Happy Teachers Day

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To all my teachers at school and college. Some taught me, some inspired me, some just gave lectures, set a paper and marked an exam and some imparted knowledge. Some mentored, guided, encouraged and motivated, and some had the vision that I could achieve what others thought wasn’t possible.

To my friends and family who continue to teach me, sometimes by their actions and words, and sometimes by their inaction and silence. My evolution would be incomplete without the wisdom I got from both inside and outside the classroom.

Mary Kom (2014)

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Attempting a biopic for ‘Magnificent Mary’ was a bold move. It is about a girl from Manipur who became a boxing legend against all odds and made the country proud. Not only following her professional career, the director, Omung Kumar, has given us equal insights into her personal life. He makes a thumping debut after being art director for projects such as ‘Black’, ‘Saawariya’ and many others.  

Her struggles seemed difficult as a single person, as wife and mother, they increased ten-fold. But our Mary Kom is a fighter and we have only one talent who could portray her. Priyanka Chopra. From the first scene, to the last fight, she embodies the spirit of Mary Kom and all Indian women who fight to pursue their passion, raise families as well as be dutiful daughters. A constant battle inside the ring and outside as well! The result? Two hours of pow wow that will knock your socks off!

Priyanka is not the big star, but the ‘angry young girl’ with an endearing accent and speech, who stumbles upon ‘Coach Sir’ who reluctantly trains her. Noted Nepali actor Sunil Thapa plays the stern coach who whips her into controlled action. Onler Kom is her supporter, admirer and eventually her husband. The role is confidently played by debut actor Darshan Kumar, who was every bit the ‘man behind the successful woman’. The old adage goes to show that either gender needs the unending support of their spouse to succeed.

Of course such a story needs an ensemble cast to succeed. Her parents, siblings, peers, friends and town folk create a space where we root for every fight and share her every struggle. They walk the tight rope when they show her relationship with her father. Never becoming melodramatic, they show her angst and frustration beautifully.

Parallels will be drawn to ‘Chak de’ and ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, but besides getting a new ‘sports theme song’ we see some excellent shots in the ring and very crisp editing by Rajesh G. Pandey and Sanjay Leela Bhansali, who is also the creative director. If you thought he always needed larger than life sets and costumes to show his story, here you will see his trademark style in the most humble backdrop.

Story / Screenplay writer Saiwyn Quadras creates a ‘square world’ where he doesn’t leave room for any competition for his team. Witty one-liners and serious dialogue by Karan Singh Rathore and Ramendra Vasishth give a balance to the tense audience. Team Mary Kom, this year will get you all the accolades, awards and maybe even medals. Priyanka will kick ass!

The content will punch you. It grips the breath, hearts and minds of the audience! Bravo!

4/5

Mardaani (2014)

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Director of Parineeta, Laaga chunari mein daag and Lafangey Parindey, Pradeep Sarkar brings us a short, crisp, no song, female cop drama/thriller. A very tricky proposition. Did he live up to the challenge? He knocked it out of the park!

Shivani Shivaji Roy (Rani Mukherji) is a Crime Branch officer in Mumbai. She isn’t a total rebel but sometimes works outside the orders that are given to her. She stumbles upon a racket when a 12 year girl goes missing and follows the case with valour, strength and shrewdness. She faces obstacles, but does not breakdown. She is all Man.

The context here is of course not based on gender, but on characteristics. Of being resolute, strong (physical and mental), of protecting the ones who we pledged to protect and doing the right thing. While women have been given a more nurturing role in our society, it is forgotten that most times they are the ones who instil the above qualities, or other attributes, in their offspring.

Rani Mukherji has shown shades of this calibre before, but here it’s a full blown, A-rated, no sugar coating drama. She has trained to do action scenes which look realistic and her body language is not masculine but firm. Tahir Raj Bhasin plays a convincing and menacing bad guy. A host of supporting characters move the film along swiftly, giving our mind no chance to wander or disconnect.

The film is hard hitting. The scenes are bold and difficult to watch. The crimes violate not only the body but the soul as well. The punishment? You have to watch the film to see how its meted out. The language isn’t bad just for the sake of being so. No scene or act is done for effect. Everything leads to the conclusion, which has a valid and appropriate message for the public, the police force and all Indians.

The movie resonates deeply. Yes there are some loop holes, but in the larger picture, the heart, soul and head of the film leave an imprint in your mind. Must watch.

3.5/5

The hundred foot journey (2014)

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Writer Richard C. Morais probably didn’t imagine such a stellar cast and rich production would be given to his novel. Two beautiful worlds collided in this film, where Indian spices and flavours gave age old French recipes and classic culinary a delectable twist.

The story is neither predictable, nor are the characters. Helen Mirren plays the Michelin Star restaurant owner who has new ‘neighbours’. They have opened ‘Mumbai Maison’, an Indian restaurant 100 feet from hers. There starts a journey which no one could have foreseen. Director Lasse Hallström’s repertoire of the ABBA videos and his impressive filmography show a flair to balance such contrasting elements.

Besides salivating throughout the film, and laughing at ‘Papa’ Om Puri’s exquisite ‘Indian-ness’, we are treated by the stiff and snobby Madame Mallory (Helen Mirren) and the vulnerable yet talented Hassan (Manish Dayal). They are ably supported by Marguerite (Charlotte Le Bon) and a small yet adorable cast playing both Hassan’s family and Madame’s staff and town folk. Sensitive bonds, breath-taking French locales, cinematography that captures our own emotions and feelings set this film apart in 2014.

We take with us the tastes of both cultures, but above all, the lesson that good food never goes unrewarded. Prejudice takes a back seat and talent takes centre stage. Produced by Steven Spielberg, Oprah Winfrey and five others, with music by A.R.Rahman, this is one masterchef you cannot afford to miss.

Running to packed houses in limited cinemas with even fewer shows, savour it now!

3.5/5

The Giver (2014)

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Based on the novel of the same name by writer Lois Lowry, the story is set in the future with a concept of ‘sameness’. Director Phillip Noyce has translated the idea conceptually, visually, via language, colour, behaviour and ideals.

While the book made a compelling read which sold more than 10 million copies and won many awards, the film had a languid pace. The plot was predictable (not having read the source material), but the bursts of montages were insightful.

The story is a tricky one to make, with residual effects of the recent ‘Divergent’ at work. We quickly identify with the events on screen and are waiting for them to show us what we already know will eventually happen.

Meryl Streep as the ‘Chief Elder’ is the perfectly aged result of ‘sameness’. Jeff Bridges as ‘The Giver’ exercises brilliant restrain. Brenton Thwaites as ‘Jonas’ is an effective medium as our eyes and ears of someone who makes the journey from ‘sameness’ to ‘memory of human history’.

Your appreciation will be accepted but not expected.

2.5/5

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Longevity is not the sign of a healthy friendship, nor is proximity or similarity. It is a devotion, a yearning for connection, the joy of sharing and being proud of someone who wants to be with you, for you! Happy Friendship Day!

La Belle et la Bete (2014)

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Director Christophe Gans brings alive on screen a delicate and deep French aesthetic, which shows us the old fairy tale in a way we have never seen before. With a fantasy back story and a strong cast, the visuals captivate, enthral and entertain.

The production values are high, the scale is grand, but human emotions and their minute nuances are captured and communicated with ease, causing one to be enchanted at the very least.

In the modern world where fairy tales have been presented in new flesh and bones, this one is the best so far.

3.5/5

The Lego Movie (2014)

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The Lego Movie: A satire on popular culture, super heroes and classic tales, this super rich animation will dazzle you with its detail and very fine story telling. Our most beloved lego toy is transformed into an intricate world with a very ‘sticky’ problem. How the characters (who have superb voice over) navigate through their predicament, is unique and entertaining.

Kids may enjoy the visuals, but the underlying philosophy and the way it is communicated may not be straight forward for them to digest or decode. Either way, it’s a treat for children and adults, with the multi-talented voices of Chris Pratt, Morgan Freeman, Will Ferrell, Elizabeth Banks, Will Arnett, Jonah Hill, Dave Franco, Channing Tatum, Alison Brie, Nick Offerman and Liam Neeson.

Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller (Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs, 21 Jump Street, 22 Jump Street) present a superior quality of grown up humour combined with intelligent animation.

You are in for a laughter fix.

3.5/5

4 years and learning…

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I remember all the discussion on the story I had posted last year. It was a true, from the heart account of what brought me to Mumbai and how the first three years had been. If they could be seen as prep school, the fourth year was definitely an exam. Mumbai finally showed me the true colours of survival.

The year was peppered with highs and ‘not so highs’. I travelled to distant lands and found versions of myself there. Some that needed an upgrade, some that seemed to be far ahead of me, so I had a lot of catching up to do.  Many milestones marked the previous 365 days, which I am forever thankful for. I met some nice people, some of who moved away. I reconnected with some old friends. In the last year time and tide had indeed changed a lot.

I learned that you don’t choose this city (or the wand, for that matter). Mumbai chooses you. And it’s not some whim that brings you here either. You only come here when you are ready for an adventure. To have your rough edges polished. To see your faults, stare them in the face and say, “You, Again?” Only when your vibration matches that of the city, can you survive here. And to tune to that vibration takes time, patience and faith. Then the city yields its rewards.

I often face the question, “So you still like Mumbai?” Hell, I LOVE MUMBAI. It has given me life experiences which I couldn’t have had anywhere else. I have family and friends who have contributed greatly to my evolution. Observing life through every experience, corner, stranger, imperfection, has enriched me. And, that fuels my imagination, and my own will to live, to better myself, to try and be better for others.

The rain washes away the city and also any obstructions on my think tank. I have been reading various areas of interest, writing with a renewed vigour and the ‘expression quotient’ has been at its highest so far. Lots of movement on that front will be communicated soon.

Here’s to starting the fifth year in this city that embraces everyone. Don’t ask me how long I will be here, I don’t know. To quote ‘The fault in our stars’, I have experienced an infinity here, and “Some infinities are bigger than others”.

 

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