Talvar

I have read articles and articles about the Aarushi Talwar case and Avirook Sen's book on the subject and am convinced that the parents did not get a fair trial. I am also inclined to believe they are innocent for the simple reason that- if I was to commit a murder, I wouldn't hide the bodies in my own house. Especially the servant's because then the blame could be pinned on him. And I definitely wouldn't leave a bottle with blood prints on the table in full view. 

I was reading the reviews for this movie and everyone has mentioned that the movie tries to put forward two cases- one in which Talvars are guilty and another in which they are not. They also comment on how the movie is kind of biased and sympathetic to the Talwars. 

Anyone who has gone through the details of what happened will naturally be sympathetic to the Talwars. A parent killing his/her child is a rarest of the rare case and hence it becomes the judiciary's responsibility to ensure that the evidence is water tight to prove them guilty. 

Anyway, coming to the movie- it starts with Shruti's (Aarushi) death and covers everything that happens till the case is argued in the court. I don't think a 3 hour movie can cover every event and there is enough meat and drama in the investigation itself. Konkona Sen Sharma plays Nutan Tandon (based on Nupur Talwar) and Neeraj Kabi plays Ramesh Tandon (based on Rajesh Talwar). The reason the media started doling out conspiracy theories was that they didn't like it when Nupur Talwar gave an exclusive interview to NDTV. They pointed to the fact that she didn't cry on camera and hence, was the murderer. That part is missing in the movie. It feels like Konkona didn't know how to play the character. Should she be stoic but not too stoic but soft and yet not too soft? Neeraj Kabi does remind one of Rajesh Talwar or atleast what I have read of him. Irrfan Khan plays the first CBI officer who had put forward the theory through narco tests that the servants and compounder killed Shruti (Aarushi) and Khempal (Hemraj) but wasn't given enough time to find proof. He was then removed from the case and replaced by another guy who started investigating the Talwars/Talvars instead. Tabu plays Irrfan's wife but that track is unnecessary. Tabu is looking quite ugly because she has applied loads of make up to hide her wrinkles. 

I found it painful to watch the movie and was hoping they had changed the ending or something. But that was not to be. Even with all its flaws the movie makes an impact. I think it could have been much, much better. Even a not-so-great Hollywood documentary would have been able to cover this case better but by Bollywood standards, it is a must watch. 

A good job done by Meghna Gulzar and Vishal Bharadwaj. Now if only the courts would take note. 

Drishyam

I had the misfortune of watching this flick yesterday. I had read "ok ok" reviews online and didn't want to waste my money but KC was keen on watching it. So I downloaded it. 

The Bollywood movie is based on a Malayalam movie and is supposedly brilliant. No such luck in the Bollywood version. 

The flick has been directed by Nishikant Kamath and stars Ajay Devgan, Tabu and Shriya Saran in lead roles. They are supported by Rajat Kapoor, Ishita Dutta and Mrunal Jadhav. 

The Namesake

I have had to pull myself away from the book to write this review and it is killing me. 30 precious minutes when I could have curled up on my bed under a blanket with the kindle reading. Sigh. Right now... everything I have to do - work, gym, run, badminton etc, are things which take me away from the book. It makes me long for days when I was younger, when I had vacations or even when I was studying since there was enough time to while away. Now each minute of the day spent reading is a luxury. 

I watched the movie yesterday and it made me feel sad, touched, melancholy and yet contented. Because that is what life is. We know how it begins and how it ends. 

Meenaxi : Tale of 3 Cities

While watching this flick day before yesterday I realized I have watched it earlier. Yes, that happens. I watched it for the 2nd time anyway. 

The movie released in 2005 and is directed by M.F Hussain. It stars Tabu, Raghuvir Yadav and Kunal Kapoor. 

Haider

To write this review I watched 'Hamlet'... a 4 hour long movie (review coming up). Because that is the only play of Shakespeare I have not read. Why?
- It is a dark... dull... and very serious play... there is no comic or romantic relief
- It wasn't part of the course... but then I did read plays that were not part of my course

If Haider was not based on 'Hamlet' my views about the movie would be completely different. Some of the reviews say it is the best Vishal Bhardwaj till date. I have watched all the movies he has directed (except Makdee which am going to watch today/tomorrow) and liked all of them. But Haider is NOT his best film.