In Bollywood, Size Doesn't Matter!

Every year we’re bombarded with films that everyone watches courtesy of big budgets, huge star casts and of course, item numbers. But a lot of the time, the best films of the year are ones that are low on budget, small in stars but deep in substance. And these are the movies you more than often ignore. Bad idea. I could sit here and tell you which biggies to watch, but I pass. You’ll figure that out for yourself. So instead, I’ll do just the opposite. While most of 2012’s films have tentative release dates, check out these smaller films you may want to miss but probably shouldn't.

London, Paris, New York
What: Ali Zafar is back in 2012 in Anu Menon’s love story, London, Paris, New York. In hopes to bring back old school Bollywood romance, it follows the lives of two diverse people who fall in love in three cities over eight years.

Why:  Three awesome cities, romance and one very cute Ali Zafar…need I say more?


Bittoo Boss
What: Starring new kids Pulkit Samrat and Amita Pathak, Bittoo Boss is quite simply is about a man whose job is to record weddings.

Why: This could quite easily be the Band Baaja Baraat of the year. Add to that, this is the same production house that bought us the very cool bromance Pyaar Ka Punchnama last year. And and and, the film’s dialogues are apparently causing the censors nightmares!

Paan Singh Tomar
What: Irrfan Khan and Mahi Gill bring to the screen, the true life story of a runner turned rebel. In order to escape poverty, Tomar, joins the Indian National Games and living an honest life, he becomes a “baaghi” who causes mayhem in the Chambal Valley.

Why: True life stories always tend to be inspirational and this one is about a man we know far too little about.



Maximum
What: This underworld drama is about two cops who are at loggerheads courtesy of a dire situation that occurs in Mumbai. They find themselves looking for extreme power in Maximum City. Not only will the system be tested but so will their integrity.

Why: Check out the cast: Sonu Sood, Naseeruddin Shah, Neha Dhupia, Vinay Pathak, Arya Babbar. Expect powerhouse performances and an engaging plot.

Aiyaa
What: When a Marathi gal, played by Rani Mukherji meets South boy, Prithviraj, love happens. And of course, at the same time, a culture clash too.

Why: Believe it or not, this rom-com is actually written by Anurag Kashyap.



Of course, you should catch the biggies too. But if you do get an afternoon free this year, you must must must catch one of the above.  Enjoy!

100 Word Review: That Girl in Yellow Boots

That Girl in Yellow Boots is by far one of the darkest movies of the year. The film depicts Ruth’s trail in Mumbai as she looks for her father. In the meantime, she sees a life of pain, grime and disgust. TGIYB is hard-hitting but honest in many ways. In many ways, it’s exactly what you expect from Anurag Kashyap. Too predictable. Kalki needs to watch herself. This role is too far up her alley and so naturally, she is more than awesome at it. Watch for the twistedness and frank conversations filled with explicit words in Hindi and English.

100 Word Review: Shaitan

A bunch of directionless rich kids find themselves stuck in a dire situation during a wild night out. After running over a couple on a scooter and fleeing, they face demons – shaitans, in various forms. What immediately gravitates you to the film is the cast; each and every one of the youngsters is outstanding. The plot too is captivating and dark of course, such are Anurag Kashyap films. The dialogues are young, funny and well, nasty, but that shouldn’t stop you from watching it. Shaitan is a told in a unique and funky fashion. Watch it for the awesome youngins’!

100 Word Review: Shagird

If you’re not into gangster, politically charged films, Shagird won’t work for you. If you are, then this is one awesome flick to catch. A corrupt yet ethically correct cop finds himself dealing with a newbie cop who displays his real intent later on. In a game of politics and bribery, money is exchanged, the crooked are killed but is this how justice should be? Shagird makes you question heroism. Nana Patekar is fantastic as are Mohit Ahlawat and Rimi Sen. And in his small but effective role, Anurag Kashyap steals the show as Bunty Bhai. Must watch!

Dev D Movie Review

Photo Credit: Masala.com

By Roshni Mulchandani

He is controversial, eccentric, emotional and unconventional. Anurag Kashyap, has gone from making cinematic greats in the form of Black Friday to the infamy No Smoking. While he still stands strong and firm by the script of No Smoking, his boisterous ways has managed to keep him in the news for the right and wrong reasons. His new venture Dev D, a progressive look at the historical Devdas, is said to be contemporary and entertaining. Looking to break his jinx at the box office and receive critical acclaim from his “friends,” the critics, Kashyap swore that his new flick was bound to create waves. Read on to see if Anurag’s Generation-X version of the classical Devdas manages to live up to its avant-garde reputation.

In true modern day fashion, young Dev (Abhay Deol) is shipped off to school at the tender age of twelve. He departs for London leaving his childhood love Paro (Mahi Gill) behind to yearn for him. He returns, now a grown man, eager to hold Paro in his arms. While the lovers reunite, they also become victims of a misunderstanding after which Paro is married off leaving Dev in a state of melancholy. Rich and irresponsible, he turns to drugs and alcohol, moves out of his family home falls into a deep self destructive rut. Enter Lenny (Kalki Koechlin). Young, rebellious and bored with her mundane school life, she is thrown out of her house after a shameful MMS scandal, and she is taken in by Chunni. The pimp forces her to indulge in a life of sex and prostitution by the alias of Chanda. She decides to take on a double role playing Lenny the school going girl by day and the sexy boudoir Chanda by night. Dev and Chanda meet only to detest each other and while the latter falls in love, Dev is still mesmerized by his first love. Dev is left at a blurred crossroads where he must decide between life and love.

Anurag Kashyap has taken a delicate and usually orthodox story, added conventional millennium norms: drugs, sex and revolution, making it relatable to the current generation. Kashyap’s understanding of the current generation is fabulous. His script incorporates a vodka drinking, cocaine sniffing Dev; Paro emailing nude pictures of herself to Dev; and a phone sex indulging Chanda. His personality of being an extremist works in Dev D to his advantage making the script different and fresh in many aspects. Another facet to the script is that even though every moviegoer already knows the repeated plot, they are still in for a slight shock when they see the unconventional manner with which the movie has been executed. Shock being the key word here, as some of the behavior of the characters is outrageous and scandalous. However, Kashyap takes on this wild attitude in a wicked fashion. He includes some dry tongue-in-cheek humor too which subtly points out his belief and take on love. Additionally, the mind-bending scenes between an intoxicated Dev and school girl Chanda are shot magnificently in typical Kashyap flair.

The letdowns are few. The “misunderstanding” between Dev and Paro was not as well thought out and clearly could have been resolved. Also, why could educated Paro agree to marry a widowed man with two children? A girl of her stature and strength would normally speak out and disagree to such a match. Additionally, Dev’s evil indulgences are financed by a doting father but why? Clearly, in this day in age, fathers would kick their sons to the curb instead of funding their daily doses of coke. The scenes between Chanda and her pimp are boring. Towards the end, as the movie works towards the climax, it becomes a tad bit monotonous.

Abhay Deol is once again top notch. He is proving to be an actor who prefers to stay away from the usual run of the mill scripts and does a great job in those roles. Deol plays Dev D’s role as the bratty decadent pardesi who is heart-broken to the ‘T.’ His chemistry with both the leading ladies is sizzling. Watch out for the scene where he blatantly asks Paro to get down with him on the fields and later when he expresses his remorse to Chanda. After Oye Lucky, he is back with a bang and is turning out to be an actor par difference and excellence. Mahi Gill is decent and natural as her portrayal of Paro. She lights up in the intimate scenes with Deol. Kolki Koechlin, who was supposed to be the new find of the movie, is strictly okay. She definitely should consider a few acting classes however exhibits great confidence onscreen.

Emotional Atyachar is top class. Its witty lyrics and choreography is unique adding some spice to the emotionally charged love story. Pardesi too is another song to watch out for.

Dev D is Anurag Kashyap’s first love story and his interpretation is quirky and alternative which is naturally expected of him. In a nutshell, Dev D, in true Kashyap fashion will make you gape at the bluntness of the characters and the story. This one is not for the children, so leave them at home. Otherwise, Dev D is one to watch and talk about. No emotional atyachar here - Dev D is a must watch.