*AN INTERESTING SLICE OF WALLED CITY!* By Eye TV India Bureau
*Critic's I-view* click for larger view <http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html#>Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra, who has directed two movies -- 'Aks' and 'Rang de Basanti' - in the recent past, has this time presented his third one titled 'Delhi 6'. As told earlier the movie is named after the postal pin code of the walled city of Delhi. Though his 'Aks' flopped and consequently the producers distanced themselves from him, his 'Rang de Basanti' made a name and brought them back to fund his third venture. Incidentally, the city of Delhi has been turning a hot subject for the directors. A movie was recently named 'Delhi Heights'. Similarly, another was titled 'Jugaad'. This was also based on a true incident that happened in Delhi following the sealing of unauthorized properties in 2007. This is significant that the victimized property owner Anand Kumar himself turned a producer! So, Mehra has based his 'Delhi 6' on the historical walled city's lanes and by-lanes, its mannerism, culture , dialogues and so also its cuisines etc. The movie's story centers on of a young American boy Roshan played by Abhishek Bachchan. He comes to India for the first time, to drop his ailing grandmother played by none other than sixties' most popular heroine Waheeda Rehman. She doesn't want to die in New York and forces her son to send her back to her old, mothballed haveli in Chandni Chowk! Though the son hates India as he was forced to flee with his Muslim wife, her grandson agrees to fly to India just for a short trip though. click for larger view <http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html#>Roshan is new to his grandmother's city, its food and culture, the religion and beliefs. Amidst the warmth and affection of the neighborhood, he meets the beautiful Bittu played by Sonam Kapoor (actor Anil Kapoor's daughter) who wants to break free from the typical Indian social structure. At the same time, Roshan falls in love with her. This girl is living along with the two warring brothers - Om Puri and Pawan Malhotra, who are divided by a wall of their house. However, the girl is ambitious and aspires to be an 'Indian Idol' contestant. click for larger view <http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html#>By a coincidence, there is a moneylender (Sahukar) played by our infamous Prem Chopra whose wife has an illicit relationship with one of his lecherous debtors played by Cyrus. Hence the sequences in the plot don't make much sense though Mehra is a well-known storyteller. He introduces a lot of things to prolong the movie for over two hours. However, he has depicted several interesting scenes in the movie though they may look somewhat boring to many. For example, 'Kaala Bandar' who spreads havoc in the locality. Another scene when Vijay Raaz slaps Abhishek and Abhishek slaps him back. click for larger view <http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html#>And also the introduction of Ramleelas in the movie though it's a reality of Delhi. But a Baba talking about the historical controversy of Ayodhya Mandir and Babri Masjid depicts the real environment prevailing in the city. Among other flaws in the movie is sequence of appearance of Amitabh Bachchan and his talking with son Abhishek. This is presumably because Mehra wanted to sign Amitabh for this movie during the time he was directing Big B starrer 'Aks'. click for larger view <http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html#>A.R. Rahman's music is indeed outstanding as none else than Prasoon Joshi has penned its lyrics. These include 'Masakali', 'Ye Dilli Hai Mere Yaar', 'Rehna Tu', 'Maula' and 'Genda Phool'.. Binod Pradhan's cinematography is excellent in depicting the kite and pigeon flying on the terraces, the polo game with Uncle Beg alias Rishi Kapoor and the jalebi sessions with the boys next door, besides the other historical and memorable aspects of the walled city's life. click for larger view <http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html#>Acting-wise, Abhishek's American accent sounds fake though the actor has been abroad for a number of years. He has played very well though. Sonam has played her role too well in spite of being too young in acting career. She proves her worth by aspiring to hit her target though she is considered a white dove (Masakali) whose wings are clipped to enable her not to fly! Waheeda Rahman as usual plays superb. Divya Dutta as Imarti plays an untouchable and thus reflects the uncivilized way of life prevailing in the country not in the very distant past. She makes more sense than the society's elite. Abhishek is unable to understand why she is treated as untouchable. Rishi Kapoor is cast but without a suitable role. Om Puri , Pawan Malhotra, Vijay Raaz, Deepak Dobriyal and Cyrus do leave an impact on the audience. Prem Chopra is okay but others are just there. click for larger view <http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html#> Overall, the movie is interesting, especially for Delhiites who will identify themselves with it. So, it will fare very well at multiplexes because of middleclass crowds thronging there, but may not do so well at the single screen theaters having commoners as viewers. The plus points for the movie are that it has no rival release this Friday, and two, that its lyrics composed by Prasoon Joshi and music provided by A.R. Rahman are outstanding, and have already become popular. http://ww.smashits.com/news/bollywood/movie-review/7118/an-interesting-slice-of-walled-city.html -- regards, Vithur
