Moviesntheatre: The Movies and Theatre Blog

Source of Inspiration: Garcya' Web Design Blog

2009-12-31T09:05:00.003+05:30

Being a designer, sometimes in life I do feel I'm stuck with "Zero Ideas Situation". With hectic time-lines, and harsh competition, you just can't come up with new ideas. Earlier I used wonder what to do and used to get clammed up. But then I found a new source of inspiration which not only gave me ideas, but also gave me a lot of Free Tutorials, Free Templates for phpNuke, wordpress, flash websites, Free Vector Graphics in EPS and AI format, free tools for web designers to create great websites, banners, logos in very little effort and a little creative inputs. I'm talking about the Web Design Blog .....

A great source of Inspiration for me do visit by clicking here.

My Photography Portfolio!

2009-07-24T15:17:00.007+05:30

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All the photographs displayed on this blog are either clicked using Mobile Camera or a Digital Camera with limited manual functions. The highest resolution for all the photos displayed may not be available. Photos are for free for Non-Commercial purpose. Contact me on pixelliciousd@gmail.com, if you would like to acquire a license for commercial usage of any photo.

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54th Film Fare Awards 2009: List of Nominees & Winners

2009-03-02T10:36:00.004+05:30

MAIN CATEGORIES

BEST FILM

Dostana

Ghajini

Jodhaa Akbar - Winner!

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na

Rock On!!

BEST DIRECTOR

A.R. Murugadoss - Ghajini

Abhishek Kapoor - Rock On!

Aditya Chopra - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Ashutosh Gowariker - Jodhaa Akbar - Winner!

Madhur Bhandarkar - Fashion

Neeraj Pandey - A Wednesday!

BEST ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE

Aamir Khan - Ghajini

Abhishek Bachchan - Dostana

Hrithik Roshan - Jodhaa Akbar - Winner!

Akshay Kumar - Sinng Is Kinng

Shah Rukh Khan - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Naseeruddin Shah - A Wednesday!

BEST ACTRESS IN A LEADING ROLE

Aishwarya Rai - Jodhaa Akbar

Anushka Sharma - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Asin Thottumkal - Ghajini

Kajol - U Me Aur Hum

Priyanka Chopra - Fashion - Winner!

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (MALE)

Abhishek Bachchan - Sarkaar Raj

Arjun Rampal - Rock On!! - Winner!

Pratik Babbar - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na

Sonu Sood - Jodhaa Akbar

Tushaar Kapoor - Golmaal Returns

Vinay Pathak - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

BEST SUPPORTING ACTOR (FEMALE)

Bipasha Basu - Bachna Ae Haseeno

Kangana Ranaut - Fashion - Winner!

Kiron Kher - Dostana

Ratna Pathak Shah - Jaanu Tu… Ya Jaane

NaSahana Goswami - Rock On!!

BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (MALE)

Farhan Akhtar - Rock On! - Socha Hai

KK - Bachna Ae Haseeno - Khuda Jaane

KK - Jannat - Zara Si Dil Mein

Rashid Ali - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi

Sonu Nigham - Jodhaa Akbar - Inn Lamho Ke Daaman Mein

Sukhwinder Singh - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi – Haule Haule - Winner!

BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (FEMALE)

Alka Yagnik - Yuvvraaj - Tu Muskura

Neha Bhasin - Fashion - Kuch Khaas Hai

Shilpa Rao - Bachna Ae Haseeno - Khuda Jaane

Shreya Ghoshal - Singh is Kinng - Teri Ore - Winner!

Shruti Pathak - Fashion - Marjaawa

Sunidhi Chuhan - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi - Dance Pe Chance

NOMINEES FOR BEST LYRICS

Abbas Tyrewala - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na - Kabhi Kabhi Aditi

Gulzar - Yuvvraaj - Tu Meri Dost Hai

Jaideep Sahni - Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi - Haule Haule

Javed Akhtar - Jodhaa Akbar - Jashn e Bahara - Winner!

Javed Akhtar - Rock On!! - Socha Hai

Prasoon Joshi - Ghajini - Guzarish

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

A R Rahman - Ghajini

A R Rahman - Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na - Winner!

A R Rahman - Jodhaa Akbar

Pritam - Race

Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy - Rock On!!

Vishal-Shekhar - Dostana

LIST OF OTHER WINNERS

BEST DEBUTANT ACTOR (MALE)

Farhan Akhtar - Rockon - Winner!

Imran Khan - Jane Tu - Winner!

BEST DEBUTANT ACTOR (FEMALE)

Asin (Ghajini) - Winner!

LIFE TIME ACIEVEMENT AWARD

OM PURI & BHANU ATHAIYA- Winners!

BEST STORY

Abhishek Kapoor (Rock On)- Winner!

RD BURMAN: Upcoming Talent Award

Benny Dayal (Ghajini)- Winner!

BEST COSTUMES

Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!- Winner!

BEST BACKGROUND SCORE

AR Rahman (Jodha Akbar)- Winner!

BEST CINEMATOGRAPHY

Jason West (Rock On)- Winner!

BEST EDITOR

Amit Pawar (Mumbai Meri Jaan) - Winner!

BEST COREOGRAPHY

Longinus (Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na)- Winner!

BEST SOUND DESIGN

Vinod Subramanyam (Rock On)- Winner!

BEST VISUAL EFFECTS

John Deitz (Love Story 2050)- Winner!

BEST Action

Peter Heinn (Ghajini)- Winner!

DELHI6

2009-02-24T11:25:00.000+05:30

Long time No review!! Anyways I’m back to those blogging days. I’ve seen quite a few movies but couldn’t find time to write about them. But after a log time, here comes a few things about DELHI6.

I was so impressed by the music from our very own Oscar winner Mr. A. R. Rahman that I decided to go and watch Delhi6. I didn’t bother whether I'd like to watch the film or not. But, I didn’t have doubts too. After all I watch movies just cuz I'm a moviebuff. I've seen RGV's Aag & Chandni Chowk to China & few others too.

The way they have used Ramayana, to give out social messages regularly in the movie is amazing. Also, the way they have used Masakali, the pigeon to relate to the situation in the story is brilliant. The overall comic feel of the movie does include a serious darker side at the climax. So lets have an unspoiled look at the storyline. Roshan (played by Abhishek Bachchan) is born and brought up in America, living with his parents and ailing grand mother (played by Waheeda Rehman). It's his grand mother's sort of last wish to spend the rest of her life in her very own Delhi6. The Old-style Delhi.

It’s after coming to Delhi that he falls for Bittu (played by Sonam Kapoor) who looks to live her life much like a free-bird but has to live under a lot of restrictions imposed by her father Madan Gopal (played by Om Puri). Although the movie is not just about the lovestory. It equally focuses on the neighbourhood of the two lovers. The disintegration of the UNITY between the hindu-muslim neighbours of Delhi6 and the differences between the two brothers Madagopal & Jaigopal (Played by pavan malhotra) is shown in a nice and practical way. It all looks so real.

There’s Kala-Bandar (Black-Monkey who’s harassing the residents of Delhi6) episode look silly initially however it is connected to the story and thus looks acceptable. Also, I won't write about it much to spoil it for those who haven't yet seen, and plan to see the movie.

Director Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra does a good job by ensuring that all of the so many characters in the movie look important and connected to the storyline. He's made the movie a likeable one.

Abhishek as Roshan does a good job but has a very few dialogues but he does justice to his character. Sonam Kapoor acts well as Bittu. Waheeda Rehman looks very graceful as Abhishek's grandmother. Other mentionable actors are Om Puri as Madan Gopal, Deepak Dobriyal as Mamdu, Atul Kulkarni as Gobar, Divya Dutta as Jalebi, Vijay Raaj as Inspector Ranvijay and even in a small role, Rishi Kapoor does a commedable job as a wealthy nawab.

Overall, I feel the movie really is worth a watch!

Oscars 2009: Complete List of Nominees& Winners!

2009-02-24T09:56:00.005+05:30

Best Picture

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Frost/Nixon

Milk

The Reader

Slumdog Millionaire - WINNER

Best Director

Danny Boyle; Slumdog Millionaire - WINNER

Stephen Daldry; The Reader

David Fincher; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Ron Howard; Frost/Nixon

Gus Van Sant; Milk

Best Actor

Richard Jenkins; The Visitor

Frank Langella; Frost/Nixon

Sean Penn; Milk - WINNER

Brad Pitt; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Mickey Rourke; The Wrestler

Best Actress

Anne Hathaway; Rachel Getting Married

Angelina Jolie; Changeling

Melissa Leo; Frozen River

Meryl Streep; Doubt

Kate Winslet; The Reader - WINNER

Best Supporting Actor

Josh Brolin; Milk

Robert Downey Jr.; Tropic Thunder

Philip Seymour Hoffma; Doubt

Heath Ledger; The Dark Knight - WINNER

Michael Shannon; Revolutionary Road

Best Supporting Actress

Amy Adams; Doubt

Penelope Cruz; Vicky Cristina Barcelona - WINNER

Viola Davis; Doubt

Taraji P. Henson; The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Marisa Tomei; The Wrestler

Best Animated Feature Film

Bolt

Kung Fu Panda

Wall-E - WINNER

Best Foreign Film

The Baader Meinhof Complex; Germany

The Class; France

Departures; Japan - WINNER

Revanche; Austria

Waltz With Bashir; Israel

Best Original Screenplay

Milk; Dustin Lance Black - WINNER

Frozen River; Courtney Hunt

Happy Go Lucky; Mike Leigh

In Bruges; Martin McDonagh

Wall-E; Andrew Stanton, Jim Reardon, Pete Docter

Best Adapted Screenplay

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Eric Roth, Robin Swicord

Doubt; John Patrick Shanley

Frost/ Nixon; Peter Morgan

The Reader; David Hare

Slumdog Millionaire; Simon Beaufoy - WINNER

Best Documentary Feature

The Betrayal (Nerakhoon)

Encounters at the End of the World

The Garden

Man on Wire - WINNER

Trouble the Water

Best Original Score

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button

Defiance

Milk

Slumdog Millionaire - WINNER

WALL-E

Best Original Song

Down to Earth; WALL-E

Jai Ho; Slumdog Millionaire - WINNER

O Saya; Slumdog Millionaire

Best Film Editing

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Kirk Baxter, Angus Wall

The Dark Knight; Lee Smith

Frost/Nixon; Mike Hill, Dan Hanley

Milk; Elliot Graham

Slumdog Millionaire; Chris Dickens - WINNER

Best Documentary - Short Subject

The Conscience of Nhem En

The Final Inch

Smile Pinki - WINNER

The Witness - From the Balcony of Room 306

Best Cinematography

Changeling; Tom Stern

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Claudio Miranda

The Dark Knight; Wally Pfister

The Reader; Chris Menges, Roger Deakins

Slumdog Millionaire; Anthony Dod Mantle - WINNER

Best Costume Design

Australia; Catherine Martin

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Jacqueline West

The Duchess; Michael OConnor - WINNER

Milk; Danny Glicker

Revolutionary Road; Albert Wolsky

Best Sound Mixing

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; David Parker, Michael Semanick, Ren Klyce, Mark Weingarten

The Dark Knight; Lora Hirschberg, Gary Rizzo, Ed Novick

Slumdog Millionaire; Ian Tapp, Richard Pryke, Resul Pookutty - WINNER

WALL-E; Tom Myers, Michael Semanick, Ben Burtt

Wanted; Chris Jenkins, Frank A. Montaño, Petr Forejt

Best Sound Editing

The Dark Knight; Richard King - WINNER

Iron Man; Frank Eulner, Christopher Boyes

Slumdog Millionaire; Tom Sayers

WALL-E; Ben Burtt, Matthew Wood

Wanted; Wylie Stateman

Best Live Action Short Film

Auf der Strecke (On the Line)

Manon on the Asphalt

New Boy

The Pig

Spielzeugland (Toyland) - WINNER

Best Animated Short Film

La Maison de Petits Cubes - WINNER

Lavatory – Lovestory

Oktapodi

Presto

This Way Up

Best Makeup

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Greg Cannom - WINNER

The Dark Knight; John Caglione, Jr., Conor OSullivan

Hellboy II: The Golden Army; Mike Elizalde, Thom Flout

Best Art Direction

Changeling; James J. Murakami, Gary Fettis

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Donald Graham Burt, Victor J. Zolfo - WINNER

The Dark Knight; Nathan Crowley, Peter Lando

The Duchess; Michael Carlin, Rebecca Alleway

Revolutionary Road; Kristi Zea, Debra Schutt

Best Visual Effects

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button; Eric Barba, Steve Preeg, Burt Dalton, Craig Barron - WINNER

The Dark Knight; Nick Davis, Chris Corbould, Tim Webber, Paul Franklin

Iron Man; John Nelson, Ben Snow, Dan Sudick, Shane Mahan

Jaane Tu!!

2008-07-06T09:07:00.004+05:30

I saw Jaane tu yesterday - Saturday the 5th July. However I missed the start 20 minutes of the movie unfortunately, due to a heavy traffic. Got to tell you, it's an awsome movie but to write about the movie, I've planned to go and see the movie again on coming Saturday!

I'm not gonna watch Lovestory 2050. So, will have to wait to write about Jaane Tu, atleast till saturday!

When I think filmy!!

2008-07-04T17:38:00.002+05:30

“My patience level is seamless”. I was wondering one day whether this was a myth in my mind or was it really true with me. At times in difficult situations, when I really felt like giving up, some inner power would prompt me to carry on and I would. Initially, I could never understand what it really was. However time and now, it has happened that I have overpowered the power of my weaknesses. I tried to look into this to find out what it was that inspired me to come up with a fight against the odds.

Every one of us has an inner self that prompts during those difficult moments when one really need to guide one's self to the right path. Hence, giving up easily would only be an act a loser would do. I believe in destiny, but I also believe I can carve my own way to the future.

I am not sure if whatever you just read has made any sense to you or not but in short; I would just like to mention that you should think a lot more times than you would before giving up on anything in life. You will definitely make it there, where you want to be. And hence, when I feel, my patience level is seamless, I believe it’s not a myth and that, it’s true.

Losing is not the end of it; trying just one more time gives you another chance to win until you see that you have won. I would appreciate if you guys can express your opinion about being patient and trying on and on till you achieve success as we all know, success never comes easily.

Dhingana - Online Hindi Music Station!!!

2008-06-24T12:51:00.006+05:30

The Happening!

2008-06-16T16:25:00.008+05:30

"This movie is gonna freak you out"; a common line in few of the reviews I read about "The Happening". Ofcourse it's a Manoj Night Shyamalan movie and has to be something different.

Despite bad reviews, I personally liked his movies "The Village" and "Signs". Also "The Sixth Sense" for obvious reasons had become my favorite movie. So I thought lets see "The Happening." To be frank, the movie came no where even close to freaking me out. I was expecting a lot more, a lot of thrill out of it. I expected a bit too much but, Shyamalans earlier movies did play a big role in me building up such a high expectation from this one.

It starts with people beginning to kill themselves on a summer day at Central Park New York. Then at a short distance from the Central Park, a lot of workers at a construction site start committing suicide by jumping off the building. Where everyone is unsure about the reason of such incidences, the occurence of the same was spreading very fast.

Initially it is speculated that there could be terrorist group behind this. But the speculation is soon disregarded, with the number of incidences going higher and spreading through out the populated areas of America.

It then turns out that the Plants have risen to take revenge against the humans. The plants have begun to emulate an airborne toxin which is responsible for impacting human brains and causing them to commit suicide.

I really do not want to go into the performances by the actors as their acting looked a lot amateurish to me. Overall, I didn't enjoy the movie as much as I thought I would.

Mere Baap Pehle Aap! (MBPA)

2008-06-16T15:23:00.012+05:30

Priyadarshan's got it right again! I would love to go against the other review writers and not call this movie any lesser than a good movie to watch.

MBPA starts off with a song with Om Puri dreaming about a babe dancing on a beach. He plays a character named "Madhav" who's wife ran away right on his wedding day and hence he's looking for a bride for himself at a considerably old age.

"Janardhan", played by Paresh Rawal, has raised his two kids alone. The elder son is already married and stays separately with his wife and a kid. The younger son, "Gaurav" played by Akhsaye Khanna has taken over all the responsibility of his father's business.

Janardhan has a past which is unknown to his kids. In his young days he was in love with his childhood friend Anuradha played by "Shobhna". However due to family reasons they couldnt get married. Where Janardhan gets married to someone ele and lives a settled life, Anuradha, is still single and waiting for Janardhan.

"Shikha", played by Genelia D'souza used to be a classmate of Gaurav during their college days is now back from USA and wants revenge from Gaurav for an incidence which had Gaurav ragging her and chopping her hair. She plans and executes a prank which has Gaurav almost pull his hair out. And this is how they meet and become friends just to fall in love by the time it's the end of the movie.

However, the mainline story revolves around how Shikha and Gaurav come to know about Janardhan and Anuradha's past and how they plan to make sure that Janardhan and Auradha get married after staying away from each other for so long.

Paresh Rawal and Akshaye Khanna share an awesome chemistry portraying the unconventional father-son relationship beautifully. Also, Priyadarshan includes a small twist in the story with the entry of Naseeruddin Shah who plays the role of Shikha's father.

As far as the performances are concerned, Paresh Rawal, Akshaye Khana, Om Puri, have delivered performances as one would expect from them. They've done a really good job and do justice to their characters. Genelia D'souza looks fresh and acts well too. Shobhna, Manoj Joshi, Rajpal Yaadav, Archana Puransingh with comparatively smaller roles have done a good job too.

One shouldn't expect an out and out nonsense comedy out of MBPA. It has moments which will make u laugh out loud but this story has a serious side too. MBPA is very much a watchable movie.

Sarkar Raj!

2008-06-11T10:15:00.003+05:30

I'd been to the theatre expecting another gripping movie as good as "Sarkar" the predecessor. I can say that, to an extent I wasn't disappointed. Although the movie wasn't really as close to reality as "Sarkar" was, it is definitely interesting to watch. I enjoyed the movie overall, but the second half was dragging a little too much!

One can't complain about the performances I'm sure. Amitabh Bachchan is THE SUPERSTAR of the millenium. With so many movies he has been doing characters so varied that its unbelievable how he can bring each of the character to life. Abhishek's acting was decent enough. When together on screen, the senior bachchan steals the show. Aishwarya acts well too. RGV should stick to this style of movie making instead of re-makes.

I didn't really concentrate on the movie's music. The background score was basically Govinda; Govinda; throughout. It's a watchable movie.

Bhoothnath!

2008-05-16T17:02:00.006+05:30

Nath Villa, an infamous haunted mansion in Goa. Every one is too scared to even pass by that place. People believe the place is occupied by the ghostly spirit of Kailashnath (played by Amitabh Bachchan) ready to trouble anyone who would visit the same.

The movie starts with a scary sequence where the ghost scares out a young couple who gate crash into the mansion. The whole sequence is indeed a little scary and for once, you’d feel as if you are in for a horror movie. But, you already know before hand that it’s a kid’s movie.
Banku (played by Aman Siddiqui), a very mischievous kid moves into the mansion with his parents Aditya Sharma (played by Shahrukh Khan) & Anjali Sharma (played by Juhi Chawla. Soon after moving in Aditya who works as a Marine Engineer, has to leave for the cruise liner. This lives Banku and his mother Anjali, alone in the mansion.

Banku’s image has been portrayed right from the start as a mischievous prankster who isn’t scared even of the ghost residing in his house. He gives the ghost a name, Bhoothnath. The few comic scenes involving Anthony (played by Rajpal Yadav) and the school principal (played by Satish Shah) gel very well with the movie.
While in the first half you get to see how Banku & Bhoothnath become friends, the second half shows Kailashnath’s tragic story. There’s a bit of a twist in the story when Kailashnath’s son Vijay comes back from USA and decides to sell off the mansion. To know what really happens after this, you should go and watch the movie.

Bhoothnath looks like a good debut for Director Vivek Sharma. All the actors have chipped in with good performances. However, I felt like Juhi acted a bit loudly and her voice didn’t sound original.
While the kids might definitely like the movie, it definitely has something to offer to the elders too. I would term this movie as a complete family entertainer. Although a bit slow at a few moments, Bhoothnath was fun to watch.

P.S. I don’t really know if I can term this as a flaw or not, but, one of the scenes where Banku falls down from the stairs and hurts himself, Bhoothnath tries to catch hold of him but he’s not able to hold Banku’s hand as he’s a ghost. Banku’s hand just passes through Bhoothnath’s hand. However, in the very next scene, they show Bhoothnath hugging Banku in the hospital. If he could touch and hug Banku, why couldn’t he save him from falling? Perhaps that’s the only unacceptable part of the movie for me.

Trailor

Tingya!

2008-05-12T16:10:00.023+05:30

Tingya is a story about an eight year old boy, who loves his family-bull named Chitangya as much as he would love his elder brother. Tingya is two months younger than Chitangya and both have grown up together. The movie also puts some light on the lives of the rural farmers and the reasons which force them to commit suicide.

It starts with the village farmer Karbhari, going into the flash back about how he had to sell off Chitangya to a local butcher. Chitangya falls into one of the leopard traps and in this accident, injures his hind leg badly. This injury makes it very difficult for Chitangya to pull the plough and he falls unconscious when Karbhari is once ploughing the land for cultivation. Karbhari is now a worried man as he’s already bought the potatoes for cultivation and ploughing had to be done by any means. Also, this was impossible without a pair of bulls.

Along with the life of Karbhari’s family, the movie shows the life of another family, Rashida’s family. Rashida and Tingya, being of a similar age group are best friends. Their friendship is shown in a very cute and touchy manner. Rashida’s family involves her mother, father, grandmother and grandfather. Her grandmother, “Nani” as everyone calls her is already very old and can seldom walk by her own. Her grandfather, who is shown coughing badly all the time in the movie, also, has a drinking habit. When Rashida asks him about the alcohol bottle, he tells her that it was his medicine for cough.

Once Nani falls down while walking and injures her self very badly. Her health then on, keeps on deteriorating. On the other hand, Karbhari decides to sell off his injured bull to the local butcher in the market. He cannot take a loan from the village Sahukar as he needs to pay off the previous one. Tingya is absolutely against this decision. When he asks his father about the reason why he decided to sell off Chitangya, his father replies saying Chitangya was useless for them now and that they need to sell him off to get some money so that they can buy a new young bull who can work. Tingya is taken aback by this and he decides to get a doctor to check the bull. He walks, runs, takes a lift from people on the road and some how manages to reach the town.

Karbhari was always against the idea of calling medical help for Chitangya. At this stage, a lot of questions arise in the mind of Tingya. He’s not able to understand why people take care of Nani so much when she’s ill and cannot work? And, why they don’t care so much for Chitangya? Why don’t they hand over Nani, to the local butcher when even she cannot work anymore? Why is his father selling of Chitangya who has always served his family and been helpful.

When Tingya learns that even the doctors cannot help cure Chitangya, he is very scared about losing the bull. He also realizes that there was no way he could win over the argument against the elders. Karbhari finally takes the bull to the market. What happens next? You should watch the movie to get to know.

A lot of small but touchy moments and incidences have been woven into the main story. You’d really feel for the characters and their feelings.

The kids, Sharad Goekar (Tingya) and Tarannum Pathan (Rashida) are brilliant child artists. The parts of the story which shows different phases of their friendship are done very cutely. The rest of the cast also has put up very good performances.

Mangesh Hadawale has done a very good job at direction portraying various emotions beautifully. Shot at beautiful locations of Maharashtra, this movie is really very lovable. I would recommend you listen to the song “Majhay aabhaal tula”.

No wonder, why, it has already bagged nine awards. Do watch this one.

A very filmy incidence!

2008-05-09T12:03:00.006+05:30

"Excuse me", said a strange voice. As I looked behind to check on the person, he spoke again, "Can I have a little time of yours?" I could see a very shabby looking guy with a dirty shirt and an even dirtier trouser. His partly broken and red teeth made it obvious that he consumed tobacco heavily. At the very first thought, I wanted to avoid any conversation with him but I wondered how, such a guy could speak English so fluently. I kept on walking and the guy kept walking by my side.

“Tell me what, but quickly, I am in a hurry” I warned him and being skeptical, I asked him to walk a little away from me.”

A little more walk and he begun, “I am not what I look like. I see that you are a decent and educated person and I thought that you will understand my problem. This is why I decided to speak to you. Even I am a well educated guy.”

“Can you cut the crap and come to the point?” I interrupted with a little harsh voice. I obviously found it really strange to walk besides such a guy as the people around were looking straight at us. As I continued listening to him, I pretended that I was ignoring him.

He continued, “I used to work for a MNC as a Sales Executive. I even had a well settled family. My people and I stayed together in (couldn’t hear the place). I have even worked for a company in Malaysia and have always been honest all my life. But, how unfortunate that today I have nothing. I lost the job, lost the family and eventually everything.” He was talking in a very good accent and very fluent language.

“What exactly you do you want from me?” I interrupted again. “Please come to the point and tell me your purpose of talking to me. I said.”

He kept on talking about his life and past. Most of whatever he spoke was inaudible due to the noise of the traffic passing by. I could understand very little of it. I did not wonder anymore about what he was talking and said, “Just tell me how I can help you? And what do you want from me?”

“I’m hungry” he said and again added, “I just want food.” I now wondered for a while but kept walking as he followed by my side. I wanted to test the genuineness of whatever he said. “I can buy you food. What do you want to eat?” I told him.

He replied, “I am a toothless guy and I can only eat rice.” He then did “EEE” to show me his teeth with his mouth opened wide. I avoided looking at him and enquired, “Where can I buy rice for you, over here?” He replied, “We may not be able to find rice here. Can you come with me to Khar station? There are a few restaurants that serve rice at reasonable rates.”

I said I did not have so much time to go all the way to Khar station with him, considering that we were in Santacruz. “If you can give me only 20 Rs I can buy myself a plateful of rice”, he suggested.

I told him there was no way I would give him money. As if he was looking forward to bargain, he began to plead for 10 Rs. I knew this was going to happen. I had it in mind, not to help this fellow and ultimately I didn’t.

“Sorry there is no way I can help you.” I said.

He still kept walking with me saying he was very hungry and that it was only a question of 10 Rs and also added that it would not be a big deal for me. “Wow” I said to myself, “as if I had a money tree.”

“I am myself walking all the way from Chembur to Malad just to save money. (I lied a bit over here) Just because I look decent doesn’t mean I have a lot of money and that parting with a bit wouldn’t mean anything to me. You are healthy and all right and above all educated. Look for a job and earn rather than begging," I told him.

“I am not begging, I just need a little help from you.” He interrupted and again added, “I have no proof of my background and so it’s not easy for me to get myself a job.”

I wanted to get rid of this guy so I spoke a little more harshly, “Go to a post office, there are many people waiting to get forms filled help them and earn. You don’t even need to apply for that. Now please don’t walk with me, I am not going to help you with money”

“Thanks even for listening to me. God bless you” he said, and walked away. And I walked on, wondering how some people can resort to begging even when they’re capable of earning a living.

Gandhi my father!

2007-08-06T23:39:00.002+05:30

I would term this movie as a BOLD attempt, to tap a subject, not many would have dared to. Congrats, to Anil Kapoor & Firoz Abbas Khan on doing so. The film tries to bring out the complicated relationship between Mahatma Gandhi and his eldest son Harilal Gandhi.

Wonderful performances by the lead actors really make the movie worth a watch. Darshan Jhaveri, as Mahatma Gandhi, Akshaye Khanna, as Harilal Gandhi, Shefali Shah, as Kasturba Gandhi and Bhoomika, as Harilal’s wife Gulaab, have put up really good and touchy performances. Even the sets and the typical feel of the Gujarati culture is depicted perfectly.

Personally, I feel the movie leaves in my mind a conflict, about, whether Mahatma Gandhi had really been responsible directly, for the misery in the life of his son Harilal? Or that Harilal himself paved his way to making his own life miserable? Despite the fact, that Mahatma Gandhi did not allow him to go England for Scholaraship twice when he could have, Harilal had enough opportunities to make his life stable, staying in India. However he tried to use short-cuts to become successful and rich.

On other thoughts, I feel that had Gandhi allowed Harilal to go for the scholarship and become a Barrister, his life could have been as he had always desired. Harilal clearly wanted to follow his father and become a Barrister and also join the satyagraha. But once denied the chances to go for the scholarship, his relation with his father worsens. He no longer has faith in his father and begins to live a separate life with his wife and kids and tries all wrong ways to earn a better living.

First thing first, I felt, the movie does not give any reason, over why Gandhi, would oppose his son’s decision to get married by his choice? Also, when it came to sending students for scholarships, Gandhi would recommend others, but always, stayed by Indian values and Satyagraha, when it came to sending Harilal for the same.

The movie could have shown the growing distance between the father and the son, in a better justified way. Gandhi’s and Harilal’s relationship with his other children, Manilal, Ramdas and Devdas, is left untouched. They are totally ignored in the latter half of the movie. The movie could have really spoken a little more on what they thought about the relationship between Gandhi and Harilal.

There were some very touchy moments, in the movie. The scene where, Harilal comes to meet Kasturba in a train and brings an Orange for her, is very touchy. Every body is shouting, “Mahatma Gandhi ki Jai” and Harilal alone appears shouting at the top of his voice, “Mata Kasturba ki Jai”. He explains, here that all what Mahatma Gandhi was then, it was only because of Kasturba, to which even Mahatma Gandhi agrees.

The other scene that was very touchy and emotional was the one where, Kasturba goes to meet, Harilal after he gets converted to a Muslim. The dialogue delivery by Shefali Shah is just amazing. Seeing, Harilal almost cry after hearing to what Kasturba tells him, is so emotional, it does make you shed some tears too.

One of the scenes has Harilal’s wife Gulab, discussing, with neighbors about how difficult it was to live life with 30 Rs/pm that Gandhi used to send. Gulab doesn’t realize Harilal had heard her speak those words. All this is followed by an intense performance in which Harilal explodes and bursts out all his frustration and speaks out words like, “Main Gandhi ka Nalayak beta hoon…” It’s a scene brilliantly acted by Akshaye Khanna where you can really feel the frustration that he is going through under the burden of being the son of Mahatma Gandhi.

Towards the end, after Gandhi passes away, there’s this dhabay wala performed by Raj Zutshi, who is shown crying after he heard the news about Gandhi’s death, and the words he says, (approximately correct), “Baapu chalay gaye, main toh anaath ho gaya”, he doesn’t realize he’s speaking to Harilal Mohandas Gandhi, son of Mahatma Gandhi.

The movie is really worth a watch.

Being Cyrus!

2007-07-30T18:33:00.003+05:30

Being Cyrus, is an interesting psychological drama which unfolds itself as a dark comedy. It's a story about Cyrus played by Saif Ali Khan, who has had a rather disturbing past. It starts with Cyrus, trying to move into an abnormal Sethna family. He moves in as an assistant to Dinshaw Sethna, played by Naseeruddin Shah, who is a retired sculptor. This, Sethna family, is full of conficts, misbehaviours, disagreements and abuse. As the story unfolds, we can see Cyrus getting himself into plans of Dinshaw's wife-Katy Sethna played by Dimple Kapadia, which takes him to an old building in Mumbai where rest of the Sethna family resides. This includes, Dinshaw's father-Fardoonji Sethna, played by Honey Chhaya, Dinshaw's brother-Farokh Sethna, played by Boman Irani, and Farokh's wife-Tina Sethna, played by Simone singh.

It is here, that Cyrus learns, about the pathetic life, Fardoonji was living with Farokh, his son, where in he is disallowed to eat everything that he likes and has to spend all of his day in a crampy stuffy room. He's totally scared of the ill-tempered Farokh who would very often abuse, scold and even beat him up for small reasons. From here, the actual thriller unravels.

The story line and performances really keep you gripped to the movie and you are not bored despite the slow-paced movie. There is one "Dream-Sequence" which is done really very well where in Cyrus sees a Dream and the characters he sees in the dream are all out of his practical life and his practical situation.

As far as the performances are concerned, I feel Sail Ali Khan, did a decent job as Cyrus। Naseeruddin Shah and Boman Irani do their job as excellent as one can expect from them. As Katy, Dimple Kapadia could have done slightly better. Even, Honey Chhaya, as Fardoonji Sethna delivers an excellent performance in his short role.

Being Cyrus, may not fall under the GREAT MOVIES category but its certainly good, with a fresh and original storyline.

School of Rock!

2007-07-30T12:27:00.003+05:30

School of Rock, is one of those feel good comedies that you can watch on any day and any number of times. Jack Black along with the kid-artists, have put up a really good performance. Jack Black plays Dewey Finn, a wannabe Rock star, who worships the power of Rock'n'Roll and is determined to lead his rock group to a victory at the regional Battle of Bands.

He simply loves to be on the stage, performing 20 minutes solos and crazy stage dives, despite the rest of the band-members not liking his acts. Ultimately, Dewey is fired from the band, having to face debts in terms of his apartment rent. Among all these worries, Dewey once attends a call intended at his friend Ned Schneebly. Dewey pretends to be Ned and accepts a job of a substitute teacher at the prestigious Horace Green Elementary School. Here he is under a constant observation of the the strict Principal Mullins, played by Joan Cusack.

Dewey once happens to see the kids of his class, play musical instruments, at the Music class and his mind begins the planning about creating his rock band with help of these kids, who, he thinks can really play some music. It’s all fun once he starts a brain-wash of few studious kids and brings out their musical talent to take part in the Battle of Bands.

How, Dewey trains the kids for Rock’n’Roll, how they practice during school hours, how the parent’s of the kids react on learning that their kids have been doing Rock’n’Roll intead of studying at the schools, how the Principal Mullin reacts to the situation, and how the kids perform at the Battle of Bands is all, the movie is about.

Do watch the, SCHOOL OF ROCK.

DRREAM MAN - Interesting!

2007-07-24T12:00:00.002+05:30

Today morning, I read a small article in the news paper—Mumbai Mirror. It stated, Kay Kay Menon is all set to play 14 different and interesting characters in a single movie. The movie, "DRREAM MAN" directed by Makrand Deshpande, is supposed to be a spoof on Bollywood movies and actors. This one really seems to be something interesting. Specially since I have just seen the play "Karodon mein ek", also directed by Makrand Deshpande.

In Kay Kay's words, the movie is supposed to be a comic tale with a twist. Kay Kay plays the lead role with 14 different characters like, a Cop, a Journalist, an Englishman, a Rock Star, a Milkman and some more interesting personalities.

This movie is an adaptation of Makrand Desphande's successful play named "Ek Kadam Agay". Even Makrand Desphande, himself is supposed to play a part in this movie.

The movie basically shows the lives of the strugglers, who really want to make it big in bollywood. It is supposed to be a pun on bollywood, for which Makrand Desphande has taken inspiration from real life incidents and people he came across since his presence in entertainment industry. Revolving around the lives of two strugglers and the way they realise their dreams.

Makrand stated that he's not used real names in his film but it was somewhere very close to the actual life.

"PARTNER" is a Laughter RIOT!!!

2007-07-23T14:10:00.002+05:30

I had been to the theatres with no huge expectations from PARTNER. Surprisingly it turned out to be a laughter RIOT. David Dhawan along with Salman Khan—Govinda have once again delivered the FUN STUFF. You don't need your brains and you don't need to think too much while watching the movie. It's just like a Joy-Ride.

Partner is inspired by the Will Smith Starrer HITCH. Salman Khan and Govinda have put up wonderful performances. Both are REAL ENTERTAINERS. Specially for Govinda, where Salam-E-Ishq & Bhaagam-bhaag gave the glimpses of his successful come-back, PARTNER already puts him way ahead to prove his come-back. With an excellent comic timing, you can really feel the fun when Govinda appears on the screen.

Unlike Bhagam-bhaag where, Govinda's performance was slightly over-shadowed by that of Akshay Kumar's, here the chemistry between Salmaan and Govinda is awsome and Govinda gets good enough scope to perform his part.

Where Katrina Kaif appears in a smaller role and has nothing much to do apart from Dancing and Smiling, you may wonder if Lara Datta was actually a photographer or a reporter? But both the ladies perform their part appreciably.

There is another character, of Chhota Don, played by Rajpal Yadav who appears in small incidences and towards the end, completely disappears.

Despite a few short-comings and a little abrupt climax, one does not feel disappointed, walking out of the theatre, you will discuss the funniest of the scenes and feel happy to have watched the movie.

I would say it’s a MUST WATCH movie.