Movie Classics in Marathi

Marathi films have had great pioneers like Dadasaheb Phalke and V. Shantaram. Recently, there was a festival of films, of which we saw two. Saamna starring Nilu Phule and Dr. Shreeram Lagoo was a classic about a duel between a powerful local businessman and a principled man who hunts him down for his misdeed. The story is by Vijay Tendulkar. Directed well by Jabbar Patel.

The second was a comedy based on two couples (actually four men, two disguised as women) who are tenants in an old woman's house. Their shenanigans to keep up the pretense, and love stories developing which add to the confusion, is the plot. Hrishikesh Mukherjee had used this plot in his movie called Biwi aur Makaan, in a film earlier. It is hilarious, with good acting and direction by Sachin. Ashok Saraf (who starred in the Hum Paanch serial on TV) and Laxmikant Berde steal the show. Supriya Pilgaonkar and Ashwini Bhave play the love interests. Name of the film is Ashi hi Banva Banvi.

Katyaar Kaaljaat Ghusli-Film Review

This is a Marathi film based on a renowned play by the same name, which translates roughly into -"The dagger pierces the heart."

It is probably the best film I have seen this year. Subtitled too, so non-Marathi speakers can enjoy it. The story, acting, music, production, and photography leave you spellbound. The main roles of the court musicians are played by Shankar Mahadevan and Sachin, who we remember from a few Hindi films. Both are awesome, and these may well be roles of a lifetime for them. Amruta Khanvilkar as Zareena and Mrunmayee Deshpande as Uma, the daughters of the protagonists, excel in their respective roles. The director, Subodh Bhave also plays an important role.

The music and singing is also a hero in the film, and keeps you captivated. Shankar-Ehsaan Loy and Jitendra Abhisheki have scored the numerous songs. The story has some similarities to the rivalry between Salieri and Mozart in Amadeus, but lots of new dimensions.

To anyone who loves music, this film is a treat. Brilliant piece of film-making. Go watch it.

Cricketers in a Word or Two

Sunil Gavaskar- Stolid
Wadekar- World-beater
GR Vishvanath-Silken touch
Sachin- OMG!
Sehwag-Nonchalant
Saurav-Heart-on-his-sleeve
VVS Laxman-Smooth
Azhar- Glanciator
Solkar- Acrobat
Prasanna- Off-the-cuff magic
Chandrasekhar- Armed to the leg
Kumble-Smiling assassin 
Kapil- Leader by example
Dravid- Gentleman cricketer
Zaheer- Swinger
Srinath- Idli power
Sandhu-A googly for Greenidge (started the downfall of Windiestowards the World Cup)

On the God of Cricket

This is about the hype about Sachin retiring. I am an admirer of his cricket, and enjoyed watching him bat in many a game. Being a fellow 'kar', I was proud that he was doing ('karo'ing) something not many others were.

But so many others have done wonders for Indian cricket. Starting with the stolid Sunil Gavaskar, the silken-touched Gundappa Vishwanath, the greatest catcher (according to me- you will be shocked if you see some of his catches in close positions) Eknath Solkar, the solid Abid Ali, the patient Mohinder Amarnath, the flashy Srikkanth, the great hitter Sandeep Patil, the wonderful leader Kapil Dev, the caresser of balls Laxman, the deadly 'in-swinger' Javagal Srinath, the shrewd captain Ajit Wadekar with his 'best in the world spin quartet of Bedi, Prasanna, Chandrasekhar and Venkataraghavan, who won us two series in England and West Indies.

And some others like Dilip Sardesai, Syed Kirmani, Azharuddin, and the great wall of India, Rahul dravid who saved us from the blushes in many a foreign series. Zaheer and Harbhajan, who together bowled their hearts out. Kumble, who overcame the tag of 'non-spinner' to take so many wickets. Dhoni, who has led from the front.

I think the hype is a bit much, considering that he is one of many in a team game who did (a bit more than, maybe) his bit to make India proud.

Sachinesque Landmark

That Sachin completed yet another landmark without winning a series is an Ok landmark, like the height of mixed feelings joke- watching your MIL drive over a cliff in your new Mercedes.

But I managed a landmark that I am reasonably proud of, without going on a cricket field. That of crossing 10,000 views for this blog. I am not sure of the figure's relevance, but for me, it sounds like a lot, and means a lot.

The reason, of course, that I had no clue there would be readers at all when I started blogging around two or three years ago. What it means is of course, is that there are regular readers of what I write. It is gratifying, and encouraging. It might mean, of course, that I keep writing a lot more, Beware!