THE OTHER SIDE: Hindi Film Industry

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My List : Top 10 Hindi Films of 2017

This year is memorable for shocking upsets like Kabir Khan directed Salmaan Khan's Tubelight, Imtiaz Ali directed Shah Rukh Khan & Anushka Sharma starring Jab Harry Met Sejal, Vidhya Balan's Begum Jaan, Vishal Bhardwaj directed Shahid Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan & Kangana Ranaut starring Rangoon are among 2017's big budget flops along with movies like Raabta, Machine, Ok Jaanu, etc. But few hits of some league breaking movies like Lipstick Under My Burkha, Secret Superstar, Anarkali of Aarah, Hindi Medium, Shubh Mangal Savdhan, Bareily Ki Barfi surprised everyone. Here is my list of Top 10 Movies of 2017. Feel free to give your suggestion in the comment section.

1. Jolly LLB 2: Sequel to 2013 Arshad Warsi staring Jolly LLB, this one staring Akshay Kumar is one notch higher than the first one which is a prerequisite for a sequel. Writer & director Subhash Kapoor has perfectly presented the courtroom drama in appealing and interesting way. The film not only gives entertainment but raise important questions on our judicial system.

2. Hindi Medium: It's a social comedy staring Irrfan Khan and Saba Karim. The directer Saket Chaudhary point out the lapses and corruption in our education system which has made education just a luxury for elites and snatched a chance of better education from the poor. Irrfan Khan has beautifully portrayed his role in this film.

3. Kaabil: This film was ruled out as a hit by me from its trailer and promos but after seeing it Hrithik Roshan won my heart with his performance in the film. Blind man taking revenge of his wife's death looks impossible but the way it was shown by directer Sanjay Gupta it looks real and believable which for me made this film the part of this list.

4. Raees: 'Baniye Ka Dimaag, Miyan Bhai Ki Daring' the dialogue was a hit even before film was released and another phrase 'Ammi Jaan Kehti Thi' was also become part of speech for many. Varun Dhawan even used it in his film Judwaa 2. The star quality of Shah Rukh Khan was nicely used in this film to create charisma of the character he was portraying. Nawazuddin Siddique was impressive as a cop in it and Mahira Khan received the perfect Bollywood debut with this film. The director Rahul Dholakia did a fine job.

5. Bareilly Ki Barfi: Ayushmana Khurana again shines as a small town guy after Dum Laga Ke Haisha. He played a writer in the film but portrayed Rajkumar Rao as himself which starts all the confusion. Kirti Senon give justice to her role and Rajkumar Rao was perfect in this type of commercial film also. Credits to Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari for keeping this film interesting and entertaining.

6. Tiger Zinda Hai: Yes this film sells Salmaan Khan and his chemistry with Katrina Kaif but Ali Abbas Zafar made a perfect sequel to the film whose prequel he hasn't directed by him. The RAW & ISI which were searching the absconding agents in the first part come together for a mission first time in this movie. Great action sequences and the course of story which looks believable made this film part of the list.

7. Half Girlfriend: Film is based on the Chetan Bhagat's novel of the same name. Mohit Suri who usually make incomplete love stories made lead characters Arjun Kapoor & Shraddha Kapoor to come together in the end. The film is more interesting than the novel and the beautiful songs were addition to its flavors.

8. Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya: Seriously Badrinath Ki Dulhaniya was lower in expectations from the first installation of the series Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhaniya. Directer Shashank Khaitan has failed to bring out the romance between the lead characters Varun Dhawan & Alia Bhatt but the film was good, enjoyable and entertaining. Foot tapping songs like Tamma-Tamma, Title track and Aashiq Surrender Hua helped in the promotion of the film.

9. Begum Jaan: The film was a flop but I have chosen it for the story and performances of the lead cast. Written & directed by Srijit Mukherjee the story has a feel of the kinds of Ismat Chugtai & Sadat Hasan Manto. The period drama moves around partition and a brothel run by Vidhya Balan which came in between the border line. It reminds me of Toba Tek Singh a short story by Sadat Hasan Manto in which a mental asylum was divided by the partition.

10. Jagga Jasoos: Including another flop in this list because it was entertaining for me. Directer Anurag Basu has given this film a comic book type look which is first time for a Hindi film. Lyrical dialogues by the protagonist Ranbir Kapoor is brilliantly done. It was not boring at all but I think didn't work because it has a complex story line which don't appeal in the first go.

Many other films like Phillauri, Mom, Babumoshai Bandookbaaz, Secret Superstar, Golmaal Again, Firangi, Anarkali of Aarah, Toilet-Ek Prem Katha, Bahubali 2 were also under consideration before making this list. Looking forward to 2.0, Pad Man, Aiyaary, Hichki, Veera Di Wedding, Race 3, Fanney Khan, Thugs of Hindustan, Super 30, SRK's unnamed and many more. Hope some of these make into the next years list of Best 10 films of the year.

Movie Review - Jab Harry Met Sejal

I don’t often write movie reviews even though I almost every week watch a Hindi movie. But after reading many reviews about this film and then watching it forced me to write this because film is completely different from reviews. I think these reviewers watch lot of Hollywood movies to judge Hindi films whereas to review them you need an Indian mindset and sensibilities. I agree that Imtiaz Ali has done better film earlier. Till date Jab We Met staring Shahid Kapoor & Kareena Kapoor is still my favorite but this film also explore one more aspect of his direction. Movie released on 4th August 2017.

Marketing: You can’t have better marketing strategy than Shah Rukh Khan and in this film too his hard work in promotion is visible. The team (Including Imtiaz Ali & Anushka Sharma) visited many cities and TV shows for film’s promotion. Music along with the way singles are released also helped in promotion.

Music: Pritam Chakravarty’s music again topping the charts. After different style of Music in Ranbeer Kapoor’s Jagga Jasoos JHMS’s music was superb and apt for the situation. Irshad Kamil’s lyrics are meaningful and songs look good in the movie also.

Story: Harry (SRK) is a tour guide in Europe. The film starts with him showing different places to a group of tourists. Sejal (Anushka Sharma) is one of them. When tour ends all left for India except Sejal who insists Harry to accompany her in finding her engagement ring which she has lost somewhere during the tour. She then again visits all the places with Harry to find her ring and in the journey as happened in Imtiaz’s film they discover their different sides and develop love for each other. What happened to the ring? Will she return back to India for her marriage? Will Harry know that he started loving Sejal? What they both are seeking? Answers to these questions will lead you to the climax.

Review: Anushka perfectly portrays a Gujarati girl and they both are excellent in their job. SRK’s star power not overpowers any scene but enhances it. Have some elements which surely remind you of some earlier movies of Imtiaz Ali. Cinematography and screenplay let you room Europe by sitting on your seat. If their back stories were highlighted more that we have better connections with the characters.

Verdict: Experience a beautiful journey called life with true human emotions and sensibilities.

Rate: I would give 4/5 stars.

Video of one of the song 'Safar'.

Movies Meri Jaan

I am a die hard Hindi movie fan. I have watched almost every film released in the last two decades of my birth. The films of 50's, 60's, 70's, 80's and early 90's I have watched on television or Internet. When I revisit my film watching journey I have realized that I have learnt a lot from them. It was not only entertainment but good behavior, respecting woman, became more law abiding and a positive message that how bad things may become the end would be pleasant.

The simplicity and innocence of 50's, 60's Raju/Birju/Suraj ( Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Rajinder Kumar), the restlessness and urge to get something of 70's and 80's Vijay, Ravi (Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna) and coolness of 90's 2K's Rahul, Raj, Prem, (Shahrukh, Salman and Aamir) or the realism of today's movies all are imbibed in me, they all have taught something to me. I remember giving examples to teachers from movies to explain certain things and concepts to us in school. I usually relate things to a situation in film to find out solution and to get the way out. Yes it sometimes makes me too filmy but as they say 'Hum Sab To Upar Wale Ke Hato Ki Kathputli Hain, Wo Jaise Chalata Hai Hum Chalte Hain.'

I have learnt that truth is always victorious, ' Sach Aur Sahas Hai Jiske Mann Mein Anth Mein Jeet Usi Ki Hoti Hai' and that happiness is the final outcome of a situation, ' Agar Ending Happy Nahin Hai To Picture Abhi Baki Hai Mere Dost'. Movies gives us hope, dreams and a satisfaction that one day everything will be all right. Films told us that the corruption, poverty,terrorism and other such world problems has a solution. People said that movies have a bad influence on society but I believe that films are the mirror of society; they show what they see. Highlighting issues by them make us more aware of the happenings around.

Today 'Candle March' has became the symbol of protest which was first seen in the movie 'Rang De Basanti'. Bhagat Singh was not popular in the masses unless portrayed by Manoj Kumar in the 60's and Ajay Devgen in 2K's. Paan Singh Tomar's achievement was highlighted by a film on his name. Perhaps people also learn something bad from films but 'Bade-Bade Shehro Mein Aisi Choti-Choti Baatein Hoti Rehti Hai'. Movies keep our dreams alive and I will always give wings to my dreams through movies.

Here is a Hindi Poem written for 100 yrs of Bollywood : Sunhera Parda

This post is linked to IndiSpire#119 by Indiblogger.in.

Character(s) from movie(s) or movie(s) that have impressed or influenced you. #Movies

My List: Top 10 Hindi Movies of 2015

I am an ardent movie buff who has made it a duty to watch all Hindi movies. Hollywood movies lack songs, drama and the X factor of Hindi movies. Their hyped big budged movies have ruthless violence or unnecessary sex scenes or aliens and super heroes. Our movies are total time pass and that was my criteria of making this list. These movies according to me are full time pass, entertaining, meaningful in one way or the other and are having X factor. List is in order of their release:

1. Badlapur : This movie blew me with its performances. Varun Dhawan was totally different from what he was known for and the role performed by Nawazuddin Siddiqui remained with you after watching it. He is truly a versatile actor. The story was gripping and underlines a message that it is difficult to pardon but necessary for freedom to live.

2. Dum Laga Ke Haisha : The film captured 90's atmosphere beautifully. Ayushman Khurana and Bhumi Padhekar did full justice to their characters. The brewing of love between the two strangers by accepting shortcomings of each other is shown in an entertaining way by maintaining the emotional quotient of the story. I would rate it the best performance from Ayushman Khurana till date.

3. NH10 : Anushka Sharma was one of my favorite actress before her lip surgery which snatched charm of her face but this film shows that her acting charm has not gone away with her looks. She did a role usually unexpected from Indian heroines. The film keep you hooked even without songs and a male lead character which I think is the USP of this movie.

4. Tanu Weds Manu Returns: Expectations from Kangana Ranaut was high after her Queen performance which she fulfilled with flying colors for her performance as 'Datto' the Jat girl in the film. Director Anand L. Rai and script writer truly deserves the success of this film because sequels better than the original film are rare in Indian cinema.

5. Hamari Adhuri Kahani : Mohit Suri the director of this film has perfected incomplete love stories those love stories which don't essentially require physical union of lovers and which ended in death of either one or both the lovers. Awargee, Jannat 2, Ek Villain, Aashique 2 all were based on union of souls which Vidhya Balan summarizes in this film's dialogue, ' Usne Mera Jism Nahin Meri Ruh Ko Chua Hai,’ The flow of emotions, the tenderness of love and sacrificial love of Emraan Hashmi were the takeaway from this movie. Title song too was heart moving.

6. Bahubali : This film released simultaneously in Tamil, Telagu and Hindi language. One should learn the scale of grandness and vastness of imagination and execution. The story is similar to other South Indian films where Hero can do anything he wants but the grand scale and direction make it a blockbuster movie of this year. No other dubbed movie did business in Hindi cinema like this one and the question it raised still is without answer.' Kattappa Ne Bahubali Ko Kyun Mara?' I am waiting for its next part.

7. Bajrangi Bhaijaan : Who could have expected that Salman Khan would easily transform from his action image to someone who has so much innocence. He perfectly justified his role along with Nawazuddin Siddique who showed his comic side brilliantly. This film is about human emotions and love which is universal and that's why it touches your heart.

8. Drishyam : I usually get distracted while watching movies but this one was different it keeps you at the edge of your seat. The gripping screenplay and simple yet convincing acting by Ajay Devgn glued you to your seats till the last frame. A perfect thriller released in 2015.

9. Talvar : This movie changed the way I looked at Aarushi murder case before. Talvar in this movie refers to investigation agency which truly plays an important role in bringing true facts of a case in front of court. Irffan, Konkana Sen, has strong roles which they performed well but it scores high for his screenplay and direction so applauds for Vishal Bhardwaj and Meghna Gulzar for this wonderful researched film.

10. Dilwale : I have selected this movie only for Shah Rukh Khan. It has a weak story but an entertaining screenplay. SRK and Kajol's chemistry is the highlight of the film. Rohit Shetty knows best how to make a high earning film but SRK in his Chennai Express was far better than his Dilwale.

When I prepared the list of best movies of 2015, I shortlisted only 14 movies which shocked me looking at the number of movies released in this year I hope making above list would be much difficult for me in the next year than this year. The other fuor movies on my list were Manjhi - The Mountain Man, Phantom, Prem Ratan Dhan Payo and Bajirao Mastani. If I have to select the best film of the year I would pick Bajrangi Bhaijaan. Good or bad I will anyways watch them for love of Hindi Cinema. Films I am looking forward in 2016 are Airlift, Fan, Wazir, Raees, Dangal, Sultaan, Jagga Jasoos, Nirja , Ae Dil Hai Mushkil, Azhar and Aligarh.

Book Review : Hifi In Bollywood

HiFi In Bollywood is written by Rishi Vohra who writes for delWine and is a Certified Specialist of Wine (CSW). I have received this book published by Jaico Publishing House from the author who can be visited at www.rishivohra.com . His debut novel Once Upon The Tracks of Mumbai was a bestseller and awarded a special mention at the Hollywood Book Festival. Hifi In Bollywood is a story which gives you an inside into the Hindi Film Industry or HiFi.

Cover : A boy in front of Mumbai background who looks like a wannabe actor very much give the hint what is waiting inside this book. A slight glimpse of girl at one side of cover points to some love angle. Overall it's a nice cover according to the story.

Plot : Reyhan Arora who wanted to be a filmmaker in Hindi Film Industry found hard to cop with his finance degree and search for a job in California,USA. He was doing it in pressure of his stubborn father who had also planned his marriage to his friend's daughter living in America. He wanted to settle his son in America but Reyhan had some different dreams and in order to pursue them he came to Mumbai without telling his father and rejecting that girl Vanita for a try in HiFi. On his journey in Hindi Film Industry he encountered with different people and fell in love with a girl named Viola working with him in the same movie as assistant directer like him. Would he get success in Hindi Film Industry? Would his father ever discover him in Mumbai? Did Viola also love him ? The story answers these questions with an unexpected ending.

Boiler : The simplicity in narration is the plus point of the story. Interchanging from first person to third person also looks appropriate with the flow of the story. It gives realistic view of the working of Hindi Film Industry. The characters are real and we can connect to them from the people in the film industry. I also liked the simplicity of language and the flow of the narrative. Its a total recipe for a masala entertainer.

Spoiler : The flow of the narrative is good but slow. The story lacks the high points and the twist barring the ultimate twist in the end. At times it becomes boring with some repetitive scenes. Their are missed instances of humorous situations which would if take care of definitely add to the flavors of the story.

Verdict : It tells us to follow our dreams and work hard for their success. You must read it if you are a Bollywood fan and wants to have a glimpse of working of Hindi Film Industry or HiFi as they called it.

Rating : I would give it 3.5/5.