One movie I can't get tired of - 2

Like you might have probably guessed I am on a movie diet these days. The movie that I wish to talk about this time is Zakhm, a 1998 classic directed by Mahesh Bhatt. The movie is based on the contentious issue of Hindu and Muslim harmony or must I say dis-harmony in those times.

Movies dealing with such issues, always have a happy ending with the side oppressed getting their dues at the end. The movie deals with story of a mother, who by societal pressures conceals her faith and religion. Her's is a story of selfless love towards her husband-to-be, who fearing for the society fails to marry out of his religion.  It is also a story of a single mother who brings her son up more as a confidant, than a son. It is pure power of story telling which makes the movie gripping and has moments that send shivers right down to the spine. 

While Pooja Bhatt plays the role of the mother, Ajay Devgan plays the role of the protagonist 'son'. Kunal Khemu essays the son's childhood role with remarkable aplomb. Of the few moments that stand out, I recollect some moments that are key to this movie. 

The sensitive scene in which Ajay's mother is offering her 'Namaaz' (prayer) before Ajay wakes up in the morning, is something that has to be seen to be explained. The sheer confusion Mahesh Bhatt succeeds in bringing out in the eyes of the young Kunal Khemu is commendable.

Another scene at the end of the movie, when Ajay wants to fulfill his mother's last wishes of a burial according to her religion about which she has revealed only to her elder son Ajay. He faces communal tensions over the last rites fueled by a Hindu politician with vested interests. For Ajay's dismay, even his brother Anand who has some political aspirations under the corrupt politician wants her last rites to be conducted as per the Hindu religion. The situation transpires further with the politician almost succeeding, but for a push that has Ajay carrying his dead mother in his arm, sends him tumbling towards the ground only to be supported by his younger brother Anand just in time. They come together as if signifying politics of hate becomes irrelevant when it concerns the matters of heart.

Do watch this movie, for the beautiful portrayal of all the characters by everyone involved and some sensitive moments fabulously cinematised.


Image source: Wikipedia

One movie I can't be tired of

Sunday afternoon couldn't have turned any better with DD playing Masoom, this is one movie I can't get tired of watching. While I have no intention of attempting to review this, I was thinking about one of my recent posts titled Books or movies and learnt that the movie Masoom is a screen adaptation of Erich Segal's Man, Woman and Child. I haven't read this book till now, but I have a feeling that I might not read it further too because I am very sure the screen magic can't be experienced on paper in black and white.

There are some thrilling emotions I experience every single time i see this movie. 

The song "Tumse Naaraz nahi Zindagi hairaan hu Mein" penned by the gifted Gulzaar and sung by Anup Ghoshal gives me goosebumps. The song is like a reflection of the plot its characters and the underlying emotion.

The scene when the impeccable Naseeruddin Shah playing the role of DK Malhotra, asks Master. Jugal Hansraj playing the role of his illegal son Rahul, "Kya aapke ke paapa Chashma Pehente hai"[Does your father wear spectacles]? looking at one of the paintings by Rahul and then immediately realizes he himself wears one. DK's expression depicts the complexity of the relation he shares with Rahul, he is the father of a son who doesn't know that who he calls him his uncle is indeed his father. Thats exactly when the second stanza of the song is played in the background making the scene beyond brilliance.

DK's wife Indu played by Shabana Azmi is a character of a woman who has a mother's heart, but her womanhood prevents her from being the foster-mother she can be or wants to be with the song's female version voiced by Lata Mageshkar This dilemma is so sensitively etched out by the Shekhar Kapoor, the director of the film and Gulzaar's music is like icing on the cake.

But the biggest cogs in the wheel is the casting of the kids played by the then Child artists Urmila Matondkar, Jugal Hansraj and Aaradhana. 26 yrs after being made, this movie still has the relevance today and How?

Kudos to the whole team of Masoom. Why don't they make movies like this anymore???

image Source: Harsamay.com

Happy Women's day

She can kill with a smile, she can wound with her eyes.

And she can ruin your faith with her casual lies.

And she only reveals what she wants you to see.

She hides like a child, but she's always a woman to me.

Oooh, she takes care of herself.

She can wait if she wants, she's ahead of her time.

Oooooh, and she never gives out, and she never gives in,

She just changes her mind.

But she'll bring out the best and the worst you can be.

Blame it all on yourself, cause she's always a woman tome.

Hmmmmmm Mmmmmm Hmmmmm Mmmmmm

Lines of a great song by Billy Joel, I wish to dedicate this to each and every woman on the International women's day. May god bless you all with everything you need to pursue whatever you aspire for.

This post is specially dedicated to all ladies whose paths have crossed with mine. The world would definitely have been a boring and a lonely place without You.

A very Happy Women's day!!!