Censorship Issue: S. Rangarajan Etc vs P. Jagjivan Ram, 1989 SCR (2) 204, 1989 SCC (2) 574

If we talk about censorship in Indian cinema's context, the first and most recent name appears, Bhansali-directed Padmavat, which was the focus of conflict in 2017 and at the outset of 2018. But very few of us are aware of another movie that drew the ire of politics in 1989. 

Ore Oru Gramathile, a Tamil movie, produced by Mr. S. Rangarajan, criticized the caste-based reservation policy in Tamil Nadu’s educational institutions. The producer had to fight against members of the Dr. Ambedkar People’s Movement and the Republican Party of India for securing release of the movie. The Tamil Nadu government seemed helpless and stopped the film’s release, on the apprehension of a “very serious” law and order problems across the state. 

Judgment of the Court.

The matter reached the court and the impasse was removed the apex court in the landmark judgment of S. Rangarajan Etc vs P. Jagjivan Ram, 1989 SCR (2) 204, 1989 SCC (2) 574, wherein the court held that inability of the state  to handle the hostile audience problem was not a sound defence and it is its obligatory duty on the state to prevent it and protect the freedom of expression.

Mission : Impossible - Fallout official trailer released

"The mission should you choose to accept it..." are the words that I was waiting for after I watched one of my favourite action thriller Mission: Impossible II. These are the part of the dialogue of the famous Mission : Impossible series. 

What make me an enthusiastic fan of M:I series are the stunts performed by Ethan Hunt, the protagonist of the series (obviously none other than Tom Cruise) and the signature tune of the series. 

Few days back, I felt like being thrown back to my graduation days, when I used to be a die-hard fan of Ethan and M:I, when my friend Ambrish sent me the link of the trailer of the upcoming and probably the last sequel of the series - Mission: Impossible: Fallout. Ever since I watched the trailer (which I did at least 100 times), I am desperate to throng the multiplex on 27th July this year, (the release date of the movie). 

Though the stunts of the movie don't seem to emulate those performed by Ethan at Burj Khalifa in Ghost Protocol (2011) and at Dead Horse Point, Utah in M:I-II, the introduction of Henry Cavil (the face behind Superman) as an agent adds thrill to the movie.  

Padmaavat: Hunt for the legendary Joker seems to end.

Before I start writing about the most controversial creation of 2017, let me advise you that never watch the Indian movies with the perspective of credible historical facts. Most of the movies are full of distorted facts. However, some movies are based on the credible sources, e.g. Black Friday (2008). 

Same stands true about Padmaavat. I assume that you are aware of the controversies involved in the movie and how the movie title was changed from Padmaavati to Padmaavat. However, this post is not about the validity of the alleged facts of the controversy. 

This post is about the whole movie, excluding its relation to the historical facts. 

Talking about direction and action scenes, the movie deserves applause. I had expected the same from Bhansali. However, those who have seen the Hollywood epic Troy (2004), they can relate the climax fight scene between Khilji and Rana Ratan to the climax fighting scene of Troy between Archilles and Hector.

Talking about the performance, I was eager to watch the performance of Ranveer Singh, ever since I watched the trailer of the movie last year. Performances of all actors are praiseworthy. But sometimes, the negative character eclipses the positive ones of the movie. The living example of it is The Dark Knight (2008), wherein the legendary Joker eclipsed the character of the Batman. And of course, the another and fresh example is Padmaavat, where the character of Khilji eclipsed that of Rana Ratan Singh.

I don't know, wheather Khilji was such a maniac and psycho as has been depicted in the movie. But whatever performance has been done by Ranveer, it seems to be next to the legendary Joker of The Dark Knight (2008). He has been shown such a mean and maniac that it reminded me of the Joker. Even in some of the scenes, he has prevailed over Shahid Kapoor. If things are considered in an unbiased manner, Ranveer will bag the award for the best actor in negative role. 

However, the only disappointing thing, that I consider, has marred the character of Khilji, is the illogically inserted dance scene of Khalibali song.

Fan: SRK proves why you should be his fan.

Every person is inspired by an icon or role model, whether in politics, economics or in entertainment domain. Some of them only follow such icons, others love their inspiration. But there evolved a new category of mass who revere their inspirations. At last there is another category of persons, who can prove to be a die-hard fan and if time comes they can prove to be deadly for their icon 

It is in the last category that we can classify Gaurav Chandna, I mean a fan of Aryan Khanna, a famous actor in Indian cinema industry. The most interesting thing is about what Chandna does to meet Khanna and what he does to realise what Khanna did wrong. The entire movie is centered at the grueling efforts by Chandna to meet him, rather hug him and more than that, it reveals how deadly a fan could be for a celebrity.

By the way, the Khanna and Chandna both are none other than SRK himself. And I bet, after watching the thrill-packed Fan, you will find the answer why SRK has a bigger fan following than his rivals. For me the reason is not Khanna but it is Chandna.

The movie is full of thrill and till the climax I found it hard to believe that SRK is both the celebrity and the fan. Not only the physical appearance but also the body language and tone of both the characters put you in suspense and compel us to ask "how the hell can he be both simultaneously?"

Truly this movie gives a wings of hope for SRK fans make them forgive and forget SRK of Dilwale (2015).

Must Watch: Matrubhoomi: A Nation Without Women

Whether hit or flop, the movies like Matruboomi (2003) are remembered and acclaimed because of various reasons. This movie depicts the reality of the Indian society and exposes its path of progress in future. 

Discussing the subject matter of the movie, it can be said that this movie deserves imminent attention as the declining sex ratio is the cause of concern for country like ours. Apart from a dedicated team of real actors like Pankaj Jha, Sudhir Paney, Piyush Mishra and Shushant Singh, this movie deserves accolades because of direction by Manish Jha, which involves imaginative skill.

I am impressed with his focus on change of the attitude of the society regarding dowry system (as this time bride's family is being paid to get her married), which is similar to the pattern of sale of a girl.

In a nutshell, this movie is must watch for social cause and awareness as these movies mirror the Indian patriarchal society.

Notable Role (11/1000): Prashant Narayan (Murder 2).

Recently, watching the movie Ek Villain, which was released last week, I felt something missing. I tried to recall my filmi brain, (which is occupied by most Hindi movies), I found the missing thing. This had something to do with the character portrayed by Ritesh Deshmukh in the movie. I feel that movie was good, but it could have been better, had Prashant Narayan been roped instead of Ritesh.

I still remember the 1st sequel of Bhatt camp's Murder- Murder-2 -which was released in 2011. This movie still stands as one of the finest and most successful psycho horror of Bhatt (after Dushman). It is so because of the character portrayed by Prashant (Dheeraj Paney in the movie). It is due to his role, that this movie won several accolades.

His role stands as on of the best negative role ever performed in Bollywood.

Here are several scenes of the movie:

Interrogation scene.

Murder of college girl.

Rainman: Hoffman prevails over Cruise gun.

This movie is special for me or various reasons. Though you can say that Tom Cruise was in one of the leading roles, his role was overshadowed by the performance of Dustin Hoffman, playing the character of an autistic savant. His performance makes everyone either laugh or cry. Being a very emotional movie, this movie touches heart of everyone.

The music given by Hans Zimmer sets a good theme for the entire movie. He has the art to thrill the audience (as done in M:I:2 or Gladiator or The Dark Knight, or Inception) as well as to make the audience cry in emotion as shown by this movie.

Surprisingly, very few people have seen this masterpiece. It will be better to watch it for Mr. Hoffman's performance. 

The film won four Oscars at the 61st Academy Awards (March 1989), including Best Picture, Best Original Screenplay, Best Director, and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Hoffman. Its crew received an additional four nominations. The film also won the Golden Bearat the 39th Berlin International Film Festival. 

This movie has been an inspiration for Subhash Ghai, who copied the plot and character or Hoffman in his 2008 year movie Yuvraaj.

Notable Role (8/1000): K K Menon (Shaurya).

The year 2008 movie Shaurya is based on the theme of AFSPA misuse in Jammu and Kashmire and is inspired from the 1992 Hollywood flick A Few Good Men. The difference between these two movies is that while the later one was known for the performance of the Hero, the former one will always be remembered for the role of Major Pratap played by K K Menon. 

The best scene from the movie, according to me, is the entry of K K Menon and his subsequent meeting with Rahul Bose, (who is our desi Cruise of this movie) is humiliated by Menon for his conduct over breakfast table. 

The other best scene was the climax, showing the cross-examination of Brigadier Pratap. In both the scenes, K K Menon proves to be better villain than Jack Nicholson (the Hollywood counterpart in A Few Good Men).

We have seen his mind blowing performances in Gulaal  and Black Friday. He is one actor who needs the focus of the eminent movie-makers like Anurag Kashyap, Shujit Sarkar and Tigmanshu Dhulia. Because only such eminent producers can tap the talent of actors like Menon. The best scenes of this movie include the flamboyant presence of Menon. These scenes are:

First meeting with Major Chaudhary.

Cross-examination of Pratap.

Black Friday: Opening the true files of 1993 blasts.

I have already mentioned, India has history of low grade movies. But few producers like Anurag Kashyap have given a new motivation and a new ray of hope to us. With his movies like Gulaal, Gangs of Wasseypur (I and II), Girl in Yellow Boots, Shaitaan, he told us what a good movie is all about.

This movie- Black Friday (2004)- is not just a movie but a documentary, which explains the causes, consequences and inquiry of the 1993 Mumbai blasts that ripped apart the financial capital of our country.

This movie is equipped with true artists like KK Menon, Pawan Malhotra, Aaditya Srivastav and Nawazud din Siddiqui. They have time and again proved that Indians are also good at acting and still there are some emerging talents that need the focus of good movie-makers.

It won the Grand Jury Prize at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles and was a nominee for the Best Film (Golden Leopard) award at the Locarno International Film Festival. The film was so controversial that the Indian Censor Board did not allow it to be released in India for two years. 

It has given a good opportunity to the band Indian Ocean to contribute its musical magic in this movie. I love the song Arre Ruk Ja Re Bande.

Behind the Screen Facts:    

• The film was banned in India and was released theatrically only 2 years after it's actual planned release date.  
• The film is based on true facts regarding the Mumbai Blasts in 1993.  
• Anurag Kashayap cast Aditya Shrivastav and KayKay again after the banned Paanch and Gulaal.

Queen: If SRK is King Khan, Kangana Ranaut is Queen Ranaut.

We must admire the trend of Bollywood that it is delivering such hat-ke (different) movies for fast few years. Lat year it showed us the hopes in the wraps of Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, Madras Cafe, D-day, Lootera. This year too it has kept our hopes pristine and all-time high. This hype is evident after we come across the movies like Queen.

Watching the dedicated performance of Kangana Ranaut, it can be said that our film industry has no more restricted entry for the male dominant stars. If there can be a King Khan, there can be a Queen Ranaut.

No other actress can emulate her performance in the movie. Her performance suits the theme of women empowerment through this movie. No doubt, she deserves a National Award for what she did to her role.

Lastly, the music by Amit Trivedi is in sync with the situation of the scenes of the movie and best suited to it. If Bollywood can open the doors for the cheaters like Anu Malik and Pritam, Trivedi is going to be last nail of their coffins.

Mission: Impossible - II (2000): stunts are thrilling but plot is dubious.

My review about this movie was long planned by me. But I went through several websites to look into some details of this movie. I found that some scenes of this movie (one being scene, in which Naya meets Ethan at the race course) were copy of some earlier hollywood movies. Now, you might be thinking that not only Indians copy. I also agree.

Apart from it, there is a glitch of overuse of mask in this movie. Even at the climax, you will be bound to ask "how did Hunt get the mask of Stamp". 

But, all I can say is that the stunts shown in this movie. The rock climbing scene in the starting of the movie was performed by Tom Cruise, without any stunt double. Another stunt during the injection gun scene and other in the climax are also thrilling. Even one of the scene has been copied in Dhoom: 2. Also I love the scene, in which Hunt blast the door, using a satchel charge and makes entry to disturb the deal (which is marked by a bird flying into the room and flares appear in the eyes of Ambrose).

Also the music given by Hans Zimmer has made me a fan of him. The tracks like Bare Island, Mano-a-mano, Injection Gun define the art of Zimmer. Apart from this, how can we forget the song Take a Look Around by Limp Bizkit? This song has used the M:I theme track very beautifully and in an interesting way. 

Behind Scene Facts (iMDB):

1. John Woo's final cut of the film clocked in at 3-1/2 hours. The studio balked at this length and told him that the final length could not exceed 120 min. This could explain why there are so many plot holes and continuity errors in the theatrical cut.
2. For the "knife-in-the-eye" scene, Tom Cruise insisted that a real knife be used, and that it stop exactly one quarter-inch from his eyeball, instead of somewhere vaguely near his eye, as John Woo suggested. The knife itself was connected to a cable that was measured carefully in order to achieve the effect and Cruise insisted that Dougray Scott use all his strength in the ensuing struggle.
3. The famous rock climbing sequence was filmed at Dead Horse Point in Utah. Tom Cruise was on cables which were then digitally removed. Ron Kauk was the climbing double and the overhang stunt was performed by main stunt double, Keith Campbell. John Woo was so scared each time but "Tom insisted on doing it".
4. The scene where Tom Cruise "peels off his face" to reveal Dougray Scott was achieved in one shot by shooting both actors against a green screen. Cruise, not wearing a mask, was simply told to place his hand in a pre-arranged position under his chin then pull his hand across his face. Scott wore a plain mask with sensors that could provide a computer with a three-dimensional view of his face. He then peeled off this mask to finish the scene. Cruise's face was superimposed on the mask as it is pulled away and the two images morphed together in the computer; the background of the 747 cabin was added in to replace the green screen. (Watch the scene with frame advance and you will see a slight transitional 'swirl' on the mask halfway through the scene). Kevin Yagher contributed some more traditional latex mask effects for other face-peeling scenes. 
5. This is the first movie that Metallica ever agreed to write a song for. 
6. Dougray Scott was originally slated to play Wolverine in X-Men (2000), but had to pull out when shooting on this film went into overtime.
7. The part of Mission Commander Swanbeck was originally offered to Ian McKellen. He was not able to accept the role, due to a prior theatre engagement in London and the part eventually went to Anthony Hopkins.
8. Luther Stickell's line "It's that simple, huh?" after hearing Ethan Hunt's explanation of what he thinks "Chimera" is was a joke about Mission: Impossible (1996), which was widely criticized for having an overly complicated plot. 
9. Tom Cruise's then-wife Nicole Kidman suggested Thandie Newton (Kidman's co-star in Flirting (1991)) as the love interest for Ethan Hunt. She was cast before the script was written.
10. SERIES TRADEMARK: At Hunt's meeting with Mission Commander Swanbeck, Hopkins offers him an espresso or cappuccino. At the preliminary meeting with Jim Phelps in Mission: Impossible (1996), Hunt asked if they could get a cappuccino machine.
11. The sunglasses that Tom Cruise wears at the climax of the climbing scene providing him with his mission brief are modified Oakley Romeos that are now discontinued. They were modified for their appearance in the film in three ways: the ear stems are different (the commercially available model had curved ear stems while the movie version has straight stems), the lenses used in the film aren't mirrored (to prevent the film crew being seen in the reflection) and the most obvious modification being the earpieces grafted on to the frames.
12. According to Robert Towne, much of his script was written around action scenes that director John Woo told him he wanted to able to direct in the movie. 
13. Anthony Hopkins' character becomes the first person in any Mission Impossible episode or movie to actually use the phrase "mission: impossible." Ronald D. Moore and Brannon Braga also wrote the screenplay for Star Trek: First Contact (1996) which featured the first cinematic use in dialogue of the phrase "star trek." 
14. Andrew Lesnie was the film's original cinematographer. He left less than a month into shooting, due to "stylistic differences" with director John Woo.
15. The movie initially was rated "R", but was re rated "PG-13" after many action scenes were cut and the violence was trimmed down considerably. 
16. Oliver Stone was the first director attached to this film in the period after the first film's release. He reportedly wrote a treatment but backed out due to scheduling conflicts resulting from Tom Cruise's prolonged stint on Eyes Wide Shut (1999).
17. SERIES TRADEMARK: Ethan is suspended by a cable while infiltrating the Biocyte Labs. See also Mission: Impossible (1996) and Mission: Impossible III (2006). 
18. Steve Zahn was originally cast as Billy Baird.
19. Production was delayed because Tom Cruise was shooting Eyes Wide Shut (1999) with Stanley Kubrick for over a year.
20. Both Tom Cruise and John Woo attended a test screening of this movie in Warrenville, IL. 
21. Stuart Baird did uncredited re-editing work on this film and Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001) for Paramount in order to get the job of directing Star Trek: Nemesis (2002).
22. Triumph Motorcycles supplied the Speed Triple and Daytona models used as Tom Cruise and Dougray Scott's rides respectively.
23. The knife used in the fight scene at the end of the film is a Kershaw Amphibian.
24. A brief shot of children playing "Ring Around the Roses" is shown. This is a subtle reference to the plague that would ensue should the Chimera virus be released onto the world. According to popular belief, "Ring Around the Roses" was a kids' song based on the medieval Black Plague. In this theory, the "ring around the roses" represented a ring of people around a grave with roses on it. "Pocket full of posies" refers to people carrying flowers in their pockets during the plague, to combat the stench of the corpses in the streets. "Ashes, ashes" refers to the mass burnings of bodies. "We all fall down" refers to the multitudes of people dying. In fact, the rhyme dates from Victorian times, and originally did not contain these specific references, which were created in improvisational children's playing. Nevertheless, the legend connecting the song with the plague persists.
25. In the final battle, the building's security systems shows a problem in Level 42, the name of a 1980s band with hits that include "Lessons in Love" and "Something About You".
26. Shipped to theaters under the fictitious name "Doll House" to deter potential thieves.

Sarfarosh (1999): tells how a dedicated police force should operate.

Though Aamir Khan had performed the role of an IPS offices before this movie in Baazi, this movie paints a good, inspirational and true picture of the crime branch police of Maharashtra. 

The early part of this movie entails the struggle of an honest officer behind his becoming an IPS officer. All civil services aspirants, particularly, those aspiring to become an IPS officer must watch this movie and learn how a good cop reacts to various problems regarding the heinous crimes like illegal drug and arms trafficking. 

Coming to the performances, no doubt, Aamir has played a very balanced and perfect role of an IPS officer. This role is better than what he did in Baazi. Mukesh Rishi (in the character of inspector Salim) has proved that he is suitable not only for negative roles but also for positive roles that too of an honest cop. Nasiruddin Shah (in the character of Gulfaam Hasan) is again a gem of the Indian cinema industry that performs for movies of classes and movies of masses. In this movie, which belongs to classes and masses, he proves to be villain of classes. Same can be said about Govind Namdev (in the character of Veeran). 

Believe me, this movie has everything- a good plot, all good actors and good music (specially song Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaaye). It is a must watch for all bollywood fans

Must Watch (Today's special): Rang De Basanti

Corruption is like a virus in the entire system of a nation, that needs a strong anti-virus to deal with it. This movie, though not an anti-virus, but was a means to produce anti virus for the system of a nation affected by the virus of corruption. If any Indian movie that could ignite the spark of revolution or revamping the corruption-infected nation, it was RDB. Embracing the mechanism of peaceful non- violent protest (candle march) and later switching to the desired mode of violence, this movie proved to be a blend of ideals that could change the Indian system or rather the system of any corruption infected nation.

Just like others, I also support the killing of the corrupt official (and it will not be called murder or Hatya rather it becomes Vadh) on the ground that such practice sounds correct on the lines of the Benthamite principle of maximum pleasure of maximum people with minimum pain for least number of people.

Also, this movie is best suited for the Martyr's Day (23rd march, 1931) as it not only shows the sacrifices of our revolutionary heroes but also how it can be imbibed in the actions of the youth.

I like dialogue of the movie:

"Jeene ke do hi tareeke hote hain. Ya fir jo chal raha hai use chalne do. Ya use badal ke dikhaao" (there are two courses of living a life- either let the things go their way or change the course of happenings). 

Lastly, the music of Rahmaan Saab  has never been such enthusiastic before. If the movie is a portrait, his music adds colour to it.

Behind Reel Facts (from iMDB):

• A.R Rehman worked on the music of this film for three years.
• India's official entry to the Oscars for the Best Foreign Language Film category in 2007.
• Shah Rukh Khan was the original pick to play DJ, but the shooting for the film was in Delhi, and Khan was forced to decline because he was shooting Paheli (2005) at the time, and did not want to conflict schedules.
• The film was to be made both in Hindi and English versions. The English version was to be titled "Paint It Yellow". The plans for the English version were dropped subsequently.
• The role played by Siddharth was also initially offered to Farhan Akhtar. But Farhan was not ready to act.
• Aamir Khan was initially uncertain about taking on the role of DJ, as he was in his 40s and DJ was 25 years old Punjabi in the film. He eventually accepted, though, and hired a tutor to aid him in Punjabi speech and accents.
• Rang De Basanti is based on a poem written by Dushyant Kumar.
• Arjun Rampal was signed to do the film, but was irritated with director, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's indecisiveness about what he wanted to do with the characters and the script. He called him "very confused" and "unprofessional" and dropped out. Arjun Rampal also stated his regret in even agreeing to do the film in that he lost a lot of good work in the three months he spent committed to it.
• In India, the color of saffron represents sacrifice. When someone says, "Main rang de basanti", ("paint me saffron") it means that person is ready to be sacrificed for a great cause. saffron is also a predominant color in the movie.
• Shah Rukh Khan was the original choice for Flight Lieutenant Ajay Rathod's character, but he couldn't do it owing to his busy schedule. This cameo turned out to be the best bet of Madhavan in his career in Bollywood.
• Hrithik Roshan turned down the role of Karan (Siddharth).

Agneepath (2012): Sanjay Dutt is back.

This movie was in news since Hritik accepted the role played by Big B in the earlier Agneepath (1990). Though the names are same and plot of the movie is also, significant remake of the old Agnipath, there is a huge gap in both these.

While the old Agnipath was full of bold and emphatic performance of Amitab Bachchan (playing the role of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan) and was also known for his dialogue delivery, the 2012 Agnipath promises a new ray of hope to emulate the performance of the legendary Joker (obviously, the negative role Heath Ledger in The Dark Knight). This movie has kept the audience glued with the performance and style of Kaancha (role played by none other than Sanjay Dutt). 

In my opinion, India is close to getting a substitute of the Joker. His performance weights much more than that of the hero of the movie (the equation matches that of The Dark Knight in this sense). Though the dialogues of Hritik are not that bold as of Big B, his performance is well fitted to the role.

Apart from it, you can't ignore the role of Rauf Lala (played by Rishi Kapoor). This time, Rishi Kapoor has made a punching come-back to complement this movie. Even, sometimes the people might become confuse to choose the best villain between Kaancha and Rauf.

Music of the movie also deserves applauds, specially the song Abhi Mujhme Kahin.

The hidden facts.

• In Sanjay Dutt's 30 years career, this is the first time he appeared bald in a film.
• Sanjay Dutt and Rishi Kapoor last worked together in Sahibaan (1993) where both were lead heroes.
• The film was an official remake of the original Agneepath but several things were changed, like the backdrop of drugs was introduced, the reason for the death of Vijay's father was changed, Mithun's character was done away with, and Rishi Kapoor's new character was introduced.
• Hrithik Roshan sports a number of colorful vests in the film, actually those were white vests which his designers colored using dye.
• Hrithik told in an interview that while fighting with Sanjay Dutt he was really injured and his acting in the end was real.
• The scenes depicting Mandwa was shot in Diu in freezing temperatures. For the song Cheekni Chameli the set was created in Mumbai.

Raanjhanaa: Dhanush has left his mark on Bollywood.

It was the noon of a day of March last year, when I opened Youtube to watch some upcoming movies of Bollywood. Suddenly, I came across the trailer of the movie Raanjhanaa, presenting Dhanush in lead role. It was then the scorching summer of June in the same year, when I went to watch this movie.

Guess what? All the sacrifices I made to watch this movie was refunded in the terms of entertainment. I, just could not imagine that Dhanush, who hails from Southern part of India, will be able to perform the role of a Desi Launda of Banaras. Hardly, anyone dn emulate his performance in this movie. Talking about the other actors, the role of his friend Murari played by Mohd. Zeeshan Ayyub and his one sided lover Swara Bhaskar should be appreciated. 

The whole movie is divided into two parts: the romantic and comedy part pre-intermission and serious and emotional part post-intermission. Apart from it, the dialogues of the movie and its climax both have given a good shape to the whole flow of movie. 

As always, the Music of Rahmaan saahab is always a memorial part of a movie, which is true in this case as well.

Facts undisclosed yet.

1. This was the first film of Dhanush in Hindi. For this film , he took special Hindi coaching classes.
2. Earlier , actor Shahid Kapoor was roped in to play the lead role , but later Dhanushreplaced his role (thank God he accepted, otherwise... everyone knows).

300: Rise of an Empire: finally happy again to find my answer.

No doubt that the Hollywood movie makers invest huge and also do a good R&D for movie business. So, they did in this movie. 

Though they have shown graphics and actions scenes very beautifully, that deserves applauds, it didn't seem to be at the equal footing to its previous part. 

Also, what I want to share is that we always think that Indian movies only have crap stunts and scenes. Then, we think whether Hollywood movies also have such craps. So, we can find answer in this movie.

I must emphasise that there is a scene in the climax, in which the hero of the movie Themistockles (role played by Sullevan Stepleton) shows his extra ordinary capacity to take his horse though the broken ships to the ship of the enemy without caring about the ocean in between. Guess, what he finds. He is able to take the horse successfully (no sensible person will find any logic behind such stunt). He might have been insipred by the performance of Chetak (legendary horse of Maharana Pratap).

Concluding my review,I would suggest that if you want to go for action scenes and bloodbath, you should go for it.

D-Day: Nikhil Advani's mission becomes possible.

If Tom Cruise and Paula Wagner have gained fame for the Mission: Impossible series, this time Nikhil Advani has became their Indian counterpart. 

This movie, another genuine movie on the working of the Indian intelligence agency RAW (Research and Analysis Wing) has proved to be at par with Madras Cafe. Looking into the performance of the actors, the role of Rishi Kapoor as Goldman (who seem to have been based on the personality of the underworld don Dawood Ibrahim) has been appreciated much. Among all the actors that have played the character of Dawood (though, bollywood movies, except Black Friday, have done away from controversy and risk involved in using name of the don), Rishi Kapoor has performed the best according to his appearance and personality and, of course, his style.

Obviously, Irrfan Khan has given his best to the role of a RAW agent. But other members of the team played by Arjun Rampal, Huma Quraishi and Aakash Dahiya (as Aslam) have not lagged behind in giving their due share of performances.

Action scenes and stunts are awesome, which can lure the lovers of action movies. This movie, though not based on true happenings -as no one has even dared to touch the underworld don- it provides a hint for the Indian policies to nab the culprits who pose threat to the security of India. 

Darr @ the Mall: Fails to evoke fear in minds.

It seems that after 2008, the Indian cinema industry has failed to take a cue from the much appreciated horror movies like 1920 and 13B. No other movie could deliver the same package of thrill, adventure and fear as it did. Even there was much expectation from the recent horror flicks 1920 Evil Returns and Ek Thi Daayan.

There was an expectation that Bollywood will learn something from these failures and the movie released this Friday, Darr @ The Mall will be a ray of hope. But this also seems to have shattered our hopes. 

While I rushed to the cinema hall nearby to grab some thrill and horror, my attempts and expectations seem to have gone futile like other movie buffs. There seem to be some weak links that mar the fear factor in the movie.

For example, the scene wherein the small girl (that was a ghost) revealed the secret behind the fear in the mall. Movie lacks a good climax and background score (unless the background music is like that we enjoyed in first half of Ek Thi Daayan, or 1920 the movie is crap in the name of horror flick). As far as the scenes are concerned, the fear factor should be like that of 1920, which is benchmark in the Indian horror movies. 

At last, the suspense was not properly revealed in the movie(for which I consider 13B as the benchmark). Initial scenes of the movie were quite promising of the quality of the entire movie, but later it fails due to weak presentation.

In a nutshell, the future horror movie producers should take a cue from 1920, 13B and Ek Thi Daayan before branding them a true horror.

Dhoom 3: "The Prestige[ous]" movie of India

After watching the latest and most awaited action thriller of India, Dhoom 3, I updated my Facebook status by typing "Dhoom 3: "The Prestige[ous]" movie of India". It was not in the sense that bollywood and Amir Khan fans consider it to be a prestige for India. Rather, I meant that this movie drew its concept from the famous Hollywood flick The Prestige.  

But this version of mine should not be taken in the sense that this movie is a copy-paste crap like other Hindi movies. If we see in the terms of technology, animation and shooting locations, this movie serves to be the best dish for the appetite of entertainment. Needless to say that Amir has stolen the pie of fame (or pie of left fame) from Abhishek and Uday.

The only thing this movie lacks is the suspense behind robbery. But to add to my point, one may argue and ask was the Chicago Police such a big failure that it had to call ACP Jai Dixit and Ali. At last, there is also a hope of Indian touch by introducing some South Indian or Rohit Shetty style or Anti-Newton stunts in the beginning of the movie.

Bollywood Gem 2013: Lootera

Based on O. Henry's short story The Last Leaf, the movie Lootera is another masterpiece of the Indian cinema. The movie depicts the era of 1950s, the era of Zamindari abolition in India, wherein, an archaeologist, visiting a village of W. Bengal, deceives the Zamindar of that village. He robs him but he gets his heart robbed by the only daughter of the Zamindar. Due to certain compulsions he is bound to leave that girl with the only hope of marriage. But, he never returns and unfortunately the girl looses everything at her stake her hope and her father.

He meets that girl when he plans his next robbery of the archaeological heritages. The police is tracing him; his love is holding him. Now what should he do? Should he run away?

This is all about the movie Lootera.

I loved this movie and I love to watch it again. The songs like Ankahee deserve a consistent heed for a true lover of Hindi songs to understand its meaning. Also, everyone should appreciate the direction and performance of the actors like Ranveer and Sonakshi. Probably, their performances give them a drastic edge over the other new-comers like Shahid and Imran.
Again, a commendable job by Shobha Kapoor, Ekta Kapoor and Anurag Kashyap.