LIFESTYLE, TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, PEOPLE, LITERATURE, CULTURE, AND CINEMA

 

LIFESTYLE, TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, PEOPLE, LITERATURE, CULTURE, AND CINEMA

1.FILM REVIEW/DISCUSSION:

The last time director SS Rajamouli managed to wow the audience was in 2017 with the film Baahubali: The Conclusion. It took him five long years for him to conceptualize his next film RRR (also dubbed in Hindi), shoot and bring it to the silver screen. Pulling off a multi-starrer with Jr NTR and Ram Charan in the lead roles might seem an accomplishment in itself. But Rajamouli manages to deliver even when it comes to the story.

RRR runs on a relatively simple premise. There’s ‘fire’ – an angry, young police officer Ramaraju (Ram Charan) who is both revered and feared by the British. He has done their every bidding for years, he is the one they sic on anyone they want to capture and yet, he is the one who’s never given enough respect due to the colour of his skin. Then there’s ‘water’ – sweet, simple, innocent Bheem (Jr NTR) who has brute strength but uses it only when it serves his purpose. He’s a Gond tribal who has come to the city to rescue a young girl called Malli, who was taken away by Lady Scott (Alison Doody), to be the singing doll ‘on (her) mantelpiece’. But that is just the beginning of the tale.

Rajamouli’s new calling cards seem to be building new world. Because, despite being based on two revolutionaries from history, RRR has a story that’s completely fictional. Delhi of the 1920s becomes his new canvas. Bheem might have fought against the Nizams, so much so that one of them finds it imperative to warn the British that he’s not to be taken lightly. But he also finds shelter with Muslims in Delhi. Ramaraju might seem like a well-trained soldier who will follow instructions blindly but he also seems to have a past no one but his uncle (Samuthirakani) knows about. Scott (Ray Stevenson) might believe ‘brown rubbish’ deserve even a bullet to be wasted on them but Jennifer (Olivia Morris) seems more empathetic. This is not the freedom movement where you turn the other cheek, this is the one where you use your hands as weapons.

The first half of RRR runs like clockwork. There’s the emotional core in Malli, there’s the song and dance with Naatu (it'll make you smile) and a friendship explored through Dosti, there’s even a few laughs whenever Bheema tries to befriend Jennifer. Cinematic liberties are taken but they don't seem as noticeable as in the later portions, half where the film falters a bit. Some scenes seem to drag frustratingly because we already know something a core character doesn’t. The way Rama Raju’s fiancé Sita (Alia Bhatt) is woven into the narrative, apart from Ram Charan’s transformation to another look also seem forced in a tale that was smooth sailing. After the way Bheema is set up effortlessly despite nothing much being told, the way Rama Raju’s story unfolds seems strained. The climax leaves more to be desired. The good thing however is that the film manages to surprise you. Rajamouli also manages to use certain tropes set up in the initial portions of the film in the latter portions cleverly.

None-the-less Rajamouli manages to pull off something people have been pining for – a commercial, action drama that will keep you thoroughly entertained – which it does. The length also doesn’t prove to be a hindrance, thanks to a tight screenplay. The VFX in certain portions could've been better. Jr NTR pulls off his career’s best performance. He’s charming as Bheema, especially in the emotional bits and his desperation to find Malli comes through well, so does his love for Rama Raju. Ram Charan also does well, pouring soul into the transformations his character goes through. Tarak and Charan’s roles require them to have chemistry, which they do. Alia Bhatt, Olivia Morris, Samuthirakani, Ajay Devgan, Shriya Saran and others play their parts well. Olivia in particular manages to win your heart. Alison and Ray breeze through their roles. Keeravani's OST for the film might not be for everyone but he does well with the BGM. Senthil's camerawork is a delight too.RRR is not perfection by any means because after the way Rajamouli pulls off certain scenes, you wonder if he could’ve done a better job in others.

2.PROFILE OF A VETERAN ACTOR: AMITABH BACHCHAN

 

Amitabh Bachchan, (born October 11, 1942, Allahabad, India), Indian film actor, perhaps the most popular star in the history of India’s cinema, known primarily for his roles in action films.

 

Bachchan, the son of the renowned Hindi poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan, attended Sherwood College in Nainital and the University of Delhi. He worked as a business executive in Calcutta (Kolkata) and performed in theatre before embarking on a film career. Bachchan made his big-screen debut in Saat Hindustani (1969; “Seven Indians”), and he received the first of his numerous Filmfare Awards for his performance in Anand (1971). His first major success came with Zanjeer. A string of action films followed, including Dewar (1975; “Wall”), Sholay (1975; “Embers”), and Don (1978). Nicknamed “Big B,” Bachchan personified a new type of action star in Indian films, that of the “angry young man,” rather than the romantic hero. He was often compared to Clint Eastwood—although, unlike Eastwood and other American action stars, Bachchan was renowned for his versatility, and many of his roles showcased his talents at singing, dancing, and comedy. By the end of the 1970s, Bachchan had appeared in more than 35 films and was regarded as India’s top film star. His popularity was such that he became something of a cultural phenomenon, drawing large crowds of screaming fans wherever he went. A near-fatal accident on the set of his film Coolie in 1982 touched off a national prayer vigil for his recovery. His subsequent films, however, did poorly at the box office, and Bachchan entered politics at the encouragement of his friend Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi. In 1984 he was elected to India’s parliament by an overwhelming majority, but he resigned his seat in 1989 after being implicated in a bribery scandal that toppled Gandhi’s government.

 

Bachchan returned to film and won a National Film Award for his portrayal of a mafia don in Agneepath (1990; “Path of Fire”). He later headed Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Ltd., an entertainment venture that specialized in film production and event management. The business was plagued by financial difficulties, however, and Bachchan eventually returned to performing. His later movies included the crime drama Hum (1991); Mohabbatein (2000; Love Stories), a musical that was a major box-office success; and Black (2005), which was inspired by Helen Keller’s life story. For the latter film Bachchan won another National Film Award, and he also received that honor for his performance in the drama Paa (2009), playing a boy who suffers from an aging disease similar to progeria. By the early 21st century, Bachchan had appeared in more than 175 Bollywood films, and at age 70 he made his Hollywood debut as a minor character in Baz Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby (2013). His later notable films included the comedy Piku (2015), for which he won his fourth National Film Award, and Pink (2016), a crime drama in which he was cast as a lawyer. In 102 Not Out (2018), he played a man trying to break the record for the oldest man alive. The crime drama Badla (2019) was among the biggest hits of Bachchan’s career.

 

In addition, from 2000 to 2006 Bachchan hosted the television game show Kaun Banega Crore Pati, the Indian version of the American and British hit Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? His easygoing nature and charisma helped make the show one of India’s top television programs. Bachchan has been married to veteran actress and politician Jaya Bhaduri in 1973 and together they have two children; Abhishek, an actor, and Shweta, an author, journalist and former model. Abhishek married actress Aishwarya Rai, and they have a daughter. Amitabha's family lives in Mumbai in Maharashtra. He was also named "Hottest Vegetarian male" by PETA India in 2012.He also won the title of "Asia's Sexiest Vegetarian male" in a contest poll run by PETA Asia in 2008. Bachchan himself wrote a book in 2002: Soul Curry for You and Me – An Empowering Philosophy That Can Enrich Your Life.