Watch the trailer of director Madhumita's latest offering, 'KD' a very heartwarming coming of age story of Karuppu Durai, an octogenarian, nicknamed KD by his new bestie, Kutti:
No spoilers here, just a few thoughts I had while and after watching 'KD' at a preview screening. I dedicate this blog to all my little besties, especially a little one who I might not get to meet soon. God bless you all kids who make the world a lovely place filled with smiles and hope. Though I am going to turn 40 next year, all my besties are little boys and girls. At all the parties I attend, I am either blending into the furniture avoiding adult conversation or playing with the host's kids and their little friends. One big reason I connected most with 'KD'.
The two main protagonists of 'KD' are Karuppu Durai (a dying old man being abandoned by his children) and Kutti (a little boy abandoned by his parents). Kids like things simple - once Kutti befriends Karuppu Durai, he instantly gives him his nickname - KD. A few years ago I was playing with my bestie at his home. He went into his room, got a lump of clay and asked me what could I make with it... I thought for a bit, and replied, "Fish, I can make a fish". I struggled with the clay, and made something that remotely resembled a fish. I asked him what he could make... he took my clay fish, crumpled it and threw it back at me and said, "yeh... potty".
There's nothing more saddening and liberating than death. Writer-director Madhumita has made such a heartwarming and entertaining film that revolves around this subject, I am envious of her. Little moments of life that make life worth the effort are celebrated in 'KD'. These pointers coming to KD from Kutti's little life experiences make their journey even more special. Don't we all know at least one person who is being an asshole to his ageing parents, waiting for them to kick the bucket, so they can enjoy their inheritance? 'KD' talks to all those ageing parents to seize whatever is left of their lives, and live it to the fullest with unbridled abundance.
I am proud of my mother-in-law who is living her life the way she wants, with a little help from us - not that she needs it. The beaming smile on her face after her angiography and angioplasty surgery gave me a feeling that she will outlive us, and nothing could make us happier. Despite suffering from numerous ailments, she is always there by our side, rock solid, with her little pink pouch of medicines that she has to have after every meal. Her discipline and love for cinema has kept her afloat and will continue to do so, and I wish to be inspired by her forever. (Cinema fans like my mother-in-law will love 'KD' even more).
Before I go on and on, listen to this foot-tapping song from 'KD' - it's called 'Tuckulingu'
To conclude, I would recommend Madhumita's little gem to the young and old, to all those want to live without dying everyday, and to those who have already embraced death. 'KD' is one of those rare films that could possibly change lives. Also to those who love mutton biriyani and those who are happy with their veg biriyani. One big life lesson is to enjoy every morsel of life so much, that it inspires others to do the same. Seek the small joys, spread happiness with your kind gestures and remember, it's not over, till it is actually over.
Please go watch 'KD' in the cinemas this weekend (preferably not on an empty stomach)
The headline is not to be forcedly sensational; when you watch Anubhav Sinha's 'Article 15' you will get the context - it is too cute to not mention that. I am not going to reveal anything more important than what you can already see in the trailer and what you might have seen or read in the promotional interviews that have been out so far.
Watch trailer here:
Having just watched the film, I have two important demands to make - first that every citizen of India should have read the Constitution of India before they pass school. Secondly, Article 15 (the film) should be made mandatory viewing for each and every citizen of India. Disclaimer: I haven't read the Constitution of India, and I had no idea what Article 15 was till the trailer of this film came out a few weeks ago. Yes, so far whatever I know, I have learned from the films I have watched.
Let me tell you guys a little story. Five decades ago, there was a so called "high caste" Brahmin family somewhere in south India. The head of this family was a chief priest at the most revered temple in town, and would earn a living by performing various poojas and havanas for the so called "lower caste" people. There was a family ritual that the young boys of this "high caste" family will have a thread ceremony (janeu) and eventually follow the family tradition and become high priests themselves. Nepotism is not just limited to Bollywood.
Then a disruptor was born in this family. He had to go through the thread ceremony, and then as a part of the ritual, he would be an assistant to his grandfather during summer holidays and be a part of the poojas and havanas - reciting shlokas and running errands etc. This rogue of a kid who chose science over religion when he was about 15, on one such havana was singing 'I want it that way' (Backstreet Boys) instead of the Gayatri Mantra that he was supposed to chant 108 times under the veil he was given to wear for that holy task.
Despite what this rogue kid did, the "lower caste" family who were expecting a child after getting the said havana done, had their wish fulfilled. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
This has got nothing to do with the truth. May be it does? For me to know, you to guess.
Just leaving it here that me and Rani don't believe in any religion - we are humanitarians and will remain so for this lifetime. Rather than using our time and money for religious activities, we try to do good things for friends and even those who we might not know at all - ever tried offering water to delivery boys when they come home to deliver whatever you've ordered? Try it once, and please give them water in the same glass that you would have it in - you'll feel great. Each time we do so, the delivery boy first looks stunned and then breaks into a wide smile.
Review shuru karein kya? First listen to this song:
Dear friends, AYUSHMANN KHURRANA is the actor / man of this decade and hopefully many more. For a cutesy, lovable and goofy bum to look convincing as a cop tough as a nail and not make a fool out of himself, I can't imagine the internal transformation he must have gone through. He had begun the process with Sriram sir's 'Andhadhun', but his role as Ayan Ranjan in 'Article 15' is a huge beast in comparison. When the trailer had landed, I remember saying that I could never imagine Ayushmann could make me wet my pants with his intensity. Man, he did it in 'Article 15'.
Kudos to Gaurav Solanki and Anubhav Sinha, the co-writers, and a HUGE hawaai firing for Mr. Sinha, the director, to make a film that hits you at so many levels, as a human, and as a citizen of a so called secular nation. They made a ball-gripping film about news articles that are published in the seventh page of national newspapers - may be not even there, as the film suggests. Caste-based killings and torture are the new normal in our country. Some lynching videos go viral for a a day or two, till the next Dhinchak Pooja captures our collective attention.
What bothers me the most as a writer these days is that I feel scared of offending the sentiments of some random fungi sitting somewhere digging his or her nose and scrolling through his or her phone. Making a film like 'Article 15' requires balls of steel, each the size of Jupiter, the planet. Mr. Sinha, the country owes you an award and lifetime free supplies of whatever you need, just for having the courage to take this subject from paper to cinema halls nation wide. I want to watch this film with my entire extended family and see their reactions.
While 'Article 15' ticks all the boxes of being a politically aware film, it also acts as a mirror that has been long missing for us as Indians - it does all this while keeping your heart in your mouth, entertaining you with laughter and tears all throughout. This piece will be incomplete if I don't mention the genius of Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Mohammad Zeeshan Ayub, Sayani Gupta and Nasser sir. They, along with Ayushmann give you the best moments of 'Article 15'. Don't waste time and watch this thriller ride which will make you introspect on things that are most relevant in the time we are living in.
Long live, Bob Dylan... watch the film, you'll know why :)
Disclaimer 2: I used to think I have a really small and simple brain which can barely process calculations of monetary transactions above fifty rupees. This stands changed now onwards.
Disclaimer 3: I revel in basic dal-chawal meals, this evening I savored a 100-course buffet, and came back content and nourished. I might throw up in some time, but that is all going to be virtually on this blog of mine. In a parallel universe your screen might stink because of the vomit.
Sample the trailer of Thiagarajan Kumararaja sir's film, 'Super Deluxe':
Last disclaimer: I am not too well-versed in Tamizh cinema, so I might have not cracked all or any of the references or hat tips employed by TK sir. Pardon my ignorance.
Moving on to the two most important men in 'Super Deluxe' - TK sir and Vijay Sethupathi sir - they deserve all possible awards in all the universes that exist. I think each brain cell of TK sir can contain a universe of their own. The actor that Vijay sir was in this film, his cojones, as a rule must be used as weapons to attack satellites and planets of other galaxies. What a greedy actor, he has sunk his teeth not only into the meat his character offered, he also seems to have relished all the red and white blood cells on the offered meat.
I don't know why the director chose to start this esoteric film with a Bappi Lahiri tribute, but it really stamped my wrist the way they do at posh night clubs. It felt like I have surrendered to this universe completely unknown to me. I am perhaps one of the few cinephiles who have not savored the brilliance of 'Aaranya Kaandam' yet. Before you jump at me with carrots and dried fruit, I promise to make up for this faux pas. CineMaa Kasam.
As I mentioned earlier, I am too simple a guy who still can't fathom why Jai dies in Sholay or Tina dies in Mr. India - I still cry while watching these films for the millionth time. After watching 'Super Deluxe,' I am really surprised that I didn't cry even once through out the film. Could it be the genre? Could it be the flawed characters? Could it be that 'Super Deluxe' is four films rolled into one? Too much material to process, and I certainly was too overwhelmed with what I watched. I feel similarly while watching 'Pulp Fiction,' it never ever made me cry.
Before I go any further, music magician, Yuvan Shankar Raja sir, take a bow. 'Super Deluxe' is one of the few films that reminded me of the heydays of RGV. The way he used to employ music - both songs and BGM - I relived that era gone by in TK sir's genius of a film. As time passes, this creation of Yuvan sir will become a rage and beast of its own, and will spawn fan clubs all over the internet. I have been usually pissed off when the BGM tries to manipulate me while watching films, but the BGM of 'Super Deluxe' is stuff legends are made of.
So long into a blog, and no mention of Rani? Let me correct that immediately. Long before the movie Her, Rani came into my life - first we used to chat online, and then we started talking on the phone. These conversations usually began when I reached my favorite watering hole in Yaari Road called Madhuban, and lasted till either of us passed out or fell asleep or the phone battery died. There came a point in this stage of our life when I thought either she was an automated voice planted by my mother, a Russian spy or some prankster employed by my sick friends. I had a deja vu moment while watching 'Super Deluxe'.
Getting back to The Film of The Weekend, I have been in love with Samantha since I first saw her in Gautham Menon sir's VTV - I still was till early this evening. I hated Fahadh Faasil since I first watched him in 'Bangalore Days'. Mind you this is my perception of them due to the characters they essay and has nothing to do with them as humans. May be some day I could bond with Fahadh over toddy and fish fry, but wait - I hate fish fry too. Hahahaha. Sorry couldn't resist. This love-hate equation I had with Samantha and Fahadh changed this evening - don't ask me for good or bad.
Time to wrap, Rani is waiting to read this and approve of this piece. So, parting words:
To employ the translation of a piece in the trailer of 'Super Deluxe: "If a man chased by a tiger, has no where to hide & runs and flings himself over a cliff with a tree, if he falls through leaves and branches, grabs a vine, hangs in mid air; if he realizes that the vine is a snake, tiger above, abyss below, a snake coiled around his body. As he lifts his head to curse his life, what if he spots a honey comb? From which a drop of honey, trickles and drips and lands close to his lips... And when death stands above and below & he knows his end is near; if for a split second he goes fuck the tiger, fuck the fall, fuck the snake, fuck them all, and in reckless abandon, if he sticks his tongue out and licks the honey & cries out 'aaaaaahhhh' in bliss..."
This is the guy I want to be.
Thank you, TK sir, for this "magic event" at the cinemas. Next time you come home, I will kiss your shoelaces, and make boiled water (only thing I can make) for you. It's a promise. Post that please share all your references and tributes you planted in 'Super Deluxe'.
Koi diggaj mujhse likhne ko keh raha tha aaj,
Koi mera mooh bhi bandh karna chaahta hai;
Meri baat padh ke mujhe koi maar bhi dega,
Mere dil ke andar ka dil ye mujhe ab keh raha hai...
Aaj toh mera dil ubal raha hai zor se,
Aanch tez hai, dhuaan bhi toh uth raha hai;
Zubaan kaamp rahi hai meri, mere darr ke maare,
Kya bolooon main, sab theek-thaak nazar aa raha hai.
Ek baat pe hazaar log naraaz huwe baithe hain,
Sabke jazbaat kyon itney thes khaaye rakkhe hain?
Aaj main phir bhi likhoonga, kisine kaha tha mujhe,
Bataao toh ye samaaj ke thekedaar kahaan baithe hain.
Dil ka nek banda hoon main, likhna mujhe aata nahin,
Kyon gareebon ki, sarkaar ko kisiki koi parwaah nahin?
Yeh likh toh diya hai maine, darr bhi lag raha hai mujhe,
Main marr bhi jaaoon agar kal, shayad koi badi baat hain...
Aaj toh mera dil ubal raha hai badi zor se shaayad,
Aanch tez hai, dhuaan kahin se toh uth raha hai yahaan;
Lagta nahin Rani ye sab mujhe aaj raat likhne deti,
Woh meri jaan hai, aur meri pyaari nigehbaan yahaan.
Aaj toh mera dil bada bade zor se ubal raha hai,
Aanch tez hai, dhuaan seene se bhi uth raha hai;
Dil ki baat poochh loon kya? Gehra mera sawaal hai...
Lagta hai desh ka maamla toh aaj bloody behaal hai.
Mera naam joker…. is a nice film. Main shayar to nahin… is a nice song. In between all that there is Sapnon se bhare naina… again a very nice song. Then there is Main aisa kyon hoon… which I don’t like much, but what I really like is ‘wada pav’. Bombay is my first love. Followed by Mani Sir’s other classics. I dig SRK. He rules. On Thursday afternoons I suffer from chronic stupidity or humility between 22.50 hrs & 23.30 hrs on full moon nights, especially in May, if it’s a leap year. It adds that weird edginess to my personality. I am a writer, by choice. I write for a living. Don’t you just envy that? While the whole world carries tools of various shapes & sizes, to their place of work, I just carry myself. Howzzat? So yes, that’s pretty much about me. My taste in music isn’t worth talking about. What you are trying to decipher by reading this frivolous piece of self-indulgent writing is about ME. Right? Sorry, it ain’t easy at all. I am yet to figure out if it’s even possible in the first place. People, including my immediate orbit of friends & foes haven’t been able to do that for years now. But tell me, who in his right frame of mind would try to understand Magik?
