There's a middle name in there somewhere but it's as banal as 'Kumar'... Oh wait, it is Kumar!
Now that I have wasted TWO WHOLE PARAGRAPHS on a dude's name, I think I'll move on, because, as usual, there is a purpose.
2009 has not been a great year for me as a lover of the talkies. It's been one disappointment after another, and it's almost as if all the promising directors from just a few years ago, or even last year, have gotten up from their chair, and taken a walk. Little Raj is one of them.
Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani (and I'll only type this once) is a movie set in a make believe town with a talking statue and a Filmcity-like studio backdrop. There's a guy and a girl who have much in common - goodness, love of God, vegetarianism, a stutter, and so on. They're like totally MFEO (I say to myself, pretending for a second that I'm Paris Hilton)! ICK!
Anyways, the plot is the same. There are parents, politicians, henchmen, not to mention 40 year old men, playing buddies to Ranbir. This is what really gets me though... Why are there scenes that the director just puts in to remind you of the fact that he is indeed the same guy who made Andaz Apna Apna??? I mean, we already know that, and it's why we're watching this crock of s*^t!
You go in thinking that the guy who has made Ghayal, Damini and AAA (hands down, one of the funniest movies of all time) will have something up his sleeve. But no, you are given the same stale staple that has drowned the fate of many a film this year. It's all accessorizing, packaging, prettying... But the box is empty. Imagine getting a beautifully gift wrapped box, ribbon and everything, that you open up, only to find a vacuum inside it! How painful! First the build up, and then the absolute pain of disappointment!
Here's the shocker though... AAA is one of those amazing classics, that in it's time was a flop in spite of the star cast. It was way ahead of its time, just like 'Mera Naam Joker'. As the years passed, it became a cult classic, and a definite entry on any Hindi film watcher's top 10, or at least top 20. I think it was one of those unintentional sixers, that took a while, but went straight out the field!
APKGK... It is clear that the director is trying to make an AAA, with a love angle. He doesnt succeed, but the film is a hit! Awhhh that Ranbir is so funny, oohhh that Kat is just sooo pretty... Maybe it is a generation thing, but I don't get it...
I noticed that even Love Aaj Kal, which I thought was crap, was liked by a lot of other people. And so was Ghajini. And so was Wanted. I think the bar is falling... It's almost as if it is OK to make a mediocre film if there's enough good songs in it, and well dressed protagonists and a few punchlines. When did this happen? Have we lost the plot or have our films? It is a mad mad world where excellence gets a bah! bah! and mediocrity a rah! rah!
Too many questions, no answers... Just a frustrated and saddened individual with drooping shoulders walking away from a movie hall after spending generously on tickets, caramel popcorn, half a 12 ounce glass of coffee (that should be filled a little more by the way) and overpriced bottled water...
Instead, sit at home and watch 'Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist'. It's sweet, it's funny, it's cool... And it's worth the build up! That's a lot more than can be said for Indian cinema this year... Even if 'born with it-it's in his blood-superstar' Ranbir is kick ass and can do imitations of Shammi Kapoor and Charlie Chaplin (ek hi picture mein!!!). He needs something to rise to, you know, and so far, there's been no challenges.
