Review: Peepli [Live]

Verdict: Good

"K" Rating: 3/5

Watch: DVD

Face it - watching a movie promo of  unseen actors,backdrop of a rural village, with a story touching upon the serious issue of farmer suicide  may not particularly spark your interest in watching it - add in "Aamir Khan Production" and volah! you have an audience. Peepli[Live] is a tragi-comedy [tragic comedy]. It sheds light on a serious issue in a satirical manner. The movie does not offer a solution but definitely makes one think on how demoralized and convoluted we have become as a society. It does offer good comic timing. Stick out the  first few minutes of the rough rural feel and you'll find yourself absorbed in the story, not even once missing the big stars.

The story revolves around a poor farmer Natha(Manikpuri) who is unable to repay an agricultural loan. Natha decides to commit suicide when he learns that the government is doling out Rupees 1 Lakh to dead farmers as compensation. As his brother edges him on, he and his village Peepli become the center of a Media and Political circus. Where everyone uses Natha's impending suicide as a vehicle for their own personal gains.The village of "Peepli" gets "[Live]" coverage News Channels as the nation watches, debates and awaits Natha to perform the deed. The movie reminds one of Naseeruddin Shah starer 1988's "Hero Hera Lal". Manikpuri as Natha and Yadav as his brother are commendable in the movie.The music of the film is close to being folk, with a very earthy and rustic feel.

Peepli [Live] tends to be rough around its edges in its treatment. The language is bucolic and tends to be a challenge for the average urban audience. This is where the subtitles provided in the international release will  help. Some scenes in the movie are repugnant and cross the line from being humorous to  just boorish.One scene in particular bears resemblence to Slumdog Millionaire in its Eik factor.

All in all, I would advice waiting for the DVD to come out. It has an interesting story to tell. Peeli[Live] is definitely for the masses and does not cater much to the classes.

August 2010: Movies to watch out for!

      

 Alright folks, August seems to be a pretty eventful month at the Box Office. As Bollywood dishes out films catering to a variety of audiences-  Young n youthful, Horror,action,feel good with a strong message,to serious topic of farmer suicides and a comedy  on workplace harassment!! Here are some movies I suggest to look forward to this coming month!

                               August 06, 2010    

  
Aisha:  is debutant Director Rhea Kapoor's (Anil Kapoors Daughter) adaptation of the classic novel by Jane Austen "Emma".It stars Sonam Kapoor as the matchmaker along with Abhay Deol. The movie promises to be spunky,fashionable and very today!

                               August 13, 2010

Help: Bollywoods first horror film to be released on Friday the 13th! This supernatural horror draws upon the story of a malevolent spirit that refuses to leave the human world. Bobby Deol and Mugdha Godse play the lead roles with special appearance by Sheyas Talpade. This one is bound to make you scream for......HELP!!

Peepli[Live]:  Produced by Aamir Khan starring a host of stage actors and newcomers this movie is a satire on the farmer's suicides and subsequent media and political response.

                                                                                 

                      

                                                                          August 20, 2010

Lafangey Parindey: Produced by Aditya Copra, this YRF film is about bike gangs in Mumbai.Neil Nitin Mukesh plays a fighter who fights blindfolded in the ring and Deepika Padukone, a blind rollerskate dancer. He teaches her to see and she how to love. But what price will they pay for love?




                                     August 27, 2010      

Aashayein : Inspired by a song of his own film, Nagesh Kukunoor is the director of this film. John Abraham plays a compulsive, reckless gambler who discovers a new meaning of fortune and life when he comes face to face with death. Its his journey of hope going from darkness to light. New comer Sonal Sehgal plays the female lead as his girlfriend.

                                 

 Hello Darling: Produced by Mukta Art's this movie is a sattire on work place harassment faced by woman. Starring Javed Jaffery as the lusty boss of 3 fashion designers( Gul Panaag, Isha Koppikar-Narang and Celina Jaitley) this one promises to be a laugh riot. This film is reportedly to be a Remake of Tamil film " Magalir mattum".