Author: aninditaroy444

SIMMBA: Alpha-male Ranveer Singh’s towering screen presence, comic timing and action Jackson avatar make SIMMBA look real and believable. Ranveer’s coming home to Deepiku these days who can safely croon “MERA BALMA HAIN TIGER, GOLI MARE JAISE SNIPER YES!!!

Ranveer is over-the-top in the first few scenes with prominent mannerisms of Akshay Kumar-the movie has shades of Dabbang and other 80’s cop movies. The SIMMBA theme song incorporating Maratha war tunes and the sculpture of Chattrapati Shivaji right in the beginning and frequent use of Marathi words set the tone of the Bollywood action drama which bears a Maharashtrian slant although the movie. There are no burning or overturning cars but there are very ably bodied cops who move in slow-mo and engage in fist fights and good old decibel matches to drive home their point. Just like a 80’s potboiler the sistah has to get raped and knocked down unconscious and eventually die in order to instil the sense of duty in SIMMBA. The second half is sloppy and predictable but it is commendable how Bollywood has come of age and happily collaborates and comes together to breathe life into a new project. The famous Aankh Marey song has Arshad Warsi gamely matching steps with Ranveer and Sara and the Golmaal team also happily chips in with a blink-and-you-miss appearance for a Rohit Shetty project. The original song sang by Mika Singh has the cover version sang by Kumar Shanu. Set in Miramar beach in Goa, this movie is a typical Rohit Shetty movie with a noteworthy display of brawn where heroes swagger and thump their chests and tote guns at the drop of a hat. The female characters are demure and acts on cues from their male counterparts. The introduction of Singham proves that even the best projects need empathetic supervisors. The climax depicts the rise of the true blue desi Tom Cruise Akki jaan as Veer Suryavanshi who is entrusted with the task of carrying the mantle of SIMMBA forward. Sara Ali Khan gives a spirited performance as a working class girl jettisoning her Nawabi adaas and looks like a cross between Amrita Singh and Soha Ali Khan. Bollywood’s obsession with rape, cops, drugs and nautch girls is legendary and this movie does not deviate from the well-tried and tested formula but the smart and sassy treatment and the one-upmanship of Ranveer Singh get the movie the kudos from the movie goers and probably these would bring in the seeti-marao repeat audience. Thank you Rohit Shetty for the elevating experience. AATA MAJHI SATAKLI Notwithstanding!!!

ZERO: An intelligent script interspersed with wit, emotional quotient, pathos and star power-futuristic in its depiction of a multi-planetary ecosystem ably supported by a bravura performance of Anushka Sharma, the bundle of energy that’s SRK, a perfect casting coup and the superb direction of Anand L Rai makes this movie an intriguing and enjoyable watch. Bauua is a vertically challenged guy with a lot of chutzpah and positive energy-he meets his match in a slightly handicapped wheelchair bound Anushka Sharma who is a NASA bred scientist. Anushka’s body language and diction are so perfect that you would stop believing that she is Bollywood star married to the invincible Mr Big (Virat Kohli, no prizes for guessing) Katrina oozes oomph in every frame -she has to don tons of kohl and sport panda eyes to portray the over-the-top disoriented, unlucky in love poster-girl to look villain-ish which is an act for the otherwise mild-mannered woman and she pulls it off with elan. Shahrukh Khan brags about his trademark dimples and ceremonializes the buttony glad eyes he makes at every female that is object of his affection. Salman Khan’s endorsement of this movie uppity ups the celebrity quotient already high with the graceful presence of Juhi Chawla, the late Srideviji, Alia Bhatt, Abhay Deol, Kajol, Deepika Padukone and Karisma Kapoor-all of them by the way sport alabaster skin from head to toe with Karisma being the only naturally fairest one. SRK does not insist on showcasing his trademark stammering skills and the outstretched hand movement that he’s been carrying off since the 90s. He does somersaults on his hands just like the Deewana days and his prosthetic makeup and energetic dance moves are an extension of his Jabra Fan act. But he should know that having a lean physique and a 30 inch waist even at the other side of fifty counts too. Right, Sid? (Sid Malhotra) The climax is well thought out and reassuring just like a Hollywood movie-I was scared that Bauua would die in the rocket shuttle but he fists back to safety and back on Mother Earth thanks to some timely intervention of the Chinese scientists. I do not know why Ranbir Kapoor including his dad Chintu Kapoor is added as a gimmick to lend spice to the proceedings which is already overladen with fun, masala and self-deprecating humor. The message of the movie is simple yet overpowering with human emotions and the timeless and binding power of love and longing. I give it four thumbs up (hands and toes together)

GENERATION AAMI: Trust Mainak Bhaumik to come up with a novel script, a stellar ensemble cast, put a new spin to the classic Apu-Dugga story of Pather Panchali and essay the trial and tribulations of the new-age youths in this smartly connected world. Apu is a lost teenager cowering under the domination of his parents. He is an average Joe in constant fear of failure and rejection, chemistry is his bete-noire, music is his passion but he plays it safe until along comes Dugga, a firebrand but misunderstood and neglected young woman who helps him find his true calling and rebel with glory. I could not find the reason for Dugga’s death when she had all the help in the world. The jumping off a terrace scene is shown in great detail but kids please do not try this at home. The escapist act of suicide is glorified unnecessarily. Apu’s emergence as Aparajito tells in his change of gait and confidence and the way he defends himself against the towering and overpowering control of his parents in the guise of affection and guidance. Poor guy gets slapped a lot in the movie but I could not help but marvel the way he holds his own against powerful actors like Aparajita Addhya and Santilal Mukherjee. Santilal’s voice is very strong and impactful but he artfully modulates his tone as he quivers his voice in shame while speaking of his demotion at work. It is indeed a delight to watch Aparajita Addhya as the possessive mother who throws a feat when Apu pierces his left earlobe. Dugga’s Delhite parents and their quest for status and prestige and their professional treatment towards their only daughter are realistic to the core. There is a funny man at the other end of the phone whose number Dugga keeps dialling to no avail and there is witty reference of a “Chotomashi” who never shows up in person or as a voice on the phone but is a integral part of the script. Lily Chakraborty plays the accepting grandmother who is content with holding a calling bell in her bedroom to seek the attention of her son who lives in the same house. It is not understood why Apu does not accompany Dugga to her medical appointments who continues to keep it silly with her incessant calls to her crush who is a “married but single” man. Mainak Bhaumik keeps it simple and sweet and the exchanges between the cousins are kept real and sans of preaching and family politics and it’s a clean movie to watch and is devoid of grey areas like incest, sibling rivalry and competition. I would have loved it if Apu caught Dugga by her hand while she jumped off the terrace and he wheelied her to the “Gaanwala” gig but alas!

An outstanding charity concert, organised by Garia Mitali Sangha and presented by Tochon Ghosh and Bonny Ghosh at Netaji Indoor Stadium featured two luminaries of the Bollywood music industry, Sonu Nigam and Sunidhi Chauhan. My middle-class ticket surprisingly provided me a great vantage point to view the sitare up close and personal with close proximity to the stage. The best part is that Sonu and Sunidhi did not Bongofy their acts and the gung-ho Bengalis still lapped it up proving the fact that Ishq-Vishq, Entertainment Mein Sabse Aage No. 1 Punjabi.

The comperes and the cover version artists did a ho-hum job. There were a group of young girls who performed to Dola Re, Ghoomar at the beginning but they were unceremoniously booed down from the stage. Sunidhi started her act with the pulsating Dhoom Machale. She was dressed in skinny black jeans, black vest and a shining silver jacket that added glamour and oomph to her Rockstar persona. She upped the tempo of the audience with Crazy Kire Re followed by Sajna Diwani, Ishq Sufiana, Aani Aani Aani Aani Loot Gaya etc in close succession. Her voice was strong and powerful and she exuded vitality and attitude akin to a teenybopper in keeping with the contemporary and upbeat numbers she belted out. She sang Main Badiya Tu Badiya from Sanju but unfortunately it was not a duet with Sonu Nigam. Sunidhi initiated an epic GIRL POWER moment when she asked all the girls and ladies in the audience to stand up and join her in her moves to Desi Girl. The she did a superb rendition of Race Sason Ki, Disco Deewane, Dil Ding Dong Ding Bole, Didar De from Dus, Aisa Jadoo Dala re and it was refreshing to watch the singing sensation perform with such energy and vibrance even for a charity show. The acoustics were at international standards and were a delight to experience. Sunidhi performed Bidi Jalai Le without paying heed to the non-smoking dictum of the indoor stadium and her multi-dimensional voice was a cross between those of Usha Uthup and Ila Arun. Her item songs were a big hit amongst the audience fed on regular doses of such fare in the music channels. Interestingly the ladies in the crowd screamed for “Sheila Ki Jawani” leaving the men bemused but turned on nevertheless. Sunidhi had a clear western influence in her choice of songs and she often used English songs as the mukhra of her Hindi songs displaying the wide range of her voice.

Sunidhi warmed up the audience considerably setting the stage for Sonu Nigam who made his entry with a lot of flamboyance amidst cheering crowds who screamed “Sonu!Sonu!”. He started off with Chalte Chalte Mere Yeh Geet Yaad Rakhna, followed by the heart-thumping Yeh Dil Hain Deewana from Pardes and the absolute crowd pleaser Suraj Hua Madhyam. He had an interactive style of singing and started each song with a mellow mukhra while petering off slowly with the antaras. He would sometimes walk towards us and then walk away and every time he did that our hearts would say “Palat”. I called it a night at 9 pm since Sonu’s was a repeat act of what he had already performed in Kolkata few months back and I needed to beat the crowds. I came out of the stadium rejuvenated and energised with Bhangra Paale Aaja Aaja ringing in my mind.

BAGH BANDI KHELA: It was a torture to be held captive at the theater watching this non-sensical movie. A collection of three stories, it is a vanity vehicle for Prosenjit, Sohum and Jeet. Sprinkled with generous doses of romance, drama, action (including dead drop from a skyscraper, overturning cars, free arm fights and what not) the movie lacks soul. The script is incoherent and the dialogues would make you cringe in your seat. Product placement is done in such an obvious manner and it would make you steer clear of the product. In one scene in Benaras, Sohum develops a runny stomach after eating the street-side jalebi and is a true depiction for once. Srabanti and Prosenjit stand out with their performances. Sayantika is an eyesore. Jeet and Sohum are ho-hum. Music is no great shakes either. A lousy movie and a substandard fare from the director Raja Chanda.

No Kavita, No Song

Had the good chance of watching Kavita Krishnamurthy Subramanium live in concert at the Verde Vista Club. Kavita is a veteran of the Hindi Film Industry with 45 years of experience under her belt. She is also fluent in Bengali having spent her early training years with Hemant Kumar and Manna Dey. She has deep regard for classical music and restricted herself to mostly soft, emotional numbers. The only peppy song was “Hawa Hawaii” followed by more upbeat songs like “Aaj Mein Upar”, “Nimbuda”, “Dola Re”. She also sang a Bengali Rabindrasangeet with equal élan. She did not sing “Jhuma Chuma De De” keeping in consideration the family audience. She was ably accompanied by Jimut Roy, a local musician who was superb in duets and solo songs. Kavita’s mellifluous voice enthralled us for two and a half hours and compelled us to remain seated for all that time. Her performance reinstated the fact that there is no equivalent to hard work, perseverance and merit.

I scream, you scream, we all scream for icecream. Its creamy, its sweet and its cold perfect for the humid hot Indian climate and the unmistakable Indian sweet tooth. In Kolkata you can taste the home grown as well as the international brands without much of a pocket pinch.

KWALITY- Very convenient and pocket friendly. There’s Kwality Walls and Magnum (also distributed through them) for the more quality conscious. The taste has been intact from time immemorial. Very dependable brand.

SCOOP-Now located in the New Empire building near New Market, it is the boutique brand that pioneered icecream sundaes in Kolkata back in the ‘90s. It was located at Outram Ghat then, overlooking the Ganges. It’s icecream dish “As You Like It” comprising of five select scoops was my favorite. I have gotten over many bad days over this bowl of happiness. Too bad it’s discontinued now. A honorable destination for icecream in the heart of Kolkata.

AMUL ICECREAM PARLOR– Located at Rashbehari Connector, Amul is just Amul-unique in its utterly butterly delicious taste. It was previously located in City Center I. It is a brand I grew up with, a brand I have a lot of respect for. The taste is old-school, you would not regret it.

FABELLE CHOCOLATE BOUTIQUE-ITC SONAR-An upscale brand targeted towards corporate gifting and royal indulgences of the rich and famous. Needless mark-ups, I would say.

NATURAL’S- A Mumbai based brand that has forayed into Kolkata and has grabbed the market-share of Eastern India. Based at Park Street near the Park Plaza, the location is cumbersome for car parking. Try the Cocunut Icecream and other fruit based icecream – it is refreshing and soothing, only if you do not mind the calories.

HAAGEN DAZS– A US based brand that has set up shop in Kolkata at Quest Mall. The taste of the icecream is overpowering and addictive and you may end up saving more stomach space for the creamy delight than the regular meal. Try the Belgian Chocolate-the taste is truly international if not pure Swiss. A high-end brand meant for the true-blue icecream addicts.

If you are craving for dimsum ala the ChinaTown of Boston, New York or San Francisco, do not let logistics stop you from having your dimsum fix. You can get great dimsum right here in Kolkata without much of an ado.

MASTER DIMSUM – Tucked in a corner opposite Vivekananda Park, this tiny outlet has passable fare suited for the everyday pockets. If you are a dimsum freak like me, opt for the wholesome dimsum box and be happy with having your dimsum standing, ‘cause there ain’t any place to sit.

THE WALL- Situated in Sarat Banerjee Road off Southern Avenue, this place has god-awesome dimsum dishes but mostly ala carte. It is advisable to go in a group so that you can try most of the available fare.

MAINLAND CHINA-It has become a national chain. The one in South City Mall has excellent choices in dimsum and the quality is ever dependable and one of the best. Make prior reservation before you visit them.

YAUTCHA- The “Maharaja” of dimsum is located right here at Quest Mall. There’s the Regular Steamed Non-Veg Dimsum Basket for the carnivorous dimsum aficionados like me, and the taste and feeling of fullness after the meal is unmatched. Meant for HNIs with deep pockets, this can be a occasional treat for the taste buds of the hoi polloi, moi included.

THUGS OF HINDOSTAN: TWO THUMBS UP

Set in 1795, a few years after the British set up crown rule in erstwhile Hindostan, the movie depicts the conversion of a few Thugis (conmen) in overturning John(read: Robert) Clive’s India and its robust East India Company. The movie is pure fictional because such minor uprisings of the 18^th century are largely undocumented, the first well-known rebellion being the Sepoy Mutiny of 1857. This movie is a magnum opus where lavish sets are mounted and a lot of special effects are ingested into the visuals. But some of the CGI is very patchy what with eagles flying in every frame and the sun going down too fast like an iron ball sinking in water and what not. The action sequences are well crafted but the same technique of showing flying men and Spiderman-esque movements might seem repetitive. Fatima Sana Shaikh takes her craft seriously and is a delight to watch. The septuagenarian Amitabh Bachchan look fetching and his trademark baritone and towering presence as Khudabaksh Azaad fill every frame with valour and dignity. His brooding looks and quick blink of the eye manifest in his forever young “Angry Young Man” persona. Perfectionist Aamir is wonderful as the wayward “Firangi Mallar” and exudes charisma and spiritedness and is fearless in every frame opposite the formidable Bachchan. Ronit Roy, as the father of Fatima, Mirza Baig is superb in the opening act and sets the context of the movie. Ila Arun is fab in a brief role. Lloyd Owen as John Clive is strictly okay. Shanichar played by Md. Ayubb stands out as the Firangi’s sidekick and has a Deepak Dobriyal hangover. Ab-licious Katrina Kaif looks fetching but is wasted in two song-and-dance numbers. Prabhudeva’s choreography is not that good for “Suraiyya” number -Katrina’s gyrations are too fast and lacks grace. The Aamir-Amitabh chemistry comes alive in the “Vashmalle” song. The background score is superb, the lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya are catchy but they do not reflect the period feel of the movie. The songs, somehow, resonate in your heart long after you have left the theatre. There is a brief mention of Badabazaar in Kolkata and the fight is over the estate of Durgpur (In Bahubali it was Mahismati). Firangi Mallar is from Awaad and the visages shown in the movie like Dusshera, human pyramids ala Dahi Handi festival during Janmasthami clearly have Maharashtrian influences. The movie is influenced by Lagaan, Pirates of the Caribbean and even Bahubali (while depicting how Indians hit on each other in ancient days). The climax is light-hearted and funny and thankfully there is no item song with the main protagonists during the end credit lending some dignity and sanity in an otherwise “busy” screenplay cluttered with action, music, melodrama, romance and what not. Watch this movie to see the grandeur of a 300 crore YRF movie, the superlative chemistry between Amitabh and Aamir and the excellent performances of the rest of the cast and how the call of the motherland and the yearning for freedom supersedes all.

Places Covered: Shillong, Cherrapunjee, Guwahati

Time: Oct 15-Oct 21, 2018

Climate: Medium cold in Cherrapunjee and Shillong, hot in Guwahati

Rainfall: NIL, not even in Cherrapunjee

Travel Agency: ACE Consortium, 9/19, Ekdalia Rd, Ekdalia, Ballygunge, Kolkata, West Bengal 700019  Ph: 033 2440 3403

Flight: CCU-GAU-CCU Indigo

Hotel: High Winds (Shillong)

            Four Season Eco Resort (Cherrapunjee)

            Onyx Garden (Guwahati)

Car: Standard AC Swift Dezire Roundtrip from GAU to Shillong to Cherrapunjee to GAU

Trip Itinerary:

DAY 0

Umiam Lake (Bada Pani)

DAY 1

Dawki

Mawlyngong Village

DAY 2

Ward’s Lake

Don Bosco Museum

Lady Hydari Park

Durga Puja Mandap

DAY 3

Shillong View Point

Elephant Falls

Seven Sister Falls

Nohkahlikai Falls

 DAY 4

Eco Park

Alfresco Grand Brahmaputra Cruise

DAY 5

Kamakhya Temple

Sucreswar Temple

TRIP REVIEW

Firstly, Onyx Garden in Guwahati was the best hotel of the lot. Four Season Eco Resort in Cherrapunjee is a new facility-it does not have WIFI, is located in a desolate area but the service is very good. High Winds in Shillong had really bad service and should be avoided at all costs.  We had meals at Jiva Veg enroute Shillong, Center Point hotel in Guwahati, Orange Roots in Cherrapunjee amongst other places which were all good. The food was the worst at Mawlynong Village. We did not do any shopping at Police Bazaar at Shillong or Fancy Bazaar at Guwahati because honestly the Kolkata malls and markets are bigger and better. Amongst the attractions, I liked Don Bosco Museum the best especially the Skywalk-and I climbed seven stories to reach there. I could not view much at the Shillong View Point as everything was engulfed in clouds.  Umiam Lake was a vast man-made stretch of water and a nice place for a stopover on the way to Shillong from Guwahati. Dawki was serene, clean and very scenic and was worth the three hour long drive. Mawlynnong Village was no great shakes-just a bunch of touristy shops with very scarce amenities. I had to walk a stretch to get bottled water. Ward’s Lake was a patch of green with calm water and was unbelievably beautiful. Lady Hydari Park came a close second with ducks plying on water bodies and gorgeously landscaped expanses. Of the waterfalls, Elephant Falls and Nohkalikai Falls were less than what I expected them to be. The Seven Sisters Falls was so scanty and distant from the viewpoint that I needed binoculars to view them properly. I was caught by surprise when I chanced upon an unnamed waterfall enroute Cherrapunjee that I stopped the car for a while to soak in its magnificence and pristine beauty. The Eco Park at Cherrapunjee was a let-down while compared to the one that we have in Kolkata. The Alfresco Grand cruise on the river Brahmaputra was relaxing and refreshing after a tiring sprint all across the Guwahati-Shillong corridor. Kamakhya Temple, a much revered religious spot in Guwahati, was surprisingly methodical and free of money hungry priests. The lesser known Sucreswar Temple was a quiet zone, apt for a quick prayer and offerings. We also had a chance to stop by at the artistic Durga Puja Mandap near Polo Towers at Shillong. Shillong, with its scenic splendor and cool climate is a popular destination for Bengalis. All the local people speak Bengali and the Assamese script is the same as Bengali. The journeys across states are breathtaking and the roads are butter-smooth. Shillong was once named “Scotland of the East” by the British-so if you cannot make a jaunt to Scotland right away, consider making a trip to Shillong-the nearest airport, Guwahati is only an hour away from Kolkata. Bon voyage!