Neerja – Movie review

Rating: ****
Review by Akshita Gupta

Neerja, as is known, is a biopic based on Neerja Bhanot (played By Sonam Kapoor) who was the head purser on the Pan Am flight from Mumbai to New York via Karachi and Frankfurt. The film is about the hijack of Pan Am flight 73 that took place on 5th September 1986.

The film starts with a closer look into Neerja’s life, her real character that of an ordinary girl with wonderful relationships with people in her life.

She is the apple of her father’s eye, the center of her mother’s universe as well as the darling younger sister of two brothers. The film then goes on to depict the incidents of “the day”, from the time Neerja gets ready for the flight till the end of the dreaded incident.

Even though the film is based on the hijacking that took place, it is much more than just that. The heart of the film lies in the mother-daughter relationship. The story goes beyond the incidents of just that day and gives further insight into Neerja’s life before the hijacking – her values, her rocky past and the beautiful relationships she had with the various people in her life. The story moves back and forth in time to depict these past incidents from her life to the time of the hijack which prevents the film from being monotone and provides an interesting change in storytelling and cinematography if not its pace.

- See more at: http://www.filmytown.com/movies/neerja-movie-review/#sthash.9Zh88qRX.dpuf

‘Women In Films’ panel discussion at Mumbail Film Fest

Jio MAMI 17th Mumbai Film Festival hosts the ‘Women In Film’ panel discussion with eminent women from the world of cinema

MUMBAI, NOVEMBER 3, 2015:

On Tuesday, November 3rd, Jio MAMI 17th Mumbai Film Festival with Star India brought together distinguished women from Indian and international cinema. Shabana Azmi, Vidya Balan, Kangana Ranaut, Kiran Rao, Anupama Chopra and American filmmaker Ava DuVernay took part in a conversation on Women in Film that was powered by Lifebuoy and their initiative ‘Help a Child Reach 5′ that examined the position of women in film today.

The session commenced with the screening of a moving film about Lifebuoy’s ‘Help a Child Reach 5’ initiative. Made by acclaimed director Anand Gandhi, the film which deals with the issue of infant mortality left the audience visibly touched. The discussion was then kicked off by Anuvab Pal who moderated the conversation and touched upon important topics ranging from the relation between gender and characters to the wage disparity that still remains prevalent across many industries.

In response to a question, Kangana Ranaut expressed, “I feel it’s not about female or male centric characters, it is about a character that has lived and been loved.”

Vidya Balan shares her views stating that, “I have seen growth and I am happy with it. You have to look at the journey and not the destination.”

Talking about the portrayal of women in films, actor Shabana Azmi said, “It has been left to parallel cinema to portray women with any kind of complexity”.

Ava DuVernay spoke about the issues women face in Hollywood and said, “There is a definite kind of film a woman is allowed to make”. She then added, “because of economics women are not given the budget or trust to make films apart from romantic comedy.”

Kiran Rao also expressed that “women must stand up and know their worth and their value”

The panel was preceded by a brunch that celebrated women in film. Attended by women at the top of their game in media and film, the occasion was made even more special by Sula Vineyards which did a tasting of their new sparkling wine- Brut Tropicale.

- Read the full news and see more at: http://www.filmytown.com/women-in-film-panel-discussion-mumbail-film-fest/#sthash.oYlYffSl.dpuf

Jazbaa – Movie review

A captivating crime-thriller

Rating: ***

An edgy thriller based on the South Korean film Seven Days (2007) that is pacy with a taut screenplay, yet there are a few over dramatic scenes which seem a little out of place.

It is replete with one liners. Like this one, “Rishton mein Bharosa aur mobile mein network na ho toh log gama khelne lagte hein.”

Jazbaa is about Anuradha Verma, the iron lady, who melts down when her daughter is abducted by the kidnappers who want Anuradha to take up the case to represent a rapist killer who is convicted of murder. Her school friend is the just suspended Inspector Yohan a competent, crafty cop who is besieged with allegations of corruption by his higher ups.

Anuradha manages anticipatory bail for Yohan, who plays a significant role, supporting her, in tracking down the kidnapped girl.

Aishwarya Rai overacts, she is too loud in her dialogues and more so in her body language.

The film is saved by superlative performances by Irrfan Khan, Shabana Azmi and Jackie Shroff.

- Read the full review and see more pics at:

http://www.filmytown.com/movies/jazbaa-movie-review

A Decent Arrangement – Film review

Rating: ***

Ashok Khosla, an NRI bachelor has decided to give a try to the arranged marriage concept.

A Decent Arrangement is the story of Ashok Khosla, an Indian-American copywriter who journeys to India seeking an arranged marriage.

The story revolves around a 30 something American-born Desi man Ashok (Laupus) who comes to India in search of a bride. A Decent Arrangement starts with the pivotal character – this NRI man using various modes of transport to reach the house of his older cousin (Shabana Azmi), who has taken interest in finding a desi girl for her brother.

As his parents find him unsettled in life, Ashok is shown as a confused character who feels excited at the idea of arranged marriage, yet wants a life partner who could be comfortable with the life back in the USA.

- See more at: http://www.filmytown.com/movies/a-decent-arrangement-film-review/

Mine is an entertaining comedy: Sarovar Banka, Director of A Decent Arrangement

A one-on-one with the Director of the much acclaimed film.

How would you describe your film A Decent Arrangement?

I’d say that it is a small film about Adam, an Indian American who comes to India and seeks the help and guidance of his elder cousin played by Shabana Azmi in search of an arranged marriage. The film deals with the dilemma of today’s youth who are unable to decide whether they want to opt for an arranged marriage or a love marriage and the extent to which they are ready to walk the extra mile to get what they want.

How did you zero in on an actress like Shabana Azmi ?

I should say that it was pure luck that led me to Shabana as I knew some one who knew her. I sent my script to India to her and I was pleasantly surprised when Shabana called me back to say that she would be happy to be part of my film as an actress. Shabana Azmi surprises you as an actress every minute on the sets and you can be sure of getting your shot in the first take itself with her 99% as she was ready with her lines and fully prepared

How was your leading man Adam as an actor?

Not many either in India or abroad know Adam, who ism playing the lead in my film. What I like about Adam is that he is an incredible actor who was not at all in awe of Shabana Azmi when he was pitted in my film.

- Read the full review and See more at: http://www.filmytown.com/mine-entertaining-comedy-sarovar-banka/