What Sachit Thinks

Two good movies in as many weeks! Bollywood, what's gotten into you! And both female oriented, and, and, away from the regular formula. I loved the movie totally. Not that there's a feminine bone in me, but finally, here's something that allows the Indian woman to express herself, without being melodramatic or serious about it (think about all the female oriented movies of yore - Khoon Bhari Maang , Mother India, vgh, vgh ). There's a certain nonchalance about the 4 central characters, which made for wonderful viewing. There's no story or script as such, but the mini-plots and the dialogues make for a nice freeflow. I loved Swara and the Talsania girl (is she Tiku's something?). Kareena looked as if she was underpaid and I've never liked Sonam anyway (although she didn't giggle that much). Watching all the expletives and gestures (read middle fingers), I wonder, why aren't there female-oriented gaalis or gestures? MC, BC and BSDK are men orien...

What does this picture look like to you? Infrastructure for the 'Silicon Valley of the East'? Infrastructure for a 'Global City'? Infrastructure of the capital of a state? Infrastructure of a '21st century Indian City'? None of the above. How shambolic is this? I mean, when it rains, the power is cut off. And with this creaking, dilapidated infrastructure, how can we be called a modern and progressive city. Hope some official takes his/her time off filling their coffers and takes action.

I've always maintained that when Bollywood veers away from its 'boy-meets-girl' formula (which is 99% of the time), the result is usually good. Raazi is no exception. Alia Bhatt is a seriously good actor. After Highway and Udta Punjab, Raazi gives her the opportunity of displaying her fine acting skills. The star of the movie, however, is the script and the screenplay. Tight, taut and without falling into the danger of anti-Pakistan jingoism. The film craftfully maintains this fine balance of catering to a largely Indian audience and at the same time, not rubbishing the old enemy. I was also impressed with Jaideep Ahlawat, as the Indian handler. Emotionless, strong, yet with a soft understated interior, this fellow can act. The large glasses I think gave him the look required for this role. I'd seen him in GoW (Shahid Khan), but it is this performance that should be a turning point for him. Finally, the subtle message this movie tries to tell is that in a war...