Calling Code Blue for Bollywood!
What a horrible year.
The one movie I expected and hoped (like really prayed) would add shine to this morose landscape was Rockstar.
Such misplaced expectations.
The last time I fidgeted this much in a theatre and shut my brain completely was during My name is Khan. Infact, even Kites let me off the hook in 130 minutes.
But not Rockstar. No. All the mild moments of enjoyment in the first 30 minutes quickly give way to such inanities, that I wanted to slap myself for even wanting to watch the movie, let alone expecting an engaging experience.
I cannot begin to enumerate the faults with the plot. What I think Imtiaz Ali set out to give us was a rich and layered tale of love, longing and heart break. Instead, what he has dished out is a senseless, trite and if you may, a sadistic love story. There is absolutely no reason why a viewer should feel for the characters.
While the love story is incredulous, the Rockstar bit is even more disengaging. I don't believe that pain and heartbreak are pre-requisites to create great art. Yes, great artists have been known to have suffered harsh ordeals, which may have lent more depth to their creations. Yet, the corollary doesn't work.
This is where I can't reconcile with the movie. And, you know what's funny? That the movie doesn't mean to promote this thought. And that, my friend, is my biggest grouse. The characters and the story are so botched up, that no one, including Imtiaz himself may know what the point of the entire drama is.
I am often amazed when film makers hire highly skilled staff to bring us breathtaking cinematography and soulful music but forget that great movies often work magic with the bare minimum : a well drafted script.
Is this rocket science?
Don't ask about Nargis. I hated her. Hated.
The only person I feel bad for is Ranbir. He must have had a lot of faith in the project. He acts well and is mostly a delight to watch. If only his character and the movie were more nuanced and better penned...
Eat Pray Love (EPL) begins with Elizabeth Gilbert's admission about un-mendable cracks in her marriage, and her need to get away from the emotional wreck her life has become.
A fiercely independent, yet emotionally fractured Eliza finds herself on a suicidal mission; until, friends intervene and seek professional help for her.
Determined to find meaning to her wayward and unhappy existence, Eliza embarks on a one year journey to find pleasure (Rome), peace (India) and love (Indonesia).
This is all there is to this book.
*****
Having said that, EPL is one of the most well written books of recent times.
*****
Eliza's four month sojourns in Italy, India and Indonesia each, will resonate with every kind of reader.
After John Grisham's The Broker, EPL is another book on Italy, I thoroughly enjoyed reading. Staying across cities like Rome, Naples, Sicily, Venice, Bologna and more - Eliza creates a delectable experience and makes one feel more like a traveling companion, than a reader. This part of the book highlights her gastronomical indulgences and creates vivid and beautiful imagery of all things Italian. Her writing on the food she samples, is a delight for every foodie. It also helps that she is a seasoned traveler; and hence, infuses enough information on Italian people, culture, architecture and beauty - all, in a non clinical (Non Lonely Planet) sort of way.
She follows up Italy with a devotion filled stay at an Indian ashram. This part of her journey is supposed to be more inward looking. Her thoughts on religion and spirituality will draw you in a thoughtful discussion - irrespective of whether you are a believer or a skeptic. Having said this, her emotional upheavals also appear trite, a lot of time. Glorification of one's emotional tragedies isn't something I appreciate. However, I do think she did it with her eyes fixed on landing a Hollywood contract (Yeah, Julia Roberts stars in EPL's Hollywood version to be released later this year).
Eliza's stay in Bali, Indonesia is more of a relaxed and free wheeling vacation. Through this experience, she attempts to find love and companionship. The section also offers a very interesting look at the highly orthodox and suffocatingly structured Balinese society.
*****
EPL offers something to every type of reader - a food extravaganza, a look at a life in an ashram, and interesting tidbits for students of anthropology.
You will find many interesting anecdotes and facts on various people and their habits
I recommend Eat Pray Love - an elegantly narrated memoir.
Story, Action, Drama, Romance, Comedy and whatever else you can think of - Kites joins the ranks of few movies, which lack all of the mentioned requisites.
This isn't a regular review. You can find out about Kites related paraphernalia elsewhere.
*****
Mr. Rakesh Roshan - An enviable brand, you have created in FilmKRAFT. Your movies have entertained many, for many years. So, keeping in mind your movie making acumen, just how in the world, did you come to write Kites ? Can't you accord some respect to your audience ? What in the world, gives you the right, to mock people who actually help you remain in business ? If I were you, I would be ashamed, to be called the story writer for this movie.
*****
Mr. Anurag Basu - Just when we thought you were gifted, you had to do this ? You now hold the title of making one of the most boringly, lifeless movies ever.
*****
Miss Kangana - You do a lot of depressing roles. In fact, I don't remember you ever playing a happy, lively girl, ever. Yet, even with what you are offered, you always impress. So why in hell did you accept this nonsensical garbage ?
*****
Miss Barbara - You chose well. Still, I think the biggest loser in this whole deal might be you. Or is it that they make more horrible movies in Mexico ?
*****
Dearest Hritik - A full two years after Jodha Akbar, and this is what we get ? Yes, a lot of shows may run full, owing to your physique and amazing dancing skills. Yet, a lot of us spend our hard earned money to get a glimpse of the Hritik of Lakshya or maybe, even a Mission Kashmir. This is the least you owe to your fans. Maybe you don't need our money. In these days of multiplex cinema, you can be assured of breaking even, at the very least. Still, don't you owe it your own self ? Whatever happened to your intelligence ?! Please spend your blood, tears, sweat on more meaningful cinema. Kites can't even be called cinema !
*****
All the Roshans - You guys mostly create magic onscreen. Yet, maybe, you should give yourselves (and us) a break and go separate ways. That way, one of you will show some sense and advise the others against trodding down the path to self destruction !!!
*****
Bollywood film makers - A lot of you wish to expand your viewership, go global, win awards and crack important deals. I wish you luck. Just don't name your rubbish as "Indian Cinema". Your movies make us cringe and it becomes difficult to clean up the mess after you leave ! Also, didn't you have a story writing class in school ? If story, which is primary to a film, is so difficult for you guys, please adapt from literature. But give us characters which make us feel for them. And please, please, please work on your idea of romance.
Though extremely innovative in their own right, most students at the country's top engineering institutions have access to on-campus incubators and mentoring. So, this alone beats the purpose of presenting grassroots entrepreneurs; people without mentors and channels of funding.
Having said that, at the cost of contradicting myself, I immensely enjoyed reading about Political Edge - an IIT-B duo startup.
Overall, an informative and inspiring read.
India's got talent - This is a new show on Colors. I must say, it has some pretty good talent coming over from all across the country.
A wonderful platform for one and all. The show is telecast on Saturdays and Sundays between 9-10 PM.
Do watch it.
Rakhi's Sawant's Swayamvar - Is the collective intelligence of "man"kind actually down in the dumps?? I find the show and Rakhi to be *bullshit*. No, not funny at all.
All the crap about a sad, deprived childhood and wanting now to become a committed bahu, biwi and maa just don't cut through me.
Did thousands of guys actually send through the proposals? I mean they reallllyyy want to settle down with Rakhi (the scary babe who looks scarier after her surgery)?
Ya ya, all you guys are free to think - aurat hi aurat ki dushman bani hui hai ;-)
But seriously?!
Movies -
Juno - Had heard a lot about this caper and how it showed a new and different perspective on teen age pregnancy and the responsibilities involved.
I found the Lead Actress, Ellen Page, to be very charming on the whole. Can't say so about the movie.
Ice Age 1 & 2 - I saw this lovely movie back to back with my mom. Both of us absolutely loved the characters, the story and the antics involved. It's safe to say that it is now my favourite animation movie, followed by Monster's Inc. & Finding Nemo.
Uploading two videos from India's Got Talent -
Krishna Transformation - Some fabulous moves here by this team from Orissa. See if you can recognize what these formations stand for -
Malakhamb - Watch the video from the 4th minute onwards. Amazing show of strength and grace here !
A perfect way to say goodbye to the weekend would be a yummy dinner followed by a great book.
I had both last night.
Lots of celebrations were in order and we decided to club all in one...
We decided to go to Oasis (Opposite Tata Institute of Social Sciences).
The place boasts of a Multi-cuisine Restaurant (Nirvana), two large Banquet Halls (which go by the name of Mirage 1 and 2) and a rocking Bar called Excess..
We went to Nirvana and were lucky to get a table since the place was bustling with feverish activity and lots of clatter.
The Interiors are done tastefully with delicate, miniature pieces that seem straight out of the stone age...White walls and high ceilings helped create a cool and soothing effect. The lights are just perfect and the floating candles made for a perfect setting for a hearty family meal.
Nirvana offers Indian, Continental and Oriental fares.
In the Indian platter, the place offers everything from Street Food delights like Chaat and Tikkis to more wholesome dishes like Kebabs and Tandoor.
We decided to experiment to our heart's content.
For starters I shared Tomato Soup with my dad. I felt it was a little too thick. Tasty, but a little too starchy.
Somehow, my family and I feel that a restaurant's true test is in it's Veg. Crispy. I don't know why, but we think so :)
The Veg. Crispy here was a little too sweet. We also munched on Methi Till Seekh Kebabs and Makhmalli Paneer (Paneer cubes marinated in Cashew nut and white sauce and cooked in Oven). The starters were okayish. Not very filling or tasty. The kebabs were bland while Paneer was too less in quantity to get noticed !
We all were a little dejected about the starters since the lovely ambiance had really set our expectations high.
The main course did save the day.
We ordered Balti Paneer (spicy cubes cooked in tickling tomato gravy), Spinach Balls in Manchurian Gravy , Szechwan Fried Rice, Roti Ki tokri and Alfredo (Pasta in white sauce and herbs) served with Garlic Toast.
The food was yum. Yet, the quantity wasn't sufficient for the five of us and we had to call for another Roti ki Tokri and a Vegetable Biryani too.
Even the tokri, for that matter didn't offer too much variety. Garlic Naan, Aloo Paratha and Methi ki Roti were missing ! Plain rotis and makkai ki rotis were all that we were served.
The menu offers quite a sumptous variety in European and Chinese fare. However, it was a little surprising to find the waiter suggesting (a tad too forcefully) that we drop our choice of checking out the European style Sauteed Mushrooms.
Also, Oasis, gives a 100% and a little more where ambiance is concerned. However, money wise, it's on the expensive side.
Even though we didn't go for any alcoholic drinks, our bill did come up to a hefty amount.
So, definitely, worth a try for some delicious Indian and European fare, but could burn a hole in your pocket !
This Tuesday I got a chance to go for Girish Karnad's play called the "Wedding Album".
This was different for me for 2 reasons - first, it was the first time I was watching a Karnad play and second, I watched it alone !
It being a working day and with most people I know not into "theatre" - I went all by myself.
I have heard a LOT about Karnad and his prowess for coming out with sharp, witty and intelligent plays. Naturally, I had sky high expectations.
The play has been directed by Lillete Dubey and is divided into two acts. The star cast includes some well known theatre personalities like Ira Dubey, Smita Jaykar, Amar Talwar, Utkarsh Mazumdar, etc. Though the cast has changed a lot of times since the play has been acted across the globe, Ira Dubey is the one constant - playing the role of the protagonist - about to be married off.
Wedding Album narrates the story of a middle class family (the "Nadkarnis") getting together for the youngest daughter's wedding - the excitement and nervousness that pervade a household for getting a child married off is shown very well in the play.
The play starts with video recording of Ira, being made by her brother, an attempt to show her "true, beautiful self" to the would be "Dulha" for an introduction. How a global world, with the advent of technology, has affected the very traditional Indian marriage - forms the crux of the story.
As the story advances, we get a peek into the ordinary lives of the Nadkarnis, their hopes and aspirations, little skirmishes and complaints, successes and personal failures. The story had some charming moments and witty dialogues that kept the audiences in splits.
However, all said and done, I did not find this Album a very enticing one. It dragged in many places. Having watched some very witty plays like "The Class of 84" and "Double Deal" - this one, seemed slow and moving in various directions all at once !
A lot of topics have been touched and talked about - that could probably have been avoided.
Also, though the play is a contemporary look at a middle class family, yet, it was difficult to digest the reasons why a "21st century" girl might want to get married and settle down with an NRI - as portrayed in the play. The very act of the wedding being treated as a burden and something to be done away with didn't appeal much to me. Are Indian arranged marriages really so boring and burdensome??
Yet, the audiences seemed to enjoy the play so much that I thought probably I didn't have my mind in the right place.
I hope to see more of Karnad's works. Hopefully, the next time around, I shall have a genuine laugh at the banter.
Had a peek at Maharathi last night...
I call it a peek because I wasn't really watching the movie...went along with a friend who I had met after months and so there was lots of catching up to do...
So between our chatter, what I could make out of the movie was -
A shoddy attempt at making a thriller... outlining lives of an old producer, his pretty but greedy wife, their servant and a bunch of other couldn't care less for characters...
An amazing star cast, all keen on bringing to life - oddly sketched characters...
I was told that Maharathi had been adapted from a play and hence looked forward to the experience. However, the movie moved at a snail's pace with no clear end in sight...
One moment there is a murder investigation at hand and then suddenly there is "The End" !
My friend and I were surprised at such an abrupt end...he, more than I, since he felt cheated on paying for such a "Bakwaas" caper :D
What I loved though was Paresh Rawal's act...he had the best punch lines and seemed to the be the only saving grace of this "childish" thriller.
Naseer, Om Puri & Boman Irani have all been wasted in the movie and probably should avoid such capers in future.
Nothing to say about Neha & Tara, though my friend found them to be perfect eye-candies and "Hot".
This post has come in late. Had watched this movie about 10 days back.
The movie is an interesting account of events from the famous Hurricane's life, sketching his childhood, troubled teens, glamorous youth, the wrongful impeachment and the tumultuous years in prison and the final reprieve.
The movie has a slow start but makes it up for the viewer with a world class performance and cracking dialogues.
The Hurricane stays with one long after the credits have rolled. It's heartbreaking to see how hate can ruin lives and leave indelible life-long scars.
It's even more astonishing to see what love, faith and self belief can do for people.
What Rubin Carter went through is a nightmare for an average Joe. How he managed to keep his optimism amidst crumbling public opinion is heroic and unbelievable.
I was hit by various emotions the movie evoked in me - from surprise to disgust to sympathy to anger to admiration to respect and finally awe for the man known as The Hurricane.
The man is a living legend of how one can achieve what one holds close to heart - in his case - respect and freedom.
Our daily worries would seem insignificant when we have people like Carter/Mandela who have borne with hell on earth.
Denzel Washington has portrayed Carter with a finesse very few can match.
There have been loads of movies on racism from Men Of Honor (a bonanza) to Antwone Fischer (again, a good watch) to A time to kill (forgettable) to Driving Miss Daisy (again a brilliant tale).
Yet, few have impressed me as much as this one. Probably because the protagonist doesn't take shit lying down.
The Color Purple and Crash are next on my list.
What also struck me is - why Bollywood doesn't churn out such visual treats?! We have had an amazing history filled with notable public figures too !
Yet all we manage to make are stories on losers (Devdas) and insignificant romances (Jodha Akbar?!) with Legend of Bhagat Singh being an exception.
Anyway, I recommend this movie to one and all. I am sure you wouldn't come back unaffected !
I am here to complete a trilogy now…
Watched Mumbai Meri Jaan yesterday…
As you must have guessed - Here come my thoughts on the movie…
I wouldn't call it a review…as I feel some movies can never be sifted through the lens of objectivity…
I also wouldn't get into details and talk about the plot…In short, the movie sketches lives of 5 individuals and how their lives changed forever after the train blasts.
The script manages to get across many an insightful points - all in a poignant manner.
It is multi layered in its approach and brings out different shades that colour Mumbai and make it what it is.
Though, I am sure that the theme is now not pertinent only to Mumbai but spans all cities and towns that have been marauded by Terrorism and its aftermath. Yet, there is an uncanny spirit and attitude that one can associate with Mumbaiites !
The best thing about "Mumbai Meri Jaan" is that it leads without being judgmental and moralistic. There are no emotional outbursts/community bashing/unity/heavy duty dialogues on patriotism…yet it manages to drive all these sentiments subtly…
One revisits the anguish and turmoil faced by thousands on the ill-fated day…it gives you Goosebumps…
The movie is also a telling comment on growing greed and consumerism, media frenzy and insensitivity and the Mumbai Police…
It offers one loads to mull over without morose lecturing…it's straight-forward and unpretentious - much like an average Mumbaiite…
The performances are all A grade and inspire various emotions in the viewers.
All in all, a must watch for all !
I am afraid Anil shall win this argument.
Its seems am writing more movie reviews than most professional critics :D
But can't help it guys!
A few "Dildaar" friends have written loads of movies for me and other few always share their movies on pen drive.
Must say this is very beneficial - get to save money and watch world class cinema at home with Mom !
Ek teer se do nishaan ! :)
Anyway, watched "A Wednesday" today.
That the movie has stalwarts like Kher and Shah raised expectations sky high. Yet, nothing to worry about...the movie hits the jackpot for sure!
"A Wednesday" is a well crafted and a fast paced thriller !
From the word go - the viewer is entangled in the Chakravyu created on screen.
The movie is an addition to the "sleek and minimalist" bandwagon that has hit Bollywood recently.
Low budget, tight narration and commendable performances - this pot boiler packs in all and a LOT MORE !
The Climax is sure to raise lots of eyebrows and quite a few sighs !
An intelligent movie after quite some time ! I loved it so much that am ready to Forgive Kher for doing a "C Kkompany" !!
Anyway, I wouldn't want to spoil the fun for you - hence - go and watch it for yourself !
As IndiaUnbound would say - "Watch A Wednesday, Anyday !" :)
Friends had been going ga-ga over this movie ever since it released. A few had seen it thrice already...
And here I was - working away - not finding time to experience this great "commentary on friendship".
Finally, I did go for this one.
The movie revolves around 4 guys and their camaraderie. How things go wrong in their relationships and how each one licks and mends his wounds is all that the movie is about.
Rock On relies more on the performances than the story line.
A few scenes and the re-union seemed make believe to me... there wasn't anything new for the audiences apart from fresh faces and good music.
Yes, Good Music ! The lyrics were original and the music very fresh. Though I learnt later that a few tunes had been "Lifted" from here and there...
Out of the cast - Farhan stands out as expected. Though he has a long way to go as far as emoting is concerned, he does convince us as a No-Nonsense I-Banker !
Shahana Goswami too is very convincing as a dis-satisfied and nagging wife.
All in all - a good watch, though a tad slow.
Yesterday I visited the much talked about and also the most hated retail chain - Reliance Fresh.
We generally do our grocery shopping from Spinach. However, I was keen on trying out Reliance and see for myself if it played up to all the hype.
My observations -
- The place was very congested. I generally like more space to move about and not be disturbed by other shoppers while am chewing on what to buy !
- There were plastic bags strewn across the floor. Pushing the overfilled trolley while looking out and trying not to bump into fellow shoppers was quite an effort ! Also, more check out counters would definitely help speed things up.
- I can't say the place was well stocked as we missed simple packets of Garam Masalas, Sambhar Powders and butter. Also, not much variety was visible in the snacks and confectioneries categories.
- The stocking and arrangement was not very systematic. Pulses were followed by household items on one side and dals and rice adorned another part of the store. Better classification could have saved a lot of time for fretting customers.
- Another grouse I had was the not so very "savvy" sales personnel. Every time you had a question, they would answer in Marathi ! Let me guess, have they tied up with MNS or is it a propaganda to reach out to the average Mumbaiite?!
- Yes, the billing was fairly competitive and attractive "offers" existed for VFM customers. However, isn't that what most convenient stores do? There's nothing special in offering discounts.
Hmmm, so the overall experience was fine. Nothing extra-ordinary. I guess, I would prefer a Big Bazaar or Spinach for a wholesome feel.
Maybe, with some extra floor space, better stockpiling and adept personnel RF can join the club.
These days, I have loads of time on hand - So I spend this on movies, books and a few reality shows.
One reality show that's taken to my fancy is "Zara Nachke Dikha".
This one plays on the age old argument of "Boys Vs Girls". Both teams have well known television artists who have to prove their mettle by putting on their dancing shoes and grooving away merrily...
Its good fun to watch both teams strive for higher points. What's even more enjoyable are the funny remarks and leg pulling the teams indulge in...
Out of the participants, I absolutely enjoy Ali and his humorous banter !
Though the show is fairly new and might not garner as much hysteria as is involved with the "Nach Baliye" series...Yet, its a good watch, with some cool dudes and moves involved :)
Another positive is - there's no public voting or elimination involved ! Frankly, with most shows opting for public voting, the role of the jury diminishes, making them mere puppets.
Hopefully, this format shall put lesser stress on the participants and hence, more unadulterated enjoyment for the audiences.
The only hitch I see in the show format is the judges !
Yeah - even if the show has pulled in Malaika Khan and Chunkey Pandey as the jury - both glamorous and famous in their own right, I would rather have at least one technical person involved.
I mean, compare Malaika's "It was an appealing performance/I didn't get a good feeling within/I was mesmerized/I loved what you have done with your hair/blah blah" with some constructive feedback on dance forms, styles, expressions and space utilization.
Also, trust Chunkey to come up with quite a few stupid compliments always beginning with "But"!! He begins all his compliments with "Ifs" and "Buts". Now can someone please tell him that positive re-enforcements should and cannot begin with negatives??
Anyway, all said, this one is a good dinner time watch for the whole family.
This is one movie I re-commend to all viewers who love a nail biting, spine tickling thriller.
The movie takes us through a cat and mouse chase between a defense lawyer (Nick Nolte) and his Client (Robert De Niro).
The Client feels he was denied a just trial in a rape case as his lawyer didn't go out and defend him with fairness. So when he is out, he is on a mission to make the lawyer pay and learn about what real loss can be !
The movie has an amazing background score which is enough to give the viewers goosebumps and look over their backs !
The movie is pretty fast paced and has fabulous performances by the protagonists.
One can only feel pity for the poor Nolte who is faced by a formidable opponent in De Niro !
De Niro sure knows how to arouse rage and repulsion in the viewer !
Google tells me that the movie has had a 1962 version too where in Gregory Peck plays the protagonist. Now, that's interesting considering the minuscule role offered to him in this one !
Apart from "The Departed" and now "Cape Fear", I haven't seen any of Scorsese's other works. However, after watching this bonanza, I am looking forward to his "Aviator".
I shall keep this review short as the real essence of the movie lies in the performances and a spectacular climax ! Go watch it !
Recently, I got a chance to catch Tehzeeb - a movie I have been longing to watch since ages.
I had read and heard loads of reviews on the movie. Yet, I remembered none since the movie is an old one now. Good for me, as I went ahead with an open mind.
I must say, I was greatly impressed. Khalid has always been known to direct simple, personal stories.
This one revolves around the estranged relationship between a mother (Shabana Azmi) and her daughter (Urmila Matondkar).
As the story unfolds, the viewer is taken into the peaceful, everyday lives of Tehzeeb and Salim (Arjun Rampal, in an understated and sleek performance). They are a happy couple who also look after Tehzeeb's mentally challenged sister Naazo (well portrayed by Dia Mirza) until one day, Begum Ruksana decides to pay her daughter a visit.
There is palpable excitement and longing on both sides as the protagonists wait to meet each other after long years. Yet, there are raw and hurtful emotions too, waiting to explode !
You see, Ruksana Begum has been the best the industry has seen. However, all the success has come at a price. She is held guilty in the eyes of her daughter - for ignoring her duties as a home-maker and a mother, for being a selfish, emotion-less woman, finally, for being the reason of her father's untimely death (played by Rishi Kapoor).
The story sees two strong-willed woman reason out, blame and fight for what they believe in.
Viewers are blessed with respite when the duo forget their differences, come together and share love and laughter like any parent-child would. However, not for long as there are always dark moments lurking to wash out the temporary paradise. The build up from an anxious wait to meet one's kin to the final explosion resulting in an endless blame game is interesting.
The movie plays on the premise of love being the most important legacy a parent can give to her child. One can't help but feel sad for a child's longing for love, attention and warmth while turning into a bitter, stubborn and a non-forgiving adult.
The movie is brutal, where it doesn't give it's protagonists a chance at redemption. One can only feel sad at a relationship gone awfully wrong.
Both, Shabana and Urmilla give spectacular and restrained performances. Their strength lies in the viewer not being able to decide who to favor and empathize with!
The movie does have a few glitches like forgettable songs, a slow pace and an irritating Diana Hayden. However, that shouldn't stop one from enjoying this otherwise well crafted and intelligent movie.
Have waited eagerly for this one...
Having seen Sarkar, I must say, I expected classic cinema this time around too...
However, this version was hugely disappointing...
I wouldn't want to get into any postmortem as do NOT think it deserves my time.
Just the very basics -
Story - Nil
Acting - Average
Background Score - Average
Characterization - Poor
The movie does not have enough substance to hold a viewer's attention for 3 hours.
The only thing that kept me motivated to get ahead were the wisecracks of my companions in misery :-)
All in all, you won't miss much if you skipped this one.
Come Fridays and there used to be palpable excitement in the house. Tea time conversations, kitchen chatter and dinner table discussions - all invariably lead to "Who shall be ousted tonight?!"
I am referring to the recently concluded "Little Champs" (Zee) and "Voice Of India" (Star).
I did not get a chance to participate in the weekly excitement, anticipation and heartbreak. I started following both the shows at the fag end, when most participants had been voted out and the top 5 remained. Again, it was a half hearted participation since I am not much into television. However, for whatever I did watch, I came to enjoy the shows, their format, the spunk of the kids and the overwhelming crowds.
It was amazing to see how the whole nation gathered in their drawing rooms, kept glued to their idiot boxes, week after week, just to cheer the kids and participate in their happiness, how people spent millions on voting for their choices and how emotions erupted when a wrong verdict was given to their favorite candidates.
I stayed away from commenting on these shows while they were on - I needed some clarity and objectivity to see them for what they stood for.
Such musical competitions do a great service by bringing out the hidden talent brimming in most kids. Considering how much importance is accorded to "rote learning", sports and extra currics always end up getting step motherly treatment.
However, all said and done, I have always disapproved of public voting where kids are concerned.
It was heart wrenching to see little kids come on stage, sing, dance, laugh, crack jokes, entertain and finally be ousted by the dubious voting system.
Failure has a detrimental impact on most adults, leave alone kids. Most kids that participate, do it to showcase their talent, dance around, enjoy the love and adulation showered on them by the audiences and have some harmless fun. Guidance by judges should be enough to help them improve their "Surs & Taals". I do not think audiences should be allowed to vote and bring in their favorite candidates.
This, sometimes, leads to ouster of deserving candidates in favor of more charming dancers/entertainers.
What people fail to understand is that these are primarily, singing competitions and hence, the glam factor should not be given too much importance. Yes, street smart kids do win your hearts with their banter, but it should not replace the basic motive of holding such shows. All other kick ass moves apart, the focus should be on good singing and that alone !
I have also, always disliked the way these shows earn TRPs by showing kids crying copiously and promising their parents to do well the next time round. What needs to be communicated to these kids is that they all are winners in their own right ! No show on earth can take away their inner strength which helps them to face such huge crowds valiantly.
Public Voting in many cases might make the kids feel that they weren't good enough, that they have let down their loved ones, they aren't smart enough to win appreciation. Most of these kids fall into 5-14 age category and such a loss might make them feel worthless and affect their self confidence.
The role of parents too cannot be discounted. They need to steer clear of unrealistic expectations and provide the much required support to these vulnerable bodies.
One can only hope that such shows have in-house counselors who can help such kids cope with sudden stardom, sky rocketing expectations and unhealthy competition. Might sound as wishful thinking, but, given the general trend of wanting instant fame, it shall help bring respite to these gullible souls and keep them grounded.
