Change Your Image
ankur_sardana
Ratings
Most Recently Rated
Reviews
The Last Adieu (2014)
Catharsis through story telling
This is why story telling is so important. In telling or trying to find about yourself you realize the futility of anger in the past or present. This is the reason why shrinks are expected to listen. In those talks are the answers. The answers which no one else is going to provide but the search for it finally gives one the time to reflect rather than crib. This is what Shabnam does and in this she tells us the inspirational but completely real story of the man behind India 67, Sukhdev. The style is simple and honest and the result powerful although unclear.The interviews with her mother and Sukhdev's assistant go beyond the realm of a'famous artists story' and appeal to a much vulnerable side of all.
Rangbhoomi (2013)
That's how a documentary should be made
Kamal Swaroop almost makes it like he was never going to make it but somewhere in the journey starts connecting the dots. The documentary film makers either have a fixed narrative where they want to drive home a point or remain too abstract and hope the connections would not be so important. In the rare cases like here in Rangbhoomi, Kamal treads the middle but layered path. There is a visible arrogance and play which adds to the play between the director and the viewer and off course the protagonist Dadasaheb Phalke. If you want to understand more, you can , else you can enjoy the documentary poetry. The topic is powerful and as layered as the documentary style. I feel blessed that in our country, we have the variety in filmmakers to make both a Harishchandrachi Factory and Rangbhoomi.
Mammo (1994)
Farida Jalal's best performance
Though I saw Mammo quite a long time back, many scenes of this brilliant movie are still fresh in my memory. Farida Jala puffing the cigarette, her scenes with the police, her interactions with the old nani...it feels sad that she has not been utilized int his manner before. Shyam benegal extracts her best. Though Farida has been doing many 'character roles' for a long time now, only 'Dekh Bhai Dekh', a television series, comes to my mind in her recent avatar and movies like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, raja Hindustani and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. Not having seen much of her earlier acting ( she's been acting for ages, I guess ), she will remain for me 'Mammo', the aunt. (2 February 2006)
Chingaari (2006)
What's the purpose ?
I saw the movie yesterday night and i must admit i am not over the shock yet. One could but a night with a prostitute for 1 Rs and then one finds Ila ( Didi )taking three tenners from a customer, the postman reading a letter without address, characters coming in moving out without much reason... though there are clear indications that this movie has a single purpose..Get a national award for Sushmita Sen..and probably send the movie to foreign film festivals..portray India in the manner which no longer exists..and get some more awards.. Sushmita Sen shout screams over acts throws her child around and throws expletives at her ( it helps that the kid is her own adopted child ) ... How can a filmmaker spend so much of money and effort in such a movie ?? Any answers ... (20 February 2006)
Rang De Basanti (2006)
Why explain so much Mr Mehra
I'm not really sure if Mr. Mehra has been successful. I think he almost does an 'Aks' here. In trying to explain that he wants a comparison with the past, he resorts to the most inane and obvious ways of actual super imposition. He did quite a similar thing in 'Aks' where in trying to explain his difficult concept he finally resorts to the obvious. Its time that Mr. Mehra trusts the audience intelligence. Saying that, I really appreciate the conviction and the concepts behind his stories and the acting he is able to extract from his actors. Aamir Khan's crying scene over the death of his friend was extremely natural . I just wish he could continue his first half magic to the second half in the next movie, which I'm sure will be even better. (30 January 2006)
Gia (1998)
She remains with you long after the movie is over
Gia leaves a mark on the viewer. I know nothing about the real Gia (pardon my ignorance) but I could feel her in Jolie. I think she has acted superbly, probably she identified with Gia. The interviews of people who knew Gia actually weren't enacted that well and seemed a little made up. But in Gia, one finds the traces of that wild -tender friend, which I guess we all have. The movie falls into the category (though at a lower rank) of 'Trainspotting' and 'Requiem for a Dream'. The portrayal of the female love and the way Gia wants to be the man is quite nicely shown. I just wish that the movie had no interview format and had let Gia to tell her own story. (8 September 2006)
Anwar (2007)
A stretched effort
The movie starts with a lot of promise, but it fails to live up to the start. The excellent cinematography is spoiled by some loose performances and poor storyline. It seems that a 'short story' has been elongated too far. The movie still manages to remain with the viewer, even after a long time of watching it. The scenes in slow motion of the peacock feather, the blood in water, the blue earrings, the chase by Krishna are exquisite and haunting. The background music and the songs are also quite nice. What troubles the most is the poor performance of actors like Rajpal Yadav and Pankaj Jha not actually making an impact. Manisha Koirala too does a dumb Barkha Dutt parody. Manish Jha leaves a lot to be desired but also brings the hope of a different powerful 'statement oriented' cinema. I really wish if he could look at the other side of India and Indians for his next movie. (Reviewed on 14 February 2007)