झूंड - zhund [Hindi] (7/10) 2022

zhund has been shot in and around Nagpur, mainly its poorer areas and slums. That will help maintaining Nagpur’s hidden secret of livability. The movie is more a message rather than concentrating on a single person’s story. But it has been done without preachiness, or a holier than thou attitude anywhere. In fact most characters stand out for not overacting even when they are playing stereotypical roles of a minister or of a police inspector. The story of privilege (and its absence) is there for everyone to see.

Photo courtesy: The Indian Express 

Because it is not a story of a single hero out there to solve a single problem, some people may not much like the arc - after all, it is something that you see around you all the time - if your eyes are open. It has many subtle references to behavior that is considered normal (when not), and hence not acted upon. In short, of normalized behavior. Especially the baggage one carries, and often needs to leave behind for a fresh start (either for yourself or for someone else).

There are other subtle aspects like the scene where an idol needs to be uprooted and moved to another location. I loved it.

It touches upon practical problems of the downtrodden who have not had a way to get out, if only because they haven’t realized there is a way. I hope more of them see the movie as a positive and try to get out of it, or at least help their children do so. After all, a majority from the privileged class may choose to try to increase the divide rather than reduce it.

The story is based on real incidents that happened a few decades back. I do not know if that included the rivalry shown. That definitely seemed a bit far-fetched, just as the love angle seemed a bit premature.

Amitabh is stellar as usual. He is 80, and yet has done the role of a just about retiring teacher very well. I am glad he did this role.

Nagraj Manjule has shown once again that he is a director to continue looking out for not just for his Marathi movies, but also for his Hindi movies.

In some sequence (and in the credits) the camera focus/sharpness leaves a bit to be desired …

Among real life connections, I would like to call out Ganesh Birajdar who is currently working along with his team to educate children from Nagpur and surrounding areas through the Learning Companions initiative.

झूंड - zhund [Hindi] (7/10) 2022

Dharm (2007) (6/10)

The movie is set in Varanasi, the point which connects heaven and hell through Earth, a place that transcends the three worlds. It is a place of highest religious ordeals on the one hand, and a place with dense hindu and muslim localities with not infrequent skirmishes on the other (and the Buddhist Sarnath is not too far off). The city (a town really) is junk if you are not looking at it from Pauranik goggles. I have personally talked to priests there who speak nothing but Sanskrit, and I have seen dead rats on narrow alleys, and calfs tied to one of the umpteen Shivlingas that the city is home to.

The story is about a Brahmin who is staunch and genteel. His life is somewhat changed when an infant is left at their doorstep and they have to take care of him. It changes even further when the mother shows up a few years later to reclaim the child. Without leaving his dharm, his stringent vows he learns to transcend the narrow interpretation of some of the scriptures he has been following. For him its a journey which justifies the change in his behavior. For some others its not so obvious.

The acting of the main actors is great, and the story line is timely. Worth a look. 

Delhi Belly (2011) (7/10)

The Delhi, The Belly. I hate you like I love you. Many people may find it a bit crass due to its language (really?) or perhaps due to the anatomy figuring - no, not raw, just figuratively, and, yes, a bit audibly. But its a fast paced, well acted, case with some simple but interesting twists. It has all the interesting parts - smugglers, airlines, hotels, guns, love, break-up, blackmail, policemen, burquas, diamonds and a few other things that are needed for a twisty, fast, irrelevant movie. There is Amir Khan thrown in the end as well. Hate him, or love him, you can't ignore him.

talaash तलाश (2012) (5/10)

talaash तलाश is a Aamir Khan movie in which he seems to hang the principles people seem to suppose he possesses. Some spoilers after this sentence completes, so don't read beyond the fullstop if you plan to watch the movie but just be warned that it is not worth watching anyway. The acting is good, the story seems good initially but then it starts clinging to supernatural stuff, the last thing the Indian masses need from someone like Aamir. The movie is slow in the middle though it keeps moving. Some inexplicable bits are interspersed and some mysterious ones, essentially deliberate wrong leads.

The dog right at the start suggests something supernatural but it seemed more alien like - but I guess that is a bit too much to expect. Mediums, and ghosts, and opening car doors inside water despite the large pressure. This is not what one has come to expect from Aamir. But he is a showman, said someone. Really? Isn't he in idol? The review may be a bit misdirected, but somewhat on purpose. तलाश - द लाश.

Peepli [Live] (2010) (6/10)

A movie dealing with the current problem of farmers being driven to suicide by dwindling resources and a nonexistent support system. It is a serious problem. The movie attempts to bring out the seriousness by showing it in a lighter vein by highlighting the apathy of the media and the politicians. That has come out very well. Two statements standout in the whole movie. One where an established journalist tells a novice what journalism is. Not very convincingly, but she clearly is happy that she could state it and definitely believes in it. The second is by the agricultural minister about promises and their implementation or unneed thereof.

One thing that was lacking from the whole mela was the NGOs. How could they not be there in the whole affair. The answer that two conversations brought out was that it is an NGO movie and you cannot make light of other NGOs.

Peepli [Live] (2010) (6/10)

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) (7/10)

Being absolutely honest is not easy. Especially if you realize that others don't expect you to be honest and if no one wants you to be. But it is your nature to be so. Can one person change the system? From the inside? Or from the outside. Who will help you? All good questions. It can turn out that if you are really willing, may be you can be enough of a nuisance to do something.

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) (7/10)

Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) (6/10)

The style is very unbollywood, and much more lifelike. Sometimes slow and sometimes seemingly directionless and even contradictory, not to mention weird (the fishes being an example). A writer turns detective because he gets a client. Since he is otherwise jobless and because he feels a sense of responsibility, he persues the case. Since what is happening is not quiet clear, a sense of suspense comes into play. The movie deals with politics, social work for an uncause, corruption, rights, exploitation and a few deaths. It also deals with ulterior motives and manipulations. But much of this is touched upon by-and-by. Since its different, and the elements of mystery and a clue therein bring it above-average. But not extra-ordinary.

Manorama Six Feet Under (2007) (6/10)

Dasvidaniya (2008) (7/10)

A simple movie about a man who discovers that there are a few things that he just must do before kingdom come. He of course needs some help to realize that he should do those. And since those things are diverse enough you ride along unraveling different aspects of his life in particular, but of life in general. The amount is almost tiringly large, but leaves you refreshed. A light and touching movie.

Dasvidaniya (2008) (7/10)

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) (8/10)

A fairly honest movie juxtaposing many aspects of current India. Presented in the guise of a game show, which could very well actually happen (meaning its result), and many other things that do happen. Good twists, and realistic bursts, betrayals, brutality and all that. Illegal use of humans is brought out well, and so are the religious issues, public aspirations etc. There is also the drama and the suspense and all that. Extraordinary storytelling of an otherwise ordinary, nay, a mosaic of commonplace happenings. The Amitabh episode takes the cake.

Slumdog Millionaire (2008) (8/10)

Ghajini (2008) (5/10)

These folks started making a Hindi copy of Memento, down to the detail of the way the the man whose hippocampus has been injured tries to remember things that happened using external instruments. But then somewhere someone has an accident, and a brain gets damaged and they forget what it is they were doing. Then they started making it into a typical Bollywood lovestory (which they happen to be good at - at least for the people who like that kind of things). But things drag on. Suddenly something reminds them that they were supposed to be having a mission - make Memento and they quickly switch into that mode. Until they forget what they were doing - and pretty quickly. And we, the poor viewers are back into a typical Bollywood movie. Teh acting is good in general, but that is not the point, is it? They are so many glaring gaffes and one better not get into that. And the behavior of the police inspector took the cake. Oh, BTW, its intense.

Ghajini (2008) (5/10)

Rock on! (2008) (6/10)

Four friends whose friendship rocks and what happens in their life. The first half seems more enthralling than it is due to the web of flashbacks and the somewhat unnecessary shrouding in mystery of an incident that changes their lives - an incident which is common place from one point of view, but catastrophic from another.

Interesting human qualities are brought into play to push the story, keeping you interested. Then there are some almost predictable coincidences, some more obvious elements, and some improbable situations to wrap it up.

What keeps it afloat is its being true to the music and not drifting to the tune of usual Bollywood elements. Magik can not be dominated by an individual, and they have stayed true to that mantra.

Rock on! (2008) (6/10)

Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006) (7/10)

A wellpaced and well made money showing several aspects of a problem
but not lingering on it and thus sticking to the main theme, the one
about the family itself. Interpersonal relationships, generation gap
and the like and how a single but large issue and bring out different
aspects in them. Enough ups and downs to keep one's interest live.
Another one of those with no song and dance and quality acting.

Khosla Ka Ghosla! (2006) (7/10)

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) (7/10)

A good premise fairly well handled. Though they need not have converted it into a documentary, it will have been good if some statistics of such cases were provided through dialogues in general to ensure that people do not laugh at real cases thinking its really rare and won't ever touch any of their near ones.

One doctor is shown too stereotypical, and the other too extraordinary. Same is true with the two younger children to an extent.
They missed the subtitles to the theme poem on the only occasion when its recited fully. Good that unnecessary song and dance is kept out.

Oh, the mysteries of the conciousness.

Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) (7/10)

Om Shanti Om (2007) (7/10)

Despite being a Shahrush movie, its fun. He has overacted, especially in the first part, but that can be pardoned because he wants to be a movie star. And of course what better person to imitate than himself. In fact, one endearing thing about this movie is that it stars many big gums often in guest roles with most imitating themselves. Its healthy to see that people can laugh at themselves. It has many interesting self-refs, stories inside stories. Not quiet Mandelbrot set, but fairly close to one of ACT dialogue in GEB. In a way.

Om Shanti Om (2007) (7/10)

Taare Zameen Par (2007) (9/10)

Taare Zameen Par (2007) (9/10)

A disclaimer: the movie does have its flaws. The 9 it gets are for the good things, the excellent attempt, an important subject, and for the unnecessary things typically seen in movies that it leaves out.

Its about each of us literally having ones own world, and some having to take it to the extreme. When you call something red, and I agree, we may not be seeing the same thing. Thats certainly truer when it comes to more complex things like the solution to a college-level calculus problem. But when you have to go to the other extreme and see that what you call b may in fact be d for me, and that too only sometimes, and then you realize that many people do not realize this, and hence do not realize that it can be a big problem when it comes to fitting in, you are just realizing what could be happening to a few unfortunate children. Unfortunate not because it is an uncurable thing, but because proper care can easily overcome it and bring out the best in them. Te theme has been well handled from both aspects: (1) how they can be ill-treated, and (2) how they can blossom. A must watch!

It does become a bit melodramatic in an attempt to make it a comedy. Just a revival would have sufficed. Showing all other teachers to be a stereotype is also a bit extreme. His brother not noticing the symptoms seemed a bit odd.

My greatest hope is that some people on the border line turn to teaching and some teachers, parents, students see it all in a different light.

Bheja Fry aka Dinner Party (2007) (6/10)

This is a well made copy of the French movie Le Dîner de cons (1998). I guess no matter how well made, a copy is a copy. May be they should at least pick old forgotten ones?

The acting is good except for Asif (Ranvir) who just seems to make faces instead of acting. There are only 5 actors in this 90 minute movie anyway. There is a bit of tastelessness where they discover what is actually happening at the Juhu flat. But the plot does not stray (though it meanders) and a light vein is kept almost throughout. The 'phone and the ritual of the scrapbook are the epitome and not to be missed. Most of the work needed would have been to do the songs.

Bheja Fry aka Dinner Party (2007) (6/10)