Friday, January 29, 2010
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
3 IDIOTS and PAA are Bollywood choices of 2009
2009 has come to a close and the verdict is out. Bollywood is unanimous in declaring 3 IDIOTS as the movie of the year followed by PAA. While AVATAR is the closest contender from Hollywood and KAMINEY too follows close, it`s the antics of Rajkumar Hirani and Aamir Khan, the biggest `idiots` of all, which have won hearts all over the country. Naturally, the feeling is that of ecstasy and euphoria as industry comes together to hail 3 IDIOTS.
"3 IDIOTS was the best film of 2009", declares Kareena Kapoor who is also the (only) leading in the film and shared screen space with Aamir Khan for the first time in her career. Similar are the sentiments shared by Neetu Chandra who is nowhere connected to 3 IDIOTS but still feels that it was the best that 2009 had to offer. "I loved 3 IDIOTS because it is an inspiring film. It`s not just an Aamir show all the way. Whether it is Maddy (Madhavan), Sharman or Boman - everyone has done so well in it. It is an amazing film with some fantastic music."
On the other hand Imtiaz Ali, whose own LOVE AAJ KAL did find good appreciation amongst the youth, is rooting for AVATAR. He loved 3 IDIOTS but when it came to cinematic experience, he believes that AVATAR was the best movie of 2009.
There are other film makers as well who believe that movies other than 3 IDIOTS have also made a mark in 2009. One such film maker is Sanjay Gadhvi, director of DHOOM series, for whom PAA was the movie of the year. "It`s the best film of the year because I am a huge fan of Mr. Bachchan. It was very gutsy of him to act and produce a film like this. This was a brilliant performance from not just him but also Abhishek Bachchan and Vidya Balan", he says.
Sophie Choudry, who is happy being an actress, singer and performer, doesn`t wish to pick only one film. She agrees that 3 IDIOTS is her favourite in 2009 but she also loved a couple of completely diverse films that boasted of an offbeat theme and an unconventional narrative. "I loved both PAA as well as KAMINEY", says Sophie, "Of course 3 IDIOTS deserves all the appreciation since Raju Hirani is an absolute genius and the entire cast was superb in the film."
If 3 IDIOTS, PAA, AVATAR and KAMINEY found some honourable mention, as repeated by writer Mushtaq Sheikh who found each of these films as `complete paisa vasool`, there were also a few other choices with WANTED also coming trumps. Co-director of JASHNN, Raksha Mistry, loved the film and this is the reason that she stated, "I liked the presence of a retro man in a lead role after an overdose of metro sexual men. Yes, 3 IDIOTS leads from the front but the significance of WANTED can`t be ignored."
A statement that finds (obvious) nod of agreement from the film`s producer Boney Kapoor, "I have heard great things about 3 IDIOTS but I haven`t seen it yet. However, WANTED is my favourite because it came at the time when everybody was making films for multiplexes and overseas. Somehow we had forgotten heartland cinema. Success of WANTED is a good case study for cinema business in today`s times. Yes, it`s a fact that multiplexes bring in substantial revenue but one cannot ignore single screen business as well."
On the other hand Rituparna Sengupta confesses that she was floored on seeing AVATAR. "It was just an awesome film", she gushes, "I haven`t seen PAA and 3 IDIOTS though which are supposed to be two of the best films this year." Amongst English films, there were some takers for 2012 as well. Says Sonu Sood, "It was the best film of the year. I felt it was very entertaining and technically a very well made film."
Minissha Lamba too came with a unique choice as she went gaga over DEV D. "I loved 3 IDIOTS but then I also loved DEV D. It was a fabulous movie", she smiles. However, Tusshar Kapoor didn`t have any alternate choice to state. "Is that really a question that which movie is the best of 2009? Come on, obviously, there is going to be just one answer - 3 IDIOTS."
Friday, January 1, 2010
Paa 2009 Movie Review
ZANJEER broke the shackles after 13 consecutive flops. AGNEEPATH was an experiment that had a class of its own. BLACK broke all barriers and now comes PAA. Let`s give a standing ovation to the man who dominated the 80s and 90s and continues to surprise with his talent and willingness to subject himself to roles that require make-up for a complete change in appearance. Mr Amitabh Bachchan, for you Sir... the applause refuses to die off...
Playing a 13-year-old with a rare disease which causes him to age before time, Amitabh is class personified. Displaying an amazing flair and getting into character is like a cake-walk for him as Progeria (the disease he suffers from) ravages his tiny body. A special child with special abilities, Auro immediately makes a special place in your heart as you follow his short and brilliant life.
No self pity, just full of masti a kid his age would be. Auro has friends who form his support system apart from his mother (Vidya Balan) and his grandma who he lovingly calls `Bum`
R Balakrishnan (aka R Balki) has tackled a very complex subject and has brought out the beauty of relationships in a very forceful manner without even one relationship in the movie going over the top. Be it the relationship between Vidya and Auro; Auro and his Bum, Auro and his friends or even Amol Arte (Abhishek Bachchan) and his dad (Paresh Rawal). Though centered around Auro and his disorder, Balki manages to draw all relationships to the fore.
Balki also manages to throw a positive light on sticky issues. Although he gets the point of the over-enthusiastic media, use of condoms, abortion and the political angle in, he does not sound preachy.
Christien Tinsley and Dominie Till turn a 66-year-old-plus Amitabh to a very believable 13-year-old with their prosthetic make-up. And Amitabh, with his walking, talking and body language draws you even closer to Auro creating that Aura. Nothing flashy. He just delivers his lines like any, normal 13-year-old would.
Really, this movie is all about Auro and a kid that explodes from Amitabh. Vidya Balan is sedate and super in her role as the caring single mother. Abhishek is solid as the politician who will not let anything come between his dreams and Auro`s friend, Vishnu is a treat.
Not much was revealed of the story before the release and I too will not spoil it for you by saying much. All I can say is that the end will have you reaching out for the kleenex.
Yes, Abhishek is his Paa. Yes, it`s a rare father-son-son-father story. Yes, I think the makers should also consider putting a proposal to making PAA tax free. Also every paa should take his family for this movie.