BOMBAY TALKIES- Review

4 Ace directors. 4 short stories. One common cause- TRIBUTE TO THE 100 YEARS of INDIAN CINEMA! Indian Cinema has really come a long way. From the first motion picture Raja Harishchandra to Black, from the first talkies ALAM ARA to Barfi, from Muhgal-e-Ajam to Jodhaa Akbar, the 100 years of cinema has yielded some of the finest thought provoking and entertaining films.

The most progressive trend that Indian cinema experienced was in the early 50's which continued till late 60's with film makers like GURU DUTT, BIMAL ROY, VIJAY ANAND bringing out some of the most progressive films that Indian cinema has witnessed. From the 70's to late 90's continued a trend of regressive films but the new millenium promises to take Indian cinema forward. 

*KARAN JOHAR*

The movie starts off with a short story directed by Karan Johar. This story has a mind numbing shock appeal and it catches the attention because it is here that we see Mr. Johar working his way, out of his comfort zone!! Karan's story handles the topics of Homosexuality and Bisexuality. 

KJo has been accused of being far too regressive in his selection and portrayal of subjects in his movies. With KANK and MNIK, KJo did try to get out of the mould which he had been typecasted in but he could not pull it off convincingly. 

But with this story, he has delivered a shocking-ly good presentation. In order to show shades of progressiveness in his cinema, he does, at times, rely completely on creating uncomfortable situations and awkward silences. And it works!

It is almost impossible to see a son bash up his dad in a Karan Johar movie!! Or for that matter how many times would you imagine a KJo directed movie filmed on railway over-bridges and slums rather than plush European locations or to see Randeep Hooda and Saqib Saleem get on each other passionately!

Johar does put across his point convincingly but you will have to give it up for Rani Mukerjee! She is able to convey so much through her eyes that it becomes unbelievable after a point of time. 

Randeep and Saqib perform sincerely in their roles. 

There is also a sense of nostalgia in this story. I wish i could have a music room like the one Randeep has in the movie. Filled with collection of the classic songs of the years gone by. And yes, by this short film, KJo also pays tribute to one of the finest yet the most underrated musician that Indian cinema has ever witnessed- Madan Mohan! 

*DIBAKAR BANERJEE*

Dibakar Bannerjee adopts a short story written by one of the greatest legends of cinema, Satyajit Ray. His is probably the best story among the 3 others and with a director of the class of Dibakar, one can rest assured of absolute cinematic brilliance!

The story catches the happenings of a day in the life of a theater artist caught up in a struggle to keep his body and soul together. There is s much attention being paid to detail that it leaves an immediate amazed response every time the audience takes notice of it!

There is very strong emotional undercurrent that flows throughout the story but is made to erupt in the final moments of the story!

There is Nawazuddin Siddique who plays the lead here and boy, he will make you rise from your seats and applaud. 

Applaud the genius that you witness on screen, for the sheer energy that Nawaz extracts out of the character and for the last 3 minutes of the short film where there is no dialogue or background music and Nawaz, with his superlative acting abilities narrates whatever transpired throughout the day to his daughter!

*ZOYA AKHTAR*

Zoya Akhtar's story has a protagonist who wishes to dance like the way Sheila (Katrina Kaif) does when He grows up against the wish of his father who wants his child to pick up more masculine habits! The story is very sensitive and it is handled effectively, but only in parts. 

Some portions look totally unbelievable whereas some portions are filled with simple and sweet moments. Altough Zoya tries to establish the sentiments of joy and freedom by making the child dance out to the tunes of the Sheila Ki Jawani but it turns out really disturbing to watch!

On a simple note, the film makes a point about parents forcing their dreams on children. Importantly, her story is a strong psychological snapshot on the impact that filmy passion has on the minds of an individual. 

It also tries to delve into the topic of sexual confusion that the child faces and this is where a seemingly enchanting tale experiences short falls.

*ANURAG KASHYAP*

This story is a simple ode to the super-stardom that is experienced by the film stars and the effects on a simpleton who visits Mumbai just to fulfill his fathers last wish! Anurag Kashyap is in full form as the scenes that he establishes are filled with wit and yet again, no one beats this man when it comes to shooting on real locations. There is so much to feel for the lead actor as he starts off his journey to meet BIG B and his experiences with the city called MUMBAI!

There are scenes which are simply brilliant- 

1) The protagonist finding a place to sleep in the city.

2) The train journey wherein you can feel that yes, only people from UP can talk like that. 

3) The scene where the "martbaan" carrying the "murabba" eaten by BIG B breaks. It almost brings out tears!

The story has a very innocent appeal yet it fails on many counts. One simply fails to understand the motivating factor behind the protagonist struggling so hard to let BIG B have a bite of the Murabba. 

But you tend to forget this flaw for the simple reason that it is a tribute to the small-town fan whose aspirations are driven by the larger-than-life Bollywood hero, typified here by the magic of Big B. This is Anurag at his best, defining what superstar madness is all about.

There is a brilliant song which plays out in this story. Though with many positives, this story falls way short of expectations, stretches for long periods and as a result the impact that was intended, never quite gets established.

BOMBAY TALKIES opens up in a brilliantly designed opening credits sequence. It carries the aura throughout and keeps the audience hooked on to the silver screen till the intermission. Karan Johar and Dibakar Banerjee are at their best as they bring out the void in the lives of people and their tryst with melancholy!

It is post interval that the movie beings to fall apart. Zoya and Anurag's story had substance but it does not come out properly on screen. Kashyap's story is in fact a big letdown as there is nothing interesting the main frame of the story and as a result the efforts have been made to make the scenes more impactful. 

The dialogues penned by Niranjan Iyengar (KJo), Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap are good but Javed Akthar's dialogues (Zoya Akhtar's story) fail to provide the desired impact.

BOMBAY TALKIES comes loaded with varied subjects to celebrate the simplicity of Indian Cinema.

Do watch to witness a progressive trend in film making and to experience the celebration of cinema.

Rather than being an extravaganza to pay tribute to the stars of the Indian Cinema, Bombay Talkies pays tribute to spirit of cinema. The spirit which echos, "The show must go on."

*3 STARS*