Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Movie Review: Love, Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD)

Contributed by ~ Niilesh A Raje

Dibakar Banerjee’s film Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD) reminds me of a popular adage attributed to the bestselling author and stand-up comedian "Jeffrey Foxworthy" nicknamed as Jeff Foxworthy. Jeff quotes "Getting married for sex is like buying a 747 for the free peanuts". So, if one is going to watch LSD for witnessing the act of sex, it’s a stupid discussion. Let our curiosity not drive us to do something that can leave the audiences despond and dejected.

Well known film director and screenwriter Dibakar Banerjee got the reputation for being the winner of National Film Awards for both his films Khosla Ka Ghosla and Abhay Deol starrer Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! As he continues his voyage of discovery his third film Love Sex Aur Dhokha (LSD) released recently deals with voyeurism in modern-day society based upon the idea that relates to the infamous DPS MMS scandal.

With easy access to malls, multiplexes and mobile phones we are under the constant influence of camera trying to monitor each one of us. What intrigues is the fact what happens to these footages? The central theme of LSD narrates three stories showcased by usage of three different cameras.

First story relates to a student studying for his diploma in film making using student camera. Rahul who is working on his project begins filming a love story and soon falls in love with his heroine Shruti and elopes. Security camera is seen covering the second story concerned with a 24 hour departmental store. Adarsh in the second story has planned to earn money through the porn-clip he shoots from the confinement of the departmental store. The last story is a sting operation covered skillfully using journalist’s sting camera. Naina in the third story is assured by Loki Local, a Hip Hop Pop Star to work for a music video. Based on the platform of trust she spent a night with him for the purpose of the music video only. However, the music video is finally taken by Russian Blonde. Sting journalist Prabhat and Naina finally decide to do a sting operation using the journalist sting camera. In each of the above stories the medium is the same camera so is the output an invasion of privacy.

Screenplay is by Dibakar Banerjee and Kanu Behl. Music by Sneha Khanwalkar. Movie is produced by ALT Entertainment and Priya Sreedharan. Star cast includes Anshuman Jha (Rahul), Shruti (Shruti), Raj Kumar Yadav (Adarsh), Neha Chauhan (Rashmi), Amit Sial (Prabhat), Arya Devdutta (Naina) and Herry Tangri (Loki Local). Good work carried out by Dop(Nikos Andritsakis) and editing (Namrata Rao).

In a nutshell, LSD tries to zero in on the influence of technology and how it could result as an invasion of privacy in our life. Love can be little of foolishness but sex shouldn’t be one’s curiosity else it can only dilute the central message of the movie.

Friday, March 26, 2010

Movie Review - Huppa Huiyya Entertains

Contributed by ~ Niilesh A Raje

Marathi Cinema today has long solidified by embracing the best resources and strategically depositing them where business advantage and success has been ensured. Akshara Films Division new release this week movie ‘Huppa Huiyya...! under the stewardship of well known film director Anil Surve makes one realize that when all is lost in the battles of life the only ray of hope to come out of the period of adversities is by keeping the lamp of faith burning. The movie is presented by Samit Kakkad and Dream View Productions Pvt. Ltd and produced by Amar Kakkad and Pushpa Kakkad. Sachin Kakkad is the executive producer in charge.

The shooting of this comedy movie was completed in a short span of 32 days in the historic locations of Satara and Vai a holy place situated on the banks of river Krishna. Set in rural Maharashtra ‘Huppa Huiyya...!’ takes a glance of 11 Hanuman temples, formed by Shri Ramdaas Swami. Renowned thespian Siddharth Jadhav (Hanmiya) for the first time has been showcased in the lead role by director Anil Surve.

Hanmiya is very innocent boy, son of Sarpanch and great devotee of Lord Hanumaan who works unselfishly for the people in his village. The only lady that can make his heart melt like a jelly is Girija Oak (Vasanti). The light of the divine will continues to find Hanmiya blessed with magical power which he can use it not more than 11 times. Reason, his eleven mystical powers relates to the eleven Hanuman temples rightly depicted in a song which is also one of the interesting part of this film.

Music is by Ajit Parab who holds the reputation for some of his popular numbers for movies like De Dhakka, Mee Shivajiraje Bhosale Boltoy, Shikshanachya Aaicha Gho and many more. Film is written by Hemant Edlabadkar and lyrics by Baba Chavan. Cinematography by A.K. Bir and action by Javed-Aejaz. Other star cast includes Mohan Joshi, Usha Nadkarni, Ganesh Yadav, Mangesh Desai, Maansi Mangikar, Vaibhav Mangale, Kushal Badrike, Nilesh Divekar, Poonam Jadhav and special appearance by Kashmera Shah.

In a nutshell, Huppa Huiyya makes the audience realize that things do work in our life when we listen to our inner voice. What if we are blessed with mystic powers in real life? Would one use those powers for social cause like Hanmiya or leverage it for our own selfish motives. The movie gives a good symbolic message about faith, hope and love. Marathi movie lovers would enjoy the combination of fantasy comedy which involves action as well as romance. It only shows that faith relates to our mind as much as exercise relates to our body.