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Reviews
Panchayat (2020)
Best Webseries since Malgudi Days
This webseries came to my notice only 10 days ago. I am now on S3 Ep2. I have watched all of them with my family and did not find a single flaw in any of the 17 episodes. The village set up is brilliant, the screenplay, and storyline are excellent. The artists, all of them, Jitendra, Raghuvir Yadav, Neena Gupta, Chandan Kumar or Faisan Malik - all of them have demonstrated method by immersing in their characters. For the last 10 days, looks like I have been living in Phullera myself. It reminds me of great R K Narayan, Shankar Nag epic Malgudi Days. The chemistry of characters in Panchayat seems to be conjugate of the chemistry of Swami, Mani and Rajam in Malgudi.
Only regret I have is that Panchayat was released in 2020 and I got to know about this brilliant artistic excellence in 2024.
Amar Singh Chamkila (2024)
Magnificent piece of work
I grew up in 80s and 90s, when we were told by elders that Chamkila's songs are popular but they are not for kids. Imtiaz Ali's in depth research has brought on screen the reality of those times in Punjab and the challenges the great artist Chamkila had to undergo. Diljit Dosanjh has won the hearts in his portrayal of Chamkila, no room for any improvement. Music is awesome, editing has successfully kept the audience engaged. I have been listening to Chamkila on spotify after watching this film. Chamkila's songs are testament of the great justice Imtiyaz Ali and his team have done. Overall, this is the best movie from Bollywood in the last 4-5 years, will go a long way in recognition of Dosanjh's talent. Great film, must watch. I give it 10 out of 10.
Dhoop Kinare (1987)
A Marvelous drama
I am surprised that nobody has written a review for this gem. Dhoop Kinare is an evergreen drama, built around the stories of doctors in a hospital. Rahat Kazmi as Dr Ansari is the lead character and delivers a marvelous performance. The chemistry between Ahmer and Zoya is heartwarming. Ahmer is some 15 years older, Zoya doesn't care about that. Twist comes because of an old piece of land which creates a rift, to be sorted later. Main story is extremely well supported by the supporting characters. Camera works of 1980s are pathetic, so is editing. But the technical flaws are ignorable for a brilliant story and artistic excellence. A must watch, only 13 episodes.
Waqt (1965)
An Epic - a must watch
This is one film, that not only everyone should see, but should refresh at least once a year. Man proposes and God disposes - the underlying theme, story of a self made merchant. The merchant has plans for his sons, to be devastated by an earthquake. Three brothers, crime, court, poverty. All said, Sunil Dutt, Rajkumar deliver excellent performances. Balraj Sahni, only 30 minutes role in 3 hours, steals the show. Some extremely serious, meaningful dialogues - give message of life. The orphanage scenes, court room drama, solo Mohammed Rafi song, and the climax - make out a never ending treat for the quality film watchers. Highly recommended for all generations.
Malgudi Days: Vendor of Sweets: Part 5 (1988)
A perfect marvel
A rating of 10 is not enough for this extraordinary piece of work. R K Narayan is a genius. Shankar Nag, however, put lives in the characters of Narayan. Anant Nag is possibly the finest actors of India. This story is about confrontation of two generations, beautifully lead by Anant Nag. Overall, this represents best of works, both literature and acting. Love this.
Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai (1969)
Great film with greatest music
Family drama, conflicts between families of two loving brothers, looks quite ordinary today, but for 1969 it was a hit formula. More than the human characters story revolves around faith the family has in Almighty. Actors performances are good. Music steals the show. S Mohinder has given his life time performance which earned him national award. He has woven Gurbani shabads extremely well in different Ragas. Leaving no stone unturned he made Mohammed Rafi sahab, Manna Day, Mahendra Kapoor, Asha Bhosle deliver soulful evergreen songs. Mitter Pyare Nu, a divine poem by Dashmesh Pita Guru Gobind Singh Sahab Ji, is sung in Raag Yamen by Great Mohammed Rafi. Then there are two shabads by great Bhai Samud Singh Ragi. I heard that people used to leave their footwear outside the cinema as a mark of respect to the Gurbani songs in the film. It is a must watch.
Sarpanch (1982)
The best Punjabi film
Barring 4 Sahibzade, this is best Punjabi film ever made. Story, action, actors, subject, message and on top of all the songs all amazing. Virendra does a fabulous job as lead. Broadly based on alcoholism as social evil, the film is based in interior Punjab. Mehar Mittal as usual adds comic flavor. A must watch.
Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968)
Great Classic Entertainer
We always place actors like Rajendra Kumar second to the stars like Dileep Kumar, Shammi Kapoor etc. But, Rajendra Kumar has given some of best films which will continue to be with us forever. Aarzoo, Aayi Milan ki Bela, Suraj, Zindagi, Dil ek Mandir and the list goes on. Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan is one such gem. An extremely strong plot, fabulous background score, wonderful performances make it a true epic. Shankar Jaikishan, Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Rajendra Kumar, Durga Khote, Saira Bano, as if they got together to bring this plot to larger than life landscape. Famous Margarita tune of Elvis Presley continues in background through the magical fingers of Shankar Jaikishan. The 160 minutes of thorough entertainment is worth watching. I've seen it some 10 times. Can see again later. 10 stars is fully appropriate rating for a film like this.
Guide (1965)
Possibly the best bollywood film ever made
I'll give this film 10 because that's maximum. Everything about this film is just awesome. The storyline is amazing and keeps enegaged through the 3 hours. R K Narayan's novel remains an unaccomplished goal for Vijay Anand, the novel is too good and the film falls short of it. R K Narayan went on record saying he was not happy with Vijay Anand making changes in his script. I give to Vijay Anand, to bring the story on celluloid you have make some changes. Irrespective, the film is a marvel, all time great. I'm seeing it some 20th time and will keep watching it till I am alive. Apart from the depiction, SD Burman has given such soothing music. Mohammed Rafi sahab has given two of his all time best songs, tere mere sapne and Din dhal jaaye. Dev Anand does his best and immortalizes Raju guide. Waheeda is awesome. A must watch. The novel is Sahitya academy award winner and forms course material in English literature courses. Hats off, overall, to all who participated in the making of this brilliant film.
Ganga Tera Pani Amrit (1971)
Nothing in Film except Brilliant Mohammed Rafi title sing
The film belongs to a time when separation and union was part of every storyline. GTPA too has same as main theme. However, there is complete mess up of stories of different related and unrelated characters. The film should have been a 45 minutes long short film. There was no need of Ashok Kumar, Shatru, Jagdeep in the story. Most of the places it has shadows of superhit Purab aur Paschim. Songs are below average, except for the title song which Mohammed Rafi has immortalized. The song comes 2-3 times, and gives a feel that Rafi is the only good thing in the film. Overall, not recommended. You can watch the song on u-tube and enjoy.
Malgudi Days (1986)
Epic TV Series
I give 10 to this TV series because you can't give more than 10. There is nothing better possible than this in fiction world. The immortal R K Naraynan went on to write Swami and Friends some 90 years ago...I am sure he never knew that people will read/see them in 2016 and still admire. The illustrations by immortal R K Laxman take you to those innocent times when you had no pressures in life except school and that small little town with a Banyan tree, Albert Mission School, Boarding school, Saryu river, and so on. The music, by Great Vaidyanathan, the theme and titles track is something that will remain with us for rest of our lives. Masterpiece work by Master Manjunath, Anant Nag, Girish Karnad, and all other actors..not to forget Mani. My kids watch this in 2016 and they love it. This is such a genius of work that even a 100 years from now, people of all age will see it and love it..such is the greatness of this epic. Famous gazal of Jagjit Singh, ye daulat bhi le lo, ye shohrat bhi le lo...comes to your mind when you see this series.
A must watch for kids of age 2 years to 102 years..
Chaar Sahibzaade (2014)
An awesome depiction of History
If you watch this film, you'll get to know the conviction and commitment that producers have given to it. There is deep research that resulted in so meaningful screenplay, dialogues and storyline. Artists have done wonders in giving powerful voice-over to the four Sahibzaadaas. Due to restrictions from the religion, Guru Gobind Singh continues to be a still photo, no action and dialogues. The martyrdom of four sons of Dashmesh Pitaa is something that all children have to be aware of, so that they carry it to the next generation and appreciate what happened in the history.
Further, there is no disrespect to any religion in the film. It is more of an encounter between good and bad, and goes on to show to what extent power hungry class of man become corrupt and barbarous.
A must watch, not only for every Sikh, but for entire mankind.
Psycho (1960)
best suspense thriller
finest work from Alfred Hitchcock. ever since we visited universal studios some 6 years back, and saw the motel site, we wanted to see the movie. the day came yesterday. beautiful story, told with wonderful performances from the artists. every one has done complete justice. the movie is definitely scary and keeps the viewer on his toes. the most astonishing fact is that in 1960s, they made this film. Norman Bates comes out a clear winner for his performance. undoubtedly, the best every suspense thriller. this film is proof that no big budgets required to produce quality films. the 1960s set up looks so innocent, with boys cleanly shaved and wearing tiew, neatly dressed. this film will remain an all time favorite for generations to come.
3 Idiots (2009)
fantastic
undoubtedly, one of the best from India. After Sholay, this is the best. in today's times, you can trust this film to be the best. thought there are lot of old classics that better this one. in todays' times this movie holds the key. 3 idiots tallks about friendship, good music, excellent screenplay, and strongly built theme about excellence. fiction holds good in the movie. all actors have done very well. minus the dialogues and scenes about chatur farting frequently and the delivery scene, I recommend this film for everyone. the delivery scene is a hype, not required so much. other than that this film is excellent.
Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo (1966)
the best ever film
I am giving 10 to this great epic because 10 is maximum I can give. The makers of this film, I am sure, would never have thought that their creation will remain best in next 50, 100 years. While Blondie is too good, Tuco steals the show and pulls the movie to his credit. Script, photography are all good. Music, looks like came directly from heaven. Heynnas voice for Tuco just fits wonderfully well. I saw this movie some 10 times in last 5 years. Still I have not come out of its impact. God bless all those who have been associated with this epic. I recommend this film to everybody who loves art, stories, creativity, music. This is the finest creation from film world of any country, language.
Ghulami (1985)
Dharmendra at his best
With the presence of actors like Naseer, Smita Patil, Omshiv Puri, and 1980s, looks like an art movie. It is a tale beautifully told by debut director Dutta. Dialogues are amazing. Combination of stalwarts like Laxmikant Pyarelal and Gulzar to make songs has made the songs immortal. Not just the songs, even the background music of Laxmikant Pyarelal is evidence enough why the duo is best after Shankar Jaikishan. Although all actors have given phenomenal performances but Dharmendra is at his best. The way he has delivered the OP Dutta dialogues puts him ahead of even Naseer. Mithun is a very good addition to the main story line. Most outstanding is Dharmendra. There is something in the movie for everybody...plut it is a clean movie that you can see with your whole extended family.
Any rating less than 10 will mean under assessment of Dharmendra, Smita Patil, Lata Mangeshkar, JP Dutta, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Gulzar and beautiful photography of massive Landscapes of Beautiful desert of Rajasthan.
Haqeeqat (1964)
Best war movie
Young Dharmendra at his best. Dharmendra looks so young and smart in army's uniform. Actors like Balraj Sahni and Vijay Anand are too good. Best was movie that Bollywood has produced. Content is based on China war, the difficulties that our army faced in the war are highlighted very well. Songs are amazing. Mohammad Rafi in Kar Chale hum , Mai ye, Hoke, sounds like an angel. Film seems to be shot at beautiful Laddakh. A silent love story goes parallel with the main plot. All the crew like Mac Mohan, Sudhir, as troops have done phenomenally well. There are very good performances from Jayant and Balraj Sahni as well. Black and white shot at Laddakh, army camps, jeeps, etc, strongly recommended. No way rated below 10 out of 10.
Hamraaz (1967)
Wonderful suspense thriller with beautiful songs
The movie starts with an ordinary love story of a girl with a military man, they marry without telling the girl's father. The girl's father somehow agrees and asks them to do the marriage again. War breaks out and the husband dies in the war leaving the girl pregnant. Father of girl tells the girl that the child was born dead. The girl marries a stage actor Kumar, played by Sunil Dutt. First half is full of good songs, and beautiful surroundings of Darjeeling. No one can even imagine what the second half can be. The second half is suspense thriller, young Sunil Dutt plays the role of chasing husband very well. Balraj Sahni is, as always, at the top of the affairs, as a police inspector. Balraj Sahni's styles eventually suggest that probably Amitabh copies him a lot of times. Suspense goes on till the last 7-8 minutes of the movie. Raaj Kumar is not so good, but Dutt sahib has done phenomenally well. A must watch movie. I still remember when I was a child I saw this movie first time on Vishal cinema in New Delhi, and my father when I told him that I saw Humraaz, he embraced me. Its a far far better movie than today's suspense thrillers.
Jagriti (1955)
Must see for Childred and Elders
This is the best movie made on kids. The script, songs, and the hostel life as shown in the movie is so very charming..having passed from the school some 18 years back, I felt like again getting admitted to school. The makers of this movie have done wonders. Songs written by Kavi Pradeep. sung by none other than Mohammad Rafi is a class apart. This film is recommended for children and their parents equally. No match you'll find for this one in the modern era films. The way Shekhar reforms the stubborn child, and even the teaching techniques, are awesome. I remember having seen this movie on Doordarshan when I was about 10 years of age. After that with so many movie channels available nowadays, there is dearth of movies like this.