Saand Ki Aankh or Bull's Eye - A Review

This is another endearing film on a genre which seems within the grasp of Indian film-makers. Mostly, they are doing a good job of small-town heroes involved in sport- and most of these are women sportspeople. Mary Kom comes to mind, and Dangal. There was also a Dhoni biopic that I did not see.

This one (about shooters) is well-made, and well-acted in. One thing that struck me is that in almost all movies now, the villain is one of our own, not the "other"- larger than life guy with a den and a moll on his arm. It is men and women who represent patriarchy, oppression or false expectations. Prakash Jha as Tau is the perfect villain- patriarchy in its purest form- in this film. He seeks to maintain the old order-and fails.

Bhumi Pednekar and Taapsee Pannu have both acted in several good films, and here they both do a Sanjeev Kumar with panache- act old! Their individual acts and chemistry with each other make the film a delight. The supporting cast is adequate for their job.

Insights about rural India (and urban India by contrast, and Maharajas) abound, if you are looking for them. Seems like a directorial debut, and a good one.

Global Fashion

A quick sum-up of the fashionable things.

In Syria, it is to migrate to Europe by boat, or bicycle.

In the U.S., it is to shoot at campuses. To find a higher purpose in life, shoot inside places of higher education.

In the Mediterranean, it is to resue the boat people mentioned above.

In Australia, it is changing Prime Ministers.

In India, it is to hold election rallies, build speed-breakers on potholed roads.

In Dubai, it is to boast about and construct tall buildings.

In Japan, it is to bow.

In North Korea, it is to make cutouts of their Leader to upstage Jayalalitha's.

In South Korea, it is to barbeque anything in sight.

Getting Serious

When will we grow up and get serious about all the Syrias (or Koreas) of the world? Not very soon, until countries stop thinking of themselves as policemen of the world, and poking their nose into other people's business (rather than getting their own house in order).

Till then, here is a PJ to keep yourself distracted.

An employer is the one who employs an employee. Right?

Therefore, a Barber is the one who sends a barb to a Barbie.

Laughter is the best medicine, in the face of onion prices, chemical weapons, and shooters in the backyard of the Navy (building). And Miss Americas from India. Columbus must be happy.

 Just a thought. Would we have Muthoot Onion Loans being incorporated in India soon?