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Reviews
Anupama (1966)
A meticulously crafted work ..
A filmmaker's flair always lies in presenting a simple story in a visually engaging form that is entrusted with soul,substance and logic.The writers of yesteryear's frankly had little to tell, but whatever they could convey, they warmed us with their utmost honesty in doing so. Hrishikesh Mukherjee was no exception. Simple presentation, beautiful situations, glorious performances is what you expect from such a legend. Here we trace back to a work that aptly glorifies his adeptness in crafting a simple story "Anupama" that's alluring , delicate and equally delicious.
Mohan Sharma is a top notch businessman who is gifted with a daughter Uma at the cost of his wife. This very reason transforms him to drink voraciously . He continuously faults her daughter for ruining his happiness. He isolates her, torments her , traumatizes her and yet adores her when drunk. Uma is grown up in an atmosphere where she hesitates to speak, confined to her room and a heart that's filled with sadness. She wants to speak, but won't , she doesn't aspire, desire or expect anything from life.She feels her life was meant to be like this and she couldn't do anything to confront it.Meanwhile, Sharma's friend Bakshi too has a daughter Anita whom he brought up with utmost care and love. She's lively,bubbly and there's nothing that could stop her from being that. Quite a contrast to Uma, she has a lovable father and he fills her world. Moses, a lawyer,another friend of Sharma is a sheer delight and enjoys his life as a bachelor. He's ageing but his thoughts aren't, quite noble at heart these threesome form an awesome group.
Arun, a well settled chap comes back from the US who has an able friend in the form of Ashok, a writer who's subtle,crispy and full of heart. He falls for Anita immediately and love sparkles. They're mad, wild and form a chirpy pair. To celebrate togetherness they plan a tour and Ashok along with his sister and mother too accompany them. Uma feels completely out of shape in such a place but Ashok's simplicity aided by his sister and mom warms her. Ashok is puzzled to see such a person who's uncommunicative and aloof at heart. These are the moments that connect them unbreakably and a special bond unleashes. Uma's undergoing transformation and a positive one that too. Will her true self emerge? Will she ever stand up for herself ? The climax provides a series of interesting and intriguing answers to this empowering enigma.
As we can learn above, the story is a very delicate one and bad acting or either bad direction could have tarnished such a sensitive script. But having Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Dharmendra, Sharmila Tagore at our disposal we dare expect a blunder. Quality actors mean a lot and this entirely proves it. Enhancing a situation beyond its capacity requires emotions at its natural best and here we see it deliver par excellence. Dharmendra who's underrated for his comedies and simplicity rather than for his loud and booming characters portrays his role with a dignity that's rarely seen. As a struggling writer and an able adviser to Uma, he balances his role with an unqualified ease. In a situation Dharmendra explores a statement " Aap kuch nahin boltein hai, par Aap ki Aankhen sab Kuch kehleti hai". This very much sums up Sharmila Tagore's act. Minimal dialogues, wonderful expressions, she is fantabulous in a role that depicts her capabilities to perfection. The director is very instrumental in extracting such an efficient conduct from her. Tarun Bose as a despotic father is stern and stubborn, he enacts his part impeccably. David provides great relief and moments to laugh out loud in a serious film. Job Well Done! Shashikala infuses life into her role and is extremely lovable. Deven Verma has his moments and he utilises them to good effect. Music by Hemant Kumar is an asset to this movie. "Dheere Dheere Machal ", "Kuch Dil Ne Kaha", "Ya Dil Ki Suno" are compositions which don't come about so often. It stamps a supreme authority and satiates us wholeheartedly. Last but not the least, the master of the game, Hrishikesh Mukherjee is exquisite in harnessing such talent that's aesthetic and soulful.He's literally flawless in his methods and filmmakers of today can learn a thing or two about churning a deft flick that is commercially tangible, creatively satisfying with no level of compromise. He will be surely missed and this sensitive film would sure be one to remember for years to come by(as it is done now). Go for this one rather than settling for plot less flicks that try to be different, but being no good. This is sure to make your time worthy..Grab your copy now.. My Take: 4.5/5
Raavan (2010)
The 10 HEADS are gripping and intense!
Enough of excitement and curiousness for Raavan ensured a first day,first show ticket with my friends.I was just hoping and praying that it would surmount my expectations and it did.Well almost!What more could you ask for?Aishwarya,Abhi and Vikram in a love triangle with Rahman to tease your ears,Mani to embellish and set the screen on fire.It all made it a deadly combination and be ready to gorge your eyes to a tale narrated like never before.Excellent visuals,witty dialogues,intense acting make Raavan a spectacular experience ought to yearn for.Beera rules the roost and how!
10 minutes into the ten heads,you get a whole glimpse into the thick of surroundings.A tough police officer,a gritty follower,a nifty wife,a brutal ' raakshas' and a whole village supporting him.The first hour mostly invades our time to capture the mindset of all these people Beera(Junior B),Raagini(Aishwarya Rai),Dev(Vikram)who form the core and crust of the film.The director doesn't waste much time in conveying the plot of kidnapping Raagini and putting her through immense torture both physically and mentally.Dev,a firm person is determined enough to win back his wife who barely can live without him.The introduction of Hanuman(Govinda) ensures lighter moments in a somewhat serious first half.The latter part concentrates mostly on the cat and mouse chases creating a lively and a nervous atmosphere.With the amazing cinematography,going past the first half is a visual treat to the audiences.Shot in Kerala,the waterfalls,the forests are so full of life and the director uses the locations to his best effect and enhances the beauty of each scene.
The second half is where the film scores a lot .The pace quickens unlike the first half and the battle raging between both the sides turns wild and take weird turns keeping the viewers glued to their seats.The colours are beautiful,the village has a child like innocence,you feel sympathy for each of the characters that undergo pain and stress.The villain tries every possibility to kill Raagini.But she isn't the one who's there to get victimized.She's brave and she'll have a death at her own desired moment and none can change that.She's a fire brand and Beera recognizes it.She tries to escape,puts up a brave face and her eyes spark not even an ounce of fear.Some thing is influencing his mind to get mad about her.After all Beera has his own reason for the series of events which have occurred.He explains his grief and distress on what made him into a person whose emotions are unpredictable.One person having ten thoughts rolling inside his brain each second.Does this create a softer side of Beera in Raagini's heart?Will Beera ever spare Raagini or Dev?Is the person who dies always is the bad guy?Is this a thought of our society or if not what's the truth?Why can't we think on the lines on why is Beera like this?The gripping climax will provide a bold answer to these startling questions.The fight in the climax is precariously shot and will set the first bencher's abuzz.
As like his previous movies,Mani pours life into a simple story and creates a mind boggling impact.Though not as polished as before,this works good time.The minutest details too are taken care off very well and the sweat and hard work gone into the making shows.If viewed as a contemporary version of the epic Ramayana,this one doesn't work.It doesn't have enough depth to penetrate the characters into the viewers.If seen as an experimental cinema,the ideals are great,the modification is inexplicable,so we better put our comparisons aside to satisfy us entirely.Credit to him though to make a film that's a break from the formulaic stuff.
Coming to the performances,Abhishek holds his stand firm and portrays a character of varied emotions very well.He's grown as an actor since those days of Yuva,Bunty aur Babli.He displays the unpredictability of the character to perfection.I in fact do not want to watch the Tamil version of it because I expect it to be no way closer to this one. Aishwarya stuck between characters as different as chalk and cheese,two different sides of a coin handles her part extraordinarily.She's far beyond her skin and good looks and this one proves it yet again.She besides Abhi is the soul of the film.Her scenes with her hubby are of good taste and will evoke good critical acclaim.She looks to have put on a few pounds and the earlier she realises,the better it'll be as she isn't growing any younger.Vikram did a good job but he's done these better in Saamy,Anniyan and many other ones.There's no new facet of his acting explored.In short,he's wasted in an angry cop role.Nikhil Dwivedi is passable in a short role.Priyamani makes her presence felt and the start isn't at all bad for a debut.Ravi Kishan is irritating to say the least.Govinda packs a punch and tries to do something beyond slapstick comedy,an honest effort.Supporting characters are a mixed bag but they don't do that bad either.Rahman uses his experiments perfectly that's neither loud nor low.Gulzar's lyrics are pumping.Cinematography by ManiKandan and Santosh Sivan puts a viewer into the film.
Raavan doesn't start well,but makes up for it as we move on into the film.It's a journey that we don't often travel and a path we rarely witness.Though not error free,its still a feather in the cap for Mani Ratnam to create such a splendid picturesque work.Be patient enough and keep your expectations a tad less and you won't be at loss.Its a drama,an event,a classic in the reckoning!
Shriman Satyawadi (1960)
A film with an honest heart!
Movies,at least in India are meant for true entertainment and a stress busters for employees and many other sections of life.When they are filled with in a noble content nourished with entertainment,a viewer will have something to take home with and the filmmakers too are a satisfied lot .This one didn't manage the latter part but touched my heart for the sincerity the movie was made with by S.M.Abbas. After a tiring Friday,to chill myself out here came the Raj Kapoor starer Shriman Satyawadi which was released in 1960 which focuses on how truth has become an ugly word to this society.One more aspect about the movie is that,despite the movie being made 5 decades ago it still maintains connectivity with the viewer.Probably that's why Raj Kapoor's films have an immortal quality and his films still enchant many film lovers.
The film journeys on an honest guy who believes nothing can replace truth and ethics and those values will sometime or the other come in handy-Though the film has traces of Shree 420 in the honesty aspect,the other parts were quite different, well structured and enacted.30 minutes into the movie and you're sunk into Vijay's world and we forget the actor portraying it.That's called acting and that's class.Raj Kapoor's uncanny knack of managing comedy and emotions at once is real quality to be observed.Never do the characters make us feel they 'rent believable. In the post interval the film's pace slackens and the scenes appear more clichéd.Nevertheless the chemistry between the lead pair makes it up.Shakila's never over the top and does her bit with a unique charm.Mehmood isn't at his best but fits in well enough.The journalist character too is very noble in character and though there's limited screen space it's presence adds solidity to the movie.This one doesn't make it into the list of classics but will make for a good watch on a lazy evening.It has a moral and with accomplished acting performances from the cast,it'll keep you satisfied.This movie's far better than the crap we're put up to by the so called actors of today.Decent script,efficient screenplay,reasonable music!It's a well packaged neat entertainer for a family! Refresh yourself with this!!Remember ,truth will and only prevail!Though late,it yields success and ensures a purposeful existence.