Bajrangi Bhaijaan - Being Human

First thing first, the show stealer in presence of towering Salman Khan in his movie is angelic Harshaali Malhotra, and how. She just wins our heart.

Okay, yes, people are telling the truth, i.e. Bajrangi Bhaijaan is indeed Salman Khan’s best till date. However, I wonder which one is better, Radhe of Tere Naam or Pawan Kumar Chaturvedi of Bajrangi Bhaijaan! Both these movies showcase the actual acting prowess of Salman Khan. He is the ‘Being Human’ Bhaijaan, onscreen and off-screen. And we cannot stop loving him, in fact, this love has just got high after the encounter with Bajrangi.

Top 10 Nepali Movie Songs of 2071

Most of the second half of 2071 B.S. was dominated by Jaalma, the amazing peppy track from movie Resham Filili (released on Baisakh 11, 2072). The hit run of the song is continued in early 2072 as well. Well, if only the devastating earthquake had not hit Nepal!

I am no critic to judge which is best and which is not. And everybody has got his/her own taste in music. From the large numbers of songs from the movies released on 2071 BS, here I have picked my favorite ones.

1. Bistarai Bistarai (Soul Sister)

It is the cover song performed by Namrata Shrestha in her movie Soul Sister. While the original version of Rohit John Chhetri is undoubtedly awesome, this one in Namrata’s voice is equally lovely. Her voice is very good and she has crooned the track wonderfully. Much pleasing to ears!

Top 5 Nepali Movies of 2071 B.S.

The past year, as always, saw about 100 movies released and as always, only a few of them proved to be the remarkable ones. 2071 was the year that gave us wonderful Kabaddi and strong Talakjung vs Tulke. The love-story flicks November Rain and Jerryy became both the money-spinner and audience-pleaser.

Some movies with high expectations let down the audiences. Sadanga, Tandav, Shree Paanch Ambare,  Sambodhan fall in this category. Few masala movies fared big at the box-office. Himmatwali, Lajja, Hawaldaar Suntali, Nai Nabhannu La 3 are examples. There was nothing new to point out in these ones but they were surely entertaining for the targeted audience.

And there were some movies attempting something new, which were good too but the box-office factor didn’t go well for them. Suntali, Mala, Red Monsoon are few to name.

Here I have picked my favorite ones. (Although the post title says Top 5, here are 7 in numbers actually)

Beats of Dil Dhadakne Do

The kind of vibe you get after watching Zoya Akhtar movie is always amazing. Watched it twice and am all praise over it, for the lifetime! Have read many reviews and all, but still here am I writing about the movie I loved so much.

The journey every family goes through, the complications everyone possesses, the shades everybody hides behind, the pretence every society surfaces on, and most importantly, the essence of family and love - Dil Dhadakne Do blends all these in one in such a simple, sweet and heart-warming narrative that one can easily relate to his/her own life; except the magnificent cruise though! Cruise is used as the metaphor and how!
Although the story is set in the elite class of India, it is relatable to all classes and societies. You laugh with them and you feel their pain, you will just feel good when you come out of theatre after almost three hours; that you just came out of the journey, parts of which you would eventually come across in your own life.

If writing and presentation is the heart of DDD, then performance is its heartbeat. Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti have captured the different lives so convincingly in one and Farhan Akhtar has given them the words, as practical as it can get, to speak. However, Pluto’s understanding of people is more wonderful and thumps up for Javed Akhtar to give Pluto his words. Zoya has brought the depth onto the surface with so much ease, now not everyone can do the same as she does in her films. Every character has their own issues and they are projected in such a way that we, the audience, can feel them in a moment. Even the silences in the movie are loud as those silences deliver much intensely, specially for the characters Ayesha, Neelam and Kabir. We can actually get into their heads in those silences and feel them. The way every character has been given their individuality and importance is very endearing as is the way they are interrelated.

Neither the parents nor the children are

perfect, no family is perfect, but we still do love the family. This is what DDD has portrayed about the family; it is true and we all know it, may be realized even more after watching the movie. Likewise, the brother-sister relationship is another highlight of DDD and this shines through the film. Their eye-to-eye talk and their interactions are delight to watch. Equally delightful is to watch the family interaction scenes. Every time all four Mehras come on screen together, the intensity just gets higher. We become like, we do the family talk just in that way! And the main thing, movie floats as lightly as it deeply gets into our heart. It’s a fun watch but never fails to tickle our mind. There’s some serious issues raised but has a humor in all of them. Good movies continue to come, but this type comes rarely.

DDD talks about the women empowerment and gender equality too, and about freedom as well. How easily Frahan’s Sunny argues and makes sense about the talk of equality with Rahul Bose’s Manav that we just get into a thought “yeah, that’s the point”. Anushka Sharma’s Farah tells her story about choosing freedom and becoming a dancer, and we just love that.

Ensemble cast is awesome! The four, wait no, five Mehras are more than brilliant. They are the principal characters of movie and each of them has played their part amazingly. Anil Kapoor as the patriarch Kamal Mehra is outstanding, the perfect fit. He roars in every family discussion scenes, in his scene with Lalit Sood, his confrontation with Manav and many more. But the surprise package comes in the name Shefali Shah. Shefali as Neelam Mehra is marvelous; this is one of the powerful roles of mother in a movie. She has done the job so effortlessly and so outstandingly. Her expressions are too genuine that one can ask for.  Why doesn’t she act often? We want to see her more on screen.

Priyanka Chopra has handled the most

complex part, Ayesha Mehra, and she has just nailed it like a champ. Her character is restrained one, she is suffocated but pretends to be happy; she is successful but she is lonely; but still never gets loud. Priyanka has done this superbly, her silences are deeper and she is every bit convincing as a smart successful businessperson, just as convincing as Shefali in a role of mother. Specially, when she confesses to Manav about not being able to love him and ask for divorce, PC’s awesome. Ranveer Singh is a delight to watch, he is superb as Kabir Mehra. His otherwise high energy gets controlled this time and this suave charming rich Kabir look is wonderful; he is too good in portraying it. He has charmed every time he has appeared on screen. His confused looks, his chemistry with Anushka, his confrontation with parents…he has come out as a gem. Finally, the fifth Mehra is the doggie Pluto Mehra and he’s cute, his explanations for his family in voice of Aamir Khan is even more cuter.

Anushka Sharma as Farah Ali is simply wonderful. So is Farhan Akhtar as Sunny Gill. They shine in their respective supporting roles. Scenes between Ranveer and Anushka and between Priyanka and Farhan are very good. They add a charm to the movie. Rahul Bose as Manav has performed very well. Ridhima Sud as Noorie, Zarina Wahab as Manav’s mother, Vikrant Massey as Rana, and Ayesha Raja Mishra as Indu Chachi have done decent jobs. All other supporting actors are good in their roles.

The direction, presentation, writing and performances only are not the beats of DDD, cinematography and music adds the equal beating to its heart. There are awesome visuals of the ocean, the grand cruise Sovereign and the beautiful Istanbul.  Background score is perfect to the theme. Songs are fun and nice. Gallan Goodiyaan is a delight, Pehli Baar is rocking and Swing is fun. One can easily expect Phir Bhi Yeh Zindagi to come towards the end and title track as the end credits roll, but expectations doesn’t meet in case of these two songs!

Some flaws? Well, there might be. But I can hardly remember any as I’m in too love with this movie. The climax is a bit more filmy and dramatic. And hey, how does cruise dancers dance in Hindi language song? Not a problem, anyway. Movie is worth watching, that’s it.

Photo Courtesy: Official Twitter Handle of movie @DDDTheFilm

Resham Filili – A Wholesome Entertainer

Movie: Resham Filili

Director: Pranab Joshi

Starring: Vinay Shrestha, Kameshwor Chaurasiya, Karma, Menuka Pradhan, Sisheer Bangdel, Arun Regmi, Ashutosh Raj Shrestha, Laxmi Giri and more.

In my eyes: *** (out of 5)

First thing first, it’s all about entertainment! And this entertainment flick is wonderful, total paisa-wasool. Resham Filili literally makes the audience filili and how!

Resham Filili is the story of two friends, Resham and Hariya, who are common poor men residing in Kathmandu valley and struggling to achieve their goals. As its genre goes comedy, it has a grand package of humor and comic elements, stuffed with the appropriate emotions and sensitivity too. The hype song Jaalma had created for movie is justified, as the movie does not let you down; instead, it refreshes you, makes you laugh out loud and put a pleasing smile on your face.

Plot:

Hawaldaar Suntali - badly presented!

Photo courtesy: www.nepalifilm.net

Movie: Hawaldaar Suntali 

Director: Rishi Lamichhane

Starring: Shilpa Pokharel, Sabin Shrestha, Kishor Khatiwada

In my eyes: */5

Movie is based on real life events of Suntali Dhami, a police constable raped by senior officers inside police quarter on Dashain. However, we can hardly feel any sensitivity of the issue in movie. It ended as just an old-fashioned drama with heroine beating the hell out of villains and shouting out scripted lines.

Plot:

Nisha (Shilpa Pokharel) is a thief, who does so for raising few orphan girls whom she has adopted. She meets Suntali (Shilpa again), a police constable and Nisha’s lookalike, while she is left stabbed by goons.

Multiple Release and Cinema Halls out of Valley

When more than one film releases on a single day, it’s more likely that theaters out of valley (mofasal, as it is called) preferably screens typical mainstream formula movie. Chances are higher when there is Rekha Thapa, Aaryan Sigdel, Rajesh Hamal or Jeewan Luitel involved. That is why I could not watch Sadanga because the cinema hall screened Bhoolbhoolaiya, and recently Nai Nabhannu La 3, because Hawaldaar Suntali was being shown. It was my luck that Mala got a solo release.

I currently reside in Bhalubang, Dang due to my job, and here is one hall "Bhole Chalchitra Mandir", a medium sized old-aged single theater, which looks completely out of date. Screen lacks brightness and contrast, and there are hardly any absorbers, due to which sound is too noisy and unpleasant to ears. No digitalization! Ticket rate for balcony is only NRs. 70. What could it offer on that price, and what profit does it make as the regular number of audience is below 20 most of the times? Seats are covered with jute bags! Have a look at these inside photos. It smells very bad condition of hall and of movies.

(Photos were taken by me, to share about the condition of cinema halls outside valley)

Multiplexes with more than two screens are mostly in Kathmandu only. Only some other big cities like Narayanghat, Butwal, Hetauda, Pokhara. etc  have them outside valley. Majority of cinema halls in other districts are single theaters, which actually happen to be important market of Nepali movies. Such theaters are mostly old, and not digitalized. the point is it cannot justify the technical progress that Nepali film industry has achieved.

Coming to multiple release issue, often in news, it can be heard that formula movies get more number of screens than out-of-mainstream movies. By formula, I mean movies of Lajja, Himmatwali, Bhoolbhoolaiya, Hawaldaar Suntali, etc. kinds. (Rekha Thapa undoubtedly is the queen of such conventional cinemas. She knows how to make money. Next is Chhabiraaj Production.)

It is not so good for movies to get released in same day as it hampers the business, and thus the whole industry that actually is in necessity of uplifting and upgrading. However, in good angle, only good movies can come forward through the competition, which can be fruitful in terms of quality concern. There are some examples too such as both Kabaddi and November Rain were hits despite releasing on same date (Baisakh 11, 2071). Ditto is for Hawaldaar Suntali and Nai Nabhannu la 3. Now, again on Baisakh 11, 2072, two movies are releasing. One is most awaited and much hyped dark comedy Resham Filili, all credits to superhit awesome song Jaalma. Other is re-release: Jhola, absolutely brilliant movie based on Sati Pratha, superhit already on first release back on Magh, 2071. I wish both of them super success.

Case is even more complex when more than two, sometimes up to four or five, movies are released in a single Friday. Film producers, distributors, development boards must have a think about the issue, and the efficient measure shall be adopted. I’ve heard of box-office establishment for quite a long time now, but where is it? No transparency!

Supporting Nepali Cinema always.

Weak Script for Good Content - Few Nepali Movies

I argue if people tell that Nepali movies do not have a variety of subject matters or good stories because there was, there is and there will be, nice stories with varieties of contents. Nevertheless, I agree when people tell that Nepali movies do not comprise a convincing structure and effective screenplay. Leaving some exceptionally good ones, many Nepali films have the problem in the script.

I want to talk about some movies, which I felt had nice subject matter but failed in presenting them due to the weak screenplay.

1. Shree Paanch Ambare tried to raise the problem of street-children and their life. How they grow up, face the problems, struggle to survive but end up in the street itself due to the circumstances formed the basic storyline. But the way it was executed with very unconvincing and weak plot, unnecessary songs, loud background music ruined the otherwise nice subject. I was completely disappointed with this one. Talents of Saugat Malla and Keki Adhikari seemed wasted.

Mala - A suffered soul

Movie: Mala

Director: Sudeep Bhupal Singh ‘Bobbie’

Starring: Priyanka Karki, Aryan Sigdel, Prajwal Sujal Giri, Sumina Ghimire and more

In my eyes: *** (out of 5)

From the very start, Mala has the feel of the horror movie and it maintains the scary atmosphere throughout the film, however, it is less horror and less thrilling compared to its suspense element. Now, we are not watching the full-fledged horror movie to comment about the horror and thrill magnitude. There are few other horror or suspense thrillers in Nepali movies and somehow they all look same in the setting. But, Mala is a bit different and more than just an average flick; it triggers a serious issue in the unique way of storytelling, thus making it a decent watch.

Plot:

Mala (Priyanka Karki) in a white blouse and white sari with long free hair and sad dark face gets into the woods to hang herself from a tree.

Raghav - Decent Storytelling

Raghav is basically a story of a student studying abroad and his relationships. It is a tale of how one suffers under different circumstances in life to finally realize the true essence of it. Set in America, this movie

has tried to project the complications on screen that one has to face whilst studying in foreign land such as long distance relationships, family pressures, friends, university and jobs during study period, eagerness for green card, etc.

The main thing I loved about this movie is its screenplay that is very close to reality, and