Varun's Word

Alright! This movie is a decade old. And unfortunately I was never aware of this Brazilian jewel! Ayitha Ezhuthu by the genius Mani Ratnam looks strongly inspired from one aspect of this movie. The revolving scene around an accident in Ayitha Ezhuthu movie which was released in 2004 was the USP of the Mani Ratnam flick. But City of God released back in 2002 and it has such a revolving screenplay much more classier that gels more and is more invisible. Trust me Slumdog Millionaire is nothing compared to the expose’ in this movie.

The plot revolves around a bunch of kids who were notorious in the slum called ‘City of God’ in Brazil. These are the places that wont get covered in your places to visit nor a picture of their residents be published on Brazil post card which you can send it to your friends to claim ‘ From Brazil – with Love’! This is reality in its 50 feet depth of crap! These kids grow up to become what they always dreamed of. Girls, drugs, money and power!

Lil’Dice to Lil’Ze : What happens if you get access to a gun at the age of 10 ? You will probably be scared to even touch it. Not the case with the character named Lil’Dice in this movie. He turns a motel into a death rampage just to enjoy the sound of people dying. This was at the age of 10. Imagine what would happen when he turns 18. He changes his name from Lil’Dice to Lil’ze and hunts for power like a merciless creature.

Benny: This merciless creature in Lil’ze manages to find a good friend Benny. His friend Benny is a rational guy. He wants to dress like a playboy and is cool with young boys and girls. He wants to befriend them because its cool to hang out with a big group and also they are his customers. Who ever says they wont mix business with pleasure need to learn from this guy! Benny is my best character in this movie because there is a reformist angle on his side. He listens to his girl and wants to quit all this drugs business and killing for power. He wants to go and work in a farm like a true hippie.

Rocket: Every story needs a protagonist. Rocket is the character who uses his mind rather than trigger. There are several scenarios where he eventually wants to get dragged in the business of crime. However he is never capable of pulling the trigger. Instead he pulls the trigger in a camera. He has a passion for clicking pictures and this lands him in a job with a newspaper.

The opening scene where a chicken pisses in its pants looking at another chicken being be-headed, dressed and roasted is the scene where Brazilian movie universe is shouting out loud to the world saying they have arrived. In terms of Editing, in terms of cinematography, in terms of revolving parallel screenplay, in terms of exposing the drug mafia, in terms of displaying the gore, in terms of capturing gang wars on screen. Brazilian movie had indeed arrived since the movie was nominated for various awards mostly for direction and editing and it did walk away with quite a few awards at BAFTA , Toronto and NewYork critics circle !!

Its funny when Brazil can send such a slick and bold movie to the Academy awards in 2002, India sent DEVDAS in 2002. Nowhere in comparison !!

–Varun Mannava Gowtham.

Why sing the National Anthem? It’s a song but its not for entertaining the citizens. It’s a celebration of National pride. It’s a song that unifies our hearts and souls. Milkha Singh or the flying Sikh is a National Treasure. He is the nation’s pride. Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is a celebration of this pride. This movie is not meant for entertainment either. Watch it like you sing the National Anthem. Get inspired!

Farhan Akhtar lives and breathes Milkha! When he cries you wanna cry too. No one else’s sweat can be sweeter than his. when he runs on the tracks you wanna be a part of the crowd, smell the victory. Being Milkha Singh was no easy task. He was the Usain Bolt of 400 m as early as the 1960s! Enacting such a legend is no easy task either. It takes the same discipline and the same will power to portray him onscreen. Farhan Akhtar saw this opportunity to prove his conviction and belief as an actor. And boy does he deliver in style. In my sub-conscious mind I get reminded of Ben Kingsley whenever I think of the Mahatma. I get reminded of NTR whenever I picture Lord Krishna. Farhan Akhtar is the new face of the flying Sikh.

This movie does have quite a lot of cinematic moments. Like the singh’s quest for the India blazer. Like the kid Milkha growing up into Farhan Milkha. Like the emotional scenes with Divya Dutta. And one can agree to a little bit of singing and dancing of punjabi faujis. Watch out for the Bhangra by the coaches after Milkha wins a crucial race.

Well I don’t have anything to say about sonam kapoor here. She was a better fit in Ranjhanaa. Great work on the concluding titles with the pictures of the real Milkha!

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, the country is with you!

— Varun Mannava Gowtham

It’s the time when entire Tollywood does not want to take risks. Only debutant directors are licensed to take risks. Among those who are financing these risks are rare producers who still trust in the magic that telugu movies can create. They say high risks result in high returns in the Financial world. The same logic holds good for Tollywood. GJG is a run-away hit. So much that I had to go back home without tickets for a 11 pm show at In-orbit mall. And on the next night that I got tickets, it was the first row from the screen.

What makes this movie click ?

1. Chemistry between Nithin and Nithya Menon.

2. Clarity in the script written by Harshvardhan.

3. Pawan Kalyan fever and worshipping!

4. Peppy songs.

5. Creative and genuine Comedy.

The plot is slightly complex, which stands as a plus point for the movie and makes it stand out from run of the mill movies. Other than script being King of this movie, we have Nithya Menon whose screen presence, performance, and even the dance moves captures the audiences’ imagination. She sails the movie through smoothly from start to finish. One never gets bored of her expressions and screen presence. It is very rare that a person with a personality like Nithya can demand such attention in an industry that is dominated by Glamour dolls like Tamanna and Illeana.

Nithin does his usual performance. His dialogue delivery is unique, though not the best in industry, but it has worked wonders for him till date in Tollywood. He is usually wooden faced when it comes to expressions, but the energy he exudes on screen is definitely worth applauding.

The entire cast and crew seem to be fans of Power Star Pawan Kalyan fans. Watch out for the creative re-make of the popular Pawan Kalyan song from the movie Tholiprema. Something that the public in the front benches would rejoice about. Nobody’s complaining though!

The songs are Anup Rubens are good and quite catchy too. The item song by Jwala gutta could have been avoided. She looks so reluctant onscreen. You see, the janta here love item songs that are generous. And she can’t shake a leg well too.

If you are looking for 150 minutes of light-hearted love story and yet a cat-mouse chase scenario go watch this movie on the big screen. Thumbs up for this flick for being different from other regular formula movies.

–Varun Mannava Gowtham.