Greetings my folks in cinema. First of all, I wish you all a very happy Diwali. May we all be blessed always so that we continue to be the light, the world needs at the moment.
This article is not really a review, but my thoughts on the state of the films that come out of an industry we fondly call ‘Bollywood’.
Over the past few months I saw a few films (Kidnap, Drona, Hello and Roadside Romeo) and what I am going to cover here is what I felt of all those films, in a kind of combined review (Ah-ha!! The first of it’s kind). Before I proceed any further I would like to state that I never reviewed any of those films as I felt it to be a waste of my time, except I nearly got myself to review Kidnap, but then with a heavy heart I didn’t.
So what’s happening here guys? I mean after a mind blowing film like ‘A Wednesday’ we get these types of movies coming our way. One step forward and it’s back to Go?
Kidnap – Worked for me in some places. Imran was good, I felt it carried it well. The script wasn’t good at all. Sanju Baba looked like he was sleep walking the role (sorry but that’s what I saw). Minisha Lamba was NOT convincing as a teenage, and Vidya was NOT convincing as her mom. They should have reversed the roles that might have been convincing. The director took to many cinematic liberties (costumes, songs), it just hay-wire. If the director had to stay away from the Bollywood formula, this would have been a great film. I said Bollywood formulas, NOT Commercial ingredients, for those of you who do not know the difference yet.
DRONA – Was this actually made? God I hoped it was a dream, but alas no. We have actually made a film like this in today’s day and age. HHhhmmm. Someone has a lot of money to put on the table, when we have Jnr Bachchan as a superhero. Let’s face ti guys, the lad has not got it. The man’s father is something else and I always believed and hoped that this chap would inherit it, but I have been proven wrong. Anyways back to the film, my only disappointment worth crying about was ‘Mr. Kay Kay – what, why and how did you end up being in this film?’. Forgiven once sir, the second time might be costly. Finally, is it me going nuts, or did I really hear that Goldie wants to make a sequel to this film? That brings me to my next film….
Hello!!!! – Well I learnt a lesson or two here 1) Never make a film just because everyone in your family (specially extended – Amrita (God forgive me – this woman is a waste of reel life) Arora) wants to be in it, and 2) being a writer myself, never fantasize that I want my stories should be handed over to anyone to be transformed onto celluloid. This could have been much better, perhaps even amplifies the book, but this was a real let down. This film was average or below (depending on how you saw it). I am a Salmaan fan, but he doesn’t work in this film. Mr. Agnihotri – wake up and realize that you either are making a cliché film (and for that you can go back to the lost brothers formula) OR have the balls to take on something different and make it the way it should be.
Roadside Romeo – First of all kudos to the Yash Raj studios and a huge pat on the back for the collaboration with Walt Disney pictures. Great news. India is gaining the attention of the world, and this is another evidence of it Now the film itself? That’s something else, and before you folk start moaning, let me educate you ‘a Charlie Anna’ hangover of a character does NOT make a film. The story was so damn old, the screenplay stale and the consistency in the direction was not worth mentioning. Charlie Anna (Javed Jaffery) was just about average, with some (few) quirky lines here and there. Reference points to some Bollywood films was charming. The music score was average too. What the hell was a full blown kiss doing in that film. Was this a kids film or a non-kids film? Animation can be both. Look at The Simpsons – brilliant stuff for non-kids. Come on Yash Raj people, have some ethics towards your audience and this world we live in. You guys once represented sweet romance and the feel good films and in recent years you come up with not just dud films but questionable films (Laage chunari mein daag??????. What was that about and who thought of that subject?).
It’s been such a disappointment seeing these films specially after having watched ‘A Wednesday’ (Brilliant in every sense). A film that came out of ‘Bollywood’ too.
Going forward I am looking forward to the year – Gajni, Rab Ne Banaya Jodi and Chandni Chawk to China Town. In between I am sure that there will be small films that come out and rock our world, make us smile and make us laugh (intentionally), but looking at new India – I am quiet sure these will NOT come from the big production houses but from independent ones, and quiet possibly supported by UTV.
Till then, take care and relish the wonders of the medium called Cinema. Watch carefully, enjoy tremendously, learn silently and take the goodness of it all and share it with the world. BTW, Fashion is just released and the feedback is very encouraging, will see it this week and get back. Phew, finally (i hope).
My name is Tagore Almeida (www.tagorealmeida.com) and I am a technologist by profession, an inspiring film writer and a humanitarian. Read more about me at my site. Love, Light and ACTION!!
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loved kidnap imran was great too bad it didnt do well
PLZ MAN U SHUD KEEP YOUR ADVICE TO YRSELF. WE DONT HAVE TIME TO READ YR BORING ARTICLES. SO HOPE NOT TO SEE ANYMORE FROM U. THANKS…