The Danish Girl: An extraordinary story of two extraordinarily beautiful women

Let's start with The Danish Girl's intriguing trailer which I happened to share a couple of months back right here. Trailer

That slight touch of the frilly frock and silken stockings changed everything: it made Einar, Lilli Elbe.

A still from the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet

Eddie Redmayne is back this year (in India, that is, otherwise the movie saw a November 27 in the US) as Lilli aka Einar Wegener in the Danish girl after stunning each of us with his incredible portrayal of Stephen hawking in the theory of everything.

One fine day, Gerda asks her husband to fill in for a life model; she was making a portrait of. The ever supportive and loving husband readily agrees and laughingly pulls on a pair of silken stockings and ballet shoes. Einar is teasingly named Lilli while he enjoys all the attention. Together with his partner in crime, Gerda, he cooks up a plan to attend a society ball with Einar dressed as Lilli and introducing himself to the world as Einar’s cousin.

Lilli caresses herself as she admires herself in the mirror. Photo Courtesy: Internet

Gerda decides to paint Lilli and Einar continues to pitch in. Lilli’s portraits are a huge success in the market and they make good money out of it. Life enters a dark phase at a point when Einar just cannot resist being dressed as Lilli. A couple of relationships here and there, Lilli is still trying to find her way into the world. Soon, Einar is lost completely somewhere.

Redmayne is slaying it yet again. An Oscar nomination has already arrived. Very honest in his portrayal of the character, Eddie, it seems was walking on a tight rope and balances just fine.

Not only Redmayne’s but Alicia Vikander's performance in Tom Hooper’s film will draw you into their lives from where you can closely witness their emotional turmoil, both individually and together. Alicia as Einar’s wife, Gerda is the surprise element in the movie, finely showcasing what a woman goes through when her  husband has just discovered that he is a woman from inside. “Can I have my husband back? I want to talk to him”, she pleads. Lilli responds, “I’m sorry”.

Alicia Vikander in The Danish Girl. Photo Courtesy: Internet

Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl. Photo Courtesy: Internet

Dated back to 1926, the story chronicles the life of Lilli Elbe, one of the first people to undergo sex reassignment surgery. At its core, the story is a beautifully crafted transformative saga of two extraordinary souls, and the profound love that they share. "Leave it. Let her fly", says Gerda as Lilli's scarf floats away in the breeze. These closing lines of the film says it all.

Your heart goes out for Einar while he is being thrashed by local eve teasers on the roadside for being gay. There comes a conscious giggle from a corner of the theatre hall. Things haven’t changed since Einar’s time. Sigh.

The only constant: Rajshri

The movie's poster. Image Courtesy: Internet

That joint family, those elaborate song and dance sequences, that one villain, that family bonding, that unflinching love, those virgin lovers, those zillion rishtedaars, that Prem, that Rajshri.

Main wapas aa gaya, main wapas aa gaya...

Main wapas aa gaya, main wapas aa gaya...

Yes, Rajshri’s favourite actor in their perpetual character, Prem, was back on the silver screen after 26 long years to convey, yet again, what every Rajshri movie’s message has been over the years: the saga of unbroken family bonding.

So, we have identical looking Prem Dilwale and Prince Vijaya, so you know where this story is headed. And mind you, the only thing that differentiates the two is the saving grace, moustache, apart from their backgrounds ( Prem Dilwale is an artist in a local nautanki group as opposed to Vijay who is a prince and super rich).

The trailers were already revealing so much. Prince Vijay is deliberately killed in an accident and replaces him the look alike accidently spotted in a market place. Prem Dilwale is brought into prince Vijay’s shoes and he refuses to charge even a penny for this. The reason? His unconditional affection for the pretty princess, Mythili.

A still from the movie. Image Courtesy: Internet

He makes endless efforts to put things right, of course, in his own style: sets their strained relationship with his step-sisters straight, changes his equation with his fiancé for the better and bringing some fun into people’s lives on the way.

Barjatyas never had any grey character in their stories, which stands true for this film too. The evil step brothers take up to that role for the most obvious reason on this planet. Neil Nitin Mukesh needs to keep himself reserved for better roles; after all, we have seen what he can hold in his debut movie itself.

But Bhai, your Ram-bhakt act is getting a bit too repetitive now (read Bhajrangi Bhaijaan). Mind some change? As for Sanjay Mishra and Deepak Dobriyal (who were called in for some comic relief, it seems), this movie is the best example of how to waste extremely talented and powerful performers in negligible roles. And Sonam Kapoor? Let’s just not talk about her.

A still from the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet

Prem Ratan Dhan Payo is as predictable as your milkman’s milk. You know there is glaring amount of water in that. But you still drink it, don’t you? Same was the audience’s response to the movie that went to the theatres to watch it.

‘Hum Aapke Hain Koun’ swept the nation and achieved the cult status in 1994 because of the times in which it was made. It was a breath of fresh air for the audience who had grown sick of the routine, violent fight sequences. This time it was Bhai’s star power and fan following. I don’t know how Barjatya’s movies are going to survive the times.

And that dance step. It’s everywhere.

Every film has its own destiny

When a film repeatedly flashes a disclaimer, both at the start and end of the movie, you better take it seriously. Ace director, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s long awaited magnum opus, Bajirao Mastani, pleads you to do just that.

With the recent controversy surrounding the movie prior to its release, this was unavoidable. The disclaimer states that the film is based on a Marathi book ‘Raau’ and asks for cinematic leverage in order to suit cinematic sensibilities and make the saga entertaining for the masses. Isn’t the message loud and clear? Why the hue and cry?

I'm no historian who would dismiss this film based on whether it does validated portrayal of historical events or not. You need not be an expert in history to appreciate a film like this. I wish to enjoy the movie with the same intentions with which it was made: that is to entertain. To put a tag to the film, be it fiction, semi fiction (whatever), or nonfiction is up to the makers. Allow me to enjoy with a mouthful of popcorn and piping hot chocolate.

A still from the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet

This periodic drama brings to the silver screen the eternal love story of Maratha warrior Peshwa Bajirao and his second wife, Mastani. Deepika in the character of Mastani is heavenly beautiful to say the least. She dances like a dream; takes on the enemy head one in a sword fight, and loves Bajirao unconditionally.

More than being awed by the two warrior’s passionate love for each other, what lured me away was the heartbroken Kashibai. Priyanka has given a career defining performance as Bajirao’s first wife Kashibai. I could feel for her as she asks her husband to never enter the room again while she unsuccessfully tries to hide her tears by blowing away the diyas. Add to that a couple of powerful dialogue delivery and Ms. Chopra, you have ended the year with a bang!

A still from the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet

Tanvi Azmi, in the role of Bajirao’s mother, makes the strong personality of her character evident in this whirlwind romance. I feel grateful to Bhansali for making Shreya Ghoshal croon the songs, Pinga and Deewani Mastani. She is as delightful to the ears as Deepika is to the eyes when she dances to them.

The one person, without whom this movie would have fallen flat on its face, is the protagonist of the film all the way! Ranveer as Bajirao is possibly the best actor on earth (yes, I mean it) to make this character alive on the silver screen. There is no one thing you would want him to do differently. Every dialogue, every look, the Marathi accent, his energy, everything; he is sure to drill himself into your minds and hearts.  The sincerity with which he successfully gives an effortless performance is sure to make him a lambi race ka ghoda. As Imtiaz Ali has given Ranbir his career best performances (read Rockstar and Tamashaa), similarly, Bhansali has effortlessly extracted the best from Ranveer in ram Leela and Bajirao Mastani. Awards or no awards, Ranveer, a big salute mahhnn! I wish to act like you someday! 

A still from the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet

I could never in my wildest dreams imagine Sallu Bhai portraying the warrior with as much ease as Singh has done (sorry, sallu bhai die-hard fans). He sure would have been a misfit. As I rightly said before, every film has its own destiny!

Who cares to believe whether the real Bajirao ever danced or not when you have Ranveer grooving like mad to a madder song. Loved him in this one and the song too.