Madras Cafe is the best Indian political thriller

How many political films have been made in India? Very very few. Infact, even after probing my mind for sometime, I could just come up with Aandhi and Chakravyuh. There is no dearth of films which tries to weave a story keeping the politicians at the background. Most of these films talks about the politician-criminal nexus and the criminalization of politics in different states such as Bihar, UP or Mumbai, but there is no film which can be compared with a film like 'Madras Cafe'.

'Madras Cafe' takes off at a breathtaking pace and keeps the audience at the edge of the seat all through out. It is an espionage thriller but it can't be compared with anything that has been seen on Indian celluloid. There is no time for romance or emotions because there is a job at hand -- saving the former Prime Minister from assassination.
Even though there are bullet-ridden bodies tumbling across in Jaffna as the civil war rages on, the blood doesn't make one nausea because the camera doesn't linger on a scene for long. There is so much information given at a breezing pace and characters (who are important pieces in this conspiracy) are introduced and removed that there is no time for the audience to get swayed away for anything else than the main plot. There are no unnecessary sub-plots, which kills a good story.

The director Shoojit Sarkar was so dedicated to his craft that he didn't give John Abraham a single scene extra nor did he provide Nargis Fakhri an extra frame. There are no cliched scenes nor any run-of-the-mill dialogues. The film stays grounded all through out and truly committed at telling an unsaid story. Abraham and Nargis are good at their portrayal, while Prakash Belawadi is brilliant as Major Vikram Singh's superior at Jaffna. Even Siddharth Basu makes an interesting debut.

The film will go a long way in educating the country about the then situation in Jaffna and the Sri Lankan issue which not many people might have known otherwise. However, one note of caution, if someone is not at all aware of LTTE or the civil war in Sri Lanka, he or she might find it a little difficult to get a hang of the story and the pace early on.

What is commendable is to see Shoojit trying to tell such a different story after the huge success of Vicky Donar. The 'Yahaan' director, who produced 'Aparajita Tumi',  gives a big hope to the future of Indian film industry. In fine, a welcome relief after 'Chennai Express' and 'OUATIMD'.

'Chennai Express' ka Punchnama

First the disclaimer: I am neither a SRK fan nor m I a SRK hater. I am also not a Rohit Shetty loyal, neither I have the hots for Deepika Padukone. I am a pure film aficionado who 'eat, sleep and breath' films and can't help speak in gibberish tone.

Now, it has been two weeks since 'Chennai Express' hit the theatres and ever since it has broken one record after another and is on its way in becoming the highest grosser ever in Bollywood (I am not saying Indian cinema coz they don't earn money).

While, on one hand, there has been a complete frenzy over the film, there are sections of society who are feeling ashamed to watch CE and are also mourning the death of good cinema with such commercial-over the top-no brainer-potboilers bringing in all the moolahs.

I too watched the film (ofcourse under duress) but then I am not feeling too ashamed because I had a much below expectation from CE. I never considered CE to be a film, rather right from the first time I watched the trailers, I knew it is a business master piece which SRK has pulled off with Rohit Shetty.

When the trailer was released, three things strike me: First, it is aimed to cover the South Indian movie buffs and extend SRK's fanbase. (Since North India and oversees people bow in the name of SRK and they can create a riot at the theatres just by the mention of his name)

Secondly, CE had Rohit Shetty behind the camera, a man who has successfully pulled off the first of its kind Indian movie franchise in the 'Golmaal' series. A man, who after giving hits such as 'Singham' and 'Bol Bachchan', himself enjoys a sort of loyalty from his audience. SO, it meant SRK fans + RS fans.

Thirdly, interestingly, the trailer didn't reveal the plot, which kept SRK fans interested till they go to the theatres. Also Deepika was in a very different role with her 'bokwaas' accent creating a lot of curiosity.

From the time, the CE trailer was released till the film hit the theatres, SRK and RS didn't leave any stones unturned to promote the movie. They gatecrashed/bought/threatened/entered every Tv serials and reality shows to spread the news of CE. No points for guessing what a shrewd and tactical business man Mr SRK is and he went all out for the film.

Interestingly, during the promotion, we also came to know that it was not the script that RS had in mind and infact, it was an old script which RS had in his disposal and it was only at SRK's insistence that he decided to make this film with the super star.

Now the critical discussion. I don't understand why people are ashamed to watch the film. I guess, each and every person who walked into the theatre had a clear idea how the film would be, it was screaming out loud in the trailers that it will follow the trends of a typical Rohit Shetty film with an SRK topping. CE or such films are made but no one forces the audience to come to the theatre but still there are hordes of crowd making a beeline in the first weekend itself. I was shocked to see an 80-year-old lady who could barely walk with a stick, walk out of a Noida theatre. I saw old couples, children alike throng the theatres. So why this hypocrisy now. Moreover, there are many films which are worse than 'Chennai Express'.

However, PERSONALLY, I don't endorse making only such kind of film making and turning the world of cinema into a money churning affairs and killing the art completely. I know this unfortunate trend will continue for sometime because film making has completely become a business and actors such as SRK, Salman Khan and Amir Khan have become big brands in themselves and they not only act but also produce the films, which means they held all the aces and call all the shots.

Somewhere, it is important also for such films to exist because such films keep the producers, distributors, theatre owners and every people connected happy, what bothers me more is why can't these actors or directors after making a 100 crore film, invest the money in making at least a couple of good films. If they can't act or direct them, at least give someone a chance. There are a line of independent directors and actors who are struggling to make a mark for themselves.

Among all the super stars, Aamir Khan is an exception in this regard because he is sharp enough to not only enjoy the 100 crore status but also avoid the brickbats. Ranbir Kapoor also so far has chosen his film intelligently and even without doing such mindless movie, he managed to be in the 100-crore club.

There are others too like Anurag Kashyap, Shoojit Sarkar, Anurag Basu, Vishal Baradwaj and Imtiaz Ali, who have successfully touched the chord of the audience and for them probably a good story is more important than joining the 100-crore club. I hope such filmmakers don't follow RS-SRK example and go astray because then it will truely be the demise of  Indian cinema.

Can we pass on the 'moral science' to our kids?

I still remember those slim, rectangular books that had the pictures of Gods and Angels. I remember, how they spoke about the virtues of life, taught us  what is right and wrong, good and bad, truth and lies. ''To err is human and to forgive is divine''-they used to read and we used we say in unison-those were the books of 'Moral Science'.
     At home parents used to teach us to speak the truth and to be good always, to be giving and forgiving. Even those fairy tales, which we listened with utmost silence as our Grand parents narrated them with alacrity, creating pictures in front of our eyes and as we slept we dreamt to be one of those noble kings, when we grow up, spreading the goodness around, felt so true and beautiful. Those were the stories of honesty and truthfulness, of virtues and tolerance and of forgiveness and all of them had one ending--Truth always wins, overcoming the evil.
     But now after  26 years of my life, when i look back at all those moments i feel so futile about the stories. The world that we our parents tried to show us, perhaps never existed and if at all it existed it was a 'neverland' that is still to be discovered.
   I have always felt the hardest thing in this world is to be a parent. Growing up your child into a nice human being who can face the world and move with his or her head held high, well, not all parents can do that. I really wonder how difficult it would be to be a father or a mother--always answering the innumerable questions that the inquisitive mind of the youngs are clouded with, saving them from the worldly evil forces, nurturing them everyday with diets of nobility, instilling in them the confidence so that they can take on the world in the future. It is difficult, but our parents managed it.
  But can we do it with same amount of efficiency? can we conjure up images of the same wonderland in front of their eyes? can we still impart the lessons of virtues of life? Honesty, truthfulness, tolerance, forgivenss and hardwork--won't all these things sound alien to them? Will they believe us? perhaps not.
   The world is shrinking so fast, thanks to globalisation. Today we are exposed to every little thing in this world and that too just at the click of the mouse. We can see, listen, and say whatever we want. Our life is no more ours, it is a public property. Even without your knowledge there might be a peeping tom around exposing ur personal life to the world.
  In this overt world, can we succeed in showing them a rosy picture of the world? I don't think so. But does that mean we shoud give up? No.
  In this 'maddening' world, where everyday truth dies an unceremonious death, where honesty and hardwork are ravaged by the power and money clout--it is important for the parents to teach their kids to be tactful, they should know the art of manipulation so that he or she can protect themselves from vices and demons of the world, they should be shown the real picture. It is important to instill in them the art and tenacity to fight with the biggest monster-the 'self' coz if they can win over it, they can rule the world.
  Don't try to change the society, no one can change it-these are bookish things that should remain confines to the boundaries of books only. If you want to change anything then change your attitude towards life, whenever your belief shakes and you start to fumble take the course of your life in your hand. If you can protect yourself from 'the demons of the world' then you can change the world---these is the truth of the present world and that's what the parents should teach their wards.

A day in Choton's life

Have a look at this short film. I shot it during May, 2013.

Dancing to the tune of 'Ojha'

A documentary on ojha dance, a traditional form of art which is on a decline and soon may cease to exist.

Lootera is a visual treat!!!!

In his world,love speaks in whispers and murmurs and expresses itself in silent glances. In his world darkness and shadows are as beautiful as peeping sunshine through the window panes. In his world love is pure and pristine like the virgin nature and also helpless and painful like the shedding leaves of the trees. 

Vikramaditya Motwane takes the audience to that world where once silence spoke a language. With cinematographer Mahendra J. Shetty, Vikramaditya shot his ambitious 'Lootera' like a beautiful painting, while Amit Trivedi instilled life in it by his music and background score and he deserves kudos for his renditions. 

The cinematography and music makes the film a delightful watch. In terms of acting, the lead pairs Ranveer Singh and Sonakshi Sinha put their best and their portrayal was subtle and apt. 

Ranveer has left behind his street smart act behind in most parts of the film, while Sonakshi's transition from a love struck girl in the first half to a hopeless n depressed lady in the second half is well acted. Their acting is fresh and though there is no flaw in their acting but probably two more experienced actors could have taken the film to an altogether different level.

Despite Ranveer and Sonakshi's love story, there was something missing in the bonding that they shared on screen. Ranveer could not bring the pathos of the character in the final phase of the film. Rest of the cast has too little to do but they fit in nicely. 

The filmmaker dares to tread a path less travelled and leaves a mark behind. He didn't ever try to impress the audience and stayed true to his craft till the end. In short, after Udaan, Vikramaditya has proved once again he is a master story teller and with Lootera he surely has sealed his place among the elite directors of the new generation. In times to come, a lot would be expected from him.

Curious case of Edward Snowden

A man of conscience is paying the price for being a truth seeker. If only, life could have been like movies. Unfortunately, the real is very different from reel and so Edward Snowden has been stuck in the transit area of Sheremetyevo International Airport (Moscow), something like the character Viktor Navorski  (played by Tom Hanks), who gets stuck in the New York City airport for several months in the movie Terminal.

US intelligence services snoops on their European allies, a man of conscience spills the beans and he instantly becomes a political criminal. I wonder what would have happened if Snowden like, many others, would have 

just sealed his lips, killed his conscience and would have been a silent spectator. He would have been a happy man, living a normal life in some posh locality in the United States. Today, he is a hero for some, while a 

villain in his own country.

Snowden has written to 21 countries, including India, for asylum. A country which have given asylum to the Holiness Dalai Lama, Sri Lankan Tamil leader V Perumal and many others, India refused Snowden's request 

with record speed. Of course, India would eventually have to give him up someday even if it would have granted him asylum as it has an extradition treated with the US but what strikes one is the spontaneity with which the 

decision was taken, which clearly stinks of India's reluctance to not offend Uncle Sam.

It is funny that a country which considers itself much superior to any other nation and vows to uphold International laws, is violating all such laws blatantly. They talk of acting against 'cyber terrorism' 

but themselves hacks our computers, they talk of privacy and individual rights but then taps phones, they swear by friendship and then break trust. Clearly, Mr O is no better than Mr B.

Soon, it would be all over for Snowden. He will be either forced to return back to the US or extradited to his country, arrested and punished for speaking the truth and the world will go on. Directors will make films on his life, which will go on to win Oscars and Golden Globe awards and everything will be just like before. But in all this 

hoopla, truth and conscience will die a silent death once again.