Bollywood Time

My Review on Vivaah

2006-12-18T10:04:00.000-08:00

Vivah: My Rating 4 1/2

Its being a long time since a saw a decent movie. A movie which I can see with my family members. Vivah is, as title reads out "a journey from engagement to mairrage". Audiences will see a bit of themselves in 'Vivah'. May be not in the metros where weddings are now arranged on a contract basis and the bride is more concerned about getting her makeup and outfit rather than values. This time Sooraj Barjatya dint got a HUGE team as compared to his previous release like Hum Aapkke Hain Koun and Hum Saat Saath Hain. In fact thats the point I like in the move where whatever characters are there are given enough room to show the talent. Shaid or Amrita have never being in favorite list but they deliver good performance and do justice to the role. Alok Nath is very much around. And his contribution to the success of ‘Vivah’ can’t be ignored. Seema Viswas does justice to her role and adds a pinch of salt to the sugar and saves the movie from getting to sugary.

I don't know the fate of box office for this movie but people who cares for their values will surely love this movie despite of any box office record

In various forums people have raised various concern. Well if you guys dint like the movie that's absolutely fine as everyone has its own taste and so does you! Now coming to various points raised by you, I will try to address them.

- Prem falls in love with Poonam for no apparent reason.
If you watch movie carefully you will find that Prem knew everything about Poonam before he saw her, he was told everything about her by his father and his father was informed by Mr Bhagat (Now if you don't want to believe in your parents or your family then its your choice. At least I will believe in my parents and that's why it makes sense to me). And also she is educated, belongs to a decent family, being brought with values, AND she is beautiful. Now if you think these are not enough to justify for someone to fall in love, then I don't know what you are looking for.

- A city guy marrying a village girl.
Are you fixing up a rule that a village guys should marry village girl and city guy to city girl? Isn't it a completely ridiculous? I ask you whom you will marry? a person to whom you like or a person who is staying in city/village (wherever you are)? I don't agree with the fact that t people of city are not compatible with village and vice versa.

- All village girls are innocent and have values/Village peoples have more values than city.
Someone raised a point that comparing the Village girls as goddess is completely wrong. I 100% agree with that. Its not the Village or City girl who can be considered to be good. What matters is, the kind of teaching you got from your parents/elders, and how much you have adopted them. It can be any where, a village or a city. Its person dependent not place, and I don't think our Director ever tries to convey that village girls are like "Goddess" and city girls are "Bitches".

- How come a village girl will be compatible with a city guy?
I fully agree with the fact that success of a marriage totally depends upon compatibility. There are 2 kinds of compatibility in relationship like marriage which you see. Before marriage and after marriage compatibility. I have not been married for long to comment like an expert but compatibility factors are going to change after marriage. So there comes compromise by which you can increase your compatibility. And that's the fact behind marriages being more successful among Indians than Westerns (this applies only to those who agree with me that Indian marriages are more successful compared to marriages in western countries). So I don't advocate the idea of sleeping/staying with someone to check the compatibility before marriage (A Salaam Namste idea, just to let you know I enjoyed Salaam Namste for its humor).

- Various comments about Tradition and Culture
Someone stated that Bal Viavah (Child Mairrage) was or our tradition/culture. My suggestion, go little deeper in our history and you will find that there were co concept of Child Mairrage. A girl can choose anyone he wants to marry, it was her choice (something called as Swyamber). Just go and read some books, do some research and you will find the reason why Child Mairrage started. Also tradition changes from time to time, something which was good 1000 years ago may not be applicable now but basic things of love, affection will remain the same till there is mankind.

Main Meri Patni Aur Woh : Fresh Air

2006-04-10T11:00:00.000-07:00

When I saw this movie for the first time, I could not believe that Bollywood can produce this kind of movie. Its fresh air from the same factory where most of the movie which come-out or remake of Hollywood movies in Bollywood style. This is a Bollywood movie but there is nothing "Bollywood" about it, except makeup of heroine (Rituparna Sengupta), in fact that was the demand of the character. This movie is close to my heart reason for its simplicity and the story it tells. That could be me you or someone else.

The film's plot revolves around an odd couple, Mithilesh Shukla (Rajpal) and his much taller, more attractive wife, Veena (Rituparna). But the story begins with showing Mithelesh as a bachelor who was responsible of marrying his brothers and sister and now he is 34. Due to the pressure from his mother and Mama ji he agrees to see the girl but he is somehow pre planned to reject the girl. But he does not want to embarrass anyone by rejecting. But when he sees the girl his embarrassment of rejecting turns in fear of getting rejected.

Like a typically average middle class man, Mithilesh does not like people being around his wife Veena. He is annoyed by people being overtly attentive to Veena every day, and desperately seeks a solution from Lord Shiva, whom he pacifies with a daily dose of milk and bananas. To add to his problem there comes an tall handsome and stylish software engineer Akash, who happens to be Veena's friend (Kay Kay Menon). Now Mitheles trouble increases, he want to be just like him, because he believes that Akash is the perfect man. What happens later is the cream of story and you got to see that by yourself, but I have one word to the movie "Wow"!

Now Rajpal yadav is in the list of my favorite actors (other are Om Puri, Nsheeruddin Shah, Amitabh Bachhan, Aamir Khan, Kay Kay Menon). So far Rajpal Yadav was doing some small time role in big budget movies but he has left his presence felt. But this movie has brought the best out of him. Thanks to Chandan Arora, who second time also took him in the lead role.

This is second movie of Editor turned Director, Chandan Arora. The first one to his credit was "Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hun". And I am eagerly waiting for his next movie.

Salman an easy escapgoat.

2006-04-10T09:33:00.000-07:00

There are so many incident happening around and we get to see justice very now and then. But in this case even though it was not quick but justice was served. But this is somehow over exaggeration by justice department. I wish, the same way justice department worked for other cases filed against all our leaders, the biggest culprits.

I strongly feel that someone is personally settling the score with him, someone who has a very strong hold in Delhi and it will not be over estimate to say "Underworld".

I don't know the fate of this but there are so many people killing innocent people for no reason or sometimes with some silly reason. Do they get the justice? May be someday the justice department will take the similar action in such cases too.

I am not advocating Mr Salman, I am just trying to understand the ground realities. If he is guilty punish him but punish other guilty and give a lesson to those who are out there doing the same or similar crime.

I may be wrong, but you cannot rule out of the possibility of someone settling score with him . That is my opinion what do you think is some one working full time behind him or is it just his very very bad time?

Here is story from NDTV.

Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi: The Movie

2005-09-16T15:03:00.000-07:00

Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi ki har Khwahish pe Dum Nikle
Bahut Nikle Mere Arman Lekin Phir Bhi Kam Nikle
-Mirza Galib

Bollywood is getting matured day by day. Its trying to get out of boy-meets-girl-and-falls-in-love type, or Indo-Pak bashing grip. Since 2004 there have been lot of off beat movies. Like Raincoat, Black, Page 3, My Brother Nikhil, Parinita, Virudh, Iqbal etc. Made on different subject, with a "hatke" attitude. Most of the movies were small budget, and most of the movies dint do so well at box office. But a segment of people have appreciated these films. As these were the sensible movies made on sensible subject there was not much for the mass. A big segment of bollywood audience still need to get maturity.

In late 2004 there was another movie released named, "Hazaron Khwahishen Aisi", starring Kay Kay, Siney Ahuja, Chitrangada and Yashpal Sharma in lead roles.The movie is set in mid 60s to early 70s. The move is journey of a person (Sidhrath) from Marxist jargon to the Maoist (Naxalite) rebellion, as he rages on about injustice. The movie opens with a scene where Sidhrath (kay Kay) writes a letter to his girl friend Geeta (Chitrangda). Shidhart is person of principles and want to make a difference in the system where as Vikram is practical man and want to make a difference for himself.

I don't want say any other word about the story. This movie also gives you the glimpse of emergency, its consequences, law and order in rural areas, and dirty and ugly politics during that period which was not visible to a common man. Movie is so close to reality that there are few scene in the movie where you will feel ice flowing in your spine.

As movie was set in a period when I was not even born, so I was very curious to know what happened, how was the society and how different we are now. Most often I felt that Indian History books have stopped publishing what happened after independence. I know more about what happened during Mughals and British rules, but don't know what happened during 60s and 70s, except Indo-Pak war. This is the time to write a new history and let the billion know what happened during 50s,60s and 70s.

After watching the movie I believe that law and order situation is still not much different than 70s in certain states in India (specially Bihar, UP and MP). Education will be the most appropriate solution to this problem, which our governments (specially UP, Bihar, MP and other northern states) have forgotten long back.

The movie ends with lots of insight and questions to audience about the society, its problem and the complicacy of the problem. In one sentence "A must watch". Thanks Sudhir Mishra!

Sehar: A Must Watch

2005-09-04T11:16:00.000-07:00

There are numerous of movies in Bollywood on the same concept and theory. However movie closely resembles with Ab Tak Chhappan, But still this movie has its own presence even though there are numerous of movies based on the same theme. As a first film of the director Kabeer Kaushik, he has made his mark in the bollywood. He used an un-explored territory, the northern India, which is considered to be home for the most corrupted people in India. In UP there is huge nexus of Politicians and criminals actively operating? As shown in the movie, things are organized in real life too.

Sehar, is so close to reality, that the Officers of STF that have been instrumental in the rescue of the Mumbai Stock Broker's son, have been very closely involved in this movie by providing the key inputs for it. The film brings out the issues that eclipse the cultural heritage of Lucknow and was actually shot for 62 days in Lucknow to bring in the real essence of the place. But this will surely go against it, especially as far as Mumbai and the other metro cities are concerned.

Sehar describes the journey of a newly-appointed, S.S.P. of Lucknow, Ajay Kumar (Arshad Warsi), who is determined in bringing together a group of committed police officers under the support of the Special Task Force. This Force has a single agenda, succeeds in challenging the might of organized crime in Uttar Pradesh. And in the process, what unfolds is the ever-changing dynamics of Uttar Pradesh's siyaasat: Railway contracts, ISI involvement, politician-mafia-police-builder nexus, rigid red-tapeism and criminalization of University students.

Sehar, also gave a chance to Arshad, to come out of the shell which was created by the movies like Munna Bhai MBBS, Hulchal etc. The performance given by Arshad Warsi, Pankaj Kapoor and Sushant Singh is excellent. The movie runs on the shoulder of these three people. Like any other gangaster movie, there is not much for Mahima to do, but she makes her presence felt.

At the end, there is nothing new in the movie, but what attracts me is resemblance to reality, picturisation, narrating style and out of box territory (Mumbai is not only the place for gangster, there are UP and Bihar too). May be this movie gives an idea to Ram Gopal Verma (King of Gangester Movies in Bollywood) to get out of Mumbai for his next movie.

Dus: A Crowd Puller

2005-08-08T14:24:00.000-07:00

"Too many cooks spoil the recipe", this is what some people can say about this movie. Because this happened in "LOC" (J P Datta, 2003). But that's not happening in this movie. The movie is a full timepass. In Mumbia language "jhakash". Its not a good movie but a good entertainer. Its crowd puller. Hundreds of movies are being made on the same theme, but still this can be watched and enjoyed once.

The movie opens with a rocking song "Dus bahane kar ke le gayi...". And then an ATC Team (Anti Terrorist Cell), decorated with sophisticated weapon and instrument nabs some terrorist, hiding in a building. I wish Indian Commandos would have used such weapons and instrument during "Akshar Dham", they definitely would have caught some terrorist alive and some casualties would have been avoided. India is shining! Don't agree with me, come on - at least feel good!!

The movie has a very few songs, though not required, but if removed will not fall in the category of crowd puller. I personally don't like songs in movie, but songs are totally fitted in the movie. They go well with story.

The most boring scene in the movie is the last scene when Abhishek is taking a bomb away from the city, but due to time constraint he need to crash the plane in lake and sacrifice his life (yes he dies, may be Mr. Anubhav wanted to apply the same formula which Ramesh Sippy applied to his movies (Sholay, Shakti) on Amitabh, kill him, and he will pull the crowed). The conversation among Abhi, Zayad and Sanjay is so boring that audience gets frustrated.

In male star cast it Abhisekh, Sanjay, Pankaj Kapoor and Gulshan Grover, steal the show, Sunil Shetty is average. In female start cast its Shilp Shetty. Rest of the star cast is complete waste. Esha Deol, Zayad Khan, Ramia Sen, Dia Mirza immediatly should join some acting classes.

Gulshan Grover does a good jobs. Even thought he does not delivers any dialogs (except a few) but makes his presence felt. Its the Pankaj Kapoor who steals the show in negative role.

Even though movie is a hit but Anubhav Sinha has a long way to go. This movie would have been made better by putting some logic in it. If defusing a bomb was as easy as putting a chewing gum, then probably chewing gum would have been much more costly.

All the best Anubhav.

Abhisek Bachchan: Chhote Sarkar

2005-08-03T13:29:00.000-07:00

I am not fan of AB Jr. but I appreciate his acting in movies like ''Yuva'' as Lallan and ''Zameen'' , ''Dhoom'' and ''Run''. His recent release, "Bunty and Bubly" and "Sarkar" have created sensation at Box office. But for me his best role so far has been in "Yuva". Maniratnam, was able to get out the best from him.

Like most of the people say, ''He is going to stay'', I agree with them He is going to stay and going to prove with his talent. He is a "Lambi Race ka ghoda", and to begin with that, he started with Yuva, Dhoom, Zameen, Bunty Aur bubbly and Sarkar.

In Yuva he is the like a nrve to body. Even though there were 2 big actors (Ajay Devgan, Vivek Oberoi) he steals the show. He walks away with all the good lines and good credit.

As an actor his biggest liability is that he is son of Amitabh Bachchan. And every one cannot be Big B. Big B kind of people are rare. Its quite natural for a normal person to look for reflection of his father in him. But remember Big B is/was a superstar. There are only a few personalities in Bollywood with whom Amitabh can be compared, so I feel that its not justice to compare AB Jr with Big B. They represent 2 different generation and 2 different era of Hindi Cinema. Compare with other actor and you will find he has his own style. He does well when it comes to serious role, it is proved in movie like "Yuva" and "Sarkar".

There was another movie by Ram Gopal Verma by name "Naach" staring Abhisek Bachchan, the movie was a flop but I liked the movie. He did a good (if not excellent) acting in that.

Well, wish you all the best Abhisek and hope you give more movies like ''Yuva'' , ''Zameen'', ''Dhoom'' and "Sarkar".

Raincoat: Something Different

2005-07-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

Raincoat, the whole story is nothing but couple of hours from the two lovers life, who can be you, me or anyone else. They meet one afternoon after 6 years of separation. They talk, listen and feel the pain and agony of each other. This is not a boy-meets-girl-and-fall-in-love type movie. The story is so real, that you start becoming part of it. This is not a art movie or any bollywood masala movie. However it has beautiful acting and excellent screen play which will make you to stick to your chair.

By this time we all know the story and the Box Office performance of this movie. Commercially it may not be a success but this movie is setting a new trend in Hindi cinema. Rituparno Ghosh (The previous film "Chokher Bali") is successfully able to convey that for romantic movie you need go to Switzerland or any other part of the Europe. It can be found any where, it can be in a village or in a metro or in small house.

There are very few characters in the movie but they have performed very well.

Ajay Devgan: He plays role of village man from rural area of Bihar (Bhagalpur). He comes to Kolkatta to get some financial help from some of his friends. And meets his long lost love Neeru. Very good performance, successfully able to show the pain, of the character

Aishwerya: She looks great in this movie. There is no makeup. After seeing this movie i remembered the beauty of Manisha Koirala in "1942 A Love Story". Excellent performance by her. She shows pain, jealousy, anger, happiness, contended, emptiness and dignity. This movie gives her opportunity to shines the talent vested in her in all possible ways.

Annu Kapoor: He is playing very small role, hardly for 5-10 mins. But his appearance gives a twist to the story. He has delivered couple of excellent dialogs.

Mouli Ganguli & Sameer Dharmdhikari: Both are happily married couple living in Kolkatta. They just provide a support to the story. Roles are very short As there was no room left for them. But they perform their best.

In a nutshell this movie is a totally different love story, don't expect to see the camera gushing over mustard field or in foreign locations and with 100 extras in background. Its more like a stage drama, acted beautifully by all. Its hard to see this kind of movie. And as I said earlier, this is going to give a new direction to Indian cinema. It may not get a commercial success, but I appreciate Rituparno Ghosh (the director, author, screen play all in one) for giving us something different.

Music: Its very soothing melody by Debojyoti Mishra. And goes very well with the movie. They are just fitted in the movie that you will not feel as filler (like other movies).

The best dialogue in the movie: It is delivered by Annu Kapoor, while writing the receipt for the rent paid by ajay Devagan, he says ".... Yeh tumhara paschatap hai ya pratishodh...". This is enough to depict the mindset of author.

Well this is all what I had to say, so if you have not seen then go ahead and watch this movie. This is a classic movie! Enjoy!

-Narender

House of Flying Daggers (aka Shi mian mai fu) (2004)

2005-07-28T09:38:00.000-07:00

House of Flying Daggers also known as Shi mian mai fu (2004)

Frankly speaking even after watch the movie for 2 times I dint understood the movie fully. But I will love to watch this movie for its action, picturisation and Martial Art. These are some of things which make the movie so special.

This is Zhang Yimou’s movie. He had Oscar nominated "Hero" to his credit is last year (2003). The film features a unique style of martial arts i.e. bamboo martial arts sequence. Far better executed than “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” (By Ang Lee, 2000). May be a lot of computer generated images are being used but hats-off to editing. That's excellent. A mind blowing fight scene where a sword is pitted against flowing, long sleeves. This movie finally evolves around two men in love with the same woman. And this is a point in the movie when audience get surprised; this is not just a martial art movie but a little more than that.

This movie is set during the decline of the Tang Dynasty, and follows captain Leo (Andy Lau) and Jin (Takeshi Kaneshiro) on their mission to bring down one of the most wanted rebel groups, the House of Flying Daggers. Leo sends Jin on an undercover assignment to find out if the Peony Pavilion’s new, blind dancer Mei (Zhang ZiYi) is really the daughter. Although she is captured and interrogated, Leo instructs Jin to go further undercover in order to locate the Flying Daggers’ lair. Jin rescues Mei from certain death and they flee into the rural countryside. But realism is as irrelevant as in any other normal bollywood movie. Inspite of getting stabbed so many times the characters are not even close to "Seriously Injured". But the same thing might kill a ordinary person. But the movie is about color, fight sequence, and computer generate images, put together. But all these things are beautifully merged and no room is left to any flaw.

About the Movie:

Name : House of Flying Daggers [Actual Name: Shi Mian Mai fu]
Year of Release : 2004
Director: Yimou Zhang
Cast : Takeshi Kaneshiro, Andy Lau, Ziyi Zhang, Dandan Song

Marasim : A Must Have Gazal Album

2005-07-27T14:06:00.000-07:00

When legends come together they make another legend. That's what is "Marasim" in my opinion. Marasim means relationship, rista, bonding. This Album is the combination of beautiful lyrics and soothing melodies sung by the great-great singer Jagjit. Music is very well composed/recorded by Daman Shood. This is one of the greatest album by Jagjit Singh. As I already said, beauty lies in the "words". And words are from none other than the great Gulzar. In between the songs there are small speeches given by him, are excellent. They are so touchy. Listen these songs in the evening after a tired and hectic day. It is so relaxing and soul touching that you will feel to listen it again and again .

The greatness of the Gulzar is that he uses very simple words which are easily understood by the common man. Understand the meaning of the words in the Gazal is very important to enjoy it, but If you want to enjoy the Gazals from Mirza Galib you got to have good knowldege of urdu. I do a lot of research on the words used by him.

Just see this one which expresses Gulzars feeling on the relationship between 2 countries who are close neighbour and close enemy too (Yes you are right ... Its about India and Pakistan)

"Subah subah ek khwab ki dastak par darwaza khola, dekha, sarhad ke us par se kuch mehmna aaye hain. Ankho se manoosh the sare, chehre sare sune sunaye. Paav dhoye hnath dulahaye, aangan mne aashan lagwaye, aur tandoor pe makki ke kuch mote mote rote pakaye. Potli mne mehman mere pichhale salo ki fashalo ka gud laye the. .......... Aankh khuli to dekha ghar mne koi nahi tha. haath laga kar dekha to tandoor abhi tak bhuja nahi tha.Aur hnotho par meethe gud ka zayka ab tak chipak raha tha. ............. Khwab that shayd!! Khwab hi hoga. Sarhad par kal raat suna tha chali thi goli. Sarhad par kal raat suna hai kuch khwnabo ka khoon hua hai"

All the "Gazals" are well sung as well as well written. I am listing here as per my choice from top to bottom along with the best stanza in that Gazal.

1) Aankhon Mein Jal Raha Hai Kyun :

Anakho se aansuo ke marasim purane hain,
Mehmna ye ghar mhe aaye to chubhta nahi dhuva.

2) Din Kuch Aise Gujarta Hai :

Aaina dekh kar tasalli hui,
Hum ko is ghar mne janta hai koi.

3) Zindagi Yun Hui Basar Tanha :

Apne saye se chownk jaet hain,
Umra gujri hai ish kadar tanha.

4) Haath Chute Bhi to Riste Nahi Chhoda Karte:

Lag ke saahil se jo behta hai use bahne do,
Aisi dariya ka rukh nahi moda karte.

5) Shaam Se Aankh Mein :

Dafn kar do hamne ke snas mile,
Nabz kuch der se thami si hai.

6) Ek Purana Mausam Lauta :

Yadno ki bouchharo se jab palke bheegane lagti hai.
Kitni snodhi lagti hai tab maanjhi ki rushvayee bhi,

7) Ek Parvaz Dikhayi Di Hai :

Jiski aankho mne kati thi sadiyna,
Usne sadiyo ki judai di hai..

8) Woh Khat Ke Purze Udaa Raha Tha:

Ushi ka imman badal gaya hai,
Kabhi jo mera khuda raha tha.

One word about Maraism its "Excellent". This is must have by any one who is having even a little bit of inclination towards beautiful poetry, that need not be Gazals.

The CD is from Sony Entertainment (India) Pvt Ltd. Its know for its quality. MRP on the CD (which I have) is Rs. 175 (However this depends upon when the CD was being printed. The Album was release in 1999. However the print which I have is being released in 2003.

So Enjoy!!

Narender

My Ten Best Devotional Songs

2005-07-21T09:39:00.000-07:00

Every morning when you get up u want to hear something good. Which is nice to your ear, body and soul. So that you can lead for a better day ahead. The best thing can be music and if it is devotional then that adds more charm to it. Any work which needs your hundred percent, try doing in the early hours of the day. And you definitely can do a lot better.

Well here I am listing my 10 best Devotional Songs from Movies (exception to few). They are being composed by well known musician from Kalyan ji Anand Ji to A R Rahman. The lyrics are being written from legendary poet from Pradeep to Javed Akhtar . If you like these songs you can go to any sites (www.raaga.com, www.musicindiaonline.com to name a few) offering on-line songs and create your own album.

1: Itni Shakti Hame Dena Data....

Album/Film: Ankush
Year: 1986
Singer: Pushpa Pagdhare and Sushma Shresth
Lyrics: Abhilash
Music: Kuldip Singh
The best part of this song is that it gives you a lot of inspiration when you are depressed/down. Just try it and you will love it.

2: O Palanhare, nirgun aur nyare....

Album/Film: Lagaan
Year: 2000
Singer: Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar
Music: A R Rahman
A soothing melody from A R Rahman, is so nice to hear that you feel your heart filling with devotional thoughts and your becoming pure, you are nearing your god.

3: Om Jai Jagdish Hare....

Album/Film: Purab aur Pachhim
Year: 1970
Singer: Brij Bhusan, Mahendra Kapoor, Shyam Chittar
Lyrics: Santosh Anand
Music: Kalyan Ji, Anand Ji
This songs is being copied and compiled in many movies/serials, so many time, that it became an icon for Hindi devotional music. Any Hindu having a little bit of inclination towards religion will know this song/poem/aarti, if not full at least few stanza.

4: Tu hi mata tu hi pita hai....

Album/Film: Hey Ram
Year: 2000
Singer: Jagjit Singh
Lyrics: Dont Know
Music: Jagjit Singh
Sung and composed by Jagjit Singh, taken from his album Hey Raam. Jagjit Singh is a real talent. He not only mastered in Gazal Singing, but made his impression felt in Devotional songs and Bollywood movies too.

5: Aie Malik Tere Bande Hum....

Album/Film: Do Aanekhein Barah Haath
Year: 1957
Singer: don't know...
Lyrics: Bharat Vyas
Music: Vasant Desai
The movie was a big hit and so was its music (all time classic). Brillant performance by Sandhya and V Santharam made this movie as legend. This song was one of the big hit in devotional category in decade of 70.

6: Suraj ki garmi se jalte huye tan ko....

Album/Film: Parinay
Year: 1974
Singer: Sharma Bandhu
Lyrics: Jaydev
Music: don't know...
Sung by Shamra Bandhu (most people may not be know them). Sharma Bandhu perform/sing on stages. They also perform Ramayan in their own style and raaga. This song is true to its meaning.

7: Hey Ishwer, Hey Allah Hey Data....

Album/Film: Pukar
Year: 2000
Singer: Sharma Bandhu
Lyrics: Javed Akhtar, Majrooh Sultanpuri
Music: A R Rahman
When legends gets together they make a history. A R Rahman and Lata, Music and Raaga. Excellent. I had a tough time to place this song at 7. Originally I posted this at no 3. But due to my personal likes and dislike it came a little down.

8: Mai to aarti utaru re santoshi mata....

Album/Film: Jai Santoshi Ma
Year: 1975
Singer: Usha Mangeskar
Lyrics: Pradeep
Music: Arjun C
What is the movie which was screened for maximum no of days??? "Sholay", almost 6 years, continuasly in a theater (Minerva, Mumbai) ( I read in a magazine when i was a kid). And what was the second movie to run for maximum no of days?? Yes you are right. It was "Jai Santoshi Ma". Almost 5 years. There were report that people from villages travelled 20-30 KM, in there bullock cart to see this movie. Sounds Like tirh yatra.. isn't it??

9: Piya Hazi Ali....

Album/Film: Fiza
Year: 2000
Singer: Kadar Ghulam Mustafa, Murtaza Ghulam Mustafa, A R Rahman, Srinivas
Lyrics: Shaukat Ali
Music: A R Rahman
The beauty of this song lies in its music and picturisation. Also this song tells to us that we all might be different when it comes to color, culture and religion but finally we all are created by same. We just call him with different names.

The last but not the least.

10: Maiya mori mai nahi makhan khayo....

Album/Film: Sandhya
Year: Dont Know
Singer: Anoop Jalota
Lyrics: Meerabai
Music: Dont Know

Anoop Jalota is a symbol of "Bhajans". Like Jagjit singh is another name to Gazals, he is same for Bhajans. This song is combination of different raagas. The beautiful explanation given during the song, by Jalota is excellent. Unfortunately i don't know the name of the album. If any one of you know please let me know. I heard this song long back, and still i can feel its meaning and melody in my heart.

That's all for now.
See you soon.
Please forgive me for any statistical error. I did my best to be accurate.

Jagjit Singh - A Living Legend

2005-07-20T11:45:00.000-07:00

Jagjit Singh was born in a small village in Rajasthan on 8th Feb 1941. He belongs to a very religious family. His father ( Sardar Amar Singh Dhiman) wanted his son to be an IAS officer. But there was something else in his destiny. He was very much fond of music. In the beginning he learned the music from Pandit Chaganlal Sharma and Ustad Jamaal Khan. He was always open to learn from any one who was having talent but was not known much.

In the decade of sixties and seveties there were lot many great gazal singers like, Mallika Pukhraj, Begum Akhtar, Noor Jahan, K. L. Saigal, Talat Mahmood and Mehndi Hassan. And they ruled the "Gazal" segment of Indian music. The Gazal sung by these singers are excellent. But in the year of 1976 an album was released by the name "The Unforgettables". The album was having gazals written by great poets like Kafeel Aazer, Firaq Gorakhpuri, Ameer Minai, Tariq Badayuni, Jigar Moradabadi, Sudarshan Fakir, Saeed Rahi, Kunwar Mahendra Singh Bedi 'Sahar'. It had total of 10 Gazals. The album was a record hit and the credit goes to soothing melody sung by none but Jagjit Singh and Chitra Singh. Jagjit Singh met Chitra singh in 1967 and they got married in the year of 1969.

The beauty of gazals is in its words. Most of the gazals are in Urdu and in order to understand those, one need to have an excellent knowledge of urdu words. The gazal segment of Indian music was facing this problem, it was not getting closer to a common man, but Jagjit singh took the risk and started simplifying them for a common man. Started explainign or changing a few words so that it can be understood by most. Soon, Jagjit Singh became an icon of Gazals and was known as "Gazal Mastero". He single handily is responsible for bringing the Gazals closer to the masses.

Even though Jagjit singh has excelled in Gazal singing but he explored in other areas like, Bhajans with a few albums like 'Maa' , "Hare Krishna ..." etc. He also left his presence felt in Bollywood with playback singing in some of the movies like "Arth", "Saath Saath", "Prem Geet". These movies are still all time favorites of many and Jagjit's voice is one of the factor to determine that.

Jagjit and Chitra has gone through various ups and downs in his life. They struggled a lot during their initial days of career. But they made their mark, and then there was a darkest day in their life, their only son died in a car accident. It was a very tragic moment, not only for the couple but millions of their fans across the globe.

Well slowly the wound was healed, and he devoted himself again towards the music. Once in a interview he admitted that, it would have been very difficult for him to come out of the grief, if he dint had music.

The following are some of their best album (as per me)
Beyond Time (1987)
Face to Face (1993)
In Search (1992)
Insight (1994)
Kahkashan (1991)
Love is Blind (1997)
Marasim (1999)
Mirage (1995)
Passions (1987)
Saher (2000)
Sajda (1991)
Someone Somewhere (1990)
Sound Affair, A (1985)
Together (1999)
Unforgettables, The (1976)
Visions (1992)

-Narender

Bawarchi - A movie with message

2005-07-19T10:00:00.000-07:00

Normally I watch movies for entertainment, for pleasure or time pass. Its very rare that I watch movie and try to learn something from that. The reason for that is, the type of movies being made now a days. No no, I am not saying that now a days movies are bad, but the trend has changed. Now cinema is a mode of brining some light moments in our life, its kind of goodies we want to eat, rather a nutritious food, which we should eat. But there are movies which are thought provoking, and gives us some lessons about our lives and importantly, I can see along with all the members of 3 generation of my family. Some how movies on this kind of subjects are now not being made or can be counted on fingers. Now to improve our life (or to learn something), we are dependent upon books on "Self Improvements" or courses like "Art of Livings". But bollywood should remember that still movies are the best way to convey the message to masses.

I have seen this movie earlier also. As it was worth watching again, so I bought this movie. I watched this movie yesterday and thought of sharing my opinion on this movie on Mouthshut.
About the Movie:
This movie was released in the year of 1972, and was directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee , (one of my favorite director). Amitabh Bachchan narrated the story (yes! he was still struggling for a good role in the movies.), with Rajesh Khanna, Jaya Bhaduri, Harindranath Chattopadhyay, AK Hungle, Durga Khote (list is pretty big) in lead roles. To me this movie is more like a stage drama with a brilliant screenplay and high moral. Every scene tells us something. An altered and moderniazed version can be seen as second half in Hero No 1 (* Govinda, Karishma Kapoor).

The Plot:

The plot of the movie revolves around one character named "Raghu" (Raghunandan), who is bawarchi (cook) by profession, and a large family led by Shiv Nath Sharma (Harindranath Chattopadhyay). The family consist of grown-up sons, daughter-in-laws and kids. A kind of "Hindu Undivided Family", but divided over small and simple issues. Most of the members of family are having mistrust and misunderstand among each other. As no body want to work and due to a large family they don't get any servant/cook who works for longer. Things are getting worsen day by day, and now its at the edge of destruction.
And then one day there comes a young man name Raghu, who is bawarchi (cook) joins the family as cook on a very low salary and tell that he has worked with almost every famous personalities, including movie personalities, ministers, scholars etc. This leads a suspicion among the members of Sharma Family (as well as viewers ). But very soon he wins the heart of everyone in the family. No wonder to this because, he serves very delicious dishes. Mean while he develops understanding and faith among the family members. He reminds them about how much they love each other (which they have forgotten long back). All members of family start trusting and helping each other. But one fine day when whole family got up in the morning all the jewelry and other valuable belonging is gone. What happened, is Raghu a thieve? or he is innocents? is the rest of the story. If I tell you that, then it will killing the suspense and thrill of the movie.
So if you have not seen, go and enjoy the movie. You can buy this movie in store or on-line. DVD will cost you around Rs. 300 and VCD will cost you around Rs. 120. And if you have already seen tell your friends and family to watch the movie. This is a very light comedy movie, its a story about us and we can see what we do , and what we should do as a member of family.

Music:

Music is composed by Madan Mohan. Event though movie was not a musical hit, but all the songs are decent. Goes very wel with the story.

Some of the best dialogues:

1) It is so simple to be happy, but it is so difficult to be simple.
2) Apna kam to sab karte hain, lekin duushare ka kam karne mne jo aanand aata hai uski to baat hi alag hai.

Lead Characters:

Rajesh Khanna .... Raghu
Jaya Bhaduri .... Krishna Sharna
Harindranath Chattopadhyay .... Shiv Nath Sharma
A.K. Hangal .... Ramnath Sharma
Durga Khote .... Seeta Sharma
Kali Bannerjee .... Meeta Sharma
Usha Kiran .... Shobha Sharma
Raju Shrestha .... Pintoo Baba
Asrani .... Vishwanath Sharma
Gufi Paintal .... Guruji

So go ahead and if you have not seen the movie enjoy it and if you have seen it then tell you friends and family to enjoy.

-Narender

Amitabh Bachchan - Revisiting his life...

2005-07-19T09:04:00.000-07:00

When writing something about a person to whom you like a lot, its difficult to put the negative side of the person. That's what happen when you write review on people like Amitabh Bachhan, Aamir Khan, SRK, Rani and all other famous personalities. Our emotional attachment does not let us show the dark side of the personality. I am doing my best to sit on the fence and try to revisit his film carrier.

My statistical analysis could be wrong as I don't know the dates when the movie as released weather it got an award or not. So please forgive me for that. This is what I feel/heard/read about him.

The son of the noted Hindi poet, Harivanshrai Bachchan (famous poem Madhushala), he was born in Allahabad. He was working as a freight broker for a shipping firm in Calcutta. But latter moved to Mumbai (Bollywood) to find his carrier in film industry. His voice at that time was only asset for him but still was rejected by all India radio, also he did a role of dumb person in "Reshma and Sera". His liability was his extra ordinary height. None of the lead heroines wanted to work with him. He struggle for months. Mean while worked in few films and due to kind of role, was never got noticed.

Well then "Zanzeer" happened. Some people also say that he was about to leave Mumbai and suddenly he got this offer (I don't know, how far this is correct), and that changes the life of Amitabh and many more. Prakash Mehra brought the best out of him. From the same movie all time villain Pran changed the mind of viewers by proving that he is not as bad as we think about him (I mean he was capable enough to do a character roles).

In his early films like the Anand (1970) and Namak Haram (1973) he worked with that time Supar Star Rajesh Khann. But he left his impression on the viewers.

With his height and lean looks, Amitabh became symbol of the new kind of action hero. Whereas his predecessors such as Rajesh Khanna and Dharmendra played romantic roles, Amitabh introduced the trend of the 'angry young man' to Indian cinema (however this was a difficult task at that time. The hero was supposed to be very kind hearted, a larger than life character).

In 1975 he worked in Deewaar, which gave a new look to Hindi cinema, he played the role of a mafia don opposite his law-abiding, policeman brother (Shashi Kapoor). It was a brilliant performance with Amitabh and he walked away with all the sympathy for his character rather than with his law-abiding brother.

The father son clash was extremely well performed by Amitabh in movie like Tishul ( Amitabh, Rakhee, Sanjeev Kumar), and Shakti (Amitabh, Dilip Kumar - Tragedy King, Rakhee and Smita Patil.) The title in Minerva talkies of mumbai was "Shakti" - Clash of the Titans. In Shakti as son of a strict police officer (Dilip Kumar), Amitabh takes the life to the dark side (high crime and smuggling)

Though he played the angry young man to perfection, Amitabh almost flagged in all types of roles, let it be romantic roles like Yash Chopra (Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Silsila (1981)) or the family dram of Manmohan Desai. (Amar Akbar Anthony, Parvarish (1977), Suhaag (1979), Naseeb (1981) to name a few) or as a commedian in Namak Halal, Don, Satte pe Satte. He was excellent in all kind of roles be it action, drama, song and dance or comedy and slowly his films started to be rated as one man variety show.The drunken scene in Amar Akbar Anthony or the act in the Mere Angane Mein song from Lawaaris (1981), are not they Items?? (now days items are only done by half naked model cum actresses cum dancer cum .. )

In 1984 when he was well established as a "Supar Star", due to close association with Congress he tried to get into politics but soon he realized that it was not his domain and he immediately got out of that place promising to himself that he is never going to come again in politics.

When in 1990 he won the National Award for the role in Agnipath it was just like "Shakti" or "Deewar" being revisited. He decided to take a break from Hindi cinema as an actor after "Khuda Gawah", and, started a new company "ABCL". However company dint do well and he lost lot of money in that.

Again some years later Amitabh returned to commercial Hindi cinema, but in the beginning he dint had the impact what he had in his first phase. The reason for that are many but what I guess is the time was changed and there was a different trend being set by the new comers. And Amitabh should have studied that and then would have signed the films. He should have been a little choosy about the character. I don't know exact reason for choosing any XYZ movie but some how I feel that Amitabh was never very choosy about the movies (may be he felt that he can perform any kind of roles). I have seen him earlier also doing some kind of junk roles in movies like Azooba, Jadugar, Natarwrlal etc.

But that does not matter, he continues to have an extraordinary public presence in India. He took KBC "Koun Banega Carorpati" to new height and made it one of the most popular program in India. It has touch the popularity of "Ramayana" and "Mahabharat". He was also being chosen as the superstar of the Millennium and being selected as the first film personality from India to be immortalized at Madam Tussaud's Wax Museum, London! (recently Aishwaerya Rai became the second Indian file personality).

He performed extremely well in some of the movies of his second phase and they are Aks (may not be hit, but he tries to do something different), Mohabbetien (Yash Raj banner), Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gam (Karan Johar), Baghban (Ravi Chopra, a familiy drama), Dev (Govind Nihlani), Khakee (Raj Kumar Santoshi) etc.

Even in the age of 60+ he is one of the busiest actor in Bollywood and still there are script writer who write the roles of their character by keeping him in mind.

What I want to say here is that may be Amitabh has given lot many flops but as an actor he is being god gifted. And if director is capable enough to take out what he has then the outcome will be a blockbuster. My only suggestion to Sri. Amitabh is that analyze the role before you select a movie.

All the best, I hope this new year gets you a lot of success and few movies (which are good).