Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Bollywoodization or AamirKhan-ization?

It was 31st December. I took the steps of my office to reach the 2nd floor. Suddenly, an idea struck. This is not a day to work but for having fun. Pulled a friend and booked tickets for “Three idiots”. Some more colleagues had booked for Avatar a-must-not-miss-at-any-cost movie that I had watched in the first week, and boasted of. We went riding pillion on the bikes of colleagues who had booked Avatar. We lunched together, a big gang at Mc D and parted ways as our shows were different. The two of us had ice-creams; window shopped, enjoyed the movie, walked in the rain and drifted down the streets. Then I headed to join the hubby and some friends to another party, a hundred different songs in my heart, but all blending with the clamor of the crowds to make one grand, joyous harmony. What a way it was to welcome the New Year!

Coming back to the movie, at one go, you can spot the uncanny resemblance to ‘5 Point Someone’. All the characters are around it. I don’t know what the contract or agreement says. Chetan said, it is the bollywoodisation of his novel. That way, I feel all his novels are bollywoodised and that is why they are selling. Sometimes, I feel he is becoming Shobhaa De. The only difference is that for Shobhaa De, at times you hate her after reading her books, and for Chetan, after reading his books, you feel you can also write one but just don’t know how? Therefore, he is selling. There was one glaring mistake in his latest book, “Two States”. I am no IITian but Gold is not Argentum (Ag) as he has written in that dramatic situation after mentioning IIT and IIM for about a hundred times. Yes, I am exaggerating. It is Aurum. How could someone forget that? There was a father-son scene that I really liked in that book.

Coming back to the movie yet again, I liked the changes and the additions to the script, call it AamirKhan-ization or Hirani-ization if you must and I didn’t care where the credits rolled, but I had fun. I still hate Karina Kapoor for no rhyme or reason, other than Jab-we-met. She was supposed to be a medical student in the movie, but she confidently led a team of docs, one of whom said she has been in the service for many years, and helped her sis deliver through the internet. So, the movie was about geniuses. Aamir was a genius and so was she. My opinion about Karina remains the same.

I remember Ju sharing her experience when she was a med student and had to help deliver a baby for the first time. When she cut, the water bag (or something like it) bursted on her mouth.

3rd was the birthday and most friends didn’t bother to call up but wish online. I hate social networking sites. I am always online in them.

21 comments:

Shrutzz said...

Belated happy Birthday lady...My hubby also shares the B'day date with you :)

Loved 3 idiots and 5 point someone and 2 states...so much drama is what I like to read, while I eat my dinner !

Have a nice yr

austere said...

Belated happy b'day.
Waiting for your masterpiece...

Arunima said...

@shrutzz: yes, you got the word right. Drama it is. I read them in the bus to and from work.

Arunima said...

@austere: I am capable of being a critic only. :-) my masterpiece would be a nice review perhaps.

Imagination said...

Belated Birthday wishes Arunima :) Many more happy returns...

Stone said...

oops I genuinely forgot to wish this year!
Belated happy birthday.

~ Lopa said...

Hey Belated Happy Birthday.... Now you are the 3rd person i know whose Birthday falls on 3rd January :)

And i agree when you read Chetan Bhagat, you feel you can write one as well but when you want to write you dont know how...hehehe

shub said...

dang! for some reason I thought it was the 7th of Jan! Belated wishes :)

Arunima said...

@shub and stone: dang! thank you.

Dreamcatcher said...

Belated happy birthday :)

AmitL said...

Hi,Arunima...great way to end the NY..movie,party,et al.:)Your view on 3 idiots v/s five point someone was very interesting..finally,I guess it's what is agreed in black and white that matters-so if the contract was in either one's favour and the other did not read, it's their problem,as is usual in this world.:)
----
Oh wow- that's so right- the Two States- Gold is not AG, indeed..very sharp of you to notice- and,good that u remember chem lessons.:)Cheerio.

Shobana Jayaraman Srikumar said...

Happy Happy Birthday girl! Belated! so what still Happy!

I am thrilled that you walked into the new year the exact way you did. Brisk and Free. Fantastic!

I've been reading a lot of reviews on 3 idots! I'm yet to read FPS and his other books. I loved your comparing Chetan with Shobha De. absolutely loved it. I burst out laughing while reading it. :)

Way to go girl. Happy new year to you!
love
shobana

Shobana Jayaraman Srikumar said...

And about after reading Chetan's book, it is quite uncanny how even you feel that you can write too.. how does he do that. really!

DewdropDream said...

Belated Happy Birthday Arunima! You're a fellow Capricorn :D

Oh and Happy new Year too!

Arunima said...

@DewDropDream: oh yeah! let's exchange notes on how good capris are... :-)

White Magpie said...

first things first: belated happy birthday. hope you have enough lung power to blow the candles on your 75th bday.

Secondly: I lovvvvvvvvvee KK. No more digs at her pls ;)

Shobha De writes light trashy stuff but people love reading shit don't they? I am biased again for Bong babes hehe..

kirti said...

Belated happy birthday. i visited your blog yesterday and went on and on and on...... it was a sheer pleasure .
havent seen 3 idiots yet but my 14 year old says -its a typically aamir khan's movie but keep expectations lower by a few shades .
wishing you great 2010 . very happening , very positive and very constructive.

Diwakar Sinha said...

Belated Happy Birthday!
Best wishes...

Pallavi said...

Belated Happy Birthday
I love bunking.. he he he..
3I not totally the same copy but chetan protesting too much methinks.. he got his money and credits.. :)

and thanks for passing by :)

Anonymous said...

Ju here, it splashed all over my face. thankfully i was wearing a face mask but it was yuck and i had to go back to shower n change...gosh!! its so long now.. r we that old..?

Arunima said...

@Ju: Sweety, nice to see you here and I thought I never shared URL with you. :-) oh boy, all over the face. ha ha ha.