akweb

Category: Movies

  • Bhakshak: Bhumi’s Stellar Performance In A Hard-Hitting Expose! But Who Cares?

    Bhakshak: Bhumi’s Stellar Performance In A Hard-Hitting Expose! But Who Cares?

    Bhakshak: Bhumi’s Stellar Performance In A Hard-Hitting Expose! But Who Cares?

    Based on the horrific Muzzafarpur shelter home case that rocked the nation in 2018, Bhakshak is a gripping tale of a fearless small town journalist Vaishali. She follows a tip of horrific crimes and painful realities of a shelter home and pursues it relentlessly. The politicians, corrupt cops, bureaucrats and ’system’ live up to their cliche of blocking justice, abusing power and being partners in crime but Vaishali manages to release the victimised girls and ensure justice. 

    Bhumi Pednekar gives a solid performance with her driven and empathetic approach – Afwaah, Bheed and now Bhakshak. Sanjay Mishra as her cameraman and Aditya Srivastava as the criminal perpetrator give a praise worthy performance. 

    The screenplay is solid but editing and writing could be crisper. Clear loopholes and gaps exist but the overall honest intentions overshadow them. 

    The biggest challenge for the movie is the lack of interest and audience fatigue – who cares about child abuse, sexual torture, rape, and murder crime in shelter homes of Bihar? As Bhumi asks: “Doosro ke dard mein dukhi hona bhool gaye hain kya?” Scrolling continues… 

    #bollywood #netflix #netflixindia #moviereview #ott #newreleases #bhakshak #bhakshakreview #cinema #hindimovie

  • Shri Ram & Bollywood

    Shri Ram & Bollywood

    The great Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata have inspired several Hindi movies, regional movies, TV serials and even Hollywood movies (Think Matrix).

    As we gear up for one of the most important events of the great Indian nation, let us recap how Ramayana has influenced our screens.

    Quick points:

    1. As noted in my PhD thesis, ‘Ram Leela’ plays have been an integral part of our entertainment history. The early films were dominated by religious and mythological stories, littered with special effects and relating tales based on the great Hindu epics, ‘The Mahabharata’ and ‘The Ramayan’.

    2. Lanka Dahan – One of India’s first superhits: The 1917 movie on Ramayan by Father Of Indian Cinema, Shri Dadasaheb Phalke, was a cult hit. The shows ran every hour from 7 am to midnight making it one of the most watched movies of the early Indian Cinema. Shri Phalke was inspired to make the movie after watching ‘The Life Of Christ’ and felt a strong urge to tell the Indian mythological gem.

    3. Seeta: The first significant talkie was Debaki Bose’s Seeta where Prithviraj Kapoor played Ram and Durga Khote was Seeta. Another movie of same time was Ram Janma.

    4. Ram Rajya: Vikram Bhatt’s grandfather Vijay Bhatt made couple of movies on Ramayana – Bharat Milap and Ram Rajya. Both were super hits.

    5. Ram Rajya was one of the only two-three movies that Mahatma Gandhi watched in his lifetime. Gandhi started using the word Ram Rajya as a welfare benign state.

    6. Sampoorna Ramayana: The classic of the 60s is still one of the popular movies for legendary epic.

    7. Bajrangbali: Lord’s biggest bhakt Shri Hanuman takes centre stage in the movie. Dara Singh is Hanuman in this epic. Mahabali Hanuman, Hanuman Paatal Vijay & Shri Ram Bhakta Hanuman are other representations of Shri Hanuman.

    8. Luv Kush: Jeetendra & Jaya Prada starrer focusses on the Lord Ram’s two sons after the Lord sends Sitaji to exile

    9. Ramayana – The Legend Of Prince Rama: The India-Japanese anime movie has been a favourite with the 90s kids.

    10. AdiPurush: One of the most disastrous movies of recent times which was criticised across the board for damaging our holy imagery of Ramayana and the crass treatment.

    Similarly, several regional movies are inspired by Ramayana and the legendary NTR’s work is very prominent.

    The epic Ramayana has influenced the Indian cinema in other indirect representations:

    1. Hum Saath Saath Hain: Trust Rajshri to give us a perfect family values packed entertainment. This is the most popular replication of Ramayana in a modern context. Shobhana Samarth’s grandson Mohnish is the Ram like figure in the movie. Incidentally, Shobhana Samarth was Sita in Bharat Milap (She is Nutan’s mother and Kajol’s grandmother).

    2. Raavan: Maestro Mani Ratnam gives the perspective of Raavan in Abhishek – Aishwarya movie starrer.

    3. Baahubali & RRR have episodic influence of Ramayana. Even Ram Teri Ganga Maili as well!

    4. Ram Setu, Rudraksha are other movies linked to Ramayana.

    5. Hey Ram is not about Ram, it’s about Gandhi.

    6. The message of ‘Victory of Good Over Evil’ has been central to the innumerable movies.

    Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana remains the most popular and Ramayana – a cult whose telecast timing stopped the nation. Its repeat telecast broke records in Covid times.

    Shri Rama has remained in Indian consciousness since ancient times and Indian Cinema has continued to revisit Shri Ramayana and bring it in the main discourse in multiple ways. The trend will continue…

  • The Annual Bollywood Review – 2023

    The Annual Bollywood Review – 2023

    The Annual Bollywood Review – 2023

    The Quick Summary:

    1. Bollywood Bounces Back: After Being Challenged By The Southern Spice, Bollywood Regained Its Chutzpah – On All Fronts. The Purple Patch Was Reflected In People Presence At Theatres, Single-Screen, Multiplex & Digital Screenings & Of Course, Profits. Bollywood Was In Conversation Throughout The Year – Pathan’s Deepika Bikini, Animal’s Jamaal Kudu, Misogyny & Violence, Jawan’s Impact, Gadar 2’s Success, Rocky Rani’s Kiss, 12th Fail’s Warmth.

    2. Santa SRK Shines: Badshah SRK Set The Stage With The YRF Spyverse Actioner Pathan, Scaled Success With Southern Style Jawan & Balanced The Mega Run With Hirani’s Dunki. SRK’s Impeccable Market Sense Showed In His Reinvention As An Action Hero To Be Relevant To Today’s Audience. And His Twitter Rizz.

    3. Entertainment With Progressive Messages: Karan Johar’s Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahani, SRK’s Jawan Or Hirani’s Dunki – The Mainstream Bollywood Packaged Entertainment With Socially Relevant Themes & Messages. Ranveer’s Dance & Lingerie Shopping Act With Citizen Khan’s Voting Gyan & Farmer Suicide Angle In Jawan Resonated Impactfully. Make No Mistake – Karan Johar’s Rocky Rani’s Influence Will Show In Days To Come.

    4. Sunshine Success: Everything Worked At Bollywood This Year.

    Pathan Worked

    Jawan Worked

    Gadar 2 Worked

    Animal Worked

    The Kerala Story Worked

    Tu Jhoothi Main Makkaar Worked

    OMG2 Worked

    Tiger 3 Worked

    Sequels Like Gadar 2, Dream Girl 2, Tiger 3 Worked. Original Work Like Jawan, Animal, Dunki Worked.

    5. Cinematic Excellence Persists: Among The Business Boom & Cacophony Of Success, Gems Like 12th Fail, Pokhar, Bheed, Three Of Us Also Bloomed.

    6. Beautiful Co-Existence: People Were Back In Theatres. Movies Like 12th Fail And Gadar 2 Continued For Months. Direct OTT Releases Became More Common & Certain Movies Found Their Ideal Audience In Digital Streaming. Everyone’s Happy With The Arrangement.

    7. Southern Movies Are Becoming Mainstream: Jailer, Leo, Salaar & PS2 Showed There Is A Growing Audience For Southern Movies In The North As Well.

    For Annual Bollywood Reviews Since 2012 & Movie Reviews  – Refer To www.ashokkarania.com

    The Top Movies Of 2023:

    1. 12th Fail: The Power Of Dreams. Vikrant Massey’s Emotional & Earnest Showcase Of The Gruesome IPS Journey Won Hearts.  A Sleeper Hit. One Of The Best Movies. The Strong Content, Excellent Screenplay & Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Directorial Treatment Wins The Day. VVC Beats Protege Rajkumar Hirani (Dunki). Special Marks For Vikas Divyakriti’s Inclusion & Great Adaptation Of Anurag Pathak’s Book.

    2. Jawan: SRK’s Massy Bollywood Masala Entertainer For The Political Bharat!  Farmer Suicides To Medical System To Voting – Shining SRK Showcase It All. Deepika, Vijay Sethupathi, Nayanthara & Sania Shine In The Highest Grosser Of The Year.

    3. Rocky Aur Rani Ki Prem Kahaani: The Karan Johar ‘Its About Loving Your Family’ Get A Socio-Liberal Makeover! Dharmendra & Songs Steal The Show Amidst An Ensemble Cast Of Bollywood’s Top Talent Including Alia & Ranveer.

    4. Sirf EK Bandaa Kaafi Hai: A Manoj Bajpayee Masterclass Where Shiv Bhakt Leads From The Front. A Stellar Court Room Drama Based On The Real-Life Trial & Conviction Of Asaram Bapu!

    5. Three Of Us: A Simple & Moving Tale Of A Dementia Patient’s Revisiting Of Childhood Places, People & Memories. Shefali Shah, Jaideep Ahlawat & Swanand Kirkere Are Terrific In A Tale Of Memory, Friendship & Love. The Gentle, Tranquil, Sensitive Film Is A Soul Sister Of Oscar Favorite Past Lives

    6. Bheed: An Experiential Portrayal Of The Largest Migration Of Modern Time. All Shades Of Emotion In The Black And White Saga.

    7. Dunki: Rajkumar Hirani’s Take On The  Illegal Immigration Practice Spiced With Smart Humour & Humanity

    8. 8 AM Metro: A Heart-Warming Tale Of Two Strangers Striking An Unique Relationship. Slow Burn Movie Of Honest Emotions.

    9. Afwaah: A Political Thriller Of Modern Times – Showcasing The Impact Of Social Media On Gullible Public!

    10. OMG2: Pankaj Tripathi Shines In A Movie On The Important Topic Of Sex Education.

    Honorable Mentions:

    1. Khufiya

    2. Kathal

    3. Jaane Jaan

    4. Pathan

    5. Pokhar Ke Dunu Paar

    6. Ghoomer

    7. Satya Prem Ki Katha

    8. Gulmohar

    9. Goldfish

    10. Joram

    The Commercial Success Stories Of 2023:

    1. Jawan

    2. Animal

    3. Pathan

    4. Gadar 2

    5. Salaar

    6. Jailer

    7. Leo

    8. Tiger 3

    9. Rocky Rani Ki Prem Kahaani

    10. PS2

    The Forgetful Movies Of 2023:

    1. Tejas – Kangana’s All Time Flops Continue….

    2. Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan – Family Productions Of Salman Khan

    3. AdiPurush – The Perfect Spoiler Of Ram On Celluloid

    4. Ganapath

    5. Selfiee

    And Many Movies Were Neither Here Or There: U Turn, Gumraah, Kuttey, Bloody Daddy, Tiku Weds Sheru Etc.

    Bollywood Persona Of 2023:

    Alia Bhatt Is The Betaaj Badshah (Undisputed Queen) Of Bollywood & Clearly The Most Influential Achiever But The Person Who Moved The Needle & Transformed Identity To Catalyze & Energize Bollyoowd Was The King Khan – Shah Rukh Khan!  

    Lots of Web Series & Short Movies Are Also Enriching The Bollywood & Entertainment Space – But They Are Out Of Scope For This Current Review.

    What’s Your Take? What You Loved? Hated?

  • Macbeth: Lust for power presented in a power-packed performance!

    Macbeth: Lust for power presented in a power-packed performance!

    Macbeth: Lust for power presented in a power-packed performance!

    Massimiliano Troiani brought William Shakespeare’s Macbeth to Natrani’s Vikram Sarabhai International Arts Festival 2023.

    The prophecies to three witches and his wife’s devilish persistence drives Macbeth to a path of brutal violence in his quest for becoming the King. Macbeth and Lady Macbeth are tormented by the evil they unleashed.

    Macbeth is timeless classic and has strong resonance with what is happening in the world today!

    Yadava Chandran as Macbeth and Mallika Sarabhai as Lady Macbeth give stellar performance. Raag Sethi’s music is a special highlight. A mind-blowing act with goosebump moments!

  • Kho Gaye Hùm Kahan: The Insta Movie Of The Goldfish Generation

    Kho Gaye Hùm Kahan: The Insta Movie Of The Goldfish Generation

    Friendship. Ambition. Romance. Heartbreak. Situationship. Adulting. Personal Demons. Coming Of Age. All In The Digital World.

    A story of three buddies Ahana, Imaad and Neil – who face different challenges of life behind the happy shining mobile screens. Smart business marketer Ahana’s boyfriend has broken up with her, Gym instructor Neil is trying to rise above his sub-par existence and Stand-up comic and Tinder addict Imaad has intimacy and trust issues.

    The movie gives a subtle nudge on the perils of fake social media crutches and embrace the no-filter reality with healthy relationships. The constant validation seeking behaviour is as addictive as drugs and causes emotional upheavals and mental health challenges. The non-preachy messages are powered with smart lines and sharp editing. The conversations seem very real and authentic. Special mention for the catchy music – English songs are apt and give the right vibe!

    The trio of Ananya Pandey, Siddhant Chaturvedi and Adarsh Gaurav are relatable and perform with effortless elan. Kalki adds depth to the movie – We might be more connected now but we are lonelier than ever.

    Zoya Akhtar & Team bounce back after The Archies!

    Kho Gaye Hum Kahan – Predictable. Relatable. Relevant. Easy Breezy. Like Insta – Smile, Like & Move On!

  • Dunki Review: Thought Provoking Cinema Spiced With Smart Humour & Humanity

    Dunki Review: Thought Provoking Cinema Spiced With Smart Humour & Humanity

    The First Words From The First Day First Show: Thought Provoking. Beautifully Simple Humour. Amazing Dialogues. Lovely Music. Emotional Roller Coaster. Humanity. Patriotism.

    The Rajkumar Hirani’s Midas Touch Ensures A Hat-Trick For Swades Shah Rukh Khan.

    The Perils, Costs & Empathetic Angles To Illegal Immigration Practice Is The Focus Of Rajkumar Hirani’s Dunki. The Movie Is A Triumph Over His Last Outing Sanju But Still Below Par Of 3 Idiots & PK.

    Shahrukh Is An Actor In His Chak De India Avatar, Not An Employee Of SRK Brand. Vicky Kaushal Continues His Purple Patch & Once Again Outshines The Main Lead In Parts – Like In Sanju Movie. Tapsee Has A Meaty Role & Shows A Strong Arc. Boman Irani & Supporting Cast Is Impressive.

    Smart & Sharp Dialogues. Soulful Music That Carries The Story Ahead. The Screenplay Could Have Been Better & Direction Is Superb. SRK Kurtas Make A Statement.

    A Complete Family Entertainer.

    Cinema Par Excellence.

    Dunki – A Must Watch.

  • Tiger3: Timepass Mission

    Tiger3: Timepass Mission

    Serial Kisser Emraan Hashmi’s Kisses. No

    Salman Bhai’s Shirtless Moment. No

    Foot Tapping Music. No

    Unique Story. No

    Noteworthy Performances. No

    Rejuvenated Bollywood. No

    Must Watch. No

    Tiger 3 – The usual glossy spy thriller with Hollywood style action and mind defying stunts. The usual Indo-Pak storyline with usual Salman-Katrina proceedings. Nothing new to inspire or engage beyond the Shahrukh Salman bromance!

    The Yashraj Spyverse runs the risk of being stale and predictable saga. Jawan was different from Pathaan and hence it worked! Time to rejuvenate! Time to get Alia!

  • Past Lives: A Poignant Painting Of Relationships, Identities & Possibilities!

    Past Lives: A Poignant Painting Of Relationships, Identities & Possibilities!

    Past Lives: A Poignant Painting Of Relationships, Identities & Possibilities!

    One of the year’s best and a must watch movie! A slow burn movie that touches your heart! A though provoking movie that spans time and continents!

    Celine Song’s debut movie beautifully captures the lives of two childhood friends over a two decade period where they explore their relationships in the backdrop of life events. Nora & Hae Sung are academic rivals and friends who once go on a parent brokered ‘play date’. The boy is in awe of the girl but she emigrates to Canada.

    Thanks to social media and digital world, they reconnect after twelve years but begin to drift apart again as Nora is committed to her ambition and explores the life she desires. Hae Sung finally meets Nora after another twelve years, as he plans a vacation to New York to meet the established playwright Nora, who is married to writer Arthur. How the meeting unfolds and unravels the nostalgic emotions is what makes Past Lives a brilliant and reflective piece of art!

    The Korean concept of “in-yeon” is central to the movie.

    The movie thrives in the power of saying the unsaid – eye contact, silence, stillness, music, backdrops etc. Watch the powerful ending…..soul moving!

    The movie is a master class in story telling, cinematography, music, acting and direction. Hae Sung (Yoo Teo) wins your heart as a handsome, sweet, dignified, mature and totally romantic protagonist. Nora (Greta Lee) is confused, vulnerable, practical and emotionally torn. Arthur (John Magarro) makes a great impact as Nora’s husband. Celine Song’s direction is truly amazing – full marks to her for a perfect debut.

    Past Lives – A movie about love, loss, marriage, career, culture, diaspora, nostalgia, relationships and destiny! How our relationships affect our lives!

    A must watch movie!

  • Jawan Review: Citizen Khan’s Massy Bollywood Masala Entertainer For The Political Bharat!

    Jawan Review: Citizen Khan’s Massy Bollywood Masala Entertainer For The Political Bharat!

    Jawan Review: Citizen Khan’s Massy Bollywood Masala Entertainer For The Political Bharat!

    Whistles, song, dance, crazy fans, popcorn stockout, SRK fans going crazy – The SRK masala blockbuster rides the Great Indian Theatre takeover! I saw the movie in a big non-multiplex screen on the first day and public is hysterical at every SRK act – entry, dance, dialogues, action! The southern spice and Bollywood superstar create magic! 

    ‘Bete ko hath lagane se pehle, baap se baat kar’ gets the maximum applause. Aryan – ticked! 

    The fight against the corrupt system – spearheaded by an army officer and his jailer son. Farmer suicides, dilapidated medical system, faulty arms deals, environment harming factories politician-businessmen nexus, international collaboration – all the ingredients for our hero to fight the system and stand up for common man. 

    After a spectacular opening act, SRK sets the pace with fiery Robinhood acts with the Chak De type womaniya squad. Nayanthara and Deepika are effective and glamourous. Vijay Sethupathi is underutilised – a stronger villain was definitely needed! The little girl is too cute and Sanjay Dutt is forced. 

    The Hollywood matching action and thrills are highly engaging. The pace dips in the second half and music is forgettable – unusual for a SRK movie. A stronger edit and sharper dialogue writing would have lifted the movie even further. Though the final climax with its big sermon and action ensures a strong ending. 

    Watch the total paisa vasool Bollywood masala potboiler! SRK is having fun as an action hero after his romantic hero days. Pathaan scores over Jawan but let the audience decide! 

  • When Impregnable Outliers & Strongest Stars Get Disillusioned!

    When Impregnable Outliers & Strongest Stars Get Disillusioned!

    One of the most pivotal points of ‘The Scam 2003’ is the turnaround of an upright, ethical and faultless government officer Madhusudhan Mishra. The vrituous and disciplined soldier has been toiling for years but has been ignored and often overlooked for promotions. He turns away the conniving scamster protagonist Abul Karim Telgi and his bribes. In fact, he invites Telgi to his office and publicly humiliates him in front of the entire staff for attempting to corrupt the system. He is impregnable. 

    Telgi is smart and ensures a promotion for the officer by greasing palms at the central government. The officer finally gets the promotion but he is devastated and unhappy. He questions that the system never saw decades of his work and loyalty. His entire career’s work was neglected but a scamster’s one act got him the promotion! His unhappiness and sense of bertrayal is real. On that fertile ground, Telgi ploughs his charisma and soft spoken charm to sow the seeds of his empire. By winning over Madhusudhan Mishra, he won a lottery and builds his network. 

    What are the lessons?

    Majority of the corporates and government offices work because of the diligent and righteous professionals. Failing to create a system that acknolwedges, respects and encourages these individuals is a recipe for sub optimal success. The top management and HR function believe that the people stay for the paychecks but the outliers are driven by their own professional values and moral compass. Extraordinary leaders like Rockerfeller, Carnegie, Bill Gates, Tim Cook, Tata, Narayan Murthy & Abdul Kalam shine as examples for pushing the envelope for a true meritoracy with human touch! 

    What can one do as an indvidual? Be an ambassador for rewarding excellence and challenging the system for true causes. Communicate often and openly with team and acknowledge their contributions. The biggest paradox of love and respect is that it is earned, not begged for. One loses it the moment one asks for it. The corporate and personal world is full of skeletons of relationships that could have endured and thrived with a little more attention, communication and gratitude. 

    And yes, Madhusudhan Mishra is based on the true character. Personally, I think Madhusudhan Mishra should have resigned and continued his journey….

    #scam2003 #sonlyliv #scam2003sonyliv #thetelgistory #crime #thriller #weekendwatch

    #ott #corporatelessons