Unbounded little musings about the Indian entertainment industry. Blogging seemed like the best option to show-off my limited knowledge about something I absolutely love. Let's start conversing. :D
As Raksha speaks these lines to man-cub, Mowgli, nothing has
ever, in a long time, sent my heart and mind in a race of flashing childhood
memories. I feel it was reason enough for many others to get up so early on a
Sunday morning to catch the latest version of the classic children’s story, The
Jungle Book, leaving the theatre hall houseful.
And to know that it is doing so good for itself even after
facing fierce competition from the much anticipated SRK starrer film, Fan, reinstills
my hope and admiration for well-made movies. Kudos, to the entire team!
This story is so special; it has taught me serious life
lessons. This evergreen tale by Rudyard Kipling puts across the simplest but
crucial lessons of survival in the most uncomplicated and enduring way
possible. How difficult it is to understand Mowgli’s grit, the importance of
being compassionate and loving towards all regardless of differences, and the striking
of the perfect human-nature relationship being pivotal for everyone’s survival?
A still from the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet
Scarlett Johnsson as Kaa has a miniscule role but her voice
blows life into the few lines she is given. Ben Kingsley as Bagheera has to be
my second favourite, first favourite being the adorable Indian-origin child
artist, Neel Sethi, as he does wonders in the role of the much celebrated,
every child’s beloved, Mowgli.
The adorable Neel Sethi as Mowgli. Photo Courtesy: Internet
I'm sure you will love this version of the song. Recreated by Gulzar and Vishal Bharadwaj, the kid's singing the lovely song is pure magic.
Ohh! Somebody take me back! :’)
And, by the way, on the home front, a small budget filmn( I hate to describe a film that way) starring the very talented Swara Bhaskar has hit the theatres, Nil Battey Sanata. It is giving me good vibes, hence, would be more than happy if you (yes you! who has taken the trouble to read this little piece of writing. I'm grateful, btw, Thanks! :D) could catch it and tell me what you think about it. What say?
This family drama
is about a middle class, dysfunctional family; it can be your family, my family,
anyone’s family.
A poster of the film. Internet Courtesy: Internet
The signature Kuch Kuch Hota Hia tune that plays in
the very beginning when the producer of the film is revealed would give anyone
the Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
impression of the film. But thankfully no, it’s Shakun Batra’s treatment of the
film that saves the day.
Director Shakun Batra needs to take a
bow for successfully instilling in his actors the psyche of the respective
character; this makes more than half the work done.
Though, Ratna Pathak as a jealous and
tired housewife is a treat to watch with Fawad Khan who, yet again, proves he
is here to stay, I fail to pick out one actor who seemed misfit for a
character, and that includes Tia’s Nepali house help.
Alia does not have
much to do in this one except get into a zestful, bubbly character with a
tragic past. Well that is something that all characters in this family drama have
in common: they have their share of problems that each one is struggling with.
How can I forget to specially mention
about the cutest of them all? Daadu (played by Rishi Kapoor) is hilarious in his
zest for life and longing to watch porn. He is easily the most entertaining
character and would compel you to miss your own grandfather. Are all grandfathers
this cute?
Daadu (played by Rishi Kapoor) is so cute in the film! Photo Courtesy: Internet
As for the actor, Rishi Kapoor, he
has one more interesting character ticked of his bucket list. This is one aging
actor, I feel, who is doing a lot more interesting and enviable work than what
he has done in his youthful years.
Thanks to the
writers, Shakun Batra and Ayesha Devitre
Dhillon, and their meticulous
writing, the film does not grow into a yet another rone dhone wala love triangle with equally good looking prospects
for the only girl in there. They have done a fabulous
job of providing every character with the space and freedom to flourish.
The scenes don’t give
the viewer a feel that each and every movement in it is controlled. It’s more
of spontaneous acting and screen presence that makes the story so relatable and
well shot.
Kar Gayi Chul is the hottest party number on my mind
right now and I can’t wait to break into a dance on this one. Bolna is yet
another romantic and melodious song to hum in memory of that beloved one.
A still from the song 'Bolna'. Photo Courtesy: Internet
The audience is sure to roll into
laughter at the absurdity of a plumber trapped in the middle of a family fight,
but this is just one of the many bone-tickling sequences. Basically, the film
is down-right entertaining and a huge surprise!
Kapoor and Sons is
that desperately in requirement room freshener that appears out of nowhere when
you most need it. The film has surely pinned my hopes
high of expecting a wave of fresh, renewed and interesting line-up of films in
the times to come. Hope others follow suit.
25 years into the industry and Akshay Kumar’s choice of movies
off late has forced me to admire him with a renowned sense of appreciation.
Airlift, his first offering for this year released in India last Friday. The trailer
was decent enough to pin my expectations up from the film. And of course, the
very pretty and talented Nimrit Kaur gave me a whole new reason to catch the
movie the same weekend it released (which is very rare of me to do).
More than any of the above reasons,
the plot of the film intrigued me immensely. Airlift is the story of
the biggest-ever human evacuation done by India in the history of mankind.
Directed by Raja Menon, the movie is about those 1, 70,000 Indians stranded in
Kuwait when Saddam Hussein invaded the country in 1990, and kick-started the
Gulf War. Ever heard of this incidence? Never had I before I chanced upon the
film.
A poster of the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet
The movie starts with chronicling a
day in the life of a Kuwait-based Indian businessman Ranjit Katyal played by Akshay
Kumar. He is super-rich, resourceful, and has no sense of belonging or
attachment to his native country, India. He considers himself a Kuwaiti and
prefers listening to Arabic music rather than Bollywood songs. Who knew, one
day, the very same Bollywood songs would save Mr. Katyal’s life.
The scenes where Saddam Hussain’s
brutal forces exploiting and invading Kuwait successfully establish the fear
stricken atmosphere for the story. The callous attitude of an alarmingly
slow-to-take-heed Indian state brings a sense of familiarity to our government
and even cracks us up a couple of times. The film stands honest to such minute
detailing. Congratulations!
The scenes where Saddam Hussain’s brutal forces exploiting and invading Kuwait successfully establish the fear stricken atmosphere for the story. Photo Courtesy: Internet
The music is bang on. I personally
love grooving to the song, De Di and
the melodious Soch na sake, though that
seemed a bit forced into the narrative. Amal Malik is on a roll, churning out chartbuster
albums one after the other. The inclusion of minimal songs helped in not
ruining the story.
A still from the song, De di. Photo Courtesy: Internet
With the inclusion of the flag
hoisting scene and a new rendition of Vande
Mataram, maybe the director wanted to invoke that response from the
audience that the climax of Chak de India
brought about. But that really falls flat.
The screenplay, I felt, got stagnant
for a major part of the narrative which made me kept waiting for a ‘wow’ moment
and before I realised the movie came to an end. Not boring, I would say, but it
could have been compensated by cutting the movie short by 10-15 minutes.
Purab Kohli in a still from the movie. Photo Courtesy: Internet
As the story precedes the nature of
relationships undergo transformations as well. As Katyal puts it aptly, “Jab
musibat aati hai na, toh bachcha maa ko hi pukaarta hai”. Purab Kohli’s role of
the innocently sweet Ibrahim Durani is heart touching. As an actor, we are
certain of the immense potential he has. God knows why he is not being offered
more interesting characters in the industry.
Okay, let me put a disclaimer
before I proceed with anything else. If the trailers (or anything else) have
given you the perception that the movie is about HOW a single man airlifts
lakhs of Indians from the war zone areas, then this may lead to some
disappointment. No! Do not expect Argo-
like moments that would leave you biting your nails/get you to the edge of your
seat/instil in you a new found sense of pride for your country. All that the
two movies in comparison have in common is the theme of evacuation. Nothing
more meets the eye.
Do not expect Argo- like moments in the Airlift. All that the two movies in comparison have in common is the theme of evacuation.
The movie is about how a couple of
people headed by our common man, Ranjit Katyal, made more than a lakh of
Indians safely reach Jordan from the invaded Kuwait to get them airlifted to
safer areas.
The film at the end, credits not
just one person, but a few other men including people from the Indian govt who
had responded to desperate calls and sent help. This movie is not just about
one man, Ranjit Katyal. It is about a group of strong, courageous men who
together made this mission possible. Don’t push this story to a one man’s
heroism tale. It is not.
Neither this tale (the movie which is based on true
events) nor the actual event that happened in 1990 was a one man show. According
to the director, the Katyal’s character is an amalgamation of two gentlemen,
Sunny Mathews and Vedi, who formed an unofficial committee to oversee the
evacuation of the stranded Indians. Let’s salute, their spirit and everyone who
had even a remotely small hand in making this evacuation a success. And let’s
salute the makers of the film for bringing to us this remarkable story of
Indian achievement.
There is so much to learn from this extraordinary real life
incident, this Republic day. For starters, go watch the film.
