Kaalpurush - Bengali film, I've been looking for and found on Induna

Kaalpurush was released in 2005 and won the National Award for Best Film. However, it took several years for this film to be released officially on dvd. I've been looking for it everywhere. Thank goodness I found it on Induna, which I blogged about.

Bengali films are more serious and arty than other Indian cinema that I've seen. Or so it seems like. Even though I bought Kaalpurush several months ago, I didn't watch it right away. I wanted to be in the right mindset to watch, what I mean is be in the right mood to watch it, even though I have been wanting to see it for a while. I don't watch many Bengali films. It's already hard enough for me to find Tamil and Telugu films, imagine me trying to get Bengali films!



After watching it the first time, I wasn't sure whether or not to like it. The film definitely has a good,  meaningful storyline. Yet, the pace was very slow. The performances are top-notch, don't get me wrong. Kaalpurush is just one of those films that you will appreciate for its storyline, but cannot watch over and over again. I wanted to like it more, so I gave it a second viewing.



Kaalpurush focuses on a father-son relationship that once was there but is gone. The film shows in different timeframes of both the father and son's stories of what happened to the father-son relationship.



Mithun Chakraborty plays the father, Ashwini.



From the beginning of the film, he is shown watching over his son Sumonto (Rahul Bose) and his family.



He really wants to talk to Sumonto but is afraid. He hasn't seen him in so many years after the misunderstanding and miscommunication of what happened in the past.



I'm a bit biase because I adore Mithin and watched his earlier films. However, I'm used to watching his masala-filled Bollywood films and have never seen him in anything "serious." Therefore, I was very excited to watch him.



It was very endearing to see an older Mithun in a fatherly role. In his recent Bollywood roles, he usually plays a villian and/or just in a supporting cast. Arguably, one can say he also has a supporting role in Kaalpurush, as well. However, his character is one of the main focus of the film.



Rahul Bose & Sameera Reddy play the married couple, Sumonto & Supriya.



Sumonto (Rahul Bose) is in a loveless marriage with Supriya (Sameera Reddy) and their two children. On top of that, he has a dead-end job. He often wonders about his father (Mithin Chakraborty) who he used to adore.



Rahul Bose is one of my inexplicable crushes. I've often wondered why he isn't as well-known in Bollywood, but I've learn that he steers away from masala-type of films. The few Bollywood films that he's been in, I enjoyed watching him. His acting is amazing and is no different in Kaalpurush. I mainly watched the film for Sameera and was stoked Rahul was opposite her. A lot of people have praised Sameera in her role but it was Rahul who carried the film.



Supriya (Sameera Reddy) is married to Sumonto (Rahul Bose) and a school teacher. She is definitely a high achiever and wants to better herself, even if that means ignoring her husband and children.



As I mentioned before, I mainly wanted to watch Kaalpurush for Sameera. I've heard nothing but great things about Sameera's performance. Although I do think it is Sameera's best acting till date, Kaalpursh is still Rahul Bose's film all the way. Playing the cold, emotionless woman, Sameera took it to another level from her glamorous, dolled-up looks in Bollywood.



Laboni Sarkar plays the mother, Putul. Sudipta Chakraborty plays the ex-lover of Ashwini, Asha.



Putul knew about her husband's ex-lover, but he chose to marry her instead. Little did she know that she will finally get to meet her one day.



Laboni Sarkar is just so motherly. I don't even know if that is a good ajective but I just love her look. As a wife and mother, I do know how she would feel if I was in her position to ever face the "other" woman who you know your husband was so deeply, madly in love with. She doesn't have a big role but was a pleasure to see her.



Everyone wants to hate the "other" woman, the ex-flame. But can you really fault her for wondering why the man-of-your-dreams just simply left and went away without you knowing? She got the chance to see him again and talk it out.



Sudipta Chakraborty is beautiful. Why did the "other" woman have to be so gorgeous? Me thinks just for insecurity purposes. Just like Laboni, Sudipta doesn't have a huge role either.



So you think you know the rest of the story? I'll leave it at that. Don't wanna spoil anything. The flashbacks show little Sumonto and his parents.



Little Sumonto used to accompany his father when he's out with his patients. Yes, his father was a doctor. Of course, something dramatic happened causing Sumonto and his father not to talk anymore.



Many years will pass, Sumunto and his father, Ashwini, will finally meet again, discussing what happened, how they are doing.



Will it be too late?



The strongest relationship in the film is definitely between Sumonto and his kids. He loves his kids so much. One of my favorite scene is when his daughter is drawing on his back, while he is holding his son on the bed.









Even though there was a brief cooking scene, I captured it. I mentioned in my Punnagai Desam review, how rare it is for me to see this in Indian cinema.







I thank Eagle & Shemaroo for finally getting Kaalpurush out on dvd.





However, must you put BOTH of the logos throughout the film?









Another complaint I have with the dvd is the poor quality and dark visual look.





After watching Kaalpurush more than once, did I like it? Yes and no. It may not appeal to a lot of people. However, it is worth a watch for the storyline and acting. Even though it is very slow-paced, there are several arty symbolic signs shown throughout the film. Definitely, it will be appreciated to film critics who want to look more pass masala-type of films.

Indian cinema style - Becoming.....

About a week and a half ago, I posted about me having Bipasha Basu as my BFF, which was fun to post about. Now, it's on to another MTV-style show that got me thinking about blogging again. I know, I know. MTV? Why? Well, I rather be in India having these MTV-style show. It would be so much fun. Since I posted about the BFF post, I thought about another MTV show that I always wanted to be on but I was not a big fan of any Hollywood stars, rather it be movie-wise or music-wise. I love Hollywood films and music, just not enough for me to be a "fan" of.

For some reason, all day today, I have been thinking about this one MTV show, when it aired, that I wanted to be on. I remembered some of the episodes but was unable to think about the name of the show. All morning, I searched for the show name and found it! The name of the MTV show is called Becoming. It stopped airing in 2001, but it is about re-creating a music video of your favorite artist but you will learn all the dance steps, wear the samt outfits, and look just like the person in the video. In other words, the only difference would be you in the video instead of the artist.

I'm sure people, not only fans, have thought about trading places with a Bollywood star in a movie. So, I thought, why not blog about it? Lemme be the one to do it!

Okay, I've come up with three movies that I would trade the places of an actress. Now, you would be that actress (or actor). You can not replace the person acting opposite with you. For example, I would love to trade places with Rani in the film, Hum Tum, because I think it's a wonderful, sweet love story. However, I rather have another guy opposite me in the film besides Saif Ali Khan. I'm not a big fan of his but I do like him as an actor. Plus in the film, there is a kiss, and I rather not kiss Saif, lol. I'll let the Saif fangirls take that movie.

And before everyone think that I'll chose a Bipasha movie. Nope! Not at all! I love the girl but I don't want to be scared to death like in Raaz, or be a deceptive person to a hottie like John Abraham in Jism -- although I wouldn't mind the kisses with him, or losing the guys in Barsaat or Humko Deewana Kar Gaye to another female -- hey, I'm competitive!

No way! So the following are reasons why I chose the characters in the films. So, which films would you choose and take the place of the actor/actress, why?

Pyaar Ke Side Effects
I love the modern love story. Besides, I have inexplicable crush on Rahul Bose. He is an underrated actor who I adore! But something about him is so sexy! I believe Rahul Bose's character, Siddharth, is similar to most men's relationship out there. When it comes to sports, he rather sit in front of the tv than pay attention to his live-in girlfriend. Plus I love Mallika's character, Trisha. She is the fun-loving, easy-going, my-man-needs-to-be-committed, I-want-to-be-loved woman that I would enjoy playing.

Rules: Pyaar Ka Superhit Formula
Another Pyaar Ke/Ka movie, hehehe. I know....but this is one of my all-time, underrated movies of all times! Just thinking about it now again makes me disappointed because I have to get another dvd of this film! I used to own it but need another one. This is the film that made me fall for Milind Soman, who I'm not a big fan of. But the storyline is like most girls' dreams anyways. Even though you may be a huge fangirl of a well-known model who has already have a girlfriend. But in the end, it turns out that he only to have him fall for you! What a dream come true! Heck yeah!!! I want to re-watch this movie so bad! Besides, having Tanuja has my dadi is awesome!

Happy
Hey, I gotta act opposite one of my hotties, right?? Allu Arjun, it is! Since this film is one of my favorites of him, why not replace Genelia with me? Although I had some minor complaints about her character in the film, I still adore her anyways. I would love Bunny having a crush on me and doing sweet things for me on the side without me knowing since I'm a selfish person like Madhu. In addition, I love the love-hate relationship in the beginning.

Shaurya - A Few Good Indian Men?

Shaurya is a about two best friends Sid (Rahul Bose) and Akash (Javed Jaffrey) who are are militant lawyers taking a case on a man name Javed. Akash lives life following the rules while Sid is carefree and not knowing what will come next. One day the two best friends were assigned a case for Javed, a man who is accused and charged with mutiny, treason and killing a fellow officer. Akash is the prosecution attorney while Sid is the defense attorney for Javed. Kaavya (Minissha Lamba) is a journalist who helps Sid out to find the truth. Then there's Bigadier Pratap (Kay Kay Menon) who is a strict militant living with his rules and wants Javed convicted. All records and witnesses indicate Javed is guilty but why is he silent? What is the truth?

Rahul Bose is enough for me to watch this film. Whether it's Mr & Mrs Iyer or Jhankar Beats, he never disappoints me. Therefore, I'm a huge fan of his. His films are mostly known as "art" since he doesn't play in a lot of masala movies. His character Sid is very silly and carefree which I love then he becomes serious when the time is right. That's why I love Rahul Bose. I love the roles he picks. I've never been disappointed in him in any films I've seen.

I'm used to Javed Jaffrey in supporting roles but usually as the silly character in a film. Sometimes when I think about him, I think of his character in Salaam Namaste, the silly Jaagu AKA Crocodile Dundee wannabe. However, his character Akash is really serious and it's Sid who has to tell Akash to chill sometimes and not take things too seriously. With short screen time with his fiance in the film shows he is a great guy who takes his work very seriously.

I've mentioned about Minissha Lamba because of Anamika. I liked her in everything I've seen of hers even though she's mostly been the supporting cast. She's not bad in Shaurya but her character is a bit annoying at first. Makeup wise, she looks awful and old. At times, she reminded me of a drug addict instead of a journalist. Overall she was disappointing.

Rahul and Minissha's short little love story is cute but unnecessarily. That's what happens when you get two people two spend that much time together - feelings start to develop. The movie's lighting is awful. Most of the clarity of the pictures look dark.

Sid was funny when he put a plastic bag over his head to "think." I laughed about it. There were times that I hoped he wouldn't commit suicide by thinking too hard because this strategy was shown more than once.

Kay Kay Menon - another reason why I would watch this film. He's so underrated. Gotta love him. When I first saw him in Sakar, I was blown away. This guy is good! Loooooved him in Corporate and found him sexy in Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi. Kay Kay is the best thing in this movie. He plays his character to the max! The ugly moustache made him look sophisicated and mature. I love Kay Kay.

The beginning half was a bit slow but the second half was much better. Amrita Rao was a pleasure to see on screen. She is soooo lovely!! I haven't seen her in a while. With her natural beauty, I wanted to see her on screen more but she was good at what she did. Her character was Virendra's widow. Miss you Amrita.

Let's not forget this guy - Deepak Dobriyal. Although he was silent in most of the movie, his facial expressions were right on target. When he spoke, he was great. I realized he's in 1971 - Prisoners of War also. Previously I mentioned it was one of my fave films of 2007 - a very underrated one. I would like to see more of him in the future.

In all, the movie has inspiration from Hollywood film, A Few Good Men. Replace Tom Cruise with Rahul Bose. Replace Jack Nicholson with Kay Kay Menon. Minissha Lamba is definitely no Demi Moore and don't even come close! Shaurya is a decent film if you like A Few Good Men. Just don't be disappointed in it. Or don't expect Kay Kay to shout - "You Can't Handle the Truth!!" in Hindi!