Views And Review -Veere Di Wedding

When the trailer of Veere Di Wedding came out in May, and though it was not coming out from best of the production houses in the country, I thought the trailer had a quirk. Balaji Telefilms is known to draw up the worst regressive plots for the television, and Anil Kapoor productions - the last time they claimed to make a chick lit - they made an Aisha. However, the trailer looked good, and I did think Yogesh would not mind watching four good looking women on the celluloid.


The reviews that came out thrashed the movie. The reviewers said the movie does not pass Bechdel test. Bechdel Test is primarily conducted on movies and work of fiction to ascertain - if women play a significant role and interact with each other in the stories, and talk about anything other than men.

With such bad reviews, I had dropped the idea of watching the movie in the theatre, but a good friend asked if one can watch Salman Khan's masala flick then why not Veere di Wedding. It raises the question of why does one watch a movie, and the answer is entertainment. What else can explain the mindless movies that made it to the hundred crore club?

Then why do people expect a chick lit like Veere di wedding to pass Bechdel test or be feministic or compare it with Lipstick Under My Burkha with which it has nothing in common, except multiple female leads and the production house?  And with all those questions, in the spur of a moment, the ticket was booked in the second row for this chick flick.

There's some charm when you watch a movie in a house full theatre. I heard some loud cheer from the back seats, throughout the movie, attesting the fact the movie indeed had an audience, in all likeness to Tiger Zinda Hai or Grand Masti.

At the end of the movie, my husband said, "I think you liked the movie."

"It was okay, maybe decent."

" Afterall it's about four boisterous women."

I smiled because for him I am that unruly woman. Did I find myself in the shoes of the protagonists?  No, I don't think so. My life is quite different from these four women, their issues and not to forget their financial situations. However, I had fun.

A set of fearless women is a treat to eyes. These women smoke, drink, and swear; and at no point, they look vulgar.  But more than that they have an opinion, even if it is about men and relationships.  They are not bitches. They are best friends and anyone who wants get an idea of how women talk to each other- this could be their chance. To sum up, the characters are simply sensible modern women.

If comparatives are to be drawn with sex comedies such as Grand Masti or House full, the movie was several notches above in portraying the women and gay relationships. At no point, it indulges in male bashing, objectifying women, or making fun of the LGBTQ community. To be honest, I did think the movie would indulge in at least in one scene where it would mock Vivek Mushran and his partner. But there isn't and its a win, we might hope to have a better-focused movie on gay relationships in near future.

Swara Bhaskar proved mettle as an actor as she played the rich kid, with no holds barred. Shikha Talsania and Kareena Kapoor too don't disappoint. Sonam Kapoor -(sigh!), she will reach there in another four-five years.

Now before we move to shameless product plugging, one last thing, Veere di Wedding is a movie and not a book, it needs to be extensively edited to fit a particular runtime to be cost-effective and appealing to an audience. Therefore there are not as many dialogues which one could take note of, however again the one where Swara discloses how her relationship has gone to docks or when she repeats it to her parents, takes the cake.

So, yes the movie plugged lots of products. Air India, Bikaneri sweets, Oxford English Hindi dictionary, Bharat Matrimony, and Amul. Although I am not sure if Oxford and Bharat matrimony paid. But in a country like ours, where women in Bollywood struggle for meatier roles, one needs a viable model. The production would need to recover its costs, unlike Dil Chahta Hai which is held as best friendship movie ever had guaranteed returns, on the other hand, this movie is an out and out gamble. And guess what no one is troubled by all guys trip to Goa, in the spur of a moment.

So, yeah - to conclude the movie might pass Bechdel test because they do talk about other stuff, even though for a short time.

Yes, the movie could have been better so would Bajrangi Bhaijan or Tiger Zinda Hai could have been better.

And the final question - about feminism - the movie doe not identify itself or can be classified as core feminist movie, but I think makers were clear on that - the purpose of the movie was entertainment and not activism.

Last checked, the worldwide movie made hundred crores in collections. Go ahead Bollywood make some more chick lits - let us see more feisty women on screen. You have got an audience

JOLLY LLB

As usual by end of the day , Patidev's wallet had been bankrupt . No , he didn't buy expensive gift for me . He had lend some money to contract labours in his office . On an average, every month around 2k-3k is always in rolling in this interest free lending business  . I asked him , do those people really need money ? ( I was hinting  at alcohol problems ) . He said yes , one of the fellow who he lent money yesterday wanted it for getting LPG at home . He continued , they earn only 6-7k per month .  They don't stay in their own house  , its generally rented , food , daily travel , they survive with quite  a lot of difficulty . Most have wives who are domestic maids .  The good thing is all these people return him the money they take in less than a month or two and I haven't yet heard my husband ramble about money not being returned. Hence as they say , wheel of Karma keeps moving.

We  decided to break the jinx of having not seen a movie in theatre for three months . I was expecting Jolly LLB to be some light humored comedy . It begins with nerve raising land cruiser speeding scene which ends up in an accident. Though it is indeed a comedy , I'd say a "dark comedy" . How the system is manipulated by the rich & affluent for convenience and how the middle class common man has found its discourse of making money at the cost of breaking or lets say ignoring ethics & principles . At no point the movie is preachy . It is what I say - ruthless to our judiciary , police and society .

The courtrooms are supposed to be mundane & rote . But this movie brings back the livelihood of courts . The arguments , the cases and the judges .  The way a senior counselor (Boman Irani) is treated with respect by judges. Everything gels in & one starts enjoying  the whole drama . Saurabh Shukla is so outstanding that I was trying to recollect when was the last time I enjoyed his performance . The fellow shows his true blue colours of stage actor . Every frame he has acted in , is so so wonderful. There are many high points in the movie, vague references to Sibal & Jethmalani , the quality of lawyers which we are churning . 

 In one scene Arshad Warsi tells a poor labour "Insaaf Maangne Se Nahi Ladke Milta hai" . The truth is there is lack of mechanism to provide basic needs to the poor , leave alone justice . In climax while concluding his argument  Arshad asks , why a poor man has to run through dates from court while defence will go an every inch manipulate evidence & facts of the case . In the end even Saurabh Shukla says , he would always know on day one who is guilty , yet evidences & witnesses fail to appear in court .  

This movie may not be a cult but will find its way to your movie collections .  Me & Husband were glad that we spent 400 odd bucks on weekday on a low budget flick & it was worth it  . The movie certainly leaves  a lot of  fodder for brain.  

Luv Shuv Tey Chicken Khurana

 The rate of movie reviews on this Blog  is inversely proportional to the square of no. of  Bollywood movies are released in year . So another review in a month is a good news for Bollywood. A lot of reviews which I wrote in a line or two found its way to trash bin . The only film I didn't do justice when sent to trash bin was "Tanu Weds Manu" . It was a good movie & ofcourse I'd liked it at that point of time . And Yeah I do think Kagna Ranaut overdid the character of Tanu . 

The other movie which I missed watching itself was Aiyya .The presentation of Aiyya was so loud that I refrained visiting theater considering the fact that for a change my husband was quite keen on watching the movie. 

So whats common between  Tanu Weds Manu, Luv Shuv , & Aiyaa . All have been directed by first time directors . The latter two also were Anurag Kashyap production . The good thing about Luv Shuv is, it got to see the light of the day . A good editing and  casting except for Omi's (Kunal Kapoor) brother . However, Luv Shuv turned out to be pretty disappointing 

The promo in all unfairness suggested that the movie would be laughter riot , which it wasn't . A major disappointment .  The heart of the movie ( Chicken Khurana) starts beating quite late . The characters are not chilled like a typical Punjabi Families . The only stand out character was ofcourse , Titu Mama ( Rajesh Sharma ) . Huma Qureshi as Harman was another good thing about the movie . Flesh is in . 

Too Many subplots & extensions did more harm than good to the movie . 

Also , Kunal Kapoor stop emulating Hrithik . Do something original.

English Vinglish

Send English Vinglish for Oscars , atleast its original .Its the only movie , where I cried after a long gap . The last time I cried was , while watching  Taare Zameen Par . The scene where Sridevi has a deja vu moment , for being able to tell what she wants to eat at a NY cafe & in the next moment she rams into another person with her tray & then she runs out of the cafe , crying & feeling miserable . My eyes swelled with tears .

English Vinglish is the Movie for Moms , Daughters , Unappreciative Husbands , non -judgemental friends & that loving friend & a proud teacher.

If I get one scene to act in  & to make mark I will have to make most of it . Its not exactly the case of Amitabh Bachchan , the moment he walks in , the audience is ready to roll . And My My , he makes most of it , the five minutes of his scene w/o any preaching is hilarious & gives you yet another reason to continue watching Bollywood . In the climax ,  there is yet again "proud teacher" moment which won my heart .

The  people who shout on top of the voice to make them mainstream , they should watch this film & know how to push the corners of envelope w/o breaking it . ( Ofcourse , there is GOW1 &2 which I unfortunately missed )

 The movie is director's observation of the Indian society . Its not Sridevi's comeback film , Its Gauri 's movie . The music is awesome , I am going "ga ga" over Navri Majhi Navsachi Ho ....

There are quite misses in the movie &  the editing isn't crisp . Yet its a good serve , ofcourse as it is promoted "for family".

On that Oscar thing , I am kidding .

Guide to Blockbuster Movie During Eid Week

Dear Producer ,

Follow below steps for humongous Blockbuster  during Eid , Oh you missed this year's Eid release , you may do this next Eid :-

1) Sign Salman Khan . Yes thats your first step .  Its Ok, if you don't have story , director, writer , cameramen . You just need Salman Khan , I repeat Salman Khan.

2) Actress - Sign anyone of them :- Katrina , Kareena Priyanka  , it doesn't really matter.

3) Oh , you still don't have story or a writer . Doesn't matter .  These are substeps to storyline :

   

a) Grand Entry for Salman , Opening with a fight sequence .

                     

b) Two or three songs,what item songs? Yeah you can have that one too starring Salman Khan  .                        

    

 c) Two/three romantic scenes around songs .

           

 d) 3-4 Fight sequences /Chase sequences . Salman Khan jumping around rooftops , trains .

 e) Oh , you need Villian , corrupt officer so that Salman beats a shit out of them . Yeah Aditya Pancholi will do ( Remember BodyGuard , yeah he starred in it.)

 f) No one dies , except Villian . Note :- Dabbang  was an exception where Dimple & anupam kher died.

4) Director , Editor , Screenplay writer ,cinematographer . Take any one you want . No , it doesn't matter . Sequel to Dabbang is directed by Arbaaz , that should tell you . Also Sohail is also a director.

5) Music should be good , Sajid Wajid Know , what Bhai prefers.

6) Book all the screens on that weekend . Shift other movies to night slot , don't give Audience a choice.

7) Hit delivered.

8) Don't forget to send me a consultancy cheque.

Guaranteed Results or Money back .

 Vanita          

Tere Bin Laden

On a critical  subject like " war on terrorism ", "Osama Bin laden" the movie is simply funny , witty , laughter riot and yet you would  never disagree with the writer . The movie is about a set of "innocent" characters  in a desire to make some quick money for fulfilling their personal ambitions. With their luck, they find "Osama" look alike ..... and then they make money ...and then they want to "undo" things and then they have intelligence chasing them.The audience gets into a joyride right from the begining......

Tere Bin Laden is a "satire" .A satire is usually meant to be funny, its greater purpose is constructive social criticism, using wit as a weapon. I must say movie does it successfully. Never once you feel that the movie has been shot outside Pakistan. AK -47 at grocery store , US dollars at a "sweets shop" , Osama in Pakistan and war on terror at Afghanistan by "Amreeka" :P ; the list is endless.  .

Check "Noora's" character , he is too cute & to complement him is "Sikandar" simply superb & the "Moorgabangh" competition ,it would just make you smile little more ......


As well said by a critic ,  "Tere Bin Laden promises to unite film-goers...an ingredient terribly dangerous for power-hungry politicians on any side." and I agree with the critic.

Movie : Tere Bin Laden
Website : www.terebinladen.com

Raat Gayi Baat Gayi-Review

Last week I saw this movie directed by Saurabh Shukla with some of the eminent actors who rarely work with mainstream. These actors/director have successfully established their own community who make movie for certain category of people.....Movies about love which are not set in fantasy land but in the realistic situation.....Its more about taking care of your love and not about high moral standards.
I immensely liked Raat Gayi Baat Gayi; the movie was a complete laughter riot and with ease it
touched subjects like infidelity , Sacrifice for partners, possessiveness four partner which are part of human nature ..... The movie highly suggests that anybody can flip . It also goes on to show how Indian woman take a brave step of ignorance towards their husband's behavior of rowing eyes to keep the family together.
The movie has lot of relevance to today's Indian urban society where the definition of morality are changing. All in all a very well made movie.The movies music is good too. Its contemporary & not run of mill type.........

I look forward to such movies.

Vanita

Movie : Raat Gayi Baat Gayi
Language : Hindi
Website: www.raatgayibaatgayi.com