Rangeela Movie Review- The Reason I Love Bollywood

Rangeela really does represent why I love Bollywood and what I love about it!

When one wants to make a film in Bollywood, there are a few beaten tracks one could consider… Rangeela pretty much has all of them and just proves that it’s not the story that matters, it’s the way it’s told.

Here’s a few of those clichés that are worked so well into Rangeela:

1. The underdog who puts sweat, blood and tears into trying to make that girl happy.

2. The ambitious girl (ok, maybe not so much a cliché, seen as she doesn’t want to become a model)

3. The love triangle (anyone who says this isn’t typical, BRING IT ON! “Mujhe karate aata hai”=])

4. The person in the love triangle that seems to have it all easy and the girl appears to only be interested in him.

5. The last minute running, panicking and searching.

6. The we’re-just-friends attitude.

The performances really are amazing, what more can I say? I never knew Urmila Matonkar looked so pretty before… I’ve really only seen her in her Om Shanti Om avatar:

Nothing compared to her in Rangeela.

One issue I had with her character was that she never seemed to be in love with Munna; but then again, she might have only realised how strong her feelings were *SPOILER* after he’d gone *SPOILER*

Aamir was really perfect, right down to the last ‘apun’. I found him quite winning while slightly repulsive but always endearing. I always like to watch Aamir films, old and new because you always see a different person onscreen, that’s not something you see with many other actors. Nonetheless, his character occasionally seemed a little obnoxious and arrogant but maybe that was just to impress the pretty lady ;)

Jackie Shroff delivered quite a restrained performance *SPOILER* expect for when he jumps about in his house yelling he’s in love. They really could have missed that out seen as you could tell from his face, his eyes, how much he loved her, no need for the prancing. It spoilt his restrained, slightly tormented character in a way *SPOILER* Also, normally one of the two men vying for the girl has obvious flaws, like, say, in Jab We Met, but here he really was a character with a holographic heart of gold, which made vying for Munna harder.

The music was above average (well it would be when A R Rahman composing) with one track really sticking in my head, the title track, Rangeela Re.

For some strange reason it reminds me of the title track from Hungama, not that I’m implying the makers of Hungama have copied this song…

This was, as far as I can remember, the first film of Ram Gopal Verma’s that I’ve seen. Actually, that’s one of the main reasons I watched it… seen as I’ve often read his blog and got to know a bit about the kind of person he is. He’s entertaining on his blog but nevertheless, I’d never comment because I have no wish to have my words ridiculed, which must be slightly embarrassing to say the least. As far as I know, he used to be really popular around the time Rangeela came out but then he just kind of died out and no one wants to watch Rann. It really makes me wonder what went wrong…

Rating: 3.5/5 A sweet film that’ll make you fall in love with Bollywood all over again!

P.S. I’ve been trying out these ‘modern classical’ films as I call them that are from the late 80’s and 90’s that were popular at the time or are popular now. I would love recommendations… Do you have any suggestions of such films that I haven’t already reviewed? I’ll be reviewing Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin and will watch Raja Hindustani but any except for them two? Any SRK or Salman ones?

Happy Birthday Rancho!

He’s a living, breathing Rancho… he’s none other than Aamir Khan, who has turned 45 today!

This man is awesome! He’s willing to do a range of films and puts his whole life into the performance, perfectionism defined!

Let’s see what he has to say:

"I am looking forward to spending time with my family. My kids will be coming to spend the day with me. I have no plans for a special celebration, I am just going to be with the family. I have turned 45 today but mentally I am 18-20 years old."

I think he’s a bit too experienced to think like an 18 to 20 year old, but if that’s what drives him, so be it! His 44th year was a sad and happy one combined… on one hand there was 3 Idiots creating celluloid history, but on the other there was the death of his father…

I wish him all the best for the coming year and hope he continues to impress with his range of films and great performances and can move on in life with good memories of his father…

The Best of the Best… Photo Shoots

Here’s collection of my favourite photo shoots of stars where they have been dressed and made up to look picture perfect…

Kareena looking stunning in a beautiful gown, only the hair spoils it for me.

I love everything about this one: the outfit, the pose the background. She reminds me of the head girl at St. Trinians here.

A snazzy picture of the photogenic Amrita Rao, loving the pose!

Hot hot hot hot hot! Gargh! I have no other word for it!

Our pretty Priyanka Chopra rocking the short hair here, interesting pose, but I’m not too fond the dress.

The boy is born for the camera! I like what he’s wearing too.

I admit we can’t see what he’s wearing but this is still such an awesome photo! How do they do those tattoos? Are they fake or edited on?

Here’s another born for the camera! I like the use of shadow on his face.

The first photo shoot of the return of the golden couple! I’ll admit I don’t like what Kajol is wearing here… and her eyeliner is far too thick!

My favourite from that photo shoot, but I think its been photoshopped, Kajol’s arms aren’t that thin…

This photo has a bindaas feel to it from the unkempt hair, the smile and the angle of her head. Sonam proves herself to be photogenic once again, to top it off, I love the pearl necklace!

Sonam in a gorgeous Indian dress, in front of an equally gorgeous background. I want that dress!

She started off as a model and is reaching new heights in her career, the dazzling Deepika Padukone is stunning the lens once again here. I like the simplicity of what she’s wearing and her hairstyle.

If anyone can think of a picture that should be included in this post, post them or a link to them in the comments section below. All credit will go to you.

And now to finish off with a picspam of Shahid!

Rewatches Rewatches

I’ve rewatched a few movies recently and I thought I’d review the rewatches! I’ll start from the worst and move down to the best… This is just how good I felt the rewatch was, not how good I felt the film was.

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani

The first time I watched this I gave it a 3.5 out of 5. Now, after rewatching it, I’d probably give it 1! This is definitely a one time watch. The first time I found the acting varying between good and average, on the rewatch I found it all more hamming and Ranbir’s fake stammer was really starting to get to me. Katrina seemed OK on the rewatch but Ranbir had my begging for my sanity! He seemed to overact in all the scenes except for the emotional ones. the songs were nice once again, but the story seemed to drag on and on, until I had to switch it of halfway to spare my brain from melting. Never again!

Three Idiots

This, to my surprise wasn’t anywhere near as good on the rewatch. This might be because you already know what is going to happen, and when it is going to happen. The acting still felt excellent, even if Kareena’s over expressive face started getting to me a bit after a while. I guess it was the way the director wanted to make sure he disappointed no one and practically spoon fed the audience every little idea and part of the plot that spoiled the rewatch. It is understandable the first time, but by the third ‘demo’ we’ve got the idea that Rancho is a genius with a heart of gold, no need to force it down our throats with the fourth, fifth and sixth demos! Overall worth it if you are an Aamir fan like me and for the light comedy moments.

Chak De India

On a side note, is it me or does this poster suggest Shahrukh=God?

This was just as good on the second viewing. *SPOILER ALERT* You know India is going to win *SPOILER ALERT* but you keep cheering them on all the same. I guess what works here is the fact that the plot is so simple and meaningful, that it doesn’t need to be spoon fed to us, we’re big enough to take it in by ourselves. I’m a sucker for patriotic films to this completely worked for me, I can hear Maula Mere Lele Teri Jaan a thousand times and still love it afresh! Shahrukh was so sincere in this, it really touched my heart, you could feel the patriotic blood pumping through his veins, coupled with his need to prove himself. The film has good rewatch value mostly because of its performances, the girls are really believable and I have no problem with Balbeer’s monobrow.

Kaminey

As anyone who reads this blog can tell, I adored this film even the first time round.

This one seems to be like wine (not that I drink), it gets better with age… I actually preferred it the second time round in comparison to the first. This film compels you to rewatch it because it is so darn difficult to understand the plot the first time round and take note of the subtle symbolism used and the dialogues and the acting and the drama and the list goes on. Like on my fourth viewing I worked out *SPOILER ALERT* the brothers fight at the end in the old house they used to live in as kids together, how fymbolic and fweet!*SPOILER ALERT*

Also, it was refreshing to watch some real acting after partly rewatching Ajab Prem Ghazab Kahani, once again, I was left stuttering by Shahid’s rendition of a stammer. The dialogues were so new and original, they really stood out in the rewatch, I leart about four new Hindi swear words in one night because of Kaminey.

Overall, I’d recommend everyone to watch this at least twice to really enjoy it, I know I’ll be watching again!

Buzz edition no.3

I'm not too sure what this article is trying to imply... How can you be quoted out of context? Also, does it not feel like Priyadarshan is blowing his own trumpet?

"I'm not such a bad filmmaker, you know. If I'm the director of 'De Dana Dan', I also made 'Kancheevaram'."

Aamir feels ignored and has decided to desert a committee reviewing the proposed amendment in copyright laws. I sympathise with this guy because knowing him (not personally), he probably has some good suggestions to make; but really? 'I am unable to function' Only your ideas have been rejected! Your body hasn't been beaten to a pulp! Aamir is really sensible so i think it would have been better if he had stayed but I like the other members too. Boney Kapoor, Javed Akhtar and Vishal Bhardwaj especially are all people I consider clear headed so I guess the show must go on.

MNIK has been dubbed in German.

Hema Malini is deciding what size her daughter's waist should be.

And seen as I'm a total Shahid Kapoor fangirl, I'll try and include one link about him in each of these Buzz editions! Mausam is reportedly not a remake of Top Gun. Seen as I want Mausam to blow me off my feet, I certainly hope not! But as Shahid says, Pankaj is known for doing original cinema so we can expect the same here. It seems like Sonam will play the lead in Mausam and I'm disappointed because she really annoys me!

Enjoy!