• Jahan Bakshi

  • Published: on Sep 24 2008 @ 7:13 am
  • Popularity: 22 views
« Short Film Centre at IFFI-Goa | Home | Bombai ka Babu : Suchitra sees him as her brother, Dev Anand sees her as his love interest »


Movies That Deserved More

This is not a post on great, extraordinary films. But these films are, in fact- little underrated gems that I thoroughly enjoyed, and films that I thought were unfairly tucked under the carpet and ultimately into the black-hole like trash can of forgettable Bollywood films. Like Hulla last week, they may be imperfect, but are special for their own unique reasons. There are so many such films actually, but here are a few I can presently remember. Do write in with your own picks, and I shall perhaps add more films as I remember them.

Waisa Bhi Hota Hai
I actually have only seen Shashanka Ghosh’s first feature in parts- but what I saw had me constantly chuckling and mighty impressed. Wonderfully pulpy, irreverent, witty and with superb performances and a soulful score- this is one DVD I’m buying soon. And as I watch it, I’ll definitely be waiting for Quick Gun Murugan.

1971
This one I haven’t seen at all- except for the last few shots I think. But the impressive looking promos and all the wonderful things said about it at here and here AND here leads me to believe that this unlikely Ramanand Sagar production starring Manoj Bajpai, Deepak Dobriyal and Piyush Mishra was a pretty impressive debut by Amrit Sagar, and one that wasn’t recognized enough for its honesty, integrity and courage. Gotta watch this one.

Haasil
Tigmanshu Dhulia’s first film, a love story set against the backdrop of University politics in Allahabad was original, searing and authentic, with excellent work from Irrfan Khan and Jimmy Shergill. I saw it long back when it released, when I wasn’t quite the cinephile I’m now and I remember having really liked it- I guess this is another crminally underrated film I need to revisit some time.

The First Half of Naach
The last Ram Gopal Varma film I really liked. The First Half of Naach was a love story with an slow burning intensity rarely seen in romantic films from Bollywood. Brilliantly shot and choreographed, the Fountainhead inspired tale totally sucked me in. Abhishek Bachchan was remarkable, but it was Antara Mali’s passionate performance that made the film. Sadly, no one looked beyong the acrobatics and hot bod to actually realize the amount of soul she put into Reva. Of course then came The Second Half of Naach (one of the worst cinematic messes I’ve ever seen) and Mr Ya Miss, and both Antara and her Naach sank irreversibly.

Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula
It was a little amateurish, yes. But there is so much to love in Parvati Balagopalan’s delightful little film, which despite its rawness is one of the best modern Bollywood rom-coms I’ve seen. This charming script contained some really heartfelt moments and smartly used episodic narration. It’s also a rare film that showed homosexuals in an affectionately comic but always dignified way (Asif Basra also really stood out in the warm supporting cast). The film was anchored by Tanuja’s wonderful performance, but even Meera Vasudevan’s awkward act worked very well, and though Milind Soman is undeniably just a gorgeously crafted piece of wood, he didn’t really need to be anything more than a Greek God. And yes, Sandesh Shandilya’s music was lovely- I’m still humming Chhodon Na Mujhhe…

My Wife’s Murder
A superbly made thriller with soul, and simple but solid premise and direction by Jijy Philips. Anil Kapoor was excellent as a terrified man on the run, and Boman Irani was brilliantly comic as the eccentric policeman. And then there was the understated yet amusing dark humour. In fact I noticed one of the amazing details in the movie only after reading Baradwaj Rangan’s minutely observed review: when Anil Kapoor is disposing the corpse of his shrew of a wife, he puts it in an Onida carton. Ah- what devilish genius.

Main Meri Patni Aur Woh and Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon
Chandan Arora’s two delightful films were both sadly and criminally ignored. Refreshingly innocent in spirit, and both starring Rajpal Yadav in perhaps the only roles that have been worth his acting talent- they were genuine, honest and warm films about normal, ordinary small town people, and dared to have protagonists who weren’t staggeringly beautiful or handsome, but had hearts of gold, just like the films themselves.

(To be concluded- I think…)

Filed Under tags Movies , , , , , , , , ,
Make this blog-post famous »
  • IndianPad
  • Facebook
  • TwitThis
  • MySpace
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google
  • Live
  • Technorati
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Reddit
  • Propeller
  • Blogsvine
  • co.mments
  • De.lirio.us
  • Blogosphere News
  • Mixx
Recommend this post!
3 readers recommend this post

Loading ... Loading ...
<strong>Email This Post To Friends</strong> Email This Post To Friends

Related Posts
  1. Movies to watch when stoned!
  2. Jingoism & The Movies
  3. BACKGROUND SCORES IN HINDI MOVIES
  4. PROJEKT iVIEW : Movies I wanted to make
  5. Honest movies that failed
  6. TZP & JTYJN: Overhyped ‘yes’,great movies ‘No’
  7. Three Fabulous Zombie Movies (I Don’t Watch Horror Films)
  8. Movies in the New Age- The India Today Conclave ‘08
  9. MOVIES AND REAL LIFE
  10. Unlimited Movies



61 Responses to “Movies That Deserved More”

  1. Anand Kadam on September 24th, 2008 7:32 am

    1971 was completely ignored and it was arguably one of the best in that year …..

  2. Pratik on September 24th, 2008 8:27 am

    Please watch WBHH, it is one of Bollywood’s best! I still don’t how to ‘genre-alize’ that movie.

    Finally someone who appreciates Naach. Amongst friends, I’m still reluctant to admit that I like that movie.

    Other under-rated features:
    - Mixed Doubles
    - Let’s Enjoy: great soundtrack too!
    - Blue Umbrella
    - Kabul Express
    - Mahek

  3. Santosh Kumar T K on September 24th, 2008 8:38 am

    Dude,

    While your intention is nice, how on this earth can you decide whether a film is over-rated, under-rated or R-rated when you haven’t even watched the whole film? Are you trying to say that individual parts here and there were good enough for you to gush about the movies, ignoring the sum total? Individual bits might work then for the cinephile that you are don’t you think the whole package counts? I have nothing against these movies at all but your praising them (1971)based on three persons’ reviews and then talking of the honesty, integrity and courage looks very unconvincing. When the whole experience bowls you completely on your own viewing, the accusation that these films were unfairly tucked under the carpet will hold good. You will then be joined in the applause ceremony. I might sound nitpicky but for a featured author/contributor this is less than expected that too in a full blown article and not as a comment.

    P.S: I am with you on Naach though!

  4. Sudhir Raikar on September 24th, 2008 9:03 am

    Yes, Haasil was a very good movie. Jimmy was great in it, so were Irfan, Sudhir Pandey and Varun Badola. Apart from the novelty of treatment, I liked Jatin-Lalit’s music : the classical “ab ghar aaja”, the romantic “Aaakhen bhi…” and the qawwali “Tu hi Tu” are still fresh in mind.

    Thanks Jahan for the tribute!

  5. ashwin on September 24th, 2008 9:26 am

    Naach…hmmmm i saw it on a diwali evening and i dragged my friends along with me who were more interested in watching either VeerZara or Aitraaz..

    picture ke baad kitna gaali khaya tha woh main hi jaanta hoon..

    nevertheless i liked it..
    antara was good but i completely loved abhishek’s performance..it was one of the best lead performances that yaar..i’d rate it higher than Yuva…

    When somebody draws a list of most criminally underrated movies ..Waisa bhi Hota Hai Part 2 has to be there…..

    yeh prem dunk yeh prem dunk ….lolz

  6. Jaideep Varma on September 24th, 2008 10:13 am

    Yes, 1971, I agree. I saw it recently and was quite staggered that it has been overlooked.
    Gandhi My Father. Highly underrated, I thought.
    Khoya Khoya Chaand. I like it almost as much as HKA and the reactions to it frankly shocked me.
    Haasil, I like, but for me, going by the superb TV films I’ve seen of his, Tigmanshu Dhulia generally is the most underrated talent around, I think. Hope his next film proves this.

  7. ankur on September 24th, 2008 11:10 am

    “Home Delivery”.. i simply love the film

  8. The Narcissist on September 24th, 2008 11:45 am

    WBHH is one of my favourite movies. I simply loved Pratima Kazmi’s character. My favourite scene from the movie is where Gangutai orders one of her henchmen’s finger to be chopped. She starts off with the story of Angulimaal - the bit about Angulimaal having a lot of respect for the japanese was hilarious. And then finally when the finger is chopped, the deadpan - “Arre ye ungli kyun kaati? Ab ghoda kaise chalayega?”

    Another scene was when Arshad Warsi gives an ex-tempore speech that he is supposed to be giving at a “convention”. Arshad has the best comic timing among all actors in hindi movies today.

    I would like to add some more movies to this list.

    1. Pinjar - A very sensitive movie made on the partition.
    2. Hey Ram - A powerhouse performance by Kamalahaasan.
    3. Dor - Might be a ripoff of some south indian movie but still, beautifully made and Gul Panag in terrific form.
    4. Yahaan - A beautiful debut (too bad I don’t remember the director’s name). Jimmy Shergill turning out a really good performance.
    5. Jogger’s Park - A realistic and restrained love story.

  9. The Narcissist on September 24th, 2008 11:52 am

    And yes. Sehar. I saw it a couple of months ago on tv and hadn’t even heard of it till then. Sad.

  10. ANINDYA on September 24th, 2008 12:19 pm

    Joggers Park was a hit and Dor is doing well in dvd circuit.Even I liked Rules….Haasil was not completely ignored as Irfan got a lot of praise and awards.It was a film which changed his career.

  11. Tanul Thakur on September 24th, 2008 12:21 pm

    Jhankaar Beats come to my mind instantly..There are many more, but can’t recollect them right now!

  12. Tanul Thakur on September 24th, 2008 12:22 pm

    @ The Narcissist: I think Yahaan was directed by Ashok Pandit. Not certain, though!

  13. Pratim D. Gupta on September 24th, 2008 12:34 pm

    completely agree with santosh kumar tk
    “how on this earth can you decide whether a film is over-rated, under-rated or R-rated when you haven’t even watched the whole film?”

  14. oz on September 24th, 2008 12:39 pm

    Yahaan was by Shoojit Sircar

  15. rbehemoth on September 24th, 2008 12:43 pm

    Yahaan is by Shoojit Sircar and Ashok Pandit made the other film set in Kashmir - Sheeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeen (remember a girl shouting that from the promos :) )
    actually, even I like parts of Naach (the initial part when there romance is starting… then Antra Maali’s devotion/passion etc)
    and Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Pt 2, i think is by no means an underrated movie… atleast not on PFC… its just not remembered that well by general audience… but a lot has been written (usually in comments section though :) ) about the movie… Its as underrated as say Ek Hasina Thi… Everyone considers them good/great…
    Also Hey Ram is again well regarded amongst Kamal Haasan’s other movies (Anbesivam/Guna/MMKR etc) and that, btw, is no mean feat, i think.
    All these would probably be amongst the most over rated under rated movies :D. in other words, these probably are the most talked about underrated movies… others in the most overrated underrated movies list ofcourse would be Dil Se, Iruvar, Sehar, Main Meri Patni or Woh etc.
    PS: Sorry to be slightly rude/offensive but couldnt help commenting as, i think, a lot has been written on this topic and found nothing really new (not that i am really contributing usefully in that sense by this comment)… no offence meant…

  16. Tanul Thakur on September 24th, 2008 2:27 pm

    Slip up! the setting probably got me confused.

  17. Ratnakar on September 24th, 2008 7:32 pm

    Jahan

    My list would be

    WBHH2- Any time this would make it.

    Haasil, Seher- Two of the best movies with a UP background. Realistic depiction of small town UP.

    Iruvar- To date i would rate this as Mani’s best after Nayakan. Fabulous performances from Mohanlal and Prakash Raj.

    Pinjar- Powerful and emotionally searing depiction of partition. Great performances from Urmi, Manoj Bajpayee, Sanjay Suri, Priyanshu, Sandali Sinha.

    3 Deewarein- Though the main storyline, was based on Shawshank, the movie was one of the best to come out in recent times. The shot taking, the camera angles, the performances everything was just perfect.

    Ek Doctor Ki Maut- This was a gem of a movie,that i caught on DD, some time back.Pankaj Kapoor in a brilliant performance as the doctor, who does not get recognition for his work, thanks to a heartless bureaucratic system.

  18. kallukallamkalia on September 24th, 2008 9:55 pm

    “yateem” by J P Dutta starring Sunny deol was a very good yet underrated movie.I believe J P’s best came before boarder.

    “Dil dosti Etc” was another good underrated movie which became an instant favourite in our hostel.

    Has anybody seen(or heard??) “Vadh”- a thriller starring Nana Patekar.i somehow liked it.

    I fully agree with “Ek doctor ki maut”-Pankaj Kapoor is amazing.

    In my childhood i saw a movie in DD called “Devshishu” starring Smita Patil and Sadhu Meher.Smita’s role is nothing short of shocking!

    Has any body seen “Pinjra” by V ShantaRam starring Dr.Shreeram Lagoo.I felt it was really good,though i never hear it being discussed anywhere.

  19. Anand on September 24th, 2008 9:55 pm

    What is wrong with the second half of Naach? The movie was astract because it was the way AB saw Reva in the film. When the lovers fall apart in the second half, the dances and music became even more abstract..

    Naach was not Abhimaan; It was about the fierce principles of the girl that she does not need her boyfirend to help her out even during a crisis. It was about the frustrations of the boyfriend, who was a ‘lesser-degree-MCP’, that his girlfriend is not overjoyed that he is helping her out. Even after the split up, he makes it difficult for her by walking out of her film, so that she comes back to him.

    Cinematic Mess?? Why? Because it is from RGB stable?

  20. kallukallamkalia on September 24th, 2008 10:21 pm

    when we Talk about Vishal Bhardwaj most of the discussion revolves around “Omkara”.May be because by the time it released he was already famous and it boasts with some very popular stars. But i sincerely believe that “Maqbool” was a far better movie than Omkara.Each and every sceane of it was a masterwork!It defenitely needs more recognition.

  21. Arthi V on September 24th, 2008 10:43 pm

    @ Jahan: Agree on Naach. It was like Dominique Francon going back to Peter Keating in the end. didn’t expect this from RGV stable. Worst possible thing shown. It took the first half with it down under completely.

    A Mali was good. But the male actors AB Jr and RD couldn’t live up to their resp characters’. RD anyways didn’t have much of a role even though his was as important as AB’s.

    Wonderful concept taken but murdered outright onscreen.

  22. Ratnakar Sadasyula on September 24th, 2008 11:51 pm

    Some other underrated movies.

    Office Space- One of the best comedies, revolving around corporate world. Many scenes in the movie, would remind you instantly of your office.

    Midnight Run- Robert De Niro, in a comic role, far different from his usual gangsta or intense roles. It had great humuor all through, and a solid script.

    Outlaw Josey Wales- Most often eclipsed by Clint Eastwood’s Dollar Trilogy or Unforgiven, but seriously i believe this is one of Eastwood’s more underrated Westerns. Pretty much revisionist in nature, and a fabuluous climax.

  23. vishesh on September 25th, 2008 12:26 am

    agree somewhat with message # 3.

    Also, what should the aforementioned movies deserved more?
    Commercial success or Critical acclaim or both?

    1. Jogger’s Park was declared a hit as per its budget, I think. So was Dor, no? They also got some amount of critical acclaim around that time. That does not make them under-rated.

    2. Office Space when released did not create ripples but it went on to become a cult movie on DVD/VHS circuit.

    3.For Pinjar, the actors and directors did get awards and acclaim. Not a commercial success but underrated, I don’t know.

    4. I think MSFU or JG (relatively lesser extent) will come as under rated as they were mostly ignored for awards nomination and also did not taste commercial success.

    5. I have not watched Black Friday, Maqbool but I have heard rave stuff about them.

  24. Rajan on September 25th, 2008 1:01 am

    I agree.. all the movies that u mentioned in the list are really good( even though u judged many of them on just few scenes ;)) but terming it as one of the best modern Bollywood rom-coms is taking it too far. The songs in the movie were good but the story sucked. It looked more like adolescent crush than a love story.

  25. Indraneel on September 25th, 2008 1:05 am

    Kalyug (old)
    Aaj Ki Aawaz
    Bhumika
    Trikaal
    Aks

  26. Ratnakar Sadasyula on September 25th, 2008 2:21 am

    Some more underrated movies IMHO

    Prahaar- One of Nana Patekar’s best movies.

    Kshana Kshanam( Telugu)- RGV’s second movie after Shiva, and one of the best thrillers i have seen. And Paresh Rawal in one of his best performances ever.It was a flop on release, but to date i would rate this as one of RGV’s best. Daud was based on this movie, but the Telugu original is still the best.

    Satya( Tamil) - This Tamil remake of Sunny Deol’s Arjun, i thought was really well made. But somehow never really makes it among Kamal’s top movies.

  27. DazedandConfused on September 25th, 2008 4:56 am

    Couple of movies that I would like to add-

    Mera Pehla Pehla Pyaar (MP3)- Nice cute love story made well. Story moves along breezily and you don’t get bored…

    Chain Khuli Ki Main Khuli- Another movie with lots of kids which got ignored. Many interesting characters and a story, which given some indulgence, you will enjoy…

  28. Anand on September 25th, 2008 5:12 am

    Ratnakar - Speaking of Kamal, people mostly talk about his films after Nayakan. But he has given lot of gems before that:
    Meendum Kokila
    Kokila
    Simla Special
    Moondram Pirai
    Raja Paarvai(tops the list, IMO)
    Sagara Sangamam
    Avargal
    Sigappu Rojakkal
    16 vayadhinile
    Swathi Muthyam
    Apoorva Ragangal
    Maro Charithra(which was incidentally better than Ek Duuje)
    Nizhal Nijamagiradhu
    Solla than Ninaikiren
    I mean the list goes on goes on. Here is an actor who strived to be different throughout his life. Sometimes, I even think that he has not got his due..watch some reviewers dismiss him just like that. Tinseltown is cruel.

  29. Jahan Bakshi on September 25th, 2008 5:14 am

    @Santosh, PratimDa: Santosh, if you din’t mind me saying so, I’d rather you address me as Jahan than as ‘dude’- it sounds a little aggressive and gives me an upstart. Achcha, with regards to Waisa Bhi Hota Hai, I’ve watched most of it, just haven’t watched it at once at a stretch, so I suspect I’ve missed some parts. I think I’ve watched enough to say that it is a very good albeit underrated movie.

    @Pratik: Mixed Doubles and Blue Umbrella (my fav hindi film last year) are underrated too, but still weren’t as marginalised as these. Yeah, and Kabul Express was def not ignored, but it was unecessarily overcriticised- I found it pretty enjoyable.

    @Ankur: Home Delivery was a good idea gone totally awry- and Ghosh tried too hard too pack in too much and to be funny. Didn’t work for me. The ‘Maya’ bits were hilarious though. “tum mera jism le sakte ho, par mera dil nahi!” LOL

    @The Narcissist: Hey Ram wasn’t really ignored, though it may be underrated. Haven’t seen it. Dor wasn’t ignored or underrated, in fact i think it was way overrated, despite having flopped. Jogger’s Park was well intended but too sloppy for me. Pinjar is another film I must see, just seen tiny bits of it- the slightly dated and dull feel of the film put me off a bit.

    @Ratnakar: I didn’t like 3 Deewarein at all. Only liked Juhi and naseer.

    @Anand: I think most would agree with me that Naach’s second half was a disaster- even RGV admits to that. Anyway since you ask, I thought there was nothing happening after a point except Ritesh Deshmukh looking puzzled and doped and Antara making weirder and weirder videos, while abhishek sulked and drank. Whatever happened was very unconvincing- the acting was bad, the choreography awful, the costumes horrendous and anything but artistic or avant garde,I simply can’t stop. I mean everything about the film went downhill and the film ultimately ended looking really silly. That is why I would like to treasure the first half instead and look at it as a separate film instead of letting the 2nd ruin it.

    And why would I call it a mess because it was from the RGV stable? Please enlighten…

    Rajan: To each his own- I really like the film, it was original and funny. Tell me the names of any good modern rom coms you have seen from Bollywood. All we have are Hum Tums and Neal and Nikkis.

  30. Jahan Bakshi on September 25th, 2008 5:16 am

    @Anand: By the way, I am adding 3 more ‘Fctory’ productions to this list, hope that makes you happy :)

  31. parth on September 25th, 2008 5:17 am

    Chameli - it was really good and easily one of the best soundtracks of the decade

    Jo jeeta wohi sikandar is by far the most underrated ever… i knw its a hit and all…. but it deserves more, much much more

  32. Anand on September 25th, 2008 5:18 am

    Jahan: To each his own!! That comment about RGV stable was uncalled for - I apologize.

  33. avn on September 25th, 2008 5:36 am

    Tehzeeb anyone?

  34. Jahan Bakshi on September 25th, 2008 5:54 am

    @Parth- I liked Chameli, but it wasn’t really ignored or very underrated. Love the soundtrack too, but one of the best of the decade is a bit much. Shit I still haven’t seen Jo Jeeta… people curse me whenever I say this!

    @Anand: Apology graciously accepted :). Yeah, i guess to each his own…

    @Avn: Tehzeeb? WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? (Shocked expression replayed 3 times in balaji style)

  35. Aditya on September 25th, 2008 6:03 am

    avn: Tehzeeb isa curious case. It had everything going for it. An inspiration from Bergman, an actress of Shabana Azmi’s calibre, technical virtuosos like Santosh Sivan and Sreekar Prasad, A R Rahman’s score which included a delightfully modern take on traditional ghazals by Daagh Dehlavi, Momin and Shad Azimabadi. Yet, the film failed to make any impact on me due to the shoddy screenplay and direction. The intensity necessary for the subject was completely missing.

  36. Ratnakar Sadasyula on September 25th, 2008 6:34 am

    Martin Scorcese’s After Hours(1985) one of his more underrated movies. Excellent black comedy, with some real witty dialogue and acting. Not a commercial success though.

  37. Ratnakar Sadasyula on September 25th, 2008 6:38 am

    Yash Chopra’s Mashaal, it was a flop, but for me remains one of his really good movies. Gritty, realistic and hard hitting. I found it much better than Lamhe.

  38. parth on September 25th, 2008 6:41 am

    U-H-A-V-E-N-O-T-S-E-E-N-’J-J-W-S’??????????????

  39. ashwin on September 25th, 2008 6:59 am

    @ jahan
    u havent seen JJWS
    @ vishesh
    u havent seen Black Friday

    WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? (Shocked expression replayed 3 times in balaji style)

  40. parth on September 25th, 2008 7:52 am

    @ashwin

    with color change… and camera oscillating!!!

  41. Rasik on September 25th, 2008 8:04 am

    Anybody for Love ke liye kuch bhi karega??? highly entertaining stuff….

  42. Rusted rick on September 25th, 2008 8:46 am

    well, i havent seen neither JJWS or QMSQT :)
    havent seen deewar and lots of other AB films

  43. ashwin on September 25th, 2008 10:38 am

    @ parth
    lolz

    @ rusted rick…

    WHAT? WHAT? WHAT? (Shocked expression replayed 3 times in balaji style with color change… and camera oscillating and “Jai kali jai kali ” song playing in the background!!!)

    seriously speaking rick yaar
    Deewar, JJWS and QSQT are among the best of Indian cinema..
    do watch them buddy…..

  44. Jahan Bakshi on September 25th, 2008 10:03 pm

    @Rajan: Actually there are few good rom-coms like Jab We met though, but then again I wouldn’t call that your regular urban rom-com really…

    @Aditya: Very true WRT Tehzeeb. Remember the diana hayden track- frustratingly pointless, just to include songs… and this movie has some of ARR’s worst songs I think. Only really nice song was the ghazal Aapko mujhse Gila Hota Na…

    Okay enough Balaji antics here :)

  45. Jahan Bakshi on September 25th, 2008 10:11 pm

    @Rasik: LKLKBK… hmm, wasn’t bad, pretty decent and enjoyable, but definitely doesn’t belong here…

  46. avn on September 26th, 2008 2:02 am

    and what about Lakshya? it didn’t garner any commercial success either……

  47. AZAD on September 26th, 2008 2:14 am

    Haasil didn’t get its due commercially, but I know a lot of people, myself included, who are simply crazy about this movie. And have never seen IRFAN perform with such clinical precision again. Ranjvijay Singh is the modern era’s Gabbar Singh. All his one liners are immortalized by the fans of Haasil. From sex wex ho gaya to maar sene pe goli, each of Rannvijay’s lines is a gem. In fact Haasil fans dont just talk about Irfan khan from the movie, but praise the other lesser known characters as well. Be it Gauri Shankar pandey, touhre baap, or Jacksonwa or munna or the iconic badri shankar pandey, each of the characters are a gem.

  48. Inca on September 26th, 2008 5:58 am

    Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local.

    The flow was breezy, acting was competent, art direction was awesome. It was really well made. I didn’t get bored for a moment.

    And oh, D.
    Editing was cutting edge.

  49. Arthi V on September 26th, 2008 8:17 am

    Socha Na Tha definitely. Such a gem of a movie - original story, great performances, super music too. And it flopped. Hardly any one knew @ this film when it released.
    And now any one who has seen it has liked it. (Atleast whom ever Ive come across). Very under-rated film.

  50. Rajeev K Singh on September 26th, 2008 8:55 am

    Swades, Yahaan, Socha Na Tha, Ab tak 56, Ek hasina Thi, MSFU, Andaj apna apna, seher, Prahar, Sangharsh, Khaaki, The legend of Bhagat Singh, Lakshya……bahut lambi line hai inki…:(

  51. Sanjeev on September 26th, 2008 10:05 am

    Rajpal Yadav starrer MAIN MERI PATNI AUR WOH was a little gem. A film with a heart. Wonder if anybody saw it at all. Also the same director’s MAIN MADHURI DIXIT BANNA CHAHTI HOON.
    I was also disappointed when Rohan Sippy’s BLUFFMASTER wasn’t enthusiastically received. It was cool, stylized and very well-written.
    RISK was good.
    ASTITVA (Tabu).
    PYAR TUNE KYA KIYA (Urmila was v good).
    Mukul Anand’s 1990 film MAHA SANGRAM (Surprisingly, it is never shown on cable).
    Mahesh Bhatt’s KABZAA(Sanjay Dutt) and JURM (Vinod Khanna).
    Ajay Devgan’s DIVYA SHAKTI was crude and loud in treatment but still connected big time as a revenge story.
    E Nivas-directed BARDAASHT. His SHOOL was also hard-hitting.
    Sham Benegal’s SAMAR is one of his best. Besides, it is the best Indian film ever to analyse the issue of caste tensions in India. It is never even spoken of, nor shown on cable.
    Rajeev Rai’s GUPT is among the best and cleverest murder mysteries ever.

    BTW Jaideep Varma @6, Tigmanshu Dhulia’s next film after HAASIL was CHARAS. Hope that says it all!

  52. Sanjeev on September 26th, 2008 10:10 am

    Pratik@2, which is this movie MAHEK?

  53. Pratik on September 26th, 2008 10:26 am

    I’m not sure if Mahek has had an India release. I saw it at the Cleveland Film Festival this year and I think it will making rounds at other international film festivals too. Mahek is about this little girl who is trying to figure out herself, sort of facing her identity crisis at the rather tender age of 11. It’s a great children’s film.

    IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1210520/
    Trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=64jom5jTQWk

  54. Arthi V on September 26th, 2008 10:44 am

    Basic question - JJWS is which film?

  55. Rusted rick on September 26th, 2008 11:01 am

    @arthi
    JJWS = jo jeeta wohi sikandar

  56. Tanul Thakur on September 26th, 2008 11:34 am

    @ Sanjeev: True, very true. I always believed Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon got lost somewhere, I enjoyed it more than Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh( even this was fab!) Antara Mali has been so likeable in very few films and this gem was one of them!

  57. Tanul Thakur on September 26th, 2008 11:37 am

    @ Arthi V(49): Agree with you too on Socha Na Tha. The movie didn’t get a good reception because it was releases during the board exams( atleast thats what the buzz was!), I saw this movie a couple of months back( havingj heard a LOT from anyone) and boy, did I like it!! ( Climax was a bit of a let down, but I guess there were nt much options also). But, yeah Socha Na Tha deserved much more than what it got!

  58. Tanul Thakur on September 26th, 2008 11:38 am

    57 *released
    *everyone(in place of anyone) :)

  59. Ratnakar on September 26th, 2008 8:38 pm

    @ Sanjeev

    Gupt was a huge success, and it got critical applause too. And even Jurm did quite well( though the movie was a copy of Someone to Watch over Me).

  60. Sanjeev on September 27th, 2008 10:14 am

    Ratnakar @59 When we think of murder mysteries of Bollywood, we still think of only TEESRI MANZIL, JEWEL THIEF and JOHNNY MERA NAAM. I think GUPT belongs to same class but never gets its due. Another brilliant murder mystery was Marathi film BINDHAAST. Priyadarshan remade it as FRIENDSHIP in Malayalam (I think).

    kallukallamkalia @18, JP Dutta’s YATEEM is a personal fav even though it derails completely in second half. Ditto for BATWARA.

    Also Sunny Deol’s ANGRAKSHAK (Good first half but a badly ruined second half).

    Rakesh Roshan’s KHEL (Copy of GOOD, BAD, UGLY).

    A recent film called APNA AASMAN starring Irrfan Khan.

    Anurag Basu’s debut film SAAYA (The parrot was spooky).

  61. Sanjeev on September 27th, 2008 10:19 am

    MUMBAI MATINEE (Rahul Bose - Perizad) was entertaining and also had the yummiest kiss in Indian cinema ever!!!

Leave a Reply







(Ref smilies)

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.