As we promised here comes the 2nd part of the article on Sunday. By now you guys must have tried to catch up those 5 films. Here’s the next set of 5 films which are entertaining as well as intellectually stimulating experience that touched your mind and soul alike:-
Gattu
Children films are rare in India and films like Gattu is even rarer. This film about an orphaned street kid and his love for flying kite had every opportunity to transcendent into path of melodrama and doses of senti. Instead this sensitive film takes a realistic path and speaks about spirit of life in truest sense. Amidst big budget trash this small film (talented director Rajan Khosa’s first big screen release after getting standing ovation at various foreign film festivals) went away unnoticed but surely word-of-mouth will help in increasing its dvd sales (once that get released). Watch Gattu and fall in love with life. There are many less-privileged in our country like Gattu (infact that’s the majority) and yet their zeal for life will put every one of us in shame who complains at every petty thing in life.
Bhootnath Returns
According to me the only mediocre and star-studded film in this list but this Nitish Tiwari film had its comical as well as emotional moments and the heart is in the right place. Also watch the brilliant acting of Parth Belarao matching up against Amitabh Bachchan. Also the film boast of some interesting cameos from many Bollywood stars which makes the proceedings entertaining.
Chillar Party
The effervescence of uncomplicated childhood had been dexterously displayed in director duo Vikas Bahl-Nitish Tiwari’s debut “Chillar Party”. Later both went ahead individual ways making two lovely films in the form of “Queen” & “Bhootnath Returns”. In an entertain fashion the film questions the society at various level as the young guys teaches us true meaning of friendship, promise and humanity. Their mission to save the pet dog Bhidu will take the adults back to their childhood days devoid of hypocrisy and fakeness. Without revealing much about the plotline I would recommend this film to be one of your must-watch list.
Udaan
Nominated at the Cannes film festival this masterpiece that celebrates growing-up marks the directorial debut of Vikramaditya Motwane (co-written with Anurag Kashyap). A heartwarming tale of a young boy and his relationship with his abusive father and little step-brother, the movie is an eye-opener to harsh realities of few children of upper middle class. Strangled under the pressures of authoritative parents they loses their innocence and ability to dream. To all my school-going friends – watch the climax of the film and try to inject the essence of the song “Azaadiyan” in you. End of the day it is your life and it’s you who needs to shape it the way you want.
Taare Zameen Par
Can this list complete without the mention of this gem? And the best one is kept for the end of the list. Often a film comes with a sensitive message and sways away the crowd. TZP is one-such masterpiece. Perfectionist Aamir Khan’s directorial debut (Story by Amol Gupte) has its heart in the right place as he tells the story of a dyslexic child who is misunderstood by the world. There are many such Ishan in the real world and thanks to Aamir’s execution the message is beautifully conveyed..Indeed every child is special. And “Maa” is a one such song whose lyrics can touch any age, a song that crosses the barriers of cast, creed, even nations..
P.S: Going beyond Bollywood, these exceptional regional films should be watched and promoted. These films are available in net and dvd with English subtitles.
- Killa and Elizabeth Ekadashi (Marathi),
- Kaakka Muttai (Tamil),
- Open tee bioscope and Duronto (Bengali),
- Dekh Indian Circus (Rajasthani),
- Putaani Party and Care of Footpath (Kannada),
- Kesu (Malayalam)
