"Kahaani" - A Short Review

The release of a movie has to be timed to perfection. Real world events, off-screen 'drama' involving actors, viral marketing campaigns all lead upto the success of the film at the box office. A bad movie could rake in galleons with right approach. At the same time, a good movie could go bust due to callous handling. But what happens when a carefully marketed film gets an unexpected springboard for free? Behold- "Kahaani" !

The expectation has been high for Vidya Balan's "Kahaani". It is hard to recollect an Indian mainstream film showcasing a female lead actor as its sole highlight, and more, believing it would work. However Vidya Balan has risen to that yet unseen standard and is here to stay.


The film starts with no flourish. It just begins. After a few initial sequences which forms the background for the viewer, we see Vidya Balan who portrays a pregnant Vidya Bagchi alight at the Kolkata airport. She is traveling to police station to report a missing persons case-her husband Arnab Bagchi. Police agrees to investigate and is generous to ask a constable Sathyiki called Rana-his pet name- to offer Vidya travel arrangement to hotel where her husband is said to have been staying. She starts to develop a rapport with the young police constable Rana. From here Vidya takes upto herself in questioning those who must have seen her husband aided at all times by Rana.She travels with Rana to enquire about her husband's past. The office he is said to have worked, the school in which he studied and the village in which his relatives are said to be. Her investigation kicks off a series of events which begins to be fatal to those around her and gradually to Vidya herself. Story takes unexpected twists and turns artfully conceived and thrillingly portrayed ultimately leading upto a finale that would give any of the great Hollywood thrillers a run for their money.

There are many small details that sets the movie apart. One is the pace. Rather than slowing down as in many cases,here, it becomes quicker as the film progresses, thereby keeping us engaged to the end. The director, Sujoy Ghosh, does not go into the hubris of over romanticizing the city of Kolkata. Shots of the city are indeed shown in abundance but one never feel it cry out. Places like the police stations are neatly portrayed without the cliched rough, negligent officer routine. But still keeping in mind the under equipped police with new technology. The sequence where she takes the police officer into confidence by her computer know how is a seemingly unremarkable act yet of finesse.
All the supporting cast blends in with ease. Parambrata Chatterjee playing Rana is immensely lovable. Various child actors too deserves special mention. However the movie does have its goofs in editing which could have been ironed out. The background score and music is not special but agreeable.

The power of the movie lies in the clever storyline and Vidya Balan. Not only the clinching climax but also the innocuous way the story leads up to it. However, without the screen presence that Vidya Balan commands with gusto, the film would have failed to make the impact on the moviegoer which it currently does.


Verdict: Must See.

Rating: 4/5

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Shreya Ghoshal - Voice Sublime

Lata Mangeshkar remains the epitome of playback singing in Indian film industry. The years Shreya Ghoshal has had to enthrall movie goers as well as idle listeners of film music, is a mere pittance compared to Lata's legacy. However, her pedigree is phenomenal when set alongside other female singers who have preceded her and succeeded Lata. Today on her 28th birthday, an ardent fan like me and millions of others can imagine the heights she would conquer in years to come.



I find it apt on this occasion to list my favorite 10 songs among the many that the Bengali damsel has crooned in languages ranging from her mother tongue through Hindi, Tamil and remote to her but still plentiful-my own Malayalam.


Number 10: Agar Tum Mil Jao - (Zeher)




This simple song reminds us of the banal music techniques of the Bollywood 1990s. Yet Shreya does an inimitable effort to make it seem beautiful. The Bhatts and Emraan have been part of many hits, but this is one that would remain a cut above the rest in Shreyas collection.

Number 9:Yeh Ishq Hai (Jab We Met)



The song that put Himachal Pradesh into limelight and Kareena Kapoor too. Spurred by off-screen stories of the on-screen couple and a good bit of directing by Imtiaz Ali, this over-estimated film's highlight is a well presented song- a joy to watch and hear.

Number 8: Pal Pal Har Pal (Lage Raho Munnabhai)



The first of the few duets among the list. I have not heeded the circulating scandals of the song being a lift-off which might eventually be true. It remains one of the most adored duets that I have watched on-screen and a pleasure to put on repeat. Credit along with Shreya also goes to the everlasting Sonu Nigam.

Number 7: Kizhaku Pookum (Anwar - Malayalam)



Shreya Ghoshal became a star in Kerala hugely because of this track. It topped the (technically non-existent) charts for months and became a rage among the young. Superbly choreographed, it remains her best Malayalam song to date.


Number 6: Naam Ada Likhna (Yahaan)



Along with the beautiful Kashmir, Minisha Lamba sets the screen alight with her grace making the song memorable to watch. An off-beat film, I presume it is just this track that is remembered about the unremarkable movie.

Number 5: Shokal Ashe Na (Antaheen - Bengali)



I would not boast of any great knowledge of Bengali films or songs. Stumbled onto the acclaimed film- Antaheen- tracks and it never leaves your head. A supreme solo by Shreya, it proved to me language is no barrier for enjoying music.


Number 4: Barso Re ( Guru )



A song list would indeed be lacking quality without a Rahman composition. When I had to chose from "Kalvare" from Raavanan and "Barso Re", I found the latter meriting more recognition of Shreya's prowess since Rekha Bhardwaj did a phenomenal job of out-performing Shreya Ghoshal in Hindi version of former- "Khili Re". Hats off for her.

Number 3: Thode Badmash ( Saawariya )



The glorious track from Saawariya would feature in all-time best songs of Shreya Ghoshal any time you look back. Cunningly made into a short length song compared to normally longer Indian fare, it makes us listen again and again. As is said "Just cannot get enough of.."

Number 2: Bairi Piya ( Devdas )



This song has been reviewed and critiqued by many individuals that it would be unworthy of me to say anything of it. A National Award winning rendition, arrival of Shreya Ghoshal into Indian playback singing was duly announced with furore.

Number 1: Munbe Vaa ( Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)



A song that turned into a phenomenon. Surya would never have had half as many fans of the fairer sex if not for this amazing composition by Rahman. Shreya Ghoshal retains her innocence throughout the track to such a level that it is almost tangible. It is undoubtedly one of the best, if not the best, songs of the past decade.

The list may have many flaws. It would be silly for me to say I have heard all the songs of Shreya Ghoshal, and I am sure that I have missed many a beautiful songs that deserved to be on the list. Alas, it has been such a momentous journey, with Shreya Ghoshal that we music lovers have had, showering us with many many memorable songs.

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A Day Starts in Hyderabad

On the beginning of a dry windy day, I start the seemingly monotonous walk to one of the many thriving coaching centers of Hyderabad. It would never be an overstatement if Hyderabad were to be called Knowledge Capital of India. Strewn across its vast area are hundreds of institutions of technology. Intermingling with new age optimism are throwbacks from the educational top strata, filling up the arts and science colleges. I do not claim to have watched many a Telugu movies to generalize, but from the handful that has garnered notice in Kerala, colleges form vital constituent. This emphasizes significance of temples of learning, fun and joy in a Telugu common man's real life as well as imagination.

Right outside my hostel, I walk past a school holding its breath for the explosive upheaval in 2 hours time. Apltly Ke$ha's sound roaring "This place is about to Blow!" in my ear. Slowly as I progress, I am not alone as both sides of the road fill with "prospective graduates", as an American would state. Hyderabad is slowly but surely breathing life as I near my destination. The locality slowly transforms from a shopper's stop in a mild residential backdrop to busiest motorcycle market. Yes! I never believed I would use that phrase, but motorcycles are sold and bought like vegetables in one busy street, of course showing no signs of the predicament at 6:30 in the morning.

Road sides are scattered with the homeless not yet awake to lead another hopeful day dreaming of a relief but probably ending in despair. Previous evening's rain, however slight, has done enough damage to the sewers for some to overflow. Say, hello to the smelly, mismanaged and uncared-for:the great Indian city drainage system. As I near my 'premises' for rest of the day, my ears ringing with the sound of Train or Katy Perry or the contemporary, my mind waders to the trudge back few hours later. The roads would be different, filled with different faces, different views. But that is for a different time, folks, as a Hollywood catchphrase goes "This is just the beginning."