Change Your Image
sanjitas
Reviews
Chokher Bali (2003)
very poor work.
I am going to be honest. I have seen at least more than 200 bengali culture based movies in both bengali and Hindi languages from all ages, of all authors. And I am myself fan of many bengali authors. This was one of my biggest disappointments. First - The story is ill directed, based on adultery, Tagore has done great work in Charulata, Ghare Baire. But both had certain direction. In fact this was one of worst work of Tagore , where in entire movie I kept wondering where it is going? A story does not have to have direction - for example - Apur Sansar, but it all makes sense when it ends. It is story of Apu at least. But this one - tells nothing.
Second - Offering Bengali culture - no , again you won't get much more than other movies in both Bengali and Hindi I have seen. The scenes are very swallow. Not made with depth.
Third- Aishwarya - I mean why why why she had to be in the movie? - She just does not go into the character. I kept seeing her and her only in entire movie. She does not fit into the character from any angle. Her body language. I tried to remember Kiron Kher, She does not know bengali and someone dubbed for her. And it totally worked. But for Aishwarya it failed. She fails as badly as Lisa roy failed in water to portray a sad widow.
Fourth - Complete lack of leaving an impression as a good movie - Movie goes very slow for no good reasons. Best acting offered by Sen, lily and the guy who played bihari. Others failed to impress. It won't enjoy it watching - direction, story and acting wise. Unless you are fan of Rituporno and Aishwarya.
Haré Rama Haré Krishna (1971)
from my point of view
This is one of the movies of Dev Anand who gave great yet distinct movies to Hindi movie industries such as Jewel thief and guide. The story is short (if you ask me what is the story), plot is simple- a brother seeks for his lost sister. Sister has joined the hippies who smoke from pot and chant Hare Rama hare Krishna. Yet the movie portrays few of the significant events that the world experienced in 70's.Hippie culture, their submission to drugs, freedom ,escaping duty, family, and adopting anything new such as eastern (which was new for whites) religion. They have been handled perfectly. Zeenat gave her best and Dev as usual was remarkable. Songs are the best used (unlike they are abused for the sake of having songs) in this movie. They have not been spoiled.One perfect example is 'Dekho o deewano...Ram ka naam badnam na karo'. Each word in the song is very philosophical and meaningful. The end is tragic but that is not the essence of the movie. Overall Devji who does believe in making different movies has been successful in showing what he wanted to show here. A must see to experience hippie culture and beautiful Nepal of 70's.