Bhram of making a good film

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Bhram of making a good film

This Friday (April 4) saw the release of two much awaited movies. But the wait was not worth it. Though good in parts, both the movies seemed determined to prove the old saying, �high on hype, low on substance�.

CJ: Amit R Agarwal

Fri, Apr 04, 2008 17:42:27 IST

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DEALING WITH the issue of Islamic terrorism, the movie ‘Khuda Ke Liye’ tells the story of a Pakistani family. One brother is based in London and has a daughter (Iman Ali). The second brother is based in Pakistan and has two sons (Shaan and Fawad Khan), both talented budding musicians.

The problem starts when the younger brother is brainwashed by a wily mullah to his advantage; at first, to imbibe the teachings of Islam that are conveniently misrepresented by the mullah and then, to take on full fledged terrorism.

In the meantime, in London, the elder brother gets the wind of his daughter’s affair with a White man. He packs off to Pakistan, to find a groom for her.

He convinces his younger nephew, Fawad, into marrying his daughter Iman, thus triggering off a crisis.

Meanwhile, the elder nephew, Shaan, goes to the US to pursue a course in music. However, post 9/11, he is caught by the US intelligence owing to his younger brother’s allegiance with Islamic fundamentalists.

What could have been a compelling movie is reduced to an ordinary fare because of the formulaic approach quite akin to Bollywood flicks. In fact, the second half is inordinately long, particularly the interrogation of Shaan that is repetitive and boring. The film could have been easily trimmed down by thirty minutes.

To the films’ credit, some of the scenes are brilliantly executed: The scene where Shaan converts his ‘I love USA’ to ‘I love USA(MA)’ or the bonding between the tribal women and Iman or Naseeruddin Shah’s finale on the teachings of Islam (though a bit long).

‘Khuda Ke Liye’ is an average fare for the audience.

Bhram: Though the initial reels of Bhram give the impression that it is a film based on fashion (did I see Madhur turn purple?); the film is a crime thriller. This stylishly shot film suffers from one major fault - writing. For the story of a high on coke model (Sheetal Menon) falling in love with a rich scion (Dino Morea) with the conflict in the form of latter’s elder brother (Milind Soman) doesn’t have meat enough for 140 odd minutes.

Sheetal falls in love with Dino and everything is set, till the day Sheetal meets Milind and realises that he is the guy who raped her elder sister (also Milind’s girlfriend).

The question is; did Milind really commit the crime? Or is it just an illusion (bhram) of high on coke, Sheetal?

Thus starts the quest for the truth by the protagonist Dino.

The film could have been a compelling thriller, but for the narrative that moves at snail’s pace and the songs that pop up exactly like handful of popcorn from the tub!

The only attribute worth mentioning about the film is its stylish cinematography.

Director Pawan Kaul who earlier made Shhhh… with Dino Morea and Tanishaa is nowhere near Shhhh… (again, a below average fare). For the audiences this bhram will remain a bhram of watching a good film.

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Posted comments (4)

	I read the comments and I think only people associated with Bhram cud mk sch comm. because none of the audiences sw it. The one or two show(s) at cinemax on day 1 were cancelled due to not even 7 persons turning up! So its either magna or pawan kaul's office.I have known Amit personally and just like these three (or is it one person in the garb of two: critic & ulhas) I feel he as a reviewer & (fancy film-maker, too) should be envious and jealous of the fact that people do get money to make trash like bhram, they have no shram to talk about cinema, when they don't even know cinema. If they have succeeded is in the fact that they convinced producer to make bhram. A very big success and a feat indeed! clapworthy, probably standing ovation!!As for one two three, I am into exhibition, at least it got an all india release, bhram was not released aprt frm multiplexes of bom & del... nd was pulled out on monday. as for Khuda Ke Liye the review says its an average fare, which it was even business wise.
	\| 26 July 2008 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse

	Khuda ke Liye was a brilliant film. maybe not polished but subject was very good. Bhram was outstanding in its treatment. If you fancy yourself a film maker then I think you are going to fail miserably because you dont know how to admire anothers work. You are just an ordinary envious and jealous mind..that is all.
	\| 22 May 2008 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse

	OHhhh..Now I see..You are the One two three type..You loved that film!!!WHY am I not surprised?? So how can such films ever appeal to you..Carry on pal..after all mindless flicks need an audience too..and if it wasnt for folks like you those films would have flopped..and that would have been a pity now..wouldnt it?? May your tribe increase...and with it the all hopes for Good cinema in India vanish forever!!BTW Good cinema needs good audiences..or did that never occur to you!!
	\| 15 May 2008 Reply to Comment \| New Comment \| Report Abuse