Maidaan (Field)

 Movie Review (Hindi)

I watched Maidaan only on the recommendation of my brother who is a huge football fan. Knowing that my husband would love it too (being another huge fan), we went to watch this movie on the big screen. And thank God we did! I would have missed a gem of a movie. I admit I had no idea that Indian football did make a big name for itself in the 50s and 60s all thanks to the coach and manager of the Indian football team, SA Rahim.

The movie showcases the journey of Rahim in putting India on the map and what a journey. Ajay Devgn, playing Rahim, has excelled himself. His brooding, angry, suffering character was just right. Each of the players seem to have been handpicked due to their likeness to the original players and they played well together. 

The cinematography was what took the cake. The camera compelled me to follow the ball so intimately, it brought each of the matches to life. It was a long movie but never felt like it. Thank you, Amit Sharma for the masterly direction. A big thanks to all the writers and producers for bringing this wonderful piece of history to life.

 Does seem like history though, doesn’t it? 

Laapataa Ladies (Missing Ladies)

 Movie Review (Hindi)

Though the film is a comedy set in rural India, it has several underlying social messages which hit home each time we laugh at the follies of the characters.

 A simple tale of two brides who fail to reach their husbands’ homes, not because of mistaken identities, but because they were invisible! The young brides wore red sarees and had completely covered their heads and faces, as was the custom. So how do you know who’s who and how do you file an FIR accompanied by a picture of a bride whose face is covered? One of the brides follows the wrong man simply because all she is able to see are his shoes.

The film boasts of raw talent who shoulder the story ably. Ravi Kishan, well known in regional cinema, has done a wonderful job as the greedy police official who might have a heart somewhere. Men who are comfortable murdering their wives, young girls who are raised doing housework thinking this is what they were meant to do and girls who wanted to study but were told to stop dreaming and do what is right by social laws- so many currents flow through this gem of a film.

Thank you Kiran Rao and Aamir Khan! Looking forward to more such thought provoking and entertaining films….

Killer Soup

 Web series (Hindi)

What a web series! I do not think I have seen such a twisted, tragi comedy thriller. Also some of the best actors are in it with Konkona Sensharma and Manoj Bajpayee leading the way and simply hypnotizing with their skills. The grey of every character is so beautifully etched that I could sympathize with their predicaments. There is also the ghost who lurks in the corners showing the way!
This is one series everyone must watch. The unpredictability is carried on till the last shot of the series.
Thank you Abhishek Chaubey for the excellent direction and for casting such gifted actors!

(Streaming on Netflix)