#Dedh Ishqiya

When all stalwarts meet at one place then something like Dedh Ishqiya is born. A film intricately woven in and around semi urban rustic setting is like gems set in pure gold, leaving the last product shining and sparkling. The film excels itself in all departments, poetry, music, spectacular acting and the flow of events, which sets one to a roller coaster ride. Some viewers might find excessive use of Urdu, but it was just necessary to create the right ambience in which the film is set. All main characters are so real that you can almost touch them. Superb acting by Naseeruddin, Arshad Warsi, Madhuri, Huma and Vijay Raaz makes this film as “must see”.

The only issue with such films is their repeat value. Once you are privy to the suspense, it may not be enjoyable next time, however the music and poetry compensates that, topped by natural acting.

Purposely not revealing the story, so as not to give away the suspense. Go enjoy one of the many masterpieces from the stable of Gulzaar and Vishal Bharadwaj.

#Besharam movie review.

The film starts from a slumber note and ends in it. The director slept through the film. Dance director, fight director did their jobs and went home.......for the rest.......Abhinava allowed three family members to hold the show, while he sleeps. Weak storyline, tacky songs, predictable plot, the film falls flat in five minutes from start. Performance wise all the three Kapoor family members were superb and lovable. The heroine, the less said, is better. Not even worth an extra, she depicts no grace in dance movements and dialogue delivery left a lot to address.

Ranbir should deter by doing such films otherwise he will fritter away the legacy he has rightfully inherited from his grandfather, Raj Kapoor, the great and giving films such as Rockstar, YJHD etc.

What worked in favour of Dabang may not work for Besharam because the audience expect something more from Ranbir than usual naachna gaana, innocent criminal stuff etc.

Review of #Kaipoche

#KAIPOCHE : To start with, its a breeze of fresh air, so soothing in 100 cr club pungent smells. India is obsessed with politics, cricket and religion, may be in different order, and all are represented well in this movie. The acting of newcomer is so impressive it leaves star sons gaping for their breath. The music is soothing and provide a succour to ears in maze of Chikni Chamelis and Fevicol. Swanand has finally  graduated from Bambayia to meaningful lyrics. Kudos to art director for the authenticity of back ground and characters. The shop, houses and market do look like middle class and true to their character.

Having said that and done, there are some chinks which could have been ironed out. The movie gives a superficial feeling in treatment. In order to encompass every masala director has left out many things half baked. The chemistry between friends is not matchable to Dil Chahta Hai and ZNMD. Its thrown in the face rather than developing slowly. Similarly romantic angle of Rajkumar and Vidya seems to be taken for granted rather than nurturing with time. The ‘kamjor kadi’of acting is Amit Sadh who remained wooden throughout the entire movie, though his role was more challenging going through a whole gamut of emotions, transformation from best friend to murderer.

However it was a delight to watch the movie with no predictable formulae. The horror of earthquake and riots are well captured, though all lead characters are miraculously saved in earthquake. HSEF being a big issue now, so characters also should be shown following it, like wearing seat belts, helmets and  not riding triplicate in bike.

Its good to feel that the movie is doing good business, which will encourage other directors to try new genre. Rating: 3/5.

Talaash.....movie review

Watching Talaash left a bitter taste in mouth. Its akin to the feeling of disgust one feels when one tries a new dish, dead certain, that it will taste good but then it turns bitter. One also wonders why Aamir Khan, who has lately, identified with few burning social causes agreed to be a part of such project which dwells on superstitions and..Mediocrity.

Can anyone in one’s sane mind can STILL think of speaking to Atmas...the departed souls AND departed souls taking full form of ‘flesh and blood’, taking revenge on killers and helping police.....leading them to....nowhere.

Well this is what Reema Kagti and Amir Khan has to offer us. Had it been Reema Kagti’s project alone with some non descript actor, it may not have seen the light of day or would have run for a day or two. But Aamir Khan chipping in and lending his credentials to this project has made all the difference. It blatantly lends credibility to unscrupulous Babas who lurk for gullible innocent people to prey upon, with such incomprehensible possibilities to “let them talk to their departed loved ones”. While watching ‘ghost stories’one knows what to expect, but this movie which started and was supposed to be suspense thriller turned out to be a big dud. The pace was slow, meaningless and led to nowhere. The climax, well it could be called so, was a whimpering disaster, and was so predictable. It seems that the movie was in a time wrap and belonged to sixties.

The movie may be bad or good, depends upon the viewer, but what matters is the view which it propagates. The main objection lies here, in its content, it only propagates few superstitions which our society is still fighting with.......failingly.

 

Sita - The Eternal Feminist.

Recently a new discussion has started following an observation by High Court directing a wife to follow Sita’s example to follow her husband Ram to “Vanvaas”.  A huge uproar raised, as expected, in feminist. Had they known the full essence of Sita’s character, they would have felt proud to be known as “the Sita”. She was so modern, liberated, contemporary  and well ahead of Her time in her thoughts that would put todays so called feminist to shame.

To understand her strong character we have to trace her life from beginning. Her birth was as enigmatic as was her entire life. She is said to be not born, but appeared (Pragat), and appeared in what way and circumstances. The kingdom was suffering from famine from a long time and the king was advised to plough a field, though symbolic to ward off any bad omen. It was while ploughing the field that She appeared in a pitcher. She epitomed fertility, rains and thus prosperousness. The appearance was much celebrated-that of a girl, unheard even in times of today—the modern 21^st century.

She took all contemporary education and was well versed with war skills. In her youth she playingly shifted the “Shiva’s Dhanush” triggering her “swayamvar”. When the king Janaka watched her feat he decided that the person who can also operate this Shiva’s Dhanush is only the right person to wed her.

All the warrior princes were gathered in Mithila. She met Rama in the garden in morning and both knew that they were made for each other. Here once again the strong character of Sita comes to fore. Since She was bind by the condition of “swayamvar”, She did not expressed her desire to anyone and quietly prayed in the temple and maintained Her silence. During “swayamvar” a lot of princes tried their hand in operating the Shiva’s Dhanush, but could not even shift it minimally. Then finally Rama rose on His Guru’s permission, not only operated but broke the Shiva’s Dhanush also. This act of breaking had a symbolic meaning. The Shiva’s Dhanush had not only become past by date but also acquired a symbol of “Abhiman”, which was necessary to be broken.

When Rama’s parents and other relatives came to Mithila for the royal wedding, She quietly called all Riddhis and Siddhis to take care of all the guests. All this was done very discretely, even Her parents didn’t know about it. Today, if someone does anything even small, wants to hog the credit but She didn’t let anybody knew her doings. She showed same trait when all Her mother in laws and other eminent citizen of Ayodhya came to visit Her in exile.

Her strong character comes to fore, when; due to conspiracies of throne accession Rama was exiled for fourteen years. She declared that She would accompany Her husband to exile. Immediately all hell broke loose as everyone opposed the idea of Her going to exile. Technically only Rama was exiled and there was no compulsion for her to accompany Him. She stood fast on Her stand and firmly but politely turned everyone around to Her point of view. At that time when social circumstances were such that a daughter in law didn’t have any voice, she had to face a lot of social opposition. She had to logically pacify Her mother in law, Guru and finally Her husband Rama. There was a further catch: She had to relinquish all royal comforts and go to Vanvasa as a sadhvi. She was supposed to wear Valkal Vastras, sleep on floor and have Kand Mool as her food. Anybody could not imagine the inhabitable condition of the forests at that time. She had the choice, enjoy all comforts of Royal Palace, but she chose hardships instead.

During Vanvasa, a time came when Rama had gone after the Swarna Mriga and it seemed that He had fallen into some danger, She didn’t hesitate to send Laxmana after Him, even She had to scold Him for that.

Now comes the most crucial phase of Her life. Ravana came immediately to Her hut and asked for alms, as soon as both brothers were absent, gone after Swarna Mriga. Though She was alone She was not scared to come out of Laxman Rekha to give the alms. Ravana abducted Her and kept in Ashok Vatika. Again Sita was standing on a junction of two ways. Here was Ravana-the mightiest king and warrior of that time, and Rama-the exiled prince whose future was bleak then. Up till then each and every lady had succumbed to Ravanas desire. He had offered all wordly comforts to Her, including his wife to be made Her maid servant. She refused all offers. She, being in captive, had to speak to him but She maintained Her dignity by keeping a small piece of grass in between Her and him. She, even at the risk of losing Her life, had the temerity to compare Ravana to hare against Rama as lion.

She passed all her time in remembrance of Rama only all the time .When Hanuman came to explore Sita, He found Her in deep anguish and dejected. Sita, showing a quick presence of mind, asked hanuman to prove His credentials so that it is ensured that He has not been sent by Ravana as a ploy. Only when Hanuman showed His ID proof, the divine ring, which could be prepared by Rama only, then only She believed Him. She was such a good judge of character that even in a brief encountet with Hanuman, she knew the capabilities of Him and allowed Him to “destroy” Ashok Vatika. Later she gave Him Her Chudamani, as a remembrance to Rama for Her predicament. 

Time passes, Rama killed the mighty Ravana and conquered Lanka. A high voltage drama unfolded and the world listened the most shocking thing. Sita had to undergo “Agnipariksha”, a trial by fire to prove her purity and innocence. Not only Laxman, but all Vanara warriors were aghast on this proposal. But it had deeper meaning, things more than which meets the eye. Rama, the just king, that he was, wanted to absolve Sita of all allegations, doubts which could have cropped up later in people’s mind, and the Maryada Purushottam, that he was, wanted to upheld Sita’s dignity once and for all. Here one is introduced the strongest and fiercest aspect of Sita’s character. Just because She knew firmly in Her mind that She had not done anything wrong, not even in Her thoughts, not even in Her dreams, immediately agreed for “Agnipariksha”. She didn’t even once thought of Her possible annihilation, an act which might had wiped Her off from this earth. How many ladies today could have dared to go by this “Agnipariksha“, the trial by fire?

Thus we see that it takes a lot to be Sita, a true feminist, rather than raising hollow slogans.