Bollywood thoughts
Jun. 7th, 2006 09:35 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieI've been thinking more about Fanaa. I'd realized that usually there is one Bolly movie a year that I go insane for. This year it's Fanaa, last year it was Parineeta, the year before that, Veer-Zaara. It seems that for me to go crazy over a movie, it has to be an epic and very beautifully filmed uber-angsty love story. Not a suprise. Frex, I think Rang De Basanti is a better film, as a film, than Fanaa, but Fanaa somehow got under my skin in a much more crazy way.
I've also been listening to the Fanaa soundrack. That little bit before the first lyrics in "Chand Sirfarish," the one with clapping overlaid with a heavy beat, is my favorite thing ever. And it only gets cooler when I think of that same music being used when we first see Rehan as a mastermind, the beat still there, but somehow more mechanical, stripped of its beauty. And "Mere Saath Mein" is definitely in my Top 5 picturizations (together with SHM from K3G, Tujhe Dekha from DDLJ, Roshni Se from Asoka and the one whre Joythika imagines herself and Akshaye Khanna as story characters in Doli Saja Ke Rakhna). Though I am still impressed that neither Aamir nor Kajol came down with hypothermia. And "Des Rangeela" is one of those moments in the movie, where I am so happy watching something I wish it would go forever (Kajol spinning in Des Rangeela, or that Amitabh/SRK/Hema/Preity number in Veer-Zaara being good examples).
I've also been thinking about language and imagery. I love that Aamir and Kajol speak so largely in couplets in the first half, but in the second half the couplets are gone, except for the few that have personal meaning to them from the past association. It's such a symbol for the fact that in the first half, it's all about masks, false indentities, hiding your true self, not knowing, and the second half is about seeing, recognizing, true nature. And that is why I love the color palette change as well. The first half is romantic and happy and innocent, so there are bright vibrant colors. In the second half, everything is stark, chill, frozen, to fit the grim tone of the story and the frozen state of both Kajol and Aamir.
And that makes me think about Aamir versus SRK. (And that is why I'd never post this on Bollywhat. And Aamir/SRK comparison is liable to start WWIII). And how, much as I love SRK (he remains the only actor I will watch ANY movie with), I am so glad that no one but Aamir got to play Rehan. Aamir always has a certain steely core in his roles, something unbendable. He will die for love, but he will do so on his own terms. SRK always comes across as opening his heart like a carpet for you to walk on. Aamir has a certain darkness and SRK's vibe is nicer. The whole beauty of watching Rehan is that he has all these walls and the pleasure is to see them slowly come down, one by one, passion demolishing his reserve. SRK is someone who comes across as utterly open and vulnerable to emotion. (Btw, just to make it clear, I am just talking about their on-screen vibes. I know little about them outside their roles and care even less). Not that I haven't seen SRK play someone ruthless and frightening: his Asoka was a monster by the end, but his ruthless darkness comes across as different to Aamir's. I can't imagine Aamir as Asoka any more than SRK as Rehan. Of course, I could be wrong, and SRK could have made a brilliant Rehan and Aamir an amazing Asoka, but I think that's actually the talent of either of them: they take a role and make it irrevocably their own, such that I can't imagine anyone else in it, not even if the movie itself is bad (Josh or Dil).
And I was also thinking about how Bollywood treats the idea of love as paramount, larger than life, something Hollywood movies after 1940s don't do any more. And by love, I don't necessarily mean romantic love, though Bollywood loves their lovers. I mean every kind of love there is. In Bollywood, love can ruin a person (Devdas) or make him (Parineeta). It can ruin families (QSQT) or bring them together (HSSH). It can negate borders (Refugee), class (Baaghi), religion (Bombay), and death itself (Hamesha, Karan Arjun). It can take on a government and its army and win (Gadar), and it can result in body doubles of your dead soulmate (KNPH). It can save the soul of a terrorist (Dil Se, Fiza) or it can destroy one's humanity utterly (Asoka). It can win over stubborn elders (DDLJ), restore the sight of your blind mother (Amar Akbar Anthony), reunite a family scattered since childhood (also AAA), and even make animals into divine messengers (MPK, HAHK). Kinda amazingly cool.
I've also been listening to the Fanaa soundrack. That little bit before the first lyrics in "Chand Sirfarish," the one with clapping overlaid with a heavy beat, is my favorite thing ever. And it only gets cooler when I think of that same music being used when we first see Rehan as a mastermind, the beat still there, but somehow more mechanical, stripped of its beauty. And "Mere Saath Mein" is definitely in my Top 5 picturizations (together with SHM from K3G, Tujhe Dekha from DDLJ, Roshni Se from Asoka and the one whre Joythika imagines herself and Akshaye Khanna as story characters in Doli Saja Ke Rakhna). Though I am still impressed that neither Aamir nor Kajol came down with hypothermia. And "Des Rangeela" is one of those moments in the movie, where I am so happy watching something I wish it would go forever (Kajol spinning in Des Rangeela, or that Amitabh/SRK/Hema/Preity number in Veer-Zaara being good examples).
I've also been thinking about language and imagery. I love that Aamir and Kajol speak so largely in couplets in the first half, but in the second half the couplets are gone, except for the few that have personal meaning to them from the past association. It's such a symbol for the fact that in the first half, it's all about masks, false indentities, hiding your true self, not knowing, and the second half is about seeing, recognizing, true nature. And that is why I love the color palette change as well. The first half is romantic and happy and innocent, so there are bright vibrant colors. In the second half, everything is stark, chill, frozen, to fit the grim tone of the story and the frozen state of both Kajol and Aamir.
And that makes me think about Aamir versus SRK. (And that is why I'd never post this on Bollywhat. And Aamir/SRK comparison is liable to start WWIII). And how, much as I love SRK (he remains the only actor I will watch ANY movie with), I am so glad that no one but Aamir got to play Rehan. Aamir always has a certain steely core in his roles, something unbendable. He will die for love, but he will do so on his own terms. SRK always comes across as opening his heart like a carpet for you to walk on. Aamir has a certain darkness and SRK's vibe is nicer. The whole beauty of watching Rehan is that he has all these walls and the pleasure is to see them slowly come down, one by one, passion demolishing his reserve. SRK is someone who comes across as utterly open and vulnerable to emotion. (Btw, just to make it clear, I am just talking about their on-screen vibes. I know little about them outside their roles and care even less). Not that I haven't seen SRK play someone ruthless and frightening: his Asoka was a monster by the end, but his ruthless darkness comes across as different to Aamir's. I can't imagine Aamir as Asoka any more than SRK as Rehan. Of course, I could be wrong, and SRK could have made a brilliant Rehan and Aamir an amazing Asoka, but I think that's actually the talent of either of them: they take a role and make it irrevocably their own, such that I can't imagine anyone else in it, not even if the movie itself is bad (Josh or Dil).
And I was also thinking about how Bollywood treats the idea of love as paramount, larger than life, something Hollywood movies after 1940s don't do any more. And by love, I don't necessarily mean romantic love, though Bollywood loves their lovers. I mean every kind of love there is. In Bollywood, love can ruin a person (Devdas) or make him (Parineeta). It can ruin families (QSQT) or bring them together (HSSH). It can negate borders (Refugee), class (Baaghi), religion (Bombay), and death itself (Hamesha, Karan Arjun). It can take on a government and its army and win (Gadar), and it can result in body doubles of your dead soulmate (KNPH). It can save the soul of a terrorist (Dil Se, Fiza) or it can destroy one's humanity utterly (Asoka). It can win over stubborn elders (DDLJ), restore the sight of your blind mother (Amar Akbar Anthony), reunite a family scattered since childhood (also AAA), and even make animals into divine messengers (MPK, HAHK). Kinda amazingly cool.
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no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 01:59 am (UTC)Subhan allaaaaaaaaaah, subhan allaaaaaaaaaah, subhan allaaaaaaaaaah, subhan allaaaaaaaaaah!
I love that part too. It makes my heart do a crazy little flip.
SRK always comes across as opening his heart like a carpet for you to walk on. Aamir has a certain darkness and SRK's vibe is nicer.
Wow, I can agree with that. I think one of SRK's major selling points is his stripped bare vulnerability, it's his USP and no one can do it like he does. But Aamir just brings something else to the screen, an unflappable strength of sorts.
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Date: 2006-06-08 02:04 am (UTC)And I just love that last paragraph you've written. I've read it over about 5 times now. Bollywood certainly does portray love like nothing else.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 02:41 am (UTC)http://www.saint-just.net/
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Date: 2006-06-08 05:02 am (UTC)Sadly, I could see that happening, ROFL.
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Date: 2006-06-08 07:02 am (UTC)I agree. VZ on the whole for me isn't exactly my favourite movie ever, but the Lodi song is just a pleasure to the eye and the ear. It's so catchy, too!
I was also thinking about how Bollywood treats the idea of love as paramount, larger than life, something Hollywood movies after 1940s don't do any more.
I was also thinking about this a few days ago and tried to form a Bollywhat topic on it but couldn't get it phrase it. I can't remember who but when I first got into BW, someone wrote somewhere that where Hollywood's romantic films aren't stories about love but relationships. I think it's true in many ways. The focus is definitely on man-woman relationships in general or two characters, not so much love in general as this great big concept that can both break and make. Which is probably why romantic HW films no longer work for me..
One positive exception being the film The Notebook because it's one of the rare films that dares to be a "chick-flick" (I've grown to hate that term - emotions are for guys, too!) and talk about love as a great concept equal to nothing else. Also, the main actors who're now dating, their chemistry is brilliant in the movie. It works on that "Bollywood level" of romance that I'm used to (and that is obviously superior to Hollywood's "Should I fuck a guy on the first date?"-sort of approach for romance).
Heh, yeah, better not to post the SRK/Aamir comparison thoughts on BW?.. I feel like every criticism directed at SRK there needs to come with a disclaimer. Like, "PS. I like him, really!" I don't really see other fan groups jump on things like that. Then again, SRK does get the most flag so at times it makes sense that his fans are hypersensitive.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 12:22 pm (UTC)Bollywood is great. :) And Aamir can do that kind of expression which I haven't really seen anywhere else...Hmm. But he bops. And doesn't look good wet. But looks good in MHM.
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Date: 2006-06-08 04:55 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 04:56 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 04:56 pm (UTC)And yes, it's portrayal of love and caring is Bollywood's USP, for sure.
no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 04:57 pm (UTC)I keep listening to it and I think it's permanently taken residence in my head.
Wow, I can agree with that. I think one of SRK's major selling points is his stripped bare vulnerability, it's his USP and no one can do it like he does. But Aamir just brings something else to the screen, an unflappable strength of sorts.
Wouldn't it be fun to see a movie with them together? Not that is would ever happen but...
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Date: 2006-06-08 05:03 pm (UTC)Oh, I didn't mean that I was worried about SRK fans. If I did bring something like this up at Bollywood, the thread would simply become a battleground by people who are overly defensive about SRK and people who would use it as an excuse to bash him and say he has no acting ability blah blah blah (and I don't think they'd be Aamir fans, but they would definitely use Aamir or anyone as an example of SRK sucking). And the initial point which is that they are both good and different would get lost because people would be determinted to prove either that SRK is the bestest or he is the worst waste of space ever. People have really strong feelings about SRK one way or another (I guess it comes with being Number 1) and guuuuuh, the ugliness that will get into.
It's actually kinda funny because the forum didn't have that many Aamir fans on for a while because he took that huge break (why can't Uday do the same?) There were people who liked him, of course, but the rabidness that actors who make movies currently wasn't there. But now he is getting more fans and postings which is fun.
I saw The Notebook a long time ago and liked it but thought it needed songs :)
I love the Lodi song so so so so much!
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Date: 2006-06-08 05:04 pm (UTC)He looks better wet when his hair isn't plastered to his forehead :)
And I think I've worn out the part of the CD that has CS on it.
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Date: 2006-06-08 05:14 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 07:02 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2006-06-08 07:22 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2007-01-14 07:03 am (UTC)This is such a perfect analysis of the two actors and what they bring to their characters; all I can summon up in response is a resounding YES.
You may wonder what I'm doing here in your archives. ;) It's interesting; I remember you said recently you only avoid spoilers when you're really enjoying something. I'm kind of the opposite. I can be absolutely wracked with nerves about what is going to happen when I feel myself becoming really, truly, deeply emotionally involved in whatever I'm watching -- and that's when I search for spoilers, albeit light ones. I literally get too keyed up and need something to cushion the fallout I can feel approaching on the horizon.
And Fanaa made me feel like that. I'm only an hour or so in, but I'm so caught up in Kajol and Aamir's performances I just... I needed to know what to expect. All I know now is he's a terrorist and it doesn't end perfectly happily, but that's enough for me to soldier on. I just didn't want to get my heart broken.
Excellent movie, M. Thanks so much for lending it to me.
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Date: 2007-01-14 02:01 pm (UTC)I assume you finished Fanaa by now. Isn't it an amazing ending? And that last song? *dies*