Mastram

Hey Mastram

First of all I will admit that I never read any of your books during my childhood, or even later on. I don’t think you are that popular today but I remember during my later part of schooling, you were one of the most popular names. You were a rage, a craze, a common part of jokes in those days.

I am really happy to see a film made on you. It is indeed amazing that (almost) nobody knows who the actual author was, behind these books, or if there were multiple people. It makes this film an even more brave attempt.

Mastram movie ji, I will have to say that I quite liked the approach taken by your film maker. You are not a film with sleazy scenes. You have the touch of erotica that was a part of these books, and I will simply say they are amazing. Let us not be hypocrites and accept that we will enjoy it. You have good direction and acting. It has to be mentioned that one feels the film could have been more impactful, at various levels. At times, you were a little flat. You started with with one of the funniest scenes I have ever seen, so my expectations were raised :)

Mastram, let me tell the readers couple of important things about you:  Now to the most important thing. This film is NOT about semi porn. In fact it is about two very important aspects of our society. It is about the hypocrisy and repression prevalent in our society when it comes to sexuality. Secondly it is a rare film which talks about the worrying situation of Hindi literature in the country today. This is where I really appreciate the film maker for presenting mastram as a person who wanted to write great Hindi literature, but situations led him in to becoming a legend as an erotica writer.

You are a film that deserves to be seen. You surely do. You are a good and significant effort which could even have been a classic movie if you were more impactful, a little more funny and had a stronger ending.

Kya Dilli Kya Lahore

Hi KDKL

I Love You. Before I say anything else to you, I will say this, and repeat it. I Love You. You are much more than just a film to me.

I rewind back to 3 years back, same month, during my summer internship. Lakeerein was the first play of a theater festival (dedicated to Gulzar) that I saw back then. I smile at my excitement of those days, as I had booked tickets for each of the 4 days of the fest. I remember how I had borrowed money from my HR for doing so as the first month stipend was delayed by few days :D

I can't vividly recall, but as far as I remember, one of the parts of the play had a plot similar to the one in this movie. The Gulzar poem used in the film, was one of the many gems of poetry that this play had (the play has Gulzar at even his poetic best). It was also the day I first saw Gulzar in person,and later met him as well.

Today I saw you, and obviously you were so much more than just a film to me. As a film, you are pretty amazing. The whole idea to present this concept as a film is extremely challenging, as most of the movie is about two people talking to each other, while they are hiding from each other. It is a brave effort and two excellent actors have done excellent jobs.

You are really entertaining in first half. Second half demands more patience as it gets more sensitive. You have a beautiful soul, excellent ideas, and amazing moments. You are the kind of cinema we need. We had a brilliant anti war film last year, and we have had another one this time. A very good friend of mine says an interesting thing,  that we have a weapon against Pakistan, the kind which no country possibly had against any enemy. A weapon which can make us reach every household of the neighboring nation. It is our cinema. We need to speak this language more and more often through our films. It is possibly the most beautiful way we can win over our neighbor country :)

I hope you do not get neglected. Do not complain if you do. It will only be symbolic of a hyper hypocrite audience which finds it fashionable to criticize masala films, but just does not show enough eagerness to real real good cinema.

Hoping there will be more like you in future. I love you. Thanks.

I have poured my heart out. This is what the legend himself said about you:
Gulzar Speaks about Kya Dilli Kya Lahore

The Amazing Spider Man 2

 The Amazing Spider Man 2

 You belong to a genre, I pretty much enjoy, but do not have much expertise in it (not meant to imply am an expert in other kind of cinema). I have enjoyed all Spiderman films so far, yes even Spiderman 3, which in fact was my first superhero movie in a theater!
The amazing spiderman series has a fresh approach – humor and music were integral to the first film, which is even more visible here. There will be people who will end up finding a lot of it silly.

If I were asked to describe you, I would think of a metaphor like a Chemistry Formula, a balanced yet complicated formula. Villains which are actually friends of the hero, the love story going through ups and downs, and add to it the entire family saga.

The action was fine, it usually is with Spider Man, but even with it being one of the most violent, wasn’t in the league of the best one would see. There is a lot in the film, especially in second half which seems like lazy script writing. I will have to admit, that beyond a point you were too clichéd to be too exciting. You had your moments but they were few and far in between.

I will be honest with you. You had much more potential than what was delivered. The series will have more movies to follow. Wish to see better in the future.

Best Wishes!

2 States

2 States

Saw you yesterday. I had read you a few years back. I can still remember that experience. Like all Chetan Bhagat books, the book was finished in a few hours in a couple of sittings. I am not one of those who enjoy the fashion of writing off CB as a useless author. I am not close to being a fan of his, but I have my respect for him. This book had considerably added to the respect.

I remember how as a book, you had really impressed me, and touched me. Two reactions of mine towards the book that I can still recall are:
- this book can be converted in to an excellent movie
- this book makes so many such relevant points

So my dear movie, this is what I have to tell you. You did make relevant points. You were nice as a film. But I must admit you were not "the excellent film" I had imagined when I read the book, and no, you could not do full justice to how relevant the book was.

2 states - you were mostly interesting. The campus portion was just about ok. The only people who would be much impressed by it are ones who feel a sense of nostalgia during the part. Trust me, it did not happen to much of an extent, of course to be blamed on getting too unrealistic at times. As you progressed, there were parts were you were good fun, and then parts were you were just about ok, and it was pretty much how your progress can be described.

I applaud you on remaining true to the book, and presenting it in a pretty simple manner. In fact best moments of the film are some of the one liners and dialogues which have been directly lifted from the book!
(though Sunsilk brand hiring students for placements and offering 50K was obviously silly; and the number of people who raised hands as Economics background students would suggest that IIM A actually broke some records for encouraging diversity)
Talking about the performances now. Alia Bhatt is an absolute delight on screen, when given a suitable role. She carries much of the film on her shoulders as Arjun Kapoor produces an uninspired performance. Some of the blame also lies with the director, as he tries to present this character in a little too dumb a manner, which was an error in itself. Arjun is unimpressive to say the least. The supporting actors are brilliant. Amrita Singh adds to a lot of fun in the film.

Well, I will also remember you for producing one of the best wedding scenes that I have seen in a film. I will remember you for being a film, on a book, which really deserved a film. If you are the film that the book deserved, is a matter of doubt. Most of your actors (except Arjun) did well, but for me, you are still just an ok movie.

And yes, I must tell you, you deserved much better music.

May be we will meet again some time, and interact, over a laptop window maybe.

Bye till then!