Z for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

In today’s material world how many of us are lucky to have friendships lasting for decades? How many of us have that bond with our schoolmates or college mates?

 

Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara is a cult movie that initially felt like a simple movie of three friends going on a road trip but then, the complexity of the characters, the issues of the individuals playing the three main leads somehow could relate to the real-life problems. Anyone could relate to what the three individuals were going through in their life. It is not about going distant from a friend due to misunderstanding or failing in a matrimonial relation misinterpretation of events. It is much more than all of that.

 

Every individual has some kind of phobia or history, that sometimes no one shares. But when friends like Arjun, Imran, and Kabir meet, skeletons tumble out of the closet. 

 

The movie is also above conquering our fears and overcoming our shortcomings by facing them. I just loved that movie and watch it again and again and again. I loved the manner the three male leads, Hrithik Roshan Bobby Deol and Farhan Akhtar have played their characters with their natural acting. It is a film which one requires to reduce your stress. It is a lighthearted, refreshing movie which you can watch alone or maybe with your group of friends and which will make you smile throughout and make you forget your worries and be happy. 

 

And that’s a wrap for this month-long blog challenge. I would like to offer my gratitude to all who have read and commented on my posts, be assured will do the same for you in the coming months.

 

Heartfelt gratitude to our WhatsApp group members, Deepa, Afshan, Renu, Jayshree, Anuradha, and Ranjana who not only supported, motivated, and but also encouraged each other throughout this challenge. Special thanks to Deepa who came up with the idea of making this group. 

 

Till next year, keep blogging, keep reading… Ciao!!!

 

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Y for Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani

 

Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani is a coming-of-age romantic comedy movie featuring some of the best artists in the Bollywood industry. 

 

This film is one of my favorite, not only for the heart-warming music but also because I could instantly connect with Naina because of the way she was. Naina never got to enjoy life. She always concentrated on getting good marks in academics and how being an introvert bothered her. The locales, where the movie were shot are just mesmerizing. 

 

I loved the acting of all the artists, the rapport they shared, could be felt on-screen too. I can watch this movie any number of times for its humor, comedy, and the foot tapping songs, and for the actors and actresses, I just love this movie. Every time I watch this film, it not only brings a smile but always drives away the blues clogging my brains. 

 

Did you watch this movie? Which part is your favorite? Do let me know in the comments. 

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U for Udaan and Uri

 

In this post, too, I am writing about two movies that I loved watching and belong to the great movies list: Udaan (2010) and Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019).

 

While Udaan is a coming-of-age kind of movie, Uri is an action film based on true events. Both films are different and yet unique in their own way.

 

Udaan

 

We all know how dominating and controlling Indian parents, especially fathers, can be. But some are so dominating and hot-tempered that life becomes hell for the kids as the amount of physical and verbal abuse takes a mental toll on them. 

 

Udaan is a story of such dominating father and his two sons. We always blame upbringing for any kind of abuse or bad habits a person has but then how come one sibling Bhairav Singh is alcoholic, abusive, and dominating while his younger brother Jimmy is completely opposite. This film is about Rohan, the elder son of Bhairav, and his struggle. 

 

I loved the picturization, the acting, and the actors; in other words, it’s a good watchable movie with loads to understand and tell.

Uri

 

Uri, on the other hand is an action film based on true events. I can’t write much about it because one blog post won’t be sufficient for it. Whenever I watch movies or web series based on intelligence officers, the army or such, my heart swells with pride in their brave heartedness while my eyes cry on their sacrifice.  

 

Plus, the music of the film is awesome. Hats off to Sashwat Sachdev, for creating such a piece of brilliant music. 

 

What’s your take on both the movies? Please do let me know. 

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T for Taare Zameen Par

        

         Taare Zameen Par (2007) was a movie that made a special place in my heart as it was released when we were coming to terms and accepting our daughter’s condition. Even today couple of songs make me cry, while each dialogue of Aamir Khan as Ram Shankar Nikumbh screams truth and reality and facts.

        This 2007 movie is about a child Ishaan lovingly called Inu, who is suffering from a condition called Dyslexia but his parents and teachers label him as ‘lazy and careless’ as they are unable to understand his condition. It’s a common notion that ‘such’ kids can be reformed by severe beating/scolding or by being strict. Why doesn’t anyone understand not every child wants to be a doctor or engineer? Each child has a different capacity. Just like all fingers in our hands are not the same and equal similarly it is not necessary that both the kids of the same parents have to be equal in academics. When will Indian parents stop comparing one child’s achievements with the other and vice versa? 

        Some of the dialogues are hard-hitting and also heart-touching like the ones below. 

And this song breaks me down completely even today amongst other songs of the movie.

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S for Sky is Pink

 

This movie is special for various reasons. It has showcased the mental, physical and the emotional struggles of a mother who is taking care of a child with special needs or who is a caregiver or a caretaker of that child. Most of the films portray or showcase the difficulties that a child faces and how society sees that child but no one acknowledges or shows what a mother is going through. But in the film Sky Is Pink, Priyanka Chopra, who plays the role of a mother (Moose aka Aditi) has beautifully and very aptly shown and expressed her trauma, her frustration, her distress of what she's going through when she is struggling to bring up and find what is best for her daughter who is suffering from a very rare disease called SCID(severe combined immunodeficiency). In other words, the film is shown from a parent's point of view.

 

One of my friends who saw this movie told me that instead of Priyanka Chopra told me that she saw me instead because she has been seeing me for a couple of years taking care of my daughter. So it's not because she told but anyone who is a caregiver or who has observed a caregiver closely will relate to this film. No one sees the struggle a mother or what she is going through while playing the role of a caregiver. Everyone takes the mother for granted because she keeps hearing, "you are a mother so you have to do it. It is your duty". There is no such written rule that because I'm a mother I have to do it.

 

We have no other choice, we do a lot, we give away a lot, we sacrifice a lot, and many things go through us when we see our child suffering. A part of ours shatters and bleeds when we see other kids living normal life whereas we can't do anything except look at our children helplessly because we are just not able to do anything to reduce their suffering and drive away their pain.

 

But this movie is one of a kind movie that I would say everyone must watch and understand that living a life of a mother who is a caregiver be it for her child or parent or sibling or anyone it is not easy. It takes a huge toll on her physical, mental, and emotional health. She also undergoes a lot when she is playing that role, willingly or unwillingly.

 

Next time you come across any caregiver, don’t sympathize or preach because that is not what we need. Also, don’t put us on a pedestal, we don’t want that too. We are doing our best. And just as one pill doesn’t cure all illnesses, one treatment doesn’t suit all conditions. 

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Q for QSQT

Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) is a special movie for me; because it was the first film we watched on our VCR in those days; it was such a unique experience in those days. Secondly, the songs in this movie are so soothing that one can hear them for hours, it's like a balm to an injured soul. Why don’t they make such songs anymore? Sigh!

When this movie was released, girls had a crush on the cute chocolate boy Aamir Khan who made his debut in this film while boys swooned over the cute, innocent-looking Miss India, Juhi Chawla. This film was one of the best and super hit movie of that era, that makes you feel good and can be viewed with the whole family.

 

This song is special for me because my brother used to hear it in the loop.

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P for Pagglait

Pagglait (2021) is one such movie that made me laugh, cry and ponder over a lot many things, all at the same time. 

 

        Surprisingly, in her lifetime a female has to don so many roles and responsibilities, and she is expected to carry that burden without a whimper or cry. After marriage, she is suddenly a stranger in her own parental home and her husband’s place she is always treated as an outsider. So where does a female belong to? A girl is expected to get educated so that it looks good on her marriage resume. Why? Why make her work so hard academically when she is expected to slog in the kitchen and produce and raise kids? 

 

Why do females, don’t get to say anything while decisions are being made about their own life?

 

I loved the film, for many reasons; first because the main lead is a female. Now that female-centric movies are being made, the change is happening and people love that change. Secondly, Sanya Malhotra’s acting as Sandhya is appreciable. I won’t point out a particular scene which I liked because I loved the whole film. 

 

What’s your opinion on this film, do let me know. 

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O for OMG: Oh My God!

         We Indians are highly superstitious and spiritual. We don’t believe in our deities, but we fear them. We follow innumerable rituals, prayers, fasts, and whatnot to appease our God and Goddess to make them happy and so that, we get our wishes. But who made those rules? Who told us that if we fast for 'n' number of days we will get a good husband? Who said if a wife fast for a whole day it will give long life to her husband? If all that was true how come many wives who had observed that fast became widowed at an early age? And why are all rules and fasts laid down only for women?

 

My parents always say if we want to discontinue any (monthly) fast which we have been doing for a long we have to go to some particular temple and do poojas and then we can discontinue. But my question is when we start to observe that fast do we take permission or do any pooja? Then why do we need to do pooja and take permission to discontinue? I am not an atheist but I don't believe in some of the rituals and rules laid down in name of God.

 

OMG: Oh My God! (2012) is a comedy-drama movie that questions such beliefs and is a perfect mirror to all our superstitions and blind belief. I loved this movie and would like to say hats off to the director, writer, and the whole team for making such a mind-blowing film. 

 

I have posted link to one of my favorite scenes below. 

 

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L for Lunchbox

 

The Lunchbox (2013) is a romance movie but with a difference. Neither the male lead is a rich, tall, dark, and handsome type, nor is the female lead slim, trim, drop-dead gorgeous nor does the movie has a happy ending. But their (love) story is beautiful and somewhat cute. The only regret is that the film has a cliffhanger ending, which left the audiences guessing what happened to Ila and Sajjan Fernandes.

 

          Irrfan Khan is one such artist who delivers any character with such flair that he leaves a print on your mind. Nimrat Kaur as timid housewife Ila, Nawazuddin Siddiqui as obnoxious and loud Shaikh are some of the other characters I love.

 

Mumbai dabbawalas are famous for their way of working and seldom commit a mistake while delivering the tiffins. But in this movie, somehow there is an error in their network, which being a Mumbaikar, is hard for me to believe. 

 

But still, I loved this movie and will watch it just for the brilliant acting of the three main leads of this film.

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J for Jolly LLB series

 

         Our Indian judicial system is well-known for reasons better not spoken off. Some of the well-known actors, politicians, and many people in power, play around with the system’s loopholes and get away scot-free while the common and innocent man keeps making rounds to seek justice. That’s a sad but true reality.

 

         Jolly LLB series (Jolly LLB - 2013 and Jolly LLB 2017) shows both sides of a coin. I had read somewhere that “there are three versions of an incident. One is A’s version, another is B’s version and the third is the actual incident”. But most of the time the third version is never heard off.

 

         I loved both the movies of the series but the second one more than the first. Both Arshad Warsi and Akshay Kumar has played the titular role with perfection. In the Jolly LLB 2, some of the scenes are not only hilarious but leave an impact on you. 

 

            The story, the characters, and the picturization, all make this movie an interesting and must-watch. Which one is your favourite of the series? 

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