Rakesh Roshan

Yash Johar

Today is the birthday of two prominent filmmakers, Rakesh Roshan and Yash Johar. For years their banners have made family films and in time to come their children worked together too that is actor Hrithik Roshan and director Karan Johar. Do you remember the scene in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham when Shah Rukh is celebrating his father ( Amitabh Bachchan’s) birthday in London and Hrithik Roshan tells Shah Rukh Khan that it is a coincidence but his father’s birthday falls on the the same date too.

Writer-director Karan Johar added this dialogue because his father Yash Johar and Hrithik’s father Rakesh Roshan share same birth date 06 September.

Hrithik and Shah Rukh Khan in Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham

@bhawanasomnaaya

My previous posts can be visited on the following link :
http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in

Film Review: Akira

Producer-Director: A R Murugadoss
Cast: Sonakshi Sinha, Anurag Kashyap, Konkona Sen
Rating: 3.5 stars

Based on Santha Kumar written 2011 Tamil film Mounathe Guru the film begins in Jodhpur where Akira daughter of a mute school teacher(Atul Kulkarni)is inculcated to stand up for truth. Her father trains her in Karate so that she can fight her battles and in doing so lands in the remand home for three years.

Fortunately, she does not carry the baggage and on release shifts to Mumbai to pursue her education.

The plus: Undoubtedly the writing, director Murugadoss along with Sanath Kumar, story and dialogues, Karan Singh Rathore diligently define every character and sub-text. The best thing about the film is that it’s not only about Akira and women empowerment. The message travels beyond gender gaze to voice multiple social concerns like parental guidance, disability, corruption in police force, college ragging and the working woman, in this case a pregnant cop.

Other things that add to the engaging narrative is the hard hitting action, editor Sreekar Prasad’s sharp editing and film’s talented supporting cast. As the pregnant crime branch cop, Konkona Sen Sharma is underplayed and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap in the role of ACP is outstanding.

Sonakshi Sinha plays Akira with confidence and trust; she is as believable as the Karate queen hitting the villains as the responsible student in the classroom. This is her most challenging role as an actor physically and she gives it her best shot.

The minus: the second half is repetitive and the climax exaggerated, some issues like the college bully remain unresolved but one overlooks it for the noble message.

Akira is about empowering women, motivating students and meant for all those who believe in change. It is inspirational, responsible and most important, unpredictable. It is the chilling story of the most imperfect murder.

Bhawana Somaaya/ @bhawanasomaaya

My previous posts can be visited on the following link :

http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in

Film Review: Island City

Writer-Director: Ruchika Oberoi
Cast: Vinay Pathak, Amruta Subhash and Tanistha Chatterjee
Rating: 3.5 stars

Short stories are most difficult to write and short films even more difficult to film but Ruchika Oberoi excels in stringing three short stories together — the link being the island city and the mundane lives of those caught in the race. The film is about these unforgettable characters and their mundane, morbid lives.
The first, Fun Committee tells about a middle-aged bachelor trapped in a routine. To revive his lowly spirits his office has a plan of amusement forced on to the staff. Vinay Pathak is offered an opportunity live life to the fullest which is comic and tragic at the same time.

The second, The Ghost in the Machine concentrates on a man in a hospital’s intensive care unit. While his family is concerned about his survival they are momentarily relieved of his tyranny. His wife Amruta Subhash runs the show in his absence without imposing fear or power on other members of the family. Will it be the same when her husband recovers and returns home?

The final, Contact is about a seemingly ordinary girl/ Tanishtha Chatterjee who leads an ordinary life at a printing press. She is oppressed by her immediate family and her fiancé and one day, discovers love sealed inside a mysterious envelope. Will it last or is it just a dream?

What appeals about of the film is the amazing narrative and the characters all sprinkled with astute observations and delightful insights. Without beating drums, Oberoi raises multiple issues related to pressure and mental wellness and life without passion.

Island City should be watched for the sparkling performances and for good cinema. Take a bow Ruchika Oberoi.
Bhawana Somaaya/ @bhawanasomaaya
My previous posts can be visited on the following link :

http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in

Zeenat Aman has been underground for a while but will be visiting all the film festivals this year to support her son Azaan Khan’s debut film as director called Bankster. The Norway Film Festival is the first on her list where maestro Suresh Wadkar has agreed to perform live at festival’s Bollywood Musical Concert. Other guests at the festival expected are distinguished guests from Iran, Mohammad Reza Sharifinia and Mehraveh Sharifinia both represent their film.

The Norway Film Festival will screen 26 films from India, Pakistan & Iran and these include impressive titles like Dhanak, Haraamkhor, Waiting, Kabali, Aligarh, Raman Raghav. Two films that will create a sensation are Pakistan’s banned film Maalik and Iran’s controversial film Father’s Love Story.

A Ghazal Evening will be the highlight of the evening featuring British Singer Tanya from Seven Eyes who will pay tribute to Mehndi Hasan in her melodious voice.

@bhawanasomaaya
My previous posts can be visited on the following link :

http://bhawanasomaaya.blogspot.in