Bhajarangi Bhaijaan

A topic on national integration showcased without bloodshed is such a rarity these days. It's lovely movie of Pakistani speech impaired girl who's stranded in India owing to her curiosity and is reunited with her parents aided by an Indian evoking sentiments beyond religion owing to a YouTube video uploaded by a reporter.

A speech impaired six year olds' journey from Pakistan to India to be unmuted by divinity ends with her being stranded in India's Unchartered territory beyond the border of Pak.

She wails and cries and then finds Hanumans' devotee Sallu and is somehow amused by his affinity to Hanuman and follows him to his abode. He realises she's orphaned by situation and pledges her return to her parents to Bhajarang Bhali. He has to use unconventional methods to bye pass the border as the girl doesn't have a visa . The guy goes about the border crossing being honest to the Paki army, who allow him to enter Pakistan owing to his star power. Pakistan suspects the Indian in their sight and post return of the girl to her parents, jails him. They're almost as slow to react to things as Indian Movie police. The word "Jasoos" is almost as common as Lemon Juice. But when the cute little girls goes about munching the food she likes, smiling, tearing up, cuddling up to your heart. You'd almost believe anything blinded by her presence. Like when Sallubhai takes a bullet from Pak Army one would think Bhajarangi bhaijaan nikalgaya tera jaan. But then Sallu's need to be himself overshadows the requirement of believability and then he comes back alive walking past the border, pardoned by the Pak army, who refuse the orders of their higher up on the grounds of humanity, in response to a YouTube video filmed by the reporter.


Nawazuddin Siddique's spontaneity, his role of a reporter is short and sweet delivered with a heart wrenching dash of emotion.

Salman Khans' role as a innocent gentleman with Lord Ram at his heart and the will of Hanuman as his aide is very believable for a change. For the concept of once forgotten thing called earning a box office hit is rekindled by Sallu Bhai.

But as Sallu Bhai bids Khudafis as a Hindu and the cute little Paki girl chants "Jai Sri Ram" unmuted by her innocent love for her Mama Sallu, even the most rational heart can feel the emotion.

Watch it for the adorable little girl, reporter Nawaz with a heart and believable underplayed Sallu Bhai.

Pic courtesy: indiatoday.in

Papanasam

A realistic, simple and beautiful movie shot at heart-warming locales with a flawless script and capable actors. When there is eternal sunshine on a spotless script, Papanasam happens. (Name of the movie reproduced). Without comparison to the original. This Tamil movie scores on its own right.

It is the story of how a simple man’s family is affected by the entry of an unwanted stranger into the fold. The stranger has an influential and loving family that is at odds with the simpletons. It’s an edge of your seat thriller that excels with its sophisticated simplicity and marvellous storytelling. Kamal plays a cable operator with a Tirunelveli Tamil accent (aided by Subtitles). He gains all his wisdom from hours of movie watching and television away from his loving home. On one fine day when he returns home all his wisdom would come to his help to dispose the unwanted stranger to never ever land. How the story ensues after the stranger is done away with holds the key to the plot. How the Cable guy uses his acquired wisdom to wriggle out of the net cast by the policemen is depicted with reality, believability and meticulous script work. For once Kamal is not highly intellectual in his work nor is his ability to bring sophistication to simplicity showcased. Yet he doesn’t lose the chance of trying out Tirunelveli Tamil and the complicating scenes of finger fracturing ill-treatment.This kind of a simple role should’ve been what his fans would’ve cried out for after the metaphysical experience they would’ve had in Anbe Shivam.

Kamal as a Cable Guy and the marvelous escape artiste is appreciable.

Gauthami Tadimalla as the wife cant lose her accent but has underplayed the role to an extant.

The Newbie daughter on whom an evil eye has been cast plays the role well.

Kalabhavan Mani sizzles in his role as a corrupt police officer.

The Lady Inspector General with Mallu accent has slight niggles in dubbing but has done well.  

 Though the original with Mohanlal and his natural gift was superior solely because of seamless performances and flawless casting. Papanasam turns out to be a good cinematic experience . Blessed are those who haven’t had the Drishyam of Drishyam.  For they can originally appreciate this movie and the performances without the curse of having seen the marvel of Lal.   In my inability lies my answer to the deserved appreciation of this remake of Drishyam.

Watch it for it "may" turn out to be the best Tamil movie of  Year. 

Pic Courtesy: http://photos.filmibeat.com/ph-big/2014/12/papanasam-movie-poster_141957088500.jpg