Parched

Bold and Beautiful. That's what came to my mind when I finished watching this movie. Based in a remote arid village of Rajasthan, this movie by Leena Yadav bares the parched souls of 4 woman whose lives are entwined with each others. 

Rani ( Tannishtha Chatterjee )  a young widow trying her best to support her teenage son and an old bedridden mother in law, Lajjo ( Radhika Apte), a young vibrant woman married to an alcoholic abusive husband who is taunted  for her inability to conceive, Bijli ( Suveen Chawla ) a dancer with a travelling entertainment company and a prostitute and Janki ( Lehar Khan) the young child bride who is married off against her wishes to Gulab, Rani's teenage son. 

Rani and Lajjo are fast friends from the same village and who look out for each other, while Bijli is an old friend of Rani ( considers her as a sister ) and is an worldly wise woman who advises Rani and Lajjo with their troubles.

The journey with these women will take you in their world of small pleasure, aspirations, hardships, helplessness etc. The movie is laden with situations of the hardship the women go through in the hardcore patriarchal society in-spite of trying to be economically independent ( these women have co-operatives to sell their embroidery work ). The episode where a young girl from the village is forced to go back to her in laws house by the parents, in-spite of her screaming  her guts out that she did not want to go since she was being raped by any and all the men of the house hold including her father in law, will make you realize how gruesome the life of women could be.

From Rani's struggle in watching her Son taking the foot steps of her late alcoholic husband to Lajjo's sleeping with a total stranger in an attempt to get pregnant, "Parched" will keep you glued to the screen wanting to see "what next".

The casting of the movie was just perfect. Each of the women portrayed their role like they were born into it. I liked the fact that it was factual about the state of affairs of women in remote parts of Rajasthan and the social message was quite subtle and not on the face. 

Verdict :- 8 out 10. Cannot be watched with Children. 

Lakshmi (2014)

 

This movie by Nagesh Kukunoor takes you along Lakshmi;s unfortunate Journey into the world of Human Trafficking and her brave fight to victory. This is a biographical movie depicting the social problem of human trafficking and child prostitution in the country. 

Lakshmi, the fresh faced, innocent looking 14 year old portrayed by Monali Thakur is the victim of human trafficking. Hailing from an rural and remote village of Andhra Pradesh in India, she is sold by her father for a mere 30000 Rupees. And none other than the local corporator facilitates the deal. 

The movie has tried to bring to the fore front, the various facets of the human trafficking nexus. To being with the owner of the brothel, Reddy keeps Lakshmi with him for a few days and he is nice to her. Just around the time that she starts to get comfortable at his house, he brutally rapes her and sent to the brothel to live along with several other girls. It's a gruesome life there and every time Lakshmi tries to escape, she is brutally beaten up.

The Madame of the brothel, Jyoti's ( shefali Chaya) behaviour is a paradox. One one end, she seems quite nonchalant and on the other end there are streaks of affection for the girls. She her has a daughter in the engineering school and is hoping to retire once the daughter is settled.

Some girls seem to accept their fate over a period of time ( like Suvarna played by Asha Saini) and this is driven by the fact that they are no longer accepted by the society or for that matter by their family who hide behind the wall of respectability.

There seems to be camaraderie among the girls and most of them look out for each other. They look for small pleasure in life and resort to alcohol and drugs to get by the ordeal of their lives.

And at the end of it, you realize that girls like Lakshmi who stand up to fight and dare to dream of freedom are far and few . Most of them just accept their fate and go back to their life in-spite to having an opportunity to break free.


Verdict :- 8 out of 10. Worth a watch but not a family movie for sure. 

Dear Zindagi ( Dear Life )

I owe my watching this movie to a casual remarks by a colleague at work and the fact that it came up in a movie database search. I had totally missed the release to this one due to my frequent travels abroad. But having enjoyed Gowri Shinde's debut movie, " English Vinglish" I sure wanted to catch up on this one. 

A very refreshing movie indeed. Alia's Bhat's portrayal of Kaira's bohemian life was to near perfection. Kaira is an astute photographer who is trying to make a name for herself and is very passionate about what she does. At the same time she is flighty, slightly vulnarable and quite messed up when it comes to relationships. She struggles with commitment issues. She hates her parents and  is surrounded by a group of close knit friends who stand by her through thick and thin. Kaira reminds one of a typical urban young adult one meets these days.

It is by chance that Dr.Jehangir Khan ( Shahrukh Khan ) enters her life. Dr. Khan is a well known and eccentric Psychiatrist. Alia engages him to help her get over problem. The entire movie pretty much revolves around this engagement. Dr. Khan helps Kaira confront her fears and shed her baggage's. This entire journey was quite engaging.

The movie was a perfect Sunday night entertainer. I wouldn't recommend it for kids at impressionable age though.

Verdict :- 7/10. Not bad at all. 

Bajirao Mastani (2015)

Truly the big fat Indian movie in all its glory. 

 I was all set to watch Starwars last weekend, but unfortunately had to encounter a 'houseful' situation. Now that I had made up my mind to watch a movie, I explored alternatives. "Bajirao Mastani" was the next best choice. My friends had given me a good review and I took a chance.

This is an epic movie based on the life of Balaji Baji Rao, who was the most powerful of the Peshwa's from the Bhat family and served under the leadership of Chatrapathy Shahu. This movie particularly focuses on the relationship of Bali Rao and his second wife Mastani. Keeping in with the famous Bansali love triangle, the movie revolves around Baji Rao (Ranveer Kapoor) , his first wife Kashibai ( Priyanka Chopra ) and second wife Mastani ( Deepika Pedukone).

One of the things I liked about the movie was the casting. Ranveer's portrayal of Baji Rao was near perfect and  Priyanka made a wonderful Kashibai. You will also get to see some sizzling chemistry between Ranveer and Deepika who are rumoured to be real life couple as well.


The historical facts weren't diluted much. There were some modifications made ofcourse, to add to the entertainment value. For example, there is a dance performance by Kashibai and Mastani. Some historical scriptures talk about Kashibai being inflicted with arthritis thereby inhibiting her to dance and also its unlikely that women from conservative Maratha families would dance in public.


On the whole there was no stone left unturned to make the movie opulent and grand. Even though it is a lengthy movie, by all means it was entertaining.


Its a definite one time watch and is likely to refresh some long forgotten history.


Verdict :- 8/10. This is a good family entertainer.



Queen ( 2014)

The queen by Vikas Bahl is a wholesome Bollywood entertainer without the brainless trivia. It has big fat Indian wedding ( Loud, boisterous Punjabi wedding !!!! ), songs and dances , the drama but with a fresh story-line. Definitely a women oriented movie and Kangana Ranuat has done full justice to her role. I knew she was someone to watch out for after I watched her in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Fashion". 

Kangana is the undisputed "Queen" of this movie. Absolutely natural and vibrant. she plays the role of Rani, an upper middle class, girl next door from Rajori Garden quite effortlessly. 

Rajkumar Rao dissolves his character into oblivition which is what the movie needed

Kangana Ranaut ( Rani) is ditched by her fiance Vijay ( Rajkumar Rao) a wanna be who thinks he is gods gift to mankind post a day before the wedding which shatters her badly. However, she quickly licks her wounds and with the support ( albeit reluctant) of her family, decides to use her honeymoon tickets to visit Paris and Amsterdam. It was her cherished dream to visit these two cities which she was hoping to visit during her honeymoon.

  It is quite an adventurous step for a girl next door from Rajori Gardens who has hardly been outside her city to venture out travelling on her own to tour Europe. 

She lands in Paris and life hits her in full force and she stares at life with confused eyes. Everything is new and alien. Luck is on her side and she bumps into Vijayalakshmi aka Vijay ( Lisa Haydon) who quickly takes Rani into her protective fold. Vijay's unconditional supports gives the much necessary boost to Rani's adventure and she thrives. 

Her confidence grows and she decides to pursue her vacation plan by going to Amsterdam all by herself. She even survives the shock of sharing the room with three unknown men. she bring herself to break away from her cocoon of reservations and emerges out as a confident woman who develops a remarkable friendship with her three roomies - Taka from Japan, Tim from France and Oleksander from Russia. 



Eventually she gets Vijay ( her ex-fiance ) out of her system, returnsback to her old life...but a confident woman...

Madras Cafe (2013)

I happened to watch Madras cafe a day after watching Chennai Express. Both the movies are as different as chalk and cheese. 

Madras cafe sure goes to show the coming of age of bollywood. Right at the beginning the movie reminded me of "hotel Rwanda" but it was not as gruesome. Guns and violence was handled with care.

Madras cafe is a fast paced, no nonsense political thriller depicting Srilakan ethnic strife and Indian Governments inglorious entanglement in the same. Though the movie has the disclaimer of " a work of fiction" it is a no brainier to figure out that the back drop of the movie is all  about the Srilankan LTTE issue leading to the assassination of the then Indian Prime Minister, Rajiv Gandhi. 

The movie begins with Bikram Singh ( played by co-producer John Abraham) a special officer from Army  deputed to RAW to support the covert operation in Jaffna after the Indian peace keeping forces are forced to withdraw. 

Bikram runs into Jaya ( Nargis Fakhri) a passionate journalist trying her best to get to the truth behind the civil war. There are significant exchange of information that takes place which helps Vikram in his mission. Bikram works relentlessly to break into the LTE network.He keeps his pursuit on amidst  conspiracy, unassuming enemy and personal tragedy.

If you have watched Sarcar's rom com Vicky Donor, you already have a taste of his narration abilities. Madras Cafe also has a solid script which holds on to the characters beautifully. Absence of song & dance was a refreshing change. ( especially after Chennai express )

John Abraham, though a bit wooden, fitted the role quite well. He didn't have to do much in the acting department but just  look his Macho self and handle the guns. Which he did full justice to. Nargis Fakhri did her bit. Absence of a romantic loop between the two helps is keeping the movie focused to its theme.

Cinematography is very good and will keep you captivated.

Verdict :- 8/10. One of the best Bollywood political thrillers so far. Do not bother watching this movie if you expect the typical Bollywood melodrama and masala.

Chennai Express ( 2013)

Driven by boredom, one fine Saturday I accidentally jumped into the "Chennai Express" ( Courtesy some complimentary tickets ). I had no idea what to expect considering this was my first Rohit Shetty movie. Can't say I was disappointed but I completed the journey with mixed feelings. Overall the movie oozes loads of energy inspite of an insipid storyline

 Rahul ( Shahrukh Khan) a 40 year old Punjabi is entrusted with the task of immersing the ashes of his grand father in Rameshwaram by his grand mother ( Kamini Kaushal). Whereas Rahul has already planned a getaway to Goa with his freinds. To hoodwink his grandmother, he boards the Chennai Express with an intent to get off at a nearby station and join his friends. But life has other plans for him. Playing the good Samaritan and repeating an act from his earlier movie DDLJ ( Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) he helps Meena Lochani ( Deepika Pedukone )by pulling her into the moving train. He extends the same services to about 4 burly men that follow her into the train. Little did he realize that this act of his is about to change the course of his life. It turns out that Meena is the daughter of a local Don from a picturesque village called Comban based in Tamiltadu. Meena runs away from home to escape marrying the hulky Tangaballi ( yet another Don, though he looks more like a displaced punjabi truck driver with his kurta pajamas), an alliance arranged by her father in hope of strengthening his power. The '4 burly men' are her cousins, deputed by her father to bring her back home. What follows is an action packed roller coaster ride filled with songs and dances, romance, villains, fights, flying cars etc etc. Goa and friends are forgotten and Rahul is forced to follow Meena to her Village Comban which turns out to be an adventure of a lifetime.

This movie is a sure shot entertainer with all the ingredients of a successful Bollywood blockbuster. The journey on Chennai Express starts of quite well with quite a few situations that were uproarious but it tends to teeter along the way specially post interval. SRK desperately tries to re-create his past glory but it is Deepika that takes the cake away for her performance. she looks gorgeous in the traditional colorful south Indian accoutrements. She was able to do justice to her south Indian twang ( well blended in her hindi delivery but seems to be wanting in the English dialogues). SRK was totally lame in his comedy and action avatars. Unfortunately, he did not get too much opportunity to romance which is his strength area and whatever little there was,it quite fell flat due to absolute lack of chemistry with Deepika.
 The movie even tries in vain to promote national integration ( Does the north south divide still exist ? ) and the sermon on women empowerment was not necessary ( leave it to movies like Astitva)
 Subtitles would have been great considering that 30% of the dialogues were in Tamil.
On the whole Rohit Shetty has managed to create a heady concoction with dance, drama, action, romance all blended together fairly well.
Dudley managed to capture the southern natural beauty in abandunce which was a pleasure to the eyes.

 Verdict :- 6 out of 10. A total family entertainer for the masses. You will love the movie if you are looking for some mindless entertainment and can be oblivious to a script that is thinner than the neer dosa.

Kai Po Che ( 2013)

"Kai Po Che" is a Gujarati phrase which mean "I have cut the kite". This movie is adapted from Chetan Bhagat's novel " 3 Mistakes of my life' which I couldn't motivate myself to read ( you guessed it...I am not a Bhagat fan). I began watching this movie with some skepticism but it turned out to be quite likable.

This movie is about three friends,Ishaan (Sushant Singh Rajput), Omi (Amit Sadh) and Govind (Raj Kumar Yadav) who are typical today's Indian youth and live in Ahmadabad. The three of them are as different as chalk and cheese - Govind is serious and cautious, Omi does not have a mind of his own and is easily influenced and Ishaan, is an idealist and passionate about cricket. In spite of the difference they are well bonded and together they manage to start a sports academy with Govind taking charge of running the business, Omi supporting with the capital investment (courtesy his politician uncle) and Ishaan managing the coaching center. Ishaan finds a star cricketer in a emaciated muslim boy called Ali. Omi joins his uncle in politics and Govind falls in love with Vidya( Amrita Puri), Ishaan's sister. Every thing is going well with the boys when all hell breaks loose in the form of the devastating earthquake ( Bhuj earthquake of 2001) followed by the communal riots ( Godhra Roits ). The boys friendships is tested and life changes for all of them. 

The movie has it all...the playfulness of the youth, bond of friendship, politics, communal rivalry, regret, love, good music ( loved the song "Manja" by Amit trivedi) and above all forgiveness. But the movie is quite superficial and skims through most of the issues/emotions. Quite fast faced which goes in its favor.

Verdict :- 7 out of 10. Abhishek Kapoor has done a decent job of this movie and you are unlikely to be bored.