Shivaaaaaaaaaaargh !!! Applicants invited – Open letter to RGV
Shivaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh !!! Applicants invited – Open letter to RGV
Friday night. Me and my chaddi yaar N go and watch Shiva. After all it’s directed by RGV and is supposedly ‘Shiva’ remade….
21/2 hours later and after 3 hard shots of whisky, I’ve made the following decisions
- If Mohit ahlawat/Nisha kothari can act then I can learn how to play lawn tennis today, and challenge (and beat) Steffi Graf tomorrow. Yes it is possible!!!
-I’m forcing my mother who has amazing voice control (screaming/scolding at me one day, pleading/blackmailing me the next) to apply to RGV’s esteemed FACTORY for voice dubbing of Nisha Kothari in all her future films !!!
- My chuddy yaar N who gymns @twice a week (whom girls choose over me), and is most expressive when he’s suffering constipation will also apply to FACTORY as an actor…no no …I mean a star
-The hot receptionist of my company, who at times looks like a cross between a clandestine prostitute and a porno movie star…is also applying for an actress’s post. Acting what acting??? She’ll wear specs in the film and not wear anything else (especially in songs…where her waxed legs would be captured by the innovative camera)
- I’m donating 1/3′rd of my salary to “Save Music Maestro Illayaraja-Teach Him Hindi Lessons Fund” so that he can come up with NON SOUTH INDIAN SOUNDING songs for a Hindi film!!! So that he doesn’t have to take K J Yesudas (With due respect to the big singer) and force him to sing Hindi. On second thoughts, perhaps he can take cue from AR Rehman as to how to use singers to maximum effect.
- My dadi amma is also applying for a screenwriter’s position. She can come up with absolutely done to death stories and surprisingly wooden-relatable characters sketches such that even if those characters did a belly dance in front of you, you won’t even ‘raise’ an eyebrow!!!
- My cousin brother who has a favorite past time of capturing portions of human anatomy (thighs, legs, back, faces, shoulders, etc etc) from interesting and unimaginable angles is also applying for the cameraman’s position.
-The tailor next door, who often complains of readymade stories…I mean readymade clothes destroying his business, is also applying for Editing. He is best at making the unnecessary/unimportant things larger (read women’s dresses) and all the necessary portions shoddy and out of order (read my zip)
Yes…we need more applicants… So please all of you apply to RGV’s factory at the email address given in the end of the post.
But first, on a fucking serious note, WHAT THE DEVIL WAS RAMU THINKING when he made/remade (whatever) Shiva????? “James is a pretty bad film. So I’ll top it by making Shiva. Let the audience decide which one is a better ‘bad film’. “
Before Mr. Ram gopal Verma, you can shut my mouth with trademark attitude and frankness, allow me to ask the following questions
Q1. You showed 2 scenes in the promos.
Scene 1 – The goon uses a hammer and bangs a nail on the head of a helpless victim in bhare bazaar.
Scene 2 – The goon is slapped by hero in a restaurant, and since he can’t beat back in retaliation, he breaks the table in anger/ frustration/ helplessness
Was it a strategy on your part to show the only 2 GOOD SCENES IN THE ENTIRE FILM??? SO THAT AUDIENCE COULD BE ENTICED TO COME AND WATCH IT????
Q2.If goons are going to kidnap a girl… they don’t realize she’s speaking to the hero on her cell. What’s worse, the kidnappers are naive enough to say “Ley chal isey Kamala Mills” so that the hero can come on time (defying age old cliché- police hamesha late aati hai). Did Kamala mills pay you for this ridiculous product placement ???
Q3.If you decide to make an action film is it necessary to make the hero like Mithun Chakraborty/Sunny Deol – “ek mukka and saamney waala uthth jaaye”??? Or did u make this movie specifically for the bhojpuri /bihari/ punjabi audiences??? Oh cummon, if not ours, respect their sensibilities at least!!!!
Q4. Why does the villain (Bapu) in your film (parallel to Raghuvaran in original Shiva) look like a comedian?? Bapu is a puny politician who can do nothing but play taash and mouth refreshingly original lines like “Kya hai kya Shiva ?” All he does in the film is organizing and making phone calls. Couldn’t you have used a big b**bs secretary in his place????
Q5.I’m not from VHP/Bajrang Dal/Lashkaer-e-tayyaba but I must still ask you. What is the point of having a character dressed up like a kohl applied to eyes, paan chewing, skull capped Muslim and having his name as JOHN ???? Yes I’m all for communal harmony but is this the way Mr Verma????
Q6.Entire government (opposition, MLA, Home minister, Chief minister even the PM) will fall down when an honest Sub Inspector stands up to the system. If only life was so easy
Q7. Does making a good film in RGV Camp means to make a character drinking water/whisky, or twitching his brow, or playing cards with himself, or in some sort of deep thought calculating what’s 34 multiplied by 19 and the camera capturing his amazing expressions with soul stirring background score?????
Q8.What is the purpose of taking a 4 ft short Malaysian guy (hilariously named Chutney) who has applied Dark&Ugly Darkness Cream to his face; who is part action-part comic- part terror – part confusion; who will not use guns but use knives to slice up people’s ears (I’ll NEVER FORGIVE U MR VERMA FOR THIS ATROCIOUS RESERVOIR DOGS CLASSIC RIP OFF) and pit him against 6ft 3inches Hero. And then starting a Tom and Jerry Chase in a T Shirt Sale Store. Can action be any more stupid than this???
Q9.WHERE IS AMALA … the sensual and charming girl next door???? Where are characters like JD (CHAKRAVARTHY), THE PSYCHOPATHIC RAGHUVARAN, THE BAAP OF ALL KAMEENA LOOKING PARESH RAWAL? And most important, COULD YOU NOT FIND A BETTER REPLACEMENT FOR THE ‘SILENCE SPEAKS NAGARJUNA’. God save us from Sholay (if Mohit is in that film)
Q10.Why does the heroine in new Shiva survive so many attempts on her life???? In fact scenes like the cycle chase (Nagarjuna and his niece), Amala’s death scene, mass murder of his friends, death of Paresh rawal are what make the original Shiva look Realistic and in your face hard hitting. Where are they in your “Shiva remake”????
Q11.Is the villain (Home minister) in new Shiva, the same guy who played mahatma Gandhi in Lage raho ???
For once I know the answer, yes
Q12. LAST AND THE MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION – DID YOU ACTUALLY DIRECT SHIVA????? OR WAS IT DIRECTED BY SOMEONE ELSE????
No more questions, no more waiting for answers. My Mummy, Granny, cousin, chaddy friend N, chachu, bhayya, bhabhi, mausa, mausi, jija, saali, saas bahu …watever of the great Indian Parivar, neighbours, doodhwaala, ciggeratte waala, dabba waala etc etc… All of us are applying to RGV’s FACTORY with our resume.
You are also welcome at sending your resume (however short it may be) Don’t worry Ramu will turn you into a star !!!! Here’s the email address – whatthefuck@ishappening.com
F Grade…. Read this review… Save 120 rupees and 21/2 hours of your precious life!!!! If you’re sensible go watch original Shiva again for the umpteenth time
Anurag Kashyap
Abhay Deol
Dibakar Banerjee
Hansal Mehta
Khalid Mohamed
Kundan Shah
Anish Kuruvilla
Jaideep Verma
Manish Gupta
Navdeep Singh
Bhavani Iyer
D. Santosh
Onir
Ashvin Kumar
Ramu Ramanathan
Sudhir Mishra
Pankaj Advani
Revathy
Saurabh Shukla
Shilpa Shukla
Sujoy Ghosh
Suparn Verma
Santosh Sivan
Shashank Ghosh
Shivajee
Pavan Kaul
Partho Sen-Gupta
Prroshant Naryannan
Sam Langoria
Satish Kasetty
lol, it was meant to be script-less, it was meant to be a masala film, it was meant to be a dishum-dishum film, he just wanted to make a typical masala film to launch these two newcomers. this movie was for the mass audience!
all 70s/80s action movies were like this and all worked. and he is trying to recapture that magic in this film.
Its going to make a lot of money because its sholay, and RGV will be pleased, but beyond that I doubt he could care less.
You’re right, sholay was just another masala film, but it was a significant venture for sippy and company, I mean they put in a lot of money based on Salim-Javed’s script, built a whole village and everything. But it wasn’t a success because they copied scenes from High Noon, Once upon a time in the West, For a few Dollars more (gabbar is based on Indio) and Giu La Testa. It was a success because they took the same conventions that Leone used and overthrew in his films and circumvented them to fit an Indian audience. They knew what would work for the audience and what wouldn’t. They did exactly what Sergio did with his films, they copied from films that they liked and thought were classics, and made them their own. Prime example would be the 10 minute opening scene from OUATITW, based on Lee Marvin waiting for the villain in the opening scenes of High Noon.
Brutally honest and FUNNY!!! Your review ofcourse!!! Desi Train IS having it’s impact on you!!! =d>
Hillarious Review. This is what i call a Mast Review. Nowhere was the story revealed, nowhere was the plot revealed, nowhere was the ending revealed. All it reveals if is the angst of you. As i was talking to you the other day… RGV didnt want to make this movie from Dil Se.. he just wanted to prove a point to the director of James that he culd make a better movie with same starcast and the same story. What a dumbfuck. You gotta prove a point by putting so many people’s carrer at stake? RGV…. Take a break from from Movie world, Go and cleanse you Paap in Ganga for playing with so many newcomers life.. Get lost for some period of time. Enough of you now.
Ohh karthik, by the way did RGV prove his point, was it better than the worst movie evermade.. James? If i had my life hanging on a small thread where Gabbar says, you have a choice of watching either James or Shiva 2006? Kaunsa dekhoon? Ya fir shud i drink poison and die, rather than watch either of them?
” RGV…. Take a break from from Movie world, Go and cleanse you Paap in Ganga for playing with so many newcomers life.. Get lost for some period of time”
One of the idiotic comment I have ever read. no offense.
lol
lol = one of the idiotic words ever used to present a counter-argument.
Using the lower cases of the uneducated masses isn’t going to prove your point, and only proves that you don’t care enough about the discussion to take the time to say something of importance.
Smiley face.
ather using a smiley(emotion) – i used ‘lol’ – abbreviation of ‘laughing out louder’ – that was my reaction to that comment. Don’t idiotic comments make you laugh? nothing wrong with that.
yes, i should have backed up me comment, but in my view idiotic comments do not deserve a full… since you have asked for me to prove my point, i will.
So RGV screws up newcomers, eh? Rajpal Yadav’s career is screwed up right? That is just one example, right? I will give you more.
But first he has given so many newcomers(even with some with no formal training or background) chance in films and you know the law, not all will make it – only some will – and that portion is very high!
Manjoj Bajpai was given so many chances in RGV’s film and he has been critically acclaimed and loved by the audience. Is it RGV’s fault if such talented actor is no where to seen in the Hindi Film Industry at the mo? Or is it the industry fault for not embracing Manoj Bajpai?
Viveck Oberio made his debut in RGV’s ‘Company’ – he won awards for that role. Then he did ‘Road’. Is it RGV’s fault if he is doing crap films and being egoistic? But nevertheless he has not screwed up his career, has he?
Now some actors that we public and the industry don’t give much credit to them: Sushant Singh, Snehal Dhabi, Zakir Hussien, Randeep Hooda(D – was his hindi film debut), etc. they all were given an opportunity to work in a film by none other than.. Ram Gopal Varma.
okay, he has not given us any decent actresses but it all could change with ‘Nishabd’
Actors are done. Let’s talk about some directors who have worked with RGV or were given an opportunity to direct a film for his production house.
Anurag Kashyap – he started with writing scripts for RGV’s films and assisting him. Then he made his debut in direction – directed Paanch and Black Friday.
Madhur Bhandkar – he also assisted RGV. And you all know about him.
Then there are newcomer directors.. Chandan Arora, E Nivas, Rajat Mukherjee, Sriram Raghavan, Jijy Philip, Shimit Amin, Vishram Sawant, Prawal Raman, etc.. they all were given the freedom and they all made very good films. Now some of them are making movies out of the factory, some with Yash Raj production house. So have they screwed up their career?
Do you want to tell you about some scriptwriters, singers, composers? Or is this enough?
Regarding Shiva 2006: RGV wanted to launch Mohit as a star – not as an actor. He did not like how ‘James’ was turned out and he believes that this guy is the next big thing, so he is trying to relaunch him in Shiva 2006. If he turns out to be wrong – then he will hold up his and hand say his was wrong. He won’t make any stupid excuses.
He also has rejuvenated some of the actors career. From Urmila, Nana Patkear, Abhishek Bachchan, Chunky Pandey, and many more.
Amitabh Bachchan has done so many films in last 10 years, but has he done any decent/substantial role other than Sarkar. No – he hasn’t. (Balck was OTT – and the hype) Will he do any better roles than Nishabd or Sholay?
So would not that idiotic comment make me laugh?
Honhaar Goonda
And another thing Mohit is staring his career – he is doing Sholay – he is playing ‘Jai’ – one of the most famous Hindi Film Character. So how is RGV screwing Mohit’s career?
Mohit did not have a career before he enter the industry – now he does.
- HG, Jai in Sholay will now be played by Ajay Devgan. Mohit Ahlawat is not in the movie.
Good points about RGV. Yes he has given breaks to so many newcomers.
Coming back to the original post – a bad movie is a bad movie is a bad movie, even if it’s made by a person called Ram Gopal Varma. The author has used a blade edged sense of humor style to pass on the point that RGV has talent and he (the author) is in love with many of his past works, but he seems to be taking a long nap that resulted in a sub standard movie called Shiva.
Quite honestly I haven’t been a fan of any of his movies after Rangeela. Yes and that includes Sarkar.
But there is hope. There is always hope.
>-
you sure about that? Ajay is playing Veeru and Mohit is playing Jai.
I have nothing against the movie’s review. If it’s is crap then it is crap. I actually liked reading the review. And he is right to slate the movie. Only this comment “Go and cleanse you Paap in Ganga for playing with so many newcomers life” irked me. I was not speaking against the review – only against that comment. Which is quite unfair to say about RGV.
i’m a fan of rgv – i have seen all of his film from raat to sarkar. ’satya’ is my favorite film by him – and it is one of favorite movie. he is one of me favorite director.
@ HG…. Alright man i do not want to start a WAR here. As you said you are a big fan of a certain RGV, good for you, so was i about 10-12 years back, not anymore. He is one crappy producer(excellent sometimes, decellent most of the times director). The problem with RGV is he typecasts his actors/directors/musicians so much that they hardly have anything else to work for other than the Company. You have mentioned so many names above who have made no good movies. Are you trying to say he gives them liberty to do what they want to do. Sorry my friend i have enough sources in the film industry who say NO to my question. Ghost direction is what RGV. Other than Chandan Arora, i do not see any director from the wings of RGV shining. The other day me and Karthik, the author of this original post were talking how RGV feels he is the King Midas… I can turn anything into Gold. For a second think about it doesnt he make his protegee’s do the kind of films according to his whims and fancies?
Anyways forget it man… If you thought i made an idiotic comment so be it. I still feel RGV IS MAKING IDIOTIC MOVIES. And i do not want to get suckered into this.. i will give you a last shot… go ahead
And yes about Sholay.. nothing yet has been finalised… in the original starcast he had Mohit play the role of Jai, then he wanted to rope in Ajay…. no word yet from anywhere. As for now only AB Sr. has been finalised for the role of Gabbar, talks are in the process of roping in Boman Irani for Asrani’s role. Keep us posted if you have anymore info.
erm, no. i don’t see that case. he gave Manoj/Rajpal/Viveck/Ajay/Saif/Zakir Hussien varied types of roles. how come then rajpal yadav has made it big? it’s not his fault if the actors he introduces do not make it.
i also disagree with you about newcomers director not making any good movies. My Wife’s Murder, Ek Haseena Thi, Ab Tak Chappan, D, Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, etc, those all movies were good.
hindi film industry or audiences hardly appreciates those kind of actors or movies. but still he keeps introducing newcomers and experimenting.
i don’t know any inside information, but how can he handle producing/directing heaps of films at the same time?
he is the only guy – who is experimenting with everything, giving newcomers an opportunity and yet making decent films. Are there any other guys like him out there?
this is what i see, you guys actually have a problem with his attitude, not his movies.(he will make crap films now and then, but he will make some good films as well.)
anyway, this is not a war. it’s just a filmy discussion. :-”
- I’m loving this. This is why I would rather have a PFC which brings passionate discussions on cinema than a gossip blog with zero inclination towards the craft. Though I would love you guys to take it a mile furthur into the art and execution in this craft.
HG – point duly noted!
Sumeet – don’t worry about a War here. I won’t let PFC turn into another idiotic slamming zone like many out there
lol, i am only passionate about rgv, gulzarsaab, hriskesh mukherji and a r rahman. like sumeet is dissing rgv – i would affront rest of industry (especially Yash Raj camp and Karan Johar).
anyway, i like rgv cos he makes realistic cinema yet entertaining and different all the time. where as (majority) others keep making candyfloss, semi-porn films or copying hollywood movies.
Thanks oz. HG i respect your Passion for RGV. One thing though dude.. i have some simple math for you. But, i seriously do not think we should talk/comment on this review by Karthik. I seriously feel this space should be left to comment on the review, etc. So, why dont you start a topic about RGV and then we may have healhty discussion… Just my 2 cents!!!!:”> What you say?
My last word on this topic:
Semi-porn eh? I seem to remember Naach had a lot of bared skin. Not to mention it was ripped off straight from In the Mood for Love.
Prior to 2004, I used to heavily defend RGV for his films, I used to constantly piss off and fight flame wars with numerous people on the Yahoo indian film groups.
So, having been a previous RGV fan, I think I can definitely say that he’s doing none of the things that HG is praising him for.
RGV is different in the way Crash or Brokeback mountain were independent films. Focus features is nothing but a studio backed distributor branch for Universal Studios. ‘Cept you know, certain films and producers want that “indie” look and feel to their film, cause there are times when the man don’t wanna be seen with the man in public.
@Karthik…. In the original Shiva, i do not think that Amla Dies. I am talking about the Telugu version, havent seen the hindi one. Is it different? If so, i might have to see the hindi Shiva.
WOW !!!! ONE POST AND 18 COMMENTS !!! WASN’T EXPECTING IT !!! SEEMS LIKE THERE ARE A LOT OF CINEMA FANATICS LIKE ME !!!
I HAD POSTED ON SATURDAY EVENING AND MONDAY MORNING AT WORK …(LESS THAN 48 HOURS … 18 COMMENTS… THATS SOMETHING !!)
ANYWAYS, HERE ARE MY TAKES –
@ Anang
Sholay is unassailable for all the reasons u mentioned. So much like nayagan/Virasat (Godfather) is when adapted to an indian sensibility
Naach – In the mood for love ??? Didnt know that. Thanks buddy :-)
@ Oz – yes DT is having its impact on me !!!
Sholay – I think Veeru is played by Ajay devgan and Jai is played by Mohit (Jesu F***ing Christ) Ahlawat. Of Course AB is there as gabbar
And kudos to the heat generated here in PFC !!! Wow … three cheers for the passion
@Sumeet – thanks ‘mast review’ – hmmm im loving it !!! I completely agree with u that RGV should go into the ganges for a holy dip to reassess his priorities. He simply is on a egoistical trip these days and wants to prove a point to god knows whom ????
James versus Shiva ??? Its like asking you to choose between sleeping lalita pawar and nirupa roy (with due respect to both fine actresses)
And yes, Amala (SWEETEST LOVE WHERE ART THOU ????) does die in the hindi version. Havent seen the telugu one.
@ HG (comments to be taken with a pinch of salt)
Yes it is a Masala film – a Masala Dosa without the crispness, sambhar or chutney !!!
Its stupid to see him start out with a complete disdain for such films (original shiva was realistic) and finally stooping to such a low level. Just goes on to say success does corrupt people if they are not careful (Even Spielberg – War of the worlds and to some extent Manirathnam – yuva, fell prey to it)
Like OZ said I too Completely stand by ur insights. However I do know for a fact that RGV is NOT INTRESTED IN GIVING NEW TALENTS A BREAK. ALL HE WANTS IS TO BE LIKE MIDAS (as sumeet said) – “Main jis cheez ko choounga woh soona ban jayegi” I don’t care for media/industry/audience. If I like something I will go and do it.
Yes that’s how film makers should be (going ahead in their beliefs) but u can say even Karan Johar/Mahesh bhatt go ahead with their beliefs. And their beliefs suck !!! Slowly RGV is falling to tha trap too.
Ek haseena thi, Main madhuri dixit, Bhoot… were good.(Satya, Shool, Company, Rangeela and even Daud are classics) D, pyaar tune kya kiya were ok!!!
But what about James, DMH, DZH, Sarkar, Naach, Vaastushastra, My wife’s murder, Mr ya miss, Darwaza band rakho, Gayab, Road, Mast
Don’t you see a clear demarcation between the two categories ???
That happens when what people should do seperates from what they want to do.
I’m willing to believe in anything and everything RGV does (I still think Daud is a classic in a good sense). It’s only when the passion goes away and is overcome by corporatisition and whims and fancies (even Guru Dutt/shekar kapoor was whimsical, but you see the passion in their films no matter how few they are!!) that I choose to disagree
He does give a lot of newcomers (with or without talent) a chance, only because
a) he wants to prove a point to the industry/world/GOD
b) he can’t/doesnt work with stars who arent comfortable with him
c) he probably pays them lesss
d) most of them are dying to work with him
AND TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS- RGV DOES GHOST DIRECT, VERY MUCH LIKE KAMAL HASSAN. THE PASSION IS NOT THERE ANY MORE … SADLY HE IS BECOMING ANOTHER SUBASH GHAI !!!!
MIND U IM NOT TAKING ANYTHING AWAY FROM HIS PROFESSIONALISM/APPROACH TO FILM MAKING. Yes he does make ‘different films’ But look at it this way. I take a camera and shoot a piece of shit for 2 hours and release it as a movie (similar to what Rakesh mehra did in Aks). Would u still call it a movie ???
Being different for the sake of different is one thing (Aks,Pyaar key side effects, Khwahish, Kalyug)
Being good and different is another (Anurag kashyap, Vishal bhardwaj, Nagesh kukunoor, Govind nihlani, Madhur bhandarkar, Rajat kapoor)
And, thanks for bringing up this point and kicking up the discussion group. Trust me… we can go on and on with this discussion caring two hoots about the review. I honestly don’t mind (nor does OZ .. I know for sure)
i did not found anything wrong with Mast, Sarkar, My Wife’s Murder or Road. I thought all those movies were good, imo.
Yes, Daud is a classic film, and his old work is much better than his current work. However, the thing is that RGV fans expect him to come with brilliance all the time. He still has a good record as a director, maybe not as a (just) producer. You all would agree that upto Company his all work was good and brilliant, right?
He has only directed Naach, Sarkar and Shiva in last fours years, i think. And he only directed half of the Naach, some women directed the other half. Also he is more concentrating on the facial expressions then on the word expressions. Some people are finding hard to digest that where as I have liked it. That ‘chai’ scene in ‘Sarkar’ is still in my mind. Or that boat scene. I still have most of the images of Sarkar in my mind.
So do you guys do not like his direction ability or the films he is producing?
RGV – Midas? From where do you guys get that impression from, eh? Is it cos once he said that he would like to have a film released by his factory every friday?
Him becoming another Subhash Ghai? Naaaah. Subhash Ghai got all mixed up in being a showman. I never liked his films. Where as Ram Gopal Varma is just himself.
I could say same about Madhur Bhandakar – ‘Ghost Direction’. His ‘Corporate’ was a let down.
RGV does make(direct) different films and comes up with good films. Okay, Naach was just OTT and Shiva 2006 is just crap. But Sarkar was a good film.
Have you seen Anurag Kashyap’s ‘Paanch’ and ‘Black Friday’? I love the soundtrack of ‘Paanch’, but I cannot find the original CD anywhere!
Speaking of Nages Kukunoor – his Dor is releasing soon and music is good as well. I like his work. His work is natural.
Also Visha’s Omkara was a let down. It was very commercialized to get accepted in the mainstream world. So would I call Vishal works in Omkara – ghost direction?
@HG –
Road was ok in bits and pieces. It was probably india’s first ‘road flick’ (like From Dusk to Dawn/Thelma and Louise) but it became regressive and almost stupid after mid point….
Mast was a no no all throughout. And my wife’s murder ??? What was the purpose of it ???? A freak murder and attempts to cover it up. What was the purpose of the film ???? The only thing good in the film was boman irani.
Company is class !!! No two ways about it !!! Daud is amazing too. Paresh rawal is a never been seen before character !! ‘Method in madness’ if u what u call
Naach was ‘ghost directed’ by RGV. Ghost direction MEANS U PRODUCE THE FILM BUT END UP DIRECTING PORTIONS OF IT TOO !!! AND THE CREDITS OF DIRECTOR ARE TO SOMEONE ELSE. (Something kamal hassan is shrewd enough to do). It’s a cinematic insult to the director. That’s what I feel at least !!!
‘RGV-Midas’ yes sir ….TRUST ME WHEN I SAY THIS !!! I never heard that part when he said that !!. It’s just his attitude to film making. And he starts making films for this attitude rather than for cinema. I think he is neither into commercial/buisness (Yashraj/Mahesh bhatt/Karan johar) nor his ‘arty’/true to the content/realistic anymore
RGV is becoming Subhash ghai as in a megalomaniacal pursuit (starting a Whistling Woods international and charging lakhs of ruppees from students, long after he’s stopped making good films). I didn’t intend at the ’showman’ pun.
‘Corporate’ was a letdown. No doubt about it. But Madhur DIRECTED IT (HOPE U NOW KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DIRECTION AND GHOST DIRECTION). It’s a one off failure (if u ignore Trishakti). In fact ‘Aan’ was ghost directed by Firoz nadiadwala, if u know what I’m trying to say.
But i will stand up and say that he hasn’t failed in it as much as Ramu has in Shiva. Nagesh had failed as well in Hydrabad Blues 2. Rest of his films are simply brilliant (including the cliched- rags to riches- boy against all odds – Iqbal). Although Dor’s music sucks. Movie seems intresting though.
Anurag kashyap’s paanch – Still trying to see in totality buddy…. Have seen bits and pieces of Gulal. And have seen the films written by him. They are amazing.
AND PLEASE OH PLEASE…. OMKARA IS THE BEST FILM OF THE YEAR (even though it aint as brilliant as maqbool and it does have flaws)!!!!! It’s sad that a classic film like omkara is not only rejected by audiences (due to cuss words/local lingo) but also by intelligent people or people craving for good cinema who just overlook all its good points over its flaws.
Just an example – If u notice the scene when saif is telling vivek “Bhaisahib ab kisiki nahi sunengey .. na teri na meri… ” he is APPLYING NAIL POLISH TO HIS NAILS !!! I have talked to many bhayya’s about that and they do say that it is a common practise among the rural/rustics. If that’s not brilliant characterisation … what is ??? Can u compare it with Sarkar sipping Tea ??????? No way !!!!
ANOTHER EXAMPLE – what about the scene when vivek beats up the ACP after Beedi jalaye ley song. Saif comes rushing thruoh with HIS JANEYU (SACRED THREAD) AROUND HIS EAR. This is done so that he can get an excuse of answering nature’s call (many brahmans do that !!!) and say that while vivek was beating up ACP he wasn’t there. So he gets a convinient alibi.
I probably think this guy (Vishaal bhardwaaj) is ahead of his times !!!
Am loving this HG – If u are in mumbai ….mail me/contact me …let’s have a nice loooong discussion on this over drinks !!!
I still think he is one of the best director we have got. Mast was a good simple (musical) film and there were some good scenes in it.
Anyway, What’s that saying.. Let’s agree to disagree, eh?
I am not saying Omkara isn’t a good film. It is a good film, but it is not as good as Maqbool. Omkara was scratchy in parts and it was not coherent enough for me. I wanted it be a lot more gruesome than it was.
You appreciated those Omkara’s scene cos you knew about it and hence liked it the way it was represented. Where as I liked those Sarkar scenes because those scenes were as simple as making tea but yet it conveyed a strong message. ‘Attitude’ was written all over those scenes and I like those kind of attitude.
Vishal is from UP so he knows about the UP cultural. Am not surprised about that.
Nah – I am not from Mumbai or India, in fact. Am from UK.
HG – There’s no denying that omkara is not as good as maqbool. (Are we both saying the same thing ???) :-?
Well said – let’s agree to disagree :-)
I think RGV WAS one of the best directors we had … There’s no denying that.
Anyways … there’s another reason for me to goto UK :d
@ HG and KK i cannot resist to be left out of this discussion, never would i have thought that my IDIOTIC COMMENT would bring out so much ferver on this topic, just reading all the comments is sending me on a trip.
HG, KK has explained the correct meaning of GHOST DIRECTION… it is something where though the director has his name under the credits but it infact is directed by someone else, and this “someone else” becomes the Ghost Director. Many insiders believe that Aamir Khan does that to many of his movies. No two Ghost Directors can work together, no wonder why( i guess, and a strong feeling) Amir and RGV arent working anymore(Pun intended)
Mast to me was really very boring, RGV as a child had a huge crush on Sridevi, and he wanted to make a movie on that..how a common man can fall into love with a Filmstar and vice-versa.
Daud let me down, take away Paresh from the movie and you have NADA, ZILCH, Nothing. Moreover it had so many instances/ scenes/dialouges/locations from his earlier telugu movies like
1. Ana Anaga Okka Roju
2. Kshana Kshanam
Sarkar was a let down to me in the way he handled the second half. There was no proper transition shown to justify how AB Jr. all of a sudden gains so much respect and becomes the Sarkar. Agreed there were some awesome scenes like the chai scene(I was totally taken away by the rawness of Zakir Hussain there). But, isnt that the trademark of most of the movies of RGV? Many scenes are meant to create an impact, forgetting the broader picture of.. IS IT GONNA FIT IN THE SCREENPLAY. NAACH..letdown.. and i am still talking about the movies he has directed, i dont even want to get started bout his produced movies. If you think that RGV is giving chances to so many talented people… why do you think that every movie that comes out of the stable of RGV has RGV written all over it. Why cant you see individual briliance of these directors, why do you always feel that ohh this is RGV movie even while looking at the trailer? WHY? WHY? WHY?
And last but not least is the simple Math i was talking about sometime back
Question: What is the cost of an average RGV produced movie?
Answer: Around 5-10 crores
Question: How many movies does he make per month?
Answer: 1-2
The movies produced by him are cheap, he has still a market value… meaning distributors still buy hs movie, and release with say about 100-150 prints, RGV still has a loyal fanbase, even if the movie is crap it still is in theatres for 2 weeks(atleast) recovering all the cost he has put in or even making more. so, for every 10 crores he puts in..even if he makes a profit of 2 crores..it still is making 20% profit. All i am trying to say here is RGV is thinking on the lines of a businessman now. He is thinking more on the lines of making profit than being a creative director. To run the whole Company or Factory as he says he needs Workers( Artists in this case), he needs manpower, there is enough talent in the industry to whom he can give a chance to. So, he does that, makes a movie makes 2-3 crores profit( for a dumb ass movie) and goes on floor with the next movie
This is so very true with Subhash Ghai and Mahesh Bhatt. Giving chances to all and sundry and keeping their heads under the gelatin sword. Which is not the case with a certain Vidhu Vinod Chopra. He still makes a movie because his sole intention is his belief in that movie, and secondary is making money. Agreed everyone wants to make money, but when in creative field or for that matter even any Sport, making money takes precedence your creative brilliance or your natural ability to make your moves go for a walk.
RGV is definitely making profit( i guess), but by producing so many movies he is killing his “so often seen in the earlier days..brilliance” is taking the backseat.
Do you still think mine was an idiotic comment HG? No hard feelings Boss!!!! You definitely brought something on a platter to discuss. Bring up some more i am on a trip and experiencing an adrenaline rush. Thank YOU.
i get the jist of what you saying, sumeet. i was not understand properly until you guys drew a parallel between him and mahesh bhatt camp.
in that sense, yes, he is making cheap films and making money from it. however, he has said it he is a businessman first than a filmmaker, but still he has not compromised his filming beliefs with business, has it? He still producing/directing different kind of films. Where as Mahesh Bhatt is copying Hollywood movies/overseas songs and turning into some kind of cheap movie – without any substance. And Yash Raj/Karan Johar camp are turning teen romantic hollywood movies into candyfloss/family drama crap.
i rather watch rgv’s work than that crap.
Ghost direction – i am still not getting what actually you guys mean that. ‘Love Ke Liye…’, ‘Main Madhuri…’, ‘Gayab’ – those movies do not have RGV written all over it. If some movies do have written RGV all over it is because, maybe, the guy was inspired buy RGV’s style of making film.
The thing i am getting from you guys is that you have a very high expectations from him and he is not matching that. And do you guys want some kind film festival sort of films from him?
Hope Ramu never reads this one or he will cast YOU in Shiva’s next version. Yes…trust me, that’s how his mind works.
(Now go figure which bitter review Mohit Ahlawat wrote to land up as a Ramu mascot!! );)
And boy, you have got a discussion going here…and that’s what i wud call the (leftover) power of Brand Ramu! The guy had got guts once…and a huge part of the credit goes to him for (almost) transforming the Indian cinema and moviemaking processes.
Having said that, he has undoubtedly gone haywire in the last few years…and a review like this can’t be a work of fiction…it’s your emotions…the real ones. And that’s what, which MUST worry Ramu. (More than it worries his ‘one-time’ fans!)
well everyone has blasted RGV till now and he deserves it…. its sad to know that he has lost the knack of storytelling which was his forte….
some of his best works were when he was in telugu industry…. movies like gayam,shiva,Kshanak kshanam and money.And donga donga script was written by him and directed by mani ratnam.
His last good work was company….. its better he retires than torture us with remakes of old hits.
He only accepted in a interview that he is out of stories now and that’s why he is remaking the old stuff.
@ Sumeet
Thanks for giving a better example of ghost direction. Aamir khan does it in most of his films but we’ll accept him (despite the DISASTROUS FANAA). And also thanks for the buisness analysis. Seriously !!! Dude, ur like what a manager consultant ???? ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
Yes mast was made due to Sridevi crush. In fact an auto rickshaw driver(the portly lovable chandu/chander bhai in Satya) does say about his crush on sridevi in in the film.
Haven’t seen his telugu flicks. :-(
Bingo, u’ve hit the nail on the head when u said that scenes are there for impact rather than doing justice to the screenplay. I think ideally, it should be the other way around !!! [-(
Vidhu vinod chopra is better in that sense. He gives complete creative freedom (Rajkumar hirani,Pradip Sarkar) and he believes in the film, not just in the film maker/talented artist.
@HG
He certainly has compromised his film making with buisness. ‘Different films’ ???? I don’t want to see ‘different films’ anymore. I want to see ‘Different films with some substance’ (like the film makers i mentioned). Although I know I’m not the complete audience (I hated KANK, Krish, Fanaa and they became hits !!! ) so I know my response won’t probably make much of a difference. But (grrrrrrrrr ….I have to do this) as mohit ahlawat says in Shiva
“Baat ek ki nahi, baat soch ki hai” ~X(
Mahesh bhatt koh toh bhool hi jaao. He’s beyond redemption (Despite Saaransh/Arth/Naam).
)
Yash johar/Yash chopra are stuck with the same emotion ‘Love’ in their lives. There’s nothing else for them to look for. Wonder how Salim Javed got Deewar produced/directed by Yash chopra
HG, And i thoruoghly agree with u! We do (and will) have high expectations from RGV. But these aren’t just castles in mid air. They were set by Satya, Company, Rangeela, Shiva, Bhoot(pretty good attempt)…
The films I mentioned are’nt film festival types films. They are commercial,entertaining,pretty engrossing and ‘different’ ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
@Varun
Will he or won’t he ???? That would be trademark Ramu, I wouldn’t be surprised at all !!! What if he is reading this article ???? May be i should join a gymn too….and start attending mathematic classes (for calculation-expression) as well. :-?
Yes he has revolutionalised hindi cinema. But now ???? Kahaan gaya woh Ramu ???? I still can’t believe Shiva is directed by him. Even if he admits it, or if GOD himself came down from skies to tell me the truth. :((
And yes his present level of films does annoy many of his ONCE DIE HARD FANS LIKE all the commentors in the post. And that’s why the phenomenal response to this post. =d>
@Vineeth
Donga donga ??? Is that Thiruda thiruda in tamil (directed by Manirathnam) ??? Wow !!!
He shouldn’t retire… he should do what sumeet says. Take a dip in holy ganges or may be take a couple of weeks off to recharge his cells.
Did he say that HE’S OUT OF STORIES ?????? Ok that’s it I’m packing by bags and landing up at Factory’s office tomorrow with (as Varun suggested) a printout of this review !!!
8->
there was an interview about him on musicindiaonline. but i can’t find it. but this will do:
http://www.newkerala.com/news4.php?action=fullnews&id=21152
apparently, he did not have control over creative or finance.
if his sole aim was to make money then he would have Himesh/Pritam/Anu Malik/etc doing music for his movies, not Illiyaraj. also he would have hrithik/srk/ in his movies and make candyfloss movies. but is he? he has not lost it.
my view about him might change after watching rgv’s sholay* and nishabd. but i doubt it. cos when you support a sport team – you will support for the life time even when the going gets though. it’s just like that with rgv..
*i don’t like the idea of remaking and having himesh for music!
ps Let’s agree to disagree. I don’t see either of us backing down.
RGV is bigging up Nishabd big time, so hold your views about him at the mo, cos you might start loving him again.
:-”
- It’s time to move on from this topic my dear cine-fanatics. Let’s wait till RGV’s next to disect his creative reliability.
Until then, if someone is up to write on Scorcese or Brian De Palma (Kartik’s request and I support it), please do come forward and enlighten us all here on PFC.
sorry, i don’t know anything about them. however, i would like to post a still from don and asking is he the don or the bitch?
Would don ever wear a pinkish shirt and tie like a dog strap? I am a Goonda so I would know that.. it’s not the case!
:-”
Oh wow – some great discussions going on here.
Won’t add to much to this – but I will say i do agree with a lot of the comments made by Honhaar Goonda
RGV, blah blah blah, blah blah blah blah, blah blah blah.
WTF? He’s a hasbeen now, flat out, fizzed out. Take a break and rethink the storylines, Varma – learn from movies like Omkara and “main, meri patni aur woh” – it’s not always about the technique.
And why the fuck is this post listed under Telugu – RGV is a hasbeen gult as well. Kick him outta here, all the way to “bollywood” (he he)!!
@WB.. which was the last film in Telugu directed by RGV? Was it Govinda Govinda?
Sumeet, I guess it’s Prema Katha (love story) the debut film of Sumanth (hero of Godavari). Anthra Mali was the heroine. Nagarjuna lured RGV back to Telugu for that one time, for his nephew’s sake, and Varma delivered a dud! Had one good song by Sandeep Chowtha though, which was reused by Varma in that Fardeen Khan’s movie – a ripoff of Fatal Attraction. I think RGV simply orchestrated the direction and wasn’t too involved in the movie – but, I could be wrong.
@WB yeah remember Prema Katha.. It also had Manoj Bajpai i guess. I dont know how true this is.. but i remember reading/listening to someone who said that Krishna Vamshi was the guy guy who was calling shots at Prema Katha
=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))=))
Please please please please pretty please send this to Mr. Verma….as a registered mail…
=))=))=))=))=))
gr8 Wrk Karthik =d>=d>=d>
Kartik, fuck man, if Shiva ( the character) had spoken more in the original version he would have spoken the same language as you. Damn good stuff.
And yes please send it to RGV.
haha ^^ nice, is there a section to follow the RSS feed