Release date: 03rd May 2013
Director: Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar
Rating: 3.75/5
For once, somebody made a movie with a set of different stories, and let it be that way without messing it up by connecting them in the end. The movie is a rather fitting tribute to the institution of Bollywood (yes, I prefer calling it that) by some of the more well-known faces of new-age Indian cinema.
Karan Johar starts off the medley with a plot highlighting homosexual issues, and the angst of individuals penting up their true selves for the fear of social repurcussions. Though the script was fine, 'Ajeeb daastan' & 'Lag ja gale' resung in a hauntingly beautiful child's voice were well woven, and the performances by Saqib Saleem and Randeep Hooda were commendable (boy! they pulled off an onscreen kiss, yes, between the two of them), I have a few things to say. Firstly, Rani Mukherjee, CUT THE FLAB. Like, seriously! Or stop putting your dreadful bare back on display from now on. Also, a pointer for Karan Johar. I wonder why he chose an offbeat topic for this one, when this was supposed to be an ode to Indian Cinema. My idea was that each of the four directors will get their own flavour (and that for Johar is his depiction of romance), and he might have done much better by sticking to what he does best. Perhaps, the pressure of being put up against the other 'unconventionals' got to him.
Then came in Dibakar Banerjee, and he got wonderboy Nawazuddin with him. Magic is inevitable with the latter on screen. The storyline, inspired by a Bengali short story, is heart-warming and so is Banerjee's execution. The most fascinating sequence for me was a minute or two long mute shot where Nawazudding animatedly relates a story to his sick daughter. There are a only a few men whose faces can talk like that.
Zoya Akhtar fishes out the done-to-death subject of 'chasing one's dreams' and moulds it brilliantly to create a lovable tale. The child actor is convincing as a reticent kid being pushed into sports by a dictatorial father, and wins hearts and a thundering applause with his cross-dressed 'Shiela' performance. It is your ever-so-beautiful 'breaking-free' moment, which strikes a chord with all of us.
The assortment finishes off with Anurag Kashyap's tribute to the icon Big B. Vineet Kumar (better known as Danish from GoW) portrays the allahabadi chora with aplomb. He is equally astute with his portrayal of a helpless-to-the-extent-of-turning-crazy son, unable to reach Bachchan and get him to taste 'murabba' sent by his father. As usual, it is a treat to watch Mr. Bachchan's towering presence, even though it lasts a mere minute.
This one's a beautifully crafted paean to Indian Cinema. To the city of dreams, Mumbai. To the countless millions who, in the midst of their mundane lives, sought, from Bollywood, the will to dream and enjoy. And yes, do not leave your seats in the theater without watching the star-studded song in the end.
Happy 100 years, Bollywood! Tum jiyo hazaaron saal...
