Rang De Basanti
Note: Spoiler ahead. You may want to skip this post until you watch the movie 'Rang De Basanti'
I think we watch these types of movies:
a) The one we have to watch for the heck of it. Example, Harry Potter films or Lord of the Rings films. We have read the books, we liked it and we would want to see how well its picturised. I can also add any Johar or Chopra movie. The other day my colleague remarked: We know that it would be a SRK starrer and there would be bundle of emotions and aimed at nothing but making people cry. We know what to expect, but we still watch them.
b) The one where we leave our mind out of the theatre for a rental, watch the movie for two and a half hours, come out of theatre and take back our mind. Example: Movies of the type Thirumalai, Thirupaachi(any Vijay starrer for that matter) and Aaru. Two and a half hours of non-stop nonsense.
c) The one that really leaves an everlasting effect on us. It might be a comedy or a tragedy. It might be preachy, sentimental or 'dishoom dishoom'. But something about the movie strikes a cord with each of us and these are the movies in which we search when asked to make to make the list of all time favourites.I would put Rang De Basanti(RDB) in that list of mine.
Where do I start? Ok,before going to the film, from the music. Listened to all the songs only once before watching the movie. Didnt like any of them. Told my brother(who incidentally hears them all atleast 10 times a day these days) that the music isnt that good. 'Roo baa roo' song was little ok, but rest,not good, didnt like it. He said thats so typical of Rehman that you dont like them when you hear them for the first time and asked me to hear them a couple of times more. I wouldnt listen to my brother, obviously. I never watched any of the trailors, and had absolutely no expectations out of the movie.I had no idea about the theme or storyline.I only knew that Aamir Khan was there. And Madhavan in a small role.Some MIG 21 controversy around the movie. Soha Ali Khan was there("Is she Saif's sister?"."Yes, she is". "Oh, Achcha, didnt know that either.").I did hear from few people who watched it before me as to how they felt about it and thanks to them, none of them revealed the story line to me.
"Its a different kind of film. The first half is too good. Second half equally bad"
"The songs are too good. Picturised well. Aamir Khan has acted very well. Overall, I did not like the movie, as I think what happens in the second half is way too impractical".
And there was this person who called me up late in the night and said this:"You would fall love with this movie. I loved it so so much. You should watch it definitely".
I lost count as to how many times that person told "I fell love with the movie" in a span of 11 minutes call that we had.I told that person at the end of the call that I would watch the movie and tell whether I also fell in love with RDB or not.
Read the last line of 'The Hindu' review as well. It said "Go and watch the movie for sure".I know I would.RDB has become the topic of discussion in Indian blogdom as well.Bloghopping lead me to many Indian blogs where RDB review/discussion was a sureshot post to find out. So that ends my pre-RDB experience.
It was a 1 o'clock show in the afternoon and I was having lunch till 12.55 pm. Never have I ran to a cinema theatre like what I did for RDB. Didnt want to miss a single dialogue with the mixed response I had for the movie.Had to cover a distance of more than 200 to 300 meter within 5 minutes I had and thats not easy job for a fat person like me who seldom exercises. Panting heavily, entered the theatre at 1.02 PM, and Thank God the movie had not started yet. Just as I entered the UTV banner flashed on the screen. Still panting and scrambling, found the seat at last and sat.Now to the movie!
The first half was amazing. It was hilarious. Starting from the auditions Sue has to "Yeh tho Hindi Boliti hai yaar"(That was too good from Aamir, isnt it? Not to mention, we had rowdy girls at the theatre who would scream as loudly as they can: "We love you DJJJJJJJJJJ" ).The screenplay was amazing. I think that was the greatest strength of the movie.And we didnt have complete songs picturised in the movie. I liked that. Some perople dont.Common guys, we had something different. People are used to hearing the whole of the songs in the movie and may not like this. But I did. And songs were not forced into the movie. They all mingled wonderfully well with the story and with the scenes. They were more of a BGM than songs.I liked the way the songs were picturised.
The theme of the movie was so relevant. And the youth in the movie represent the typical Indian youth and their mentality towards patriotism.Its a pity that what a foreigner appreciates about Indian history and freedom struggle, we people rarely care.For example, Bhagath Singh and his group fasted for more than 100 days in prison demanding paper,pen and newspaper for they were political prisoners. John Mckinley says this in his diary that never ever before in a freedom struggle has the world seen grit and determination like what he saw in these young guys.(Its a beautiful scene in RDB. This prisoner guy goes to Mckinley and the British expects him to break down finally. But he goes and taps his bowl with the tumbler and Siddarth would give a naughty,mocking laugh at the British. Wonderful acting Sid!).
While we also laugh along the initial dialogues of Aamir and Co. towards freedom, India etc, thats the first time RDB makes us think about our leaders of the past.As the movie progresses and as the characters change, I felt the same change inside me which the characters undergo. But that happens with every other movie of the genre of RDB, isnt it? We watch the movie, get inspired, think about what the movie wants to convey, do something or not do anything about it and after sometime we completely forget the film and things return back to the old ways. But in my case, even after two days of watching RDB, I am still having the 'RDB hangover'. The first few hours after watching the movie was too bad, I couldnt think anything apart from what the movie wanted to say, but the 'movie effect' lasts only for those initial few hours usually, but in case of RDB, the thing has kept on coming back to me again and again. That means RDB has made an effect with respect to me atleast! I hope I do something about what you wanted people of this country to do RDB crew.You were amazing!
Now to the actors and acting. Great acting. Aamir was too good with his comedy and with sentiments equally. That scene where he breaks down to Sue over the dinner table was very well done. Aamir, hats off to you. Another person whom I think would play a major role in Bollywood after RDB is Siddarth. Great job Sid,didnt know that you could act this well.All others, I dont know all their names, Atul, Soha and group, great job done. You all lived your characters.
Next to music.I change my stand completely on this. The music feels too good to hear now, especially 'Luka Chuppi'.God damn it, a person has died and you open the song with a guitar sequence, where have we seen something like that in an Indian movie song!?It would be a typical sad song or with grand moms in their 70's and 80's wailing and screaming, but you see something so different here. And the guitar is followed by the sequence thats typical of a Lori song, amazing to hear the song now. One of the reasons I would wish to see RDB again is 'Luka Chuppi'.(The other reason being the dialogues. I couldnt follow them at few places, especially the Punjabi dialogues for I dont know Punjabi :(.I missed a few jokes as well because of this. So next time, I would like to follow the dialogues in a better way)Waheeda Rehman and her expressions in 'Luka Chuppi', amazing, she has lived her character as well. Guitar feels so good in 'Roo baa roo" song as well. 'Khalbali' and 'Paatshaala' songs rock and the latter's lyrics are too good and funny if you concentrate. Today, I have been hearing only RDB at work :)
Next to the feeling "How many more times would we see story of Bhagath Singh, Azad and et al on a movie screen?". I have never watched a Bhagath Singh movie before, but I dont think that matters.I think RDB's main intention was not to tell that story, it was just used to co-relate the situation that existed some 90 years back and what it is today and how a group of young people responded in the same way as what those guys did 90 years back.We had people fighting for Freedom with Ahimsa, and also with guns. Today, cant someone fight against corruption with guns?For people who havent seen any Bhagath Singh movie, we might appreciate both parts, others would appreciate what these guys do in RDB.
And to the famous criticism about RDB that the climax was sloppy, I think there is nothing wrong with the climax. Initially, I also got a feeling that we are having an over exaggerated climax, but after thinking over it for some time, I feel that nothing was wrong with that. It has happened in this country isnt it? We lost a Prime Minister in this country in a similar fashion because a section of people thought what the PM did was totally outrageous and seeked a revenge. If it can happen to a PM, why not to a defence minister? I think that when you lose a person whos so close to you in a way that happened to Maddy in RDB,your mind might think in a similar fashion and you might do the same thing. But, do I ask you to do the same thing? No, am not. But whats potrayed in RDB can very well happen or is happening already; many people might be forced to take a similar path to seek injustice and revenge and the message of RDB is to just prevent something from that happening to this country. Few people even say that no one would kill college students like that. I ask you,why wont anyone do that? You barge into AIR with guns and take control of it, make an announcement that you have killed the defence minister, why wont anyone not think that you are from a terrorist organisation? Of course, you would be shot dead like those five guys. Nothing wrong with the climax, I believe.Totally acceptable, to me atleast!
One more great thing about RDB is that it is not preachy. It doesnt have long and lengthy sentimental dialogues. It conveys the message through a lot of comedy and entertainment.Thats what would make it a great movie and a 'must watch' movie.And to people who feel that the message RDB wanted to potray is not clear, here it is, its crystal clear through this dialogue of RDB. I might not repeat it verbatim, but the gist is this:"There are two kinds of people who live in this world, one who see things happening bad around them, take no notice of it, live with it and keep moving on. And there is this other kind which takes the responsibilty of changing things in the world on their shoulders and lead their life fulfilling these tasks which they have set themselves".
While you think about it as to which category you are in and what are you going to about it(if at all you want to do something to about), let me go and make a phone call to certain someone that I indeed have fallen in love with Rang De Basanti.
I think we watch these types of movies:
a) The one we have to watch for the heck of it. Example, Harry Potter films or Lord of the Rings films. We have read the books, we liked it and we would want to see how well its picturised. I can also add any Johar or Chopra movie. The other day my colleague remarked: We know that it would be a SRK starrer and there would be bundle of emotions and aimed at nothing but making people cry. We know what to expect, but we still watch them.
b) The one where we leave our mind out of the theatre for a rental, watch the movie for two and a half hours, come out of theatre and take back our mind. Example: Movies of the type Thirumalai, Thirupaachi(any Vijay starrer for that matter) and Aaru. Two and a half hours of non-stop nonsense.
c) The one that really leaves an everlasting effect on us. It might be a comedy or a tragedy. It might be preachy, sentimental or 'dishoom dishoom'. But something about the movie strikes a cord with each of us and these are the movies in which we search when asked to make to make the list of all time favourites.I would put Rang De Basanti(RDB) in that list of mine.
Where do I start? Ok,before going to the film, from the music. Listened to all the songs only once before watching the movie. Didnt like any of them. Told my brother(who incidentally hears them all atleast 10 times a day these days) that the music isnt that good. 'Roo baa roo' song was little ok, but rest,not good, didnt like it. He said thats so typical of Rehman that you dont like them when you hear them for the first time and asked me to hear them a couple of times more. I wouldnt listen to my brother, obviously. I never watched any of the trailors, and had absolutely no expectations out of the movie.I had no idea about the theme or storyline.I only knew that Aamir Khan was there. And Madhavan in a small role.Some MIG 21 controversy around the movie. Soha Ali Khan was there("Is she Saif's sister?"."Yes, she is". "Oh, Achcha, didnt know that either.").I did hear from few people who watched it before me as to how they felt about it and thanks to them, none of them revealed the story line to me.
"Its a different kind of film. The first half is too good. Second half equally bad"
"The songs are too good. Picturised well. Aamir Khan has acted very well. Overall, I did not like the movie, as I think what happens in the second half is way too impractical".
And there was this person who called me up late in the night and said this:"You would fall love with this movie. I loved it so so much. You should watch it definitely".
I lost count as to how many times that person told "I fell love with the movie" in a span of 11 minutes call that we had.I told that person at the end of the call that I would watch the movie and tell whether I also fell in love with RDB or not.
Read the last line of 'The Hindu' review as well. It said "Go and watch the movie for sure".I know I would.RDB has become the topic of discussion in Indian blogdom as well.Bloghopping lead me to many Indian blogs where RDB review/discussion was a sureshot post to find out. So that ends my pre-RDB experience.
It was a 1 o'clock show in the afternoon and I was having lunch till 12.55 pm. Never have I ran to a cinema theatre like what I did for RDB. Didnt want to miss a single dialogue with the mixed response I had for the movie.Had to cover a distance of more than 200 to 300 meter within 5 minutes I had and thats not easy job for a fat person like me who seldom exercises. Panting heavily, entered the theatre at 1.02 PM, and Thank God the movie had not started yet. Just as I entered the UTV banner flashed on the screen. Still panting and scrambling, found the seat at last and sat.Now to the movie!
The first half was amazing. It was hilarious. Starting from the auditions Sue has to "Yeh tho Hindi Boliti hai yaar"(That was too good from Aamir, isnt it? Not to mention, we had rowdy girls at the theatre who would scream as loudly as they can: "We love you DJJJJJJJJJJ" ).The screenplay was amazing. I think that was the greatest strength of the movie.And we didnt have complete songs picturised in the movie. I liked that. Some perople dont.Common guys, we had something different. People are used to hearing the whole of the songs in the movie and may not like this. But I did. And songs were not forced into the movie. They all mingled wonderfully well with the story and with the scenes. They were more of a BGM than songs.I liked the way the songs were picturised.
The theme of the movie was so relevant. And the youth in the movie represent the typical Indian youth and their mentality towards patriotism.Its a pity that what a foreigner appreciates about Indian history and freedom struggle, we people rarely care.For example, Bhagath Singh and his group fasted for more than 100 days in prison demanding paper,pen and newspaper for they were political prisoners. John Mckinley says this in his diary that never ever before in a freedom struggle has the world seen grit and determination like what he saw in these young guys.(Its a beautiful scene in RDB. This prisoner guy goes to Mckinley and the British expects him to break down finally. But he goes and taps his bowl with the tumbler and Siddarth would give a naughty,mocking laugh at the British. Wonderful acting Sid!).
While we also laugh along the initial dialogues of Aamir and Co. towards freedom, India etc, thats the first time RDB makes us think about our leaders of the past.As the movie progresses and as the characters change, I felt the same change inside me which the characters undergo. But that happens with every other movie of the genre of RDB, isnt it? We watch the movie, get inspired, think about what the movie wants to convey, do something or not do anything about it and after sometime we completely forget the film and things return back to the old ways. But in my case, even after two days of watching RDB, I am still having the 'RDB hangover'. The first few hours after watching the movie was too bad, I couldnt think anything apart from what the movie wanted to say, but the 'movie effect' lasts only for those initial few hours usually, but in case of RDB, the thing has kept on coming back to me again and again. That means RDB has made an effect with respect to me atleast! I hope I do something about what you wanted people of this country to do RDB crew.You were amazing!
Now to the actors and acting. Great acting. Aamir was too good with his comedy and with sentiments equally. That scene where he breaks down to Sue over the dinner table was very well done. Aamir, hats off to you. Another person whom I think would play a major role in Bollywood after RDB is Siddarth. Great job Sid,didnt know that you could act this well.All others, I dont know all their names, Atul, Soha and group, great job done. You all lived your characters.
Next to music.I change my stand completely on this. The music feels too good to hear now, especially 'Luka Chuppi'.God damn it, a person has died and you open the song with a guitar sequence, where have we seen something like that in an Indian movie song!?It would be a typical sad song or with grand moms in their 70's and 80's wailing and screaming, but you see something so different here. And the guitar is followed by the sequence thats typical of a Lori song, amazing to hear the song now. One of the reasons I would wish to see RDB again is 'Luka Chuppi'.(The other reason being the dialogues. I couldnt follow them at few places, especially the Punjabi dialogues for I dont know Punjabi :(.I missed a few jokes as well because of this. So next time, I would like to follow the dialogues in a better way)Waheeda Rehman and her expressions in 'Luka Chuppi', amazing, she has lived her character as well. Guitar feels so good in 'Roo baa roo" song as well. 'Khalbali' and 'Paatshaala' songs rock and the latter's lyrics are too good and funny if you concentrate. Today, I have been hearing only RDB at work :)
Next to the feeling "How many more times would we see story of Bhagath Singh, Azad and et al on a movie screen?". I have never watched a Bhagath Singh movie before, but I dont think that matters.I think RDB's main intention was not to tell that story, it was just used to co-relate the situation that existed some 90 years back and what it is today and how a group of young people responded in the same way as what those guys did 90 years back.We had people fighting for Freedom with Ahimsa, and also with guns. Today, cant someone fight against corruption with guns?For people who havent seen any Bhagath Singh movie, we might appreciate both parts, others would appreciate what these guys do in RDB.
And to the famous criticism about RDB that the climax was sloppy, I think there is nothing wrong with the climax. Initially, I also got a feeling that we are having an over exaggerated climax, but after thinking over it for some time, I feel that nothing was wrong with that. It has happened in this country isnt it? We lost a Prime Minister in this country in a similar fashion because a section of people thought what the PM did was totally outrageous and seeked a revenge. If it can happen to a PM, why not to a defence minister? I think that when you lose a person whos so close to you in a way that happened to Maddy in RDB,your mind might think in a similar fashion and you might do the same thing. But, do I ask you to do the same thing? No, am not. But whats potrayed in RDB can very well happen or is happening already; many people might be forced to take a similar path to seek injustice and revenge and the message of RDB is to just prevent something from that happening to this country. Few people even say that no one would kill college students like that. I ask you,why wont anyone do that? You barge into AIR with guns and take control of it, make an announcement that you have killed the defence minister, why wont anyone not think that you are from a terrorist organisation? Of course, you would be shot dead like those five guys. Nothing wrong with the climax, I believe.Totally acceptable, to me atleast!
One more great thing about RDB is that it is not preachy. It doesnt have long and lengthy sentimental dialogues. It conveys the message through a lot of comedy and entertainment.Thats what would make it a great movie and a 'must watch' movie.And to people who feel that the message RDB wanted to potray is not clear, here it is, its crystal clear through this dialogue of RDB. I might not repeat it verbatim, but the gist is this:"There are two kinds of people who live in this world, one who see things happening bad around them, take no notice of it, live with it and keep moving on. And there is this other kind which takes the responsibilty of changing things in the world on their shoulders and lead their life fulfilling these tasks which they have set themselves".
While you think about it as to which category you are in and what are you going to about it(if at all you want to do something to about), let me go and make a phone call to certain someone that I indeed have fallen in love with Rang De Basanti.
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