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2 years ago
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 This one made me break my own self imposed rule. I NEVER EVER repeat a film, no matter how good. To me it is a waste of 2-3-4 (especially now that we... | This one made me break my own self imposed rule. I NEVER EVER repeat a film, no matter how good. To me it is a waste of 2-3-4 (especially now that we are talking Bollywood) hours of my life, I know the experience and it is not going to change anything.....but...but ...for SARFAROSH I did that and that too in the horrible, old Naz cinema in Fremont with rats and roaches all over the place, wish Jaman had been around then, I could have seen it from the comforts of my home.
So what is it about this movie that drew me there?
For starters, the direction. Ad film makers are the most technically proficient folks in India, so when they make their transition to Feature film, the result is technically brilliant. John Manthan does this in his move from the Ad to the Feature in Sarfarosh.
Secondly, Aamir's acting. And no I am not an Aamir fan, far from it I think he is grossly overrated....not in this film though. He plays the cop here, like cops in real life are. No nonsense, focussed and on the job. Even the bit characters like Mukesh Rishi (I think that is his name) is solid.
Thirdly Sonali Bhedre. It's a pity she stopped acting post marriage. Here is on combination of looks and acting. Check out that song by the waterfall with Aamir. Shot and executed perfectly.
Of course, Naseer, arguably India's third best male actor (after Om Puri and Amitabh). Playing the complex role that he does with such aplomb.
The pace is furious and the editing crisp. Not a dull moment.
It is also very real worldly. No running away from issues, no alluding to organizations, it tells a story as it sees it. It is not an India vs Pak movie, it deals with the India vs ISI issue,which is real, it deals with the resettlement of the India centric muslims in Pakistan, which again is a real world issue.
In fact John did such a wonderful work with this film that he became a victim of extremely high expectations for his next one...Shikhar...which in comparision fell flat....but then you were comparing it to one of the finest films made in Hindi cinema...Sarfarosh....and I wasted 2 hours of my life.....and I am proud of my waste.
Vivek "sometimes something has to be experienced all over again to enjoy it even more than the first time" Kumar |
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2 years ago
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 One of the reasons I walked out of the NEW Umrao Jaan, despite having the distributor of the film sitting behind me and being there at their behest,... | One of the reasons I walked out of the NEW Umrao Jaan, despite having the distributor of the film sitting behind me and being there at their behest, is because the original classical piece of art was still very fresh in my memory and this one was making a mockery of that timeless classic.
On somethings I will take on the whole world and defending the original is one such thing (not involving family and friends in my first film as a scritpwriter is another). That adab and ada (culture and attitude) which was truly Lucknowi, was caught in it's true essence by director Mussafar Ali. This film came from his heart. The new one came for business reasons, with no passion. The mesersing performance of Rekha, or specifically the sadness in her eyes, that vulnerability of Farookh Sheikh, in probably his best performance since Garam Hawa (his debut film), the raw intensity of Raj Babbar...don't even get me started on Sunil Shetty doing his clone in the new one and most of all the music and the songs. In Aankhone Ki Masti Ke.....still linger on loud and clear. In Devdas (new one) Jackie messed up Motilal's character of the original. Why see a copy of Umrao Jaan when the original with Rekha, et all, is still very much avialable.
The final highlight of this already mesmerizing film...the performance by Shabana Azmi's mother, in a role essayed by Shabana in the remake.
Raw, intense emotions only need a solid pair of deep eyes and classical music to wreath all the passion and the original Umrao Jaan has all of that and much more..... |
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3 years ago
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3 years ago
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