Jab Tak Hai Jaan - Thats The Untitled Film | Editor's Pen

Year 1975. Angry Young Man image became the flavor of the decade with arrival of Vijay Verma. Vijay and perhaps the most iconic tattoo of Indian cinema portrayed the angst brewing in the society. Deewaar was a big hit. References of Haji Mastan added more spice to the stories. Released on Jan 1^st, movie was heralded as the biggest hit of the year. Deewar was directed by Yash Chopra. On August 15^th, Sholay was released. At Filmfare, Deewaar was the king but on Box Office Sholay was creating a new history. The year 1975 is remembered for Sholay.

Who would have thought that Yashraj will have another moment in his life when he will share something with Sholay. Jab Tak Hai Jaan might sound like a lame title for a movie that stars Shahrukh Khan and Katrina Kaif, for the first time as a pair, it definitely a fitting moment to celebrate two iconic movies. Circle of life... I don’t know if this is an acknowledgement of a co-incidence... I would rather chose to believe the former.

JBTJ will be a sort of comeback for SRK. It has been long since we have seen SRK in a conventional love story. He had experimented enough and for good but it will be a pleasure to see him in true romantic colors. Katrina is perhaps the most bankable actress in current scenario and that’s make her combo with SRK even more lucrative. Anushka Sharma... is she playing a major role or an extended cameo. We need to wait for this. One last interesting thing... last time Yashraj directed, he opened up a Pandora box of hidden treasures. Music of Veer Zaara was a bliss. Now he is collaborating with A.R. Rahman. This is going to be epic.

Love,

Sujoy Ghosh

Opochi okoka obobi olola | DDLJ revisited | Under Lens

*WARNING: long post ahead*

‘Dilwale dulhaniya le jayenge’ or DDLJ (as most people lovingly refer to it) is etched in our collective memories. For my generation it will remain a romantic pilgrimage of sorts. It is what launched SRK foray as the superstar.

So this last weekend I had a chance to watch DDLJ again. And then I watched again, and again and… you get the drift. There are many things/themes that I didn’t notice when I used to watch it earlier.

Let’s take character of Chaudhary Baldev Singh played by Ambrish Puri for instance. In my memory, character is a strict patriarch devoid of any care for his family’s feelings.  But if we look closely we see a man who is very nostalgic about his country and who is trying very hard to just preserve his culture. And he loves both his daughters, allowing Simran to go on a trip and eventually marry boy of her choice.

Also if you notice nearly all major characters, with a brief character sketch, are introduced in first 20 minutes of the movie. Within the song ‘Mere khwabon mei jo aaye…’ we are shown Simran is madly in love with her notion of innocent love, on the other hand Raj is the go getter, winning sports and ladies alike. In short he is a free spirit and she is little immature.

Both Raj and Simran are very close to one of their parents, Raj to his Dad and Simran to her Mom. They are their strengths who support them in thick and thin. One of my favorite part of DDLJ is oozing chemistry between SRK and Anupam Kher; and I still don’t understand one of my favorite dialogues between father and son , “Opochi okoka obobi olola”. Also the scene where Simran leaves when she reads of her marriage, Farida Jalal as her mother feels her disappointment and just turns around to agree with her husband that indeed Simran is shy. In that scene, whole equation of there is so beautifully and subtly put in front of the viewer. The scene where Simran’s mom tells of her sacrifices as mother, sister and daughter is beautifully written. Even in the end she’s the one who takes Simran to station and tells her to go before Ambrish Puri holds Kajol’s hand. Farida played the role of loving, strong mother who is constantly undermined by her husband.

Also interesting, is the way director has used characters for comic relief in second half, in form of Ms. Rajeshwari as the cute little sis; Kuljit as handsome but dumb Groom-to-be and Bua with her comic moments with SRK and Anupam Kher.

In first half comic timing of SRK is fantastic. His constant banter initially with Simran is what endears the viewer to the two characters. He delivers cult dialogues like, ‘bade bade deshon mein aisi choti choti baatein hoti rehti hain’, ‘Senorita’ and ‘I HATE GIRLS’ which just made girls swoon over SRK. Also dialogues like ‘al pacino, al kutto, al kamino’, ‘ab koi gadbad nahi ho sakti’ tickled my ribs yet again.

There time alone in Europe also reminds me of ‘It happened one night’ and ‘Dil hai ki manta nahi’. Talking of the first half, their trip seemed to me too short for 1 month. Seemed like 1.5 weeks to me. Probably the period of them rejoining their friends and finally departing constitutes the rest of the period.

Coming to Simran’s character, Kajol has performed it exceedingly well. Simran has been brought up to respect elders and look up to others when making her decisions. She is naïve, probably this is what sets her apart from other girls in life of Raj. About Raj what can I write that has not been felt before, he is the backbone of the film.

I also noted why Raj is sure about her loving him and Simran is not. The now iconic scene ‘palat palat’ tells him that she loves him but he never tells her that he loves her. When he does tell her, he himself says he was joking

In short, I as a viewer realized that DDLJ is not just only good story, great acting but also has superb characterizations. As the tagline goes … ‘Come fall in love…’ I have fallen in love with the movie … again.

Written by Ali Naqvi.

Band Baaja Baraat | The Critique

Rating: 3/5

He might look like just another back-bencher of your class you whistles at girls and smoke cigarette at the paan-shop across the lane but he has it in him. Ranveer is some good talent; if not great. BBB is really lucky to have some fresh face like him and for me... YRF is back. This time with an unexpected BANG. 

From Chandni to Mohabattein, the secret of YRF movies were their songs and love stories. In latter part of this decade, they let the formula go slip and with the formula even success moved on. BBB brings in the formula back. The introductory song of Anushka reminds of good old days when in marriages the entire family used to gather and get involved in the National Wedding Songs. With first fifteen minutes into the movie, you start liking it.

BBB is a simple movie. Girl meets boy and they become friends and bizness partners. They love their work. One day something happens between them (read sex in inebriation) and everything shatters. Story is simple but the dialogs are stealer. Simple and with loads of fun. Performances are good, especially the lead pair.

There are a few flaws. The love making scene seems to be a bit out of place and second half is weak when compared to the first half. Music is good but a lot better is expected from YRF banner. Direction is simply superb considering a debut. Manish, man... you rock. In short, watch it. Its a good film. Without a big name, this is going to make a mark.

To detractors who say that Ranveer's father invested in the movie: Even if he did, he did for good. What's wrong in it? Atleast he didn't served a Pyaar Impossible...

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh

Rocket Singh:Salesman of the year review | Critique

THIS ROCKET SOARS...

One advice....If you haven't seen this film yet, stop reading this review and go, grab your tickets! That's how good it is!

Look through Shimit's eyes.....Ranbir is searching for a shop which will provide him with two Graphics cards in the early hours of the morning. People have already started selling accessories (it is a computer accessories market) and Ranbir looks around. He sees a dukaanwallah praying in front of a group of photos (Gods and Goddesses) stacked together. Ranbir approaches the shop.

Why did I write that? Look at the everydayness Amin brings to his movie. If the first customer goes away unsatisfied from the shop, it is considered that business will go bad for the rest of the day. Ranbir approaches the shop thinking that there are less chances of him and the shopkeeper bargaining too hard about the quality, price, whatever. Hence, I made the above point. Oh! Pardon me, if I am reading too much between the lines. But, what to do, picture hi aise perfect banayi hai, kya kahein?

Shimit Amin and Jaideep Sahni are like maestros- the world they are creating, they know only too well. And for once, I don't see much of an interference from the producers or the upper echelon, that is. Here, the executors are in complete command!

I understand why the people at Yash Raj have been so hush-hush about their latest production Rocket Singh:Salesman Of The Year and I absolutely support their efforts. You deserve to see this film cold. No, there are no twists or nothing. Just a simple enough story to keep you glued to your seats for the rest of the running time of the movie. Don't let anyone tell you anything about this movie's plot. Let's just say this film involves the politics at office, the harrassment new trainees face, the variation of work culture and....principles. There are films that irk you to no end and there are others that you will absolutely enthrall you and then, there is Rocket Singh:Salesman Of The Year. A simple movie, no stylish camera shots (save for a wonderful tracking shot of Ranbir doing a mini-jig) and no songs that create unnecessary hindrances, Rocket Singh... grabs your attention because there is such a witty, intelligent story here that you actually care and root for the characters.

Ranbir Kapoor is immensely likeable and so are the other actors who, surprisingly, have been given equal amount of screen time. D Santosh and Mukesh Bhatt are everyday people whom you see in offices, in real life, at work. Gauhar Khan is alright, no trying-to-prove-to-be-a-great-actress mannerisms. Shazahn Padamsee....ummm....let's just say we shall wait and watch a few more endeavors of hers to decide whether she is a good actress or not. Here, she does adequately. Prem Chopra is excellently cast as Ranbir's grandpa and so are the two wonderful friends of Ranbir whose names I haven't been able to get hold of.

Any quibbles? A minor one. The monologue at the end, a wee bit too familiar. But, a befitting end, nevertheless.

One word about Ranbir. He is the "tomorrow" of Hindi Cinema. I don't know how he exudes that warmth, that confidence, that charisma...but boy, does the lad do it well!! His confidence embraces you and sucks you into his own little world, his own little struggle.

To make one such film is an achievement and to make three of them is no mean feat. Ab Tak Chhappan, Chak De! India and now Rocket Singh.... Shimit Amin goes for a hattrick and how! Collaborating with screenwriter Jaideep Sahni, who comes up with an truly ingenuous story, Amin delves into the profound depths of fine filmmaking and gives us what can be best described as ONE OF THE BEST FILMS OF THE YEAR!


Rating * * * *

Written by Gyandeep Pattnayak

Statesmen: Yash Raj Chopra

Some people are born great and some achieve the distinction but there is a rare class that belongs to both. They are born great and they achieve new heights of greatness to assert the fact. Yash Chopra is a fellow of the league. The man behind the biggest banner of India and some timeless classics, Yash Raj is a person of ethics, values and traditions.

Yashraj saw many successes and few failures. Silsila achieved cult status. Deewar is often rated above Sholay. Dag, Kabhie Kabhie and Veer Zaara established new definitions to love and trust. Dharamputra and Lamhe failed on screen but sizzled on silver discs. Darr, Parampara and Joshila gave new color to story telling and… who can forget Dil To Pagal Hai.

Two path breaking movies by Yashraj were Silsila and Lamhe. Silsila was a complicated movie with a touch of reality and Lamhe failed on celluloid but meant a lot to the maverick.
Silsila had Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri and Rekha. Jaya and Amit were real life pair while the hottest news of the era was affair between reel life pair Amitabh and Rekha. In the classic, Amitabh was paired with Rekha who under unfortunate circumstances married Jaya. Yashraj poured all his efforts to bring the trio and with a brilliant script and excellent music, colored the screen.

Lamhe was an interesting movie. Anil Kapoor was in love with Sridevi who maries someone else and Sri’s daughter (again Sri) meets him after her parents death. She fells in love with him. Without a moustache (rare) Anil was brilliant and was greatly complemented by Sridevi in double role. Movie was atleast two decades ahead of time. Verdict Flop!!

But success or failure cannot define greatness. From Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor to Anil Kapoor and Shahrukh Khan… from Rekha, Rakhi to Priety Zinta to Rani Mukherjee… every star felt the aura. Yash Chopra is to Bollywood what no body can be to Hollywood.

Written By: Sujoy Ghosh