Ripples on the brain

So, It was an ISB show at Prasads! ISB block booked the tickets for a whole show and tickets were on the house for all of us. Most of us (including me), however, weren’t grateful enough to heed to ISB’s request of wearing an ISB t-shirt to the movie. That should have been a good brand building. However, we went to the movie just as it began and there wasn’t any big interval and so I didn’t notice a lot of t-shirts anyway.

Ok, now to the movie. The pessimist in me couldn’t but think about a formula in the movie. Among Aamir Khan’s previous two hit movies - Lagaan was a pre-indepence era movie and DCH was for the heppy generation. This movie combined both of these. I had read in some review about Lagaan movie that it was just another formula film that combined three basic emotions of the Indian masses - anti-British, love for cricket and love for love. From that perspective, this movie wasn’t any different - anti-British, anti-corruption/politicians (we mostly equate the two, as if politicians belong to a different breed than us and they are the only ones corrupt in India) and love for love.

But, the other side of me loved this movie. Such movies have become very rare nowadays and whenever they come, the effort that goes into it, more than the ultimate product itself deserves a lot appreciation. I mean, the director could have very well had another remake of Unfaithful with some heroine stripping in front of the camera or smooching another bare-bodied hero/heroine. The fact that so much thought and effort has gone into the story and screenplay should be applauded. Well done!!!

Among the actors, Atul Kulkarni was the best. I still can’t forget his acting when he recited the words “Sarfarosh ki thamanna hamare dil me hain…” . The skin between his nose and lips shivered as he spoke these lines, which I feel is very difficult to bring out unless you’re really emotional or an extremely talented actor. I think it was a bit of both. Even in other places, like when he joins the gang but refuses to open up - with his folded hands - he has beaten everyone else in the cast. Good job!!! Aamir Khan was his usual self. He has set some standards in acting and makes sure that he meets his standards everytime. When he needs to laugh at some sudden joke or cry silently, he makes it look so natural. Another thing about him is that he’s so comfortable with the co-artists sharing the screen, something you cannot see with an actor like Kamal Hassan. Soha Ali Khan is good . To me every heroine looks beautiful nowadays; is it that they are really beautiful or it has something to do with my age? I don’t know. She inherits the beauty of Sharmila Tagore with the nose of Tiger Pataudi with that characterisitic curve. She doesn’t act so well in the beginning but carries herself well later. I was surprised with the importance new-comer Siddharth was given in the movie. He made sure the confidence in him wasn’t misplaced. Om Puri was, as usual, amazing. It’s a shame he’s not mentioned prominently in the cast. All the other actors played their parts well - an indication of good direction.

A.R.Rehman’s music was very good, except that sometimes it reminded me of Ayutha Ezhuthu or Yuva.

Overall a movie worth watching twice !!!