Post by carla on Feb 24, 2014 22:05:21 GMT
I recently watched this fun masala classic and put up a review on Filmi Geek. Then I happened across the thread about it on the old forum, headed up by Darshana's breathlessly delighted review [ed. - the day after I put up this post, links to the old forum stopped working. Drat.], and wanted to highlight it here. Darshana's review captures everything that is delightful about this true masala entertainer. (I poked at a few of its warts.) This is a film from the great 70s masala combo of director Nasir Hussain and composer R.D. Burman. The music is the thing. If you like 70s music and the great visuals that often go with them, this is a movie well worth popping into your DVD player. There is a lovely tender song which Darshana talks about at some length, a FANTASTIC filmi qawwali with an appearance by Zeenat Aman, an amazing sing-off medley, and a rocking hit with Rishi in a marvelously outrageous costume. Lots to love.
I was chatting with a friend today about the warts I mentioned in my review - mostly the fact that Rishi Kapoor's character is not a terribly nice guy. It occurred to me that these masala films are so plot-driven, rather than character-driven, that this kind of thing can sometimes happen. It makes for a good story to have the hero tell this or that lie, enter into this or that insincere seduction, execute this or that kidnapping plan - so those things happen in the movie. The implications for the character are not really considered. As long as the star is up there doing what people like to see the star doing, a cohesive (and positive) theory of his character isn't really required.
This plot-driven narrative is one of the characteristics that distinguish masala films from other types of films. This is hardly a new insight but it came sharply focused to me as I was thinking about this movie.
Anyhow, very fun movie, very glad I saw it. It's got everything one watches 70s masala for.
I was chatting with a friend today about the warts I mentioned in my review - mostly the fact that Rishi Kapoor's character is not a terribly nice guy. It occurred to me that these masala films are so plot-driven, rather than character-driven, that this kind of thing can sometimes happen. It makes for a good story to have the hero tell this or that lie, enter into this or that insincere seduction, execute this or that kidnapping plan - so those things happen in the movie. The implications for the character are not really considered. As long as the star is up there doing what people like to see the star doing, a cohesive (and positive) theory of his character isn't really required.
This plot-driven narrative is one of the characteristics that distinguish masala films from other types of films. This is hardly a new insight but it came sharply focused to me as I was thinking about this movie.
Anyhow, very fun movie, very glad I saw it. It's got everything one watches 70s masala for.