Wednesday, July 20, 2011

A Few Movies that Deserved Better

Almost every Indian is a movie buff, especially when it comes to Bollywood movies. But such is the fickle mindedness of the public that still no one can predict whether a film will work at the box office or not. Lot of undeserving movies get lucky, but in this article I will talk about a few films that did not exactly strike gold but definitely deserved to do so. 

1. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (1994): Long time back, when Shahrukh Khan was still trying to establish himself in Bollywood, (i.e., not playing Raj or Rahul) he appeared in totally uncoventional  roles. And one such character would be Sunil in Kabhi Haa, Kabhi Naa. The movie was Kundan Shah's second directorial venture after the hugely acclaimed Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. Although this work cannot be termed as a classic or in the league of his debut film, it still manages to remain a great movie. The film is a delightful comic entertainer in the mould of Hrishikesh Mukherjee or Basu Chatterjee movies. It is basically a love triangle set in the backdrop of Goa, wonderfully capturing the small town ethos of that place. Characterization is emphasized in the movie and the everyone in the cast delivers affable performances. But of course the best character is SRK's. He is not a perfect guy, infact he is a total loser. He has flunked his exams, his Dad has given up on him, his band members hate him, and worst of all, the girl he loves dearly, ends up marrying another guy! But it is in all his failings that we love Sunil, he is infectious. He strikes a personal chord with you because at some point or other, we were like Sunil in life. In these days of heroes with 6 pack abs, foreign educated, driving in flashy cars, wearing designer dresses, a character like Sunil is sorely missed. The movie also has great scores from Jatin Lalit like Ae Kash Ke Hum, Deewana Dil Deewana etc. Watch it if you still haven't is my suggestion.

2. Khaamoshi (1996): Only one thing could have let this movie down, its music (considering the fact that it was publicized as a musical). Other than two soulful numbers, Jatin-Lalit waiver in what could have been a dream debut for Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Although the movie was praised by critics, it failed to create ripples at the box-office though it contained some of the best ensemble acting one will ever see in a Hindi movie. Not only were the individual actors brilliant, they meshed together like parts in a Swiss watch. Such is their teamwork that you almost start imagining them as one family! Technically, the film is one of the best one will ever watch. The climax is a bit shoddy though, but it is the camera work that strikes you- quiet and unobtrusive. There are no wasted movements and the frame always manages to seem perfect. The movie was totally shot in a single place and this gives the movie a coherence that seemed to be lacking in those days movies (No dream songs to go to Mauritius!). The editing is also clean, though it could have been sharper. Manisha Koirala was a revelation, considering she was acting opposite actors like Nana Patekar and Seema Biswas. She held her own, using her body language to almost perfection (for e.g., she constantly uses her hands, especially when she explains her music to her parents). Even Salman Khan with his self-depreciating demeanor and the easy way in which he handled his role was lovable. All in all, a really good debut gone waste for the eccentric director. (watch out for the young gal who plays Manisha's younger version)

3. Socha Na Tha (2005): The debut film of Imtiaz Ali (of Jab We Met fame), Abhay Deol and Ayesha Takia (unofficially) was not a classic movie in any sense, but it had a charm of its own. It is basically a love story with loads of light moments. Socha Na Tha is engrossing in parts, but no sooner does the guy realizes that he loves someone else, not the one he has been dating for the past three years, the film becomes one predictable love story with parental opposition and the cliche, and that comes as baggage. Otherwise the film leaves a mark on you. The movie has light moments in plenty, and a few of them have been handled deftly. In fact, director Imtiaz Ali has not only handled the light moments with flourish, but also the delicate moments between Abhay and Ayesha with sensitivity. A lot of unpredictable situations have been woven in the screenplay and that's why the film excites you. Sandesh Sandaliya's music is melodious and the tunes 'Abhi Abhi' and 'Yaara Rab' have a magic of their own. Special mention for the dialogues, they will still connect with the youth of today. On the whole, Socha Na Tha could have been an ideal popcorn flick targeted at the youth but it missed the bus due to inadequate publicity.

4. Lakshya (2004): After successfully attempting a film on male bonding in Dil Chahta Hai, Farhan Akhtar went into a different zone in Lakshya. No one expected him to make a war movie after making an urban cult flick, but the young maverick proved with Lakshya that he would go on to become one of the finest story tellers in contemporary Hindi cinema. However, his storytelling is of the type that may not find universal acceptance. While the intellectual urban will love his style of narrating a story, the classy treatment may not appeal to the hardcore masses looking for entertainment, and that is where Lakshya suffered. Agreed that the editing could have been a bit more taut, but that does not take away the credit of it being the finest war movie ever made. The film lacked histronics and any sort of rhetorism, but still succeeded in making India look like a hero, by not depicting Pakistan seem like a villain (only few references to that connection were present). This film holds good even for those who don't like war movies, with a cleverly put romantic sub plot between Hrithik Roshan and his once college sweetheart and then crusading journalist Preity Zinta. The story unfolds as the maturing of an aimless upper-middle-class youth against the backdrop of a war. Lakshya does drag at times, but the excellent built up to the climax sort of made up for it. Technical soundness of the movie, like the outstanding cinematography, grand visuals and sound action sequences make it a winner. The gradual changes in the protagonist's life - his metamorphosis from an ordinary to an extraordinary life - is depicted with flourish. My personal favourite scene is the last one, watch it to feel it!

5. Swades (2004): “There are entertaining films, there are artistic films, and there are some films that are simply necessary”. - Jack Lemmon. Swades unfortunately fell in the last category. A simple but inspirational experience, Swades must be seen by every Indian, not to be educated about his or her country’s problems, but rather to be reminded about a responsibility to act and make a difference. Director Ashutosh Gowariker gave patriotism a new face in Mohan Bhargav, played aptly by Shahrukh Khan. This might perhaps be his best and most under rated performance as the NASA returned scientist in search of his childhood nanny. And he is ably supported by Gayatri Joshi, who teaches at the local school, hoping to create some sort of change for the better. Her serenely beautiful portrayal of the confident city returned gal in an ideological conflict with SRK is full of grace and poise, making her the dream woman of every sensible man. Gowarikar’s writing is strongly focused, characterization once again, proving to be his forte. Like Lagaan, Swades too tells the story of good triumphing over evil. This time however, evil has no face but is rather equated with regressive ideology. The enemy lies within in the form of passive acceptance of injustice by those who suffer it and ignorance by those who witness it. Agreed that the climax was not thrilling as Lagaan, but the sheer simplicity of the movie blows you away. Javed Akhtar’s lyrics effectively ponder over these emotions through powerful musical interludes such as “Yeh Jo Des Hai Mera”. My personal favourite scenes are the ones when SRK realizes his nanny's words that "one needs to light the lamp in his own house before lighting up the neighbor’s" through his visit to a village to collect tax from a farmer. They will go down in cinematic history as the best scenes ever. The only place where the film loses is the finesse (dubbing sound quality, camerawork) and lack of entertainment that our audience so dearly wants. But still, its definitely a must watch for every Indian once, even under the garb of being branded as a 'documentary', if necessary...  


(The films that loses narrowly in the top 5 are Ek Haseena Thi, Rocket Singh and Luck By Chance because they were not exactly bombs at the box office and also because the above 5 are my choice :) )
P.S. Some of the excerpts about the movie has been taken from the reviews by Taran Adarsh's artcile for reference purpose

1 comment:

  1. oho..someone is writing reviews :) pata h swades was one of the movies who were shown recently in college as a case study for community mobilization.

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