Kalki - Film Review

 A Big B- I mean, a big bore.

What a waste of talent. A bad script can spoil anything, and this film is a living example. Prabhas, who was so good in Bahubali, looks forced into amateurish gimmicks that don't work. You are left wondering what's happening, why and when it will end. That hope is dashed, because it goes on for 3 hours, almost a night without end.

Why would anyone want to live in The Complex? It's inexplicable, and outright laughable. The Supreme - whatever that means- what is he trying to achieve? You don't empathise with any character, perhaps with the couple who lay down their lives trying to protect Deepika. At least the woman does. They are the only ones who show some normal human qualities. The others are too jaded, or artificial, or both. Going through the motions, mostly, and for too long. The sets are colourless, and depressing too. If the future is so bad, I would be happy not to be a part of it.

Outright silly most of the time, the film appears like a video game some kid is playing on a big screen instead of his console/mobile.

Give it a miss if you don't want a massive headache. Well, carry a couple of aspirins if you decide to ignore my advice!

My Take on Deep Fake

 Let's not get worked up about deep fakes. They have always been around. Some examples-

Sales guys who don't mean what they say.

Customer service guys who don't know the spelling.

Politicians who promise the moon- sorry, that's been done. Promise Mars?

Corporate jargon which does not mean anything.

Special effects in films, from Bahubali to Mission Impossible.

All these and more, have been around for years.. so what if one head goes on another body? That's also been possible and around with simple photoshopping type apps, for years.

Bahubali and More at Ramoji Studios

 A visit to Ramoji studios after a good 15 years, I think. Much water has flown under the bridge, but this time, a Bahubali set was awaiting us, and we had a nice guide too.. Ayushi Deshpande, on our bus. So despite the heat, we enjoyed most of the sights- pics to prove it.

A permanent set of a King's court, above.

A station with a train, below.

European houses, on a single street.

Pic by Ayushi, above.

Directorial stuff.

Cheerful Bahubali, and serious Kattappa 

We had the Eiffel Tower overlooking the Wild West and Magadha empire, among other things.. Talk about juxtaposition!

She was not part of the set, just a co-passenger who was in the frame while I shot something else!

Top Films

I am approaching this top twenty (or more) from a different angle. I will try and list a few films from different genres, and see if they make sense in a list like this.

Simple Tales

Nil Battey Sannata, Rajnigandha, Chitchor

Suspense

Jewel Thief, Teesri Manzil, Ittefaq, Dial M for Murder, Shikaar, Aankhen (both Dharmendra), The Reincarnation of Peter Proud

Serious Cinema

Anand, Arth, Aakrosh, Manthan, Mere Apne, Ingmar Bergman's films, Zorba the Greek

Romance

Bobby, Aradhana, Tere Mere Sapne, Ankhiyon ke Jaharonkhon Se, Casablanca, Amar Prem, Bridges of Madison County

Comedy

Chhoti si Baat, Chashme buddoor, Gol Maal, Chupke Chupke, Namak Halaal, Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro, Padosan, Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi, Finding Fanny, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Silent Movie, History of the World Part 1, The Loves and Times of Scaramouche

Action

Where Eagles Dare, Mackenna's Gold, Sholay

Period Dramas

Mughal-e-azam, Bahubali,

Foreign Films

Many Iranian films like The Salesman, The Separation, Kurosawa films like Red Beard, Seven Samurai, a couple of French and Italian films, The Sound of Music, My Fair Lady (this could go into the comedy list too)

Mindless Formula

Hathi Mere Sathi, Seeta aur Geeta, Zanjeer, Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Hum Kisise Kam Nahin, Amar Akbar Anthony, Jugnu, Roti, Humjoli, Some Govinda films, Some Telugu films with NTR, James Bond Films with Roger Moore, Tamil films with Prabhu Deva..