Sunday, June 8, 2014

Filmistaan - Filmy Fever



After watching the trailer of Filmistaan, I wanted to see the movie. And I wasn’t disappointed. Debutant director, Nitin Kakkar has sprung a pleasant surprise by substituting the trademark song and dance with a situational comedy in the backdrop of tragedy and action.
The plot is as simple as a kidnapping gone wrong. And yet, the director cooks Bollywood meat over his gentle fire of direction to produce a delectable movie that speaks of universal brotherhood. Filmistaan reminds you of previous sparkling low budget movies like Phas Gaye Re Obama, Shahid, Bheja Fry and Tere Bin Laden. Simply put, Filmistaan is an offbeat mainstream comedy.

A fundamentalist group on the Indo-Pak border plans to kidnap Americans. Instead, they capture a Bollywood buff, Sunny (Sharib Hashmi). Rest of the movie is about how Sunny charms his way out, using his love for Bollywood and his friendship with Aftaab (Inaamilhaq). The fact that movie stars Sharib Hashmi, and not the other Hashmi we know, helps considerably. Because the film hinges on the acting prowess of Sharib Hashmi and Inaamulhaq. Spoof specialist, Gopal Dutt, who performs cameos on Cyrus Broacha’s ‘The Week That Wasn’t’ finds his groove as an abductor with a tender heart. Moments of laughter pep up this two hour drama at right intervals. Just when Sunny gets bashed by his abductors and the emotions run high, he makes you smile with his filmy rendition of Mard Ko Dard Nahin Hota, Rulayega Kya Pagle, Maar Daala Maar Daala.
I laughed the loudest during the scene where Sunny directs a video of his own abduction. And another scene where Sunny enthralls Pakistani villagers by mouthing Salman’s lines in Maine Payar Kiya remains my favorite.
This is not to say that the movie is without any glitches. There are moments when the pace slackens and you begin to shuffle your feet. Also, Filmistaan is not memorable cinema that stays long after you leave the theatre. It is simply a credible attempt, as the director refuses the clutches of a good looking cast, foot tapping music or scenic locales. It isn't easy to draw audiences, when your slightly obese hero remains captured in a mud house without a simpering heroine singing songs.That said, the acceptance of unconventional protagonists minus the six packs is a welcome trend. So yes, a Nawaazuddin Sidiqui, a Rajkumar Rao or a Sharib Hashmi can give some sleepless nights to Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff and their ilk.
Finally, if you intend to see Filmistaan in a theater, stay away from watching the trailer on YouTube. Because the trailer captures the best moments of Filmistaan leaving you looking for more. But if you don’t wish to see the movie, go ahead and watch the trailer. Click here.
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31 comments:

  1. I am planning to watch this one soon. Thanks for the post.

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  2. Thanks for the heads up...I guess, I will finally dive for this...have been contemplating watching this one. Thanks!

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    1. Nothing extraordinary but a simple honest attempt.

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  3. Looks like good fare. Though, as usual, I shall wait for it to feature on TV :)

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  4. It feels great to read such a refreshing review told in the simple manner to make the movie something worth watching. Cheerz

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  5. Where have I been living? I haven't even seen its trailer. I think I will catch it when it comes on TV.

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    1. Rachna, you are right here. The promos were not aired on TV. Someone shared them on Facebook.

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  6. I agree with Rachna... which world have I been living in? I didn't even know such a movie exists.. but yup I think I will wait for it to come on TV which nowadays is not that long a wait.

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  7. I will defintely watch this one .. I did not know there was movie like this .. actually the low budget films I find are so much better than the usual bollywood drams ..
    all those that you have mentioned are such hilarious movies especially bheja fry I mean My god .. I have that recorded and when nothing is coming I watch that one ..



    Bikram

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    1. True, I enjoy low budget well directed ones.

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  8. Haven't seen the movie but have read great reviews. Will watch it soon, we all look forward to something different than the usual masala flicks.

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  9. I just watched the trailer, despite the warning and am now tempted to watch the movie. Given the praise that you've heaped, okay, a little bit that is, has piqued my curiosity. ah! I'll probably wait for the DVDs to release :D

    Cheers,
    Blasphemous Aesthete

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    1. You did? Well then, you won't enjoy the movie as much. The promo has the best parts.

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    2. I forget such things easily. I can enjoy a movie if I watch it after, say an year, and sometimes I don't even mind watching a rerun the next day.

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  10. I did see the trailer in the theater when we had been for Queen.
    The trailer was a pleasant surprise and looking for ward to see the movie.

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  11. Good review Alka ! Sounds like a definitely good one to watch.

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  12. Hello maam, I realy like your blogs. You definitely write wonderfully. You completely awe and inspire me to write something myself!! Please never stop writing wonderfully as you do.!! you completely lighten the atmosphere with your prodigal writing. nothing as wonderful as reading some good blogs ...:) :) <3... i will always look forward to your writings and also read the ones i have,nt read yet :)

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    1. Hi Geet, that is so kind of you. Glad that you like my blog.
      Welcome here.
      :)

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  13. As such I live a generation back. Thank you for writing this one. Hope the DVD comes out soon and I will save this for a Sunday watch.

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  14. I saw the trailer already and liked what Anupama Chopra had said about the movie...besides, I have loved all the movies you have said it resembles..so there I might watch it!

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  15. It really is such a pity when trailers already show the four best things in a film!
    Sounds like an interesting film. I shall catch it on Google Play once it releases there.

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