Art in Movies

GoldFinch (Prime) is a definitely moving story with solid music to support it. So many of my impressions from the initial trailer were proven wrong. Nicole Kidman was not the mom. The blast was not related to 9/11. And additionally, I am hooked on the thought that Platt killed Andy & his father; though there is no such discussion on the internet. I am digressing. Among the moving human story of different characters, this story was about the artwork, which is the central piece. Of its history, its journey. The longing for an object, and what it evokes among others. The concept of one hoarding & hiding it, when it should be showcased for all to see, given what all it had survived.

Among the post-movie discussion, one of the questions I was asked by my kids, was - they are all old painters. Who are the now-a-days painters ? Are they in museums ? The train of thought from it, brought out some many open threads.

1. Why are contemporary fine art artists artwork not used much in Indian movies ?
2. Why do contemporary Indian writers stick to whimsical but can't write any realist or believable but creative novels ? In English and other Indian languages.
3. Why is it so rare to adapt good current books, into current Indian movies ?

Well these are all exploitable paths, which are complex to go on. But I want to explore one part of it. Sometimes Indian artist's artwork is featured in movies. Some well-known or prolific ones. Some not, maybe newbies. But I want to know about credits. I haven't deciphered any in the fine print of the post-credits roll. Or any referenced or acknowledged to, in a film scene, or spoken in any interviews.
Most of the artwork are in the background. Part of the props, which is fair. But there is definitely scope to weave a story around an Indian artwork, build myths & add bulk to the lore. Some of the Bengali treasure-hunt movies do that - Guptodhoner Sandhane, Durgeshgorer Guptodhon. Same should happen with more contemporary art. Not give up after MF Husian's attempt at Gaja_Gamini. Atleast start slow.

Speaking to art blogs or publications should also be one line of PR & marketing.
At the very least those artists (or their PR) could talk about it on their own social media.

Exhibit A: This piece for Undoing.

Piku showcases many art-pieces clustered in the cramped living room. Since most of the action in first half was in this room, they were very captivating. But I haven't figured out whose works they are ?

This one looks like a interpretation of Raja Ravi Verma's Kadambari. Now I want one.

This one is a large piece, which is set around Kali-ma and devotees. But the gaze is most likely Britisher from Raj-era. I still don't know the details of the original.

I watched Ghare Baire Aaj on Prime, 2019 Bengali movie by Aparna Sen. Large part of the movie is set in a large Delhi house (Maharani Bagh) and the paintings decorating the living room & study walls are very captivating. There is a very signature style in them, I was in constant dejavu of having seen them before.

I watched the movie across weeks, in installments. And by the end of it, I remembered where I had seen it.

There was a painting in similar style in Venkatappa Art Gallery, Bangalore and I had seen it in Summer of 2008. I did not know the name of artist at that time as well, as it was not marked properly in the art gallery. But thanks to Google image search, and some more coaxing, I found out that the artist is Mr Kashinath Venkatesh Kale (K V Kale).

I checked with Mr K V Kale and he pointed out that the paintings in movie Ghare Baire Aaj were made by Thota Vaikuntam from Telangana. The rabbit-hole of exploring both artists & their works was so satisfying.

Aiyyaa has good share of paintings as the story is set in a Fine Arts colleges and the male protagonist is a painter.

Likewise there is lot of art which goes unacknowledged on TV shows. The Neighborhood (CBS) showed distinctive works in both homes. They look contemporary. And this Lotus/lilies work featured prominently in Madam Secretary's office. In absence of any other info, this must be one of Monet's multiple lilies.

Movies centered around paintings or flavored with ones:

Regional
Charlie (Malayalam)

Hindi
Aaiyya
Dil Chahta Hai

English
The Monuments Men
Gold Finch
More recco from Art Scene India writer on Deccan Herald:

Frida (2002)

Big Eyes (2014)

Golden Girl 

The Mona Lisa Smile (2003)

The Thomas Crown Affair

White Collar - 

Links:

1. Does TV Ever Get the Art World Right? Here Are 19 (More) Memorable Episodes That Try, Ranked by Believability
2. White Collar Art Encylopedia

Bhaag Hero Bhaag

Running has been a part of the Indian movies cardio-dance sequences.
Hero-Heroine running towards each-other from the 2 sides of the wide-screen. Or running around the trees.Or slow-mo running for Hero entry scene.

But thinking about some realistic running, I feel there is no better runner than Anil Kapoor.
My favorite Mr Fittest.
This is him running in the movie Saaheb. The most real jog ever seen in a movie.
Then so was his sprinting in Tezaab. And many others.
I think there is a gif of him running in Badhaai Ho Badhaai. Very unrealistic speed for someone in bulky prosthetic. Got to look for it.

Anil Kapoor in Saaheb.

And here are a few instances of slow-mo glamorous running. I heard there was a superstition for a long time, that any movie featuring SRK running, was a sure-shot hit-blockbuster. Hence many showcase this.

SRK in K3G

SRK in K3G

The one in KKHH song is done right. The music tempo and running speeds match perfectly well.

SRK running in Kuch Kuch Hota Hain

The whole nepotism discussion

This whole discussion on Bollywood Nepotism, oh if only media shows that same level of passion on Political nepotism. Now that's where the really negative impact is.

Most of the folks in Twitter and Social media comments are vocal as they or their relative, is employed in Film industry or its offshoots, and hence fairly envy the access privilege that comes to those born in existing Filmi families.

As opposed to Film-Nepotism, Politician-Nepotism is misuse of janta-money and anger of that is understandable. Film world is not without its own Politics. But it is definitely more inclusive to new joinees. Those who agree to that privilege, are being buried under other arguments because it's more newsworthy.

There is this naivety in the crowd who started working in the 90s & 00s. That the educated professional crowd got jobs by merit, which is true. But the same streak would continue in the next steps of career or the assumption that it is so in all other industries. It took a lot of experience to understand, that though merit, skills and experience have its place, connections can be a crucial thing as well.

There is difference between family business and nepotism. There is this confusion between connections and nepotism. If any group in some community figures a job sector, they refer others they know and soon all get into it. That is how past stereotype evolved, like about certain regional communities in Financial sectors. And it is the case with new world jobs too (ex Testing). This comes from sharing information. This kind of community based connection and knowledge sharing cannot be called nepotism. In case of Film World, this kind of connection is not by bonding based on what region they came from, but by family, extended family and friend connection.

Nepotism laws were to counter family connections based financial exploitation of tax payers money or an organizations money. Definitely laws are blurry in family owned businesses, but surely they are not suicidal with money.

Being born or married into existing established family give them reasons to stay relevant and get work. All outsiders want to come and grow roots, so it keeps paying in their future and makes things easier for the next generation.

 Doctors coaching their kids to be Doctor, paying fees and even setting up clinics - does that count as nepotism ? Definition-wise yes. Is it a bad thing ? For someone from Military home, writing books with Army and Airforce as background, is that unfair use of the info gained through connections ?

A lot of business transactions everywhere in the world depend on connections.
In regional cinema world, there are lot of folks from Theater families. Children or grandchildren of distributors, makeup artists, costume suppliers. They are not outsiders. But they are not privileged either. They may have connections, but everyone knows - connections last only in prosperous times. After that its "tu kaun, main khamakha". But what they do have which is their unique strength - that is they are not distracted by anything outside cinema. They live and breathe every logistics related to cinema. They can give their 200% to it coz that where they live, all their interactions and that is all they have. Their vacations, their after-school times, their evening discussions, their family or wedding or festival get-togethers. Everything. That kind of dedication is not possible for every layman. It is their strength, it is their curse.

Excluding certain production house owners, an average person in the Film world has made as much fortune in film world as anyone in share market. This is an uncertain business. If you look at the beginning trajectory of anyone they are envious off, its pretty unbelievable coz remember no one knew they would end up with good fortune or clout decades down the line.

Film world is definitely a soft-target for numerous issue. This whole discussion was surely just fodder for MSM to munch and spew out some content, bulk up their star interviews and fish for some more controversial comments to flame a new war of words, and then rinse and repeat.

Among many MSM who pitched in, Buzzfeed was the most half baked , quick turnout article.
No, Bollywood Star Kids, You Don’t Get To Have An Opinion About Nepotism

I found the Huffington Post articles very well-written on this topic. They are one-sided, but well-rounded within that side.

1. Nepotism In Bollywood Goes Beyond Star Kids And Their Silver Spoons
2.  Bollywood's Nepotism Debate Is A Terrific Lesson In How Privilege Actually Works
3. It's Dismaying How Blind Bollywood's Star Kids Are About Their Privilege

And these two blog posts are so much eloquent in describing the workings of film-making. Basically how costs are kept down my recruiting someone they know, instead of running an expensive recruitment drive and paying extra salary.

1. Hindi Film 101: Nepotism in the Hindi Film Industry, Part 1
2. Hindi Film 101: Nepotism in the Hindi Film Industry, Part 2

I find this whole excitement more in line with Family-business-Envy rather than outrage against Nepotism.

Now parting from all these extensive thoughts, coming to Kangana & Karan conversation which started it all. I will always marvel Kangana's guts to speak out while continuing to work as usual. While I admire the powerhouse Karan has become and the entire folio of work his production house has churned out, his arrogant response to accusations to his privilege will get disgusting when he uses his power to hurt other careers. And since a creator is very different from her creation, I don't have to like the creator no matter how much I like their works.

Notes:

Bond family

Life of Bond

Every generation loves/hates, at least has a passionate opinion about the James Bond hero of their generation. My Dad feels Sean Connery is the best and the only right James Bond. By the time I was introduced to Sean Connery films, he had a bearded look. And I could not imagine how he could be a Bond ? I did catch-up with his Bond movies on Star Movies, but it had nothing for me to catch a fancy.

It was a while till my Gen Bond movie came along, one I could watch in a movie theater. Hence my favorite Bond had to be the first Bond movie released in my grownup years - Pierce Brosnan. Standard version of Handsome while interacting with the ladies in the movie, he seemed right. His flirting or interest, did not come out as icky. And his sudden change of expression, when any challenging situation comes up. Or the audible turning of wheels in his head, when he had to outsmart the villain or his army, and when it's time to be an action hero. Pierce could do all and in different time compartments. Brosnan movies, on the whole, did cover many interesting sequences. Fight on the huge dish antenna, adventures in China with Michelle Yeoh, fascinating cars, Judi Dench as M.

And  then came along Daniel Craig. First impression - intense and very taciturn, thanks to the anger given to him as a part of Casino Royale. His indiscernible expression in almost all situations. His light muscular face and shifty eyes saying nothing predictable.  Loved this reboot. I am still in awe of the parkour chase action sequence. This reboot series gave the first time r experience, for all the long established traditions of the Bond movie series - why martini shaken not stirred ? Why "Bond ... James Bond" ? Bugging chatter with Q. Who MoneyPenny ?

Skyfall has to be my favorite. Adele's song, the cold snowy landscape for action chunk, M's death. Only because it's Voldemort/Ralph Fiennes , I could accept him as Dench's replacement M.
And the new Q was cute and very promising, as in, he can become the Q we have always lived with so far.

Spectre was a perfect last film that way. Nothing spectacular, but it wrapped up all loose threads about all villains, who were part of this reboot. Great views of major European cities. It was kind of sad to end his series.

Among the Bond girls, I was most impressed by Michelle Yeoh. My love of Chinese martial arts movie cross with Bond movies - how could I not love it.

Each of the Brosnan villains had enough personality, they were a parallel figure to Brosnan. Very colorful and memorable in their own ways. In case of villains in Craig movies, I hardly paid attention to anyone, because Craig was the over-powering one. They were just somebody to be dispensed with surely.

I wonder who they will pick for the next Bond ?
And, I can't believe I went through 2 rounds of Bond actors !

Bond Movie	Yesr	Actor
GoldenEye	1995	Pierce Brosnan
Tomorrow Never Dies	1997	Pierce Brosnan
The World Is Not Enough	1999	Pierce Brosnan
Die Another Day	2002	Pierce Brosnan
Casino Royale	2006	Daniel Craig
Quantum of Solace	2008	Daniel Craig
Skyfall	2012	Daniel Craig
Spectre	2015	Daniel Craig

Who is your favorite Bond ? Which one is your favorite Bond movie ?

Parking in Jurrasic

Piku playing on Netflix. 
A goes, " Hey Rrrrrr, look the guy from Jurrasic World!!!!" 
R comes hopping, and looks at TV,  "Yaaaaa, Mr Masrani."

They were awestruck - he's in Hindi movie ! For them, Irrfan Khan is big-shot Hollywood hero :)

And boy, they know more about Jurrasic World than I know about Jurrasic Park. Few weeks back, when I screened Jurrasic Park for them, they already knew MrHammond. I mean, what am I for !?! I thought I would be the one to lead them into Science Fiction and introduce all fundamentals to them. But with a handy iPad Mini, they are rolling right from Mars Rover chapter. I feel antiquated.

Jurrasic Park was my "time" movie. I was in 12th. Dad took me & my bro to the Arun theater, the only one playing English movies in Belgaum (atleast the respectable kind). All 3 of us were completely blown away by the movie. In 1993, the only marketing hype we could get from, was Doordarshan (DD). Cable TV was in early stages and we did not have it at home. And Internet was something I was going to learn about in textbook, as one of the top layers in ARP, in next 4-5 years. Now I really wonder, what told me that this was a must see movie ? I mean we had no known craze of Dinosaurs in India before this. Yes DD had taught me well, what a big-shot Steven Spielberg was. But seriously who hyped this movie for me ? Maybe some word of mouth publicity, slowly flowing into the small town. Movies were usually released months after the actual release in small town. So enough time to buildup. 

We saw the movie in big-screen theater; were mighty impressed. Kept trying to figure out how did they recreate the animals for the movie ? Eventually learnt about CGI. Got interested in fractals. After I started working in big city, Jurrasic Park was one of the first books I bought. Micheal Crichton became my favorite writer and I gobbled up all of his books, with strong opinions about each of them. In IISc, I even bought & read a book on Chaos Theory. Hmm, mighty influential movie indeed.

When Jurrassic World hype started, I easily ignored it. I am a grown adult, who will not fall for marketing hypes (so I would like to think of myself). But Dad was in town too. I knew I had to make it a family movie night. Dad, Hubby, A, R & me went to AMC for JW. All of us impressed again. I found the Indominus a bit icky. But I loved Claire (Bryce) and Masrani (Irrfan Khan) characters and their scenes. T-rex and Velociraptors were good. What bugged me was that one of the kids was not a girl and there was no one like Jeff Goldblum and Samuel L Jackson's character in this reboot. No fascinating science theory I could research offline.

But since then, the kids did their own research on Youtube, for more videos on this movie. Most of it is junk parodies. I sometimes wonder, are they learning anything ? If anything, they do know many dinosaur names, as fluently as Ramesh-Suresh. And they have loads of inescapable merchandise. 

Various Roopa's of Dr Rajkumar

Whether Mythology, Historic, Bond, Romantic Hero or Brother or more, there is only one - Dr Rajkumar !

And ah that lovely voice. Best thing to spark up a Saturday morning is Rajkumar playlist.
Every word sounds more beautiful when he utters it. 
And anytime he says "Amma", it's goose-bump inducing. 

Every time his song plays, while I am driving, I am instantly transported to Bangalore. 

Khanomenclature

While I am still in the 'naming' hangover, I might as well make a list of Aamir Khan names. He has managed to play characters with such distinct names. I mean, yes he began as Raj in QSQT. But then he moved away.

The first name and surname could be so simple ones. But taken together and when played by Aamir, they become so distinct, they just stick to my mind. Like Raghu Jaitley of Dil Hain ki Manta Nahin. That's one movie I know the dialogs and with their background music.

All this came back to me after watching 3 Idiots.
Ranchhoddas Shymaldas Chachad
Rancho
Baba Ranchordas
and the name revealed in the very end.
I am ready to bet, no other Hindi film hero, ever had such sounding name or from that region.

Ghajini (2008)	Sanjay Singhania or Sachin
Taare Zameen Par (2007)	Ram Shankar Nikumbh
Fanaa (2006)	Rehan
Rang De Basanti (2006)	Daljeet 'DJ' / Chandrashekhar Azad
The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (2005)	Sepoy Mangal Pandey
Dil Chahta Hai (2001)	Akash Malhotra
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)	Bhuvan
Mela (2000)	Kishan Pyare
Mann (1999)	Karan Dev Singh
Sarfarosh (1999)	Ajay Singh Rathod
Earth (1998)	Dil Navaz
Ghulam (1998)	Siddharth Marathe
Raja Hindustani (1996)	Raja Hindustani
Rangeela (1995)	Munna
Aatank Hi Aatank (1995)	Rohan
Baazi (1995)	Inspector Amar Damjee
Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995)	Rohit Kumar
Andaz Apna Apna (1994) (as Aamir Khhhan)	Amar Manohar (His Amar to match Salman's Prem)
Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993)	Rahul Malhotra
Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992)	Sanjaylal Sharma
Parampara (1992)	Ranvir Prithvi Singh
Isi Ka Naam Zindagi (1992)	Chhotu
Afsana Pyar Ka (1991)	Raj
Dil Hai Ki Manta Nahin (1991)	Raghu Jetley
Dil (1990)	Raja
Tum Mere Ho (1990)	Shiva
Awwal Number (1990)	Sunny
Deewana Mujh Sa Nahin (1990)	Ajay Sharma
Jawani Zindabad (1990)	Shashi Sharma
Love Love Love (1989)	Amit Verma
Raakh (1989)	Amir Hussein
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988)	Raj

Source IMDB

Monk Rocket Boy

My very first White Christmas. My Daughter's very first White Christmas too. And my Son's very first Christmas ever ! Yes, we welcomed him 2 weeks back and I became Mom, for the second time. In the middle of this crowded household, Hubby is doing just fine.

Last month and half has been momentous totally. Among other things, I travelled half-way across the world, from Bangalore to Minnesota. With my toddler and 30-week belly. (My travel bug is not over yet. Have another move scheduled next month) Lesson learnt in this air-travel - Be hands-free if you are with a toddler. Not even a purse- forget about cabin luggage. Because toddlers can fall asleep - yes. And strollers or trolleys are not allowed everywere in the airport. So.



What is more painful than the labour and delivery pain ? It's deciding your kids name. Oh yes, it is. Last time we spent 3 months on finalising a name. This time we had only 3 days. And I saw "Rocket Singh - Salesman of the year" same week, but after delivery, else the job would have been easier. Yes, Rocket Singh is my current favourite movie. Its definitely going tomake it to my DVD collection. Loved each character, every partner, his boss, their quirks. Dialoges were all picked up from normal real life ofcourse. Not surprising since they have such a research team in place. But when put to such rocking spy-movie-type background music, it turned out exicting. But I liked it mostly because the first half reminded me of mine and my Hubby's first jobs. But the second-half reminded me why I love my job.



On a side note, Monk got over. Sigh. But they ended this wonderful series perfectly well. For Leland, Randy, Natalie and Sharona. And most importantly for Monk.

Dil Gira Kahan Pur Dafatan

My Current favorite song.  

Actually I loved all songs of Delhi 6. On second thoughts, I liked the movie too. 

When it was going on, I was all eyes-rolling "when will this end" type. And after it was over, I kinda missed it, liked it. But I think that’s more effect of the music. 

Absolutely lovely songs in a long time. All songs. 

 And about 'Dil Gira Kahan Pur Dafatan', the imagery is fantastic. I mean we must have seen this a lot in comics, animation, maybe even photography. But a full fledged film song? Not in Hindi atleast. 

Imagination is awesome. But the production is applaudable. (From past one and a half year, all I care about is logistics of anything. One of the newly acquired powers that come with motherhood). Unraveling Delhi Chandni Chowk on Times Square. That must have been one hell of a planning. I am all wrapped up in hows-and-whens ? And how much time did they get to shoot there ? And how do they clear out the crowd for this shooting ? Times Square must have featured in so many movies and songs. I am not sure, but I think it has had a deserted look in 'I Am Legend' and more disaster movies. Who gives permissions for this ? Doesn't the daily business/people get affected ? Or is it a fake ? A copy of Times Square in some studio ? (... This is not going to end after even an hour ...) 

Why don’t these film publicists give out production info in interviews rather than the lead actors discussing weird existential thoughts for publicity ? I totally want to know the details of how they filmed this song.

Likhe jo khat tujhe ...

Welcome to Sajjanpur was a good laugh. After a long time, I can say some film was witty & humourous. Shreya Talpade joins my list of favorite actors. Dialoges, dialog delivery by Shreyas, Ila Arun, Ravi Jhankal (Munni) and the lot brought a smile each time. Music-wise, the one that stands out and was very enjoyable was "Munni ki baari".

After watching Rock-On and Welcome to Sajjanpur on the same day, I was wondering - which India do I belong to ? Both seemed very surreal, I don't belong to either. I guess it makes sense, that I belong to the "middle class" :))

Anyway this movie was a good chance for my MIL to share those old gone days. When she was a young school going kid and illiterate village wives came to her, to dictate letters for their immigrant husbands, working in the city. Here are some of the gems they sprinkled their letters with:

Likhti hoon khat, khoon se ,
Siya-i na samaj-na |
Marti hoon teri yaad mein,
Zinda na samjna |

Likhti hoon khoon se ,
Siya-i na samaj-na |
Marti hoon nurai se,
Burai na samaj-na |

Chal chal re chiti, kabutar ki chal,
Yadi hogi mohobbat, toh denge jawab |
Most of the mundane letters did end with
Thoda likha jyada samjna...

And with instructions to the letter writer that
Aisa chiti likhna ki jaldi pahuche

Quite a revelation for me. That Creativity and literary expression of love, is obviously not limited to city folks or English language or these modern times alone :)

I don't remember when was the last time I wrote a letter. Personal communication now-a-days, is only a crisp to-the-point email or a curt to-the-point phone call. I think I have forgotten to write a letter. And that I lift a pen only to write a grocery list for shopping. Hmm ...

Zindagi ka Language

Zee Studio is showing 'Mind Your Language'. Finally 7pm has a fresh show to see, after nearly a decade of F.R.I.E.N.D.S rerun on the same slot.

MYL is a terrific laugh riot. Each episode is a gem. They should really coin a phrase - 'as patient as Mr. Brown'. Phew what a class of students ! Each one better than the other.

There is a certain innocence / naiveté in watching these retro shows. Zee Studio is also showing 'Doogie Howser MD' & 'Wonder Years', which were a rage on Star plus, when cable television was brand new in India.

And much before that, we had 'Yeh Jo Hain Zindagi' on Doordarshan. That must have been 1984-6. I had vague memories from it. I always thought that Shafi Inamdar, Swaroop Sampat & Rajesh Bedi & Sathish Shah were the integral part of the show. So the exit of Ranjit & Renu, midway during the show, to Dubai, was a big surprise. And as I child I seriously wondered every week, as to why didn't Ranjit, Renu & Raja realise that it was Sathish Shah every time in different getups ? :)

'Jane Bhi Do Yaaron' also came around this time. Sathish Shah in this movie gave me a scare. My impression was that, this was a horror movie, rather than the sarcastic comedy it actually was. Again, I was a child then, and watching him as a corpse in all that night lighting in theatre did give it a scary feel.

About 'Yeh Jo Hain Zindagi', a few months back Star Plus showed it every weekday morning. It was a good thing to run in background while getting ready for office. When compared to the sophisticated sitcoms of today, it does appear more tacky or naive.

But that was a charm too. To see how things were in the early 80's. Their home, furniture, the phone & Fridge. Parathas for breakfast. Social life before mobile phone & cable television. And a lot of today's TV & movie stars appeared in this show, when they were gangly newcomers. Vidhu Vinod Chopra appeared in one episode as a film director. It was a short comic role and it was funny to see how gangly & awkward he was.

This show must have run as a weekly for years on DD. But showing it daily on Star Plus, exhausted it in a short time.

Basanti ... ein ghodon ke saamne ...

This is so ridiculous !

One adrenaline rushing scene, and they have to chop it off. Gosh.

Meanwhile, the ding ding ding ... Mohe Rang De Basanti... song is too good. More so as a ringtone :)

Happy Birthday Mom

Watched Home Alone 2: Lost in New York tonight.

Some nuggets like 'I thought being alone will be fun. But it's not. Now I dont want to be alone. Even if it is with somebody who bugs me. Even Bus'. My thoughts !

I love this movie for the Kevin's pranks, his slow torture of the burglers, snow and the fairy-lights lit streets, and the scene of all cousins asleep, sprawled across one room. But most importantly, what stuck me in both these movies, even the first time I saw it like 10-12 years ago - is Kevin's mother. Her despair at having left him behind at home and then at the airport. I dont have many words to describe, what I felt and still feel. But its just stuck on my mind.

Happy Birthday Mom !

Sunil Dutt is no more

Sunil Dutt is no more. He was a nice guy. I always liked him, both as young and old man. When I think of him I remember:

Jalte hain jiske liye, teri aakhon ke diye | Doond laya hoon wohi, geet mein tere liye ... from Sujatha

Entire Padosan

Mother India, yes

Angry young brother and hurt son from Waqt

Dard ka Rishta

Also Rocky for some reason. With his direction, he put himself in the picture, though he did not star here.

Was nice to see him in Munnabhai M.B.B.S.
More of his movies here.

Library movies

I used to have these movies in my library. I watched them so often, usually on returning after school and with lunch, that I memorized the dialoges and background music of all

QSQT

Dil Hain Hi Manta Nahin

Anand

Sharabi

Sholay

And I would add these to the old library:

Dilwale Dulhainiya Le Jayenge (DDLJ)

Hum Aapke Hain Kaun

Sarfarosh

Satte Pe Satta

Don

Books & Movies

A chat with my friend M got me thinking on this.

There are so many movies based on books. And very often, in my case, I have read a book, after I saw the move. Just to see the difference between them, and how much the director has wavered away from the book. More often, it is only the characters which is the same or similar, and the movie screenplay is very different.

So here's a compilation of my experience.

Saw Movie, Read book:
- Contact
- Jurrasic Park
- Ice Candy Man (Movie: 1947-Earth)
- Count of Monte Cristo
- Oliver Twist
- Pride & Prejudice (oh so many versions)
- Guide

Saw Movie, Want to read the book:
- Bridget Jones Diary,
- Princess Diary

Not seen, Not read; want to do both:
- Sideways - by Rex Pickett
- The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
- Da Vinci Code
- Shall we dance ?

Read book first; may or may not watch the movie:
- Harry Potter Series
- To Kill A Mockingbird