abhiakssingh

Well, what more should I say here? For an instance, even I wondered, why so much applauds for a Bhojpuri movie? Ah well, then I reminded myself, because it is Bangalore. This is where most of the IITians have settled after graduation. I guess the admiration, claps and enchore was justified for its sheer brilliance. I guess, one amongst the audience must have been a student of super30. I don't know, but from the noise of the crowd, I guess there might have been more than one. Such was the bonding between audience and the screen.

By the way, I am not Bihari. Having said that, I loved the movie. I wouldn't go into the authenticity of the story, because I can't vouch much, as only handful of my colleagues are from super30. However, it did have such a profound impact, that I couldn't resist myself from writing this review. (PS: I rarely Do. )

The best thing about this movie was the genuine portrayal of Bihar, and of the environment which creates the smartest engineering brain of India. Notice the scenes where graphics are used to explain, how ordinary people see things and how engineers see things, like the angle of the slingshot for a perfect parabolic motion. Then the question which engineering mind are supposed to focus, which ordinary minds often ignore - the number of handshakes, a permutation and combination problem. For non-engineers it might be mundane, but for engineers, this is how we actually see things! Only in numbers and equations. Honestly, once you churn into that IIT-JEE, it gets so much into your system that, words confuse you, but Mathmetics comforts you. That's the level of preparation which is required to crack the exam, and needless to say, it has been perfectly represented in the screen.

Following In that order, I will say was the performance of the lead actors and supporting actors. Hrithik Roshan has so unapologetically portrayed the role of a Bihari guy, and so has efficiently grabbed the accent, that you forget that he is an elite Bollywood star. This role, by any standard wasn't easy. To tone down yourself to such an extent, to be a character you, in fact any Bollywood actor, has never been is not as simple as he made it look. By far, it is his best performance till date. Acting as a Cancer/AIDS patient is so mainstream. But how does one act to be a Bhojpuri hero, where he doesn't belittle or even patronize with the character, instead take immense pride in who he actually is? Well, never ever has anyone in Bollywood risked so much. You can watch that holi scene in loop (waiting for its Netflix & Amazon release). To Hrithik, hats-off. You did something, which at the surface looks way below your standard, but when peeped deep has rare treasures of cinematic brilliance. You gave Biharis, the Bhojpuri language, the rightful respect they DESERVE.

Third in the order, in my view, is the screenplay. It was not clichéd, where typical protagonist trying to create tension. Nothing was forced, or deliberate. Notice the change of heart for the protagonist, Anand kumar, after the party. How Hrithik rummages the pages of a dish cleaning boy to check what the kid was studying. There are dozens of such scenes.

In the end, needless to say, I am just waiting for the Digitial release of the film.

This one is definitely going to be in loop for many like me.

Cheers.

I don't usually write reviews. I am a tech manager, whom you certainly can't fool, on how your business model works. But I do like your strategic objective for Indian market.

Somehow, possibly with all the data gathering tools at your disposal, your analytics team knows that most of the guys who can afford your subscription, at a cost more than cable TV subscription, are those who are living in top 200 cities of the world, but are predominantly small towners. Most of your stories, I watch on Netflix or Amazon, take us back to the time when we were coming of age. This is not just my word, it is the word of my colleagues as well. I will have to give due credit here. Your team has cracked that, if you play with our childhood memories, or may be frame your stories around it, then you can get away by selling anything to us.

Rajma Chawal, interesting name though, appears to be just another project in the portfolio. I liked the film. The film is nostalgic, no two words about it. The film subtly answers why, with the advent of Globalisation, the malls (or supermarkets which some in other part of the world might call) came and left, while small shop markets like Chandni Chowk, which are there for more than centuries, are still there and are going to be there in future. Chandni chowk in old Delhi is a 300 years old market, and it is as healthy as it used to be. In India, there are 100s of such Chandni Chowks - Aminabad in Lucknow for one, or Chickpet in Bangalore for two, I can reference here. They all are tacky, filled with filth and tiny streets - but guess what? Our parents still shop from there. We have frequently accompanied our parents in those chaotic noisy streets - wondering why my Mom comes here always? Why do I have to bear the stink of open sewer while she is shopping, or why isn't there a pizza shop around?

Your movie answer the question. Traditional people only do business with those with whom they have relationship. And since these are century old marketplaces - it is ingrained in the minds of the shop owners to build the relationship. That's why, now I know, when my mom used to visit such shops, the shop owner guy would ask about my education or my father's posting. These shop owners have built a relationship - a relationship of trust between buyer and sellers - which goes on for centuries. That's why most of the shops sounds like "Kapoor and Sons" - Which is another way of saying, even if the owner leaves the mortal world, the kids will value the commitment. And this is the trust and relationship - which is sustaining them in ever changing trade dynamics - from malls to online shopping experience.

Do watch this movie - to subtly understand the message. It is not directly told on the face by the makers, but "rather show not tell" thing. Considering the relatively elite crowd, which measures time wasted in traffic over money of theater experience, this is worth the subscription.

Disclaimer: I am from Uttar Pradesh, who lives in Bangalore. Except for acid attack, they have covered everything in the underbelly of Uttar Pradesh.

I have given it 10 start rating. Why? Because I could connect way more than its other state viewers. As game of throne, takes its inspiration from medieval Europe, this series takes its inspiration from Uttar Pradesh of 90's and early 20's (Notice the name of CM brothers for reference :P).

Now, I have grown up in that kind of environment. But, is there any form of art which has reflected it succinctly. Omkara or Ganges of Wasseypur came close, but even they tried to tone it down a bit, and acceptable for silver screen. Producing a content for digital medium, has an edge that, they didn't have to be politically correct, just to please people - and thus tinker with the spirit of the story.

That perhaps was the best part, and I watched all the episode in a single session. A pure nostalgia. From the comfort of my room here in bangalore, I was reminiscing through my childhood. Yes Uttar Pradesh is violent. Uttar Pradesh values power. The meaning of word "Bahubali" is different there. But, Uttar Pradesh is not dull state. There is a cohesion amongst all, which makes that state lively, vibrant, and politically charged. A spectacle for someone who is watching it all from a comfortable distance - not too close to get your hand burnt in it.

And this series, gave you that very experience. Keep up the good work.