A New Way for Indian Cinema

I watched Rang De Basanti again last week. The critical merits of this phenomenally successful motion picture have been debated endlessly. While watching it again, I recalled again why it had become the roaring success that it had – neatly etched out script, taut narrative, superb characters, brilliant acting, rocking music and authoritative direction. But it went beyond just being a popular hit. It tapped into a reservoir of frustration of the youth with the polity of the country. It further metamorphosed into a common man’s ideal solution for the removal of the ills plaguing the state – getting rid of the unscrupluous politician. We all have seen umpteen number of forgettable Hindi movies ending with the murder of the corrupt politician/businessman etc.

Yet the movie does not conclude there. It recognises the ills plaguing the country are deep rooted. Rang De Basanti portrays the reality of urban India and its reluctance to participate in the socio-political domain. The swift solution of the minister’s assassination offers the protagonists no sense of justice and in precisely this predicament’s lies Rang De Basanti’s triumph. It does not play the blame game all the way. It asks the citizens, especially the youth, to seize control and take matters in their own hands in a different way, by getting their feet in the mud to clean the mess. The movie’s success proves the message has been received resoundingly, followed by the life-imitating-art scenes on India Gate.

Consequently, Rang De also shows us a new way for Indian cinema. Bollywood remains the last frontier which has not been completely swamped by the big brothers in Los Angeles. Rang De proves that Bollywood must remain as robust as ever and we should continue making movies the way we want rather than surrendering our unique style of cinema for that elusive Oscar.

Munich

Watched a movie after a long time and was glad the choice was Munich. Though Spielberg didn’t land any Oscars for this one, I think it ranks along with Spielberg’s very best. Munich has a detached quality to it, and you get the feeling that Spielberg does not relate to the insane violence. That precisely is the motive of his directorial treatment.

Munich portrays violence indifferently and yet the impact is not lost, and in that lies Spielberg’s genius. The emotional intensity of Saving Private Ryan and Schindler’s List is lacking and is instead replaced by a gradual evolution of violence into complete absurdity, defying all logic. Spielberg has dealt with these themes before – the absurdity of human animosity and violence. Yet nowhere has he made them so central to the theme as in Munich. It reflects a more mature perception of the world through which he has finally come to grips with the reality of despair.

What sets the movie apart from his earlier movies is a departure from optimism – Munich offers no hope to the world we inhabit. A world paralyzed by violence, and the madness of its irreversible continuity. You get the feeling while watching the movie that Spielberg directs the relentless violence with a feeling of helplessness – a brutal, vicious circle that has spiralled out of his control.

As Avner, the lead protaganist unable to come to terms with normal life after spending years trying to hunt down Palestinians and being hunted in return, prophetically sums it up towards the conclusion, “There’s no peace at the end of this.”

A Prayer for Wayne Rooney

All those football fans who don’t want to witness another anodyne World Cup with Brazil just turning up to reclaim what is already with them – the golden trophy – I would urge them to send in their prayers for Wayne Rooney.
Because if there’s any force at all that can halt the Samba magic at all, its the 20 year old powerhouse. He might not be big enough to drink as yet, but he already puts fear into the mind of the world’s best defenders. Add to this a muscular figure, robust physique and an extraordinary passion for the game and you’d believe injury would be the last thing to happen to Rooney.
If the 3-0 drubbing of Manchester United at the hands of Chelsea was not enough for disappointment, we have a possibility where the world’s best young player might not play in the game’s showpiece tournament after all.
I love Brazilian football, am a big fan of Ronaldinho and would be as happy as last time if they win it again. Yet I want to see them win it against the best competition, and that won’t be possible if Rooney doesn’t play.
England are not even half the side they are without Rooney. He brings flair, creativity and passion to a team somewhat regimental in their playing techniques and these qualities offer England the only hope of posing any challenge in Germany. Steven Gerrard has already said it would be ‘impossible’ to have a successful World Cup without the Manchester United striker.
Rooney was in tears after learning that he might not be able to take part in Germany. It is a personal tragedy for the boy whose childhood dream has always been to play in a World Cup. The bigger tragedy is for the game.
Let’s just hope he is on that plane to Germany. It could make a more engrossing World Cup.