Rang De Basanti

I watched the 8 - 11 pm show of Rang De Basanti at Naz8 in Fremont, California. Its 11:58 pm. I've just got home, changed and I'm writing this post.

That is how strongly I felt about the movie. I have a colleague of mine who tells me that I am still a child and I need to discover myself more. Well, I would let that remark pass by with a wry smile. But the point is that, with each moment of eye-opening reaslisation, there is a piece of knowledge, sense of self-awareness, call it what you may. I just felt that after watching the movie, I felt that way, like I have miles to go before I sleep. And which is why I wanted to write this blog before I slept.

There are times when I feel that I haven't blogged for a long long time and I feel that I need to think of some instance in my life that is worth writing about, humourous or otherwise. In this case the words aren't fabricated or forced but are coming to me natually, without much effort. Perhaps thats what real writers/poets feel purely because they have a strong belief in an idea, a cause. I just feel blessed that I can write this way, even if it takes a film to create that effect, which could in effect be once in a few months. Ofcourse, nowhere do I claim to be a writer par excellance, but just the experience of writing in this frame of mind is so much more rewarding. How it feels like from a readers perspective, that I leave open to you, the reader to comment.

I did not know what to expect from Rang De, and I really feel that thats the right way to approach the movie. The producers wanted to (and managed to) release the movie in theatres worldwide on Thursday as compared to the customary Friday. That date was also the 26th of January, Republic Day of India Now I know why...

If this blog seems vague, or incomplete at this point, well, the intention is that I want it to be that way. I want to encourage all of you to watch the movie and form your own opinions.

This movie, didn't feel like a movie. For once, I felt that the actors and the director were on the same page. They weren't mouthing the dialogues. They seemed to feel them. There was a purpose and the actors were fantastic in their roles. But the plot thickens. In an average film, an acting performance stands out. Here there wasn't one that stood out. Why? because all of them were natural and naturally fabulous. Which is why i keep reiterating that something like this is not possible if you don't believe in what you're doing. There are a few movies that really move you, shake your foundations, make you realise how inconsequential yet self-centered you are. This one does exactly that. This movie is targetted at Indians, and being an Indian, I felt emotions of anger and helplessness when I saw the movie. I think the movie struck a cord that I had perhaps not been struck in a while.

I'm writing this blog as I'm listening to the soundtrack of the movie. Rehman has once again composed soul stirring music. The lyrics, by Prasoon Joshi, fantastic. I think Rehman has also given the background score. They are extremely integral and add to the impact and message of the film. For once, the actors are not seen mouthing the lyrics of the songs. All the songs are playing in some form in the background and the actors continue in their characters as compared to getting magically transported to Switzerland, surrounded by 20 dancres, dressed in designer threads. Well, I found that unique and refreshing as well. The song Roobaroo just started playing. When you hear the lyrics, or even the tune of this song, you will never guess the situation in which this song was picturised. Brilliant again. The threading of the past and the present as portrayed by Rakeysh Mehra is seamless. History repeats itself. Times change. Situations change. But the fire within remains unchanged. Thats what the song Roobaroo is about.

In conclusion, this film would not have such an impact if it wasn't made with the cast and crew used in the film. The technical brilliance of the film is only overshadowed by its message. Which I think is victory for the film maker because the message gets across with minimum fuss.

There are things we think we can do and there are things that we can do. This film shows you how a bunch of college students breach that gap. The manner in which it was done is perhaps a bone of contention with some of the people who saw the movie. Like a buddy of mine who I went to watch the movie with, felt that the film conveyed a wrong message. I can see why he feels that way. But I took away a different message from the film. We are all entitled to our opinions. I'll let you form your own.....