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)

4 Hindi Movies you will enjoy

 Movie Reviews

4 Hindi movies that I loved watching and if you have the time, do watch.

(Not in order of preference)

1.      Mission Majnu – A spy story based on real life events but not a James Bond movie. Sidharth Malhotra nails it as the undercover RAW agent posing as a Pakistani tailor who rises above his guilt and secures love for his country and his family. Ashwath Bhatt, playing President Zia was brilliant. Quite a pacy thriller.

 Dhak Dhak – Loved the concept of a road trip with four women for varied ages. So you can identify with which ever age group you are in. With four characters we get four touching stories and the beauty of Ladakh.

 Three of Us- What do you do when you have Shefali Shah and Jaideep Ahlawat sharing screen space? I was hypnotised and the seemingly slow pace of the story glued me to the screen. I felt cheated when the story ends. I wish we had more such stories of the soul.

Sajini Shinde ka Viral Video – Sajini Shinde, the protagonist, played by Radhika Madan is a brilliant teacher, has a strict father, is tormented by a video, and has nowhere to seek refuge. The cake is, of course, given to Nimrat Kaur for assaying the inscrutable police officer investigating the case of the disappearing teacher. But Bhagyashree was the surprise element. After Maine Pyar Kiya, this is her second movie I am seeing and yes, she has grown!!

Choona (Lime)

 Movie Review (Hindi)

This web series is a mix of a political drama, comedy and a thriller and it revolves around revenge and a heist. With the combination of all these elements, it is impossible to take a break from watching the episodes. More so because the actors are spot on with their characters.

I am an admirer of Jimmy Shergill and kudos to him for carrying the role of Shukla so beautifully. His obsession with astrology and vastu which prove to be his undoing builds upon the interesting plot. The story cleverly spins VFX into the scheme of things and this stands out in sharp contrast to astrology and faith healers.

Pushpendranath Misra as director and writer (besides Shristi Dubey and Mugdhaa Ranade) has hit the right spot and made this web series worthy of our time.

Jaane Jaan (Beloved)

 

Movie Review (Hindi)

Jaane Jaan is a thriller-cum-unrequited love story shot in Kurseong and Darjeeling. I say the names because the dark atmosphere in the film is brought on by the mist in the mountains.

The delightful part of the movie are the actors – Vijay Verma, Jaideep Ahlawat and Kareena Kapoor. Their chemistry works magic. It is lovely to see Kareena without make-up (to hide lines) and holding her own along with the two talented men.

I have loved Sujoy Ghosh’s earlier movie, Kahaani. This one is from the same genre, only a little confusing at times with the storyline going back and forth in time. 

This is indeed a good time for the audience to be able to see movies revolving around fine actors and based on a riveting plots.

Rocky aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani

 Movie Review (Hindi)

Raja aur Rani kii Prem Kahaani starring Alia Bhatt and Ranveer Singh has been directed by Karan Johar. I have been waiting for this moment just to see him take the Director's chair once again. 

And yes, I wasn’t disappointed. Over the top, no doubt, what with Ranveer Singh playing Rocky, a very rich guy with little sophistication, it has to be. However, Jaya Bachchan provided the surprise element for me. That she can be such a wicked north Indian matriarch is a treat to watch! Shabana Azmi and Dharmendra pairing up again is something that lovers of 70s cinema would love to see. Tota and Churni, playing parents to Alia are well-known actors from Bengal, hence the Bengali household is all authentic. Alia  playing Rani, as usual is great at what she does. I enjoyed the way she speaks Bangla.

The use of hit Hindi film songs is an excellent touch. Like all Karan Johar films, the well-to-do family reuniting theme shines through.