Kshana Kshanam (1991) Reviews

• New to Indian Cinema? Start Here.

  a-z2005-02-24

  No other Telugu picture have I watched as many times as "Kshana Kshanam." A thoroughly enjoyable film, "Kshana Kshanam" was now veteran director Ramgopal Varma's second feature after his path-breaking "Shiva." A character driven movie with an interesting plot, this movie has a lot going for it. Brilliant, close-to-life performances by the lead actors lent the film's rather fictional storyline a sense of authenticity and believability. Venkatesh and Sridevi share a fine on-screen chemistry and both do a commendable job. I consider Sridevi's performance in this film to be one of her career best after "Sadma". Then, of course, there was Paresh Rawal's impeccable portrayal of the neurotic bad-guy which just blew my mind away. His 'Nair' role is arguably one of the best villain parts in any Indian film since 'Gabbar Singh' in "Sholay". A treat watching Rawal here in all his acting glory. Ramgopal Varma's screenplay is precise leaving no room for unnecessary fillers. Every scene is an integral part of the story, including the songs which are melodious, witty & nicely choreographed and definitely one of the film's highlights. Varma's direction is special as always in the sense that he lets his actors take the story forward for us spectators. Varma the actor's director sticks to his forte and delivers a smasher! Indian or not, Varma fan or not, watch this film now. I say this is a great film and in two hours and thirty minutes you'll be nodding your head in agreement with me.

• Ram Gopal Varma's best

  sesht2007-02-05

  One of the most prolific directors working in India has to be Ram Gopal Varma. Never mind his detractors, and never mind the painful fact that he has more misses than hits, his classics like Satya, Rangeela, Company, Shiva, Bhoot, Sarkar etc. ensure that he can never simply be ignored by our collective consciousness. However, there is (was?) one more RGV, that was fun-loving and experimental. Testaments to that include his forays into cult comedy and horror, for example, Raat, Kaun, Anaganaga Oka Roju, Madhyanapu Hatya, and (to an extent), even Naach. However, he had made a gem of a movie that just so happened to be his sophomore effort, that most of the audience didn't know how to digest, since they all (me included, I confess) were expecting another 'Shiva'. It was called 'Kshana Kshanam', or 'Every moment'. I watched this in my 11th grade when one of the marketing gigs read 'first Telugu movie in 4-track stereo sound'. At the time, I had not watched many movies (period) of Venkatesh (the leading man), but Sridevi was one heroine that was every teen's fantasy at the time, hot from her memorable roles in Mr. India, Chaalbaaz, Jagadeka Veerudu Atiloka Sundari et al (even crap like Roop ki Rani Choron ka Raja), that those in Hyderabad got to watch both her regional potboilers as well as her forays in Hindi cinema. Fresh off the success of 'Shiva' (that cult + mainstream classic that's yet to be bettered), the audience might have expected something similar (Shiva was one of the best action movies with a college based theme, and realistic characterization and filming styles, that had taken Tollywood by storm 2 years previous to this). I also was mildly disappointed that it was not Nagarjuna who was starring in this one as well, and did not know if Varma could pull of a commercial potboiler (that the marketing dept had promised). This one begins with a small-time bank robbery, that goes wrong progressively as the plot progresses, involving a small-time thief and a regular middle-class single working woman. Overwhelmed by what's happening around them, they each take refuge in the other's deception, and try to find a way out of the mess they seem to be getting into. Without revealing plot details further, that set-up is like the perfect take-off point for one heck of a merry-go-round-and-round, rivaling its 'inspiration', Romancing the Stone (in my opinion, not as good as this one). One more thing - the final train sequence has not been bettered, and this is NOT one of those movies with bulls$!t stunts in its repertoire. Though Goddess Sridevi was the cynosure of all eyes (and ears), Paresh Rawal's turn as a sometimes-bumbling bad guy (his best work so far) threatens to overshadow her best work, and its fantastic to watch their characters play off the other in each and every scene they inhabit, with Venky surprisingly lending solid support to both. Sridevi's natural acting (her character's natural responses to the situations she finds herself thrown into), Venkatesh's excellent (vastly underrated) turn as the perfect foil to Sridevi (now i can't imagine Nagarjuna in this role, though his flair for comedy has improved over the years); the various locations used for filming; Rami Reddy's role as the bloodhound cop with a permanent deadpan expression...I could go on and on about this one, but all the above make this movie a definite cut above the usual Tollywood formulaic trash, and Varma has not made a better movie in the same genre since '91 (he did try with Daud, which went wrong, in my opinion, due to his fixation with the Matondkar lass, that he forgot to pay any attention to his screenplay). Anukokunda Oka Roju, was its closest genre-companion, and is good on its own merits (Charmy doing a Sridevi in this one, with a fantastic Jagapathi Babu as the scene-chewing cop investigating.....more on that some other time). Hope they continue to make movies like these, and hope RGV can have some fun doing this and get out of the epic movie remakes. Fingers crossed!

• Technically good

  navya_hermione2004-11-26

  This movie basically revolves around a huge sum of money which has been robbed by a group of gangsters.But the money accidentally comes into the hands of a normal working girl Satya(Sridevi)due to the course of incidents.Rest of the movie includes the adventures Satya and another thief Chandu played by Venkatesh who saves satya from these situations.Ram gopal varma,being the director of this movie has taken very good care in technical aspects of the movie.What makes this movie fresh and interesting is the way the movie goes right from the beginning.This movie has definitely got what you call "Varma" touch,and it has many funny incidents as well.The actors,no doubt have given a good performance,Sridevi has been her best in this one.So watch it,you will enjoy it for sure....whether you are a varma fan or not!!I'd recommend the DVD,for good sound effects and visual stuff.

• Best from RGV till date

  anreddy92006-05-16

  If one thought 'Shiva' brought in a refreshing change to Telugu Film Industry - a trend setter, and a cult film - well this one betters that, and has RGV class written all over it. The way the story starts with 'unimportant' characters, waits for a while until he introduces his main characters, doing away with long boring routine dialogues, and instead introducing the regular jargon that we use in a day-to-day life (which we notice in all RGV films), the funny conversation between Chandu (Venkatesh) and Satya (Sridevi)......everything about this movie is just perfect. This movie is very special to me because, I being a big-time fan of RGV, Sridevi and Venkatesh (more because I was tired of Chiru and Balakrishna) and was fresh out of school and experiencing my new found 'freedom', I watched this movie a zillion times. Only other Telugu movie that I have watched on more occasions is 'Sagara Sangamam'. Watch out for Paresh Rawal!! He sizzles through his role. Everything about him is funny - his funny moustache (there is a gap between each side of his moustache which makes him like a modern day caricature of Chengiz Khan), his Telugu accent, the way he sings a song and asks one of his cronies to guess what song it was, and how he despite being a ring-leader depends on his cronies for 'help' for small things - like he is afraid to cross an old bridge in the jungle and asks one of his cronies to lead him across the river, or how he keeps pestering them with questions when we think that he being the ring-leader should be one step above them!! Sridevi as an innocent lady but with some attitude, Venkatesh as a petty thief, do awesome job. Bramhanandam's cameo and great music by Keeravani add value to this movie. In fact all numbers in this movie are catchy and have been super-hits. Must watch film if you haven't!!!!! I give 10/10 for its quality entertainment, devoid of any cheap comedy!!!

• Kshana Kshanam - Every moment is just too good! This is a tale not a review.

  kanedipti2018-05-17

  I was a hurt and saddened Sridevi fan, since Lamhe was being decalred a flop, when a Telugu film dubbed in Hindi titled 'Hairaan' was released. I cannot relate to a dubbed film where the dialogue isnt in sync with the expressions. So it was anyway a no to watch at a theatre. Now, before getting a vhs on rent, I asked my reliable source, my older cousin, is it worth spending 10 Rs for this flick! After she gave a nod, we all watched it on VCR and got 'Hairaan' / 'Pareshaan' to watch a robbery for first 11 odd minutes, Sridevi indulging into arguments with everybody around her in an out of sync manner. I was grumbling on myself, as I went off to sleep, for wasting that 10 Rs . It was about 1 am (yes midnight) when I woke up to something and was unable to sleep. Left with no other option, I decided to rewatch the film. This time on a mute mode (so that I dont get caught) and got revelation! Gawd! This was a super awesome film! The robbery scene was quite good! Sridevi's introduction scene as Satya, is half asleep and having a teleconversation with her mom stumped me! Even in the mute mode. I must have watched that scene atleast 5 times bfore watching the film any further. I was so glued to every 'Kshan' of 'Kshana Kshanam' , that I got VHS of the Telugu film on rent after ensuring with the VHS library guy , that it is with English sub-titles. This time with no mute mode and a better understanding, I was all set for the ride. Sridevi's entry scene is totally a single shot! Right from the phone ringing, (we also see a cute childhood pic of Sridevi, a soft toy, a memo as camera reaches the phone) Satya just sneaks out her hand from covering bedsheet, picking the call, holding the receiver the other way round, getting it right, talking reluctantly to her mom, suddenly realising she is late, checking the alarm which rings abruptly, till she switches it off! Damn! Superb! The film is a nice blend of comedy and thriller. One moment where both Satya and Chandu get scared to see the cops , run away together, unaware why the other wants to run away from cops. 'Jaamu Raatiri' song is a lullaby that takes us to a different world. Perfect example of a song thats equally good at audio as well as visual level. Brilliant nuances by singers as well as actors. Each and every scene is just marvellous! Sridevi has given an ace performance throughout the film. No wonder this is regarded as one of her best performances. Such brilliance is involved in the making, that we do is not indulge into the fiction that gets incorporated. The background music just adds to the beauty of this film. We see both the lead actors in a very limited variety of costumes except in songs. A very well known face in Hindi Paresh Rawal doing a Telugu film is a surprise factor. To everyone who has watched RGV's Daud in hindi and is in love with the film, Kshana Kshanam is way better than Daud. Must watch . Best if watched with subtitles if u dont understand Telugu.