Bombay Talkies

This movie is supposed to be a celebration of 100 years of cinema. It is a collection of 4 short films by- Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap.


Why these 4? I don't know. Zoya is only 2 films old... Dibakar is only 3-4 films old... Do they represent Bollywood? Karan and Anurag do... the former makes formula movies... the latter makes cutting edge movies.

I was not convinced by the concept but the rave reviews pulled me into the theatre.

Karan Johar: 

The short film is about a married couple and the wife's gay friend... turns out the married man (Randeep Hooda) has bisexual tendencies. Rani Mukherjee plays the wife and the gay friend is played by Saqib Saleem (Mere dad ki maruti hai... he is also Huma Qureshi's brother). I didn't understand the relevance of the movie to the theme. Or was there no theme? It just seemed random. Even if I look at it without keeping in mind the theme, it is not a very well made film. Karan is good with drama and Bollywood emotions but subtlety is not his strong point. Either he should stick to former or try and develop the latter.

The weird thing is... all critics have given this story the best reviews. 

Dibakar Banerjee:

The short story stars Nawazuddin Siddique. It is a pleasure to see him on screen. He plays his characters so well and looks so different... Is he is the same guy in Kahani.... GOW... and now Bombay Talkies? I also liked the fact that his wife is a normal looking female. NS is a failed actor who gets the opportunity to be an extra in a scene with Ranbir Kapoor. Very well made short film.

Zoya Akhtar:

There have been charges of plagiarism on this short story. I don't know how correct it is. The story is about a small boy who wants to dance. Of course, his father plays spoil sport. He manages to win hearts by dancing to 'Sheila ki jawani'. A very sweet story. 

Anurag Kashyap:

This is my favourite even though critics have given it the lowest rating. A fitting tribute to Bollywood and the hysteria it generates. A man (Nama Jain- Siddique's elder brother in GOW) is asked by his father to travel to Mumbai and get Big B to taste his murabba. He leaves on his mission enthusiastically... but comes across many road blocks. Does he manage to meet Big B? Yes... but there is a twist. 

I like that Anurag repeats his actors (Naman, Huma, Richa Chadda)... else it will be so difficult for some of them to find good roles. 

Is this movie a fitting tribute to 100 years of Bollywood?

Definitely not

Will it be considered a landmark film?

No ways

Will anyone watch it again?

Nope

Will anyone remember it?

Not at all

Watch it if you have nothing better to do. 

Zoya Akhtar's 'Luck by chance' was more realistic, entertaining and relevant on this theme.

My rating: