Mohenjo Daro and Rustom, both were on my watchlist since their respective announcements. One presents that chapter of history which we all have read in our elementary history books and the other one brings a case that changed the Indian judiciary system forever. Without a doubt, both the subjects are fascinating and deserves a Big screen appearance. But what these two subjects also deserve, is an expert film-maker. Someone who can capture the nuances of these two events in a subtle and genuine way.
When it was announced both the films are arriving on the same day, I was truly happy. We don't get to see a good Bollywood film for months usually, so two good potential stories in a single day is a treat for cinema lovers. What really bothered me were the directors of both these projects. Ashutosh Gowariker, a good director with movies like Lagaan and Swades in his filmography, is also susceptible to a love story narrative for his films. Our period films like Ashoka(SRK), Jodhaa Akbar(Hrithik) and more recently Bajirao Mastani(Ranveer), have adopted this narrative to tell the tales of these great emperors. Hence, my doubt. A new director in Tinu Suresh Desai, provided a glimmer of hope for new gen style of film-making or an eye for realistic cinema, but 1920 London trailer quashed that hope vehemently. A two and a half minute trailer is good enough to showcase your ability as a film-maker. There was not a single imaginative(read original) shot in the trailer, all it looked was a recipe followed to the tee by the film-maker.
The next thing to look forward to, was the trailer of these two films. Mohenjo Daro trailer was released on June 20 and I saw it within few minutes of its launch. Things did go according to what I feared, damn typical love story as the driving force of a powerful civilization! So I had factored that part in advance and had already made my mind to not feel disappointed by love story angle but still trailer didn't moved me. There was no feeling. It was flat, absolutely pitch perfect flat. It really didn't brought the feelings of an epic adventure film, as it should do. Baahubali was far from perfect with those unwanted love songs and item number but still it had those wonderful war scenes(the best Indian cinema has seen). All historical blunders aside, story is not looking impressive and now everything depends on what elements and situations Ashutosh Gowariker can create to swept the audience off their feet. Hrithik Roshan is a good actor but his speech modulation still irritates sometime. Hrithik is good for the role as only he can woo a Princess just by his looks. Not everything is lost, just the forecast is not good for the journey.
Rustom has an interesting story to tell as it will give us a look at India of the 1950-60's. How was the society structure and what were their moral principles. How a media house influenced the sentencing of a convict and instead turned him into a hero. The trailer of Rustom was strictly okay, sometimes it did give the feel of an Ekta Kapoor film(read OUATIM, Azhar) due to the setup, background music and also the characterization of protagonists and other important players. The story has been given way more commercial touch then it required, thus some of the characters didn't looked solid. Akshay Kumar is a perfect choice for these kind of roles, he looks every bit a no nonsense soldier. I hope he doesn't overdo it because too much of anything is always bad. Rustom does appear to have an ace up its sleeves, with classified documents of national importance coming into play.
What looked impressive on paper, has been lost in transition to screens. Those who know about these two stories will have very few things to get surprised about. All depends on the directors and what novelty they can bring in these two films. Before the trailer, both were on equal footing(story-wise not boxoffice collections) and after the trailer too, the standings remain same. Mohenjo Daro and Rustom both have average trailer and good music album. So currently its the battle of averages. Lets hope if not both then atleast one of them comes out good.
When it was announced both the films are arriving on the same day, I was truly happy. We don't get to see a good Bollywood film for months usually, so two good potential stories in a single day is a treat for cinema lovers. What really bothered me were the directors of both these projects. Ashutosh Gowariker, a good director with movies like Lagaan and Swades in his filmography, is also susceptible to a love story narrative for his films. Our period films like Ashoka(SRK), Jodhaa Akbar(Hrithik) and more recently Bajirao Mastani(Ranveer), have adopted this narrative to tell the tales of these great emperors. Hence, my doubt. A new director in Tinu Suresh Desai, provided a glimmer of hope for new gen style of film-making or an eye for realistic cinema, but 1920 London trailer quashed that hope vehemently. A two and a half minute trailer is good enough to showcase your ability as a film-maker. There was not a single imaginative(read original) shot in the trailer, all it looked was a recipe followed to the tee by the film-maker.
Rustom has an interesting story to tell as it will give us a look at India of the 1950-60's. How was the society structure and what were their moral principles. How a media house influenced the sentencing of a convict and instead turned him into a hero. The trailer of Rustom was strictly okay, sometimes it did give the feel of an Ekta Kapoor film(read OUATIM, Azhar) due to the setup, background music and also the characterization of protagonists and other important players. The story has been given way more commercial touch then it required, thus some of the characters didn't looked solid. Akshay Kumar is a perfect choice for these kind of roles, he looks every bit a no nonsense soldier. I hope he doesn't overdo it because too much of anything is always bad. Rustom does appear to have an ace up its sleeves, with classified documents of national importance coming into play.
What looked impressive on paper, has been lost in transition to screens. Those who know about these two stories will have very few things to get surprised about. All depends on the directors and what novelty they can bring in these two films. Before the trailer, both were on equal footing(story-wise not boxoffice collections) and after the trailer too, the standings remain same. Mohenjo Daro and Rustom both have average trailer and good music album. So currently its the battle of averages. Lets hope if not both then atleast one of them comes out good.
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