Indie Works In India | Under Lens

Finally Indie is getting recognition. Given the deeply rooted structure of studios where money spoke loud and only few survived to enjoy the ruins, this was a distant dream. It took more than 4 decades for parallel/alternate/indie cinema to find a space, it has finally arrived. Among different highs, we saw some amazing independent films making their presence felt beyond the film festivals. PVR Rare deserves an applause for their contribution.

 

Kshay: What can be Kshay’s genre? It’s not important but still a valid question. A drama with edginess of a thriller. It plays with your nerves and keeps you engaged despite of the fact it has a one word story – obsession. Indie in true sense, Kshay comes up as a brilliant effort on celluloid.

 

Gattu: What was the last film for children made in India which made some sense? Maybe I Am Kalam. Gattu fills in a big void. A very sweet little film which brings smile on your face.

 

Miss Lovely: Nawaz rocks! Miss Lovely is an interesting take on the forbidden world of C-grade cinema. It’s an interesting take on a relegated section of industry which makes millions laugh and thousands eat. In terms of percentage, they can beat likes of Dabangg and 3 Idiots any day. Its forbidden. Well, so is weed.

 

Innuendo: Usually, indie films have a linear story. Innuendo has three plots. Arvind Kamath managed to keep the pace going with three different stories, each having subplots and undercurrent messages. The title makes more sense as the credit rolls.  

 

Shahid: Hansal Mehta is a respected name. The respect increased manifold with Shahid. It’s not brave to fight goons. It’s brave to stand against wrong and prejudices. Shahid Azmi did so. By making a film out of his life, Mehta did the same.

 

Peddlers: Vasan Bala. You know him. If you get an opportunity to watch Peddlers, you will never forget. An edgy story aided by brilliant work of camera might make you forget the fact that it was largely shot in guerilla way. Another Indie to core.

Good Movies Which Failed To Make The Cut To Blue Notebook

Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu: A very interesting take on cosmopolitan culture in an unconvincing plot which hardly takes away anything from the credit well deserved by the writers. Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu is not Wake Up Sid but the positive turn it takes is very similar. Music and story were two areas where this movie had a strong case but contest was too tough. A shade better would have got some.

 

The Forest: This movie had some real good art work. What worked against The Forest was the failure of Art Direction to make story convincing. It didn’t do much. The element of gore failed to enhance the thrill the way it should have. Movie turned out to be a disappointment.

 

Arjun: The Warrior Prince: Only logical reason is that we don’t have a category for animation. The way Virat episode is used to set the context for Mahabharat is a good example to follow. Sincere apologies.

 

Kshay: Frankly, only category Kshay had a strong case was Best Actress. It was out an out Rasika’s movie. The motif and protagonist blended well together. Its just that there we wanted to have 5 or 6 names and somehow the cut was a few inches high. Even without the nomination, Rasika is a winner. The DVD in my closet affirms my belief.

 

Jab Tak Hai Jaan: What went wrong with this film? Music turned out to be below par. Story was a shade over dramatic. Direction turned out to be a shadow of memories. A movie we thought would grab atleast six nominations failed to get even one. But still, Yashji we love you.