When I read this article about Vishal Bhardwaj in The Mint (Lounge), I was inspired to share the following thoughts:
Of films and film directors, and of Vishal Bhardwaj in particular..
Posted: February 20, 2011 in UncategorizedTags: bollywood, Dil Chahata Hai, farhan akhtar, Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra, Ramesh Sippy, Rang De Basanti, Sholay, Vishal Bhardwaj
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Short review of Yeh Saali Zindagi: watch it for Chitrangada! Need I say more?!
Posted: February 6, 2011 in UncategorizedTags: chitrangada, irrfan khan, movie, review, sudhir mishra, yeh saali zindagi
Why the HT No TV Day??
Posted: January 28, 2011 in UncategorizedTags: HT No TV Day, media war, newspaper, print, television
HT NO TV Day, Jan 29, 2011.
This has been one of the more visible messages wherever you look.
So my question is Why HT NO TV Day?
Before you wonder if I cannot deal with a day without TV, let me inform you that I have been without TV for last 10 days already. And will be like that for several more. It has nothing to do with HT, but has everything to do with ICSE. The exams that my daughter is headed for, and in order to avoid distractions for her, we have blanked out TV totally!
So its not about me.
And I repeat my question, “Why HT NO TV Day”?
So there’s the no-brainer answer. That TV’s created junkies who don’t have a life otherwise, no outdoors, no seeing the sun, no family bonding etc. etc.
Sure, totally agree.
So I repeat my question. I am NOT asking the reasons for “Why a NO TV Day?”, I am asking the reasons for “Why the HT NO TV Day?”. If it was the SPOICP NO TV Day, I would have understood completely.
Didn’t get the acronym? SPOICP – Society for the Prevention of Increase In Couch Potatoes!
Aah.. guess, you are warmed up now 🙂
I am approaching the question of Why did HT initiate this, No TV Day? And I will speculate some reasons, and also some possible consequences here.
1. HT wanted to do good for society. Make the country see the world without TV. Let the youth experience the outdoors. Let families meet and talk and bond again.
Unbelievable? Hey, why not? Lets give them some credit. Maybe this was it. And with absolutely no sarcasm, lets take it that this was the number one reason.
2. Could it be though, a print vs TV thing? An inter-media fight of sorts? A first of its kind!
Why fight TOI, when you can fight the much bigger culprit, who has taken eye balls away? Television. And where there is no one brand, which is an enemy. It is the entire media platform.
I mean, we don’t hear of anyone stuck on a newspaper for 4-5 hours, but we do hear people doing that over television. So that might explain the loss of readership for newspapers in general, and HT in particular.
And this may be a great challenge thrown to TV, by HT, then.
3. And what happens if viewers actually do not watch TV on 29th Jan. Why do I use the ‘IF’? In spite of the 70,810 (as of now) people who have “liked” the FB page of HT NO TV Day, here are the realities:
– its a tiny fraction of the TV viewing mass, so the loss of viewership for television, on 29th Jan, may not even be noticeable,
– Facebook likes are easy to do, getting people to implement on the ground is the challenge. What was that campaign (see I don’t even remember the name – so much for the recall!) where people were asked to not use taxis and autorickshaws? It had huge Facebook fandom, but on ground, there were just as many autos and cabs plying. If at all, there were more than usual.
Because seriously, how does one commute in Mumbai, if you don’t use these autos and cabs??
Likewise, for most people, there’s not much to do in life, if there is no TV. So in spite of the 70K odd likes on the Facebook page, people may still go and watch TV. They may not admit it the next day, just to show the solidarity, but the TRP meters may not register any major slump!
4. But what if people actually stay off TV that one day. And advertisers, to be on the safe side, back off from TV, for that one day. That would hurt television. I mean, its the equivalent of “pet pe laat marna” (hitting my stomach!) for Television industry. Unlike print, which remains closed few days a year (recently on 26th Jan) and hence, sacrifices some revenue, TV never closes. It churns revenues (assuming its programing can deliver) second after second, all 24 hours, all 7 days a week, all 365 days a year. And getting used to that awesome cash counter can spoil one. Even a day’s loss of revenue can hurt badly, then. Because you are not used to it at all!
5. What if TV fights back then? And declares a reverse war? “No Newspapers Day”?? Now that would be a fight worth watching, like a good heavyweight boxing match, in Caesar’s Palace, in Las Vegas! The hook that television has on a consumer, as compared to print, a fight of this kind can end up finishing off print.
I know it won’t happen. Just speculating here. Wondering what kind of consequences has HT initiated with this campaign!
6. Hey, why should it be only print and TV? What if this inspires other media also? And it becomes a full-fledged gang war? Maybe Facebook or Google declare that “There’s no media like online media. Abandon all else, and stay glued here”!! An interesting scenario, right?
Yes, my imagination is running a little wild.
But then again, I am still trying to get over this.. trying to figure out an answer. “Why HT NO TV Day”??!
You have any clues? Please share in the comments below..
Dhobi Ghat is indeed a Mumbai Diary..
Posted: January 23, 2011 in UncategorizedTags: Aamir Khan, Dhobi Ghat, Kiran Rao, Kriti Malhotra review, Monica Dogra, movie, Prateik
Kiran Rao’s first film does have its moments. And some extremely bright spots.
Consider this dialog that Prateik’s character, Munna speaks, on being asked about his background:
– that he is not from Mumbai,
– that he came from small town Bihar,
– that he came at an age of 8, to his uncle who was here,
– that he has never gone back since,
– that he doesn’t really miss Bihar, and is comfortable about not going back,
– that home was “okay”,
– that he used to be “hungry” at home,
– that the first job he got on coming to Mumbai, was at a hotel, where he got a lot of slaps but also got enough food.
This is the story of Mumbai, and the place it holds for Indians. A place that provides. A place that is better than their home, even if there is struggle here.
And Munna struggles, for sure. He runs the dhobi ghat, washes and irons clothes, and delivers them to his customers. The whole works. And then at night, when the pavement dwellers sleep, he goes out with his stick and big torch, and finds them rodents and kills them. And makes the street a safer place for the migrants to keep sleeping in peace!
Yes, Mumbai’s tough. But it still provides. And leaves room to dream. As Prateik dreams to get into films. Now getting into films may be the most cliched dream, but think of it as an example. Someone could dream of building houses, or becoming another Dhirubhai. Here it is the next Salman Khan, perhaps, for Munna. But that again is part of Mumbai. It enables you to dream..
As you look out into the sea and get wet in the rains. Yes, the sea and the rains. Two extremely powerful and unique symbolisms of Mumbai. Shown repeatedly by Kiran Rao, reminded me that if it was not for the sea and the rains, the magic of Mumbai would have not been there at all! As Mumbaiites, we take these for granted. But both are such powerful connects to Mumbai – almost like the cliched “spirit of Mumbai”.
The character of the young Muslim bride is a classic. Extremely excited to be in Mumbai first, seeping in all of the ‘bhel-puri’ and ‘pav bhaji’ of Mumbai, video taping and commenting on all that fascinates her, about the city, but as time goes by, and the reality of big city life sinks in, you see the spirit waning. And yet, she maintains a matter-of-fact reality front. Is that again how a Mumbaiite takes life? Which is where, he moves on, after the riots, and after being abused and ill treated by the powers that be, in spite of its critical role in the country’s economy? I wonder..
Aamir Khan and Monica Dogra have high visibility in the film, but they are only bridges connecting to Prateik and Kiran, the real “characters” exemplifying the diary of Mumbai!
I love the visuals of Mumbai, the old crowded streets, the cramped flats, the funny, forking streets full of people and vehicles, the Marine Drive especially at night, crowded streets of Mohammed Ali Road in Ramzan nights, etc. Its been done before, but I like it here too.
So why are so many complaining that the film does not work?
Because it is more of a diary and less of a film! That’s why..
Yes, it has been equated to a good documentary, and while that may be a tad unfair tag to give, it goes closer to being a rambling of scenes and visuals and experiences, rather than a real story woven out, and delivered. Even if it had to take only 95 minutes to do so.
So I guess, if you are looking for a good story, and typical entertainment, you may safely skip this one. On the other hand, if you are looking to “see” Mumbai, especially if you are a born-and-brought-up Mumbaikar, and want to see Mumbai from the eyes of an outsider (which is what most of modern Mumbai is about), you may like this view.
What will history say about the Maoists or Kashmiri freedom fighters?
Posted: December 22, 2010 in UncategorizedTags: Assam, freedom fighter, Kashmir, Maoist, motivation
Slice of history films like Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey provoke thoughts beyond the film itself.
The way we read the history and as shown in the film, these freedom fighters appear to be gallant and brave, and fighting for a just cause. And yet, at the time, they rebelled. Went against the system. Were violent. Hurt and even killed people.
History written from a different point of view could easily have painted them as gruesome villains of the peace.
Which brings me to the point of what really motivates the so-called freedom fighter?
Be it the school teacher and students in Bengal or the ultras in Kashmir or Assam or the Maoists?! What makes them go headway, at times killing people, causing a lot of damage, and fighting what’s usually a futile cause (from a winning point of view), and yet they carry on. With passion, dedication and commitment. WHY??
Is it the same reason why soldiers go to the battlefield, knowing fully well that they may not return back at all?
I don’t have serious answers to this.. only questions. And I am keen to know the answers! Will tomorrow’s kids see Kashmiri ultras as freedom fighters, will they serenade the Maoists as the heroes who fought with their lives to get their own country? There is always a point of view, and looking at one side only tells half the story. Only a few crazy folks can walk into a spray of bullets for no reason. The rest who do, do believe that they are sacrificing their lives for a bigger cause, and it is worth it.
Without bias on what side they are fighting for, I do appreciate the level of motivation that gets a person to walk into a sure death, because he believes that his cause and his land requires that sacrifice. Few can do this.. !
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey: Ashutosh Gowariker’s latest!
Posted: December 6, 2010 in UncategorizedTags: 1942 A Love Story, Aamir Khan, Abhishek Bacchan, ashutosh gowariker, deepika padukone, Guzaarish, Hrithik, jodhaa akbar, khelein hum jee jaan sey, lagaan, SRK, swades
I have too much respect for Ashutosh Gowariker’s work, to let his latest film pass. I mean, he’s the one who gave us excellent films like Lagaan, Swades and Jodhaa Akbar. So I was keen to check out Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.
Which is why, when on the first weekend of the film, for a Sunday evening show, I found the theatre very sparsely filled, I realized that this one’s not working for him. At least at the box office.
And when in the first few minutes of the film, you see a two long pig tailed Deepika Padukone and her friend, singing a song, that looked like it came straight out of Ashok Kumar’s days (Ashok Kumar as a HERO, mind you!), I had my worst fears confirmed. That Ashutosh has probably got it wrong this time around. At least from the box office point of view. This is not going to work with today’s audience, for sure!
So before I write more about KHJJS, let’s take a quick peek at AG’s earlier work.
Lagaan was also a period film. BUT it had Aamir Khan’s magic. It had awesome music from A R Rahman (which was NOT period music!), and it had a sports story, where India beats England. This works! As a fictional piece of period movie, AG had the opportunity to use cricket for one, and let India win, for another. Those were great winning points, and which is where Lagaan went on to become the great hit that it became.
Swades was a great story too. Tugged the hearts of modern day India, and especially NRIs. SRK magic, this time. And it worked again.
Then came Jodhaa Akbar. Again a period film. Large scale sets. Phenomenal work by Hrithik and Aishwarya. Some romance, good songs again. All in all, impressive enough to score big. Very big.
Now coming to KHJJS, it is closer to Lagaan than any other of his previous work. But the story is real. Not that much drama (perhaps because it is real – you can dramatize fiction, but facts are to show!). And unfortunately, amongst all the actors AG has worked with, Abhishek is truly not in the same class. So the draw is not there, from the star’s point of view then.
The fact that it is a real story, one of the many in India’s struggle for independence, it is also a story where the Indian protagonist does NOT win (we don’t win, till we actually win in 1947 – all others were only attempts). So that is again what Indian audiences do not really like to see. Losing to the British!!
In the backdrop of these challenges – and I am sure AG would have appreciated these, even as he took on this project – it is a brave effort for AG to take on a story and a subject line of this kind. I would appreciate AG for this effort, then.
The story itself is amazing. From being a chapter in India’s long struggle for independence. A small city in Bengal, creating a serious revolt, with help of highly motivated school children and ladies. It was an outrageous attempt, in which they almost succeeded to win freedom, for that city at least! Would have been a fantastic victory.
Amongst other things, the film reinforced my respect for Bengalis, and their involvement in India’s freedom struggle. That the Bengali kids took umbrage in the British coming and taking over their football ground, and that hurt them so badly that they were willing to join the activists fighting for freedom, shows to me that character of Bengalis. One that takes no-nonsense, and fights for the things that they believe in!
Like I had mentioned after seeing The Japanese Wife, I love seeing the real small town India, its culture, its language, etc. And especially Bengal. Like in case of The Japanese Wife, here too, it is a pleasure to see the life of old time, small-town Bengal. I especially loved all the names, with the typical Bengali sounds, and the general language itself, with its Bengali style.
I am not sure about the new new generation in India, for whom independence is far away. Whether they will appreciate this story or not. But we are the generation that did not have much TV in our childhood, history then was part of our entertainment dosage, especially the kind that was fed to us via Amar Chitra Kathas. For us, this story, a part of that Indian freedom struggle, should definitely be of interest.
I found the film to be thought provoking in that sense. Thoughts about how such revolutionaries emerged in various parts of the country. How the British abused power and gave birth to such rebellion. About the mind of a freedom fighter, and how he manages to rally people around him. How thankful we as a country are, to have had such rebellions, that ultimately created enough pressure, to lead us to our independence.
The film is long. Yes, AG falls too much in love with his work and his raw footage. And cannot make himself to cut out more of his work. And ends up making long films. This one is no exception. This could have been a little shorter though.
The music is purposely made to look old fashioned, like it is actually from the 1930s. That makes it tough for people to be attracted to it, today!
The support cast of the kids and other actors is fine. They do a sincere job.
The challenge is with the lead actors. Deepika does not have much to do. And she does not do it! She hangs around – she does not even have any seriously significant scenes, where she has to emote strongly!
Abhishek on the other hand, disappoints. In a good role, and a perfect platform to show his prowess. But he delivers a very average performance. He had a chance to showcase for example, how he has a magnetic effect and why followers throng to him. Well, followers do throng to him, but that is as per the story. We do not see why – he does not show us the reasons. In fact, he is very subdued. Even in crisis, when the entire band of his people are crestfallen, and have their heads hung down, he does not demonstrate any serious leadership, nor show the path and the hope for a better tomorrow.
Even if Surya Sen in real life was quiet, some dramatic liberties could have been taken here, by AG, and brought out the character to be a little more aggressive than what he has done here, with Abhishek.
In fact, to put it simply, and to compare, Hrithik had acted better with his face and head, in Guzaarish, than what Abhishek has done with his entire body, in this film!!
At this point, just to compare KHJJS with a classic from the same genre, in a way. Lets consider 1942, A Love Story. That was also set in the background of the Indian freedom struggle, but based in north India. The difference there was the fictional aspect, which allowed Vidhu Chopra to play around. To introduce the romance, the brilliant songs and music from R D Burman! And the great visuals of the hills. And most importantly, being fiction, it could again show a win, even if a limited type, against the British! Which liberty, a true story like KHJJS did not have.
With all that, for the lover of Indian history, for one to appreciate what our forefathers did and how they fought for us to get our independence, and for a generally decent film made by Ashutosh Gowariker, I would still recommend seeing it once!
The film has provoked my thoughts around freedom fighters in general, and I may share those in a separate post.
Guzaarish: Another classic from Sanjay Leela Bhansali
Posted: November 21, 2010 in bollywoodTags: Aishwarya, Guzaarish, Guzarish, Hrithik, Roshan, sanjay leela bhansali, SLB, Suhel Seth
Confession: I am an ardent fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali, and my views may be influenced by this fandom and admiration for his work 🙂
He took us to the beaches of Goa in Khamoshi. And then to small town Saurashtra in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Both were still close to ‘reality’. I will skip Devdas, the one aberration from SLB!! From Black to Saawariya and now to Guzaarish, Sanjay Leela Bhansali takes us beyond reality. To sets that have a sense of fantasy about them, to places which are imaginary in nature, and yet not quite Harry-Potteresque..
So although Guzaarish is supposed to be based in Goa, it is a Goa that most of us may not be familiar with – not the house, not the people and their dresses, not exactly the beaches-and-feni Goa! So it may as well have been some European country.
But to me, this mystique about the location, is a part of the enigma of SLB. Harry Potter fans love the magic there, I love the magic of SLB’s vision, his fantasies, the mystical world he creates and shows us.
So the first thing I love about the film are the awesome visual effects. The detailing in the house, the wooden floor, the wall with the various frames, the ceiling with the frames and the mirror, the poster bed, the chairs in the room, the radio station with the old style equipments… creates an impact. Also the few outdoor scenes – the time they get into the car and drive by the countryside. The visuals are captured beautifully.
The subject matter itself, about euthanasia, generates enough debate and hence an interest in the treatment given to it. And all in all, it is a balanced treatment. For one who has been reduced to being a vegetable, the choice to die as much as he has the choice to live. Makes a lot of sense.
SLB gets some good performances from the supporting actors. His old favorite, Shenaz Patel, delivers a spunky performance. We have a surprise in the form of Suhel Seth. While we have seen him dramatize his TV shows, it is pleasantly surprising to see him convert that drama to real acting, in his role of Hrithik’s doc.
I have been disappointed by recent performances of Aishwarya. But back in the safe hands of SLB (after HDDCS), she comes up with a good performance, as the extremely devoted and dedicated nurse, serving Hrithik, for 12 long years!
But that brings us to Hrithik. And the film is all about him.
He is absolutely outstanding. Sad for all those actors who had good runs in films that came from January to November, 2010. Because they may have nursed ambitions of winning awards for the year. But late in the year, comes Guzaarish, and a Hrithik performance that is a class apart. Award-winning, stunning, masterful.
He emotes brilliantly, just with his face. Happiness, sheer joy, laughter, anger, depression, tenacity, fight.. these are all conveyed through the eyes and the twitching of the muscles of the face. Now that is acting.
And this is supported by some fabulous voice modulations while delivering the dialogs. He speaks in different tones, at different times. And which is part of his acting. When a dashing, action hero is rendered to ‘deliver’ his performance with just his face and his voice, all of that energy and skill comes to the fore. Brilliant may yet be an understated word to describe his performance!
The few flashback scenes when he is shown to be performing his magic tricks on stage, only remind us of the amazing physical skills that he undoubtedly possesses, the flexibility of his body, the fantastic dancer that he is! And he sings too.. a skill discovered in this film.
So as I said, other actors of this year, are only competing now for the second spot, in terms of the performance of the year!!
And of course, the film is finally all about the director. And as mentioned at the outset, I am a HUGE fan of Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s. And he shows again, in this film, why I like his work so much. An absolute penchant for detail, striving for perfection, beautiful editing, getting excellent performances from his cast, all that makes him as good as he is. He conveys his vision beautifully.
And this time, he composes the music too. And does a great job for a first time. We are aware that in all his films, he participates deeply into the music creation. This time, he removes the middleman!! And wields the music baton himself, and creates some magical tunes.
Yes, clearly, I loved the film. And I would highly recommend it…
Priyadarshan’s Aakrosh with Ajay Devgan: tight and powerful
Posted: October 16, 2010 in bollywood, Movie ReviewTags: ajay devgan, Akrosh, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, Movie review, Priyadarshan
Priyadarshan claims to have not ‘directed’ Aakrosh. He claims to have ‘filmed’ it. If you go by the titles…
Well, film or direct, he has made a good movie, and I enjoyed this power packed, action thriller!
A 10-30 pm show on a working day is a film’s challenge – to keep me awake and attentive. Aakrosh not only kept me awake, but it also kept me engrossed, right from the word go, and till the end. This speaks for excellent editing, where no scene was ‘wasted’. From making comedies, Priyadarshan makes an excellent transition to a reality inspired, action drama.
The story is inspired by the scores of ‘honor killing’ realities that one reads about in the papers. In places like UP, Bihar, Haryana, Delhi, Jharkhand, etc. All those stories make you aware that this is a reality even in modern day India. But for city folks like us, to get a close view of the reality, is shocking, to say the least. That some people in power can so easily take the law in their hands, not care two hoots for media, nor for the CBI or the Centre, and pretty much continue to live their lives, on their own terms, is unnerving. Is this modern India? And if so, why is it that way? Why have we remained these two distinct countries?
What works in the movie?
The story line is thrown open right at the outset. Not much ramble to take you to the core point.
Except for the one romantic song between Ajay and Bipasha (must have been an after thought to cover the box office?), rest of the scenes and the locales look very real.
Even the smaller characters have been developed well, and appear to be very realistic of that life.
Some great action scenes are shot. One awesome foot chase with Ajay going after a goon, is brilliantly captured. In his debut film, Ajay had put his two legs on two motorbikes, and standing on these two moving bikes, he had made an appearance. That was a great scene. In Aakrosh, he stands atop a running jeep, in similar fashion.
Ajay Devgan is a perfect natural for such roles. He has done many similar characters in the past, and does very well, here as well. Akshaye Khanna is good too. Bipasha has a small role. Not much to do.
Paresh Rawal returns to his naughty villain role types. And puts a smashing performance in that.
Overall, the film worked for me. This is the kind of cinema I enjoy.
And I reckon, you might like it too.. !
In China, they would have been executed..
Posted: September 22, 2010 in UncategorizedTags: 2010, commonwealth, CWG, delhi, Jail, kalmadi, punishment, sheila dikshit
I refer to M/s. Kalmadi, Sheila Dikshit and company!!!
The extent of disaster that we keep seeing and reading about, with regards to the Commonwealth Games, even as we inch closer to the starting date, are a matter of extreme national shame. The country has been led to become a joke in the eyes of the world. It is a different thing that we should have not ventured out to hosting such Games, when we are clearly not capable of doing so. But having taken on the onus, we should have executed satisfactorily.
However, with the humongous budgets having been spent, and yet, all aspects – from sporting facilities, to equipment purchase, to Games Village facilities, to collapsing bridges – it is one shocking embarrassment after another.
It is a national disaster! It does as much damage to the country’s self-respect as someone burning down the country’s flags, or snatching away some part of the our territory, or worse situations of that kind.
And what will happen to the concerned persons? On account of their political clout, will they remain out of limelight for a while, wait for public memory to fade, and come back to power and their corrupt ways??!
In China, if the country’s image had been hurt anywhere like this, the concerned people would have been executed. Perhaps in public too, just to send out a clear message to others.
We are not China, and we cannot do something like this.
But can we do the following to begin with:
1. Put Suresh Kalmadi in jail, for causing extreme damage to the country’s image (even while corruption charges get investigated and established, so that he can stay behind bars for many many years!)
2. Dismiss the Sheila Dikshit government, and make it clear that she has been asked to resign due to pathetic performance
3. Various other ministers concerned, like the sports minister and others, also be asked to resign
Further investigations against many other key officials be done, by a speedy court, and the strictest punishment be given to the people, for causing pain to the entire nation, and damaging the country’s reputation no end!
We need to demand this kind of justice to ensure that we do not have such types of national disasters over and over again!
Random Musings 
