Fashion

Year: 2008

Genre: Drama

Direction: Madhur Bhandarkar

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godse

Rating: Okay

I had an opportunity to watch the movie, last week. As the name itself suggests the movie is about the Fashion Industry. Priyanka Chopra plays the character of a middle class girl with the determination to become a Super model.

We see the fashion industry through the story of Meghna Mathur (Priyanka). The plot was good but the presentation was not. Perhaps the director had lots of information gathered and wanted to push in everything. At places it was too dragging while at others, confusing. Probably the film meant to show the hardships and not-so glamorous activities in the glamour world. But her foray into the fashion industry didnt seem to difficult. Whatever hindrances came, it all went off the way soon, never giving her a chance to wander. The only time she is far from the industry is when she leaves everything behind and goes off to her parents. But even when she comes back after a gap of around an year, her entry is too smooth, except for the freezing on the ramp part.

The performance of Kangana was superb. She had given a good performance and perhaps her character was more believing. One more thing - the director gives us a notion that the industry is full of gays.

No offense meant to anyone, but seriously, I expected something more better!

Kidnap

Saw the movie two days backs. Hmmm… don’t know what exactly to say. Wouldn’t like to call it an entertainer.

The movie is just the old wine in a new bottle. I expected something more out of the movie. No action, mystery, thrill, or entertainment. The story is very plain. Kabir, an orphan kidnaps Sonia, the daughter of a billionaire, Vikrant Raina. To free his daughter Vikrant has to pick up the clues given by Kabir, solve them and reach till them. The clues are riddles like ‘akkad bakkad’ none of which Vikrant solves in the beginning. I had felt that there would be something interesting while he tries to solve the riddles. But though he doesn’t solve them, he is given the next clues. Finally somehow Vikrant manages to reach Kabir, or rather Kabir comes to Vikrant. The father is forced to commit crimes like stealing, freeing a culprit, and eventually a murder to free his daughter. All for what? Revenge! Kabir, as a boy was sent to jail for a crime which he didn’t do and the person who sent him behind the bars was Vikrant. So that’s the thread. Kabir makes Vikrant commit crimes and gives a vent to his revenge.

Coming to the cast, Imraan Khan is seen in an extreme opposite character to his debut. He has done well and has managed to maintain the serious look all through the movie. Perhaps he smiled only once or twice in the movie (not sure ;)). Minissha Lamba, as you all know has an entirely new look. Well she’s good but has nothing much to do apart from singing and dancing. Sanjay Dutt is good and so is Vidya Malvade, but its hard to believe that she is the mother of an 18-year old… :O

That’s all about Kidnap...
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Rock On!!!

I was quite eager to watch this movie. And I know I am quite late in making this post. Already reviews of Rock On have flooded the internet. I was excited by the publicity posters and music. Watching Farhan Akhtar acting in the movie was another added attraction.

To be honest, a simple movie with great music. I found it bearing striking resemblances with Dil Chahta Hai. Don’t know to what extent my observation is correct. But it was good to watch. The plot, as all of you know, is a story about four friends, who have formed a rock band and try to make a mark for their music. The four friends are portrayed by Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, and Luke. The story takes us through the good times they spend together, as well as their breaking apart, and finally their re-union. Based on the values of friendship, the story inspires us to do what we love rather than love what we do.

The music was strikingly different. I loved the tracks Socha Hai and Pichle Saat Dinon. There was a refreshingly new touch to the movie with the tracks, the new faces (not new, but they seemed so), and the story. I especially loved the hairdos and makeup of the band members. When the story ran 10 years ahead, each of them looked amazingly different.

One more aspect I loved about the movie was the style of narration. It was not a complete flash back. It was sort of to and fro style. The flash back kept coming in every now and then. This technique was good especially because otherwise some parts would have been monotonous, like the scenes between Farhan and his wife onscreen.

To conclude, a good movie… :)

Love this!

Main Kabhi Batlata Nahin
Par Andhere Se Darta Hoon Main Maa

Yun To Main,Dikhlata Nahin
Teri Parwaah Karta Hoon Main Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Hain Na Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata,Meri Maa

Bheed Mein Yun Na Chodo Mujhe
Ghar Laut Ke Bhi Aa Naa Paoon Maa
Bhej Na Itna Door Mujkko Tu
Yaad Bhi Tujhko Aa Naa Paoon Maa
Kya Itna Bura Hoon Main Maa
Kya Itna Bura Meri Maa

Jab Bhi Kabhi Papa Mujhe
Jo Zor Se Jhoola Jhulate Hain Maa
Meri Nazar Dhoondhe Tujhe
Sochu Yahi Tu Aa Ke Thaamegi Maa

Unse Main Yeh Kehta Nahin
Par Main Seham Jaata Hoon Maa
Chehre Pe Aane Deta Nahin
Dil Hi Dil Mein Ghabraata Hoon Maa
Tujhe Sab Hai Pata Hai Naa Maa
Tujhe Sab Hai Pata Meri Maa

Main Kabhi Batlata Nahin
Par Andhere Se Darta Hoon Main Maa
Yun To Main,Dikhlata Nahin
Teri Parwaah Karta Hoon Main Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata, Hain Na Maa
Tujhe Sab Hain Pata,Meri Maa

As most of you know, this is the lyrics of the song from the popular Hindi movie Taare Zameen Par. By now most of us would have already watched the movie. As for all, this was a much awaited movie by me also. The promos had attracted me and promised something really different also. When it was released, I was at Trivandrum, and over there, getting tickets for a Hindi movie was not at all difficult. So when we made a plan to watch the movie, I was informed by my colleagues that getting the tickets is difficult. At first it was difficult to believe, but when I saw the queue for myself, I was convinced. With much difficulty we got our tickets, but to our disappointment, we had to sit at three different locations and that too in the second row from the front. :-( I was really sad. But within five minutes of commencement of the movie, all my sorrows vanished. I didn't care about straining my neck for three hours, but looked forward to watching the whole movie.

The initial scenes actually showed me a different aspect of the world we live in. The colors, the themes, and joys. Looking through Darsheel's eyes, I was beginning to feel like a child exploring the world. In fact at times I felt embarrassed at times that I never looked at my life so lively. I especially loved the way he put in the colors, watched open-mouthed at things, and how he arrived at the conclusion of 3 x 9.

I appreciate the creativity of the whole crew and cast involved. I watched the movie again for the pleasure it invoked. I don't think there would be anybody who wouldn't know the plot but if any, here it goes. The movie is the story of a boy, Ishaan, who is very weak in studies, but a keen observer and a wonderful painter for his age. His parents are worried for this irresponsible child who has an elder brother who is just the opposite. In an attempt to make him more attentive to his studies, Ishaan is sent to a boarding school against his wishes. This curbs the liveliness in the child. There enters an art teacher who transforms the life of Ishaan. He identifies that the child is suffering from learning disability termed Dyslexia. The second half of the movie shows the efforts of the teacher to bring back the liveliness in the child as well as bring him out of the disorder. And finally we see him as a smart, talented kid. All said so simple, but the movie really deserves a lot of praise.

The movie marked the directorial debut of Aamir Khan. Darsheel (Ishaan) has done his character wonderfully. My words would not be enough to describe the movie. But I would definitely say that I enjoyed each moment of the movie. There was not a single shot I would say was boring, dragging, or unnecessary.

The Owl series

Have you watched The Owl series being broadcast on the television programming band - Jetix? I don't know how famous it is, but I have started watching it frequently nowadays.

The Owl consists of a series of short animated episodes based on an owl. Each episode is just a minute long and features the owl, who tries to overcome unfortunate day to day events in its life. Sometimes its a just worm crawling by or a woodpecker disturbing its sleep. The characters are so well designed, especially the owl. It has a purple body, round, big, bulging yellow eyes, a red beak, and a pair of blue feet, which floats below the body.

All the events finally lead to the disaster of the owl, which is presented in a comical way. Sometimes the whole bird is affected. And sometimes a part of the body. Well, the titles itself shows a pencil sketch of the owl being crushed between "La Chouette" which is how the series is known as.

Well I love this series since its short, entertaining, and character centered. Those who have watched it would agree to me. And those who have not, please watch it. :-)

Great Expectations

The novel by Charles Dickens is perhaps a masterpiece. I read this when I was in my high school and felt that there was a tone of melacholy and loneliness in the narration. It is the story of Pip (Philip), an orphan, but widely believed to be the semi-autobiography of the author.

Pip is a small boy who lives with his elder sister, and her husband. He works as an apprentice with them. Miss Havisham and Estella are two other major characters in the story who influence the life of Pip. Over the years, Pip grow up and he is sponsored by an unknown benefactor. Towards the end we see Pip as a civilized grown up man. Who the benefactor is, is revealed and also some mysteries surrounding the life of Miss Havisham are solved.

The narration adopted is the first person account in which Pip tells us his story. At times I found the story quite complex with a lot of sub-plots. But finally, it was a wonderful read.

Fairy Tales

I still remember that the the first fairy tale I read was that of the sleeping beauty. A princess falls asleep due to a curse on her and sleeps for a hundred years to be woken up only by the kiss of a young handsome prince. The most fascinating thing about these stories were the fantasy involved and the pictures in the books - I loved them. All those princes and princesses with wide blue eyes, red lips, and golden hair, the wonderful castles, the beautiful animals. Even an ugly toad looked cute in fairy tales.

Next book which captured my interest was Cinderella. Now there is nobody who doesn't know the story - rags to riches. Followed by that was Rumpeltiltskin, Snow White and Seven Dwarfs, Pinnochio, The Little Mermaid, Little Red Riding Hood, Rapunzel, Ali Baba and the 40 Thieves, Beauty and the Beast, and so on.

How I loved these books as a child. I was thrilled by the colors - all vibrant and rich. But one thing, I don't know the authors of any. Or is there anything like that? No idea.

I loved the princess in The Sleeping Beauty and always wondered how she could sleep for all these years without waking. When I used to wake up to go to school in the early mornings, how I wished I could be the sleeping princess. The Little Mermaid scared me as there was a mention about a witch who took the princess's voice. Rapunzel was a real beauty. But the thought of the blinded prince falling to the ground made me sad. While the feelings evoked in me after reading Cinderella were different. I too wanted to turn things into beautiful things of my choice. I still love reading fairy tales but not online. I love them as small, thin books, with smooth pages and colorful pictures.