Romance died, came alive and lives on forever, off screen or on it, in Sukanya Verma's fabulously filmi week.
Monday
Hardly the idiot box junkie to wake up early morning and watch the Emmys, I catch its repeat telecast in the evening only to discover quite a few moments in the Jimmy Kimmel-hosted ceremony.
* There’s nothing like too much trolling where Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump is concerned.
Be it Kimmel reproaching Apprentice producer, Mark Burnett for contributing to Trump’s celebrity, ‘Thanks to Mark Burnett we don’t have to watch reality shows anymore, we’re living in one’ or five-time Emmy-winner Julia Louis-Dreyfus’s mock apology for the current political climate, ‘Our show (Veep) started out as a political satire but it now feels more like a sobering documentary.’
* Sashaying in a flowy red Jason Wu, Priyanka Chopra is a picture of romance. Twirl and Tom Hiddleston in tow, it’s tempting to read more into their smiles as the handsome duo takes centre stage to present a section of awards. Sadly, this is not Bollywood and nobody breaks into a song.
* Topple the patriarchy! Whistle-inducing last words of a hard-hitting speech delivered by Emmy recipient and Transparent creator Jill Soloway.
* Hurray, the kids from Stranger Things are here! Bummer, it’s a snooze-worthy shtick of Eleven, Lucas and Dustin dispensing peanut butter jelly sandwiches made by Kimmel’s mom to the attendees.
Rather see them on stage collecting an Emmy or two next year.
Tuesday
Shrek’s Donkey was right about celebrity marriages. They never seem to last. And the latest to uphold his belief are Hollywood royalty -- Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie.
I am not devastated by the news of their divorce. Nor am I all that surprised and I’d like to believe it’s got nothing to do with my leanings for Team Aniston. Pitt’s ex-wife moved on years ago, so should her so-called sympathizers.
What I am amused by is the circus that follows, the nature of (social) media coverage.
There’s an onslaught of Rachel Green gifs having a last laugh over the split. The press is happily highlighting an assumed quote as the Friends star’s conclusive personal reaction to the development.
New York Post goes ahead and runs a cover of a cackling Aniston. What’s problematic about this narrative is not only is it in terribly poor taste but the fact we are taking delight in it.
I am not the biggest fan of Brangelina but the truth is two people got hurt, enough to break their union and family of more than a decade. But the jokes and speculation once again reiterate how fame is only about curiosity never concern.
Wednesday
Saagar is playing on cable.
Ramesh Sippy’s 1985 love triangle owes an awful lot to Rahul Dev Burman’s melodies, picturesque Goa and Dimple Kapadia’s oomph. How dreamily the three combine in the seduction and sensuality of Jaane Do Na.
Compared to the physical proximity one witnesses in today’s cinema, one may argue it’s pretty mild. Except it’s the very element of teasing and a palpable sexual tension between Dimple and Rishi Kapoor that gives it a timeless edge over toned abs of semi-clad beings.
But take out the aforementioned attributes and Saagar’s typically 1980s tropes -- a contrived rich versus poor plot, hamming histrionics and tacky conflict -- make the romance drama quite a slog to sit through.
Thursday
Inside old Delhi’s renowned Delite Diamond for a press screening, I am instantly enamoured by its dome-shaped structure, illuminated ceiling and vintage style.
Here to review Banjo starring Ritesh Deshmukh and Nargis Fakhri, which unlike the impressive ambiance doesn’t quite leave a mark.
Like I wrote in my review, ‘dedicated to street musicians, Ravi Jadhav’s first Hindi film is an underdog fairy tale about four slum-dwelling small-timers of great talent and zero fortune in anticipation of a breakthrough. Banjo makes a winsome start but takes an awfully tedious route to achieve its happily ever after.’
Friday
Alright, so the official trailer of Karan Johar’s Ae Dil Hai Mushkil is finally out.
My biggest takeaway? Anushka Sharma, hands down!
I don’t know if she’s central or not but for me, so far, Ae Dil is completely about her. Even in those fleeting scenes, she exudes such attractive vulnerability conveying that crazy space of ‘it’s complicated.’
There’s one moment where Ranbir Kapoor, presumably her BFF, is cosily perched next to his gorgeous darling Aishwarya Rai Bachchan quoting Faiz and a visibly awkward Anushka juggles between grace and daze. Two words -- class act.
I have a fun theory about this scene but I need to watch the movie before it’s confirmed to discuss further. Let’s just say kuch kuch hota hai, tum nahi samjhoge.
Saturday
OH MY GOD, what is this I see? Amitabh Bachchan as Dobby the Elf? Or perhaps an inspiration for a beloved character from the Harry Potter universe?
Jokes apart, he should retain this look for his upcoming movie with Aamir Khan, Thugs of Hindostan. The latter doesn’t even require any prosthetics, heh.
Sunday
Want to know the definition of chemistry in visuals? Just watch Kinara’s Ek hi khwab kai baar dekha hai maine.
I always blush at the sight of this song high on Dharmendra and Hema Malini’s intensely personal interaction. (The famous pair of several hits like Sholay, Azaad, Pratigya and Seeta Aur Geeta tied the knot in 1979, two years after the release of Kinara)
Everything about Ek hi khwab -- RD’s mellow, leisurely pace, Gulzar’s idyllic words and romantic commentary of the mundane, Bhupinder’s deep timbre expressing intimacy in ardour and mischief (Tikoo ki bachhi) revolving around an irresistible Dharmendra and an understandably flushed Hema -- celebrates the beauty of companionship in a manner few have or can.
No hype, no spectacle, just good old-fashioned togetherness.
