2022 Banquet of Movies

New generation of movie makers are gems, in all language. They have varied plots. And most of the conflict conclusions are with so sabya-vyavahar, its inspiring - as compared to alpha macho-male ways of resolving conflicts which are dangerous actions to replicate in real life.

One of the tricks which helped increase our family viewing, was to merge profiles. So many OTT apps, so many show/films options, so many varied personal choices. We all ended up just scrolling & not seeing anything. So this year, I suggested we merge the profiles so there is one Profile for grownups & one kid version. Now one profile for couple, meant one set of recommendations to choose from. It actually helped increase our viewing.

Other Phenomenon of this year were South films. I have always been watching. But my eye opener for this phenomenon was when a Bihari friend said she was Mahesh Babbu fan & watches all Telagu films dubbed in Hindi on Youtube. Seems like its a far & wide thing as proven after Pushpa success. Slowly details came out from many North Indian friends that their parents & relatives have been watching South movies for a long time, ofcourse in dubbed or subtitles version.

KANNADA

Kantara - in theatre. Very impressive 👌🏼👌🏼👌🏼 Language, background music & songs, sub-plots, characters, performances, stunts, pacing of story & closure. 

Kshamisi Nimma Khaatheyalli Hanavilla - Diganth. Language play kept it engrossing.

MALAYALAM

Tovino Thomas is the flavor of this year and my new favorite actor.

Minnal Murali - on First class. Mallu Super-hero movie. It had the familiarity of Kerala setting & people, along with Hollywood elements of super-hero origin movie. Background music for every sequence was ah heart-beating one. Like all Kerala movies, filled with 100s of characters and each interesting than the other with separate background story and quirks. 

Forensic (2020)

Kilometers and Kilometers (2020)

Dear Friend (2022)

Naaradum (2022) - Ok movie with the weakest part being the faulty background music and other being the simplistic story & arc of the bad guy.

Night Dive (2022) - on Netflix. Spread over one night, good thriller with twists. And good acting by Anna Ben, Roshan Andrews, Sukumaran and others.

TELUGU

And flavor of Telugu cinema would have to be Nani & Allu Arjun

Shyam Singha Roy (2021)

Ante Sundaraniki (2022) - rollercoaster of events and hence engrossing comedy. 

BENGALI

Thanks to Prime & Hulu , saw a few of Bengali movies this year - old & new

Ahare Mon - Always wanted to see this movie  esp for the lovely song Ogo Bideshini. Good 

Banshewale - Its the quite peaceful approach movie; through the storyline involves lot of complicated drama. Sent me down the rabbit-hole about Sayan Munshi's whereabouts.

Sweater (2019) - Darjeeling views.

Mukherjee Dar Bou (2019)

MARATHI

Marathi film industry has a huge legacy and hence the lovely movies, excellent acting and music they create.

66 Sadashiv - Fun involving movie on the topic of skill of arguing. Lot of story sub-plots working together towards a satisfying conclusion.

Mogra Phullala - Movie as soft as Mogra scent.  Story-line is as usual family drama as it can get - what brings this movie up is the acting skills of the leads ( Swwapnil Joshi, Sai Deodhar, Neena Kulkarni) & others, beautiful language and lovely 4 songs.

Jhimma - Ladies group tour to UK with male tour owner & guide. Great visuals, beautiful Marathi dialoges, multiple stories with ups & downs. 

TAMIL

Beast (Tamil) / Raw (Hindi) - Enjoyable masala movie - spiced with action, gore, comedy and good 1 song (Arabic Kuttu). First there was Phanthom on ship, then John McClane on skyscraper and now Beast in mall. And the movie ending was Top Gun. Perfect.

Love Today - on Netflix. Its as fun as fun can be. Every subtle thing in that situation is exaggerated very imaginatively created scenes.

HINDI

Kaun Pravin Tambe - Good one. Firstly for Shreyas Talpade. Next Parambratta C & other actors. Story unfolding with interesting flashbacks. And then for the cricket bits sprinkled right.

Jaadugar / Love Goals - TVF & Jeetu Bhaiya movie on Netflix. It had magic, football, MP small town underdog. Brilliant movie.

83 -  Such a lovely movie in every way and I feel bad about missing it in theatres when it released. So many scenes & such lovely progression of storyline. So endearing in not a emotional manipulation way. Story unfolds very realistic & believable fashion like it happens in any of the sports teams.

Gehraiyan - 

It was genre breaking. Was it romance or thriller or suspense (like in second half). And then a open ending as in more to follow. And later when I was thinking, I realized that they will wiggle out of this one too. 

Also, so the only untainted characters turned out to be Nasser, Karan & to a large extent Tia. 

Pushpa - Hindi dubbed from Telegu. Shreyas Talpade dubbed for Allu Arjun & Rashmika looks & acted good. 

dubbing - Ek Saal Ke Pehle.

Visually powerful movie - grand locations, hundreds of people in every frame, black stained clothes. Clothes of girls, ladies & men is as casual as Magadi Road, Bangalore. Worn in full pride with no apology or sub-texting & that's a win.

Power of dubbed movies. Friend from Mithila first told me, she watched Telegu dubbed in Hindi movies on YouTube. It hardly registered. But that trend reached its full power with Pushpa being 300 crores+ super hit.

I learnt of the gravity of Telegu film industry, historically & today from Mahanati (Savithri).

Full on masala movie with lot of swagger, violence & gore. Stunts, Story plots, songs, swagger.

Background music was appropriate even when loud. Songs were cool & catchy.

Initial credit sequence animation was a great opening. I would be disappointed if it turns out to be inspired or from Blood Diamond or some such thing.

Atrangi Re - The damn movie used every single social issue to move the story forward. I guess that's the left & right critics cribs - the movie did not use their platform for highlighting or solving the issue, just used it like a tool. Their is Tamilian in Delhi, groom-kidnapping in Bihar, forced marriage,  psychiatry used in casual terms.

Jersey - Good remake of Nani's Telugu Jersey. Worth a watch.

Good Luck Jerry - Good remake. Fun watch.

Darlings (2022) and Thappad (2021) are like from same universe but way different tones. Both equally good. Darlings was delicious in its wickedness and Thappad for being evocative. Good work.

Love Aaj Kal (2020): Finally saw it on Prime. Avoided it when released coz negative reviews. Now Youtube played its songs one after other. And one fine lazy night, play the movie. Very worth a watch. Almost poetic in the way it proceeded, and maybe that why the scenes didn't work in trailer. Also might have failed coz the 90s pair did not end up together - that's usually a dhak-kha. Movie covered work life balance question and resolved it so well. But very poetic flow for existential pain.

Dobaara (2022) - fascinating & watched it twice.

Jayeshbhai Jordar - good treatment for a serious topic. Ranveer is always a dearie.

Bhool Bhulaiyaa 2 - Kathik Aryan best as ever. Perfect songs. 

Kaamyaab - Sanjay Misra

Jhund - Bachchan, football and the catchy orchestra recreation of Lawaris.

ENGLISH

Top Gun Maverick- music, bikes, planes, boats & fireworks. Worth the wait for theatre. 

Gift (Netflix) - African movie. Lovely background singing & music, cicadas. Located amidst greenery & woods & farmlands. It was like watching a Malayalam movie. 

Lots of movies on OTT

My Yearly Movies List here.

2021 Round of Movies

 Sometime in 2020 and a lot this year, I have kept saying, "Hindi, English mein kuch nahi rakh-kha. " There were a whole slew to see in other languages.

Also this year, regional folks have come up with their own OTT like language channels came up few decades back. Katte for Kannada, Tulu, Konkani. OYO for Gujrati, Telugu ones, numerous for Bengali.

That is unaffordable for people like me who have interests across many a languages.

I can imagine its tough to keep them under one roof. Each language movies have slightly typical styles. Context switching between languages takes some getting used to. Malaylam movies package multiple, independent sub-plots with no links to each other or to the main story. Bengali has multiple incidents; all tying up; but still multiple. Kannada has the rowdy element in the most family movie of any level. But it has co-existed on Doordarshan, Netflix & Amazon Prime so far. So please let it continue.

KANNADA

Ikkat - good work; by new generation of makers & actors. Really good one. Captured a storyline through the first lockdown in India.

Ratnan Prapancha - New movie straight to OTT. Good watch. Good Kannada dialoges & drama, road trip & twists. Nothing dark.

Katha Sangama - Kannada anthology. Good one from RB Shetty.

MARATHI

Cycle - I can't think of a sweeter movie I have seen in recent times. Set in 50s maybe. Story set in a village. Evokes emotions reminiscent of Malgudi days.

MALAYALAM

Minnal Murali - First class. Mallu Super-hero movie. It had the familiarity of Kerala setting & people, along with Hollywood elements of super-hero origin movie. Background movie for every sequence was ah heart-beating one. Like all Kerala movie, filled with 100s of characters and each one more  interesting than the other. 

#Home - Such an endearing & engrossing movie. How social media has infiltrated simple life, the drama it creates and how to use it like a strength tool. Proper filmy ending for satisfaction.

Nizhal - Thriller. Comedy moments strike right. Twists go well. And everything tied well for ending.

Drishyam 2 - Only for the D1 viewers. Just to peak at what happened next. They presented it in thriller fashion. But there is only so much that happens next.

Aanum Pennum (Prime) - Set of 3 movies. Great locations. Lovely dynamics between the characters. 

BENGALI

Switzerland - Thank you for loading it on Prime after few years. Now wish they would do it for Durgeshgorer Guptodhan.

TAMIL

Nava Rasa - Tamil anthology. Loved it. All made with top production quality. All interesting & captivating . Huge variety. Moving through the standard Indian theatre range of emotions. Each in differnet moods. My fav is Roudhram (Raudra - Anger) & Inmai (Bhayaanaka - Fear).

TELUGU

Oh Baby - Remake of Korean. Works well to see different people and situations beyond the expected stereotype in every movie. Samantha & Lakshmi are great along with other actors.

HINDI

Mimi - Good movie & perfect acting by the cast. Kept us involved with comedy through the serious actions in the first 3/4 movie and the emotions in the last 1/4 movie gave me a huge headache which only a good emotional movie can give.

Sooryanvanshi -  Finally a fun theatre worthy film. Good watch. Different dialogues, newer Mumbai & people. Songs were good. Logic for everything was explained. Yet some were still let go from old habits. Why they couldn't grab the terrorist in front of everyone in hotel lobby instead of courteously waiting for him to reach the final stage ? Few more were like just an excuse to do shanpatti action. But action was lajawab. Akshay K was superb and appearance of Ranveer & Ajay D really added thrill. I loved seeing those Helicopters scene.

Meenakshi Sundareswar -  Perfect bridge of South India in Hindi movie. 
And all the Instagram thrashing for the SI depictions can be countered perfectly if they had actually seen the movie.

Sandeep aur Pinky Faraar - Very good thriller. In classic Dibakar Banerjee style.

Sherni -  Movie has lovely jungle views. After being exposed to the working of ad world, corporate worlds, it’s nice to see the details of forest department. It’s like Jurassic Park, just a real non-cgi version. Vidya’s role in the predictable movie tradition of naïve who will be punished like Newton. There is no other purpose than as a lesson for audiences for what not to do. But except frustration no other is shown for her. 

Radhe - The masala movie did obviously stand out as weird when it released in May 2021; given that there is an occean of other options around; each in every other style & merit. But it a proprer masala with lot of good part.

Unpaused - Anthology film on Prime. Great collection of stories. Anthologies had started to give me dread after the Netflix collections of new Hindi ones. This series - nothing like Netflix ones. This was interesting without the twisty endings or anything. 

Ankahi Kahaniya - compared to other Netflix Hindi anthologies, this one was again is high on decency scale. Varied short stories with no twisty or closed ending.

ENGLISH

No Time to Die - Bond movie so naturally in theatres. Neatly wrapped endings for all.

Eternals - only other movie in theatres this year. Unique way of super-heroes Marvel movie. 

Best of the Enemies - Very engrossing movie on race discussion set in 1971. 2 very powerful lead characters and engrossing course of events. Most impressive & non-mundane was where it leads to. Adding an aspect of financial class to race and where that changes the dynamics in current times.

Monument Men - Good one worth seeing. Ensemble movie, set in post-WW2 Europe and a great one to see some some classic art pieces & some stories tied to them.

My Yearly Movies List here.

2020 The Year of Films

2020 is the indoor year. All the movies, web series and shows have saved humanity. OTTs and past content creators and digital platforms deserve credit and I am sure their financials are reflecting it.

 Amazon Prime has unreleased nostalgia-Doordarshan era in our home. There is bouquet of regional language movies to pick from. And after the civil unrest, they showcased Black Movies for education. That was a good window to a lot of good movies.

And in post-COVID world, OTTs gave us the option for that thrill of a" new movie release".

NEW RELEASES

Gulabo Sitabo (Hindi 2020) was the first one to release I think and receives brickbats from the stakeholders who stand to lose with the shift from theatre to digital release. But soon it was clear, this movie is indeed for home private watch, not a communal theatre watch.

Soon a lot more movies in many languages went ahead with digital release first, as the wait for reopenings got longer.

Shakuntala Devi  (Hindi 2020) - Only fate that a movie on SD should open on a OTT called 'Prime' ! Vidya Balan is reliable as ever. Drama hai, humor hai, good acting, good locations, lots of stories.

Lootcase - Such a fine thriller-comedy in the clutter. Every scene, every actor, every dialog - important and funny. Kunal Khemu is an uner-appreciated gem.

C U SOON (Malayalam 2020)- Fahaadh & Roshan Andrews movie made during lockdown times and released on Prime. Totally different format, where every scene is made of screens from online or mobile app tools - for video chat & other windows. A lot of dialogues are by chatting, and since it was in Malayalam, subtitles were excellent support. Also meant you couldn't blink or multi-task while watching this movie. Background music conveyed the mood.

TULU

Paddayi: A Tulu movie which was not the masala slapstick variety. Oh the seascapes in this movie. The slow wrapping of a Shakespearean tragedy. It was highly engrossing.

KANNADA 

Avane Srimannarayana - Finally the heartthrob Rakshith Shetty's movie after a long time.
Its a treat to hear Rakshith's DK Kannada style narration and Jackie-Chan style action sequences.
Movie is all in western style and take about half-hour to get adjusted to that. But an explanation is provided by hero-narrator. After that the story becomes involving, and we forget about the whole setup. Much appreciation for the first-class production quality of the movie. CGI and set pieces are good quality.

Malgudi Days - Mix of a tacky storyline pepped with lovely locations. 

Such a welcome break from movies with the mandatory goonda elements for some cheap thrills of dishoom-dishoom. Seriously Kannada movie makes need to explore some other path as well. But then I am not the one paying for theatre tickets, so why should those makers listen to me ? But do makers like Rakshith Shetty know something else ? Its online outlet to explore now since theatres are shut from past 5 months & future is in doubt ?

MALAYALAM

So Malayali movies have striking bunch of actors, each one better than the other.
And then they feature them together in so many movies, making multi-starrers, a usual thing.
And then in so many movies (atleast all those listed below), each frame has a huge clutter of people, each doing a unique thing. I know its a big effort production-wise. But amazingly its happening in all movies, all the time - amazing !

Virus: This movie is correct dramatization on how Corovirus is being handled today. This 2019 Malayalam movie on NIPAH outbreak, is on Amazon Prime. But they should re-release this movie in theatres. Atleast after the theaters are back in business. Showing it again in theater or TV will help the prevention message reach to larger audience, without the panic that's going on now. Also will be morale-boasting for the doers on the war-front. Also make us appreciate their efforts.

Movie was very engrossing. Such a large ensemble cast, all seasoned actors with equal screen time. So many stories, locations. Mystery tied together in the very end.

Unda: Large ensemble slow-burn movie, which places Kerala cops in Chattisgarh naxal area. Each character with individual background story, which does not take over the movie. Treat for me to watch Mammoty after a long time. He is the epitome of a gentleman.
The climax action sequence made my family pause & watch the screen; who otherwise go about their business while I am immersed in Malayalam movie.

Charlie just for Dulqer Salman & Parvaty (eye-candy), assortment of artistic objects strewn across the screen and a story which hops everywhere in a name of suspense, albeit a good one.
People in the middle of real-world problems, spouting existential questions and giving a knowing looks. Its not as bad as it sounds. All of it made it a good time-pass movie.

Driving License - Came for Prithviraj and stayed for the masala-way situation escalated. Each of these were believable. It can happen.

Ayyappanum Koshiyum - 1st hour was filled with dread, heart kept racing about what's going to happen, about how the first guy will harm the second one. 2nd hour was for the 2nd main lead to take over. And 3rd hour was the clash. Good movie to watch, family friendly. No darkness or gore, yet impactful as any horror movie.
This could be compared to Driving License, and Prithviraj is the common factor, in both movies of situation escalation between the 2 leads. While misunderstanding is the reason for escalations in DL, ego is the reason here.

So glad I saw it without reading any review before that. Not even the FC one. They gave away all the spoilers - connection of the first scene & everything after Hour 1. I mean the power of the movie is all the dread that happens in the first hour. You know what to expect in the next 2 hours , but still has impact. Experience watch. (Prime)

BENGALI

Prime did update a lot of Bengali movies this year. Big relief for me. Bengali movies are my goto for a quite-time/nap-time in afternoons. There is this sthir (Hindi) quality about them, which is missing in Hindi movies.

Bengali movies has this set of maybe 10 leading stars and how amazingly often they star together in same movies, without any overt conflict. They are actors first - Jisshu, Parambratha, Anirban, Ritwick and my fave Abir C. They have acted in so many various movies, yet no baggage of their past accomplishments showup in their current movies.

So many Bengali movies and so many recurring actors I am getting familiar with. Prosenjit, who I knew only as a masala movie superstar, has such an diverse collection of movies, its unbelievable. Aparajita Auddy is so endearing one, and then so severe or practical in another. I feel I have seen entire filmography of Rwitobroto Mukherjee. Rajesh Sharma who has an impressive lineup in Hindi, has a parallel life in Bengali movies. That way, I got less of my fav Abhir C.

This years spotlight is on Anirban Bhattacharya - who is a chameleon. I first saw him in Uma where is Mahisa Sur. And then onwards he is different in different movies. Below list has him in almost all. I still can't guess his age.

Ghare & Baire - Keol is that star we have been missing after Madhuri & Jisshu is endearing.

Chhaya O Chhobi - a lovely ensemble cast and movie located in beautiful Darjeeling.

Ghawre Bairey Aaj - quite little story touching upon controversial topics. Simplicity of it all made it fee amateurish. Each side presented lines we have heard a million times in interviews & social media. But amateur filmmaker would not have been able to portray the maturity it did. I played this movie in installments across many afternoons.

Alinagarer Golokdhadha - was not as interesting as Guptodoner Sandane, but it was in the exact same format of treasure hunt with history of Bengal as background.

Gumnaami Baba - very detailed & researched movie. Movie switches between Netaji's pre-50s life in B&W and color for current investigation events as well as that of Baba's life. Again standout performance by Anirban.

Kishore Kumar Junior - mast musical journey, featuring loads of Kishore Kumar songs, sung by Kumar Sanu, in a mashup of Hindi and Bengali versions. Also a road movie traveling in Kolkatta & Rajasthan border. Ends on a bitter-sweet note.

Asur - argh really argh. What 3 main characters ! Each one more puke worthy than other. Only lasted till the end due to fav Abhir C.

Generation Ami - treatment of two sensitive topics was well. Actually student-performance-load part was laid out well. The other one was not. Even if it was not joltsy like Gantumoote, it is trigger worthy. About the student-performance part, parents side was also presented. It was shown more as a disconnect between the two party rather than parents as villains.

Mayurakshi - yes to watch it.

TELUGU

Brochevarevarura: When the movie started, it was nothing like what I had built-up in my mind, based on this poster. But what a movie. Smashing. Kept us engrossed till the end.

MARATHI

Rewatched a lot of Ashok Saraf-Laxmikant Berde-Sachin movies to refresh mind during these unusual times

Girlfriend - I needed this to revive Amey's image, after I saw him in Asur. Good pleasant watch.

HINDI

Raat Akeli Hai 

Satellite Shankar - well made road-movie with a deadline looming to return back.

Mardaani & Mardaani 2
It was a good police procedural. A very believable team dynamics, not over the top usually it is. I had avoided it all this time because of the topic. But it managed to see it by forwarding the disturbing bits and sticking to the investigation part.

Bioscopewala - its a warm movie at the cusp of Hindi & Bengali. Takeoff from Kabuliwala movie, has a few loopholes, but Danny, Geetanjali Thapa & Brijendra Kala make up for it.

Choked - good thing it was not the usual Anurag Kashyap profanities flavored movie. All characters were well drawn. Story was engrossing and we really needed to know what happens next and what he/she did. Ending properly closed all threads and pretty much happy ending.

Panga

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KOREAN

Little Forest - if you are looking for meditative peace without any spirituality talk, then this film is it. Just watch 3 friends, lovely rural house, watch veggies grow & watch her cook with those grown veggies & fruits. Watched on Prime.

ENGLISH

Little Women - Saw it in theater in Jan and maybe that's the only one this year. An enjoyable retelling after a long time. While there is nostalgia of familiar incidents, in this movie, its laid out in non-chronological order and yet not some boring flashback. This review talks about it all in detail.

Lady Bird - Had heard of Greta Gunsberg's genius debut and needed to see it after watching Little Women.

Last Black Man of San Francisco

I always wanted to see it but got to see it once Amazon showcased it in their promotion of Black Movies after the civil unrest starting mid-year.

Very meditative and poetic way even to convey intense voilent feeling of some. It could almost be set in Bangalore to represent then & now.

The Other Half of it - very poetically made movie on high-schoolers. Tone & styling was same as Ladybird. No false notes. Got me rooting for both Ellie Chu & Paul Munksy. For a movie set in some small town somewhere cold north-west, it pulled in Bollywood - via a train scene from Ek Villian movie.

Top Gun - Cant believe I never saw this movie before ! Even if I have been an active 80s & 90s kid. Well thanks to Am Prime, saw this 1986 movie with full family. Movie had leather jackets, motorbike and jet-planes; even ships. No wonder it was a big hit. The simplistic story was matched with brilliant airflight technology they had & choreography they did. And the music - Ah !

Speaking of 80s, also caught up with Big Business and 10 things I Hate About You. Nothing better than some of the 80s fare to cheer you up. Oh the music.

My Yearly Movies List here.

2019 Movies Roundup

Some theater movies, but largely streaming movies this year.
Its going to get crazy soon, what with so many streaming services. There is only so much anyone with life can watch. And pay for multiple of them ! Uff what a dilemma.

KANNADA 

I am bugged by the new age cinema makers thinking that film ending with death is the only way to go. Everything is good, unique, engaging in the movies, till the very end where they include a twist (usually unanswered death) and leave the audience (or only me) with a sword in the heart or a bitter taste in the mouth. Ex: Gantumoote, Kahi. Makes me regret spending my past 2-3 hours glued to the screen. That is not realist or brilliant cinema. If that's the definition, then somebody please reeducate. If that is kind what you want to make, then look & learn from Tithi & Kirik Party.

Kavaludaari - was notable. It had an interesting start and needed patience to finish the second. That patience was rewarded with a satisfying ending to the villain and a give-a-way of connections of sort.

MALAYALAM

Soubin Shahir & Fahad Fasil turn out to be the flavor of 2019 Malayali movies.

There is one thing to be said about Malayalam movies. You cant except or predict how it will turn out. If you linger the first half, you might easily to brush them away as art movies or going nowhere. But noooo, you have to stay on & then you would be rewarded. 

Bangalore Days - Its rightly called the entry movie for Malayalam movie. Though this is not my first M movie, I enjoyed it as an overall experience. It's same genre as DCH with 3 cousins being the protagonists. But it weaved each one's story with many others and made it a worthwhile watching experience. Multiple cities and multiple languages - Kannada, Tamil, Hindi.

Njan Prakashan - The film has disparate sub-sections with only connections being the hero. That kind of switch is not something we are familiar with in Hindi or English movies. There it would feel like under-budget improperly planned movie. But it was tied well, thanks to the charisma of Fahad Fasil.

Ambili - fairly simple road-movie and good on visuals. First half features a green-Kerala and next half is road trip to Kashmir, with adventures along the way.

Sudani from Nigeria - Introduction to the world of local football in Kerala where players are from Africa. Film-maker had given unique stories to each of the lead characters & the sidekick gangs.

Kumbalangi nights - Very leisurely pacing for a movie that deals with viciously painful family dynamics. Everything was going well till the pyscho-horror turnaround in the climax. I had to forward that part.

BENGALI

No new store of Bengali movies on Amazon Prime as they are on HotStar or HoiKoi &  I haven't subscribed to them.

Shonar Pahar - pretty decent movie where the actors are the key reason to watch - Tanuja, the boy, Parambrata & Jishu. Every interaction is interesting.

Kadambari - Kongana & Parambratta are familiar faces. Great window into a large joint family of olden times. How it's like entering a corporate setup, with its cliques and forming your own place. Showed how the affluent with multiple real-estate lived. And how a familiar figure of India Independence movement had a private family life.

TELUGU

Dear Comrade - Watched it for dear ole Vijay Devarakonda. Rashmika was a surprise realist looking. I didn't know she was so much shorter & real beauty looking. Its amazing if the filmmakers gaze changes, so many taken-for-granted things look different. Her cricket scenes were good. Vijay D angry fight sequences mattered & were absorbing.

Gang Leader - Very interesting premise, not something found usually. Being suspenseful & about bank robbery, it keeps us engaged while it unfolds. Some bits in the end would be considered illogical or illegal, but it can be discounted.

HINDI

Bharat - We went to theater as a family outing for Bharat & later watched repeat on Prime. Met my expectations. Scenes were involving. The grand scale of story kept everyone engaged. Lovely songs. Great ensemble cast & child actors. Wish there was more of Chiang and was not edited out. Poigant moments - Md Ali constantly saying Mere ladke udhar hai; and no one caring cause hurry to move out.  Impulsive halting unsure speeches and esp the one ending with National Anthem Jana Gana Mana. Storyline was interesting. Sutradhar storytelling was tons better done than Jagga Jasoos (it’s only weak point). Handkerchief crying followed by jokes. 

Zero - Fantastic movie. Every single act or sequence of events, every character decisions were interesting, different from expected movies. Dialogues were un-imaginable. Then the songs were lavish. Setting went from small-town to Mumbai to America and then space.
I don't know what to say for it failing at BO. Even I watched it on Netflix.
All the fan-club driven internet chatter ne barbaad kiya filmon ko. Or can only blame SRK-KK-AS trinity with "Jab Tak" line has some kind of jinx. Always khilli udane-wale are the noisiest. Then awesone bolen wale chup ko jate hai. Effect shows in ticket sales. Very bad trend.

Uri - It had the war video-game vibe about it in the trailer itself and the movie delivered.

Total Dhamaal - truely fantastic mad-cap comedy after a long time. My fav bits were Madhuri-Anil ones.

Notebook - such beautiful locations and plot moves just as serenely. Adorable debutantes both. They included many known stories of Kashmir in small snippets, with elaborate explanations.

Gully Boy - really catchy & original music with equally engaging characters and their complex stories. About music, it was an education on rap music in Indian setting.

Other notables:
Super 30
Manikarnika
Luka Chuppi
Badla
Photograph
SOTY2
Dream Girl

My Yearly Movies List here.

2018 Movies Experience

After the golden years of Doordarshan, this is that time. All thanks to Netflix & Amazon Prime, I don't remember any other year where I would have seen so many non-Hindi & non-English movies. This is the standout thing about 2018. The supply in Hindi & English was not enough for my demand of new fresh movies.

Thanks to the exciting hype around Mahanati and Amazon Prime, I got to see this movie fresh.
I am not alien to the Telugu universe, but I didn't know much about Savitri before this movie. And yet I was familiar with all other key players of the movie. And Keerthy Suresh's fresh-faced smile is enough reason to watch it. It's been long time seeing a high production value movie on the vibrant times from 50s, 60s & 80s South India. The movie did not disappoint in any area.

Other new discovery from this movie was Vijay Devarakonda as Anthonygaru. Samantha & he are the journalist storytellers of Savithri's & Cinema life. Looking for his other movies, I saw his Nota & am looking around for his other movies in any streaming services I have. I was surprised to know he is Arjun Reddy, of which I knew from longtime but have no stomach to see it.

Meanwhile, my exploration of Bengali lok started with  Guptodhoner Sondhane. Thanks to Abir Mukherjee's star power, I was hooked to a bunch of Byomkesh Bakshi movies & Feluda movies on Amazon Prime.  All these were not this years releases, but I am glad I stumbled into them this year.

The only new movie in Kananda world, that I saw & enjoyed is Katheyondu Shuruvagide. Its unique & calming music is the highlight. The movie location matches it. Thanks to its lovely song "Good Morning", youtube recommended some other melodies like in Kirik Party.

Now Kirik Party is on my wishlist along with Sarkari Hi. Pra. Shaale, Kasaragodu. But I don't know when I will get to watch it. Unfortunately the regular fare of Kannada movies is too ultra-masala for my taste. But its heartening to know that interesting Kannada movies are still being made.

Malayalam movies are in such a mixed variety. I left a few off halfway this year. But the one which got me started was a very satisfying Maheshinte Prathikaaram. The location Idduki, the sub-plots & all in between.

Marathi jagaatla movie bagitala, thanks to Netflix. Pimpal has that stirr quality about it. While my kid complained about how sad the whole movie was, I was happy at how many questions it raised, and did not answer because there are none. And while there is no villain, it is just life from different viewpoints. Bucket List was purely for Madhuri magic. It really picks up after the Drunk scene. As cliche as it is, it made me laugh in some portions. Killa was again a good watch for its location.

 

Hindi cinema, no doubt, had numerous brilliant releases for 2018. Good ones got their due in mass love and box-office hits. My personal favorite  list:

1. Tumhari Sulu - worth multiple watch for its story flow and execution by all the actors.
2. Parmanu - such a well made thriller touching on something from modern history. Perfect music & ensemble of actors.
3. Stree - the only horror movie I readily saw in theatre. Its that funny ! Plus made by my fav filmaker pair - Raj&DK.
4. Sui Dhaga - best execution of underdog becomes winner genre. They got the spousal-dynamics right too. Nice to see glamorous actors of this gen in real life looks.
5. Badhaai Ho - If there was any doubt of Hindi movies being in a rut and BHB & above movies are the best showcase to contradict it. BHB keeps us engrossed from the trailor till the movie end. End scene is mixed with sniggers & laughs. Everyone know someone who is like some character from the movie.

I need to blog separately about the outstanding music trends that happened.

My Yearly Movies List here.

2017 Indian Movies Roundup

Only when I sat down to make this list, did I realize - I DID watch a lot of movies this year. This  is a lot for even for me - a self confessed movie junkie. Wow !

Had a virtual Siddarth Malhotra festival with his Baar Baar Dekho, Gentleman, Ittefaq, Hasee toh Phasee & Aiyaary trailor. And also Farhan Akhtar marathon of Lucknow Central, Dil Dhadkne Do and Bhaag Milkha Bhaag. And inevitably it was year of Rajkumar Rao with 6 movies.

This year too, not just the Stars or popular youth top actors alone, but the character actors shone bright. Notable - Sanjay Mishra (Golmaal Again, Newton, Baadshaho), Pankaj Tripathi (Bareilly Ki Barfi, Fukrey Returns, Newton), Seema Bhargava (Bareilly Ki Barfi & Shubh Mangal Savdhan), Neeraj Sood (SMS) and Chittaranjan Tripathy (SMS, A Gentleman, Fukrey)

A roundup of 2017 movies I got a chance to watch. Plus older ones I caught up on. Alpha order. Ofcourse I am not listing the thousands of TV shows and English movies I saw. Gwad how much screen time did I have !?!/ All thanks to Netflix and Amazon bringing out new movies asap.

Badshaho
Fills the gap for a good heist movie. Background music though was so loud I couldn't hear the dialoges half the time. Superb desert cine. Fav *'s Emran and Sanjay Mishra.
Great album - Recreation of Nusrat's 80s song, Recreation of Socha Hai and Piya More.

Barielly Ki Burfi

Such a sweet movie indeed. I highly recommended it to everyone.
Ayushman, Rajkumar and Kirti and their 2 friends, plus parents were perfectly cast in interesting but regular characters. Great songs in BKB jukebox.

The Chef
Soothing Kerala locales setting. Gentle dialogue delivery by all. Visuals of a variety of Indian foods and where they are made. South Indian characters potrayed in non-stereotypical way.
Best was Saif - his dialoge delivery was a total reminder of DCH style. He even makes a reference to DCH Goa trip.
Earthy Music by Raghu Dixit

Commando 2
Much anticipated for Vidyut's action seq and recreation of Bhool Bhulaiya's Hare Rama Hare Krishna song. Movie was good enough in action category.

Dear Zindagi was salvaged by lovely songs and picturesque Goa locales cinematography. And also very able actors. But as such it falls in a NBD-movie category.

Fukrey Returns
Awesome movie. A rare good sequel. Fukrey was good, but this is good too.
More focus on Chooca than on heroish Pulkit. Faizal makes less appearances maybe coz of Hollywood assignments. But the whole large cast of characters work in this movie.
Music: Mehbooba only works and its good coz more focus on the story

A Gentleman:  By my fav director-duo  Raj & DK. Trailor showed Siddarth Malhotra in a typical action-comedy trailer. And that's how the movie begins. But boy I did not expect the pre-interval twist - it was a dash of brilliance. I mean this twist has been used in other movies, even recently, but it's great to see it without expecting. And other the noteworthy thing, was the detail in depicting US-Indians life - they got everything right there, even when used in masala movie format.
Music: Every song was interesting, hummable catchy and did not mind popping up in the interesting movie. Its a peppy mood-lifter album.

The Ghazi Attack

Submarine war drama. Not something we get see often in Indian movies. Includes Bangladesh war as well. Good acting by the well-known cast.

Golmaal Again
Seriously I didn't find it comic. More of drama and tragedy in the story.
Apart from that, it was good to see the familiar characters back, truck-load of them.

Hindi Medium
Cute love story. Irfan is cute again. Main conflict draws us in, after the part where they try to fit-in upmarket social circle is done with, which is the only part I found fake. Rest of it works.
Girl playing young Mita turns up in Fukrey 2 too.
Music highlight - infectious Suit Suit karda and the beautiful Koi Hoor.

Hasee toh phasee

Meera & Amu Malik, Kabir - Dynamics like no other movie. So many layers to peel from in each scenes. Never understood Karishma. High polymer ball sequence was impressive.

Itefaq
was good thriller. It unravelled well. No bore moments. Plus current fav Siddarth.
No songs. But their credit song "Itefaq se" is catchy, cause its set on the endearing Shaan se tune and Jubin Nautiyal sings it.

Jagga Jasoos: Loved it enough to post a full review. And Anurag Basu liked my Tweet link to this review !

JHMS: Could not tolerate even half hour, even when free on Netflix. Gave it up.
But Music ah, all or most songs of the humongous album were extremely catchy and played on repeat in our house.

Judwa 2
This album also plays on repeat in our house. And the movie was a hit with our kids.

Kaabil
Jubin Nautiyal's silky voice in a wonderful album is the main draw. And Hrithik too. I had to fast-forward the uncomfortable portions, but the romance and revenge parts work very well.

Lucknow Central
Well done prison-break and buddy movie. Specific genre but escaped some of the usual stereotypes of prison-break movies. Being a non-romantic story, it totally depended on the diverse characters to endear as buddies.
Spoken Hindi in this movie was very beautiful. The specific kind spoken matched each characters background.
Farhan was again dependable.
Energetic album, again non-romantic ones, but totally catchy and hummable.

Naam Shabana
Interested in it since its prequel to spy-movie BABY character and its always comforting to see familiar characters again. I love franchise movies.
Only complaint with BABY was the disconnect between background music and the scenes pace. Same thing here. But otherwise an interesting movie.

Newton
Highly touted as quality cinema by the PR, atleast it did set expectation of what kind of movie to expect. Watched it for the feel-good wave going on for Rajkumar Rao. Does not disappoint and so did all the other actors in it. Story was simple and ends as it started.

Ondu Motteya Kathe
Really charming Kannada movie. The pace picks up after Sarala's entry but overall well made by Mr Shetty. Movie name is an obvious homage to Dr Raj movie "Ondu Muttina Kathe". Thanks to Netflix.

Raabta

Still can't get over some of its songs - Recreation of Raabta - its even better than the first one, which I had thought was perfect and cannot be improved.
Movie works if you are fond of enduring any new-age couples banter. Jim's entry and the twist he brings, is just a minor diversion.

Subh Mangal Savadhan

Fun movie. Hyper characters in wedding setting. All the actors really support this movie.
Loved the Pan Parag prompting scene. I was also nodding my head through the slow realization.
And the ones where the mothers say, "Itnisi thi jab paida hui thi" & "Yeh bhi itnasa hi paida hua tha".

T3EN
Very interesting premise. First movie I saw about goofed up timeline, not because of continuity issues, but actually as a plot device. Works well even with the disturbing subject and thriller treatment. More of AB & NS and less of Vidya.

Tiger Jhinga Hai
Katrina's 3 action sequences were brilliant.
Songs all blah (hence good thing there were only few), except the extremely catchy Swag se Swagat.

Toilet: Ek Prem Katha
As with others, the name made me squeamish, plus I knew the story - so what was there to watch ? Eventually when I did watch, it did not disappoint. Entertaining and resolves the conflict in a roundabout way. Awesome music.

But I did not see the one movie I did want to - Tumhari Sulu. So interested in it, thanks to it's teaser, trailor and interesting songs.

My Yearly Movies List here.

Karnataka Mallige in Hindi Movies

{[ Alert: Long, sectioned post with as many pics & links as I could find ]}

This thing about growing up in a place, which is culturally not what your family is from, can as expected and is well-known, cause many confusions, discomfort actually, in those growing years. Trying to fit in local, but that feeling of always lagging behind and, thanks to pre-existing labels, not being accepted where you try to fit in. This could be happen when growing up in different states in India or moving outside India. In this conflict, the only place you know you fit in, is Home. And the other is in Popular media. So seeing your representation in the most popular media is pretty thrilling. Hindi movies and Doordarshan has been more a part of me than Kannada movies and TV channels, thanks to the places I grew up in. So excited-pointing out, every time a Kannadiga  showed up onscreen, was one of the exciting points of watching experience. Here are few of the very well-known names.

Creators

In the 50s and 60s, Kananda producers were not actively making Hindi movies as much as movie producers from Madras. However a lot of director/producers did show up, while some exclusively created Hindi content.

Puttanna Kanagal - an iconic figure in Kananda movies, remade his Kannada movie Naagarahaavu to Hindi Zehreela Insaan, based on 3 Kannada novels by T. R. Subba Rao (TaRaSu). Hindi movie had the same Chitradurga location. O Hansini song was pictured same as Baare Baare song, which was shot very inventively. Max of the song was in slow motion, and in some scenes the screen was split with one in normal speed and other in slow motion. It was ahead of its time. I did not see the Hindi movie, but saw Naagarahaavu and few other of Puttanna's Kannada movies as a school-kid. Almost all of them about mis-fits and their tragic situations, put more fear in my mind than any horror movie.

Ahista Ahista (1981 film) is remake of Puttanna's famous Kannada film Gejje Pooje (1969) based on a novel by M K Indra. Emotional story, so was very involving. Lovely actors all in the movie and perfect music by Khayyam.

Produced by NFDC, Girish Kasaravalli made bilingual Ek Ghar with Deepti Naval and Naseeruddin Shah in 1990. It was fun to watch these to prime Hindi stars speaking Kannada.

I don't count Guru Dutt in my favorites, considering the darkness in his works; even though I have seen all his romantic and light-hearted stuff too. No one can discount the high level of work he had produced. When I grew up and fell in Wiki rabbit-hole, I learnt that Dutt was not his last name (it was Padukone) and he was not a Bengali as is the impression, but a Konkani. That was a shocking discovery for me.

Shyam Benegal's filmography is mind-blowing. Even for a masala-movies kid, I can bet I have seen it all. That's because they are all entertaining and engrossing. And hence why I am not naming any one of them. Ok, my movie recommendations - Trikal, Manthan, Kalyug, Junoon, Mammo, Welcome to Sajjanpur, Well done Abba. Bharat Ek Khoj was my Gen TV series and now it can be an official educational tool. Yatra is a great trip for a Railway and the 80s nostalgia. It was much later that I learnt that Benegal is a village in Karnataka.

Nishant cast photo

Shabana Azmi, Shyam Benegal,  & Smita Patil at Cannes for Ankur

Yet another film the impressed the masala-movies-child-me was Garam Hawa. Story-telling and absorbing actors worked here again. This milestone movie of Hindi Cinema, was made by Mysore born MS Sathyu.

In the 80s & 90s, I heard of Manmohan Shetty as almost exclusive producer of Govind Nihalani movies and shows. And later as the owner of influential AdLabs. His daughters Pooja Shetty-Deora and Aarti Shetty are taking it to bigger scale as Reliance MediaWorks.

Malgudi Days is an ultimate example of Kar impact on national level. Made by Kannadigas, it went on to become a National favorite and even today a trigger of nostalgia for the 90s kids. Based on a book by R K Narayan, made by Shankar Nag, this show was made by all Kannadigas and shot in Agumbe, Bangalore and Tumkur. Eventually Master Manjunath , showed up in Agneepath and Vishwatma, there was lot of finger pointing - by us at the screen and repeatedly saying "Swami Swami". Kids you know.

R K Narayan and Shankar Nag

A very influential Mumbai grown personality is Director Rohit Shetty. His movies have always been  the big mainstream ones, my favorite being Chennai Express.

And then there is this entity, I cannot cannot ignore. Not a director or producer or any star. But has played a role in Hindi movies. That is the Vijaya Bank. It was a matter of pride, everytime Vijaya Bank credits played on screen of Rajshri Production movies. Anecdotes of Tarachand Barjatiya visiting VB branches are legendary among the VB alumni who served in Bombay in the 80s.

Vijaya Bank credits in Maine Pyar Kiya

Vijaya Bank credits in Hum Aapke Hai Kaun

Actors

The most iconic figure would have to be Fighter Shetty . He was a villian side-kick in hundreds of masala movies. But I liked him best in Sikandar. This was a Black and White children's movie, where 3 kids and their puppy went on a road adventure. Among all people their encounter, they do get picked by Fighter Shetty, who does his typical menacing best. And at the end of his sequence, he turns out to be the most sweetest teddy bear.

Fighter Shetty aka M B Shetty

And my current favorite Reshma Shetty. Was surprised to see her in Royal Pains on Netflix. And pleasantly surprise that she was the prime cast. Well acted in a well written role. She has a great career too.

Many superstar heroines from the 60s-70s, did act in token Hindi movies, without relocating. Bharathi worked in numerous Hindi movies, and it was thrilling to watch her in Purab Aur Paschim.
The most prominent migrant from Bangalore to Mumbai of this age, has to be Deepika Padukone. DP grew up in Bangalore, debuted in Kannada movie and then went on to rule the Hindi movie scene. She had a blockbuster debut in Hindi and followed it up with substantial work. Recently, Anushka Shetty (a Telugu movie vetren) in Hindi dubbed monolith Baahubali.

But before DP and after Bharathi there was a Shetty wave in the 90s, homegrown in Mumbai with roots from Karnataka. Shilpa Shetty and Sunil Shetty played main roles and acted in all Masala movies. Since they were in popular movies, I got asked a lot of questions by my school friends - thanks to the same last name. And Aishwarya Rai - came in via international fame and was totally a queen in every movie she worked in.

 

Girish Karnad was handsome and impressive in Kalyug and Manthan. And he was such a frequent appearance in lots of movies and TV shows. Among recent appearances, his most memorable is as Salman's boss Shenoy in Ek Tha Tiger. Hope he appears in sequel as well.

Anant Nag - the most endearing one in all his roles. I grew up watching his typical hero-wala Kananda movies and then remembered seeing him in number of Hindi movies previously. He was part of many Shyam Benegal movies, as it turned out that he had a base in Bombay too before moving to Bangalore.

Shabana Azmi & Anant Nag in Ankur

Prakash Belawadi is active in Kannada scene, but its always great to spot him in the recent Hindi movies. His presence had enriched these movies - Madras Cafe, Youngistaan, Talvar, Airlift and Te3n. I don't know of anyone else who can equal his portrayal of manipulative or grumpy or negative roles.

Prakash Rai/Raj menacing villian in many Hindi movies and a prolific actor in all 4 south Indian languages, not to forget National Award wining actor.

Arundhati Nag, an eminent Kannada personality who has appeared in a few Hindi movies & TV shows, mainly Dil Se & Paa. I am aware of the times during which she founded and continued the workings of Ranga Shankara.

Padmavati Rao has appeared in numerous Hindi movies. I remember her for a detective show on DD, name of which I have forgotten and can find a trace of it online. Unbelievable that she doesn't have a Wiki page ! And found out she is sister of Arundhati Nag

And Poonam Shetty, who played the role of Shrutakirti, Shatrugun's wife in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana. Even if her role was minor, seeing the Shetty name in the Cast credits of this iconic 90s TV show was very talk-worthy. She would be the first discovery for my gen.

Poonam Shetty in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayana

Language

With Rohit Shetty, I was thrilled by him having the same last name on such a huge popularity scale. But I appreciate how he includes Tulu or KAR specific in his movies, given that Tulu or Karnataka may not have featured as importantly in his growing up years. He included Pili vesha dance in Kashmir Main Tu Kanyakumari song.

There was an entire sequence with prominent dialogs in Tulu and a North Kar village location included in Singham. It was controversial, some ripple in quite waters, but it was thrilling to see its inclusion in a wide release movie. I hope the controversy did not dissuade him from including more in his future movies. Chennai express tackled many points about South Indian languages and includes bits of all those languages and cultural references.

Speaking of Tulu, in the movie Welcome, Sunil Shetty (in a cameo as himself) spoke Tulu with Nana's character (Uday Shetty).

About Kannada in Hindi movies, I can't remember any. I faintly remember there was a non-mainstream movie (with MS Satyu connection, I think) in which characters in a train, spoke in many Indian languages. But I don't remember anything else about it.

Movie Characters

Sadashiv Amrapurkar as the main villan Rama Shetty in Ardh Satya (1983). Inspite of being the villain, every Shetty I know was impressed.

Nana Patekar as Uday Shetty in Welcome (2007) - Full fledged Shetty in main protagonist role. And on the whole, every scene in the movie was funny.

Inspector Vishnu Kamath in Dum Maro Dum (2011). I am counting in Goa ka Konkani as well because he was the protagonist and with no irritating South Indian-ism stereotype in his character. Abhishek entry sequence was too good to see in HD and he was the best part of the movie, all good dialoges for him. "Cuna tha. Chuna lagaya." and more.

Girish Karnad  as Salman's boss Shenoy in Ek Tha Tiger (2012). He had some chunky crucial scenes as Tiger's mentor. And the most whistle-maro moment was the scene where he asks Gopi for the number of countries in the world :D

Dr Varun Shetty in Krish 3 (2013). It was great to see Arif Zakaria after a long time, but his name was totally unexpected, so I went "Ai ?"


In Daulat Ki Jung (1992), there is a minor villain character named Mr Shetty

There are more Shetty's in different Web Series Short Films.

More Names:

Nakash Aziz (singer), Neetha Shetty (Model, Actress);

Happy Karnataka Day  ! Jai Karnataka !

This post is a result of months of typing and single person research. I have obviously covered only the prominent and very popular personalities. And also because they were who, I saw in my TV time. Today, the second and further generation Kannadigas, growing up outside Karnataka and those migrating from Karnataka, are the numerous skillful contributors in different departments making up the Hindi movies.

It is said that Kannadigas outside Kar, do not unite, do not form their groups, are shy to talk in Kannada as much as other South Indian regionalists. Yes very true observations. But it's because we are not threatened by any fear of loss of Kannada or our identity. We are living up the language and Karnataka link, as we go, wherever we go.

My Yearly Movies List here.