Movie Review (Hindi)

Haider

I was really eager to see this third offering by Vishal Bharadwaj, with his take on Shakespeare's tragedies. I was disappointed. After Maqbool and Omkara, it was only natural for me to have my hopes high, but in vain. I was unable to connect with the characters or the story which is very important for me to be able to enjoy a movie. 

There were flashes of excellent acting when I was really impressed with Shahid Kapur's acting skills, especially when he addresses a crowd with his head shaven for the first time. Tabu had the strongest role but what was her character trying to do? She loves her son, she does not love her husband, she lusts after her brother in law, lives with him and then marries him the moment she comes to know of her husband's death. She loves Haider, her son, but she also suspects he has lost his mental balance. Finally, she realizes that her present husband is no good and blows herself up. Shraddha Kapoor, Haider's love interest was a disappointment. 

The movie left me cold which left me quite depressed. Enjoyed the music though.

Movie Review (English)

Finding Fanny

Thanks to Homi Adajania, for roping in big name from Bollywood to act in his movie. This is a great deed for small budget film makers who have a story to tell. I wonder, if this film had unknown faces would people still go and watch it. 

I loved the slow movement unfolding real kind of life experiences and emotional upheavals all of us have, that the movie portrayed. Hopefully, more well meaning directors will take to making such movies and again give those actors a chance who might not be well known faces but excellent actors.

Deepika was a surprise. Loved her subtle performance. I also could not get over the Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron touch. I have no words for Naseeruddin, Pankaj and Dimple. 

All in all, had a great time watching a worthwhile movie.

Movie Review (Hindi)

Khoobsurat

The original was one of my favourite movies, mainly because the protagonist was a woman (Rekha) and she was a rebel. She stood up against the rigid rules put in place by the matriarch. I was hoping this Khoobsurat would be along those lines. Well, it was in a way. Only I did not see Sonam as the reason for my liking the movie. She was wildly over the top for me. You know, Mr Director, subtlety is not obsolete, really. I liked Ratna Pathak Shah though as the tough woman laying down tough rules. Wish the younger girl (Ratna's daughter) had more life in her. Now, I must mention the hero, Fawad Khan. Total waste of a good actor. But he kept me interested. And yes, Kiron Kher though predictable, was hilarious. Thanks for the laughs... 

Though it does bring in the big question, what had gotten into Disney to do this movie???

Movie Review (Hindi)

Mary Kom

It is rarely that I get to see two Bollywood movies back to back which I enjoy. Also both movies being women oriented is also an interesting coincidence. So, soon after Mardani, I get to see this wonderful movie, Mary Kom, based on the life of India's champion boxer, Mary. 

When I had heard about the making of the movie, I read that Priyanka Chopra was to play Mary Kom. Frankly I had my misgivings about her being cast in this role. And thank goodness I was proved wrong! 

I do wish all women were blessed with such an understanding husband as Mary Kom's. He takes over the household chores and looking after the twin sons and forces Mary to stick to her discipline!! Is he for real? Apparently he is. Also like all great achievers, Mary has a super coach who keeps her 'boxing fit'. 

The movie brought all elements of good cinema together. The script was tight, the editing close, the acting just right and the direction couldn't be better. 

This makes me more confident of looking forward to movies revolving around women. There was Kahaani, English Vinglish, Queen, Mardani and now Mary Kom. Thanks to the changing times... Here's to WOMEN!!!!!

Movie Review (Hindi)

MARDANI

When I heard about this movie starring Rani Mukherjee, I was instantly reminded of the Hindi peom weitten by Subhadra Kumari Chauhan on Rani Laxmibai. There was a refrain in the poem... Khoob ladi mardani, woh to Jhansi wali Rani thi. I wondered at the simile. Was the earlier Mardani going to be reflected in this Mardani? And thank God she was! One of the few occasions when a Hindi film is carried on a woman's shoulders and the woman holds a position of power being a police officer who takes on the menace of trafficking of the girl child.
The movie impressed because of a crisp script, smart editing, clear direction and capable acting, both by the actress and the villain. Commercial movies make sense when they deal with such socially relevant topics. The more it is publicized, the more people will watch it and somewhere deep in the mind something will change. All those 100 crore clubs (or more) nonsensical movies make no difference to society other making millions for the producers and actors and creating other wanna be actors mirroring themselves after those stars.
Here's to more Mardanis!!! Thank you Rani Mukherjee. You never cease to amaze me!

Teach For India - Teach to Lead

We Are... On the Path!!!

As I begin my eventful journey as a 2014 Teach for India Fellow, the following lines will clearly 'reflect' what the journey so far has been like.

Fingers flew on the keyboard
The clock tick tocked
Racing against 11 pm
My deadline.
Seconds before the two hands meet
I’m done.

 Hey, what d’you know?
Got a call to take a test!!
Again – racing against time
Phew! Could have done better...
But am getting no younger.

 Hello, hello,
You’ve made it girl!
To the assessment centre, no less.
Then the day’s grilling is through
Here’s the day of reckoning.
Sonali, how are you feeling?
Really? Why?
Coz, you are now a part of TFI,
That’s why!

 All my bags packed,
I’m driven away for 5 weeks
Into the hills and far away.
A place called Flame,
Neat and concrete
and green as well.

 Institute 1, 270 of us...
Purpose?
We’ll find out soon enough.
The CEO introduces TFI
My family now.
What I gather is
A transformational path
I have to take up to make a change
Change lives, change mindsets
To make the world a better place
To breathe in.

 I see young people, in their 20s
Motivated people
jumping into a cause so fierce,
I wonder-
Will I be able to keep up?

 And so the days unfold-
Breakfast at 8, sessions from 9,
Lunch at 12, sessions again
Dinner at 8, then work.

 Week two, we begin summer school
Which is cool!
And from bed to breakfast
To bus to school, school to class,
Class to bus, back to Flame
Then to lunch, next a nap.
Off to study, then to a circle.
Plan a lesson
And rehearse.
Dinner in between,
Oh yes, and print!
Finally fall into bed.
Alarm at 4.30,
need I say more?

 Mastering the LP was a hard task to master
As the Opening had a hook
And INM got shorter.
The GP helped our students and was long
But the IP was the assessment
SRAS and strong.
So Math it was, followed by Writing,
RF and RC followed untiring.

 Today, a transformational leader I want to be
with almost a 4 on personal transformation,
with Collective action I think it’s a 3
While again a 3 with educational equity.
With competencies being drilled into me
Through reflection,
I can see myself growing, making a connection.

 As I think of building relationships,
creating a classroom culture,
investing stakeholders and looking at teamwork
I stretch my Sense of Possibility
to heights beyond probability.
I now move towards
the Goal and the Vision
for my students and for me
as I turn into a teacher
who is a leader.

As the training comes to an end
Into the real world we shall go,
Like the charge of the light brigade
Only spreading love, not hate.

So many friends have I made here
So many trainers, managers
All happy, motivated and helpful.
Thank you all!
I promise you, educational equity
Will remain my call.

Movie Review (English)

X-Men: Days of Future Past

I am a big fan of the X men. I have always wished to be a mutant with secret powers that go way beyond human. Well, that wasn’t to be. So I live vicariously through the marvelous X-Men. The latest movie, X-Men: Days of Future Past stood out in the concept of giving me an overdose of X-Men. There were X-Men from the present and X-Men from the past and together they fight the Sentinels who are a huge giant force created to wipe out mutants. Professor X and Magneto coming together was such a wonderful idea! As  usual, the sound effects, the cinematography and the actors leave one asking for more. Wolverine and Mystique, of course, remain my favourites.

P.S.:Thank you Marvel comics!