MANIKARNIKA : My Review

The film “Manikarnika: the Queen of Jhansi” celebrates the spirit of nationalism and patriotism at a time when these two traits are seen slipping into the realm of extinction. Aptly, it is being released during the Republic Day festivities.  This is one reason why we were attracted to the film, though its publicity has been on a low key.  Further, history-based celluloid creations on a near-epic scale are rare to come by now-a-days.

A CAPTIVATING EPIC-SIZE MOVIE 

(By Subbaram Danda)

Rani Jhansi as a warrior

The film chronicles how Manikarnika, a young woman excelling in archery, sword-fighting and horse-riding, rises to become the queen of the kingdom of Jhansi under the name of Lakshmibai.  Her love for books makes her stand out among the royalty. Her true affection towards her countrymen earns her a lot of their goodwill.  Circumstances force her to become a fierce warrior to uphold the freedom of her motherland and foil the treacherous designs of the British. She fights battles with great vision and clever strategy but intrigues and treachery decide their outcome.  Of course, the film takes some cinematographic liberties to enhance its impact on the audience.  

Kangana Ranaut assumes two responsibilities, unusual for any film.  She plays the central role of Rani Lakshmibai and also functions as the co-director of the movie.  Radha Krishna Jagarlamudi is the director.

Throughout the film, it is Manikarnika and Lakshmibai who dominate, eclipsing the importance of other characters in the process.  In a film like this one, it cannot but be so.  The first half highlights the beginnings of Manikarnika, the development of her skills and her growth as a freedom-loving girl.  In the second half her valour and patriotic fervour come to the fore. She throws overboard some age-old traditions and on the death of her husband, she ascends the throne of Jhansi. She mobilizes the womenfolk into a fighting brigade, trains them and shines as a major force to reckon with. For the British she becomes a terror.  

The movie makes good use of graphics and visual effects.  What is remarkable is that they merge with the main picture seamlessly.  The scene where Manikarnika hops, skips and jumps to mount an elephant and stand on it has been awesomely done.  The visual effect of Rani Jhansi breaking the skull of a British soldier into two with her long sword in one grotesque hit during a battle stuns the audience.

The long battle sequences in the second half of the 148-minute movie do not slacken the audience interest.  The moves and the counter moves have been neatly picturised. Strangely, Manikarnika is also the name of a cremation ghat on the banks of the Ganga in Varanasi. 

There are quite a few frames of massive proportions.  The scenes of Manikarnika’s wedding, interiors of her palace and the fort bombardment will remain as vivid images in the minds of the viewers for long.  Out of a few songs in the film “Vijayi Bhava, Vijayi Bhava….” emerges as a touchingly tuneful one.

Kangana Ranaut’s action is superb throughout.  Her facial expressions come out realistically well in every situation. This is one film, where the story moves briskly without any bottlenecks.   

In the cine hall, where we watched the film, an unusual development took us by surprise. As the movie came to an end, resounding claps of appreciation emerged from several pockets in the hall.

Here are some photos:

The wedding of Manikarnika

The new-born son of Jhansi Rani being taken in a procession

Rani Jhansi training her women's brigade in rifle shooting

The British forces discussing their strategy against Rani Jhansi

The feats of the warrior queen on a battle field

Rani Jhansi breaking the skull of a British soldier

January 26, 2019

2.0 : MY REVIEW

The latest Rajinikanth starrer 2point0 offers a weirdly different storyline, stirring the viewers into thinking about a serious environmental issue -- the impact of radiation from cellphone towers on birds. The film's major asset is extensive use of visual effects. It moves initially at a sluggish pace but picks up speed in the second half.  On the whole, it nearly succeeds in meeting the expectations of the cine-goers roused after the release of its trailer. Out of only three songs, one is mystifyingly tuneful. Watch the video at the end of this review and listen to the full song.

Robot Chitti 2.0 leading 500 others in the climax scene 

THE RS.600-CRORE EXTRAVAGANZA

(By Subbaram Danda)

The movie, an offshoot of the 2010 Rajini blockbuster Enthiran (Robot), highlights the man-machine-animal conflict and comes up with a message to the world.  It conceals a “soulful story,” as Director Shankar puts it.  Of course, it retains the tag of being a fantasy, thriller and entertainer, all rolled into one. Released in Tamil, Telugu and Hindi, it is running in more than 10,000 screens worldwide.

The story revolves around the concern of an ornithologist (a scientist specializing in the study of birds) for avian creatures facing the onslaught of radiation from cell phone towers, as men and women become insanely addicted to their mobiles.  Disillusioned by the official apathy to control the trend, he ends his life but emerges mysteriously as Pakshiraja (King of birds).  At will, he becomes a huge, fierce bird to take revenge on the human race.  Played by Akshay Kumar, the winged monster strikes terror on the people in a bid to annihilate them.  To check the menace, Rajini steps in as Chitti, robot version 2.   Amy Jackson, his robotic heart-throb, assists him.

While in the previous film Enthiran a robot falls in love with a human being, in this movie director Shankar goes one step further.  Here one robot loves another robot – robot Rajini and robot Amy.  In yet another novel manoeuvre, a racy duet between the two has been devised.  “Enthira Logathu Sundariye….” is an eerily mystifying song in an electrifying tune.  Interestingly, this song comes almost at the end of the film.  In all, there are only three songs in this action-packed, visual effects movie. There is no comic track.  

The 148-minute film boasts of several special features.  For the first time, 4D sound effects have been introduced. Besides speakers on the walls both sides, woofers and hooters in the ceiling and in the floor engulf the viewers with whirling sounds.  Unfortunately, not all cine halls are equipped to provide such a thrill.  The film comes in 2D and 3D formats.  What is significant is that cameras with 3D capability have been used to shoot scenes directly.  The practice so far has generally been to shoot with 2D cameras and then convert the film into a 3D edition. 

The visual effects are gripping.   The huge ferocious bird with terrifying red eyes flying over the city perilously with a destructive intent looks scarily realistic.   Scenes, where hundreds of cell phones of people suddenly fly off into the air, make the audience gasp in awe.  In the climax sequence, a vista of Chitti robots ready to meet their opponent is bewildering.  Rajini, wearing fire arms round his waist in a circular configuration and shooting them in lightning speed, produces whistles from his hard-core fans.  There are several others all through the film. 

The costume designers and make-up men should have commissioned all their powers of imagination in conceiving and executing their job.  Akshay Kumar’s make-up alone reportedly took more than three hours every time before he was declared ready for the shoot.

Rajini retains his signature style of acting, despite his age.  Akshay Kumar acts brilliantly in his villain role.   Amy Jackson looks gracefully romantic rather than outright glamorous.

Presented by Lyca Productions, 2point0 has already raked in a large chunk of Rs. 600 crores invested. It has set new records in terms of production costs, extensive employment of visual effects, film releases in diverse geographical locations including New Zealand, Pakistan, UAE and Canada, shooting entirely with 3D-enabled cameras and introduction of 4D sound effects. It has lifted the standards of creativity in Indian film industry to new heights, fending off Hollywood challenges.  

Akshay Kumar as Pakshiraja

Amy Jackson as Chitti's robotic heart-throb 

Men and women looking bewildered as their mobiles fly off into air

Scientist Rajini,creator of robot Chitti, and Amy in a conference
called to control the menace of Pakshiraja 

Robot Amy and robot Chitti in a romantic song sequence

Video song "Enthira Logathu Sundariye...."

(Courtesy: Lyca Productions)

December 03, 2018

2.0 PROMISES TO BE SUPER STAR'S HYPER FILM

The glitzy launch of the trailer of the much-awaited Rajinikanth starrer 2.0 (pronounced TwoPointO) amidst much fanfare has generated high expectations in cine-goers.  It has raised the curtain over high-octane action scenes, spectacular settings, weird weaponry, bizarre creatures and incredible graphics.  The film is all set to hit the screens throughout the world on November 29.

RAJINI'S NEW MAGNUM OPUS

(By Subbaram Danda)

Rajinikanth with his 360 degree shooting gear

Everything about the multi-lingual movie 2.0 is on a grand scale.  It is a Rs. 600 crore mammoth venture – reportedly the biggest ever in India so far. For its visual effects, 25 studios across the world with a workforce of 3000 technicians have been reportedly pressed into service.  The climax shoot in Delhi saw the participation of over 1,000 persons of all categories in it.  

It has numerous scenes that overwhelm the audience.  One can see a gigantic bird flying frighteningly over the city, cell phones of people being sucked into the air all of a sudden throwing them into a panic mode, the hero shooting long firearms fastened all around his waist and many more similar sizzling ones. 

The story revolves around an evil scientist played by Akshay Kumar and his cunning determination to finish off everyone, who uses a cell phone on earth. He transforms himself into a huge bird to pursue his devilish desire.  He comes face to face with Chitti, robot version 2, acted by Rajinikanth and the battle lines are drawn.  Rajini also romances and sets the screen ablaze in other ways in his own style. 

Some of the best brains in the industry have shaped the film.  Directed by Shankar, its star cast includes, besides the superstar and the Bollywood celebrity Akshay Kumar, British actress Amy Jackson.  Music is by A. R. Rahman, cinematography by Nirav Shah and visual effects by Srinivas Mohan.  It is presented by Subaskaran.

The movie is regarded as an offshoot of the 2010 blockbuster Enthiran (robot), which starred Aishwarya Rai alongside Rajini. 

At the trailer release event at a cine complex in Chennai on Nov. 3, 2018, Rajinikanth described the film as “a thriller and an entertainer with a global message.”  It is about the man-technology-animal conflict.  On the outcome of the film, he prided himself and said with a touch of bravado, “Mark my words, the movie will be a super, super hit.”

Here are some photos of the film:

Awestruck Rajini and Amy, when their cell phones
are sucked into air

A gigantic bird flying frighteningly over the city

When evil scientist Akshay Kumar comes face to face
with Chitti 2 Rajini

Robot Rajini is struck by the beauty of Amy 

Robots galore in formation

November 05, 2018

VINAYAKA CHATURTHI CELEBRATIONS 2018 : SOME HIGHLIGHTS

This year’s Vinayaka Chaturthi generated a curious desire in me.  I wanted to know in detail how the festival is celebrated outside Tamil Nadu.  Digital technology came to my help.  I surfed websites, watched television channels, closely went through social media posts and browsed e-newspapers.  The result was amazing.  I could collect some astounding facts and figures.  It is my pleasure to share some of them here.  

THE GRANDEUR OF GANESHA

(By Subbaram Danda)

Vinayaka Chaturthi is one great Hindu festival that lends itself to celebration in a variety of ways.  While in temples special worship is conducted, at homes people bring freshly-made mud images of the deity and offer prayers.  An outstanding feature is the setting up of temporary road-side pandals (sheds) at vantage points in various cities, towns and villages and installing in them huge idols of Vinayaka in mind-boggling styles. 

The centre of all activity in India is undoubtedly Mumbai, where the festivity goes on for as many as ten days. In that metropolitan city the cynosure of all eyes is a huge Vinayaka idol affectionately called Lalbaugcha Raja in a lane of Lalbaug market in Central Mumbai.   It has been very popular for the past 85 years. 

This year the Lalbaugcha Raja’s idol is 15 feet tall installed in a pandal beautifully done up with 3D technology.  Graphics embellish the stage colourfully with a backdrop of cascading waterfalls, hovering birds and blooming flowers.

Lalbaugcha Raja

The divine Raja draws an incredibly large number of people, including Bollywood celebrities and politicians -- around 15 lakhs every day for ten days!  How such a vast sea of moving people is controlled is anybody’s guess.  Devotees keep going in two lines.  In the first they can go near the feet of the idol and get a close-up view of the deity. The second queue does not permit going close to the stage.  In the first line, it is said people stand sometimes for as long as 30 hours and in the second for up to eight hours, according to Wikipedia.

Why is this Ganesha so famous?  Devotees strongly believe that praying to this deity, in particular touching his feet, will enable them to get their wishes granted.  Television channels stream the festivities live.  After the celebrations, the idol is immersed in the sea. 

Every year the idol is made according to a legendary design by members of a particular family called Kamblis, who were originally sculptors.  The design is patent-protected.  

The organizers of this grand show are the Lalbaugcha Raja Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav Mandal.  They have taken a comprehensive insurance policy.

Another major attraction is a large idol known widely as Mumbai’s Gold Ganesha.  It is adorned with ornaments of the yellow metal weighing more than 70 kg of pure gold, besides diamond-studded jewellery and silver articles.  Seated on a golden throne the idol shines in an ornate pandal in King’s circle. 

Just before immersion of the idol in the sea at the end of the festivities, the jewels are taken out and kept in safe custody till next year. The organizers are GSB Seva Mandal.  They have also taken a comprehensive insurance policy.

Golden Ganesha

There is yet another place in Mumbai where people throng.  It is to have darshan of Ganesh Gallicha Raja.  This year the deity is represented as riding a charging horse. The statue in vivid colours stands out as a vibrant work of art.  Interestingly, Ganesh Galli is just a few lanes away from the Lalbaug idol.

Ganesh Gallicha Raja

In Maharashtra, including Mumbai, there are several thousands of other idols.  Each conveys a legend or a message. This year protection of the environment is the overwhelming theme.

After Maharashtra, south India takes pride of place in celebrating Vinayaka Chaturthi.  In Telangana, the Khairatabad Ganesha in Hyderabad is famous.  This time it is Saptamukha Kalasarpa Maha Ganapati standing 57-feet tall, nearly as high as a six-storey building.  In the foreground are mini statues of Lakshmi and Saraswati.

A highlight of the festivities at Khairatabad is a 580-kg laddu prepared by a sweet stall as an offering to the deity.  Finally, it will be distributed to devotees.

Khairatabad Ganesha

Throughout India and overseas deity Vinayaka is worshipped in ways that can only be described as incredible.  Human ingenuity reaches its pinnacle in designing and creating gigantic idols for Ganesh Chaturthi.  They number a few lakhs.  Only very famous ones have been presented in this feature.   

  

September 17, 2018

Film IMAIKKAA NODIGAL : My Review

A THRILLER WITH A RUNNING SUSPENSE

(By Subbaram Danda)

Nayantara as Anjali

“I love killing. I just love killing. I am a psycho”– these words of bravado of serial killer Rudra, as he proceeds from one ruthless murder to another, reverberate right through the film “Imaikkaa Nodigal” (unblinked moments), one of the latest Tamil releases.  He challenges CBI officer Anjali investigating the cold-blooded slayings, “Stop me, if you can. Good luck.” Anjali retorts with a cool refrain, “He thinks he is smart, but he is not.  He will be caught soon.”

The thriller, set in Bengaluru, revolves around a new modus operandi of kidnap and murder.  The killer’s signature style is to abduct a high profile person, demand Rs.2 crores, receive the ransom and still kill the victim.  And this goes on without any change in the method of operation and let-up.    

Anurag Kashyap as Killer Rudra

Intertwined with the main story is a love affair between Arjun, brother of Anjali, and a ravishingly beautiful girl Krithika.  Rudra’s evil designs entangle them too.

The role of Rudra is played brilliantly by Anurag Kashyap of Bollywood fame and Anjali is portrayed by serious-looking Nayantara.  Rashi Khanna as Krithika and Atharvaa as Arjun add mascara and masala to the film.  Vijay Sethupathi’s short role as husband of Anjali is ornamental.  Anurag easily outshines Nayantara in performance.

It is a film, which makes good use of the modern technology with computers, smartphones and cyber linkages.  The police and the villain vie with each other in employing the technology to play their own game.

Rashi Khanna as Krithika

Director Ajay Gnanamuthu has done a good job in making the audience watch the film from the edge of their seats.  The flick is fast paced.  There are, however, some patches where it drags.  The film runs for nearly three hours, which is too much considering contemporary standards.  Numerous flashbacks, twists and turns tend to confuse the people and make them lose track of the main story. Comic scenes are noteworthy by their absence.  The cinematographer R. D. Rajasekhar has chosen excellent lighting settings and angles to capture the true action of the actors. Music is by HipHopTamizha. 

There is a little girl, daughter of Anjali, who puts up a scintillating performance in her limited but remarkable role.

The real suspense of the film lies in the question, “Who is Rudra?”  There was a serial killer by that name, who was finished off by the Police some years ago, according to their records.   Is somebody currently masquerading as him?  The needle of suspicion turns to Arjun too.  And Anjali as well !!!

(Ends)

September 04, 2018

RECOLLECTIONS Sweet and Sour - 07

With the demise of DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi at the age of 94 on August 07, 2018 in Chennai, a major era in the annals of Dravidian politics has come to an end.  But what the five-time Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu has done to improve the lives of the masses of the state will remain green forever.

A RING-SIDE VIEW OF KARUNANIDHI

(By Subbaram Danda)

Undoubtedly, former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi was an admirable person, even if one did not agree with his political ideology or his personal beliefs.  I had many occasions to interact with him closely as a journalist.  I was an Accredited Correspondent of the “Indian Express” and later Chief of News Bureau of the “Financial Express.”

He was an excellent media manager.  He never ran away from the press.  He was always willing to meet newsmen if he was free.  His style was unique.  Even in informal chats, when journalists sought his reaction to any development or wanted any clarification, he would tell them, “Put it in the form of a question in clear terms and I will answer them.”  He would listen to them carefully before giving a reply.  His responses would be straight, leaving no room for any ambiguity.  Often he would add a witty expression too.  Thus he would ensure there was no room for any misinterpretation later.  This “question and answer” format he always followed.

Karunanidhi was a journalist himself and a capable writer.  He knew what would generate a good news story. He had the knack of giving out information in such a way that it always hit the headlines.  

Karunanidhi was reverentially and fondly called Kalaignar by the people, especially his cadres. In Tamil it means scholar of arts.  He was not only an effective writer in Tamil and a versatile poet but also a forceful orator.  

He was a great administrator.  I knew several IAS officers, who loved to work under his stewardship.  He respected their views before taking a final decision in any matter.  He never slighted them.  At the same time, he held tight reins over them.

What made him stand out was his earnestness to be a friend of the masses.  Many of his schemes were directed at their well-being.  Decades ago, on his birthday every year, he would receive donations from celebrities who came to greet him and use those funds for the welfare of the downtrodden.  One such measure was abolition of hand-pulled rickshaws, which were replaced by cycle rickshaws. Another stupendous initiative was construction of multi-storeyed tenements for hut-dwellers.

In later years, giving away freebies was his master stroke.  This idea emanated from his close friend Dr. Naganathan, Head of the Department of Econometrics at Madras University. Yet another far-reaching measure was enactment of legislation to treat women on par with men when they inherited properties of their parents.  During one of his earlier tenures, he implemented welfare schemes for the men of the media too. 

These and several other innumerable measures earned him name and fame from a large section of the population of the state and easily endeared him to them.  The beneficiaries always remained grateful to him.

Of course, he faced many criticisms and charges.  But his popular programmes overshadowed them.

He was a great political strategist and the brain behind the games that his party played.  It is difficult to find another personality like him in future.

Without any doubt Karunanidhi was a blazing star in the Indian political firmament.

When I watched on T.V. the final journey of Kalaignar to Anna Square, where he was laid to rest with full military honours, memories flashed in my mind of my coverage of the funeral of his mentor C. N. Annadurai for my newspaper long long ago.  What crowds!   

Here are some photographs of Kalaignar’s last journey:

Surging crowds at the funeral procession

The body of Karunanidhi being taken in a gun carriage

Karunanidhi's body before being laid to rest

The embossed  epitaph on the coffin:
"Having toiled without rest, he now takes rest."

Bereaved family members

(Ends)

August 09, 2018   

RECOLLECTIONS Sweet and Sour - 06

Mango is the fruit of summer.  Though the king of fruits comes in different varieties, the most preferred ones are Banganapalli, Alphonso, Malgova and Imam Pasand for their own unique flavour and feel.  

MY MANGO MUSINGS

(By Subbaram Danda)

I cannot forget an incident that took place one good summer morning a few decades ago.  An emissary of a prominent industrialist of Tamil Nadu brought to my residence a big basket of mangoes in a public relations exercise.    

“Sir, this is from the famous Thathachariar garden of Srirangam.  It is the best quality Imam Pasand grown with all care and naturally ripened.  It is not easily available in the market. My boss has asked me to deliver it to you with his personal compliments,” the emissary told me in an endearing voice.  The basket would have contained at least 50 fruits neatly tucked in hay.

It was unexpected. I was surprised.  I could not react immediately.  It had been my policy not to accept gifts sent privately to my residence by any person.   But this was a tricky situation.  The industrialist was an excellent source of news for me and a very likeable person.  He had given me clues about major business developments, which helped me land good scoops many a time.  He had also given me his unlisted personal phone number, so that I could contact him any time without having to go through his secretary.   (In those days there were only landlines and some specially acquired numbers were not listed in the official telephone directory.)

I was in a peculiar dilemma.  If I rejected the gift, how would he react?  Would he think that I was rude?  Finally I took the plunge and politely declined the gift, hoping he would understand me.    

The emissary was aghast.  He showed me a long list of possible recipients, which included senior bureaucrats, politicians, media persons, bankers and others who mattered.  Still, I stuck to my guns.  He left somewhat puzzled and disappointed.

My fears were unfounded.  The industrialist called me back and expressed his appreciation of my stand.  Afterwards, we became very thick friends.

Gifts were the big bugbear of many journalists. What would constitute a gift?  Would the lunch given to journalists at a press conference in a five-star hotel by a company declaring its annual financial results constitute a gift or only the give-away offered at the end?  Similarly, if an organization took a press party to its plant in another part of the state to showcase its activities, would it amount to a gift?

All these factors led me to take a decision – a viable and practical one.  I would not mind accepting any gift given openly in a press meet or at a get together but not those sent home personally.  I threw the idea at my junior colleagues and they happily agreed to it.  It was this stand that made me decline the basket of Imam Pasand mangoes.  I was sure that other senior journalists in the city at that time too had similar standards with some exceptions here and there.  

I should acknowledge here with all appreciation that reporters of The Hindu, on instructions from their higher ups, had always declined gifts of every kind, given openly or not, though they partook in lunches and conducted tours.

This was the position a few decades ago.  Then there were only a few newspapers besides All India radio and Doordarshan.  A lot of water has flowed since then.  It is anybody’s guess what the situation is right now. 

A word about Imam Pasand.  It is a rare variety grown only in select areas in our country.  It is somewhat more expensive than others.  A Hindi or Urdu word, it means Imam’s favourite.  The Imam was Mughal emperor Humayun.   Connoisseurs look at it as an outstanding variety in view of its rich and unique taste.  However, my choice is Banganapalli first and then Malgova.   

In the meantime, let us enjoy the mango, whatever the variety is, as long as the season lasts! (Ends)

June 01, 2018