Category: Movies

Gulaal – Pseudo Review


And then I saw Gulaal, yet another Anurag Kashyap movie (after Dev D) that I cant decide if I liked it or hated it. At times I wanted to compare it to Haasil, at times to Rang De Basanti and at times to Gangajal.

Movie’s got AWESOME music. Wonderful voice talent, sound direction and lyrics. In fact I can compare the lyrics for gulaal to what Rabbi Shergill writes. We need more song writers like these in the main-stream.

It made me aware of the underground movement for Rajputana. I never imagined that the kings that were removed after independence are still struggling for their princely states. Need to read more about them.

Delhi 6 Disappoints

I was really looking forward to seeing Delhi 6. A R Rahman‘s music, as always is really good. Prasoon Joshi‘s lyrics are meaningful and impeccable. The tralior looked wonderful. The on screen chemistry between Abhishek Bachchan and Sonam Kapoor seemed interesting. The plot promised to be similar to Rang De Basanti. And beneath these tons of expectations, I went to see Delhi 6.

I came out disappointed.

I could go on ranting why its a bad movie and why you shouldn’t bother even discussing it, why the story is week, why the characters are lost, why is it not about home-coming of a desi and all that.
In one line, dont bother wasting time and money on it. Just get the music and enjoy Dilli 6, Genda Phool and Masakali.

Luck By Chance

Saw Luck By Chance today. Amongst other things, Farhan Akhtar continues to impress with his performances. Konkana Sen Sharma looks gorgeous as ever. Isha Sharvani added the glitz to the movie. And then there were assorted stars, semi-stars, starlets, yester-stars, almost-stars etc.

Few things that I can recall from the movie

  • luck, fate, destiny are all words coined by weak to justify their failure to reach their goals
  • if someone is content in life, nothing would happen
  • confidence is nice, over-confidence is not
  • people who know you when you were growing up, they tell you the truth and you need them more than the new friends that you way. (reminds me of that quote, “people you meet on the way up, remember them, you will meet them on the way down”)

All in all its a nice movie. If done differently, this could very well have been one of those “chicken soup for soul”, “entrepreneurship 101” kind of movies – depending on the way the director would have taken the call.

Dasvidaniya

I don’t really post movie reviews on this blog but this movie is worth watching and I think everyone should make it a point to see this movie.

Spoiler Warning: This post discloses the plot of the movie.

DasVidaniya (Imdb) is a simple movie with a simple plot. A very organized and simple guy is told that he has only three months to live. So far, his life has been uninteresting and nothing actually to write about. His life is full of things stereotypical to Indian men – widowed mother, estranged relationship with brother, long lost friends, dreams, aspirations, devoid of any possibilities of sex, perils of a pesky boss, tantrums of lazy colleagues and a predictable routine of office, home and office again.

So, unlike a typical guy and crying about his terminal disease, Amar Kaul (Vinay Pathak) decides that before he dies he would do things that he always wanted to do but couldn’t for some reason or the other. From things as easy as buying a car to things as difficult as confessing love that he’s hidden since his boyhood. And this is where things get interesting.

The movie is hilarious at times. Especially when DasGupta (Saurabh Shukla) is bossing around Amar and when Vivek (Gaurav Gera) is directing what probably is the most copied scenes in the history of bollywood – Mere Pass Maa Hai.

The movie is touching at other times. When for example Amar finally confesses his love to Neha (Neha Dhupia). Or when Amar finally buys his car – the way he touches the car and he has that most content smile on his face. Or the scene where Vivek is crying when he realises that Amar is dying.

The movie also makes you think every time Amar pulls out his “things to do before I die” list. You suddenly want to reach for a notepad and make a list like that of your own. You suddenly start debating the futility of human life and the rat race that most of us are running. The same rat race that most of us would run for rest of our lives. The movie makes you appreciate all those small moments in life that we simply ignore trying to run that rat race.

Overall Das Vidaniyan is a very well made movie with commendable acting by Vinay Pathak, Ranvir Shorey, Saurabh Shukla, Rajat Kapoor, Neha Dhupia and Gaurav Gera. The Kailasa trio (Kailash, Nareh, Pranesh) has done a really good job with background score. Director should be applauded for some great shots and heart-warming scenes. Although, I am told that the storyline resembles yet another great movie – The Bucket List, I am ready to concede that I thoroughly enjoyed this movie.

The big idea – the idea of things to do before you die – is really very intriguing. If everyone knew his or her expiry date, everyone would be so much better. People would loose inhibitions and for a change do things. Suddenly you start appreciating life a wee bit more. If I were to choose few things that I want to do before I die, they would be

  1. Provide for my family and few chosen friends.

  2. Bike to Leh (I will do it most probably in June 2009)

  3. Bungee Jump

What would be few things that you would want to do before you say goodbye?

Movie Review: Hancock


Hancock is a very simple story. John Hancock (Will Smith) is a gifted guy with super-natural powers that include, but are not limited to, stopping trains with his one hand, flipping whales in the ocean at the flick of the wrist, flying like the Superman at his whims and fancies, taking hazaar bullets on his chest like our beloved Rajnikant, juggling SUVs like any circus jester and obviously razor sharp fingers that can be used to shave and even draw things on a wall.

Our superhero is law abiding. He knows the good guy from the bad guy. He intends to help the good guys and punish the bad guys. In fact he is everything what a superhero should be. But for one thing. He has a drinking problem, he cant control his anger and he tends to go overboard with his heroics. So much so that the police actually subpoenas him for all the side-effects (read damage to buildings, vehicles, property etc.) of being a superhero. No one in the city loves him even though he is making the city a better place to live in. In six words – he has a bad PR problem.

Incomes a PR consultant (Jason Bateman) who, like everyone else, wants to change the world some day. Hancock happens to save this consultant’s life (and damaging few cars and a train in the process). The consultant is gratified beyond belief and since our consultant is struggling with his endeavor to change the world, he thinks that if he could successfully solve Hancock’s PR problem, it will give him great mileage.

And this is where I shall end talking about the plot and if you are curious, I would recommend you to go watch. It’s a fun movie. Something like Om Shanti Om. Story is very weak. Acting is just above average. Special effects are nothing to write home about – they are good but then now a days all special effects are good. If you are looking for some mindless entertainment, please do see this movie.

Apart from the mindless part of it, there are some interesting intellectual discussions on heroes, gods and regular human beings. They also talk about life and death and togetherness and separation. But there are very limited and shallow and don’t really provide enough food for thought.

I would rate it 2.5 on 5. And the movie is family friendly.

Lyrics – Tere Dar Par Sanam – Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi

Title: Tere Dar Par Sanam
Movie: Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi
Singer: Kumar Sanu
Lyrics: Qateel Shifai
Music: Anu Malik

Tere dar par sanam chale aaye
Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye
Chale aaye, chale aaye
Tere dar par sanam chale aaye
Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye

Bin tere koi aas bhi na rahi
Itne tarse ke pyaas bhi na rahi
Itne tarse ke pyaas bhi na rahi
Ladkhadaaye kadam, chale aaye – 2
Chale aaye, chale aaye
Tere dar par sanam chale aaye
Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye

Isse pehle ki hum pe hasti raat
Ban ke nagin jo humko dasti raat
Ban ke nagin jo humko dasti raat
Le ke apna bharam chale aaye -2
Chale aaye, chale aaye
Tere dar par sanam chale aaye
Tu na aaya to hum chale aaye

Video: Tere Dar Par Sanam on Youtube

Haasil – The Movie

Bollywood is known to release the maximum number of movies in a year. And most of them are forgettable. A lot of them go onto become big hits and send the cash registers ringing. And then there are times when a movie creates a whole new world. The way people think. The way people talk. They way people perceive cinema. One of them is obviously Sholay. The other one is Haasil. I cant really compare the two but Haasil deserves its place along side any other acclaimed movie in the history of Indian Cinema.

The plot is really simple. Its about a small town in India where people are happy go lucky and go about their own tasks. Its a typical story of a young guy. Its a typical story of a pesky father. Its a typical story of a guy in love with a girl and trying to express it. Its about a typical university in India where student politics is more important than the academics or anything else. Then its the typical story of hatred, envy, love, politics, corruption, anger, wars and other such things.

And this is where all the typicalality ends. The story is interesting and compelling enough to captivate the audience. The dialouges are impressive and more importantly their delivery makes every small scene a cult. To the extent that I will probably call each scene a conversation between two characters. Characters who are small yet giant. Who are incapable by themselves yet can do anything if situation demands. Performances by Irfan Khan and Ashutosh Rana that can put any other actor to shame.

Personally, for me, the best two conversations are “Pandit hum der na lagaenge maarne main” and “Hum to ShivJi kay bhakth hain, saara zeher humein hi peena hai“. Although I don’t support piracy, the entire movie is available here for watching online and free download.

Haasil fans, please share your stories. And please note that this is not a movie review.

Links
Orkut Community for Haasil Fans
IMDB on Haasil
Wikipedia on Haasil

Munna Bhai @ Jaadu Ki Jhappi

Munna Bhai gave yet another medium to express gratitude – Jaadu Ki Jhappi. Suddenly hugging someone just like that was cool.

This Jaadu Ki Jhappi was meant to express gratitude, to help someone raise their spirits, give someone respect, shower affection and what not.

One simple gesture was transformed into a nationwide infatuation.

Obviously the second Munna Bhai gave something much much bigger. Gandhigiri. Suddenly Gandhigiri was cool and was admired.

Mithya – Movie Review


What do you expect out of a low budget movie with no “stars” and yet another actor making his debut as a director and no item numbers to attract the masses? Probably nothing.

And this is where Mithya takes you by surprise.

Mithya is easily one of the best movies I have seen in recent times. Better than Om Shanti Om for sure. And if not better, at least on par with Taare Zameen Par.

The story is very simple. The biggest underworld don and a small time actor look strikingly similar. As all other dons have, this one also has his share of enemies. These enemies find this actor and replace the don with this actor. What follows is an awesome story and screenplay. There are times when you are laughing at few original visual jokes. There are times when you are guessing whats going to happen next. And then there are times when you feel bad for the characters. The movie is perfect blend of comedy, mystery and drama.

First time director Rajat Kapoor has done an awesome job. Written by Rajat Kapoor and Saurabh Shukla, the story is flawless. No where in the movie you feel that story is lacking. The screenplay is also coherent.

Although Ranvir Shorey is the actor in lead, his character is not very powerful. Apart from getting the most airtime and footage, there is so much that he could have done. Special mention to Harsh Chhaya. Powerful acting, excellent dialogue delivery and probably understanding of the role makes his really stand out. Naseerudin Shah, Vinay Pathak, Saurabh Shukla, Neha Dhupia and others have also done justice to their respective roles.

When the movie ends, you come out of the hall happy to have spent those 200 bucks on Mithya. If I spoke anymore, I would be giving away the plot. Go watch Mithya. Its worth your time and money.

I will give Mithya 4 out of 5.

Poster Credits: Glamsham.com

P.S.: Can someone post in comments the real meaning of the word Mithya? I think mithya means an illusion or a lie.

EDIT: Rajat Kapoor is not a first time director. Edited after Naveen pointed out error. Verified with IMDB.

Saawariya is now following you on Twitter!

I just got this email

From: Twitter ;
Date: Oct 26, 2007 12:59 PM
Subject: Saawariya is now following you on Twitter!
To: ******

Hi, s4ur4bh.

Saawariya (Saawariya) is now following your updates on Twitter.

Check out Saawariya’s profile here:http://twitter.com/Saawariya

You may follow Saawariya as well by clicking on the “follow” button.

Best,
Twitter
—
Turn off these emails at: http://twitter.com/account/notifications

This is for the first time when an Indian movie has used twitter as advertising tool. The very fact that I am blogging about it means that they have been able to get my attention. And more than that I would spread the word.

I might watch and might not watch the movie but I will sure talk about it to my friends. I will brag that one I twitter and two Saawariya is cool enough to follow me.

The Ripple Effect
Virals are like ripples. Someone needs to drop that pebble that starts the ripple. People at Saawariya are sure throwing a lot of pebbles. These pebbles have to be dropped at the right places. Where water is deep enough to create a large ripple. And where a ripple would not die down after some time.

Food for thought
And finally my another theory about social networks. I cant reinforce that human beings in the end are social animals. If a marketer can give humans some food for thought, something to talk about, a context that helps people diffuse time in social gatherings, something people can become master of (by virtue of thought and/or use of words) and the master can attract followers, the marketer would have done his job.

Most of the time people hang around with same set of people and after a time you know everything there is to know about a person. What do you talk about then? You have to find something to talk about. This is where the Food for Thought would come in. Let people use the food supplied by marketer to kill their time. And spread the world.

Any thoughts? Comments?