Glamour, camera flash, fame, not just that even scandal, work-stress, strive to be the best are also integral! Probably it emphasizes the phrase ‘just below the light – darkness lies’.
We have seen Madhur’s work on social issues – may it be life of bar dancer or celebrity world or industry rivalry or street life in Mumbai. In his latest flick Fashion he had exposed both sides of the fashion world. FASHION depicts tale of compromise to achieve ambition. For us what seems dazzling the ‘Indian Fashion industry’ – the other side is been the exposed here! It is the glamour vs darkness which includes struggling, drugs, unreal relationships and a thud from society.
We get to read about a super model – who is been found begging on roads and it turns one the juiciest story. But never try to find what the real story behind. A malfunction on ramp – rather gets eminent as mms, but do we ever try to understand what the persona had undergone. What mental stress she encounters! After-all, they are human being too.
The brighter aspect on industry is highlighted as well - friendship, helping each other – supporting one who used to be a strong competitor once upon a time, or an old friend taking the risk of re-launching an ex-glamour.
The title ‘fashion’ [in Bradley hand ITC font] represents the concept right. If one notices, the first letter is small one rather than the patterned capital letter. For me it signifies different or unusual. And that is what the flow is all about - it depicts the other side of fashion world. And at the end it connects to the fact that people in industry are human being, with the emotion and with dreams that of a common man.
We say dream is the first step to success and it is attitude which helps one to achieve their dream. But do we dream the consequences too? And do we get ready to handle the success? Which do you think ATTITUDE or the AROGANCE – brings difference!
A small town girl Meghna, brought-up by conservative parents strives out in Mumbai mahanagri with her big dreams of becoming a supermodel. She believed - she is DIFFERENT and is better than other girls struggling. And it is her ATTITUDE that brought her a difference. She was set on proving the fact that intelligent women could be glamorous too. And it was not long that she reached the position she desired. She was at the peak of her success, walking the ramp for the leading designers across India, parties, endorsements, photographers, romance - she had it all. And at this point we get to ask a question – does ATTITUDE turn into ARROGANCE! Soon, she started to realize the truth behind this statement. She slowly started to pay the price for her fame and her journey to the top. The journey of a small town girl to success, the fall & comeback is portrayed well by Priyanka. And the touch of ‘Modeling not in my blood’ makes us to accept her in the role.
Kangana, with the natural touch of a’ super-model’ look - excels in the role. But sweety isn’t that you are getting patterned as portraying psychopath! No-one could have done better to represent the show-stopper but her dialog delivery is really poor [repeat of abusive words in a screamy pitch].
Mugdha Godse had done well as a struggler. She also represented the crowd who drops their dream at time and go with the typical girl mentality of ‘love-shaadi’ etc. Her cloth-line was quiet revealing ;)
Samir Soni [with very limited on-screen appearance] is ok as a designer.
He was to depict the other most discussed topic ‘gay’ in fashion world. May be it was censor board’s contribution that nothing much was there, except Samir keep postponing marriage proposals or the other guy drooling on every second man.
The Chak-de girl Chitrashi is too good in her small role, with her Mumbaiya accent. She is good playing the ‘God-mother’ role for strugglers and helping them to earn money by providing them opportunity to be eye-candy.
Arbaaz Khan as owner of Panache, Arjan Bajwa as a struggler - are good. I was excited to see Kitu Gidwani on screen after such a long time. But all were with not much acting range.
Composers Salim-Suleiman has created great music for the movie. ‘Mar jawaan’ and ‘Jalwa’ are the best tracks of the album. It is already had created waves. ‘Theme of fashion’ is an instrumental piece – and is the best to suit the situation.
Madhur has handled the subject of ambition, success, exploitation, filth and re-emergence set against the backdrop of the fashion industry brilliantly. Cinematography of Mahesh Limaye is great. The screenplay is just perfect - running at the length of 17 long reels, the end half-an-hour part seemed to be a real drag.
*Ratings:
*Overall movie: 3
Star cast: 2.5-3
Music: 3.5
Cinematography: 3.5
It is unique - the ‘expose into the glamour yet dark world of the fashion industry’ [as mentioned in banner] …