First RNBDJ and now Ghajini

Well this write- up is not a review of RNBDJ or Ghajini for that matter though I’ll be talking about both the movies. Yes I’ve seen both the movies and feel that there is something that binds these two movies together. Well these two movies as such are like chalk & cheese, there’s nothing common between them. What binds them together then is the hero in both the cases- SRK & Aamir respectively. If you are wondering whether I’ve gone crazy, hang on, let me explain. Critics and masses alike have been talking both positive and negative about RNBDJ.

For some the movie is a sweet romance very naturally shown with SRK as Surinder Sahni, carrying the film on his shoulders. For others the movie is just another SRK flick and they are just plain bored. First of all whatever be the final take on the movie, the fact remains that the movie is a big success. True it’s not the best from Aditya Chopra, YRF or even SRK, but SRK as Suri was able to bring in the crowd. Lot of people including me felt what’s wrong with Aditya. Why does this have to be his comeback venture. For all those people who thought so let me tell you Aditya has very smartly executed his plan to perfection.

How else do you explain the complete scripting of the movie to be over in a mere 12 days and the entire filming over in a mere 47 days. There are basically only 3 actors in significant roles, SRK,Anushka & Vinay Pathak. There’s no foreign locale or anything outlandish. So basically the movie is a very low cost venture and will turn out to be much more profitable than some of the other big hits of the year. But in spite of all this is surprising is not people either liking or not liking the movie, it’s a section of people continuing to crib that it’s a routine SRK movie and that he continues to disappoint with the same kind of roles. Look at the recent SRK movies excluding Bhootnath where he had a special appearance- OSO, CDI, Don, KANK,Paheli- I fail to see what’s similar in any of these movies or his roles.

All people have to say is why he doesn’t do a Swades or a CDI. Well every movie just cannot be a CDI or a Swades. Movies like KANK, Pahelo or Don may not be great but it had SRK trying something different in each of these movies. When will people start accepting SRK the way he his & allow him some space. No I am not a blind fan of his & do not say RNBDJ is a great movie. But I feel that he’s trying and not just so much caught up in the routine as people think. I know that Billu Barber and My Name is Khan will go on to re-iterate what I say, looking forward to them.

And now you have Ghajini- a typical masala flick. Is it an outstanding movie? Is it pathbreaking? Does it move you a lot? The answer to all these questions is a big NO. The movie from the very beginning (remember the promos very clearly had Aamir in the now overhyped “Ghajini” hair cut & tattoos on his body) screamed that it was a regular masala movie. But our friends have a problem with the movie again. And why is that?Well because Aamir is Aamir- he does a Lagaan, a RDB, a TZP, why on earth does he have to do a Ghajini?

My question to all these people- haven’t you heard/seen of Fanaa, Mela or a Mann? Cut back to his early days, do you know that along with a QSQT, Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke or a Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin, he did atrocious movies like Daulat Ki Jung, Aatank Hi Aatank, Love Love Love, Tum Mere Ho, etc? Yes in course of time, Aamir has gone on to become a very improved actor, started doing fewer projects, most of them being genuinely different.

But wouldn’t the artist in Aamir also from time to time want to do something more run of the mill and routine to keep him going and entertained. For all those who only see the masala movie in Ghajini- haven’t you realized how Aamir has slogged on his physical appearance for such a “trivial masala movie”? Look at it this way- Ghajini probably was just a relaxation or a diversion for Aamir before he begins work on his next venture- which might be on more familiar ground for all that we know.

It’s a sincere plea from my side to fans, detractors and to everyone at large- watch a RNBDJ or a Ghajini and comment on whether you liked it or not. But please look at the film objectively and not with any pre conceived bias for or against a SRK or an Aamir.These two have been entertaining us for years and would continue to do so, let’s stop being their advisors atleast now.

P.S- This was originally published in PFC.Check it out here-
http://passionforcinema.com/first-rnbdj-and-now-ghajini/ .