Photography : Nexus 5

Jersey City Seen Through Nexus 5.

Sunset At Exchange Place

(One of the Beautiful Places to Visit In Jersey City)

Colgate Clock, Downtown Jersey City

(One of The Landmark Of Jersey City. Can you Spot the Statue Of Liberty in the Background?)

Tennis Court, Jersey City 

Manhattan Ave, Jersey City

Pershing Field, Jersey City

Best Bollywood Films Of 2013

Amidst "Several Crore Club" members, few movies do touch us. Strike with our emotional chord. Make us think . Tingle our senses. Make us believe that Cinema is not just a source of entertainment, its an art too and a good one . And its not just about the Paisa Vasool factor in the dark theater, its also about what stays with us when the lights are turned on.

Here are few such Bollywood Films of the year 2013 that moved me as an audience .

Kai Po Che
Cinema,Cricket, Friendship & The Three Mistakes .... What more I could have asked for. The movie came in the second month of the year and I had a feeling that I have watched the best of the year. And I was right ...almost.
The story of An emotional friend, An economical friend and A political friend. The Gujarat, The early years of 2000s and The Tragedies. A very sensible movie. Dealt with care and made from the heart.

Dil Chahta Hai , Rock On!! , 3 Idiots , Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. All of these movies about friends and friendship have made lasting impact. Kai Po Che falls in the same league. But it seems to more closer to the reality.

The Lunchbox
A heart felt movie. So quiet and so pleasing as an audience . Probably best of the year along with Kai Po Che.
The story of Two Strangers, One Lunch Box, Several exchanged Letters and A beautiful Relationship. How simple a movie can be to engage your senses !!
A lonely retiring Man. A neglected Wife. A flawed Rookie. And lots of unspoken feelings. The love story of the year. Simple, Caring, Mature and despite its open ending you feel the urge to see the lovebirds together.
Irfaan Khan is steals the show and so does the Nimrat Kaur as a housewife who is willing to spice up her loveless married life.
This Lunchbox is surely something to be craved for !!

Shahid
A hard hitting and fearless movie about a subject that has been rarely given the right treatment. It is not an easy subject to talk about. And it again took Anurag Kashyap, the maker of "Black Friday" to produce this one. The real story of a Lawyer who fought for the injustice done to innocent Muslim youths in the name of terror.
The film showcases so much sincerity that you are instantly with the characters either it is court room arguments or the indoor small conversations. There is no melodrama involved when Shahid is taken by police or when his brother visits him in jail or when his face is blackened. RajKumar Yadav gives another solid performance after Kai Po Che. 

Lootera
Not until the climax did I know that it has been inspired by "The Last Leaf", the short story I loved when I was in 9th grade. A beautiful film from the director of Udaan. Something to treasure in your DVD Collection and do a repeat watch over a summer afternoon. The Cinematography. The setup , The Music and The sincere performances .... by everyone. Everything about this film is so poetic and so simple.
So far best performances by Ranveer and Sonakshi.

Jolly LLB
A satirical take on our Judicial system. The film breaks away from the stereotypes portrayal of court rooms, lawyers, judges and everything you have been watching in Bollywood films over these years. The film shatters all your childhood fantasies about court rooms hearings.
Along with Arshad Warsi, Saurabh Sukla, as the an under achieved judge give a very sincere performance. He has also got some of the best lines "Judge ki izzat nahi , Kanoon ki to kar lo " & "Court me Jhooth bolta hai . Murga ban jaa ".
A very well made movie which gives a message without preaching and at the same time entertains you.




Other notable movies which had potential to leave a lasting impact.
Go Goa Gone, Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, Fukrey, Special 26, Raanjhanaa, Bhaag Mikha Bhaag, Madras Cafe.

Best Bollywood Films Of 2012

While choosing a film for "best films", the dilemma that one often comes across is that whether or not to consider its "Entertainment Quotient" or its "Box Office Performance". But for me, a good film will always entertain you, in some way or other. Make you laugh. Make you cry. It will Thrill you. It will Provoke Thoughts. It will make you retain some part of it, even after you walked out of the dark theater.

And this year too we had such movies. The films that made sure that 2012 wont be just about the ever increasing Club of 100 Crores. Each of these films made an impact on Indian Cinema . Made us realize that Film Making is an Art of Story Telling on Big Screen along with providing Entertainment and not just a Gold Rush. Some of  these films weren't made to appease the box-office, but cater to a different audience and are ought to be encouraged.

Here are the Best Movies of 2012, in Chronological Order.

Agneepath
A good attempt from a debut director who never competes with Original Cult Movie.It has all the cliches of revenge dramas of 80s & 90s. An Anti Hero, An Ideal Mother, An Exploited Sister, A Psychic Over the top Villain, An Item Number in Villain's Den. Lots of Gore and Violence. The kind of Cinema we have grown up with. The film has got rid off many scenes and characters from the original but The Iconic dialogue,Vijay Dinanath Chauhan...Poora Naam, stays. It is well delivered in an original style. And It works.

Paan Singh Tomar
One of the Best Performance of Irfaan Khan. And one the meticulously filmed movie of the year. Right from the dialect to the location everything seemed so realistic. Anti System stories have always been loved by Indian Audience. And being a Real story it does strike a chord with the audience (those who watched it).
Tigmanshu Dhulia delivers another hard hitting film after his directorial debut "Haasil".

Kahaani
One of the very taut thriller in long time from Bollywood. Realistic, Original and never goes over the top. The investigation unfolds in the way our good old Byomkesh Bakshi would have done it. And suspense is successfully maintained till the end. Need more of these.

Vicky Donor
Like one of the movie in this list, it dealt with topic so closely guarded in our society. No one talks about it  openly and even hesitate to discuss it with friends but the film presents it in such a lighthearted way that you are bound to be impressed by its story telling. Fresh Topic. Fresh Movie. Fresh Actor with Fresh Music. And Paani Da Rang surely must go as most beautiful song of the year.

Gangs of Wasseypur
Shahid Khan, Sardar Khan and Ramadhir Singh. And "Hamri Zindagi Ka ek hi Maqsad hai .... Badla". Had lot of expectation with Anurag Kashyap's epic. And it turned out to be a very riveting cinematic experience. Depth of each character mesmerizes you . Second part of the epic may not have the same intensity but this piece of art will surely be remembered .

Supermen Of Malegaon !!
The documentary is about a local videographer, Sheikh Nasir, from Malegaon, a small town in Maharashtra. Its about his life and his devotion for movies. This documentary follows his hardship to make 'Malegaon Ka Superman', a parody of "Superman". And your heart goes out for him when you see his optimistic attitude despite the hiccups and genuine film making issues. Sheikh Nasir always gives you Positive Vibes, simply because he is in love with Cinema. One of the best documentaries in recent times.

Gattu

Just like last year's Stanley Ka Dabba, this one very heart warming movie. A simple story of a boy , his life and his love of Kite Flying. And how prepares for the challenge of another Kite "Kali" and finally wins the battle against it. The films beautifully present the world of children where there is thin line between truth and lie, reality and fantasy. It was named Best film at New York Indian Film Festival 2012. Not to be missed.

Barfi !

The movie is a treat to your senses with very believable acting performances. Your heart goes for Priyanka’s Jhilmill and at the same time you feel sorry for Ileana, a beautiful girl who can’t get over her first love. But Ranbir is the soul of the Movie and his funny acts just ensure that you have lots of genuine laugh, just like good old days of Charlie Chaplin. The simplicity of the movie could be best described with the "Love Letter" that Barfi Friend's writes for him and it starts with "Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana......"

Oh My God
One of the underrated movie of the year. Underrated , because it was assumed that it would be another Akshay Kumar-Paresh Rawal routine comedy. But strangely it turned out to be some serious thought provocative one. And at the same time it din't loose it's comic moments. The biggest triumph of the movie was the way it talks about such a serious topic with such an ease. Paresh Rawal got all the right dialogues to put a very fine performance and a solid case.

English Vinglish
Another directional debut. Another fresh approach and another new idea. And a proven old horse, Sridevi, to take that idea forward, all the way. Such was her performance that you can feel the pain she goes through, every time, because of her lack of  English. And you are truly with her when she asks "Why India,why not The India.Why America,"The United States of America"?

Talaash

You might have seen some similar movies in Hollywood. May be better ones. But this is our own. That's what makes it special. Filmmakers like Reema Kagti should be encouaraged for taking the Road Less Traveled in Bollywood. The film grows slowly on you as it takes you to after dark lanes of Mumbai. Investigation unfolds in good old fashioned way. Similar to what we have seen earlier this year in Kahaani. But its the complexity of characters that makes a difference here.

Dabangg 2

And as the year ended, amidst Christmas Holidays, Chulbul Pandey arrived again. This time as Kung-Fu Pandey. Dabangg 2 may not take Indian Cinema forward, but will provide with you Paisa Vasool Entertainment with Naughty and Funny acts of Chulbul Pandey & Associates . And despite the criticism for lack of artistic values or lack of anything new, sometime you need this kind of escapism cinema.

Dabangg 2

After couple of hectic weeks in Office , Thanedaar Pandeyji and especially his Hawaldaar Chaubeyjii, bring smiles. Just the way “Bhaiyaji Esmile” did 2 years ago.

Going by the number of whistles in the full house auditorium and actions on the screen, Salman Khan seems to be the new Rajnikant.

Dabangg 2 may not take Indian Cinema forward, but will provide with you Paisa Vasool Entertainment with Naughty and Funny acts of Chulbul Pandey & Associates . And despite the criticism for lack of artistic values or lack of anything new , sometime you need this kind of escapism cinema.

Have Fun. Happy holidays !!

Talaash

A well made suspense thriller.

The Film begins with a Car Crash . A dead Body follows and thereafter its all about what happened. Talaash Begins !!

The film grows slowly on you as it takes you to after dark lanes of Mumbai. Investigation unfolds in good old fashioned way. Similar to what we have seen earlier this year in Kahaani. You may even solve the case by the time the film enters the last 30 mins . But its the complexity of characters that makes a difference here.

Movie has some very good performances. As excepted Aamir impresses with his portrayal of guilt ridden Cop who cant sleep. A controlled act of a father in pain. But its Kareena Kapoor who impresses more as prostitute who gets friendly with an investigating cop. After starring in series of senseless 100 crore movies this is her best act since 3 Idiots. And on a high after his trip to Wasseypur , Nawazuddin Siddique delivers another solid performance.

But its not the actors who make Talaash the movie it is. Its the people behind the camera , who opted to make something different.

You might have seen some similar movies in Hollywood. May be better ones. But this is our own. That's what makes it special. Go for it if you want to encourage thinking filmmakers like Reema Kagti, who took the Road Less Traveled in Bollywood. Else don't complain about senseless action-comedies that we are offered every Friday.

A Good Watch.

Jab Tak Hai Jaan

Even if you are in New York City. Even if you are in the Biggest Multiplex at Times Square, you may want to watch a film sitting on the Stairs of full house auditorium rather than to wait for the next show. That's what Shahrukh Khan can make you do. Sheer Charisma !!!

And as Superman's uncle might have said, "Great Charisma brings Greater Expectation".

When People like Yash Chopra , Shahrukh Khan , A R Rahman & Gulzar get together you don't expect anything less than Brilliant. And that's where the film disappoints you .

Despite Beautiful People , Beautiful Locales , Decent music and Decent performances, film fails to touch your emotional chord. Everything on the Screen remains on the screen , it never reaches you.

There are hardly any moment in the movie when you are touched. You keep on waiting for the moment when you want to empathize with the pain of the lead actors but you couldn't. The moment never comes. Not for the people who have seen KKHH, Veer Zara or even Tum Bin.

When credits roll with SRK on Royal Enfield reciting Yash Chopda's poetry, against the scenic backdrop of Ladakh, you start expecting something special in offering. Later in the first half the dance sequence before Isqh Shawa excites too. But these are rare moments in the movie.
The Bomb Disposal scenes lack the thrill that they should have. And if you are fan of The Hurt Locker (the little Oscar winning movie), those scenes may bring unintentional comical relief to you. And when SRK returns to London , you expect a climax but the film drags using good old formula from 80s.

Being great admirer of Deewar and Trishul and being part of a generation who has learnt romance watching Yash Chopra & SRK movies , this was not a fitting Swansong .

Barfi !

It’s a must watch. 

A film with lots of sensibility that brings smile on your face.  Amidst films of these days like “Rowdy Rathore” and “Ek Tha Tiger” that aim for 100 Club, Burfi comes as fresh air.

The movie is a treat to your senses with very believable acting performances. Your heart goes for Priyanka’s Jhilmill and at the same time you feel sorry for Ileana, a beautiful girl who can’t get over her first love.

And funny acts of Ranbir just ensure that you have lots of genuine laugh, just like good old days of Charlie Chaplin. 

After “Wake Up Sid” and “Rockstar”, Ranbir again delivers a performance that ensures that sooner or later he is going to be the next Superstar.

A beautifully made film with lots of Heart!! 

Not to be missed.