Showing posts with label Malaika Shenoy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Malaika Shenoy. Show all posts

Peepli [Live] - Movie Review

Cast :: Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghuveer Yadav & Malaika Shenoy

When Aamir Khan produces a film, or is associated with any film in the capacity of an actor, be prepared for the unpredictable. Films like TAARE ZAMEEN PAR and 3 IDIOTS took pot shots at the education system in India and PEEPLI [LIVE], directed by Anusha Rizvi, is a tongue-in-cheek satire on the farmers' suicides and the role of vote-hungry politicians and the over-enthusiastic, TRP-seeking desperate electronic media jostling for eyeballs.

Come to think of it, the concept [farmers' suicides] would instinctively translate into a serious, thought-provoking film. But PEEPLI [LIVE] takes a grim and solemn issue, turns it into a satire, garnishes it with populist sentiment and makes a far greater impact than a mere documentary, had it tackled the burning issue. In fact, like all Aamir Khan films, PEEPLI [LIVE] marries realism with a winning box-office formula most brilliantly.

A sad fact of our society is that bad news attracts instant attention. In PEEPLI [LIVE], an impoverished man offers to commit suicide so that his family can benefit from a government grant - a dark subject matter which is dealt with in a delightfully humorous manner. In fact, it's a terrific satire about a troubled India, the shining India, the industrialised India that's rarely depicted on the Hindi screen.

PEEPLI [LIVE] focuses on the poorest of the poor in India and it not only highlights the plight of a farmer in a tiny corner of a giant country, but also throws light on the varied people who exploit the situation to their advantage, right from the politicians to the bureaucrats to the television reporters to the local people. In fact, PEEPLI [LIVE] makes a scathing attack on the functioning of media in India and how media persons, depicted as vultures, generally stoop to the lowest levels to increase the ratings of their television channel/show.

The best part is that at no point does the film gets preachy or starts offering solutions to the grave issue. It's a mere tool that the makers have used to discuss bureaucracy, the rural and urban divide and lack of concern of the administration.

Natha [Omkar Das Manikpuri], a poor farmer from Peepli village in the heart of rural India, is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid government loan. A quick fix to the problem is the government's program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival, Natha chooses to die. His brother [Raghubur Yadav] is happy to push him towards this unique honour.

Local elections are around the corner and what might've been another unnoticed event turns into a cause célèbre, with everyone wanting a piece of the action. Political bigwigs, high-ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever-zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim. Natha's mother [Farrukh Jaffer] screams at his wife [Shalini Vatsa], while his young son urges papa to go through with the suicide so he can use the money to become a policeman.

One TV journalist, in a desperate search for a new angle, tries to examine Natha's faeces to determine his emotional state. Nobody seems to care how Natha really feels.

PEEPLI [LIVE] tells the story of today: Rural society, the games politicians play, the bureaucracy and the manipulative electronic media. It's a well penned and well executed film that deals with a serious issue in a witty and entertaining manner. Although very real, it creates a world full of vivid characters and incidents and keeps the viewer engrossed throughout.

First-time director Anusha Rizvi handles the subject material like a veteran. Her script is tight and witty and her handling of a difficult subject deserves kudos. What really sets the film apart is that it is unlike a typical Bollywood film. In fact, you can't draw parallels with any film, past or present. And that's what goes in favour of this film, since virgin subjects handled with utmost sensitivity and maturity is the order of the day. Even the finale is most appropriate and absolutely befitting the content of the film. In a nutshell, Anusha scores a sixer in her debut.

The music, composed by multiple artists, is Indian to the core and borrows heavily from folk music. The hugely popular - 'Mehangayee Daayan' - is the pick of the lot, without doubt. Cinematography is appropriate. Dialogue, laced with expletives, are truly fantastic and most importantly, real.

Manikpuri is brilliant as Natha. Raghubir Yadav shines as the opportunist brother. Malaika Shenoy [as the television reporter] is exceptional. Shalini Vatsa [as Natha's wife] is outstanding. Ditto for Farrukh Jaffer [Natha's bed-ridden mother]. In fact, the constant tu-tu-main-main between the saas-bahu is thoroughly enjoyable. Nawazuddin Siddiqui [as Rakesh, the local journalist] is natural. Vishal Sharma [as Kumar Deepak, the rival journalist] is top notch. Naseeruddin Shah is first-rate as the conniving, shrewd politician. The remaining cast - there're lots of actors in the film - pitch in believable performances.

On the whole, PEEPLI [LIVE] is sure to ride initially on the strength and credibility of its iconic actor/producer Aamir Khan and once that is achieved, the powerful content is sure to speak for itself. PEEPLI [LIVE] is a film that would not only appeal to Indians, but is sure to reach out to audiences beyond India. Simply brilliant!

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Peepli [Live] - Music Live

Cast :: Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghuveer Yadav & Malaika Shenoy

You don't quite know what to expect from the music of Peepli [Live]. Actually, to be honest, you don't really have much hope either. After all, the factors are not quite conducive to a popular soundtrack being in the offing from Peepli [Live] . Rural base, largely unknown actors, offbeat theme, first time director, an unusual set of composers (Ram Sampat, Indian Ocean, Nageen Tanvir) - you name it! But then (and this is a big 'but' by the way) there is a name called Aamir Khan involved with the film. Frankly, if not for him, the film as well as music would have largely gone unnoticed. He is the sole reason why one still feels that there may well be a surprise round the corner. Let's check out to see if there indeed is one!

There is a rustic sound associated with the music coming from Indian Ocean. It could be Western or Indian based but one can't take out the rustic element from the music that this band creates. This is the reason why ' Des Mera' does carry an individuality around it as the band comes together to make a song which talks about the uniqueness of India for all the mishaps or goodness that it boasts of. Written by Sanjeev Sharma and Swanand Kirkire, ' Des Mera' is a theme track that has a feel good factor about it, keeps its tempo high and goes well with the rural background of the film. However, given the theme, ' Des Mera' (which arrives in an added version) has it's shelf life restricted to the play of the film.

Once the sound of harmonium fills up the first couple of seconds of ' Mehngai Dayain' and Raghubir Yadav begins his rustic rendition, you know that there is one song which is going to stay totally true to the background that the film carries. A track which gives the feeling of a 'live on location' recording, courtesy the way Raghubir along with a bunch of other singers go ahead with their rendition, ' Mehngai Dayain' is as topical as it gets due to the statement it makes against price rise. However, all of this is said in a lighter vein which ensures that the message is conveyed without it being thrust down the throat. A track that comes with traditional lyrics, it has Ram Sampat keeping it totally folksy in nature without any touch up.

What is a killer track though is the 'remix version' of ' Mehngai Dayain' which is a sure shot chartbuster that has been placed in the album. With a Western base to it, some English lyrics, added beats and the thump which the song carries, this version turns out to be a track which will make its presence felt all the way. Whether clubs, campus, hostels or even other family celebrations - the remix version of ' Mehngai Dayain' is such that it won't be ignored at all. A fun track, this one will go a long way. Go for it!

There is immediate 'thehrav' with the arrival of ' Zindagi Se Darte Ho' which is yet another track by Indian Ocean. Written by Noon Meem Rashed, this is a dark and haunting song about being courageous, standing up and life and fighting for oneself. With a seven minutes running length, expect the track to play in the film's background during a few dramatic points in the narrative. A soft rock track that has a Western base to it, ' Zindagi Se Darte Ho' comes with a philosophical bent and is strictly situational.

Another folk track in Peepli [Live] is ' Chola Maati Ke Ram' which is sung and composed by Nageen Tanvir. If hearing something which is totally non-Bollywood excites you most, ' Chola Maati Ke Ram' is the one for you. Coming together of devotion and philosophy along with a definite folk flavour means that the song would do well in the context of the film. However, there is a very niche market for this Gangaram Sakhet written track and comes with the possibility of having a run beyond the movie's run only if Peepli [Live] turns out to be a success at the box office.

As mentioned earlier, if not for the name Aamir Khan attached to the film, the music here would have gone totally unnoticed. However, with the kind of marketing and promotion that one can expect from the man here, rest assured Peepli [Live] will find it's fair share of attention. While the entire album will find a larger audience only after the release of the film, what should set the ball rolling is ' Mehngai Dayain' which is a chartbuster waiting to happen. Don't miss that one.

Download MP3 Songs
01 - Des Mera@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
02 - Mehngai Dayain@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
03 - Zindagi Se Darte Ho@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
04 - Chola Maati Ke Ram@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
05 - Des Mera (II)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com
06 - Mehngai Dayain (Remix)@review-of-movies.blogspot.com


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