Mind you, today is FRIDAY, the 13th. (PS: In 2009, F13 occurs thrice in February, March and November. Again in 2015, 2026, 2037, 2043, 2054, 2065, 2071, 2082, 2093 and 2099 it occurs thrice. This rare pattern of three occurs after 6 and 11 years. Was anyone among you born on F13? LUCKY YOU! Celebrate it in grand style by watching these flicks TODAY!)
But there is nothing inauspicious, bad, evil or scary today in the two movies. So, enjoy them without any prejudice or superstition. One is a social thriller and the other is a mindless action flick. Depending on your taste, they will either make you fly or fry. Let’s take a peek at the colours and comedy that the two films offer this week.
(1) GULAAL
Holi was celebrated on Wednesday and (it would seem) to complement it, Gulaal has been released today. It is definitely a spray of colours – social, political, dramatic, thrilling, loving, collegiate and cinematic among others. Most importantly, it is a comment on our present day scenario. Many among us will end up identifying with it although it is set in Rajasthan.
This is Anurag Kashyap’s cinematic tribute to Pyaasa and the lyrics of Sahir Ludhianvi. We have almost revered the song “yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye to kya haiâ€. Indeed it is so. Even if we attain and achieve this entire world, it still would be only an illusion. We will never be satisfied or feel complete with the worldly achievements. This world attracts with its ‘colourful’ life but it is just a mayajaal. And there rests the symbolism of Gulaal.
Dilip Singh (Raj Singh Chaudhary) comes to Rajpur to study Law but is soon embroiled in campus politics. The local politico Dukey Bana (Kay Kay Menon) encourages him to contest elections when his fellow student is murdered. He wins.
Kiran (Ayesha Mohan), who loses to him, plays a political game with him. She lures him and he falls for her charms. Gaining control over the party she seeks the favours of Dukey. Dilip cannot get over this betrayal and also his love for her. What takes place makes for a compelling climax.
Performance-wise, Kay Kay leads the band. Raj makes for an excellent debutant. Mahie Gill is definitely evolving after Dev D. Rest of the cast too provides able support.
The songs lend a local Rajasthani flavour but you will keep humming “Yaara Maulaâ€. It is bound to touch your soul. And the entire credit for that should go to Piyush Mishra.
Elections are fast approaching in India. You may as well get the taste of the real thing I this reel political drama, where you will find yourself involved either as a viewer or an actor.
Banner: Zee Limelight (Social)/Thriller
Director: Anurag Kashyap
Star Cast: Dilip Singh (Raj Singh Chaudhary), Bhanwar (Mukesh Bhatt (II)), Rananjay Singh “Ransa†(Abhimanyu Shekhar Singh), Jadhwal (Pankaj Jha), Anuja (Jessy Randhawa), Bhatti (Deepak Dobriyal), Dukey Bana (Kay Kay Menon), Kiran (Ayesha Mohan), Karan (Aditya Srivastav), Prithvi Singh (Piyush Mishra), Madhuri (Mahi Gill), Seema Rehmani, Dukey Bana’s wife (Jyoti Dogra)
Cassettes and CD’s on: T-Series
Singers: Rekha Bharadwaj, Rahul Ram, Aushim, Piyush Mishra, Shilpa Rao, Swanand Kirkire
Lyricist: Piyush Mishra
Music Director: Piyush Mishra
Cinematography: Rajeev Ravi
Art: Wasiq Khan
Editor: Aarti Bajaj
Sound: Kunal Sharma
Publicity Designs: Studio Link
Story / Writer: Anurag Kashyap, Raj Chaudhary, Aparna Chaturvedi
Rating/Time: ***, 165 minutes