Khan, Kajol, and Karan

Disappointing fare. My Name is Khan is a letdown of sorts. If you were expecting the travails of an autist, stay away. If you were expecting a pensive case of blurring of Muslim Identity in the US, I reckon you could watch New York from the Yash Raj stable.

Not that My Name is Khan is slipshod. It is faintly scripted. The film holds immense promise in the opening minutes, but then waywardly yawns to the typical Karan Johar style: love, cush, and Kajol (come on, its a KJ film!). In a title that veritably elevates the film to higher levels, little justice is done.

Rizwan Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) portrays the role of a autistic man, afflicted with Asperger's syndrome. He flies to the US to stay along with his brother (Jimmy Shergill) and his wife (Wow, isn't she beautiful!) played by Sonya Jehan. He is commisioned to market his brother's company's beauty products and thereby he meets Mandira, a divorced Hindu girl (Kajol), who has a son from her previous marriage, Samir. Sparks fly, Rizwan makes Mandira fall in love with him (Sweet Autist!) and all's well. Period.

The second half screeches open with the traumatic instance of 9/11. The identity of the Muslim is thrown into question, as Americans commence to view all Muslims as potential terrorists. At one such instance, Kajol's life changes forever, and Khan (being the uber non-socialite that he is) finds it hard to comprehend the fuss all around. He is then seethingly reprimanded by Mandira: to go find the US President and let him know that Muslims are not terrorists. Then in a Forrest Gumpic style, Rizwan begins his journey to meet the President and his journey is chronicled.

Karan Johar has definitely moved up the ladder as a filmmaker. Metaphorical scenes are many in the screenplay. Examples include scenes that show the Muslim-identity question, and they have been done quite brilliantly. But, the film slags in its pace, and loses the plot by the end. Did Kjo want it to be hard-hitting? Or did he want an entertainment fare at the end of it all? Films like these leave a global stamp(owing to the overtime marketing), and I reckon the film maker to handle it more seriously, keeping in mind the potential the film had. Kjo, if you want a romantic film, go make a romantic film, and stick to your strengths. They are misplaced in this movie.

Shah Rukh is apt in his portrayal. He doesn't let his scene go off the hooks, and keeps a taut grip on the story. Kajol is pretty, gorgeouos, ravishing, matured, boisterous. Cinematography is par exellence (Ravi K Chandran). Other characters do justice to their rule. Music gels well to the story. So that's five thumbs up! Where the film fails is at the story and scripting.

Nevertheless, watch it once. It's already made a lot of money. Burn your pockets.

AC MILAN vs MANCHESTER UNITED

David Beckham is hard to miss. With the Champions League match between AC Milan and Manchester United today, it becomes a little more than impossible to obfuscate Beckham. That said, debates range from the speculative to the statistical about Beckham's qualities as a footballer. After proving his mettle at Manchester United, and Real Madrid, it was a setback to move out to the USA. Loaning him to AC Milan proved to be a masterstroke by Capello, and the player warmed to this initiative. He has exhibited fine skill throughout his career, sans the dribbling of Ronaldo, and the pace of Giggs. Yet, Beckham stuck to his natural strengths and reading of the game. And boy has he grown! In contemporary football, he is one of the those few who epitomize dedication, work, practice, and overall intelligence. A lot view Beckham as a mere model, but it would deem wise to accord him a better place: one of a responsible footballer and an appropriate role model.

AC Milan, apart from Beckham, have also Seedorf, Pirlo, and a few others who are indisputably, masters of the Champion League games. They might not run all over the pitch, but their ability to read and construe the game in seconds might be all that matters. Manchester United, on the other hand are buoyed by a run in form for Wayne Rooney, who has been the lynch-pin of the team this season. Alex's team building abilities are paying rich dividends, and Manchester United are threatening in the second half of the season. Victory at the San Siro might be the due for the Red Devils; the gaffer is certain to be relishing this mouth watering tie.

"Baasha Paadhi, Sivaji Paadhi kalandhu seidha kalavai naan" screams Vettaikaran. Some novelty in the story or screenplay could have indeed earmarked a new beginning for Vijay, but alas, the movie makes Perarasu look like James Cameron.

It was a first day outing for me with my friends, and we were forced to straddle in queues to finally land tickets for the same. After all the hoopla, we settled in less-than-cozy seats. That was ok, in tune with our deplorable propensities for mass-oriented movies. Bats flying in the theatre, people screaming, papers thrown set the tone. We were all revved up. Over to the movie, friends. The beginning frames a certain police officer who an ambitious young fellow wants to emulate. And surprise of surprise, the young lad is none other than Vijay himself! Now, what was I expecting in a Vijay movie? (rhetorical) Whistles flew. We went berserk. People screamed. Nevertheless, Vijay's entry was usurped from Pokkiri sans the flying vegetables. And after that, It is Vijay all the way. The film holds a fair amount of promise in the first half, but shockingly, fails to build up on the same momentum in the second and proves irritable.

Vijay (hold your breath!) is a 12th standard yet-to-pass student awaiting his results for the fourth time. And although unsurprising for the audience, he clears his papers this time. In view of his ambitions of becoming a police officer in the lines of a certain Devaraj(Srihari), he goes to Chennai. He meets his lady love Anushka on the way, and loses his kidney...sorry, heart to her. Sukumari and Vijay form a potent combination and bring relief with few comic exchanges. Vijay (Police Ravi) befriends Uma (Sanchita Padukone), a zombie who rents her father's auto for him to earn while he learns. Soon after, The zombie Uma is abused by Chella (Ravishankar), a local goon (Truly beats me as to why the zombie was abused!) Vijay goes to teach him a lesson, and the stunts are commendable. Vijay later realises that the goon is a son of a greater goon, Vedanayagam (Salim Ghouse) who makes a return to Tamil films. What happens after is left to anyone's guess, and does not require intellect. The second half sparks to life, although fizzes out as soon as it sparks (like the "kuruvi vedi", pun intended).

The Vijay-Anushka combo looks good on screen, and the songs are refreshing to an otherwise sombre venture. A little spice in the storyline could have worked wonders for the Ilayathalapathi ,who surprisingly, chooses to toe the same line, yet again, and again, and again.

Guffaws:

Vijay's character of a 12th standard student. Reminds me of a certain Satyaraj comedy, from 0:41 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zdo3HrmNoEg

Points to look for:

Exchanges between Vijay and Sukumari

Indubitable color xerox of Baasha, Sivaji, Pokkiri, etc. in the movie. More marks for guessing more films.

Character Suicide of Salim Ghouse. Why was he in the movie in the first place? He made Vijay look like an acting genius.

When Vijay sings 'Thaai pechai miradhe' in the opening song, skimpily clad women dancers (thaaikulam) are around him. How hypocritical!

Throw the zombie outta the movie!

I really am lost with words to review this movie. Watch it for the songs and the first half. Period.

P.S: At you own risk

Rendezvous with my blog

Hello There! Been a shocker to see my blog in existence. It always tempts you to write, doesn't it? A ravenous affair, I should mutter. Well, I am close to packing my bags in one of the IT majors that has been housing me for the past, well, a magnanimous 2 years. Tut, tut, nothing to do with my performance (love that Disney like imagination of yours!). My propensity lies elsewhere, and the brace reinforced the veracity of the same. Barring the fact that there is nothing much to hunt in a services major, I have been successful in adding a certain biological/chemical/metabolic value to my being: my weight. As I walk out in a few days, there is a certain pride and a definite sense of achievement that I can truly carry forward.

I: Why?

Me: Of course yes!

Myself: No way!

And so, repeated iterations of the above sample conversation have fostered direction in my case, as I map Genesis II - Re-beginning. The dialogue was tortuous, albeit establishing a vantage point. All angels & demons, gods & spirits, the dead and the living dead have walked out from my life, sore with my constant coquetry with atheism. Do I stand on the verge of life?

Dark nights
A rainy day it was,
Wading thro’ flooded streets,
The good roads non existent,
A dark night it was going to be.

Walking with my classmates,
Amusing an unusual phenomenon,
The heavy rains, I meant.
I nudged alongside my mates,
Holding on to deserted crates,
God bless them,
For I had seen road at ten.

My happiness exits as soon as it enters,
The trains cancelled; an expected matter,
I stranded amidst muddy pools and waters.

Off I went, with little money to be spent,
To catch the bus in the rush,
Hush! Hush! Hush!
I am wading thro’ the waters again.

The lightning strikes,
As I cross some parked bikes,
Scan at people walking and trotting,
Across the other end of the rotting road.

It was there I saw,
Beneath the beautiful sky,
Above the sacred earth,
A flash in my mind,
A beautiful girl,
Set my heart on fire,
The wind, a smooth zephyr,
Drowned me in the elemental ether.

The beautiful girl,
Was one I had seen,
But not been, and a chill passed up my spleen.

Ripples in my heart,
Feeling blood flow thro’ the body,
I fell from grace,
I felt human again.
Some guts I garnered,
And bits of speech I bantered,
But her beauty amidst the dark night,
Reminded me of the Arabian nights,
And Chinese kites.

She was a fairy tale,
Looking gorgeous and hale,
A surreal energy accompanying me,
But words deserting me,
Felt numb down the knee.

The mystery of the life,
The mystery of the universe,
The mystery of the creator,
The mystery of love,
The mystery of death,
Time stood still.
The heaven’s opened up,
I fell in love.

And then, there was light!

The new year's passed by. I was sleepy when the first rays of 2008 greeted me. I, for a moment could see the entire of 2007 pass in a flicker. Issues, that rocked me and were rocking were aplenty. I guess I had let the entire year pass by, and had not any specifics tattooed to my inner self. Well, specifics not on terms of mere credentials, but they add that minimal meaning to the purpose of our existence. Joining Infosys being the high point of the year, and that point being partly aided by the fact that my joining date coincided with the unearthing of the new 7 wonders of the world; led to quite a frenzy of number logic from my mom. It was a day that wouldn't step out of my memories; no, not for the numbers; those moments would forever be pressed on to my finer being. All's good. Period.

I get up from the bed and happily nudge myself into the living room. I am wished by my mom and the aunt who's come over from Bombay. Birthday wishes, they were and strikingly, it has been almost a month since the new year passed. I am in into my year 22 of existence. The training's done at Infy and I am into a project over which my dad happens to be very happy about. But, I think. And I am still thinking. Something doesn't seemingly set in. What was that? Life sucks? No. The new bike? No. Like for the job? No. Love for the job? No. Passion? Bingo! The passion's conspicuous by its absence. It is the defining factor and I can feel that void. Men have made and moved armies, built societies, spoken about singularities and sex, not by mere adrenalin, but passion in their being and doing. It drove them to do things that seemed outright crazy and preposterous for their fellow beings. Life has offered me glimpses of it, but they have remained mere sneak peeks. It is in us to shed mortal coils and step into the fab world of impossibilities. I guess, it was there, that humans figured that the impossible was very possible. Contentment at a mere peep would amount to murder. A plunge. Perhaps. Living there. An unwavering yes. But where? And how?

My journey begins.

My name is Billa

Suave, Sleek, Smart, Stylish and quite Disappointing. That's the Billa 2007. The film takes Tamil Cinema to new heights and is a technical feast. The cuts, the angles, the camera work and Ajit himself, are, to put it, simply a treat for the eyes. Ajit shimmers in his role as Billa. Retaining his touch to the script, Ajit very intentionally and rightly, has not tried to recreate Rajni. That's the high point of the movie. Many a remake is lost due to this faux pas recreation of the yesteryear artist. Billa 2007 has befittingly abstained from that.

Amidst rumors of the movie taking a cue from Farhan's Don, surprisingly, the movie is most loyal to Rajni's Billa. The director has rightly done so, as spin offs from Farhan's movie would have created unhealthy talk. The characters appear fresh in each frame and the color composition of the movie is brilliant. The cinematographer's choice of filters and sublime look is commendable. Nirav Shah has indeed done a good job of it. The film tries to be stylish and surpasses the style expectations. Editing is astute. Till that point, the movie is fine. The Catch-22? The script.

Billa 2007 sticks to the original like a leech and, the drought of twists or turns in this movie creates an aura of drag throughout. The movie seems as if the director was in a quagmire all along. The script pulsates between Ajit and the story, leaving the audience in a dilemma. The first half of the film is dominated by Billa(Ajit), where he's being continuously shown in various frames, disembarking from premium cars and helis, and the never-taken-off-eyes Ray Ban glasses. Dialogues are neither prominent nor many, and do not make much noise. It is the style quotient that is vivid in this part of the movie. The story creeps, and the screenplay inches along. It is clearly not one of Vishnuvardhan's best. Billa is an international smuggler who is desperately being hunted by the police force headed by DSP(Prabhu). After several unsuccessful attempts to nab Billa, the team hatch out a plan and finally corner him. Billa escapes once again, only to be shot at. Unable to sustain his injuries, he dies. This is where the film picks some pace. The DSP(Prabhu) etches a plan to find out the other smugglers and finds out an identical personae for replacing Billa. Velu(Ajit) is convinced to act as Billa. Gokulnath(Rehman) also appears as an Interpol Officer, and his presence puzzles Prabhu, who does not let know anyone about the plan. Santhanam, appearing as Velu's friend does a good job, given the role constraints. The first half ends with Velu announcing himself as Billa to his gang.

The second half makes a quite interesting segment, as there are pretty interesting dialogues. The masterful actor that he is, Ajit effectively potrays the variance between the real Billa and Velu as Billa. Good work, indeed! On the director's front, I do expect a minimal twist and suspense in the storyline when you are Vishnuvardhan. It is there that the film falls and the audience is let down. After some cliched twists in the movie, the DSP is shot dead and the whole Billa gang is caught. Velu is posed with no alternative but to confess that he was acting as Billa and it was a part of the DSP's plan. With the DSP dead, how Ajit manages to convince the police that he is Velu forms the rest of the movie.

Namitha and Nayanthara fail to make an impression and should have put in more effort to add to the oomph factor, atleast. The person in the role of Ranjit looks stale in expressions, but is an able character in the movie.The songs lack finesse and though shot well, fail to linger in the minds of people after the movie is done with. Rehman and Prabhu are fine with their part. Rehman, although has played his part with a subdued effect which makes him look more good than Major Sundarajan in the original Billa. Characterizations are apt.

It's smart. It's chic. It Hollywood influences are rightly seen. Ajit as Billa, is nothing short of handsome and gets into the skin of the characters seamlessly. No comparisons can be made with the original and that's the foremost flavour of Billa 2007. The story though, might have its annuling effects and is likely to not go down too well with the audiences.

Well, to make a remake is an effort. To make a success of it is another story altogether. To make a remake out of a successful remake, cannot guarantee success. Showbiz is never that simple. But, Billa just might prove to be a success story after all.