Desicritics Category: Media: Films - Bollywood

Mira Nair, You Are Clever!

Freya — Tue, 10 Mar 2009 06:27:13 EDT

I never got the opportunity to write about Slumdog Millionaire since I wasn't fortunate enough to see the movie, though I saw a few scenes. There was so much controversy when high profile people like Amitabh Bachchan and Arindham Choudary and the slum people were all against Slumdog because it portrayed India in bad light. I would just say there's nothing called bad and good when it comes to portraying something or somebody. Nobody can deny that Danny Boyle portrayed India truthfully. Naturally, all the controversy disappeared when the movie was picking up awards everywhere and our own Rahman and Resul won the coveted Oscars. Nobody had anything to say against it even though we all know that Rahman won because Danny Boyle took it. Jai Ho! was definitely not Rahman's best work.

Anyway, the point here is not that. But related to it. Since Slumdog released, so many people who were against or for it started comparing it with Mira Nair's Salaam Bombay! Asking why that didn't win any Oscars and why wasn't there a hype like this etc etc even though we know the reason- Mira is Indian. But after the Oscars, Salaam Bombay! got a whole different attention regarding the slum people who acted in it. Hearing what Boyle did for child actors Rubina and Azharuddin, the new question arose, what did Mira Nair do for her actors? Nothing great, it seems after that certain rickshaw-driver who acted in Salaam Bombay! 21 years ago expressed his grief. Now, Mira Nair with her films about to release certainly does not want bad publicity. So, what do we see here, fellas? Salaam Bombay! is getting re-released! Yes, according to Nair, it will release across the country tentatively in May.

"For the film's release" she says, "we will be bringing together everybody who was a part of the film all those years ago, including the kids. We want Salaam Bombay! to be seen by today's youngsters who might have never see the film."

True, I never saw it. It was released before I was born. But is that the real reason, Mira? I don't think so.

Nair talks about how she planned to share the profits of the film with the street kids, something which apparently didn't happen 21 years ago and she's decided to do it now. With Shobaa De writing about slum kids, Slumdog and Salaam wherever she could, Nair is unfortunately left only with this option. Mira Nair, you are damn smart.

Ishq-Mohabbat-Pyaar-Vyaar: A Tribute to Filmy Love

Seema Dhindaw — Sun, 8 Mar 2009 03:42:39 EDT

Now that the controversies surrounding Valentine’s Day are in the past, I thought it would be fun to have a glimpse at the strange, comic and unusual things that love compels us to do. Catchy toe-tapping Bollywood tunes, the occasional romantic comedy, and sometimes corny poetic expressions have encouraged many of us to perform otherwise unthinkable, highly embarrassing acts of love. We can look back and laugh at spectacles that love or the illusion of it has inspired. The influence of the film industry, particularly Bollywood, hasn’t made matters any easier for those who have been pierced by Cupid’s arrow. In fact, many a times it is the sole culprit for implanting those bizarre and unrealistic ideas about love during those vulnerable, young growing years.

I grew up listening to Hindi film songs and religiously watched one Hindi movie a week with my family. When we were too young to know the implications of romance or love, my brother and I would act out the parts of hero and heroine, using trees at the park to play hide and seek which was followed by a high speed chase. We would eventually find ourselves running towards each other only to end the charade in a playful sibling fight instead of breaking into a song. When we didn’t know lyrics we would make them up. If we didn’t know the steps to a dance, we would choreograph our own crazy moves and our parents would watch sometimes in shock and at other times in dismay.

At home, it often felt like our parents were either villains in our lives or the stars of an ongoing Hrishikesh Mukherji film about complex marriages. When mom got upset over something, dad would sing and dance in a comical attempt to cheer her up. My brother and I would laugh in amusement, squeal in embarrassment or even play along. On Saturday mornings, mom made delicious parathas while melodious tunes played on the weekly Indian radio program. We anxiously counted the minutes, our eyes on the clock for the parathas and for the eagerly awaited weekly Namaste America television program that aired with previews of latest Bollywood movies, top ten songs and sometimes a special treat: an interview with one of the stars. Every week, I had a new crush depending on who was being interviewed and my brother had a new fight scene or dance move to play out. When Prabhudeva came on the screen we lost quite a few porcelain items. One of my first crushes was Salman Khan. I had a shirtless poster of his on the wall of my bedroom. That poster made a long journey with me from a small back alley in Rourkee, India and lived through my teen years in L.A. I remember my cousins hollering at me then for picking Salman over Shah Rukh. Today, if I make it back to Rourkee, I know for sure I will bring back a Shah Rukh poster instead. Tastes have changed.

In my teens, thoughts of how I would meet my knight in shining armor and what he would be like were always at the back of my mind. When I looked at Bollywood films for answers, the romances and love stories were fun and exciting, full of song and dance sequences, offering me hope but none or little practical advice. Hollywood portrayed a completely different perspective. Issues surrounding religion, career, premarital sex and race were at the forefront. Titanic, Father of the Bride, Sliding Doors, Sleepless in Seattle and many of Woody Allen’s films made things either too simple, fairytale-like or way too complex for me to grasp. Movies like Silsila, Lamhe and Chandni gave me hope that even if my soul mate was much older, married, missing after an accident or suffering from a predictable bout of amnesia, somehow miraculously and by defying every righteous principle, moral value and perhaps by way of nothing short of a miracle, he would end up being with me.

After watching Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, the prospect that I could have a guy best friend who would suddenly start to develop feelings for me years later when I grew my hair out, lost some weight and played basketball in a saree was extremely exciting. After a few years of shooting hoops, it didn’t take me long to realize that wasn’t happening. You’ve Got Mail offered hope of a promising fairytale romance which began after meeting a faceless stranger in an internet chat room. Thereafter began my brief and dangerous love affair with virtual chat rooms. I had my share of terrible experiences and realized that in the online world everything wasn’t as perfect or safe as the movies portrayed. As an adult, when I watch my nieces online, I feel a protective urgency come over me.

I slowly began to lose hope of finding my Prince Charming when one day I watched Dil to Pagal Hai. It suddenly all became crystal clear to me. Learning how to dance would lead me to the love of my life. I had to become just like Madhuri Dixit. A famous Kathak teacher was coming to Southern California for two months and taking her class was my only hope. I begged and pleaded with my parents. My dad made a few ill-timed jokes about California being earthquake prone and my mother politely suggested alternate hobbies that did not require much grace or rhythm. But they finally gave in to my childish whims and soon I was practicing tapping my feet to “tha thayi thayi” and undulating hand movements.

I observed in dismay that the Kathak classes were going too slow and I wondered if all this foot-tapping would break into a full-fledged dance any time soon. I figured I would have to be dancing to a song and not just these random beats in order for the love story to proceed smoothly. Nothing of the sort happened of course and the lessons were aborted within six months. I was left dolefully massaging the blisters on my soles.

After watching Maine Pyar Kiya, I turned to my amused parents and asked them if we had family friends that I could visit for a vacation in India. They did! And they even had a son. But as luck would have it, before my flight even took off, their beloved son had announced that he was in love with the girl next door and by then I wasn’t into love triangles any more. So I spent my vacation falling in love….with India and its people.

Recently, Hollywood, after years of criticizing the blatant escapism showcased by the Hindi film industry, finally caved and embraced the rags-to-riches, love story of Slumdog Millionaire. While controversies over the depiction of poverty in Slumdog continue, as an American, I was more taken by the moving story which spans several years and brings us a saga where tragedy, separation, loss and hardship, are all conquered by the one relentless pursuit of love. In India, love trumps all and I felt like this film captured that spirit.

I find consolation in knowing that I wasn’t alone in my filmi craze. Cousins, friends and siblings were also influenced by the love stories in the popular movies of the time. Unrealistic expectations and dreamy romantic ideas had infiltrated their minds as well. They too have sung in the shower, practiced pick up lines in front of a mirror and danced around the room in a towel like Kajol. I remember watching as my cousins practiced the famous pose of Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio in Titanic, standing on the edge of a balcony above a sea of busy city traffic amidst the beautiful symphony of random honks. Much to my delight, on one trip to India, I helped a cousin plan many a secret rendezvous with her lover. Objections of their being together by their parents didn’t stop them from eventually eloping. The rage and tragic aftermath they faced from their families caused them much grief but their ambitious first steps together set off a trend in the family. Five other elopements followed in quick succesion within the next three years. Inter-cultural, inter-religious and inter-racial marriages were becoming more common. Old barriers fell away over the years. Thanks to inspiration from the popular films of the time, stale prejudices began to dissolve, bringing together soul mates across these divisive lines.

So all in all, these filmi influences have had the power to unite, bring positive change and offer hope to all of us who wait patiently to find that one true love. In addition to the cute, comic and sometimes foolish things that films have inspired all of us to do without their influence, life, both in love and looking for love, would not be as much fun.

Movie Reviews: 13b, Dhoondte Reh Jaoge, Karma Aur Holi

Bubbly — Fri, 6 Mar 2009 13:13:31 EST

This week three movies have released in Indian theatres and they span genres as diverse as a thriller, a comedy and drama. One must say, it is a 3-in-1 treat, which one should enjoy at one's own leisure. All provide entertainment and enjoyment in their own way. If you are ready to take a peek, let’s go on a roller coaster ride to know what they are about.

(1) 13b

The movie should have been rightly titled 13t since it is all about TV, TV and TV. In these times of recession and worries, religion and politics have taken a backseat and films and TV form the core of our entertainment and enjoyment. This week’s enjoyment comes in the form of this scary movie. Mind you, this is not spooky (it's not about ghosts) but has sufficient chills to keep you engaged.

Manohar is a progressive thinking young man, who moves to a new address 13b and stays on the 13th floor with his family. There is nothing wrong with that if you are not superstitious but the film is all about 13 now.

Since Manohar’s family are TV buffs, they watch all the shows avidly. The programmes start exactly at 13:00 (1 pm). Everything centres on the number 13 just to keep the viewers’ attention focused. And the chills begin in right earnest.

Although Manohar holds the remote and controls the programmes, gradually the TV controls him completely. The TV shows him what it wants to show. Initially everything is fun and laughter but the terror slowly unfolds and what comes forth will make you think where life is leading us today. Manohar along with the viewers must solve the mystery of these unholy happenings.

Madhavan as Manohar has come up with an engaging performance. Neetu provides adequate support as his wife. Watch her scene where she holds a candle and goes looking for him. It might scare the living candlelights out of you. It’s a pleasure to see Poonam Dhillon back.

The story could have done with tight editing. Keeping up with the spirit of the film, it could have been confined to ‘130’ minutes in length. The ‘controversial’ song “sexy mama” is enjoyable.

When you come out of the theatre, you may end up saying, “Maar Daala”.

***
***

(2) Dhoondte Reh Jaoge

When you read the title of this film, you are reminded of a detergent. This film does our dhulaai but with laughter. It is a thorough nonsensical fun.

Remember Govinda-style capers and Hera Pheri fun? You didn’t have to think at all but were rolling along with guffaws. DRJ is this and more. If nothing else, this movie will rightly place the crown of ‘king of comedy’ on Paresh Rawal’s head.

The film is about two nobodies - Paresh Rawal (film producer) and Kunal Khemu (chartered accountant), who want to become somebody. They decide to make a flop movie borrowing money. They plan to invest only a part of the money and run away with the rest.

Surprisingly, the movie (actually a spoof) Solay Se L'Gaan Tak turns out to be a big hit. Now the financiers are after them for a share of the profits. There ends the story. But the fun has just begun. The proceedings and acting is so much in sync that you will end up with cramps in your stomach.

Johny Lever will steal your hearts with his act as a writer with loyalty to Pakistan. Watch out for Sonu Sood. The tall lanky star has shades of Amitabh. After Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi, he reprises his funny side. Soha is OK.

If you don’t mind being mindless while watching this flick, then this one is for you. The songs are equally fun especially ‘Salma’.

When you come out of the theatre, you will end up saying, “Dho Daala”.

***
***

(3) Karma Aur Holi

This one is for the intelligent, thoughtful viewer, who doesn’t mind dwelling in it at leisure. It has an ensemble cast from both Hollywood and Bollywood. Produced by Robert de Niro’s daughter Drena, it is the vision of (East) India from the eyes of white Americans.

Don’t expect a regular entertainer here. Don’t expect anything, but what the film expects from you is total involvement.

It is about a couple, Meera (Sushmita) and Dev (Randip), who call their relatives and friends for a festive get-together at their place. Gradually, the guests interact and take a keen interest in each other's lives. Something happens and it becomes confession time for everyone present.

Skeletons spill out of the cupboard. Secrets are revealed that were long buried and forgotten. Does this remind you of something? Something we all wish to do but societal pressures make us bottle up?

So, it is confession time, viewers! Unbottle yourself. Don’t wait anymore but EXHALE now. It is a colourful destiny with a realistic tone.

Sushmita and Randip were meant for this movie. Rati is again a pleasure to watch after a long gap.

When you come out of the theatre, you will end up saying, “Rang Daala”.

Movie Review: Kisse Pyar Karoon - Time Pass Comedy

Bubbly — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:05:22 EST

Keep your brains at home when you go to watch this flick. It is rib-tickling fun. It will keep you engaged with its maddening comedy from start to finish.

So, what's the story all about? Siddharth (Arshad Warsi), John (Ashish Chowdhry) and Amit (Yash Tonk) are three fun loving buddies. To cause rift, enters lovely but bitchy Sheetal (Udita Goswami). She ensnares John in her love but is actually after his money.

Now, Sidh and Amit must make John come back to his senses. When Sheetal gets to know of their plans, she goes full throttle to tackle them. Will the two friends succeed in getting back their friend? This forms the basis for the remaining movie.

Overall, this film is a time pass comedy. It is paisa vasool fare. Arshad, Ashish and Yash do justice to their roles. Their sequences will leave you in splits. Udita is passable. The supporting cast provides adequate laughter.

Songs are fast and catchy especially the title track. The choreography is good.

Go for it if you desire fun and laughter.

CAST & CREW:
Banner: G V Films
Producer: Balagiri
Director: Ajay Chandok
Star Cast: Arshad Warsi (Siddharth), Ashish Chowdhry (John), Aarti Chhabria (Natasha), Udita Goswami (Sheetal), Yash Tonk (Amit), Shweta Menon, Aashish Vidyarthi, Shakti Kapoor
Cassettes and CD's on: Ultra Music
Lyricist: Praveen Bhardwaj
Music Director: Dabboo Malik
Cinematography: Najeeb Khan
Choreography: Bosco Martis, Caesar Gonsalves
Action: Raam Shetty
Art: Sunil Jaiswal
Editor: Nitin Rokade
Screenplay: Yunus Sejawal
Sound: Vinod Potdar
Media Relations: Perception Managers
Publicity Designs: P9 Integrated Pvt Ltd
Story / Writer: Yunus Sejawal
Rating: **1/2 TIME PASS

Movie Review: Siddhaarth - The Prisoner

Bubbly — Fri, 27 Feb 2009 01:14:41 EST

Are you looking for something new, away from the regular Bollywood trash. You will find what you are seeking in this spiritually satisfying movie.

Siddharth Roy (Rajat Kapoor) has been just released from the prison. Prior to his prison stint, he was a famous writer. He desires to reconcile with his estranged wife Maya. Aspiring to regain his literary reputation, he writes a manuscript.

Unfortunately, in a cyber café it gets exchanged with the mob’s money loaded bag.

With this development life takes a dramatic turn for Siddharth. He frantically searches for the lost manuscript but is reconciled with his three-year-old son. Money doesn’t interest him but he desires for the custody of his son.

Meanwhile café manager Sachin comes under pressure from mob to find the money. He loses his job and is forced to go underground.

The film takes its theme of renunciation of desire as the right path to enlightenment and freedom from the ancient text of Rig Veda. It is also a tribute to Albert Camus’ 1942 classic “The Stranger” (L’Eltranger). It is a journey to freedom of the inner self from life’s complexities.

Now coming to the performances, Rajat Kapoor is in a class of his own. He stands apart. He is surely an actor to watch out for. He carries the movie singly on his able shoulders.

His look is inspired by Che Guevara, the Latin American revolutionary. His performance is flawless. Watch his facial expressions. You will feel his pain as your own. It will move you.

Have you experienced something like this in a long time while watching the usual Bollywood fare? No! Then go for it…in a big way. It’s a must watch class fare. You will come out enlightened.

CAST & CREW:
Banner: Vistaar Religare Film Fund; Walkwater Media; Alliance Media & Entertainment Pvt. Ltd.
Executive Producer / Co-Producer: Pryas Gupta, Rohan Gupta, Sandeep Hooda
Director: Pryas Gupta
Star Cast: Rajat Kapoor (Siddharth Roy), Sachin Nayak, Pradeep Kabra, Pradip Sagar
Music Director: Sagar Desai
Cinematography: Mrinal Desai
Editor: Pryas Gupta, Arindam Ghatak
Screenplay: Pryas Gupta
Dialogue: Pryas Gupta, Hitesh Kewalia
Costume: Isha Ahluwalia, Jeneva Talwar
Story / Writer: Pryas Gupta
Duration: 1 hour 34 minutes
Rating: ****/5 HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

What Does Slumdog Do For The Real Slumdogs In Dharavi

Vijay Sappani — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 06:06:53 EST

I liked it, in fact I loved it. Slumdog Millionaire is a true adaptation of reality in the slums of Dharavi, one of the biggest slums in the world, in a city that houses some of the richest billionaires in the world too. The movie won 8 Oscars, made millions in revenue and opened to the eyes of the world to reality of life in a slum. What's next ?

Here is a video of a real kid from a slum in India showing his linguistic skills and here is in his teenage years, still doing the same thing. (HT - Currybear.com). This is reality for the children and very little change comes to them.

Politicians have come forward to rehouse the two children who still live in the slum to a housing colony, but nothing has been said or done about those thousands who still languish in the slum, not complaining but cheering for the success of Slum dog.

I was in India last December working with children in slum schools, part of my decade long initiative on right to basic education through my organization Asha for Education. In my experience, I have seen movies, actors, politicians come and go, but little has changed for the lives of the children in these slums from these people. About 65 millions Indians live in slums, almost a quarter of the urban population and more than one third of Mumbai residents live in slums. Now don't get me wrong, some of these slums have electricity, running water, TV's and even a few have computer centers. That is not the norm but the exception.

Its an irony that on the day of Slumdog winning 8 Oscars, India announced its next ambitious space project to send a manned mission in 2015 at a cost of $2.5 billion, a pittance to its growing wealth. It is great that India is doing it. while it is important that India grows in stride by sending satellites to Moon and Mars, it is also important to send their children to school, give them a chance to get a decent education so that the next generation at least does not have to languish in the slums. India's growth and prosperity will not come just with technological advancements, but its abilities to use them to bring people out of poverty and improve the quality of life for the millions who still in unacceptable conditions. It is important that the Indian diaspora, that is among the wealthiest and influential in the world, should hold India accountable for and contribute towards it through non governmental agencies.

These children don't need money, they need an opportunity for education to compete in the real world. They need skills that can get them a decent job. They don't need any one's sympathy, they just need a fair chance
and I think it is fair to say, we can do it!

Slumdog Takes Home The Millions And The Oscar!

Seema Dhindaw — Mon, 23 Feb 2009 01:11:29 EST

Slumdog Millionaire took home all the major awards including best director for Danny Boyle and best film at the Oscars tonight. The show was laced with a Slumdog theme from the very beginning. The songs, a performance by A R Rahman and a Bollywood dance routine during the ceremony all built up anticipation of the finale. It was heartening to see the child-actors from Slumdog Millionaire who had been flown in by Fox Searchlight for the ceremony. They were interviewed by CNN and in their adorable voices gave details of the excitement of their first flight. Freida Pinto looked ravishing and she and co-actor Dev Patel graciously pulled cameras and microphone towards the child-actors crediting the little ones with the film's success. This victory will hopefully bring more attention to the cause of street children.

The Oscars for a while have been struggling with translating a good show into great television. A R Rahman's catchy tunes and the drums made me sit up and take notice after watching Hugh Jackman peddle lukewarm comedy and sing a somewhat clumsy medley with Beyonce. The night's obvious favorites were The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button and Slumdog Millionaire and all bets were off once Danny Boyle won for Best Director.

When I watched the film a while ago, I was struck by both, the depiction of extreme poverty and the utter adventure of a street-child's life. Having visited Mumbai, I noticed that Danny Boyle had zoomed in on the slums and left a lot of the city out. This seems purposeful. In my opinion he may have done so simply to underscore the ultimate victory and rise of the underdog in a shorter duration; the harsher the protagonist's beginnings, the greater the altitude of his ultimate success at the film's finale. Plenty Hindi films use similar trends in their escapist success stories but since a Hindi film is longer and has fewer themes within the plot, the transition from the rags to riches is not as speedy or as drastic as in Slumdog Millionaire. This likely makes the initial scenes of Jamal's misfortune in Slumdog Millionaire much too dire for the taste of the Indian audience.

In current times of economic recession and hopelessness the victory of the underdog seems to have translated into a global message that one is thirsty for in every part of the world. Some Indians blogging about the success of Slumdog have commented about how the film may damage Indian tourism and the international image of the nation's commercial capital once foreigners see the slums and grime. As an American, I found it interesting that not many of these writers directed their angst towards the system that allows such dearth to stagnate in the midst of a city that has risen from terrorist attacks and floods in the past few years. I came across only a few bloggers who have documented what Slumdog's success would mean for the numerous charities that aid street children in Mumbai. Every member of the Slumdog Millionaire team who won in tonight's Oscar had the highest commendations for Mumbai. I watched both the film and the Oscar ceremony with fellow-Americans who immediately expressed an interest in wanting to visit Mumbai and in contributing towards organizations involved in the education and rehabilitation of street-kids. Towards the end of the show it was clear that the message of hope showcased in Slumdog Millionaire resounded in Hollywood and seems to have captivated the Academy as well. As a major buff of Hindi films I am hopeful that Slumdog Millionaire's success will open up new avenues for scripts and roles for Indian actors here in Hollywood. Considering the immense talent that the Hindi film industry houses, Hollywood could only benefit from being able to borrow themes of romance and escapism from this colorful and lively film industry across the seas. This shout-out for the largest film industry in the world from Hollywood has been long overdue and may be the beginnings of a fruitful collaborative bridge between the two industries.

A R Rahman was humble as ever in accepting two awards for best soundtrack and best song (with Gulzar) for the foot-tapping Jai Ho. His acceptance speech may very well be the answer to all the Slumdog Millionaire haters out there who weren't able to get over the portrayals of poverty and destitution in the film.

"In life I have always had the choice between hate and love" Rahman said, his face remarkably calm in the face of such achievement, "I always chose love and now I am here" he concluded, victoriously raising his golden statuette.

Movie Review : Delhi 6

Aaman Lamba — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 12:14:22 EST

Rakyesh Mehra's penchant for finding the heart of gold or its core of darkness within the Indian ethos continues with his latest film, Delhi 6. This is more a montage of social and visually stimulating vignettes than the traditional straight narrative Bollywood delivers, despite its mostly linear plotline. It gets the message across, at first subtly, then finally resorting to using a hammer to ensure the audience that stayed till the last gets the point, as it were.

Recession-hit or just bored, Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan) brings his ailing grandmother home to Delhi, Delhi 6, to be precise, to fulfil her desire to die in her ancestral home and not in the strange land of her immigrant children. He discovers facets of urban India apart from the booming newTowns, and she discovers that it is no place to die, having changed despite outward appearances. Yet, the old pathways still have a way of bonding antagonists that goes beyond recent ideologies. Tribal and animistic linkages make all the difference, and Indian idols are there to be broken.

There are other random characters, happenstances, some pretty good music, and media frenzy - pigeons fly, cows deliver, and the Taj is mostly empty - the recession, no doubt. The breaking news is that this is all commonplace in the chaotic maelstrom of Delhi-6, and India rising. The rising India, though, is beset by boogeymen, demon warriors, and monkeys. This is as it has always been, yet the film takes a Western slant to reach its climax - going for a scapegoat, a sacrificial lamb, whose executioner, stereotypically enough, is a Bollywood mainstay.

The more interesting tack of offering up Bittu to the ape, Fay Wray-like, is not taken, and the subversive themes of breaking caste barriers, loose and forward photographers, etc., are barely explored, instead subjecting us to an unending array of media placement that merely serves to illustrate that most news people just talk about the news, meta-news as it were.

The superlative actors mostly serve to render their characters well, not going further, and this is the film's greatest failing - that such fine characters/actors are wasted in the quest of making an ideological point that could have been delivered in the director's commentary. Once the point is hammered in, the characters fade away, leaving us with a mostly forgettable film.

Movie Review: Slumdog Millionaire - Phir Bhi Dil Hai Filmistani

IdeaSmith — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 07:36:52 EST

Slumdog Millionaire is that rare combination of a strong plot and skilful storytelling that marries grit and glamour seamlessly.

You would think that a firang's depiction of India would be all 'exotic desh'...swollen-bellied babies starving outside the Taj Mahal and begging children. The movie does have hunger, poverty, slums, streetkids and beggars. Even the Taj Mahal. But of course, can you realistically expect a foreigner to be able to resist showing that in a movie about India?

And yet, Danny Boyle manages to veer away from cliched expressions and brings us the story of the great Indian dream. Money, love, fame, glamour all after struggle, grit, disappointment and insurmountable hurdles. What's all this hoo-halla about glamourising poverty? Haven't you heard of rags-to-riches tales?

I remember the hysteria that gripped the nation surrounding the first winner of Kaun Banega Crorepati. Why was the show so popular? I doubt anyone going through the Indian education system could really, truly care about learning and knowing more. The quest of knowledge was certainly not what kept people glued to the show. Why then did people dance on the streets, why was there so much excitement surrounding the jackpot success of a guy nobody knew? Because he was one of them. Just an anonymous one of the millions. He represented a dream that was suddenly a possibility. What one of them them could do, the rest could very well aspire to.

What's a boy from the teeming millions doing shaking hands with the most famous man in the country? That's real life meeting larger-than-life. Look me in the eye and tell me that that doesn't touch you.

Social Networking & Billu

Manasa Pamaraju — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 08:51:59 EST

After a long hiatus of four months, we went to a movie on Valentine’s Day. The movie was Billu Barber. Not particularly a celebration activity for V Day, but merely the fact that me and hubs got the time to go to a movie and also the fact that this movie theatre is the closest to our lil abode.

Having cleared that, let me get on with Billu. It is a run of the mill story with two long lost supposed friends. One becomes extremely rich and famous - Sahid Khan (or King Khan) and the other remains where he was - Billu, as barber, tied down with family responsibilities and difficulties. Their paths cross in a small village named Budbuda. The King Khan is there to shoot for his film (wonder why, when all he does there is some space setting and fights, nothing rural). Here starts the social networking bit.

In today’s world, it is not enough to be well educated or well qualified to go up the ladder, it is all about who you know and hence what you can do. Social capital can be defined as:
• Resources available in and through personal and business networks
o Information, ideas, leads
o Emotional support, goodwill, trust, cooperation, power, influence
• Potential resources inherent in an actor’s set of social ties

Hence, coming back to the movie, Billu also reaps some advantages. Simply based on the rumour that Billu is the famous actor’s friend, things change drastically for him. Some of the changes are:
• Billu couldn’t pay the school fees for his children and now the school authorities come to his home to tell him that his children’s education would be funded till 12th standard - IF (there always is an ‘IF’) he brings the famous actor to the school function
• Billu’s barber shop is in dire straits. He hasn’t been able to spruce it up like his competitor, but the man persists. With the “supposed” new ties, he has a line of unending customers to gain - Sahid Khan’s hairstyle and the village bigwig sponsors new equipment for his shop - Once again, IF Billu can introduce the village bigwig to the superstar
• Billu’s wife is now seen with envy and her social status is elevated over night.

There are polite IFs, which require her to get a picture of the star or autograph or in one case, his handkerchief (I wonder if men today carry such a thing anymore)

So, the rise in Billu’s social status and the respect and advantages he is now able to enjoy is due to the “supposed” social connection that he has with this superstar. I wouldn’t want to tell what actually happens in the movie, but the climax dragged on and it was too obvious towards the end. All through, director Priyadarshan has maintained a light and funny script that has kept the audiences quite lively.

I enjoyed the movie, primarily because I am a die-hard SRK fan and loved him on screen. Yes, it is for die-hard Shah Rukh fans! But then, it is definitely not one of his or Irfan Khan’s best performances. You really don’t have to see this movie. The reason this movie kept me interested is because of this social networking connection that a lot of Bollywood movies sport.

It is not an observation out of the blue that - “People who do better are somehow better connected” and yes, towards the end, it is left for us, the poor audience to understand that Billu’s life has changed, for the better, due to his - Social Network.