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shoumyo
Reviews
Hyderabad Blues 2 (2004)
Loved the wit, the not-so-obvious turns, and the accurate depiction of current Indian youth
I loved this movie for the wit, the not-so-obvious turns of events, and the accurate depiction of current Indian youth.
I could also relate to its premises and culturally mixed backgrounds from India and USA. The director was very well balanced in his references.
The key element of the movie is also the smart way it mixes intelligence, humor, and emotions in the Indo-US lifestyle and thoughts.
The booming call center industry in Hyderabad, the nouveau-riche young professionals and their mode of communication, the subtle conflict of values between the currently-thirties generation and their parents, are all blended in a way that makes this realistic, while not just a documentary.
I am very curious to watch part one of this movie.
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
The best cricket match I have ever seen
Yesterday we went to see the Hindi film LAGAAN in a local Dallas theatre and I was spellbound.
Lagaan, this emotionally and spiritually uplifting movie has been clearly a four-hour worth of unbelievable entertainment.
Amir Khan, who I have always considered a "lalu" type actor with Bollywood in his veins, has made a major turnaround by producing and acting in a movie that will be remembered by posterity.
Music, as usual, heart-touchingly done by A.R. Rehman, with poetic classical lyrics written by who else but Javed Akhtar, brings a different dimension to this movie shot in an 1893 british Indian rural setting where the villagers are challenged by the local cruel British Collector that they'd have to pay double their taxes (Lagaan).
When approached by the local king, the collector throws a challenge - Learn our game of CRICKET and play with us. If you win, all taxes are free for the next three years. If you lose, you pay triple the amount of taxes due this year.
With a hand-picked NSD/Pune Film Institute cast, the actors and actresses (Suhashini Muley of Hu Tu Tu, my all-time favorite Raghuveer Jadav, Avneesh Misra - everyone was great) - the team did a riot on the screen. The UK born and raised Gracy Singh was Indian beauty to its core. Her acting (especially eyes, facial expressions and body language) is so authentic, you could not tell she is second generation Indian - hopes for our children? :-)
The Cinematography reminded me and Mithu of Gladiator, in fact we were wondering if the crowd-scene and team-spirit inspiration came from Gladiator.
GO see it. If you are challenged in rural regional Hindi, do not worry - the film is subtitled.
An additional reward is Amitabh Bachchan's voice in the background, narrating parts of the story, very similar to Satranj ke Khilari. Vishuddha uchharaN, ninaada kanTha.
Regards,
Shoumyo. (Tathagata)