‘Fashion’: Amour with glamour
-by Swetha Amithttp://content.msn.co.in/msncontribute/story.aspx?PageID=5f1d25c2-22c4-419b-aea6-2a9dee9ecd69
When one thinks of glamour and glitz, words like superficiality, fame and wealth instantly come to their minds. Envious of their status, the fashion fraternity are often dismissed as frivolous beings whose lives seem to be easy and plush on the surface. Little does one realize that a mere walk on the ramp leads to different and unique walks of life? It delves deep into the human psyche of these beauties emphasizing the saying that “There’s more than what meets the eye”. Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion showcases the other side of this glittering world where dismissal feelings are replaced with stunning reactions leaving a lingering impact on the viewers.
The film cruises through the eyes of its protagonist whose narration embarks her journey as an aspirant model from a small town into the big bad world. Meghna Mathur (Priyanka Chopra) breaks all the conventional barriers and arrives in Mumbai from Chandigarh to fulfill her ambitions. Being a struggling fresher with the right attitude takes her slowly from one show to another eventually. To an extent where she even replaces the most sought after show stopper and the reigning model Shonali Gujral (Kangana Ranaut). However the saying goes that what goes up ultimately has to come down. Meghna Mathur shoots up to fame in the starry world only to come crash landing to the grounded hard hitting realities little realizing her own folly as a cause for this down fall. The pressures and stress makes her fall prey to the substance abuse syndrome.
In just a flash of a second, much quicker than the flashes of a flamboyant camera still, her entire world comes crumbling down. With steadfast support from family and few friends including the not so successful fellow model Janet (Mugdha Godhse), Meghna pulls her strings together to sort out her assorted aspects of her shattered life. Whether she will taste the sweet pinnacle of success again forms rest of the narrative. The film also showcases a few interesting characters who offer a pillar of support to Meghana at different junctures during her tryst with the modeling world.
After Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate, Madhur Bhandarkar delivers yet another brilliant hard hitting reality concept in a seemingly candy floss world. Priyanka Chopra gets into the skin of the character and portrays her varied emotions in different facets with utmost conviction. Kangana Ranaut blows one away as the arrogant top notch model with a borderline streak of psychological imbalance. Mugdha Godhse is surprisingly good as she plays her part well as one who goes all out to help her counterparts during dire straits quite defying the cut throat element of this profession. The film is well supported by rest of its cast like Arbaaz Khan and new comer Arjan Bajwa along with a few surprise appearances. Music by Salim Suleiman adds flavor to the theme with the title track ‘Jalwa’ finding its rightful place amidst the chartbusters.
Some of the scenes depict a close resemblance to real life instances which enhances its realistic aspect. The concept is well weaved out and wouldn’t be surprising to find its winning streak in another national award.
What one sees isn’t what they get as this movie takes them behind the scenes of the stylish era. Emotions and thoughts find no place as the fast paced nature takes a toll on every rung of ladder to success. This is enhanced in the dialogue of Mugdha Godhse to Priyanka Chopra stating, “Jitna kam sochogi utna zyada kamaogi”. The mounting pressures give rise to huffs and puffs gradually leading to destruction of one’s self. As the film tagline says “In the word of fashion one has to give up more than just their morals”. The soul is sacrificed immensely which is worse than compromising on values and integrity.
‘Fashion’ would indeed satisfy the curiosity that many have about the fashionable world. It would cease one to view the other side of the coin which no doubt depicts grey shades in this otherwise resplendent lifestyle.
The film cruises through the eyes of its protagonist whose narration embarks her journey as an aspirant model from a small town into the big bad world. Meghna Mathur (Priyanka Chopra) breaks all the conventional barriers and arrives in Mumbai from Chandigarh to fulfill her ambitions. Being a struggling fresher with the right attitude takes her slowly from one show to another eventually. To an extent where she even replaces the most sought after show stopper and the reigning model Shonali Gujral (Kangana Ranaut). However the saying goes that what goes up ultimately has to come down. Meghna Mathur shoots up to fame in the starry world only to come crash landing to the grounded hard hitting realities little realizing her own folly as a cause for this down fall. The pressures and stress makes her fall prey to the substance abuse syndrome.
In just a flash of a second, much quicker than the flashes of a flamboyant camera still, her entire world comes crumbling down. With steadfast support from family and few friends including the not so successful fellow model Janet (Mugdha Godhse), Meghna pulls her strings together to sort out her assorted aspects of her shattered life. Whether she will taste the sweet pinnacle of success again forms rest of the narrative. The film also showcases a few interesting characters who offer a pillar of support to Meghana at different junctures during her tryst with the modeling world.
After Chandni Bar, Page 3, Corporate, Madhur Bhandarkar delivers yet another brilliant hard hitting reality concept in a seemingly candy floss world. Priyanka Chopra gets into the skin of the character and portrays her varied emotions in different facets with utmost conviction. Kangana Ranaut blows one away as the arrogant top notch model with a borderline streak of psychological imbalance. Mugdha Godhse is surprisingly good as she plays her part well as one who goes all out to help her counterparts during dire straits quite defying the cut throat element of this profession. The film is well supported by rest of its cast like Arbaaz Khan and new comer Arjan Bajwa along with a few surprise appearances. Music by Salim Suleiman adds flavor to the theme with the title track ‘Jalwa’ finding its rightful place amidst the chartbusters.
Some of the scenes depict a close resemblance to real life instances which enhances its realistic aspect. The concept is well weaved out and wouldn’t be surprising to find its winning streak in another national award.
What one sees isn’t what they get as this movie takes them behind the scenes of the stylish era. Emotions and thoughts find no place as the fast paced nature takes a toll on every rung of ladder to success. This is enhanced in the dialogue of Mugdha Godhse to Priyanka Chopra stating, “Jitna kam sochogi utna zyada kamaogi”. The mounting pressures give rise to huffs and puffs gradually leading to destruction of one’s self. As the film tagline says “In the word of fashion one has to give up more than just their morals”. The soul is sacrificed immensely which is worse than compromising on values and integrity.
‘Fashion’ would indeed satisfy the curiosity that many have about the fashionable world. It would cease one to view the other side of the coin which no doubt depicts grey shades in this otherwise resplendent lifestyle.
Written for www.msn.co.in
Appeared as Editor's choice and story of the day
Comments
sharmishtha - kolkata on 10/31/2008 7:27:02 PM
I rarely watch hindi movies, but glamour world's glamour is most probably only "skin deep". its a really cat eat cat world there. very wonderful interpretation of the movie, wonderfully written.
Excellent concept of Sweta. Congrats!
fashion show are very good but what is the story behind the the scenes and the life of fashion models, they have to sacrifice everything.... recent story of model walking streets of Delhi ispathetic, where she lost every thing. The fashion show may look glamourous but the life of models are pathetic.
Great writing skills.
NICE ARTICLE SWE, LOL !!! GK
The similarity between Cinema, Stock Market, Gambling, and Fashion is: a few earn exhorbitant sums, whereas thousands slog their lives dreaming of making it big one day. Nice article.
Ummehani Kagalwala - Mumbai on 11/1/2008 8:03:16 PM
Fashion is the only movie that shows the reality of the glamour world. Madhur Bhandarkar always makes movies that are real life incidences. This movie ROCKS!!!!
Kangana is out of the world in this film. This role has suited her like real. Her expressions, persona, attitude, glamour and of course her acting outcasts every one else including Priyanka. The world of fashion comes alive in front of you during her on-screen presence. I wish i could see more of her in the movie. Job well done Kangna and Madhur.
very nice movie the hard wrk shows
The film is like a piece of cliches strung together.. whether its the gay designers or the wardrobe malfunction... its more a lay man's view of the fashion world that comes from reading newspaper headlines...than a hidden camera insight which Madhur's other films have. It also drives the message that the poor hapless top model cannot do without male support (father / friend / boyfriend et all) Some moments do stand out including priyanka's breakdown in front of the mirror but it could have done without the shoddy prolonged ending.without doubt. The review article though is a nice piece of work but not well rounded