
Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh
– Karan Johar
Starring Rani Mukherjee, Randeep Hooda and Saquib Saleem,
this segment directed by Karan Johar deals with the complex theme of
homosexuality, lies and adultery. While the latter two are the director’s
forte, he adds up the former into the theme for the novelty. Karan Johar’s
stamp is evident throughout the 30 minute duration of his segment. But this
time around, he packages the essence of drama in larger dollops. The result
being a very thoughtful and graceful insight into the sexual turmoil caused due
to living a lie and living against societal norms. Karan Johar masterfully
weaves various scenes together and signs off with a subtle conclusion. He takes
an oft bashed and cliched concept and shapes a simple tale of strained
relationships from it. Very impressive and possibly, Karan Johar’s best work
till date.
Starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sadashiv Amrapurkar (after
how long?), Dibakar Banerjee’s segment is the best among the four. It is a very
simple story (Written originally by the doyen, Satyajit Ray) dealt with tender
grassroot charm by the ace director. Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Sadashiv
Amrapurkar excel in their respective roles of failed actors with expert grace. Dibakar
Banerjee’s down to earth approach and the appropriate casting of the actors
make a wonderful 30 minute look into a failed actor’s failing life and what
happens when he gets a blink and miss role in a bigshot film. The director’s
attention to the emotional core with subtle doses of quirky albeit sardonic
humour provides charms and smiles galore. The conclusion may leave a lump in
the throat for some, but for the others, it serves as one of the best
conclusions to a short film ever. And yes, it was a delight watching Sadashiv
Amrapurkar back on screen.
Sheila Ki Jawani –
Zoya Akthar
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Murabba – Anurag Kashyap

The Montage and the Song
And the portmanteau ends with the compulsory touch of
nostalgia. Various frames are shown of the various actors and actresses from
the Bollywood of times yore to the contemporary times. The only sore part of
this montage is the title song that plays in the background, which though aptly
worded, is very ordinary. But the sheer joy of watching all the glory of the
Bollywood Celluloid as a montage is compelling.
The Technicalities
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Bombay Talkies is pure and blissful cinema. Though the subjects of all the four short films are skewed when compared to each other, the common tendril of Bollywood connects them into a seamless whole. All that is
great about contemporary Bollywood is presented in a seamless way by the team
of four directors. The portmanteau format has been successful in many cases in
Bollywood. And here, it is no different. But we have the element of nostalgia
as a bonus. For all those who love Bollywood, go treat yourself to a nice
evening well worth being a celebration of the 100 years of Indian cinema. And
for those who do not love Bollywood – You love cinema don’t you? If you do, go
watch it.
A worthy tribute to our priceless repository called Bollywood
and a clap worthy collection of mood pieces, this one is a show you must not
miss. Directors should pay tribute to Bollywood more often.