Best Telugu Movies of 2018

2018 was another year of great story-telling for Telugu Cinema. While there were quite a few films that I liked this year, these were my absolute favorites. The films are listed in the order they were released.

Awe

When we are introduced to a free spirited psychiatrist trying to convince her girlfriend’s parents to allow them to marry, a down-on-his-luck man taking the help of a goldfish and a bonsai tree to fake as a chef in a restaurant, a watchman who is relentless in his quest to invent a time-machine, a mysterious time-traveling scientist, an egoistic magician, a hallucinating waitress with a drug addiction, and a troubled woman who is about to commit a crime on her birthday, we know that this is going to be unlike any film we have ever seen in the Telugu film industry. With an exceptional screenplay and an incredible ensemble of some of the finest actors in the industry, Awe! is hands down the best Telugu film of 2018.

Rangasthalam

At a quick glance Rangasthalam is every film, set in a village in the 1980’s, but what makes Rangasthalam special is the perfect depiction of a time gone by, and its people. While the village in Rangasthalam, is a very convincing setup, it is the characters that breathe life into it. The film is about Kumarbabu and Chittibabu, who are the textbook definition of how siblings should be. While Kumarbabu is soft spoken, well-dressed, and patient, Chittibabu is loud, rustic and short-tempered, but what they have in common is their love for each other. When these two brothers set out to improve the village, we know that they will be fine because they have each other. It isn’t until Kumarbabu is attacked, and we see the smile on Chittibabu’s face disappear, do we realize that Chittibabu and life in Rangasthalam we will never be the same. Thanks to Sukumar’s brilliant vision, an engaging screenplay, impeccable performances, and beautiful music, Rangasthalam is without a doubt one of the best films of 2018.

You can watch Rangasthalam on Amazon Prime Video

Sammohanam

Cinema, you can love it or hate it, but you cannot ignore its existence or the influence it has on the society. We are a society that either worships the industry, or detests it. Those that love them believe that these actors and actresses are not normal, they possess a unique quality that sets them apart from all of us, and those that do not care for them believe that they are as fake as the films they act in. Sammohanam does a great job of showing us what happens when this enchanting world of cinema meets its worshipers and detesters.

Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi

Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi is one of those films that makes you rethink your life. Growing up, we all had dreams that we dreamed with our friends, about what we will do when we grow up. While some of us may be doing exactly that, most of us ended up choosing careers that are defined as sensible by society. While some of us have actually found happiness on our current chosen paths, or made peace with it, I am sure there are many out there who still think about their dreams and wonder what life would have been like, if they had not given up on them. Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi is one such story of four friends who get a second chance at realizing their dreams. Vivek, Karthik, Kaushik and Uppi are four friends who always dreamed of becoming filmmakers. Due to circumstances, they go their separate ways and are now stuck in dead end jobs that they really hate. So when a bachelor party gone wrong lands them penniless in Goa, and in desperate need of Rs. 5 Lakh, to get out of the fix, the have no choice but to participate in a short film contest for the prize money. Based on real life incidents of the director and his friends, Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi shows the journey of these four friends from their college days to how they finally made their first feature film, “Pelli Choopulu”. With an awesome screenplay, brilliant performances and some great music, Ee Nagaraniki Emaindhi is one of my favorite films this year.

Goodachari

Move over 007, we now have our very own Agent 116. Goodachari is Adivi Sesh and Sashi Kiran Tikka’s attempt to bring back the much loved spy series of Telugu Cinema. When Gopi’s dad is killed in a classified mission, his uncle Sathya fakes their death, moves far away from the city and raises him as Arjun. He wants Gopi to lead a normal risk free life, while Gopi secretly nurtures a dream of becoming a RAW agent like his late father Raghuveer. But being enlisted as a RAW agent is not easy. It is only after he finally joins the secret spy organization does he discover the truth about his father and the secret his uncle has been hiding from him. Goodachari is a very gripping thriller that has you on the edge of the seat throughout. Every actor in the film does an outstanding job and Adivi Sesh is great as Agent 116. Can’t wait for the next film in the series!

You can watch Goodachari on Amazon Prime Video

Geeta Govindam

Geetha Govindam is a romantic comedy about Vijay Govind, a college lecturer who is in search of his dream wife. For him the perfect wife is one who can read his thoughts even before he expresses them. He believes that he has met his ideal woman when he sees Geetha in a temple. A few days later when she ends up in the seat next to his, in an overnight bus journey, he is convinced that she is the one, and tries everything possible to strike up a friendship. Just when things couldn’t get any better, an ill-fated moment changes the course of both his future and their relationship. From story, screenplay, direction, casting, cinematography, music, to production, Geetha Govindam aces in every department. With never a dull moment, it is the best romantic comedy of this year.

C/o Kancharapalem

What does a fun loving elementary school girl who loves to sing (Sunitha), a fearless girl from a conservative family (Bhargavi), a free spirited prostitute who lives life on her own terms (Saleema), and a middle aged widow who cannot just stand by when someone is treated poorly (Radha) have in common? Men! Men who encourage them to believe in themselves, and reinforce their belief in all that is good in this world. Sadly the world is also filled with men who will stop at nothing to squash a woman’s dreams and desires. For them their pride is much more important than the happiness of their own flesh and blood. C/o Kancharapalem, does a beautiful job of telling us the stories of these four very real women, and the men in their lives.

U-Turn

U-Turn is a very important film that should not be missed. While the film itself is an exciting watch, the message it drives home is much more profound. In a country like India, where traffic violations are a norm, basic civic sense and traffic rules mean nothing to the majority. Illegal turns and U-Turns, crossing where there are no crosswalks, multiple vehicles in the same lane, ignoring red lights and stop signs, driving in the opposite lanes are just some of the many violations we see on our roads on a daily basis. The fact that only some of us are bothered by these daily occurrences is not only sad but scary. U-Turn does a great job of making us realize how sometimes, such minor offenses can have major consequences.

Antariksham 9000 Kmph

Antarikhsam 9000 Kmph is an impressive attempt by director Sankalp, to bring us Telugu film industry’s first outer space drama. He does an excellent job of keeping it as a real as possible with a decent plot, exciting outer space sequences, and creating characters that are believable as astronauts. Everyone from Varun Tej, to Aditi Rao Hydari, Rahman, Srinivas Avasarala, Satyadev and Raja do a commendable job in bringing their characters to life. However, the film fails miserably in giving us a narrative that can hold our attention.

Ghazi worked, because the director did not buy into the conventional Telugu cinema style of story telling. He made sure he had the attention of the audiences from the beginning to end, by never deviating from the story he wanted to tell. Sadly that was not the case with Antariksham. With songs popping up when you least need them, and a love story that really had no place in the narration, you fail to connect to either the film or the characters. While I love the song and dance sequences in our films, they are only nice when they have a place in the film. I understand that sometimes songs can be inserted into a narration to evoke certain emotions in the audience, but in the case of Antarikhsam, they all stuck out like a sore thumb. 

Had director Sankalp concentrated on giving us just the space drama, and a better reason to root for the protagonist and the cause he was fighting for, Antariksham could have been one of the best films this year.

Zero – He may be small but everything he does is larger than life

If you have seen the trailer of Zero, then you already know what the movie is about. Bauua Singh, is a 4.5′ dwarf who refuses to let his height come in the way of him living his life to the fullest, and when you have unlimited money at your disposal and a condition that you can milk to your benefit, anything is possible. As a dwarf, Bauua is used to always getting attention, so when Aafia Yusufzai Bhinder, a scientist suffering from cerebral palsy, does not find him interesting, he makes it his mission to win her over. However the lady who rules Bauua’s heart is Babita Kumari, an actress for whom he is willing to go to any lengths. As we all know, Bauua is someone who only follows his heart. So what does Bauua’s heart say, and where does it lead him, is what Zero is all about.

It is not always that we get to witness Shah Rukh Khan essay a role such as Bauua. To say that he nailed it would be an understatement. He was so convincing and the special effects so perfect, that not once was I reminded that he is a regular sized actor. It was a joy watching him have fun as Bauua Singh. Can you imagine a regular SRK running around in his underwear? I know none of us will be able to digest such a scene, even if it is in a film (I feel that we limit some of our actors by putting them up on a pedestal). However, SRK as a dwarf in his underwear looked adorable. While SRK makes us laugh with his antics as Bauua in the first half, he also manages to make us tear up in the second half when he turns on his classic SRK charm. Equally impressive is Anushka Sharma as Aafia. It is not easy to live with a condition where the first reaction of anyone you meet, is pity. It doesn’t matter how accomplished you are or how smart, you are always first defined by your disability. This is Aafia’s biggest problem. So when she meets Bauua, a cheesy but full of life guy who refuses to let his size define who he is, and who sees her for who she is and not her disability, she realizes what she has been missing. Aafia is without a doubt a very challenging role to play, and Anushka did a phenomenal job. As for Katrina Kaif, she was perfect as the heartbroken actress on a path of self-destruction.

Zero, like Bauua is a spectacle. Please remember that nothing in the film is normal. The characters, the situations, their problems and the solutions are all on a grand scale. This is what makes Zero so entertaining. I think how you feel about Zero will depend on how you view it. If you want to watch a film that spins an entertaining tale on a grand scale then you will not be disappointed by Zero, but if you are looking for a very realistic emotional drama, then Zero is probably not the film for you.

Definitely go watch Zero, if not for anything then atleast to watch the brilliance that is SRK, the magic that is Jab Tak Jahan (this song is a treat for the eyes and ears), and the chance to see Sridevi one last time (though brief you can’t help but feel bittersweet when you her on screen).

3 movies of 2018 that were decent films, but also a little disappointing

First and foremost I would like to state that these three films are actually good films, that I enjoyed watching. However, there were certain aspects of the films that either disturbed me or left me disappointed.

PadMan

The film to top this list is PadMan. Honestly, I loved PadMan and recommended it to everyone, but what bugged me about the film is the fact that the filmmakers decided to change the origin of the PadMan. We all know that PadMan is based on social entrepreneur Arunachalam Muruganantham. Arunachalam is not a fictitious person, but a real live person, from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu. His journey is nothing short of incredible. So I did not understand why the filmmakers would want to change Padman’s origin and geographical location. Saying that since it is a Hindi film, it was done so the mainsteam audience can relate to the story is an excuse I am not willing to buy, because last time I checked we all belonged to the same country. Are you telling me that the people in the north do not know the existence of the southern states, or that somehow their bodily functions are different from that of the people in southern India. Do you think we South Indian’s knew the Punjabi, Gujarati and Bengali way of life? No, but when you made movies we watched and learnt their culture. So why are you so afraid of doing the same when it comes to the southern states? Do you really not know how many people watch dubbed South Indian movies in the north? Looking at how Bollywood makes such movies, I can’t help but wonder what they will do if they ever make a film on Dr. Abdul Kalam. Will they change his origin too? Can you imagine what Gandhi the film would look like if Richard Attenborough thought like Bollywood? So though I was one of PadMan’s biggest advocate, because I strongly believed in the message the film was trying to convey, it was also the film that disappointed me the most.

I would still recommend you watch PadMan (on Netflix) and hope that next time Bollywood decides to make a movie based on a real life story they will do a better job.

Hichki

“There are no bad students, only bad teachers”. While this is true, and Hichki does a great job of proving it, I have to admit I was a little disappointed by the film. I am one of those people that sincerely believes that if a student is fairing poorly, it does not mean that the student is dumb, but rather that the teacher has failed to explain it to the student in a way that the student can understand. I honestly believe that everyone has the capacity to learn anything as long as they find the correct teacher. Of course some may take a little longer to understand, while others may need a different approach, but understand they will, when taught in the right way. Hichki does a pretty decent job of proving this point. However this was not the purpose of Hichki. Hichki, is an official adaptation of the Brad Cohen’s story, Front of the Class. The whole point of Brad Cohen’s story is to shed light on Tourettes and the struggles Brad and his family had to face as a result of his condition. While Naina’s story touches some of Brad’s struggles, it quickly changes gears and becomes a story of underprivileged children and right to education. So, though Hichki is a decent film, and Rani Mukherjee is phenomenal as Naina Mathur, I personally felt that the film failed as a torch bearer for Tourette’s Syndrome. They really should not have introduced a second conflict in the story, and just concentrated on Naina’s first year at school as a teacher.

Definitely check out Hichki on Amazon Prime Video because it is still a good film and Rani does a great job.

Dhadak / Sairat

Spoiler Alert: This part of the blog will reveal the ending, so if you plan on watching either of the films, then please do not read.

I know that Sairat released in 2016, but anyone who watches Dhadak will invariably watch Sairat, if not for anything then at least to find out what was so special about the film that Bollywood felt the need to remake it. While Dhadak was not bad, it was not good either. I couldn’t understand how people thought that such an outdated story would work in this time and age. It wasn’t until I watched the original (Sairat), did I understand how royally Bollywood had screwed the film. While the story may have been outdated, Sairat had originality, realistic characters and more importantly a heart. I honestly loved everything about Sairat, that is, until the shocking ending, that I personally found very disturbing. Based on how the story unfolded, it almost felt like the filmmakers were actually implying that the murder was the only logical ending. If I were a caste / class loving individual, all I would take from this film is that the child I raised so lovingly, deceived and defamed me, tarnished my reputation and family name, and ran away with someone I disapproved, and now I have to face the consequences of his/her actions, so killing them is the only way I can get back what I have lost, my pride and honor. I know the stories are a reflection of what happen in our society, but to tell a story where killing the innocent couple was the only logical ending, just did not sit well with me. In fact, I couldn’t help but wonder if these films had any influence on the recent rise in honor killings in the country. In our country where there is no dearth for honor killings, instead of shocking the audience, I wish the filmmakers had handled the ending more sensitively. At the very least show that there are consequences to such heinous crimes.

Watch Dhadak on Amazon Prime Video and Sairat on Netflix and let me know if I am overthinking this one.

10 Best Hindi Films of 2018

2018 has been a great year for Hindi Cinema. It was not the year of big stars or big budget films. It was the year of stories – real, unique, romantic, funny, thrilling, terrifying, intelligent stories. It was also the year of the younger generation of actors like Ayushmann Khurrana, Vicky Kaushal, Rajkummar Rao, Alia Bhatt, Taapsee Pannu, Radhika Apte, Sohum Shah, Vineet Kumar Singh, and Sanya Malhotra, and some seasoned actors like Neena Gupta, Gajraj Rao, Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Rishi Kapoor. We have seen the tides changing in terms of awards honoring the best of the best in the industry in the past couple of years, and now filmmakers are also willing to take risks and bring us stories that are worth telling. Of all the films I watched this year, here are ten films that I loved the most (in no particular order).

Tumbbad

What happens when we get greedy and take our resources for granted? This is the question Tumbbad answers, but in the most bone-chilling way. When Vinayak Rao becomes obsessed with finding his family’s hidden treasure, that is cursed, you know that he is headed for doom. However, Vinayak turns out to be much smarter than his ancestors. He figures out a way to stay free of the curse, while stealing the treasure he wants from the dreaded Hastar (he-who-shall-not-be-named). Tumbbad is not one of those horror films that scares you with its sounds effects. It is the way the story unfolds, and the anticipation of what is going to happen, is what keeps you at the edge of your seat. With brilliant performances by the entire cast, especially Sohum Shah, and a very well-written and executed story, Tumbbad is one film that you should not miss this year.

Do not miss this film if it ever airs on Television or becomes available for online streamlining

Raazi

If 2018 is the year of women in Indian cinema then Raazi is its flag-bearer. An adaptation of Calling Sehmat, Raazi is based on the life of an Indian RAW agent, who upon the request of her father marries into a Pakistani military family to help India prior to the Indo-Pak war of 1971. It is thanks to her help that India was aware of the Ghazi attack. Thanks to a brilliant screenplay by Meghna Gulzar and Bhavani Iyer, this thriller will have you on the edge of your seat for the entire duration of the film. Alia Bhatt does a phenomenal job as Sehmat, the spy, who gets emotionally attached to the family she is married into and has to take heart-wrenching decisions for the sake of her country. Equally impressive is Vicky Kaushal as Iqbal, the sensitive husband who is always mindful of the fact that his wife comes from a country that is considered an enemy state. With brilliant performances, heart-touching story and beautiful music, Raazi is another film that should not be missed this year.

You can watch Raazi on Amazon Prime Video

Mukkabaaz

Sometimes you have to make your own destiny, and that is what Vineet Kumar Singh does with Mukkabaaz. Despite proving his calibre as an actor, when no one was willing to cast him in the lead, Vineet took time off to write a story and offered to give it to anyone who would cast him in the lead. Finding a director willing to cast him was not easy, but he never gave up hope.  who had given him his first break agreed to take a chance on him, if he was willing to go all in for the film. Determined to prove himself, Vineet put his blood and sweat into the film. The proof of how hard he must have trained for this role, is evident in every shot of the film. Based on real life events, Mukkabaaz is about the struggles faced by small town athletes. With no money or connections they are at the mercy of the people who run the show. It is not always that we come across such honest films. Vineet Singh’s portrayal of Shravan is one of the best performances by a lead actor this year. I would be very disappointed if he is not nominated in the best actor category this award season. Other two characters that stand out are Zoya Hussein as Sunaina and Jimmy Shergill as the coach. Mukkabaaz is a love story, sports film, and family / social drama all rolled into one.

You can watch Mukkabaaz now on Amazon Prime Video Channels

Andhadhun

Andhadhun is one of the longest running film in theaters this year. This engaging thriller about a pianist who is trying to find his inspiration through his blindness, and unwittingly becomes a witness to a crime, is a roller-coaster ride you don’t want to miss. The film will literally have you on the edge of your seat till the very end. While the film delivers big on the thrill factor, its subtle humor at regular intervals is not lost. From brilliant performances by Ayushmann Khurrana, Tabu and Radhika Apte, to the mind-blowing screenplay and direction by Sriram Raghavan, everything in this film is pitch perfect.

You can watch Andhadhun on Netflix

Badhai Ho

Badhai Ho is a delightfully feel-good film, about an elderly couple who find themselves pregnant, as a result of one night of passion on a stormy night (literally). The film which is both hilarious and heartwarming has Gajraj Rao and Neena Gupta essaying the roles of the elderly couple, while Ayushmann Khurrana plays the role of their adult son who has a hard time accepting the fact that his parents still have sex, and that his mother is pregnant. Neena Gupta and Gajraj’s portrayal of a middle aged couple who still love and respect each other is sure to fill our hearts with warmth and genuine happiness. They are hands down the best onscreen couple of 2018. Surekha Sikri is another actor that will leave a lasting impression in this delightful film. With an exceptional script and well defined characters, Badhai Ho is a laugh riot that will not only entertain you, but will also give you some major relationship goals, for that time when the society expects you to have a dull and boring love life 🙂

You can watch Badhai Ho on Hotstar

Stree

Based on an urban legend, about a ghost who killed people that opened the door when she called out their name, but avoided houses of people who wrote “Come tomorrow” on their walls,  Stree, with a well written script and brilliant performances, is a breath of fresh air. Set in the small town of  Chanderi, Stree is about a female ghost that haunts the town. Wronged by the men of Chanderi, the ghost appears during an annual festival to seek revenge on them. So for those four days men are warned to stay indoors at night and to never venture alone in the dark. However, when you are blinded by love, such warnings have little impact, and that is the case with the town tailor, Vicky (played to perfection by Rajkummar Rao). Smitten by the mysterious woman who appears only during the festival (portrayed beautifully by Shraddha Kapoor), Vicky could care less what is happening to the men in his town. That is, until his best friend Jana (Abhishek Banerjee) goes missing, and Bittu (Aparshakti Khurrana) blames Vicky’s girlfriend. What follows is the quest to find their missing friend, as well as find a way to stop “Stree” from haunting their town. With brilliant performances and impeccable comedic timing by each and every cast member, Stree is a very entertaining film that keeps you on the edge of your seat while making you laugh heartily at regular intervals.

Do not miss this film when it becomes available for online streamlining.

Mulk

What is the definition of terrorism? Is religion a factor in its definition? And most importantly who decides which act is a terrorist act and which one is not? These are the questions that Mulk tries to answer. When a member of a law abiding muslim family turns out to be terrorist, the entire family is put on trail, and it is left to the family to prove their innocence. Ali Mohammed is a respected lawyer who lives in a predominantly Hindu neighborhood. But religion was never an issue for him or his neighbors. They were best friends who partied and dined in each others houses. However when a young member of his family, Shahid, is suspected of a terrorist active, Mohammed and his family are isolated, threatened and tried in court. While the law says “innocent until proven guilty”, because of his religion, Mohammed’s family is presumed guilty even before they are tried in court. It is up to Mohammed and his family to prove to the court that they are innocent and love their country. But how does one prove their love for their country when they are already being viewed as the enemy of the state? Anubhav Sinha handles this subject so beautifully, making sure that he drives the point home. What makes Mulk special is that none of the actors are above the film. Every character has an important role to play, and they all do a great job. Taapsee Pannu as Aarthi and Rishi Kapoor as Ali Mohammed are phenomenal.

Do not miss this film when it becomes available for online streamlining.

Manmarziyaan

Have you ever wondered what a Sanjay Leela Bhansali movie would look like if it was directed by Anurag Kashyap? Wonder no more! Manmarziyan is essentially Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Anurag Kashyap style. Rumi is a free-spirited girl who is madly in love with Vicky, a DJ. While his love for her is strong, his commitment to get married and settle down is not. Fed up with Vicky’s refusal to grow up and take responsibility, Rumi gets married to Robbie, and NRI banker who falls head over heels for her. What makes Manmarziyaan special is the realistic treatment of the characters, and the maturity with which the concept of love and relationships is dealt with. While Taapsee and Vicky are amazing as the madly in love Rumi and Vicky, it is Abhishek Bachchan as Robbie that will steal our hearts. It is so good seeing him back on screen after such a long time.

Do not miss this film when it becomes available for online streamlining.

Manto

Manto was a writer from the 1940s who was ahead of his times. His stories that were mostly controversial for those times, often got him in trouble. His words, “My stories are mirrors for society to see itself. If you cannot bear my stories, then it means that we are living in unbearable times”, ring true even today. While we have become a more tolerable society than in the 1940s, we still have a long way to go in terms of being tolerable with each other. Nandita Das a great job of giving us a glimpse into Manto’s life in pre and post independent India. India’s independence was not the most joyous moment for everyone involved, and Manto is one of those 14 million who got the raw end of the deal. Watch Manto to know more about this incredible writer, and to witness the brilliance that is Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and some of Manto’s most famous stories that are beautifully intertwined into the narration.

You can watch Manto on Netflix

Pataakha

What happens when two feisty warring sisters are forced to co-exist peacefully? Will they survive this unnatural existence, or will they drive themselves crazy? This is what Pataakha is about. Badki and Chutki are two sisters who just can’t get along. Not a day goes by without the two abusing each other, both verbally and physically. These fights become the very basis of their existence. The men in their life who are a stark contrast to them, do not understand this need to fight everyday. Pataakha is a unique film that is very raw and real. With brilliant performances by Sanya Malhotra, Radhika Madan, Vijay Raaz and Sunil Grover, beautiful music and a plot that serves as a metaphor for warring nations,  Pataakha is one film you can’t help falling in love with.

You can watch Pataakha on Amazon Prime Video

Pataakha

Siblings - You can't live with them, and you can't live without them.

When I was around sixteen years old, I met a girl who went on to become a very good friend of mine. We had a lot in common. We went to the same school, our fathers worked for the same organization, and all our siblings were girls. While we had all this in common, what I found strange was when she told me that she hadn’t spoken to her younger sibling in over five years. Growing up, she and her sister used to fight a lot (both verbal and physical), and after one such fight, they stopped talking to each other. Though neither of them remembered the exact reason for not talking, they were determined to never be friends. Her parents did nothing to resolve the issue either. They were just happy that the house had been peaceful for the past five years. Watching Pataakha reminded of these sisters.

Pataakha is about two siblings who just cannot get along. Not a day goes by when they haven’t fought with each other. These fights range from verbal abuses to physically beating each other up. The catalyst for most of their fights is their neighbor / friend Dipper. The girls fights are a source of entertainment not just for Dipper, but for the entire village. Caught between these two girls is their loving father, Shanti Bhushan. Shanti loves his girls dearly, but he has a hard time controlling them. Of course the girls are not just about fighting with each other, they also have big dreams for their future. One wants to be a dairy farm owner while the other wants to be a school teacher. They hope to accomplish these dreams by getting married and moving far away from each other. Sadly, fate has other plans for them.

What happens when these two feisty warring sisters are forced to co-exist peacefully? Will they survive this unnatural existence, or will they drive themselves crazy? This is what Pataakha is about. From Vishal Bhardwaj’s raw and realistic depiction of Badki and Chutki, to a plot that serves as a metaphor for warring nations such as India and Pakistan,  Pataakha is unlike any film we have ever seen before. Thanks to brilliant performances by Sanya Malhotra, Radhika Madan, Vijay Raaz and Sunil Grover, you can’t help but fall in love with Pataakha.

Be sure to check out this gem of a film on Amazon Prime Videos.

Manto

“My stories are mirrors for society to see itself. If you cannot bear my stories, then it means that we are living in unbearable times”. These words of Manto ring true even today. We, as a society, have always been good at turning a blind eye and a deaf ear to anything that makes us uncomfortable. Only a select few have the courage to speak up, even if it means that they will be shunned by society. Manto was one of those select few. He was a brilliant writer and way ahead of his times. His stories were mostly controversial and often got him in trouble.

In spite of living during a time when India’s struggle for independence was at an all time high, Manto’s life in pre-independent India was very good. He was very happy living in his beloved city, Bombay, doing what he did best, writing, and spending time with friends who loved and adored him. So, when India finally became Independent, he thought that life was only going to get better. Little did he know then, the impact the partition was going to have on him.

Of all the horrible things that the British ever did, the partition of India and Pakistan has to be the cruelest. Like looting the country and pillaging it for centuries was not enough, they just had to sow a seed of hatred so deep, that neither of the countries could ever recover from. It still breaks my heart when I think of the 14 million people that were displaced due to the partition. I am sure that being independent did not make any sense to them. What was the use of freedom, when you were loosing everything that was ever dear to you? This was the price Manto had to pay too, for Independence. Leaving the beloved city, where his parents and first-born were buried, is a decision that haunts him for the rest of his life.

Watch Manto to know more about this incredible writer, and to witness the brilliance that is Nawazuddin Siddiqui. While all the actors are great in their respective roles, Nawazuddin steals the show as Manto. He is so convincing, that not once are we reminded of the actor behind the character. With her exceptional story-telling, Nandita Das not only brings Manto’s story to life, but she also gives us a glimpse into his mind by beautifully intertwining five of his most famous stories into the narration.

So if you missed watching the film in theaters, Manto is now available for online streamlining on Netflix.

Kedarnath

If you have to choose one movie to watch this week, then let it be Kedarnath. With an engaging plot, brilliant performances, and breath-taking visuals, the film is sure to mesmerize you. Through the entire duration of the film, all I wanted to do was pack my bag and head out to the mountains of Uttarakhand. Brilliant Cinematography!! As beautiful as the film is, it will leave you with a heavy heart because though the story is fictional, we all know that the devastating floods of 2013 is not.

 Flash floods can be very scary. They sneak up on you so quickly that you really have no time for escape. I was once caught in a flash flood while I was on the road. Luckily my car did not give up when driving through high waters, and I was able to get to high ground and escape. In a hilly region, with no escape, one can only imagine how terrifying it must have been for the people of Uttarakhand, when the floods came on  that fateful day. In a region where most places are accessible only by foot, the people of the region did not stand a chance when the continuous downpour caused the sudden melting of the Chorabari Glacier. Kedarnath, does a great job of giving us a glimpse of life in the region, the floods and the devastation it caused.

At its heart Kedarnath is a love story. Mukku (Sara Ali Khan), the daughter of the high priest, is a rebel.  She is outspoken, loud, swears, and is not afraid to follow her heart. Her polar opposite is Mansoor Khan (Sushant Singh Rajput) a porter, who is shy, soft-spoken, humble, and an extremely good guy. The one thing they have in common is their undying love for cricket. Of course, this love story of rich-Hindu-girl and poor-Muslim-boy is as old as time, but Kedarnath is so much more, and Sushant Singh Rajput and Sara Alai Khan give such endearing performances that you can’t help but fall in love with Mansoor and Mukku. While we all know that Sushant is a great actor, I was pleasantly surprised by Sara Ali Khan. If this is what we get for nepotism, then I am not complaining.

Equally impressive is the music of the film. The first song Namo Namo sets the tone for the entire movie. I am not at a religious person, but the emotions I felt while watching this beautiful song, is something I cannot describe in words. That one shot where Mansoor turns around so the old lady can catch the first glimpse of the Temple, gave me goosebumps. This song is hands down the best shot song in the entire film. Other songs that get stay with you long after you have left the theater are Qaafirana that shows the budding love between Mansoor and Mukku, and Jaan ‘Nisaar during the sadder times in their relationship. As for, Sweetheart well it is sure to bring a smile on your face every time you hear it.

Last but not the least, if you really want to experience Kedarnath in all its glory, be sure to watch it on the biggest screen possible, because it is way too beautiful for a small screen.

Is it really that hard to remake a film?

Having recently watched the trailer of Simmba, I can’t help but wonder, why it is so hard for some filmmakers to remake a film without ruining it. Simmba is supposed to be a remake of Puri Jagannadh’s Telugu film Temper. Temper is about a rogue cop who is corrupt to the core. He could care less what is happening to the world around him as long as he  gets his bribes / payments. He believes that as long as he is not raping or murdering anyone, his actions are justified. What he does not understand is that, by looking the other way, he is complicit of every crime being committed. When he finally realizes the consequences of his actions, it is too late. That moment of realization, and the events that follow is what makes Temper such a great film. There are scenes in the film that shake us to the core, and haunt us for days, if not weeks. Temper is without a doubt one of Jr. NTR’s finest performance. Sadly, when I watched the trailer of Simmba, I did not feel even a fraction of what I felt when I watched Temper. While Ranveer Singh is undoubtedly a great actor, the film with all its flashiness, seemed to lack the very essence that made Temper special.

Simmba is not alone when it comes to disappointing remakes this year. Dhadak also failed to capture the essence of the original Marathi film, Sairat. This coming of age story of Prashya and Archi is so beautifully narrated that you can’t help but fall in love with them. While I have my own reservations regarding a few parts of the story, I really enjoyed watching Sairat. Sadly, I can’t say the same for Dhadak. Dhadak had everything going for it, a story that had already proved its success, backing of big production houses, great music, and most importantly, Ishaan Khatter and Jahnvi Kapoor, two newcomers that everyone was eagerly waiting to see on the big screen. Sadly, having a great story is not the same as making a great movie. You need to understand and feel the story and its characters, if you want to make a film that connects with the masses. However, the makers of Dhadak were so focused on presenting a glossy product, that they lost sight of the one thing that made Sairat special, its realistic depiction of life. Try as they might, Madhu and Parthavi could not re-create the magic of Prashya and Archi. So, though Dhadak had a decent run at the box office, it is definitely not a movie that people will want to revisit.

A remake that really surprised me this year was Mitron. Honestly, I had zero hopes for Mitron, a remake of Tharun Bhasckar’s National Award Winning Telugu film, Pelli Choopulu. Pelli Choopulu is one of my favorite films. I watched the film so many times that I know every scene and dialogue in the film. So when I heard they were remaking the film, I was very unhappy. I was very sure that they were going to ruin it. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I finally watched the film. While they made a few minor changes to the script, they managed to retain all the things that made Pelli Choopulu special. So, even though I knew the Telugu film word for word, I still enjoyed Mitron. It is really sad that the film did poorly at the box-office, because it was definitely better than many of the other films that released this year. Maybe if the filmmakers had cast someone other than Jackky Bhagnani, the film would have fared better.

So while there are a few filmmakers who manage to make decent remakes, why is it that so many of them end up ruining a film, when they remake it? Here’s hoping that Simmba is not as disappointing as it seems to be in the trailer!

2.0

Until not so long ago, homing pigeons were the most reliable mail carriers / messengers. It is their innate ability to accurately find their way back home that made them such reliable messengers. However, pigeons are not the only animals that can find their way back home. Many migratory birds, insects and even animals are able to travel miles away from home and find their way back every year. However of late, due to the increase in usage of cellphones, there have been increased reports of birds, especially homing pigeons, becoming disoriented and getting lost. It is believed that the EMR noise emitted from the cellphone towers are the cause for the disorientation in these birds. We have all heard about the effect the cellphone radiation / waves is having on us and the birds, at one time or another in the past decade, but our addiction to cellphones is such, that we are more than eager to dismiss these studies as false and move on.

Shankar, tries to shed some light on this very issue in his masterpiece 2.0. In the film, cellphones start disappearing mysteriously only to return back in the form of a gigantic bird, to wreak havoc on the city. When humans fail to control the situation, Chitti is resurrected to save the day. 2.0 is Shankar’s show all the way, and he makes sure that he takes us on a ride of a lifetime. He has made the best use of 3-D technology, to give us an unforgettable cinematic experience, while keeping us entertained throughout.

2.0 is a typical super-hero movie, where Rajini in his many forms is the protagonist. I am always amazed when I see Rajini on screen. He slips into each of the characters so effortlessly that you can’t help but be in awe of the Superstar that he his. It was a joy watching him portray Chitti in his many forms with as much ease as he did Dr. Vasigaran. As great as Rajini is in the film, it is Akshay Kumar that steals the show. As we all know, a super hero film is only as good as its antagonist, and Akshay Kumar with his portrayal of Pakshi Rajan, makes sure that we have a memorable film in 2.0. He is so convincing as the humble, meek, bird-loving ornithologist, that 2.0 will be remembered as much for Pakshi Rajan as it would for its special effects. Another actor that stands out in the film is Amy Jackson, who does a great job as Vennela, a female assistant robot of Dr. Vasigaran. While she may be an assistant, she more than saves the day on many occasions when Dr. Vasi and Chitti are either unavailable or incapacitated.

Leave it to the creative genius that is Shankar, to dream up a vision so incredible, to put forward a message so obvious, that we are forced to finally take notice of the consequences of our actions. At one point in the film, my daughter turned to me and gave me a look which said, “they are talking about you”, and I knew she was right. While I am sure that none of us will give up our cellphones any time soon, maybe we can start by reducing our dependency on them.