Black (2005)

Today we have Black from 2005 directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali, starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherji.

There are several different facets to Amitabh Bachchan that attract people to him. Moviegoers and fans alike either love him for his angry young man movies, his poetic movies and more recently, movies that feature him as a patriarch. Amitabh, for me, is eternal because though the industry has tried to pigeon hole him into doing a certain type of character, he’s fought against the restraints and proved to the world that he can do anything.

I love Amitabh Bachchan because he can play every role you give him, whether it’s a mob don, a poet or…Debraj Sahi, a mad, passionate teacher like the one he plays in Black. 

In this role he embodies everything I’ve believed in about him as an actorhe’s versatile, he can lose himself in every role, can blend into whatever setting he is asked of. Recently the scripts haven’t been able to do justice to him but his performance and his perfection as an actor bring that movie to life and make it worth watching…as I’ve always said, Bachchan’s worst movie is better than anything another actor can portray.

Of the recent movies, Black is perfect in that the script is solid and Bhansali’s vision is so poetically beautiful 

that the movie flows like a sad, beautiful poem as worthy as Emily Dickenson herself.

I have some issues with the technical aspects of the film…like why does Sahi yell at the girl even though she doesn’t hear him. But other than that, I honestly find no fault.

This movie is superb in the way it’s made. Black is a movie that, I believe, brings Hindi cinema to a whole new level. Never before have I seen such camera flow from an Indian director, and this is why I love Black.

AB, as I said, is beautiful as the tortured, eccentric Debraj Sahi. His endless love for his student Michelle, hauntingly portrayed by Rani Mukherji, and his desire and drive to make up for his past sins, to make up for the sister he lost. Not many actors can show their characters haunted souls but Amitji can show this in a blink.

I also want to share with you my favorite scenes from Black, please enjoy!  

But I have to say- I have always loved hands, just loved them for what they say about a person, what they are capable of doing. So Amitabh using his hands to flow, to sing, to express in this movie, done with an experts flow of sign language…man!

I ask you to watch this movie and watch the emotions suddenly bubble in him when he’s sitting by the water fountain, watch him sit there and try to control what he’s feeling and then suddenly- allows this dam to burst, to flow from him in agony and ecstasy of creation. Or when his illness slowly starts to take over, his eyes become blank, and the confusion and marrow deep sadness when he realizes what’s happening, that he’s losing his mind.

I love the tragedy in this movie, the constant ache that pulses and thrives in every black and white frame of Bhansali’s creation.

Dear Ms. Nair,

-IS

Satte Pe Satta (1982)

Let’s get back to this project- another labor of love!

Today- we have 1982’s Satte Pe Satta (Seven for Seven) directed by Raj N. Sippy, starring Amitabh Bachchan in a dual role as Ravi/Babu and Hema Malini. Based on the famous America classic Seven Brides For Seven Brothers, this movie has two elements that make movie great….it’s entertaining and it has substance.

The movie is about seven brothers that live like animals, until the oldest brother, Ravi, gets married to nurse Indu, played by the remarkable Hema. And when the younger six brothers meet and fall in love with six girls who work for an invalid young woman…well, the lessons in romance by Hema begin. And Ravi’s love for his brothers lead to some trouble. But this is a Hiindi movie, and the added element of the evil uncle trying to kill his invalid niece is added, and along comes Babu, Ravi’s chilling look alike.

There are many memorable moments and characters in the movie, and it is sprinkled with fantastic songs by RD Burman and comedy only dramatic actors like Amitabh Bachchan can deliver.

But the presence of Babu is the reason why this movie should be looked at more closely by Bachchan fans and those studying Bachchan’s career and talent. In this movie you have Ravi, silly, rough around the edges but a softy at the core who loves his brothers more than anything. Ravi seems like a guy you would love to hang out with…and then you have Babu with chilling light blue eyes and shocks of white in his hair.

Babu is one of Bachchan’s more terrifying creations, up there with Babban Singh of Ki Aag. The combination of the stare, the score by RD Burman, and Bachchan’s talent...creates a murderer, a calculating, cold creature. What makes Babu even more remarkable is the way Amitabh Bachchan manages to soften him up enough that by the end of the movie, you love him as much as you love Ravi.

And that is why we love Amitabh Bachchan. Not many actors can take a character like Babu and make him bone chilling and later, heart melting. If anyone had even attempted to create two different characters within one, as Amitabh did with Babu, then they would surely have failed. And this must be said- Mr. Bachchan looks even more dashing than usual in this movie- even with the jungali beard at the beginning. 

The guys cast as Ravi’s brothers are amazing in keep their characteristic traits, I just wish I didn’t have to see so many men in their undies…was getting kinda awkward there for a second!

And Hema…worthy of starring along Mr. Bachchan!

So listen to the songs, watch the movie…and remember “daru pine se, liver kharab ho jate”.

I never drink, except that one time....

Ishtar

Aladin (2009)

Today we have 2009’s Aladin directed by Sujoy Ghosh, starring Amitabh Bachchan as Genius, Ritesh Deshmukh as Aladin, Sanjay Dutt as Ringmaster and the gorgeous Jacqueline Hernandez as Jasmine.

The movie isn’t exactly one of the greatest, most prolific Bachchan movies out there but it is entertaining, there’s a lot of humor and for the Bachchan fan, there are a lot of references that are made to his movies throughout Aladin. It’s also a movie where you can point to certain scenes by our Mr. Bachchan and be confident in the fact that he is and will forever be one of the greatest actors to ever grace the screen.

The movie, if you can’t tell from the title or the name of the characters, is an interesting twist on the old Aladin tale. Both Genius and Ringmaster, the villain in the story, are interesting conceptions as far as creativity goes.

But let’s get to the humor of the movie- Mr. Bachchan is amazing as the thousand year old Genius who is a teenager in Genie years. He’s spot on with his punch lines, his one-liners are hilarious. There’s a particular scene between Genius and Aladin when Aladin reminds Geniius that he can’t use magic to help him woo the beautiful Jasmine- the way Genius, sitting in a massive armchair reading the newspaper says “yes…YEEEEEES!” like a petulant child…awesome. 

This is a green screen shot but LOOK at that intensity!!!

And then you have the Genius that appears during the second half the movie where the fun stops and the fairy tale takes a dark turn. I want you to watch that petulant teenager Genius and the dark, protective Genius who is fighting his former friend to help this kid, and tell me that Amitabh Bachchan isn’t the world’s greatest, most versatile, malleable actor.

And if you do, I’ll have to call you a liar.

There seems to be an epidemic with recent Amitabh Bachchan movies, where the movie, the script, everything about the movie sucks, or isn’t up to Bachchan standards- but Amitabh’s performance is beyond this world, beyond the movie to hold.

As I said, Aladin isn’t a film masterpiece but it is fun to watch. One shouldn’t watch this one with the hopes of being moved to the degree of movies like Deewar or Aakhree Raasta, but it’s pure entertainment. I give you the example of the soundtrack, from the fun, spunky Tak Dhina Dhin to the throwback to Pag Ghungroo to Amitabh’s awesome rap “make a wish”. And Amitabh’s hair is freaking awesome in this movie. The back was perfect but I felt like the bangs were a little annoying at times. And Sanjay, as usual, plays the part of the psycho perfectly with “Lingmaster”…

This is one of the movies I recommend watching after a long day, because it will make you laugh and smile, and if you’re a hardcore Bachchan fan, you will squeal at all the movie references! And Genius is just so freaking cool!

I personally get way too excited when Genius tells Aladi “oof! Tumare usool! Tumhare adarsh!”

Enjoy it friends! It’s Amitabh in his most comfortable shoes- the ass kicking ones! :)

Yo...brotha...

-IS

Aakhree Raasta (1986)

So let’s talk about Aakhree Raasta (The Last Option), directed by Bhagyaraj from 1986, with our amazing Amitabh Bachchan as David/Vijay (father/son), Sridevi, the lovely Jayaprada and Anupam Kher.

This movie very happily, very tastefully and with your full consent rips you completely apart, exposes your very soul and lets you think about what’s been exposed before allowing you to pick your self up. In this way at least, it resembles my beloved Deewar.

Actually, the movie shares another quality with Deewarthat I love, which is that it is all shades of gray- nothing black and white about the situation the father and son are forced into, nor does it give you any easy ways to find your way through the shades of gray. 

What’s good? 

What’s bad? 

Who’s right? 

Who’s wrong?

It doesn't give you the answers- Aakhree Raasta simply feeds you thoughts and situations and showers you with emotions that you might never experience in your lifetime, and then it sits back and watches you squirming to find your way through what you’ve just been exposed to. Suddenly the story of the torn father and son finds the audience questioning their own reality in the way only Hindi movies can- sprinkled with dialogues that can only be delivered by the remarkable Mr. Bachchan.

I cannot imagine another actor being able to so distinctly play two different characters, who can so easily morph from one character to another and never let the audience in on the secret that, as he stands in the graveyard, he’s really talking to himself!

Even as I write it, it seems almost impossible to think of Vijay and Daniel being played by the same actor. 

There’s also another point I would like to make about this movie- Jayaprada.

She needs to get more attention. She is, in fact, a rarity. She is not only stunningly gorgeous, she is also a damn good actress, and one of the only ones can be visible standing next to the Shahenshah of Hindi cinema. She delivers lines and emotions as convincingly as Mr. Bachchan himself at times. And in her role as David’s Mary, her somewhat brief appearance still burns itself into your mind.

Those reading this, who have had the fortune of having already seen this remarkable movie are already familiar with the brilliance of the graveyard scene. But I also ask you two watch the scene where Vijay’s character finds out the truth, and really watch the little baby that is crying alone in that dark room; and think about all that the scene means and represents.

I have nothing but praise for this movie. I urge you to watch it and share the experience of this well-made movie.

Also, a thing to note is Mr. Bachchan’s injured hand in the movie, visible throughout, and startling so at times!

Enjoy!

I’m gonna go learn my ABC’s now-

Ish. 

Note: The last images is one of several screencaps I created because the emotions on that beloved face need to be shown when one is talking about this movie, and this amazing actors abilities. 

Silsila (1981)

From 1981, from legendary director Yash Chopra, with a soundtrack worthy of the epic story, I give you Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bachchan, Rekha and Sanjeev Kumar in Silsila (a “Series” in English).

This is one of the movies, as with Deewar, where not only do you as the audience find yourself questioning everything you see, and think and believe. But you also realize how many shades of gray one can find in a single lifetime. The movie is about a man who is torn between the pragmatic love between himself and his wife Shobha, played by Jaya Bachchan, and the passionate love of his former flame Chandini, played by Rekha.

Oh I do love this still

Silsila is filled with shades of gray and for me, the only character throughout the movie that is solidly “good” is Sanjeev Kumar’s doctor character. Where the characters of Amit and Chandini (played by Rekha) are stuck in their past and unwilling to let go of it, and Shobha (Jayaji’s character) although moves on and rightfully falls in love with the man that takes care of her, still should not have put herself in the position to have to be married off to begin with. What I am trying to delicately to say is- if you’re going to have sex before marriage, use a condom, whether or not it’s with your future spouse.

This is one of the movies that you can cite when you tell people about a belief that you hold because it truly can help you see things, see people, think about love in different shades. The movie defines marriage and love in a way that most people will never be able to experience in their lifetimes and therefore, will never be able to distinguish or understand between the pragmatic, long lasting love of Amit and Jaya, er Shobha, and Amit and Chandini’s torrid, passionate love.

The movie, in true Yash Chopra style, demonstrates the reality of love and life.

But this one is, was and forever shall be my favorite

This movie’s soundtrack deserves a post of its own. Not only are the dialogues of the movie to die for, the romance in the songs themselves fill you up with dreams and even nightmares, when love is lost. With songs sung in Mr. Bachchan’s incomparable baritone, with Dr. Harviansh Rai Bachchan’s words, the soundtrack of this Silsila is worth listening to…over and over again.

Shashi Kapoor’s brief but memorable scene in this movie is also worth a mention. Although I’m not a big fan of Mr. Kapoor, I have to say, his brief appearance is to be appreciated…the drunk scene with Amit, as always, is memorable.

See what I mean about too handsome?

And Amitabh Bachchan as the poet, playwright and actor Amit in the movie leaves the audience in a khwab, a dream. Looking more handsome than usual, the baritone somehow carries through the movie and into your very soul the words spoken by a skilled poet, and a soul that is searching for someone to accept it.

I love this movie, and I love what it says and narrates about love, life and faith. Whatever the supposed back story, I leave that to your discretion, but I highly recommend watching this movie to question your own beliefs about everything you know.

Time to go find a tulip field,

Ish.

Mili (1975)

Another movie that is easy to love, from director Hrishikesh Mukherjee, 1975’s Mili (‘found’), staring Amitabh Bachchan as the gloomy and grief stricken Shekhar Dayal and Jaya Bhaduri (now Bachchan) as Mili Khanna, the sweet girl that draws out Shekhar from his world of darkness.

This movie is one of the pre-Sholay era masterpieces that manages to draw out Mr. Bachchan’s talents as a versatile, fantastic actor, capable of a wide range of emotions. Combine with Mukherjee’s sense of direction that I am starting to appreciate more and more, with Mrs. Bachchan’s impeccable portrayal of utter sweetness, the movie is gold.

The story revolves around Mili, who is loved by everyone in her apartment complex, and is a ray of sunshine in everyone’s lives- except she has a terminal, incurable illness. Along comes Shekhar Dayal with his man-servant, stricken by the grief of his father having murdered his mother, and having to constantly change residence to find peace away from rumors, from the memories of his parents.

In Mili, he finds peace. And in her love, he finds the strength to live and even become strong to enough to shoulder her burden, and to rejoin the world of color and smile, laughter.

The story appeals to the romantic’s heart…it will make you cry. But you’ll love it completely.

It is a true movie lover’s movie, with enough of Mr. Bachchan’s legendary drunk scenes to keep anyone utterly content. The acting by the entire cast is fantastic with a sweet soundtrack, nothing is out of place. I especially love Mili’s father played by Ashok Kumar and Shekhar’s man servant, whose name I cannot find actually!

The movie is one of the most amazing collaborations between the future and blessed Mr. and Mrs. Bachchan.

I’m going to go play with the stars,

-Ish

Alaap (1977)

I finally get to gush over 1977’s masterpiece Alaap (Modulation- in singing terminology, or a Music Prelude*), directed by the legendary Hrishikesh Mukherjee, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Om Prakash, and Chaya Devi as Sarjubhayi. 

This was one of the movies that was very easy to fall in love with. Not only did it speak to the musician in me, but the plot of the movie and the flow is so unique, and so amazingly touching. I haven’t seen a movie that can parallel a song, or a passion for music, quite like this.

The story revolves around the son of an affluent man, played by Om Prakash, who is unwilling to allow his son to further pursue his passion for singing. Upon finding out that Alok, played by our Mr. Bachchan, has been keeping company with a once-famous singer Sarjubhyaii, played by Chaya Devi, a series of events occur which lead Alok to leave the wealth and fame of his family and become a part of a family that is bound by love and music.

The progression of the story is like music, the tempo steadily rising, with dramatic and aptly placed crescendos and rests that speak louder than a beating drum. Why this movie hasn't received more love or more recognition, I cannot understand it. It combines so many elements and there is something for everyone.

And let me tell you about the music! The soundtrack of the movie by Jaidev is a lesson in classical Hindi music, with all its fantastic instruments and other-worldliness of the musical experience, of the true music lovers addiction to music.

There is a moment in this movie, a scene with Rekha and Asrani, where the brother and sister are fighting, and the sister is hungry and asks her brother to fulfill his promise to their father- that he would kill her instead of letting her go hungry. Rekha is, as always, remarkable in her role. She throws of an air of innocence and sweetness that wins your heart just as it steals Alok’s in the movie. This is one of her finest performances.

And let us not forget Om Prakash, playing the father of the family who refuses to allow his son to defy him and pursue his love of music over a career in law. I’ve always loved Om Prakash, whether he is the strict Triloki Prasad of this movie or the lovable Dadu from Namak Halal or Sharaabi’s Munshiji. He embodies every role he plays and this movie, as with a piece of music, he starts out with a blast, a thunderous crescendo and slowly melts into a soft melody at the end of the movie.

Amitabh Bachchan as Alok is at his best, embodying integrity, righteousness without its nasty connotations and singing or playing the various instruments with such heartfelt passion. The way he is around his adopted mother in the movie, Sarjubhayii, will melt your heart…It shocks me endlessly why this movie does not get mentioned among the top 10, or at least 20 of Mr. Bachchan’s greatest movies.

Please watch this movie! You will not regret it! And keep an eye out for Sanjeev Kumar’s special appearance and a parallel love story within the movie that spans decades. 

Agey meri ma, keeraya lene....

-Ishtar

*Definitions provided by Messrs. Saxena and Sharam via Twitter...eternally grateful :)

PS: This one of the only movies for which I could not find the original poster for...any help tracking it down is welcome :)