Independence Day with Bollywood movie "Pinjar"

Today is Independence Day for India.

Though many movies have been made on this period of India's history, there is none so poignant as 'Pinjar' (2003), based on a novel with the same name by Amrita Pritam, a renowned Punjabi writer. Her sensitivity to the social issues of her time always found voice in the incredible beauty and artistry of her poetry and novels, even if much of it got lost in translation. It is a fitting tribute to this depiction of the Partition days that the movie is being screened today by one of the TV channels.

The euphoria of the historic moment of independence was marred by the pain, bloodshed and turbulence that followed from the partition of the country into India and Pakistan. A sensitive movie on what qualifies as recent history is worth a watch, even if only to realize the sheer repetitiveness and futility of intolerance.

India in Bollywood Movies

This is a call to all 'serious' Indian filmmakers. Could you please make movies that focus on the good that is in India? We have movies on widows, poverty, caste etc. and nothing that captures indefatigable spirit , joie de vivre of India and its people, for instance. I can't think of a single positive movie about India on the 'serious' circuit, the kind of movies that get sent off to film festivals around the world, purporting to show other inhabitants of planet earth 'the real India'. I wrack my brains but I'm unable to come up with any movies that defy the stereotypes of Indian life, which exist in the minds of people abroad. Anyone know of any?

I'm all for movies that highlight social evils in the hope of prompting public debate and action but a one-sided view of any society or country is an anomaly that needs to be corrected. There is absolutely no country that is perfect. Granted there are some that seem to have it all but when you visit them, you back out of there so fast, the immigration official blinks at your return. They seem to lack that aliveness and vibrancy that immediately engulfs you the moment you step on Indian soil. So let's have movies that allow an intense love-hate relationship (there's plenty to hate too) with the country, that's far better than what-an-awful-place type of movies.

The Spirit of India in Bollywood

If there are 2 movies that quite capture the timeless essence of India, its spiritual core, they are 'Guide' (1965) and 'Benares' (2006). "Guide", which starred Dev Anand and Waheeda Rehman was an absolutely amazing movie for its time and it will never lose its relevance. That's because the movie simply and masterfully shows the play of darkness and light that exists in every human being and how this play forges the twists and turns in the lives of the two protagonists. There is no one to blame, there is no black and white and that was the tremendous strength of the story. The ending too is so totally believable of all that is India, the truths uttered at the very end resonate with the ancient truths of our land.

The believable factor is also what makes "Benaras" outstanding. Urmila Matondkar shines in her restrained performance. This movie gives a glimpse of what India is all about, the good and the bad. As a bonus, the movie is a visual treat. When you see it, you will understand what I mean.

Bad Reviews, Good Movies in Bollywood

One of the best ways to find out what movies are worth watching is to go by the reviews. The worse the review, the better the chances of your enjoying the movie. Of course, there are the misses, some of the more notable ones are Bollywood's "Khushi" and "Welcome". "Khushi", starring Fardeen Khan and Kareena Kapoor, will remain unforgettable because one of our group went out of the hall for at least 8 long refreshment breaks as a silent protest against what he was watching. In defense of my technique, I have to say that the promos also looked good. The problem arises when you are sitting in the hall and realize that the only memorable moments of the movie are exactly those shown in the promos.

But to continue in support of my theory, the recent release of "Ugly Aur Pagli" is a case in point. It is what I would call a 'nonsense' movie, a 'nonsense' song is like the one in 'Tashan' - "Dil Dance Maare Re'. Both are enjoyable if you leave your tag of being 'cerebral' behind. Why slot yourself as a person with a certain bent of mind? It's equally possible to enjoy a nonsense movie when you laugh at the ridiculous in it and give another movie deep thought because it revolves around some fundamental aspects of human behavior or life. Boxing oneself into the confines of a narrow or rigid mind quite eliminates all chances of reveling in life itself.

Getting back to 'Ugly Aur Pagli', Ranvir Sheorey once again shows that he has what it takes to be a good actor. And Mallika Sherawat is not half bad, except for her attempts at crying.

One hilarious Bollywood movie

One Bollywood movie that is my absolute favorite is "Jhoom Barabar Jhoom" from the Yash Raj stable. It was also a monumental flop at the box office. But for those of you who enjoy the ridiculous, this is a must-see. There's very little slapstick comedy so you can safely get a DVD. I have discovered over the years that watching slapstick comedy is usually a good way to sink even deeper into a blue mood if you went to the movies to get out of one in the first place.

But to get back to this high-voltage entertainer, I've never seen Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta and Bobby Deol play out a comic role quite so well. I would say that Abhishek Bachachan has it down pat as a Southall product. Unfortunately, that endearing quality is not what one often sees in real life. Incidentally, I'm no promoter of the Yash Raj banner - their movie 'Tara Rum Pum' is guaranteed to put you to sleep if you're watching late night as I was.

I often wonder about Preity Zinta's portrayal of a Pakistani girl in this movie as well as in "Veer Zaara". To me, she always seems to be an Indian actress essaying the role of a Pakistani girl. Even if there are not many differences between people of the subcontinent living in England, the nuances seem to be missing.

It would be good to get feedback on this from someone in the know.

Hollywood's Godfather, Bollywood's Sarkar

In its time, Godfather and its sequels caused quite a furore. The fine adaptation of the novel by Mario Puzo fascinated us as we went about leading our humdrum lives , but we were also secretly relieved not to be a part of that world. While a meeting with a Sylvester Stallone clone as shown in the hilarious Hollywood movie "Oscar" (about a reformed mafia boss) may be quite an interesting experience, its best to give the adventurous spirit a miss sometimes.

Most of us don't have a brush with the Mafia. The nearest I've come to it is when I heard that a couple of truck drivers in a distant relative' s company were sent off to pose as thugs and scare some recalcitrant tenants. While they waited for their cue in the drama, things got sorted out somehow and the would-be actors were sent back without essaying their roles. Perhaps someone developed cold feet.

The Bollywood equivalent to Godfather could be "Sarkar" and its sequel "Sarkar Raj". The director, Ram Gopal Verma, readily admits to his admiration of the movie and book by Mario Puzo. Verma's movies have a gripping and edgy feel, which contributes to the realism. Judging by all newspaper accounts on such subjects, these movies are derived from real life.

Riots in India, a Bollywood movie

If there is one Bollywood movie that gives an amazingly realistic portrayal of riots in India, it is 'Dev'. I'm never one for movies that don't cheer me up and this movie certainly did not. But as you watched the movie, you just knew how true to life it was, never mind that you were also sitting on the edge of your seat, willing the protagonists to do things differently so that in reel life at least the actions and their consequences could have a happier end. The acting prowess of Amitabh Bachchan, Om Puri and Kareena Kapoor is spectacularly showcased in this movie.

The genocide in Rwanda was brought to life on screen by the Hollywood movie "Hotel Rwanda", an account of the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who saved 1200 lives in those times.

Both movies are all the more powerful for what they leave unspoken and unseen.