December 22, 2013

Whose Wedding Next?!

Ever had someone zealously insist you attend their wedding as if you owed them some debt from a previous birth? Or assert that you confirm your attendance right away as if their wedding ceremony would not be solemnised without your presence? Polite invitations are sweet, the zealous assertions…not so much. A couple of the latter have come my way this month. The trend of peers getting married began in 2012 for me, and people have been getting married left, right and centre since then! I suppose it will tide over by 2020 and invitations would be flying thick and fast throughout this period, depending on who does not read this post.

Confession: I have no interest in weddings or even the institution of marriage. The former is an exercise in event management and the latter brings nothing to the table in a relationship. This post is for whipping the wedding wave.

Indian wedding ceremonies involve a bunch of religious rituals. Hindu weddings tend to have a larger number of such rituals as compared to, say, Sikh or Muslim ones. Whatever the wedding formalities may be, they require only the bride, groom and a priest endorsing god’s representation in that ceremony. For example, the sacred fire plays that representative in the Hindu ones. Unlike court proceedings, which require human witnesses to register a marriage, the religious ceremonies have no need for any other physical witnesses. Since “God” is your witness, the mortals can go take a hike, if they want.

Often, that is not what they ‘want’. Our collectivistic cultural tendencies manifest themselves in wedding ceremonies which offer the perfect pretext to gather and make merry. Popular culture has influenced traditional ceremonies to spread over ‘festivities’ lasting at least 2-3 days. The actual ‘wedding ceremony’ could be a matter of few minutes or some hours, but the melee around it provides a great outing to our latent voyeur. ‘Sangeet’ and ‘Cocktail’ parties are ideal to satiate our mutual obsession with watching women dance. The bride and groom have a perpetual grin plastered on, irrespective of their backs hurting due to long hours of standing, bending to greet the elders or high-heeled footwear.

Originally meant to be a ‘celebration of union’, wedding ceremonies have ballooned into massive event management exercises. An act of unison between two private individuals is turned into a colossal shindig swarming with participants who have no imminent impact on this “union”. While being genuinely happy for the soon-to-be-marrieds, I find such ‘celebrations’ to be utterly dispensable and see no point in attending them. I despise the idea of watching the ritual of kanyadaan”, essentially an act akin to transfer of property, a.k.a the bride. It is quite inconvenient trudging over to faraway destinations and I don’t eat at weddings. Not to mention the personal costs (time, money, et al) involved in attending an impersonal event. I’d certainly drop everything and go for a wedding if my services (of any kind) were solicited by those at the heart of “the event”. But it’s really unfair expecting me to be a passive bystander in your jamboree when I have other options to utilise my costs. I’d gladly spend hours with the couple, bonding over fresh meals, laden with dollops of laughter as we discuss the good (and even the not-so-good) things in life.


I prefer nurturing a personal relationship, instead of marking my ‘attendance’ at a “wedding ceremony” so that the supremo can gloat about their event management skills. *Scurrying off to RSVP!* 

March 11, 2013

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns


Presenting a sequel inevitably lends itself to comparisons with the previous product, especially when you know that the ‘sequel’ was created only after the first instalment garnered massive accolades all over. It’s not as if the creator (director Tigmanshu Dhulia) had an idea he would like to pan out over multiple outings (ala Nolan and the Batman movies). Yes, one must always view an entity independently…blah blah… and it would be quite unfair to compare Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns (SBAGR) with the preceding Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster (SBAG). Watching SBAGR made me realise how much I loved SBAG! Forgive me for hopping back and forth between these films in this post, as I never really got down to writing one exclusively on SBAG and will use this opportunity to do that.

I have only vaguely read about but not yet seen Guru Dutt’s classic Sahib Biwi Aur Ghulam, the original which Dhulia adapted for Sahib Biwi Aur Gangster. Hence SBAG for me was a fresh film not carrying any baggage from its inspiration. It was deliciously wicked, kept the audience engaged and on the edge of their seats! SBAGR, sadly, is too long, un-saucy and does not pack enough punch. The decay of the erstwhile rulers is portrayed quite well but it is stretched only to indulge the director’s sensibilities.

The writers of SBAGR must be commended for some crackling dialogues and for seamlessly weaving in references to real-life incidences (*spoiler alert!* porn-watching neta, MLAs being whisked to seclusion just like how it is done after elections to prevent horsetrading, lifestyle magazines featuring spreads on crumbling palaces and interviews that evoke the erstwhile glamour and nostalgia of the ‘royal’ way of life).

The songs of SBAGR are insipid and barely do anything to forward the narrative OR entertain the viewers. An attempt to spice up the proceedings via the customary ‘item song’ fails miserably as Mugdha Godse is a totally wrong choice for it! Not only is she a hopeless dancer but also, obviously, her cleavage does not make up for lack of expressions! What could have been a fabulous satirical number given the settings (think ‘Ranaji’ from Gulaal) ends up being a forgettable comment on our media-crazy times. On the aside, apparently the music of Dhulia’s films never really leave an imprint on us, unlike Anurag Kashyap’s! Anyone remembers any songs from Haasil? Charas? SBAG and SBAGR join the same league. That’s one thing consistent in Dhulia’s works!

SBAGR wraps up with a scope/ hint for the third installation to be attempted in future. Best wishes to Dhulia and team for hopefully making a film that will redeem this second movie. SBAG had everyone involved bringing something interesting to the board which is kind of missing from SBAGR. The former had menace that truly entertained but the latter fails to make an impact of any kind. I’m craving to watch SBAG now!

SBAGR is not a bad film, it’s just not good enough!

Images courtesy: http://avsongs.com/component/content/frontpage.html and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saheb,_Biwi_Aur_Gangster

January 22, 2013

Mandola Revisited

Weapons of the Weak

The blogger went for a second viewing of Vishal Bharadwaj’s Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola, two weeks after the first viewing. While previous opinions still stand true  ( http://vichaarkhaana.blogspot.in/2013/01/mandola.html ) here are some additions to it.

Mandola (yes, I absolutely refuse to call it MKBKM!) provides a crisp opportunity to observe emotionally-wrenching depth conveyed with subtlety. When Bijlee goes looking for Matru in the rain-washed, deserted village, she only shows him, from a distance, her freshly hennaed palms . Not a single word is uttered. The sad-but-blank face of Anushka doesn’t even flinch. All the pathos of an unhappy present and doomed future are spared their conversion to words and we are left with just that one sight. That’s all.

Later on, when Matru is packing his stuff to leave, Bijlee simply says, “I have started brushing in the night”. No sentimental, mushy “I love you”-types expressing of love there. Just a simple dialogue, hinting at the depth of attachment, belief and hope, binding these characters in an unconventional yet romantic way. Economy of words has always been the forte of the brains behind this film!

Finally, the thought that did not leave my side since the very first viewing! Dialogues and actions of the movie constantly reminded me of J C Scott’s “Weapons of The Weak”! This movie is an exercise in the display of not just the arm-twisting tactics of the strong but also of the small stings that are weapons of the weak. Here the haves do not have it all. The have nots do not believe that what they have is insignificant in denting the haves, even if minimally so.

An obvious example of this was the usage of dung as cannonballs to disrupt ‘Operation Mao Mao/ Mow’. The villagers may not be laced with technologically advanced options to counter the chemically-armed, menacing son of the manipulating politician, but that did not prevent them from devising a smart (even if stinky) plan to protect their lush crops from being destroyed in the wake of midnight’s darkness. This was maximisng the usage of resources at their disposal, no matter how crude!

In their discussion with the politician (representing the state that wants the land), Mandola (who owns this land) and other officials (of the bureaucracy that will process this deal), tillers indulge in ‘coercive bargaining’ (Guha 1987:2001) to get a better price for their sacrifice (of land). Scott’s book demonstrates how…
In Malaysia the state has become the main provider of valuable public goods but has not succeeded in replacing the rural elites as patron at the village level. Many of the material benefits distributed by the state are mediated by the official party machine, which is controlled locally by landowning families (Esmon 1987:311).

Similarly in Mandola, when Matru circumvents the village patronage and attempts get a fair selling price for their wheat at the mandi (wholesale market), Mandola’s henchmen actively intrude to prevent the sale from taking place. Strains of ‘coercive bargaining’ can also be identified in other (crisp) exchanges between Jalebi Devi and Mandola, Mandola and Bijlee, Mandola and Matru, among others! In each of these scenarios the ‘weak’ character plays his/her asset to their advantage while bargaining for their personal benefits. The outcome of it may not always be entirely in their favour, but that small foot in the door is not an insignificant gain either!

This has been a stellar comeback for VB who was showered with widespread criticism for his previous directorial venture, a movie both the Lady (http://dolcenamak.blogspot.in/2011/02/7-khoon-maaf-and-me.html) and me immensely enjoyed. In Mandola there shines the characteristic wicked wit and sarcasm that comes from an evolved understanding of our evils. The ability to communicate it with simplicity and deadpan humour is the forte of VB and Gulzaar Sa’ab! Blessed are we to be living in the times that they are too!


References:

Scott, J.C. 1986. Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance. Connecticut:Yale University Press.


Guha, R. 1987. Presentation of Class in Everyday Life Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance by James C. Scott. Economic and Political Weekly. 22:47. pp. 2000-2002.

Esman, M.J. 1987. Weapons of the Weak: Everyday Forms of Peasant Resistance by James C. Scott. The American Political Science Review. 81:1. pp. 310-313.

January 11, 2013

Mandola



l The Lines Are Drawnl

(*SPOILER Alert* this is not a review. Some implied puns of the film are ‘explained’ here.)

I could launch into a monologue of how much I love VB and the ability to look past the obvious and appreciate the inappropriately-titled Matru Ki Bijli Ka Mandola (MBKBM). Instead, i suggest you read Raja Sen's on it. 

What I will rather do is to claim that I could have walked into this movie during the interval and watched the proceedings without itching to get any info on the first half. Seriously! Come on, VB...आपका क्या जाता अगर आप हमारे time को थोड़ा और value देते और इस picture को ठीक length की बनाते ?! (exasperated translation – ‘what would you have lost had you appreciated the value of the viewer’s time and made this picture of the ‘proper’ length?!). Why indulge yourself SO much, man?! Just because I have instituted a whole school in the name of your style (and camp) of filmmaking, does not mean you’ll try my patience like this, no?

Once I have drawn the lines between the significance of first and second halves of the film, it is easier to enjoy what VB has served us.

This is not escapist cinema. It is a wisely-written topical satire with multiple references to the times of our lives lurking from every frame and most dialogues. Two best examples of such dialogues are one each delivered by Shabana Azmi (personal development = country’s development) and Pankaj Kapur (I dream of development…).

There are JNU jokes ;-)!  

VB even gives us acceptable labels, replete with foul adjectives. “Commie B*****d” and “Bourgeoisie B***h”. The world consists of only two kinds of people. Just remove the gender-specific expletives at the end, and there we are! Those who claim to be walking the grey middle path are only hiding their true colors. I certainly know the side I am on!

I absolutely LOVED the humour. They jokes are small, not in-your-face and don’t make you laugh-out-loud. Mostly, they sting…but there are enough of them to keep the grin coming back. I got them all… ALL! Thank You, VB, for doing a film that appreciates our understanding of subtlety and does not insult the intelligence by making stuff so annoyingly in-your-face. This is exactly like what we say in Hindi - "रेशम से लपेट कर मारना"! (to wrap in silk and whip!). any intention of political correctness is thrown to the winds, as the dialogues do NOT refrain from names-dropping for conveying the messages loud and clear. everyone from the Ambanis to Sheila Dikshit to the 'babalog' of Indian politics make an appearance in the lines!

Apart from the obvious ‘Mao-Lenin’ references that EVERYONE got, there were some others like: kursiyaan: chairs (political power): cheers!, the “tubelight” lighting up when Badal FINALLY gets his Mum’s hints at ‘Bijli’, and many more that I’ll continue to relish in my future viewings of this film.

The title of the film is unnecessarily long. While Jitesh Pillai may have found it interesting (aeons ago on Twitter, and he speculated it to be Gulzaar Sa’ab’s influence on VB), it didn’t really serve ANY purpose. This film is all about Mandola. The man and the village. Matru and Bijli are supporting characters. They didn't need an endorsement in the title of the film! Nobody would have accused VB of being partial if he had gone ahead with only “Mandola”, after all, that is the only word that has an actual pun element to it!

Arya Babbar does a good job of the moron he is supposed to play. The director gives us just enough seconds to exclaim “gadha” (ass/donkey) when Badal asks Mandola for how will he look in either choice of sherwani for the wedding and Mandola says “you’ll look the same”!

Imran Khan tries hard to justify VB’s choice of casting him and succeeds only till the extent where he can’t convey the ruggedness of a Haryanvi to us. First we are told he studied law. Then JNU is thrust into our face, which will make most people to conclude, incorrectly, that he studied law at JNU. Since that is technically not possible, VB, why the mashup? would it take too much footage to give a clear idea of where he studied law?!

Anushka, my love, does not get much meat to sink her teeth in, :-'(, but shines in a pre-climatic scene meant to portray her helplessness as a pawn in the game of greed and gain.

Shabana Azmi is ‘delicious’ ;-)! Her last outing in a VB film was the creepily wicked witch-act in Makdee, a decade ago. To see traces of that wickedness in some of the scenes here is delightfully satiating!

Pankaj Kapur takes the cake…A-L-L of it! He is the heart, soul and spine of this film. I’m so smitten by his character and acting that I’m not even qualified to sing his paeans here!

So unqualified I feel that I’ll not try to compose original lines for conclusion. I’d much rather cite Mayank Shekhar for that…

In portions, the film becomes then a somewhat literal, Leftist pamphlet, starring one of the leading men of romantic movies (Imran Khan), coming out of the most Right Wing of all cinema industries (Bollywood), funded by an American Fox Studio, owned by the Australian magnate Rupert Murdoch. This is fine subversion on the part of the filmmakers still…But then that’s also the beauty of capitalism, which this fairly intelligent, amusing take acknowledges by its very own existence.


PS: I chose this image ONLY because Anushka looks smoking in it! Yes, I love her THAT much!