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Tag: The Ship Of Theseus

  • Bollywood’s Top Movies 2013

    Bollywood’s Top Movies 2013

    The End Of The Year – Time To Review. Time To Reflect. Time To Relive.

    2013 Was A Mixed Year For Bollywood – India’s Film Industry.

    The 100 Crore Club continued to welcome new members and three movies rocked even into 200 Crore club – Dhoom 3, Krrish 3 and Chennai Express.

    At Half Year mark, I had commented: “The content and treatment continues to win. The new talent is getting better results and traditional stars are being challenged. Good times for Bollywood continue!”. It still holds true at the end of the year. (See Bollywood 2013 Half Year Mark Review)

    Ranbir tasted first failure when he let money to precede our his cinematic choices. Though Yeh Jawaani Hai Dewaani was no great cinema, it balanced commercial and contemporary cinema. The same treatment was dished out to Himmatwala, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai 2. Ranbir’s Rocket Singh is yet to be bettered, Barfi not withstanding.

    Ranbir got a challenger in form of Ranveer with Ram Leela and Lootera showcasing his talent. Sushant Singh Rajput is the new talent where banks are betting their money on ! Parineeti and Alia Bhatt are the new ladies to watch for ! Nimrat Kaur seems promising !

    Deepika was the actor of the year with 4 hits – Race 2, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Chennai Express and Ram Leela. Behind the beautiful face and awesome acting is an intelligent mind – who redefined herself. Sonakshi and Shahid Kapoor need reinvention for sure – they can learn from Deepika.

    I still feel the best film of the year was Ship Of Theseus. It was seconded by The Lunchbox. Ship Of Theseus showcases the best of Indian Cinema and so does The Lunchbox. A R Rahman still rules in the music department. Though Aashiqui 2 brought new challengers.

    Top 5 Films:

    1. Ship Of Theseus
    2. Lunchbox
    3. Kai Po Che
    4. Raanjhaana
    5. Shahid
    6. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag
    7. Shuddh Desi Romance
    8. Special 26
    9. Aashiqui 2
    10. D-Day

    Other Honorable Mentions:
    1. Madras Cafe
    2. Ram Leela

    Top 5 Movies That Did Not Work !:
    1. Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobara
    2. Himmatwala
    3. Besharam
    4. Zanjeer
    5. Phata Poster

    Top Grossers Of The Year:
    1. Dhoom 3 – 250 Cr +
    2. Krrish 3 – 250 Cr
    3. Chennai Express – 225 Cr
    4. Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani – 190 Crore
    5. Ram Leela – 110 Cr

    I am pleased to note that Bhaag Milkha Bhaag crossed 100 Crores – 100 Crores is not an elusive number anymore with even Grand Masti touching the magical figure.

    Ram Leela Poster

  • The Good Road Controversy – Let Us Look At The Road Ahead !

    The recent nomination of Gujarati Film ‘The Good Road’ for the Oscars In Best Foreign Film Categry has created lot of controversy. It is all fire and rage against the movie.

    Let us look at the issues.

    1. Better Films Lost Out – The Ship Of Theseus And The LunchBox !

    Lot of people believe that films like ‘The LunchBox’ and ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’ would have been better choices. I also agree that ‘The LunchBox’ and ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ could have worked better. But this happens every year.

    Year 2012 : Barfi was India’s nomination. Everyone felt that Paan Singh Tomar, Kahaani, Deool, The Dirty Picture were better films and could have better chances.

    Year 2010: Peepli Live was our choice. Udaan was definitely a better movie.

    Year 2007: Do you really think Eklavya was the best choice? Chak De India, Gandhi My Father, Guru or Dharm could have given more teeth to Indian representation.

    Year 2005: Paheli was the Indian choice in 2005. It was selected ahead of Parineeta, Swades, Page 3, Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. I would rooted Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi or Swades.

    My all time favorite – Jeans in 1998 !

    So it happens every year – nothing new.

    2. Wrong Depiction of Gujarati / Indian Culture

    As Vidya Balan said in The Dirty Picture, films are made for entertainment, entertainment and entertainment. Not all Oscar nominations are made only for social message.

    Also, The Good Road’s depiction of certain issues could be a reality which we may want to ignore. Did SlumDog Millionaire represent India correct? Does BA Pass represent India correctly?

    I understand that movies with universal message and human stories appeal to the Oscar jury. The Good Road has struck a chord with Indian jury – it might also strike a chord in foreign shores. Also, apart from the message, there are also the marketing and lobbying efforts that determine the Oscar victory.

    3. Political Angle

    No comments here !

    Overall, I think it was very sad to see the negative publicity around ‘The Good Road’. I believe that it is natural for ‘The LunchBox’ team to be disappointed. It is a great movie – one of the best movies in recent time. Even ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ is a class apart. Maybe they would have been great choices. But now that choice is made, let us stand behind it. Let us make it win !

    The bright side is that all these three movies are made by first time film-makers. It give us great hope. The Indian Cinema is lucky to have these gems. They have more movies left in them and this critical and commercial acclaim will only encourage them to take bigger risks.

    Second, NFDC produced ‘The Good Road’ and ‘The Lunchbox’. It represents another positive note. Kiran Rao picked up ‘The Ship Of Theseus’ and Karan Johar picked up ‘The LunchBox’ after the production. It means studios are willingness to support good cinema and give it a wider release. A great victory for all.

    So – Let us look a the road ahead. Let us support this movie. Let us help it win ! It is now India’s case !