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I promise somewhat irregular posts on (in no particular order) Indian politics, cinema, and anything else that catches my fancy... Why "Qalandar"? So-called "liminal" religious traditions are a particular interest of mine, and "qalandar" is the sort of untranslatable, ambiguous, yet enormously evocative word that for me touches upon and articulates the experience of the sub-continent's "little" traditions in a particularly memorable way...not to mention the fact that in popular lingo the word has more than a merely religious/spiritual connotation, and can mean a bunch of other things, including a smart alec, wannabe, what-have-you...

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JBJ — 100 Word Review
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June 27th, 2007

[For its brevity, I dedicate this one to RKS! -- Qalandar]

LINK

Despite severe media drubbing, I finally watched Jhoom barabar jhoom, thanks to one sole voice of approval - Baradwaj Rangan! And…I loved it! After Jaan-e-mann, here’s another film maker who innovates on the format! We Indians have a low threshold for stories that happen over short periods of time and also insist on all 42 navarasas being part of the film. So, when a filmmaker turns it all in its head, we ditch him for being over smart! JBJ is a well-scripted film that gets its innovative format right. Even the music by Shankar, Ehsaan and Loy sits so well atop the wacky structure, with some fantastic over-the-top choreography. It’s a simple he/she-loves-me, loves-me-not story that works only because the screenplay drags it appropriately with all the necessary gimmicks. Bobby and Lara steal the limited scenes they appear in, while Preity looks tired and Abhishek is a bit too suave for the street-smart act. Its pretty sad to see Yash Raj taste defeat in their most experimental, ahead-of-its time venture. This is one film that deserved the ‘collections’ advertisement they so fondly release to proclaim their success!

There Are 8 Responses So Far. »

  1. Comment by akshay shah on 28 June 2007:

    Thanks for posting Q Bhai!

  2. Comment by abzee on 28 June 2007:

    How can there be 42 navarasas? By definition, they are nine(nav) rasas. Of course, Bharat Muni added the tenth one- shanta.

    If I remember correctly the navarasas are:

    Karuna, Raudra, Vatsalya, Hasya, Adbhuta, Bhayanaka, Shringar, Bibhatsa and Utsaha; with Shanta as the tenth one added later.

  3. Comment by inetk on 28 June 2007:

    Abzee: Hmmm, somebody was bound to ask that! That 42 is more of a placeholder for ‘gazillion’ or ‘umpteen’. But, why 42? ‘Cos that happens to be the answer to life, the universe and everything!

  4. Comment by rks on 28 June 2007:

    Thanks Q.
    I like brevity but this review is like the guy is in hurry.
    I did n’t know any thing about navarasas, but chose to dig into it.

    http://indianetzone.com/dances/1/navarasas.htm

  5. Comment by Qalandar on 28 June 2007:

    RKS: I gather that this blog’s whole point is to try and review EVERYTHING in 100 words or less…

  6. Comment by itsvivek4u on 28 June 2007:

    I am so glad that qalandar post this review. After I watche dthe movie, I was thinking Am I the only one stupid who actually enjoyed the moie and all of its over the top sequences. I think the point that audiences fail to understand is that The whole point behind Shaad making the movie itself as show something bizzare, outrageous, innovative and funny.

    I aree this is a little ahead of its times. People keep asking for something new. You give it to them , they don’t accept it. All they want is the usual boy meets girl story with the entire family thrown into it.

    I loved Lara in the film and the choreography is superb. Thx Q for the review. Now I know that I am not th eonly insane (or maybe sane) one here. :)

  7. Comment by Qalandar on 28 June 2007:

    My pleasure itsvivek4u — but on NG and Baradwaj’s blog you will find a number of like-minded crazies!!! :-)

  8. Comment by Qalandar on 28 June 2007:

    See Baradwaj’s blog: http://desipundit.com/baradwajrangan/

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