Ae Watan..

‘Raazi’ is one of those films that will get glued to your soul for sometime after you come out of theatres. May be, much beyond the streets, your neighbourhood and your living room.

Emotions and the very bane of human existence takes a ‘U’ turn in this sizzling drama that catapults us to one of the most bravest and disgusting stories I have come to know during the notorious battle of ‘Indo-Pak’ menace.

1971 was one of the worst India ever saw. Perhaps, the most valiant and path breaking as well. Some stories will blow your mind off, some will make you cry, some will rip you apart. ‘Raazi’ is a classic culmination of these voracious confrontations, within and outside.

I really fail to understand, how we could disown someone who has been so close to dismantle a great power that threatens to destroy the very country we adore. And that too, so conveniently with a dead statement like ‘they knew what they were signing up for’. That’s ‘Intelligence’ and ‘Hypocrisy’ in the same plateau.

The meaning of war is so beautifully explained, it’s appalling and equally disposes all of us to a reality we know but refuse to accept. Men have honour but no compassion, compassion is driven by the animosity for the opposite nation, relationships are built over the foundation of betrayal, emotions are packaged to triage deceit and conspiracy. In a world that’s born out of war, we want peace between 2 twin nations who never wanted it. Rather, the fire is not from the belly, but from the political powers who are either invisible or compromised, for another one. And, the juggernaut continues.

We won 1971, but we lost our peace forever.

The soundtrack of the film will live, perhaps for eternity. Arijit crooning to ‘Ae Watan..’ makes me believe that doesn’t matter who or how, but patriotism is inert feeling and cannot be bucketed. I and you belong to different places, but we still have love and admiration for our roots. And, this promiscuous feeling cannot be modified or disputed or disrespected. The BGM by Shankar Ehsaan Loy deserves equal applause, matching the intensity of this riveting tale. On top of it, the fact that ‘Ae Watan..’ encapsulates the words of the iconic Allama Iqbal makes it such an adorable classic of our times.

Alia Bhatt is simply outstanding as Sehmat Khan. She epitomises the dilemma, helplessness and the guts of Sehmat, which in itself is a spine chilling character. Mind you, Alia Bhatt is still very young, and at such an age, what she has done with films like ‘Raazi’ and ‘Udta Punjab’ is a revelation. Alia, I am sure your Dad is a proud man.

‘Raazi’ will go down as one of the finest 2018 ever produced. Not for the innovation but for the audacity to bring something so scary and dispensable to the odour of Cinema.

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Neighbourhood Talk

“I am big” – says the structure with a pinch of arrogance.

The sky smiles and tweets back – “May be, but am still above you and you lie beneath”.

Cheers!

A Man for an Eye

Is it possible that we might love a person so deep in our hearts that we can patronise and seduce another person to revel in the existence of the former?

And, discard these emotions so brutally when we realise that all that love was for a futile soul?

‘Drishtikone’ is a fetish perspective to the human side.

Gurudev, Pranam!

I do not have words to describe you, your description belongs to an elite world where a genius resides.

I cannot talk about you, you in itself are an institution that remains unparalleled, in man and beyond.

Your stories are not written, they are sagas that are embedded in our lives. Every day, every moment. Forever.

You defined Literature long before mankind could understand the nuances of what ‘Literature’ is.

You did not pen poetries, you have written ‘Life’ as means of poetry in a community where the ‘poet’ was always misunderstood.

Thank you, for leaving us behind.

Beacause, you were way ahead of our kind.

The Master – One of his Kind

What can I say?

Wishing ‘Happy Birthday’ to you is grossly similar to mortals trying to match the exploits of the sun and moon.

Satellites are a tad shy when it comes to your repertoire.

An icon and a legend of our times, there is no take away between your elite investment on the face of pure and generative cinema, and the sublime quality that came out from your stable, consistently.

Not just great, incredible stories. Stories with soul, enriched with human transcendence and path breaking relevance.

Nayak, Charulata, Aranyer Din Ratri, Agantuk, Pather Panchali, The Apu Trilogy..

Just to name a few. But enough for our goosebumps to last for a lifetime.

Perhaps, even more.

Sir, I take a bow!

And yes, if I can.

Happy Birthday, Satyajit Ray.

An Artist. The Filmmaker. The Auteur.

When Dark is Divine

Darkness is the essence of our lives.

Dark is us, in every frame.

We think black is dark, no.

Tyranny meets Redemption.

I meet you, otherwise it’s all so miniscule.

Dark is class, disguised as brightness, cajoling desires for longevity.

(Mis)Concept of Taboo

Within our polished and distinguished lives, we have a forbidden segment that society does not want to talk about. In fact, the forbidden subjects find a reclusive and repellent way of surviving in a society that’s made with rules and for people, who follow such rules. It is desirable and despised in the same breath, surprisingly. 

Perhaps, one of the oldest surviving creatures on earth, the ‘Forbidden’ principles are looked through the eyes of the one who is willing to surpass boundaries, transcend cultures, experiment with truth.

There are few gems which make a foray in to the vicinity of the ‘Forbidden’, and dare to explore the cliche. What comes out is disturbing, powerful and staggering.

I want you to watch them, if you have the balls to do so.

Una

A sexually abused 13 year old, who later confesses that it wasn’t really abuse in the first place. But, will a 13 year old understand if she is being abused in the first place is the million dollar question.

Unless, she feels uncomfortable about it, or feels that it isn’t the usual way of cuddling a 13 year old, then she can back off or resist.

It is a story of a dysfunctional individuals, thanks to early exposure to adultery.

Confronting the man responsible for taking advantage of her naive position opens up the pandora’s box to indulge some gross sexual conversations and the sinister intentions of man behind relationships.

Can it be called Love? Or is just, merely, lust and physical atonement?

Thousand questions, unknown answers and millions of eyebrows remain raised.

Unfreedom

How many of us lend our hand of support to bisexual relationships? 

I don’t even know if we do find ourselves acquainted with any other relationship status codes except the usual, conventional, and of course, traditional. – Being straight.

I think we still live in a world were norms are not regulated neither organised. Worst, there are double standards and hypocrisy in the decision of right or wrong.

Yes, I like straight people do but I have nothing against ‘otherwise’ folks.

I think every girl has this sublime right to decide if she wants to get married or not. Even better, she chooses man or woman. I think is the theory of naturals, more than being unconventional or ridiculously shameful. 

Is it a sin if a girl falls in love with another girl? Yes, the mundane answer is ‘Yes. But is it something that you and me get to decide, is the more perceivable question.

Yes the seriousness and authentic of the relationships in itself can be questioned but the basis of judgement and interrogation should not be upon the gender of 2 individuals.

All kinds of people live and have the right to choose their partners.

It’s a free universe, remember? Straight, Bi, Hetero or Homo, you have every right to live and love, that is, the way you want it to be. The aesthetics must be in the right place.

The Art Of Loving/Masters of Sex

People have sex but a thesis on sex? Sounds ridiculous, isn’t it?

But, on the hindsight, why not?

Some of the most intimate, desirable and churning moments in a man/woman’s life comes out of sex.

Then, why not explore the core of human sexuality, understand devious emotion under the skin of pleasure?

Well, both these stories and their real time protagonists exactly did that, obviously amidst, massive criticism and hypocrisy.

Curatively inspired by true incidents, it’s woven with interesting and murderous characters that will often sweep you off the floor, for sheer audacity and conviction.

They did not go down in history as the most influential, but neither did they go unnoticed.

I would say, Bravo!

Fire

Some of the best moments in Deepa Mehta’s trilogy comes out from this movie. A subtle and powerful story of 2 women falling for each other in an environment woven with hatred, chauvinism and lust is recipe for some scintillating moments.

Indeed, Fire delivers, though controversially and effectively.

In a society where women are expected to be submissive and clouded, ‘Fire’ oozes fire, conflicting with boorish men and their quest to kill feminism through turmoil and circumstantial jinx.

No wonder, it took Box Office by a storm and ravaged through reluctant screens.

The Reader

Set in the background of World War II, it is an unusual love story of an elderly woman with young lad. Something which starts off with oodles of lust and physical attraction, it develops in to a more substantial relationship that looks a like having no future. Love.

As much as it’s forbidden today, way back then, such relationships would be placed under buckets like ‘Sin’ and ‘Malicious’. 

It is inauspicious story for auspicious reasons. Again, its love. The boy isn’t in frame of mind to understand why this is wrong and the older woman is so devoid of relationships in her life that falling in love with a young lad who could be the age of his son doesn’t stop her from continuing the passionate relationship with him.

Yes, war brings them together and war separates them. Obviously, such relationships need not understand the complexity of other precarious matters like caste, community and religion. When the clock turns, time sways away.

So did they, but the the relationship never made a dent in their hearts. In contrast, it only led them to understand that all that goes around comes back one day.