Category: Short Takes

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Angry Young Men (docu series): Rides high on nostalgia but low on professional insights

Ironically for a duo known for their powerful screenplays Namrata Rao’s narration is quite lackluster

August 21, 2024

The duo of Salim- Javed have revolutionized mainstream Hindi Cinema with the likes of Sholay, Deewar, Zanjeer and Don among others. The plots are simple but their ability in capturing the angst of the common man and representing the anger through their writings have made the movies hugely memorable. The docu series of Angry Young men streaming on Amazon Prime is a series of interviews that merge the professional and personal lives of this powerhouse duo. Except for one tiny shot in the final episode both Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan aren’t seen together.

As mentioned in the headline Angry Young Men rides high on nostalgia. A lot of discussion is centered around Sholay, Zanjeer and Deewar. These parts of the documentary needed some serious editing. Nothing new emerges about these movies particularly for hard core movie buffs. However, there is one interesting bit where Javed Akhtar talks about the popularity of Gabbar Singh played by Amjad Khan. Although Sholay had many stars Amjad Khan was the actor who made the biggest impact as a merciless dacoit with no backstory.

One reason Javed Akhtar gives for Gabbar Singh’s popularity is the lack of moral compass. The viewers found it fresh to see an unapologetically bad villain. The centrality of mother figures in their movies also offers interesting anecdotes. Both of them lost their respective mothers at a young age. The female characters of Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan has also been touched upon. Except for Seeta Aur Geeta the writers had never written female oriented movies but still most of their heroines had substantial roles. Lastly it is also great to hear from the master director Shyam Benegal dissecting their popularity. He talks about how the 70’s needed a hero who would clean up the system on behalf of people and the likes of Zanjeer perfectly tapped into this.

One major problem with the Angry Young Men docu series is the overdose of stars. From Kareena Kapoor Khan, Abhishek Bachchan to Karan Johar the frames are filled with way too many people. Half of them don’t add much significance and this includes Amitabh Bachchan too. Amitabh Bachchan owes a lot of his stardom to them but that doesn’t come through. Lastly their writing process has been hardly explored, there is one mention of Salim Khan coming up with the storylines and Javed Akhtar doing the dialogue writing, but even that is superficial.

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Modern Masters SS Rajamouli: Self adulatory in nature, still an engaging watch

The insights of V Vijayendra Prasad, MM Keeravani, Rama Rajamouli etc. give the documentary some of its best moments

Modern Masters directed by Raghav Khanna and Tanvi Ajinkya is an absolute treat for the fans of the celebrated director. Right from the beginning it is clear that both of them are in awe of SS Rajamouli and how the documentary has been designed as a tribute. Just like his on-screen heroes the tonality is that of reverence and awe. This method does come with its drawbacks as there isn’t much of a critical analysis however there is never a dull moment

A strong aspect of Modern Masters is the narration of the family members. Through the various anecdotes the viewers understand the passionate nature of Rajamouli and his eccentricities while filming a movie. The documentary also successfully sheds light on Rajamouli’s modest beginnings. Seeing the struggles of his father and how that influenced the creative choices.

Although Rajamouli’s debut movie Student No 1 was a commercial success it is very clear that Rajamouli looks at Simhadri as his breakthrough movie. It was Simhadri that set the tone for Rajamouli’s future films. There is also an intriguing insight given by MM Keeravani about the use of a Tamil rustic song to showcase the transformation of Junior NTR. The producers weren’t very sure about its placement, but he was very clear about audiences enjoying it which turned out to be true. The courtship of SS Rajamouli and how he convinced Rama for marriage is charming. Just like his movies here too his persistent nature comes forth strikingly.

The anecdotes regarding the Baahubali films are also engaging. Initially the movie had a slow start with the talk being not so positive. One of the producers Shobu Yarlagadda went into a panic mode and there was major anxiety about Baahubali 2’s future however things changed with the movie growing on the audiences and eventually becoming a blockbuster. Karan Johar is the only one from the Hindi fraternity to appear in the documentary. The movie could have done with few more Hindi and Telugu personalities, keeping that aside Karan Johar makes an interesting analogy by comparing Ramesh Sippy’s Sholay with this. Upon its release Sholay also had a slow start with many people dismissing it but subsequently the film made a major splash and has now become a commercial benchmark.

Prominent film Journalist and reviewer Anupama Chopra is also a part of this documentary. She asks questions regarding the criticism of Bahubali and RRR being sexist and casteist. The answers aren’t completely satisfactory nevertheless there is an interesting bit where he talks about being an atheist while still being a believer of Sanatana dharma. According to him a person can be both. Talking about the controversial love scene in Bahubali 1 he says that Tamannaah’s Avanthika is much more than just a hard warrior, adding that there is also a woman looking for love beneath the tough exterior.

Rajamouli’s creation of strong villains particularly Rana Daggubati’s Bhallaladeva and how he likes Ravana more than Rama adds an interesting dimension to the documentary. To sum it up Modern Masters could have done with more depth particularly the questions about Bahubali and RRR, still it is entertaining enough.

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Paradise: A gripping insight into Srilanka’s economic crisis coupled with Ramayana and patriarchy

Recently I have seen a movie called Paradise streaming on Amazon Prime directed by Prasanna Vithanage. The film is set during the period of Srilanka’s economic crisis (2022). Paradise begins like one of those Mani Ratnam ones along the lines of Bombay or Roja but soon switches gears moving into an entirely different territory. Roshan Mathew and Darshana Rajendran play a married couple, they are in Srilanka to celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary fully aware of the political turmoil. They chose this place as they thought it would be less expensive.

The place of their home stay fits the title of Paradise perfectly given the coziness of their surroundings. Initially the viewers are given the impression of them being the perfect couple however a theft changes everything. Cell phones and laptops have been stolen. Roshan Mathew’s Keshav is terribly upset understandably too as the laptop contained all the material of his new project. He files a police complaint and also threatens Seargent Bandara (Mahendra Perera) that he would report to the Indian High Commissioner if the thieves aren’t caught along with getting back the stolen items. The police bring in the possible suspects acting very fast, but this only adds fuel to the already volatile situation in that area. Everything goes out of control for both the police and the couple. This is the story in brief.

Through the runtime of 1 hour and 34 minutes Prasanna Vithanage touches upon some important aspects without big speeches. For example, he makes viewers understand the socio-political happenings of Srilanka through dialogues about shortage of essential items along with the conversations of the supporting characters like Shyam Fernando who plays the tour guide. The movie also makes a strong statement on police brutality without any explicit scenes. In the movie some poor workers are accused of theft leading to severe beatings. One of them die in police custody.

Finally, the director also talks about how tourists should be more sensitive to the socio-political environment of the country they are in. The initial frustration of Keshav is definitely understandable but at some point, realization should have been there about how he is putting the lives of both himself and the wife at stake. Keshav shouldn’t have let himself get carried away in the wave of arrogance. Although Darshana Rajendran’s Amritha is more sensitive than Keshav she should have been firmer in making the husband understand what he is doing isn’t right.

Performances wise both Roshan Mathew and Darshana do justice to their respective parts. Darshana adds a lot of vibrancy with her charming nature. Sure, there are times where Amritha’s empathetic nature just seems to be an add on to compensate for Keshav’s insensitive behavior. However, Darshana does do a wonderful job as the movie’s conscience. Roshan Mathew also does a splendid job in portraying the desperation of Keshav particularly the mood swings. Keshav is someone who gives the impression of being all powerful when he is actually just another visitor, and the actor does a swell job in bringing out that. Throughs his lens cinematographer Rajeev Ravi expertly captures both the vibrant landscape and the looming dread.

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Me Before You: A must read for those who like intense love stories

Jojo Moye’s novel shares more than one similarity with Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish but it is hard to say who was influenced by whom given that the movie came first.

The central subject of Jojo Moyes novel for those who haven’t read is Euthanasia, a person deliberately wanting to end his life with the permission of the law. This happens when an individual is no longer able to bear the suffering from a disease that cannot be cured. What makes the book more than just a love story is how the writer has given an insight into the condition of Quadriplegia (a form of paralysis that affects all four limbs) Yes, the ending of the book is definitely debatable much like the movie Guzaarish. Both the book and movie do seem to suggest that those suffering from Quadriplegia have no other alternative than ending their own life. However, there is no denying that Me Before You is an emotional roller coaster

The storyline of Me Before You is about the journey of two polar opposites. On one hand you have Lousia Clark a common girl leading a normal life. She hasn’t seen much of a life beyond her tiny village. On the other hand, there is Will Traynor a rich guy who once led a very active life. He had travelled worldwide and participated in extreme sports. An accident leads to him being wheelchair bound for life. In a twist of events Lousia becomes a caretaker of Will Traynor and from here begins a roller coaster of a journey.

A strong aspect of the book for me was the gradual progress in the relationship between Lousia and Will. In the beginning Will is mostly cranky with Lousia which isn’t surprising given that his once active life has gone for a toss, however as the story progresses the readers get to see a different side of Will too. The light repartee and the way he teases her are fun to read. Both of them have an influence on each other with Lousia learning self-love, Will meanwhile learns to enjoy life’s little moments. While entertaining the readers Jojo Moyes has also a done good in addressing some heavy topics, for instance the discrimination faced by disabled individuals and quality of life among others.

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Cuckhold: A gripping novel that makes the viewers empathize with Bhoj Raj

Bhojraj Singh Sisodia is best known for being the husband of a reputed poet saint Meerabai, not much information is there about him other than being Meerabai’s husband. Kiran Nagarkar’s cuckhold is a biography of this man set against the backdrop of India in 1600’s.

It is hard to say how much of Kiran Nagarkar’s writing is fiction and how much reality is there. Keeping aside this aspect there is no denying that the writer has given a wholesome perspective of the ruler. The readers come to know about the different qualities of Bhojraj Singh Sisodia. For example, a courageous warrior and also someone who came up with distinctive schemes.

Kiran Nagarkar is successful in transporting the viewers to those times. The description of the war strategies and the ways of gathering information about the enemies’ position is very engaging. What also adds to the book are the numerous philosophical talks which represent the king’s thought process.

The internal battles of Bhojraj and his feeling of bewilderment with lord Krishna being his rival has also been written well. The readers can feel the various emotions that he goes through. Cuckhold is a long book, over 600 pages but for those who like elongated historical fiction it is a must read.

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James by Percival Everett: A terrific reimaging of the novel Huckelberry fin that examines the inhumanness of slavery

The adventures of Huckelberry Fin is one of the most read books in literature. Mark Twain’s creation of both Tam Sawyer and Huckelberry Fin is still remembered fondly for how he showed the evolution of two young lads and their friendship. In the Adventures of Huckelberry Fin there is a peripheral character of an enslaved black man called Jim. Just like Huckelberry Fin he is also someone who is on run albeit for a different reason. Jim overhears that he is about to be sold to a man in New Orleans and as a result get separated from his wife and daughter forever.

In this action-packed reimaging Percival Everett has put Jim at the center and has done a wonderful job in fleshing out what is originally a supporting character. The novel James is not an easy read, terrible things happen to noble people just because of them having a certain skin. There are characters who degrade and take advantage of Jim.

Writer Percival Everett brings out the inhumanness of slavery in a heart touching way. The novel has also got good doses of suspense, this aspect also makes it a very engrossing read. To put it simply James by Percival Everett is a must read particularly for those who like action packed stories with some social consciousness.

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Kafeel Khan autobiography: A gripping real-life story that gives a deep insight into the medical crisis

Recently I have read a heart touching autobiography of a doctor who was suspended on the charges of medical negligence and corruption among other things. Dr Kafeel Khan went great lengths in order to procure oxygen cylinders in the year of 2017. He rallied the staff and did an incredible job in controlling the health care crisis. After being hailed as a hero the situation took a drastically different turn for both Kafeel Khan and nine more individuals.

As mentioned above Kafeel Khan’s autobiography is a deep dive into the various problems concerning the health care sector. He has given as many details as possible from his personal experiences, as a result the book comes across as authentic making the readers think and worry about the future of health care. A particular mention must be made of how he describes the shortage of Oxygen. The readers feel that they are watching the situation firsthand.

Through his writings Kafeel Khan has also touched upon the dangers of hate campaigns, how this hate campaigns can destroy both families and communities. How the media social and mainstream play a major role in escalating hatred has been elucidated in great detail.

The book also makes you salute the moral strength of Kafeel Khan. In spite of suffering so much his major concern is about the lives that have been lost and how more lives can be saved. He never gets into a communal debate regarding that incident.

Kafeel Khan’s autobiography leaves the readers with many thoughts not just about what Kafeel Khan had to go through, but the system of health care in general which is such an important part of our daily lives.

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Alia Poem: March 15th 2024

A very happy 31st birthday to you Alia

Alia you are like a shining star forever sparkling

You have proved to be a smart cookie in adapting to different on-screen characters

You have made the roles of Gangubai, Veera Tripathi, Safeena, Bauria and more your own

In spite of not being a natural dancer there is so much joy in seeing you dance

I can never forget your Kathak dance in the film Kalank, the grace and those expressions were too good

Similarly, the scene in Gangubai where your character goes into a trance like state while dancing was so well enacted

In Rocky Aur Rani ki Prem Kahani you pulled off both What Jumka and Dhindora Bajare Re in an excellent manner

The first song had undertones of mischievousness and the second was a high energy one which required absolute lack of inhibitions

In both the songs Alia your movements were as smooth as butter without a single false step

Both the songs can be watched any number of times particularly for your expressions

As a producer of course it is early days but the subjects you have backed in both Darlings and Poacher are very commendable

Thank you so much for replying to my comment on your Instagram page regarding Poacher

It felt so good when you replied back with emojis and also took my name Prabhatha

Honestly it felt like I had climbed Mount Everest that day

In my mind I was flying with unadulterated happiness. Wish I had wings really like birds

It is a day that I can never forget and will forever cherish

Keep shining like the star you are

All the very best for your new chapter in professional life starting with Jigra where you will do some hardcore action

You have always proved the sceptics wrong by successfully portraying different characters

I am sure that both Jigra and the solo YRF spy film will showcase a vastly different facet of you

Once again wishing you a very happy 31st birthday from one of your biggest fans, you are truly a queen of hearts and absolute Rani

May you continue to flourish as an actor, producer and businesswomen along with other roles in your personal life

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‘The Black Orphan’ by Hussain Zaidi

I have recently read Hussain Zaidi’s latest The Black Orphan. The novel goes along two tracks. On one hand you have a serial killer who is after India’s most famous nuclear scientists. Running simultaneously to this is a love story between a DIG Ajay Raj Vardhan who falls head over heels in love with a human rights lawyer Asiya Khan. Ajay Vardhan specializes in catching terrorists. She on the other hand constantly challenges the authorities by fighting for those who have been wrongfully arrested. As the story progresses writer Hussain Zaidi spins a gripping concoction of crime and duplicity with enough intrigue that holds the reader’s interest.

The Black Orphan does not have the depth of a Black Friday or the Mafia Queens of Mumbai, nevertheless it makes for an engaging read particularly for those who like action thrillers. An aspect of the book which I liked the most was it showcased a set of women who are both seductive and cold blooded. They use their charm to lure men and get their work done. The book has some unexpected twists particularly in relation to Asiya Khan. The book also works as a race against time with Ajay Vardhan almost losing his life in order to stop the villains. The book is apparently based on real life incidents and would definitely make for an engaging masala potboiler.

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8 AM Metro

Saw the movie 8:AM Metro on Zee 5. The plot revolves around a homemaker Iravati (Saiyami Kher). She suffers from severe panic attacks; a traumatic incident is the reason. Iravati has a massive phobia of trains. All this changes when she has to make a trip to Hyderabad. Her younger sister is about to deliver a baby. Iravati has no other option other than to navigate the new city while dealing with anxiety attacks. She is also a closeted poet. Gulshan Deviah’s Pritam is a banker who bumps into Iravati at the Metro station.

The beginning portions of 8 AM Metro give the feeling that this is going to be another story of a married woman who will find a companion outside marriage. However as the story progresses the movie moves into an altogether different zone. Director Raj Rachakonda raises some relevant points on the society’s attitude towards mental health along with how they are just asked to be strong. There is a brilliantly executed scene of role reversal where Iravati becomes society and Pritam her. The movie also effectively uses the medium of poetry and literature to give life lessons. An important twist regarding the personal life of Pritam also catches the viewers by suprise. It is one of those twists that the viewers definitely don’t see coming.

Although the movie is engrossing for most part, there are a few logical loopholes which the director should have taken care of. One of them is Iravati spending more time with Pritam than her younger sister who is on the verge of delivering a baby. Also Iravati living in a place which is some distance from the hospital comes across as absurd. Performances wise both Saiyami Kher and Gulshan Devaih are stellar, they also share a wonderful chemistry.