"Dare you not to shed a tear"
What you should be doing right now is stop reading this post.
Drop all you are doing and rush to the nearest cinema to watch 'Tare Zameen pe'.
Still reading? Well, then let me continue...
Ordinarily, I would be indulging you in my outlook and opinions.
Well, I have to admit "you have got me this time, Mr. Khan!"
How easily you have made me realize the insignificance of my life.
Still reading? fine! I go on...
Here's story telling: Patient, focused, engaging, sensitive, revealing
Watching the movie is like reading a book.
You still have the freedom to get involved, derive interpretations and imaginations.
Patiently, each page unfolds engaging you more and more.
Before you realize, you are playing multiple roles in the movie.
If my kidney stone condition gets worse, I will have Aamir to share the blame.
The movie is so engaging, I could not get myself to leave the seat, even to relieve myself.
TZP gives you a lot of food for thought and lets you derive your own lessons.
The lessons I learnt from TZP:
1. We ALL have our demons; some of them can be performing elementary tasks.
2. We can overcome our inabilities by simplifying them and making them fun.
3. Focusing too much on our inabilities can significantly affect our strengths.
4. While we have our strengths, basic skills need to be acquired to join the mainstream.
Which raises some questions:
1. Are we too focused on pushing ourselves and our offsprings into the mainstream rat race?
2. Do we acknowledge parallel streams and Are we ready to co-exist 'IN' them?Still reading?
What else are you expecting from this review?
This time I am not going to rate the elements like cinematography, screenplay, direction, story, etc
They are all par excellence.
I however would like to point that Darsheel has pretty strong shoulders.
It takes a lot to carry a film of this magnitude.
Alright, this is the best I can do.
Now do yourself a favor and watch the movie.
A word of caution though, this movie is not to be watched alone!
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Monday, November 19, 2007
Movie review - Om Shanti Om
Abundance is the word and I am not talking of Farah Khan expecting triplets. Though I am inclined to think, It might have been an influencing factor. 31 stars, umpteen gags, comedy, action, emotion and full-fledged bollywood drama, you have it all in OSO.
...and "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
I am absolutely flummoxed. Our film makers seem to be missing the point. They seem to be taking the audience for granted, again and again and again. Here is a basic lesson to all those who want to pursue careers in movie making, From producing a documentary to a laugh-a-riot, It is all about story telling. Right now I feel like I could write a book on the importance of a movie being a convincing story.
...but "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
so, coming back to OSO, it is a mélange of gags, sewed together with a very battered uneven threadbare storyline. For most of the movie, you are moving at a mad pace from one gag to another You are expected to decipher a story being told through the gags and then relate to it.
Too much time has already been lost by the time the director does decide to get to serious story telling and then there is desperate and mad pace at which the events unfold which makes the story patchy and unconvincing.
...yet "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Story:
We have yet another story of re-incarnated hero avenging the villain "de ce genre" Karz, Karan-Arjun, et al
that's it!! However, "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Music:
Refreshingly, the movie begins with "Om shanti om" from Karz. Vishal-Shekhar have experimented with different styles of music, from Laxmikan Pyrelal's "Tohfa, Tohfa" style "Dhoom Tana" to "Daastane-Om-Shanti-Om" which reminds you of "ek Haseena Thi" from Karz "Dard-E-Disco" is a hummable tune, but pray! What was Javed Akhtar thinking while writing this? "Chan se jo toota" is a rich and haunting number. Richa Sharma and Rahat both ensure that they leave an imprint in you. This is yet another "Allah Ke bande" by VS.
Technical:
Cinematography leaves much to be desired in terms of managing the pace of the story
Editing could have been more vigilant. There are a lot of visible flaws.
Camera work is brilliant.
Costumes are passable, since the movies is supposed to be treated like a spoof
Cast:
Pakistani actor Jawed Khan and Bindu are passable.
Kiron Kher is over the top most of the times. This is not one of her best performances.
Shreyas Talpade is a complete mis-cast. This is not his type of a movie and he looks intimidated by Shahrukh's personality.
Dipika looks her model self. I wouldn't rank her as the most curvaceous. The fact that this is her first movie, one tends to forgive her blank expressions and forced attempts at acting.
Shahrukh is himself. He was much better in Chak De, in OSO he is back. His trademark hamming seems to have reduced, but is still very much present. Without dwelling too much on his acting skills let us move onto his new looks. The six-packed taut body looks good, but for some reason does not suit the face. It can easily pass off as a body double. not very convincing attempts of 42 trying to look 30.
Titles:
...story khatam, lekin "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Typical Farah Khan style, all including the lightmen and spot boys get screen space in the titles.
Sirsh Kundar looks like a lad while Gauri looks ravishing.
I'd like to give Farah a hug for her endearing last minute portfolio appearance in an auto-rickshaw as the red carpet is being rolled up.
If by now you are dying to know what the annoying "picture abhi baki hai mere dost" is all about, you ought to watch the movie
...and "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
I am absolutely flummoxed. Our film makers seem to be missing the point. They seem to be taking the audience for granted, again and again and again. Here is a basic lesson to all those who want to pursue careers in movie making, From producing a documentary to a laugh-a-riot, It is all about story telling. Right now I feel like I could write a book on the importance of a movie being a convincing story.
...but "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
so, coming back to OSO, it is a mélange of gags, sewed together with a very battered uneven threadbare storyline. For most of the movie, you are moving at a mad pace from one gag to another You are expected to decipher a story being told through the gags and then relate to it.
Too much time has already been lost by the time the director does decide to get to serious story telling and then there is desperate and mad pace at which the events unfold which makes the story patchy and unconvincing.
...yet "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Story:
We have yet another story of re-incarnated hero avenging the villain "de ce genre" Karz, Karan-Arjun, et al
that's it!! However, "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Music:
Refreshingly, the movie begins with "Om shanti om" from Karz. Vishal-Shekhar have experimented with different styles of music, from Laxmikan Pyrelal's "Tohfa, Tohfa" style "Dhoom Tana" to "Daastane-Om-Shanti-Om" which reminds you of "ek Haseena Thi" from Karz "Dard-E-Disco" is a hummable tune, but pray! What was Javed Akhtar thinking while writing this? "Chan se jo toota" is a rich and haunting number. Richa Sharma and Rahat both ensure that they leave an imprint in you. This is yet another "Allah Ke bande" by VS.
Technical:
Cinematography leaves much to be desired in terms of managing the pace of the story
Editing could have been more vigilant. There are a lot of visible flaws.
Camera work is brilliant.
Costumes are passable, since the movies is supposed to be treated like a spoof
Cast:
Pakistani actor Jawed Khan and Bindu are passable.
Kiron Kher is over the top most of the times. This is not one of her best performances.
Shreyas Talpade is a complete mis-cast. This is not his type of a movie and he looks intimidated by Shahrukh's personality.
Dipika looks her model self. I wouldn't rank her as the most curvaceous. The fact that this is her first movie, one tends to forgive her blank expressions and forced attempts at acting.
Shahrukh is himself. He was much better in Chak De, in OSO he is back. His trademark hamming seems to have reduced, but is still very much present. Without dwelling too much on his acting skills let us move onto his new looks. The six-packed taut body looks good, but for some reason does not suit the face. It can easily pass off as a body double. not very convincing attempts of 42 trying to look 30.
Titles:
...story khatam, lekin "picture abhi baki hai mere dost"
Typical Farah Khan style, all including the lightmen and spot boys get screen space in the titles.
Sirsh Kundar looks like a lad while Gauri looks ravishing.
I'd like to give Farah a hug for her endearing last minute portfolio appearance in an auto-rickshaw as the red carpet is being rolled up.
If by now you are dying to know what the annoying "picture abhi baki hai mere dost" is all about, you ought to watch the movie
Movie Reviews - Saawariya
After four days of preparations and then hosting a Diwali open house, I thought it would be a good idea to watch a bollywood movie and I watched Saawariya and below are my reactions:
YOU ARE UNINVITED:
``````````````````````
It seems like we have a new race among the acclaimed directors of Bollywood, that of loosing credibility. We have had Anubhav Sinha with Cash, then Ram Gopal Verma with his Aag and now Sanjay Leela Bansali with Saawariya.Saawariya the movie is a blatant display of Sanjay L Bansali's arrogance and indulgence.
How a display of arrogance you ask? well, then look at it:
What else would prompt one into taking into multi functions like direction, music direction, editing, co-production, co-writing,co-art direction, co-designing in a mage production of a film with NEW lead characters, NEW music director, bizzare unreal sets wafer thin storyline and no consideration whatsoever to audiances likings?
From the word go, you feel like you are an outsider in the cinema.An intruder who is crashing into a Kapoor-Bansali party.When Bansali is not hitting you with reminders of his previous movies, (Khamoshi's Piano, Black's snowfall, HDDCS love smitten guy who would need to take you to the lady love's love or the golden hearted harlot of Devdas) he is busy paying homage to Raj Kapoor (The RK logo in the backdrop, Ranbir's character, the cap and ohsomany sequences) and you wonder when you would be addressed to.
Firstly, Fyodor Dostoevsky's White Nights would need a lot of adaption to fit-in in Bollywood in 2007. It might have generated raves in Russia and Europe wherepeople appreciate opera style musicals with dull and drab backdrops (well fit for a winter prone region) however, it lacks the spice and colour that the typical audiance of bollywood relate to.
Let us now look at the individual elements of the film:
Story: What story?
Music: Bansali has probably tried to fill the gap of absense of storyline with music, as you get assaulted with a song every 10 minutes and you wonder if it is a relief, just like the difference between a rock and a hard surface. The only hummable tune is the title track, the rest you forget before you leave the cinema.
The Sets: Though there is a drabbiness and darkness in the set there is a clever element of blue and green hues that give the sets a fascinating colour. But then to tolerate it for a full length of 130 minutes is a task that leaves you gasping desparately for reality, sunlight and life.
Cherography: Desperate attempts to pay homage to Shammi, Rishi and Shashi Kapoor. Though you realise that Ranbir is a good dancer, you do not really get to see any fresh performance. It does leave a lot to be desired, however butt-flashing towel dance by Ranbir is a altogeather different story. It comes as a complete surprise in your face and makes you wonder if he is anxiously trying to woo the fan femme or he is just happy and gay.
Cast: Begum Para's role is completely insugnificant, I wonder why she is even mentioned in the main credits.
Zohra Sehgal is good at what she does. Very natural and adds a bit of reality to the otherwise oblivious cast.
Salman Khan is again there just for star value, a total of 3 sceans and a screen space amounting to less than 5 - 7 minutes. They could have just mentiones his character in the dialogue narration and you wouldn't miss him.
Ran(ee) Mukherjee is refreshing. She is seductive in parts and completely bollywood. The only colourful element in the whole movie.
Sonam Kapoor is promising. Subtle yet expressive. She has struggled to potray some emotions, especially in the begining of the film, but as the film progresses, you realise she is a fast learner. Watch out for her. There is much more behind the infectious smile, annoying giggle and girl-next-door look.
Ranbir Kapoor: There is much publicity and hype around him and that is what will buy him some time for improvement, at least for the next 2 movies. Mere dancing and butt-flashing and being a kappor will not last you forever. As for his acting skills, there is just one word Hammmmmmmmming and trust me, that is an understatement.His looks remind you of Zayed Khan, dialogues of young Sunjay Dutt and acting of shahrukh at his most hamming self. Unless he does some real damage control, he will be another Zayed khan or Kumar Gaurav.
Overall, For those who think this to be a classic, do note that a dozen of prostitues dancing on the streets does not do justice to Fyodor Dostoevsky. Class touches you, Saawariya makes you feel like an untouchable. I would recommend you to pick up a DVD of Dhamaal or hum dil de chuke sanam (if you like Bansali style romantics) and enjoy your evening Why invest time, effort and money into something that would give you nothing but depression?
YOU ARE UNINVITED:
``````````````````````
It seems like we have a new race among the acclaimed directors of Bollywood, that of loosing credibility. We have had Anubhav Sinha with Cash, then Ram Gopal Verma with his Aag and now Sanjay Leela Bansali with Saawariya.Saawariya the movie is a blatant display of Sanjay L Bansali's arrogance and indulgence.
How a display of arrogance you ask? well, then look at it:
What else would prompt one into taking into multi functions like direction, music direction, editing, co-production, co-writing,co-art direction, co-designing in a mage production of a film with NEW lead characters, NEW music director, bizzare unreal sets wafer thin storyline and no consideration whatsoever to audiances likings?
From the word go, you feel like you are an outsider in the cinema.An intruder who is crashing into a Kapoor-Bansali party.When Bansali is not hitting you with reminders of his previous movies, (Khamoshi's Piano, Black's snowfall, HDDCS love smitten guy who would need to take you to the lady love's love or the golden hearted harlot of Devdas) he is busy paying homage to Raj Kapoor (The RK logo in the backdrop, Ranbir's character, the cap and ohsomany sequences) and you wonder when you would be addressed to.
Firstly, Fyodor Dostoevsky's White Nights would need a lot of adaption to fit-in in Bollywood in 2007. It might have generated raves in Russia and Europe wherepeople appreciate opera style musicals with dull and drab backdrops (well fit for a winter prone region) however, it lacks the spice and colour that the typical audiance of bollywood relate to.
Let us now look at the individual elements of the film:
Story: What story?
Music: Bansali has probably tried to fill the gap of absense of storyline with music, as you get assaulted with a song every 10 minutes and you wonder if it is a relief, just like the difference between a rock and a hard surface. The only hummable tune is the title track, the rest you forget before you leave the cinema.
The Sets: Though there is a drabbiness and darkness in the set there is a clever element of blue and green hues that give the sets a fascinating colour. But then to tolerate it for a full length of 130 minutes is a task that leaves you gasping desparately for reality, sunlight and life.
Cherography: Desperate attempts to pay homage to Shammi, Rishi and Shashi Kapoor. Though you realise that Ranbir is a good dancer, you do not really get to see any fresh performance. It does leave a lot to be desired, however butt-flashing towel dance by Ranbir is a altogeather different story. It comes as a complete surprise in your face and makes you wonder if he is anxiously trying to woo the fan femme or he is just happy and gay.
Cast: Begum Para's role is completely insugnificant, I wonder why she is even mentioned in the main credits.
Zohra Sehgal is good at what she does. Very natural and adds a bit of reality to the otherwise oblivious cast.
Salman Khan is again there just for star value, a total of 3 sceans and a screen space amounting to less than 5 - 7 minutes. They could have just mentiones his character in the dialogue narration and you wouldn't miss him.
Ran(ee) Mukherjee is refreshing. She is seductive in parts and completely bollywood. The only colourful element in the whole movie.
Sonam Kapoor is promising. Subtle yet expressive. She has struggled to potray some emotions, especially in the begining of the film, but as the film progresses, you realise she is a fast learner. Watch out for her. There is much more behind the infectious smile, annoying giggle and girl-next-door look.
Ranbir Kapoor: There is much publicity and hype around him and that is what will buy him some time for improvement, at least for the next 2 movies. Mere dancing and butt-flashing and being a kappor will not last you forever. As for his acting skills, there is just one word Hammmmmmmmming and trust me, that is an understatement.His looks remind you of Zayed Khan, dialogues of young Sunjay Dutt and acting of shahrukh at his most hamming self. Unless he does some real damage control, he will be another Zayed khan or Kumar Gaurav.
Overall, For those who think this to be a classic, do note that a dozen of prostitues dancing on the streets does not do justice to Fyodor Dostoevsky. Class touches you, Saawariya makes you feel like an untouchable. I would recommend you to pick up a DVD of Dhamaal or hum dil de chuke sanam (if you like Bansali style romantics) and enjoy your evening Why invest time, effort and money into something that would give you nothing but depression?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
English poems
To exorcist
Hark, stop, hold, restrain!
I love this mystic pain.
Exorcise me not,
For this is all I've got.
Exorcise me, I've been possessed
It's been eating up my sleep,
Ain't got no laughter, no weep,
You've gotten into me,
All over and far too deep.
Exorcise me I've been possessed.
My body's a host,
To this enchanting ghost.
I see her in the mirror,
Besides, beneath, above and all over.
Exorcise me I've been possessed.
You govern the trend of my thought,
Each of my aye and naught.
A submission so groovy and unfought,
Grants the elation I've sought.
Exorcise me not, for this is all I want
- Taab
Hark, stop, hold, restrain!
I love this mystic pain.
Exorcise me not,
For this is all I've got.
Exorcise me, I've been possessed
It's been eating up my sleep,
Ain't got no laughter, no weep,
You've gotten into me,
All over and far too deep.
Exorcise me I've been possessed.
My body's a host,
To this enchanting ghost.
I see her in the mirror,
Besides, beneath, above and all over.
Exorcise me I've been possessed.
You govern the trend of my thought,
Each of my aye and naught.
A submission so groovy and unfought,
Grants the elation I've sought.
Exorcise me not, for this is all I want
- Taab
ग़ज़ल
दिल खफा है, रुसवा है , बड़ा मायूस है
मुस्कुराहने का एक बहाना मिल जाये तोह के ही अच्छा हो
उनके गले लग के कामिल हो जाये
वहीँ मौत आजाये तोह क्या ही अच्छा हो
सरे जहाँ के लिए दुवायें मंग्तें हैं वोह
हमारे लिए कभी हाथ उठाएं तोह क्या अच्छा हो
फरोग- ए - दौरान ने किया आलम कोताह
उसका दरीचा कुछ करीब आये तोह क्या अच्छा हो
- ताब
--------------------------------------
Taghiyur, Taghiyur keh raha tha koi
Kasal si hastee pe roh raha tha koi
Aman-E-Alam chah raha tha koi
rahat mansoobon se maang raha tha koi
Jazbaton ki garmee jaga raha tha koi
Badee ko neki bana raha tha koi
Haavi dunya se be-khauf hokar
Begarz muqabla kar raha tha koi
Tanhaa, zaleel, majrooh ho raha tha koi
haasil-o-qaamil ho raha tha koi
Khud ki ravanee mein baaltee hai duniya
roz-ba-roz 'taab'inda hota hai koi
- Taab
----------------------------
Aye mere Khuda, aye farakh dil
Kyun insaan ko banaya itna tang dil
Shiddat se tere bande hai tere aabid
kyun tere hi duje naam ke hai kaatil?
Raaz-E-Qaynaat ka banaya tune akiil
chippa rakha kyon, tune raaz-e-dil
Tere naam pe aasaan hai banna kaatil
Tere hi marte payam ko bachana kyon hai mushkil
-Taab
----------------------------------------------
मुस्कुराहने का एक बहाना मिल जाये तोह के ही अच्छा हो
उनके गले लग के कामिल हो जाये
वहीँ मौत आजाये तोह क्या ही अच्छा हो
सरे जहाँ के लिए दुवायें मंग्तें हैं वोह
हमारे लिए कभी हाथ उठाएं तोह क्या अच्छा हो
फरोग- ए - दौरान ने किया आलम कोताह
उसका दरीचा कुछ करीब आये तोह क्या अच्छा हो
- ताब
--------------------------------------
Taghiyur, Taghiyur keh raha tha koi
Kasal si hastee pe roh raha tha koi
Aman-E-Alam chah raha tha koi
rahat mansoobon se maang raha tha koi
Jazbaton ki garmee jaga raha tha koi
Badee ko neki bana raha tha koi
Haavi dunya se be-khauf hokar
Begarz muqabla kar raha tha koi
Tanhaa, zaleel, majrooh ho raha tha koi
haasil-o-qaamil ho raha tha koi
Khud ki ravanee mein baaltee hai duniya
roz-ba-roz 'taab'inda hota hai koi
- Taab
----------------------------
Aye mere Khuda, aye farakh dil
Kyun insaan ko banaya itna tang dil
Shiddat se tere bande hai tere aabid
kyun tere hi duje naam ke hai kaatil?
Raaz-E-Qaynaat ka banaya tune akiil
chippa rakha kyon, tune raaz-e-dil
Tere naam pe aasaan hai banna kaatil
Tere hi marte payam ko bachana kyon hai mushkil
-Taab
----------------------------------------------
अशार
मोम से अरमान मेरे, जो रोशन हुए तोह पिघल गए;
ज़ब्त-ए-शौक़ मे उन्हें सँभालते हम फिसल गए
----------
थामे थामे से चलते रहें यूं मज्जूब काफिलों में
तेरी यादों कि महफिल लिए तनहा रहे मेह्फिलो में
----------
उनकी याद में डूबे रहना कोई गुनाह होगा ज़रूर
वर्ना ना आता इतना लुत्फ़, ना होता ऐसा सरूर
----------
गुनाह पे गुनाह किये जा रहें है
हसीं लुत्फ़ लिए जा रहें है
अब तोह नेकी में भी आने लगा है मज़ा
खु-ए- बदी यूं जिए जा रहे है
----------
आप ही ने लिखवाया है जुज-ब-जुज़
कदरदानो कि महफिल मे है ताब मक्रूज़
----------
वोह देते हैं तस्रीह शेर-ए-ग़ालिब कि
झील-ए-लुत्फ़-ए-ग़ज़ल पयाब हो गयी
----------
जगाओ और गौहर-ओ-लाल कि झिलमिल
सजाओ और अशार-ओ-ग़ज़ल कि महफिल
दर्द-ओ-इजहार, जोश-ओ-जज्बा
दरिया-ए-लाज्ज़ात है यह खुराख-ए-दिल
---------
ख़याल है बे-इख्तियार ; न बस में है इजहार
फुरसत किसे है लिखने कि; जब हो विसाल-ए-यार
- taab
ज़ब्त-ए-शौक़ मे उन्हें सँभालते हम फिसल गए
----------
थामे थामे से चलते रहें यूं मज्जूब काफिलों में
तेरी यादों कि महफिल लिए तनहा रहे मेह्फिलो में
----------
उनकी याद में डूबे रहना कोई गुनाह होगा ज़रूर
वर्ना ना आता इतना लुत्फ़, ना होता ऐसा सरूर
----------
गुनाह पे गुनाह किये जा रहें है
हसीं लुत्फ़ लिए जा रहें है
अब तोह नेकी में भी आने लगा है मज़ा
खु-ए- बदी यूं जिए जा रहे है
----------
आप ही ने लिखवाया है जुज-ब-जुज़
कदरदानो कि महफिल मे है ताब मक्रूज़
----------
वोह देते हैं तस्रीह शेर-ए-ग़ालिब कि
झील-ए-लुत्फ़-ए-ग़ज़ल पयाब हो गयी
----------
जगाओ और गौहर-ओ-लाल कि झिलमिल
सजाओ और अशार-ओ-ग़ज़ल कि महफिल
दर्द-ओ-इजहार, जोश-ओ-जज्बा
दरिया-ए-लाज्ज़ात है यह खुराख-ए-दिल
---------
ख़याल है बे-इख्तियार ; न बस में है इजहार
फुरसत किसे है लिखने कि; जब हो विसाल-ए-यार
- taab
Friday, October 12, 2007
English Gazal
Hi,
Here is an humble attempt to write gazal/Shayri in English
Trying to maintain the radeef, kafia in english is not easy, but can be achieved.
The below Gazal needs more polishing, but here it is, my first attempt !!
I know not
It's a stage, the world, I was taught,
What's the play, and my part, I know not.
I hear each sound, in the neighborhood,
The clamor in my heart, I know not.
Thy love art the balmy radiance of the sun,
Am I in shade or the smart, I know not.
If man art made of clay,
Am I but dirt, living in dirt, I know not.
(NB: dirt here is a reference to dust)
Who shoves me in this hastening crowd,
To whom I give a start, I know not.
Oh the rivers of my fate, generously flow on,
For I am a slave or a dart, I know not.
- Taab
I invite you to post your own English Gazal. Let's start a trend !!
Here is an humble attempt to write gazal/Shayri in English
Trying to maintain the radeef, kafia in english is not easy, but can be achieved.
The below Gazal needs more polishing, but here it is, my first attempt !!
I know not
It's a stage, the world, I was taught,
What's the play, and my part, I know not.
I hear each sound, in the neighborhood,
The clamor in my heart, I know not.
Thy love art the balmy radiance of the sun,
Am I in shade or the smart, I know not.
If man art made of clay,
Am I but dirt, living in dirt, I know not.
(NB: dirt here is a reference to dust)
Who shoves me in this hastening crowd,
To whom I give a start, I know not.
Oh the rivers of my fate, generously flow on,
For I am a slave or a dart, I know not.
- Taab
I invite you to post your own English Gazal. Let's start a trend !!
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