POV MNIK

This one is long overdue. I saw this one a week ago. But got busy after that...Anywaz better late than never. Hype...hoopla...controversy...superb reviews 4.5 -5 ratings....Is it all worth it!!!!!!

My name is Khan...Kh from the apiclotyis... The film has its moments for sure...The film inspires, teaches, entertains, makes you cry everything but ends up being too long!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Atleast for me...peoples’ opinions may differ.

The film follows the story of an autistic Rizwan Khan... and tries to intertwine 9/11 and Katrina tragedy in USA. My problem is that it says too much. All is fine in Rizwans world till 9/11 but post that his family and him are looked upon by others as terrorists. This indeed is a sensitive topic. Sadly Rizwan Khan loses his son due to suspecting people. His wife Mandira (hindu married to a muslim) holds his name responsible. Now his motto is to go and tell the president of US that ‘My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist’. So far so good.

SRK is brilliant in his portrayal of autistic. Any adjectives or superlatives you use for his performance will fall short of giving complete description. I just loved him. I was keen to see Kajol back after a long gap. She didn’t disappoint. Loved music, production design and camerawork.

But now on the flipside I can’t help but think that was the flood episode needed? Yaa it is based on a true story (as a friend of mine tells me). But was it required? And if it was required was Khans passage through that town earlier required??? Even if he hadn’t been there earlier there was enough motivation in the character to rush to rescue those people on hearing of their plight.

Also on her son’s death we see Kajol cry her lungs out for almost 3 scenes. For me it was more than required and the telling could have been more economic. Plus I felt the intercourse for dumbos gag not required.

To sum it up though the film inspires and tackles sensitive issue... Chak De India and Swades were more inspiring. But this is one of the better films of the year so far!!!

Pratik Kothari is a fan of

Yashpal Sharma

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POV

Hi All

The last few weeks have been full of various experiences. Just tracking back and putting my views down.

First of all films. 4 films released on 29th Jan. Ishqiyaan, Rann, Road to Sangam, Harishchandrachi Factory. I, so far, have managed to see 3 of them barring Rann. The week has been heartening if you are a bollywood fan content wise. But there are few things that worry me too.

Ishqiyaa started as a favourite and over the weekend and early part of this week it did very well. It is a good film. Good story,good music great performances and so deserved it.

Harishchandrachi factory was a spring of surprise. Though there were news which said it was a great film but when I saw it.... it was even more than I expected. Very entertaining it is when it could have easily fallen into the trap of being a documentry. I was even happier when I saw almost 70% response. But it was a Sunday and at a place which has marathi speaking audience. Some people whom I know, who appreciate good cinema, were still reluctant to see the movie saying that we will not understand the language. Strangely people will watch world cinema Spanish Japanese Italian etc etc. But they will refrain from a very good Indian film which is not hindi. Strange!!!

Now for Road to Sangam, another excellent movie, good story (for those who complain tat Indian movies do not have good storylines), great performances (Paresh Rawal, Om Puri and especially Pawan Malhotra) and a film with a message. What happens, Friday 1 pm Fun Republic show cancelled because there was no one except me who wanted to watch the film. Finally I catch it at PVR Juhu late night show which also has an audience of 10. So, for me, the notion that the advent of multiplexes has improved the scenario and smaller films are being screened and getting visibility doesn't hold true. Only thing is that bigger films have gotten bigger. The problem is that no one takes a film without a 'star' seriously. Nor the audience nor the multiplex. At a 4 screen multiplex only one noon show for a film that has won a MAMI (ironically after being screened at the same place) is unreasonable. And strangely the audience didn't turn up considering that Fun Republic is in an area full of cinema people. Big production houses and many aspiring film makers and actors there.

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Earlier this week, I had a show of a play 'Lakeerein' written by Gulzar Saab and directed by Mr Salim Arif, for Aman Ki Asha campaign promoting peace between India and Pakistan. This show is one that I will not forget for a long time. It has made lasting impressions on my heart and mind.

As a 10 -12 year old child, once I had visited Delhi, Jaipur etc. At Jaipur we went to Ajmer Sharif. And there, as an innocent child not knowing much apart from the fact that in 1947 when India won Independence, it also was partitioned and a country called Pakistan came up,and further there was tension between the countries . I had made a wish that in the two countries peace prevails. It felt great when a campaign like this came up and even great when I came to know that we have a show to do for the same.

Earlier the show was scheduled in Bangaluru but then it got rescheduled in Mumbai and the auditorium in Mumbai where it was to be performed made it even more special for me because it was at that very hall that the journey had begun for me some 5-6 years back. That time I was a part of a inter college event performing a skit. It felt truly special.

Just a few hours before the show when we were in a run through Yashpal Sir got the news of the sad demise of this father. It was shocking for us and I cannot imagine the sense of loss he must have felt at that time. My heartfelt condolences for your dad and may his soul rest in peace. Yashpal Sir I salute you. And I am proud, that I am working with people like you!