Bohemian Rhapsody

Movie Review (English)

This particular Rhapsody had me from the word Go. From the first scene, as the auditorium filled with the melodramatic music that only Queen could come up with, I began singing. Growing up, Queen was always on the top five of my most favourite rock bands.

So, I was quite apprehensive when I heard about this movie and I read a few reviews which were not full of praises. Anyway, anything to do with Queen, I needed to be in on it. And was I glad to have watched this wonderfully directed and superbly enacted movie!!

To be able to decide which aspect of Freddie Mercury to highlight, which years to look into and at the same time highlight the growth of this remarkable band was the work of some genius. To end the movie on the Live Aid concert note – was a well thought out move - the piece de resistance for Queen as far as performance goes. But of course, some of their best music was composed after this concert.

Thank you, Rami Malek (actor), Brian Singer (Director) and Anthony McCarten (Screenplay writer) for resurrecting Freddie and Queen so brilliantly. The slick edit got the movie going at a fast pace just apt for depicting Queen. 

I wanted to come out feeling good about Freddie and not dive into the darker world that he hid so well from his fans and I am glad I saw Freddie at his best!

Queen continues to Rock its fans making us feel like Champions!!

Badhaai Ho (Congratulations)

Movie Review (Hindi)

There are some things in life which the younger generation take for granted. For example – Parents are there primarily to fulfill the needs of children or the household. That they are two individuals who are human beings with the same sense and sensibilities as them does not seem logical to them.

So when a middle aged couple, (played expertly by Neena Gupta and Gajraj Rao) expect another child after 16/17 years, there is a negative eruption in the house and bad jokes and rib poking float around among friends, relatives and acquaintances.

The movie deals with this subject and deals with it expertly. The elder son of the couple, Nakul (played by Ayushmann Khurrana) is working and has a girlfriend (played by Sanya Malhotra), his younger brother is in class XII and both become butts of jokes. Strangely, it is only when Nakul’s girlfriend Renee’s mother talks about the embarrassment that the older couple has caused, that Nakul speaks out for his parents and is able to see things in proper light.

Funnily enough, this kind of a situation, (late pregnancy), was a common occurrence just two generations ago.

Though the film is not a big budget one, meaning there are no huge stars in it, the actors are the best in the business. The person who simply stands out with her act is Nakul’s Granny, played by Surekha Sikri. She cantankerous, very annoyed with her daughter in law at all times, furious that the son and daughter- in-law should indulge in love making at their age but also standing up for them when society makes fun of them.
These are the kind of films that will rule the roost because they hit closer to home. It is primarily our story that we see on screen and we love to watch it from the outside watching how things unravel and then fall into place.

Andhadhun (Blind tune)

Movie Review (Hindi)

Director and screenplay writer, Sriram Raghavan is a master of thrillers and he has not let his audience down in this movie either. The title itself is interesting – Blind Tune – and the entire movie revolves on Andha and Dhun.

Akash, the protagonist, played by Ayushmann Khurrana, the apparently blind pianist who becomes a blind pianist and then becomes an apparently blind pianist does a wonderful job trying to anchor the story with his presence at places where he his not required.

The person who stands out for me is Simi played superbly by Tabu, the wife of Pramod Sinha (Anil Dhawan), the yesteryear actor. She lives only for herself and therefore faces no conscience trouble.

What keeps the audience glued are the amazing twists that stand out on the screen (quite literally). The later half is a bit pulled but even that ends with a huge bang and you come out smiling. An open ending is always the best way to keep the audience happy.

Manto

Movie Review (Hindi)

One thing is for sure – nothing has changed in the way governments run and the way dissent is looked at or the way truth is perceived.

The movie certainly worked its magic holding me in a trance for the entire duration. For me Saadat and Nawazuddin have merged. No one else could have brought him to life with such ease as him. All thanks to Nandita Das for directing so capably, a topic that was so vast and so complex - both the character Saadat Hasab Manto and the concept of Mantoiyat.

The dexterity became evident as the story weaved in Manto’s stories and his life. All my favourite stories were captured so sensitively and kudos again for getting the best in the industry to enact two-minute roles!! This does send the message that mantoiyat is here to stay.

The punch line came with Faiz Ahmed Faiz’ Bol, reawakening your conscience, giving you the courage to speak up in times when it is most required.

Mulk (Country)

Movie Review (Hindi)

Mulk gave me a sense of joy and relief. How did the censor board pass the movie? How did Anubhav Sinha decide to make a film on such a subject, knowing the kind of atmosphere that prevails today?

It was so novel to see a vulnerable Muslim family caught in the web of terrorism, fighting for their honour and dignity when one of them takes the path to terrorism. None of the members have any idea about the goings-on in the mind of the young boy played by Prateik Babbar. And once there is a terrorist in the family, it is easy for the rest of society, courts and security forces included, to brand the entire family as being involved in the business of terrorism.

Rishi Kapoor selects movies that give scope to get into characters which are not easy to essay and he does an excellent job. As the head of his family, Murad Ali Muhammad who is a lawyer, fights for his fundamental rights as an Indian citizen. He has to fight it out with his Muslim brethren as well. And the twist is that his daughter-in-law is Aarti (Malhotra) Muhammad (Taapsee Pannu) is a lawyer as well and takes on the fight for justice.  Then there is SSP Danish Javed, (Rajat Kapoor) who is hell bent on distancing himself from this Muslim family and creating an example where people will think twice before indulging in such activities. Of course, we have the prosecutor, Santosh Anand (Ashutosh Rana), who brings in all societal prejudices to prevail upon the family.

Yes, we as a society need to erase the created gap between Us and Them and not be dependent on politicians to do that for us. 

Movies that are made on real human emotions and stories can go a long way in undoing many wrongs.

Sacred Games Season 1 (Netflix)

Series Review 

I binged on this one. I do not remember watching any other series with such avidness after Breaking Bad and Game of Thrones. Not only was I hooked on to the format, I was drawn in by the fact that it was so totally Indian.

I am not a lover of violence and gore yet there was something about this riveting fast paced drama showcasing the underworld. 

Though this is a man's world run by dons like Ganesh Gaitonde (played superbly by Nawazuddin Siddiqui), police officers like Parulkar (played capably by Neeraj Kabi), and the protagonist Sartaj Singh, (played by Saif Ali Khan) and assassins like Malcom Murad (played by Luke Kenny), what stands out are the women in the series. They are strong women with a mind of their own. Kukoo, (wonderfully portrayed by Kubra Sait)  stands out as the beautiful dancer who brings magic into Gaitonde's life. This is the first time I have seen a transgender with a meaty role. Anjali Mathur from RAW played effortlessly by Radhika Apte shows a fearless woman while Gaitonde's wife played by Rajshree Deshpande is feisty. 

Though characters like Constable Katekar, Bunty and Nayanika have existed they will be sorely missed.

The movie does not have a linear progression and that is one of the reasons for the Series doing well. There are so many stories left unsaid that the next season is awaited eagerly. I am hoping to see a more mature Sartaj Singh as he has to contend with Parulkar, Gaitonde and Guru ji (Pankaj Tripathi was as usual superb).

The novel by Vikram Chandra does provide the foundation but the building takes on its own form and as a series this will hopefully work well.

Veere Di Wedding

Movie Review (Hindi)

How so many people spend so much time and come up with so much crap is beyond me. The producers and the director and the actors actually thought they were doing a great job by doling out such regression?

Some call this a coming of age movie!! Besides a couple of shots with the young girls there is nothing that gives us a peek into their stories. After that the four ladies take over and then the over loud, over dressed, over everything, occupies the screen. Thankfully, the movie deals with the super-rich class and so we can watch the frivolousness with amusement. 

For me the movie was regressive because in trying to show girl power the story blatantly shows how foolish and how lost these women are without men around and lost women will resort to drinking and cursing at all times.

On the other hand, this very cast with a story of some sort and a director with more understanding of women’s emotions (really difficult) could have turned out to be a thoughtful movie really worth the time spent on watching it.

I cannot understand why someone like Anjum Rajabali would want to take up a role here.

A call to all the Veeres - Swara, Kareena, Sonam and Shikha --- Kindly take the time to present a movie that truly expresses what women have to go though while dealing with emotional upheavals. Each one of you has the potential to do that. But do you want to?

Bioscopewala

Movie Review (Hindi)

The movie again reiterates my belief that the Story is the master. Competent actors carry forward a good story. Adil Hussain, Geetanjali Thapa, Tisca Chopra and the bioscopewala, played Danny Denzongpa do just that.

If you are looking for car chases, skin flaunting, exotic locations, big star cast, then this movie is certainly not for you. If you are looking for a touching story told simply without gimmickry, then you have a winner on screen!

The director has wasted no time on extra shots and the songs simply propel the story forward. This movie tells the complicated story of the relationship between father, Robi Basu and his daughter, Mini. It also begins the search of another conflicting relationship between Mini and Rehmat, the bioscopewala, which develops into something beautiful and that beauty is revealed only at the end.

When as a kid I read Tagore’s Kabuliwala, I felt miserable when Mini failed to reach out to the Kabuliwala and rejected him. Somehow, I could never forgive her for this act. Bioscopewala brought a closure to that misery. I felt elated when our Bioscopewala got more than recognition from Mini.

Thank you, Deb Medhekar for revisiting the story!

Hitler ki Moonch aur Charlie ki Tope laya - yeh  Bioscopewala!! Go and watch!

102 Not Out

Movie Review (Hindi)

Though the movie has been touted as a comedy, it is much more than that. It tells the tale of neglected parents waiting for any kind of communication from their children who live on the other side of the globe and find it easy to cut off familial ties and hope the parents understand their problems. It also tells the tale of the elderly taking their age too seriously. 

The comedy lies in the witty repartee between father- played by Amitabh Bachchan who is 102 years old and his son - played by Rishi Kapoor who is 75 years old.  Both these actors show their mettle and the way the years in the film industry have matured them.

I do wish the wig used for Amitabh was given more thought. A matted white wig does not necessarily translate into a realistic one. Also a person who is 102 years old, would show it in his physicality too. Father and son seemed to be from the same age group. Would seem better had they been brothers with different personalities.

Like a good entertaining movie and as the name suggests - an interesting T20 Cricket match, there were several upheavals and the best saved for which brought out handkerchiefs.

I certainly hope that both the actors shine on and entertain cine-goers for years to come. Thanks to Umesh Shukla for competent directing even though he must have been in awe of the stalwarts!!

Raazi

Movie Review (Hindi)

Here is a Hindi movie which is a spy thriller but not quite. It has the entire gamut of an emotional drama and that is why it is different and that is why it is so watchable. I have been an admirer of Alia Bhatt and this movie simply strengthens my belief in her acting skills. Besides she has got one of the most talented directors, Meghna Gulzar, to direct her.

This movie is based on real life and has several heart-stopping and heart-breaking moments. Despite high drama what stood out was the subtlety of the enactment. Just not what is expected from a commercial Hindi movie with its over the top acting, hamming and mindboggling stunts. 

What stood out was the fact that Pakistan was not depicted as the war mongering ogre that it is generally shown as. Here, Indians marry Pakistanis and can live happily, though thanks to our political and armed discourse we are making it more and more difficult.

The movie is like a breath of fresh air. Each character has been excellently portrayed and there is the 1970s feel in the surroundings.

Sehmat is a character who will not be forgotten anymore, whether it the real Sehmat or the actor Alia who brought her back to haunt us.

Guptodhoner Sondhane (In Search Of Hidden Treasure)

Movie Review (Bengali)

The funny part of the movie is that the entire mystery behind the hidden treasure is revealed in the first few minutes into the movie.
The audience is quite aware of the Mughal treasure buried somewhere within the premises of the 300 year-old Singha Roy palatial home. So the movie relies entirely on the slick story telling, the dialogue and the acting talents of the performers to hook the audience.

The riddles as cryptic clues keep the movie going which is quite a clever ploy as it brings in literature, history and numbers together. The audience is pulled in to solve the riddles as well.

The amateur detectives do rise over the amateurish story and bring the trophy home. Abir Chatterjee as Sona da is the emerging Felu da and Byomkesh Bakshi of Bengali cinema today. He certainly has big shoes and big brains to fill.

Phantom Thread

Movie Review (English)

Phantom thread is an experience on the lyrical level. 

This is an incredibly moving story of a topnotch designer (Reynolds Woodcock) who has rigid rules, strange fetishes and beliefs, misses his deceased mother and refuses to understand that a loving relationship needs nurturing. His obsession with his creations rules his life and I think no one but Daniel Day-Lewis could have nailed the part. Of course, the magic woven by director Paul Thomas Anderson, through his enigmatic protagonist and beautiful muse (Alma), and the camera work that takes us to another era so very smoothly, cannot be overlooked.

I loved the fact that poisonous mushrooms had to finally work their venom into Reynolds’ system to make him realize how important Alma was for him. She had her ways of making him realize that. Alma played by Vicky Krieps is superb as the strong willed beautiful young lady who does not shirk from taking any risk to get the love of her life.

P.S. – Movie buffs will miss Daniel Day-Lewis as he retires from acting with this movie.

Hichki

Movie Review (Hindi)

Rani Mukherji has truly excelled in this movie. Maybe for me the story resonates closer to my heart. While working as a fellow with Teach for India I learned to empathise with my students and their stories. I see situations in the movie and they hit close to home.

The entire storyline about kids attending an elite school from the nearby slum because of RTE is not new. They are looked down upon by the other students; teachers give up on them from day 1. But the fact that these students should get a teacher who has a handicap herself (afflicted with Tourette’s syndrome) and the way ahead makes for an interesting plot. The students have enacted their roles pretty well as has the teacher (Neeraj Kabi) who sees no good in them.

It is interesting to note how unusual tics are overlooked when you get to know the person. Rani as Naina Mathur is brilliant with her neurological problem and her highs and lows with her class and in her family. The movie got me teary eyed and I cannot take that lightly.

P.S. You do not always need an unusual story. Convincing acting and a smooth edit could get the laurels.

The Shape Of Water

Movie Review (English)

The USP of the movie is its height of imagination and then hitting the right note connecting with the audience through that imagination. The movie is a love story. Elisa, who cannot speak, is an orphan and works as a janitor in a secret scientific facility. She falls in love with a marine creature held captive in this facility.

As plans are laid for this creature to be cut up and studied, the audience becomes a part of the group that sets out to rescue him. The fact that the creature becomes Elisa’s lover follows naturally and only endears the characters.

Elisa beautifully expresses herself, “The way he looks at me, he does not know what I lack, or how I am incomplete. He sees me for what I am as I am. He’s happy to see me. Every time, every day.” If that is not love, what is? The sensitivity used by director, Guillermo del Toro, and the closure of the love story is simply magical.

When Elisa approaches her close friend and neighbor, Giles, to rescue the creature, he remarks that the creature is not even human. She sums it up, “If we do nothing, neither are we.”

The writing is there on the wall. Do we care?

Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Movie Review (English)

Mildred Hayes, played by Frances McDormand, the protagonist, is no perfect mother. But she will not rest till her daughter’s killer is brought to book. Single handedly, she takes on the establishment and the only ones on her side are the socially oppressed. Her fight to get justice leads her to the three billboards, well, just outside Ebbing in Missouri where she lives.

The plot weaves around the lives of Mildred, her son, her ex husband, the police chief and his family, the deputy and his mother and the proprietor of the billboards. People who begin as enemies turn into friends, as circumstances change with sudden events.

Frances McDormand, as the single mother living through the guilt of being a bad mother, of trying to get justice for her daughter, suppressing her anger, her fear and again giving vent to these emotions, has excelled. This role ought to fetch her the top accolades.

Does Mildred get justice for her daughter, Angela? Well that is a question that will haunt you long after you have walked out of the hall.