Some time back, we were chatting with a young lady (who’s planning to graduate from a US Univ.) and she was citing her deep interest in pursuing a cinematography course. What impresses us the most is that, today, the millennial have at such an early stage acquired new insights and depth of knowledge in technically intricate fields which hitherto were rarely trodden before except by die-hard professionals.

However, with no training, as avid cine-goers we have our own thoughts and reflections on some of the facets of the craft of film-making that are so fascinating. In fact after six decades of being virtual movie-buffs, we feel we can easily discern a good film from an indifferent one and identify the weak links, pronto ! As we understand, even a good story has to be told well and told brilliantly, if it’s to be memorable. There are so many aspects to film-making that each is a science by itself – be it the screenplay, script writing, music and title tracks, background score, photography, editing, recording, actions shots apart from acting out scenes.

Our golden era of films belonged to the 50s to 70s when many movies were on wide canvas, grandly panoramic in scope and of a genre based on classics. Not only the films, but makers and actors became living legends ! Call it our ‘age-bias’ but the likes of  Frank Capra, William Wyler and Alfred Hitchcock could never be replicated. Back home none has still to come near genius of Satyajit Ray, Bimal Roy, Shyam Benegal, Hrishikesh Mukherji, and Basu Chatterji (to just name a few) though talented writers and makers with new styles, keep emerging over the past few decades. A great film appeals to the senses, visually aesthetic and appealing to the ears.

Sounds have played such an important part, with it’s breath-taking effect.While songs in Hollywood films were mostly reserved for musicals, the music score was an integral part of the success of Hindi and language films.

On the subject of background scores, Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ was a watershed in suspense and gore but we recommend you hear and watch some of these too. William Wyler’s epic ‘Ben-Hur’ has an unforgettably long chariot race, David Lean’s ‘Bridge on the River Kwai’ has a shattering climax and then there’s ‘Gone With The Wind’ that immortal saga set on backdrop of the American Civil War, which swept the Oscars in it’s year of reckoning.

Let’s also not forget the classic westerns and their celebrated background scores in ‘The Good, The Bad and The Ugly’, ‘A Few Dollars More’ and ‘Mckenna’s Gold’ ! The edgy opening music score of ‘Bond’ films acquired cult status ! 70s cult film ‘Sholay’ and it’s menacing beats remain a corner-stone ! BR Chopra’s ‘Kanoon’ in the 60s, with no songs, was mesmerizing !

Some time back , I got into a heated discussion with my old train-mate (some 18 years my junior in age, who looks up to me as a senior ) and didn’t seem to agree on what’s the way forward on a thorny issue but he started getting agitated and lambasted me for my shallow knowledge of our history. We did meet again but now our conversations are more formal & guarded.  

With some highly educated folks, discussions turn into a fiery debates and a slug-fest, egos clash and everyone wants to have the last word, like it often happens on primetime news channels daily ! In all this, feathers are ruffled and the soothing balm of old friendship is roughed up, all because we might have our ideological and political leanings, own ideas or think otherwise ! 

Here’s a great example for us to emulate – the iconic Narayana Murthy (of Infosys fame) once talked about his friend (and old business competitor ) the amazing Azim Premji (Wipro) with fondness when he says that on some important issues (like whether tax exemption on exports should continue) they have agreed to disagree as they hold each other in great esteem.

It is always likely in common groups of today’s netizens to have people with varying ‘knowledge’ levels and general interests in keeping with their own experiences and exposure to different facets of life but after a stage, there is maturity in having some understanding of ‘good’, ‘bad’ and the ‘ugly’ and one can discern them. To me, the human angle in life stories are inspiring !   

Also, there are ‘horses for courses’ and not everyone can claim expertise on all matters. Our education, work experience or financial background cannot make us act ‘superior’ but some feel they can dole out advice on everything under the sun- international diplomacy, economy, stock markets, inflation, GST, PSUs, censorship, sports & how to win gold medals in next Olympics !

That’s why it’s now increasingly difficult to even talk to old friends about say prices of eatables, poor rail services and soaring airfares because it can start a stormy exchange if one’s defending those running the entire show. Not for nothing do the English prefer to studiously talk about the weather & we sidestep acrimonious political issues and indulge in fandom of cricket & films. But wait, see the reactions to Netflix film ‘IC814 Hijack’. We told you!  

Stars : Tom Cruise, Demi Moore & Jack Nicholson

Watch on : Prime Video

As a film buff, one of the films I’ve watched many times over is “A Few Good Men” which, based on Aaron Sorkin’s ground breaking play, is an Oscar and Golden Globe nominated film with an all star cast of Tom Cruise, Demi Moore and that amazing actor, Jack Nicholson as the steely and despotic Col. Jessop with his own code of ethics while serving as the Commanding Officer of Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, Cuba, set in 1986.  

It tells the story of a group of military lawyers assigned to defend two marines charged with the murder of a junior fellow marine and being held in Washington D.C., awaiting trial. In this explosive military drama, they make a valiant effort to defend their clients and in doing so, put the military mentality and the Marine code of honour on trial.

While obeying and carrying out orders in the forces is sacrosanct forming the core of military discipline what goes in civil services and corporates is quite different. One situation is when new or junior officers are expected to follow instructions from above though policy manuals expect them to use prudence. To get the job done, at times they’re even asked to overlook the rulebook and resistance here means an adverse tick against the name and botching up chances of moving up the ladder. When the big question of accountability arises, it’s that ‘operations’ guy who’s found to be at fault !

Another scenario is being content with playing the second fiddle for as the axiom goes ‘Boss is never wrong’ and will protect if things go awry. Many senior officers ensure their position is not threatened by a competent junior by scuttling his/her chances in not giving key assignments or opportunities. They appear well-meaning but ‘nothing can grow under this banyan tree’ !

Over the last few years many ethical issues like the above have arisen in organizations which have led to entities like ‘whistleblowers’ – persons who expose any kind of information or activity that is deemed illegal, unethical, or not correct within an organization that is either private or public. Yet few have the courage to fight the might of institutions and the powers that be and prefer to remain silent. That’s why a film like ‘A Few Good Men’ leaves you with a sense of justice ! Ironically, it also highlights just a ‘few’ men.

Stars : Ray Miland & Grace Kelly

Watch on : Prime Video (on Rent)

Old timers and film buffs from the 1950-60s era would recall the 1954 master-class in suspense “Dial ‘M’ for Murder” with the iconic stars, Ray Miland and Grace Kelly in lead roles in a taut crime-drama that was made in the quintessential Alfred Hitchcock genre. It’s a whodunit without actually being one in the sense that one knows from the start who does it and who is the mastermind is behind the crime.

The real thrill lies in the twists and turns in a complicated plot based on a few premises : that in all such capers, even the best laid plans can go awry, the most ingenious criminal makes at least one mistake and gets caught and that the killer goes back to the scene of the crime for some earthly reason and meets his nemesis, the ace detective (or police).

This original film version had Ray Miland playing the plotting husband, who’d possibly be the most suave villain who hatches the perfect murder plan without batting an eyelid. The vulnerable wife is played by the beautiful Grace Kelly who seems to aware of the danger lurking around her and must gather her wits to save herself. The film’s pace is slow but builds up in suspense as the story unravels leading up to a fascinating climax !

Such a thriller had to be remade by Bollywood with it’s own ingredients and this came in a reasonably decent version called ‘Aitbaar’  in 1985 with Dimple Kapadia, Raj Babbar and Suresh Oberoi, had haunting music and a fine cameo by Danny Denzongpa as the eccentric detective in the Hercule Poirot mould. Yet it was a pale shadow of the original.

We’ve  then discovered that Hollywood tried out another remake ‘The Perfect Murder’ in 1998 with Michael Douglas and Gwyneth Paltrow in lead roles which we chanced upon on ‘Netflix’ recently. The storyline in the first half has been sincerely borrowed from the original but with its dose of ‘adult’ sense and foul words in keeping with times but the second half is almost rehashed into a violent thriller with blood and gore. Douglas as the  desperate, ruthless tycoon who’ll stop at nothing to achieve his ends, is a contrast to the chilling nonchalance of Ray Miland as a diabolical plotter of a murder, in the original !    

The upshot of all this remains that classics of any genre shouldn’t be remade – for, as I have coined a ‘film’ phrase myself : ‘No Holiday can be as good as ‘ROMAN HOLIDAY’ !

Stars :  Ashok Kumar, Mala Sinha & Sunil Dutt

Watch On : Prime Video

This one is a vintage classic that only people from the early 1960-70s would know about but real cinema buffs can relate to the film from the thriller-drama genre from one of the renowned film-makers of Hindi cinema. BR Chopra produced acclaimed films based on meaningful social themes of the likes of ‘Kanoon’, ‘Waqt’, ‘Hamraaz’, ‘Ittefaq’ etc and towards the end, heart-rending ‘Baghbaan’.All of them carried captivating story telling, suspense, music & drama backed by actors and performers of high calibre !

‘Gumrah’ (meaning Astray) is the dramatic story of Meena (Mala Sinha) who’s in love with singer, artist Rajendra (Sunil Dutt) and wishes to marry him. However, when her sister, Kamla (Nirupa Roy), dies in an accident, she is forced to marry her brother-in-law (Ashok Kumar) for the sake of her sister’s children. The marriage is steady without any depth due to their age difference but the upheaval takes place when jilted Rajendra returns to reclaim his lost love and restart a liaison.

This leads to their clandestine meetings, subterfuge and deceit that Meena indulges in though she’s not ready to abandon her family. Matters get more complicated when a tough blackmailer threatens to expose her illicit affair. Can she get out of her precarious state and save her honour or betray her devoted husband ? All the lead actors – Ashok Kumar as the unsuspecting husband, Mala Sinha as one who’s in a tricky adulterous relationship and Sunil Dutt as her attractive, persuasive paramour are at their sterling best. Shashikala is brilliant in a cameo as an antagonist in a superbly crafted screenplay.

However, the film is best remembered for the hauntingly unforgettable music by Ravi with lyrics by the great Sahir Ludhianvi and all songs sung by Mahendra Kapoor which catapulted him into ranks of the great playback singers. ‘Chalo ek baar phir se ajnabi’ is considered a classic for its rendition and lyrics. One of the song’s poignant lines convey ‘If a story (relationship) cannot have an outcome, it’s best left at a stage that has grace’. In my opinion, all the songs are excellent but last song sung for unrequited love is best.

Here I ‘m making a humble attempt to sing ‘Aap aaye toh khayale..’ originally sung by Mahendra Kapoor with lyrics by Sahir Ludhianvi and beautifully composed by Ravi !

The 5th day of September is called ‘Teacher’s Day’ since 1962 ,when on his birthday, the then President Sri S Radhakrishnan advised visiting students to celebrate the day to honour and respect the ‘teachers’. This has resonated in our country which has a great heritage of revering the ‘Guru’ as first source of learning & knowledge that we acquire. Many of us not only remember our school teachers’ names but wisdom they imparted & valuable lessons we learnt that left indelible impressions even after a span of decades. In course of time some became teachers, professors, mentors and training professionals.

If one were to pose the question ‘Who was your best teacher’ to ‘God of Cricket’ Sachin, he’d easily name RVAchrekar Sir, his famed Coach but ask ‘what was your best innings ever’, he’d be hard put to answer. Maybe it was the skill, power, maturity he gained with time while facing the best bowlers and often getting out early to some were lessons on technique & temperament which he mastered in his great journey of 100 centuries !

That’s why we often hear, ‘Experience is the best teacher, but that’s only true if you reflect on it and extract its lessons’. If I were asked the question at the age of twenty, my favourite teachers were parents first, then school teachers, professors and clever friends.    Another decade later, they would be my versatile spouse and her parents whom I got to know better. In four decades of service, achievements and setbacks apart, it was gradual coming to terms with realities of life, being patient & persevering & learning the ropes from seniors and co-workers. Best lessons were learnt in edgy moments of crises and also from experience of others.‘To do or not to do’ as a ‘Banker Hamlet’ would ponder…  

I must acknowledge that two sons later became my best ‘IT’ trainers. When I wanted to start a blog I’d no clue, so it was set up by the elder one. A slow 40 + computer learner, I struggled initially and my younger son had strict rules for regular ‘hands on’ sessions. For a special occasion I’d visualized a video presentation – pics, commentary and songs but was helplessly incompetent. IT Whiz-kid nephew then came to my rescue in style !

Yes, it’s never to late to learn – in fact with age comes maturity and rationality and a quest to learn more (82 yr old Big B quizzes KBC contestants to know about their lives !) and our old friends by inspiring deeds motivate us to the bigger goals. My ‘good news’ story is about a retired friend, who’s devotion to nursing and caring for his 92 year old father (a widower) is so exemplary & it reminds me of my Dad’s devotion for his Dad !  I have always felt that the best teacher doesn’t talk, tell or teach. He just does things & inspires.     

For an objective citizen’s standpoint there is justifiable anger and angst everywhere reflected in the protests, resentment and outrage at the social, civic and economic woes.

This ‘angry’ effect has spilled over not only to our restless, impetuous youth unhappy with the system but also to all types of working class and specially ‘handymen’, who’ve to use an economic term, become extremely ‘price-sensitive’ in terms of their charges. There are also agencies which provide trained handyman, but few can afford their cost.

In the good old days they’d be few good handymen called ‘Mistris’, versatile with ‘all round’ skills in repairs & maintenance issues related to home gadgets and available nearby. They would gladly come when called and solve all the problems without much ado. It’s also important to recall that local made appliances that were then in vogue, were much fewer & technologically simpler and user friendly, the parts locally available & operations familiar to the friendly neighborhood Mistris !

With technology have come sophisticated gadgets and home appliances which help us in practically all the daily chores from kitchen to living rooms to the toilets, we have the full range and we aren’t talking of furniture, curtains and home décor yet. The branded items are pricey and high-maintenance with usual 1/2 year warranty and no guarantees that it’ll last a decade (as it used to earlier). In the very recent past we’ve replaced water pumps, ceiling fans, toilet flush, doors (apart from minor electric & mechanical repairs). At any given time we’ve found some or other appliance drops dead or fails to function.

Its then time for the experts to take over and diagnose the problems- for the electricians, carpenters, plumbers, gardeners are now specialists in their field. Akin to professionals (doctors, accountants, lawyers etc), we have free lancers and those attached to shops & business establishments with calling cards, visit after taking appointments and in some cases consultation fees too, when they involve bigger appliances. Even for minor repairs they will demand visit fees of Rs.250 upwards plus cost of parts replaced but for major jobs – ‘sky can be the limit’ ! Notwithstanding all this it’s difficult to find the right guys !       

Despite nationwide unemployment, the pool of experienced, qualified professionals is relatively small. Unlike trades like plumbing or electrical work, there are no standard educational or certification requirements to become a handyman. This means quality and skill levels can vary greatly between different handymen, making it harder for us consumers to assess and compare their capabilities. Being in demand, handymen are often juggling multiple jobs and customers, making it challenging for them to commit to firm appointment times or be available on short notice. Many are migrants to Mumbai from UP, Bihar, new to the area leaving them relatively unknown in their local markets.

Maybe, we could train to do some of this work ourselves, not depend on experts. Let’s learn from those friends & relatives abroad, who can’t afford having handymen over !

Most of us are nostalgic about our native place, to the ‘manor born’ as we’d say. In our parental Lucknow home, a big old iron gate opens with a loud clang as if announcing a visitor in vintage Victorian style & the old contraption has served us well for years. It has a lever attached that’s brought down to shut the gate’s doors. In our last visit we found the lever getting detached because the nut holding the lever’s bolt had fallen off. Such an ‘iron-y’ for a large gate to be rendered defenseless by a little ‘nut’ gone missing. Let’s also recognize the worth of the ‘bolt’ that stayed on, but only just, without the nut !  

To most this may appear commonplace, everyday occurrence but there’s an analogy we can draw here that’s akin to a valuable life’s lesson. Hardly considered important in the overall aesthetic context of an appliance, furniture or an ornamental showpiece, the nut is typically screwed on to a bolt as a fastener, keeping the set-up fundamentally secure. But if it’s missing things can get shaky. In that sense it’s like the fine ‘balance’ of being grounded and humble that will keep a person feeling secure at all times. On the other hand, the sturdy ‘bolt’ may represent the core values of integrity, ethics & sincerity that give the moral strength to one’s character ‘and which must remain ‘rust-free’ !   

The English language, however, doesn’t allow words to be less versatile in their usage. So we have in board meetings, the directors asking the executives to explain the ‘nuts & bolts’ of the plan or acting trainees asking a producer the nuts & bolts of film-making, and interviewers asking Chefs on TV the secret ingredients of their gourmet dishes etc.

In essence the basics of everything needs to be known before setting out to really do it !

And of course talking of cakes & chocolates can remind us of lovely ‘nuts’ and almonds.

Moving on, how can ‘romance’ figure with something that’s as mechanical as ‘nuts’ but ever since we grew up, we heard our friends confiding and sharing notes ‘He’s nuts over her’ or vice versa depending on who’s afflicted by the attraction. Rarely however, are these same words used romantically after marriage. It’s like ‘Have You Gone Nuts?’ that spouses ask when discussing expensive travel plans, gifts, relatives etc etc. And  then we’ve people going ‘Nutty’ as in Jerry Lewis (1963) classic ‘The Nutty Professor’ !  

Whichever way we look at them ‘nuts’ are everywhere and have their own significance in life, love and machines. David Icke said it best ‘Today’s mighty oak is just yesterday’s nut that held its ground’. In today’s mad, mad world it’s easy to go ’nuts’ angrily over incessant rising prices. With media and the millennial all going berserk with acidity & trolls, the only ones we seniors would lovingly be ‘nuts’ about, are ‘Grandchildren’ !

Stars : Gregory Peck & Audrey Hepburn

Available (on Rent) on Prime Video

Made more than seventy years ago ‘Roman Holiday’ remains one of the most celebrated, followed and loved films that set the benchmark for perfection in screenplay, direction and acting for all times in the ‘romantic drama’ genre. Directed by William Wyler, the brilliant film-maker of splendid epics like ‘Ben-Hur’ and rom-coms such as ‘How to Steal a Million’, it was the debut movie in an American film of legendary actress Audrey Hepburn, that won her the ‘Best Actress’ Oscar award alongside awards for ‘Best Story’ & ‘Best Costume’.

I first saw this beautiful film when I was only twelve years old, in the mid-60’s upon the recommendation of my Dad, a real Hollywood movie buff ( andthen saw many more times after that) and was bowled over by the charming love story with all its gentility, graceand humour. The plot revolves the escapades of a young Princess Ann bored with the ‘ennui’ of royal protocol& sheltering, who decides to escape her palatial ‘prison’ and discover Rome on her own. (As a sidelight, the story is said to be loosely based on Princess Margaret’s life).

Ann has been given medicines to shrug off travel weariness.As the drug takes effect while she flees, she falls asleep atop a low wall, where Joe Bradley(soelegantly played byGregory Peck), an American reporter, fortuitously finds her. Not recognizing her, thinking that she’s intoxicated he takes her to his apartment to sleep it off. While all hell breaks loose over her disappearance and Joe’s Editor sniffs a big story, Joe can’t just reveal there’s a Princess in his room. What follows is Ann’s delightful discoveries of commoner’s life and ways in her ‘Roman Holiday’ and she slowly falls in love with her gentleman saviour and the charming companionship of Joe and his friend. But can she shirk royal status & responsibilities that come with it for all times to come ?

The film is a masterpiece in simple story-telling and both Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn hold you spellbound with their poise & artless performances. For us, it was part of growing up and an adolescent tryst with idea of romance. But it has such a universal appeal that it cuts across all ages & generations.   

As per Wikipedia, in 1999, ‘Roman Holiday’ was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. The film has been considered one of the most romantic films in cinema history. Just go for it !

Stars : Gregory Peck & Audrey Hepburn

Available (on Rent) on Prime Video

Made more than seventy years ago ‘Roman Holiday’ remains one of the most celebrated, followed and loved films that set the benchmark for perfection in screenplay, direction and acting for all times in the ‘romantic drama’ genre. Directed by William Wyler, the brilliant film-maker of splendid epics like ‘Ben-Hur’ and rom-coms such as ‘How to Steal a Million’, it was the debut movie in an American film of legendary actress Audrey Hepburn, that won her the ‘Best Actress’ Oscar award alongside awards for ‘Best Story’ & ‘Best Costume’.

I first saw this beautiful film when I was only twelve years old, in the mid-60’s upon the recommendation of my Dad, a real Hollywood movie buff ( andthen saw many more times after that) and was bowled over by the charming love story with all its gentility, graceand humour. The plot revolves the escapades of a young Princess Ann bored with the ‘ennui’ of royal protocol& sheltering, who decides to escape her palatial ‘prison’ and discover Rome on her own. (As a sidelight, the story is said to be loosely based on Princess Margaret’s life).

Ann has been given medicines to shrug off travel weariness.As the drug takes effect while she flees, she falls asleep atop a low wall, where Joe Bradley(soelegantly played byGregory Peck), an American reporter, fortuitously finds her. Not recognizing her, thinking that she’s intoxicated he takes her to his apartment to sleep it off. While all hell breaks loose over her disappearance and Joe’s Editor sniffs a big story, Joe can’t just reveal there’s a Princess in his room. What follows is Ann’s delightful discoveries of commoner’s life and ways in her ‘Roman Holiday’ and she slowly falls in love with her gentleman saviour and the charming companionship of Joe and his friend. But can she shirk royal status & responsibilities that come with it for all times to come ?

The film is a masterpiece in simple story-telling and both Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn hold you spellbound with their poise & artless performances. For us, it was part of growing up and an adolescent tryst with idea of romance. But it has such a universal appeal that it cuts across all ages & generations.   

As per Wikipedia, in 1999, ‘Roman Holiday’ was selected for preservation in the United States National Film Registry by the Library of Congress as being “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant”. The film has been considered one of the most romantic films in cinema history. Just go for it !