Wonderful character development!

everything you have heard about this movie is true.

Better Late Then Never

A film with more than the usual spoiler issues. Talking about it in any detail feels akin to handing you a gift-wrapped present and saying, "I hope you like it -- It's a thriller about a diabolical secret experiment."

An intense film. Very well directed and edited. It brings back memories of the terror and fear that was...Mr. John Abraham, you have excelled in your role. Your character came out as humane and everyday, an agent trying his best to do his job without any overtly patriotic fervor (read Prakash Jha's total lop-sided, misdirected, and failed Satyagraha - I hope everyone has bought India Gate basmati rice!!). The patriotism came out in the professionalism shown by the character in times of duress. Sometimes, I was almost reminded of Alec Leamas from Le-Carre's The Spy Who Came in From the Cold. John's character displays similar fortitude and perhaps an amount of duty-bound resignation after his wife is killed. He continues on the only path he knows, i.e. to finish the work at hand. Kudos to Shoojit Sircar for his excellent documentary-style film-making and superb editing. The locales and shots were perfect for the film and generated the right mood. Most importantly, the film effectively recreated the tension and horror of the civil wars and showed us Indians how precarious our position is in SE Asia with the vultures constantly circling in for the kill. Yet, in spite of it all, there are those among us who will do their duty and protect our nation. This film, I think, like Rang De Basanti and Sarfarosh has set a new landmark in movie-making and giving a message.

Wanted so much to like it. Definitely appreciate the effort that has gone into it, from the perspectives of the screenplay, direction, performances, cinematography, soundtrack and choice-of-subject, not necessarily in that order. Sircar has made a movie in a similar genre, the under-seen 'Yahaan', and IMO, makes as many mis-steps in this one as he did in that, as well as in his sophomore effort, 'Vicky Donor'. IMO, one of the main problems here is casting, and I'm sure he had a big hand in that as well. I am not a fan of biopics in general, that it has nothing to do with the dramatic effect of real-life lives - it has more to do with the fact that I always know what's coming next, and how it all ends. And I don't enjoy that. I'd rather stay home and read a book, a good one even! And that's why I loved the hell out of 'Inglourious basterds', cuz I was sucker-punched by the 1-2 ending.Back to Madras Cafe, which was originally called 'Jaffna', but had it's title changed later - Certain sequences seemed too abrupt, as if Sircar couldn't wait to get to the next sequence, and the next, and the next. He just couldn't let the movie, and his audience, breathe. Ordinarily, I would not have a problem if it served the plot. However....Except for a couple (Belawadi's a scream, eating up the scenery in every scene he's in; and Abraham himself, who plays to his few strengths, except in the raconteur sequences - we were all laughing out loud at the pathetic lines being spoken, the scenario itself, and how it finally played out; and that is NOT a compliment), all performances are stilted, inconsistent and bereft of confidence, as in, on the brink of earnest amateurishness. A couple of takes more might have helped. Strangely enough, I can't place much blame on producer-star John Abraham, though one would expect that. Sircar could watch how Dibakar Bannerjee managed to keep the audience on tenterhooks in the heavily underrated 'Shanghai', and a few notes from 'Kahaani' wouldn't hurt either.However, give all those masala movies a miss, and give Madras Café it's due on the big screen fo sho; then start with your nit-picking (like I did).Heavily overrated, in spite of being a cut above other potboilers. Wish it were done better.

Political, tense, finally explosive, MADRAS CAFE is no picnic in the neighborhood park. Madras Cafe's true star is its story which builds up to an agonizing end. It brings to life the Lankan war which many viewers were too young to have known. It highlights India's ambiguous role, moving sensitively, taking no sides. Its second half grows more fraught and taut, conspiracies and compulsions becoming clearer. Madras Cafe deserves an extra half-star for guts, going for the gunpowder - but with a restrained hand. Wonderful film delivered by Shoojit Sircar and John Abraham after 'Vicky Donor'! Note: If you like typical Hindi movie masala, unrealistic action or melodrama, this movie is not for you.

The movie links the Shrilanka's Civil war, started in 1980s for Tamil people's human rights, to India's Ex PM's assassination. The movie shows the whole investigation and India's efforts to give peaceful solution during Shrilanka's Civil war.The whole movie has nailed the truth of huge political conspiracy. The whole direction of the movie is excellent. Actors have done great job.The movie shows the Indian cinema has started evolving now. The script of the movie is fantastically written and executed.But, the movie is not any popcorn movie which is seen for fun. So, watch it only when you want to see really some interesting and realistic movie.For me it is 10/10...Cheers for the whole team of the movie.