HAPPY DAY JAB I FINALLY MET NO SMOKING
OPINION NOT REVIEW.
The past fortnight has been extremely trying on the personal front. A much advertised dance performance was cancelled at the nth hour after three months of practice. To get me out of my funk Amina and Kulsoom decided to lend me some comedies straight from the pirated pavements of Pakistan. Having given ‘Hulchul’ and ‘Bhagam Bhag’ a very conscious miss, I found myself actually smiling at the foolishness of it all. I work hard, give my best, injustice is done, and no one gets to see what I am capable of, who cares, really?
Catching up with the all those much missed movies seemed a sensible option. Manorama SFU, on DVD. Suddenly I am sitting up seeing the fabulous art work and authentic props. The Indira Gandhi Canal and its ramifications, Marvelous Marwar and its colourful people, MSFU got it all so right. I did 11th and 12 std from Jaisalmer in exactly such a setting. Navdeep, apologies that your very well made film should get lost in a paragraph such as this but your film is definitely bigger than this post!
Moving on, I decided to give Happy Days a try. More out of loyalty to Shekhar and Anish than anything. Just the posters were enough to put me off. During interval convinced that my disgust is shared by everybody, I blurt out “Assalu Nachhalaydu” [Did not like it one bit] only to find people looking at ME with disgust. EVERYONE else in the theatre enjoyed the film! I don’t get people anymore. To give it credit I did not get a headache like I did with ‘Pokiri’. Anyways walked away very disgusted. That is when I see this huge cut-out of Jab We Met in the Loehman’s Virginia lobby. With another disgusting look at the ‘silly couple – Kapoor and Kapur’, my evening is ruined for good.
Last Friday, tried to catch No Smoking, first day, first show at Loehman’s, only to reach the theatre at 7.30 pm to be told that the screening was over at 6.00pm!! Six on a Fri evening? Who were they kidding, who’d watch it? Given that I was stuck between the two dreaded Ds, I chose Jab We Met with trepidation. [LCMD being the Devil].
Alright now I will go on an overdrive. Shah Rukh Khan Au revoir. Salaam and Khuda Hafiz. Yeah I know I like you too with no shirt and all, really. I mean I will finally come out of the closet and say it. Always had a thing for you. Ever since I saw you for the first time on Wagle Ki Duniya.But this boy Shahid is so like you two decades ago. Same impish charm, full lips and YES, even the DIMPLE! I do go for men like his father Pankaj usually, but can I deny him his charm, Nah. The same way that I could not ignore you yours, despite my intense dislike for most of your films.
And you know what, this film IS good. Given the genre, the context, the plot [hardly], the music is as they say ‘rocking’. I can hear it playing in all the Clubs, Remixed of course. The couple-no-more? Oh they were so good. Bit over the top? Maybe. But isn’t that how you made your name?
Jab I watched it, reluctantly, Imtiaz bhai no offence, I was so happy to see big money being spent well. Array if we all want candy floss; give me candy floss like this. Soft, Pink and Flaky, that which will melt into oblivion once it touches the tongue of reality.
Frankly after Black Friday in March, this is the first film that I have enjoyed so wholeheartedly.
With my Friday turning out not so Black with JWM, my life seemed to be taking a slightly brighter turn. No Smoking unfortunately was being screened only for 4 days/one show, on Sun, Mon and Tue at 7.30 pm after that rather silly early show on Friday.
Sunday I had the Marine Corps Marathon to run, so that was out.
Monday, I was dead to the world.
So finally I rush to the theatre in Virgina today evening from Bethesda, beating real bad traffic, nail biting finish at the BO. The owner stares me in the eye and says
“We need at least 6 people madam, otherwise No Screening, No Smoking”.
Excuse me, you mean to say that we do not have four more people to watch this film in the whole of Greater Washington Area?
Nalin and I decide to hang around and buy the rest of the 4 tix if no one else shows up.
I mean how often can we get a WHOLE 70MM THEATRE to ourselves.
It is his b’day anyway on 2nd Nov, thought I’d treat him to some real life romance!
I am despondent by now, nothing is working for me. My freelancing shoot got cancelled today morning, I’ve fought with my friends over some trivial ideals, I have a whole bloody cold evening on hands with no plans ahead. Given that my calendar is usually juggling itself to fit LIFE in, this is a major tragedy.
So I look at four Nepali girlz walking towards the BO with disgust [yes,disgust is my default setting],
“Obviously JWM”, I say,
WRONG, the owner is gesticulating frantically,
“Madam do you want to see No Smoking or not?”,
Array Bhai Thand Main Yun Hi Khadi Hoon Paaglon Ki Tarah. Of Course.
So we are six of us, sorry Nalin better luck next time, and the film starts.
Come interval and they start giggling.
“How do you like it” [moi] …….
more giggles……..
“We came for John” replies Nepali Beauty 1
“And Bipasha”, adds NB2.
I need to establish some kind of dialogue with them I think,
maybe if I understand them better, I can explain the motivation of the filmmaker ……….
“So …where are you from”
“We are from Bhutan” …
“Thimpu?”……..
“No, Phuntsholing”
“Oh!! Really, Great! I lived in Hashimara, near Phuntsholing in the late 70s….Bought Amar Chitra Kathas at Tashi”
We chat till the film resumes. I am still hopeful. I know where they come from, I have lived there. I will definitely have a deep conversation after the film. Or so I think.
End of film with the much awaited Bips song. I watch the girlz expectantly.
They are laughing loudly now,
“Man. I totally need a smoke” they say.
Out of the theatre before I can say, Abraham, I mean Amen.
Nalin says Anurag must have written this after a good smoke and that was not a cigarette mind you!
“It is great cinematic experimentation” he says. Coming from a National Geographic Photographer it is high praise. He says its lacks elegance.
“This film did not need the songs at all.”
“15 crores? 5 crores would have been more than enough”. Oh! Well.
Me. What do I think? I think Anurag was having a Personal Conversation with us via the medium of film. He has exposed his whole life for those who can see it with all its vulnerabilities. The world now knows what he reads, what he hums, what he believes in.He was hoping for redemption or exorcism or both. That’s the Rajagopalachari version!!!
Now if the audience is not prepared for such a highbrow tête-à-tête it is not his fault.
Nor is it the fault of the audience if they just want “Mauja hi Mauja”.
Heck I am doing Bhangra myself after my Bharatanatyam fiasco.
He should choose his comrades with care next time for a more stimulating response.
Eros? What were you thinking?
We should talk Cigarette Shastra in a more conducive setting K.
K too. And three.
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watching no smoking tonite, almost recuperated after the marine corps marathon run myself! it would’ve been fun to meet u there!!
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You actually managed to review 4 movies in one post… take a bow!
Disappointed u say Happy Days is bad. Grew up in the colleges that he shot so was mighty looking forward to it. And “Ohh… C’on, U to Brutus”. JWM sucked yaar… big time!!!
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Kavita garu, ilaanti pinjari cinemalu chuse badulu, manchi cinemaalu choodandi
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awww…so you did not like Happy Days? i know its not great cinema but i thought it was entertaining…esp rajesh’s comedy though the movie on the whole was a bit corny!! also, it made me nostalgic coz i went to cbit:D
will try to catch Jab we met and No smoking(if they are still playing it at loehmann’s in VA) this weekend.
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Just saw ‘Jab We Met’. Didn’t mind it really, but there were quite a few similarities with his first film. Just as well because I liked ‘Socha Na Tha’. Some of the songs were really good, especially ‘Tum Se Hi’. Still humming it at this moment. Light film, you come out of the theatres, and this is a major cliche, with a smile.
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Prashanth:
you ran with whom? I ran with MCP/AID. Did 6.30 hrs [ oprah winrey did 4.30 hrs at 40!! ] I have a loooooooooooong way to go
No Smoking is NOT showing anymore at Loehman’s.Tue was the Last Show, hence my worry about missing it on big screen.
Ravptor:
I went to an Engg College too , and my expereinces were similar but worse. A reasonably good looking girl in a male dominated college has a lot of TROUBLE, it is not a matter of just’lou’ and ‘friendship’, I disliked his portrayal of women. Totally. Esp the teacher’s [Kom].
The reason you might like HD is the very reason you did not like JWM.Pls watch HD, then we can talk some more okay?
Domagaaru:
Does your comment mean that you did not like any of the movies I mention? MSFU nacchalayda? Endukani, would really like to know.
Srishti:
)) Sorry cldn’t resist that. After Godavari , HD is bad film making that’s all.I am also among those who did NOT like Anand.
If you feel nostalgic about CBIT I am sure you have an album ?
Doremi:
You said it, I don’t usually watch such filmslike JWM. But it did help me get over my bad mood, I did come out smiling and yes, I am still humming- FaSoLaTeee…………
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Krsn Kavita Kasturi…..
you’ve got a sexy style of writing… i simply luv our article… can i hav more of stuff like this…….
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yes Kavita i do have an album, thank you very much!!!:p
I was not very fond of Anand either though it was better than the other fare being offered from telugu industry coz the treatment was different and totally love the songs.
oh so no ‘No Smoking’ at loehmann’s anymore? bummer!!
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Kavita garu, I meant movies like Happy Days and Jab We Met. Assalu tappu manadi kaadu…manchi cinemalu ekkada vastunnayi ee rojullo? Telugu lo emo champukotaalu chinchukotaalu, leka pote koncham NRI angle icchi cinemalu teesi “different” cinema antam, leka pote chacchu comedy petti hyderabadi cinemalu tiyyadam….emito ee vedhava gola…
Ekkada hindi loki vaste, veellani vallu “met”lu, leka pote dhoomlu. Adee kadhani tippi kotti tippi kotti naanchi, eedchi teestunnaru. MSFU antaraa…attempt manchide kaani teyyadam ravali. mana vallaki enkaa aa “finesse” raaledu…
Mee gurinchi cheppandi…meeru eem chestuntaru, natyam tappinchi…
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Meeru kompa teesi Maryland lo eppudaina unnara?
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Hashimara,Jaiselmer,….a dad in the IAF8-|
Well likewise here !
Those Bhutanese girls did’nt have an opinion on NS.
Is’nt that how we should react at times?
Too many reviews, comments. Lets chill guys:o
Like i wrote elsewhere, give NS a break.
I’ll watch it a week later, with an uncluttered mind!
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Kavita, i ran with MCP/Asha :-) Tell me about the timing, i lost steam at 21st mile, was crawling for the rest :-) 06:44
sorry for the thread jacking!
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k3, i was one of the 6 people at the first day first show at loehmanns on friday
out of the other 5, 3 were my parents and my cousin whom i’d dragged along.. the other two consisted of a random man, and the theater owner herself, who only watched it bc she knew not many would be there, being a 6pm show.. crazy thing is she had *just* gotten the print AT 6pm.. and by the time they warmed up the projector, loaded the film and the movie began, it was 6:45pm.. so my parents and i sat around for an hour waiting to watch it, but watch it we did..
the best reaction after the movie was over was from the theater owner.. she claimed she goes to india every year for some medical checkups for a head injury she had.. but “no smoking” cured her injuries from the inside out
)
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Hey, couldn’t understand why u said ‘Eros’ diminished the stimulation of this movie..care to explain ?
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Ali:
)
Janaab Shukriya.
…Ki main ’sexy’ hoon yeh suna tha, Meri ‘writing bhi sexy’: pahali baar suna hai
Srishti:
I mean I know that I don’t know you kaani I have this great gift of serendipity…….
Hey kept looking out for you at the VIBHA Dandiya, cldn’t spot you
Domagaaru:
Kompa teesi enduku? Meeru kooda ikkada untaara?
Naynu prastutamu ’scripts’ raastunnanu.
Poorthainnappudu, meeku pampinchamantaara?
Mee cinema baadha ardhamayyindi,
naa baadha aday :(
Arun Prakash:
Nice to hear from an IAF kid after so long….
Where all have you lived?
thats my pet Q for all Fauji bacchay!
Prashant:
MCP/ASHA! No way!! So we ran the practise runs together? Then I MUST know you?? Who did you run with? Coach John?
www.runforindia.org
Striker:
)) How have you been? Been meaning to meet up, batao kahan milna hai.Interesting story yours too….how did aunty and uncle like the film? Yeah the theatre lady was trying to prevent us too from watching NS:
Another K eh?
” dus min may sar dard ” was her dialogue.
Somesh:
Could mean Cupid, could mean the distributor. Could mean a gazillion things but as distributors I felt that the film was inappropriately screened in theatres where there was no scope for a ‘cinema literate’ public. Or else the marketing should have been better, I did not even know it was screening at Loehman’s, hence missing the first day show.
‘Eros’ was used in a multi-layered way, just like the film
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Smooth write up… enjoyed.
aaray sab fauji bachchay bahar kya kar rahe hain.. desh mein aake bhi kuch karo yaar… meri tarah
)
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EROS also never masters their DVD’s correctly and they usually have wrong aspect ratios,faded picture,pixalization and bad sound.Their are many websites dedicated to talking about how EROS ruins films. I ctually wrote EROS telling them this.They finally released something correctly with the movie “Darling”, hope they do right by NS.
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Kavita:
Fauji kid! Yeah thats what we all are called…forever
Though not a kid anymore(have my own),your response trigerred off a flood of memories,some with relevance to cinema.An idea for a post at projectiview has begun to form.I think I’ll mail it soon and hope Oz ji publishes it.
BTW the places i’ve stayed in include jodhpur,secundrabad,bagdogra,halwara.
I was then packed off to boarding school at AFCS/TAFS.
Naren
yeh ek fauji baccha hai jo apne desh mien hai. You’ll find fauji kids everywhere…in every profession you can think off…even in the film industry….but very few opt to join the fauj nowadays.
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Kavita garu, Neenu akkada undanu kaani mee gurinchi vinnanu. Ellicott City lo maa relatives untaru.
Mee scripts naaku pampinchi eem laabham, neenu kooda latkeelu koduthunnanu ekkada. Ainga gani, naa feedback kavalante cheppandi, naa email address istaanu.
Ee type kadha rasthunnaru?
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Arre Macchar, toone toh poori site koh south india bana diya, koi secret code de raha hai kya.. english mein khon nain kehta.. :((
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Suchita, tu ab tak office mein kya kar rahi hain! ghar jaldi jaa!!!
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kya mere ghar pe net nahin ho sakta machhar uncle
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K3:
Nice One ?
As most on PFC know I am a huge fan of Sekhar
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Naren:
Desh kay bahar hain par Pardesi nahin hain,
“divides her time between Hyd and DC ” is what I’d say
NoVaDJ:
Will check out ‘Darling’ and see…..
Arun:
Was in Jodhpur too from 89-91, went to KN College for 2 yrs! When were U there?
Domagaaru:
Tappakunda email address ivvandi.
Feedback avusaramu.
meeru ekkada untaaru?
Suchita:
Yaar bolnay do na Telugu main, waisay bhi Angrezi sun sun kar kaan pak gaye hain.
OM:
No, I was not the AD for Anand,
Shekhar called me to ACT for Dollar Dreams,his first film. Then again I met him after 7 years for Godavari [ yes, AD for this film ]
K-3
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K3..My bad..now i remember..yeah Godavari it is….not Anand…
Anyways the guy who plays Panduranga in happy days..he too is Sekhar’s AD, right? i think either for Godavari or Anand..not quite sure
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Kavita garu, idigondi….machcharkumar@yahoo.com, deeniki mail rayandi, naa assalu email address istanu.
Neenu Mumbai lo untanu…itu vaipu vastu untara?
Suchita: Arre yaar…If I speak in Punjabi you don’t like it, if I speak in Telugu, you have issues!!!! arre Aunty, you don’t know how it feels to talk to someone in Telugu when you are away from home for ages and don’t know a single telugu guy in this city!
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My bad: A way of admitting a mistake, and apologizing for that mistake, without actually apologizing.
OM garu, America vellaru sarey, kaani mana telugu valla speciality marichi poyaaru….which is apologizing without any daparikam.
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@Arun Prakash chicha secbad mein kahan see…..
Happy days is more like shekar made it to make a hit movie with college theme. what ever you need you got it as OM mentioned. Happy Days isn’t as honest as Anand or Dollar dreams. Its entertaining none the less.
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OM:
U mean KIRAN THUMMA, yeah , he has been with Amigos since ANAND.
Domagaaru:
Mumbai vastu untaanu, eesari kaluddamu.
Telugu vaaLu tayliyaka potay ma tammudni parichayamu chaysthaanu, Malad lo untaadu.
bhalay email sampadinchaaru,
aina, Macchar enduku?
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Definitely kaluddamu. I would love to meet your brother….Neenu Malad ki chala daggarlo untanu.
Machchar enduka…Eee cinema industry ane Maha sagaram lo neenu inka doma lanti vadini…anduku…maa intlo chala mandi cinemallo pedda perle sampadincharu, nenu enka try chestunnau, chooddam eem avutundo…
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Macchar /kavita. why don’t yo guys start a pfc telgu version, vaise bhi aadhi site toh south india ho hee gayee hai. :d
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Suchita, This is Passion For Cinema, Not just Passion For Hindi Cinema :D
Why do you northies think that everything is centered around them? There is a world which exists beyond
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am not reacting to that.. good day
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Om,Varun:
I was replying to kavita’s query as to where all i’d stayed while my dad was in the IAF. I went to nursery school in secabad :d ,we stayed in the cantt area.
Kavita:
I was born in jodhpur,many many years before you went to college there!
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K-3 & prasanth –
6:30 and 6:44! That’s appalling. Joke. small joke.
kavita, you have my email address now.
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Kavita,
can you please send me a mail?
I need to talk to you.
Thanks
Venkat
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