Sponsor PFCOne
(9 votes, average: 4.56 out of 5)
Loading ...
Khoya Khoya Chand - just before the release
In my previous post here, I shared some reasons for making Khoya Khoya Chand. I’ve also been interacting on email with some of the commentators to my blog. With the film releasing tomorrow, here are some more thoughts about this film.
With Khoya Khoya Chand, I have taken a story which any of the film makers of the fifties could have made except I have not let my self be governed by the morality or the technique of that time. So every time I have gone further into a scene where they might have cut before.
In my opinion, the only way you can make a film truthfully is, that what is happening to them, supposing it happened to you, how would you be. Because the only people you know truthfully are yourselves.
The way Hazaaron.. deals a lot with objective reality, this deals a lot with interior reality. Most of them are fighting their own ghosts. Therefore if you start looking for various external conflict reasons, then you won’t find many. It’s about a fragile girl. The film doesn’t give me recourse to some familiar tricks that I know. You don’t have recourse to the shots, sounds, cuts that belong to your school of hard film making.
I am sure there will be a reaction from the audience, because you tend to be drawn with an image. Like some people said Chameli wasn’t as hard hitting as a prostitute’s life is meant to be. Chameli was not meant to be. Chameli was a fairytale. It was an Anant Balani idea that I liked and I rewrote it totally and I take responsibility for it. It was a ‘wat if’ film.
But while making Khoya Khoya Chand, I didn’t think of Hazaaron or Chameli. I don’t like to think one film better than another. That was one film and that happened. And this is another film.
I went to the Rome film festival with KKC and most Italians who saw the film enjoyed it a lot and they had a long Q and A session. They also saw it as a tribute to film making.
It’s the most constructed of my films. I have to carry the audience into a world.
The films of that time were emotionally direct and people spoke about their emotions in a straight forward way. Emotional sophistication or deceit was absent in their encounters. There are of course glorious exceptions for example, In Mughal-e-Azam, the Anarkali character tells Akbar at the end of the film that she wants to spend one last night with Salim because the future emperor of India must not live with the feeling that his desire was left unfulfilled. But, of course she was lying. What she actually wanted to do was to spend one last night with her lover. I think this is one of the most magnificent lies in cinema.
My film is a kind of tribute to that one scene. I think it’s one of the best scenes in cinema. Much of the motivation of making this film is also seeing the laughing faces of all the actresses of that time – head thrown back. Imagine the face of Madhubala, for example.
These were women from ordinary circumstances who reinvented themselves, literally with another name and became stars and we remember them for ever. They came from nowhere, many of them. They were daring, bold and sensual. Most of the actresses today are girls. These were women. Theirs was a fragile world.
Nikhat is like many of the women characters from the films of that time. Except sometimes you can go further with her. So sometimes in a look, in a sentence, in an act of passion, she expresses a bit more than women were allowed to do in that time. The point is again to use the sentiment of that time but not descend into sentimentality. We are not wallowing in despair though we sometimes touch upon it. This is at the end of it all a tribute to the movies as well.
All of us who work in the movies know that the tensions inherent in the medium will kill us one day. We also know the anxiety of wondering whether a film that we have done will work or not. We know the fear of falling. We suffer everyday with the control freaks and the sadists at the helm of affairs. We despair at the sexual politics that seems to run this place. But, at the end of it the ride is fantastic.
One of the joys of making a film about that period is to use music the way the film makers of that time used it. In fact, the challenge of this film is its music. You can’t mimic the music makers of that time but you are inspired when you are making a film about yourself in that time.
Three of the songs in the film, namely the cabaret, the mujra and the piano song ”khushboo sa” , ”chale aao saiyan”, ”yeh nigahen”, are referential. They have to deliberately remind you of similar songs. “Yeh Nigahen” for example has to deliberately sound like other western songs. Like yeh hai bambai meri jaan is actually O my darling Clementine.
Whether you like it or not a lot of the lighter songs of the time were rip offs of western songs. O.P Nayyar is on record saying that Guru Dutt brought him a song and asked him to rip it off which is why he never worked with him again after CID.
The film has two original songs – the title track and thirak thirak and both of them are good songs. “O re Paakhi” is kind of original but is referential to rabindra sangeet.
It is Zafar’s song. It’s meant to be a like a Burman da composition. Also, Zafar’s influence is a kind of Bimal Roy character with whom he’s been writing.
These two songs take their cue from that time but then go off on their own trajectory. Is the title track a qawaali but then it starts off with a kind of rap… There is a deliberate reference to a poem by a great poet Majaaz. Part of that poem was used in a film called Footpath directed by Zia Sarhadi starring Dilip Kumar.
So, in this film the music of the films being made by the characters seeps into the film being made by me. To put it another way a song being picturised on a film set of that time then overlaps on to the real life of these characters.
My music director, Shantanu Moitra was told to imagine being a music director of that time, listening to the things Burman da might have been listening to, like Baul, Bhatiyali, rabindra sangeet.
I am glad the music has been well received.
Also, this film has been possible in this budget because of the commitment of the team.
Niharika Khan - the costume designer, Shantanu - music, Swanand - lyrics, the art director – Gautam Sen, the cameraperson – Sachin Krishn above all.
My associate director – Sameer Sharma. My chief assistant- Tariq and all my assistants – the wonderful bunch of 14 young kids. Everyone’s worked quite a lot.
There’s also been some comments on my previous blog abut the No Smoking reaction.
I feel, Anurag inspires extreme reactions. Personally, I think, people get harsh because he reacts. I am not making any apologies for Anurag and people are entitled to think what they think. But my question about the film is, is it that bad?? You allow many people an extra star. There are so many films that you forgive. Why was everybody that harsh!
My understanding is, maybe the standards Anurag sets for him self and the standards one expects for him are bigger. In that sense, there is a trap there. If you are critical and criticize and say that you are some one else and not like the rest then you will be judged by some standards that you claim and then if people find you falling short you will be criticized more. It is kind of inevitable. Anurag has claimed those standards. It is between him and his audience whether they feel he has lived up to those standards. I think it is a personal interaction between him and his critics and one should let them be. Between them, they are having a conversation.
My film however is the opposite of No Smoking. It’s a soft, emotional, directly sentimental film.
It is happening in the mind of a young girl called Nikhat. It’s soft and slow. It can’t move like a thriller. It’s not about a character who screams. It’s about a girl who breaks inside. It’s not that she’s not spirited. But, it’s not about a person who is violent. It’s not a male film at all. It’s a very feminine film. It’s about a girl who believes.
Usually I am not that eager that people like my film or not like my film. When I made Hazaaron… it got stuck for a year and a half. But I was grateful that it got released at least, even though in a slipshod way because films of that nature were not getting released before that.
Also, a film gets made when it gets financed. Guys like us who walk around with our stories because we don’t want to do DVD rip offs, we walk around with 3-4 ideas. Whichever film gets financed gets made. It’s not that I wanted to make KKC now. I wanted to make it three years ago. But it got financed now. I wanted to make Hazaaron eight years ago, but I made it five years ago. Three years it hung around because no one gave me money to make it. That’s the practical reality of film making.
I do wish to at some day make a sequel to Hazaaron. And now that I hear Chitrangada is coming back at least to do a film with me. That’s great. You could write the sequel many ways but you can’t write it without Geeta.
Hazaaron was a totally different film. It’s not a film about the triumph of the human spirit or people emerging victorious from anything and it’s also not a film about evil people, or exploring the nature of darkness. We were exploring the darkness in every nice person. It’s not any of these extreme type of films. It’s not controversial or sensationalist. Geeta doesn’t have to quote the Geeta to justify sleeping with somebody. Yet the film did what it did and I am very grateful and I now watch Hazaaron as if it’s made by someone else.
Some people have their own relationship with that film. Some people say they’ve seen it 24 times. There must be some thing else besides me that drags them to those people or to the idea. It was very nice what happened with Hazaaron, but I’ve never bothered too much about reaction.
With Khoya Khoya Chand, I am a little bothered that people like this film. I’ve tried something and I hope they like it.
100 Responses to “Khoya Khoya Chand - just before the release”
Leave a Reply
Our Comments Policy : The following kinds of comments are troll capped, blocked and/or commenter's identity reported publicly: Verbal abuse, personal attacks, hate statements, spam, trolls, advertising. Please assist us in keeping the comments clean. Use the contact form to let us know if you find unwarranted comments on PFC. Thank you.
- Mumbai Meri Jaan: Winner of a film
- Manorama Six Feet Under: A Six Pack sexy movie!
- Madhumati - A Tale of Two Generations
- TZP & JTYJN: Overhyped ‘yes’,great movies ‘No’
- The Torture Series 2: Insaaf Main Karoonga
- TZP & JTYJN: Overhyped ‘yes’,great movies ‘No’
- MUMBAI MERI JAAN - Bravo!!!
- The Torture Series 2: Insaaf Main Karoonga
- Madhumati - A Tale of Two Generations
- Mumbai Meri Jaan: Winner of a film
Recent Posts:
Hottest Today:
Mr.Mishra, Congratulatiosn first all on your new film. Iv been eagerly awaiting the release of your film ever since i caught the first glimpse of its promos. It has a strong undercurrent of refinement and honesty that reflects in its videos and it sort of sings to you..more like hums to you. The title track is one of the finest iv heard in years and it has a haunting quality about it.
HKA was a delight and a rivetting experience but i believe this KKC to be quite different from your previous film and im sure it will be well recieved. We need more films like these.
All the best.
loved the music .. i believe Shantanu is a gr8 find …
however i wanna see more ppl like him and M M Kreem
its nice to see such variety of films comin out!!!
HKA, in my opinion is a movie which remained true to its target audience, i.e people like Geetha, Siddharth and Vikram.I loved it a lot.
Looking forward to your KKC as well. I believe its a movie which celebrates cinema, and if this movie remains loyal to its plot,i.e of enjoying cinema, then I am going to have a treat of my life time.
Hello sir,
Nice post. I just love that 50’s era..esp all those poets…nice to know that theres a tribute to majaaz saab..love the line -
“kyun tu aaj itna vehshi hai, mijaaz mein majaaz hai ai gham-e-dil”..
Bring Chintrangada back..dying to see her on the screen…
HKA was a masterpiece. I havent come a better hindi movie ever. The story, the cast, the direction and of course geeta(Doesnt she resembles smita patil?
Well lets describe Geeta’s facial expressions.
Face showed strong willed, poise, grit and at the same time susceptible, vulnerable and often flirtatious in the same look. Everyone was brilliant. I havent seen chameli as yet, but after watching HKA, I will watch Chameli soon, and of course waiting for KKC. I am having a hard time convincing others my friends and family to watch HKA, but I am sure when they see it, they will realise wat they missed earlier.
Thanks Mr. Mishra for giving such a masterpiece. Keep up the good work.
Mr. Mishra,
HKA is a universal story, I showed it to my girl friend and her family all of whom are native Spanish speakers in a small town in Mexico and it struck a chord. I agree with you about the cinema of the 50s being lacking in subtext and emotions being on the cuff of the actor’s sleeves. However, if your film is about the lives of these actors, shouldn’t they be more like they were in their real lives rather than in front of the camera? Looking forward to KKC.
Sudhir Sir:
Congratulations on Fantastic Music… the title track has been haunting me since the day i heard it.. dont know how many times in a day i hear it.. what a multi dimensional painfully sad song it is.. yet it is so uplifting.. thank you so much for giving me song of my life.. i never felt this emotional after hearing any song in the past..
kyun naye naye se dard ki firaaq mein talaash mein udaas hai dil..
thank you
Sudhir,
Eversince I saw “Dharavi” I always looked forward to see more of your work. For some reason “Dharavi” and
Sudhirji
Hamaari Shubh Kaamnaayen aap kay saath.
You couldn’t have given better news,
Chitrangada is coming back? WOW!!
Here is a ‘woman’, not a girl like you say….
Kavita
Sudhir…
after watching HAZARON…you too have unknowingly set the standards very high…and KKC’s promos promise that…i am going to watch it tomorrow…
ARE YOU OPEN TO ACCEPT READY MADE SCRIPTS? or you are one of those who prefer to write their own films?
very best wishes for KKC!!!
kedar
Mr. Mishra, I am watching this film in the evening & i will be going in without any expectations waiting for the moving images to unravel itself slowly & steadily btw. the opening bars of Thirak Thirak reminded me of the opening of honthon pe aisi baat. was it intentional?
After reading this, I feel KKC is an unabashed love for nostalgia and the bitter-sweet melancholy that it inspires.
It is of course subjective but I love anything that is unabashed. Yes, I’m in LOVE with an era, I’m DISGUSTED by an emotion, I HATE a scent, I make no bones about it and express it in all its glory, no matter how self indulgent one may feel it is - no apologies needed.
Yes, there are ground realities that does not let all our self indulgences to life, but I believe we as a culture love melancholy and nostalgia and I’m eagerly looking forward to it.
Sudhirji,
So far have heard a lot of negative things about KKC, but i am trying my best not to get affected by these reactions… watching it tomorrow 12:30 pm at IMAX… looking forward to it… Btw… all the best, hope it works.
Chitrangada is coming back !
Great!:)
Hope KKC is as pleasing as the songs, By the way, the best film that I have seen on a theme that sounds similar is BHUMIKA — Smita Patil as Hansa Wadkar was superb!!!!
@aditi,
What a performance by Late Smita Patil in film Bhumika.
and the Music of Vanraj Bhatia. Wonderful film by Shyam Benegal. :)
@Vinayak (14)
Your happiness about come back news of Chitrangda Singh is amazing:).
Brother first wait and see if Chitrangda Singh comes back on screen or Mrs Jyoti Randhawa or Mother of a kid?
Bata ji ne boot banaya Jute chal gaye
Sudhir ji ne HKA banayee aur Gita (film se jyada) chal gayee. :d
Loved kkc…
You’ve done Phd in detachment from personal stories…
such a gift…
Sudhirji,
I thought that poem by Majaaz (Awaargi) was used in the 1953 film Thokar, composed by Sardar Malik and sung by Talat Mahmood. Was it used in Footpath as well?
I loved the title track but found out only later about the reference to Majaaz. And I was completely blown. It was deliberate (some might even call it contrived), but in all a great tribute to a great poet. I have also written about it:
http://urgetofly.blogspirit.com/archive/2007/11/18/a-clever-verse.html
Sudhir,
I really liked the music of KKC. And I really admire your honesty and the way you share things with us. Yes, I agree to it that audiences will have their on opinion, but for me KKC is well made movie.
regards,
Rajeev
it’s always been a treat to watch your films. i am really looking forward to khoya khoya..
Congratulations Mr Mishra !
It was nice to lose oneself in the heady waft of forgotten movie charm.
As I savour the lingering aftertastes of your concoction, I am compelled to recollect elements in a rough chronology of personally perceived intensity.
Soniya Jehan ! - Wow ! Dont know where shes from, …dont know who she is. But she will certainly go places ! She commands the screen.
Shiney and Soha were commendable in parts too.
The Foley Sound Fx and ambient sound design really struck me. Refreshing ! You can weave sub-text there too ! ( Why was the dubbing lacking ? )
The Music ! What a mellifluous earful ! Loved the way it seamlessly integrates itself into the narrative. Loved the way it lends texture and character to the film. Maybe a more rough sound would have been preferable over the “noise cleaned” recordings.
Loved the usage of silhouettes. But shot composition seems to have been a tough war through the entire shoot. One example is too glaring where the camera moves back ( against situational logic ) to accomodate a wider re-framing in the “birthday bash scene”. A closer look also reveals inconsistencies in lighting logic in many shots.
I dont intend to nitpick on technicalities but even the editing leaves much to be desired. A really bad cut to “Soha in the car” from “Soha in the car” comes to mind. I understand the extended “shot spillovers” which were intended in the context of the film to facilitate late cuts.
Again, at the risk of sounding petty, if one can arrange vintage cars, cameras and even badminton rackets, …then why, pray, overlook readymade shirts and contemporary haircuts (I am talking mainly about the extras ) ?
The narrative gave me a feeling of “lets make a heart felt film tediously” at the onset to “lets wrap this up, …bahut ho gaya!” ( as the financer in the film says !) Nikhat’s emotional build-up isnt alloted justified screen time. Maybe Prem Kumar should have been more “fleshed out”.
Also, you are jumping time anyway, so why place “2 months later” supers at just a couple of points ?
I shall not comment on the fragmented narrative or the content and form in general as these are exclusive to the directors creative vision.
All said and done, love the “pickle” aftertaste.
Is it true that Smriti Vij sent her “Khoya Khoya Chand” review to Sudhir Mishra to be vetted by him and dry cleaned? HAHAHAHAHA!!
If this is really true, I lost all the respect for PFC and it’s members.
machchar yaar, pfc pe kite din ho gaye aapko. smriti is the point person for sudhir’s blog. if u hav been reading his blof from the start u would know. she records everything what sudhir wants to say n then takes all the trouble to write it down and then shows it to sudhir n then its posted. its not the review but his posts!! i surely lost all respect for ur intelligence now. with so much experience,i never thought u wud belive this.
Smriti Vij has not reviewed Khoya khoya chand. She doesn’t have film review skills. smriti vij proofreads mr sudhir mishra’s blog transcript on behalf of PFC and hasn’t done that this time considering he’s been busy with the film release.
little knowledge…you know what that does right? so take your buzz elsewhere mosquito. peace!
Aiyyo. Smriti Vij referring to herself in third person ..
What now .. Macchar replying ..
“Macchar is sorry for Macchar’s little knowledge. Macchar should have checked his facts properly. Peace” - Macchar.
:d :d :d
Disclaimer :- Turrtle is just finding this funny, hence Turrtle kidding. Turrtle does not mean offence to anybody. Peace.
Peace! You know how it is with rumors and gossip, they change so much by the time they reach the ear ;) Apologize!!! You see guys, When I heard about it, I was shocked and could not beleive it so posted it here…You must be knowing by know that “Main pet mein kuch nahi raktha”….
Oz? Buddy…..I request you to kindly remove your comment…
hhahahaha. worth a laugh turtle! :) i am bit tired of the ‘i’ these days that’s all.
No, Mr. Mishra, Sorry, but you just have not been able to do it again! HKA built up too many expectations from you as a director. Admittedly, this one is good; but not THAT good!
Smriti Vij tired of ‘i’ ?
Turrtle will now write “In defence of the I” and send to project “i” view..
:d
@Aditya Pant
That’s a Brilliant post. Just crossposted that. The song was puzzling me a bit. Thanks!
@RK
Kuch pharak nahi padta!
Why should being a mother or a wife affect her work?
Even if it does.
Kuch pharak nahi padta!
Now that is amazing! :)
Hello Mr. Mishra,
I saw Khoya Khoya Chand yesterday when it released here in Dubai. Enjoyed it thoroughly, and have only one complaint: the subtitles! Whoever did the English subtitles really didn’t seem to get it.
In a film where the dialogue and its nuances are so important, the subtitles were full of unnecessary profanity and overimplified — or worse, even mistranslated lines. If someone doesn’t know Hindi and only goes by the subtitles, then they’re in for a very inferior movie experience; a real shame considering the high quality of everything else that is on screen in Khoya Khoya Chand.
Other than that, I certainly got my money’s worth. Believe it or not, I’ve yet to see Hazaaron… but I’ve been a fan of your work ever since Star Plus had the unusual good sense to screen Is Raat Ki Subah Nahin in the 90s.
Cheers,
V
machchar // the editors have hidden the comment (TSN) for one last time, but that shooting off your mouth was totally totally stupid on your part, and you really don’t want to repeat this…
@sudhir mishra
khoya khoya chand dekhne ke baad aapko apni likhi hui kahaani padhaane ka man hua…
lagta hai aapko zaroor pasand aayegi.
Drop in your email-id at priyankajainangels@yahoo.com
it’s in the form of a mono-act that i performed on stage at my college.
aur haan, khoya… achchhi lagi.
DOES ANYONE KNOW IF KHOYA KHOYA CHAND IS RELEASED IN NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY AREA? I HAVE SEARCHED ALL THE THEATERS.. IT’S NOT PLAYING ANYWHERE..? IS IT RELEASED IN USA?
Badmash, KKC is playing at Regal Commerce Center 18 in North Brunswick, NJ.
So, Hazaron… can have a sequel! Thank you sir.
I’ve always dreamt about what happened to them
THANKS EVELYN:
IS THAT THE ONLY THEATER IT IS PLAYING? IT’S ABOUT AN HOUR AND A HALF FROM WHERE I LIVE.. I WOULD GO IF IT IS ISNT PLAYING ANYWHERE ELSE..
I KNOW I AM GREEDY.. WANT TO EAT MY CAKE AND HAVE IT TOO.. /:)
KKC, flawed it may be, but is still a movie to be enjoyed. The characterization of the lead as well as the supporting cast is great, though I cant say the same about the performances as well. I had a great time watching the movie last night.
review of khoya khoya chand by ajay brahmatmaj
http://chavannichap.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post_08.html
Mishraji I enjoyed the film but at certain:) places it seemed unclear
like suddenly u see Zafar’s film has flopped and then he is shooting again and has a fling with Ratanmala
the idea was really beautiful
also i’d like to inform u that i noticed many old ladies thoroughly enjoying the film
All this even after the critics tore it apart
Badmash, yes, it’s the only place within 60 miles’ radius, so you’ll have to drive. You should go see KKC this weekend, because you can’t count on how long a movie will play there.
The Regal is also showing Aaja Nachle, Dus Kahaniyaan, and OSO, so you could make it worth your drive and see more than one movie. (Wow, Saawariya is gone!) There’s a little dosa place next to the theater, or you can stop at Oak Tree Rd about half an hour north of there for a bigger selection of eats on the way back home (assuming you came from the north).
Hi Sudhir,
Just seen Khoya Khoya Chand in London Cineworld Ilford not many people for the show.
Enjoyed the movie and so did all my friends.
keep up the good work and all the best I hope the movie does well.
What annoyed us all was the english subtitles which were out of context and profane, I think someone has had a mighty laugh using abusing with the sub titles.
Mr. Mishra - Just loved your movie. Totally. It’s one for my DVD collection and I hope you will be loading it with goodies. Sir, I remain your fan.
I will def. catching up with KKC coz it gives me a peep into the era that I so fantasize.
Btw, I loved HKA a lot and to be fair, films like that happen once in a decade in the whole film industry. Chitraganda gupta being a first timer and the credit must go 2 u
hello sudhir sir,
I really want to see your movie, but can’t afford to watch a movie at a multiplex and in Delhi apart from multiplexes I don’t think it has released in any small theatre. So don’t you think multiplexe’s are making/ encouraging piracy???? what about commoners who want to watch a movie of the calibre you make, but cos it releases only in multiplex so has to opt out of it?????? Or is that bollywood only makes film for upper middle class and creamy class????
Hi Sudhir
I am a struggling film writer. I’ve got some wonderful concepts which I can bet y’d love to do.
plz. e me if u r intrested.
@Vinayak (31),
Phark to padta hai bhai [Can you recall this amazing short film of DD where Gyan Tiwari, is first shown to disobey rules of traffic and under his hasteness he tries to cross railway crossing which has no gate on it and is killed in the accident and later his photographs says above mentioned line]. Wonderful ad, was that!:)
—
Unlike male actors in hindi films, female actors are more affected with their marriages. and priorities and mind set gets a big change after one becomes a mother. Its very difficult to act in that carefree manner as one can do before marriage and motherhood.
Motherhood brings (atleast in India) a kind of satisfaction inside a woman and that fire to act best is not there in every kind of role. If role suits temperament of these new mothers then they can act wonderfully otherwise there is always a lacking and that energy is lost which was there before their marriage.
Why only Women actors, we can see Vinod Khanna. the kind of fire he had before pursuing his spritual quest on full time basis was never seen after his come back. The man is so content and only few roles can demand a big acting from him because many times he will be feeling inside that what nonsense he is doing, its so false, its so irrelevant.
Gita of HKA was a sensuous character and his lovers also see him in that light. None of his lover ever seeks her advice or gives importance to what she thinks. She marries an IAS officer but still cant leave attraction towards Sidhartha. She is confused and only after becoming mother she takes first decision to send her kid to her parents. She decides in the end what she wants to do.
So we have to see with which perspective Sudhir Ji construct her character after this development in story and how as an actor, who has seen different phase now in life, she concieves those sheds of character in her portrayal.
Its not easy.
–
Mrs Jyoti Randhawa was a joke. Respected Columnist Mrs Shobha De had made a hue and cry in her column when Chitrangda had left films for sake of her married life. Though Mrs De has 1000 justifications and explainations for her own conduct in marriage given in her last book Spouse but when she writes her column then she is against everything others do.;)
All I can say is that i remember this line from Fountainhead where Gail Wynand comes to Howard Roark and tells him that since he has been planning to build a house, all the buildings he has liked had one name associated with it. I am honoured to say that the same applies for all the movies I have seen with respect to you. Is raat, Chameli,HKA .. and now KKC..
Thank you once again for making such a great movie.
Sudhir,
Can i have your email id, please?
Regards.Roshan
Dear Sudhir sir,
I saw the movie day before yesterday.While watching the movie though I felt and sensed most of the things that you wanted to show,some how got really really bored.Similar problem I had with “no smoking’ as well,but it had amazing music and it saved the day.How ever I’m really a big fan of your earlier works and ofcourse wouldn’t like to write off this movie as well.Where do you think the mistake lies then.
Great film Sudhirji. Don’t bother about these morons who only care for lightweight re-churned re-hashed stuff time and time again.
In one word - ‘Brilliant!’
excellent film, sudhirji. the love and passion is visible on the screen.
I’m really happy to have seen Khoya Khoya Chand in the theater. I disliked Parineeta (was it only me?) and was worried about seeing another retro-looking movie. Instead, I totally bought into warm glow of the spotlights on these dark sets and loved every minute of it.
Vinay Pathak was the standout again. It’s my favorite role by him so far. His turn as Shaymol reminded me a lot of John Turturo’s part as Denise Waverly’s manager who always saves her in Alison Anders’ “Grace of My Heart.”
Contrary to AK’s criticisms elsewhere, it didn’t feel episodic to me. There was very little choppiness, apart from the point when we see Nikhat has taken to drink. I haven’t seen a lot of older Indian movies, so I wasn’t watching the movie for all the references to Madhubala, Guru Dutt and others of that era.
I especially liked that KKC didn’t go overboard one way or another about explaining or condemning Nikhat’s decisions. There is no feminism or anti-feminism here, it’s just one person having to make tough choices (or having them forced upon her at times) and living with the fallout.
Shiney’s performance was multilayered and complex, especially during the flashback scenes in Lucknow. This is the second time I’m seeing him in this complex light, after Mira Nair’s Migration (from AIDS JaaGO).
One question: I’d just seen Soha in Rajshree Ojha’s Chaurahen at SAIFF, and Soha was lovely throughout that movie. In this movie, I can’t tell if it’s the lighting, the makeup or too many ECU shots, but her loveliness doesn’t really come out until near the end. Was this intentional?
Mr. Mishra, Mr. Mishra!
You left me stunned with KKC. The title track is WOW! And then you go and ruin it with your picturization of it.
So I watched it the other night. I really wanted to kill myself mid-way. Now, you could have said ‘The End’ after 15 minutes of the film, but chose to drag it on and on for what seemed like a lifetime. Why? Why cause so much pain to the poor who paid so much to watch KKC? Why make semi-decent promos?
But the worst wasn’t till the Interval. When the movie started again, I almost wished I had the power to hallucinate and the cash I paid to watch it shackled me to the seats. Now Soha Ali Khan was rubbish! Shiney Ahuja…never performed close to ‘well’ since that one HKA. The rest were mediocre.
You could have been making a reality show on TV instead. It would be the same you know. KKC. You make me wanna become a director to salvage this industry. And I suck!
Just so you know, the monday after the release of the film, there were only 5 people in the theatre. I mean, I’m sure there were efforts made, but the same can also be diverted towards making sensible stuff. I think HKA went to your head.
Anyways…good luck for your next film Mishraji.
I feel like Aheli and I saw different movies.
Dear Mishraji,
You had asked me on Rediff chat to give my feedback on KKC. I was bowled over by HKA so I had really high expectations from KKC. But I have to say I was disappointed.
I will not comment on the filmmaking aspects because I don’t have enough background on it to do so. But I can comment on just the story aspect, as an aspiring writer myself.
I felt there was a lack of unity in the scenes, especially in the second half. In HKA, all the scenes were building one unified picture, both in character and plot. In KKC, I just could not feel engaged with the main characters at that level.
I never once felt for Shiney (or Soha) as much as I did for him in HKA. Maybe your objective was to create this floating, unsettled impression. Unfortunately, it didn’t work for me.
I think the more abstract (or ambitious?) your work is, the thinner your audience becomes! HKA resonated well with my intelligence; KKC did not.
Still your fan,
Paritosh.
sudhir bhai.read your post in hindi.
http://chavannichap.blogspot.com/2007/12/blog-post_14.html
sudhirji, saw the movie y’day….
although it was oddly edited and left many ques. unanswered, the movie did give me some insight of the film world in the golden era.
and also, the film had many positives and it would be sad to ignore them due to the negatives. inconsistent but good work sirjee! :d
keep it up…
Sudhirji
Following the missing print of KKC in DC I am comforting myself reading the reviews :(
Here is something from FullHyd.com they do good reporting.
http://www.fullhyderabad.com/scripts/profiles.php3?section=MoviesArchives&name=Khoya+Khoya+Chand&ID=5068
Kavita
^^ what insights did u get ?
Dear mr mishra
This was one of the most awaited film of the year for me..not only because of the subject matter but also because of who was making it.
Finally got to see it on a DVD of dubious quality ( since it wasnt playing in my city)- I am left without the last 5 minutes of the movie - although i can guess what the fate of nikhat was..
I am out and out a 50’s movie freak, that is by far my most favorite era of hindi movies . I loved how you were able to recreate the era so evocatively and wonderfully.. the immense affection and reverence you have for those characters came through and how!
Soha however was the weak link for me. She didnt have the range, charisma, pathos, gravitas, call it what you may to carry off a complex character like Nikhat who was waheeda and meena and madhubala rolled into one( my 3 absolute favorite actresses , thank you!)
I think tabu from 10 years ago would have been the perfect choice, but I dont know anyone from this era who could pull this role off( maybe chitrangada?)
I loved the tragic characters who were all fighting their own personal demons.. especially the character of zafar. It was so interesting to see Majaz’s work being referenced, he was a personal friend of my fathers and my brother is named after him! Also kudos to the production designer/art director for a wonderful recreation of the period. Special brownie points for the resurrection of the authentic aligarhi sherwani..!
I was’nt very comfortable with the editing though, it felt choppy and not seemless and many scenes felt strangely truncated, like there was no arc to the scenes. Was this intentional on you and your editors part?
Nevertheless, a very brave and worthy film, hats off to you for daring to dream strange dreams!
Regards
Sudhirbhai,
I liked the film quite a bit. However, I got the feeling that you were confused mid-way about whether you wanted to create an ode to the era, or showcase the tragedy of the life of a starlet, fighting with herself to transform into a woman (in the classical sense), and an actress.
More details here: http://arseniksden.blogspot.com/2007/12/khoya-khoya-chand.html
Regards,
ArSENik
Dear Mr. Mishra
Till date, HKA is the best Hindi movie seen by me.Its a landmark film, which made me think & introspect. The political backdrop, the individual ambitions of the chatacters & the storyline & the culmination was brilliant! I liked all the three main protagonists, but one who stole my heart was Mr. Shiney Ahuja. As a director, I was spellbound seeing how you so skillfully made the perfect blending & integration which made this movie touch hearts of those who saw it. Sir, my only request to you is, please make more films like this. In fact, I’m eagerly waiting for your next ‘Aur Devdas’.
Regards
Arnab
@Kavita:
The mystery of the missing print in DC. The film was publicized and many of went to see it. The Theatre owners claimed that the print never arrived by Fed ex. To date it has not “arrived.”
I saw the movie last week. I liked this movie and thought it was one of the better movies . HKA ranks higher than this in my favs.I just wish it was someone else than Soha Ali or she did a slightly better job.
Any way , wonderful music and lyrics. I think a whole post can go up just for the music itself and no review of KKC is complete without a note on its music :)
HKA is the most overglorified film in recent memory .. i cant understand why the actors were rattling off dialogues in english .. it was the ’70s .. to me it came across as an unnecessary attempt to make the film look ‘arty’ and ‘different’ .. though the performances were solid the film seemed more like a political documentary to me . u could ‘appreciate’ it more than u could feel for it .
overall HKA is definitely a good brave film but not as great as it is made out to be .
The fade out.
The fade out when Nikhat returns to Prem Kumar lying on his sofa and having a drink while waiting for her to return, is awesome.
What a way to end that scene.
Hey Maya… guess what??.. I have the same DVD … without the last 5 mins… btw are you located in the San Francisco Bay Area?…
Hi Mr Mishra,
Let me congratulate you for being different . Your movies are so refreshing from HKA, Is raat.. to now KKC.
For KKC, I feel it’s an extremely well made film and all the department scores, be it music, acting, direction, cinematography etc..but more than that the “kind of sincerety i see in your movies” which is rare in today’s world.
Keep up the great work. waitin for HKA sequel.
Let us appoint an objective jury of eminent filmmakers - include even David Lynch as the chief adjudicator. Let them judge as to who the better craftsman (BETTER CRAFTSMAN) is SLB or AK.
HKA dialogues were in english because idiots like you and me are more comfortable conversing in english than in any other Indian language. So you moron, the use of english is just a reflection of reality. How many kids in a college like St. Stephen’s in Delhi converse in hindi? methinks, not many!
@ mini…
rather i have some new proposals for you:
1. how about getting the president of USA to decide a feud between nomadic tribes of timbaktu…
2. how about someone calling even karan johar a better craftsman than anurag kashyap n then telling that he doesnot make better films but he has a better craft…how about defending that point first..?
3. has somebody here run a poll on SLB versus AK..??.how about just aise hi harping on un-necessary issues to satiate the macro ego of some mini brain..
4. how about a microbrain trying to defend her high-horsical argument by indulging in some utopian polling …
5. how about bullshitting on blog..and applying all your work in film appreciation to defend it..
…finally at the end of it..how about keeping quite and not making some moronic observations like “the literalism of the expressions makes it facile”…
..get of your high horse..its high time….buddy…1
74 Guru
u fuckhead .. u cud have replied in a decent way .. trying to argue with u wud be a disaster coz u got the IQ of a small cat. by ur logic filmmakers nowadays should make films for some stephens collg wannabe kids ? also then KJo is a fool coz he makes hindi films for the NRIs + urban home audience .. i think u probably even dont know which period the film is based on .. so do some factfinding before u embarass urself publicly with juvenile arguments. or maybe u ARE juvenile
“i think u probably even dont know which period the film is based on .. so do some factfinding before u embarass urself publicly with juvenile arguments. or maybe u ARE juvenile.”
Moron bhai: Are you talking about the time period that HKA is set in? Or you talking of the time period that KJ sets his films in? It is a question of the realistic use of a medium in which the characters would typically converse, given the setting. I guess it is useless talking to an dimwit like you who believes in using abusive language to make a point.
Sudhir ji, you raised a question with regard to Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking in your write-up and the question was:
“But my question about the film is, is it that bad??”
Now this “that” is a very mysterious qualifier. In a manner of speaking, it seems to underwrite the very intention in posing the question and rightly so. I respect the desire to move away from neat oppositions whereby we continue to understand this world, social reality etc. Beyond ‘good’ and ‘bad’, there are the grey areas that you have so eloquently spoken about with regard to HKA in another write-up. Problem with Anurag Kashyap’s No Smoking is not that it is “that bad”, the problem perhaps is that it has failed to forge any connectivity with the social space from which it is rising as a document of deeply felt (personal) anxiety in the first place. Styles are invariably historically thrown up - a Kafka, various genres of popular comics, David Lynch…so on and so forth. A style is an indicator of the times we live in, live with, experience, reflect upon and critique. In the 20s, for instance, it would have been unthinkable for Indian filmmakers to work according to the principles of the Soviet montage or geometrically invading expressionist sets or the French poetic realist fluidities. But, of course, everything is hypothetically possible, by way of pastiche. You may attempt writing a novel in some imagined proto-language as was tried in Germany in the 19th century. The right to experiment is an inalienable right of a creative (and even non-creative, if I may add) master like Anurag Kashyap. One should respect that. But it should also be borne in mind that not everyone is critiquing No Smoking the way Khalid Mohammad did. There are some sensible and valid critiues as well. What is worrisome is the infantile vehemence with which people begin to attack at a level where the very name of the critic is mutilated, trivialized and ridiculed.
PS: I have had the good luck to see some of Sudhanshu’s work. The man was a genius. If only he had lived long enough!
I’m actually very disappointed that KKC has received the kind of response it has. I saw it only yesterday, and all the talk and reviews (that were largely lukewarm) had left me surprised, but also lowered my expectations. In the last 7-8 years, by and large, films that I really liked got good reviews (Company, Maqbool, Khosla Ka Ghosla, Black Friday, Mr & Mrs Iyer, Lagaan, Swades, above all
77 Guru
yes im talkin abt HKA only .. dont pretend u are confused lol . so r u finally aware which period its set in ?
it didnt make sense .. khadi clad political workers talking in proper english (in the 70s ?) in remote villages .. it looked unreal .. perhaps it was done to get some international exposure
Mr. Bhai:
For the last time- the politicalworkers were either idealistic young men and/or naxalites from elite colleges. Just cause they came to work with the “oppressed” doen not mean they originated from the same milieu.
I enjoyed your film thoroughly except towards the end when I sensed some hesitation in the story - should Nikhat be sent away to recover, should Zafar and Nikhat work again, should she die - ultimately, you left it with a post-script
Also, when Zafar comes back, it seems so normal that all his peers (Prem Kumar, Shyamol, etc) come together to make the next film forgetting what happened between them, etc. One had to assume that there was a reconciliation. It jarred a bit - looked as if time was running out and the story was fast forwarded leaving the audience to fill in the gaps.
But overall, great film and fantastic performances by all the cast. the intensity of Shiney’s performances is really amazing and in the case of Soha, one can without doubt state that she has arrived - playing the central role and carrying it off so well deserves the fullest appreciation. Hope she stops playing girl friends, second wives and sisters as she did prior to this.
Hope to see more great stuff from you
Finally in DC:KKC on 24th/25th Dec at LOEHMAN’S 1pm.
DO NOT MISS, People.
sudhir sir thanks for kkc. its really nice movie and it’s far better than oso. bcoz they spend lot of money but they cant prove themselves and u prove it .after make kkc u die happily.u prove that u r a comlete cinama maker.r u like zafar? sir .i think u r so briliantand go ahed .and u must thank prakash jha to produce kkc….
mehul
‘after make kkc u die happily’
why wud he want to die ?? o_O
Kavita:
Finally saw KKC in DC. They did not cancel it this time. Hallelujah! Luminous characterization. I do not understand why people have a beef with Soha. She did the younger Nikhat wonderfully. Though she did not look decrepit enough in the later time period. Sonia Jehan looked every inch a “Ratanbala.” Sushmita evoked a Tabassum or a Suraiya like character impeccably. Overall, I enjoyed it.
Filimibhai: I think Mehul feels that making KKC is a once in a lifetime achievement. I do not agree. I think Sudhir will go on to make brighter and better films.
‘I think Mehul feels that making KKC is a once in a lifetime achievement. I do not agree. I think Sudhir will go on to make brighter and better films.’
i knw .. its just that he worded it in a way that seemed somewhat funny =P
Dear Sudhirji,
I have had the rare privilege of working with you, well back then i was a child artiste but nevertheless was charmed by your directorial bent of mind, you directed me in a serial called “Sara Jahan Hamara” my name is Rahul Tiwari and my screen name was “vk”. I was running temperature on the first day of shoot and although i was willing to shoot you called for pack up.
What is exemplerary about your direction is how you’re able to say complex things about relationships & emotions in a simple, surreal manner (not in your face). To me you are the modern day “showman”
Hope you all the best for KKC & future endevors.
@Suzy
I caught it on Xmas day , Hallelujah too!!
L.O.V.E.D every bit of it, I knew I would.
One cannot/shouldn’t judge KKC by ordinary standards,
its not a film up for a review/critique.
We should be GRATEFUL that it got made.
You like me? you like KKC!
Bas.:))
Zafar kahaan ho…….tumhaaray intezaar may :(
it is surprising to learn that the women were so liberated in that era.One can Analise that the root of the treatment given to the female lead in the film could be traced to the treatment given to the female lead in “Main Zinda Hoon”.
An excellent film
I must say that Khoya Khoya Chand was an excellent movie, a very intense movie. I love the songs and I`ve seen the films several times,and enjoyed it everytime I`ve seen it. I think that Sonya Jehan was amazing in the movie.She looked every inch a diva of the 1950s. I really wanted her to make a comeback after her debut “Taj Mahal” and was quite glad to see her in Khoya Khoya Chand. I hope you cast her in your future projects too. I loved the scene where Zafar asks Ratanbala to work in her movie. Soha Ali Khan Pataudi was also fantastic. She looks like an actress of the yesteryears, because of her looks. She portrayed the role of the transformation of a young innocent girl to a strong woman, very convincingly. Others were good too. I hope your future movies are also as good as this one and would love to see Sonya Jehan in another movie of yours. You`ve managed to bring the star out of her!
SUDHIR SIR,
WATHED UR FLM WID A GR8 EXPECTATION…. AND I AM VERY HAPPY THAT I AM NOT DISAPPOINTED…
BASICALLY I AM A STUDENT OF FASHION DESIGNING… SO WHAT I ALWAYS LOOIKNG IN A MOVIE..IS THE GARMENTS.. IN YOU MOVIE.. WHAT I LIKE MOST IS THE GARMENTS… IN INDIAN FILM INDUSTRY WHAT WE CUD NOT FIND IS GOOD GARMENT.. AND ALSO YOUR STORY… SOME SMALL SCENES WHICH MADE SO BEUTIFULLY…. HEARD THAT YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE DEVDAS SOON…LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT MOVIE… 8-|
dear sudhir sir,
language is as pointless as this comment. and so is milan kundera. and so am i.
but a very honest question :
should you not be working with shahrukh khan…or are you ?
Completely irrelevant from the topic discussed here…but I think hazaaron khwaishein aisi is the best Hindi film in the last twenty years…I remembered I had to drag my mother to the hall as one of my good “intelligent” friend recommended it and like all good films, the theater was going to remove the film shortly…it still shakes me up everytime I watch it…how subtle, intelligent without being overtly preachy the film was…and was perfectly made without over doses of cinematography like Bansali does….
I am from Calcutta, a graduate from IIT Kharagpur and right now in Caltech doing PhD…Among films I like, I enjoy Ray, Ghatak, Copolla, Bergman, Kubrick, Fellini and some others
Mr.Mishra
I feel that KKC was a nostalgic trip to the 50s and 60s of Hindi Cinema.But I believe it could have been a bit more fast…. though I repect the pace you have chosen. he film hasn’t done as per expectations but I’m sure it will be remembered. May be KKC will become another KKP (Kaagaz Ke Phool). Do ake more films like these.
Hi Mr. Mishra. This is Ms. Aditi Mishra Brar.
Been trying to locate you for long. asked several people for your contact no. And I landed on your blogs. Dont know whether you or your secretary read this. Anyways, you can read my blogs - http://surprizezunltd.blogspot.com
Take Care!!!
Editor’s Note (D): Dont take a lotto dig on all posts with ur queries please.
Sudhir Mishra,
I am a PhD Student in Cinema Studies at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL) USA. I have written my first feature script that deals with the issues if terrorism and homosexuality in two parallel stories taking place in India and US. I am visiting India in July and would like to meet you with regards to this project.
Kindly Reply at my email ID —
r.amitkumar@yahoo.com
Thanks,
R. Amit Kumar
Terrorism and homosexuality ? Can I read it ?
This is just my most spontaneous reaction - You said, “Some people say they’ve seen Hazaron.. 24 times. There must be some thing else besides me that drags them to those people or to the idea,” it is not you that drags us to those people or to the idea, it is that idea and those people that drag us to you.
hi sudhir,
wats happened 2 aur devdas, no news bout it.i m highly charged 2 watch it,though i havent watched earlier ones(& i dont wish so especially bhansalis version …yuck).i think rgvs aag was better den bhansalis devdas.ny ways m eager 2 c d promos of aur devdas (if its n d making).1 sincere request,y dont u make a movie onboard a ship.(now u remember me)somewere i feel dt some day ull go adead wid it.
keep rockin.