Why you must watch Filmistaan this week?

You need to watch Filmistaan this week not just because there is no other movie even close to this affable yet poignant, humorous yet dramatic, filmy yet real national award winning movie in any of the cinema’s but because if you don’t… It wont be there next week!!

This lovely 2 hour feature shall not get its due because you chose to let it pass on account of it having no big stars, not much hype and no hit songs to its credit.

Writer- Director Nitin Kakkar narrates a very simple concept of an Indian who gets mistakenly kidnapped by the Taliban and what happens thereafter- through a series of real yet entertaining characters and moments. At the end, sending us home with a subtle message which we are all aware of but keep forgetting time & again!

The hero of the film apart from its very simple yet engaging concept is the films “Casting”.

The sincerity with which Sharib Hashmi plays the struggling Bollywood actor and movie fanatic- Sunny Arora- makes Sunny extremely adorable and believable. Inaamulhaq’s innocence and energy- as the Pakistani local Aftaab who sells pirated Bollywood movies-  is infectious.

The performances by Kumud Mishra, Gopal Dutt and every single actor that makes an appearance in the film are so supremely flawless and natural that they feel effortless!!

To add to this wonderful ensemble cast there are some brilliant moments that one cannot help but get lost in - 1) The debate over Sahid Afridi Vs Sachin Tendulkar 2) The entire Pakistani village gathering to watch Maine Pyaar Kiya!!  Or 3) An old Hakim (Habib Aazmi) reminiscing his Chola Kulcha eating Amritsar days pre partition are some of the few gems that are beautifully sprinkled over the narrative.

With the drama coming from the film’s setting- Indian caught in Pakistan, the humor coming from its characters and the emotion coming from the reality that on either side of the border we are the same people, who love and miss the same things makes Filmistaan a must have experience this week.

Watch it if you intend to watch anything this week.

Highway… an Imtiaz Ali journey…

When I went to watch Highway last night, I was carrying with myself some mixed reviews and expectations.

While some had found the film slow; a friend watched it twice, having not known post the first viewing as to whether he liked the film or not. Then there were those who wrote the film off while some who found faults in it.

The visuals in the films’ trailer and its music had made me look forward to the journey that “Highway” seemed to promise. The film seemed to have a kind of vibe that made me want to surrender to it rather than simply sit back and watch. Having not been too happy with Imtiaz Ali’s last two outings, I was worried I may be disappointed.

Well…

Having experienced the film now, I am glad, relieved and ecstatic to proclaim that I wasn’t!!

I loved the film…. every bit of it!

The characters, the narrative, the music, the performances, the pace, the entertainment, the conclusion… I loved it all. Imtiaz Ali….. you rocked it dude!

Alia Bhatt was phenomenal. For a girl that young to possess such poise and range in her performance is commendable to say the least.

Nothing that happens in the film is out of place. Every action has a justification that is planted subtly yet emphatically! It is this very manner of storytelling that made me love the film so much. It showcases the brave and sincere nature of the director in telling this poignant story.

If “Don’t say what you can show”, is an idiom all filmmakers are aware of, then in Highway, it is actually adhered to. Some of the most critical expressions in the film have no words or background score. It is the actions that do the talking.

However, by no way does that mean the film is some “art” house dark cinema! Sensible does not have to be boring. Highway is adequately entertaining with its quirky characters and well-timed banter. The situations by themselves provide the amusement to be entertained.

However, don’t go in if you are expecting some high octane thrills and spoon-feeding… one is so used to.

Go instead, if you are aware and enjoy the solitude one feels when one cruises on a long unending stretch of the- Highway.

For travelling with Veera and Bhaati, you shall not only get to know two very real people and see some gorgeous places but you may also value the freedom you have or even better… go out get one you rightfully deserve.

Either ways, take this “Highway”…it shall be a drive worth experiencing.