rangdetumpy

Debutante Atanu Mukherjee breaks the concept of genre and gives a slice-of-life thriller Rukh. It's a story about a unhappy family and its predicaments. In the mold of a thriller the film follows a trajectory which scares you, makes you angry and then out-of-sudden you feel strong, then finally embracing tears of love and sacrifice. At core it is also a tale of greed and fragility of friendship but I won't tell about it more as that will give away the plot. But honestly, this is one rare Hindi film that showcases the fragility of friendship,unlike the "Yaarana" utopia depicted in mainstream Hindi cinema.. Also, there's a heart-warming tale of a father-son & how far a father can go/tries to give a better life for his offspring/family..Well, this is one area which is alien to me in my real life. So those who have experienced such a phenomenon may like it more. Mukherjee (& co-writer Akash Mohimen) keeps Dhruv at the front and along with him the mystery gets unraveled. The characterizations are top-notch. And then there are the fine performances – Manoj Bajpayee yet again; he is surely the most under-rated actor today. He gets able support from the dependable Kumud Mishra, Marathi actress Smita Tambe & Adarsh Gaurav (who is superb as Dhruv. After Mom & Rukh he is surely a talent to look for)... Rest is done by my favourite music director Amit Trivedi (& Sidhant Mago - lyricist) with two adequate songs which completes the film. Also, cheers to Sanglap Bhowmik (editing) & Anjo John (background score). While the end of the film celebrates "hope", I hope that this film gets recognized by its target audience over the period of time.

Dear Gauri Shinde,

Thanks for gifting us a story where the journey is more important than the destination. One needs courage to make an intrusive film on a young individual's internal complications and involve us in her expedition. Eventually the therapeutic route engulfs us to an extent that we start our quest for happiness within our imperfection existence. And therein lies your success, your ability to convey some simple yet deep statements about Life without striking with a sledgehammer to prove your point.

And thankfully there's no excessive drama – what a beauty!! Yeah, the narrative is verbose but those dialogues are so free flowing and real. Many a times I didn't feel like watching a movie.

Thanks again, for gifting us Dr Jehangir "Jugs" Khan. A life-mentor like him around can prompt any soul to sing "Love you Zindagi". Lots of thanks for giving Shah Rukh Khan a scope for a restained performance. His gentle, calm aura is infectious. And it seems Alia Bhatt can't go wrong... Dear Zindagi belongs to her and it is yet another triumph for this young talent. Also, convey my note to your casting director for the flawless casting (one who played Jackie is my fav), Laxman Utekar for the cinematography & Amit Trivedi (ofcourse). The protagonist's issues are very urban centric and the decision to release it only 1100 screens is spot-on.

Be it problem of house wives or millennial, you seem to hit the right chords... These two beautifully crafted slice-of-life films surely make you a sought after director in my list.

A heartfelt film with all heart & heart……and the statement on parenting..

Yours thankfully, An ardent (& momentarily happy) cine-lover

P.S : "you and only you is the teacher of your School of life" - a much required statement that should flow into our psyche....

Pink is not a film and this is not a review..

A dialogue from Rang De Basanti – "Koi Bi desh perfect nevi ho ta hai..use perfect banana parta hai" – and for that one needs to change the various aspects of societal mindset. #Pink is not just a film but a statement against this prejudiced, hypocritical feudal societal fabric that can't handle modern-thinking women.

Two major point raised without being didactic:- 1.Stop being judgmental. A modern working woman who wears short (I would say more comfortable in this humid climate) clothes or one who parties & drinks or one who is friendly doesn't mean SHE IS AVAILABLE. SO STOP LABELING HER..

2.Most vital point – NO MEANS NO..She can be your friend, GF, sex-worker, even your wife : NO means No. I am sure even most educated men won't get this point but I hope they does..

Honestly Shoojit Sircar (who is synonymous with quality films Vicky Donor Madras Cafe Piku) & debutante Dir Aniruddha Roy Chowdhury should be applauded for The Film Pink as it has the power to change mindset. Hope Pink is watched at a large scale, start a debate and inspire young adults. Going by the reactions all over I guess the movement has just began, that is Power of Great Cinema.

Kudos to Amitabh Bachchan to be part of such a topical film demanding respect.His acting and choice of films are getting better and better with old-age..This issue was necessary to be told and his name would increase the audience base. Tapsee Pannu and Kirti Kulhari are a revelation. Their pain reflects the voice of majority of Indian women who have to face ordeals even in the busiest of streets in our country. Angad Bedi is so authentic that you will hate him. Debutante Andrea Tariang is effortless. And can Piyush Mishra & Dhritiman Chatterjee go wrong in any role? Pink is indeed a taut social thriller which needs your attention.It is taut and gritty and it establishes its plot-points effectively keeping the tension intact. And while doing so it makes evident points against the society. The court-room sequences in the 2nd half is tremendously superb. As a cinema it is Talvar of 2016 albeit with a straight plot-line.

Btw, Do watch the end credit..