Monday 18 November 2013

MOVIE REVIEW - RAM LEELA

The background score for the opening titles ensured that i was in for a treat. And so it was. Bhansali has taken a cue from Anurag Kashyap and turned his 'Gangs of Wasseypur' into a musical.
Yes sir, the film begins by wanton shooting, of guns and beer bottles. Placed in Modi's Gujrat and given a fictional name, the film proves why the future PM chose to be a Bachelor. As Ranveer Singh (Ram) says, "Family hi dushman hai" (the family itself is the enemy), not to mention the red chilly and gun crazy sasural.

Deepika Padukone, as Leela, plays the mood swinging and body flexible belle with ease. She is daring daughter of the enemy tribe, unrelenting bride, no-holds-barred lover, damsel in distress, chieftain; confused? So was i. But then again, the raunchy dialogues and her curves made me forgive that. If Bhansali wished an 8-pack warlord who could play the role of a warlord, playboy and dejected Devdas, Hritik would have been a better choice. But, it is what it is.
Ranveer tries hard to be the pacifier, both with the script and between the two tribes. He dares to fall in love with Deepika from the enemy's side, and what follows is dating behind enemy lines. It is filled with sexual innuendos, a reason why a neighboring family with a kid left the hall. Sleazy sounds and phrases are aplenty, after all, Ram runs a "dirty picture" video rental (see the irony?).

Simple circumstances, and complex songs later, they become separated and become united, sort of, on Dussehra, and their story completed as Ram-Leela. The songs are shot well, with Clint Eastwood sketch in one, and folk dance with moves like Mike Jagger in the other. You can check your messages and email and even throw in Level 1 of Temple Run during the songs. Ram Leelas' run for days in North India, and this is what i felt as i came out from the multiplex. Why, i had even grown a beard. JaiHo Sanjay Leela!

What stands out is the portrayal of women. Bhansali does an excellent job of showing them as more than mere Leelas or Sethanis'. Baa (Supriya Pathak), not the Kyunki Ki Saas Bhi version, but the chieftain dressed in black and popping a gun version, takes your breath away, especially the scene where she shows Deepika who's the boss, using a nut cracker. This is priceless and only Bhansali could have pulled it off. The two windows, of opposing tribes, come forth with guts, guns and gumption, and the camera work, dialogue and background score proves this.  A scene where the wife removes bullets from her husband's body, because she is ordered that no piece of lead from the enemy tribe should enter the house, stops your breath and moves you. This is where Ram-Leela excels, and why you should watch it at the multiplex.
The Runn of Katch, during sunrise and sunset, is a bewitching. The lanes and by-lanes of Udaipur are another treat. The costume is sure to change the fashion industry, and the sexy choli is back. The songs will bring glory to our folk singers and the gems of music and voice they have; this is why i endorse this movie.

P.S: More than the booking counter, the washroom was filled. Three hours of movie, and air-condition will do that to you, and a word of advice: if you get front row tickets for this movie and you are a first timer in those seats, REFUSE INSTANTLY. Gyaan gained: Gandhi class, be it 200/- per seat multiplex or some dingy 25 bucks theater in an ally, is a pain in the neck.



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