Manto : my review

I don't clearly remember when did I first read Manto, but I read his few of sideline stories during my college days. Instantly and intuitively I was curious about Manto. Thanks to Nandita Das for bringing Manto to a beautiful cinematographic experience. I watched it yesterday and I am quite swayed by the movie.

Who was Manto : He was born on 11 May, 1912 in India and he died at the young age of 42 in Lahore (Pakistan). Manto is one of the best unrivaled fierce storytellers of our times who is famous for his portrayal of India-Pakistan partition and his empathy for characters who are on periphery of our society. 

The movie- Manto : Manto is written and directed by Nandita Das and includes one of the finest actors of our times, Nawazuddin Siddiqui . Other supporting actors also have done their best to bring central character's dilemmas and doldrums onto screen. Unfortunately, we do not have tradition to celebrate a writer's life or writing into the mainstream cinema. Manto definitely adds a lot to this line. The way Manto's writings (his best stories) are entwined with his own life is mind blowing act of script-writing and cinematography. Watching this movie , you swing between reading and watching. The witty dialogues and their deeper meanings leave you astonished. There, you feel like watching this movie again and again.

The movie begins with Bombay and Manto's well-settled life. His connections with actor Shyam Chaddha, Ashok Kumar, Ismat Chugtai are well-shown. As soon as India is divided into India and Pakistan, horror begins to loom over the simple lives of common man. Every man keeps their eyes at, whether the next man is a Hindu or Muslim. Manto keeps both hindu and Muslim topi to save himself at any conflict. His fear does not escape his personality. Manto finds this transition from India to Pakistan very foolish. He discards this idea to move to Lahore each time. But at the end, he moves to Pakistan. He was afraid to be possessed by this bloody game of religions. He never wanted to die as a tragedy. In his life, he had been prosecuted six times for obscenity in his short stories. While he says, he only portrays what he sees and what he knows.

The movie gives you goosebumps many times. A must watch for every literature and movie-lover.
And for those too, who wants to know how a story is written.  

Parched

Among latest women-centric movies, Parched is one of the best drama. The movie is directed by Leena Yadav under Ajay Devgan FFilms. It is a story of three women, living in a distant village of Rajasthan, and struggling with the tantrums of patriarchal society. Being from Rajasthan myself, I know the society of Rajasthan is typically patriarchal. 

As Wikipedia says , "The village and the society are plagued by several social evils and age-old traditions and practices of patriarchy, child marriage, dowry, marital rapes and physical and mental abuse." In the movie, Tanishtha Chattergee, Radhika Apte and Surveen Chawla are in lead role and give their best in acting. The fun element put by Bijli (Surveen Chawla) is like salt in the spicy veggie. 

The issues shown in the movie are still prominent in Indian society , not only in rural areas but in educated families too. In Lajjo's (Tanishtha Chattergee) life there is an emptiness of married life as her husband has died long back. Her son treats himself as the Man of the house. In very young age he begins to visit prostitutes and falls in the bad company. Even after marriage he is only after looks and sex. 

Rani (Radhika Apte) has no issue, and she is known as the 'banjh' in society. She is also a victim of domestic violence. Provoked by Bijli , she tries to conceive by doing sex with another man and she becomes pregnant,  proving that it was not she but her husband who could not produce.

Bijli (Surveen Chawla) is an erotic dancer in a local entertainment company and also works as a prostitute. She is hated by women of the society and a taboo  at auspicious events. She is also a friend of Lajjo and Rani and fills color to their boring life. Her role is strong and well done by Surveen. 

The movie is a must watch for both drama  and offbeat movie lovers. Indian cinema really need such movies to its bag. 

Pranali : The Tradition

Yesterday I happened to watch a movie called "Pranali : The Tradition".  The movie throws light on Devdaasi culture (which, the director claims, is still prevalent at some parts of India), but moreover the story turns around Mumbai's red light area and prostitutes' fight for their rights.

2008, Hirdesh Kambe (Director)

                                                   

Pranali is a girl who lives in Maharastra . She is taken by the Pundit to make a Devdasi. Later, when she seeks the help of police, she is ultimately pushed to the life of a prostitute in Mumbai. Director, Hirdesh Kambe has shown wittingly how prostitutes are made in our society. Facts and numbers are also given where they were needed. Pranali's life takes a U turn when she becomes a mother of a girl child. An NRI named Vijay, who is doing a research on Prostitution in India begins to like Pranali's daughter Roshni and creates awareness in prostitutes for their rights, this leads to Hadtaal and Bazaar Band for many days. But politically they do not succeed. Ideally, Pranali opens a re-establishment center for prostitutes and creates alternate employment for them. Vijay writes a book on Pranali's life "Break the Silence", which becomes the bestseller in Europe.

A thought-provoking movie. The role of Upendra Limaye as Sultan and Pagali are too catchy and touching. There are many scenes in the movie which touch you deeply. Especially the one where Sultan takes a little girl from Orphanage to a bunglow on insistence of Akka (Sudha Chandran), and the little girl dies there.

To me, the movie is thousand times better than those of loose comedy movies of these days.

So I give it, 3 Stars.

Ship of Theseus - A Must Watch

I had heard a lot about Ship of Theseus and thankfully I got to watch it yesterday. 

I think more than watching Ship of Theseus, you would love reading and re-reading it.

(I wish it were in a novel form too so that  I could keep it with me and read at any time.)

Directed by Anand Gandhi the movie is a story of three different people attached to a tiny string of fact which is revealed in the end and makes up for a beautiful climax. "The film weaves a triptych of stories into a tapestry of human experiences that add up to a remarkable philosophical exposition about individual identities and value systems." (NDTV movies)

Aaliya Kamal is a visually impaired photographer who tries to capture Mumbai focusing on her intuition and sounds. When it comes to selecting the photos for exhibition she rejects the photos which she can not connect to or define. She says, I have to draw opinion and assurance about my own art away from what everyone else says." 

She also questions about having limits in the art . 

Why is it so amazing to not have any limits or doubts?

It becomes more difficult for her when she gets her eyes back. She is hardly able to adjust with the view of life around her.



Maitreya is an intellectual monk and animal rights activist. He discovers he has Liver Cirrhosis and he is in need of a liver transplant. But he refuses the idea and retire to a lone place where as a part of a ritual , he fasts unto death and takes up a 'Maun'. It is the time when his philosophies are being tested. And at the peak of his sufferings, Maitreya calls a doctor, confessing, his time has not yet come. 



Next and last story is of a stockbroker, Naveen, who hates it when his Nani  says, he does not care what is happening around and only cares about money. He says, I eat good, wear nice, have sympathy in my heart what else one needs to live? His nani says, what is the use of sympathy in heart until it proves useful for society. During this he confronts an organ transplant racket, and is in doubt whether the kidney transplanted in his body is stolen? However at the end, he does his best in this regard. And while he tells his Nani, "jyada kuch nahi hua", Nani gives a short but meaningful reply,"itna hi hota hai." 



So the amalgamation of three stories for the one purpose, to define existence, beauty, art, sympathy. In short, Astitva, Ahimsa and Daya.  

In the end, one question remains,  If a ship is replaced part by part up to a point where not a single original part remains in it, is it still the same ship?

Three words for Movie - Thought Provoking, View Point Changing, Beautiful piece of Art Cinema.

Indeed, one of the best Indian movies of this recent times. 

Tamasha : A movie with a difference

After some 15-20 minutes my husband whispered in my ears, "Bugging movie, wasted 1000 bucks". And I tried to convince him, look at the technique if you are not liking the movie, the technique is surely innovative.

We were watching Tamasha and I was lost in  its Narration Technique and Cinematography.  After four days I still remember the first few scenes of the movie, which gave the effect of Tamasha (or circus and art forms alike) . Its a Post-Modern drama where many art forms mingle to create a powerful effect. Applauds for Imtiaz Ali , one must have vision to direct such a movie.



More than a story or a movie , Tamasha was a shock. 

A little boy who loves hearing stories from an old story-teller, stays lost in those stories. He is very imaginative and loves the world of imagination. When he grows up, he does not change from what he was in his childhood. He still has to grow up, has to go school, excel in academics , become an engineer, get a secure job and live a social life. In order to become an ordinary man, he Suppresses his Extra-ordinary self. 

In Corsica, he decides to live his true-self. When he meets Tara, they both live a life crazy to its last limit. There they decide to enjoy without revealing their identities and without getting close. They also decide to forget each other as they leave Corsica - as the famous dialogue of trailer goes - "What happens in Corsica, stays in Corsica."

But as they leave apart, they fall in love with each other. After some four years, they accidentally meet  in Delhi. Ved (Ranbir Kapoor) is in a product manager avatar. Tara proposes Ved and they both start to date each other. When Ved proposes Tara for marriage, she puts down the proposal, saying that the person she loved is different. She suggests Ved that he is trying to be what he is not. He is much more than what he thinks he is. 

Ved is very complex character. One who has suppressed his imagination, true self, dreams, childish fantasies, his hobbies. One who has adapted science and maths while he loved literature. One who has adapted a life of manners and etiquette while he liked to be crazy, insane and imaginative. He made himself into a corporate person who lived a set-patterned life, while he is an artist who creates magic with his skills of story-telling and creating impressions to evoke emotions. As he does in the end of the movie , before his father to convince who he really is.

In and all, if you liked the movie its great. If you did not like the movie or have not watched it, I give you 3 reasons to do it - 

1.  Watch Tamasha, for the effects created as Tamasha in the movie. Its rare and post-modern effect.

2. Watch it for Ved. A boy lost in his own story. And like many of us, not able to understand the power of a writer - We are all writers of our own story. 

3. Watch it for Ved, Tara and of all most, Sudhir Mishra's acting. Its very powerful. 

Manjhi : The Mountain Man

It is probably One movie which in spite of being a Bio-Pic, gives you more.

Nine out of Ten stars ! With the Amazing and Spell-Bound acting of Nawazuddin Siddqui the movie has become the Classic of its Genre. A Must Watch for all serious, realistic , meaningful Cinema Lovers.

The movie is about a Man who carved a way through the Mountain in Gaya district, Bihar. But the movie is not only just that. The story of the movie is as much of Manjhi as it is of every lower caste man and today's Aam Insaan. The ruthless Caste system, politics of Independent India, corruption and Irony of Human life all sums up the movie. Dashrath Manjhi , a lower class man , runs away in his childhood to escape crude behaviour of upper caste 'Mukhiya'. Coming back after 7 years, he gets married. Dashrath loves his wife immensely. When his wife falls down from the Arrogant Mountain, Dashrath challengs the Mountain's Arrogance by taking an oath to carve a path through it.

It took Manjhi 22 years of blood-hard-toil to carve a path through the Mountain single handedly and using only hammer and chisel.




The movie is full of Inspiration and Wonder! Inspiration that we have such miracles around us that turn common man into a strong-willed human power. And Wonder that Love can even make the Mountain Move.

Watch the movie, and you would know what Manjhi Was, and what Nawazuddin Is.
Shaandaar Jabardast Zindabaad !





Enjoy ! :)

15 Park Avenue : Shocking Insights of Schizophrenia

I am totally surprised to watch 15 Park Avenue a filmby Arpana Sen. The movie has received National Film Award in 2005. I love off-beat cinema and specially movies of Konkona Sen and Rahul Bose. Some days back I had watched Before the Rains , again a Rahul Bose movie but 15 Park Avenue has come like a surprise. Because I was already pondering upon the psychological disease Schizophrenia, and the movie is about the same disease.


Konkona (Mitali) suffers from Schizophrenia. Since childhood she is affected to some extent with this disease but after a rape incident she is totally taken by it. She lives in her imaginary world where is married and has 5 children. The movie begins at the scene where she is looking for her home at 15 Park Avenue and the movie ends with the same scene.

It is difficult to decidewhat themovie is about. Some has tagged it as a Rape movie, another point was Sister relationship between Shabana Azmi and Konkona Sen but to me it seemed as the disease centered movie which takes you deep into the disease Schizophrenia and let you experience how it happens with the sufferer and with their caretakers.

To me the experience of watching the movie was - I could be the one suffering from Schizophrenia. Because I always knew that I was on the verge of the world of Imagination and Reality. I always wanted to go in the world of imagination because I would not have to responsible for my acts, and I would not have to care at all. But somehow I carried on in the real world and accepted that I am totally Sane. But... the secret that no one would believe is - Sometimes when I am too much stressed and depressed, I feel I am on the verge of it.

If ... if anyone around you is a little bit psycho or Schizophreniac please watch the movie, you can learn a many things. Specially that why and how it happens. Konkona and Shabana are truly fantastically amazing. The psychology is all onto my mind and I think I can't go to sleep without feeling a little bit Schizophreniac.

Watch the movie, and you would know the Indian Cinema is best than anything.

Badlapur - Could be a better movie

Directed by Sri Raghvan, Badlapur has Varun Dhawan in the lead role. After watching the movie I have just one thing in my mind - was it a mixture of a bunch of  bollywood movies? When you watch Badlapur all you feel is Dejavu. The story reminds you of Ek Villain, the part of Yami Gautam reminds Action Jackson and the characters of Huma Qureshi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui remind you of Gangs of Wasseypur. 

So all and all the movie tastes like a mixture. The story line is quite similar to Ek Villain - the heroine is killed in the beginning by an unexpected killer and hero resolves to find and kill the killer.

While the differences between Ek Villain and Badlapur are -

1. Shraddha Kapoor was a heroine. Yami just felt like an air.  

2. Ek Villain had a better plot with good pace and organization.

3. Badlapur was rather slow and incoherent. There is no logical explanation for Varun's actions.

4. There was a message in Badlapur but it was poorly presented and in the end it remained ambiguous. 

More than a True Fact of Badlapur is - 

* Huma Qureshi and Nawazuddin Siddiqui rather seemed to be the major actors.

At Last - 

> You should watch the movie as Varun Dhawan has put in great efforts to act Differently and Seriously.

> You should watch it for Nawazuddin Siddiqui. He is mind-boggling actor.

> Although it could be a better and original movie, it is a one-time watch. I can give * * - / 5 stars. 

via: indianexpress.com

FILMISTAAN : Fata poster nikla hero

It seems Bollywood has fallen in love with itself. If you want a proof watch FILMISTAAN. The movie realizes the famous bollywood dialogue - Fata poster nikla hero. Per ye Duplicate nahi hai. I mean, the idea of the movie is quite original. The movie is Nitin Kakkar's debut movie as director. The two chief actors are - Sharib Hashmi and Imanulhaq, who have done splendid acting.

Sharib Hashmi)

Sharib Hashmi, Innamulhaq

Sharib Hashmi, Innamulhaq

 
A very simple and touching movie which does not let you yawn at any point of time. Yes, that counts to be an achievement in Bollywood movies. The story of the movie includes the setting of India and Pakistan. Terrorism is part of the story but not in its *bloodshed role*. Sharib goes around the border with Americans for an outdoor shoot. He is mistakenly abducted on the place of Americans. He is kept in a border village of Pakistan. The innocent boy has nothing but bollywood on his mind. His craziness for Bollywood is the center around which the movie revolves. 
  
The pakistani fellow Imanulhaq, in whose house Sharib is kept , is a peddler of pirated copies of bollywood movies. How Pakistanis are also fan of bollywood is shown thorugh him. How both Indians and Pakistanis have same roots are also pointed out in the movie.

The movie has again something new for you. An off-the-beat movie, with original idea and refreshed acting. It is great to see the new actors inventing new definitions of the Acting.

A nice concept, nicely brought out. Can be Watched leisurely !

Sharib Hashmi)

SHAMITABH - It is something different !

Yesterday I watched SHAMITABH. Though earlier I was doubtful but it is actually a Brilliant movie. Written and directed by R. Balki, the movie has major star cast of Amitabh Bacchan , Dhanush and Akshara Hassan. Akshara is Shruti Hassan's younger sister and Shamitabh is her debut film. Her acting is superb, I bet no one can say that its her debut movie.

The movie has simple yet intricate plot. It is the story of two people's Ego clash.  Danish (Dhanush), who is a Marathi and dumb by birth, wants to become an actor in Bollywood. After many struggles , Akshara, who is an assistant director, happens to see him and after recognizes his talent, tries to bring him in the knowledge of her boss. But because he is a voiceless fellow, his talent is barred. Just in the moment, they get to know about a technology which may help Danish , all they have to do is find a good voice which can suit on Danish 's personality.

Here comes Amitabh Sinha in the picture. His voice is powerful and perfect for a hero. They offer him to become the voice of Dhanush on screen. He laughs out loud.... Amitabh says- jis aawaaz ko directors ne to kya radio ne bhi reject kar diya , tu usi awaaz se hero banega. A beautiful blend of real story and fiction we see here. When Amitabh agrees to become Danish's voice they make a superhit movie - Lifebuoy. Gradually, both develop Egos and think that the other is nothing. Amitabh, a heavy drinker develops a theory that he is Whisky and Danish is water. Water ko whisky ki jarurat hai, whisky ko water ki nahi. On the other side, Danish thinks he is the actor and Amitabh is a peon- just working for him.Later, they find that both need each other for success.

The end of the movie is a Shock and that's the beauty of the whole movie. Suspense is always a pivotal part of any drama. At the end, you feel like crying. Amitabh's acting leave you speechless.
It is in the end, a literati can construct and deconstruct multiple meanings of the story. The feast for hindi movie lovers is that the story is not typical romantic-action drama or cliche terrorism, it is something different.  Undoubtedly, a must watch for Bollywood lovers !

Hemingway and Gellhorn (2012)

Hemingway and Gellhorn (2012) is an HBO's biopic film. The movie is focused on the relationship of Ernest Hemingway; the greatest American writer of his time and Martha Gellhorn , the greatest women war correspondent ever. The backdrop of the movie is largely WW2. It is an amazing biopic, specially the  acting of Nicole Kidman is spellbound. That only made me read further about Martha Gellhorn.

via: Google images

I am pursuing my Ph.D. on a feminist hindi writer and my perspective these days have become weirdly feminist. I didn't intent to watch the movie from Feminist's perspective but as I watched the movie all those feminist concerns begin to have meaning. Anyone who would watch the movie it is because Hemingway. He is more popular, the syllabus writer and a gigantic personality for a Literati. But at the end of the movie all you remember is Martha Gellhorn. Who is she?

Born on 8 November, 1908, Martha Gellhorn dropped her graduation to pursue a career as a journalist . Then she became a foreign correspondent .Gellhorn first met Hemingway during a 1936 Christmas family trip to Key West. They agreed to travel in Spain together to cover the Spanish Civil War, where Gellhorn was hired to report for Collier's Weekly. She went to Germany, Finland, Hong Kong, Burma, Singapore and Britain to report war. She was the only woman to land at Normandy on D-Day (June 6, 1944.) She was also among the first journalists to report from Dachau concentration camp after it was liberated. She once said, "I followed the war wherever I could reach it."

Martha Gellhorn was Hemingway's third wife till 1940-45. She resented being his wife because in her interviews her achievements were shadowed by the fact that she was Hemingway's wife. She said in one of her interviews ," I don't want to be a footnote in someone's life." This is an epic statement ; from feminist's perspective; by a lady who wanted to prove her self-worth through her courageous work.

The world of men always want to portray women as frail, fragile , weak, dependent but when a woman challenges it, their ego can not accept. Keeping Gellhorn's above statement in light, it is only an irony that the title of the movie , "Hemingway and Gellhorn" take Hemingway's name first.
However, the movie brings forth Martha Gellhorn as a emancipated woman, who lived they way she wanted to. And although the movie is about their relationship, it seems more meaningful in the light of Feminism and the New Woman. You must watch it if you like Hemingway or Gellhorn either, or if you like the war movies , it is brilliant both ways.

Ajintha: An Untold Love Story

Ajintha : An Untold Love Story directed by Nitin Desai is a Brit-Marathi movie.
This I watched at JIFF (Jaipur International Flim Festival) .



" Story: Known for its classic beauty world-wide, 'Ajintha' caves came into the limelight in 19^th century. What happens after that when a British officer Robert Gill (Philip Scott Wallace) comes to replicate the world-famous sculptures with the help of a tribal woman Paro ( Sonali Kulkarni) is the story of 'Ajintha'. " (TOI) 

The beginning is quite robust, and slowly it takes u in for a sensual and spiritual ride to discover the heights of love and devotion. What I liked best is, the entanglement of Buddha's Message , the Jatak-Kathas , and Buddha's own personal story with the love story of Paro, the tribal girl and Major Gill. Where on hand it reveals the love between two people who can;t even understand each other's language and on the other hand society's rules and intolerance over such love.

A parallel in the story could be Buddha's own tale. Like Buddha leaves Yoshodhra n Rahul behind to pursue his own duty n calling, Robert Gill also leaves behind Paro to organize an exhibition of Buddha's paintings in London, to spread Buddha's message. Another prominent theme of the movie is - Faith.

After Paro's brother has sold her to the Mukhiya, she has devoted herself to the Buddha. Its her faith that she has been chosen for this work, and its her faith in Buddha as well that stops herself to become a hindrance in Gill's path of spreading Buddha's message. She is an epitome of Innocence. She devotes herself like a flower on Gill's feet.



The power of movie lies in the strong amalgamation of sensuality and spirituality. As an audience you feel a sudden urge to live life one moment, and on next you experience the depth of devotion, sacrifice and heights of love. This is an amazing piece of Art and Cinema. Specially an achievement of Marathi Cinema. 

Midnight's Children - Watch it just while you are reading the book

A very Engaging movie. A true Indian Masaala blended with infinite names and fantasies. *oh i can smell the movie...its the roasted beef with paanipuri masaala. Oopz.*  The movie is a treat for those who didn't understand the book, at least they can flaunt what the work is about. The movie is also a Must-Watch for those who don't know Shabana Aazmi, Rahul Bose, Siddharth or Darsheel Safary. Or if you are from SRK camp or Fans of the-heroins-who-don't-know-how-to-act , please watch it. There is Solid acting by Solid horde of actors.

Let me tell you, what to expect from the movie, nothing... nothing but entertainment. Its a pack of entertainment. And yes, a bit of history and fantasy too. But the magic n dream stuff is really a Thing, and now you realize, why the heck it got the biggy award, and the Man biggy, i mean the Booker award.

Undoubtedly, screenplay was written very well. After all, Salmaan knew what all parts are worthy to showcase. If you ask me, what I remember after a day of watching the movie- I would say- Enlightenment. Sudden enlightenment of - - - oh...okay so this was the story, I wonder where was it lost when I read the novel. Alright , there was one more thing - the bed-time song - You can be what you want.... I could feel this was also in relation to - India, as a nation. The movie ends on a happy and hopeful note.

Anita Majumdar as Aunt Emerald

Among star cast , I guess the best acting was done by Anita Majumdar , an Indo-Canadian actor, who played Aunt Emerald. The movie is worth watching. Under the heavy names of Salmaan Rushdie n Deepa Mehta, it has to be, isn't it? 

The Dirty Picture - A Re-view is always Necessary

Just watched The Dirty Picture. Should have watched it earlier. The first thought during the movie was - "wish could watch such a movie everyday". No I am Serious .

If she had been a part of my life, I would not be able to bear Silk for a moment. But who isn't Silk in the dark... in the very very dark of her hearts? Let me tell you her problem - she is a danger-est , if its superlative is allowed, combination of Desires , Talent and Confidence.



The movie has one achievement - you can not either appreciate or criticize Vidya's character. If you appreciate - you are a hypocrite. If you are criticizing , you are a fool. And still more - she leaves you in hangover, showing both her sides, the dark one more sharply, you feel worthless as a judge.

The movie has two souls. One resides in the powerful Acting of Vidya Balan who definitely deserves accolades for it and another is in the Dialog. Every dialog of the movie was a hit or say did hit - hit all those writers, makers and viewers out there.

All of this crap I wrote above there, I couldn't say what I actually wanted to. Anyway. Only a few eluding words would do for now -

The desires whisper their each breathe
In the crevices of her Silk sierra ... 

Black Swan

>>> 1
I just want to be perfect. (Nina)


The Black Swan, a psychotically nightmarish movie, is directed by Derran Aronofsky. The story Line of the Black Swan goes like this , " Nina (Portman) is a ballerina in a New York City ballet company whose life, like all those in her profession, is completely consumed with dance. She lives with her obsessive former ballerina mother Erica (Hershey) who exerts a suffocating control over her. When artistic director Thomas Leroy (Cassel) decides to replace prima ballerina Beth MacIntyre (Ryder) for the opening production of their new season, Swan Lake, Nina is his first choice. But Nina has competition: a new dancer, Lily (Kunis), who impresses Leroy as well. Swan Lake requires a dancer who can play both the White Swan with innocence and grace, and the Black Swan, who represents guile and sensuality. Nina fits the White Swan role perfectly but Lily is the personification of the Black Swan. As the two young dancers expand their rivalry into a twisted friendship, Nina begins to get more in touch with her dark side - a recklessness that threatens to destroy her. Written by Fox Searchlight Pictures  " ( IMBD )




In every synopsis they keep referring to the 'dark side'. But what is this? Everyone knows what the White Swan is for. But what about the Black Swan? Is it like Typical Black and Evil? I don't think so. The Black here doesn't refer to the bad and evil. Black Swan is a symbol of desires. The desire may not be Dark always. It can be anything. Like, a wish to be the Swan Queen. The White Swan is beautiful, fragile, shy, fearful. It would want to become the Swan Queen but at the same time, feel guilty about Taking someone else's place. 

Black Swan is Id - the desires. White Swan is Super Ego - the control and discipline. White Swan says to itself - Behave Yourself. While The Black Swan says - Live a Little. White Swan wants to be Perfect but it is not possible until it recognizes its Twin, the Black Swan. Because Perfection requires Amalgamation of Both the Sides of your Being. 

"Perfection is not just about control. It's also about letting go. Surprise yourself so you can surprise the audience. Transcendence. And very few have it in them. " 

Hats Off - To Andres Heinz who wrote the original screenplay "The Understudy" , on which the Black Swan is based.

P.S. - If I would go on talking about it , I would land somewhere else. The movie has terribly changed something in me. I feel the kind of Second Birth thing with me. If someday, I get a chance to make a movie, it would be like Black Swan. 

Sufferings and Misery : three documentaries

VILLAGE OF WIDOWS (Ashoke Pandit) -

We live a simple life on plains and dream of the exquisite beauty of Kashmir valley but those who live there have no time to feel the privilege. The place is a so called heaven on earth. In reality , that's hell in the dress of heaven. Yes it is indeed. There is a village which is known as a village of widows , having about 250 widows and many orphans. The men of these widows were either abducted or forcefully taken to Pakistan millitant to train as terrorists. They were killed while trying to run away.   They all hadn't choose to become terrorists and so they were suspected by Indians and tortured by Pakistanis. But even if some of them chose - what was the crime of their wives and children? They live miserably , without a grain or cloth in the house. Powerful men snatch their lands and even their more precious daughters . And they say people come and click their photos but provide no help.  This beautiful valley will mourn in silence until someone will hear the cries of these widows.

A CRIME IN SILENCE (  Behrouz Nouranipoor)

In this movie I came across the most hideous face of life. Death would have been better than such sufferings. Allah give them happiness! I am talking about those children who have distorted faces (pimples and swellings all over their face) due to the chemical weapons used by Iraq in the period of Saddam Hussein. The mother told the whole village is suffering . The person who was responsible for such bombings, got death sentence but the mother spitefully says he deserves more worst death than this. The kids are unbearable to see and hear , not because they are very ugly but because they still talk of hope and happy marriage and career. Younger boy wants to become a doctor while he is on the verge of losing his sight and daughter almost eighteen year old , dreams of a handsome groom.... Why God let happen such things in the world - and to these innocence ones... one can't console oneself but hide his face and weep In Silence.

 EK NAYI SOCH (Ketan J Pandya)

When humans can kill their brothers and neighbours , there is no hope for animals. Only because they can not express their feelings we have not got the rights to exploit them. Why do we kill them for our food and luxury ? If we let them live , our many needs will be fulfilled.  To kill an animal is as much a crime as to kill a human being. Don't we have already the curse of many crimes upon our head , why do we take more when it is in our hands to avoid it. You won't like when someone butcher you and eat you ? Then say no to Non-Veg. Say no to animal products. Save animals and make this earth more better. If you are still taking this matter lightly , watch this movie , you might feel the pain of animals.

These three splendid movies made me realize - The yoke on my shoulder is very light. I shall carry the burden with smile on my face and try - try my best to bring smile on other's face.