London Dreams – Critique Sabotage
Print
London Dreams’ is a decent entertainer also bringing about an interesting play of emotions. It is fun and intriguing. Given the plot with so much potential, it could have been a much better film but whatever is made, is not bad either. The film is made with a lot of heart and a lot of thought too. But the so called critics seem to have pre-decided to bash this film no matter what and try and influence people to not like or not even watch this film. Except for Nikhat Kazmi of TOI who has reviewed this film fairly to an extent, all other reviews are suspiciously mean and look in a hurry to write off this film.
All the reviewers have suddenly raised the heights of the pedestals on which they keep their exhalted selves. ‘London Dreams’ is a mainstream bollywood film which promises to provide entertainment and intrigue. When did the maker or anyone else associated with the film claimed that they have made a cult classic? Why then review it with that scale? Does the film keep you engrossed enough to want to know ‘what happens next’? Yes, it does. Does it entertain? Yes, it does. Are the performances good? Yes, they are. Is the music good? Yes, it is. Are the production values and technical aspects good? Yes, they are. Then how does the film become trashy? Well, that’s the mystery!
No film is perfect. You can find faults with the most celebrated classics of the world cinema. ‘London Dreams’ is obviously not a classic and has its pluses and minuses like any other film. But, barring last few minutes, it is a decent entertainer. I wonder why the so called critics are just not ready to accept that? There are such contradictary observations made by them that it is difficult to accept them as genuine. People have different likes and dislikes and preference but how can people with similar sensibilities have such drastically opposite views on something? Read on some samples given at the end and you will know what I mean.
First and foremost, all of them seem to have made up their mind even before watching the movie that Ajay and Salman being 40 plus just can’t be rockstars. ( Though in reality,we have many 40 plus rockstars. And by this logic an actor need not play any character because he is not that character in real life.) In the movie, they are not 40 plus and they aren’t rockstars either. They are what you can call popstars. So, their music and their look and their concerts need not be what you think is classic rock.
Critics are unnecessarily slotting it as a ‘rock movie’ and comparing it to ‘Rock On’. There is absolutely no connection with ‘Rock On’ and this is not a rock movie. The protagonists could have been in any other profession. The point is the unfair distribution of passion and talent. As the tagline says, the anguish of seeing your dreams coming true for your best friend.
Most of them are complaining about the music and calling it a disappointment only because it is not what they classify as ‘Rock’. It need not be rock. It is pop or regular bollywood style music. It is undoubtedly good and serving the purpose. The way the music concerts are shot is something never seen in bollywood movies before. Even this is not going down well with them. How can an Indian band win the hearts of firangs in such a way? is what they wonder. A few years back, an Indian music director winning an Oscar would have been considered a fantasy and laughed at if shown in the film. But, it’s a reality today. In this particular story, this particular band is popular. So, what’s your problem? The story is not about how the band becomes popular but about what happens after that? But they are stuck on this.
They are very restrained in praising Salman Khan who has given another kick-ass performance after ‘Wanted’. He is charming and adorable in light hearted scenes but he is even more effective in the emotional scenes. All this, with great ease and without any pretentions. Ajay and Asin’s performance is also very good even though Ajay’s character seems a little underdeveloped. The film slips towards the end but overall, it is a film where everything is in place. Now, look at the ‘pearls of wisdom’ from critics -
Story -
Minty Tejpal, Mumbai Mirror – The film has accha, bura and bahut bura elements. The achha thing is the basic story.
Mayank Shekhar, HT – Don’t worry about the story-line. There is no writing.
Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA – London Dreams is given a leg-up by a strong story but is let down in execution and technique. There are too many missing dimensions to the storyline and Shah falters to develop the situations and characters.
Nikhat Kazmi, TOI – The plot is completely simplistic and linear bordering on the implausible.(why dear?)
Sanjukta Sharma, Mint – There is a point in the story of ‘London Dreams’.
Our man, KM – finds the script childish.
Music -
Minty Tejpal, Mumbai Mirror – ‘Bahut Bura award goes to SEL. Except for the track ‘Ta ta thaiya’ the rest of the music is run of the mill, a huge flaw in the film about music.
Mayank Shekhar, HT – No direct comment. Just wonders “This random Hindi pop group of theirs is a wider mystery. At their mere sight on stage, London screams. They pack up stadiums across European capitals.”( How can they?)
Sanjukta Sharma, Mint – The music by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy has variety as well as depth – one of the best this year. But it’s difficult to survive all 160 minutes of ‘London Dreams’ just because of it’s music.
Nikhat Kazmi, TOI – Shankar, Ehsaan, Loy’s songs are completley out of sync with the rock flavour of the film. Can’t remember a single foot tapping number other than the ode to Hanuman. (You have a memory problem, madam!)
Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA – Considering the music is the pridominant theme of the film, the soundtrack is unexiting. (Really?)
Technical aspects and production values -
Minty Tejpal, Mumbai Mirror – The concert sequences are shot beautifully and the film has lavish production values.
Nikhat Kazmi, TOI – No comment. Doesn’t find it noteworthy.
Sanjukta Sharma, Mint – It is an expensive film made with around Rs. 80 crore and the money shows in sweeping sets.
Mayank Shekhar, HT – No comments but finds location and the lighting great. (What a minute observation! He seems to have missed the concert scenes completely)
Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA – The film is hampered by poor sound (the concert feel is missing). The adrenaline of the live show and the authenticity of the sound are absent. Average cinematography. (whatever she means by this..what does she want?)
Our man, KM – Cinematography is top class. He finds the flagellating scene, ‘best technical accomplishment’ so far by Shah.
Performances -
Minty Tejpal, Mumbai Mirror – Salman has a likeable role which he plays to the hilt while Devgn fills his role with enough angst to turn villianous by the end.
Mayank Shekhar, HT – So, Ajay Devgn plays the quiet, brooding, jilted lover flagellating himself in private with his leather belt. Salman is the carefree, vivacious one. This is how hinterland ticketholders would like to see both. ( How are the performances, Sir?)
Sanjukta Sharma, Mint – Performances fall woefully short. Devgn is a fine actor trapped by his persona – the dark, brooding hero as we all know him. In this film, he is a caricature of that persona. Khan plays upto his real life image. That of a generous, impetous, comical star. If the film works, it would be largely because of the Khan’s star appeal.
NIkhat Kazmi – There is a lot that works in the film’s favour. Topping the list are both performances by Ajay Devgn and Salman Khan who once again share a scintillating chemistry. It’s the weight and wild combo of Ajay and Salman which imbues the film with most of its appeal and draws you into it with the strength of the performances.
Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA – Devgn is unconvincing as the single minded, selfish singer who will forsake friendship to reach his goal. The character offers him a range of emotions but he carries it through with a single frown.
Our man, KM – Salman is dammit lovable. Ajay devgn is a miscast. He is far too senior to convince you that he is on the verge of a music career. Claims that Ajay flagellating himself are the most potent images of the film that stay with you and are enhanced by great lighting.
Sanjukta Sharma, Mint – Claims that people were laughing when this happened. ( Sounds highly unlikely. It’s really done well)
Parting Shots -
Minty Tejpal, Mumbai Mirror – ‘London Dreams’ is worth a watch though it could have been better.
Nikhat Kazmi, TOI – Nevertheless, watch it for Devgn-Salman thunder and for the simple reason that it is definietly one of Vipul Shah’s better films.
Sanjukta Sharma, Mint – It’s difficult to survive 160 minutes of ‘London Dreams’ just because of its music.
Mayank Shekhar, Mumbai Mirror – There is no writing. Merely good locations and great lighting. Wouldn’t shock me if it sort of lit up the producer’s balance sheet as well.
Udita Jhunjhunwala, DNA – You would have to be dreaming for 90,000 people to turn up at Wembley for a Hindi music performance!
Our man, KM – With all its mad flaws and inadequacies Shah’s enterprise still sees him going through beyond the klutzy rishtas and pishtas. If you think that is reason enough to buy a ticket, check out this London whippy whippy shake.
My worst critic award would go to Mayank Shekhar, HT. He just doesn’t know what is falling out of his keyboard. He has hardly reviewed the film. Anyway, that’s besides the point.
The above is just a sample. I hope, you guys are getting what I am trying to say. The members of this tribe (critics) have strong biases and a weak understanding. They coolly use their positions to make or mar a film. Don’t you think all reviews and endorsments of films should be strictly banned till the Tuesday after the releasing friday. So that, the films will get a clear four days for people to judge the films for themselves and whatever the true public opinion is, will prevail. Critics can later on keep on displaying their understanding, expertise and writing skill and people who want to go by what they say, can do so.
Tags: criticism, London Dreams, sabotage
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Rahul Dholakia
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Varma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Sachin Kundalkar
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
My question is simple, assuming Mint, DNA, HT, Mumbai Mirror, IBN or TOI put in a law, prohibiting Mayank or Nikhat or Minty or Anupama or Rajeev from publishing a review till Tuesday, they would still have the liberty to publish their reviews on their own personal blogs. And now assuming even if that is stopped, what is to prevent Rajiv or Mayank, from giving their take on the movie, right on Twitter.
I was also pissed off as hell, when critics trashed Hey Ram, left and right, without even bothering to look at it’s deeper issues. But beyond gritting my teeth, and letting my steam off somewhere, there is precious little you and me can do. Because the minute we start to put in checks, we r just one step away from censorship.
loading...
What’s with this sudden upsurge in the hate for critics? Films should be criticized as much as any other art form once it’s out in the public sphere
loading...
Recently PFC has been flooded with the articles on critics and critique. The importance of critics and significance of a movie review. Despite having watched most of the movies recently I didn’t watch this one. Again blame it on the critics. Just one day after the release there were more than one articles on Aladin on PFC and just one KM’s review of London Dreams. Even in Gureilla reviews it was hanging between 1 and 2 stars. I thought Aladin to be better and went for it.
It is in vogue to trash the popular masala entertainers. Sometimes I doubt that how people hail some of the past movies which by then standards would be termed as masala flicks.
One thing is that while talking about critics here nobody mentions Nikhat Kazmi. I had stopped following her reviews but I’ve found that her reviews work for me in 85% of the cases. Even she gave 3.5 rating to the recently released Kurbaan which I found an entertaining flick from commercial cinema’s POV.
—–
The justification of putting the reviews just after or before the release of a movie has been debated in detail on this forum earlier. Personally I dont agree in any kind of prohibition on reviews rather change in the attitude of the critics.
loading...
I see your view on critics and the despise. But I also see it partly as their opinions about a movie not aligning with yours.
and partly because there is no proper school for being trained as a film critic in India. That doesn’t mean that some of the critics on the India movie scene may not have the skills to critique a movie, but yes, there is a lack of approach and reviews become a personal view point rather than a more systematic wholesome approach towards the movie. less than 1% of review online, print and on tele can be labelled as reviews, they are more of reactions and opinions.
Even on PFC, the initial idea was to call the Review section as Movie Reactions or Movie Opinions. Even the guerrilla reviews was actually slated to be termed as something else because in all my experience from readers reviewing movies, it is not a review but a personal opinion… a reaction. Well, we didn’t, for one reason. 99.99% of India’s internet readers when want to know how a newly released movie is search using keys like “review” or reviews. I haven’t seen so far any search entries that had movie reaction or search kurbaan movie opinion.
Lastly, I disagree with your opinion/suggestion to stifle the reviewers and make them shut their mouths until Tuesday. That stifles my independence. In that statement you also end up giving too much importance to the reviewer as the one who decides which movie should make money and which shouldn’t. Is there any hard data behind this thought (if there is such a thought) that you could produce? It’s marketing branding and communication via them to me that decides whether I should see a movie or not. For example just by watching the stills of Rocket Singh and the names Jaideep Sahni and Shimit Amin, I’ve already made up my mind to see it when it releases in the next few weeks. The reviews aren’t in yet. The number of tickets that will be sold is already decided during the branding and publicity phase and how effective they were.
Reviewers may change a few minds, but I don’t think one can stop a person from having that delicious halwa or chicken tikka even if there’s a dietitian standing next to you saying it’s not good for you.
loading...
OZ, you are an informed viewer. A common cinegoing person is not. Reviewers difinitely mislead them. I am not reacting to opinions. They can be anything. I am objecting to the the intention and this practice of reviews with vested interests.
loading...
Oh no, not a few minds, reviews affect whole lot that few. IN fact a leading distributor actually segregates and advertises films accordingly. Meaning, the first two days are purely because of the advertising, publicity and star power. However, later on the box office returns depend on the viewers, “who will make their move after reading reviews”.
…
It creates a huge dent in box office collections. I have to agree with the author in that the movie reviews could be delayed till tuesday to let the producer have his returns. The producer is not involved creatively. he trusts the director totally. Therefore it is fair that he receives as much as possible, till reviews spoil his party. There is no reason why a third party should be allowed to decide the box office returns of a product, in which the third party is not involved in any manner.
loading...
I saw the movie and was hugely disappointed and agree with most of what the critics say. You dont agree with their views but in all probability you are an exception.
Plus I dont see their reviews as bashing the movie, they have raised many positive points as well, where they were due.
loading...
There is never a single factor which raises high or sabotages the chances of a film. A Star is never a guarantee that he can bring success to all his films.
Reviewers and their reviews can not affect a film in a big manner. They can not affect the opnening of a big budget film on Thursday or Friday even if they publish their reviews on same or previous day.
Salman Khan’s devoted fans will go on watching his films on first day no matter what reviewers write against his film. Same is true with SRK and Aamir Khan and Akshay Kumar’s films.
There is a mind set among the audiences that they prefer watching big budget films and it hardly matters for them if reviewers have rained good reviews on a small budget film but they will not go to watch it during first three days of its release.
So Reviewers don’t affect the chances of a film to that extent in first three days.
In a free market time it is very unlikely that anybody is stopped from opining on a product and even if reviewers are often biased, filmmakers have to live with this fact.
Moreover if film industry was suffering from a heavy loss then it was not possible for hindi film industry to make 150-200 films in a year.
Producers, distributors, financiers etc are making money and now they make it not only from theatrical release but from various other sectors also.
Every film can not get same kind of success.
Wanted of Salman Khan got good opening and if reviewers could not harm its business then it’s doubtful that all of a sudden reviewers became so influential in case of London Dreams and/or Mr and Mrs Khanna.
Those who are not die-hard fans of any star, they will always wait for some kind of information about the quality of the film/s before they stand at BO window of a cinema hall. They are always bonus audiences for a film.
A film, without having a good content, can hardly count on getting support from all kind of audiences.
Big budget films are becoming a risky sector. Filmmakers should realise this single factor more than small factors like reviews and reviewers etc.
Budget is in the hands of the filmmaker and rest of the post release things are not in his hands.
An intelligent person would take care of the things which he can control.
loading...
“Those who are not die-hard fans of any star, they will always wait for some kind of information about the quality of the film/s before they stand at BO window of a cinema hall”. That’s exactly my point. Why should these people be given wrong information? Let me tell you there is a large number of people esp youngsters taking reviews and star ratings seriously. Who has given the so called critics, a right to mislead them? ‘London Dreams’ is just an example. It could be any film Esp a non Kjo or non shahrukh film.
loading...
but SRK’s RNBDJ was severely critisized & was A huge HIT
loading...
Stock market is always used and manipulated all the time by the market controllers so does anybody mind the existence of financial consultants/analysts? There can be honest cos and financial analysts and there can be corrupt Cos and financial analysts. Sometimes Cos may not like any analysis on their new plans or on the new issues which are going to be released in the market and they would like to keep a mysterious position about their Cos actual situation but present time does not allow them. This liberty has become a past now.
People are spending money and they need more and more information about the product and place where they have to invest the money.
Cinema can not be exceptionally a sacred place.
General category Cinema can work without the existence of reviewers but then existence of a species can not be selective. It is a career like any other area. There can be honest reviewers and there can be corrupt reviewers.
There can be honest filmmakers who would not like to cheat audience and would give right information about their film because they are into the filmmaking because they love making films and money is secondary but there can be corrupt filmmakers for whom filmmaking is just another business like selling any other prduct and they never feel any hesitation in misleading audience. Their motives are to cut the cash crop anyhow in first three days.
With so much hike in the price of ticket it is possible that sometimes reviewers work as shock absorbers otherwise it can happen that angry and frustrated audience may react in different manner as they react when they dont get value for their money in other sectors of life.
You are thinking in terms which have died long ago.
The kind of control you are desiring is dangerous in a democracy. It kills the very concept of democracy.
Filmmaker is advertising his film and in doing so, so many times he is taking resort of lies also to promote his product. You are happy with this arrangement but want no reaction on this product?
If an ideal code of conduct is needed then it will ask for honesty and good and clean behaviour from the sides of filmmakers also.
Like we have seen in politics in last 10 years or so.
Now politicians can not advertise in whatever manner they like. There is a restriction on their movements and actions and planning during elections.
In an ideal society anybody who is advertising to sell his product should also follow ethics.
As for now, if reviewers are writing negative about certain films, their makers have freedom to talk/write/opine in favour of their products.
Conflict of interests is a natural thing.
loading...
and your thoughts are based on assumption that reviewers are affecting mass opinion and this assumption is debatable and it needs facts and most of the time data goes against this assumption.
and you assume public as a foolish entity. With your thinking people are basically ignorant, and almost foolish and they can be easily influenced by anyone.
Best way to know the general intelligence of masses is to check through door selling a product. If you can come back with 100% success after 8 hours of working. Those who can not write their names so who are illiterate in the eyes of modern education system they also can prove that intelligence is not based on bookish knowledge. Their purchasing habit is controlled by their past experiences.
You are advocating a system which automatically turns into an autocratice one.
loading...
Hi , Am not defending film critics here … but what if the person genuinely disliked the film ? you may still like the film and therefore believe that the critic was biased. But for every movie that has ever gotten released there would be some people who liked it and some who don t. The review is just an opinion. And as they say everyone has opinions and not all opinions match. Lets be objective about that.
loading...
In my opinion, the movie was one big utter crap. I wish there were ways to get your money back if you are not even 1% satisfied with the movie.
I read the negative reviews and still took a chance.
loading...
Reviews of reviews? Isn’t this going to be endless? Ok, here is another step down into that chasm.
1) You found the movie decent. How you watch the movie surely plays a factor. I am guessing you caught it on DVD. I am sure you may not have been that tolerant in a movie hall.
2) None of the reviews (except perhaps Mayank Shekhar’s) was scathing. They seemed to have the same opinion as you. Decent entertainer with many points going in its favor.
3) This whole tying up a critic’s mouth is a step back to the dark ages. Opinion? Comment? Critique? Bring it on, I say!
Also, if I have to stand by any ‘reviewer’ with my life, it’s gonna be Baradwaj Rangan. He REVIEWS a movie. And he doesn’t generally give star ratings. Check his review of London Dreams. http://www.desipundit.com/baradwajrangan/2009/10/31/review-london-dreams-aladin/
loading...
Hey, first of all thank you very much PFC for publishing this article! The article was ready with me but I was little late in submitting it due to a technical snag. Anyway, thanks again! Why I am absolutely frustrated and angry with biased and mean critiquing by people with vested interests. I want to start a movement against them. I don’t know how I can do that but I will do something. I am suggesting reviews on Tuesday because by then, the real word of mouth will spread. The initial business of the films will be done. Then the critics can keep on showing their intelligence. When I say, ban reviews till Tuesday, I mean all reviews. Blogs, websites included.
loading...
“When I say, ban reviews till Tuesday, I mean all reviews. Blogs, websites included.”
That’s plain evil. And absurd, if I may add.
loading...
when you say “ban” reviews, your understanding of the freedom of expression and the fundamental right to access the information, gets very seriously in doubt. Even if I’m not a reviewer, but a person living and breathing the free air in the democratic world, why should my right to access the opinion of another person online, in print or in any form of media be banned.
Just like your opinion here was allowed without any drop of sweat… comeon!!!
loading...
I am not asking for a permanent ban. I am just saying allow the films to breath on their own for at least 3 days. If reviews were honest, then this argument of freedom of expression was acceptable. Problem is, they are not and the public doesn’t know about it.
loading...
Dhulai, I think you don’t get it. Temp or Perm. Killing a person’s democratic freedom of expression or killing the right to listening to the expression for one minute or 3 days is just plain wrong!
loading...
In my school days, film reviews would come on Monday, Tuesday or even Thursday. And it didn’t matter to anybody. Even today, some regional publications, come up with reviews on Sunday, Monday or Tuesday. As I said, you cannot use your freedom of expression to deliberately harm other people. By this logic, you will have to support even malicious, false news about people that are deliberately spread by some media people.
loading...
lets ban all the marketing, promotions, etc. since there is a vested interest in them also. A movie should simply release on Friday, sans any publicity and reviews and people watch it if they happen to pass by near cinema halls or better still ask the ticket counter guy about the offerings
. Seriously man, you are doubting the intelligence of the movie goer. He is the best person to decide which movie he wants to watch on the basis of everything thats available i.e. promotions, reviews, etc.. And if he gets swayed by the so-called vested interests, then he totally deserves it.
loading...
Ha Ha nice reply.
loading...
i havn’t seen LD….let’s consider that its a good movie and it got a rough deal by the critics…but what about films which are really crap?…did you like Blue or Tasveer for example?…should they be allowed to make money by taking people for a ride with sleek promotions till Monday or Tuesday?…
I mean you might have a point but this banning thing is going too far…I don’t support censorship in films, nor in reviews…
loading...
Jitaditya, trust me, LD was half crap and it got the reviews it deserved.
In India its not the good movies getting bad reviews we need to worry about, its the hyped bad ones getting good paid reviews.
loading...
Have you considered the injustice done to all the middle class families who would have wasted their money on some widely hyped crap when all they could hope for were two good movies a month?
Thats what would happen with review bans.
The reason most of our films get bad reviews are because most of our films are bad, not because our reviewers are bad. Compare any american/european/oriental movie on rock/music with london dreams and you will see how weak it is.
loading...
Dude, I watched it twice in a theatre.
loading...
I agree that films with good reviews tank and films with bad reviews may do well but there are differnt reasons for that. I agree that good reviews could not save ‘Kurbaan’ and bad reviews could not stop ‘Singh is King’. I am not saying that a film’s success is directly related to reviews but they influence in a big way. When people are not absoultely convinced about watching or not watching something, they get influenced by reviews. That’s the case most of the times. My problem is – biased views of oridnary people being treated as expert opinions and affecting the fate of a hard work of the entire filmmaking team. I think, films should be allowed to do at least first weekend business on their own.
loading...
Imagine that the whole ‘Life’ itself is a movie. Then every art form there is in this world is a small review of it. Some can be right, others wrong. But everyone is free to express. A movie maker is free to make his movie. A reviewer is free to express his opinion. You are free to see the star rating and go for a movie. You are free to skip.
If we were to make this discussion worthwhile for the ‘uninformed’ as you put it, I see only one way to do it. That’s to ban this star ratings. Let’s put a ’subjective’ back on the review, eh?
loading...
Yes, I agree. At least some statutory warning should be put there (though I don’t think it will work). The so called ‘freedom of expression’ can not be extended to deliberately harm other people’s interest
loading...
the other person’s interest is collecting money for a product by putting that product “in a public domain”, hence as soon as the product is in a public domain it gives everyone in that public domain, in a democratic environment to write or not write, to listen or not listen a review or an opinion. I’m very concerned that you are not clearly understanding the fundamental democratic rights of an individual in a democratic country.
loading...
Oz dear, what about people misusing this right? Critics are supposed to be experts and they are supposed to guide people. They are not supposed to support a star or a director or a camp and influence a public opinion to serve their own interest. What are you going to do about this practice? Most of the critics don’t understand anything more about films than the guy next door. Plus they are using their power to support some and to run down some. what do we do about that?
loading...
Dhulai I give up.
loading...
Dhulai you are delusional. Reviews are subjective, so there’s no true or false in them, just objectiveness. If anyones to blame its not the reviewer, but the newspaper for selecting a wrong reviewer and you need to contact the newspaper editor regarding the same. If they get enough complains they would change the reviewer.
However have you considered the simple explanation that maybe all those expert reviewers are not the ones wrong about the movie, but you?
Do you find anyone on PFC who has seen LD praising it, besides yourself?
loading...
My God! we are entering a dangerous territory. So much deep thinking is not reqired. My point is simple. There is rampant corruption and cheating (of intellectual kind). How do we stop it? That’s it! If you think there are any other ways of doing it, please suggest.
loading...
Dhulai. When Smita Thackeray was the President of Indian Motion Picture Producers’ Association, one of the “moves” suggested was banning of reviews till some time.
…
Currently it is a violation of freedom of expression. However, it could be made into a law, maybe vetted by the film boards themselves.
loading...
Thak you! I hope, you give up because you see a point in the argument. It’s nothing personal. Just some food for thought!
loading...
Hi , Just wanted to ask Dhulai a question … you watched a film first day first show … you come home … your family asks you how was it ? Will you tell them that you cannot share your opinion since 3 days have not passed since the film’s release ? And if your share your opinion which if negative can influence the rest of your family to avoid the film , do you realise that you have harmed the box office prospects of the film.
loading...
This is taking a very warped view of the suggestion. I am talking about the mass media.
loading...
My views will be taken as personal views by family and friends. Even views on blogs will be taken as personal views but views by so called reviewers in the mass media are taken as an expert opinion. So, they need to be more responsible and that doesn’t seem to be happening.
loading...
If mine is a warped view , the same applies to your suggestion that reviews be banned for a time period.
You also suggest banning of ads / promotional material by film makers that their movie has taken what kind of opening to balance out. Lets see what else you agree to banning :
Let me give you an example : Last entire week , on Radio One FM , a snippet of an interview of Om Puri is playing in which he says that Kurbaan is the best script he has read … and he was hooked the moment he read it on receiving it from Rensil and he also compares it with page turning thrillers from western authors (forget the names he took but i think he mentioned either ludlum / chase or forsyth). What would you say about this “personal opinion” by a person who many consider Oscar worthy and which is airing in the mass media. Will normal people believe Om Puri or Khalid Mohammed or a Padmaja Thakore ? How do you plan to ban this kind of “misrepresentation” ?
All trailers of films post release today have snippets of people walking out theatres praising it to the skies. Do you propose to ban the same as well ?
You read any interview of any star prior to their films release and they have only positive things to say about the movie. When movies have been blatantly lifted from Hollywood or Asian films and the director and the team claim its original … is that misrepresentation ?
So lets look at the final count : All interviews of film stars / technical team 15 days prior to their movie release is banned. All ads showing success of their film quoting personal opinions is banned. And of course film reviews are banned for the full week after a films release.
Does the above sound reasonable ? or is it warped ?
Lets get real … and credit ordinary cinegoers with intelligence which right now you and i believe is only with us. Everyone treasures his hard earned money and will do his best to make an informed choice on how best to spend his money. The reviews are part of that process. Whether mass media or personal opinions. Deliberate misrepresentation is a reality and PR organisations earn their bread butter while creating or dispelling the same. Its up to us what we believe and what we dont.
loading...
Prasun, why are you taking it to the other extreme? There is a suggestion to give just 2-3 days to a film to form a genuine public opinion. It’s a worthy suggestion. The kind of fuss you are making is totally uncalled for. Who has asked for banning all these things? Any for or against communication to be banned for just two days. Then it’s free for all. What’s the big deal?
loading...
@Sameer : Am taking it to the extreme simply because i believe in freedom of expression. Just as the filmmaker has the right to promote his film , i do deserve the right to have access to a reviewers view of the film. Which reviewer i believe is my personal choice. And how i weed out misrepresented critics is also my look out.
Its a free market. Millions are spent by film makers in promoting their films including on positive spin stories which are inserted in news channels. So why hold a gun to a few critics to silence them. And knowing very well that most of the critics have lost their credibility anyways.
loading...
Well whats the point of this rant over critics, because you liked the movie and hence feel let down by the reviews?Well let me tell you that I have seen the movie and did not like it all.Its the weakest of the movies done by Vipul Shah and the audience has given it the thumbs down.The only positive about it is Salman’s acting.If you are saying the public verdict is due to these reviews whereas it could have turned out different, it can’t get funnier !!!
loading...
LONDON WET DREAMS WOULD’VE BEEN BETTER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
loading...
Dhulai, your argument rests on the basic assumption that there is a General public which needs to be guided and that they are being mis guided by the reviewers. So in order to avoid misguidance of such souls, we should cut down on freedom of speech and expression. I dont mean any offence but this is what I call racism. Not only are we curbing the rights of the person who wants to say something, but also are we trying to curb the rights of those who want to hear something. In the end we are treating both the classes as inferior and letting the higher power, be it govt or anyone else, decide for them.
And if you are bothered only about weekend collections, then let me tell you that reviews are out not before friday. And in metros(bangalore for sure – not sure about other cities), for any anticipated movie – weekend tickets are sold out even before wednesday. So, the effect of review on weekend collection is minimal for an anticipated movie.
Not lets talk about a movie which is not promoted enough and which relies on word of mouth or reviews. For such movies, not putting up the review before monday will indirectly kill the movie. If the weekend collections are not decent, then by monday such movies will be out of theatres irrespective of the reviews.
Agree or disagree with a reviewer, but dont take away his/her right of expressing his/her views. I personally dont agree with most of the reviews put up prominent media and have also stopped following those, but that doesn’t mean that I will ask for a ban on their writings.
I am sorry to say, but whatever you have said presents a very sorry picture of the society we are living in today. 2 years ago, a community was fighting to be declared more backward. Just hoping that in future I dont live to see a day when we as Indians will be fighting to curb our own rights to freedom of speech and expression.
loading...
I might be the only one here who is in almost complete agreement with the author. Idealistic moral high grounds like preserving freedom of expression sound very nice and progressive. DO NOT get me wrong..though freedom of expression is absolutely essential, it is a fact that in urban and semi-urban centres, reviews DO influence the potential audience enough- to go watch or NOT to watch a movie. Another thing that needs to be kept in mind is that umpteen people (around each of us, I’m sure!)confuse reviews i.e the no. of ’stars’ a movie gets- with box office reception (Eg. “yaar is movie ko sirf do star mile hain..movie flop ho gayi hai”). Except for die-hard fans, very FEW people actually have the will to go by their gut feeling to watch a movie. Chances are even if they found the promos interesting and wanted to watch it, bad reviews will make them ABANDON their plans in majority of the cases! Biased and/or ultra-cynical reviews (let’s face it, if you’re a critic..it’s your JOB to show off your analytical and dissection skills, find little flaws and highlight them) CONDITION the audiences in a certain direction, and it leads to a Snowballing effect!! And considering the amount of effort & money that goes into a movie…and how actors’ fates rest on the reception of their movies, I think it’s only fair that people judge with a MIND OF THEIR OWN!
loading...
Love you Tanay! Thank you for seeing my point. Reviews do affect. I am completely aware of the manipulative nature of reviews and yet I do get affected by something or the other in the review. With freedom of speech, comes the responsibility which these ‘experts’ are not willing to take. That’s the problem.
loading...
Democratic Vs Communist, Good review Vs Bad review is not the point. Deliberate misinformation is the point. Whatever the reviewer wants to say should be said after people have wathced the film on their own and a genuine word of mouth has spread. Good or bad whatever..I would say once the film releases, even the news about it taking a good or bad initial or being liked or not liked should also not be published till Monday. Because in this case, makers may manipulate by saying that their film has taken a very good opening or it is being liked very much by the people. The news about films taking a good or bad initial, doing well or not etc, never used feature in news till a few years back. Now, this practice is being used both for and against the film. This too is manipulation and should be stopped. I am just asking for honesty and a control if that is too much to ask for.
loading...
When people read a title like ‘Rock Yawn’ for example, and see one and a half stars, they are negatively disposed towards the movie even before reading the review. Many may not even bother to read further and may decide not to watch the movie. Similarly, one can have a misleading positive title, 3-4 stars and get people in an accepting mode. In fact, this is the trick many reviewers use.
loading...
Dhulai, do you realise how reviews get written? Filmmakers hold special preview screenings for reviewers on wednesday or earlier. Thats how the reviews make it to papers on saturday.
If the producer does not want the reviews to appear till monday, all he has to do is NOT hold the preview screening. The fact that they do hold screenings early means they want the reviews to appear on saturdays.
In USA a few movies are released without preview screenings so the audience can make up their own minds. These movies are generally the ones that would have got crap reviews otherwise.
loading...
I am not sure, if producers are inviting this. If that is the case, I am sure they will rethink about this practice in future. After all, a film is reviewed only because it is made. So, makers should always get more importance than reviewers. Interests of the industry worth thousands of crores and interests of the cinegoing public are more important than the idiosyncracies of the irresponsible reviewers. That’s why the suggestion of delaying the reviews by two days. Anyway, it has been a nice, hot discussion. Thank you guys!
loading...
if anyone spreads false news around, Dhulai, that should not be the reason to turn a democratic society into a communist one. I’m just saying you are taking the freedom of rights very lightly. We fought for more than 200 years for this and in just over 60 years are losing the value of what it really means.
loading...