Karan Johar has always bored me with stereotypical Bollywood bonanzas. With little India in them and lot of rest of the world (To rake in more valuable dollars and euros presumably.), never has his production banner roused in me any enthusiasm to go for their products. Wake Up Sid's initial marketing strategies insinuated a different Johar experience with the famous statement- "My first film shot entirely in India.". Well, this was something that would push me through the doors of cinema.And Ranbeer Kapoor and irresistible Konkana Sen only strengthened the issue.
I decided to take the chance of viewing it at the last possible oppurtnity, a Thursday, with the movie to be rolled off the streets. It is always the best time to watch Hindi movies in Kerala as there would be only a fleeting presence of usual kill joy sarcastic gen-pub.
The raving reviews of the movie were already on the media and though I shun myself from Hindi film-world trivia, I was not dumb to them. And the beginning did not upset me. Ranbeer was at his element from the onset. The close-up shots evinced his no-care attitude with perfection, and it takes great effort, as every single expression would be and have been scrutinized with merciless adroitness.
Konkana Sen is the gem of the Hindi movie arena. The careless delivery of dialogues, ever-pleasant smile and sharp change of every expression of the character makes director's job so much on the favorable side.
Short film, just over 2 hours long, keeps you engrossed and in touch with Sid's (Ranbeer) life. A prodigal son of rich father played by Anupam Kher. Kher demands respect in the role untouchable by any other persona in Hindi movie industry. The scene where he lashes out at his son's wasteful life strikes our heart. The kind mother of Sid played by Supriya Pathak is pure and adorable.But limelight is equally shared by Konkana Sen Sharma and Ranbeer Kapoor, latter who does the astounding task of keeping up with the more established former.
With happy ending always on the cards, its how the goal of the movie is reached that puts vigor. And Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy deserves accolades in that field. Music is awesome, to say the least and the debutant director Ayan Mukherji has placed them with seamless elegance in the story.
Director Ayan Mukherji could not have dreamt of a more prolific debut. If the movie is any indication as to the future of this individual, then we would not be inane in predicting many a marvelous ventures. To capture the soul of Mumbai through words and photos and intermittent shots and gift it to the teeming Indian audience with no apparent effort to tout, is a commendable effort.
With a hyper-elated friend of mine breathless with plaudits for the film breathing down my neck, I could not have expressed better my support to the experience that was Wake Up Sid!
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Kaminey - A Review
Names can be simplistic in the case of Bollywood movies. They tend to project the intention of the movie in a little too naive manner. Kaminey credits special mention in that criteria. It just does not care.
From the onset it is clear that Vishal Bharadwaj has done the work with no holds barred. And for those who have had a taste of Guy Ritchie's works, you would find Kaminey in similar mold. But an exceedingly brave or ridiculously stupid person would set upon such a venture. Its for the viewer to put Bharadvaj in the right pot.
Kaminey starts with Shahid Kapoor's voice narrating and putting you in the right track from the word Go. There are no illusions as to the Gung-ho nature of minutes to follow. Mumbai slang and swear words that drop out of narrator's monologues give the perspective. His(the hero's) ideologies- similar to 'concepts' of heroes in Guy Ritchie works- are at the opposite end of common moral values. And these values are exemplified in the other character portrayed by Shahid Kapoor- the typical unidentical-in-nature twin.
The story is engrossing. Its funny but in an ironic form. Incidents happen thick and fast and you laugh at the right moments despite the ludicrous circumstances in the storyline. It is a comedy of errors in pursuit of goals driven by greed and love. Twists and turns of a thriller is fine tuned to perfection. The final sequence- culmination of parallel story-lines - is hilarious.
There are no complexities here. Characters are either adorable or disgusting but all are impressive. Shahid reveals his talent in both his roles with his dialogues delivered in a convincing fashion in two different manners with two different speaking disabilities.Priyanka Chopra portrays a silly post teenage-girl brilliantly. Supporting cast is awesome. It is necessary to applaud the recent Bollywood movies which have near consistently provided a supporting cast above expectations.
It would be injustice not to keep apart a paragraph for the maestro here- Vishal Bharadwaj. Script, Music, Background Score and Direction goes under his name and producers must be wringing their hands to get hold of him as it is good value for their money. Music and Background Score is terrific. The song Kaminey which runs in the background at times is written and performed to perfection. To realize that a cuss-word can be used as the catch-phrase of a song and still the song seem pure is wondrous.
In short a scintillating experience which leaves you pleased at the end of more then 120 minutes in Cinema but a slight mention would be worthwhile - keep your thinking cap outside the hall.
From the onset it is clear that Vishal Bharadwaj has done the work with no holds barred. And for those who have had a taste of Guy Ritchie's works, you would find Kaminey in similar mold. But an exceedingly brave or ridiculously stupid person would set upon such a venture. Its for the viewer to put Bharadvaj in the right pot.
Kaminey starts with Shahid Kapoor's voice narrating and putting you in the right track from the word Go. There are no illusions as to the Gung-ho nature of minutes to follow. Mumbai slang and swear words that drop out of narrator's monologues give the perspective. His(the hero's) ideologies- similar to 'concepts' of heroes in Guy Ritchie works- are at the opposite end of common moral values. And these values are exemplified in the other character portrayed by Shahid Kapoor- the typical unidentical-in-nature twin.
The story is engrossing. Its funny but in an ironic form. Incidents happen thick and fast and you laugh at the right moments despite the ludicrous circumstances in the storyline. It is a comedy of errors in pursuit of goals driven by greed and love. Twists and turns of a thriller is fine tuned to perfection. The final sequence- culmination of parallel story-lines - is hilarious.
There are no complexities here. Characters are either adorable or disgusting but all are impressive. Shahid reveals his talent in both his roles with his dialogues delivered in a convincing fashion in two different manners with two different speaking disabilities.Priyanka Chopra portrays a silly post teenage-girl brilliantly. Supporting cast is awesome. It is necessary to applaud the recent Bollywood movies which have near consistently provided a supporting cast above expectations.
It would be injustice not to keep apart a paragraph for the maestro here- Vishal Bharadwaj. Script, Music, Background Score and Direction goes under his name and producers must be wringing their hands to get hold of him as it is good value for their money. Music and Background Score is terrific. The song Kaminey which runs in the background at times is written and performed to perfection. To realize that a cuss-word can be used as the catch-phrase of a song and still the song seem pure is wondrous.
In short a scintillating experience which leaves you pleased at the end of more then 120 minutes in Cinema but a slight mention would be worthwhile - keep your thinking cap outside the hall.
Friday, August 14, 2009
Issue Exploration: Originality does not mean thinking something that was never thought before; it means putting old ideas together in new ways.
Creativity is revered in all strata of life. The modes of entertainment that people use emphasizes the need for uniqueness in its matter. Science and technology deems it pivotal to the advancement of civilization to find the cliched 'break-through'. But the uniqueness or originality in creation could be only recognized by radical thinking is an issue to be explored. There are many an instances favoring the assertion that something new must be an essence of originality. The contrary thought could also be argued and sound as convincing as the former assessment.
The movies of yesteryear are adorned with elements of genuineness. With new ideas blooming into successful or critically acclaimed vignettes. Charlie Chaplin with his blatant character of an idiotic tramp touched millions of hearts with consistent but surprising humanity in him. Akiro Kurosawa and Stanley Kubrick are just two other filmmakers to mention who had their movies labeled classic showpieces of modern film making by many, with their then unseen methods.
And who could forget great Alfred Hitchcock and his thriller movies which completely set a new path for Hollywood movies. All these examples are mere tip of the iceberg of ideas that were not omnipresent at their time but picked out from their own imagination by the respective auteurs to dazzle the public.
Literature is not too far behind too in the case of originality. Inchoate themes like magic was exemplified through an 11 year old boy's story by J.K.Rowling to become a publishing sensation.
Tolkien's world of sorcery, hobbits, orcs and elves still remains the most popular book in the West.
Later authors in the fantasy genre have been inspired by Tolkien's and Rowling's works and have created their own worlds of wonder.Eoin Colfer, Brandon Sanderson to mention some.But they cannot be ignored or disclaimed of their talent of writing just because their topic has been dealt before. They put the explored themes differently to suit the need of the audience. And their works should be recognised as original.
World could be a much simpler place if the field of science just depended on pervasive ideas. Intuition and questioning of accepted ideas has led to many inventions that changed mankind's perspective. Steam engine by James Watt thrust Europe and rest of the globe to Industrialization.Alfred Nobel found a manageable explosive to doom the world but at the same time help millions live. If Newton had not thought differently at the presumed Fall of the Apple, we would have grown in a different environment. These persona saw the surroundings differently. Analyzed and reproduced common sights to useful principles which became fundamental to later generations. They manifest the strength of the argument that bringing together ideas around you to create a new doctrine of science,is path breaking.
Originality does seem to manifest its power when the term is labeled for ideas that are un-heard of yet simple and thought provoking. People tend to restrain themselves from calling anything original until the above condition is met. But from experience we must realize that bringing together ideas differently is original too.
Different fields of human life have different demands. And perception of originality change as we move from art to literature to music to science.The work done is to be original-the way principles are assembled is to be unique and the upshot being something new- an idea-that we call original.
The movies of yesteryear are adorned with elements of genuineness. With new ideas blooming into successful or critically acclaimed vignettes. Charlie Chaplin with his blatant character of an idiotic tramp touched millions of hearts with consistent but surprising humanity in him. Akiro Kurosawa and Stanley Kubrick are just two other filmmakers to mention who had their movies labeled classic showpieces of modern film making by many, with their then unseen methods.
And who could forget great Alfred Hitchcock and his thriller movies which completely set a new path for Hollywood movies. All these examples are mere tip of the iceberg of ideas that were not omnipresent at their time but picked out from their own imagination by the respective auteurs to dazzle the public.
Literature is not too far behind too in the case of originality. Inchoate themes like magic was exemplified through an 11 year old boy's story by J.K.Rowling to become a publishing sensation.
Tolkien's world of sorcery, hobbits, orcs and elves still remains the most popular book in the West.
Later authors in the fantasy genre have been inspired by Tolkien's and Rowling's works and have created their own worlds of wonder.Eoin Colfer, Brandon Sanderson to mention some.But they cannot be ignored or disclaimed of their talent of writing just because their topic has been dealt before. They put the explored themes differently to suit the need of the audience. And their works should be recognised as original.
World could be a much simpler place if the field of science just depended on pervasive ideas. Intuition and questioning of accepted ideas has led to many inventions that changed mankind's perspective. Steam engine by James Watt thrust Europe and rest of the globe to Industrialization.Alfred Nobel found a manageable explosive to doom the world but at the same time help millions live. If Newton had not thought differently at the presumed Fall of the Apple, we would have grown in a different environment. These persona saw the surroundings differently. Analyzed and reproduced common sights to useful principles which became fundamental to later generations. They manifest the strength of the argument that bringing together ideas around you to create a new doctrine of science,is path breaking.
Originality does seem to manifest its power when the term is labeled for ideas that are un-heard of yet simple and thought provoking. People tend to restrain themselves from calling anything original until the above condition is met. But from experience we must realize that bringing together ideas differently is original too.
Different fields of human life have different demands. And perception of originality change as we move from art to literature to music to science.The work done is to be original-the way principles are assembled is to be unique and the upshot being something new- an idea-that we call original.
Monday, August 10, 2009
Issue Exploration: Question authority.Only by questioning accepted wisdom can we advance our understanding of the world.
Human being is a social animal. He thinks, acts and lives among his peers. What sets us apart from the other living beings who go in herds is we have formed a structure of propriety among individuals. Every single individual defers to some person or a group for the sake of social order. Authority is ubiquitous. Thus its unsurprising that questions may surface in regard to this perceived order among ‘equals’. But matter to be put into scrutiny is whether the doubt over authority is substantiated with reason.
Authority in a society prevents the entity from sinking into chaos. It defines the strength of laws or rules. The more pervasive the influence of authority, the better people fear of stepping out of line. Without laws, anarchy would prevail. And without authority laws would be mundane. Moreover progress of the society depends many fold on the duty its members feel toward it. Sense of duty is fused into us when we feel answerable to another individual(s).
However excessive authority sows seeds of fear and nurtures it till people are terrorized to voice their concerns. Even constructive criticisms are restricted by dictatorial personages. This would certainly hinder growth of a generation. People have to adapt to changes in time. Authority must not be a fence in that path. Remember Copernicus who defied authority to proclaim earth is not the center of the universe. Where would civilization would be without that inference? Instances prop up time and time again, in history of mankind, of people who defied the powerful to pave a path of superior knowledge and understanding of the world around us. Socrates, Moses, da Vinci- the list is endless.
But an affirmation that only by questioning accepted wisdom advancement of understanding of the world is possible, is a farcical claim. Such a thought, as leading light, insinuates consistent denial of authority which would undermine the purpose of existence of hierarchy of power (a positive influence- an approval to take crucial decisions) in the social structure. As mentioned before it would lead to anarchy inevitably throwing the world in to chaos.
Need of the hour is reminding ourselves of times and situations where authority was questioned and a chain of events were set off inspiring many to break out of lethargy and lead mankind to a better future. History shows these instances, along with mishaps caused by unwarranted questioning, having a propensity to personal gains. Thus only after careful analysis of the situation and of the need for questioning should a jump be taken. It should not unnecessarily disrupt established order and cause harm to the very society that one lives in. Questioning the authority should rest on responsible shoulders. Individuals who are not presumptuous and who has arguments with efficacy should dare to put forth their beliefs and strive for a better future of life.
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Trend and the New trend - 'Love Aaj Kal' a review.
Movies mean a lot to Indians. And those emerging from Bombay (or the formal Mumbai) are epitomes of thriving Indian generation. May it be the laconic silent ones or epics of Raj Kapoor or romantic extravaganzas of Subhash Ghai or macho Bachchan ones or crowd-pleasers of Sharhrukh Khan. Developing a list containing instances of movies representing an era is fraught with complexities of choices of the public. But all Hindi movie lovers have a collection of memories of films that are close to their heart- their way of life. Now Imtiaz Ali seems to have pioneered an epoch.
Jab We Met was expected to be yet another romantic-comedy. But it stuck chords of familiarity in many a young hearts. Love Aaj Kal is not only different but better. When you finish the viewing you realize a maturing director, for I still had stale remembrance of the climax of his previous film which appeared to be over-cooked compared to the rest of the movie. This time its sauteed to perfection.
The initial sequences are intriguing with spectator kept wondering for 10 minutes as to where in the story is he being introduced. The Aha moment comes soon enough. The film takes its route in two parallel tracks 28 years apart. With locations in England and India initially and later U.S. I have had a dislike to directors who wish to encase their ideas in foreign bottles. Stunning Alps for songs and Times square for awe. Imtiaz Ali shows no such tricks. Many would be familiar with Yeh Ishq Hai from Jab We Met which showed how craftily Indian scenery could be used. Here too he uses the quality of songs as his boost not the picturization which are mesmerizing nevertheless. Karan Johar and co. should make a note of that. Each song is placed perfectly and not a single one seems unnecessary by far.
Story is about love, obviously. But more its perception(or lack of) than application. Different idealized generations are used as accesories for it. Claims may be questioned for the idea of simplification of a generation but it is a movie after all. It shows what it shows. And does brilliantly in its part. Saif Ali Khan is extremely convincing in present and past roles. I realized Deepika could act, not only flash her dazzling smile, through this film.To describe the complete plot here would be ridiculous because then what is the fun in watching the movie?
Due to the director's penchant for characters with a strong opinion each actor excels on the screen. Words fail to describe the acumen of Rishi Kapoor who still does not cease to surprise us with another close to the heart performance. The supporting actors, especially lover of Saif Ali Khan of the 'past' storyline, needs to be applauded for their enacting of respective roles.
It is inevitable that Hindi movies are branching out through various paths. Stalwarts are emerging in different genres as the public grows liking for various tastes.And multiplexes supporting films for even small groups has only burgeoned un-aam movies.
I give
for the movie.
Jab We Met was expected to be yet another romantic-comedy. But it stuck chords of familiarity in many a young hearts. Love Aaj Kal is not only different but better. When you finish the viewing you realize a maturing director, for I still had stale remembrance of the climax of his previous film which appeared to be over-cooked compared to the rest of the movie. This time its sauteed to perfection.
The initial sequences are intriguing with spectator kept wondering for 10 minutes as to where in the story is he being introduced. The Aha moment comes soon enough. The film takes its route in two parallel tracks 28 years apart. With locations in England and India initially and later U.S. I have had a dislike to directors who wish to encase their ideas in foreign bottles. Stunning Alps for songs and Times square for awe. Imtiaz Ali shows no such tricks. Many would be familiar with Yeh Ishq Hai from Jab We Met which showed how craftily Indian scenery could be used. Here too he uses the quality of songs as his boost not the picturization which are mesmerizing nevertheless. Karan Johar and co. should make a note of that. Each song is placed perfectly and not a single one seems unnecessary by far.
Story is about love, obviously. But more its perception(or lack of) than application. Different idealized generations are used as accesories for it. Claims may be questioned for the idea of simplification of a generation but it is a movie after all. It shows what it shows. And does brilliantly in its part. Saif Ali Khan is extremely convincing in present and past roles. I realized Deepika could act, not only flash her dazzling smile, through this film.To describe the complete plot here would be ridiculous because then what is the fun in watching the movie?
Due to the director's penchant for characters with a strong opinion each actor excels on the screen. Words fail to describe the acumen of Rishi Kapoor who still does not cease to surprise us with another close to the heart performance. The supporting actors, especially lover of Saif Ali Khan of the 'past' storyline, needs to be applauded for their enacting of respective roles.
It is inevitable that Hindi movies are branching out through various paths. Stalwarts are emerging in different genres as the public grows liking for various tastes.And multiplexes supporting films for even small groups has only burgeoned un-aam movies.
I give
for the movie.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Bharathan Smarana - Sangeetha Sandhya. What Malayalis have lost.
Malayalam film has rarely or even never been a host to as eponymous a figure as Bharathan. His passing was received with shock and sadness by the common film loving Keralite, sincerely adhering to their passion for good movies. After all these years he still remains an icon perceived with awe. It is indisputable that he deserves every bit of it.
Therefore it was not a surprise that I was almost pulled by invisible strings to attend an event part of a programme in memory of Bharathan at Regional Theater, Thrissur, Kerala. The event was to showcase music from his movies, a concert, with another legend Jayachandran being the prominent singer.
Bharathan was famous for his insistence on incorporating melodious songs into his movies. They have supplied to Malayalam film music many a gems. Bharathan was an excellent music director himself, apart from being a good script writer, lyricist, painter, sculptor and whatever an artist could dream of. Therefore an organizer would have to be adroit in selecting from the prodigious talent's gifts to south Indian music.
I entered the gathering a little after it had begun. I was ushered in by Kannetha Doore from the film Thazhvaaram and was bowled over instantly. It has an eerie but scintillating mood and when the entire lines wash over our self, we remain rooted to the spot. It was followed by the melodious Omana Thingal Kidavo from Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove and I had realized that the evening was more than worth the free entry. Song after song stirred memories of listening to them on All India Radio and on the Doordarshan, an experience now reserved just for the cliched nostalgic.
An emotional Jayaraj Warrier gave introductions to each song with an intensity expected of coterie of Bharathan enthusiasts. Film director Jayaraj, who was also present, did not fail to appreciate his era's role model. Jayachandran though from far had a look of a health on the wane but once that voice begins to sing his famous odes Upasana and Kallolini, we come to realize why he is adored as Bhavagayakan (Singer of Expression) .
And when the extravaganza comes to a close and the bell tolls, it is not a surprise that we muse, where has such music disappeared from the Malayalam movies? Be it the quaintly tantalizing "Kannetha Doore" or the elegant "Rajahamsame" (Chamayam) or the heartening "Poovenam poo pada venam" (Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettom) or the heart racing "Dhum Thanakka Kodumala Ganapathi" (Guruvayoor Keshavan), it all has a touch of something forgotten. I do not want to stir the usual argument of old song - new song but to place the issue of the Good songs, which Malayalam film industry has successfully failed to deliver to its expectant audience. What it needs is another stalwart like Bharathan to take forward what Bharathan started- the age of thinking movies.
Special mentions must also go to the new singers who took part in the event. The orchestra which was from Chalakudy, Thrissur was brilliant.(I failed to catch its name.) Few singers who stood out was Viswanathan, Sangeetha and Thulasi. The ever green Kallara Gopan need no new extol. Lohithadas was also remembered by the anchor. He along with Bharathan provided many a masterpieces to Indian cinema.
Therefore it was not a surprise that I was almost pulled by invisible strings to attend an event part of a programme in memory of Bharathan at Regional Theater, Thrissur, Kerala. The event was to showcase music from his movies, a concert, with another legend Jayachandran being the prominent singer.
Bharathan was famous for his insistence on incorporating melodious songs into his movies. They have supplied to Malayalam film music many a gems. Bharathan was an excellent music director himself, apart from being a good script writer, lyricist, painter, sculptor and whatever an artist could dream of. Therefore an organizer would have to be adroit in selecting from the prodigious talent's gifts to south Indian music.
I entered the gathering a little after it had begun. I was ushered in by Kannetha Doore from the film Thazhvaaram and was bowled over instantly. It has an eerie but scintillating mood and when the entire lines wash over our self, we remain rooted to the spot. It was followed by the melodious Omana Thingal Kidavo from Ithiri Poove Chuvanna Poove and I had realized that the evening was more than worth the free entry. Song after song stirred memories of listening to them on All India Radio and on the Doordarshan, an experience now reserved just for the cliched nostalgic.
An emotional Jayaraj Warrier gave introductions to each song with an intensity expected of coterie of Bharathan enthusiasts. Film director Jayaraj, who was also present, did not fail to appreciate his era's role model. Jayachandran though from far had a look of a health on the wane but once that voice begins to sing his famous odes Upasana and Kallolini, we come to realize why he is adored as Bhavagayakan (Singer of Expression) .
And when the extravaganza comes to a close and the bell tolls, it is not a surprise that we muse, where has such music disappeared from the Malayalam movies? Be it the quaintly tantalizing "Kannetha Doore" or the elegant "Rajahamsame" (Chamayam) or the heartening "Poovenam poo pada venam" (Minnaminunginte Nurunguvettom) or the heart racing "Dhum Thanakka Kodumala Ganapathi" (Guruvayoor Keshavan), it all has a touch of something forgotten. I do not want to stir the usual argument of old song - new song but to place the issue of the Good songs, which Malayalam film industry has successfully failed to deliver to its expectant audience. What it needs is another stalwart like Bharathan to take forward what Bharathan started- the age of thinking movies.
Special mentions must also go to the new singers who took part in the event. The orchestra which was from Chalakudy, Thrissur was brilliant.(I failed to catch its name.) Few singers who stood out was Viswanathan, Sangeetha and Thulasi. The ever green Kallara Gopan need no new extol. Lohithadas was also remembered by the anchor. He along with Bharathan provided many a masterpieces to Indian cinema.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)