Analysing films

  The brand new show from TVF, Aspirants Pre...Mains...Aur Life debuted about two weeks back on YouTube and their own channel too. Fresh from the success of Panchayat and earlier Kota Factory this one is take on the UPSC aspirants. While Kota Factory was targeted to the parents, aspirants and everybody who spent time in Kota (preparing) this one looks at the civil servant aspirants. As each episode ends the creators kind of converse on the same lines. However, I thought the series is for all of us who are looking to do something in life. And it comes out very clearly in the first episode where one amongst the three protagonist talks to the incoming batch about dedication, patience and perseverance (not necessarily following any order but you have the flexibility to place it accordingly).  I remember when I went to college in 1986, civil services was considered hallowed and was told that the hub of aspirants were in the Western part of the city and the go to coaching college was SN Dasg

  Ajeeb Daastaans (AD) much like Lust Stories (which had primarily Lust as the theme) is about dysfunctional relations and relationships which society always looks at with a raised eyebrow or perhaps discusses in hush hush. The four segments are directed by Shashank Khaitan (Majnu), Raj Mehta (Khilona), Neeraj Ghayawan (Geeli Pucchi) and Kayoze Irani (Ankahi). Featuring an ensemble cast from the talented Jaideep Ahlawat, the fresh from the success of Ludo Fatima Sana Sheikh, Pataal Lok's big find Abhishek Banerjee, Nusrat Bharuchha (straight from the forts of Rajasthan with Honey Singh after the success if Naughty Saiyya), Konkona, Aditi Rao Hyderi, Shefali Shah, Manav Kaul and Tota Roy Chowdhury. To put it upfront, barring the segment by Neeraj Ghayawan the rest of them are sloppy and lacks a tighter script to match. Geeli Pucchi stands out for the brilliance of the script, Konkona and the setting in which the narration takes place. Neeraj takes pain in creating a sequence of even

  Joji may not be Dileesh Pothan's best work but it shines for some terrific casting and an amazing backdrop in which the plot plays out. There is a discussion (in film reviews etc.) on the inspiration of Macbeth to the plot but that might not seem to be the case as the events unfold. I thought before I talk of my experience with the film these two points must be kept as bylines to the discussion.  Well, like I said before Joji's best part is the backdrop in which the plot is set. In the lush plantations of Kerala and the sprawling green the events that unfurl seems to form a perfect ploy to unravel. Fahadh Fasil shines in the title role of Joji but I thought there was a lot of moments where there were amazing things to be done. And that is where Unnimaya Prasad (as Bincy) shines. In a silent and unnerving role she comes across more colder in relationships and more casual as a witness to all the murky proceedings in front of her. One of her finest moments and that is where Binc

  I have been talking about the rise and rise of regional cinema for long and my recent post has also talked at length on the reasons for the same. And The Great Indian Kitchen (TGIK) is another of those gems from Malayalam cinema. TGIK at first look will seem like a film on woman and their liberation and the Sabarimala issue and the suppression that they face. The film is much bigger than what it meets the eye. It must be seen in a spaced out environment to understand the nuances in the screenplay. In the opening sequence of the film where the prospective bride (as usual the brilliant Suraj Venjaramoodu) comes to meet the prospective bridegroom (the talented Nimisha Sajayan), the entire family is watching them talk and there is very little that is left to privacy, inspite of them being alone in a room. Also, point to be noted, that leads here, have  a name but as viewers we do not get to know that till the end. And, that is where the film starts to open up the layers. The characters