Tanu Weds Manu Returns Is Overhyped Cinema!

In a recent post by Nikhil Taneja, that went viral, he very rightly mentioned how the Internet is killing. Rightly so, to form an opinion about the movie on the basis of what a few people on Twitter say is unfair. But that works for both the good and the bad.

On the Internet, we’re so prompt in criticizing what we don’t like. Be it Deepika Padukone’s ‘My Choice’ video or tales of bad governance. It’s the same internet that played a major role in bringing Narendra Modi to the Prime Ministerial seat and that criticized and applauded the Indian Judiciary for convicting and bailing out Salman Khan.

One of the recent instances being the success of the film Tanu Weds Manu Returns. Kangana Ranaut, who plays the double role in the film, just recently received the National Award from the President for her role as Rani, in her previous release Queen, which also happened to be a critical and commercial success.

There is this new breed in movie marketing that has risen especially in the last 4 years, where films are marketed through the word-of-mouth online, even prior to its release. I’d attribute makers like Anurag Kashyap and Karan Johar to be the patriarchs of this breed. Quite obviously, others have followed the trend too.

This planned initiative, especially by top celebrities and their much endearing tweets (sometimes the early reviews too) create quite an air of expectation and in many cases create a preconceived liking for the film.

How much is left to really like a film for you in this?

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Stereotyping Begins From Cinema

Does cinema reflect the society or does society emulate cinema?

This question has remained debatable for years now. Every time, something goes wrong with the society, we begin to blame the influence of the media, of cinema. While makers claim that they are only trying to emulate the reflection of our society in their work!

Who holds the stronger argument?

Wait! Is that really a question of importance? I’d consider otherwise, because I believe in a fair and a rather strong relationship between the media, films in this case and it’s people. It’s a two way affair; you give, you take and you leave some.

Talking about prominent filmmakers…

Back in the 50’s Raj Kapoor took up the element of socialism that had found it’s voice in the Indian society. Post independence, while the politicians were surrounded by the worries of governance and power, the common man was at a relief from the rules and restrictions of the British Crown.

However, many were still under the hangover of their ways and privileges in the days of the princely states. While the poor, higher than the majority weighed as the weaklings with the tyranny of the rich. This gap between the rich and the poor was not just a one-off, it still continues in ways that the debate and the arguments won’t end.

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Characteristics that define a Mumbaikar

Mumbai is not just the City of Dreams and hopes; Mumbai is another way of life. While people carry their culture to every place they go, there is a lot that Mumbai transforms in its locales. “Once a Mumbaikar, always a Mumbaikar.”

You know you are a Mumbaikar if:

Bollywood is in your blood
You identify addresses by Big B, Shah Rukh and Salman’s homes. You go to Marine drive to get that one filmy shot. You’ve heard about every film all set for release. Oh yes! Bollywood is boiling in your blood.

Sachin Tendulkar is your God, Wankhede your temple
In a city with a population of over ten millions, there is just one God and one temple. Sachin Tendulkar and his home ground Wakhede, that inspires every little kid in the gullies of the city to aspire to be a cricketer like the Little Master!

Vada Pav is your happy meal
Mc Donald’s and KFC, Burger King or any other snack joint is a complete failure before the staple meal of the city, Vada Pav. Sweet, spicy, quick, filling, a Vada Pav is all you need to satisfy your taste buds and your hunger cravings.

Marine Drive is your dream spot; Beaches are your sunset points.
You don’t need hotels or scenic locations. You’re probably flooded with a zillion pictures in different shades and angles of the Marine Drive and you’d still go for more. While the Girgaum and Juhu chowpatty are your happy sunset spot.

Traffic is forever your reason to get late
Signals, potholes, people, rains, drains, there could be a million reasons to cut short to just one for being in a hurry everywhere, but always being late-TRAFFIC. It’s old school and we know it, but when we blame traffic, we aren’t faking!

Jugaad is your way of life
In Mumbai, everything is possible and nothing is impossible. From a pauper to a piper, everyone has their own chances with luck, fate and hard work. And then of course, there is the most important way- Jugaad! No tension, only solution to all problems and crisis.

Multiculturism is your way of life
You have a Gujarati neighbor who speaks fluent Marathi, a North India chaiwala who makes poha for breakfast, a Marathi uncle who offers you Idli Sambhar.Too many regions, too many religions, too many cultures which together dissolve together to form the culture of Mumbai.

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Piku: Movie Review

Verdict – The perfect mix of drama, humor, emotion and some incredible chemistry of power packed performances!

It surprises me how Shoojit Sircar manages to sail a different boat each time with such an extensive success ration! After an action packed thriller in Madras Cafe, Sircar flips to the opposite side of the table with Piku. With such difference too, he manages to make every frame and every minute of the film adorable and entertaining.

Piku (Deepika Padukone), a single woman in her early 30s lives with her hypochondriac father, Bhaskor Banerjee in Delhi. Bhaskor, a regular complainant of constipation gives major importance to the importance of motion, and the emotion attached to it. Piku’s life is all about her work, a casual routine of meeting people (and silently turning them off with her phone ringing from home) and taking care of her father.

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Kuch Kuch Locha Hai: Movie Review

Verdict – Even popcorn can’t save you the boredom of a poorly made film packaged with Sunny Leone!

May be the makers of Kuch Kuch Locha Hai believed in the idea of ‘You’ll have all money, when you have Sunny. You don’t need a script when you can go all Punny.’ If you ever heard that Sunny Leone wanted to take up more performance oriented roles, we’d rather ask her which performance is she referring to!Kuch Kuch Locha Hai is like a cheaper version of ‘Taarak Mehta Ka Volta Chashma’ with a dash of ‘trying-to-look-appealing- Sunny-Leone’ with randomness that goes overboard to get right there in your head to make you curse yourself.

Forget funny, this film is no entertainment. It’s a boring-slug-fest and you’ll either walk away (I had to stay back to right this for y’all) or sit and curse yourself for better just doze of in the theatre.

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Gabbar Is Back: Movie Review

Verdict – An abrupt affair of another ‘fight-against-the-system’ film with some flaws, some moments of its own and Akshay Kumar.

The most popular villain in the history of Indian cinema had more than just his name that glorified him. Gabbar was an aura, of fear, of terror that clouded minds, of uncertainty that was beyond control, of grit and guts invincible.

Needless to say, when one of Hindi cinema’s very popular actor decides to play Gabbar, it is bound to raise the brow with expectations.

Akshay Kumar starrer Gabbar is a tale of Aditya, who lost his wife in a building collapse, made with illegal construction, passed by bribery. While Aditya tries to accuse the owner- business tycoon Digvijay Patil, he gets beaten instead.

Aditya is saved by a bunch of school students who are zealous about their energy and their wish to fight the wrong. Making this his mission, Aditya becomes Gabbar and transforms in to a terror for corrupt government officials who care enough for their lives.

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