1. Dangal
I am wrestling for words as I write this piece.
Why? Because much has already been said about this movie. I am not sure what more or different can be written. Also, today after a week’s release, most of my friends have probably devoured this movie on the opening weekend itself, as is expected of any hungry fan of Aamir Khan’s films.
Hmm, all the same, write I will!
This is for my friends who are Johny-come-lately and also those dear friends who care to read what I share. This is a humble attempt to share my perspective.
In the hope that I am not repetitive, here are the top 6 reasons why Dangal is the must watch movie of 2016.
Why? Because much has already been said about this movie. I am not sure what more or different can be written. Also, today after a week’s release, most of my friends have probably devoured this movie on the opening weekend itself, as is expected of any hungry fan of Aamir Khan’s films.
Hmm, all the same, write I will!
This is for my friends who are Johny-come-lately and also those dear friends who care to read what I share. This is a humble attempt to share my perspective.
In the hope that I am not repetitive, here are the top 6 reasons why Dangal is the must watch movie of 2016.
Reason 1.
This is a movie that makes the rustic sport of wrestling look chic.
So many times have I seen bare bodied, muscular and ‘slick’ looking men slogging it out on the mat on TV screens. But surprisingly, never did the sport look appealing to me. Dangal has made the sport look ‘’sexy’’ and has brought it in spotlight like Chak De India did for the game of hockey. In a country, where cricket is a religion and all other sports are its poor cousins, it is only Bollywood (another religion) that has the power to elevate these sports to its rightful place in the sun. A case in point is the sport of Kabaddi, which has only in recent times got a makeover from being a countryside game to a trendy sport. Thanks to Bollywood!
This is a movie that makes the rustic sport of wrestling look chic.
So many times have I seen bare bodied, muscular and ‘slick’ looking men slogging it out on the mat on TV screens. But surprisingly, never did the sport look appealing to me. Dangal has made the sport look ‘’sexy’’ and has brought it in spotlight like Chak De India did for the game of hockey. In a country, where cricket is a religion and all other sports are its poor cousins, it is only Bollywood (another religion) that has the power to elevate these sports to its rightful place in the sun. A case in point is the sport of Kabaddi, which has only in recent times got a makeover from being a countryside game to a trendy sport. Thanks to Bollywood!
Reason 2.
This is a movie set in Haryana, one of the states that reports highest number of female foeticides. And not surprisingly, the movie centers on a typical male chauvinist Haryanvi father, Mahavir Singh Phogat. A national champion who wants his progeny to fulfill his (failed) dream of excelling as an international wrestling champion. He desperately seeks a son to fulfill his dream but in vain. Yet as an urban audience we ignore this aspect in the greater scheme of things. In fact, his chauvinism is packaged in such a way that we, ironically, celebrate his unbridled passion for goading his daughters (against their wishes) into entering the wrestling arena (akhaada).
This is a movie set in Haryana, one of the states that reports highest number of female foeticides. And not surprisingly, the movie centers on a typical male chauvinist Haryanvi father, Mahavir Singh Phogat. A national champion who wants his progeny to fulfill his (failed) dream of excelling as an international wrestling champion. He desperately seeks a son to fulfill his dream but in vain. Yet as an urban audience we ignore this aspect in the greater scheme of things. In fact, his chauvinism is packaged in such a way that we, ironically, celebrate his unbridled passion for goading his daughters (against their wishes) into entering the wrestling arena (akhaada).
Reason 3.
This movie is a sincere and genuine effort in highlighting the techniques, nuances of the sport and the hardships which typically the rural sportsmen have to endure in their journey from village to state level, then to national and later to reach international stage. Also, the movie educates the audience on the rules of the sport without making it look like a boring documentary. Never before has a Bollywood film looked realistic, entertaining and informative about a sport and also evoked raw emotions and national fervor at the same time.
This movie is a sincere and genuine effort in highlighting the techniques, nuances of the sport and the hardships which typically the rural sportsmen have to endure in their journey from village to state level, then to national and later to reach international stage. Also, the movie educates the audience on the rules of the sport without making it look like a boring documentary. Never before has a Bollywood film looked realistic, entertaining and informative about a sport and also evoked raw emotions and national fervor at the same time.
Reason 4.
A movie that makes you stand not once but twice for national anthem. First out of compulsion (for some) and the second time out of respect and overriding fervor and passion running in the movie.
Supreme Court’s ruling and the many contrasting viewpoints suddenly look lame on why national anthem should be made compulsory before the start of the movie. Anyway, I don’t understand why some people find it hard to show love and respect for their motherland even if it’s mandatory. (But that’s a debate for another audience)
A movie that makes you stand not once but twice for national anthem. First out of compulsion (for some) and the second time out of respect and overriding fervor and passion running in the movie.
Supreme Court’s ruling and the many contrasting viewpoints suddenly look lame on why national anthem should be made compulsory before the start of the movie. Anyway, I don’t understand why some people find it hard to show love and respect for their motherland even if it’s mandatory. (But that’s a debate for another audience)
Reason 5.
Watch the movie for the young kids who have portrayed the roles of Babita and Gita Phogat. Their innocence is so palpable and endearing that you feel for them immediately. As helpless daughters of an impassioned father who is consumed with a single minded goal to make them wrestling champions, their vulnerability has been well captured. Great casting indeed!
Watch the movie for the young kids who have portrayed the roles of Babita and Gita Phogat. Their innocence is so palpable and endearing that you feel for them immediately. As helpless daughters of an impassioned father who is consumed with a single minded goal to make them wrestling champions, their vulnerability has been well captured. Great casting indeed!
Reason 6.
Finally, the main guys who have caused a ‘Dangal’ of sorts at the box office registers. I have always been a fan of Aamir Khan’s acting and his brand of movies. And now, Nitesh Tiwari. He has done a hat trick after his earnest forays (writer and screenplay) with Bhootnath Returns and Nil Battey Sannata. Both movies that I enjoyed watching thoroughly.
2. Moana & La la Land
This was my lucky week! I got to watch two movies in the same week with A (hubby). Surprised!? (I know some may say, big deal! We do that every week!)
Well, I am saying this because A is a complete snob when it comes to watching movies in theaters. He is averse to seeing them unless approved by the credible industry folks, box office collections (not just first week), IMDB ratings, and feedback from any critic worth his salary who cares to write about movies and give honest feedback.
For him, TV is always there to catch up on movies from the previous year. So why theater!
Ho hum... how boring, right!
But ironic, really! The same guy who in his young carefree days used to do movie marathons with his friends during vacations. The same guy who secretly nursed an ambition to be a movie director (and so did his friends and one of them actually is a director now). The same guy who was (still is) an encyclopedia of all movies of yesteryear right up to 80s, including the names of directors, producers, actors and writers is now ....averse to watching them in theaters.
The stars in the eyes he saw during school/college years got clouded with conservative and normal career choices (read Engineer and MBA). Career decisions then were so overwhelmingly practical that it drowned his ‘fickle’ movie ambitions like a dead weight would do.
Cut to December 2016, the two movies we saw this week were #Moana and # LaLaLand.
Both movies are absolutely diverse genres. One is a Disney animation and the other one a romantic musical (after a long time). I wanted to see both these movies, badly. So I did what I normally do. Research!!!
IMDB reviews - Tick, Box office collections - Tick, Critics Reviews - Tick.
What else could I ask for!
It was the best situation for someone who is just the opposite of a movie snob of a husband. There I went and used the same tactics I normally used to negotiate and influence A to come and watch the movies with me.
So, why am I sharing this?
Well, for starters both movies are a must watch ( A was not kicked about La La Land as a whole, though agreed that the direction and acting was splendid …but that's a different story)
Both movies are as different as caramel and salted popcorn, but strangely deliver the same warm, fuzzy message. Just like the taste of a freshly baked popcorn that melts in your mouth.
What's the message? (Nothing new, really!)
The message is that one must follow what our heart truly desires; passionately and unflinchingly. We may face many a ups and downs, unsurmountable challenges, and also we may reach a stage when you want to give it all up. But one must carry on in spite of all the noises in your head and outside. Keep the faith! Success will be yours sooner or later.
Disney animation looks fresh, almost human and songs are melodious. Emoting and voice over by Dwayne Johnson as Maiu, the narcissistic Demi God is bang on!!! So is Moana's voice over (but I forget the name of the Polynesian actress here)
And in the other movie as well, the songs are foot-tapping and hummable. Not to forget the soft and pleasant jazz tune that’s keeps wafting through the movie and lifts your spirits as it keeps resurfacing along with the romantic interludes. As the seasons change from spring to summer, the lead pair comes closer to each other and so do we get drawn into their story. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (slightly partial here. Don't ask me why
:))
have played their roles to a T. Both have given terrific lead
performances.
More so, Emma Stone.
Seeing her act as a wannabe Hollywood actress who effortlessly molds into various roles required during auditions and not being successful at it, she is brilliant!
On a separate note, isn’t it ironic that for a versatile actress, her name is Stone. Also, she claims to be one - "I’m a stone". Ok bad joke!!!
Well yeah, she definitely does ‘rock’ in the movie, if that be so!
But seriously, she is genuinely an actress to watch out for! The last I saw her was in ‘The Help’ and ‘Crazy, Stupid Love’ and in both she delivered ably.
My verdict - Go watch Moana with your family and La La Land with that special friend or hubby and if your hubby is a movie snob (like mine), just go watch it by yourself. It's totally worth it!
p.s: Go nurse those secret ambitions and you never know with dedication, passion and perseverance you will surely make it one day! It may be hard like anything is in real life at first but don't give up! ''A'' will surely vouch for it as someone who wished he did that long time ago!
3. Dear Zindagi
Dear Gauri (Shinde),
Thank you for giving us a movie that has for the first time (probably) shown the lead actress as a flawed, confused and slightly troubled human being. And yet someone you don't feel sorry for (except towards the end).
Thank you for choosing Alia to play that role and for extracting her best performance till date (at least the movies I have seen).
Her breakdown scene, her showdown with her family, her nuanced acting expressing her jealousy, her inadequacies and even when she is not saying anything is befitting a much mature actress. Doff my hat to her award deserving performance!
Thank you for giving us back the SRK who I missed seeing after Swades and Chak De. Hope he realises that his understated acting, playing characters his age (inspite of that tinge of grey hair and nicotine stained teeth/ fingers) is much HOTTER than his OTT acting playing characters half his age.
Thank you for showing us a bit of Goa (my gaav). Especially the quaint old Goan houses.
Thank you for the quietly witty lines mostly mouthed by Koko and Jehangir. They have already become memes as I write this.
Thank you for the pleasant background music/songs which lend meaning to the scenes, are hummable and yet not over powering.
And thank you for a movie which has dialogues and scenes which subtly convey emotions even if it is just a "creak in the chair".
Regards,
Just another movie goer who loved English Vinglish
4. Ventilator
Ventilator the movie lives up to its name, it comes as a breath of fresh air in the current crop of films!
A dark comedy that lights up your face with many smiles and fills up the air with many laughs.
A story about relationships which sounds familiar and resonates as if it's about us.
Each of the characters are handpicked as if they are living that role.
During the movie, you forget that the actors are acting. They are so real.
If you have relatives living in smaller towns or villages, you will truly enjoy the rustic humor.
A movie which is so breezy in the first half that it leaves you gasping for more at the intermission.
And in the second half, besides the funny moments, it is ripe with emotions and you will wish you had carried a bucket with you.
It will possibly make even the guys/girls who don't like to shed a tear in public, sniffle a bit.
Hats off to the Director for managing so many actors, small and big, deftly and then coming out with a complete entertainer! And the Writer for the truly entertaining dialogues.
Note: Great execution/efforts with the sub-titles as well.
In a nutshell, Ventilator...Shivaay... Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (courtesy..a forward on whatsapp. For those who don't understand Marathi please ask your friend what it means:)
5. Pink
Pink is a movie I watched the day it was released but it has taken me more than a week to talk about it. At first I thought this movie must be seen by all "those kind of men" who look at women in a MCPish way. Men on the road who you want to slap/thrash because of the way they look at you, men you read in newspapers for heinous crimes against women, etc. But then I realised that this movie is not just for them. It is for all of us. The police, neighbours, the male friend, the lady police officer, etc.in the movie are all part of the eco-system and they were equally responsible for a verdict that could have gone horribly wrong. How many times we easily judge girls, women based on what they wear, appear (to us), etc. If they do things not in "our book of norms" we just go ahead and judge them so easily. Next time we do that, let's pause and ponder - how much do I know the person to think of him/ her in that way!? Because it all starts with just that one thought...
6. Bajirao Mastani
SLB's cinematic extravaganza for a movie which truly deserves it. He brings out lovely subtle performances from Priyanka and Tanvi Azmi. And brilliant casting in Ranvir as he suits the role of an audacious, unconventional and brave warrior Bajirao. Deepika does justice to her character quietly. Keeping aside all the flaws brought out by historians, I am glad this movie was made. Renewed my interest in history during the glorious days of Marathas and Peshwas which was long forgotten after school.
7. Katyar Kaljat Ghusli
Apratim!!!
A movie which brought back fond childhood memories when my papa and baba (ajoba) would sit in the dimly lit living room soaking in the lilting Marathi natya sangeet. Their gentle foot tapping and animated hand movements interspersed with wah wah still feels fresh in my mind. My dearest baba...worlds most loving and awesomest grand father anyone can ask for is of course no longer with us but thank you Papa for taking your daughter out for this movie. You brought back such wonderful moments back into my life!
Katyar Kaljaat Ghusli ( A dagger thru my heart) is a Marathi movie you would like to watch again and again! Stupendous music, fantastic performances and storyline. Will surely bring back Marathi Natya Sangeet in the forefront and hopefully also make youngsters appreciate music... in its purest form!!! And last but not the least, finally a movie after a long time that keeps you rooted to your seat even when the movie is long over! Wah wah...Subodh Bhave for being brave and making Sangeet natak into a full length feature film.
8. Killa
Finally, the main guys who have caused a ‘Dangal’ of sorts at the box office registers. I have always been a fan of Aamir Khan’s acting and his brand of movies. And now, Nitesh Tiwari. He has done a hat trick after his earnest forays (writer and screenplay) with Bhootnath Returns and Nil Battey Sannata. Both movies that I enjoyed watching thoroughly.
2. Moana & La la Land
This was my lucky week! I got to watch two movies in the same week with A (hubby). Surprised!? (I know some may say, big deal! We do that every week!)
Well, I am saying this because A is a complete snob when it comes to watching movies in theaters. He is averse to seeing them unless approved by the credible industry folks, box office collections (not just first week), IMDB ratings, and feedback from any critic worth his salary who cares to write about movies and give honest feedback.
For him, TV is always there to catch up on movies from the previous year. So why theater!
Ho hum... how boring, right!
But ironic, really! The same guy who in his young carefree days used to do movie marathons with his friends during vacations. The same guy who secretly nursed an ambition to be a movie director (and so did his friends and one of them actually is a director now). The same guy who was (still is) an encyclopedia of all movies of yesteryear right up to 80s, including the names of directors, producers, actors and writers is now ....averse to watching them in theaters.
The stars in the eyes he saw during school/college years got clouded with conservative and normal career choices (read Engineer and MBA). Career decisions then were so overwhelmingly practical that it drowned his ‘fickle’ movie ambitions like a dead weight would do.
Cut to December 2016, the two movies we saw this week were #Moana and # LaLaLand.
Both movies are absolutely diverse genres. One is a Disney animation and the other one a romantic musical (after a long time). I wanted to see both these movies, badly. So I did what I normally do. Research!!!
IMDB reviews - Tick, Box office collections - Tick, Critics Reviews - Tick.
What else could I ask for!
It was the best situation for someone who is just the opposite of a movie snob of a husband. There I went and used the same tactics I normally used to negotiate and influence A to come and watch the movies with me.
So, why am I sharing this?
Well, for starters both movies are a must watch ( A was not kicked about La La Land as a whole, though agreed that the direction and acting was splendid …but that's a different story)
Both movies are as different as caramel and salted popcorn, but strangely deliver the same warm, fuzzy message. Just like the taste of a freshly baked popcorn that melts in your mouth.
What's the message? (Nothing new, really!)
The message is that one must follow what our heart truly desires; passionately and unflinchingly. We may face many a ups and downs, unsurmountable challenges, and also we may reach a stage when you want to give it all up. But one must carry on in spite of all the noises in your head and outside. Keep the faith! Success will be yours sooner or later.
Disney animation looks fresh, almost human and songs are melodious. Emoting and voice over by Dwayne Johnson as Maiu, the narcissistic Demi God is bang on!!! So is Moana's voice over (but I forget the name of the Polynesian actress here)
And in the other movie as well, the songs are foot-tapping and hummable. Not to forget the soft and pleasant jazz tune that’s keeps wafting through the movie and lifts your spirits as it keeps resurfacing along with the romantic interludes. As the seasons change from spring to summer, the lead pair comes closer to each other and so do we get drawn into their story. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling (slightly partial here. Don't ask me why
:))
have played their roles to a T. Both have given terrific lead
performances.More so, Emma Stone.
Seeing her act as a wannabe Hollywood actress who effortlessly molds into various roles required during auditions and not being successful at it, she is brilliant!
On a separate note, isn’t it ironic that for a versatile actress, her name is Stone. Also, she claims to be one - "I’m a stone". Ok bad joke!!!
Well yeah, she definitely does ‘rock’ in the movie, if that be so!
But seriously, she is genuinely an actress to watch out for! The last I saw her was in ‘The Help’ and ‘Crazy, Stupid Love’ and in both she delivered ably.
My verdict - Go watch Moana with your family and La La Land with that special friend or hubby and if your hubby is a movie snob (like mine), just go watch it by yourself. It's totally worth it!
p.s: Go nurse those secret ambitions and you never know with dedication, passion and perseverance you will surely make it one day! It may be hard like anything is in real life at first but don't give up! ''A'' will surely vouch for it as someone who wished he did that long time ago!
3. Dear Zindagi
Dear Gauri (Shinde),
Thank you for giving us a movie that has for the first time (probably) shown the lead actress as a flawed, confused and slightly troubled human being. And yet someone you don't feel sorry for (except towards the end).
Thank you for choosing Alia to play that role and for extracting her best performance till date (at least the movies I have seen).
Her breakdown scene, her showdown with her family, her nuanced acting expressing her jealousy, her inadequacies and even when she is not saying anything is befitting a much mature actress. Doff my hat to her award deserving performance!
Thank you for giving us back the SRK who I missed seeing after Swades and Chak De. Hope he realises that his understated acting, playing characters his age (inspite of that tinge of grey hair and nicotine stained teeth/ fingers) is much HOTTER than his OTT acting playing characters half his age.
Thank you for showing us a bit of Goa (my gaav). Especially the quaint old Goan houses.
Thank you for the quietly witty lines mostly mouthed by Koko and Jehangir. They have already become memes as I write this.
Thank you for the pleasant background music/songs which lend meaning to the scenes, are hummable and yet not over powering.
And thank you for a movie which has dialogues and scenes which subtly convey emotions even if it is just a "creak in the chair".
Regards,
Just another movie goer who loved English Vinglish
4. Ventilator
Ventilator the movie lives up to its name, it comes as a breath of fresh air in the current crop of films!
A dark comedy that lights up your face with many smiles and fills up the air with many laughs.
A story about relationships which sounds familiar and resonates as if it's about us.
Each of the characters are handpicked as if they are living that role.
During the movie, you forget that the actors are acting. They are so real.
If you have relatives living in smaller towns or villages, you will truly enjoy the rustic humor.
A movie which is so breezy in the first half that it leaves you gasping for more at the intermission.
And in the second half, besides the funny moments, it is ripe with emotions and you will wish you had carried a bucket with you.
It will possibly make even the guys/girls who don't like to shed a tear in public, sniffle a bit.
Hats off to the Director for managing so many actors, small and big, deftly and then coming out with a complete entertainer! And the Writer for the truly entertaining dialogues.
Note: Great execution/efforts with the sub-titles as well.
In a nutshell, Ventilator...Shivaay... Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (courtesy..a forward on whatsapp. For those who don't understand Marathi please ask your friend what it means
:)5. Pink
Pink is a movie I watched the day it was released but it has taken me more than a week to talk about it. At first I thought this movie must be seen by all "those kind of men" who look at women in a MCPish way. Men on the road who you want to slap/thrash because of the way they look at you, men you read in newspapers for heinous crimes against women, etc. But then I realised that this movie is not just for them. It is for all of us. The police, neighbours, the male friend, the lady police officer, etc.in the movie are all part of the eco-system and they were equally responsible for a verdict that could have gone horribly wrong. How many times we easily judge girls, women based on what they wear, appear (to us), etc. If they do things not in "our book of norms" we just go ahead and judge them so easily. Next time we do that, let's pause and ponder - how much do I know the person to think of him/ her in that way!? Because it all starts with just that one thought...
6. Bajirao Mastani
SLB's cinematic extravaganza for a movie which truly deserves it. He brings out lovely subtle performances from Priyanka and Tanvi Azmi. And brilliant casting in Ranvir as he suits the role of an audacious, unconventional and brave warrior Bajirao. Deepika does justice to her character quietly. Keeping aside all the flaws brought out by historians, I am glad this movie was made. Renewed my interest in history during the glorious days of Marathas and Peshwas which was long forgotten after school.
7. Katyar Kaljat Ghusli
Apratim!!!
A movie which brought back fond childhood memories when my papa and baba (ajoba) would sit in the dimly lit living room soaking in the lilting Marathi natya sangeet. Their gentle foot tapping and animated hand movements interspersed with wah wah still feels fresh in my mind. My dearest baba...worlds most loving and awesomest grand father anyone can ask for is of course no longer with us but thank you Papa for taking your daughter out for this movie. You brought back such wonderful moments back into my life!
Katyar Kaljaat Ghusli ( A dagger thru my heart) is a Marathi movie you would like to watch again and again! Stupendous music, fantastic performances and storyline. Will surely bring back Marathi Natya Sangeet in the forefront and hopefully also make youngsters appreciate music... in its purest form!!! And last but not the least, finally a movie after a long time that keeps you rooted to your seat even when the movie is long over! Wah wah...Subodh Bhave for being brave and making Sangeet natak into a full length feature film.
8. Killa
I am truly in awe of his acting. This boy wonder called Parth
Bhalerao...first in Bhootnath Returns -2 and now in Killa (Marathi
movie). A natural actor and that too at such a young age. Hope he
does not fade away like many talented child actors in the past and also hope
success does not go to his head. And yes, do watch Killa for the kids and their camaraderie...will take you
back to your childhood for sure. And lastly, to watch the serene beauty of
Konkan in the rains. It will take your breath away!
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