My Review : Movie "Antardwand"

Beware all grooms of Bhaiyaa-Land(UP/Bihar) for “Antardwand”, the directorial debut of Sushil Rajpal, could send chills down to your spine. Antardwand is based on the real story of “groom-kidnapping” which was once prevalent in UP/Bihar belt in late 90s.

Rajpal has taken a non-judgmental view of the whole issue and presented the story as simply as possible, which is its strength also. Film is devoid of any kind of melodrama and true to the zeitgeist of the bygone era.

Veer(Raj singh Chaudhary) , an IAS aspirant and only son of a well-to-do middle class family returns his home from Delhi to discuss his marriage with parents. He has been into a Live-in relationship with his GF for last 4 yrs, who is now pregnant and an immediate marriage is the need of the hour. Veer’s father (Vinay Pathak) like a typical 90s father is negotiating dowry with an affluent businessman for his to-be IAS son. On the other hand another could-be bride’s father (Akhilendra Mishra) is pestering Veer’s father since long and is unable to crack the deal.

Story takes a turn and Veer while returning back to Delhi, is kidnapped by the rejected bride’s father , tortured and married to the nubile daughter(debutant Swati sen). This is interesting situation; newlywed couple are locked in a comfortable room of the Bungalow and whole family desperately wait for their marriage to consummate. Somehow Veer manages to escape, leaving bride and her family shocked. Soon bride is declared pregnant and whole family is in deep consternation. Life takes twist and turns for the cast here on and finally it’s the bride who shows courage and takes resolution of her own life.

As i mentioned earlier, its simple but at times looks ordinary too, quite a few frames in the beginning are handled amateurishly. Lack of production value is obvious throughout the movie. But the strength lies in story and its presentation. Film deals with a heavy issue but regular doses of humour make it a wonderful watch and convey the point to audience.

Vinay pathak has a small role ,which he execute with ease. Akhilendra Mishra brings in an authenticity and displays range as an authoritative father. Raj Singh chaudhary looks misfit but enacts his part loyally. Debutant Swati sen looks every bit of rural bihari girl and delivered a tremendous performance as a vulnerable daughter & bride.  Last but not the least unknown actor executing the role of a staunch servant cum hooligan is exceptionally awesome, and nothing less than that NATTHA of “Peepli live”.

Antardwand will surely attract Bhaiyya belt for they are closest to relate with the reality ,for others it could be a pleasant watch. Rajpal should be congratulated for taking directors guard and hope he gets better in future. 

Rating : ***

My Poem : असलियत !!

पर्वत 

जानकार असलियत अपनी

चल नही देते छूने आसमानों को,

सागर

जानकार असलियत अपनी

नही बहने लगता तोड़ कर किनारों को,

सूरज

जानकार असलियत अपनी

नही बरसाने लगता अंगारों को,

फूल

जानकार असलियत अपनी

नही छुपाने लगता खुश्बू को,

हम सब भी जानेगें

एक दिन

असलियत अपनी....

- यात्री

My Photography : Yaatri in Heena

A beautiful poem by Fernando Pesoa

ईश्वर के बारे में सोचना उसकी अवग्या करना है,

क्योंकि ईश्वर चाहता था हम उसे ना जाने

और इसलिए उसने अपने आप को हमारे सम्मुख प्रकट नही किया

चलो, शांत और साधारण हुआ जाए

चलो,नदी और पेड़ हुआ जाए

और इसके लिए ईश्वर हमे प्रेम करेगा

हमे नदियों और पेड़ों जितना सुंदर बना देगा

और हमे देगा अपने बसंत का हरापन

और जाने के लिए एक नदी

जब यहाँ हमारा काम ख़तम हो चुका होगा 

-फ़र्नांडो पेसोआ

My Poem : जान पहचान !!

जान पहचान थी नही

इसलिए 

सब वक़्त निपट गया 

गाते बजाते,

जान पहचान होती 

तो वक़्त कम पड़ता

ग़लतियों की जूं निकलते

- यात्री :)

My Photography : Rain

My Review : Peepli Live

How important is casting for a film, Peepli Live is a suitable example of it. Every actor picked up seems to be living for this film only. Raghubir Yadav, a veteran theatre & character artist and one of the few natural actors along with debutant Omkar das thakur, another theatre artist of Madhya Pradesh delivers a delectable performance and make Peepli Live an entertaining watch.

Story belongs to a peaceful, remote village where Budiya(Raghubir Yadav) and Nattha(Omkar das thakur) are struggling to pay bank loan and get their ancestral farming land back. With great hopes they beg to local leader, who rather than helping, jokingly implants “Suicide” idea to the poor villagers mind. Budhiya & Natha are hooked to this idea that if one of them commits suicide, government would grant them Rs 1 lakhs, which is enough to end their miseries. Once they validate government suicide scheme, it’s decided that Nattha would execute this responsibility.

But this is the world of Aaj Taks & India Tvs and cameras are lurking around to get a bite of “Breaking news”, which then can be blown as per TV channels boss’s discretion to the ogre proportion, to get higher TRPs. Somehow Nattha’s suicide news is passed to a local journalist, who publishes it in the local newspaper. Elections are round the corner and “Nattha Suicide” is an unprecedented event and a potential Cover story for Media.

One reporter lands in Peepli to cover Natta’s suicide and soon whole of the media fraternity surge behind to shoot their “Exclusive” version of the same story. Every New channel crams their staffs in Peepli and their whole focus are on Nattha and his every single activity (including nature’s call).Media personnel with boom mikes and cameras cause consternation to the Nattha’s bemused family.One group of politicians want to forestall Nattha’s suicide, while others are hell bent to make him a martyr.This is difficult situation for Nattha and his family.There is chaos all around in the village, which creates funny, interesting and humours situations. One is sure to laugh his heart out in more than dozen occasions. What happens to Nattha, Budhiya, his family and his suicide plan amidst the hoard of news crazy media is Peepli Live.

Director Anusha Rizvi had chosen a risky issue but backed by his deft handling of the subject and meticulous support of Aamir khan, satire of Peepli Live has come alive. Writing is lucid,dialogues are natural and suit the different character’s demand. People, who have lived in village for some time would be easily able to relate with the dialect. Editing is sharp and keeps you hooked to the interesting events. Essence of village is captured beautifully by cinematographer Shankar Raman.

Off the cast Raghivr yadav has again established his mettle, Malakia shenoy and other person enacting journalist Deepak has added flavour to the film. Nattha’s irritating wife and ailing mother deserve special mention and have acted as per the script, but the meat of the film goes to debutant Omkar das thakur aka Nattha, who has charmed the audience with his spontaneous performance. Naseeruddin shah, one of my favourite actors has excelled in a cameo once again.

Last but not the least, music is another point gone in favour of movie. Indian Ocean has delivered beautiful rustic songs “Desh mera rangrez...” and “Chola maati ka”, which can be heard on the merit of its music only. "Sakhi saiyaan.." in soulful voice of Raghuvir yadav is as good as a folk song could be.

Over all Peepli live is a clinical film which executes its satire subtly and ends silently. 

My Poem : सिर !!!

हम सब के सिर पे

एक सिर है,

जिनके सिर पे 

कोई सिर नही है

उन्होने किसी 

काल्पनिक सिर को 

अपने सिर पे 

बिठा लिया है,

सिर के ऊपर सिर 

की क्या ज़रूरत है ???

- यात्री

My Poem :सफ़र !!!

सफ़र पे

निकलना

ज़रूरी है,

वापस 

वहीं 

लौट के आना ही

सफ़र की संपूर्णता है 

- यात्री

My Poem :आकाश !!

जब

तुम

आकाश को 

देख कर,

आकाश को 

पाने की

इच्छा नही करते,

आकाश

तुम्हारे होंठो तक

आ जाता है.....

- यात्री

My Work Place .. :)

My Photography : Sleep