Even though Goopy Gayen Bagha Bayen is considered to be a children’s fantasy, it is one of Satyajit Ray’s most political works. There are strong social, political, and ideological messages hidden within the fantastic imageries and songs in the film. What Ray showcases in this film is a pre-democratic society, one which has the full…
Movie reviews
Dabangg (1 and 2): The Physics of Justice
In one corner Mother India has fallen and even miscarried. But she will rise — be raised again by protector Chulbul Pandey, legendary policeman of the Hindi heartland — and presumably have more sons who will be like him. Chulbul Pandey will stand strong on their shoulders. The baddies will lie in a cluttered heap in one corner. But who will raise Munni fallen in her corner, whether or not she fell on a moving bus somewhere, some cold night? And give her another chance? Not Mr. Chulbul Pandey, nor Mr. Salman Khan. He will save his momentum for exploits of greater glory.
What’s Wrong With Thappad?
I read a bunch of reviews before watching this film, and each and every one of them hailed Thappad as a technically sound, well-acted, and feminist film (Rajeev Masand). I am not going to look at the technical aspects of the movie, of which there are already many reviews. Instead, I am going to explore…
What’s Wrong with Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?
KUCH KUCH HOTA HAI, less commonly known as KUCH BHI HOTA HAI. is a 1998 love story about arranged marriages. #Indianmatchmaking The film opens with a zoom shot of Rahul (SRK) crying in front of the burning pyre of his wife, Tina (Rani Mukherjee). We soon learn that the highlight of Rahul and Tina’s relationship,…
What’s Wrong With Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham?
On any given day, more happens in my life than the entire plot of “Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham” (2001), which, unfortunately, is 3 hours 31 minutes long. The movie opens at Manor (read manure) House Mussoorie School fields as Hrithik Roshan (Rohan Raichand, referred as HR hereon), the self-proclaimed prodigal son of the Raichand family,…
What’s wrong with Baazigar?
Guys, I am sorry to have to tell you this but Shilpa Shetty died in Baazigar (1993) for no reason. There is no reason why SRK needed to date both the sisters. If he had successfully deceived Shilpa, then why couldn’t he have taken her to the race tracks, impressed the father-in-law, and carried out…