tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post112207649708053838..comments2023-11-19T00:42:48.156-08:00Comments on balancing life: We are like this onlySunilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07776658071546232685noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122762247520952132005-07-30T15:24:00.000-07:002005-07-30T15:24:00.000-07:00Star writer ka pata nahi....u write pretty well to...Star writer ka pata nahi....u write pretty well too :) But am not going to take sides between my bro and BIL, so keep it going....total timepass for me no matter which of you write :)<BR/><BR/>Good stuff! <BR/><BR/>AparnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122735318570726552005-07-30T07:55:00.000-07:002005-07-30T07:55:00.000-07:00pk.....it indeed is culture shock....but once you'...pk.....it indeed is culture shock....but once you're used to it, you begin to love it.<BR/><BR/>Aparna.....glad you discovered my blog :-). I read Battu's regularly, and he'll remain the star writer in the family. I like to balance deep introspective movies with crazy bollywood madness every now and then. Chandramukhi was vintage Rajini.......the kite bit in the title was awesome!Sunilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07776658071546232685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122667875187586452005-07-29T13:11:00.000-07:002005-07-29T13:11:00.000-07:00Hi there:Didn’t know you had a blog :)Speaking of ...Hi there:<BR/><BR/>Didn’t know you had a blog :)<BR/><BR/>Speaking of Indian movies, there are so many different genres that there’s enough to satisfy everyone’s taste. It’s tough to pick a movie to watch, though. Personally, I find that while sometimes I like to watch a well made, introspective movie, at other times, I need to unwind with a Govinda movie...or a "Tillu Mullu/Golmaal"!<BR/><BR/>Recently, in Dallas, they played both "Chandramukhi" and "Mumbai Express" at the same time. It’s been so long since we had movies of both Rajini and Kamal out at the same time, we naturally were very excited. Didn’t know which one to see first! Went in a big group and boy, was it worth it! The dallas tam crowd thronged the theatres. There was so much excitement and the ambience was such that for a brief period I felt I was back in Chennai outside Sathyam theatre. It didn’t feel like the US at all and it was fab! Inside, when the movie started and the credits started appearing, the crowd went wild....whistles, sounds of "talaiva"…..you’ve been in Chennai, you know how it is :) And when rajini made his first appearance and twirled his leg and created a small whirlwind...there was total chaos in the theatre :) Also, another classic shot was when in that "kokku para para" song, all the kites went up to form "Superstar". What’s a rajini movie without stuff like this? :) Was such a fun weekend! Have to admit though, all this would appeal ONLY to people like us..born and brought up in India. To folks out here, would seem absurd.<BR/><BR/>Keep the blog going :) Am having fun reading both yours and Battu’s!<BR/><BR/>AparnaAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122665717709105622005-07-29T12:35:00.000-07:002005-07-29T12:35:00.000-07:00Sunil, dont be apologetic. We have Hollywood movie...Sunil, dont be apologetic. We have Hollywood movie channels on cabal and 80% of their movies sucks. Thats ratio for Indian Movies as well.Besides movies made by people from different culture,values,lifestyles and social life are difficult to appriciate.Its like cultural shock and adjustment you go through when you settle in another country.PKhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09288316071377288075noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122654097841612612005-07-29T09:21:00.000-07:002005-07-29T09:21:00.000-07:00gameboy, your recommendations are all excellent.La...gameboy, your recommendations are all excellent.<BR/><BR/>Laks......Malayalam movies indeed are sometimes wonderful, and I've been fascinated by Adoor Gopalakrishnan for years, and Mohan Lal and Mamootty are fine performers.....but <I>"There are more classics in malayalam movie industry than in any other fim industry in india."</I> is an excessively chauvinistic statement.<BR/><BR/>How familiar are you with Marathi or Bengali or Assamese or any other regional cinema?<BR/><BR/>Bloggist963.......wonderful words, and I share most of your sentiments.Sunilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07776658071546232685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122606607622152362005-07-28T20:10:00.000-07:002005-07-28T20:10:00.000-07:00It’s not only you. I'm of African descent and love...It’s not only you. I'm of African descent and love all kinds of movies. I watch Bollywood, Tollywood, Kollywood, Nollywood, Hollywood, Sudance, Chinese, Japanese and many more. Something about Indian movies is different, though. I think you have to have a little extra something in you to appreciate them.<BR/>Yeah, my American and even African friends laugh at me but I can't describe the feeling I get after watching an engrossing movie. I love Sunil’s comment about movies being about escapism. I think good “art house” movies are great but I hope film makers continue to make movies that transport you to lands that you only dream of and try to share some of the quirky stuff they have in their heads. I absolutely love the song and dance sequences in Bollywood movies. I’ll also endure sitting through horrible movies just to watch my favorite artistes. For example, nothing Amitabh Bachchan does is bad to me. I’ve been in love with him since I was a kid, stood by him during the “flopping” years and our love affair continues till today….:-)bloggist963https://www.blogger.com/profile/16015096432101487178noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122303696813846552005-07-25T08:01:00.000-07:002005-07-25T08:01:00.000-07:00For those who want to check out the Worst of Bolly...For those who want to check out the Worst of Bollywood, I have a few more recommendations - Cheetah, Shapath, Jallad, Jurmana, Yamraaj etc etc...no prizes for guessing what connects these ;)<BR/><BR/>Nanda KishoreQueasy Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10292745300990615404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122303220572600372005-07-25T07:53:00.000-07:002005-07-25T07:53:00.000-07:00Some more recommendations for Michael Higgins et a...Some more recommendations for Michael Higgins et al (sincerely)...do watch movies made by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Gulzar, Basu Chatterjee et al - to name a few: Chupke Chupke, Anand, Namak Haraam, Angoor, Golmaal, Khatta Meetha etc. Just look up IMDB. Some of the most delightful comedies made in India. There are also several outstanding comedies in Telugu, but that will be too long a bridge to cross!Queasy Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10292745300990615404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122302795707807072005-07-25T07:46:00.000-07:002005-07-25T07:46:00.000-07:00Nanda Kishore......I'll agree with most of what yo...Nanda Kishore......I'll agree with most of what you said....but Govinda-Dhavan rocks. I'll stand by my statements :-)Sunilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07776658071546232685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122302733798544542005-07-25T07:45:00.000-07:002005-07-25T07:45:00.000-07:00Arnab...."Gunda"?? Even i haven't seen that movie....Arnab...."Gunda"?? Even i haven't seen that movie....i didn't know such movies existed (i.e. a movie I hadn't seen)<BR/><BR/>One more reason.....Chiranjeevi movies are fantastic experiences. Even more so are Rajinikanth movies. If you haven't seen any....you're leading a deprived life!<BR/><BR/>Aditya, yes indeed, and isn't life about having some fun?<BR/><BR/>Ravi......yeah! Sometimes it's so bad, it's really good!Sunilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07776658071546232685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122302675387825642005-07-25T07:44:00.000-07:002005-07-25T07:44:00.000-07:00Well, for those who want to get a real taste of go...Well, for those who want to get a real taste of good Bollywood 'masala' films, I say look no further than Amitabh starrers of the late '70s and early '80s. Big B is one of the greatest actors that has ever lived - I don't care what the West thinks of him!<BR/><BR/>There are quite a few decent movies that have been made in recent years - apart from the usual suspects mentioned above, there are Satya, Company, Chandni Bar, Maqbool, Munnabhai MBBS and some of the Priyadarshan comedies Harini mentioned (usually remakes of Tamil/Telugu fare). Some like Paanch have not made it beyond the censor.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, in my opinion, we don't have film makers with integrity/guts - people willing to go the extra distance to make what they really believe in. It is changing somewhat, I think.<BR/><BR/>(Apologies to fans) Dhawan-Govinda SUCK!!!<BR/><BR/>Nanda KishoreQueasy Riderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10292745300990615404noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122255493165543572005-07-24T18:38:00.000-07:002005-07-24T18:38:00.000-07:00Bollywood movies are for everyone. I usually quote...Bollywood movies are for everyone. I usually quote this: Hindi movies are of three distinct kinds, the really good ones, the really bad ones and the rest!<BR/><BR/>Corollary- A Hindi movie has to be really good or really bad for you to enjoy it.Ravihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18364116900124885629noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122221060085302202005-07-24T09:04:00.000-07:002005-07-24T09:04:00.000-07:00Excellent post. I agree totally. Bollywood may not...Excellent post. I agree totally. Bollywood may not have brains (in plural or singular), but it knows how to have fun.Aditya Bidikarhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17799184995636004373noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122172531946176882005-07-23T19:35:00.000-07:002005-07-23T19:35:00.000-07:00I remember going to a Chiranjeevi movie, when I wa...I remember going to a Chiranjeevi movie, when I was in Hyd. We went to a shady looking theater. Our seats were at the very front. Each time a song would come on, people would start showering the screen with coins. That was a bizzare exp. I so wish I had my helmet with me.It was fun though :) <BR/><BR/>btw, as a matter of principle, I boycott all Salman moviesRiothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04901490748436281430noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122165198813531692005-07-23T17:33:00.000-07:002005-07-23T17:33:00.000-07:00Did someone in this comment thread call DDLJ a "re...Did someone in this comment thread call DDLJ a "real bad" movie? Ho boy....now I am angry.<BR/><BR/>Swades---agree that SHahrukh is amazingly restrained and that is award worthy. But it's preachy and tries so desperately to be Oscar-worthy that it slips through the "cracks".<BR/><BR/>Though however I should recommend to all the "Pulp Fiction" of Bollywood---"Gunda".....an AMAZING movie whose first 30 mins is pure celluloid genius......maybe a post on it is in order.greatbonghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05095742894399841700noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122157521537600152005-07-23T15:25:00.000-07:002005-07-23T15:25:00.000-07:00Yeah, Suhail....Hulchul was a disaster, but Hungam...Yeah, Suhail....Hulchul was a disaster, but Hungama and HP were fantastic. Paresh Rawal was such a show stealer in those first two! And Ashutosh Gowariker needs a life time achievement award for making King Khan just Shahrukh. It's an once in a life time achievement anyway :-))<BR/><BR/>Amrit....there's a lot of trash in western cinema, but just like many of my American friends dismiss "Bollywood", I don't wan't to dismiss Hollywood. There's been good stuff there as well. :-)Sunilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07776658071546232685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122146210604127572005-07-23T12:16:00.000-07:002005-07-23T12:16:00.000-07:00..(Swades being the exception) .."Exactly, and we ...<I>..(Swades being the exception) .."</I><BR/><BR/>Exactly, and we know what happened to it - dissed by all reviewers and the junta. Documentary, preachy, artsy.. what not.<BR/><BR/>I think it is probably the only movie where SRK doesn't play the "lover boy" or "King Khan" image, and didn't overact. Infact, just for that bit Ashutosh Gowariker should be handed down a special award.<BR/><BR/>Even if you forget the story, and look at sheer escapism(entertainment) value, I think it was one of the good movies to come. Shows village life in all its simplicity, the postman-kabaddi humour, the children and their village schools, and even some of songs are great too. "yeh taara" and "yoon hi chala chal rahi". But then, it hurts me when such movies fail at the box office for all the wrong reasons. Or maybe the tastes are changing.<BR/>As Harini says, Priyadarshan has been one of the good things to happen to Hindi cinema. But even there, his last Hulchul was such a dampener after the superb HeraPheri and Hungama, I felt like being cheated.Suhailhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07003909838593766176noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122133280603546882005-07-23T08:41:00.000-07:002005-07-23T08:41:00.000-07:00Michael, like you said, there are some great movie...Michael, like you said, there are some great movies that are enjoyable, song and all, while some of them have really hair-brained plots (Mithun starrers of the 90's would be a prime example)<BR/><BR/>Vikram.....i'll mostly agree with you but disagree on the Telugu movie part. There have been plenty of good telugu movies, but have you seen any movies of the actor Krishna (he might be a bit before your time, but was doing the young man hero roles even 7-8 years ago, at the ripe young age of 65).<BR/><BR/>gawker.....correct. This colleague of mine who made the comment was introduced to Hindi movies by her Ukranian husband (who happens to like them). In the far east, Indian movies are very popular, and the capital of the video piracy industry (for indian movies, mainly hindi and Tamil) is Malaysia.<BR/><BR/>el_durazno, :-)<BR/><BR/>Laks...absolutely, movies gave people a place to go to escape their mundane lives. We may be slowly changing, but there's place for everyone. I wouldn't want to see an Indian cinema which like hollywood has lost the concept of a musical (there's an interesting discussion going on on Bharadwaj and Samanth's site, <A HREF="http://reeltwo.blogspot.com/" REL="nofollow">Reel two</A><BR/><BR/>Harini, i'm not a big fan of the "metrosexual films" myself....too much gloss kills the movie. But there are days when I would want to watch Amar, Akbar, Anthony (and rewind the Anthony Gonzalves song to replay it a thousand times), and there are other days when I will admire every moment of "Ardh Sathya", a superb movie :-)<BR/><BR/>Uma, yes, absolutely!<BR/><BR/>Today though, i'll revisit a classic with "Sahib, biwi or ghulam", made by the incomparable Guru Dutt.Sunilhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07776658071546232685noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122093475526111982005-07-22T21:37:00.000-07:002005-07-22T21:37:00.000-07:00i love govinda:) loved the earlier David Dhawan Go...i love govinda:) loved the earlier David Dhawan Govinda Starrers. now a days i absolutely adore the Priyadarshan comedies in hindi - hulchul, hungama, hera pheri - good time pass<BR/>mostly i can't handle these "metrosexual" films - films where gloss and style overwhelms story and acting. And mostly i cant tell one actor from the other. the endless line of vapid, vaccant looks - leaves me cold. so i avoid such films.<BR/>on a bad day give me a "amar, akbar, anthony" over a "ardh sathya" any day. 3 hours of absolute escapism and absence of logic and 150% entertainment makes it fun.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122087135422067662005-07-22T19:52:00.000-07:002005-07-22T19:52:00.000-07:00Of course we are like this only . And thank god fo...Of course we are like this only . And thank god for that!! 3 hours of a David Dhawan- Govinda combo is time well spent , i say.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122085757590526512005-07-22T19:29:00.000-07:002005-07-22T19:29:00.000-07:00i have a russian colleague. we were talking one da...i have a russian colleague. we were talking one day and to my surprise, he told me when he was in russia, they used to watch hindi movies all the time. dubbed in russian of course. Very popular in russia it seems, back in the cold war days. my dad was in Indonesia for 5 years. there also, all our hindi movies are avidly watched, also dubbed. we dont realize it but hindi movies are pretty popular and not only in india. we should feel proud.gawkerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17081710140055676484noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8212356.post-1122080839371667832005-07-22T18:07:00.000-07:002005-07-22T18:07:00.000-07:00Hi SunilCertainly, Hindi movies are an acquired ta...Hi Sunil<BR/>Certainly, Hindi movies are an acquired taste. I think they can be a lot of fun in a campy sort of way. And some are not bad at all - liked Lagaan. <BR/><BR/>Some of the Tamil films by Mani Ratnam are pretty good (not so stupid), although the last one I saw was melodramatic nonsense.<BR/>I loved the Satyajit Ray films that I saw and old Hindi films from the 1950's were definitely entertaining like C.I.D.<BR/><BR/>On the other hand, I seen parts of some film that made Plan 9 from Outer Space look intelligent by comparison. They were unwatchable. Pure idiot plots where if the hero wasn't a complete idiot, the plot would have resolved itself immediately and the movie would have no reason to continue.<BR/><BR/>One thing I thought is that there is definitely a market for Indian movies set in India but made in English to target the English speaking Indians and the "desi" market in the west. Movies that are more intelligent. Such films might cross over to the general western market and easily gross 10 times what they cost to produce. Movies like "Bend it like Beckham" which was made in England but involved Indian actors. But you would need to find actors who could act and not just look good on the screen. SR Khan won't appeal to western audiences.Michael Higginshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05034249281790021336noreply@blogger.com