Lonavala Wax Museum

 Completely done by a gentleman called Sunil, this wax museum is remarkable, and worth a look if you are in Lonavala. Quite a decent collection of international and national figures of repute. Some of my favourites were there. Pics might speak louder than words, so here goes... 

Li and Lee, and me!

Director and cast of Sairaat, Marathi film.

Mohammad Rafi, and Michael Jackson.

Jolie-good fellow.

Muqqala, muqabala, laila! Prabhu Deva and AR Rahman.

Style Quotient and Stars

 There was a heroine, Sadhana, who made a Sadhana cut (a hairstyle) fashionable during her heyday. But there icons of style who had a lot of following. Two of my favourites are/were Rajnikant and Dev Anand. To a lesser extent, Shatrughan Sinha in his early films too.

It is difficult to define, but easy to see style. There is no one thing that defines it. For example, Madhubala's crooked smile could be defined as stylish. Raaj Kumar and Shatrughan had dialogue delivery in style as their forte. But back to Rajni and Dev Anand. When Rajnikant is on the screen, it's hard to focus on anything else. The heroine, other actors, seem almost superfluous. He has a magnetic on-screen presence, and everything -his mannerisms- become imbued with that word- style. Many heroes do exactly what he does on screen, but without that magic ingredient.

I think it's the same with Dev Anand. Even the most mundane scene, he could enliven by the way he said his dialogues, or a smile, or a way of walking- crouched, many times. Regardless of what it was, he managed to be the focus of attention as far as his audience was concerned, at least until the eighties. 

Just doffing my hat to two of my favourites, for giving us many hours of pleasure.

Darbar- A Review of the Rajnikant Film

Rajni does it again. This man is amazing on screen, no matter what the story of the film is- It could be sci-fi, as in Robot, or a simple cop and robber story, he dominates everything in sight with sheer presence!

And so it is with his latest, Darbar. The story is almost incidental to showcasing the man. It's not a bad story, but the editing and fast-paced movement keeps you engaged for most part. The daughter and his sidekick are the only others who have a substantial role, not even his love interest. The songs and lyrics are a weak point, but luckily don't take away too much from the main plot. Dialogues are good.

Sunil Shetty does not have a lot to do, and does it competently. Watch it if you are a Rajni fan. If not, it's up to you.As a student of film acting, just to learn what an actor can achieve, it's a lesson. He makes it look so easy..it's not, at his age, I am quite sure.

Advice, 2018 Edition

I am back, with advice. No, you don't have to follow it..just read and forget. Because this is not mine, or original. Just a random collection..from sources that are too widespread to remember..

Live your life..(eh? What's THAT?)

Follow your passion- Sanju did, and see what happened?

Get in line for ration, or reservation- that seems workable!

Travel..Ok, you don't need this.

Marry at the right age  (I mean late-the later you marry, the less time you have to regret it)

Watch Rajnikant and Prabhas films..those  Superheroes are nothing compared to these guys..Kabali, da..

Read books..well, not all of them. Avoid best-sellers sold at airports, for example.

Ok, last one. Read my blog. The End.

Kaala- Review of Rajni's Latest Film

It's hard for me to be objective when reviewing a Rajni film- I am a die-hard fan..when he is on screen, everything and everyone else almost ceases to exist. Or becomes insignificant. Nana Patekar gives him a fight, but is no match for his screen presence.

The first half of the film is actually a bit leisurely, but establishes all the characters in his household and some villains. Nana comes in fairly late, but the fight really gets dirty with his entry. The second half could have been cut by 15 minutes to make it more impactful, as some scenes like the attacks on the slum, are repetitive.

But on the whole, it's a stylish Rajni film, and tackles a social issue well, though a bit dramatically-I realise that may be an understatement. Huma Qureshi does well in a significant role, and so do a few others.

Portraits of Batchmates- 5

Some more (antiquated) characters from my past. (MBA days). A different set above.

Gothix

This delightfully antiquated character loved paintings, good music, philosophy, poetry and Naffy (this was a dog who hung around, and was named after the Need for Affiliation- he was high on that). Probably the best candidate for the "split personality" prize. One week he'd go around spouting electronics and mature philosophy, the next he'd be wearing Purple shirts and Red trousers and giggle ceaselessly about Asterix. Generously flooded F-block with stereo music.

"The man who hath no music in his heart", he used to say, "is fit for treason, stratagems and spoils" (Merchant of Venice, Act 5 Scene 3). Touche!

Rajnikant/DUK

‘Dosai’ was an acknowledged expert in MIS and Production. Never raised his voice above a whisper, never raised his eyes to see a girl. No point in both, he still maintains. Looking around for a match right now. Applicants required to put in a three-dimensional appearance. Two-dimensional substitutes (like mug-shots) will not be accepted.

Double Review- Madaari and Kabali

The two films couldn't be more different. But both are very watchable.

Madaari is actually a plot that could have gone awry, without careful handling. That it doesn't owes itself to Nishikant Kamat (the director), and the two major actors-Irrfan and the kid he kidnaps (unintended!). The unravelling of the reason for the kidnap (cinematically speaking) takes a little too long in my view, but the climax is worth it. A sort of "A Wednesday" feeling, another film that had superb performances from Naseeruddin Shah and Anupam Kher. Here, the Jimmy Shergill (cop) part is done competently, if not excellently. If you are an Irrfan Khan fan, it is a must-watch.

Kabali. What can one say? The Rajni legend lives, and how! Even the most ordinary scene is lit up by his presence- you remain riveted in a series of action sequences, from Malaysia to Pondicherry. His style in some scenes is still awesome, and he is playing his age most of the time. Explaining the phenomenon that he is will continue forever, but he defines charisma, or screen presence, before which nothing seems to matter-the story (gangster war in this case), the dialogue, the direction, even the heroine. Though I must say Radhika Apte (and the supporting cast) does a pretty good job in this. Go watch it just for the fun of it. Because you kant (intended) miss a Ranjikant film.