Bombay Velvet & Club 60: recent films
These
days, I have been regularly watching new films that come with interesting themes
and treatments, and these provide not only entertainment but also insights in
to the specific subjects. It seems directors and scriptwriters are trying to experiment
with simple themes with different approaches and perspectives. Some films refer
to history, analyzing and giving new dimensions; some refer to contemporary
situations, finding solutions to the problems. Recently, I saw two films- Bombay Velvet – and Club 60- both are
pretty contrast in themes and approach. One reflects the history of immediate post-colonial
period in India, and the other speaks of the contemporary life that has become
barren for senior citizens.
Club 60: Empathy leads to humanity Busy
stressful contemporary life has lost touch with empathy and humanity; there is
no space for emotions. The film reflects on the present day situation where
many seniors have been spending their remaining years of life in isolation, and
this film is an answer to the problem. In club 60, the theme revolves around the
club formed by a senior person who thinks it is essential to have a place to meet
like-minded people. Although met with many accidents in life, the main
character undeterred by his bitter experiences makes an effort to bring
happiness to those who come in his contact, with his flamboyant life style.
People above 60 years become members to this club to meet new friends and to seek
new interests to lead the residual part of their life. Painful experiences of
life gathered over years have made these senior citizens to brood and sulk in
isolation, but the club provides a space where they can open up and indulge in
their whims and fancies with their friends and could forget their dark
memories. As time passes on, the club helps in bringing and binding together emotionally
all these isolated persons; as a result, each one begins empathizing for the
other. A thought of family, a sense of security, a sense of fulfillment among
these people slowly creep in, and these very positive thoughts alter their
course of life completely. Small get-togethers with shayari recitals make their
evenings enduring and rich. Slowly, their embittered life returns to normalcy
with a new positive look. Affection, compassion, emotional attachment, concern
for one another- all these have evaporated in the present day consumer
society. So one has to find a positive
way to lead one’s life- that is what this film conveys. Director
SanjayTriphathy has roped in veteran actors in to the roles to give meaning to
the content, and all these actors have done their jobs brilliantly. With its
content and treatment, the film connects with the audience. The films that
focus on humanity and emotions are most welcome as these can change the
perceptions of society and help in building healthy human relations.
Bombay
Velvet: Capitalism & Ambition
Each frame of Bombay
Velvet, a movie that highlights the immediate postcolonial period, interested
me as an artist. The film is based on ‘Mumbai Fables’ written by Gyan Prakash. The
‘time frame’ is brought out very brilliantly through the sepia and yellowish
tints. I first watched the movie only for the sake of visual treat that it offers
through its photography and CGI graphics, which have been handled very
efficiently and aesthetically. Bombay city looks very serene and magnanimous in
that period minus its present day traffic. Old heavy-looking cars move along
the sparsely peopled roads; film hoardings adorn and dominate the city
buildings; the film presents an immediate view of the postcolonial period- a
period of uncertainty-power groping - clash of ideologies - treachery. That was
the situation when the British left India. Bombay Velvet is around a club,
which reflects the impact of colonial culture on Indian society. The dimly lit
interior atmosphere of the club, men in impeccable suits sitting at the tables
with drinks, with cigarettes loosely dangling in lips, the club singer dressed
in long gorgeous gowns singing jazz, sexily – these details offer a glimpse in
to the bygone period. Anurag Kashyap, the director of the film places before us
to enjoy the sequences, which unfold before us dramatically in rich frames, one
after another. The richness of photography credited to Rajeev Ravi.
As one moves with the
story line, one finds lot of politics and treachery involved in it. A clash of
ideologies between capitalism and socialism erupts leading to rivalry and
endless killings. The main character with a wish to rise in life quickly symbolizes
capitalism. From a goon to the manager of Bombay Velvet, the main character
grows rapidly as he is very ambitious to have a prominent place in the society.
That very ambitious attitude makes him to risk and kill many people in
attaining his goal. A real estate developer to establish his goals uses Johnny
to do unwanted things and killings. On the other hand, there is clash of
ideologies, for which the jazz singer also becomes a scapegoat. Mid in the film
comes the formation of cricket league, a status symbol, where everyone wants to
have a share and seat. In the end, all those involved in politics and real
estate business plan to kill the ambitious Johnny and his lover the Jazz
singer, and succeed in it.
In the lead role
Ranbir kapoor has played magnificently. As an uneducated goon with high
ambition, Ranbir Kappor has portrayed the character effortlessly, but
effectively. Restlessness, the confusion
of age, trusting people blindly, innocent and yet jealous lover- all have been
depicted emotionally and perfectly. The attire, the hairstyle and the delivery
of speech – all go well with the theme and period.
As an aid of Ranbir
Kapoor, Satydeep Misra has played his role beautifully. This silent character
works as complementary to the boisterous nature of the main character and adds
weight to both characters.
There are some songs
with jazz music, which really add beauty to the film. Anushka Sharma as Jazz
singer is a visual treat throughout the film, and she has successfully lived
the character with acting skills. With splendid music, gorgeous gowns and
hairdo, the singer electrifies the club atmosphere often, which brings back the
colonial culture alive.
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