Maharaj

"Maharaj" (2024) recalls a court case going back to 1862 under British rule in Bombay.  Two lawyers conversing noted that the British were able to rule such a big country, because India had so many religions that divided the country. 

The story revolves around Kursan who loved a girl named Kishori.  After they got engaged many of their talks revolved around religion between a sceptic and a strong believer focused on a local religious leader who exploited young women by raising an emotional fervor.   Kaurson watched as Kishori was chosen for a special ceremony and rightly supposed it was a pretext for a sexual encounter.  He was very self righteous and broke off their engagement.  She is devastated and also comes to realize the ceremony was really rape.  She commits suicide, but left a note for Karsun.

Karsun decides to expose the fraudulent guru using his journalist connections.  The guru at first is very self confident that nothing would deter his devotees.  In some cases they were very devout and in other cases they had been intimidated.  

The film seems like a battle between reason and religion.   It is historical so you could look it up, but it would be easier to check it out on Netflix which carries it in several languages including English. 

 This is a mammoth effort that holds attention.  For that here are some people who are responsible.

 Malhotra P. Siddharth was the director.  He has 4 credits as director, 20 as a writer and and as a producer has 30 credits including "We are Family" (2010) and "Hitchki" (2012)

 Vipul Mehta adapted the story  He started his film career in the Gujarati theatre (the original story has Gujarati roots) and then moved to Marathi and Hindi films.  He has 21 credits as a writer, 2 as a producer and 7 as a director.

Aditya Chopra was a producer.  Aditya Chopra is a name attached to many enjoyable Bollywood movies, often as a director or writer.  At age 23 his first directing and writing effort was the longest running movie "Diwale Dulhania Le Jayenge."  He comes by it honestly as his father, Yash Chopra was the well established.  Aditya also got my attention as he married Rani Mukerji,   Aditya is the highest grossing Indian producer to date.  He has continued to write and direct. but is now more involved in producing where in a sense he is even more creative.   He has 66 producing crdits, 22 as a writer and 4 as director including "Mohabbatein" (2000),  "Veer-Zaara" (2006), "Fanaa" (2006), "Rab Ne Bana  Di Jodi"  (2008), "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" (2012), "Sultan" (2016), "Fan" (2016) and "The Railway Men" (2023).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/11/the-railway-men.html

Sohail Sen provided the music. He has 24 composing credits, 12 for the music department and 2 for acting including ""Ek Tha Tiger" (2012) and "Baazaar" (2018).

Rajeev Ravi was the cinematographer.  He has 41 credits for cinematography, 5 as director and 2 as a writer including "No Smoking" (2007), "Gulaal" (2009), "Dev D"(2009), "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012), "Bombay Talkies" (2013) and "Virus" (2019).

 Shweta Venkat was the editor.  She has 33 editor credis and 3 for the editorial department including "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012), "Hasee Toh Phasee" (2014) and "Newton" (2017).

Jaideep Ahlawat played the arrogant, evil Maharaja very frightenly.  He has 33 acting credits including "Aakrosh" (2010), "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012), "Raes" (2017), "Razzi" (2018), "Three of Us" (2023) and "Jaane Jaan" (2023).  See  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/10/jaane-jaan-from-devotion-of-suspect-x.html

 Junaid Khan play Karson.  As the son of Aamir Khan he had some unusual opportunities.  He was on the second unit  assistant director for "PK" (2014).  This was his first lead in a feature film.     See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/03/pk.html

Shalini Pandey played Krishori.  She started in Telegu cinema and has since done Tamil and Hindi films.  She has 14 acting credits including the lead in "Arjun Reddy" (2017).   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/arjun-reddy-and-kabir-singh.html

Edward Sonnenblick played a lawyer in the court room scenes.  He grew up in California earning a degree in botany.  He was a natural food chef in northern Californian for 15 years.  He learned Hindi, likely after marrying his wife.  He has 33 acting credits including "Badmash Company" (2010), "Game" (2011), "Neerja" (2015), "Kapoor and Sons" (2015) and "RRR" (2022).

 There was some confusion as apparently two films covering the same historical events with a similar name came out in 2023, this one "Maharaj" and another "Maharaja".  I understand one of them, has been held up for a censor board concerned about religious sensitivities.  It could have been this one, but somehow it did make it through the censor to Netflix.  If the second version becomes available I will be very interested.  It does have a higher IMDB rating.

For a better choice check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/07/maharaja.html

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up. 

"Three of Us" is a subtle drama

As we live longer it seems there are more dramas involving dementia.  "Three of us" demonstrates a subtle breakdown in the early stages.  The story begins with a middle aged woman, Shailaja who has recently learned she has an early onset form of dementia.  We are shown a few instances of forgetfulness while still displaying some intelligence.  She resigned from her job at Family Court, Divorce Division.  She requests her husband, Dipankar to return to a town she spent a few years for her schooling.  Her husband concerned for her safety and with support from their son decides to go with her.  She presses as she feels it is urgent or she might forget.  Once there she is drawn to a name, Pradip and asks about his availability.

 The three refers to Shailaja, Dipankar and Pradip  The wife of Pradip, Sarika is also involved in a supporting role.  Dipankar is more concerned about his wife's mental health than being jealous.  Pradip at first is not aware of her dementia and is confused as he had put her out of his mind for many years.  Sarika doesn't feel threatened at all and encourages him to meet Shalaja and all four get together a few times.  The two men get along very well and eventually Dipankar explains Shailaja's gradually building dementia.

We learn that Shailaja has memory problems and cannot remember too much of her relationship with Pradip, but it was meaningful.  Towards the end we realize she broke their relationship, but she doesn't remember that, but feels guilty.  At the end we feel the four all get along, but Shailaja is well aware of her deterioration.  

The feeling left with this viewer is relief of the relationships, but sadness that one of them is in declining mental health.  It is like a tragedy, but with the satisfaction she is being treated well and gets some satisfaction out of life.  If we live long enough we all will know more people with dementia and unfortunately some of us will succumb.  The people close to the victim will feel the pain as much or even more.  Others may react differently, but most of us will be a little more sensitive to dementia.

This emotional and intellectual feeling took some deft handling.  Here are some of the people who made it a memorable film.

Avinash Arun was director, a key writer and cinematographer.   Before really rolling with his film career he did videos for weddings and birthday parties.  He has 24 credits as a cinematographer including "Drishyam" (2015), "Masaan" (2016), "Madaari" (2016) and "Hichki" (2018).  He has 4 director credits including the Marathi production of "Killa" (2014) that he was also the cinematographer.  Directors are mostly concerned with the actors, but a perspective on the visuals adds value to the film.              http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/11/driishyam-bollywood-remake-masterpiece.html        

Arpita Chatterjee was another writer.  A former journalist she has 6 credits as a scriptwriter including    "Bheja Fry"(2007).

Sarita Patil, was one of the producers.  She has over 25 film credits including  "The Dirty Picture"(2011), "Drishyam" (2015),  "Lucknow Central" (2017), "Thambi" (2019), "She"(2020) and "Monica, O My Darling" (2022)  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/11/driishyam-bollywood-remake-masterpiece.html

Alokananda Dasgupta provided the music.  She received a music degree from York University, Toronto, Ontario.  She has 32 composing credits including "B.A. Pass" (2012), "Trapped" (2016), "Sacred Games" (2018-2019) and Ajeeb Daastaans" (2021).

Sanyukta Kaza did the editing  Her 44  credits include"Ship of Theseus" (2012) and "Trapped" (2016).         http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/01/ship-of-thesus.html

Shefali Shah plays Shailaja, the woman with early onset dementia.  She started her career on the Gujarati stage.  She speaks Gujarati, Hindi, English,Tulu and Marathi.  She is noted for being selective and has won many awards in a variety of roles.  She is a critics' favorite.  She has 39 film credits including "Satya" (1998),"Monsoon Wedding" (2001), "Gandhi, My Father" (2007), "Mohabbatein" (2009),"Karthik Callilng Karthik" (2010), "Dil Dhadakne Do" (2015), "Once Again" (2018), "Delhi Crime" (2019), "Human" (2022) and "Doctor G" (2022).  She also wrote and directed two short films on the subject of the Covid-19 pandemic.  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/12/doctor-g.html

Jaideep Ahlawat  played Pradip, the long ago boyfriend.  He has 32 film credits including "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012), "Raees" (2017), "Raazi" (2018)"Ajeeb Daastaan" (2021), "Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar" (2021) and "Jaane Jaan" (2023).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2023/10/jaane-jaan-from-devotion-of-suspect-x.html

Swanand Kirkire played Dipankar, the husband.  A lot of film career involves music where he has 69 credits including "3 Idiots" (2009), "Barfi" (2012) and "Kai Po Che" (2013). awards for both lyrics and playback.  He has also got 35 credits for acting including "Chameli" (2003), "Badrinath Ki Dulhania" (2017) and "Qala" (2022).  Furthermore he has 10 writer credits.   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/05/kai-che-po.html

Kadambari Kadam plays Sarika, an understanding wife.  Her background is in the Marathi theater.  She has 16 film credits.  She is married to Avinish Arun.

Mental illness is not funny and this film reflects the seriousness of dementia, something most people fear.  Available on Netflix with subtitles.

"Jaane Jaan" from "The Devotion of Suspect X"

 "The Devotion of Suspect X" was read several years ago so details are fading, but remembered it as one of the best mysteries I have ever read.  Another of the author Keigo Higashino's mystery was also read and I caught on that it was part of series about a detective.  The book was better, but the film, "Jaane Jaan" (2023) is very good.  One difference was that the mystery solver in the book was not introduced until very late in the text, but in the film we meet him near the beginning.

The basic idea is that a man is killed by his ex wife. The next door apartment neighbor is a man who is secretly in love with the woman.  He happens to be a genius of sorts who is able to cover up the killing.  There are many twists in both the book and the film, not always the same. 

This film had been under negotiation for many years and has been adapted in different languages.  In Bollywood one attempt was sidetracked by a similar plot offered by the Malayalam film, "Drishyam" (2013).  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/11/driishyam-bollywood-remake-masterpiece.html  It has been a big success with Netflix.

This movie is an enjoyable mystery and part of the reason is the numerous experienced people involved.

Sujoy Ghosh, director, writer, producer    One of my favorite twist ending movies was "Kahanni" (2021).  Other films include "Kahanni 2" (2016) and "Badla" (2019)   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/a-masterpiece-film-and-very-good-remake.html

Hyunwoo Thomas Kim also is a producer.  A one time investment banker after he decided to get involved with films through Walt Disney he expanded his horizons and now works out Los Angeles, Mumbai and Seoul.  His films include "Te3n (2016), and "Oh Baby" (2019)     http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/comparing-two-grannies.html

Clinton Cerejo wrote some of the  music.  As a music producer, playback singer and composer he has over 60 film credits including "Wake Up Sid"2009), "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara" (2011), "Kahanni" (2012), "Vicky Donor" (2012), "Badla" (2019) and "Bob Biswass" (2021).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/04/vicky-donor-cf-dharala-prabhu.html

Avik Mukhopadhyay, cinematography.  His film credits include "Bunty Aur Babil" (2005), "Pink" (2016), "Badla" 2019), "October" (2018).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/11/pink-sensitive-film-to-deal-with-consent.html

Urvashi Saxena was the editor with 7 film credits including "Lust Stories 2" (2023)

Mukesh Chhabra helped with the casting.  After studying acting he spent over six years teaching and acting.  As a caster he has been in demand.  He is noted for bringing such faces as Rajkummar Rao, Sushant Singh Rajput, Mrunal Thakur, Pratik Gandhi, Sanya Malhotra and Fatima Sana Shaikh to the screen. He has over 200 credits for casting including ""Amal" (2007), "Kai Che Po" (2013), "Wrong Side Raju" (2016), "Mom" (2017),  " Sacred Games" (2018-19), "Sanju" (2018), "Notebook" (2019), "The Family Man" (2019), "Dil Bechara" (2020) and "Laal Singh Chaddha" (2022).  Check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/05/kai-che-po.html

 Kareena Kapoor Khan--has been in several memorable movies, but has also played a lot of vapid women.  I would say she is one of the better dancers.   Comes from a well known family in Bollywood.  Married Saif Ali Khan and has had one child.  Her films include "Jab we Met," (2007)  "3 Idiots," (2009) "Talaash" (2012), "Good Newwz" (2019) and "Laal Singh Chaddha" (2022).  Check .http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/good-newwz.html

 Jaideep Ahlawat played  the neighbor.  He has 32 film credits including "The Gangs of Wassepur" (2012), "Ajeeb Daastaans" (2021) and "Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar" (2021).

Vijay Varma played the detective.  He has 30 film credits including Telegu as well as Hindi.  Some films include "Gully Boy" (2019), "Super 30" (2020), "She" (2020) and "Lust Stories 2" (2023).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/02/super-30-puts-focus-on-education.html

This is a classic cat and mouse game with two very clever men.  It will keep your attention right through to the end.