Kusur (Play) Review – Amol Palekar’s return is an interesting emotional thriller

November 24, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Kusur: The Mistake is a Hindi play that sees veteran artiste Amol Palekar’s return to the stage after 25 long years. The play is adapted from the Danish movie The Guilty (2018, original title ‘Den Skyldige’) directed by Gustav Moller and starring Jakob Cedegren in the lead role. It’s adapted by writer Sandhya Gokhale, who is Palekar’s wife, and directed by the latter.

Kusur revolves around retired Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Dandavate (Palekar) who is now volunteering for the emergency services in Mumbai wherein distressed citizens dial 100 to receive help. He is accused of killing a young man while he was the ACP and the hearing is on the next day.

The set designer has smartly created the emergency call room. There are no extravagant props used but only the necessary ones, which adds realism. But the use of blue lighting borders is questionable.

As calls keep coming in for help from different citizens, you get easily involved in the proceedings. I don’t know how people handling these calls carry out their task in real. But the working style displayed by Palekar appeared convincing. Even otherwise, the actor has given an impressive act while showcasing different emotions.

Kusur is more of an emotional thriller. The makers haven’t changed the plot from The Guilty. It wasn’t required since the content is not only interesting but also one which can be placed in Mumbai as well in today’s times.

The story takes a turn when a woman calls up 100 and starts speaking with Dandavate as if she is speaking to a child. Dandavate quickly realizes that she needs help but is unable to say openly as she is with a man who is sounding angry.

The ex-ACP instantly realizes that the woman is in danger and starts making valiant attempts to rescue her from the trap. Dandavate is unaware that this is just a starting point of an unusual maze he has got involved in.

Along with him, the audience also goes through various turns and are eventually brought to a point that is both shocking and emotional. The final twist speaks a lot without speaking much and forces you to ask questions related not only to this story but also about the society. The writer has succeeded in fooling the audience, which was so very necessary here.

Also read: Play Review: Ashrunchi Zali Phule

But Kusur also has few questionable aspects. The murder case against Dandavate appears half-baked. Having not seen The Guilty, I don’t know this sub-plot was handled in the movie. But it is not explored much here. There was an opportunity to explore it more since the length of the play is too less at around an hour and 15 minutes or so.

There is also this character Pandey, Dandavate’s close friend, whose past incident about his grandmother doesn’t quite fit in.

Overall, Kusur is an interesting emotional thriller with an added bonus of Amol Palekar’s return to stage.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Play Review: Chakravyuh – Nitish Bhardwaj’s return as Krishna

Play Review: Ke Dil Abhi Bhara Nahin

How Maharashtra leaders made a FOOL of their supporters

November 24, 2019 by Keyur Seta 3 Comments

The massive twists and turns in the Maharashtra politics over the last few weeks have put some of the best Bollywood thrillers to shame. The events have also inspired memes that shared on social media platforms and What’s App literally non-stop. While the jokes passed around are indeed hilarious and applaud-worthy, the situation is far from funny.

Over the last few years ever since the boom of social media, politics has suddenly become one of the most favourite topics for people across age groups. This has also given rise to most people clinging on to one party and becoming its ardent supporters. So, obviously, the ideology of their favourite party becomes their ideology.

The flipside of this is that most of the supporters of each party start defending their favourite party and its leaders with fierce determination; at times even when they themselves are aware that they are defending the indefensible.

This, in turn, has seen plenty of old friendships being broken over the last few years just because of difference in political views. Those who used to hang out with each other now don’t see eye to eye, literally.

Now, the dramatic events of the last few weeks after the results of the recently concluded Maharashtra Assemble Elections were declared have made supporters of all parties look like fools to say the least.

Maha U Turn:

It all started when Shiv Sena went rogue soon after the results. They fought the elections in alliance with the BJP (Bharatiya Janata Party) and people voted for them because of this reason. However, they broke the alliance post-results for their demand of a bigger share of power despite earning almost half the number of seats won by BJP and shockingly tied up with the Congress and NCP (Nationalist Congress Party).

It will be an understatement to say that the two parties have been Shiv Sena’s arch enemies. They have continuously slammed Congress and NCP for the corruption cases against them over the years. You don’t need to be an iota of expert in politics to know how Balasaheb Thackeray, the founder of the party, hated the two parties and made Shiv Sena successful only by his campaign against the two.

Now spare a thought for the Shiv Sena supporters who have been lambasting Congress and NCP over the years or even decades. The same can be said also for the supporters of Congress and NCP who have been sternly against Shiv Sena for its Hindutva ideology.

Maha surprise:

Last morning the nation got a jolt after knowing that Devendra Fadnavis was suddenly sworn in as the Chief Minister of Maharashtra after getting support from NCP’s Ajit Pawar and other rebel MLA’s (Member of Legislative Assembly) of his party. Ajit Pawar apparently turned rogue against his uncle and party head Sharad Pawar at the last moment just when Shiv Sena, NCP and Congress were about to form the government.

Ajit Pawar has got highly rewarded for his coup as he is made the deputy CM of Maharashtra. Interestingly, he has been named in irrigation scam when he was the Irrigation Minister from 1999 to 2009. He got a clean chit later from the then Congress-NCP government in 2012.

Also read: Does Thackeray hint at Shiv Sena’s changing relationship with Congress?

Now this is where it gets more interesting. After BJP-Shiv Sena government came into power in Maharashtra in 2014, they, under Fadnavis’ leadership, re-initiated enquiries into the alleged irrigation irregularities. Now, the same BJP awarded the post of the deputy CM to the person alleged in the same scam.

You don’t need to go too far to recall how India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi called NCP as ‘Naturally Corrupt Party’ more than once (read HERE). Funnily, a past video of Fadnavis vowing never to tie-up with NCP has also resurfaced.

(Article continued below the video)

Hence, now it is the time of the BJP supporters to feel embarrassed. Any regular social media user would know how Ajit Pawar has faced flak from BJP supporters over the years.

The events and twists of this month have proven that the ideology of a party is only followed by its supporters. And only ideology their leaders follow is power.

Let’s hope this turns out to be a wake-up call.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

When BJP leaders were so against EVMs that they wrote books on its ‘dangers’

Amol Palekar’s fight for freedom of expression goes back to the Emergency

Hellaro (Gujarati movie) Review

November 10, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

In the first scene of director Abhishek Shah’s Gujarati movie Hellaro, a mother tells her daughter that girls are not allowed to do Garba (a dance form). When she asks the reason, her father chips in with, “Girls are not even allowed to ask questions.”

Welcome to the interiors of the rann of Kutch in Samarpur in 1975. It is only the men who are actually living their lives in this village. The women are treated like cattle. They are an object of desire for their respective husbands. They can’t move freely around without permission. Most importantly, they are not allowed to do Garba.

In such a setting arrives Manjhri (Shraddha Dangar) as a bride in one household. She is educated by the standards of other women as she has seen the life in the main city of Kutch. Hellaro is about how these women start experiencing freedom when it is least expected after the arrival of a drum player Mulji (Jayesh More) in their lives.

The film brings back memories of Leena Yadav’s Hindi movie Parched (2016). Although the story took place in Rajasthan, it had the same setting of a village in desert where women are living a life of hell. Except this, Hellaro shares no similarity with the 2016 film in terms of the story as well as the treatment.

Shah manages the challenging task of portraying the minute details of the lives of people in such remote areas with all the detailing in place. The clever and smooth-flowing screenplay is ably supported by some creative presentation. This is enough to make the film relatable to any audience around the world.

The hypocrisy of the men is exposed in a natural way. For example, they won’t let their women go out without a veil but at the same time would lust for the Hindi film heroines. There are moments when the plight of the victims breaks your heart. Like, a man forcefully having sex with his wife, which is nothing but marital rape.

Hellaro goes onto a different plane once the women gradually start treading on the path of Garba. The introduction of which is masterfully done. Shraddha Dangar, Kaushambi Bhatt, Esha Kansara and the rest of the female actors have not only acted convincingly but have also shown natural dancing skills.

Jayesh More, in the role of the drummer who changes things, provides a heart-wrenching act oozing realism throughout. Maulik Nayak’s enthusiasm and comic timing is also worth appreciating. He plays Bhaglo, the only link between this remote village and the city.

The end result is vital here since you badly root for the victims. This is where the film reaches its highest point. Without giving away any spoilers, the last 10-15 minutes evoke various emotions as you sit rapt. Mehul Surti’s music plays a big role not just here but in the entire film.

Also read: Saaho’s major similarity with Baahubali (SPOILERS alert)

The only minus point is in the form of a questionable moment in the end. But it certainly doesn’t turn out to be a bother due to the effect generated.

Overall: Hellaro justifies its National Award for the Best Film. It showcases rebellion where it’s least expected. It indirectly gives a message that if patriarchy can be smashed even in the most regressive places, there is no reason why it should exist anywhere else. Abhishek Shah achieves this in his directorial debut.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Director: Abhishek Shah

Producers: Saarthi Productions and Harfanmaula Films

Writers: Abhishek Shah, Prateek Gupta and Soumya Joshi Devvrat

Cast: Shraddha Dangar, Jayesh More, Kaushambi Bhatt, Esha Kansara, Aarjav Trivedi, Maulik Nayak

15 years later: From Tendulkar’s comeback to Aleem Dar’s batting, this match saw it all

November 2, 2019 by Keyur Seta 2 Comments

I have been to Mumbai’s Wankhede and Brabourne stadiums quite a few times. One of my most memorable and ecstatic memories inside a cricket stadium came 15 years ago in the fourth test match between India and Australia played from November 3 to 5. The eventful match completes 15 years today.

Going into the test India had already lost the series by 2-0. But that didn’t deter fans like me to attend the match. With the line-up of players in both teams, who would want to miss out, especially if tickets are available easily?

A major reason for the crowd to turn up for this match despite India losing the series was Sachin Tendulkar. It was his first match of the series since he couldn’t play the first three matches due to an injury.

The match started on a horrendous note for India as they were bundled out for just 104. It could have been worse as they were 33 for 5 at one stage. In reply Australia scored 203. Considering the team they had, they could have taken a much bigger lead but Anil Kumble and Murli Karthik had other plans.

India’s performance was starting to look better in the second innings when they were 153 for 3. There was a renewed hope among us, the spectators. But after VVS Laxman fell for 69 [he loved batting against the Aussies], India could manage only 205 which meant that Australia needed a mere 107 runs to win the match.

There was a healthy rivalry going on with the Australian fans who were seated at the upper stand. We would dance or make gestures to them when India would do well and they would do the same to us when the Australians did. When India was also bowled out in the second innings cheaply, they made gestures to us indicating that they can’t hear our voices now. We had nothing to reply then.

Fans had accepted defeat, including me. I was somewhat pleased to see Tendulkar scoring 55 in the second innings. It was valuable innings considering how the pitch was behaving. I still remember his six over mid-wicket off the off-spinner Nathan Hauritz which hit the roof of the then Wankhede; a target not easy.

As soon as India were bowled out the second time, people started taking exit from the stadium slowly. I, however, had no such plans. I never leave the stadium before the match is completed. I hadn’t left the stadium even when Australia needed just about 10 runs with 10 wickets in hand in an earlier test match against India at the same venue in 2001.

I was hoping for India to pick up at least 5 wickets which would make the chase interesting. All this while, people around me started criticizing team India for their performance in the test, including me. But there was a pleasant surprise in store for us.

Zaheer Khan got Justin Langer out on just the second ball of the innings, much to our joy and amazement. We were pleased at getting at least something to cheer but we were soon silenced after Australia reached 24 for just 1.

The loud cheers were back when Aussies lost two wickets on the score of 24. They were soon 33 for 4 and 48 for 5 when the dangerous Matthew Hayden was bowled around his legs by Harbhajan Singh. Now, we started sensing victory out of nowhere.

Also read: When hearing issues stopped India from winning against England

Mind you, the pitch was playing like devil since the previous day. This enabled Michael Clarke to pick up 6 wickets for just 9 runs in the second innings the previous day! But on the last day, Karthik was having fun as he succeeded in dismissing biggies like Ricky Ponting, Damien Martyn and Clarke.

The biggest moment of the match came when Adam Gilchrist was caught at deep mid-wicket by Tendulkar off Harbhajan’s bowling. I clearly remember how the entire team rushed to that part of the ground to celebrate. Such was the importance of that wicket.

Hauritz showed some fight but the Australians were bowled out eventually for 93 when Glenn McGrath was caught by Laxman off Harbhajan. The celebrations in the stands were crazy to say the least. Only those who have seen the Australian team of that era would understand what it meant to bowl them out for just 93, despite India already losing the series.

Not surprisingly, it was our turn to give it back to the Australian supporters [mind you, all in good humour] in the upper stands. And it was their turn to be stunned now.

The drama wasn’t over though. Following the match, Ponting asked the Indian captain Dravid if he would like to lodge a joint complaint with him about the nature of the pitch. The Australians were not happy to see a ‘sub-standard’ wicket at the Wankhede. Dravid, however, politely refused.

Another interesting bit about the match is related to umpire Aleem Dar. No this is not about any controversy regarding his decisions. As the match ended in just 3 days, Dar approached a local cricket club on the fifth day of the match and played for a team at the Police Gymkhana. He scored 70 odd runs with 7 sixes. Yes, he can also bat [I remember reading the news in Mid-Day along with his picture from the match but can’t find the article now].

It is not often that you see a Pakistani cricketer representing a club in Mumbai. This and various other happenings made this test match eventful. Such was the era when every big test match had its own story with lots of drama.

See the full scorecard of the match by clicking HERE

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Only time Tendulkar was NOT selected in team India, neither injured nor rested

When Australia played against Australia in this World Series

Saturday Nights Review: Deep statement on loneliness in a crowded city

October 29, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Lives of sex workers or prostitutes, as they are called, offer a lot of scope for storytelling in cinema. That’s precisely the reason why characters of sex workers are explored in films across languages and genres.

Director Shibu Sable’s short film Saturday Nights is also based inside the chamber of a prostitute. However, it’s not just any other story based on one.

The film tells the story of Vishwas (Sable himself), a middle-class and middle-aged widower staying in a humble colony in Mumbai. People from his locality gossip about him visiting a prostitute’s den every Saturday night.

They are right. Vishwas does spend his Saturday nights in the apartment of the call-girl Tara (Pradnya Manwatkar). But there is a twist here. Vishwas isn’t like any of her customers.

During the starting portions of Saturday Nights, you wonder where this 14-minute film will lead to as the two protagonists start chatting. But soon enough the twist in Vishwas’s tale wins you over.

Through his character, the film makes a deep and powerful statement on loneliness. The city of Mumbai, or any other metro in India, is overcrowded with people. Yet a lot of people don’t have a single person in their life to whom they can pour their heart out, especially without getting judged.

The moment when Tara asks Vishwas the reason for visiting her and he replies with, “Halka hone,” is the moment of the film. Similarly, the film says a lot without saying much. Having said this, they should have delved a little deeper into the back story of Vishwas, like they have done for Tara. This would have helped the audience in feeling more for him.

Both Sable and Manwatkar perfectly get into the skin of their respective characters. Sable has been and filmmaker and writer and this time he has ventured into acting. Manwatkar has a proven track record in theatre.

Overall, Saturday Nights is a moving take on loneliness in an overcrowded city.

Director: Shibu Sable

Writers: Jaidev Hammady and Shibu Sable

Cast: Shibu Sable and Pradnya Manwatkar

Rating: 4 out of 5

By: Keyur Seta

Watch the short film:

Additional reading:

Saaho’s major similarity with Baahubali (SPOILERS alert)

Why people in their 30s should stop believing they are 70

October 19, 2019 by Keyur Seta 4 Comments

There was a time when 7-8 of us would play cricket. We used to enjoy it. But as much as playing the sport, our constant jokes, one-liners and banter used to delight us. As years passed by and all of us started working, playing cricket slowly faded away, which isn’t surprising.

But thanks to What’s App, we started a group few years ago with the hope that we would regularly revisit those days of fun and laughter.

But strangely, the atmosphere in the group was nowhere similar to the time we used to spend years ago. There were only serious talks. Jokes had no place. Even after I tried numerous times to create humour, it fell on deaf ears. There was just no response. Finally, I gave up.

Weeks later, a friend, one of the members of the group, bumped into me. I straightaway asked him the reason for everyone being so serious on the group and what all happened to their humour. His only reply was, “Ab humne 30 cross kar liya. Ab kya hasi-mazaak?” I stood frozen there, not knowing what to say. I never knew hasi-mazaak had an expiry date and that too so soon in life.

But this is just one example. As the months passed by, I regularly kept hearing similar things from people in their 30s. While having conversations, it is a must for them to say things like, “Ab toh umar ho gayi hai hum logon ki,” “Hum toh buddhe ho gaye hain ab,” etc.

It seems as if they have started believing that they are 70 +. But on second thoughts, I am reminded of how people even in their 80s are seen having fun and laughter while sitting on the fence of Shivaji Park maidan. Also, my Yoga teacher is 80 but I have hardly seen anyone so cheerful and funny. My aunt and her friends are in their 50s but when they meet they behave like teenagers.

But having said this, each one is entitled to live and think the way he or she likes. So, if friends who are in the 30s feel they have become too old to crack jokes and laugh their hearts out, it is their choice. Some of them have also stopped exercising or doing any kind of physical activity thinking there is no hope now for them to get into a better shape or health. I don’t have a problem with that too.

But I do have a problem when they assume that I also think and feel the same. I have a problem when they say umar ho gayi hai ‘hum’ logon ki and ‘hum’ buddhe ho gaye hain. Boss, please replace ‘hum’ with ‘tum.’

While you would be busy spending your evenings with a cup of tea while staring at the sunset thinking life mein ab kuchh raha nahin, I would be taking a jog or thinking about some idea for my next funny write-up or meme.

Never knew I would feel generation gap with people of my own age group.

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Why arranged marriages are nothing but shopping?

Murder In Mahim – Book Review

October 7, 2019 by Keyur Seta Leave a Comment

The dark, underbelly of Mumbai has attracted many storytellers and filmmakers. Generally such crime stories are about the underworld or some serial killer. As the title of author Jerry Pinto’s novel is Murder In Mahim, you expect another whodunnit murder mystery.

The story is about Peter, a retired journalist staying near Shivaji Park, who gets to know that his son Sunil might be homosexual. Just as he and his wife Millie are trying to come to terms to it in case it turns out to be true, a gruesome murder takes place inside the toilet of the Matunga Road Railway Station.

Peter has a habit of accompanying his close friend Inspector Jende in investigating crimes. He does the same while investigating this murder too. What looked like another murder turns out to be the starting point of a mystery that runs deep into the dark, homosexual world of Mumbai, which we hardly get to notice [The book was written when Section 377 was not absolved].

The initial portions of the book itself make it ample clear that the novel is much more than a mere murder mystery. The murder and the type of crime explored in the novel stand apart from other stories on crimes in Mumbai. It is real but at the same time surprising enough even for Mumbaikars staying in the city for decades.

Like, how many of us know that gay prostitution is so common in Mumbai and that railway station toilets are known spots for the same? And that there are various unofficial spots in the city where unknown gay men meet up to have a good time? Likewise, Pinto’s geographical knowledge of Mumbai, especially where the story is based, is top-notch too [having stayed in the same locality, I can vouch for that].

The author’s narrative is the clear winner here as it tackles police’s role in solving murders, social commentary on homosexuality and the lives of the underprivileged. He has woven all these aspects naturally into the narrative with not a single one of them being the odd-man out. The book also fulfils the criteria of a whodunnit taking you by surprise with a revelation in the end.

Along with the geography of a city, it is also important to know the type of conversations that would take place over there, irrespective in what language your book is. This is another plus point here as the dialogue between the characters are real, interesting and, at times, amusing. This is seen the most during the conversations during the investigation.

Also read: Book review: The Coup India Missed – Glimpse of an alternative India

There aren’t major negative points, except slight complication with the plot in some areas. But I have an issue with the title. The murders take place in the toilet of Matunga Road Railway Station, so why is the book named Murder In Mahim? One might argue that the jurisdiction comes under Mahim Police Station [as claimed in the book] but the crime has, nevertheless, happened in Matunga.

Overall: Murder In Mahim is a well-crafted tale of murders that also makes a strong social statement.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Author: Jerry Pinto

Review By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Short Story: The Orange Garlands of Bharatpur

Book Review: Decoding Life Post 8/11

After just 1 run in first 6 innings, Marvan Atapattu made a historic comeback

September 29, 2019 by Keyur Seta 4 Comments

Former Sri Lankan cricketer Marvan Atapattu is one of the best batsmen to have played for the island nation in Asia. He played 90 test matches and scored 5502 runs with 16 hundreds and 17 fifties and a highest score of 249. He had a good batting average of 39.02.

But the start of Atapattu’s test career was nightmarish to say the least. He made his debut in Sri Lanka’s only test against India as a 20-year-old youngster. SL lost the match by an innings and 8 runs. Worse, Atapattu scored 0 in both innings.

The selectors dropped him from the team. He returned to first-class cricket and after almost two years, he was selected again for Sri Lanka. However, it was almost the same story. He scored 0 in the first innings and just 1 in the second.

Atapattu once again returned to domestic cricket and scored plenty of runs. This was enough to impress the selectors again. So, he was back in the team. And, would you believe, he scored 0 in both innings again!

At that time, his career stats were 1 run and 5 ducks in his first 6 innings with a batting average of just 0.16! For any top-order batsman even an average of 16 is considered horrible as it suits more to number 9 or 10 batsman. And here was a professional batsman with such an average.

It is believed that the single run that Atapattu scored in the first 6 innings was wrongly attributed to him by the umpire since it should have been a leg-bye.

One could only imagine what would have been going through Atapattu’s mind then. He would have asked himself again and again as to why he goes so disastrously wrong at the international level after being so consistent at the domestic level.

However, the selectors seem to have a lot of faith in him as he was again selected in the Sri Lankan team two years later in 1997 against New Zealand in Dunedin. His scores in both innings were 25 and 22. These numbers might not sound much but going by Atapattu’s horrendous run before this match, he would have been relieved.

But his biggest relief came in the same year in November when he scored his first century in test cricket. It was against India in Mohali where he scored 108 with 14 fours as an opener. From here on, there was no looking back for Atapattu.

Along with tests, he also went onto become a prolific ODI player for Sri Lanka. In 268 matches he scored 8529 runs at an average of 37.57 with 11 hundreds and 59 fifties.

But Atapattu also holds a unique record which is worth knowing. He scored 6 test double hundreds. In the list of most double hundreds, he is just third in the list after the legend Sir Don Bradman (12 double hundreds) and Wally Hammond and Brian Lara (7 each).

Also read: Who are Duckworth and Lewis and why ICC adopted their method?

From a career average of just 0.16 to getting included in a world record list featuring the great Bradman, Atapattu’s journey has been extraordinary to say the least.

He is a shining inspiration for many of us who start doubting ourselves [be it from any field] after few failures and rejections. If you ever feel bogged down again, just ask yourself if your situation is as worse as scoring just 1 run in 6 test innings?

By: Keyur Seta

Additional reading:

Only time Tendulkar was NOT selected in team India, neither injured nor rested

When hearing issues stopped India from winning against England

Saaho’s major similarity with Baahubali (SPOILERS alert)

September 1, 2019 by Keyur Seta 2 Comments

Prabhas’ last film Baahubali: The Conclusion (2017) went onto become a historic hit all over India and gave the actor a star status nationwide. Obviously, there was a keen interest to see him again on screen. His fans had to wait for more than two years to see Prabhas in action (literally) in director Sujeeth’s Saaho, which released this week.

From the trailers or the posters itself, Saaho looked way different from the two Baahubali movies. One is based few centuries ago while the other in today’s times. The earlier film gave importance to traditional Indian culture [because of its setting and era] while Saaho is about modern cars, bikes and clothes.

But what if I tell you that Saaho becomes like another Baahubali by the time it ends?

Let’s look at the basic plot of Baahubali. Amarendra Baahubali is the rightful heir to the throne of the fictitious empire of Mahishmati but his enemies, who are people close to him, get him killed. Years later, his son Mahendra Baahubali eliminates the bad guys and acquires the throne.

Now, this is what the story of Saaho looks like minus the many twists and sub-plots (SPOILERS ahead). Roy is heading his multimillionaire business in a fictitious city called Waaji. He gets killed by people close to him. Later on, his son finishes off the villains and sits on the chair of the owner of the company.

Now, I really wonder if the makers didn’t care about it or didn’t realize. Of course, it has to be the former.

But there are also a couple of other sequences in Saaho that remind us of Baahubali. The scene where Prabhas and Shraddha Kapoor are seen shooting the bad guys together instantly reminds you of the famous bow and arrow scene between Prabhas and Anushka Shetty in Baahubali.

The scene in the first Baahubali where hundreds of dangerous looking men speaking Kilikili language attack Amarendra Baahubali is still fresh in our minds. Similarly, in Saaho, hundreds of unusual blood-thirsty devils are seen attacking Prabhas.

Also read: Mission Mangal Review

The one major difference between Baahubali and Saaho is its content, but that’s a story for another day.

By: Keyur Seta

Mission Mangal Review – A joyride about India’s space achievement

August 18, 2019 by Keyur Seta 1 Comment

Director Jagan Shetty’s Mission Mangal revolves around the launch of India’s Mars Orbiter Mission (MOM), also known as Mangalyaan, which was launched in November 2013. India thus became the first nation in the world to successfully send a spacecraft to Mars in the first attempt itself.

The mission involved some painstaking efforts by a group of ISRO’s scientists led by Rakesh Dhawan (Akshay Kumar) and Tara (Vidya Balan) and their team consisting of Kritika (Taapsee Pannu), Neha (Kirti Kulhari), Varsha (Nithya Menen), Eka (Sonakshi Sinha), Parmeshwar (Sharman Joshi) and H G Dattatreya (Ananth Iyer).

The team had to battle various odds in the form of a senior ISRO member (Dalip Tahil) and lack of funds and confidence from the government. They had their various personal battles to counter as well.

Mission Mangal gives a proper explanation of the relevance of MOM, the process of launching it and its last stage. All this might sound very technical for a layman. But the film is nowhere near technical.

It is, in fact, a joyride. The narrative is filled with moments that get you in splits regularly. This is done through situations and character habits and traits. Many a times a funny moment arrives when you least expect it. The surprise inclusion of ‘Ankhiyaan Milaaun Kabhi Ankhiyaan Churaun’ by Sanjay Kapoor’s character himself is a masterstroke!

However, despite the humorous moments, Mission Mangal ensures that the seriousness of the topic is never lost whatsoever. Throughout the film, special care has been taken to explain space related scientific workings in a manner that even a person with poor scientific knowledge like me can easily understand. I had laughed at the puri scene in the trailer but realized that it perfectly fits the situation in the film to provide an easy explanation for a layman.

The combination of easy information and humour is enough to keep you glued for its duration of 133 minutes, which passes in a jiffy. And the moments in the finale keep you at the edge despite the fact that you are well aware that the mission will eventually become successful.

Having said this, there are few factors that bother you. The biggest one is that we haven’t been given any background about Akshay’s character. Considering he is the main lead, it was necessary. Few conversations from the subplot of few characters could also have been avoided. Thankfully, none of these fall in the major negative point zone.

Mission Mangal has an ensemble cast and not every character has got proper space, which is not surprising. But each character is given an interesting story and arc of its own (except Akshay, as mentioned above).

Every actor has risen to the occasion. Despite no character background, Akshay Kumar provides a fine mixture of seriousness and humour. This is easily one of his most noteworthy acts. Vidya Balan once again proves why she is the best of the current lot of actresses. She is adorable once again. Dalip Tahil makes his presence felt as an unusual antagonist.

It’s good to see Sharman Joshi in a mainstream film after long. He displays an undercurrent of humour and never overdoes it. The rest of the team members provide perfect support, especially the senior most Ananth Iyer.

Overall: Mission Mangal is a joyride that celebrates India’s space achievement. It will be argued that the makers have made it into a filmi affair. But as it is a feature film and, more importantly, succeeds in doing justice to the achievement of ISRO at the same time, it doesn’t turn out to be a problem.

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The film has had a good opening and it seems Mission Mangal will be a success at the box office. Akshay has never had a Rs 200 crore film. This is his good chance.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Review by: Keyur Seta