Apun ka Bollywood...

Have I ever told you that I am complete movie maniac? Yup, I am hooked to this form of media and am committed to spend my weekends over it. I have written about it in my previous posts over here and here. Nothing can match the experience of watching a movie on the big screen…..But hey, do watch out for the times when the hall breaks out in to laughter and you are wondering on what’s so (twice so) funny??? Yes it happened with me in Dostana, Jaane tu ya jaane na, 1920 and many more movies…Or when you are not concentrating on the short skirt / bare chest on screen (John proves it again and again in Dostana) and want to delve in the seriousness of the situation, the whistling wont stop

Coming to the point, our favorite, Bollywood had a close to 125 releases this year and quite a few interesting subjects were touched upon by our directors. (I managed to see most of them) The trend was set perfectly by 2007’s (last) release “Taare Zameen Pe” that challenged the heights of socially relevant and insightful subjects being introduced by the sensitive film makers. My personal credits go to following four releases in 2008 that caught my attention due to one or the other reason:

• Dasvidanya
• The last Lear
• Welcome to Sajjanpur
• Rock On

All the above four movies, reinstall the faith that Bollywood has still not lost its creativity or magic touch. Surprisingly, all of them have a common trait exhibited by the protagonist. It is easy to relate to him (yes it’s “him”…where are the feminists!) and somewhere draw a reference to your mundane (I mean not so filmy) life.

Whether it is Amar in Dasvidaniya or the friends group in Rock On, they rediscover the zeal to live their dreams and complete their wish list (before the movie ends)! It is difficult to believe that Davidaniya has been shot by a debutante director and it seems he has been successful in using Amar (Vinay Pathak) to recreate Amol Palekar on screen. The music is soothing and creative (check out lyrics by Kailash Kher). The actors (with almost no make up) and scenes shot to recreate mundane Mumbai life make it more realistic.

It is good to experience the youthful touch of rock on with some refreshing music and lyrics. The script is neat and engages with nicely woven intercepts of songs. I have also included “Welcome to Sajjanpur” in the above list because I feel; Shyam Benegal has creatively touched the total aspects of rural India, whether it is Panchayati raj, gender – caste issues, sexuality or superstitions. The film serves an excellent orientation package to students of development studies and delivers the message in an entertaining manner. Shreyas Talpade as usual lives up to your expectations and it is Ila Arun, who calls you for a hearty laugh!

On the other hand, “The Last Lear” serves the appetite of drama watchers in Bollywood and AB leaves a dramatic impression of a theater geek in love with Shakespeare. The supporting cast Preity Zinta, Shefali and Arjun Rampal have delivered as expected in the given roles. The show stealer is beyond doubt AB. This movie might be a little off track for people who do not enjoy theatre, but for me it was an absolute delight!

I end my post with hearty congratulations to above teams, who have presented some incredible and creative work for ardent followers of Indian Cinema..Long live Bollywood !

60 hours and still bleeding...

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Shock, terror, anger, rage, despair, helplessness……. are a few terms that describe an urban Indian’s mindset since the terror struck Mumbai! There are several reasons to lash at media/news channels for their lust to compete for live footage or run after the hostages to capture live testimonies. But I also feel, they must be also applauded to deliver the magnitude of terror and loss caused by the strikes directly in to our living rooms. I am sure this helps to comprehend the violence and insecurity that has become an inseparable part of our lives. It is time for our kids to know that they have inherited a world out bursting with hatred, violence and vengeance. Things are not going to be fine anytime soon and they have struggle their way through this hazy maze!

No words are enough to depict the bloody battle faced by Mumbai in the last 60 hours. Several talk shows and interviews have talked about action. However disappointingly, the all party meet called by the PM immediately after the attacks throws up little hope in absence of a concrete work plan to implement it. Seems like another populist measure that the UPA intends to save its face till the next elections. Mr. Advani kept away from the all party meeting, a gesture that sends the message strongly, both Congress & BJP have little capacity and intentions to act on the recent crisis! It also seems leftists have disappeared completely from the scene. They are more comfortable sounding anti America slogans and lashing at nuclear deals that addressing issues of internal security and governance.

I thank god for the morality shown by Mr. Shivraj Patil & R R Patil to acknowledge the failure and step down from their respective positions. It is too much to expect from Vilasrao Deshmukh, who did not restrain from inviting Ramgopal Verma for his visit to Taj to review the damages! Similarly for Milind Deora, the MP from South Mumbai, who dared not to open fire at Dehmukh at the several security lapses that occurred in his tenure?

I don’t think there is a political solution to this problem. Terrorism in a issue beyond just security and has to address socio-economic concerns and political relations at global level. What is clear is that solution cannot be achieved by impotent rage of shouting at few politicians and calling for talk shows. This definitely calls on for a larger civil movement that can uproot the system that has been rotten by generations of lethargy, negligence and indifference. I hope we can gather this movement in our lifetime or at least we can hope to gather courage like the few men who fought it from front and left back stories of their valor and bravery!