narayanankrish

Well written (albeit disturbingly closer to the facts reported on the case), the film is an excellent reflection of the bias exhibited by the police forces, media and to some extend the society towards what seems like a double homicide. The murders, very disturbing, were consequences of a drunken mishap; but it seems it is convenient and spicy to lay the blame on the parents and tarnish the image of the victim. With a media screaming for sensationalism, the case caught national attention and became front page material of all the newspapers. Having looked at the facts and read about it, it seems that it was all a constantino of ineptitude and then covering backsides on multiple levels. It is a sad film, with a sad outcome. It also shows up the glaring loopholes in the Indian legal justice system and cynicism in some of the methods used by it.

Covering multiple genre of movies, Ustad Hotel is a must watch. The plot revolves around Feyzee, a slightly spoilt brother, a son with a lot of expectation from his rather conservative father but with mind of his own. Then, his grandfather (estranged from his father), comes into his life and helps him find his mojo and purpose in life. Ustad Hotel is a fair reflection of societal pressures put onto young person, mostly when the person is a son. There are also references and quite satirical state of sexism existing in the Malayali culture. One of the most memorable performance by Thilakan, one of the last ones he did. Hence, there is an emotional element to the climax of the film for his fans, pretty much all Malayali film lovers.

Many people whom I talk to have drawn parallels to OMG: Oh My God! (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2283748/) but I feel Rajkumar Hirani has gone one step further. Stopping short of making the movie against religion, the director has used wonderfully crafted 'happy-go-lucky' character against the ever-increasing Godmen and Godwomen in India. Of late, in the Indian social scenarios many news have been mushrooming about the miscreants who pretend as 'mediators' to the omnipotent. Aamir Khan has, predictably, has carried the film. The Bhojpuri accent has given a slightly light-hearted twist but doesn't distract from the crux. Some side-plots, however, seemed pointless: notably, Sanjay Dutt and the 'informer'. I'd say, this is a must watch title.