What Ails Mr Bachchan?

Bad judgement, arrogance or twilight years – what ails the star who re-defined Bollywood cinema as it is today? Jackass is not a word one normally associates with Amitabh Bachchan. But this innocuous noun is the latest peeve in a list of peeves Mr Bachchan has had for some time now.  So in the Masand vs Bachchan brouhaha, Bachchan missed out the crass gimmickry of Akshay Kumar posing with the seriously ill R K Laxman at Breach Candy hospital. The usually erudite star didn’t question who came up with this ill-timed stunt? Who allowed Akshay Kumar to preen in a hospital? Oh wait…isn’t there some mega crores riding on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan’s back this year? Some of those depend on Akshay Kumar, her next co-star in Action Replayy.

So why has Amitabh Bachchan metamorphosed to Albert Pinto and imbibed the trademark gussa?  When he’s not playing cop on Twitter, Bachchan Senior takes time out to take pot-shots at the media on his blog. I am losing count at the number of petulant outbursts ‘rebutting’ yet another ‘biased’ media story. Honestly, why does Bachchan think he is always at the receiving end of media prejudice?

Amitabh Bachchan’s peevishness at the media didn’t really begin with his clashes over the Bachchan family’s reported superstitions at the time of Abhishek’s wedding. Or at the time of his 6-page letter trashing Jug Suraiya’s column in The Times of India for questioning Bachchan’s comments on Slumdog Millionaire. It’s always been there, as far back as the 80s.

Read Jug Suraiya’s column here.

The 15-year Stardust ban on Bachchan.

What began in the 80s carries on. So woe betide anyone questioning why the Bachchan family zips around in SUVs while expressing concern over the environment. Or were those endorsements? Paid spots? Amitabh Bachchan will rake up Dr Manmohan Singh, Ratan Tata, the Ambanis and anyone else with a gas guzzler in their vicinity.

Did Aishwarya Rai marry a peepul tree in Varanasi, a banana tree in a Bangalore temple and a god’s idol in Ayodhya, before she married Abhishek Bachchan? Is Amitabh Bachchan pressuring the couple to have a child?  Who knows? None of us can claim to be privy to information within the four walls of the Bachchan home or wherever they hold their family conferences.

Who cares? That’s just the point – several million.  Amitabh Bachchan has had a huge influence on the cultural zeitgeist. He’s been a superstar for a lifetime. Surely that’s enough time to know the objectification that goes with it. Stars are put on a pedestal and routinely brought down so for the general public, larger-than-life figures have a more vulnerable face as well. These aren’t lessons Amitabh Bachchan needs to learn or pointed too. He’s no novice.

Unless, the pressure is telling on Amitabh Bachchan. When Aishwarya Rai, joined the family, the valuation of Brand Bachchan was estimated to be at Rs 700 crore. Amitabh Bachchan endorses a multitude of products. So does Aishwarya. With the recession hitting full on, the endorsement space is shrinking. Towards the end of 2008, Cadbury dropped Amitabh Bachchan from its commercials. At a reported Rs 3-4 crore per ad, Amitabh Bachchan does not rule the roost anymore. Box office duds and controversial political rows and cronies have cost him.

So here comes frustration point 2. There is no one to pass the baton to. In the age of instant gratification and youth driving consumerism, Aishwarya Bachchan has younger actresses sniping at her heals. At 36, she may be touted as India’s crossover queen but others like Frieda Pinto and Mallika Sherawat are pretty darn close.

Ash with Eva Longoria on the Cannes Red Carpet this year, for L’Oreal – would Sonam look better?

Abhishek Bachchan is nothing to write home about – in films or Bollywood. In February this year, LG picked Akshay Kumar as its new face. Apparently Abhishek wanted Aishwarya to be part of the campaign as well, which didn’t fly with the bosses at LG. Now why would he do that?  If he thinks they look better together, I am not disputing that. But for the record, MS Dhoni has a good-looking wife too. They look great together and she loves the camera – unabashedly. Besides, there’s something very real about the Dhonis – not icy and artificial.

Mrs Dhoni preens for the camera.

Whatever the pressures on the Bachchan family -Brand Bachchan losing sheen, health issues, flop films, rivalry, envy (India’s biggest star did not bring home the Oscar) bad friends and political choices – Amitabh Bachchan cannot get personal.

For the Love of Bond

What is it about this super spy that has given us some of most highest grossing films in entertainment history? “Bond, James Bond” and his hot Bond girls have sent people flocking to the cinemas every time a new movie is released. But another thing that’s happened since 1962, when Dr. No (the first Bond movie) was in the theatres, is that many leading men have given an identity and a face to that name; and this in turn has given us the good fortune of having “our favourite Bonds”.

Star Movies is showing a month-long tribute to this suave, spirited, and witty spy; and it’s aptly called ‘For the love of Bond’. And while I watch some of the most intriguing, action-packed movies ever made, I can’t help but compare all the Bonds that have ever graced the silver screen, to pick and choose which one I really like the most.

Sean Connery

Some call him the ultimate Bond; no one can surpass him. Being the first Bond (with Dr. No in 1962), he has that advantage. Most Bonds are compared to him, and being the actor that he is, he is incomparable. After starring in five Bond movies back to back, he was replaced, but then he returned to play the MI6 super spy Diamonds Are Forever in 1971, his final offering.

George Lazenby

George Lazenby replaced Sean Connery in 1969 to film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Reportedly, he was under tremendous pressure to fit into Connery’s shoes and once the film released, critics slammed him for poor acting (or at least poor acting as compared to Connery). Even so, the film was a huge hit.

Roger Moore

It is said that Roger Moore was Ian Flemming’s (the author of the original series) favourite for the role of James Bond, but eventually lost it to Connery. Moore as Bond was a more light-hearted, tongue-in-cheek character, very different to the stoic, serious role played by Connery. Moore is also known to make the most number of Bond films, even surpassing that of Connery’s, with seven films to date.

Timothy Dalton

After Roger Moore retired from playing Bond, Timothy Dalton took his place and starred in 1987’s The Living Daylights. With a worldwide gross of $191 million, The Living Daylights became the fourth most successful Bond film at the time of its release. Dalton had a contract for making three Bond films, but could manage making only two.

Pierce Brosnan

Pierce Brosnan took over from Dalton to star in 1995’s Golden Eye. Known to be the most cool-cat character of Bond, Brosnan epitomised the character of Bond by becoming his face in a popular video game James Bond 007: Everything or Nothing. Four Bond movies later, he is arguably the most popular Bond.

Daniel Craig

Daniel Craig replaced Pierce Brosnan and is probably the most interesting of Bonds ever. If you take a look a look all of Bond heroes, none have a physique to match Craig’s. Maybe this was done because Craig was going to play the young Bond. However, his stoic, serious nature can be compared to that of Connery’s. And it is without a doubt that this one’s my favourite. Playing the somewhat vulnerable, somewhat angry, and having a lot more screen presence than all the other Bonds, Craig gets my thumbs up for being the best Bond ever.

Who is your favourite Bond and why? Let me know. You can also vote for your favourite Bond in the poll below.

Make sure you catch my earlier posts:

• Recap: Top 10 Songs of 2010
• 5 Movies That Will Make You Cry
• Most Handsome Men. Ever
• Beautiful Women of the Century
• Biggest Celebrity Splits of 2010
• 10 Favourite Movie Lines

5 Movies That Will Make You Cry

I don’t know about you, but I am a huge “sobber” at the movies. So much so that, because I feel so embarrassed by my (spontaneous) behaviour, if I get an inkling that a particular movie is going to be teary, I altogether skip watching the movie in a public place.

Check out this other self-confessed “cryer” and her story: Confession Corner: Crying at the Movies

Okay, so we have established the fact that I am an accomplished weeper. Give me anything; a happy ending, a sad ending, a good book, God’s beautiful world, a hug from dad, or even a rainy day; all these could make tears well up in the corner of my eyes. The funny thing is I know some people who weep at the movies, but are rather stoic once they emerge out of the theatre and into their daily lives. Wonder why that happens?

While doing a bit of reading for this post, I came across this column about why people cry at the movies. The author mentions three reasons why people who are seemingly emotionless suddenly become crybabies (literally).

1. Human Drama Unfolds Before our Eyes
2. Emotional Magic of the Movie Musical Score
3. Cinematography Enhances Experience

Read the rest of the post, here: Cinema Therapy – How Movies Stir Up Emotions

But, I am not interested in the hows and whys of crying at the movies. I am here to tell you about 5 classic films that will surely make you reach for your tissue box. Take a look.

• Masoom 1983

I don’t have to talk about the plot or history of the film. The film in its entirety, the loving marriage, the unfaithfulness, the illegitimate son, the step-mother, all are perfect ingredients for a massive tear-jerker, and I was not spared. Watch the movie and know why.

• Marley and Me 2008

This film is what inspired me to write this post in the first place. As it ran yesterday on Star Movies, I could not help but shedding a tear or two (even after an embarrassing crying session at the theatre where I watched it for the first time). There is just something about having a pet that makes a movie all the more teary; the next couple of suggestions will tell you more.

• Fox and the Hound 1981

This is Walt Disney’s classic offering of an unlikely friendship between adversaries. A baby fox and hound grow up together not knowing that they are supposed to be enemies. Does friendship overcome all? Watch, cry a little and find out.

• Free Willy 1993

I remember watching this film when it was released worldwide. The touching story of a boy and a killer whale and especially its release back into the wild is just beautiful, one of my all-time favourites. Don’t miss the scene where Willy the killer whale jumps high over the boy into the open ocean, and finds its family again.

• Taare Zameen Par 2007

I coaxed some of my friends (in different cities) to watch it before I did, because I was scared. And all of them warned me to ‘take a tissue box’. As you can well imagine, I didn’t want to embarrass myself in the theatre again (So DVD it was!). Aamir Khan’s superb production and Darsheel Safary’s heart-warming tale of dyslexia, brought about a film that is all about the “sniff-factor”. I am warning you, tissues ARE required.

What are some of your favourite tearjerker movies? Don’t forget to leave your suggestions in the comments box.

Catch my earlier posts:

• Recap: Top 10 Songs of 2010
• Recap: Biggest Celebrity Splits of 2010
• 10 Favourite Movie Lines
• 10 Songs for a Romantic Afternoon
• 5 Movies A Girl Must Watch

Review: Milenge Milenge

Before I even begin to vent what an ordeal this movie watching experience was, I think it would be an excellent business proposition for multiplexes to have a pharmacy just next to the popcorn counter.

Coming to the film now, ‘Milenge Milenge’ looks like a film from the late ‘80s, ‘90s; given that it was five years in the making, the film is the most ridiculous, corny and unbelievable love story that you can come across. Why would anyone in their right mind want to even be a part of a film like this makes me question their sanity?

Basic premise: Kareena is a typical traditional “Indian girl” whose only aspiration in life is to get married, have children and see her husband off to work everyday. Her only condition a) He shouldn’t smoke b) He shouldn’t drink and c) He should never lie. After a tarot card reader tells her that she will meet her dream man on foreign shores, near a water body, at 7 o’clock in the morning, wearing multi-colored (exactly seven) clothes, Kareena waits for the prophecy to come true.

And believe it or not, as ‘destiny’ would have it and with a little bit of manipulation (from the hero, who falls in love with her the moment he sees her ephemeral sleeping face in the moonlight), she finds her Prince Charming playing the guitar on the seashore precisely at 7 am in the morning, wearing exactly what he is supposed to.

So where’s the conflict in the plot? Shahid, who looks like he hasn’t even grown facial hair yet, smokes like a chimney, drinks like a fish and doesn’t even blink an eyelid before lying. It doesn’t take too long for then-not-size-zero Bebo to know that her Mr. Right is obviously all wrong but our hero is a changed man by then. She has none of it and in her bid to ‘test’ destiny, she figures out the most bizarre plot-contraptions possible to verify whether they are actually made for each other.

Post interval, we are suddenly fast forwarded to 3 years later, I don’t know if I missed a subtitle that said so but we are somehow informed about the elapsed time. By now, Bebo is engaged to marry this most frightening looking man and Shahid’s very loving father has announced his engagement to Aarti Chhabria without the groom’s consent.

So here we have this implausible situation the lovers have to overcome. They were in love for all of five days, they haven’t as much as seen or heard from each other in three years and they decide to give their love one last chance just a week before they are supposed to marry their respective significant others. (By this time I wanted to actually beg my friend who had accompanied me to the theatre to strangle me to death).

There is nothing more to be said, except that in the three years that had passed, time had stood still and Bebo’s dirty golden tresses hadn’t even faded a shade. Till interval I couldn’t figure out what was Shahid’s name in the film; for some absurd reason he is called Immy.

I can’t recollect one dialogue, one moment from the film that was pleasant. The less said about Himesh Reshammiya’s pre-surgery nasal playback singing and music the better. The director, Satish Kaushik’s cameo and blatant pandering to Muslim viewers’ sentiments (a standard device in movies of the ‘80s) made me cringe.

I will run out of synonyms but I still wouldn’t be able to completely convey how predictable, clichéd and implausible the film is. The least Boney Kapoor could have done for the audience who willfully subjected themselves to the torture of watching this film, was to have a kiosk just outside the theatre that doled out free Disprins.

Share your reviews of ‘Milenge Milenge’ with us. You can connect with me on Twitter too.

You can also read my previous reviews here:

Review: I Hate Luv Storys

Raavan Review: Abhi-Ash Are Insufferable

Raajneeti: The Reluctant Politician

Why Kites Didn’t Soar

K Balachander, India’s Best Storyteller

Actors Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan will always be indebted to him. But for him, we wouldn’t have seen Rajni on the silver screen. With more than 100 films to his credit, he is one filmmaker who has total control over his movies. Yes, I am talking about the legend K Balachander or KB as he is fondly called. I remember watching Sindhu Bhairavi when I was in school. Sindhu’s argument during a concert in the movie is still etched in my mind.

The ace director who turns 80 today had a unique style of making memorable films. It is difficult to spot one movie that is the best. With KB, every film had a protagonist and the entire movie revolved around the character. Whether it was Server Sundaram, Etheer Neechal or Sindhu Bhairavi, his films had a strong message forcing you to think out of the box.

So many of his celluloid characters still remain fresh in your mind – whether it is the fabulous dance by comedian Nagesh as a cancer patient in the movie Neer Kumizhi or the amazing depth of individualization in the love triangle in Sindhu Bhairavi. KB mostly dealt with middle-class issues reinforcing the values of family and relationships.

Clever use of symbolism, carefully scripted characters, powerful storylines and great attention to detail make his movies an intense experience. Here is a list of his best works (according to me):

Server Sundaram
Nagesh always had a special place in KB’s films. The fact that he got one of the best comedians of those times to play the lead role is in itself a testimony that KB was one of the biggest experimenters of his time. Watch a scene from the movie here.

Ethir Neechal
Again, Nagesh plays the poor young boy who does odd jobs to earn his living. The entire plot revolves around the protagonist Madhu and the film highlights the simple lifestyle of the middle-class Tamil household. The punchline in this film said by Nagesh- Naan Madhu Vandirukken, where he plays the role of a gullible innocent fool was a favourite with the masses. Here is a popular song from this film.

Apoorva Ragangal
Rajnikanth’s debut movie, Apoorva Raagangal, deals  with an inter-generational romance that culminates in a complex dilemma. This movie could be rated as one of the best performances by both Rajnikanth and Kamal Hassan on the silver screen. The mature storyline of intertwined romances was breathtaking and its treatment was flawless. KB’s sensitive handling of a potentially-explosive subject matter earned him rave reviews.

Sindhu Bhairavi
This to me is the best movie by the ace director who redefines the concept of marriage in this film. The role of protagonist Sindhu played by Suhasini can be rated as her best performance ever. The movie revolves around a girl who is an ardent follower of Carnatic music and falls in love with a popular Carnatic musician. The conversation between Sivakumar (the classical musician in the film) and Sindhu on why Carnatic concerts don’t include Tamil songs is a classic scene in this film. In many ways, he redefined the “happily ever after” concept in this flick. A word about the ever green Illayaraja has to be mentioned. I think Illayaraja’s brilliance in the song Padariyen is unmatchable.

Punnagai Mannan
Once again a Kamal and KB combination that worked wonders for the Tamil audience. Balachander’s art of story-telling is at its best in this movie. The story revolves around Sethu, a protagonist, who is jailed for attempting suicide and how his life pans out after that. Revathi who is the lead actress has given a stunning performance. Illayaraja again scores the music and each note is a treat to music lovers.

Later in the 90s, he also ventured into television. He also made a sequel to his movie Sindhu Bhairavi called ‘Sahana’ in 2003. He set high benchmarks and took enormous strides in the tamil film industry. The audience started to talk about this phenomenon, what they called ‘The Balachander Touch’. This touch to me will remain forever.