Actors In A Different Show | Editor's Pen

Hi Friends,

Ronald Reagan is probably the most widely known example of an actor turning into politicians midst huge list of politicians acting forsake of their political career. His political career was no less than a film with many acts. Probably worthy enough for an Academy nomination.

Even in India we saw many film world stalwarts have taken fore in political arena. Like Raj Babbar, Jayalalitha, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and most notable name NTR. This year, the list will improve with many actors and actresses contesting in Lok Sabha elections. Now, would that change the state of nation, that is something for which we will have to wait and watch.

Charming personalities charm large audiences as well but more than often their influence in parliament is less than notable. That is something that should change for good. Stars should realize that. Their voice is nations voice because they make us believe that great things happen to normal people.

Love
Sujoy

The Conspirator | Value Of Justice For All | The Critique

Though its not one of the best film I have seen in last five years, it is high up there as one of the most thought provoking films. Robert Redford's The Conspirator is a historical drama about prosecution of Mary Surratt who was hanged for conspiring Abraham Lincoln's assassination and hints at miscarriage of justice.

After war, the reconstruction is in progress. However, peace is still not there with few battles pending. Lincoln has successfully won over South and ministry is trying to suppress dissenters. One such group led by John Wilkes Booth conspire and Booth kills Lincoln. Mary Surratt is one of the conspirators. She is tried and defended by Union war hero Federick Aiken. Initially, Aiken doesn't believe and is ready to defend because defending her is needed to ensure preserving her rights and ideals of founding fathers. In course of his case, he starts believing that she is not involved as suggested.

James McAvoy and Robin Wright plays their part brilliantly as Aiken and Surratt respectively. Kevin Kline as manipulative War of Secretary and Tom Wilkinson as Reverdy Johnson who mentors Aiken are exceptional in their roles. Camera work is really inspiring in few scenes like the hanging scene.

The brilliance with which the case is revealed in the story is laudable. Not many films stress upon the need to defend a person even if the public opinion and facts state otherwise. In tough times, sanity is needed and it doesn't take more than iron will to do that. Redford makes a point and he does it very hard.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Reincarnation In Films | Part 02 | Under Lens

The Reincarnation of Peter Proud blended the element of eternal revenge so well that many films followed the suit in coming years.

Reincarnation of Peter Proud was a story of a man troubled by his visions from his past life where he was killed by his wife. Taking a cue out of it, Subhash Ghai made Karz which will be long remembered as the most popular film about reincarnation. Ravi is killed by his wife Kamini. He takes another birth as Monty and takes revenge the way it should have been taken. Haunting theme music became the recurring element. It inspired films like Enakkul Oruvan, Yuga Purush and Om Shanti Om. Success and popularity of Karz can be gauged by the facts that many film titles were based on blockbuster music of this film.

In 80s and 90s, many films were woven around reincarnation. In India, films like Karan Arjun, Suryavanshi, Hameshaa etc. and in west films like Déjà vu, Made In Heaven etc. were made. Keeping aside BO collections, content wise nothing notable was introduced. New ideas and better technology literally meant a closure for a dated idea. Then came films like Cloud Atlas and Eega. Their technical brilliance is one thing and content driven plot is another. These films worked and got critical acclaim as well. Especially Cloud Atlas which involved karma and reincarnation with such a brilliance that even sages from ancient India would feel proud. Though in between some good films came but they failed to move on from the oft repeated ideas and plots.

The idea of rebirth is so natural to human that despite of logical failure and absence of concrete evidence, it remained one of the most popular formulas of filmmaking.

Mainstream Meets Offbeat | Editor's Pen

Hi Friends,

In recent season of Koffee With Karan, we saw Anurag Kashyap coming and opening up his heart. He talked about how he and other people from alternate cinema looked at people from mainstream cinema with contempt and how the perception is changing now.

Over last few years, the bridge between mainstream and alternate cinema has reduced. Lunchbox and The Ship Of Thesus was introduced by more conventional brands. Phantom and Dharma came together for Hasee Toh Phasee which came up as an interesting film. Karan working in a film made by Anurag with Ranbeer and Anushka will be a new step for a friendship which will help Indian cinema in great ways.

Lets see...

Thanks
Sujoy Ghosh

Kissi Se Na Kehna | The Critique

Like most of the Hrishi Da films, Kisise Na Kehna is a sweet romantic comedy woven around a family with middle class values and a big lie to thwart some orthodox belief. It attempts to break stereotypes just like Chupke Chupke, Gol Maal and Naram Garam. Film casts Farooq Sheikh and Deepti Naval in typical reluctant romantic couple, Saeed Jaffrey and quintessential Utpal Dutt.

Dutt who plays an old school retired person is disappointed by the education system which has spoiled the upbringing of the new generation. He is not able to adjust to rebellious and outspoken new world. He wants to protect his son Ramesh played by Sheikh by finding an uneducated daughter-in-law. Sheikh finds his soulmate in Ramola played by Naval. Ramola is a doctor by profession. 

When Dutt's obsession with search for uneducated bride becomes unreasonable and Ramesh is not able to express his desire to his father, Saeed Jaffrey who plays Dutt's friend Lalaji devices a plot.

Kisise Na Kehna establishes old school ideology without being whimsical or illogical. Family values are immune to educational influences and westernization is not a threat - Hrishi Da strongly makes his point. 

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Reincarnation In Films | Part 01 | Under Lens

Films, like religions, across the globe are fascinated by the idea of reincarnation. Though West feels detached from the idea, East is simply enamored with it. However there are enough reference in popular culture across the boundaries that we can assume that every culture, in a way or other, has shown some interest in the idea. From Mark Twain and Edgar A. Poe to Anthony Horowitz, literature explored the idea. In a similar fashion, films toyed around the idea in great detail.

In silent era, cinema was highly influenced by folklore and fantasy stories. Though reincarnation was not as popular as morphing as an idea, it was still pretty much valued. Especially in Indian films which were woven around Indian Mythology. Stories of Nala Damyanti, Harishchandra, Vishnu Avatars etc. were huge resources incorporated the idea of reincarnation in Hindu scriptures. These stories became very popular among masses and even caught the imagination of West. West, however, didn’t explored this concept in great detail despite of having it as a recurring theme in Greek and Roman mythology. There are certain lost films in which characters died to take rebirth or transformation into an animal. These ideas were rarely detailed beyond a point. Europe was exploring abstract which had great influence on story telling in coming years.

With Sound and then Color Era, the idea of Reincarnation went a step ahead and beyond mythology. Films like Mahal and Madhumati became big hits. In sixties, Neel Kamal and Milan followed the trend in India. The Three Lives of Thomasina and Patton too had strong references of rebirth. Around this time, films were more romantic and the element of eternal love was put forth. It worked well with the audience. But more was in store for them.

Love stories were fading away and changes were challenging them.