Sasikanth | - Page 2

Three Falcons | Restaurant Review

Place: Three Falcons Restaurant
Location: 1 Orchardson St, near Lords Cricket Ground
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family and friends)
On: Saturday, 15 June 2024

Influenced by the many Instagram reels, we decided to drive into London on a bright Saturday evening to try this pub/Indian restaurant. Initially, it was just our family, so we called ahead and made a reservation for four at 8:00 PM.

Upon arrival, although we had a table, it was a high stool one positioned right next to the door. We requested a different spot, but were informed that a large gathering had occupied most of the space and we’d be moved to a better table once the group left. Reluctantly, we settled in.

The restaurant had a dimly lit ambiance reminiscent of a traditional English pub, but it was quite small, with about 10-12 tightly packed tables. The Euros were playing on the TV, and a few patrons were at the bar enjoying the football.

To start, we ordered the Jodhpuri Mirchi Vada and Malai Broccoli.

The Mirchi Vada arrived in about ten minutes — four peppers stuffed with potato filling, topped with sev and murmura. It tasted good, though I would have preferred it a bit spicier.

The broccoli was moist and perfectly cooked, though I found the malai to be lacking and the portion size a bit small.

While we were enjoying our starters, a couple of friends nearby decided to join us. We requested a larger table, and luckily, as the large group had just left, we were moved to a more spacious spot in the center.

With more people joining, we ordered the Punjabi Samosa Chaat and Murg Angara Tikka (for our non-vegetarian friend). We also got drinks: a coke and a juice for the little one.

The Samosa Chaat was quite good, probably the best of the starters.

Our friend enjoyed the chicken, saying it had just the right level of spice.

For the mains, we ordered Shahi Paneer, Kadai Soya, and Dal Makhani, accompanied by Tandoori Roti and Garlic Naan. We also tried their special Seeti Biryani.

The Shahi Paneer was flavorful, with soft, fresh paneer and a well-prepared gravy. Unfortunately, the Kadai Soya was disappointing — the gravy was too coarse and tasted more like a bhartha. The Dal Makhani was the best of the lot — creamy, rich, and delicious. The naan was decent, though the roti was a bit too hard for my liking.

Next came the special Seeti Biryani, which made quite an entrance. As it was served, it drew attention from the entire room. It was essentially a vegetable biryani cooked in a pressure cooker (like we often do at home), served with raita, papad, and salad. The waiter pulled the seeti (whistle) at the table, making a loud noise and turning heads. Taste-wise, it was flavorful with plenty of vegetables, though my wife found it a bit bland. Paired with the Dal Makhani, it tasted just right.

While debating whether to order dessert, the floor manager, a Telugu speaker, treated us to their Gulab Jamun Cheesecake and Rasmalai. I loved the cheesecake — it had a lovely texture with a distinct jamun flavor in every bite. The Rasmalai, however, was just okay.

Overall, the meal was decent, with the dal being the standout. Service was hit-or-miss; we barely received any attention until we moved tables, but it improved significantly afterward. The cramped seating was also an issue.

The biggest disappointment, however, was the pricing. While I expected it to be expensive, I was hoping for better value. Apart from the biryani (which cost £25 and wasn’t worth it), most of the portions were either small or just adequate. Even fine dining restaurants in central London, like Farzi or Dishoom, didn’t seem this pricey — and we were in a pub! They seem to be banking on their Instagram fame, but I honestly don’t think it’s justified. Bottom line: Three Falcons is a pub/restaurant with a mediocre ambiance, serving decent food at exorbitant prices.

Food: 8/10
Service: 7/10
Ambiance: 7/10
Meal for 6: £181.97

Verdict: 7/10

PS: I don’t mind spending money, but I’d rather go to a fine dining restaurant to make it an experience. Spending about 180 quid at a pub for food is just not worth it and offers no value for money.

MTR 1924 London | Restaurant Review

Place: MTR 1924 London
Location: 3 Village Way E, Rayners Lane
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)

We’ve been dining at MTR for over a year now, and this post has been long pending. So, here’s a culmination of most of our visits.

For South Indian fare, everyone talks about Saravanaa Bhavan or A2B, but not much about this gem of a place. While the former restaurants originate in Tamil Nadu, MTR (Mavalli Tiffin Room) is a Karnataka-based franchise, serving authentic Kannadiga tiffins. MTR is an everyday brand for almost every South Indian, thanks to its ready-made/packaged food (not related to the restaurant anymore).

A bit of gyan here: South India has five states, and while most of us eat Idli and Dosa (among other dishes), each state has its own regional style. “Tiffin” (not to be confused with the confectionery here in the UK) is not a box, but a small meal or snack. We South Indians usually have tiffins like Dosa and Idli for breakfast. It is not typically a full meal unless you eat more than one or multiple tiffins.

Back to MTR, they have two branches in London: a dine-in restaurant in Rayner’s Lane and a take-away only joint on Kenton Road. We frequent the Rayner’s Lane MTR at least once a month. It’s a small, brightly lit restaurant with about 12 tables and a decent ambiance.

Let’s now talk about food!

MTR Rava Idli

Rava Idli, a dish invented by MTR back in the 1940s, is their trademark dish. Served with coconut chutney and vegetable curry (known as sagu), this steamed semolina rice cake is a typical Kannadiga dish. While I’ve had better in India, this one is still a decent dish.

MTR Vada

Their Vada is one of the best you can get in London. Crisp on the outside yet soft on the inside, it literally melts in your mouth.

MTR Sambar Vada Sambar Vada is another perfect dish. Delicious!

MTR Masala Dosa

Their Masala Dosa is a little different from those at the Tamilian joints I mentioned earlier, but it is in a league of its own.

MTR - Benne Masala Dosa

Benne Masala Dosa is their most popular dish. Made with generous amounts of fresh butter, this is similar to Masala Dosa, but is smaller in size, and a bit thicker. What’s not to like when they is so much butter? 😁

MTR Poori

I love their Poori as well for they are really soft and light, and served with vegetable sagu.

MTR Onion Rava Masala Dosa

My usual favorite, however, is their Onion Rava Masala Dosa. While all other dosas are typically made with rice batter, this one contains more semolina (rava) and is much larger and thinner (Also, this is probably the only item where one serving fills my tummy 😜).

Bisi Bele Bhath and Khara Bhath are some other popular dishes that I love. Our lil one loves their Cheese Dosa which is super yummy. They also serve specials on different days of the week, for example, Mini Tiffins on Tuesdays and Akki Roti and Mirchi Bajji on Fridays. While I like all of these, their Mini Tiffins deserve a special callout as you get to taste small portions of their main delicacies.

MTR Badam Milk

They also serve hot and cold Badam Milk, but I’m a fan of their latter. Not too sweet, it is just perfect for my liking.

MTR Kesari Bath

For those with a sweet tooth, I recommend the Badam Halwa, although their Kesar Bath is equally good.

Overall, MTR 1924 is a hidden gem and a must-try for anyone who loves South Indian tiffins. While the place is run by Gujaratis, the kitchen is maintained by Kannadigas who bring authentic taste to all their dishes. The ambiance is warm and inviting, and the place is always impeccably clean, which adds to the overall dining experience. The service is super quick, and the staff is courteous, attentive, and always ready to help with recommendations. However, my only concern is that while the food usually lives up to our expectations, there are times when a few dishes are underwhelming. But thankfully, this is rare, and we usually leave with a happy tummy. The fact that it is easy on the pocket makes this a must-visit.

PS: Don’t expect this place to serve any North Indian delicacies and dishes like other South Indian joints do. They only serve tiffins (which means limited menu offerings), and that is what makes this place authentic.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9/10
Ambiance: 9/10
Meal for 1: £8 – £12

Verdict: 9/10

Bombay Chow Brasserie Northwood | Restaurant Review

Place: Bombay Chow Brasserie Northwood
Location: Haste Hill Golf Club, Northwood
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 27 April 2024

Bombay Chow has been on my list for a while, but I was saving it for a special occasion. Come MIL’s birthday in April, we finally decided to visit on a bright Saturday afternoon.

Tucked inside a golf course, Bombay Chow is a fancy, upscale restaurant with pleasant decor and well-designed interiors. The restaurant provides easy access to the course, so we noticed several patrons walking in after their game. We settled into a cozy corner, seated on a comfortable sofa.

Although Bombay Chow brands itself as Indo-Chinese, their menu leans more toward Indian cuisine. Apart from one starter, we opted for an all-Indian selection. We ordered Kung Pao Lotus Root and Charred Malai Broccoli for starters, followed by Banarasi Kofta, Dal Bukhara, and an assortment of breads: Bombay Chow Kulcha, Garlic Naan, Tandoori Roti, along with Veg Biryani to complete the meal.

While waiting for our food, the manager graciously offered us a complimentary spicy mango mocktail. It was delicious! My daughter accidentally spilled half of it, and to our surprise, they brought us a fresh one. They really didn’t have to, but it was a lovely gesture of hospitality.

The Lotus Root was served in about ten minutes, and it was absolutely perfect. The Kung Pao sauce was tangy yet not too overpowering, complementing the tender lotus root perfectly. It was a great start to our meal!

The broccoli was served soon after, and it was good as well. However, a couple of pieces were a bit dry. Thinking about it now, a little more sauce or malai would have helped this dish stand out.

The main course was served after a short while. I had read a few reviews online stating that their portion sizes are small for the price, but I beg to differ, as I found them decent.

The Banarasi Kofta was the highlight of our meal, with its creamy gravy and soft kofta balls. The gravy was rich and full of flavor, among the best I’ve had in recent times. I loved it so much that I licked the bowl at the end of our meal! Yummy!!

The Dal Bukhara was also enjoyable, creamy and smoky with a hint of garlic—just what you’d expect from a perfect dal.

Garlic Naan

Of the breads, the Kulcha was the standout: soft, paneer-stuffed, and a perfect companion to the kofta. The Garlic Naan and Tandoori Roti were good as well.

The biryani, served last, didn’t disappoint either. Loaded with vegetables, it was bursting with flavor. That said, the portion size felt a bit small considering the price.

Overall, an excellent meal. After reading so much about this place, it definitely did not disappoint. Service was really good; again, I was super impressed when they replaced the spilled complimentary drink. With perfect ambiance, it’s a great place for a nice party or even an everyday dinner. And contrary to what I thought, the place is actually easy on the pocket. I’ve already recommended this place to tons of friends and colleagues, and I think you should try it too!

P.S. I enjoyed Bombay Chow so much that we ordered their PBM, Kofta, Naan, and Biryani the following week. While the food was good, it wasn’t quite as exceptional as our dine-in experience. Hopefully, this was a one-off, and we’ll have a better experience next time.

Food: 9/10
Service: 9.5/10
Ambiance: 8.5/10
Meal for 4: £72.17

Verdict: 9/10 (Considering our takeaway experience as well)

Ram’s | Restaurant Review

Place: Ram’s Restaurant
Location: 203 Kenton Rd, Harrow
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)

We’ve frequented Ram’s on Kenton Road a few times in the recent past, and it happens to be my lil one’s favourite (don’t ask me why!). This is primarily a buffet restaurant with à la carte options. It’s a small place with tables cramped next to each other, which can be an issue as the restaurant is usually packed.

Their buffet is quite exhaustive. For starters, they have peas kachori, spring rolls, mini samosas, wet manchuria, chilli paneer, Gujarati patra, dhokla and a couple of other items. They also serve different types of dosa at the table.

For mains, it’s paneer butter masala, channa masala, mixed vegetable, surti undhiu (some Gujarati dish), jeera rice, white rice and sambar. Breads are served fresh at the table.

And for desserts, they have aam ras, shrikhand, carrot halwa, sooji halwa, and a couple of other sweets.

Ram's

While the food at Ram’s tastes good, my main issue is that the buffet selection remains the same every single time, with the dishes tasting almost identical on each visit. Additionally, their rotis have an unusual smell and taste, which can be off-putting.

That being said, Ram’s does have its merits. Overall, it offers a reasonably priced value meal, making it an attractive option for those looking for affordable dining. Furthermore, it stands out as one of the decent Indian buffet options in London, providing a satisfactory experience for those who may not mind the repetitive menu.

Food: 8/10
Service: 8/10
Ambiance: 7/10

Verdict: 7.5/10

Anandha Bhavan | Restaurant Review

Place: Anandha Bhavan
Location: 545 High Rd, Wembley
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Sunday, 30 June 2024

On a lazy Sunday evening, I was craving for some nice Italian food, but then, I thought about this new place in Wembley which served one of my favourite Indian dishes, so decided to head here instead.

It’s been a while since we came to Wembley for Indian food; the scene has changed a bit here, with a couple of new restaurants replacing old ones, and Anandha Bhavan (not to be confused with Ananda Bhavan or A2B) is one amongst the chain of Indian restaurants on the street. The place was neat (relatively new), and unlike most restaurants in the area, had people in it (which is always a good sign!). These guys have a huge menu offering specialities from every part of south India, so I was excited.

Mysore Bonda happens to be my (and now my daughter’s) favourite breakfast item, and there are not many places in London which serve this (the only other place I know of is Crispy Dosa in Hounslow). And this is what we came here for, so we ordered a plate right away.

Mysore Bonda

Mysore Bonda is a fried snack made mainly with maida and hung curd, and to my utter disappointment, these weren’t what they were supposed to be. To add to the horror, when I cut into one, I found uncooked batter inside – they weren’t even cooked properly! I immediately called for the waiter and they agreed to replace them.

A new plate was served, and while these were cooked properly, they still were not the Mysore Bonda I came here for. Instead, they turned out to be onion rava bonda with a bit of maida. They tasted alright, but they were still not the authentic bonda I wanted. However, the lil one didn’t really care and savoured them.

Dragon Paneer

We ordered a Dragon Paneer as a starter, and this was served while we were waiting for the bonda. This was a decent dish – the paneer was soft and fresh, and the masala was tangy with not much spice.

For the mains, we ordered a Raj Bhog Thali, Appam with Kaikari stew for wifey, and a Pesarattu for MIL.

Pesarattu

The waiter did inform us that this won’t be the Pesarattu we’d be expecting, which we kinda figured out after the bonda debacle. But MIL didn’t care much, so we ordered anyways. It was served first and didn’t look appealing. They filled it with podi while a traditional Pesarattu is actually filled with onions. I had a taste and it was mediocre at best.

Appam with Kaikari Stew

The appam and kiakari or vegetable stew came next. The appam was alright but the stew was too watery. We also couldn’t taste enough coconut in it.

Raj Bhog Thali

The thali came with dal, channa masala, mixed veg curry, paneer butter masala, roti, biryani and a few other condiments. I asked for a butter naan instead of the roti and they obliged. On taste front, the PBM and dal were good, but other curries were passable. I’ve never seen broccoli in a mixed veg curry before this btw! The biryani was decent, on the spicier side, and the naan was soft.

Overall, a ~~mediocre~~ disappointing meal. I came in with a lot of expectations, especially for the Mysore Bonda, but soon realized they listed items on their menu without even taking the effort to cook them properly – there are tons of videos on what and how a bonda is made, couldn’t they have watched them? Same with pesarattu, and even the stew. Having a long list of offerings needs to be backed by a good chef who cook them, but these guys seem to be lacking there. To add to this, the service was super slow with just a couple of guys manning about seven tables. Unless they improve, expect Anandha Bhavan to be replaced by another joint.

Food: 6/10
Service: 6/10
Ambiance: 8/10
Meal for 4: £42

Verdict: 6.5/10

Inside Out 2 | Movie Review

Inside Out 2

I ~~love~~ loved Pixar movies until they stared making sequels of awesome movies. Yes, Toy Story series was a success, but then every other sequel they’ve made was no where up to their own standards. That apart, their recent films since Coco back in 2017 weren’t great either. So in short, I wasn’t impressed when they decided to make a sequel to one of my favourite films, Inside Out!

Directed by Kelsey Mann, Inside Out 2 tells us the story of now thirteen year old Riley, who’s on the verge of hitting puberty. With this, the five emotions in Riley’s head, Joy, Sadness, Fear, Disgust and Anger, are now joined by new emotions – Anxiety, Envy, Embarrassment, and Ennui (aka. boredom). Soon, Anxiety takes over the console, and bottle’s up the existing emotions (quite literally!). This leads to Riley taking some drastic steps eventually resulting in a panic attack. All the emotions now need work together for Riley to calm down, and rest of the movie (last 10 minutes) deals with how they manage that.

While Inside Out was complicated, Pete Docter, director of the first film, was able to make it simple and relevant, and this made everyone, kids and adults included, love the movie. Come the sequel, Kelsey isn’t able to do similar justice; the movie is super complicated, and my five year old who loves the original, couldn’t make sense of anything. The plat is super busy and screenplay felt rushed – the entire concept of ‘sense of self’ wasn’t explained well either. All of this led to a average film.

Amy Poehler and rest of the voice cast do justice to their characters, but they aren’t able o pull off the charm of the predecessor. Production is good, as you’d expect from the Disney-Pixar studio.

Is it worth your time and money?: Meh! Inside Out 2 isn’t a bad film. But they’ve definitely made a mess of what could have been a potential success. For that reason, I’d say wait for it to stream on Disney+.

Worth mention: Nostalgia!

Acting: 9/10
Story-Screenplay-Direction: 6/10
Technical Aspects: 8/10

Verdict: 7.5/10

Kalki 2898 AD | Movie Review

Kalki 2989 AD

When I first heard about Project-K, (now Kalki 2898 AD) with Prabhas a couple of years ago, I wasn’t impressed or excited to be honest. Post Baahubali, Prabhas has been selecting unconventional scripts that have mostly been duds. Additionally, he has put on so much weight, making it seem like he can no longer carry a film effectively. But Salaar was a breath of fresh air, and my hopes went up for Kalki, especially with the casting choices. But does the film deliver? Let’s dive in!

With just two films under his belt, Nag Ashwin’s Kalki 2898 AD aims for the stars. His vision is very similar to Ayan Mukerji’s, who made Brahmastra last year. Both these young directors had a similar ambition of wanting to make something spectacular, with grandeur akin to Hollywood movies. However, where Ayan failed and Nagi succeeded (though both had Amitabh Bachchan) is that Nagi had a proper script to back his conviction.

The movie starts about 6000 years ago with a couple of episodes from the Kurukshetra, and then fast forwards to 2898 AD, to a dystopian future where the world teeters on the brink of collapse, and the only surviving city is Kashi. The poor are on the street, while the lucky few live in this modern complex, with luxuries and good food, ruled by supreme ruler Yaskin (Kamal Haasan). Units are the currency required to enter a lavish complex, and our protagonist Bhairava (Prabhas), a street dweller, strives to gather the million units needed for entry with his AI sidekick Bujji (Keerthy Suresh). Meanwhile, fertile women are captured by Yaskin’s army and subjected to artificial insemination to produce a serum for Yaskin. SUM-80 (Deepika Padukone) is one of these women who manages to endure pregnancy the longest. Her baby’s life is under threat, and the rest of the story is about how the rebels and Ashwatthama (Amitabh Bachchan) save her. Or do they?

Nagi successfully combined mythology and science fiction, and I loved how he infused enough humor into this otherwise serious script. Though the movie is about three hours long, it never felt like a bore. However, the first half seemed unnecessarily long, and certain plot points in the second half feel rushed. There were also parts he could have done better (I wish he had skipped the bit with Disha Patani and Bhairava’s episode in the complex as they were the only cringe-worthy bits), but I’m still impressed with his screenplay and direction.

Prabhas is the right choice for Bhairava. His comic timing is great, but his expressions were often obscured by his beard and bulky face. Amitabh has a meaty role, and he does full justice. I loved that he dubbed for his character (for most scenes). Deepika and Shobana deliver decent performances. Kamal Haasan’s brief role relied heavily on CGI, leaving little to remark about his presence. The rest of the supporting cast performs well; I’m glad that Nagi picked relatively new faces for these roles, bringing a sense of freshness.

Music by Santhosh Narayanan is a huge disappointment. I agree that there is not much for him to play with considering the script, but the tunes felt outdated and didn’t resonate with the film’s epic proportions. Thankfully, the background score is decent. Cinematography by Djordje Stojiljkovic is stunning, with sprawling cityscapes, intricate set designs, and breathtaking special effects that create a believable futuristic world. Barring a couple of scenes, the CGI work is very good. Some of the action sequences are well choreographed, but this can’t be said for all (especially the first fight). Editing by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao could have been better; some scenes cut abruptly to the next, and care should have been taken to avoid such amateur mistakes for a film of this scale. Dubbing is way better than what we saw in the trailer but there were inconsistencies in the voices which didn’t help. Despite these flaws, Vyjayanthi Movies need to be commended for putting so much time and money into Nagi’s conviction.

Overall, Kalki 2898 AD is another monumental achievement in Indian cinema, pushing the boundaries of genre and storytelling. Yes, it is inspired (or copied, whatever you want to call it) from various movies, but bottom line, it’s a film that dares to dream big and achieves its goal. It does have its fair share of imperfections, but despite the minor issues, the film manages to maintain a cohesive vision, driven by its strong performances and visual grandeur.

Is it worth your time and money?: Yes, absolutely! This is another bold attempt in Telugu cinema, an ambitious and visually stunning epic paving it’s way into the new genre of Indian science fiction. Can’t wait for Part 2!

Worth mention: The grandeur, visuals and production values.

Acting: 8.5/10
Story-Screenplay-Direction: 9/10
Technical Aspects: 8/10

Verdict: 8.5/10

Dasara | Movie Review

Dasara

After Ante Sundaraniki, Nani is back again with another offbeat film. Okay, maybe not so offbeat as we’ve had films with similar rustic 90’s setup come in the recent past (Pushpa, Kantara, KGF). The trailer was impressive, and with all the promotions and releases in multiple languages, does Dasara live up to the expectations?

Directed and co-scripted by debutant Srikanth Odela, Dasara is set in 1995, and tells the story of Dharani (Nani), his best buddy Suri (Dheekshith) and his lover Vennala (Keerthy). Dharani and Suri are drunk coal pilfers, and as anticipated, they get entangled with local village politics. One thing leads to another and Suri gets killed (this should ideally be a spoiler, but you knew this was coming from the word go!) We’ve seen tons of movies with a similar premise, and you’d think that this is heading in the direction of another Rangasthalam or more recently Narappa, but what differentiates Dasara is the grounds for the murder. This twist is handled well by Srikanth, but I thought it was revealed a little too early.

Nevertheless, the direction is neat. His vision is clearly evident on screen, which says a lot about a debutant. The screenplay, however, could have been a little more effective, particularly in the second half, as the movie was too predictable but for the one small twist revealed too soon. Films like these need to be more gripping, and that’s where Dasara fails to engage the audience. I also felt that Srikanth was trying too hard to incorporate all his inspirations into his first film (last shot in the climax was almost a replica of Kshatriya Putrudu, and even the post-climax episode was clichéd and unnecessary!)

On the casting front, Nani, Keerthy, Sai Kumar and Jhansi are the only familiar faces on screen. Oh wait, there was Samuthrakani as well, but was it really him? Anyways, as you’d expect, this was Nani’s show all the way. He puts everything into the character and does a fantastic job; his attire, body language, dialogue delivery, everything is just perfect (his mannerisms reminded me of yesteryear Rajinikanth). Keerthy is not far behind; her performance, specifically in a tragic death scene, is praiseworthy. Dheekshith Shetty is alright as the buddy. Shine Tom Chacko makes an impressive debut in Telugu films; he looks menacing, but I felt his character could have had more depth. Jhansi makes her presence felt, while Sai Kumar and Samuthrakani are both wasted.

Music by Santosh Narayan is a definite asset. Apart from “Dhoom Dhaam Dhosthaan” and “Chamkeela Angeelesi”, the background score during the cricket match and the climax fight are really good. Editing by Naveen Nooli is adequate. Cinematography by Sathyan Sooryan is excellent; “Dhoom Dhaam Dhosthaan”, the pre-interval bit and some of the climax elements are very spectacularly shot. It took a while to understand the dialogues in native slang, but you eventually get past this hurdle.

Is it worth your time and money?: Yes for Nani and Keerthy’s acts. But otherwise, the story is way too predictive, and the extreme violence doesn’t help. If only Srikanth refrained from the commercial elements and illogical fights but instead put efforts into a gripping screenplay, the movie could have been more impactful.

Worth mention: Nani and Keerthy’s performances!

Acting: 9/10
Story-Screenplay-Direction: 7.5/10
Technical Aspects: 8.5/10

Verdict: 8/10

PS: I don’t think there was any need to make this a Pan-Indian film, especially in Hindi. There are a lot of local native superstitions which are too much for non-Telugites, especially North Indians.

Godfather | Movie Review

Godfather

When Chiranjeevi decided to remake Lucifer into Telugu, I was actually excited for I thought he’d be the only one who’d be able to do justice. But at the same time, I had my apprehensions as to if they would change his character to make it massy and cater to his star power. Thankfully, they didn’t alter the core of the Malayalam blockbuster, and I think I can say “Boss is back!”

Helmed by the remake master Mohan Raja, Godfather tells the story of Brahma, a mysterious yet dangerous man funding the government, who comes to the forefront of state politics after the death of the CM PKR. Jaydev, PKR’s son-in-law, is a corrupt mastermind vying to be the new CM, and smuggle drugs into the state. Brahma doesn’t approve of this, and the rest of the story is about how he saves his family and the state from Jaydev.

Mohan Raja makes the film his own rather than copying the original. He made quite a few changes to the original ensuring more screen time for Chiranjeevi, but at the same time, doesn’t deviate too much. He does a commendable job to highlight Chiranjeevi’s character without ever overdoing it. The direction is neat, but I thought the screenplay could have been a little crisper. I also thought that he failed to extract the best from other cast members.

It’s a cakewalk for Chiranjeevi and he does justice to the character. I wish he danced a little more in the Thaar Maar song. Nayanathara is decent as Sathya, PKR’s daughter, but I thought she could have emoted better; she had the same straight face for most of the film. Satyadev is brilliant as Jaydev and kills it. Salman Khan has a good cameo. Murali Sharma is okay, and the rest of the cast are alright but underutilized.

While the songs are mediocre, the background score by Thaman is decent. Edited by Marthand K. Venkatesh could have been better; the film was longer than needed and some scenes should have definitely made the cut on his table. Cinematography by Nirav Shah is of top-notch quality. The VFX too should have been better. And I was so very disappointed with Prabhu deva’s choreography for Thaar Maar.

Is it worth your time and money?: Even if you have watched Lucifer, Mohan Raja’s Godfather is still a good watch for the director makes it his film. At the same time, the film isn’t great because it has flaws common to most Telugu films (unnecessary item songs, some illogical sequences, etc.). Nevertheless, megastar’s magic works on screen.

Worth mention: Chiranjeevi and Satyadev’s performances.

Acting: 8/10
Story-Screenplay-Direction: 7.5/10
Technical Aspects: 7/10

Verdict: 7.5/10

Sagar – Leicester Square | Restaurant Review

Place: Sagar
Location: 37 Panton St, Leicester Square
Cuisine: Indian
Meal: Dinner (with family)
On: Saturday, 3 September 2022

After exploring the city with my brother and his partner, we decided to hog at Sagar located on Leicester Square. It was about 6:00 PM, so we were the only ones at the restaurant and settled down at a large table towards the end of the place. The ambience was alright, but the tables were placed too close to each other and made the restaurant look cramped.

After a long day, we were really hungry and ended up ordering a lot of food. We did a portion of Dahi Poori, a Gobi Manchurian, a portion of Mattar Paneer, Bhindi Bhaji, Fried Dal, a Batura, Stuffed Paratha, plain Paratha and a couple of Chapathi.

Dahi Puri - Sagar

The Dahi Poori was served in about ten minutes and tasted alright. I thought that the stuffing could have been better, and a little more tamarind chutney would have helped.

Gobi Manchurian - Sagar

The Gobi Manchurian was served next, and this was very good. The gobi was crispy, and the sauce was tangy. We were really impressed and hoping for a good meal.

The main course soon followed suit.

Mattar Paneer - Sagar

The Mutter Paneer was mild and tasted good, but I thought it was a little too tomatoey. Also, the paneer pieces were chewy.

Brinjal Bhaji - Sagar

While we had asked for Bhindi Bhaji, we were instead served Brinjal Bhajee because of some communication error. While they agreed to replace, we asked them to keep it, and this actually tasted good. The brinjal was well cooked and the masala was perfect. This turned out to be the best of the main course items.

Fried Dal - Sagar

The Fried Dal was good, nothing spectacular.

Batura - Sagar

Stuffed Paratha - Sagar

Paratha - Sagar
Of the bread, the stuffed paratha was the best, the batura was a little too oily, and the paratha and chapati were decent.

I was still craving more food, so ordered a portion of Chilly Paneer and Vegetable Fried rice, which were served soon.

Chilly Paneer - Sagar

Veg Fried Rice - Sagar

While the Fried rice was mild and palatable, the Chilly Paneer was a disappointment. The paneer was really chewy and the sauce too wasn’t great. Compared to the Gobi Manchurian, this was a big flop.

Overall, a decent meal. But for the Gobi Manchurian, nothing made an impression. I also felt that the dishes were aimed more at the English audience rather than Indians, and this was one of the reasons why we didn’t relish everything. Also, while the prices seem reasonable, the 12% service charge doesn’t match the mediocre service. Given the options around, I don’t think I’ll be coming back to this place again soon.

Food: 7/10
Service: 7/10
Ambiance: 7.5/10
Meal for 6: £81.84

Verdict: 7/10