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.