Ustad Hotel (2012)

Waste of time

if their story seems completely bonkers, almost like a feverish work of fiction, you ain't heard nothing yet.

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Strong acting helps the film overcome an uncertain premise and create characters that hold our attention absolutely.

The acting is absolutely amazing with some good, fresh writing by Anjali Menon. But the plot loses its charm towards the end as we realize the character depths!The music is amazing and totally clings with the theme of the film. Yet, some questions are unanswered.If you look from a celluloid point of view, the plot is actually clichéd and the hype which was created before the movie release was of no use. Because except the hit song "Appangalepadum," the actress has not much part to play. A salute to Thilakan's thespian attitude! RIP!Anyways, you cannot miss this one. Or you will miss a milestone!

The holy offspring when a beautiful story meets a group of gifted artists and a fabulous film crew. The movie completely engulfs you until you give in to a sublime story telling. And to top it up with a fabulous soundtrack is like icing the cake with gold. This joyous movie ride promises you with comedy, clean concise romance before surprising you with a larger delicate theme of a social stigma that plagues our country. The culmination of the movie deserves nothing less than a standing ovation. Mazel Tov to this wonderful team.I'm no critic. I don't know the finer details about movie-making. Ustad Hotel satiated my soul and has cast a lingering effect on me. It is only very rarely that one doesn't feel even a tinge of regret when he has spent 180 bucks for a movie ticket. What Anjali Menon conveys through Kareem-kka (Thilakan) finds profound meaning in the philosophy of everything:"Vayaru nirachal mathram pora mone... kazhikkunna aalinte manassu nirayanam. Athanu kayipunyam" (It's not enough to just cook for filling one's stomach my son... the food must fill one's heart. He makes the real chef)

Ustad Hotel is a flavour rich drama which has got all the ingredients to satisfy everyone alike, that without compromising on the artistic elements! Anwar Rasheed Anjali Menon duo doesn't disappoint, true to be, they don't strike Gold either! The story, roughly, is about a young guy who tries to get away with his career only to find himself in the thick of things which goes otherwise. With the backdrop of food and malabar,it does provide an interesting watch, the more appeasing if you are from malabar region. The screenplay by Anjali menon is too good that we don't get stuck anywhere, a bit let loose towards the end, making it melodramatic - I got a lump in my throat after a very long time. The sulaimani & mohabbath scene with Dulqar and Thilakan was a mesmerizing one. The background score & songs were so soothing to the senses - hindustani, folk rock and even a sufi track - which went well with the storyline did wonders for the movie. We have a young hero in Dulqar Salman who is handsome and stylish - improved a lot from Second Show - and an ever amazing Thilakan who excels as Ustad, Nithya Menen who plays the love interest of Dulqar does well too.With food being an important element in the plot, chances are high the movie being compared to "Salt ' n' Pepper". Ustad Hotel is a feel good drama which would skip being at par with S 'n' P which was a romantic comedy. It did disappoint me that the romance was so underplayed in Ustad Hotel, the only romantic scene was sweet leaving us craving for more! All said, Anwar Rasheed & crew does it in style, a good feast to relish.

Its a plain coming of age story of a youngster, how he understands the value of life, relatives etc.The first thing that comes to my mind after watching the film is the BG (first time i am seeing claps for just the BG), Gopi Sunder has done a terrific job. Direction by Anwar Rasheed is of top class. Camera work is too good & treat to your eyes, Calicut has never been presented this beautifully. Anjali Menon as a writes has done a neat job, even-though it looses some grip in the second half, where the movie tend to be bit preachy and has a documentary feel. Performance of Thilakan stands out, good to see Maamookkoya in a lengthy role (in a commercial film) after a long gap. Dulquer was good, the role was not that demanding, he just had to be himself a happy go lucky guy. Nithya Menon looked fresh in a small role.The first half is very good while the 2nd half a tad above average. Should be a pleasant watch for everyone, despite few shot comings.Comparing with Happy Journey, Manjadikkuru (Anjali Menon) & Bridge (Anwar Rasheed) the movie may fall well short of expectations.