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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I for Intern

 

         What are people expected to do after getting retired? Just laze around in the house doing small chores for their family, who don’t have time for them or keep counting till their time comes? After leading an active and busy life do we expect them to sit at home doing nothing?

 

    

            Intern (2015) is a sweet comedy movie with Robert De Niro and Anne Hathway as main leads. 

         Ben, a 70-year man, is bored with his retired life. He tries to keep himself busy with community service etc. but is unhappy with the way life is turning out. One day he chances upon a flyer wherein they want senior people for an intern position. He applies for the post and gets selected as an intern for Jules, who is hard to please and is the boss of About The Fit.

 

         This movie has a lot to tell and learn; about relationships of all other things. I loved the onscreen rapport (can I say chemistry) between Robert De Niro and Anne Hathway. I loved the scene where Ben tells other moms at Paige’s school that they should be proud of Jules for all she has achieved, rather than being sarcastic. There are many beautiful scenes of Ben and Jules, which make a whole lot of sense. 

 

         I loved Ben’s character, his ‘it’s never too late’ attitude and his positive attitude towards everything. I hope many senior citizens take out a leaf or two from his book and learn something.

 

         I don’t remember how many times I have watched this movie and will do so how many more times because I just love Ben and Jules and cute little Paige too.

 

What about you? 

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H for Hachi : A Dog's Tale

 

         In my previous post on Firehouse Dog, you will remember I had written, that canines make the most faithful, loyal, and also caring pets to humans. Hachiko or Hachi: A Dog’s Tale (2009) is another such movie that proves the same. 

 

I have watched most of the Hollywood old movies when I had nothing to do and wanted to prevent myself from falling into the dark pit. I used to and sometimes still do keep flipping channels, till I come across some movie featuring an actor/actress whom I know by name or face. I came across Hachiko because of Richard Gere (gosh! Which girl didn’t have a crush on his smile after watching RunawayBride?) And I loved the film. 

 

If we loved our Dev Anand, Rajendra Kumar, Sunil Dutt, we drooled over young Richard Gere, Harrison Ford, and Tom Cruise in those days. 

 

Well, I watched Hachiko and I fell in love with cute Hachi. My heart cried when they showed how Hachi, who is unaware of Parker’s (Gere) demise in the movie, goes and waits at the train station for him to arrive from his work daily, for ages. I wonder why don’t they make such classics? Also, I wonder how they make the pets enact such emotions? Wish I could get to watch and understand it someday.

 

    Did you watch Hachi: A Dog’s Tale? Did you like the bond between Parker and Hachi, please do let me know? 

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G for Guzaarish

          I watched Guzaarish (2010) firstly for one of my favorite actors Hrithik Roshan and secondly for the theme of the film; ‘Euthanasia or mercy killing’ as it is known.

         

Being a mother to special needs child, I know the difficulties faced in taking care of her single-handedly. But is euthanasia a solution to our problems? Well, it depends on the family and the patient’s condition. But is it ethical? 

 

When we see our loved one in pain, our heart bleeds but is this solution to put an end to our sufferings? Some may say yes while some may say it’s unethical. Some may say who are we to decide? It is God’s wish (read blessing as some people like to say). But is it a blessing for a mother to see her child suffering, not to mention the trauma and pain she is going through or vice versa, for a spouse to see his/her better half in a condition from where there is no return or hope?

 

Coming back to the movie, what I loved is the sizzling chemistry of Hrithik and Aishwarya, the songs, and the picturization among many others. Though the film had big actors and a director like Sanjay Leela Bansali it was not a big hit due to the topic on which it is made. But it does give you a peek into the life and mind of a quadriplegic, their challenges, the helplessness in their eyes (sometimes) which they face daily even to do a normal chore, a privilege which we normal people take for granted.

 

Do let me know what are your thoughts on this topic. 

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F for Firehouse Dog

 

          

Dogs are usually known to be faithful. Time has proved that they are loyal and faithful to their owners. 

Firehouse Dog (2007) is a story of Shane and Rexxx, a well-known Hollywood superstar. Rexxx is living a lavish lifestyle along with his owner Trey. But a mishap during a stunt separates them and Trey mourns Rexxx's death. Rexxx who is unable to return to his owner manages to find shelter in an abandoned warehouse. One day it catches fire but luckily Rexxx is rescued by Shane’s father Connor and his team. Shane is handed over the responsibility to put up flyers for the missing dog. 

 

 

Shane initially hates Rexxx and thinks he is unlucky because whenever he is around Shane, happens to get in trouble or some kind of mischief. But soon he realizes that he is a very talented dog and can run fast and do stunts. How they bond and have each other’s back is worth watching. 

 

We humans often think that we are superior and the animals (read pets) are grateful for the life and leisure we give them. But what we forget is that they (read animals) are much more intelligent and humane than us. 

 

Rexxx proves that in this movie. Even when he is reunited with his original owner Trey, he is unhappy whereas Trey thinks he is happy to be back to the leisure and luxurious lifestyle. Money doesn’t buy everything. Not everyone desires money and its luxuries. 

 

Another point worth mentioning is the courage and bravery of the fire-fighters. They risk their lives to safe other’s. Salute to their courage and their bravery.  

 

I love this movie and can watch it again n number of times. What about you? Have you watched this movie? If yes, please do let me know what you think of Rexxx and his cuteness in the comments below.

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E for Erin Brockovich

I feel most of you must have watched this 2000 released autobiographical movie featuring Julia Roberts in the title role in the movie titled Erin Brockovich  (2000).

 

I salute Erin’s guts, strength, and courage which brought down a multi-million company to its knees and exposed its fraud which was causing severe, life-harming health issues to the residents of Hinkley.

 

What makes me appreciate Erin is that even when she is rebuked by her children and her fiancée for neglecting them for her job, she doesn’t give up but instead continues to fight for the effected people for their rights. The most amusing scenes are those when Erin confronts lawyer Theresa Dallavale, who thinks can do a better job than Erin as she is a qualified lawyer and works for a reputed law firm. But then she fails to bond or even get the people of Hinkley to talk to her, whereas, not only does Erin manages to bond and gain their trust, she has each and every detail at the tip of her tongue right from their medical condition to their phone numbers.

 

I loved the movie from the start till the end, as it made me laugh, cry, and feel the pain. The end scene featuring Erin and Ed makes you laugh and makes sure the smile stays with you for a very long time after such a heart-touching, serious movie.

 

I loved watching Julia Roberts as Erin Brockovich, Albert Finney as Edward L. Masry, and Aaron Eckhart as George, Erin's biker boyfriend amongst many other brilliant actors.

 

I will say, Erin Brockovich is a must-watch movie by one and all.

 

If you have watched this movie, do let me know how and what you liked the most about the movie in the comments below.

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D for Dil Dhadakne Do

Dil Dhadakne Do (2015) is a story of a typical, dysfunctional high-class family and their friends residing in Delhi. The Mehra’s are more concerned about their image in society rather than the emotions and suffering of their offspring.

 

The Mehra’s are a typical Indian family wherein the patriarch is prominent and dominant. The parents, played by Anil Kapoor and Shefali Shah want their son Kabir to take over AyKa and not the daughter Ayesha, who is interested in business and has a business mind and capability. They want the son Kabir to take over their business as he is 'the son' and the male heir to their family. Even though Ayesha has a business streak in her, she is neither supported by her parents nor by her husband Manav, who thinks that he has done a great favor to Ayesha by allowing her to step out of the house as no female member of his family has ever stepped out of the house for work. The mother advising her daughter to have a baby so that the relationship works is the common advice given by all Indian mothers to their daughters when they say the marriage is not working. For the sake of saving their business, they want to get Kabir engaged to Sood’s daughter, who is not interested in him but is interested in the son of the rival family.

 

What is relatable is the patriarchal approach, the partiality between the son and the daughter, the way Ayesha’s mother-in-law and husband treat her like they have invested time and money in her and portray her as an incapable and irresponsible daughter-in-law. The way Mehra’s takes on her insults as they are from the ‘girl’s side’, they don’t allow Kabir to voice his decisions and his stance towards his sister, and many more instances which one can see in most typical Indian families.

 

What I loved the most is the music by Shankar – Ehsaan – Loy, the locales, the characters, and their acting amongst many other plus points, makes this movie an entertaining and relatable movie.

Please do let me know if you have watched this movie and what's your take on this movie.

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C for Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui

 

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui is another movie of 2021 that caught more eyeballs and was trending. The reason is the topic and the uniqueness in which the picturization is done and also the flair of the actors who are playing their roles. 

 

Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui's director Abhishek Kapoor has portrayed the troubles, insecurity, emotions, the feelings of a person who undergoes a sex-change operation, and how society perceives that person and how they react to the person to the T. What is different was usually in movies and also in reality, the mother is the one who accepts her child’s shortcomings and accepts their flaws whereas the father is the one who is unable to come to terms with the flaws of his offspring but in this movie, the case is reversed. It is Vani Kapoor's father who accepts his son’s transformation into a daughter whereas the mother is unable to come to the terms that she has gone through this procedure and become what she is today.

 

The acting of Ayushman Khurana has portrayed the character of a typical Punjabi macho man with a sculpted body, six-packs and all. He is one of the versatile actor who is known to play unique characters in his movies which most well-known actors refuse to play. And he carries the role with such a flair that the character stays with you for long. In this movie too his acting is top-notch, be it the serious scene or the comedy scenes he has done it so nicely that it's worth applauding him for his work. The work of Vani Kapoor and her father Kanwaljit Singh is also worth watching.

 

This movie has portrayed the difficulty, pain, and emotions of the third gender people and also of those who have gone through the sex-change operation so nicely that you feel it while watching the movie. It touches your heart when you watch this movie when you come to know the pain they go through with what they suffer; rejection, ridicule, hate, and whatnot, not only from society but also from their own family.

 

Hats off to the Director for making a movie on such a unique and sensitive topic which might prove to be an eye-opener for many.

If you have watched the movies do let me know what your feedback is.

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B for Badhaai Do

 

The movie Badhaai do was in news recently for many good reasons. It is one of the best movies I have seen about the LGBTQ+ family. The movie has portrayed not only the difficulties but also the pain and struggle of those people who are having a tough time coming out of the closet and having a respectable and respectful life in society. Not only is it a big struggle for them to be accepted in society but also mainly and firstly by their own family. 

 

 

        Firstly I would like to say both the protagonists, Rajkummar Rao and Bhumi Pednekar have played their characters with flair; be it some highly loaded, complex emotional scene or a light-hearted one. In one of the scenes where the male lead Rajkummar Rao says he was not able to achieve what he wanted to do in life because of family pressure, depicts the reality of Indian society holds true for the majority of people in India because in our country most people are living the dreams woven by their parents. Kids are usually not allowed to follow their passion or live their life. They have to do what their parents say what is expected from them by the family. A doctor’s son/daughter is expected to become a doctor and follow in his/ hers parent's footsteps. An engineer’s offspring is expected to be an engineer; a banker’s offspring is expected to be a banker. No one asks or wants to listen to their kids about what they want just because of family pressure. Most kids give up their dreams and passion and live miserable life just because they have to follow the social norms. 

  

Not only the struggle and the difficulties, but the pain faced by the LGBTQ+ family are so real and heart-touching. The scene where the male protagonist breaks down in front of his family and opens his heart is applaudable. Even today some people think being gay or lesbian is a disease that can be cured with medicine and therapy. The most unexpected scene which won my heart was the ending scene. I won't give away any spoilers but people who have watched the movie know what I'm talking about. It is the end scene that won the hearts of many people. So this movie is a must-watch and I will watch it again and again and again. 

 

         I want to say hats off to the director, the writer, and the actors as each character portrayed was relatable and if you look around you find them in your vicinity or in your family which made the movie even more entertaining and also relatable.

    If you have watched the movie do let me know your inputs along with feedback to my blog.

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A for Aani Kay Hava

 

             I have been a movie buff since childhood. Before the invention of dish tv and cable, all we got to watch was the occasional Bollywood movie or regional Marathi movie on Doordarshan. Soon came the era of cable connections and then set-top boxes and now OTT is ruling the arena. 

 

 

         For me, English movies, as it was known, in those days to us were out of bounds as they had vulgarity (read sex) and violence. But, as I grew older, my interest in Bollywood lessened, and Hollywood increased, not for the above-mentioned reasons, but I came across some Hollywood releases that had some meaningful content (read the story or moral) in them. 

 

 

So in this month-long blog challenge, I will be sharing some of the movies (both Bollywood and Hollywood) which I loved and has good content and not to mention some great actors and actresses also some of recent webseries which one gets easliy hooked to and is relateable.

 

 

        I am starting the blog challenge with A for Aani Kay Hava (2019 - 2021).

 

Aani kay Hava is a Marathi web series released in 2019 on MX Player. It features real-life couple Umesh Kamat and Priya Bapat, who are well-known artists in the industry. 

 

 

This web series portrays the bitter-sweet husband-wife relationships between Saket and Jui. Saket has childish behavior and loves and adores his wife and her wishes but if a situation arises he is a gentle husband and firm support to his wife. (After watching this series, most women must have expectations of him as an ideal husband, I am sure.) On the other hand, Jui is a level-headed, responsible career woman who does adore her husband but takes things practically. They both compliment each other perfectly. 

 

 

Each episode of all three seasons is so relatable and light-hearted that one can sit and watch them for hours repeatedly. Some of my favorite episodes are Puranpoli, Kami Vajan, Chhota Aajarpan, Bhutachya Gosthi, Sadyanchi Karedi, and the best Te Char Diwas. 

 

 

Each season has six episodes but each episode is equally enjoyable. Be it rib-tickling comedy or some serious matter like Bandhan. Plus the chemistry of Saket and Jui is the highlight of the series. 

 

 

If you want to drive away your blues, I recommend all to watch Aani Kay Hava in the morning and keep smiling the whole day.

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