Now, where do I start? With Binod Pradhan’s amazing cinematography that gives you an authentic taste of Old Delhi? Or with A.R. Rahman’s brilliant music? Or with Rakeysh Mehra and his team’s soul searching story and script? Or with his handling of the subject? I have run out of adjectives. Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra is a genius. Mind you, it is nice to just have your heart in the right place but it is sheer genius to be able to pull of such involving story-telling and combining it with a wishful fantasy to leave you with a sweet taste at the end.
Yes, he is a genius but I’ve got the hang of his trick. I guess, he started off with similar tale of good vs. evil with Aks. Though Aks was innovative cinema, its unreal storyline put a lot of people off. The story telling and performances were appreciated but the message was lost. With RDB and Dilli-6, he’s employed past or current events as Metaphors to justify the fantasy, without compromising with the ‘real’ movie. This combined with his excellent direction makes his movies a real treat.
Confused? Let me explain – In RDB, Bhagat Singh’s story was used as the Metaphor to draw parallels to the current story and in Dilli-6, the black monkey episode which caused a lot of scares (and a few laughs) in Delhi few years back as the Metaphor to denote the evil within each one of us. Though it is a notch lower than RDB, it still is a master piece, coz. RDB was anyways a few notches above the highest rung on the ladder.
Roshan (AB), American NRI lands in Delhi accompanying his granny (Waheeda Rehman) as she’s suffering from an incurable tumor and wishes to spend her last few days at home. He lands smack in the middle of Old Delhi and is obviously amused by the chaos. At this point, I’ve to mention Binod Pradhan. His camera gives you a real taste of Old Delhi, the loads of people within the narrow streets, the mesh of cables overhead, the jalebi stores and the rickshaws, the Jama Masjid and the ramleela frolick, all of this almost makes me want to go back home. Especially when he gets up to the early morning light on his terrace… Blissful! You’ll know what I mean if you’ve ever slept on a terrace under the sky. Anybody with even a breath of Delhi’s air in his/her lungs would love this movie.
Wherever the camera falls short, Rahman’s magical score fills in. There are a lot of goose bump moments in the first half with Rahman’s music doing the honours. Be it the mass of men bowing down to the call of the Jama Masjid in Arziyaan or Abhishek listening to the title track on his morning run. You can’t but be addicted to the music.
He has a whale of a time with the neighbors, the ramleela and all the fanfare. The director also gives ample space to the other characters – the fighting brothers, their kids who are fascinated by the cleaning lady, the helper Gobar, the crazy Inspector, the old Lala and his young wife, the uncle Baig, the photographer Suresh and the cleaning lady Jalebi, all together, they make up one hell of a neighborhood. Of course, there also is the pretty lass Bittu (Sonam) who dreams of becoming the next Indian Idol. How can you not be amused with characters like these all around. There is plenty of fun and laughs all round amongst talks of the black monkey striking neighborhoods in Delhi.
Finally, it’s the turn of Delhi-6 to be stalked by the black monkey. This is of course the metaphor for the evil within each one of the characters. It doesn’t take long for the landscape to be polarized on religious lines and Roshan being the result of a mixed marriage finds himself in no man’s land. In one of the moments, he does what loads of Indians have actually done and would keep doing, run away to a safer heaven, go back to America, but then the director’s fantasy takes over and he decides to stay.
I believe, today there isn’t a more important issue in our country, than the religious polarization of India’s landscape. Rakeysh seems to be fulfilling his responsibility as a film maker superbly by doing his bit. He fits the backdrop of the Ramleela with his story of the black monkey superbly. Yes, it gets a bit preachy near the end when AB tries to talk some sense into the crowds and Yes, it does tread on wishful thinking during the climax but I guess, Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra wants you to come out of the hall with hope and not disappointment. I would be definitely saddened if he would’ve done anything otherwise.
The performances of the entire cast are adequate, neither too loud, nor understated. I can’t single out any character for an outstanding performance. Everyone is just right, but yes, I have to single out Sonam Kapoor for her sweet endearing smile.
The movie touches all the right cords within you in a manner that only Rakeysh Mehra seems to comprehend. It is entertaining and satisfying. I can’t understand what critics who are writing this movie off, looking for? Why is being a tad preachy such a crime?
And though it’s like visiting an often repeated tale again, if Rahman gets a Golden Globe for Slumdog, I guess, they should fall flat and name the award after him for Dilli-6. Hollywood musicians would be thanking God, Rahman wasn’t born amongst them. And click here if you want to see his youngest and craziest fan.
Nice…I read a few reviews about Delhi-6 and was wondering if I was gonna be in torture chamber on tuesday when I watch it. First good review that I’ve read about the movie…so now I’m gonna go back to the usual, not read any more reviews, just enjoy/get disappointed whatever with the movie… Will write back again after Tuesday 🙂
BTW…very less on Sonam Kapoor…??
Very cute vids of the kids… 🙂 Masakali sure does rock!! 🙂
Question one- How do you manage to catch the latest flicks, with a small baby in tow?
The review is amazingly professional. Very nicely done. God knows if and when I will get to see the movie. But based on the story, you know, this is what scares me about my son. I wonder how he would be categorised, coming from mixed parents.Different states, different languages, different religions… in the increasingly intolerant India, what place will my child find?
Hmmm, good interpretation of an illogical concept. Preaching us on the pretext of monkey-man was an innovative idea but illogical. I will tell so why in my second take. Guess I need to say it more clearly. 🙂
No doubt ARR’s music was brilliant. Sad, that it was misused.
Amazing review man…I wish I could write so well 🙂
I have almost given up completely on hindi movies…after having seen loads of hollywood movies I have started watching a lot of German and a lot of other language movies…the problem is almost for every other movie I hear from people that it is good, at times even great but most of the times I am disappointed…which makes me confused whne should I listen to people’s views about a movie! I have to agree with you that RDB was simply amazing…wish more movies were made like it…I am still not sure whether I should see Delhi-6…to think of it in the 6 months that I have spent in NYC I haven’t seen a single hindi movie…might see some while I am in India in the first 2 weeks of March.
Amazing review. Most reviews these days are just story revelation.
Now this one is professional. It talks about the premise instead of story. You should have submitted this to PFC.
I might catch it next week.
I was waiting for someone to write review.Ur review was great.
But less u wrote abt sonam kapoor
wonderful review
i watched it yesterday and agree with every bit u have written.
religious sentiments was shown so beautifully, and every actor stood out in their respective characters
i loved the songs, all of them, genda phool was just aqesome
infact, i wonder why a lot of people are coming with negative reviews abt the movie, i even saw a couple of people walk out and was astonished
sonam kapoor is my fave amongst the new lot of actors.
@Smriti: I hope it isn’t torture for you… I loved it, But ya, Its best to avoid all reviews if you’re actually sure of watching the movie. I avoid all reviews if I want to watch the movie. Let me know if you like it.
@GM: I and my brother live together so we take turns taking care of the kids 🙂 That apart, Yuvaan’s grand parents live just 10 minutes away and they can’t seem to get enough of him, so they are more than happy to oblige as well.
Regarding mixed marraiges, its not such a big problem with regions and cultures (though there are a few idiots like Raj Thackrey) but religion and that too – Hindu Muslim is slowly and gradually snowballing into something huge. Pray that sense prevails before it is out of hand.
@Vee: Please don’t do a second take. You drove away potential viewers with your first take itself. he he… But usually, I mean there are a few differences and thats fine but this movie has got extremes on both sides.
@IJD: Thanks 🙂 Yeah, I guess it is up to you to decide what cinema you enjoy. Even though I love writing reviews, I hate reading them before watching a movie 🙂
@Solilo: This movie is garnering extreme reactions. Let me know what you think.
@Varunavi: Yeah, now when I think back, I should’ve written more about Sonam. She was wonderful indeed. I’d actually written first that her smile stretches from ear to ear but then I deleted it coz. I thought didn’t make much sense.
@ISH: Glad you liked it. Its strange that I feel happy when someone agrees with my views about the movie. Its not like I made the movie 🙂 he he And yeah, this is the CD playing in my car right now and for a few days to come I guess. Even my son is crazy about Masakali. See his video from the link in the review.
I read reviews of Delhi-6..and took out what people felt about it..but anyway, I will watch it, and like it. I ❤ Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's direction! 🙂
Lets see when I have myself tiptoeing to Masakalli..and yea Dilli hai mere yaar!
Hey Rakesh…
I agree mate…
I thought it was a fantastic movie … i felt it was very contemporary and such a relevant issue… it makes the viewer slightly uncomfortable and gives a twinge… doesnt it ??
I wish issues in our society would be solved so easily though…
That was a lovely review Rakesh!!!
I havent seen the movie but somehow it had this "feel good" tag written all over it & was a bit disappointed when most of the critics pulled it down.
Now will definitely take a dekho:-D
Once again, the review had nostalgia, depth, freshness….in short it had 'full feelings'
😀
let me say also that after Hitchwriter/Dhiren’s good words yours is the ony nice review I am reading about.Have to go see it now.Dhiren’s praised it too:)
Your review is awesome!
am going to see it taking Dhiren’s and your words for it:))
Blogrolled you!:)
Its strange na, that instead of getting more liberated and open minded, people are getting more and more narrow minded each day. Sad i say!
Lucky you, with so many people around to help with Yuvaan. Enjoy!
@Ayushi: Yeah, even i like his style of directing.
@Dhiren: Yeah it does make you cringe… Wishful thinking at the end.
@Reflections: You know I can’t stop listening to “Rehna Tu”. The ecelectic sounds by Rahman combined with Sonam’s smile is awesome. Even the photography by Binod Pradhan in picturising Rishi Kapoor’s house is amazing. You can almost feel the fabric of the pool table and smell the coffee when AB and Rishi Kapoor sit together. It warms you up. Awesome stuff.
@Indyeah: I guess you’re from Delhi, right? How could you not see this movie…
@GM: yeah, I know… It is sad.
The neighbourhood characters sound pretty cool. I like the idea of the kids being fascinated by the cleaning lady.
ur kids r so amazingly cute..really..
i luv the song ‘masakali’..and rite nw im addicted to ‘genda phool’..something abt the song is driving me crazy
i didnt care 2 much abt Sonam Kapoor wen ‘saawariya’ was announced..but i cant take my eyes off her in the song ‘masakali’..she is beautiful in her own way and tht killer smile of hers..man! so frm-the-hrt..
I am waiting to c the film 🙂
@Terra: Yup, it is indeed nostalgic 😉
@Swats: See, if Sonam can do that to you… what’s our fault? And the music is awesome!!!
Very nice review, as usual.
I felt the movie was ok. The second half was good. The first half, however, was dead boring, with no storyline whatsoever.
And I have never liked the ‘parallel story’ concept which ROM uses in his movies. I hated it in RDB, and I hated it all the more in this one (the ramleela sequence and all that jazz).
But yes, the message of the movie was nice and strong. And the music is amazing of course.
Good review Rakesh.
But I was expecting one of ur FUNNY reviews but I guess u like this movie 🙂
Good vs Evil is the same old movie formula tho.
Keshi.
i so agree with every word u said… i saw the movie and loved it so much….
still cant understand why is it getting so bad reviews
Your review rocks. Now let me watch the movie and get back.
wow! your review makes me wanna see it…coz i was having 2 minds coz of the blasted critics and their nonsense about how the movie looses fizz! but i like wat i read! thanks rakesh.. 🙂
@Reb: I actually loved the characters in the first half. The parallel storyline, well, I think he loves Ramayana (Aks and D6).
@Keshi: Even I love ripping a movie apart, but the movie was good so can’t help it.
@Monika: Yup, and as I said earlier, the reactions from both sides are extreme.
@Shail: Hope the movie rocks as well for you… Or else you’ll be back and ridicule me 😛
@Tanu: Hmmm, see it but if you don’t like it, don’t send me the invoice 😛
Who wants a BMW when we can read reviews like this?
I absolutely loved the movie and this review. ‘And why is being a tad preachy such a crime?’ We really need some more such preachy movies 🙂
And I even wish he could add his touch to Ekta Kapoor serials … didn’t he show the same life from a more real and ‘a tad preachy’ angle?
And the youngest AR Rehman fan is also the cutest 🙂
@IHM: Wow, with a compliment like that, who needs followers? Thanks for making my day 🙂
So… i did catch the movie.. at home on DVD (:P)… and i must say…i did like it.. it was like one of those art movies.. all the scenes in the first half were like snippets out of a life of a Chandni-chowk vasi! :)..and since i am from the city and visited those lanes..sort of connected well!… i do like the way Rakyesh has worked on the script…but i do hate the over-the-top ending of the glimpses of heaven…etc! too tacky and too unrealistic!..but i guess thats what he wanted to show! but overall…great comparisons with the ‘now forgotten’ kala bandar rendezvous! 🙂
Nice movie and review. I personally thought that with SO many characters the director did not do justice to any.
What really got me was how pretty Sonam Kapoor looks. Having a werewolf for a father could have ruined it for her….
nice review…agree with you on most of what you’ve written…:)
Gawd. the last scene- father son meeting in Heaven, near death exp was killing…:) i thot 2nd half dragged on a bit.. but yes, watchable in all:)
With regds to Tattoo- i have one on my left forearm and got one recently on my left ankle….shall send you links to pics..!!! where and what is your tattooo??:)
@Tanu: Stop Piracy!!! he he
@Satyajit: She is real pretty innit? Yeah he’s turning into a werewolf by the day.
@Aaarti: Yeah but, I liked everything bout the movie. Sure, send me the link…
Nice Header!!!!!!!!!!!
Now the question is what if he says “But Daddy, I want to become a Rocket Scientist”
😀
Nice review , but very little about Sonam, wherea all other people are saying that she is the best thing in the movie:)
here is the link to my 1st tattoo.
http://words-flow.blogspot.com/2008/09/curtains-up.html
Loved the review! Will watch it soon! The songs genda phool and maskallia are so catchy!Btw your son looks really cute!
Just read your comment on Sandeep’s post on PCC …saw the name guessed it was you:)
hats off for such a brilliant reply!:)
@Nancy: Rocket Scientist is cooler 🙂
@Renu: Yes, she and A.R. Rahman’s music are the best things in the movie.
@Aarti, Yup I saw it, real cool girl…
@Indyana: Yeah, the music is great! My son dances like crazy to Masakali, his videos are on the other blog of mine.
@Indyeah: Yeah, thanks to it, I got my first hate message 🙂 Its on my shoutbox right now…
Oye Brother from another Mother.. I too want that ‘Just Seen’ to be done… Kaise? Bolo Bolo Tell Tell.
and I thought I was the only one who liked the movie …I actually loved it …may be coz i have seen such neighbourhood ….may be coz I hate when people fight over religion ….
music is awesome and so is sonam …I liked that inspector also ..lol …actually all characters were well sketched ..
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