Analysing films

2016 is about to close and sadly there is nothing much to cheer about in Hindi cinema and not that there is anything to eschew in Hollywood too. We have been witness to some nonsensical fare in the name of cinema. Frankly, in the entertainment genre there are several movies which get classified, but none of them sadly entertains. Most of all they look pushy, over the top and at times seriously suffering from an idea. I guess the whole issue boils down to a plot, script or perhaps an idea which can be translated into good cinema is missing. There have been blimps on the radar like a Pink and Udta Punjab in a limited way and they both worked because there was an idea, plot and a script. There was a message too, which was socially relevant and therefore clicked. Infact, if one where to look most of the other stuff dished out, they looked banal and half hearted in attempt. None of them as actors, producers, or directors where willing to go beyond the cliched approach. Take for example

Pink opens on a very interesting note on simultaneous/parallel actions of the protagonists and the antagonists driving back from one horrific night out. And that pretty much sets the pace of the film. The script takes time to build and by the time it has, created the mood and tenor to move to the next level, we are all quite clued on to what is unfolding. The film picks up on an extremely important issue plaguing the society today, gender bias-ness and the problems of stereotypes that we often face or are witness too. And what is more paradoxical, those are often seen in the strata of the society where we perceive or probably take for granted as the educated souls. Single girls staying together, wearing liberal clothes or drinking socially or the North East adage are typical challenges faced in the country. Barring a few cities like Bombay or Calcutta, the rest of India pretty much lives in those cliches and that's what is sad, painful and disturbing. I would tend to believe

2016- We have reached the halfway mark, is there hope? I have been more and more away from this space and particularly so for more than a few months (could be 6). Frankly, there was and there is nothing home to write about. There seems to be a serious catharsis of ideas and Hindi cinema is reaching a point where mediocrity is being celebrated and perhaps a sense of complacency seems to be settling in everywhere. Most names and banners are cocooned in their shell and are kind of refusing to come out of their comfort zone. I guess a name like Balaji Telefilms needs its fair share of accolades and kudos for all its experimentative approach to back films, where there is an idea or perhaps a thought. Look at the body of work (and newbies) that Balaji has backed and that has frankly surprised me. And that to me was/is good news. Coming back to 2016, did it hold any good. There was Udta Punjab, Kapoor and Sons, Neerja (only for Shabana, you can watch it a million times) and two smal