Love Aaj Kal Review: Imtiaz Ali Template Of Rumi, Rumination On Love & Life, Amazing Songs, Nice Visuals. Love Saga Of First Love Aaj Kal, Female Livewire of Jab We Met, Dilemma of Tamasha, Escape of Highway -All the Imtiaz Ali Masala are present in the movie!
Love Aaj Kal remains the same movie as the earlier one: Love, commitment and companionship are continuously challenged by the workings of heart and mind creating uncertainty and confusion. Two love stories in two different era.
The 1990s Udaipur story is beautiful and newcomer Aarushi Sharma impresses with her coyness-straightforwardness-boldness. ‘Baatein karni thi to phone karna tha, bulaayo kyon?’ Kartik Aryan shines in the same story but seems super confused in 2020 Delhi version. He is earnest and evokes emotions – ‘Aana hai to poori aana, varna mat aana’. Sara Ali Khan is better than expected. The most amazing is Randeep Hooda – the experienced mature been-there-done-that lover in his white shirts!
Beautiful Music with ‘Shayad’, ‘Mehrama’, ‘Rahogi Meri’ and ‘Haan Main Galat’ make for a great listening. Brilliant In Parts But Misses The Mark. Imtiaz Ali’s failure of ‘Jab Harry Met Sejal’ may continue….He needs to reinvent himself!
Chhapaak Review: A brave movie that celebrates life and inspires us to keep going! A sensitive portrayal of a barbaric crime against women – which we do not care about!
The story of Laxmi Agarwal – a teenager who is attacked with acid by an acquaintance for ignoring his advances. The glamorous Deepika glides into the character of a very simple Malti and delivers a strong and sensitive performance. Malti’s trial and tribulations are shown without any melodrama or preachiness – an important point.
Strong moments exist. The importance of a ‘Jhumka’ (ear-ring) to girl is known but Malti cannot wear it – it hurts! The first time she sees herself in a mirror and cries – heart-wrenching. Or a lady tells Malti – ‘beauty parlour mein kaam karne ke liye beauty ka hona zaroori hai’. The dialogue that hits me is the one that Malti delivers to her ’special’ friend Amol: ‘Acid aap pe nahin, mujh pe phinka hai. Aur mujhe party karni hai’. Inspiring!
And Gulzar Sahab’s lyrics are awesome, as always! I liked the title track ‘Chhapaak se pehchaan le gaya’ and ‘Khulne do’. Strong supporting act by the lawyer Archanda (Sarghi) and Amol (Massey). Full credit to Deepika Padukone and Meghan Gulzar for making the courageous movie! Respect for people who stand for ideas, stand for causes and stand for something!
Quick Summary:
1. Bollywood had a blockbuster year in box office collections – Nirmalaji is happy! And so am I
2. Bollywood’s super hit year was driven by diverse stars and mainstreaming of new content. No Deepika or Aamirs.
3. 100 Crores is a cake walk. 300 crores is the new benchmark!
4. Article 15, Gully Boy, Sonichidiya, Photograph, Judgemental Hai Kya, Good Newwz, Saandh Ki Aankh – All great fares!
5. Kabir Singh – Most controversial yet a good movie with the best musical score of 2019! Most debates of 2019 on this!
6. Kalank was a Kalank. Panipat lost the battle. Dabangg 3 and Housefull 4 made me cry as how creativity has evaporated!
7. Ayushmann Template is becoming repetitive. Time for Karan Johar / Anurag Kashyap / Imtiaz Ali makeover for him.
8. Tapsee and Bhumi proved their versatility and mettle with 4 movies
9. Streaming platform have won India! Soni was the best fare on streaming services. Made In Heaven, Delhi Crime, Leila, Family Man, Sacred Games 2 and Selection Day 2 continued the good run of content streaming platforms.
10. International Favourites: Joker, Modern Love and Chernobyl. WATCH IT!
Full Bollywood 2019 Report with detailed analysis on my blog: www.ashokkarania.com. Bollywood reviews of the past decade as well!
2019 proved to be a super hit year for Bollywood with domestic box office collections touching INR 4500 crores – a 30% jump over the previous year. Seen against the backdrop of rise of streaming services and overall economic gloom, Bollywood shone as a business. It was indeed time to sing – Gold Gold Gold as in Saandh ki Aankh song.
The following are the commendable movies of 2019:
1. Article 15:
The best movie of 2019 – No questions about it. Ayushmann on a mission. A brave and courageous piece of cinema. A movie that had its heart, mind and soul – all in the right place. Anubhav Sinha has found his unique after Taapsee’s bold Mulk. Article 15’s beauty was in being sincere and earnest – nothing over the top or preachy. As India’s constitution is in limelight, this movie upheld the values of the world’s best constitution. And the most beautiful parts were the tiny ones – Nehru’s book as Ayushmaan drove to his new posting. The discussions about Lotus and Hand (political parties). The different shades of Brahmins. A must watch movie – should be part of mandatory Bollywood showcases. Take a bow Ayushmann and Anubhav Sinha.
2. Gully Boy
An inspiring movie that showcases the rise of a street kid to glory. Ranveer shines as Muraad fights for his dreams. The super-layered movie has given voice to the Bombay’s less heard voices. One of best performances of Ranveer in a vulnerable, restrained, gentle and powerful drama. Watch the scene when Ranveer is the cab driver and the high society lady is crying in the back seat – the moment when they are together and feel the grief, but the big wall of society divides them. Watch fiery Alia talk about gulu gulu and yet forgive Ranbir. Siddhant was the biggest discovery and did a marvellous act! And who can forget the songs – Apna Time Aayega! Apna Time Aayega is the anthem of the nation. Hope of the youth!
Can Gully Boy get the Oscar? I doubt as Parasites and other contenders are stronger!
Gully Boy Review:
https://www.ashokkarania.com/gully-boy-review-a-soul-stirring-entertainer/?fbclid=IwAR2iUhNJBdEEmxWtPOWU_XRiF5ktJrG3jsHm_PyyAu14mdQIg7kAv0nOEAE
3. Kabir Singh
Love it! Hate it! But you cannot ignore it – Kabir Singh is a phenomenon!
Shahid’s biggest hit that has crossed 3 Idiots and other biggies in Top 15 Grossers of all time! One of the best soundtracks – loved the songs to core! It is a passionate love story of a short-tempered doctor Kabir Singh with a meek young Preeti. He goes into self-destruction mode when things go wrong. Critics were divided but audience loved the movie!
The Arjun Reddy remake is panned for glamourizing misogyny and toxic masculinity. As a feminist, I would agree but the movie is a story of a flawed character. And if we are so serious about the topic, almost all Bollywood movies objectify women, items songs rule and crass humour is the norm – let us make a start across the board rather than target this movie alone.
4. Judgementall Hai Kya
A suspense drama that brings the topic of mental health to the fore. A courageous movie with superlative performances from Rajkumar Rao and Kangana Rao. Director and actor bring out the challenge and anxieties of a psychotic mind in a sensitive way.
5. Good Newwz
Karan Johar goes back to Dostana template to bring a complex topic to living room. Bebo and Akshay Kumar rock with excellent support from Diljit and Kiara Advani in the fertility mix-up drama. Complete comic package which sticks to its purpose!
6. Chichore
Failure, Parenting, Friendship, Marriage – All important topics presented in a college entertainer! A nice movie which shone in its own silent way!
7. Saandh Ki Aankh
A movie that touches the heart in its own way while challenging the Indian patriarchy! Tapsee and Bhumi rock in a strongly scripted drama! A true Indian story is presented in an entertaining fashion with its lovely moments. Great direction and ensemble cast drive an important message without being preachy.
8. Mission Mangal
Home Science Principles propel Rocket Science! The story of women of ISRO who were behind the success of India’s Mars Mission. Vidya Balan’s earnest performance with nationalist Akshay Kumar connected with the audience. Ensemble cast of Sharman Joshi, Tapsee Pannu and others elevated the movie.
9. Uri
The Josh of nationalism and New India connected with the audiences big time. Vicky Kaushal’s covert operation against militants drove people to cinema.
10. Photograph
An unusual bond develops between Nawazuddin and Sanya Malhotra in the Ritesh Batra’s sweet and sensitive movie. The movie is
The Commendable Movies:
1. Sonichidiya
2. Bala
3. The Sky Is Pink
4. Kesari
5. Super 30
Bollywood Top Grossers:
Success is no accident and hats off to the following movies for bringing prosperity and funding for brave movies! The top money-making movies are:
1. War
2. Kabir Singh
3. Uri
4. Housefull 4
5. Bharat
6. Mission Mangal
7. Kesari
8. Total Dhamaal
9. Saaho
10. Chhichore
I am sure Good Newwz will break into the above list as it has been released in the last week of 2019.
The bigger entertainment of 2019 was in streaming…Streaming became part of daily lives in India in 2019. Soni was the best fare on streaming services. Made In Heaven, Delhi Crime, Leila, Family Man, Sacred Games 2 and Selection Day 2 continued the good run of content streaming platforms. Little Things was cute!
Chernobyl and Modern Love are the milestones – Must watch shows! Chernobyl was the top-rated and brilliant creation of the world’s most unfortunate incident. It was better and bigger than GoT and Narcos! Modern Love was another top-notch show! As I had wrote:
Absolutely refreshing! Love is not a single emotion! Love is an ocean of emotions! And the series captures many of those emotions!
Deep, beautiful, soul-nurturing, magnificent, touching!
Joker is the cinematic milestone – A must watch movie!
The year belonged to Tapsee and Bhumi. Tapsee had a purple patch Badla, Game Over, Saandh Ki Aankh and Mission Mangal – an eclectic collection that showcased her Midas touch! Bhumi Pednekar was not far behind with Sonchiriya, Saand Ki Aankh, Bala and Pati Patni Aur Woh.
Kalank and Panipat sank big time along with Pagalpanti, Panipat, Jabariya Jodi, Khandaani Shafakhaana, Lal Kaptaan!
Mahatma Gandhi is one of the most significant and enduring gifts of India to
the world. And so is Bollywood. How is the relationship between India’s biggest
exports?
Mahatma Gandhi saw only two movies in his
lifetime. The first was a Hollywood movie called ‘Mission To Moscow’. And the
second one was the 1944 Indian movie ‘Ram Rajya’, which was directed by Vijay
Bhatt. Thus, he saw only one Indian movie.
Let us look at representation of Mahatma Gandhi
in movies.
Sir Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi – The Gandhi Movie of All Time
Let me first take Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi out of the way. This is
‘The Gandhi Movie of All Time’ – the one movie that everyone should watch!
It is an amazing epic of all time, a movie par excellence and a life story
beyond imagination! Everyone was at their best in the movie –actors, director, producer,
cinematographer, music director, costume designer. Nobody could have done
anything less good for this project – It was a divine duty or a ‘Sistine
chapel’ of their lives!!
The Gandhi movie swept all the major awards including Oscars, Golden Globe
& BAFTA. It won the 8 Oscars including the Best Film and Best Actor. The
movie had a very successful box office run across the world. In India, it had
an ordinary response.
Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi is a moving experience. It transforms you. It keeps you engaged. It is one of the best tributes to Gandhi and his ideals. Ben Kingsley gave a performance of his lifetime. Ben Kingsley has Indian-Gujarati roots and his original name is Krishna Pandit Bhanji. Hence it was apt to see an Indian origin Ben play the legendary role. Rohini Hattangady, Amrish Puri, Om Puri and Saeed Jaffrey enact key roles in the movie.
The trivia of movie Gandhi are endless. One of the most interesting is that
three lakh extras participated in Gandhi’s funeral procession scene in the
movie. Only a few claimed the remuneration – everyone did it as their duty and
tribute to Gandhi.
Growing as a young kid in late 80s, Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi was a
constant fixture of your Doordarshan life. Every important day including October
2, 2019 would be the day to view Gandhi. And what gem we had been offered
regularly – Maybe like other Doordarshan offerings like Tamas, Buniyaad, Yeh Jo
Hai Zindagi, National Programme of Music, we ignored the priceless gift!
Gandhi & Bollywood
Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi remains one of most significant movies of our
times. But Richard’s Gandhi is not a Bollywood movie. It is a British movie.
Let us turn our eyes to Bollywood.
One of the first though indirect portrayal of Gandhi on screen was in the
Dwarkadas Sampat’s 1920 movie ‘Mahatma Vidur’. The character Vidur was dressed
and walked like Gandhiji.
The first significant Indian attempt on Gandhiji was by Shyam Benegal. The 1996 movie ‘The Making Of The Mahatma’ focussed on the 21 years of Gandhi’s life in South Africa and his transformation. It is true that Gandhi discovered himself, his philosophy and political tools in South Africa. The movie is based on his South African experiences including the iconic incident of being thrown out of the train at Pietermaritzburg station. As Gopal Gandhi said later that the man who stood up from the fall was a revolutionary! Actor Rajit Kapoor did a splendid job and the movie is a great piece of work. The movie failed at the box-office though it won few awards.
Kamal Hasan made a movie named ‘Hey Ram’ in 2000 and depicted the struggle
of a man trying to kill Mahatma Gandhi. Shah Rukh Khan and Rani Mukherji joined
Kamal Hasan but they could not save the movie from tanking at the box office.
Anupam Kher and Urmila Matondkar had used Gandhi’s killing as a backdrop Jahnu
Barua directed 2005 movie ‘Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Maara’. Anil Kapoor produced
‘Gandhi My Father’ in 2007. The movie was based on Feroz Khan’s play and was
adapted for the big screen. The movie focussed on the troubled relationship
between Gandhiji and his son Hiralal Gandhi. Many people amplified Harilal’s
negative views on Gandhi – How ‘Father Of The Nation’ could not be a great
father to his own son! But it backfired. The movie also bombed at the box
office.
Movies on Gandhi were not getting enough Gandhis! (currency notes)
It had to take Rajkumar Hirani’s Midas touch to turn the tide. Leveraging
his unique story telling skills and humour, he offered a completely new
perspective on Gandhi. ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ did what thousands of historians,
hundreds of books and several organisations could not do – bring Gandhi back in
fashion. The simple story of a loveable Mumbai don using Gandhi’s principles to
solve challenges and win his lady love. Munnabhai’s Gandhigiri was observed
throughout the nation in ensuing months and years. It was Hiran’s excellent
vision, script and direction that delivered a genuine blockbuster at the movie.
‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ was the biggest hits of 2006. Producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra
smiled all the way to the bank. More importantly, it made Gandhi cool and
offered a great new alternative narrative and a perspective on Gandhi to the
youth. He brought Gandhi out of the statues and photo frames and books into the
lives of youth. A great achievement! The power of good cinema!
Amit Rai made a movie ‘Road To Sangam’ in 2009 starring Paresh Rawal and Om
Puri. The movie focussed on immersion of the ashes of Gandhiji against a
communal backdrop. Gandhi’s great grand-son Tushar Gandhi played a Cameo in the
movie and it won several awards. But it was a box office disaster. Rakesh
Ranjan Kumar’s 2011 ’Gandhi To Hitler’
is based on Gandhi’s letters to Hitler.
Apart from the above, Gandhi has been represented in biopics of other
leaders like Shri Babasaheb Ambedkar, Iron Man Sardar Patel, Shaheed Bhagat
Singh etc. Hollywood had made another movie called ‘Nine Hours To Rama’ in 1962
where Gandhi’s assassination was re-imagined and Godse was presented as hero.
The Mark Robson directed film never released in India and tanked globally. It
had no Indian actors.
Gandhi’s Under-Representation In Indian Cinema
Mahatma is under-represented in Indian film industry. The best work on
Gandhi is by a non-Indian – Maybe an outsider had more courage and better
perspective to make a film on Gandhi. The greatest film makers of our time in
1940s to 1980s never thought of making a movie on Gandhi. They must have
thought – Gandhi is so much within us that we never need a movie for him.
Gandhi is a family member of every Indian. What is there to tell about Gandhi
that people do not know? The movie may not make money!
Dada Saheb Phalke, Bimal Roy, V Shantaram, Himanshu Rai, Chandulal Shah, Mehboob Khan, Raj Kapoor, Chetan Anand, Satyajit Ray, Hrishikesh Mukherjee – None of them made a movie on Gandhi. The movies till 1950s and 1960s had a lot of influence of Gandhian values but there was no Gandhi movie. The erosion of patriotic feeling, the rise of corruption, the arrival of angry young man, the liberalisation of economy, the excitement of millennium – different phases of a growing India. And all this while Gandhi remained in background in the cinematic world.
There were occasional trace of Gandhi. In Bimal Roy’s Nutan starrer Sujata,
the main protagonist avoids suicide after becoming aware of Gandhi’s views on
suicide and changes her life. Salim Khan Saheb had once commented that the
pivoted character of movie ‘Imaan Dharam’ was inspired by Gandhiji. The
protagonist of his movie ‘Kabza’ was also Gandhi. Ashutosh Gowariker’s movie
Swades was influenced by Gandhian principles – Shah Rukh Khan is called Mohan
in the movie. The interesting thing to note is that the movies on Gandhi and
his philosophy are limited and lacking depth.
Charlie Chaplin and Gandhi
Interestingly, Charlie Chaplin was inspired by Gandhi and one can notice the influence in his film ‘Modern Times’. Charlie Chaplin had met Mahatma Gandhi in at a nondescript building at London’s East India Dock Road in 1931. The two had discussions on lot of topic including machinery, socio-economic conditions, philosophy of principles driving Indian Independence struggle etc. Charlie Chaplin’s memoir describe how he was transfixed to see Gandhi offer the evening prayers – a super intelligent being immersed in spiritual devotion! (An interesting point to note is the biopics of both Gandhi and Charlie Chaplin were made by one person – Sir Richard Attenborough.)
How would modern directors interpret Gandhi? We have had Love Stories and
Lust Stories. How about ‘Gandhi Stories’ by Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap,
Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Karan Johar? Or if Hollywood presented Gandhi through
the eyes of Steven Spielberg, Christopher Nolan or James Cameron? Just imagine!
The new Bollywood is making brave choices and Judgementally Hai Kya is a shining example of the new experiments of Bollywood. It is a courageous movie – which will challenge you, divide you, confuse you! Better than ‘leave-your-brain-at-home’ cinema.
Kangana and Rajkumar Rao are at the top of their game. Both play the
characters with impeccable conviction and bring out the multiples shades of the
quirky characters remarkably. It is an ode to Kangana’s art that she looks so
natural in the role. Rajkumar is a perfect match to her.
Kangana is suffering from acute psychosis and identity disorder. The
troubled mind has a troubled past and a challenging present. Rajkumar Rao moves
in as a tenant in the house with his wife – who is murdered. The movie catches
edgy thriller style after the murder. The Ramayana theme is invoked in a modern
style and Sita is seen as the victim of male violence. The movie keeps you
guessing and your loyalties to the character are challenged again and again.
The director is the real hero. He paints the pain and anguish of the characters with rich colours and textures. The change in the backdrop and the mood of the film between Bombay and London is nice and consistent. The conflict and the struggles of a troubled mind are beautiful depicted in the title song – noteworthy are the street art that complement the mood of the mind. Spot on!
The director could not have asked for a better actor to demonstrate the anxieties and troubles of a psychotic mind. The scene where she explains that demons are following her – it affects you. She cannot trust anyone – the fall in the drama with Jimmy Shergill again explains the state of mentally unstable mind.
Kangana’s current off-screen controversies and perennial persona helping in adding richness to the character. Is she giving message from her real life – domestic violence, misunderstood, feminine voice? Who is the real mad?
The movie has its flaws. The second half is problematic. The Jimmy Shergill
track is not given the proper treatment. The finale could have been better.
The jury is out on the choice of using mental health patient as the protagonist. I know that it has not depicted all the challenges of mentally ill patients – but I guess it was never meant to be perfect on technicalities. More importantly, I think it helps in opening a dialogue on mental health. Bollywood has impact in India that is too big. The movie is creating awareness of the challenges of mental health patients. It stops us from dismissing their problems as madness. It stops from being insensitive to their challenges. It helps in telling us to educate ourselves and be more sensitive about understanding the troubled minds.
The movie has taken the important topic of Mental Health and given it the right and sensitive treatment. The movie has a significant message for the world – mentally ill patients are different and need their space. Understand them, support them, lighten their mental distress and accept them unconditionally. And yes, do not be judgemental!
A must watch – a difficult watch, a complex watch – but yet a must watch!
Hats off to Zoya for a brave and inspiring movie. How a small Gully Boy (kid from the street) uses his talent to rise in life against all odds. He uses hip-hop as expression of his despair.
Ranveer’s purple patch continues. He is awesome – again! In complete contrast to Simba and his high-energy self, we see a vulnerable and restrained protagonist. His channelizes his character’s anger and frustration into a productive outlet – rap. He listens to the insults. He maintains his relations and friendships. He makes his point – but never dramatic. He is never over-the-top. Ranveer internalises Muraad effortlessly. He is flawed but honest. He is Dharavi boy with big dreams.
Alia (Safeena) supports Ranveer’s steel resolve with her solid, energetic and power-punched performance. She is truly bombastic as a ‘tod-phod’ character. Siddhant Chaturvedi shines in a great debut and provides the right momentum to the proceedings. He is leading the charge in the first half. He is a great revelation. Kalki, Vijay Raaz and everyone else provide a solid support.
Zoya has made a thoughtful movie that is equally entertaining. She has made a compelling argument. She is giving microphone to the less heard voices of Bombay. The less-privileged living next to high rises can also rise high! It is a positive attitude pill – something that everyone will enjoy.
Zoya probes gently into the souls of each character and presents their conflicts and challenges in a gentle way. It is not just a story of Muraad but also of Safeena, M C Sher, Murad’s mom, Murad’s dad, Sky, Moin etc.
Small and strong statements exist throughout the movie. Ranveer is measuring the bathroom of Sky’s house and compares with his room. Ranveers sees people dragging on lives in the city of dreams. One of the most beautiful moment was when Ranveer is driving the employer’s daughter and she is sobbing. The class divide is wide enough to drown the humanity. Later in the movie, when Sky bridges the divides, Muraad says: Thank You!
And yes, the rap songs have wonderful lyrics. They are a character in itself and one enjoys them thoroughly.
Listen to the great track:
Apna time aayega!
Zinda mera khwab ab kaise tu dafnayega?
Kyun lagta hai yeh bustee ek andha kuan hain
My beloved Bombay is a character in the movie with its trains, Dharavi, fast life. The film gives a real feel of the “Gully” life.
The movie has its heart in the right place. Ranveer Ka Time Aa Gaya Hai! It is the first great movie of the year 2019. Do not miss it! Watch it!
Bollywood’s paradigm shift towards content-driven cinema and death of template movies cemented itself strongly after the strong winds of last few years. If you have reading my annual Bollywood reviews and other blogs, I have abhorred the template movie making where you leverage star access, big production house camps, promote mediocre cinema with heavy marketing and sell artistic cinema to commercial interests.
Public sab jaanti hai….
The Khurranas, Kaushals, Raos, Pannus have dismantled Khans…Content driven cinema of real India has charmed the audience over foreign locales and over-the-top cinema.
Let us start with a quick round-up of my favourite movies of 2018. Treat this as a watch-list for the Holiday Season!
Top 5 movies of 2018:
1. AndhaDhun
What a movie! Sriram Raghavan’s never-wracking and awesome thriller which keeps you on the edge of the seat. Brilliantly written, perfectly directed and wonderfully enacted, this is one of the best Indian thrillers.
Ayushmann Khurrana owns the film and enriches it with his complete subversive act. Tabu is a master-class and shows the eternal talent she is. Each and every character shine and keeps us hooked till the last second – including talented and under-felicitated Ashwini Kalsekar, cannot not see her in 2018 Radhika Apte and welcome back charming Anil Dhawan.
The scene where Ayushmann is playing a melody on piano and suddenly a dead body is seen in the room – it hits you out of nowhere. Or the cat scene. The movie is full of interesting shock and awe treatments with soft gloves.
Filled with Hitchcock motifs, effective music and open to multiple interpretations like Bhagvad Gita and Matrix, AndhaDhun is the best Bollywood movie of 2018.
2. October
Everything is not spoken in love and relationships. The feeling and spiritual connect is more important than the words and symbols. October is about love in its purest form. And it about us, our battles and our connect with the internal and external world.
Juhi Chaturvedi’s beautiful writing is amplified with empathy and care by Shoojit Sircar, after their earlier collaboration on Vicky Donor and Piku. One of the finest performances of Varun Dhawan and ably supported by Banita Sandhu. Watch out for the scene where Dan and Shiuli acknowledge the relationship – moving! Shiuli – what a name and aptly given!
Poetry on screen. Visually arresting. Touching story of love, loss and longing. Slow down India – this is the movie for the soul. Movie of the unconditional love and beauty of silence in a loud loud India.
3. Badhaai Ho
Badhaai Ho is the complete wholesome entertainer of the year! Ayushmann Khurrana shines in yet another celebration of small-town India’s coping with progressive views.
Amit Sharma challenges the age-old prejudices, shame and taboo of sex, desire, choice and individuality of senior citizens. The screenplay, editing and award-winning performances of the entire cast of Ayushmann Khurrana, Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao and Surekha Sikri will give you a movie to relish and think. Humour is the best way to drive a message and Badhaai Ho does it in a perfect way!
4. Tumbbad
An Indian movie to be proud of! A visually gorgeous treat. Deep and intriguing metaphors.
Set in a small village of Maharashtra, Tumbbad is a psychological horror at its best. Fear is scary but greed of humans is scarier, and it turns men into monsters.
Solid writing, world-class CGI, Hollywood style production values, background music and awesome cinematography make Tumbbad a very distinctive movie. The Ship of Theseus man Sohum Shah delivers a performance that is par excellence. The transformation of his character from childhood to young man to father to his death is depicted beautifully. A original, courageous and haunting Indian movie! A different experience!
5. Stree
Rajkumar Rao charms us in an earthy horror comedy set in a small village Chanderi. The movie drives the message successfully through the travails of charming tailor Rajkumar. Terror strikes the village during four days of annual puja. Men are locked into homes in the evening. The eerie and comic situation arising out of a female ghost is nicely narrated by director Amar Kaushik. Pankaj Tripathi excels, and Shraddha Kapoor lends a strong support.
Apart from the above movies, the following movies deserve a strong mention:
1. Raazi
Meghna Gulzar directs super talented Alia Bhatt for a spy thriller. The Alia super show presents transformation of a Kashmiri girl into a trained spy with her vulnerabilities intact. Vicky Kaushal shines in the movie and cements his position as the emerging star of Bollywood.
The movie has been a safe play for Meghna Gulzar. The music is beautiful. The best part of the movie was equal and respectful treatment of both countries – unlike Pak-bashing Gadar type movies.
2. Manto
The moving story of the enduring and timeless Saadat Hasan Manto – honest, controversial and thought-provoking writer of the Indian subcontinent. Nawaz shines once again in a brilliantly directed Nandita Das movie.
Trust Anurag Kashyap to give a compelling, layered love story. The Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam inspired movie has fabulous performances by Taapsee Pannu, Vicky Kaushal and Junior Bachchan.
4. 102 Not Out
The successful Gujarati play was brought to the big screen with Amitabha and Rishi Kapoor leading the cast. The strong script was brought to life by the stalwarts and drove the message of living life to the fullest.
5. Veere Di Wedding
This is an important movie that strengthened the feminine power and broke more established views than any other movie. Full credit to the Shashanka, Rhea and the beautiful cast of Sonam, Kareena, Swara Bhaskar and Shikha.
6. Kedarnath
The Babri Masjid demolition anniversary saw the release of Hindu-Muslim love story set against the backdrop of Uttarakhand floods. Sara Ali is a product of Hindu-Muslim love story and Sushant is a heart-melter – the magic shines in bit and pieces in the beautiful backdrop of Kedarnath and today’s India. Could have been much better like Abhishek’s earlier Kai Po Che!
Sonu Ki Titu Ki Sweety was the sleeper hit of the year. The most average movie with a hit song and nice narrative hit the chord with the audience and went to make 150 crores. Pari and Mulk were nice ventures with Mulk shining with strong performance of Taapsee Pannu and Rishi Kapoor.
Karwaan and Qarib Qarib Single were the easy feel-good pictures featuring Irrfan. Karwaan was philosophical road trip with nice performances by Mithila Parkar and Dulquer Salmaan.
Hichcki, Helicopter Eela, Baaghi 2 were ventures with defined objectives. Canadian citizen Akshaya Kumar continued to charm Indians with Bharat ‘Manoj’ Kumar positioning in Padman and Gold. Padman has its heart in the right place and should help more conversations on the important topic for the emerging India.
Padmaavat and 2.0 (Hindi) were huge movies with the former courting controversies and controversies. Ranveer Singh emerged taller from the movie and Sanjay Leela Bhansali laughed all the way to the bank.
The Rise of Online Streaming in India
One must not forget the emergence of video streaming in India with HBO Go, Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar, Eros Now and Zee leading the pack. Netflix and Amazon Prime are in the hot race with significant spends. Netflix relies on its global model and both are investing in local content. It will help both the new talent and tired talent. Mirzapur and Sacred Games were gripping tales matched by powerful acting, strong direction and marketing-distribution of Amazon and Netflix respectively. Pankaj Tripathi ruled Mirzapur and gave one of the most memorable performances. Nawaz’s Sacred Games was yet another gangsta outing for him, where he ruled the show effortless – but no new breaking ground for him. Manto was more powerful and let’s wait for Thackeray movie.
The Fall of Mighty Names
The one you love the most can be the source of your biggest anger. Rajkumar Hirani’s Sanju deserves the top award for the most misdirected wasteful channelling of energies and resources of 2018. Raju Sir – How much we love you and own you for Munnabhai, PK and 3 Idiots. Why this Kolaveri Di?
Aamir Khan sacrificed his Midas touch for a few pieces of gold and created the biggest robbery against himself and his values in Thugs of Hindustan. I will not criticise Race 3 because I did not expect anything from it. SRK’s Zero proved that Khans need to move to new pastures and reinvent the game once again.
The Numbers
You read a lot about the new age movies and the fall of big names. What do numbers say? Sanju made 350 crores, Padmaavat made 300 crores, Thugs made 150 crores, Race 3 made 170 crores. Wow!
AndhaDhun made 110 crores, Badhaai Ho made 150+ crores, Raazi made 200 crores, 102 Not Out 112 crores, Stree made 130 crores. Manto and Tumbbad did not make much money.
The future is bright for Bollywood as the rise of content-driven new cinema continues with fresh talent. The hegemony of the camps and star-power has been shaken. The audience have clearly voted with their feet and the commercial Bollywood is smart enough to smell the coffee.
And as a Cinephile with interest crossing Silicon Valley and Cinema, I welcome the newest Bollywood fan – Elon Musk. Apple is due for the investment in Indian Entertainment space. Will Elon and Apple surprise us? Elon has lots on his place while Apple will take its time. Can Indian marketplace create a global impact?
Happy New Year 2019! May your life and year be a blockbuster hit!
I got introduced to Saadat Hasan Manto when I read Toba Tek Singh in school while studying the partition of India. Khushwant Singh’s Train To Pakistan and Govind Nilhalani’s Tamas completed my partition trilogy. (Tamas’ author is Bhisham Shahni and I watched the Doordarshan masterpiece).
Manto kept on resurfacing at regular intervals and his impact grew on me with the passage of time. Thanda Ghosht and Khol Do threw light on monstrous brutalities committed by fellow human beings in the name of partition.
Nandita Das brings Manto back into the spotlight – a much awaited film on the genius by a sensitive and intellectual director.
Nandita’s Manto depicts his journey from pre-Independent British India to post-partition India and a newly formed Pakistan. The movie’s initial focus is on Manto’s Bollywood days, friendship with Ismat Chughtai, family time with wife Safiya etc. One gets a glimpse of Bollywood personalities, Manto’s fearless voice, his empathy for the less elite members of the society and the power of his words. Post India’s independence, the evil partition divides a newly reborn country. After a brief time in Bombay, Manto moves to Pakistan. The loss of Bombay and the scars of partition slowly affect him and break him down. Liquor and cigarettes become his fast friends and he stops writing back to his friends in Bombay. His pen is still brutally naked and focusses on the monstrous human behavior. He is charged with a case of obscenity in Pakistan and he loses it. The progressive writers also attack him, and he finds himself in a minority. Eventually he goes to an asylum for de-addiction.
Returning after a decade to the director’s chair, Nandita Das provides a very touching portrayal of the man behind the author and his eventual breakdown. She depicts Manto’s struggles, pains and heartbreak with total empathy. Her hard-work in research is very evident.
Nawazuddin Siddiqui is at the top of his game. He looks and plays the attitude of Saadat Hasan Manto with great effectiveness. Manto is a new breaking ground for Nawazuddin, who has mastered the thriller and gangster space. Rasika Duggal is a perfect companion to Manto and she provides the right anchor. She is silent, spirited, strong and dignified. The supporting cast includes stalwarts like Paresh Rawal, Divya Dutta, Rishi Kapoor, Ranvir Shoerey, Javed Akhtar, Ila Arun, Gurdaas Maan, Niraj Kabi etc. Tahir Bhasin shines as Manto’s friend/superstar Shyam. It is worth noting that most of the stars have done the film at zero or minimal cost. Nawaz has charged only Re 1 for the movie. The movie’s production values, art, costume music and background score are world-class and in perfect sync with the movie’s tone. ‘Bol Ke Lab Azaad Hai Tere’ is an anthem!
Manto’s screenplay is the real highlight of the movie. The dialogues are designed to keep you thinking. Sample this:
“Agar aap mere afsaano ko bardasht nahi kar sakte, toh iska matlab yeh hai ke zamaana hi naakabil-e-bardaasht hai”.
“Meri kahaaniyon ko main ek aaina samajhta hoon jismein samaaj apne aap ko dekh sake. Aur kisi buri surat waale ko aaine se hi shikayat ho toh usmein mera kya kasoor?”
“ When religion moves from hearts to head, people start wearing religious caps”
The scenes are very well-designed and thoughtful. Take a very simple scene at the start of the movie – where Manto and Safiya are sitting in a park and discussing about a woman’s facial hair. A simple park banter speaks of their companionship, Manto’s imagination and simplicity of their lives.
Or another scene in which prompts Manto to move to Pakistan. His friend is trying to stop him from going to Pakistan. He argues and says that Manto is not a Muslim enough (in reference to his alcoholic habits). Manto retorts that he is a Muslim enough to be killed. The scene delivers in the message in the most thundering silent way!
Manto’s sensitivity is seen in another scene. He is hurt when Faiz Ahmed Faiz defends Manto’s writing as not obscene, but he also remarks that Manto’s work is not literature. He keeps on thinking about this comment in garden. His daughter’s sickness and his apology to Safiya really affect you – why does he have to suffer!
Nandita weaves Manto’s famous stories into the main narrative with great dexterity but I found the stories to be too brief and directly striking the key message. I understand Nandita never wanted to talk about the stories because everyone knows them – she was highlighting the context and inspiration of those stories. But I would have loved to see Nandita’s Midas touch to these timeless stories.
Many of us do not know Gandhi, so to expect people to be aware of Manto is an important assumption. The movie’s promos and Mantoiyat theme had created an impression of a strong, courageous and larger-than-life Manto. People were expecting more fiery stuff whereas the movie showcased only the few years of Manto’s life. This created an expectation vs reality gap. But it is director’s prerogative to choose what to showcase. The chosen aspect of life is more difficult to showcase. More importantly, it is more significant to be showcased – how a creative genius withers away!
The post millennial generation cannot relate to DevDas and even Gandhi has to be wrapped in Gandhigiri. So, the film came across as a little gloomy and melancholic.
But I should not speak for everyone. Manto would not be happy. He would rebuke me and rightly so! (Remember the Lahore scene. Manto speaks to bibliophiles in Lahore and a member of the audience remarks that readers find Manto’s work dark. Manto rebukes the person for speaking for all readers instead of himself. An important point made when we often see people speaking for entire populace. )
I loved Manto. It is a class act. It is a rare gem. It is one of the fine works of recent times. Its grows on you! And it really makes you think!
“Jab ghulam the, toh aazaadi ka khwaab dekhte the. Aur ab aazaad hai, toh kaunsa khwaab dekhenge?”
The impact and importance of the movie is beyond the box-office numbers!
PK. 3 Idiots. Lage Raho Munnabhai. Munnabhai MBBS.
Sanju does not really fit in the league of the above movies and does not represent a right progression for the skilled director of Rajkumar Hirani’s calibre. But Rajkumar Hirani is Rajkumar Hirani thanks to Munnabhai series. Maybe this is a payback movie. Maybe Hirani was moved by the father-son relationship story or the general drama of Sanjay Dutt’s life.
Sanjay Dutt needed an image makeover. Ranbir need a comeback. Definitely, Hirani did not need this movie. The movie needed Hirani. We will never understand why Hirani chose this movie but let’s move out of this question and think of the movie independently.
The Ranbir Kapoor starrer is the story of selected episodes of Sanjay Dutt’s roller-coaster life. The movie focuses on his addiction to drugs, gun-possession and father-son relationship. The first half focusses purely on the drug addiction and friendship with Vicky Kaushal – who continues to shine and rise. The second half is an attempt to delve deeper into the gun episode and resurrect his image. The demonization of media and the fake news are highlighted smartly to cash in on current sentiments. The second half brings out the goodness of Senior Dutt and his unparalleled efforts to bring his son’s life back on track. The father-son element is the highlight of the movie and will bring tears to you. Indian father-sons have complex and difficult relationships!
Thanks to legal machinery and defamation case industry, the many relationships with women, politicians and others are avoided. Bal Thackeray is absent. Richa Sharma is absent. Rhea Pillai is absent. And so are many ‘heroines’. So, less masala. There are fictional elements introduced like the biographer.
The stars of the movie are Vicky Kaushal and Paresh Rawal. Both of them outshine Ranbir Kapoor – who himself has given one of the best performances of his life. His has completely mastered the character, behavior and physical appearance of Sanjay Dutt. The women actors have marginal presence and music is average.
Rajkumar Hirani fails himself by showcasing only select elements of truth of Sanjay Dutt’s life. Rajkumar Hirani brand loses to Rajkumar Hirani the friend. The midas touch is missing in this wasted opportunity. A pity and a loss for all of us!
Mughal-E-Azam is a landmark classic of Indian cinema. The movie was the costliest movie and broke all box office records to become the highest grossing Bollywood movie of all time. Its record was broken by Sholay. Its footfalls were higher than Baahubali and Hum Aapke Hain Kaun.
K Asif’s Mughal-E-Azam is a milestone of Indian cinema. It has been reinvented and redesigned by Feroz Abbas Khan as a musical play. Set in the style of Broadway, this musical play accentuates the greatness of original Mughal-E-Azam.
The play was launched in Mumbai and has travelled to Delhi. It was in Ahmedabad for four days and we grabbed the opportunity to see it.
Mughal-E-Azam means grandeur. Feroz Abbas Khan gives Broadway treatment and royal grandness to the play. Each and every aspect of production is impeccable and majestic. The set design and the digital play is the highlight. The choreography is awesome. Manish Malhotra’s clothes and Naushad’s music steal your hearts.
The live music and the singing by actors is terrific. Audience had multiple queries of it being recorded or lip-sync. The actors sang live to clear all doubts.
Parda nahi jab koi khuda se, Parda nahi jab koi khuda se
Bando se parda karna kya, Jab pyaar kiya to darna kya
Wow!
Mughal-E-Azam has a story is timeless and appeals to the broader audience. It is a story that brings out the secular nature of the nation. It has class conflict, love conflict and many other dimensions.
Shapoorji Pallonji produced the K Asif version and they brought it back in theatrical form. This is also a classic in making.
Big cheers to Feroz Abbas Khan. The magic of Feroz Abbas Khan is the grand visualization and courage to reinterpret India’s milestone movie. To contemporaries it for Instagram generation. A timeless love tale in Tinder times.
Watch it!
YouTube Glimpse:
Special note for the Ahmedabad event organizer: It was one of the worst experiences. The basic promise was broken. The seating arrangement was not as promised. The cancellation of two lower categories and they placing them at the top of the ladder was a stupidest mistake. The show started one hour late, and police intervention was required to start the show. Total chaos. Many people came from other cities to watch it and the experience was shameful. Senior citizens had to stand for hours. We watched the 60% of the show standing inspite of my friends paying a bomb for the tickets.
