Shanghai Movie Review

‘Shanghai’ Hindi Movie directed by Dibakar Banerjee is a politico-thriller involving Campaigns , politics , anti-Agenda protest murders , sufferings , causalities, enquiry commission, and a perfect conclusion. For a four film old director a veteran ad film maker , showing the pulse rather nuances of film making which can be equated as film making of an aspiring director of main stream cinema , showing the power of execution equivalent to those of veterans is not  a mere joke and it rains at least from my side a thunderous applause and a standing  ovation from my side just for believing his scripts and not making anything extra commercialistic venture making me feel this fellow he is just another marble wasted. Which he wasn’t rather he proved he has quality in making or being one of the best directors in Indian mainstream cinema who has capability in making a cinema as a cinema.

His plot is strong and yet he made sure that there should be any scene which is pushed or inserted annoyingly, he also made sure that the lead actors are just playing their characters and they aren’t the matinee idols. The three lead actors Abhay Deol , Kalki K and Emraan have only few scenes in common and it shows Dibakar made sure there shouldn’t be anything which is against the planned script. Abhay Deol and Prashanji dada are exact bang on bulls eye fit to their characters and I could see and call as perfect casting. Emraan’s new avatar as a character artist [I seriously feel he has to come out of Bhatt Campaign or Stereotypical Lusty roles which he has already proved he is master and its time to throw some wagon on roles , meaty roles which talks about his acting skills] is perfect and he has done perfectly that , he sense of humor and timing was impeccable and it was serious enough to be called as nice fit.  Kalki as we can call her role of a depressed loser who is battling a lot  right from her  father’s sentencing for corruption to assassination of her beloved professor , is justifiable acting, but I feel due to monotonous in her acting of same type casted role , I feel I was getting irritated but have to accept the fact she is getting such roles.

Main advantage of this movie is that there is no patch where the whole scene is casted on one group , there is a sense of travel of scenes among characters making one feel all are equally rated actors who have done the job to make this movie and give the movie its creditability equivalent to its powerful screenplay.

Music department care taking the songs and BGM have done the job to what a script can demand, not a point more or less. Everything song its depth its visualization , back ground music and rerecording have been played a huge role in making the screenplay to its talking.

Cinematography has its task cut out , the movie is based on a fictionally created city , dark overnight shades, lighting to these kind of assassination chase enquiry is always difficult and I would say there was absolute brilliance in department of cinematography. So is Editing.

Positive Climax made me feel even better, showing bureaucracy in good light is also commendable.

Negatives being Kalki K acting ,

Positives , Screenplay and execution , Music , Abhay Deol and Prasenji Dada , and the technical crew.

For people who love to watch a decent cinema believing the merits of screenplay and execution , watch it . Dibakar looking more movies from you like this.

In Search of Realm Called Life : Taj mahal

Taj , said my Alarm and my eyes went wide open , what would be your feeling if your first thought in the mind for the day will be about the eagerness to watch the TAJ.

After travelling to TAJ dozen times when I don’t know the value of a Ten Rupee Note , will those travels count , or shall the travel count when you earn your own money and you start to a journey to known the realm of life , the meaning of travel and beyond when you venture into history and know why the hell did Shah Jahan built this piece of rock that not only transforms life into it but proves the world that I’m the Crown of Beauty.

We have seen Taj in movies in post cards in magazines but what shall be the reason of loveliness in your soul when you take a left turn from the Darwaza that shows the Crown of Mughal India.

With purity in thought and loving eagerness in heart , I set to travel the most lovable journey I ever had. If there would be any architectural example for the John Keats’ words about beauty , it would be Taj.

The thunderous beats were in sync with the engine and I was almost there for the breakfast, food or Taj, Taj came to my mind and I jumped inside the Taj. The elevation shows the Taj as if a Slow RAM Computer opens the Image of Taj from Top To Bottom , a row per step, First the Chand then the top of Minarets , then the tomb and a couple of steps the Main Mahal , couple of steps up you Could See the beauty you could have known and the reason you live (again Quoting Keats). With the Arc of The Entrance (Darwaza) making a curvature upon the Taj acting as a Boundary , with an early morning sun , images of Silhouette boundary adding beauty to it. With the Restored British Type Gardens and a watered pavement adds to it. The Marble pinnacle is yeah taller than the Everest , uncertain like amazon , plain like the Sahara . May be the real Depth of Field a Human Mind can visualize is Taj Mahal , entirety of its behind and beyond was out of focus.

I decided first to love the place and then I spent time to capture it. Rightly I did. With a traditional Kurta which I bought on the previous night in Sarojini Market , a french bearded , tall stout guy wearing a spectacle was in complete romance with the beauty called Taj. Words fall silently to describe this emotion.

Steps further , I could touch it, I should say a hug was needed to drench my thirst , thirst of seeing the pinnacle of beauty. Kind of Cave allowed me on the same platform as the main Tomb and I was alone inside as it was not much crowded. Wish I could read each and every word scripted there , that’s is the problem with all the ancient architectures , we are unable to read the scripted walls. There lied two souls, no matter what was their life all about , what was their living all about, what was their sins rather deeds whatever , millions throng there, people come to see them, for centuries , may for centuries to go, that made me feel , to salute.

I just bent down in the middle of the couple and said , murmured , thanked and left without turning back.

With a walk on the platform I could see what would have been the spectacular view centuries ago , with Yamuna flowing by , may be this materialistic world couldn’t see the truth bout could only imagine.

For some time I was on the platform seeing people rushing in , tourists taking pictures and Guides escorting them, I had the customary clicks in the solo bench exactly in front of The Taj and near the entrance and I walked away….

Life teaches you only one thing, leave something behind that people might be proud , they have lived , the Legacy of Dill-e-ilahi Akbar and His family have lived more than what we read in our text books, yeah there might be some wrong pages in the history sins committed by them , but on the whole , the legacy of mughal shall be talked till the last of last Mughal Architecture is demolished.

After enjoying myself in couple of other places on the way to Delhi , I retired for the day , for next what we call the reason to Live and the reason to travel , the reason of what I m today for what changed me , for what the mighty mountains are Called Himalayas , my road trip to Ladakh.

'Ishaqzaade'

'Ishaqzaade' is an action thrill packed Romantic movie which has been directed by Habib Faizal who has been in scripting campaign for most the YRF team and has taken the captain of the ship’s role for the Second time after’ Do Dooni Char’ . This movie is based in a Nonexistent(Fictional) town of Almora (at least I have not heard of it) which has two poignant families (parties) who tug for the forth coming MLA elections. The Chuahan’s and Querishi’s Battle for the elections and have ferocious battle even in day to-day affairs.

Parma (Arjun Kapoor) and Zoya Qureshi are young clads of respective families. Parma is a perfect example for the word uncouth rough rude foul mouthed fellow whose aim is to get up in the family ladder by supporting his Grand Da. Zoya is a girl who wants to make her dad continue his winning streak and she falls in love for the loutish Parma and story unfolds from there.

As with all fairy tale movies there is a quarrel , chase , Love , Romance , Cheat , Life and …

Review : This movie for me is a cracker of a screenplay with Habib handling the script very well. The use of colloquial language has been the bench mark of the script including local satire and abuse. This has been handled well. The twists in the film is nothing but marvelous. None of the actors expect the leads are known and this makes the movie more lively. The locations and the props use in each and every scene adds value to the movie.

Parineeta Chopra playing the role of Zoya. Right from the first scene after censor certificate , you know she is ferocious she is a cracker of character nothing less than the malehood kinda. The scene she pawns her gold earrings for a Katta(Local Pistol) makes one understand what she is of. PC has showed she is no fluke actress and she has lived the role of Zoya. Her Emotions when romance , her anger when in ferocious battle with Parma (Arjun Kapoor) her Eye expressions and Laugh and the Nautankiwala look make one believe either she is Zoya Kinda girl or she has done a marvellos homework and she deserves Filmfare award for Leading lady if ‘Kahani’ is not considered. Every Scene she is in the screen , there is something going to happen and you can move your eye lid and if you do you miss something.

Arjun Kapoor , yet another ‘Kapoor’ , for him perfect debut and a three film contract with YRF will do world of Good. He has showed promise in acting the same way ranbir Showed in Saawariya. He is a promising actor and I’m sure he is next hot cake for the directors and producers. His style and body language when delivering dialogue will make you feel he isn’t debuting. Only time he gets wanting is when there is a close up shot (not always) but this is when experience counts , more films to his bag he is gonna improve from here. His Dancing is good.

Hemanth and Arthi handling the technical crew of Cinematography and Editing makes it a Racy and Pacy entertainer. It’s a chase. I like the slow motion montage shorts for its colour in Pareshan Song.

Amit trivedi handled Music and I say this movie is a musical Entertainer. The BGM suits to each and every scene. Paresan Ishaqzaade and Hallah Wallah are my favorites and Shreya Ghosal my favorite has done two numbers.

Chand baby role Played by Gauhar Khan is good and I have seen her in Rocket Singh and her act is appreciable.

Negatives are when in second half the directors loses his clue of what to do but he perfectly manages with neat performances make you not feel that.

Overall this movie is perfect entertainer with Cracker of performances. I bet You would have already watched it or booked it, for others go and See.

Though the story is common , screenplay is what differentiates with entire unit supports the leads to give a perfect execution.

A 4/5 in my scale and a must watch.

Valakku En 18/9

Valaku En 18/p (premalo Padithe) is Not a entertainer so all those who want to the same please dont even login to book the ticket.

This movie is a typical Balaji Sakthivel Movie in which the screenplay and execution is given importance. Just Two songs one sung by Karthik and Another by Dhandapani. Music Cinematography and most of the crew have "Introducing" Tag. ANd thats balaji Sakthivel.

Story is not seen one its new atleast execution is new. Its just about a untold love , crime and corruptive , MMS Scandal , how rich and poor children are brought up . I m not here to write the story.

performance toppers are always the Sri (the hero) and the school Girl. Police role made a impact on my mind post coming out of theatre.

This is true and real potrayal of the issue and fitting climax.

Cinematography will be discussed for wrong reasons. The use of Poor Camera in first half raises many eye brows why first half was shot as a documentary. May days by we will knwo the truth.

There isnt a point i felt irritated in the movie and some scenes though guessable balaji sakthivel made a point to make sure this is no ordinary.

Overall Should watch movie.

*********************************************************

Those who watch this movie in telugu read this.

There is an important scene in the second half suddenly there is a Song (Local third grade song and shot) been filled may by theatre owners or distributors themselves. This shows even now telugu audience are not ready to see a film which is true as mother earth itself , instead the audience wants a cheap marketting. I would have loved had it come in beginning or at the end and not at that point.

Guys you need grow.

****************************************************************

Overall this movie is pure heart winning performance and execution. If for those movies are just about fights and dance and cheap slapstick comedy of remaking 80s malayalam and tamil comedies as sequels as no.ed to 11 ,12 .... (read Akshay Khanna , priyadarshan , Housefull type etc)

For all those mentioned above there is difference between Movie and a Cinema. This Vallaku en 18/9 is a Cinema and its not a movie.

Message in the bottle

At times living in the city lying in coastal parts of the country and the city known to its Beach marina, we seldom have any choice for spending the weekend evening, adding to the various diversity the Marina provides you right from Ennore to East coast. Well this post is not about marina nor about Chennai and certainly not about a day did I spend there.

Whenever a message in a bottle is opened on a beach or floating in the ocean, it feels like it’s something out of a book containing reality of stupid-ness and act of lunatic mind. The idea that two people (the message sender and a freak like me who picks up the bottle) have made a connection that mathematics would say as virtual probability of the message to be received by the intention being almost zero.

One such evening I was playing with my friends in the hot afternoon of Chennai somewhere around three I decided to wet my legs and when near the shore. I found a bottle with a cork making sure the message inside the bottle doesn’t get wet. With a feel of Robert Langdon opening the cryptex I slowly uncorked the bottle and took the crushed paper out and sat down in the shadow of a Catamaran.

It was breezing hot, with a bottle of beer I decided to read the letter which was a fag length.

My question here is , with less than dozen of real stories with the concept of Message in the bottle we have read , couple of movies I have watched , couple of novellas I have read, even then it doesn’t convince me enough of the need of the Message in the bottle philos.

I do remember around 5 years of ago, when I was lying literally on the key board with a Post lunch syndrome called Fugly sleep, a mail from my Training mate popped with a 15-minute-read forward. That forward contained a story of Message in the bottle of a Married Lawyer from Bombay intended for a software engineer based in Chennai. This forward, which has been lively buried in a PST of OUTLOOK in my previous organization, has touched me more than any novels I read, more than any movies I watched.

Funny Concept of Message in Bottle, I still feel hilarious to read these stories.

Let me also try this whenever I reach my hometown.

PS: Don’t read the last page of the novel that makes you to come to reality. Be in fiction always.

In Search of Music

Music is the only thing that fascinates any soul in whatever mood of emotion they be, music always feels the upper hand. In Continuation to my series of fascination of songs in Indian Films with usage of Traditional Music (Hindustani/Carnatic) this songs ruled the most of my life’s last half a decade.

It has to be undoubtedly appreciated that Indian Music Directors in whatever language the compose , they rely more on traditional Ragas. Right from Bade Ghulam Burmans MSV ARR Illairajaja Keeravani Devarajan Jayachandran to any one you name it , They rely on Traditional Music for composing in films. When I get fascinated to listen Sufi songs in Hindi Movies , I feel the inspiration of Traditional sufi and Qwualliis . Each and Every Gharana style can be attributed to the songs we hear in day to day life , if we venture closely into it.

With a basic knowledge in traditional music , I always get dragged to the depth of music composition its inspired Raga , no of tracks mixed and the level of acoustic brilliance mastered that makes me to listen a song in loop. Sometimes my friends and relatives accuse me of making them bored if I use the Repeat button in my pod. That happens because only my in loop I’m able to get the complete nuances of any song.

As said, my recent lunatic madness being getting looped to this song. This song has a unique blend of Hindustani and Carnatic Music with beautiful lyrics and feel , mesmerizing voice. A complete composition that can shake you.

Song : Raakili Than Vazhi Marayum

Movie : Perumazhakalam (Malayalam)

Music Director : M.Jayachandran

Lyrics : Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri

Singer : : M.Jayachandran

Raga : Ahir Bhairav (Hindustani)

Ahir Bhairav is a Hindustani Classical Raga and Chakravakam can be said as its equivalent in Carnatic Music.

Arohana and avarohana

Arohana

S r G m P D n S'

Avarohana

S' n D P m G r S

My Favorites in the same raga sect are :

Albela Sajan Ayo re from hum Dil Chuke Sanam and Pibare Ramarasam by Sadasiva Brahmendra.

There can’t be any music lover who listens Hindi Songs(Film) who doesn’t like Albela Sajan (HDDCS). That is really a classic Composition by Ismail Darbar.

This song stars with a Hindustani alap with these Hindi Lines

“Baras baras badraa

 aasa ki boonden bankee baras”

Which to my knowledge can be translated to the asking of the author for drops of rain in the form of his wishes.

I have always fascinated whenever a Hindustani composition attacks the heart of a traditional south Indian Carnatic Music Listening soul.

Malayalam Lyrics of the song :

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

kaathirippin thiri nanayum eeran perumazhakkaalam

oru venalin viraha baashpam

jalathaalamarnna mazhakkalam

oru thedalay mazhakkalam

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

ri…ri..na…na

piya… piya….

piya ko milan ki aaz re

kaga kaga sab thani khaiyyo

kha moriya……………..

ormakal than lola karangal

punarukayanudal muruke

paathi vazhiyil kuthariya kaattil

viralukal verpiriyunnu

snehardramaro mozhiyukayavam

kaathiloraathmaswakaryam

thengalinekkal parichithametho

perariyaatha vikaaram

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

ehh…. rasiyaa…

neelaraavin thazhvara neele

nizhalukal veenizhayumbol

ehto ninavin vaathilppadiyil

kaalpperumaattamunarnnu

aalunna mazhayil jaalakaveliyil

minnalilethoru swapnam

ee mazha thorum pulkkathirukalil

neermani veenu thilangum

raakkilithan vazhimarayum novin perumazhakkaalam

kaathirippin thiri nanayum eeran perumazhakkaalam

oru venalin viraha baashpam

jalanaalamarnna mazhakkalam

oru thedalay mazhakkalam

 

Certainly only a Malayalam learned fellow can translate the meaning of these lines, but whatever my Co-traveller in Infosys bus explained me is as follows.

This song , I feel , is the description of sad and helplessness explaining the beauty of rain , description of pain.

For those who still find themselves in Greece and feel I’m speaking in Latin , this movie Perumazhakalam directed by Kamal (Kamaluddin Mohammed) one of the directors from Malayalam industry who still upholds the industries Classical Way of movie making. For others , he is the fellow who directed the original version of Nuvve Kavali(telugu) Piriyada Varam vendum (Tamil). He also directed Zameer (Hindi).

Dor by Nagesh Kukunoor is the remake of this movie Perumazhakalam. Mr.Kukunoor sahib didn’t even felt the courtesy to give credits to this director. People who would have liked the Hindi version (Dor) , Vaithee suggests them to watch Perumazhakalam.

This film (Perumazhakalam) Won National Award for the Best Feature film on Social Issues.

From Ek Dewaana tha / Vinnaithandi Varuvaya / Yem Maya Chesave , there is a song called Aaromale, the Malayalam Lyrics was written by Kaithapram Damodaran Namboothiri , the same lyricist who wrote the above described song.

When ever I say I m looped to a song, there is something more than just a song that makes me to get looped. This is one such song.

When listening to music

When listening to music is a passion and acquiring knowledge about any song is an hobby , you get involved too much. Such is the passion which makes me to select and re discover the songs which are buried in the name of last generation. I’m sure greatest fanatic of Illairaja sir himself cannot recognize all the songs of the maestro and such is the case with that of all the masters. With respect to my earlier series of posts talking about my favorite songs this post indeed shall differ in the approach. This approach made me to rethink why we like a song. When shuffling in my pod , call it coincidence or what happened to listen two songs of different era language and geography , how could possibly people can create two different numbers based out of same raga giving it a touch of differentiation in its composition and presentation.

My interest of writing this post just looped in my mind post my conversation with my sister in law about a song which we confronted of what raga what it was. She being a Carnatic singer herself missed a chance to win over me with this number which I feel is one of the best composition of my friend ARR.

Narumugaye song from the movie Iruvar is one of the magnum opus of ARR. In this song ARR has used Naatai as well as Ghambeera naaai ragas. The male voice sings in Naatai, while the female voice sings Ghambeera Naatai. Raaga sivaranjani is usually used for pathos moods, but the ARR has used raga Sivaranjani for the song Kannum kannum in the movie Thiruda Thiruda. ARR has composed the song Ghanan ghanan in the movie Lagaan in his usual (innovative) manner. He has used the raga in a beautiful way to give great appeal to the song. Others are like here … Piya haji ali (Fiza) Maand ,Pachai kilighal (Indian) Kapi ,Thenmerku (Karuthamma) Kanada ,Ni main samajh gayi (Taal) Ahir Bhairav ,Kannamoochi (Kandukondein Kandukondein) Natakuranji/Shahana

Illairaja not only re-creates a magic of the raga which the song is based on , he has the capacity to invent a new range of composition which becomes a difficulty in itself to identify the raga. Thoongatha Vizhigal Rendu - K J Jesudas and S Janaki for ‘Agni Nakshatram’ is based on Amirthavarshini Raga and KJY voice is immortal. Aadal Kalaye Devan Tanthathu – K Jesudas for ‘Sri Raghavendrar’ is based on charukesi.

Sometimes for an amateur as me it’s easy to identify some basic ragas but it takes effort by asking experts to know all these songs are based on some raga.

The basic fact of a person if he likes a raga he might tend to listen all the songs of the particular raga is also true.

3 Movie review

Friday night after a drive through NECE Road four of us Arun_Dhandapani, Porselvan_s, Deepak Duraisamy and self, reached the theatre. If anyone of you ask me you have expectation of this movie I would say yes. After listening to the songs and viewing the teasers I was sure of what I want from the movie. I informed arun who was pillion rider in my sajda that my expectation was simple that of having a chase love tease first half , something hard hits and a perfect climax of anti-climax or safe one. [One could argue this is the theme of Selva camp , and hence my expectation was justified].

Third scene from the movie I shouted in theatre , this film gonna be a big Mokkai and hence I was called for wrath from Arun sitting next to me. For me there isn’t purity in shot making from the first scene. Most of the scenes where like ok let’s make it kind of scenes. Screenplay in first half was poor , it was slow driven. When your screenplay or Story isn’t that great actors acting shall drag you the void, that didn’t happen, songs in first half was ok kinda, but what I liked in first half, Brief availability of Siva Karthikeyan and that Vijay J and Swetha Mohan No.

My FB status and my mind read a big zero for first half and I felt I was waiting for a big disaster for the night and I felt what a way to end an eventful Birthday of Mr.Karu Palaniappan* .

Post the second half , after reading the letter and Shruti Hassan asking the fellow of what happened to her husband , my mind said either the role portrayed by Dhanush was of Baazigar type or the typical Selva Camp Hero , the latter became justified. Second half was easily Guessable but I must admit even if the latter part of the movie has more shades of Mayakkam Enna , Dhanush acting was good, I must say he did in what he was best , the Pshyco.

Overall if first half was without any plot or any depth in any scene , just here and there good , second half was good with repetitive scenes from their own camp. Having said that , I m not able to say this film is a disaster , but either you would be a non-liker or with a mixed feeling. I was with mixed feeling .

The reason for above statement might be fuelled by exceptional BGM for the first timer , Cinematography in second half. For me Mohit chauhan’s Po Nee Po is kind of looper.

What you can do or rather what should have been done in this movie which would have made it a decent run , as now every fellow coming out of theatre bullies this movie depending upon his liking for the movie , which is Bad , worst , OK … the movie doesn’t transform for any average movie goer than this.

First of all , Shruti Hassan , please I salute for your improving standard of acting when compared to disastrous debut , but that doesn’t mean that you have not done anything less here as well, Acting ask your father, is not yesterday night shop and get from More or spencers, Please “REHAM” Us , meaning please show some “Karunai” …

Either she shouldn’t be the choice or the director should have done something that can make us believe she can handle the scene in front of camera.

Screenplay of the first half where there are lot of loose scenes should have been edited well to say , it’s a crisp movie, One could argue that first half was as such to give way for the second half drama, I say to them , people might not want to eat the raw bitter guard in anticipation of a sugar candy !!! but when sugar candy was boo-ed and the former was provided we were not without having a coke post coming out of the movie. That was the state .

Logical atrocities where made and I’m not going to talk on that.

Anirudh , I appreciate and say one thing , you have talent to make at least of Yuvan’s standards but please don’t fall into the path of GV .

Aiswarya Dhanush , I first saw you dancing live in front of me in Rajni 25 for a classical no, I felt you have some talent , Today you have proved the proverb may be along with Shruti Hassan you have proved , Vadhiyar Ponnu Makku (No Chauvinism meant)

As repeatedly felt and said , Bhanu Priya , Prabhu Sir all have been wasted.

In the end , You expected a movie to be non-irritating film , but what you got was a bitter guard in first half and sugar Coated bitter guard in the second !!!

If you ask me what was the best thing in the movie or rather about the movie , Po Nee Po song looped from Indira Nagar (DD’s House ) to BG ROAD Near IIM Bangalore!!! The Drive @ 2 AM!!!

Vanaprastham

Staying with my cousin , i have tough time to bargain the hard disk I have, eventually ending up watching the movie i m talking here and truest sense I can rate this movie as one of my best watch ever. This is a movie that can challenge every entry in every film meet and yeah all time.

Set in the 1950's, Vanaprastham divulges certain experiences of a Kathakali artiste who faces an identity crisis in mid-life. The portrayal of a man’s inside world has been clearly depicted. Shaji uses the fascinating world of Kathakali, the classical art form of Kerala to present the theme.

The actor I respect Mr.Lal portrays the character who his life has attained the vanaprastha the age of retirement. The character has a soulful depiction of aspiration , self esteem , love to the art , ethical eroticism and most of all man living inside.

In Indian Philosophy, 'Vanaprastham' is the third of the four ashramas or stages in a man's life - Brahmacharya or bachelorhood, Grihastha or married life, Vanaprastha or retirement to the forest and Sanyasa or renunciation of all wordly interests.

Vanaprastham is an Indo-French collaboration, produced by Pierre Assouline and actor Mohanlal's Pranavam Arts. Cinematography is by Renato Berta and Santhosh Sivan and dialogue by Raghunath Paleri. Zakir Hussain, the renowned tabla artiste has composed the music and Beuno Thariel of France, the sound effects.

I certainly can bet on the purity of film making. This is a movie I would say as what should be called a movie that can challenge the parallel movie makers . It is a traditional Indian depiction which is land of Natya Shastras. With Cinema being new generation product I would say that this is what one should say a Cinema and it is what a dictionary for film making. It is clearly an Indian movie in the traditional sense of the word. It has the depth, the pace, and combines traditional Indian culture with Kathakali and deep human drama. Kathakali is a type of dance/stage drama, which comes from the Southern state of Kerala, and is expressed through the subtle performance of its actors, as a way to articulate emotions, by small movements of the face and body. It is based on centuries old Sanskrit plays, which incorporate sacred texts like the Mahabharata. The film is centered on a Master of Kathakali, Kunhikuttan, who as a fatherless child of a poor servant girl, began to learn the art as a way of feeding his family. We later understand, that one of the reasons for Kunhikuttan’ s constant emotional suffering, and thus, the mastering of his art, is the lack of a father figure. His art is so powerful, that a young woman falls in love with one of the characters he portrays, and bears his child. But reality is not a play, and she refuses Kunhikuttan to see his son, whom she considers is the son of the actual character Kunhikuttan portrays. The film is before anything else, a deep meditation on fiction and reality, and illustrates the need for certain classes to combine the two. In fact, as much as the art of Kathakali is subtle, the reality is crude and brutal. In actuality, Kunhikuttan’ s unknown father is the lord of the domain in which he lives; his mother's master. The young woman who bears Kunhikuttan’ s child, is a princess living in delusion, impassioned by mythological characters. All are heavy subjects to deal with, which will give everyone who sees this film, a lot to think about. The talent of the director comes across in his subtle bringing to light of all of these intricate emotions. Of course for a Western audience most likely ignorant of the subtleties of Kathakali and unaccustomed to the Indian Cinema, the director's subtlety will be of no help. A fascinating reflection on art and reality. "Vanaprastham" is a rhyme with elusiveness.

An institutionalized gogol...

In 2007 , Gogol Joined the software industry, an industry in India which is as pious as scared earth , Yeah maybe that’s what people think. All he took was his Rucksack filled with what he could usually wear for a week , a piece of diary , yeah a piece of diary which was torn enough to be eaten easily by the smelling rat , but which was his precious wealth more than the Titan he had in his wrist , the costliest thing he possessed till date, handful of money , a debit card of his brother , the white papers printed black which said that he was a Mechanical Engineer by Graduation and set of other documents. He moved to the city which he had lived for pleasant number of years to join the then second ranked company. 

Software Industry as we say , is nothing but institution and we have all been institutionalized. First when people join or rather people are about to join , the smell in this shit hole murmurs around your nose for the best part of time you have in the day. This industry is funny. First you Love them, then you get used to them , then the system uses you. After long enough, you get so you depend on them. That's "institutionalized.” Software industry is where we want to have our life and that’s the same we give up … the Life.

Gogol’s Life was just as to get used to the society of what he has chosen. To earn his daily living he had decided to give up what he wanted to be, that of being something in the world, that of doing something in the world that can make him happy living at heart, that of not sacrificing his life for what we call to get institutionalized. It’s really pity that people choose to live in this industry to make a life which hasn’t been possible at least for Gogol without sacrificing the smallest of thing he could wish , an happy sleep. For all we live is to have a satisfied night thinking about what we have done for the day.

Half a decade passed by , Gogol’s life has never changed just for a change of the name of the Institution. Gogol still sleeps lazy nights disturbed of thoughts that makes him curse himself for what he had decided that day and for what he is in a position that not allows to jump the four walls of this prison to the outer world away from being institutionalized, into the world where he can think of himself and his ambitions that can give him a peaceful sleep in the night with what he has done in the day.

After five years of being institutionalized do you feel rehabilitated ? 

Rehabilitated ? well now , let’s see . You know . I don’t have any idea of that word means.

Well are you satisfied being in this industry and wish to live in this institution or in the similar institutions like this for rest of your career ?

I know what it means . To me this world which you are talking about is a make-up world. It’s a politician’s society, a place where there isn’t any scope of dream and ambition, there is no place here for what we call , reward and recognition, people like you wearing a suit and a tie having a job working on an excel sheet day in and day out , talking over the voip like a pig’s yawn … what you want to know ?

Am I happy being in this institution ? Am I ready to serve this institution free from all problems which I take up? There isn’t a single day I haven’t regretted to what I have done, by joining , by being institutionalized , shaking the whacking tail like of a dog on the command of his master.

Not even a single night passes by without the regret of why did I took the train to the city of spirit and hope, why I accepted the self-imposed punishment of living a life away from one’s dream… not even a single day passes by…

I look back as what I was half a decade ago. Not even hundred bugs in my wallet, roaming around mount road shouldering a bag full of a novel , a camera a paper a pen thinking that one day this road might lead to Kodambakkam(area in chennai which hosts Kollywood), the place of desire and ecstasy, a place only dreamers and that those of its achievers can go.

I look back the days I was happy having a meal per day though satisfied in order to save time and money for a shoot , for a travel or for a movie or for a meet or just to walk around the marina .

I look back and curse myself that I have missed everything being in this industry which I thought can make my dream come true, rather what happened was different. I have been more institutionalized. The hand which ought to be writing the screenplay started hitting at the fiber board transforming into something meaningful for the client and for self it is just nothing but getting institutionalized.

Yeah when I look back , I feel myself spending a daily picnic in a rats hole with only the rats enjoying the party. I got to live with that dream , that distant dream that can only be dreamt of.

And for your question , I really don’t give a damn.

Life is all about pressure and time , That’s all it takes really… pressure and time..

With all his dreams , thanks to the society Gogol lives in , he gets life time sentence to be institutionalized. Final Verdict : DETAINED for rest of life in this rats hole.

To Be Continued ... Gogol Never Dies..

மெய்தேடல்

நான்கு திசையும் உன் ஒளி
இருட்டை கிழித்து வீசுகின்றன..
எங்கும் உன் வாசம்
சுந்தர இசை பாடிக்கொண்டிருக்கிறது..
யாரிடம் கேட்பேன் ,
இருட்டை கேட்டேன் , மௌனமாய் உறங்கியது
ஓலியை கேட்டேன் , வெட்கப்பட்டு நின்றது
தேவதைகளை கேட்டேன் , பறந்துவிட்டது பாவம்
அமைதியை கேட்டேன் , உன் சொல் எங்கேவென்று
பூவும் பட்டாம்பூச்சியும் என்னை ஏமாற்றிவிட்டது
அகத்திலும் புறத்திலும் உன் உணர்வு
ராகத்தில் நீ தாளத்தில் நீ
மனதின் பித்து நிலை நீ
வாழ்வின் ரகசியம் நீ
எட்டி நடை போட்டேன்
உன் காலடியில் வந்து சரண் அடைந்தேன்
நிமிர்ந்து பார்த்தேன்
குயில்களின் இசை மழையோடு
நாதத்தின் ஸப்தங்களில்
உன்னை தொழுது விட்டேன் இறைவா!!!

Nostalgic memory...

March 8^th 2001 , D –Day for the Public X Class Board exam (CBSE) , Subject : Social Studies.

Mom : “All the best for exams, Pathu ezhuthu, Time waste pannathey, Full three hours ezhuthu , Anga inga Pakathey… Pena iruka , pencil iruka , Log Book eduthindiya (For Social Science Exam !!! nera Kodumai”) #!%@%$^^%$^^%$^$%^$

Me : Amma Byee (e)^n

Sajda walked across my house to reach the school, Ten years of enmity between us, rather schoolship between us. Ariya parvathulla sandai pottu athu indrum thodarumana athi veka kedana unmai uravu… school la ayiram visyathulla payanum ponnum sandai poduvanga.. miss avan ithu eduthan miss avan athu eduthan miss-nu, athai 10 varudangalku piragu nyabagam vaithukondu ennaduan pesama ponal nan enna panrathu… makkale sollunga!!!

Seri vidunga matter-ku varuvom!!!!

She walked across my house on the D Day morning oru 9 mani irukkum, 10 manikku than exam, hall – e kandupidichu okaruvam, silla nerathil edathai matri okara vaipargal athan karnathinal!!!!

Avalku tamil teriyathu… nan avalai keli seiyanum endral tamil la pesuven… namma santhanam mathiri… andru apadiye nadanthathu…  engal quarterskum school kum 20 nimdam nadai payanam… aval ennamo Madam marie Curie  effect la kanula soda budi pottukitu nadanthute padipa… ennaku avalta pidicha viseyame athan… aval athai satham potu padipa… namaku athu kadai sollra mari mind la tappunu pathinthidum…

Nan valkam polave avalai , kalaithukonde oru nakkal sirupodu poga, aval innai muraithu parka … It was like creating mood (positive energy ) before writing a disaster… Disaster in the sense , 9 varshama Social science a Hindi la eluthitu , oru varshathil athai visayathai Englishla eluthunganu sattam potanga… Enna sattamo terila …seri free ya vidunga..

Aval ennai thirumbi ketal (wats ur problem…) namma asadu valinchunde ...nee than adi enaku prachinainu simbu style la solla… aval sonnal…”nan a prachinai .. wat is prachinai”

…

Apdiye pasnga vandanga ellorum class poyi exam elutha arambichutanga I mean ready ayitanga… aaana enaku mattum oru orathil aval nyabagam, aval sonna varthai slow motional en kathil olithu konde irunthathu… kadhal endral enna vandru ariyatha vaisu aana avalai kandal pathute irukalam , aval pesinal ketute iruklam endru oru ennam … apdiye nannum exam hallku poyi en deskai tedi pidithu orkanthen…

Parikchai taal varai innum 3 nimidathil minimum 300 vati thirubi avalai parthen, aval enta all the best solla en kathil “what is ur prachinai” kathula slow motional keka, question paper vandu en kayil vilunthathu…

Fast Forward for 2 hours, ennada exam three hours thane athu enna 2 hours forward panranu neenga nenaikilam….

Namma yaru… super star visri… exam hall la 2 hours mela irunthal athu engal kadaisi-bench-irunthalum-topper-sangathuku avamanam endru nenaithu tappu tappunu thali katra matiri moonu mudichu potu velila vanthen…

Engalukunu (athu enga thatha vaitha maram) oru maram irukirathu… antha marathaiyil… enga appa desk la iruntha Grapes packet eduthutu vandu okarthen… ( my dad always doubts me of taking grapes from his office desk, but I matify my brother, he accepts , because he knows if I m the culprit dad will thol urichify)

Oru oru grapes yai thuki potumothellam ava nyabagam than… enda ithu over scene a iruke…nu neenga nenaikilam… 10 varsha natpu innum oru mathatil mudiya poguthunu nenaichal evankuvathufeelings irukum… enaku irunthirchu… she was planning to continue her studies in Bangalore, aana enga appa avar istatuku transfer vangi enga uyir eduparu.. naanga poi appa Why don’t u ask transfer to bang keta oru look viduavaru.. Avaru moondru mugam Misai parthal I wet..(purinjukonga pa)…

Athai nenaipoda innum oru mani neram kadakanum endru nenaithu… ground ai oru round suthalam endru nenaithu (my favorite hobby .. manasula yarkavathu sollanum endral, pattu padanum endral, debate trail pakanum endral ithai seiven… one round around the Big Air force ground…)

Avalai pathi mattum nenaithu … 10 varuda natpu ,sandai, mati vituthal, exam nerathil help panithal, eyes-boys (don’t curse me for spelling mistakes) viladuthal, there was a famous game hmmm athan pa 7 kallu vachu ball  vaithu adichu tirupi 7 kal onnuku mel vaikanume athan pa… hmm 7 stones… athai vilaiyaduthal… malai nera quartersil meeting, chit chat, kavithai eluthi aval ta sollum pothum… debate  nadagam fancy dress nalum aval ennai paratra vidam… sernthu unnum sapadu… tiraipadam sendra tharunam… aval progress report nan uncle ta kuduka , en progress report enga appa ta ava kuduka , intha nyabagangalai asai potu kondu ground ai oru round adichen…

Aval vandal, va polamnu sonnal … wait let our friends come nu sonnen, illa lets go to quarters and discuss, any how we all will meet evening liya appo pesalamnu sonnal… seri ok endru solli meethi iruntha grapes ai kuduthen… aval kai busya irukira karanthinal (books bagnu) avalku ooti vitten… Dhraksai than… hmmm … ok stop…

Aval polam endru sonna udanai police karar pol en appa Uniform oda vandu ninar… Karthik nu ( my name is Karthik @ home )kuptaru.. eppudi eluthinenu (ullathaiallital Karthik oda appa mathiri keka) OK nu solla … How did u writenu avalta keka, Good nu badil solla, Don’t roam in hot sun-nu solli Go-ntaru… Poyituvaren endru anbana TamBhram style la solli We left.

While walking to quarters, nan Kathala natpin uchagatama anbin parimanama endru teriyatha irukaiyil aval enidam Social science pathi ketal… Namaku than antha elavau 2 hours munadiye mudijirchu.. inume valkayil Social Studies na KG How much? Nu feeling. So don’t talk about this, any how it will never make a difference so leave it nan solla, avalum ok solla, nan Keten, You will go va to Bangalore… u will not be with me in school for 11^th and 12^th ah? She said, yeah my dad is getting me transferred there (Enamo enaku teriyatha mathiri , avanga appa oda transfer order type paninatey nanda , athan iratai feelings enaku…) u could stay here la ? aval athurku No Da I ve to go nu chellama Montage look kuduthal…

Seri come to my home lets have lunch nu solla , pirst avanga vituku poyi aunty ta we will have lunch at my homenu sollitu , vandom, My mom as usual Full Meals vachirtanga… I asked my mom to mix and give me , Amma nanga rendu perum motta maadyil irukom, nee sapadu eduthundu vanu solitu mela motta madiyil okarthu Question paper discuss panom (athan ga nee evalvu nan evalvunu Exit polls kanakula oru correction…)

Then I told her, adiye inga pesitu iruken la anga enna parvainu Aadukalam Dhanush Slang la pesa, ava ok ok ok nu solli tell me Kya Huva nu hindi la solla, I m sorry nu APologise panninen.

She asked me why, atharku nan ivalvu naala oru neragiya natpu pol iruthaval ta romba tappa matividarthunu potukudukarthunu pasangaoda sernthu unoda sandai poten, I m deeply sorry from bottom of my heart –nu solla, ava that’s ok da I also did my share of teasing with u , that’s all ok… nu 10 varuda natpin nyabathai oru 30 nimida nera santhipil we rewinded like a Balu mahendra movie…

Present Day, she called me and said , I have given birth to Baby Gal, athurku Congrats sollitu , Nan antha 10 varuda pallikuda valkaiyi oru dum adithu kondu asai poten…

Pallikuda valkai, oru ora kaneer thulikalal , namalai adisaya paravathurku kondu poyikirathu…

Ok Enough AValthan mudiyum Kai valikirathu,… need to know more call me bye friends…