Truth is stranger than fiction

Awaiting a good film these days is like waiting for rain during the drought season. It was refreshing to see movies like Dil Bechara and the latest release which was biopic of  Flight Lieutenant Gunjan  Saxena.  The movie is the story of her life from a little girl who harbors dreams of becoming a pilot. It goes on to showcase her trials and tribulations as the first woman in the Indian Air Force. She braves against odds and chauvinistic mindsets to finally attain her place and respect. She was the first woman to commission helicopter services during the Kargil War.  The biopic is fast paced and has a no nonsensical approach to it. One of the USP of the film lies in the father (Pankaj Tripathi) being supportive of his daughter (Jahnvi Kapoor) with regards to her unconventional vocational choice. Something that was a rarity especially in the 90s. This exhibits a beautiful message of being respectful of your children's choices rather than being bogged down by societal ...

Punch dialogues, song and dance sequences or shrilling drama are the usual ingredients of a movie that lingers in the viewer’s minds for a long period of time. It is of a rare occasion where a silent film manages to capture the hearts of millions. It takes immense talent to convey a lot through facial expressions alone. It deserves nothing less than a standing ovation if it has managed to sweep 5 Oscars to its credit. Michel Hazanavicius's film 'The Artist has exactly done that and more. George Valentin (Jean Dujardin) is a successful silent movie star. On the eve of his premiere, he encounters a wide eyed fan namely Peppy Miller (Berenice Bejo). She accidently drops her autograph book and Valentine graciously picks it up for her. The next day, she finds herself captured in photograph with the reigning star. As a struggling artist, Miller manages to catch the attention of Valentin and soon she becomes the next sensation with her trademark beauty spot drawn by George Valentin. T...

Some small budget films evoke several emotions in a person that can put blockbusters to shame. 'I am Kalam' is one such movie which manages to tap the sensitive side of the viewers. Set in Rural Rajasthan, the film revolves around a young boy Chottu who is employed in a Dhaba run by Gulshan Grover. Instead of going to school, Chottu washes vessels, serves the tourists and manages to charm them with his earnest ways. However the thought of reading never evades the young lad as his fascination for learning comes through the movie. He befriends the son of the Thakur, a school going boy who also yearns for some good company. Gradually a bond forms between the two as one aspires to learn something from the other. The film slowly takes a turn into how Chottu is accused of being a thief and forced to run away to Delhi. As the truth unveils itself, a search party goes to Delhi to bring back Chottu to the land of the sand dunes and restore his righful position in the school ...

Themes like comedy and action have always ruled the roost. Crime and thrillers seem to be making their own mark along with a few artistic films which are categorised under 'Intelligent' Cinema. It is a rarity among Indian film makers to make a Children's movie linked to that of a social cause revolving around an animal. This is something many Hollywood filmmakers have explored. UTV productions' Chillar Party is a film centred on a group of kids in a colony and how they fight against the municipality to save a stray dog. The film starts off with an introduction to the several characters present in Chandan Nagar Society. Funny nicknames accompany the kids and the adults too are presented in a quirky manner. Calling themselves ‘Chillar Party’ their mischief would cause exasperation among the grown-ups. One fine day a young orphaned lad enters the colony along with his dog Biddu. After the initial bullying and apologies, Chillar Party and the dog become thick friends. One ...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=a2bb1bf6-1bc1-4cd6-95a4-df2556f7e73e What a 3 hour film manages to convey with immense melodrama, the same impact is created in 15 minutes leaving the viewers stunned. Not surprising as their attention span is retained all through with a question of “what next?” playing in their minds. It sort of reminds one of a T 20 game of Cricket which is nothing less than a fast paced thriller with the scales tilting on either side at any given point. Kiran Motion Pictures and Indian Ocean pictures’ ‘Gaali’ is one such film that will evoke tremendous cerebration amongst the audience. The movie revolves around a chance encounter of two characters (G.K.Desai and Usha) on the streets of Mumbai after dark. An interesting conversation prevails between a man who has lost his love and a call girl. A flurry of abuses follows with the language depicting immense vulgarity which is typical of such class of individuals lurking around th...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=2a3ebf61-309b-4cac-9f39-3686b86fcac7 The title is catchy enough to induce interest in one to grab a copy of the DVD instantly. It certainly isn’t a bed time story as the film leaves a long lasting impact to an extent of rendering a sleepless night. Based on the novel by John Boyne, The boy in the striped Pyjamas is a tale of innocence and friendship interspersed with the horrors of the holocaust. Eight year old Bruno (Asa Butterfield) finds to his dismay that his family had decided on moving from their beloved home in Berlin to the country side. Explanations seem to evade him and his questions are met with a lukewarm and a rather reluctant response. The fact he is able to comprehend is restricted to that of his Commandant father having gotten a promotion and being asked to shift his work premises. With his father busy on a new mission, mother bustling about her new home, sister Gretel on the brink of puberty, Br...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=67e901e1-4667-4f51-a196-8273c5cafdbf Right. The infamous seven year itch is what one usually hears jokingly in a party consisting of newly married couples or oldies. Its ugly face or rather phase in this case is highlighted on when it tunes into a serious note with words lashing out not necessarily musical to the ears. The frustrations, disappointments, blame games linger on continuously till a threshold point beyond which the relationship collapses. However one can hardly imagine that such differences can lead to cause a tragic moment. Such is the dysfunctional aspect of human nature or should one attribute it to incompatibility, intolerance, irritability or a combination of all? Revolutionary Road starts off on a high pitch note literally as a middle aged couple driving down the highway drive each other crazy. April (Kate Winslet) and Frank (Leonardo Dicaprio) face the mid life crisis trying to cope up with unf...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=d8a46ffd-113a-460a-b65d-a13ee15dea99 It doesn’t take much of creative juices to flow especially when one makes a script based on a true story. However it does require skilful depiction of the same in order to win the hearts of the audience with its stirring message. What proves to be a further challenge is to get into the skin of a real life character and portray him with utmost conviction. Such that it makes the viewers perceive the character alone quite forgetting that he is one of the talented actors of Hollywood. The very element which certainly doesn’t make one dispute over the numerous Oscar nominations the film had to its credit. Gus Van Sant’s ‘Milk’ is one such film which is based on the story of activist Harvey milk who was the first gay person to be elected in the public office in California. Harvey Milk (Sean Penn) migrates from New York to San Francisco in pursuit of change accompanied by his lover S...

- By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=3c64dbe3-6b0b-41f1-9356-642ba87576c8 A fabulous line stating it as one of the best films ever made behind the DVD cover arouses enough curiosity in one to pick it up and watch it immediately. It makes one wonder what exactly about the film makes it earn that line along with a flamboyant description as a timeless master piece that even inspired Satyajit Ray. Technological advancement certainly wasn’t like what it is today. Neither does the film carry its special effects that lead to bated breaths amongst the audience creating a new list of ardent followers. And yet the duration of 93 minutes nowhere disappoints as they lean back on the couch ruminating about the thought provoking narration they had just watched. It is set in the era of depression post the World War-II in Italy where unemployment was at its peak. The story is about one such unemployed worker Antonio Ricci (Lamberto Maggiorani ) who must possess a ...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=8e57d88a-b3d4-405d-99c3-94af617756b5 Finally the long wait is over. And this doesn’t refer to the film to complete its three hour duration. In fact Anees Bazmee’s Singh is Kinng, the most awaited commercial release of the year certainly looks to live up to a ‘hysterical’ hype. Considering the plight of the earlier blockbusters which failed to set the cash registers jingling this year, it is indeed a pleasant surprise to see a streak of positivism in the latest. Numerous flicks portray the theme of a lad from small town entering into the big bad world like a little bird which is opening out its wings to begin its first flight. Yet this one is unique with its ingredients of that of a ‘Khichdi’ only this time with a different aroma or rather aromas. A treat from the serious cinemas being portrayed off late, Singh is Kinng proves to be that break which falls under the ‘wholesome’ entertainer category. This is a story ...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=68abb5bb-9eae-4c36-a1d8-e698e5585af4 Love stories have always proved to a favorite amongst film makers. Some have adopted an amateurish and sweet stance. While a few have portrayed maturity of self sacrifice and there have been others which have shocked the viewers with its dark streak of murder and swinging moralities. The latter seems to have ruled Bollywood on the pretext on ‘intelligent’ cinema almost forgetting the animate appeal it once had to win the hearts of its audience. Aamir Khan Productions’ Jaane tu ya jaane na manages to revive the uncorrupted aspect of a teen romance which blossoms over time into the brink of adulthood, retaining its unadulterated essence. Its key element lies in its vibrant and fresh appeal. And the latter is enhanced with new faces along with the debut launch of a leading actors’ nephew. The story starts with a bunch of youngsters humming the lyrics, same as the title on their w...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=df8430cb-02c9-4303-bf5c-7f390ee78477 Two strangers who couldn’t be more different from one another; an unexpected stumble; a train journey; cupid’s strike: such ingredients are not new for a Bollywood theme. In spite of its run on the mill components, 'Jab we met' depicts certain freshness and promises its viewers with a surety of fun on the run. The film starts with a forlorn expression portrayed on Aditya Kashyap’s (Shahid Kapur) face, who is a rich industrialist nursing his wounds from a broken relationship and a troubled past. Little does he realize that a chance encounter with a stranger on a train would change his life forever? Geet (Kareena Kapoor) is a typical loud Punjabi girl who is on a mission to find her true love Anshuman. Chatting away to glory the effervescent Geet tries her level best to engage the surly Aditya into a conversation but in vain. The latter's initial feelings of annoyan...

- By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=a4ec096f-28ce-4dfb-a39e-48e046659170 Sometimes simplicity often portrays a strong message with tremendous conviction. Reminiscing our childhood evokes a wistful memory of having been attached to a small thing which was our constant and inseparable companion. The blue umbrella is one such story of a little girl and her exquisite umbrella -a tale which sails one through an emotion-filled trip of the village folk. The movie is an adaptation of a novel for children, in the same name by Ruskin Bond. The story is set in a quiet hamlet amidst the lush evergreen hilly terrains of Himachal Pradesh. Amongst them is the tea stall owner Nandikishore Khatri (Pankaj Kapur). Though being old, he manages to retain his child-at-heart stance. He often indulges in fancying and yearning for tiny possessions of children. One fine day his attention is drawn towards a pretty little thing that adds a vivid charm to the grassy contours....

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=9715b0dd-3b94-4b83-a59a-6b1137c9d3e2 Many films have portrayed the theme of cricket. However Chak de India dares to be different from the clichéd rest. It manages to awaken the spirit of our almost forgotten national game-Hockey and revive it in the memories of millions. The movie is inspired from the life of Mir Ranjan Negi. He was a goal keeper during the Asian games who was stripped off his dignity and grace by being hurled with an accusation of bribery. And this film gave him an opportunity to rekindle nostalgic memories of the game by training King Khan for his on screen personified role. The film starts with a nail biting Hockey match between India and Pakistan. India led by Kabir Khan (Shahrukh Khan) misses the all important penalty stroke and is then blamed for purposive defeat and stigmatized as being a traitor to his nation. Disowned by his own neighbourhood, he walks away with his held high silently vow...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=138446a4-5818-42a1-b198-f4595b412cfb Some noble deeds come at a cost of a stupendous sacrifice. The one of Mahatma Gandhi’s was a prime example. “One family’s tragedy was the price of a nation’s freedom” as the tagline of the film says. Fighting for the country’s freedom earned him adulation of millions and the title “Father of the nation”. Yet he had to pay a big price for it in the form of his elder son Harilal. The whole nation was showered with the revered person’s affection and yet the irony lay in the fact that his son never felt his father's love. Gandhi my father revolves around the family of M.K.Gandhi and the difference in ideologies between the father and son. The film starts with a drunken and haggard Harilal (Akshaye Khanna) in a hospital trying to revive his flashback which takes you through a series of revolutionary events and flurry of emotions. A walk down the memory lane portrays the life of ...

-By Swetha Amit http://content.msn.co.in/MSNContribute/Story.aspx?PageID=b7ab149a-5f35-4861-8859-6a890ddb71fe Loneliness often propels one to longingly seek a friend. Times like these often push us into a solitary stance or we find our solace in the road to spirituality striking an unspoken friendship with God. My friend Ganesha is one such film which depicts this divine friendship between a child and the elephant faced God and takes you down the mythological lane. The movie revolves around a family consisting of Ashu, his parents, aunt and the maid Gangubhai who places her sincere devotion in Lord Ganapathy. Ashu is a lonely child devoid of any friends and to top it all he is bullied by his counterparts at every given opportunity. To make matters worse, his parents who are caught up with the corporate lifestyles hardly spend time with him. One day he ends up saving a little mouse from the harsh rains. On sharing this with the maid, leaves her enthralled enough to tell him of being the...

Ravines,deserts,barrenlands,rifles,tankers and soldiers. Welcome to the journey of Kabul express.A fast paced travel which takes one through the experiences and underlying emotions of two Indian journalists along with three other co-passengers, leaves one gripping till the end. This film starts with an introduction of the the country which was closed to the world for 6 years until an occurrence of a certain mishap.Several reporters were known to visit this mysterious land,thirsty for a story that would quench the curious minds of the world. Suhel Khan(John Abraham) and Jai Kapoor(Arshad Warsi )play the lead as journalists from India who risk their lives to cover a story that would leave the nation spellbound.Little did they know that life would never be the same again after this road less travelled.As they seat themselves on a tanker,eyes and ears are wide open in eagerness to get a glimpse of the much hyped "Talib".Managing to attract a lot of attention,they stumble upon Jes...