Lovesusti The Worst Film Ever

Smartorhypo Highly Overrated But Still Good

Aneesa Wardle The story, direction, characters, and writing/dialogue is akin to taking a tranquilizer shot to the neck, but everything else was so well done.

Erica Derrick By the time the dramatic fireworks start popping off, each one feels earned.

ashdoc53 Striker is the story of a Marathi boy growing in the rough slums of Malvani under the shadow of the Islamic mafia.Chandrakant,a good looking young man grows up playing carrom in the clubs of Malvani --- a slum area of Bombay ---as Mumbai was known at that time........much of the film is in flashback mode.Of course ,the key to playing carrom is the ability to hit the disks accurately with the STRIKER.........AND Chandrakant knows how to do this with deadly effect.The Muslim don who controls malvani ,Jaleel Bhai ( played by Aditya Pancholi )wants him to play for his clubs by betting money on him ,but Chandrakant refuses the temptation.But he is in bad company of his wayward Muslim friend Zahid .......who lures him to the don's clubs.But Zahid's murder prompts Chandu to break free from the don's influence......until the two are destined to confront each other in the post Babri riots.....The life ,and the dangers and pitfalls of growing up in a typical slum area of Mumbai are certainly shown well in the film.The atmosphere of the slum is authentically picturised.The end is a bit disappointing though ,as it comes too fast.But Ankur Vikal truly shines in the role of Chandu's friend Zahid , which he has played with rare spontaneity .All in all ,a watchable film.

Chrysanthepop Chandan Arora who had previously given some delightful slice-of-life movies like 'Main Meri Patni Aur Woh' and 'Main Manjhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon' comes up with something slightly different and perhaps darker called 'Striker'. His first two films had dark undertones but on there was plenty of light and funny moments to maintain a balance.That said, 'Striker' is not a depressing movie devoid of humour. It draws plenty of laughs mostly with dark humour and some-not-so-dark humour. The movie is mostly seen from protagonist Surya's perspective. Arora's presentation of life in the slums, the struggles of Surya and his family, the little happy moments, the vulnerability of the people is brilliant. He also touches on the theme of religious clash but never preaches. One of key theme of the movie is the underground betting market which has rarely been so elaborately depicted in any Hindi film before. Surya is a master caram player but he refuses to be lured into the gambling world and only succumbs when circumstances force him.The writing is first rate. The characterization is brilliant. I liked how the Surya character was written as a strong, determined and independent young man who chooses his own path refusing to let anyone lure him into doing things. Whatever he does, he does on his own term. The rest of the characters, including the minor ones, are also well developed. The tasteful dialogues are witty and funny. The steady pacing of the story and its development is splendid.'Striker' is exceptionally well shot. The sound effects and cinematography are remarkable. Note caram match sequences are shot, creating an excellent fusion of tension and suspense. The look of the slum is also captured authentically. The songs are effectively used in the background.Siddharth outstandingly leads the film. He displays Surya's charm, vulnerability and determination with ease. He also appears to be very skilled in caram which only adds to his natural performance. Just as phenomenal is Aditya Pancholi as the menacing Jaleel. Ankur Vikal does a good job as the messed up friend. Vidya Malvade and Padmapriya leave a mark with small but significant roles. Anup Soni, Nicolette Bird and Seema Biswas are efficient. Anupam Kher is adequate.'Striker' is one of the most refreshing films of recent times, one that engages, involves and provokes. Chandan Arora has done it again and this time with something different. This guy should make more movies.

Rahul Raina Striker is based in Malvani a suburb in Mumbai and depicts the life of Surya, an excellent carom player belonging to middle class Indian family. The story revolves around Mumbai riots of 1992 and moves back and forth in time. The story captures the betting in carom games by a local goon Jaleel played by Aditya Pancholi. Surya is a common young boy and aspires to go to Dubai and make some quick bucks so that monetary pressure on his elder brother Chandra(Anup Soni) is relieved but he gets duped and loses money. In order to recover that money he starts playing carom for money and then gets indulged in some scam with his friend Zaid. The movie has very good screenplay and dialogues are brilliant. Siddarth portrays his character with absolute conviction and traits of a good actor are truly visible in him. Besides him all actors have played their roles to perfection with special mention of Vidya Malvade and Anup Soni. Music is other good point in this film and Cham Cham by Sonu Nigam is high point. Do watch this movie for a meaningful cinema and especially the movie relates to a common Indian at many levels and the Director Chandan Arora has done a brilliant job and given an awesome treatment to the movie. Watch the movie for exceptional performances and exciting story

manas-bn I had seen Chandan Arora's Mein Madhuri Dikshit banna chahti huu when it had released and I was much impressed with the simplicity with which the director had handled the story. Then came the acclaimed Mein, meri patni aur woh which again got rave reviews, but I haven't watched it yet.After Striker, I am sure, I am not going to miss any of his movies. The movie has a great ensemble of young & emerging as well as some veteran actors who all flawlessly do justice to their respective characters. The cinematography is superb and takes the audience right inside Mumbai's darkest alleys! The dialogues are delightfully crisp and witty. These are the factors which carries the film forward and even manages to cover up the (very few) glitches in the storyline...If I have to dig for some complaints, it would be the background score, which fails to use the beautiful songs in the soundtrack to the fullest extent, the second love story which was a little too "convenient", and a script which kind of loses track in the second half. But none of these in anyway affect the end product to a great extent. Some audience may even fail to notice them! Siddarth plays protagonist, Surya and is overwhelming as the confident, blessed carrom player. He exudes charm as the boy next door where it's required and is just brilliant when he has to emote in the final few scenes of the movie.While the other actors - Vidya Malvade, Pancholi (as the menacing local goon), Anupam Kher, Seema Biswas are all great in portraying their roles, it is Ankur Vikal (Slumdog Millionaire's Baban), playing Surya's best friend Zaid who steals the show. He plays the ever enthusiastic drug dealer to the best and even manages to overshadow Siddarth's performance is some scenes.Watch Striker for the performances and realism with which the movie carries itself. Highly recommended!