, and the accent never sits right. - http://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/sarbjit-review-it-s-got-its-heart-in-the-right-place/story-VRMNergQ5ZwmNYyAV20BBN.html
  

Hope whatever i written make sense not biased. However it is subjective to your modifications :-)
Thank you and Cheers, Ssg2442 (talk) 23:51, 22 May 2016 (UTC)

Thank you Ssg2442 for taking the time out to do this. Much appreciated. From these I come to the conclusion that 1) yes, she was criticized for being over-the-top in several scenes, 2) but several critics have also taken note on how she shone in the quieter scenes of the film. I'll incorporate something along these lines in the article shortly. Cheers! Krimuk|90 (talk) 01:46, 23 May 2016 (UTC)

My Pleasure. Thank you for reading through such long notes. Now the paragraph looks more precise. However I would like to make a minor edit - instead of saying "Most" say as "Few Reviewers". When we reference to "Most/Many" it tell readers that its agreed to the greatest extent By MANY but really not all talked about miscasting her. I clarified this above. Also its reasonable to say "over-the-top in some scenes". (Examples, Rai-Bachchan rarely falters, except in scenes where she is made to thump her chest with jingoistic dialogue (or) there are points when she simply goes overboard with her display of rage and emotions.- ). other than this i have no queries. Please correct me if am wrong. Cheers! Ssg2442 (talk) 04:19, 23 May 2016 (UTC)

That's perfectly fine. Cheers! Krimuk|90 (talk) 05:50, 23 May 2016 (UTC)