Hercules

For the first time, an upcoming Bangla film has the same title as a latest Hollywood film & the posters are splashed alongside at 'plexes!
'Hercules'

Revisiting 'Chatroom'

"Ready for therapy?" asks William. A simple question? Well, no.

Seldom do I revisit movies that I have already seen. First, the time is too short to catch up with films, old and new - that's the principle a movie junkie like me abides by; plus, there is the risk of my love for a movie fading, at least marginally if not considerably, when I watch it again. However, recently I made an exception for a movie I had seen some time back (and liked) - called 'Chatroom' - and I am glad I did, because my love and appreciation for the movie - largely the premise and its handling - has grown manifold. It should be made compulsory viewing for young, impressionable folks, for obvious reasons, the chatting - as well as subverting and bullying - ways may keep dating with passage of time, and that too at a very fast rate, but the tale would definitely connect, it does make sense, it'll keep doing so.

Game over!

The curtains come down on FIFA World Cup 2014..... game over? Well, for now..... for me..... the soccermania that reigned for a month or so..... yeah, eyes glued to the tv set all night long, virtually getting transported to Brazil, the venues there, the beaches, the revelry, the madness of it all.

Transformers: Spruced up and how

'Transformers: Age of Extinction' is a lesson on how to spruce up an almost-on-the-verge-of-sagging franchise.

RDB @75

On the occasion of music legend R. B. Burman's 75th birth anniversary, here's me going down memory lane..... although I keep listening to his songs almost every single day, be it on the radio, on telly, or otherwise. I live, breathe, and thrive on Pancham-Da's songs like so many fellow music-buffs.
I have come up for this special 'tribute' post a selection of my favorite songs from Hindi films,
all of these are famous R. D. Burman compositions, and some have even been sung by him, in his inimitable voice.
I have limited the number of songs on this list to just seventy five, which was really a tough thing to do. I have also listed the movie titles along with the years, for easy reference. I must mention that the songs have been selected at random, and not in any order.
Here they are:

Hum dono do premi - Ajnabee (1974)
Yeh shaam mastani - Kati Patang (1970)
Chura liya hai - Yaadon Ki Baraat (1973)
Dum maaro dum - Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Dhanno ki aankhon - Kitaab (1977)
Aap ki aankhon mein kuchh - Ghar (1978)
Tum aa gaye ho noora aa gaya hai - Aandhi (1975)
Katra katra milti hai - Ijaazat (1987)
Mera kuchh saamaan - Ijaazat (1987)
Jaane do na - Saagar (1985)
Chehra hai ya chand - Saagar (1985)
Tum se milke aisa laga - Parinda (1989)
Pyaar ke mod pe - Parinda (1985)
Tere bina zindagi se - Aandhi (1975)
Sapna mera toot gaya - Khel Khel Mein (1975)
O hansini - Zehreela Insaan (1974)
Dil mein aag lagaye - Alag Alag (1985)
Mere naina saawan - Mehbooba (1976)
Piya baawri - Khubsoorat (1980)
Roz roz daali daali - Angoor (1982)
O maajhi re - Khushboo (1975)
Humein tumse pyar kitna - Kudrat (1981)
Khali haath shaam aayi hai - Ijaazat (1987)
Yamma yamma - Shaan (1980)
Mehbooba mehbooba - Sholay (1975)
Jaane jaan o meri jaane jaan -  Sanam Teri Kasam (1982)
Duniya mein logon ko - Apna Desh (1972)
Piya tu ab toh aa ja - Caravan (1971)
Aaj kal paon zameen par - Ghar (1978)
Humne tumko dekha - Khel Khel Mein (1975)
Jaane ja dhoondta phir raha - Jawani Diwani (1972)
Kitne bhi tu karle situm - Sanam Teri Kasam (1982)
Sab ko salaam karte hain - Jagir (1984)
Deewana mujhsa nahi - Teesri Manzil (1966)
Kya hua tera vada - Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977)
Do naina aur ek kahani - Masoom (1983)
Tujhse naraaz nahin - Masoom (1983)
Roz roz aankhon taley - Jeeva (1986)
Ghar aaja ghir aaye - Chhote Nawab (1961)
Phir se aaiyo - Namkeen (1982)
Tu rutha toh - Jawani (1984)
Yeh ladka hai allah - Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977)
Yeh din to aata hai - Mahaan (1983)
Aur kya ahede wafa - Sunny (1984)
Yun hi gaate raho - Saagar (1985)
O meri jaan maine kaha - The Train (1970)
Bachke rehna re baba - Pukar (1983)
Yeh zindagi kuchh bhi sahi - Romance (1983)
Tum kya jaano mohabbat kya hai - Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977)
Kal kya hoga - Kasme Vaade (1978)
Chhoti si kahani se - Ijaazat (1987)
Kya yahi pyar hai- Rocky (1981)
Jaana o meri jaana - Sanam Teri Kasam (1982)
Khamosh sa afsana - Libaas (1988) 

Saagar kinare dil yeh pukare - Saagar (1985)
Pyaar humein kis mod pe - Satte Pe Satta (1982)
Tu maike mat jaiyo - Pukar (1983)
Jaipur se nikli gaadi - GuruDev (1993)
Seeli hawa chhoo gayi - Libaas (1988)
O Maria - Saagar (1985)
Zindagi milke bitayenge - Satte Pe Satta (1982)
O mere dil ke chayn - Mere Jeevan Saathi (1972)
Ek ajnabee haseena se - Ajnabee (1974)
Chand mera dil chandni ho tum - Hum Kisise Kum Naheen (1977)
Kanchi re kanchi re - Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971)
Hoga tum se pyaara kaun - Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981)
Rimjhim rimjhim - 1942: A Love Story (1994)
Saamne yeh kaun aaya - Jawani Diwani (1972)
Jahan teri yeh nazar hai - Kaalia (1981)
Dilbar mere - Satte Pe Satta (1982)
Tum bin jaoon kahan - PyarKa Mausam (1969)
O mere sona re sona re - Teesri Manzil (1966)
Tum ne mujhe dekha - Teesri Manzil (1966)
Kuchh na kaho - 1942: A Love Story (1994)

'Jhankaar Beats': the film was a tribute to RDB

Happy Birthday, Messi!

It's the World Cup fever in full bloom....
all the more buoyant hence,
the whole world wishes you the very best, Leo!

A year passes by without you

"Kaisi ajeeb daawat hai yeh...." 
A year passes by without you Rituda.... yet you are so much there in our souls, you always shall be.

Oh no!

Don't know about others, but when promotionals with our popular male icons scream 'ladkon_waali baat', the sexist bias just makes me cringe.

Those were the days of HP

HP - Harry Potter - those were the days.....

Henry in 'The Tudors'

Henry Cavill plays Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, in 'The Tudors'

Seen as a playboy in the First Season, his character becomes meatier.

Must admit, that I warmed up to the series because of him. 
Yes, watched 'The Tudors' because of Henry Cavill! 

And was absolutely thrilled.

It is one of the best in the period series, costume drama genre.

Needless to say, it is absolutely fabulous.

However, I had been initially apprehensive of the series and did not get too excited because the history of the period, the reign of King Henry VIII having been the subject of many a tale already and I did not think that the lurid excesses, some of it fictionalized, and colored by contemporary biases, would please me much.

But as soon as I got know of Henry Cavill's inclusion in the cast, I became curious. 

I watched it from the beginning, with renewed zest, and felt rewarded eventually.

The series boasts of a terrific ensemble cast, led by Jonathan Rhys Meyers.

A tête-à-tête with Arin Paul

Arin Paul is a name that is familiar to most who are clued in on Bangla films and television.
He has wielded the director's baton for many a project on television before venturing to make his first feature film, quite ambitious at that, titled '10:10'. However after that he is yet to make his second feature, although he has been too busy with his shorts and documentaries, and that is what makes us curious. Here's a short chat with the director I consider to be one of the most sensible and grounded people from the film and television industry I have personally come across.

After your first feature film, why haven't you made a feature in all these years?

Ans: Well, It isn’t that I didn’t want to make a film. But things didn’t work out. Actually, 'Sabdhan Pancha Aashche' was my first film which got shelved with only five days of shoot remaining. '10:10' ('Dashta Dash') was my second feature film, which then became my directorial debut. After '10:10', talks were on for a film named 'Mixed Masala' with the same producers, but things failed to work out as my producer and I seemed to want different things. A few offers from here and there kept coming but they didn't interest me much either.

That's bad..... but would you say that you are a bit finicky?

Ans: Yes, I am a bit choosy about my projects. You know, I have weirdly funny stories about my stint with some producers. Maybe, I’ll share them sometime. But all these years have actually helped me grow in every aspect. I have seen people, all kinds of people...... reality hasn't been out of my grip, I have kept a close tab on the so-called world of showbiz as well, and enjoyed every bit.

I would say that you have retained if not sharpened your sense of humor and your sensibilities.... 

Hahaha.... well, maybe soon I’ll be announcing my next project.

Has your stint with television helped you, groomed you better?

My stint with television surely made me realize and confirmed my belief as to why I never wanted to work for television. But it was fun working on a few projects.

What exactly did the making of your first film, and the experience thereafter, teach you?

Oh, it taught me a lot. It was a learning experience. I came to know about the nitty-gritties of distribution, seen the good, the bad and the ugly. I also learnt what to do and what not to do.

A pertinent question now.... what excites you about the short film format which you keep revisiting?

Aah.. I love the format for one basic reason, I can do whatever I want and the way I want. It’s so refreshing and challenging too. 

How much of the film-making process satisfies you, as a person? Would you rather make films for yourself, than having a specific audience in mind?

Well, the whole process satisfies me. I make films for the audience keeping in mind what I like. A basic funda of mine is, if I like my film, then only can I expect others to like it. If I do not like my film, I’m convinced that no one will like it.

Tell me about the kind of preparation you have undergone, and still do, as a maker? Were you hooked to films from an early age? Have you always been clear about taking up film-making as a profession?

I was drawn to films from my school days. I remember I had note-books in which I kept track of all the films I have watched. I still have those note-books with me. Those were the days of good old Doordarshan, satellite television was yet to arrive, and I was exposed to all kinds of films shown on Doordarshan, was quite a rich variety. Of course, there were visits to the cinema, limited to just once or twice a year. As I grew up, the profession attracted me, but I was not sure if it would suit me best. In my college days, I have worked as a door-to-door marketing professional for newspapers. I went on to obtain a diploma in journalism and even worked as a reporter. Quite a few of my articles got published in newspapers. However, it was only when I joined the Asian Academy of Film and Television (AAFT) that I realized exactly what I wanted to be or do.

Would you say that having a stable day-job is a viable option for experimental film-makers?

Experimental film-makers are the worst hit people, that's what I feel. The path is very dangerous, risky as well as challenging. If a person has belief in himself, I believe, he can keep experimenting. A stable job does help one sustain himself/herself financially. As of me, I’m really thankful to my wife (Ananya) for supporting me unconditionally. Without her support I don’t think I would have been able to sustain and continue my journey.

I know that you enjoy watching a wide variety of films, national and international, are there any particular influences or favorite directors that you would like to name?

First and foremost, the person I worship: Ritwik Kumar Ghatak. Also, Bela Tarr, Guru Dutt, Charlie Chaplin, Krzysztof Kieslowski, Vittorio Di Sica, and Kim Ki Duk, to name a few..... the list actually goes on.

There are two distinct lines of thought that prevail about the Bangla film industry.... some say that it is a promising time for Bangla films as of now, while others rue that things are quite depressing.... what is your take?

Honestly we shouldn't go by numbers or statistics. Every other person boasting to have an impressive box-office record is nothing but a publicity stunt. When you go to the cinema-hall, you find out how many people are actually watching. The reason may not only be the product but there's also the problem of piracy, and the dwindling number of single-screen theaters. All these actually take a toll on the regional cinema market which happens to be limited.

What have been the biggest challenges for you as a film-maker right now?

To find the right set of persons who would understand my way of functioning. The way I think and connect with them. It’s not only about making a film, to me, it’s way beyond that. We need to learn and educate. To think that the audiences are fools is a big mistake. The most alarming challenge is the loss of unity. We should first unite and then only as a generation, can we strive further and make this era worth remembering. Though the immediate signs are negative, hopes are always positive.

Surely, I share those hopes. Now throw some light on your future plans, will you?

Well, my plans obviously have been about making films, not sounding too ambitious hopefully. I have been busy with a documentary on Ritwik Ghatak named 'The Ritwik Ghatak Experience' for the past three years. I’m not sure when I’ll be able to show it to the world. Two other documentaries are also into post-production, one on eminent cinematographer Ramananda Sengupta and the other on national Award Winning Film Director, Nripen Ganguly. Again, I’m unsure about their release. As far as the short films are concerned, there's one called 'Et Tu Brute..?'. A few more plans are there and shall be shared hopefully soon. I have registered my production house (Arin Paul Productions) and the documentaries and short films are being made under this banner.

It's time to gear up!

It takes me a while to process information about people. I am not a people person and a poor judge of people too. Actually, I tend to think of myself as the non-judgmental type. A friend of mine finds it pretentious to claim so, and I have come round to his views, he does have a valid argument; so, basically, am just pathetic with the analysis and the judging when it comes to people. Yet, when I do find myself to be at the receiving end, being continually and blatantly exploited and manipulated by some wretched people who form the voluminous part of the scum-of-the-earth, I too can say: Enough Is Enough! It's Time To Gear Up! It's Time To Move On!
It is really important for people like us, am sure there are more like me, to come face to face with the hard-core challenges that one cannot evade, there's no fleeing from the creeps, the wretches, the deranged psychos, and we must believe for sure that life itself provides us the real time data analytics for real time decision-making. As far as the combat strategies are concerned, one can have faith in the machinations of the supreme strategist who controls all, who helps us assemble, assess and integrate information and aid us in taking the all-important decisive steps.
Wish me luck!

Happy Birthday, Dear Aamir!

Dear Aamir.......
This is an open letter to you.
Nothing too personal.
It's some thoughts that I want to share with all.
All of us have dreams. And many of us try to eke out a living by pursuing our dreams, and even selling dreams to millions. A few are successful in pursuing those dreams. But a fewer still are successful in selling dreams that millions don't just hold on to as ideals but also believe in the possibility of their fruition no matter how impossible that may be, judging by the parameters of reality.
You have not just successfully spun dreams on the celluloid for years, but have been a true inspiration for several more than the blind followers of a hero's antics on the big screen choosing to stay mesmerized within the darkened theaters where unreal is real all in the name of entertainment..... you have helped people sit up and take note of the hardcore realities, of the unsavory truths, and have made people genuinely charged up and energized to contribute towards positive changes in the society. You have helped people break barriers, overcome limitations and inhibitions, and continue to do so as the second season of your reality show Satyamev Jayate continues its glorious run on television.
I can't help but shun my acerbic apprehensions regarding tv-philanthropy and feel all zesty and optimistic.
May your goodness rub off on us, and may our society be blessed with more of your kind.
Here's wishing you a Very Happy Birthday!

a collage of film-stills

the many moods

'Ghajini'

an early photo-shoot

The best feeling

I know, it may sound cliched.......
I know, it would not mean much to the world that does not understand the significance of what lies in between the words, what it really feels.......
yet, I have to admit, to that 'special person' as much as to myself, that it feels the best, the very best, when I look at that person and, wonder of wonders, I see a smile so genuine, a smile that can be credited to my presence, my being in that person's life, an affirmation that's unique.

Madam Has Left the Floor!

She was addressed as 'Madam' in Tollygunge where she reigned as the screen goddess, she was the icon of Bangla cinema, she was and will remain a legend, there was none like her, and there shall be none like her.
Suchitra Sen has left for her heavenly abode, today.
I had never met the star. Like most of my generation, had seen seen her in films shown on television. Had only heard about the frenzy that she embodied in her prime. Had only learnt of the tales that kept circulating, myth-like, about her star persona, about her mood tantrums, about her being a person of many shades, many dimensions. She lived and breathed the same air as me, here, in the city of Kolkata, and she was far beyond the reach of glamour, gossip and gaiety of the tinsel town. She lived saint-like, having said goodbye to the world of films, far from the maddening public domain. We found it so hard to believe that she could really treat all the adulation, and even the speculations that kept buzzing, indifferently, as if all the glory and all the fame, was from another lifetime, as if it was all about an alter ego of hers.
My father had been a great fan of hers even as a schoolboy, and I remember telling him that I too could feel the palpable magic of hers when I watched her films from the golden era of Bangla cinema. Incidentally, my mother was her namesake (her 'real' name, not the screen name; and paired with the surname post-marriage), which I found to be amusing. My mother even had a glimpse of her from behind when she was waiting at a doctor's chamber (just as Suchitra Sen passed in a huff after consultation, the nurse whispered to my mom her identity)! Some years back, I too remember walking with a friend of mine at odd times near the late star's residence hoping to luckily (read: miraculously) catch a glimpse, as I had heard that she did come out for walks, incognito. But that was just a phase after catching up with films like 'Saptapadi' (the only film of hers that I had seen in an auditorium at a special theatrical screening for charity), 'Devdas', 'Bombai Ka Baboo', and 'Grihadaha'; soon, I came to terms with the reality, and I even found her stance laudable.
She shall always remain in my heart, just as it would be for millions of movie-lovers, across ages, across territories. Hearing of her passing away, so many tributes have pored in from all over, the social-networking sites are a testament to people's love for her. I end my post with borrowed words.... words from a dear fried of mine, Kaustav Bakshi, who says: Very few actresses could have enacted the fulfilment of the consummation of love like Suchitra Sen, who emoted every syllable of every song, in the moonlit night, her coy smile radiating the silver of the droopy moon..... her passionate outbursts for a dying lover.... her total surrender to the man of her dreams.... her gritty exuberance.... her agony of loss.... her repentance for a happy marriage gone terribly wrong.... Suchitra Sen had become the very epitome of romance, and all its associated emotions for an entire generation and thereafter. She became love, or love became her.... it's difficult to tell now.... Her demise has finally drawn the curtains on an era..... Long live Suchitra Sen!"

Pics courtesy: AnandaBazar Patrika

Films Seen in 2013: Top Ten

Which are my selections for the best films seen in 2013?
You must be wondering.
Let's see if my pick for the top ten movies this year matches yours.
Well, it's easy to guess my favorites because I have already spoken or written about them, be it here or on any of the virtual platforms for exchange of ideas, viz. Twitter, Facebook.

'ParaNorman'

Here's the Top Ten list of mine:

1. Amour (2012)
2. Prince Avalanche (2013)
3. Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
4. Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
5. The Master (2012)
6. The Fall (2006)
7. ParaNorman (2012)
8. Ship of Theseus (2012)
9. Shabdo (2013)
10. Shahid (2013) 

It's the time to DHOOM!

"Dhoom machale dhoom machale dhoom.....!"
The lovers of the 'Dhoom' franchise have been going crazy ever since the project was announced, and the fans of Aamir Khan were too thrilled to know that the ace perfectionist had finally given his nod for the role of the anti-hero, it being obvious to all that a lot of convincing by the makers was called for.
Well, the film is finally here, the year is about to end and the makers have been screaming loud and clear that Dhoom 3 will be the movie that the loyal followers of the cult desi action series had been eagerly waiting for all this while, with its usual dose of masala, and more.

Happy Thanksgiving!

It's Thanksgiving Day, and although it actually has been an American tradition for more nearly 400 hundred years, I think it has grown in appeal, if not in the exact same observance, around the world.
Here in India too people do wish each other on this day and many of us take the opportunity to pause to pause and be thankful for the bounties enjoyed. 
Some of my friends have asked me what is it that one needs to be thankful for, and my answer would be something that I had read a long time back and has stayed with me, it is: If staying alive is not something to be thankful for, I don't know what is.
Life is too short to be sitting around all glum and miserable. We may keep complaining, as much as we like, that life hasn't been fair to us, but complaining can hardly make us feel better. Can't afford to be cynical all our lives, I don't think even the grumpiest person on earth can be so!
Life fails to be perfect - that's something people would unanimously agree upon - but it never fails to catch us unawares and surprise us with its beauty. Sometimes it is the beauty of life that overwhelms, sometimes I find it heartbreaking; sometimes it's just too much to soak in, to absorb.
I have come to realize that it is not happy people who are thankful but thankful people who are happy.

Happy Thanksgiving!

'The Lone Ranger' - The Fun Western

'The Lone Ranger' is a fun Western...... now does my mentioning of it make you squirm, or raise your eyebrows? Well, you may ask, aren't the Westerns by the very definition of the genre fun to watch? Yes, and not necessarily so. I must point out, dear friends, that there are too many sub-genres - you may either not be familiar with all of them or maybe you haven't been too scrutinizing as a viewer. Those of you who might not have warmed up to the reworking of this time-tested swashbuckler, this particular big budget adventure, were probably expecting something and got something else in return. However, I watched the movie without any pre-occupation, and felt handsomely rewarded. The film pokes fun every now and then but does not fail to thrill one with the cowboy-esque stunts and edge-of-the-seat action. The silliness and the weirdness are supposed to make one chuckle and feel delighted. The presence of Johnny Depp in the film elevates the experience by many notches. Armie Hammer is the pseudo hero - likable just in parts though. Helena Bonham Carter, Tom Wilkinson, Barry Pepper, and William Fichtner eminently enrich the proceedings in this Gore Verbinski film by their individual portrayals. The CGI job and the 3D effects are neat, and the spaced out treatment given to the screenplay is what had me hooked in the first place.