Movies can influence culture, grab talk time and command mindshare. Telugu Cinema has seen two extravagant movies, studded with special effect and visual splendour; this year. Arundhati, a gory thriller and Magadheera, a story with "transcendence of love" theme with an intriguing script. Magadheera had potential to be a classic and a great movie, but for its compromise on some commercial pay-offs (producer's objective). In an attempt to ensure ROI, film makers have just lost an opportunity to make a great movie.
Is this a great Movie?
A great movie is flawless (both in story line and form), great acting, high artistic values, delightful, entertaining with an uplifting message. Magadheera is a good movie, because of the balancing act the crew did despite posturing and hoodwinking....but, it is skillful, clever and ingenious. Even the exposure of skin and mid-riff of the romantic interest of the protogonist appeared natural, looked tasteful, classy, yet achieve what audiences expect to see in commercial cinema. One of the rarities in this movie is creating proper context and interweaving several themes, following and closing threads that arised during the narration. Lyrical gymnastics, musical harmony and the appropriate translation on the screen is a master stroke! Although, the movies (stories) that deal with mixing things in the realm of rebirth and occult may have many logical errors, to a large extent, they were minimized.
A great movie is flawless (both in story line and form), great acting, high artistic values, delightful, entertaining with an uplifting message. Magadheera is a good movie, because of the balancing act the crew did despite posturing and hoodwinking....but, it is skillful, clever and ingenious. Even the exposure of skin and mid-riff of the romantic interest of the protogonist appeared natural, looked tasteful, classy, yet achieve what audiences expect to see in commercial cinema. One of the rarities in this movie is creating proper context and interweaving several themes, following and closing threads that arised during the narration. Lyrical gymnastics, musical harmony and the appropriate translation on the screen is a master stroke! Although, the movies (stories) that deal with mixing things in the realm of rebirth and occult may have many logical errors, to a large extent, they were minimized.
Histrionics of both the protagonists is very apt, chemistry rightly achieved, expressions appropriate, sensual and finely blended. Ability to show expressions of anger, love, kindness, pathos, naughtiness, longing were very delicately handled and subtly acted. This is different than the "crass acting", usually seen in telugu movies. Unfortunately, Kajal did not get enough mileage as she deserves more than what she currently credited for! Charan's skills were tested at various places. But, for me, he stood tall in the episode, where he sacrifices his love at the behest of king's request ("fealty with love"). Its interesting to check his body language....all through the movie, he makes his body do the talking!
This movie would have become a classic but for some sequences that have diminished the stature of this film. Inclusion of these episodes made this film a good one instead of a great one. Some ineffective commercial pay-offs are :
1. Eight planetary alignment (sub-plot) is irrelevant to the storyline and it did not help the story narration...in anyway.
2. Entire Chiranjeevi's episode (play it to the garallies) is a cheap gimmick.
3. Brahmanandam's comedy scenes are in a very poor taste.
4. Entire Solomon's role is weak. Share Khan neither had a strong motive nor a passion to be reborn. A stronger motive should have been established well in the narrative. Have all other royal family members are reborn?
The Contrast :
The story is Contrasting and juxtaposition is dramatic and artistic. Although, there is inspiration from LOTR, 300 etc., the collage is not easy. It was finely thought through. This movie has several patterns and works at different levels - and works for mass to class markets and appeals to the most discerning of audiences.....Here are some themes I noticed :
1. Eight planetary alignment (sub-plot) is irrelevant to the storyline and it did not help the story narration...in anyway.
2. Entire Chiranjeevi's episode (play it to the garallies) is a cheap gimmick.
3. Brahmanandam's comedy scenes are in a very poor taste.
4. Entire Solomon's role is weak. Share Khan neither had a strong motive nor a passion to be reborn. A stronger motive should have been established well in the narrative. Have all other royal family members are reborn?
The Contrast :
The story is Contrasting and juxtaposition is dramatic and artistic. Although, there is inspiration from LOTR, 300 etc., the collage is not easy. It was finely thought through. This movie has several patterns and works at different levels - and works for mass to class markets and appeals to the most discerning of audiences.....Here are some themes I noticed :
Harsha Vs Kalabhairava : We will notice several character flaws in the Harha's character and near flawless Kalabhairava's character. This is very contrasting (very intentional)....and shows the control of the director on the narration (and a clever screen play). Some of the flaws projected with Harsha's character are his admittance of affairs (innuendo), unnecessarily provoking the antagonist, recklessness and lack of control of anger eading to death of Indu's father). WoW! It is gutsy to portray a protagonist that way!
Girl vs. Boy : Princess pursuing bodyguard (girl seeking heart) vs. Rider pursuing a lovely girl ( boy seeking heart).
Past Vs. Present : Be it honor or values.....you will see the script/story writer jumping in and making commentary through Charan's dialogues.
Sawaal-Jawaab Panchadaara Bomma is a classic case of challenge and response. The lyrics are in Jugal bandis style (where two individual players of different competencies, coming together to produce a fantastic piece of music). These can be seen all through the movie : flower and sword, woman and Lion (art pieces in the udaygargh fort!), Suvana Hriya, Dilemma's vs. Duty, Love vs sacrifice. Good vs Evil, Contridiction vs Decisiveness, Cruety vs Fealty (even a crusader chages his heart, Share Khan appreciating the valor and courage of Kalabhairava) etc., You will notice the difference in music and lyrics as well - traditional vs contemporary. It is an admirable job to create such a script and achieve a harmony of the themes both in form and in content.
Logical problems:
Is Ranadev Billa evil?
The moment we come across Ranadev Billa 's character, we perceive him negatively. Why? Let us list down what he has done :
1. Throws his javaline (in the introduction shot).
2. Expresses his desire for the princess. And why not? Although, this behavior is inappropriate, it is only, his woman. He would have the "right" to marry her. Forget the individual preferences of women 400 years ago. Those were the times, when Rajaram Mohun Roy was not yet born!
3. He dislikes our hero (so, we dislike him?). That is alright, our hero is not an ajathu sethru....right? That too when, he keeps tasting all the food items like Sabari.....before him in the pretext of protection! "C'mon Kalabhairava.....audience might like it, I dont"
4. His ideology is "I win/ you lose". He just says it. How many of us are any different?
5. He wears a disgusting mask...we don't like. (I think he hasn't considered the popularity survey results??).
He did not commit any offence against the state or his land.....and I believe he asked the right question about the rule of the kingdom, because he was not being heeded, all along. The punishment for asking the right question is extradition and that too, decided by a princess (who has no governing authority?).
Ranadev Billa is not evil, but a selfish man with no control on his desires. He is also foolish. But, why did we all feel he is evil? Beware, the mind trick by the director! Raghuveer is shown in the first half and as a lecher, murderer and a egoist monster. That is when the image of an actor/character is established with audience. When a character of the same actor reappears, 400 years earlier, our mind will perceive negativity (residual baggage attributed to that actor) , even if the character doesn't do all that negative :-)
Foolishness of Billa
1. After sensing the flirting of Mitravinda and Kalabhairava, he would not have the a beautiful princess ( his would-be) run into a body-guard. He will not let attracted, prime-aged opposite genders flirting and having fun at his expense. The risk is too much - one, losing the beautiful proncess, two, losing the kingdom as a result.
2. He should not have had this issue hanging in the air for too long. The betrothal must have happened way before ( a stitch in time, saves nine).
Our minds will not think this, because, we are shown the movie from only princess/kalabhairava's perspective and the romance is so enticing!
Foolish King :
Ignorance of the king not to plan for the battle even if he knows Share Khan is awaiting to capture the fort. His foolishness is displayed (the foolish kings/rulers are always our bane?):
2. Listening to a Raj guru's suggestions. This is the least/last the king can do (listening to a spiritual solution for a military problem). Particularly, when the Rajguru doesn't even know the extent of the threat that is looming (Noticed Rajguru enquiring about who Share Khan is?) Is it what a King does for an issue concerning national secuity?
3. A man capable of killing 100 well trained soldiers should be in the army and not as a body guard (is misallocation of resources). Just imagine the taxes those people are paying for the misrule of the king!!
4. Letting go of a Army general, when he is facing a war! The king hasn't read Ramayana, perhaps and particularly about Ravana and Vibhishana.....I thought Ramayana is 2000 years old!
4. Letting go of a Army general, when he is facing a war! The king hasn't read Ramayana, perhaps and particularly about Ravana and Vibhishana.....I thought Ramayana is 2000 years old!
Improbable Alliance :
Share Khan is powerful and doesn't need the Ranadev Billa to conquer Udaygargh. He need not have an alliance of any kind. This is just a ploy to weaken the antagonists' character.
The real Kalabhairava :
1. Beheading heads of the statues (don't know which sculptor/king would agree to it) in the initial scene is to establish his Valor.
2. Narration of the history of his clan by the minister, Man Singh of Share Khan ( which is only notional at that time).
3. Negative dimension to his character is his flirting with Princess, although he is a body gaurd. That behavior is unethical. And actually thinking that he can marry her! So, there is no need of sacrifice....Actually, he should have warned the lady that their love is "improbable".
All in all, this is a character appears that appears loftier (but has opportunist overtones).
I had my own wishlist after seeing the movie........
1. The comedy should have been more effective had it been a couple of "hide-n-seek" and 'cat and mouse" with Harsha and Indu and coincidental humor thereof... instead of using traditional comedy fare.
2. Narration of the history of his clan by the minister, Man Singh of Share Khan ( which is only notional at that time).
3. Negative dimension to his character is his flirting with Princess, although he is a body gaurd. That behavior is unethical. And actually thinking that he can marry her! So, there is no need of sacrifice....Actually, he should have warned the lady that their love is "improbable".
All in all, this is a character appears that appears loftier (but has opportunist overtones).
I had my own wishlist after seeing the movie........
1. The comedy should have been more effective had it been a couple of "hide-n-seek" and 'cat and mouse" with Harsha and Indu and coincidental humor thereof... instead of using traditional comedy fare.
2. In the DVD version, I would expect alternative endings ( asking too much?). Had I been directing this film, I would make a small change in the ending. I would have borrowed "Cliffhanger"...which would be fitting for this movie of irony, coincidence and constrast. Since, in the first life, kalabhairava could not hold hands, in the modern life, Indu almost falls off the cliff, Harsha holds her hands dramatically, and saves her!
3. Need an extended cut in DVD...I can't get enough of this movie :-)
This movie is not set up for either a pre-quel or a sequel. We just lost an opportunity to churn out a big franchise.
3. Need an extended cut in DVD...I can't get enough of this movie :-)
This movie is not set up for either a pre-quel or a sequel. We just lost an opportunity to churn out a big franchise.
1 comment:
Good one..Shows how close u watched and analysed the movie
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