Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Pani Pani re!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This is one o those reviews which i wrote 2 filmfare but it didn't get published...i hope u'll like it...waitin' 4 ur comments... 
Water is an avant garde film but then that is what you expect from an avant garde film-maker like Deepa Mehta. Watching Water was like reading a good Hindi novel. Water talks about the plight of the widows of Banaras of ‘30s. Though the theme of the film is very familiar and nothing new, but the treatment given to it compels you to view the issue in a new light. It makes you sit up and think about it all over again, especially when the problem is 
still very rampant in most of rural Indian towns and even urban areas. Each scene is well executed. It is clear that Deepa has taken all the pains to ensure that the minutest of details and nuances have been taken care of! The cinematography is awesome. Though the art direction is excellent but at places it seemed like the story was unfolding in a South Indian village. Even the Temple shown in the film is South Indian style. But that is not Deepa’s fault. It’s a pity that the moral police of Banaras literally chased her to Sri Lanka. Deepa has been successful in creating the socio-political environment 30’s in the film and juxtaposed the Gandhian principles with the social injustices of that era. Gandhi is portrayed as the hope of the masses. Some scenes just refuse to fade from the memory, like the scene when the old widow, denied of all the worldly pleasures devoured a ‘laddu’ for the first time since she turned widow. Despite tackling a serious issue, Deepa doesn’t allow a moment of dullness to set in .She keeps the narrative alive by using subtle humour and interesting twists and turns. Water boasts of a dream star cast. The true scene stealer was the little girl Sarala who played the young widow ‘Chuhia’ with aplomb and Seema Biswas. Seema, no doubt is one of the best actresses of India. I did not miss the original cast Shabana Azmi. The climax scene where she hands over Chuhia to John Abraham in a running train and turns back, the mere look in her eyes says it all. Tremendous talent, little use! Lisa ray is sur
prisingly good though she looks a bit un-Indian. John Abraham disappoints yet again; he really needs to work upon his wooden expressions, especially in serious scenes. Manorama is at her tyrannical best. The child artist Sarala has given an outstanding performance as the youngest widow of the ashram who innocently questions the age old meaningless rituals. She’s a natural in front of the camera. Be it her body language, mannerisms, expressions, she actually makes me believe acting is a child’s play! Kudos to Deepa Mehta for fighting all the odds and coming up with this masterpieceAlas! Only if we could call it India’s entry to the Oscars!
still very rampant in most of rural Indian towns and even urban areas. Each scene is well executed. It is clear that Deepa has taken all the pains to ensure that the minutest of details and nuances have been taken care of! The cinematography is awesome. Though the art direction is excellent but at places it seemed like the story was unfolding in a South Indian village. Even the Temple shown in the film is South Indian style. But that is not Deepa’s fault. It’s a pity that the moral police of Banaras literally chased her to Sri Lanka. Deepa has been successful in creating the socio-political environment 30’s in the film and juxtaposed the Gandhian principles with the social injustices of that era. Gandhi is portrayed as the hope of the masses. Some scenes just refuse to fade from the memory, like the scene when the old widow, denied of all the worldly pleasures devoured a ‘laddu’ for the first time since she turned widow. Despite tackling a serious issue, Deepa doesn’t allow a moment of dullness to set in .She keeps the narrative alive by using subtle humour and interesting twists and turns. Water boasts of a dream star cast. The true scene stealer was the little girl Sarala who played the young widow ‘Chuhia’ with aplomb and Seema Biswas. Seema, no doubt is one of the best actresses of India. I did not miss the original cast Shabana Azmi. The climax scene where she hands over Chuhia to John Abraham in a running train and turns back, the mere look in her eyes says it all. Tremendous talent, little use! Lisa ray is sur
prisingly good though she looks a bit un-Indian. John Abraham disappoints yet again; he really needs to work upon his wooden expressions, especially in serious scenes. Manorama is at her tyrannical best. The child artist Sarala has given an outstanding performance as the youngest widow of the ashram who innocently questions the age old meaningless rituals. She’s a natural in front of the camera. Be it her body language, mannerisms, expressions, she actually makes me believe acting is a child’s play! Kudos to Deepa Mehta for fighting all the odds and coming up with this masterpieceAlas! Only if we could call it India’s entry to the Oscars! Sunday, May 27, 2007
bARDY-bARDY bAATEIN!!!
BARDY-BARDY BAATEIN!:
After the critically acclaimed Maqbool, Vishal Bhardwaj has once again adapted Shakespeare's work with aplomb,albeit this time with mainstream actors.So,Bard's Othello is Vishal's Omkara.Vishal has adapted the play so innovatively that you end up beleiving it is an origional work.The film is based in the violent and wild milieu of rural U.P. where guns do all the conversation. Having my roots in one such notorious U.P. village, I know Vishal has come closest to portraying the environment,keeping an eye for the minutest of details.The treatment given is so ruthlessly realistic that a
t times you squirm. The prudes will surely be red-faced after the shower of colourful 'gaalis'(swear words).Vishal has effectively portrayed a gamut of human emotions through his characters.The cinematography and music is also a delight to the senses. Though on the flipside, the film is a bit sluggish in the first half with some unneccesary scenes.Also,it was liberally filled with rural proverbial language and local dialect, which is somewhat alien to the urban audiences.My NRI cousin who saw the film with me (She knows Hindi!) had a tough time understanding some dialogues.And she refused to believe that the vicious yellow toothed 'Langda Tyagi' was played by the same Saif Ali Khan who is better known for playing cute, funny characters which end up securing a 'Best Comedian' award for him. Yes,Saif has played his part with such aplomb that he's beyond recognition.He's truly the star of the film.I'm sure he will bag loads of trophies for his performance!Ajay 'Dev-Gun' is as usual excellent and is perfect choice for the role.Vivek Oberoi is above average while Bipasha Basu rocks in her rustic dance moves.It was a pleasure to watch Konkana Sen Sharma mouthing all those 'dehati' words in such bindaas style.Give her any role and she always comes up with a winner.Kareena's portrayal of Desdemona as a sweet,cute,submissive homely girl came across as a lovable character.Though, I wish her character was a bit more bubbly and vivacious, so that there were more tears when she was killed by Ajay. Omkara, for sure is a milestone in the history of Indian Cinema and would be a referance point for future generation directors. Vishal's maverick vision deserves all the kudos for giving us avant garde cinema time and again.
t times you squirm. The prudes will surely be red-faced after the shower of colourful 'gaalis'(swear words).Vishal has effectively portrayed a gamut of human emotions through his characters.The cinematography and music is also a delight to the senses. Though on the flipside, the film is a bit sluggish in the first half with some unneccesary scenes.Also,it was liberally filled with rural proverbial language and local dialect, which is somewhat alien to the urban audiences.My NRI cousin who saw the film with me (She knows Hindi!) had a tough time understanding some dialogues.And she refused to believe that the vicious yellow toothed 'Langda Tyagi' was played by the same Saif Ali Khan who is better known for playing cute, funny characters which end up securing a 'Best Comedian' award for him. Yes,Saif has played his part with such aplomb that he's beyond recognition.He's truly the star of the film.I'm sure he will bag loads of trophies for his performance!Ajay 'Dev-Gun' is as usual excellent and is perfect choice for the role.Vivek Oberoi is above average while Bipasha Basu rocks in her rustic dance moves.It was a pleasure to watch Konkana Sen Sharma mouthing all those 'dehati' words in such bindaas style.Give her any role and she always comes up with a winner.Kareena's portrayal of Desdemona as a sweet,cute,submissive homely girl came across as a lovable character.Though, I wish her character was a bit more bubbly and vivacious, so that there were more tears when she was killed by Ajay. Omkara, for sure is a milestone in the history of Indian Cinema and would be a referance point for future generation directors. Vishal's maverick vision deserves all the kudos for giving us avant garde cinema time and again.
let'z dhoom
Hollywood o Hollywood,we can do without you! We now have our very own movers and shakers who are ready to give your Tomsand Brads a run for their money and looks! D-2 is Bollywood's first international quality action flick. It gives you an adrenaline rush like no other Bollywood films. It simply takes yourbreath away.Everything from choreography, cinematography,background score to precarious stunts,special effects, dialogues, costumes and sets were avant garde. The only department which disappoints isitsmusic which could have been better.We also missed the Bikes. D-2 completely transformsHrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu into a sexir avataroverflowing with oomph..Hrithik and Ash share a crackling chemistry.While Hrithik lookslike a Greek God and dances like dream, Ash is the surprise packet. Yes, this usually 'thanda' beauty can be very sexy if she wants to. She is at her sexiest best. Bipasha, with her well toned and tanned body proves again that she is the true succesor to Zeenat Aman We boys are plain jealous of John Abraham. Abhishek and Uday's Jai-Veeru act (Yes, I Know they call Veeru as Ali here!) have you in splits and leaes you asking for more. Rimi Sen tickles our funny bone in the cameo. But the scene stealer is Hrithik who makes the gravity defying stunts seem child's play! He isemerging as ourtrue 'desi' superhero. D-2's stylish look and fashion statement alongwith 40 minutes of VFX, slick action sequences arec its high-points.Plus the strong characterisations and taut screenplay add gravitas to the film. D-2 hascertainly raisec the bar of film making in Bollywood. It isan accomplishment to producea world class VFX filled film at a fraction of the budget of Hollywood films.Clearly, D-2 is Sanjay Gadhvi's 'tour de force'!
Just 3 cautions:1): Don't buy popkorn while watching the film. You will not realize when you ate your papercontainer.2): Don't See it with your girlfriend or boyfriend. You will end up having a break-up!3): Don't drive for 2-3 days, if possible!
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