Movie Review: Bombay Talkies (Hindi)
Bombay Talkies is ample proof that Bollywood is indeed going through a remarkable phase; a time when unconventional themes are being explored like never before. Let's face it, the society we live in is fast-changing and so are the beliefs and ideals that constitute the way we live our lives. What's better than to accept them if they can bring about a holistic change for the better! Celebrating the centenary year of Indian cinema, this anthology film - consisting of four short films, each roughly thirty minutes each - is indeed a celebration, but of its future.
Karan Johar's segment Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh, which opens the movie, tells the story of an urban couple Dev (Randeep Hooda) and Gayatri (Rani Mukerji) whose marriage is on the rocks. When a cocky gay intern Avinash (Saqib Saleem) befriends Gayatri at her workplace, it rather leads to a startling revelation that forever changes her life. Backed by a solid cast, Johar confidently ventures out of his staple fairy-tale romance sagas to deliver a knockout about discovering one's identity that takes an interesting look at the modern relationships. At a time when homosexuality is still considered as a crime, here we have a film that finally explores it with the right amount of gravitas and nuance.
Up next is Dibakar Banerjee's Star, an adaptation of Satyajit Ray's Patol Babu, Film Star that's about a jobless Purandar (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) who gets an unexpected stroke of luck when he is picked up as an extra for a film shoot and in the process wins back his daughter's affection. Dibakar's is really the standout portion of BT and tugs at your heartstrings, so much that I was close to tears by the end. Astonishingly realistic and gritty, it's beautifully narrated, and Siddiqui and Sadashiv Amrapurkar as his dead father put up terrific performances.
Sheila Ki Jawaani is sort of a cute story about following one's dreams; a 12-year-old boy (Naman Jain) who aspires to become a dancer after watching Katrina Kaif gyrating to Sheila... is forced by his father (Ranvir Shorey) to conform to what the other boys of his age do. As he tries to work out a way to realize his dream, Zoya Akhtar explores the warm relationship between the kid and his supportive elder sister.
The last short by Anurag Kashyap is what defines Indian cinema: it's a religion for legions of fans across the country, the matinee idols their 'Gods' who have descended on this planet Earth. Kashyap spins a story of such fan craziness in Murabba when Vijay (Vineet Kumar Singh) sets out to meet Amitabh Bachchan to fulfill his dying father's last wish. Flourished with his trademark touches and a wicked sense of humor, the tragicomedy is an entertaining take on the subject.
It's notable that with the exception of Johar's, the rest three parts are directly or indirectly connected to the magic films hold in the everyday lives of men and women. At one point in Ajeeb Dastaan..., Avinash asks Dev if he would like to 'come out'; I would say Indian cinema has 'come out'! My only peeve is the tribute that plays out the end with an array of Bollywood stars dancing to the title song; Bollywood alone does not make up Indian cinema!!!
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| A fitting tribute |
Up next is Dibakar Banerjee's Star, an adaptation of Satyajit Ray's Patol Babu, Film Star that's about a jobless Purandar (Nawazuddin Siddiqui) who gets an unexpected stroke of luck when he is picked up as an extra for a film shoot and in the process wins back his daughter's affection. Dibakar's is really the standout portion of BT and tugs at your heartstrings, so much that I was close to tears by the end. Astonishingly realistic and gritty, it's beautifully narrated, and Siddiqui and Sadashiv Amrapurkar as his dead father put up terrific performances.
Sheila Ki Jawaani is sort of a cute story about following one's dreams; a 12-year-old boy (Naman Jain) who aspires to become a dancer after watching Katrina Kaif gyrating to Sheila... is forced by his father (Ranvir Shorey) to conform to what the other boys of his age do. As he tries to work out a way to realize his dream, Zoya Akhtar explores the warm relationship between the kid and his supportive elder sister.
The last short by Anurag Kashyap is what defines Indian cinema: it's a religion for legions of fans across the country, the matinee idols their 'Gods' who have descended on this planet Earth. Kashyap spins a story of such fan craziness in Murabba when Vijay (Vineet Kumar Singh) sets out to meet Amitabh Bachchan to fulfill his dying father's last wish. Flourished with his trademark touches and a wicked sense of humor, the tragicomedy is an entertaining take on the subject.
It's notable that with the exception of Johar's, the rest three parts are directly or indirectly connected to the magic films hold in the everyday lives of men and women. At one point in Ajeeb Dastaan..., Avinash asks Dev if he would like to 'come out'; I would say Indian cinema has 'come out'! My only peeve is the tribute that plays out the end with an array of Bollywood stars dancing to the title song; Bollywood alone does not make up Indian cinema!!!
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