Gangubai Kathiawadi

 

Movie Review (Hindi)

I have seen Alia Bhatt in Dear Zindagi, Raazi and Gully Boy and each time I felt she made a place for herself in the world of Cinema. She needed to be taken seriously. Gangubai Kathiawadi did not disappoint. That Sanjay Leela Bhansali saw the potential in her to enact such a role, says a lot.

The metamorphosis from Ganga to Gangubai was evident but subtle and Alia seemed to have total control of her expressions, voice and movement. The rest of the cast lived up to the story. Talking of stories, I am elated that this character was picked up from the book Mafia Queens of Mumbai by Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges.

Interestingly, it made no difference that the movie did not have a male lead or Hero and I certainly did not miss him!

I look forward to seeing more such powerful characters, especially women, played by competent actors, come up on screen and set it ablaze.

Bajirao Mastani

Movie Review (Hindi)

To be quite truthful, I did get a little biased with all the negativity I was hearing about this movie, how it had moved away from the truth and how the greatness of the Peshwas had been put down. 

Once I saw the movie, I really appreciated it. I did not remember the historical figure, Peshwa Bajirao I or the reality of the Maratha empire. What remained with me was the scintillating story of Bajirao, a straight forward and valiant General and his love for his land and his love for Mastani.

I think Ranveer Singh is one of the actors to look out for in the near future. He literally scorches the screen with his presence. Both Priyanka (as Kashibai) and Deepika (as Mastani) have done justice to their roles and Tanvi Azmi played the strong matriarch to the hilt.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali really knows how to create magic in every shot. The end was superbly shot. The cavalry galloping into the water and the Peshwa trying to fight them off is a scene I will keep revisiting.

A must watch just to remind us of the magic that is movies.