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Indian Express
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Moonwalk movie review: This tribute to Michael Jackson is yet another example of why Malayalam cinema soars while Bollywood struggles
Moonwalk movie review: Just imagine how cool it would have been if Varun Dhawan's character had appeared on screen carrying a ripe, juicy jackfruit on his head, heading home after burning up the dance floor in the climax of director Remo D'Souza's ABCD 2 (2015) or Street Dancer 3D (2020). You know, a jackfruit that could also be used to cook different dishes and would feed his character's entire impoverished family for a day or two. And since he's too poor to afford an autorickshaw or any other transport, he has no choice but to carry it on his head. The instance sounds relatable, right? Because this is something that has already happened or could happen in our lives at any moment. But, unfortunately, Bollywood films no longer offer this kind of relatability. Not just Varun, it's almost impossible to imagine any of the mainstream Hindi actors doing a role that requires them to perform such an ordinary action on screen, simply because it lacks the 'glitz and glam'. In the resolution of debutant filmmaker Vinod AK's Moonwalk, however, we see Sura (an impressive Sibi Kuttappan), in his signature Michael Jackson getup, happily carrying a jackfruit on his head and a plastic bag in one hand, walking home proudly after setting the a breakdance competition stage afire just a few days earlier with his extraordinary performance. It's also the unhesitating way in which filmmakers envision and execute such mundane, relatable scenes that make Malayalam cinema what it is today. And maybe, just maybe, a lesson Bollywood could learn from instead of dropping fresh stink bombs every week. At the same time, Moonwalk also serves as a reminder to prioritise theme, concept, story and script over the male lead's (almost nonexistent) star value. Although most members of the film's ensemble are newcomers — and some readers might feel that comparing them to established actors like Varun Dhawan is unfair — two points are worth highlighting here: these Bollywood stars didn't take on such characters even early on in their careers, and more importantly, director Vinod AK deliberately chose to prioritise his narrative over star power. He didn't even attempt to cast familiar faces or so-called stars who might have given the film broader reach, but would have un/knowingly compromised its soul by making the movie only about them. He trusted the script he co-authored with Mathew Varghis and Sunil Gopalakrishnan. Moonwalk's story is simple and straightforward. Set in 1987, it follows a group of late-teenage friends in Thiruvananthapuram whose lives are forever changed when they stumble upon the electrifying art of breakdance and its most iconic figure, Michael Jackson. Aspiring to become exceptional dancers, they begin practising with dedication. Although some personal dramas unfold, the gang, who call themselves the Moonwalkers, navigate these challenges and continue to push forward, defying the many limitations life has placed on them, particularly poverty. One of the most self-aware Malayalam films in recent times, Moonwalk doesn't try to be anything it's not. It is the result of Vinod AK's absolute conviction and trust in the material he has. Right from the beginning, he makes it clear that he isn't going to follow the typical Indian dance-drama narrative template and sets the tone of Moonwalk with precision and clarity. Despite the film being under two hours long, Vinod takes his time to establish the characters, their personalities and their surroundings, without rushing into anything. One of the best aspects is that the filmmakers don't try to oversell any of the characters or their circumstances. Almost all members of the Moonwalkers are given equal prominence, with just a few standing out as first among equals. Even as the story progresses, Moonwalk avoids unnecessary detours and senseless subplots. All the side stories, including a few romantic tracks, only add to the film's appeal, thanks to the magnificent way they've been handled. Despite the large ensemble cast, it never feels like Vinod and his team have overlooked certain characters or given undue prominence to others. The script ensures that every character has a proper identity and arc. Unlike certain 'tribute' films that repeatedly evoke the name or image of the honouree to capitalise on their legacy, Moonwalk makes no such attempts. In fact, Michael Jackson's name is rarely mentioned, and there are only a few direct references to him. Instead, the filmmakers keep MJ's spirit alive by showing the kids gradually mastering his moves, letting his influence subtly permeate the film. Even the dramatic and romantic elements scattered throughout the movie are thoughtfully and maturely handled, with nothing feeling absurd or amateurish. While the film focuses heavily on dance and the group's unity, Vinod ensures that the characters don't come across as people without other purposes or interests. They have families, love interests and ambitions. But that doesn't mean dance is merely a hobby for them; nor is it the air they breathe. It's simply what they love the most. Sabu Mohan's art direction, Ansar Shah's cinematography, and the editing by Deepu Joseph and Kiran Das deserve just as much praise as Vinod AK's direction. Sabu has not only convincingly recreated a bygone era but also avoided relying on clichéd props to establish the period. Instead, he adopts a more organic approach, supported beautifully by Dhanya Balakrishnan's exceptional work in costume design and the makeup by Saji Koratty and Santhosh Venpakal. Departing from the dance-dramas' typical visual style, where complex movements are often highlighted with rapid cuts, Ansar, Deepu and Kiran focus instead on showcasing the team spirit. To do this, the group dance sequences are mostly filmed using medium long shots, which helps establish their unity as a team. It also allows the audience to clearly map the group's progression from initially below-average skills to truly impressive performances by the end. Vinod's vision as a filmmaker becomes even more pronounced through the visual language he has employed and the subtle visual storytelling devices he used. Early in the film, we see the kids, who later come to be known as the Moonwalkers, mesmerised by the already established dance troupe, the Zoom Boys. In their first encounter, the Zoom Boys' team leader asks one of the boys for a light to ignite his cigarette. Arun (Sujith Prabhakar) offers his own cigarette, already half-smoked. Towards the end of the film, the tables turn. The Moonwalkers have become more prominent than the Zoom Boys, and in a mirrored moment, Jake (an extraordinary Anunath) asks the same Zoom Boys leader for a light. This time, the leader hands over his own half-smoked cigarette, in a subtle yet powerful visual metaphor. In another instance, when Sudheep (Premshankar S) decides to leave the Moonwalkers, he removes his white shoe and gives it to Sura, taking Sura's old chappal in exchange. Having only worn chappals his entire life, this is a moment of elation for Sura. At the same time, it beautifully illustrates how one person makes way for another, delicately and effectively conveyed through visuals alone. Amid all this, Moonwalk does not dissociate itself from its socio-political environment, unlike most mainstream films. At several points, the filmmakers insert moments that highlight how everyday casteism and classism operate, and how difficult it is for people like Sura and Anikkuttan (Appu Ashari) to rise above these obstacles and pursue their passion. The film also sheds light on the police's tendency to crush young dreams. In the Moonwalkers' case, this happens when the police forcibly cut off their long-grown hair bluntly, not giving two hoots about the hard work they put into it, and thus breaking their spirit. However, they rise again and push forward, underscoring that such systemic oppressions can never extinguish the spirit of art. Prashant Pillai's music and Sreejit P Dazzlers' choreography are the soul of Moonwalk, consistently hitting the mark. Among the performers, Rishi Kainikkara and Siddharth also leave a strong impression. Moonwalk movie cast: Anunath, Rishi Kainikkara, Siddharth B, Sujith Prabhakar Moonwalk movie director: Vinod AK Moonwalk movie rating: 3.5 stars Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
India.com
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Raghav Juyal Dreams Of Flying His Parents In Private Jet, Says I'm Willing To Work Hard For It
New Delhi: Actor-dancer Raghav Juyal has always stood out for a different reason — his humility, grounded values, and heartfelt dreams. In a candid and emotional conversation with Nikhil Taneja, the charismatic performer known for his unique screen presence and quirky humour opened up about a deeply personal goal that reflects his love and gratitude for his family. Raghav revealed that one of his biggest dreams is to give his parents an experience they've never had — flying in a private jet. 'I truly want to be present in everything I do. I want to achieve my goals. I want to have all the comforts that come with it. Most importantly, I want my parents to experience flying in a private jet. That is my dream, and I am willing to work very hard to make it happen,' he shared. The gesture is symbolic of the joy he wants to bring to his loved ones, using the platform he's built over the years through dedication and passion. Raghav Juyal who is often referred to as the 'King of Slow Motion,' rose to fame with his extraordinary dance style on the reality show Dance India Dance. Since then, he has acted in renowned films like ABCD 2, Street Dancer 3D, Bahut Hua Samman, Yudhra, and most recently, the intense action-thriller Kill. Despite his expanding body of work and growing acclaim, Raghav remains refreshingly honest and down-to-earth. His dream, he admits, isn't about making headlines or showing off success — it's about creating memories for those who stood by him before the lights, cameras, and applause. As his career continues to soar, fans and fellow artists alike are applauding this rare mix of ambition and emotion. In an industry often obsessed with the spotlight, Raghav Juyal is choosing to shine it on his parents — and that, perhaps, is his biggest achievement yet.
News18
24-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
For Raghav Juyal, Success Means Seeing His Parents Smile
Published By : Trending Desk Raghav Juyal recently revealed his heartfelt dream of taking his parents on a private jet. Raghav Juyal, who made his entry into showbiz with his dance performances in multiple reality shows and movies like Dance India Dance, ABCD 2 and Street Dancer 3D, has also ventured into the filmmaking business. Juyal made his debut two years after joining the world of glam and glitz in a pivotal role in the comedy film Sonali Cable, co-starring Rhea Chakraborty and Ali Fazal, in October 2014. Since then, he has been constantly captivating fans with his on-screen presence but has kept himself grounded. Proof of the same is found in his latest revelation. In a recent interview with Nikhil Taneja, Raghav Juyal showcased his humility and love towards his parents, Deepak Juyal, an advocate, and his wife, Alka Bakshi Juyal, as he revealed his heartfelt dream. Raghav opened up about his wish to take his parents on a private jet. 'I truly want to be present in everything I do. I want to achieve my goals. I want to have all the comforts that come with it. Most importantly, I want my parents to experience flying in a private jet. That is my dream, and I am willing to work very hard to make it happen," Raghav said. Coming to his work front, Juyal was last seen in Yudhra, released in 2024. Produced by Excel Entertainment and directed by Ravi Udyawar, the movie also featured Siddhant Chaturvedi and Malavika Mohanan. The film's story and screenplay have been jointly written by Farhan Akhtar and Shridhar Raghavan. Besides this, the 33-year-old actor, who enjoys a huge fan base of almost 12.5 million, constantly keeps reflecting on his journey in the film business. A few days back, he shared a montage video on Instagram featuring lovely moments of him with his fans and loved ones. He collaged bits and pieces of his multiple appearances in public forums to grand Bollywood events, where he received immense recognition, to many more. The video also seemingly included a heartfelt moment in his career when, in the 25th International Indian Film Academy Awards (IIFA) in 2025, Juyal received the Best Performance Award in the Negative Role category for his portrayal in Kill. Next, he reportedly has a line-up of projects in his pipeline titled Hasal and Wedlock. First Published:
India.com
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Varun Dhawan Was Dancing Even Before He Took Baby Steps!'
Bollywood star Varun Dhawan has highlighted his deep passion and natural talent for dancing and expressed that it came almost as naturally as walking. Varun took to Instagram to celebrate International Dance Day and shared a video. The clip featured moments from the 2015 film 'ABCD 2' and the song 'Naach Meri Jaan Naach' could be heard playing in the background. 'Before I could walk I could dance,' he wrote as the caption. View this post on Instagram A post shared by VarunDhawan (@varundvn) 'ABCD 2', also known as 'Any Body Can Dance 2', is directed and choreographed by Remo D'Souza. A stand-alone sequel to the 2013 film ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, the movie features Prabhu Deva, Varun Dhawan, and Shraddha Kapoor in lead roles, with Sushant Pujari also starring. The film is loosely inspired by the real-life stories of Suresh Mukund and Vernon Monteiro, portrayed by Dhawan and Pujari, who founded the fictional dance crew The Kings and went on to win the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in San Diego. Varun will next be seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari with Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, and Maniesh Paul in the film. 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' is set to release on September 12. It is directed by Shashank Khaitan who is known for 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania', 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' and 'Dhadak'. 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' marks the second collaboration between Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor after their last movie 'Bawaal', helmed by Nitesh Tiwari. The rom-com is produced by Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Shashank Khaitan. With Karan Johar known for his expertise in the romantic comedy genre, fans are excited about what the film will offer once it finally releases. He also has 'Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' with Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. Then he will be seen in 'Border 2' starring Sunny Deol.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Varun Dhawan says he could 'dance' before he could 'walk'
Picture Credit: X Bollywood star Varun Dhawan has highlighted his deep passion and natural talent for dancing and expressed that it came almost as naturally as walking. Varun took to Instagram to celebrate International Dance Day and shared a video. The clip featured moments from the 2015 film ' ABCD 2 ' and the song 'Naach Meri Jaan Naach' could be heard playing in the background. "Before I could walk I could dance," he wrote as the caption. 'ABCD 2', also known as 'Any Body Can Dance 2', is directed and choreographed by Remo D'Souza. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 2025 Top Trending local enterprise accounting software [Click Here] Esseps Learn More Undo A stand-alone sequel to the 2013 film ABCD: Any Body Can Dance, the movie features Prabhu Deva, Varun Dhawan, and Shraddha Kapoor in lead roles, with Sushant Pujari also starring. The film is loosely inspired by the real-life stories of Suresh Mukund and Vernon Monteiro, portrayed by Dhawan and Pujari, who founded the fictional dance crew The Kings and went on to win the World Hip Hop Dance Championship in San Diego. Varun will next be seen in Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari with Janhvi Kapoor, Sanya Malhotra, Rohit Saraf, and Maniesh Paul in the film. 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' is set to release on September 12. It is directed by Shashank Khaitan who is known for 'Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania', 'Badrinath Ki Dulhania' and 'Dhadak'. 'Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari' marks the second collaboration between Varun Dhawan and Janhvi Kapoor after their last movie 'Bawaal', helmed by Nitesh Tiwari. The rom-com is produced by Karan Johar, Hiroo Yash Johar, Apoorva Mehta, and Shashank Khaitan. With Karan Johar known for his expertise in the romantic comedy genre, fans are excited about what the film will offer once it finally releases. He also has 'Hai Jawaani Toh Ishq Hona Hai' with Mrunal Thakur and Pooja Hegde. Then he will be seen in 'Border 2' starring Sunny Deol.
