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Reviews
Muklawa (2019)
That age old tradition
You know, when people say that Punjabis spoil their boys and subdue their girls? this is the movie they should watch. Doesn't matter if it is the in-laws. If they disrespect women, they get what they deserve. The entire community sets a code of conduct (fair or not, is another matter) for boys and for girls. And for families. This reminded me of the values that we used to hear about, but don't see in the cities.
Also loved the use of now-defunct Premier Padmini cars in the doli scene.
Jindua (2017)
What an awesome movie!
This movie is carried almost entirely by its cast. Each actor, including the ensemble cast, plays its part to perfection. The lead actors are brilliant in their work, and the father of Saggi deserves a special mention, as does the guest appearance lawyer.
Jimmy Shergill proves yet again why he is the Lord and Master of all he surveys. To play a soft-hearted, simple village person so effortlessly is way tougher than it sounds. One of those movies that you start watching with the mobile in hand and put the mobile away to focus on the screen. Well done, all 3!
The Tashkent Files (2019)
An intelligent film after ages!
The inspiration from "Ek ruka hua faisla" hits you instantly - the dim lighting, the dusty wooden long desk, et al.
But that is where the cinematic inspiration ends. After that initial inspiration is over, Tashkent Files emerges as a film that stands up for itself - and in more ways than one, sets standards for others to follow.
While the former film deals with peeling out layers of the personality of each juror and how those layers contribute to their understanding of a simple crime, in this case, what was revealed, layer by layer, was not the personality of the committee members, but the facts of a really complicated case.
Perhaps the greatest thing about the movie is that it is well-edited. This makes the story telling taut and keeps the viewer engaged. You could not take a break in this movie without missing something important. It is rare for a reviewer to say that a technical aspect was the best part of the film, but in this case, it really was. This movie owes a lot of its success to the ruthless editor.
The second great thing that this movie does is, keeping the narrative focused. It asks one question, and uses all the characters in the film, all the episodes, every single frame, word, and action, to answer that one question. No time is wasted on sub plots, no pointless song and dance, and nothing to just 'entertain'. Just great, gripping story telling.
The third thing that works for the film is casting. There is one heroine, but she merges into the ensemble cast effortlessly. The actors are well chosen, and being the veterans that they are, they get everything from body language to accent right. Each one of them brings the character alive. Casting is yet another technical aspect of film making and is easy to overlook. One can, obviously praise the acting, as one should. But this movie was gold because that cast was put together in such a perfect way by the casting director. And then every member of the cast worked hard to bring their character alive - be it the quiet menace of Naseeruddin Shah, or the volatile anger of the young politician.
The fourth great thing about the film is its insistence on sticking to facts. My interest in the topic of Shastri's death is old, so much of the information presented was known to me. There were some new elements that I hope to read more about soon. But the thing is, evidence like this can be dramatized so easily, especially since the episode itself is very dramatic. But the movie didn't do that. It presented the facts and asked the questions.
After ages, here is a movie that does not insult the intelligence of the viewer - in fact, it engages the viewer and is a delight for the little grey cells that sit starved in every movie theater.
Dariba Diaries (2014)
Pay attention to this one
In a world before fingerprints and forensics, in old world Delhi, was this amazing series. I saw it, then finished. But I keep coming back to see it.
The leads are great - both the male and female leads are unforgettable.
The art direction and setting deserves special mention and the plots are something to write home about.
The kotwal is another actor to watch out for.
Very highly recommended.
Poorna (2017)
Beautiful film - Technically sound, lovely storytelling
Saw this film today. Here's the thing about this film. I loved it. It made me laugh and cry. It was a TRUE story of absolute grit. Well edited, very beautifully carved. Each character is nicely drawn. Well cast. The story builds at a beautiful pace - neither too fast, nor too slow.
Some movies take you on a journey. This is one of those movies. Go on this journey. Its worth every second.
The cinematography is great. This is that rare film that has technical excellence and great story telling. Its a life time favorite.
31st October (2015)
For what it is, and what it could have been!
31st October, 1984 is not a day to be easily forgotten - in the subcontinent, and elsewhere. Oct 31 to Nov 4, the capital city of India turned into a case study of state sponsored genocide. Over the years, I have read multiple books, seen countless documentaries and read endless reports to understand, as much as possible, what happened there. This is one more real life account. But one very under-represented aspect of that pogrom, was the brave neighbors who risked their own life, their property and families, to save their Sikh friends and neighbors. This film tells that story rather well.
Also, this is a rare story of survival. The other films I saw were films of death alone. This family survived, thanks to the humanity of their friends, who crossed a city on fire to come and get them.
What is great about the film (other than, of course, the fact that its a real story), is the art direction. I love the small lanes with drains on the side, the decor in the houses, the use of old scooters with 3 digit number plates. Also, the costume design deserves special mention. In the first half of the film, the suddenness of the entire episode is played out beautifully. It really was like that - people went out to get groceries and suddenly realised they could not go home alive.
But where the movie fails its audience is in its representation. The editing, as the other reviewers have pointed out, is the weakest aspect of the film. The film drags, and how. The second weak aspect of the film is that the actual violence was wayyyyyyy more than what is depicted in the film. Dead bodies were not left on the roads as is indicated. After killing, the dead bodies were burnt on the spot. The preferred mode of killing was to put tyres around their neck and set the tyres on fire. OR to load them into a truck (most trucks at that time were owned by the Sikhs), spray petrol on the truck and set it on fire. None of this is depicted in the film. The violence appears very benign compared to what actually happened. No one was safe inside their house because the rioters had electoral lists in their hands and knew exactly where to go.
The movie also speaks some ugly truths that deserve to be spoken. The death of Indira Gandhi was not the beginning. That assassination was more like the climax of a movie that was scripted by the political establishment - holding an entire state to puppet ransom. If this movie triggers that research in its audience, if it inspires them to go back and try to find out what the political establishment did to the Granary of India, it will have met its purpose.
A Flying Jatt (2016)
Loved it! Do watch!
Just saw this movie on TV, and loved it totally. I guess where you see it makes a difference. We were relaxed and completely loved all the elements - the humour, the drama and the pathos.. We mostly laughed our way through the movie, the martial arts and dance segments were awesome, and Tiger Shroff totally nails it in both these departments. Its a treat to watch him dance.
The plot itself is well used earlier, but we loved the way it was treated. Special mention must be made of Amrita Singh's work (a seasoned actor is very evident even in the way she carries herself on screen), and of the young man who plays the superhero's brother.
Obviously, the message of the movie is strong and well taken, especially in the current Delhi haze. I hope more people watch this film and begin to take small steps in the right direction.
Airlift (2016)
Great Movie, must watch.
What do you say about a movie like Airlift?
THIS IS IT! (Remo Fernandes in Jhalak Dikhla Ja)
One hasn't been to too many First Day Shows in the recent past. But this story was too compelling to pass up. One lugged a child and his friend and the friend's mother. All 4 to a First Day Show. And what a treat!
The background music blends in so subtly you don't even notice it. The rest of the score is soothing, melodious and easy on the ears - not a mean feat for a quasi action film. BUT.. the best part is this - the characters are so beautifully etched. Each one of them - including the ensemble cast. Everyone has a place to fill, and everyone fills that place so well. Full marks to the Casting Director! And the actors, of course.
I have become an Akshay Kumar fan in the recent years. From being Bollywood's favourite Khiladi in more ways than one, this person has matured as an actor. He brings that rare thing to the screen - persona. Nimrat Kaur does justice to her role. I would have liked a lot more layering in the expressions of this rather complex character, but that's just me. Joseph - who grows in stature from that first shot when Akshay Kumar is asking him how much moneys they have, to the end. Purab Kohli as Iqbal.. what can one say? He stands out, really, REALLY stands out, is all. You will have to see his performance to know what I mean. From the man who escorts the hero to a small gathering of friends in a supermarket, to the man who ensures an identity for a woman with an infant, and then looks the hero in the eye as he walks past, this man truly is an equal.
But this was not one man's victory. Nor was it the story of one man. There were so many invisible hands who made this happen. They have been acknowledged in the end, but only in passing. They deserved so much more credit for standing by a man and supporting his battle.
One Lakh Seventy Thousand WOWs for this movie. I can only imagine the scale of that number. A full residential complex with 1000 flats has only 5000 people on average. A full movie hall - maybe 150. A flight - 300? 448 flights. Those are numbers that will remain in our mind for a long, long time. Sad that it took so long for someone to tell such an inspirational story, but that time only makes it more special, as we are in a position to look back and appreciate how that one battle of 1990 changed the course of world history, and continues to do so - 25 years later.