Jab We Met

My first comment would be: a movie completely worth your time and money. Although the story presented is nothing unique, the script, the acting and the direction is really amazing resulting in one of the greatest entertainers of recent times. Shahid and Kareena are of shown to be of diametrically opposite characters with the former being serious and reserved and the latter a complete chatter-box and fun-loving person with evident streaks of immaturity. When Kareena misses her train, she forces Shahid to leave her till her home-town Bhatinda. What happens during the journey will leave you in splits. The later half of the movie loses its momentum for a while but somehow the audience will not lose interest since there is enough comedy interspersed even during seemingly serious situations. The end is quite predictable with the hero finally getting the heroine but their performance is truly commendable. This romantic comedy is a must watch - will really help you de-stress amidst a hectic schedule :)

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag

Forewarning: Don't start forming ideas on my taste and choice of movies :)

Well now since I eventually ended up watching this movie, I guess I should give an honest opinion on it.

A very predictable sob-story - a cash strained family which forces the eldest child to choose a not so respectable means of earning-which has left very little to the actual event of the movie-watching. The only worth-watching aspect is Rani's and Konkona's acting. Being a predominantly woman-oriented movie there's hardly any role of the men and they are nothing more than show-pieces or rather support factors to complement the women's presence on-screen.

A different treatment of this oft-used theme was conspicuous when unlike in the olden days they harped on the 'laachari' and 'majboori' of the 'bechari' woman for choosing this profession, Rani doesn't offer any excuses, rather says that it was purely by chioce and a consciuos decision that she has opted to become an escort to earn money for her family. Another rather amusing scene was when she actually gets advice from a friend saying that she was not to be an ordinary call-girl but would be a sophisticated and expensive escort. Well well.. whatta training did she receive to get converted from a simple girl to a sophisticated and much sought after escort :)

Jokes apart the film hasn't received a mature handling which shows streaks of 'purana zamana' style tear-jerker movies which can get rather irritating for the present day multiplex audience. A very pertinent issue but presented in a rather amateurish manner which can hardly evoke any interest. After Parineeta most people certainly had high expectations from Pradeep Sarkar; but what a disappointment we had to suffer! Absolutely no excuses to watch this movie unless you are a die-hard Rani Mukherji fan.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa

A remake of the original Malayalam movie Manichithrathazhu. The same was remade later in Tamil and Telugu- Chandramukhi and Kannada-Apthamitra. Apparently these were superhits.
Since I haven't watched the original version no question of 'movie' comparison arises but what I feel is worth a mention is the fact that Vidya Balan is no match a dancer when compared to Shobhana. Shobhana's dance to 'Oru Murai Vandu' in the Malayalam movie exudes excellent expressions and graceful movements. But on the other hand Vidya Balan, who dances to the equivalent 'Ami je tomar' in Bhool Bhulaiyaa does nothing but some amateurish body movements which is deftly covered by clever videography. No wonder this dance never features in the promos.
The movie overall is an 'okish' one with a very obvious lack of originality and pathetic display of forced humour unlike what is expected from a 'Priyadarshan' product. The idea of ghosts and spirits is presented in the garb of a mental illness just to cater to the scientific and inquisitive temperament of the present day audience. On a positive note it is able to create a moderate amount of suspense holding people to their seats, though I wouldn't say that it was enough reason to make one watch the movie. Go and watch the movie if you have plenty of time to spare and are fond of 'bhoot-pret' stories albeit with a scientific explanation. :D

Just in case you are interested in dance make it a point to watch Shobhana's moves in the video below.

Durga Puja - The spirit of Bengal in Mumbai

This was the first Durga Puja celebration which I attended in Mumbai. As members of the 78 year old Bombay Durga Bari Samiti which organizes the Puja at Tejpal Hall, my family and I were present during the Puja as well as the cultural programmes held in the evening beginning from Panchami to the last day of Puja on Navami before the immersion on Dashami. Needless to say the scale of celebration is miniscule when compared to that of Kolkata, but still the Mumbai celebrations are quite a large scale when compared to those of the other smaller cities in India. It begins with the 'AnadaMela' on Panchami evening when families set up stalls with delicious home made goodies like rolls, luchi -aloo dum, singhara, kachuri, ghoogni, sweets etc. which leave your taste-buds craving for more. Then on 3 main days of the Puja i.e. Saptami, Asthmi, Navami, people come down for the Pushpanjali which is followed by distribution of fruit-prasad. Every one's invited to join in these celebrations and in the afternoon there is the tasty bhog of kichudi, labra, payesh and mishti. In the evenings there are plenty of entertainment programmes performed by the members themselves, invited professional troupes from Kolkata and other places , celebrity singers etc.

The other famous Pujas in Mumbai include the ones at Shivaji Park and Lokhandwala. The latter is famous as the one begun by the Bollywood playback singer Abhijeet and attracts lots of celebrities. Also there is the famous Mukherjee family's Puja ( Rani and Kajol) which is quite old and revered that is held at Poddar school.

Well, the spirit of Bengal is carried anywhere, where a few Bongs get to meet; could we ever doubt that?