On Saturday, I watched the movie "Ekalavya - The Royal Guard". It's a movie made by a the great Vidhu Vinod Chopra. The visuals are a treat to watch - every frame moves from the pristine lands of Rajasthan to the palatial royal accommodations of the Ranas. Every scene is like a painting - with the story moving across this picturesque piece of art.
The excellence though ends there. The main plot of the movie is very thinly. The premise of the movie is the sacrifice made by Ekalavya. In the Mahabharatha, Ekalavya cuts off his thumbnail and gifts it to his master, Drona. He does not flinch or question this unjust demand made of him. For him, his dharma dictated that he do as he was asked by his teacher, even though he'd never taught him for a day.
The movie seems to question this very concept of the unjust dharma. Ekalavya - the royal guard of the kings has sacrificed everything in his life. He the royal guard entrusted to protect the king and his family. He is not supposed to have any other interest or feelings in life. He is to protect the king, unquestioningly and hunt down anyone who harms the king.
The movie's core question is this unquestioning Dharma. Should somebody be asked to do something just because it his this Dharma? Or is Dharma an abstract concept that is not set in stone, but, is a decision arrived after a rational thought process? The movie wants to prove to the audience that the very definition of Dharma is to identify an action based on this unique ability that only we, the homo sapiens have - the ability to think.
Although the movie raises a very valid question, the plot is too thin and wears down the audience by the clichéd story-telling. It's not really exciting and the scenes are predictable. The redeeming feature is the humorous moments when the correct inspector, played by Sanjay Dutt comes on screen.
Big B lives up to his reputation delivering a class act. Saif look quite convincing as a regal heir (which he is anyway!) Vidya Balan is looking stunningly beautiful in her natural self. Even without much of make-up, she's fabulous. So is Raima Sen. Yet, the only characters who matter are Amitabh and Saif. There's just one song, a soothing lullaby scored by Shantanu Moitra.
On the whole, a nice movie to watch over the weekend. But, don't expect to come out feeling very happy or motivated or depressed or dejected. It's a movie to watch for the visual treat it offers.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Monday, February 05, 2007
Dare to Dream!
On Saturday, I watched the movie Guru. Even though the disclaimer says that it is a work of fiction, from all aspects, it's the story of Dhirubhai Ambani, the man who built Reliance.
The primary line in the movie is, "Dare to Dream!" The story of Ambani is about a boy who set out as a failure and who went on to succeed so highly that the Government had to try some underhanded techniques to rein him in.
Think about it. Success in life is about having a dream, a passion to live that dream and courage to face the obstacles and the wisdom to know when one road to destiny is wrong and you need to take a detour.
Everybody goes through the routine of living - wake up in the morning, curse the time, get ready, crib at the crowd in buses and trains, sit in office, grumble at the work loads, complain to the colleagues, bitch about the boss , return home and nag about how bad the day was! Is this type of living a real life or is it just survival?
What if you had a big dream? What if each day was a day to inch closer to the grand vision, a vision that is so challenging that everyone around you may question you but, you and only you have the knowledge that no matter what people say, you are committed and you will reach that destiny? Wouldn't that life be infinitely more enjoyable, more challenging and gratifying?
In the movie, there is a scene where Gurubhai has just managed to get a good profit on polyester trading. He announces his plans saying that he's going to open a industry to manufacture it instead of simply importing it. Then he announces, "Till now, we were working just 18 hours. From now on, we'll work 25 hours to make our industry succeed!" Just imagine what such a fire in the belly would mean to life!
Everyday and every moment will be valuable. Anything that is not taking you to the goal becomes a waste. What other people think and say will become meaningless. They are not the people who have dreamt and they will never understand the inner urge that is driving you!
If boss is a problem, then, why work for someone who is a hindrance to your destiny? Simply move on! I am sure all of us have this kind of people - people who feel like they are chained to the position having a boss who is an arrogant, de motivating and uninspiring and rules by power of cover your a** policy. Yet, these kind of people will complain, rant and rave. But, on the next day morning, they'll go back to the same boss and humour him.
It's just a matter of living the dream. Without a big dream in life, these people have nothing to live for, nothing to achieve. So, all they can do is simply play politics and blame games. Within a short period of time, they too get promoted and become similar bosses. Life goes on. Yet, destinies remain unfulfilled. Dreams are either never dreamt at all or they are left only half dreamt.
Swami Vivekananda had said, "Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached." Yes, you need to struggle and overcome any difficulties until the final goal is reached. But, the journey to the goal begins after a dream. The song, jaga hain clearly defines the ground work that is necessary for this journey to destiny. The song goes:
Don't you too think that it's true? Before embarking on a big journey to destiny, it is quite necessary to *dream* it up, to plan, to strategize and motivate oneself saying, "No matter what comes along, I am now prepared and shall go till the end to achieve my goal!"
I guess the one scene in the movie said it all. Guru is being tried for corruption and lot many allegations. He's just suffered from stroke that has left his right-side of body completely useless. His voice has grown very small and can barely speak. He's growing old. His factories have been sealed. One of his long time friend has tried to commit suicide. His long time friend's daughter has just expired. And yet, he stands up to the court and says, "You can take away my voice, my money, my house, my factories or my friends. You can even take away my body, my useless arms and legs. But, there is one thing that you can never take away. And that is my courage. As long as I have it, I am going to compete and build. I am going to build the biggest industrial company in India and that is my dream!"
Wish I too could sleep so deeply one day and dream up such a vision!
The primary line in the movie is, "Dare to Dream!" The story of Ambani is about a boy who set out as a failure and who went on to succeed so highly that the Government had to try some underhanded techniques to rein him in.
Think about it. Success in life is about having a dream, a passion to live that dream and courage to face the obstacles and the wisdom to know when one road to destiny is wrong and you need to take a detour.
Everybody goes through the routine of living - wake up in the morning, curse the time, get ready, crib at the crowd in buses and trains, sit in office, grumble at the work loads, complain to the colleagues, bitch about the boss , return home and nag about how bad the day was! Is this type of living a real life or is it just survival?
What if you had a big dream? What if each day was a day to inch closer to the grand vision, a vision that is so challenging that everyone around you may question you but, you and only you have the knowledge that no matter what people say, you are committed and you will reach that destiny? Wouldn't that life be infinitely more enjoyable, more challenging and gratifying?
In the movie, there is a scene where Gurubhai has just managed to get a good profit on polyester trading. He announces his plans saying that he's going to open a industry to manufacture it instead of simply importing it. Then he announces, "Till now, we were working just 18 hours. From now on, we'll work 25 hours to make our industry succeed!" Just imagine what such a fire in the belly would mean to life!
Everyday and every moment will be valuable. Anything that is not taking you to the goal becomes a waste. What other people think and say will become meaningless. They are not the people who have dreamt and they will never understand the inner urge that is driving you!
If boss is a problem, then, why work for someone who is a hindrance to your destiny? Simply move on! I am sure all of us have this kind of people - people who feel like they are chained to the position having a boss who is an arrogant, de motivating and uninspiring and rules by power of cover your a** policy. Yet, these kind of people will complain, rant and rave. But, on the next day morning, they'll go back to the same boss and humour him.
It's just a matter of living the dream. Without a big dream in life, these people have nothing to live for, nothing to achieve. So, all they can do is simply play politics and blame games. Within a short period of time, they too get promoted and become similar bosses. Life goes on. Yet, destinies remain unfulfilled. Dreams are either never dreamt at all or they are left only half dreamt.
Swami Vivekananda had said, "Arise, awake and stop not until the goal is reached." Yes, you need to struggle and overcome any difficulties until the final goal is reached. But, the journey to the goal begins after a dream. The song, jaga hain clearly defines the ground work that is necessary for this journey to destiny. The song goes:
jaage hain deer tak
hamen kuch deer sone do
thodi se raat aur hai
subah to hone do
aadhe adhure khwaab jo
pure na ho sake
ek baar phir se neend mein
woh khwaab bone do
Don't you too think that it's true? Before embarking on a big journey to destiny, it is quite necessary to *dream* it up, to plan, to strategize and motivate oneself saying, "No matter what comes along, I am now prepared and shall go till the end to achieve my goal!"
I guess the one scene in the movie said it all. Guru is being tried for corruption and lot many allegations. He's just suffered from stroke that has left his right-side of body completely useless. His voice has grown very small and can barely speak. He's growing old. His factories have been sealed. One of his long time friend has tried to commit suicide. His long time friend's daughter has just expired. And yet, he stands up to the court and says, "You can take away my voice, my money, my house, my factories or my friends. You can even take away my body, my useless arms and legs. But, there is one thing that you can never take away. And that is my courage. As long as I have it, I am going to compete and build. I am going to build the biggest industrial company in India and that is my dream!"
Wish I too could sleep so deeply one day and dream up such a vision!
Sunday, February 04, 2007
Guru - Dream your Destiny
Yesterday, I went to watch the movie, Guru. It was a long wait since, I was planning to watch while I was in India itself, but, somehow never managed to get time to go to a theatre. Finally, I ended up watching the movie in CineWorld, UK.
The movie is very clearly the story of Dhirubhai Ambani. It is the saga of a man, who dared to dream – to dream big! Starting out as a failure in Maths, moving to Turkey to escape the brunt of his father’s cane, this man came back to create the biggest corporate house in India. He dared to go to the public when the banks and other traditional lenders closed doors. He competed, he fought, he bribed and toadied where necessary, but, he never gave up his dream and this is the story of the movie Guru.
Abhishekh Bacchan has done a very good job in potraying the role of this great industrialist. There are times when his lack of experience shows. Overall, his performance is amazing and there is definitely a trace of Big B in his demeanour.
Aishwarya is good in her role as the dedicated wife of the big man. Her role though does not have much meat in it. In fact, there is no big roles apart from Abhishekh. Madhavan as a reporter is good. Unfortunately, he has nothing much to do in the movie. Same is the case with Vidya Balan. Mithun though has redeemed himself as an actor. His role of the newspaper editor is quite respectable and surprisingly, quite convincing.
The songs are all misplaced and Mani Ratnam could take a leaf out of Ram Gopal Verma’s tactic and use them only for promotion. It is a bit silly to see the protagonist of Ambani being intoxicated with bhang and dancing with his wife when she’s just given birth to twins! Or to see two poor girls reciting a very soulful song to a dad, who’s lying in hospital after suffering from a paralytic stroke. I guess all people succumb to the bug of commercialism. Mani would do well to maintain the thin line that separates his movies from the crowd. The songs were definitely a put-off for me. Maybe, Mani should have watched Kannathil Muttamitthal to see how good he was in adding the musical effects to his movies..
A R Rahman is okay. Nothing too catchy or moving. Lyrics by Gulzar is good, but a bit too tough for the mere mortals to follow.
Rajiv Menon’s camerawork is sheer magic. From the lush greenery of Bagalkot, Karnataka to the congested suburbs of Mumbai, he’s shown that with a good camera, everything can be made to look vibrant, colourful and visually gratifying.
On the whole though, the movie is worth a watch. If nothing else, it teaches us the basic value of life – Dream big and no matter what, if you are convinced that it is worth living and fighting for, do not shirk behind, but, go ahead and achieve it.
The movie is very clearly the story of Dhirubhai Ambani. It is the saga of a man, who dared to dream – to dream big! Starting out as a failure in Maths, moving to Turkey to escape the brunt of his father’s cane, this man came back to create the biggest corporate house in India. He dared to go to the public when the banks and other traditional lenders closed doors. He competed, he fought, he bribed and toadied where necessary, but, he never gave up his dream and this is the story of the movie Guru.
Abhishekh Bacchan has done a very good job in potraying the role of this great industrialist. There are times when his lack of experience shows. Overall, his performance is amazing and there is definitely a trace of Big B in his demeanour.
Aishwarya is good in her role as the dedicated wife of the big man. Her role though does not have much meat in it. In fact, there is no big roles apart from Abhishekh. Madhavan as a reporter is good. Unfortunately, he has nothing much to do in the movie. Same is the case with Vidya Balan. Mithun though has redeemed himself as an actor. His role of the newspaper editor is quite respectable and surprisingly, quite convincing.
The songs are all misplaced and Mani Ratnam could take a leaf out of Ram Gopal Verma’s tactic and use them only for promotion. It is a bit silly to see the protagonist of Ambani being intoxicated with bhang and dancing with his wife when she’s just given birth to twins! Or to see two poor girls reciting a very soulful song to a dad, who’s lying in hospital after suffering from a paralytic stroke. I guess all people succumb to the bug of commercialism. Mani would do well to maintain the thin line that separates his movies from the crowd. The songs were definitely a put-off for me. Maybe, Mani should have watched Kannathil Muttamitthal to see how good he was in adding the musical effects to his movies..
A R Rahman is okay. Nothing too catchy or moving. Lyrics by Gulzar is good, but a bit too tough for the mere mortals to follow.
Rajiv Menon’s camerawork is sheer magic. From the lush greenery of Bagalkot, Karnataka to the congested suburbs of Mumbai, he’s shown that with a good camera, everything can be made to look vibrant, colourful and visually gratifying.
On the whole though, the movie is worth a watch. If nothing else, it teaches us the basic value of life – Dream big and no matter what, if you are convinced that it is worth living and fighting for, do not shirk behind, but, go ahead and achieve it.
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