Films

Filmmaking is a chance to live many lifetimes. They say. Yes. But the kind of films churned out today, do we really live those times? Do we wish to??

The Girl on the Train… the English version is better. So what do we have here ? Only a copy… “Alive”, ‘Radhe” have they fulfilled our expectations? After watching it once Are we going for it again & again???

I know people who must have seen “Mughal E azam” for 50 odd times & still have not got bored. What is this quality of being evergreen or timeless masterpiece ? Where is it today? If it is lost why have we lost it ??

I was listening to the popular number from ‘Ghar’ … Aapki Aankhon mein kuch… the song is superb. Lyrics, the picturisation, actors is just perfect. I am not even talking of an ‘Aandhi’ or ‘Kora Kagaz’ Imagine the leading lady in a sari & loose tresses.. looking like Rekha ! Not a single one. Or an actor who can smile like Vinod Mehra, remain in the background but worship the ground she walks on! Impossible.

We don’t need rap bring back these singers & actors… this melody… a Pakistani friend tweeted… his comments say it all…

We have technology, talent, technique.. and yet.. Pagglait, yes good. But once seen, game over. Holidate, amm okay… Sardar Ka Grandson, delightful, surprisingly good. Indu ki Jawani.. why do we need a name this cheesy? The great Indian Kitchen… nothing great about it. Just any kitchen around the world. The plight of women all over. More depressing than a revelation.

Sandeep aur Pinky Faraar.. the name has it. We know the story instantly. Raat Akeli hai.. the mystery good. Radhika Apte & Nawaz .. so no complaints there. But watching it again? No why? we know how it is going to end. White Tiger.. good. But the book is better it seems. Priyanka is the highlight for us. With stars in our eyes we watched her for the mini role she has. The protagonist has it tough. But he makes it big later.

Serious men, Ludo are ordinary. Nothing great. Time to dance .. is good Considering the leads being new. But the old versions have more zing for sure. Class of 83, look out for Bobby Deol. He is getting better with his latest outings.

Ajeeb Dastaans have the ability to shock you. But I wondered if censoring a few scenes could have helped. Tribhanga …with solid star cast & able director like Renuka Shahane needed to be more ‘Shahane’.

The lockdown helped these films but at the box office I wonder if the viewers would have watched. Not all had that ability to hold you.

I agree you don’t make films to get an Oscar, but creating a good film is the dream of every filmmaker! If that wasn’t the case star struck like us would be ground struck!

We need good films. We need them to show us the way. Agreed they are artistic expressions but they need eyes to see them. Are we afraid of rejection? I hope not.