Ghajini - Overhyped, but not disappointing.

It is a simple story. Guy meets girl, falls in love, girl gets murdered, guy avenges the murder. There. Done. Finito. Dust your hands, pick up your umbrella and go home.

Yet Ghajini works. I am a big fan of simple stories told well. Ghajini could have been better, but it wasn't bad. Aamir made it worth it.

You could see Aamir's obsessive pursuit of vivid characterization in things such as writing with the left hand. While it is obvious that he actually can't write with his left (smart camera work making sure you never see it) but it gets you to think about the level of detail. The other thing that was definitely the high point of the film was his animal like movement and demeanor as the desperate revenge seeker. In one shot, he jumps from the floor onto a table and in one giant leap attacks a man's face like a ferocious dog. The sight was breath taking. Excellent energy. Well done!

Then there was Asin, making her debut in bollywood. Her Karina Kapoor in Jab we met type of portrayal was likable. she did a good job. Her character was warm, caring and extremely lovable.

Jiah Khan... Nevermind.

It is a very well made film, but it does get a tad boring in between. Some of the songs are unnecessary, and this sound track is definitely not up to Rehman's standards, with the exception of "kaise tum mujhe .."; a lovely track replete with haunting pain and passion.

Aamir could have done more as the business man though. Also, as the angry revenge seeking man he seemed to have an almost robotic touch, which could easily be interpreted as retarded as well. There are scenes where he stays stone faced and turns his head in calculated measures. Didn't work for me. The character has a short term memory loss, he isn't demented. He still has emotions. but then maybe thats how he was directed. i am willing to let that go.

Watch Ghajini for good performances, excellent camera work and some quite brilliant fight sequences.

The Importance of being earnest - Earnestly shabby!

When I was done watching Evam attempt Oscar Wilde's Importance of being earnest, I was infuriated. yes, that is the word and no, I am not exaggerating. There was an evident paucity of quality, be it in the acting department, the set changes or even the dance choreography. The only thing that one could take away from the evening was the script.

And this, when Evam is trying to win people over to vote for them as the hottest start up. Sigh.

I won't bother telling you about the story line- its hilarious- google it. What i do want to tell you of course, is about how pathetically the play was executed. It was miserable my friends. Avoid it if its coming to your city. shut yourself in your house and stay indoors lest a friend tempts you to go for it.

Jack/Earnest was played by Karthik, not Kumar, the other not so flamboyant guy. I remember watching him in the Odd Couple as Felix, where i thought he was pretty good. But they guy can not handle a script like this one. He was struggling, so badly that i felt sorry for him. It was a bad start.

Karthik Kumar I hear is a good film actor, but he needs to start being his characters more than himself on stage. Its about time.

I was disappointed to not see Sunil on stage. I think he is the "earnest" of them all.I think he would have taken the script more seriously.

But the crown for the worst performance of the evening has to go to the lady who played cicily (if thats how its spelt). Oh Boy! I don't want to be too hard on her, because this may be her first play, but man was she bad.

But behold! here's is what got to me the most.

Evam has a million volunteers, yet their set change was so incredibly badly planned that I was pulling my hair out by the end of it. Clearly there was no production manager, or if there was one, he was taking a stroll somewhere (probably avoiding the play). These guys took close to five minutes to get two tables on stage. And then spent another five just adjusting it. shameful ! Once again Evam, pull up your socks.

and so the first act came to a close. the other women actors were decent. There was a british lady who was obviously not troubled by the style of the narrative. She did fine.

i tell you what. there was a butler who kept coming in and out. he was probably the best male actor on stage. he was probably the only one in character (or some form of it). The Doctor was bearable although his movement on stage (especially the shuffling) seemed amateurish.

But I must save the last for the director. Manasi, it was a bad bad evening. I am sorry. You seem very young and can also be passed of as cute, but what was on stage was sad. But i wish you well, i really do.

There you have it. If you are an ardent Evam fan you are probably not going to like it, but i have tried to stay as un-biased as possible. Go for it at your own peril.