When movies are based on books, the movies always end up being the neglected stepsisters, but this one's different. Kunaal Roy Kapur's debut, The President Is Coming, is based on his own popular play by the same title and it is nothing less than an insightful story. We could draw subtle parallels to the famous novel "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga. You'll see the movie and know exactly what I'm talking about.
The movie warns you about the nature of its method: A fakumentary (fake documentary/mockumentary). It has eight pivotal characters whose chemistry folds and unfolds as if running the long race towards the finish line with a handshake as a reward - the handshake with the most powerful man in the world – George W. Bush. The President has requested a handshake encounter with a young Indian who plays a role in "shaping" India. The US Ambassador hires a P.R. agency to make sure the right candidate is appointed for the role – someone who fits the bill.
Kunal Roy Kapur's treatment of this film can be described as a masala chai and Parle-G biscuits; the perfect combination that leaves your refreshed and with a sweet, salty taste in your mouth but cannot be compared to a crèambule or a spicy entrée.
Six contestants are headhunted out of 500 million youth based on talent, uniqueness and well, contacts. The six that represent us all. The shy, the patriotic, the America-return (rejected?), the rich, the suspiciously perfect and the immoral. Underneath this tongue-and-cheek humored storyline lie subliminal insights on our current generation.
As the lead, Maya Roy (played by Konkana Sen Sharma) is one of the contestants who dreams of Hemingway and quotes 'Hamlet'. She shapes the fate of the eight others and walks away with a brilliant performance and versatile acting, all worthy of a loud applause. Konkana maintains her Bengali poise and stupendous attitude until the end when the movie climaxes into a surprising, yet desirable end. Along with Konkana, Ira Dubey who plays Archana takes away the crown for perfectly enacting Indian version of a blonde with her Paris Hilton like mannerisms. Shernaz Patel of Black fame, known as Sam in the movie, meticulously performs the role of being the not so benevolent boss. The entire team of nine, including Satchit Puarnik who plays Ajay and Vivek Gomber who plays Rohit, all perform at their best, giving the audience a show they can't forget.
Rate it four out of five or a half. If you fail to stoop beneath the surface for hidden truths and scratch the remnants of this plate, you'd be missing the point of it all. When Rohit, the accent trainer, showcases his (and a million other NRIs') true self when he says the Americans asked him if he went to school on an elephant, he smirks at the idea, disapproving the absurdity of it all. Then there's Kapil Dev who impulsively tells Maya that he'd buy her if she were a stock, after surprisingly seeing her display her power and some Karate moves.
While the actors delivered brilliant performances, a little more effort on the production quality and the sets could have taken this movie out of the "theatre" world to the blockbuster genre. I will also say that this movie is not for the masses – it is a movie for someone who wants to take a break from the colorful wedding soirees and the masterful villains.
"We'll make it someday. We'll make it someday." The song 'Paper Boats' by an Indie band from the U.S. – Goldspot runs like a muse or two in your minds while watching the movie. It matches the raw, unfinished tone of the movie. The theme of aptness of the lyrics matching the scenes runs across the movie, be it a cover by Pentagram or Goldspot.
This movie is filled with stereotypes that we deny to admit that they exist. And ends with the kind of end you never hoped for, and yet you did. This film is recommended if you want to take a dig at the mainstream and head out for some great performances, laughs and a wee bit of Bushism.
Mansi, very good job. Talking about the movie, I enjoyed it. It's a low budget film that includes each and everyone of us, as Mansi says. Worth watching.
Totally agree ! its a soothing way to describe india and indians in general. Screen play and script could have been better but hey that was a part of the package that the director had to offer. I kinda liked the mediocre way to present a perfect message. Good review, you should write such more often.
this is such a silly movie but i laughed at the actor's performances. i cldn't believe i watched the entire movie. it was in a weird way interesting Good review Mansi :D
When movies are based on books, the movies always end up being the neglected stepsisters, but this one's different. Kunaal Roy Kapur's debut, The President Is Coming, is based on his own popular play by the same title and it is nothing less than an insightful story. We could draw subtle parallels to the famous novel "The White Tiger" by Aravind Adiga. You'll see the movie and know exactly what I'm talking about. 
Kunal Roy Kapur's treatment of this film can be described as a masala chai and Parle-G biscuits; the perfect combination that leaves your refreshed and with a sweet, salty taste in your mouth but cannot be compared to a crèambule or a spicy entrée. 
Rate it four out of five or a half. If you fail to stoop beneath the surface for hidden truths and scratch the remnants of this plate, you'd be missing the point of it all. When Rohit, the accent trainer, showcases his (and a million other NRIs') true self when he says the Americans asked him if he went to school on an elephant, he smirks at the idea, disapproving the absurdity of it all. Then there's Kapil Dev who impulsively tells Maya that he'd buy her if she were a stock, after surprisingly seeing her display her power and some Karate moves. 
Mansi, very good job. Talking about the movie, I enjoyed it. It's a low budget film that includes each and everyone of us, as Mansi says. Worth watching.