Review of Veere di Wedding

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 oriented, as well as the middle finger. Why not have BaapC, BhaiC, Luv-Diye, etc? And why not have the index finger curled against a straight middle finger, making a slit? Maybe this movie will inspire the next gen bichches to coin/create a few?

And finally, my Oscar for this movie goes to the hazed-out purple di--do which epitomized the message, 'when you can't baby, I can!' I know it offended many, but it's time we break ourselves from imaginary shackles. Watch it, if you haven't.

21st century infrastructure?

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.

Review of 'Raazi'

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, war is the only enemy. People will be people, both good and bad on both sides. But war is and always will be the bad, no matter what side you are on.

I liked this movie so much, that I went to the theatre to see it twice! Hope it wins tons of awards. And Alia - you've raised the bar even higher. What else are you capable of? To me, you are the current actor-supreme, on par with Priyanka Chopra, who I'm dying to see on Indian screens again.