The two precocious little boys ... I don't think any other Indian director has created little boys like these two. I have seen them in real life. So many of them ...
But that is not why I totally loved the movie.
When right in the beginning Abhishek Bachchan says very quietly, "I will take her to India dad." We all gasped, because that again is the kind of thing I can so imagine my son saying .... many Indians will relate to that.
But there is a lot more to the movie ...
There is the way the women dance, I have seen women dance exactly like that. The movie made me want to call my mom.
Then the rat poison ... I have heard of threats that backfired.
And the tray of orange squash for the boy's family coming to see her...
And another girl waiting to get married, so her life can begin ...
About women bonding not scheming against each other like in Ekta Kapoor serials ...
The girl's rebellion - not because there is a boy friend in the back ground but because she wants more from her life.
It reminded me of the worst night mare I escaped when I didn't have to be 'seen by the boys family' (I would have squirmed and died right there).
It reminded me of a of white canvas tote bag I carried to college. It read 'I Heart Delhi'.
Any director who can see all this and care to show it in a movie, has to become a favorite director!
(If I had to make a movie it would have been something like this.... )
(I learnt from Monika's blog that he is the same guy who created 'Rang De Basanti', another movie I loved.)
Delhi-6 is about everything we blog about. And then some more.
Gender discrimination Communalism. Politicians. Corrupt Policeman. Caste-ism. Sensationalising Media. Our hypocrisies. Our infrastructure. Our Traffic situation.
...and yet Delhi-6 does not judge us. The director is almost affectionate towards the people in Delhi-6 and their follies.
And Ramleela.
The guy's a genius.
Delhi 6 is....
Bright coloured, earthy, ethnic prints, parandis, chunky silver armlets and bangles, roof tops, winter afternoons, Ramleela, jalebis, courage, youth, idealism, love, freshness.
Rang De Basanti
Bunty aur Bablee
Namesake
And Vikram Seth's 'Suitable Boy'.
Abhishek Bachchan is more Shahrukh Khan here than Amitabh Bachchan. Loved this character ...
And the girl! Loved her the most when she changes into ... err no spoilers (but watch the video!)
Loved that spirit.
I guess I am biased towards idealism and hope.
I am biased towards movies that make us think there is still some hope for us as a Nation.
I *HEART* Delhi-6 :)
40 comments:
oh u have written everything that i wanted to in my post but couldnt...
I just simply fell in love with the movie for everything that i have written and everything that u have and everything that cant be written :)
:)))((hugs)))coz I sure am going to see it now...!!!you liked it..nah you loved it!!:))
I loved the review IHM:))yes,my dilli is all of this ..:))more on Dilli6 later..:))
Optimism and hope is always good.So be optimistic
All the more the reason I am going to see this someday :)
I love the way you reviewed, totally biased,and yet sounding so balanced :)
and IHM I loved your review!:))
am i the first to comment?? I liked the way Mehra has portrayed delhi - in its natural falvour - totally chaotic, people with their weaknesses and all...but i was quite dissappointed by the movie-esp after rang de basanti - this one totally lacked a storyline...for the firts half of the movie we kept thinking and guessing what the story would be, and then the 2nd half was also a mish mash. The presentation of chandni chowk is excellent, but without a story it is very difficult to keep an audience glued...the only performers i rememebr from the movie are the inspector, waheeda and the policeman...
Oh no, you are not biased. We all want to see all this!!
I couldn't make it for Delhi-6. Would watch it
Keep Blogging!
I *HEART* Sonam Kapoor :) And hence, I *HEART* Delhi-6 :). I felt her character needed a lil more screen space than the Kaala Bandar.
Ok...
I am ashamed now. I missed all of these subtle things. And now that you are saying, yes it was all in there. All I did was find faults. Like you, I had gone to see Delhi. Anyone who said the movie has 'not so good' reviews, we said (me and the husband), that a movie about Delhi needs to be watched, no matter what. And yet, while sitting there it just came across like a play on stage...everything came across as forced and artificial and loud including her rebellion, their love (especially their love! Did it happen when I blinked!) and even the riots (I like to believe that nameless, mad mob kills than the neigbors who had tea with you till a day before- they should protect to keep the faith in humanity going). Also if you have to rebel, make it on ur own, not leave with a shady guy because the good is leaving me behind so I might as well..
thats scary IHM. I would rather raise a daughter who will scream and shout and be prepared to be slapped by her dad or just cooly announce that she is leaving and there is ntn we can do rather than one who sneaks away at night...I don't judge rebellion but both RDB and this one...not the right way...
Abhishek on the other hand is how everyone should learn to fight. So what if someone will slap us. Its wrong and we won't accept it.
The lower caste discrimination was the only point which I liked...because it was so close to reality that I have seen...I wish he had done more though. In terms of fighting against it. I couldn't identify with anything else. I loved Abhishek Bachhan (and hope to have a son like him someday, so grounded!) and Divya Dutta.
Haven't lived in Delhi ... but is it safe to say, Dehli 6 captures essence of Dehli ??
I think I'll watch this movie ....
it is pretty decent film.... and yes, i also am biased towards idealism and hope.... :)
yet to watch this! I have reading mixed reviews and that too extremes. I even heard the songs are cut midway, now thats something that would turn me off.
Btw, I have mentioned about you in my recent post, hope you dont find it offending (trying to look innocent)
You liked it IHM? :) Extreme reviews Delhi-6 is getting.
I can't wait to watch it.
I loved your review IHM.You have truly analysed the film as an "Indian Home Maker".Like you, I also found the characters and the sights and sounds of Delhi real and believable.The exchanging of pakoras and gossip through the loose brick in the wall, seemed to be the director and writer's personal experiences.
@Tearsndreams He has shown what makes girls take such drastic(even stupid) steps, see how terrified she is? She is threatening to drink rat-poison, and he shows it all without without judging her. In real life she will be considered too forward, totally stupid, and yo think she can 'walk out', she will be given a slap and locked inside the pantry/store room.
He has shown that girls who do all this do this because they feel suffocated, and this girl can see what happens if you don't rebel, she has sen her Bua dependent on her brothers to be married off ... also exactly how loving fathers settle marriages!!
OOOH Thank god it's a good movie...cos I'm already in love with the songs! You know how it is , sometimes the movie is just drab in comparison.Now that u've given the thumbs up...yippeee I'll watch it!
@Solilo Watch it as a movie that will make people see the same thing with a fresh look, I loved it :)
@Vimmuuu !! Let me check ...you scare me!
@Pr3rna Oh yes I loved the sharing of pakoras and the women bonding very much ... I have seen this -without the brick part ;)- it is very common!
@Ajit I am so glad you think so!!!
@CA I think it does specially of Delhi 6 - but even the rest of Delhi ...
@Varun I *heart* everything about the movie, Sonam included :) ... or the character she portrays ... did you see the video? She is gorgeous!!
@Biju Mathews Keep in mind there are two kinds of extreme reviews, some just love it, some just hate it!
@Deeply Dip I agree many people might feel this way ...
@Monika I agreed with your review too ... I am not much into movies -I didn't even realise the director was the same guy ... I feel we need such guys making such movies.
I wish he could take over Ekta Kapoor Serials also:)
@Usha Pisharody I think you will like it, some parts of the movie are like seeing the other side of Ekta Kapoor kind of serials... :)
@Indyeah Watch it and I'd like to hear what you feel ... I hope you like it the way I do!!
@Charakan I am surprised to see an equal number of people not liking it, but be prepared to either hate it or totally love it like I did :)
@Chikki I have not stopped following anybody but I see the same thing happening on my blog :(
The number of followers on my blog has come down ...first I thought they did not like the Delhi-6 review or the Fat post so they decided to stop following :(
But then I read your comment, I tried to add my name again, as a follower, but it says 'Stop Following' ... hopefully the missing names will reappear.
And I am not able to add a comment on your blog, so posting it here, hope you read it!
IHM, I must watch this one. If you are saying it is what we blog about then, it must be a good watch. We must all suffer from hopeless optimism.
IHM, loved your post but a part of it scared me. This one, "Abhishek Bachchan is more Shahrukh Khan....." OMG, what a tragedy! :((((
BTW, women scheming against each other is a really male fantasy, methinks. Makes me wonder about Ekta though. In real life we find that women bonding is more common than women scheming, like Mariam and Laila in 'A thousand splendid suns.'
IHM loved the review,can't go and watch the movie with the kids,wait for a cd/download frm net.
@Chirag I loved it but many people seem to hate it too ... I hope you like it :) Or atleast you like the idea behind it!
@Shail I wanted to say exactly that, this movie has such wonderful warmth between women and men are the ones who are fighting and totally empowered to control!
There are so many subtle protests against our stereotypes in this movie...
I loved their relationship, and also compared them to Miriam and Laila... that is something that really touched me.
You can see this movie maker has a mind of his own! I wish there were more like him.
@Indyana Take a look at the video clip ... :) The songs and then gentle, affectionate humour is great too!
I will download :) it this week. I'll mail you.
I thought the director was a bit confused about what sort of movie to make?!
No you're not biased IHM. This is a fantastic movie. I loved all the things you said and more... Did you see my review?
I'm wondering what is so bad about the movie? I've read reviews tearing apart the movie but I seriously don't understand where are these guys coming from.
The Director is amazing and am surprised you didn't know RDB was made by him.
See... I told every one its one hell of a cinematic experience... its so relevant... its so contemporary...
I guess its idealism potrayed and maybe that is why i liked it... I cudnt quite fathom it but after reading your post... i kinda get it more clear !!!
i guess your older than me so a lil more experienced and a lil more wiser !!! lol...
Tht was a cool way to review a movie..Cool one,Maybe even I shudn miss this one..
but for CA.. :(
Take care.. :)
Nikhil
haha..what a coincidence.I just read it. You know I am in office! I am not supposed to be doing this :).
I liked this movie so much, except the ending which I think was too dramatic (masaledar). But I loved the way it mocked 'the great Indian STupidity'. I read reviews about the movie and all of them called it a 'not-so-nice' movie, but I watched it, and now I can't understand why people dint fall in love with it.
Ya, I hope missing names appear again, :). Haha..you thought people stopped following you because of Delhi-6 review?he he. :).
hey i watched the movie first day first show..was so excited to see it..but somehow was really disappointed... i am not from delhi but the bottom line is there is no plot in the first half and you just keep wondering whats happening...but i love the music...its simply amazing
I haven't seen the movie but one thing is for sure, Delhi "dil" hai hindustan ka. I never lived there but during my college days I used to visit Delhi every now and then. And now when I have seen Hyderabad,Bangalore and few other Metros, I feel Delhi is just beyond words and explanations.
I heart delhi :)
Hmm.. nice analysis but I didnt like the movie that much. As for the message it was kind of lost on the public...people were actually groaning for the movie to end and were laughing..that patriotic or nationalistis feeling didnt register like RDB.
Overall, I loved the movie...the music, Sonam Kapoor, the music, Masakalli, the colours, the music, the earthiness, the music...
The ending was disappointing for me, but I liked it loads, overall. More than especilly, the music. Did I not mention that ealier? ;p
Man, he so deserves the Oscar!
Wonderful review, it seems as if Delhi 6 is the new flavour of the season as I've also done a post on it. I have nothing but applause for ROM, it was brilliant and outstanding and wonderful and awe-inspiring, and it just was. I really do not get what the brickbats are talking about, if movies like Om Shanti Om and Billu are worth a watch then this movie deserves an Oscar!
And I guess you're not the only one who's having a problem managing your followers, hope this gets rectified soon!
I thought it was a terrible film. Great music, great character actors, decent performances by the lead pair - but just no plot. If that's what he wanted to do, he should have put it up on YouTube, or on his blog!
One of the best depictions of Delhi, especially of DU, done with great care and attention to detail, was seen in Sarfarosh. IMHO.
Cheers,
Quirky Indian
:)
why people are panning it is beyond me! i went with my pa-in-law and both of us were wiping our tears thruout! :) in a good way!
totally loved it! and i dont understand the need to compare it with RDB. the former spoke about rebellion, this one about acceptance. that one spoke aboutneed to change the environment and system, this one the change from within! that one was in the face patriotic, this one oh so subtle.
i think it was a fantastic movie!
i guess people just love movie that move in a singular flow. most might not even have got the juxtaposition of kala banadar reports and ram leela.
i hope it gets its due recognition! :)
cheers!
abha
and yes! LOVED LOVED LOVED the music! :) it got em all teary eyed and humming!
and abhishek bacchan and sonam and every other actor who played his/her charachter to perfection!
i hooted and clapped when Atul Kulkarni says jis din ek note loonga, uss din do rupaiye bhi milna band ho jaayenge! :)
cheers!
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