Key Takeaways
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Awaara is one of the most popular movies in the Bollywood industry which means drama, romance, music, comedy, and action are all put together to please a wide audience. Both the sets and the songs in the movie Awaara are lavishly decorated and wonderfully shown. One of my favorites is "Ghar Aaya Mera Pardesi". Moreover, this film examines a number of themes, including gender inequality and Indian mythology, as seen in a woman who is accused of being impure due to abduction, as well as nature vs. nurture, which is an important issue in this film. All of these subjects are discussed with honesty and in detail by the writers. Poverty, a common concept in Kapoor films, is portrayed as the mother of all crimes, and ignorance is the mother of poverty. The romance between Raj and Rita is one of the central concepts of the film and the chemistry between the two is electric. I was wiping away tears as I watched a really emotional sequence of reunion between father and son at the end. Overall, Awaara is a well-acted picture with outstanding performances from Raj Kapoor and Nargis, and it is one that will keep your attention. One of the best Bollywood films of the year in which it was released.
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It is often said that the Hindi film "Mother India" based in Mumbai by Mehboob Khan has set the pattern for the movies that followed it for 50 years. This nationalistic epic movie is a sprawling three-hour melodramatic movie. The main character of this movie is a peasant woman (Radha - Nargis) who has played the role of Mother India in the film and whose resolve to face all types of social and personal suffering without jeopardizing her honor becomes a symbol of India's pride as an ancient culture and a young and new democracy. Radha is a woman who makes sacrifice after sacrifice on behalf of her family and causes a social change. When Radha's husband (Raj Kumar) loses both arms in a farming accident, he runs away in shame leaving Radha alone to take care of the family. At this point, "Mother India" transforms into "Mother Courage." Radha was determined to keep her family on track and did not give up so she worked fingers to the bone on what was left of the farm. The moneylender who has loaned Radha would always ask Radha to become his wife, but she would always refuse in order to save her honor. One of her sons, Birju (Sunil Dutt), is portrayed as always being a "problem" right from childhood, and while I could understand his rage against the moneylender, I found his vengeance hard to believe, especially the self-destruction that pitted him against his own family members. By killing her son Birju, Radha prioritized society and her religion over her own son hence marking the growth of mindsets. I like the ending and really laud Radha, who realized that one's dignity and honor are priceless and shouldn't be bartered away. This film had me in tears and not tears of sadness, but because it was just so beautiful. The whole spirit of this piece is very poetic. In Hollywood movies, the songs are when I take a break and go out. But in Indian movies, the songs are the best. The lyrics, the melodies, the staging are just wonderful.
"Anand" means "bringing joy and happiness" and this is exactly what Hrishikesh Mukerjee portrayed in this movie through the character, "Anand," played by Rajesh Khanna. This movie is considered a classic and I appreciate how the film deals with death, as few films really address this in any meaningful way. In this film, it is shown that Anand was diagnosed with terminal cancer and he has no family or friends. Instead of being miserable, he is very vivacious and takes a very positive attitude. He's not in denial and he just wants to make the most of his time left. He also wants to leave something positive for those around him and then he decides, in particular, to help his new friend, Dr. Bhaskar. What makes this film interesting is that through the course of the film, you notice that Anand is okay with death. After all, he can't avoid it. It's everyone around him (particularly Dr. Bhaskar) who cannot accept it. In the movie, Anand says to Dr. Bhaskar that "Babu Moshai, Zindagi badi honi chahiye lambi nahi" this is a real hit quote that has a deep meaning. This dialogue means that you should accomplish something in your life rather than just living it without any goals. Sometimes we feel like movies are fiction and are unable to connect with them, but this movie on the other hand has proven true. Rajesh Khanna died because of cancer just as the character "Anand" and he in real life had no regrets and lived his life to the fullest living the "Anand" character in reality. Rajesh Khanna ended his last year as "Anand". We should take learning from this and live to our fullest. I liked this movie because it is a lesson about life for many people since it presents very well a difficult subject and how people face it from a different perspective. The interpretations of both Amitabh Bachchan who played Dr. Bhaskar and Rajesh Khanna who played Anand were simply outstanding. Lastly, I have to say that "Anand" is a beautiful movie and I strongly recommend everyone to watch it.
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The partition not only affected those who were displaced but also those who decided to stay back. And the minorities who decided to stay back amongst the majorities found themselves in a strange situation; suddenly they were outsiders in their own country and people viewed them with suspicion. 'Garam Hawa' deals with such issues with great sensitivity and perhaps is one of the best movies ever made on post-partition. Salim Mirza, brilliantly played by Balraj Sahni, is one such Muslim who stays back in India. India is a new democracy and has its problems of poverty and unemployment and Salim Mirza and his family have to fight to find their identity and respect in the country they chose not to leave. Sikandar, played by Farooq Shaikh, is Salim Mirza's unemployed son who is often told on his face that he might have a better chance in Pakistan but like his father he is determined. The family suffers a great deal for its decision but doesn't give up. I am sure everyone who was present during those days can identify with something in this story. The grandmother wanting to die in her ancestral home and her whole life flashing before her eyes before she dies is an unforgettable scene. All those involved with this movie have done a service to Indian people, who are interested in history, partition, Hindu-Muslim relations, etc. It does not matter whether this movie was declared hit, semi-hit or average, but it has left an incredible mark on one's psyche. It moves one to see those Muslim people who chose to stay behind in India, with their plight and dilemma. It definitely plays a big role to arouse sympathy and a soft corner for Muslim brethren who chose to stay in India, despite all the odds against them. Overall, Garm Hava is a very well-executed narrative and informs us extensively about one of the many poignant chapters of the subcontinent's vast history - the aftermath of The Partition.
"Aaj khush to bohot hoge tum", yes! That's what my heart asked me after watching this masterpiece. Deewaar is one of the greatest movies of Indian cinema in which Amitabh Bachchan gives the greatest male performance of Indian cinema as Vijay. The destiny of the two brothers brings them against each other as one becomes the police inspector and the other goes into the crime world, and we see a long journey of their life from the good beginning till the better end. Creating such masala entertainers is a Salim-Javed thing only, and they got Yash Raj in the direction who did wonders with the script. Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in lead role delivering the extremely powerful dialogues, "tumhare saare usoolon ko goond kar ek waqt ki roti nahi banai ja sakti Ravi!", like OMG, wow. As always, beautiful music by R. D. Burman, especially "keh doon tumhe, ya chup rahu". But there was still some room for more songs! It was such a versatile production design showing poor low-class designs to high end classic rich environment. Love, anger, revenge, emotions, it is all in one blockbuster for sure. The scene shot below the bridge is one of the best scenes ever shot and again it's the characters who should be credited for it and the punch line, "Mere Paas Ma Hai". The last scene of the movie where Vijay goes to find his mother in the temple while his brother was chasing him to kill him kept me on my toes and when he finally reached his mother and asked her again and again "Kya tum mujhse naraz ho" and her replying "nahi beta" out of love and then Vijay dying in her arms because of a gunshot that was triggered by his brother Ravi, had me crying. Overall Deewaar is one of the most iconic films of Indian cinema in which Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor give one of the most iconic performances of the world cinema. I think everyone should watch this film because it gives a sense about rich and poor and the importance of family.
This movie is a precious gem. I have not seen anything like it and only a rare amount of movies dare to be as different. One cannot expect any less from Satyajit Ray, one of India's greatest filmmakers. Shatranj Ke Khiladi is a satirical comedy that stars the best actors delivering the finest performances. Amjad Khan and Saeed Jaffrey definitely did their best for this movie. Sanjeev Kumar and Shabana Azmi are excellent as always. Richard Attenborough and Victor Banerjee do very well with their small roles. I was also surprised to see Farida Jalal in a negative comic role as an unfaithful wife. Sanjeev Kumar and Saeed Jaffrey are exceptional as the chess-obsessed noblemen, who ironically indulge in ceaseless chess playing while showing minimal interest in the state of their marriages, wives, and even their nation. Ray also applies his artistic talents in set designs as you'll see some beautiful paintings. What stood out for me in this film is the performance of Amjad Khan as Nawab Wajid Ali Shah. After having seen him play the rough characters in various films, to see him capture the nuances of a very sensible man was remarkable. Only a master like Ray could have got such a masterful performance out of Amjad Khan. Background music is limited but used effectively. The movie was shot brilliantly where it is quite evident that the director has given attention to every little detail. There is one scene where Sanjeev Kumar goes to his room to see his wife. Saeed Jaffrey is waiting for him. We soon see a scene where Jaffrey goes to check on Sanjeev then when he returns...we see a hand changing the position on the chessboard. This is just one of the finest examples of excellent direction, among the many you'll witness in this classic masterpiece. The events of the 19th century are portrayed very poetically. While some may say that the pace is slow, it did not bore me one bit and there was always something happening. This, indeed, is a fine piece of film-making. I suggest everyone should watch it.
Muzaffar Ali's Umrao Jaan is a work of great mastery. Ali adopts Mirza Hadi Ruswa's novel and does it skillfully. Telling the story of Amiran, who was kidnapped as a young girl and sold in a brothel in Lahore to become a renowned courtesan and poetess, Umrao Jaan is what people call an art film, and it is a very good art film at that. The film is, indeed, benefitted by a stark atmosphere of authenticity, and coupled with its poignant and heartbreaking story, as well as its poetic tone, keeps engaging the audience as they feel for the heroine as the proceedings unfold. And if that is not enough, it is a true visual treat, boasting of extraordinary sets and costumes and providing a fascinating glimpse into the ancient years and places where the story is supposed to take place. Ali's direction is excellent, and he manages to make it much more than just a costume drama. The cinematic quality of this film in both writing, production values, and aesthetics cannot be doubted, but the film actually has a soul. Speaking of the music, this is one of those films where the songs are not just pastimes but an integral part of the story in that they convey a whole range of emotions that the character goes through and help forward its story. Asha Bhosle's divine, sharp and sensual voice is surely one of the film's trump cards, and without her soulful, highly-skilled renditions, this film would not have been complete. Her singing and Rekha's acting complement each other in a true example of superb playback singing. To sum it up, Umrao Jaan is a difficult story and a poignant film of unmatched excellence and artistry. Its many great advantages notwithstanding, it is Rekha's devastating portrayal that tugs at the heartstrings and resonates in mind after the film is over. This is one of the best performances by an Indian actress, and well, her name will obviously always come first to mind the moment Umrao Jaan is mentioned.
Vishal Bhardwaj's 'Omkara' is a modern-day adaptation of Shakespeare's play 'Othello'. Set in rural Uttar Pradesh, the film deals with everything the original story dealt with, including morality, faith, doubt, love, betrayal, and deception. Bhardwaj's direction is marvelous and his portrayal of rural India is laudable. He skillfully captures the spirit of these wild hinterlands and their effervescent and simple people through his dark narrative style and brilliant writing. The film is very well crafted and is amazingly realistic thanks to the serious proceedings, the authentic dialogues, the simple locations, the lifelike situations, and the roundly natural acting. Speaking of acting, I will not stretch it much and will say it straight: Saif Ali Khan did not only outdo everyone in the film, but he also outdid himself with his performance. As the manipulative Langda (Iago), he is unrecognizable, his dialect and body language are spot-on, and he easily pulls off a role no one ever expected him to play. Konkona Sen Sharma equals his act totally, and though her part is relatively small, she is absolutely astonishing as the vivacious and sassy Indu (Emilia) and steals every scene she appears in. Again, her dialect and mannerisms were incredible. Kareena Kapoor is very pretty in her deglamorized role of Dolly (Desdemona) and her acting is excellent throughout. Vivek Oberoi is very effective. Ajay Devgan is good as Omkara (Othello) but is very disappointing mainly because though he is the central character, you almost forget about him at the end of the show. Bipasha Basu looks stunning and acts well but she hardly has a role to speak of. Other cast members do a fine job. The film's soundtrack, composed by Bhardwaj himself (another proof of his craftsmanship), is outstanding. My favorite songs include "Naina", "Namak" and "O Saathi Re". The film's climax is thrilling and the ending is bittersweet, very tragic, and sad but still conveys the irony and provides the much-needed catharsis. 'Omkara' is an interesting and artistic movie and truly a gem where Hindi cinema is concerned.
The film very effectively portrays how media are selling their stereotypes and hiding the real truth, just to increase their TRPs. Moreover, the film also serves as a satire of the government and the politicians who utilizes the loopholes in the rules to secure their positions and make a mockery out of the common people. In addition to this, I think the subject of the movie is simple yet thought-provoking. As India moves to an industrialized economy, farmers are committing suicide. Self-serving politicians at all government levels have been unwilling or unable to do anything about this. While the movie might appear as a spoof on the farmer suicides but it ends up conveying much more and presents some shocking facts. The movie also depicts the news media in its true and natural color. Some news channels report every news item as "Breaking news", but what they actually do is, magnify, marginalize and sometimes distort any news depending upon who controls them. In many ways, this film is like a modern Indian version of the classic Hollywood film, "Ace in a Hole", both are very dark films about the 'news' and very insightful. Some of my favorite moments in "Peepli Live" were Natha being given a TV (even though he didn't have electricity) and newscasters coming up with crazy polls such as the one where "7% of the folks blame the United States for Natha's predicament"!
Bollywood is definitely evolving experimenting with different and unique subjects. Homosexuality is one of the topics not much talked about in Hindi Movies. But Hansal Mehta, the director has shown full courage to portray such a subject. Apart from the regular Bollywood Movies, this appears to be extremely different, well-directed and performed. The film claims to be based on the real story of a professor who is gay and for his sexuality, is suspended from the university. The film deals with his battle to stand against his sexual orientation. The film makes a sharp statement on the issue and gives a brief on the legislation on homosexuality. The dialogues and direction have been very well done. But it's Manoj Bajpayee's performance for which the film is worth a watch. Away from the commercial angle, he puts life to his character, as a silent professor who's uninterested in what happens around him. Few of his dialogues just put the homosexuals as a class who also want to live their lives as they want and fend for their privacy. Similar movies were, Manjhi-The Mountain Man, Bajirao Mastani followed by Airlift and Neerja. The best part of watching these biographies is the inspiring and motivating stories which have resulted in outstanding appreciation from both audience and critics. It takes courage and guts to make a film like Aligarh. The movie opens with a bang giving you goose-bumps. As the movie progress, you will be sucked into the film and the entire credit goes to Hansal Mehta for doing fantastic research on the event which changed the life of Dr. Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras. The courtroom- drama, the friendship between Manoj Bajpai and Rajkumar Rao, and even the climax sequences are definitely the highlight of the film. The screenplay is engaging. Art direction and cinematography are simple yet powerful. Manoj Bajpai has delivered a solid performance. He fits into the character as if it was tailor-made for him. Rajkumar Rao lends good support. Overall, the specialties of "Aligarh" are its setting and Bajpayi's acting.
