Kabhie Kabhie-1976

“Kabhi rashte mein mil jao, to katra ke gujar jana. Humein is tarah takna ki pehchana nahi tumne
Humara jikr jab aaye, to yun anjaan ban jana. Ki jaise naam sun kar bhi humein jana nahi tumne”

The above lines by Sahir Sahab is efficient enough to describe the chemistry between the lead pair of the movie. Kabhie Kabhie with a huge ensemble cast is a cinematic excellence. It’s a poetic expression of an altogether different love story ever told on the Indian celluloid or may be even in the world cinema.

In a romance genre mostly stories are pretty obvious. Either the lead pair will meet or not. Then there a comes an exception of multi-dimensional romance tale where one will find his or her love & other will not. But Kabhie Kabhie is an overall complex but brilliantly told verse. Here the importance is given basically to the emotion called Love.

Amit & Pooja falls in love due to Amit’s poetic abilities. But sooner they depart & Pooja gets married to Vijay, as they don’t want to oppose their parents. Before leaving the city Amit presents his book also named as Kabhie Kabhie to Pooja as a marriage presents. Further Vijay also presents the same book to Pooja on their first night. Later they have a son named Vikram aka Vicky. Amit have a daughter named Sweety with his wife Anjali. Vikram falls in love with Pinky who is the illegitimate daughter of Anjali. Now Pinky goes on to meet Anjali & Vicky follows her, where Sweety too falls for Vicky. Also Amit couldn’t forget Pooja. So what happen further is all the movie about.

The pre-climax conversation between Amit & Vijay is the epitome of a romance saga. The way in which husband & ex-boyfriend of a woman discuss their feeling is quite impossible to happen in real but is believable in a liberal conditions. The movie depicts the pain of the main protagonist successfully. Also the dilemma of the female character is quite stirring.

Also the story is some what connecting a very wide horizon in all. On one hand the main pair doesn’t elope out from their home to get married. They obediently follow the wish of their parents. And on the other hand the character of Shashi Kapoor asks his son in a friendly tone that whether he has taken drink before or not. If then goes on. Such situation in Indian scenario is way too liberal now also. You can’t find such a father son duo. Where son ask his father to make a drink. Though in the movie Shashi Kapoor mouthed a dialogue that “Ajeeb tarah ka Kapoor hai, sharab warab peeta hi nahi” making a sarcasm on his own clan only.

Yash Chopra is regarded as the master of romance in Indian Cinema. He has directed pretty successful movies in this genre, one or two cult also. But Kabhie Kabhie is different. The couple who are in love in their youth & pretty much now too, are shown as in-laws to their respective son & daughters. That too without being incest. It is the epitome of romance inter woven with high pitch drama. And the way of execution, treatment to the script is poetic, which rather increase the classic value of the movie. Their are various frame which are epic mostly where Amit, Vijay & Pooja share screen at the same time. It also touches the romance in two generation, having multi dimension in every generation

Amitabh Bachchan as Amitabh “Amit” Malhotra has shown the world for first time that he will not stick to the label of Angry Young Man. He could do romance & drama as brilliantly as action & intense role. First you could see the innocence of youth romantic couple on his face which turns to the drastic intensity when the girls leaves. Further it brings a silence in his life because of the love only which is a source for the poems, once. Raakhee as Pooja Khanna matches Amitabh in every frame in every way. She has shown the dilemma when she is been presented with the same book by her husband in their honeymoon. Neither she can cry nor smile, neither reject nor enjoy. Also whenever Amit came across her in life, her eyes sparkle with the emotion to meet their loved once. Shashi Kapoor as Vijay Khan & Waheeda Rehman as Anjali “Anju” Malhotra are more than better. Simi Garewal as Shobha Kapoor & Parikshit Sahni as Dr. R.P. Kapoor as the foster parent of Pinky impresses too. Neetu Singh as Pinky Kapoor & Rishi Kapoor as Vikram “Vicky” Khanna has probably given one of their career best performance. Naseem as Sweety Malhotra doesn’t get much scope. Deven Verma brings a laugh & two in cameo.

If Kabhie Kabhie is a cinematic poem than the verses are filled by none other than The Sahir Ludhianvi. Those poems are translated into melody by Khayyam Sahab. Every song is a gem. Right from the lyrics to tune, every thing is pitch perfect. Music score 10/10 in every section. One can’t expect much better than this. Especially, Main Pal Do Pal Ka Shayar Hoon which opens the movie perfectly ends the movie by getting moulded into Main Har Ek Pal Ka Shayar Hoon. Both the song depicts the scenario of the movie very well. The former one is an eternal saga of the life. It’s an universal definition of life from every perspective.

Cinematography is pretty good. Kashmir has been shown with the beauty of nature. Editing is excellent. Showing such a moviewith so many song in around 165 min is way too good. Though climax could be cut in today’s time reducing the drama to a little extent, but according to that time space, it deserve appraisals.

Overall, if you haven’t watch this till now, it’s a blunder for any movie goer around the world. It is one of the world class musical drama. It can compete with any other musical drama from any part of world, from any time period. The story will never get out dated. It’s a visionary tale from YRF. The finest from Yash Chopra

Barfi!

“Barfii”

The most spoken word of the movie, only word spoken by the lead character. Barfii is based on the life of it’s lead character which is originally named as Murphy, inspired by old Indian radio company. He is born deaf & dumb. But the movie doesn’t showcase the incapabilities rather it focus on the love & joy. It enjoys the journey called as life. Also the movie is a kind of tribute to the Hollywood motion picture of silent era. Ranbir performs various acts of Chaplin & Keaton. Some acts are included from Mr. Bean also.

Barfii lives in Darjeeling with his father who is a driver. Shruti arrives in the city & Barfii instantly fall for her. Later he came to know that she is already engaged to someone else. In between his father’s get ailed. He needs some money for his father’s treatment. He plans to kidnap Jhilmill, daughter of his father’s boss, who is not completely stable, mentally. They started sharing vibes. Rest of the story should be unveiled by watching it.

Now acting wise it has some versatile performances. Right from Priyanka, Ileana, Sourabh Shukla, Ashish Vidyarthi etc. All have tried to deliver their best. But one man who takes the performance completely to the different level is Ranbir. He is the Tramp of Bollywood. He is a better Charlie Chaplin than his grand father Raj Kapoor or any other Kapoor from his family. He has performed once again & to a completely different character with utmost sincerity & touch of fineness. Priyanka matches him completly in every frame. Though Ileana looks side lined but then also she has performed her part well.All the rest part provide adequate support.

Anurag Basu has given some fine films in past also. But he emerges as a fine story teller this time. It’s a simple story but apart from performances, the way of story telling also makes the movie interesting. He has handled the complex subject with complete sensibility. Anurag is succeeded in providing emotional touch in climax. Some where screenplay looks unbearable but it can be neglected. Cinematography is decent. Choreography suits Ranbir.

Though the lead is mute but as the movie is a Hindi entertainer, songs are must. Mohit Chauhan is now becoming the voice of Ranbir, as Mukesh used to be for his grand father. Ala Barfii, Phir le aaya dil are the two songs which stand out from the entire album. Music could be much better. Lyrics are much better than the music.

Overall, Barfii, is a must watch for all those who are fan of either of the three stars in the movie. Or if you have liked Ranbir in Rockstar,than also it’s a must watch. Okay, you can’t compare the two character, may be the previous one has much more spark. But than it’s also a larger than life persona justified on the big screen. So go for it

Rating- Three & a Half Out of Five

Chaplin-1992

“If you want to understand me, watch my movies”

This is the line from one the greatest comic star ever to grace the silver screen, Charlie Chaplin or Sir Charles Chaplin as he is called after the knighthood. It shows his dedication, passion & love for cinema. The life of the greatest star of silent cinema is in itself a kind of script for a great movie.

Chaplin is a biopic on celluloid, which shows both, life & view of Chaplin, as an actor & a humanitarian or communal as the American calls him. Chaplin is way outspoken & frank in putting his views in front of audience & people. This is  the reason why he had some people as an enemy for him, one of them is J. Edgar who later sets up FBI. Edgar thinks Chaplin as communal because of his outspoken nature. Chaplin goes on to make his tramp silent for most of the years, after the introduction of talkies also. He has own point of view. He makes want he wants to see. He never cared of people or any one else. He never compromised. These are the characteristics drawn out of the motion picture.

Though Chaplin’s life has all the element of great cinema from family drama, emotions, love & controversy except comedy. This is the greatest satire that a man who make generation to laugh never have  a good laugh. He was raised in poverty by an insane mother. May be from there the madness came in his work too, as the writer of his auto biography suspects too. Than in younger days for the first time when he falls in love, he can’t even kissed the girl & leaves to America & they never meet again. Further his next two marriage goes in vain. As from Charlie’s point of view there were with him, for his fortune. Later he marries for third time but he could not devote time to her. And finally he marries for the fourth & final time, which last for ever. May be it’s a coincidence or choice that most of the girls are in their teen ages when Chaplin marries them. May be he was in search for his first love. Later he falls for controversy & have to leave America. The film ends with Charlie returning to America to receive a special honor award from Academy.

Richard Attenborough was the master of biopic cinema. He knows how to tell past in present. He won Academy Award for presenting Gandhi on Celluloid. And this time with Chaplin, he present another legendary persona on screen. This time he tells the story, as if viewer thinks that he is turning the pages himself, from one of the greatest biopic in presence of the writer & editor the biography. Richard Attenborough also manages to look his actor as the character he is playing. Search Google Images any character of the movie, it is almost similar to the one playing on screen. Right from Chaplin to his all four wives, or any other actor of that time. Also Richard use same actress to play Charlie’s first love & final wife whom he really loves too.

Movie has a hell of star cast. Robert Downey, Jr., Dan Aykroyd, Kevin Kline, Moira Kelly, Anthony Hopkins, Marisa Tomei, Milla Jovovich, Diane Lane, Kevin Dunn & Geraldine Chaplin, daughter of Chaplin. But the man who shines in all is no one else than  Robert Downey, Jr. Mostly playing himself on screen, it’s first time he is in the character. It is a role of life time for Robert Downey, Jr. Also the child who plays Chaplin 5 year old also needs appraisal. All the other star cast have performed their part well.

Overall, it’s a good biopic. It never goes slow or fast. It has content to tell. The man has all in his life to pain, emotion, high & lows, everything. A must watch to know the man & to see a great cinematic experience.

Rating- Four Out of Five

Charlie Wilson’s War

“These things happened. They were glorious and they changed the world… and then we fucked up the endgame” & “You can teach ’em to type, but you can’t teach ’em to grow tits.”

Who could imagine the above two line are said by one person. Charlie Wilson’s War, a biopic on Charlie Wilson, could be  a wonderful satire, if it’s not real. But bloody hell, the world, is the biggest satire in itself. Charlie Wilson, a womanizer, alcoholic who further able to raise the fund for Afghanistan’s military aid against Soviet Union from $5 million to $500 million, single handedly. But when he ask for $1 million for raising the schools in Afghanistan, the committee rejects his proposal.

Charlie Wilson, an US congressman is sent to Pakistan & Afghanistan by Joanne Herring to go check the front. There he see the miserable life of people. The condition of local women, children & other things. He comes back with the thought to help Afghans in their war against Soviet Union. Also US & Soviet are in state of cold war from pretty long time. So they goes on to raise fund, collects arms & ammunition from different part of the world, which can bring the soviet union helicopter down. Finally they succeeds in their mission, but when they tries to build the nation they get devastated by their government.

Though Charlie Wilson’s War is a biopic but it never gets boring. It is a fun watch. It is a movie with heart, content & message. If it shows the Soviet Union as antagonist, it also shows the grey side of US. Any other director could turn it into a boring documentary, but Mike Nichols comes up with an entertainer with flying colours.

The most important aspect of the movie is it’s star cast & their performance. It has a long star flooded unit ranging from Tom Hanks, Julia Roberts,  Philip Seymour Hoffman, Emily Blunt, Amy Adams to Om Puri. But the two out of all who sparks really well are Hanks & Hoffman. Hanks as Charlie & Hoffman As Gust are remarkable. Though they have pretty much complex character, but than there is an element of humor in both of them. Roberts & Amy provide adequate support to the lead. Emily blunt is in very short role. Then there is Ned Betty too, who played his part well. Om Puri brings the accent of South Asian way natural. As president of Pakistan Zia Ul Haq, he left his mark in Hollywood arena.

Overall, it’s  a must watch movie. Though it’s a biopic, than also one can put it in many genre like, drama, satire, entertainer, may be in romance. There is a lot of vibes between the character of Roberts & Hanks. So overall it’s a the complete worth of cinematic experience.

Rating : Four Out of Five

Special Squad-2005

“Aryan Khanna…… Special Squad” or “Special Squad hamesha aapke saath”

Either one of the above, may be the line you would get to hear in every episode. I have stated earlier also, that I won’t write a review to TV serials, it’s a kind of homage to some of my favorite series on idiot box. Special squad aired somewhere around 2005 on Star One. Later it was re-run on many other subsidiary of Star channel. Special Squad as name suggests, is a crime investigative serial. But it differ from other serial with a very wide gap of differences. It was a series of 52 episode.

Though in Special Squad, every episode begins with a new crime, but than also somewhere in the background a general story is going on. A story mainly revolving around it’s ACP Aryan Khanna. ACP  Aryan Khanna played by Bhanu Uday, is haunted by the memory of the murder of his wife & daughter. It is the only unsolved case of his career. In the series of 52 episode, the serial can be divided into 5 main phases. First 20 some thing episode shows Aryan sharing some vibes with his colleague & other special squad member, Shaina played by Kuljeet Randhawa. Than came the next phase of 4-5 episode, where Aryan encounters another cop known as Raja, who is a culprit in one of the case & later he frame up Aryan in a murder case. It ends with shoot out between Aryan & Raja, following by Raja’s death. Due to this a special inspection member called Deepika Ghosh played by Gauri Pradhan, is sent at Special Squad office, which starts the third phase. Here all the cases are re opened at a gap of 10 years also. Also there is a kind of cold war between Shaina & Deepika, somewhere because of Aryan. Than came the most intreting phase of Special Squad where Bomber enter the screen. Bomber played by Murli Sharma, is a terrorist who is assumed dead in records. He came back as a vigilante. And the last & final phase is after phase where Shaina has left the Special Squad & somewhere down the line Aryan & Deepika starts sharing vibes which ends with death of Aryan in last episode.

Apart from the character discussed, there are some more character. Ajay-Boxer played by Pankit Thakker & Iqbal Azad respectively, are kind of buddy cop. They bring some moments of gags in between. Ajay is also flirting with the Neha played by Manava Naik, a computer expert at Special Squad. Than there is Dr. Ved played by Paritosh Sand as the head of the forensic department. He also have a past due to which he has to betray Aryan for Raja. He also have a daughter murdered in 5th episode, who also is special squad trainee. Than there is Vineet Sabharwal as Papaji or Jogi ji, as an assistant to Dr. Ved. He is an alcoholic, but dedicated member. Than came Raj Banarjee as Shotgun is a print specialist. He is kind of proud or egoistic. There is Farzil as photographer

Apart from crime sequences & the story of Aryan, every character has been sketched brilliantly. All of them have some family problem, which is shown in some of the episode, for each. Also some of the time, members from Special Squad only becomes the suspect. They also share a perfect bonding among all. Even after when Aryan comes to know about Ved, he just offers his condolence. He doesn’t show any sign of anger for him.

Now Bhanu Uday as Aryan Khanna has played a role for his life time. He is in the character so deeply, that some time you forget that it’s a serial going on screen. It’s some other character who comes on screen & you realizes that “Oh, it’s a serial on air”. Specially in the episode involving Bomber, one can see multiple expressions on his face at a single time. He is frustrated, angry, excited, haunted by the memory of his family, have a guilt that Bomber escaped from his custody, have pressure of Commissioner & many other. But he displayed all with guts. Many other episode also you can show him getting haunted by the images of his wife & daughter. The scene where he saw the dead body of his daughter for first time, is hair raising. Other cast has also played there part well. Especially Kuljeet, Paritosh, & Vineet.

The execution of story is well. The action scenes can be performed much better. Cinematography is just good. Direction is much better. The major applaud after performance & story goes to , it’s background score. It goes up & down with the thrills in the story. It tightens the feel of thrill.

Overall, it’s a kind of cult series. Though it doesn’t gets it’s due. The lead actors are missing from lime light(Kuljeet committed suicide, later). There is nothing much attention to it as other dumb romance drama gets. But it is the serial with enough punch & content.