Uri, The Movie

Uri Surgical Strike was unique for few reasons, they are-

 - It was first deep inside action across LOC. I am sure, regular behind enemy line actions must be happening regularly but deep inside action on a guarded border during peacetime must be the first one.

- While similar action was carried out in North East deep inside Burmese Territory, that strike was (probably) with consent from the Burmese government.

A senior defence correspondent and Analysist, Nitin Gokhale has covered this and other security-related events of last 5 years of  Modi government in his book titled, "Securing India The Modi Way: Pathankot, Surgical Strikes and More" where curious people can find additional details.

Coming back to the movie, the first thing that comes to the mind is, it is a gripping movie. There are no dull moments. Secondly, while the director has taken many artistic liberties, this move is very realistic in its plot eg the rank badges of Army people (actors) and the medals and ribbons are close to reality, the terminology used in talking is a copy of "Fauji" terminology.

The narration is also of a different style with each event being narrated is called a chapter. The movie opens with the attack that happened on an Army convoy in the northeast and the retaliatory commando strike carried out inside Myanmar (with tacit understanding with Myanmar government). 

The narration further builds up slowly to the attack by terrorists on pathankot IAF Base and then on to the surgical strikes carried out by Special Forces deep inside POK.

The actors have been chosen carefully to fit into the role of commando officers and men. Both the actresses have a very small role but their roles seem to contribute to the theme of the movie.

Does that mean everything has been depicted correctly? No, because its a movie meant to entertain the people. But the movie is as close as it could get to reality. This movie has not made a joke out of the Army people, their rank badges, mannerism, etc

My recommendation is, go out to a theatre and watch this movie. You will enjoy it.

Pink - The Bright Flag of Women's Fight for Dignity

Pink, the movie is different. In this nation obsessed with Male driven notions of what is right and what is wrong , for Women in their family and also in the society, this movie is a whiff of Fresh Air. a new paradigm. 

It may be so that some of us may have  our own standards of morality, generally for women and not so much for men but that does not give us a right that any one, women particularly, who do not conform to our standards (mind you, they are our standards and not theirs) are either fallen or out of virtues.

If we think so, it is us who need psychiatric consultation, not them. This is also true that some one not meeting our standards are Not, repeat NOT free for all. This is the core message of the movie. If it is No from a girl or a woman, accept No as the answer and not anything else. No means only that, No.

The plot is well crafted. The storyline is well balanced and crisp. The acting is outstanding. The King of Acting, Amitabh Bachchan is grand but also credit to these three girls, Tapasee pannu, Kirti Kulahari and Andrea Tariang who have acted equally bright. It is not a easy task to act when Doyen of Indian CInema Acting, Mahanayak is acting alongside you.

The plot of this movie is something that can happen in the cow belt of India including major cities of cow belt (not to say it can not happen in rest of India, just that probability is marginally low). there is nothing unusual in such a story line.

 What makes Pink stand out is the courtroom action where Mr Sehgal (you know who) demolishes prosecution's case against these three girls (and one is convinced even before the case that it has to be fabricated one) and the fortitude with which these girls fight back supporting each other, overcoming the fear of spoiling their name in the society. The courage of these three girls, their faith in Adv. Sehgal and his belief that he is on the side of right carries the day and turns the table on accusers.

The movie should be watched by all, It is not a must watch movie for those men (and boys) who accept No as a No, it is a "can watch" movie.

For all other men and boys, their is (this extremely good)  movie, PINK.

Go and watch it.

Waiting - The Movie

I watched this Nasiruddin Shah and Kalki starrer yesterday. I was told it is kind of Art film by some one and I was worried that it would be a boring film with long shots of long faces and feet and nose, very slow moving and what not (my individual views about such films). With this perception I entered the cinema Hall.

From the word go the movie turned out to be attention grabber. A very different topic, a very serious one which has been handled very maturely. Two individual with similar set of problems but different set of expectations and different set of realities meet and find moral support in each other. One is a matured person and the other is a bubbly young one. The acting by both nsir and Kalki are just superb. The supporting cast also has done full justice to their roles.

Deep emotional subject has been handled in a very delightful manner. The message gets delivered in a very light manner without strain.

One is clinging on to his feelings despite the evidence pointing to the other way and not allowing things to let go while other wants to let go when the need is to hold on.

Did they get over their positions and accept the reality? See for yourself. The fabulous acting, tight story line, beautiful Kochi skyline and a excellent subject are the add ons.Go for it.

Katyar Kaljat Ghusali (The Dagger enters the Heart) Marathi Movie

This is a latest Marathi movie released on 12 Nov 15. Based on a very famous Marathi Musical (Sangeet) Drama of the same name, first produced in the year 1967  and still being regularly enacted. Continued staging of this drama points to few important things. they are, the drama has been very powerful and is able to capture this generation's imagination too. Secondly, the old time musicals of this kind are still extremely popular on Marathi stage.

Coming back to the movie, as for story line goes, any one who has seen the Drama knows the story but the director did make a few changes without touching the soul of the drama. Unlike a Natak (Drama which has limitation of a very small stage and use of sets to suit the scene), the medium of Movie helped the director to provide the required grandeur to the plot which is difficult (not impossible) to be done using sets (the canvas has got infinitely stretched for the director of the movie to use it in a better manner).

Thus the film, despite having a plot which has weathered many years, is a must watch. May it be for music which is mesmerizing or for acting as it has superb acting by all, Shankar Mahadevan, Sachin, Subodh Bhave, Mrinmayi Deshpande and Amruta Khanvilkar. Some of the the songs which were written many years ago but sung by newer singers are equally likable. In fact as the movie has DNA of Sangeet Natak, it has a total of 17 pieces of Indian Classical music (including one Kawwali) however only 7 out of these 17 seem to be from original Natak. To the credit of the song writers, singers and music directors of this film, all the songs merge well in to the plat, complement the plot and are treat to the listeners.

The original plot of the Sangeet ' Katyar Kaljat Ghusali' is gripping, fast moving and extra ordinary and this movie also retains the same character in its narrative.

It is must watch movie. But if people having mother tongue other than Marathi think 'what use it is to them as they won't understand the movie', let me tell them two things. First this is one movie which is watched by eyes and heard by heart as classical music is beyond language and the base of the movie deals with human emotions which are also beyond language and most importantly the movie has English Sub titles so all people can comprehend.

I can also tell you one more thing. My son has the capability of sleeping through best of the movie and he is not an expert in Marathi. He did not take a wink in this movie so I am sure it is worth watch for every one. Don't miss the movie.

Drishyam - A Well Orchestrated Drama

Drishyam is a remake of malayalam film of same name (source - Wikipedia). The lead cast is Tabbu and Ajay Devgan while supporting cast is Shriya Saran, Rajat Kapoor, Issita Dutta and Mrinal Jadhav.

The story is all about very basic human nature of protecting own family at any cost. It starts with a accidental death and revolves around investigation of that death. Police have reasons to suspect and the suspect has reasons to counter every move of the police.

The end result is very powerful acting by Ajay Devgan and Tabbu. They have done full justice to their acts and they have been well supported by the balance cast. The story grips you and keeps you glued to your seat waiting for 'what next'. At very few places it looks that the story is dragging but otherwise it is fast paced story of moves and counter moves.

As is my practice, I would not divulge much about the story in my review. I will only aid in letting the specialties of the movie as done above.

The movie is worth for its plot and the acting of Tabbu and Ajay Devgan. Recommend it.

Tanu Weds Manu Returns - Recommend Must Watch

It was just a year or so ago that no body took Kangana Ranout (Hope the spelling is right) as a serious actor. She proved every one wrong in Queen. She also made her mark in Tanu weds Manu.

When I had gone to watch Tanu Weds Manu Returns I had known that her and Madhavan's acting would be good. The story line is good, It does not look outlandish. But what takes the cake is yet again Kangana, That she is an  actor (used as gender neutral expression) par excellence is fine but she surpassed that too.

While she in her original avatar is good but as a Haryanavi rustic, outspoken, bold yet tender girl she has acted unbelievably real as if she has actually grown up in Jhajhar (where her house is supposed to be). Well it is said that actors are Putty in the hands of director but bringing in the earthy flavour in the acting has to come naturally and she has done it.

At times the movie become loud but that can be easily over looked for watching Kangana for the wonder she is.  Recommend Must Watch.

Dil Dhadakno Do - Delightful Watch

Being away from work sometimes gives you free time. This time I could use it to watch First Day First Show of Dil Dhadakne Do. It was after many years that I watched a movie on first day first show (last was when I was doing may Engineering that too not sure).

The movie is longish by current standards (close to three hours unlike current movies that are about 120 min) and some reviewers have criticized it for that.When I watched the movie, I realized that the movie is 3 hr long only after it got over. That means,while there are few places that look lengthy but the length of movie does not get on to your neck.

Story? Well really speaking a very run of the mill kind with Punjabi Business families and their maneuvers etc. Then what makes it delightful? Freshness of the acting, Plenty of twists and turns created very craftily by the director and over fun element of the movie.

To me, it was a Paisa Vasool visit to cinema theater (Multi Screen at that) and I had enjoyed the movie, Happy viewing to all of you.

Margarita with a Straw, A worth Watch Movie

For some time, I realized that my blog is becoming a muddle. I had current affairs, travel, movie review, drama review and what not on this single blog. Trying to learn if I can have dedicated areas in this blog itself rather than creating multiple blogs. Hence the pause.

I had to let go of this pause after watching ‘Margarita with a Straw’. I will keep this post very crisp and short so that I don’t give out too much about the movie.

For one, it is a little slow movie and it just lasts for 120 minutes or so. It brings out beautifully, the agony of a agile but caged  soul in a cerebral palsy affected body. The aspirations, the dreams and the never say die spirit of such a person has been depicted in the movie. The caged soul of he actress touches a cord in your soul too. It makes you feel the emotions of that soul.

It brings to the fore topics that are taboo to discuss for normal people, from  the perspective of a caged soul. The depiction is explicate but there is no vulgarity. As for acting, all of them have acted par excellence.

This is one movie we all must watch and see how well the director has brought on screen the unnoticed facets of a cerebral palsy affected (for that matter any person challenged with some kind) very sensitivity and in a soft manner.

Go and watch this journey of self discovery and fulfillment of this girl called ‘Laila’, beautifully played by Kalki Koechlin. Delightful if you watch it without being judgmental about aspects brought out in the movie.