Argo: Fiction Presented Better than Truth

The movie “Argo” is about what happened during the Iran hostage crisis during the 1979 Iranian revolution. The CIA and Hollywood collaborated in an undercover operation to rescue six American embassy staff members. The movie is based on a book by Tony Mendez- an ex-CIA officer; and an article from the NY Times, but the …

Chaukat Raja: Accepting Children with Developmental Delay

The ’90s were not a great time for Marathi or Hindi Cinema in terms of quality of content presented. Movies were plenty but a handful of them carried themes or stories which would have a lasting impact. One such movie from the very early ’90s is 1991’s Marathi film “Chaukat Raja”. The movie is based …

Chhoti Si Baat - How Simple Stories Become Effective

Love stories are often based on a very basic trope: boy meets girl, then another boy meets her. What happens after is simply answering the question who gets the girl. On such beguilingly simple formula, many good, bad, and ugly films are built. Basu Chatterjee’s 1973’s classic “Chhoti Si Baat” (Just a Small Thing) carved …

Harishchandrachi Factory - The story of Indian cinema

Cinema is probably the most important art form of the twentieth century and a huge influence on society today. It influences the way we live, speak, act and perceive life around us. As an art form closest to representing ‘reality’; cinema affects us all! Now This art form definitely has a western origin but it …

A Beautiful Mind - What Support and Inclusion Can Do for Mental Illness

“A Beautiful Mind” is an emotionally potent Oscar-winning film detailing the life of a brilliant mathematician suffering from schizophrenia. As the story unfolds, this condition slowly takes over his mind. His life crumbles around him, but his wife supports him, finally leading this genius man to a partial recovery and recognition. This happy recognition comes …

The Shawshank Redemption - A Masterpiece Of Human Emotion

“Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies” — Andy Dufresne The Shawshank Redemption is a 1994 drama directed by Frank Darabont starring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman in lead roles. This movie is based on the short story “Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption” written by Stephen King. The …

Phas Gaye Re Obama: Entertaining and Enlightening

Phas Gaye Re Obama is hilarious roller coaster ride that doesn’t only make you laugh uncontrollably but also gives a commentary on kidnappings in states like UP, Rajasthan, and Bihar of India. Written and directed by Subhash Kapoor, this movie is incredibly entertaining and filled with great performances. Organized kidnapping is a serious issue in …

Top 10 Gangster Movies Of Hollywood

“As far back as I can remember, I always wanted to be a gangster.” Hollywood has given us some of the most entertaining, haunting and thrilling peeks into the world of gangsters. With ‘Keep your friends close but your enemies closer’, ‘Never rat on your friends and always keep your mouth shut’, ‘Every dog has …

Kaksparsh - Unusual Story of Love and Melancholy

“अरे, संसार संसार, जसा तवा चुल्ह्यावर आधी हाताला चटके तेव्हां मिळते भाकर!” Kaksparsh is a tragic but intense love story, set in Konkan region of Maharashtra during the pre-independence India. The best part of this cinema is the strong story gifted to it by Usha Datar. The customs of the old Brahmin community were cruel, …

Dombivli Fast: An Outrage Against the Corrupt

Dombivli Fast is an aggressive commentary on the wrath of common people on wrong-doings, corruption, and injustice. This flick is a major success for both Marathi and regional films of India. Dombivli Fast was selected for many International Film Festivals and also won an award for the Best Regional Film in Marathi category. Nishikant Kamat …