OMG 2

Masturbation may seen an odd topic for a Bollywood movie, however "OMG 2" makes it a focal point.  It is very hard not to laugh while it makes its points.  A plea for sex education

It starts with a relatively innocent boy curious about gossip and ideas he has stumbled on.  In his case it leads to a video about masturbation that is carried on the inter net.  The high class school he attends is disgusted  The father, Kanti is flabbergasted, but decides to defend his son.

India produced the Kama Sutra and other writings regarding sex.  They also produced explicit and erotic sculptures.  But in their modern schools sex is a non topic.

A very sharp lawyer Kamini defends against his suing the school for lack of proper education.  She is used to turning the table on her opposition, but Kanti has been well prepared.

For further comic relief the script has provided a spiritual guide.  Kanti, a Hindu is devoted to Lord Shiva.  Originally the writer wanted a side commentator to be Lord Shiva, but thought too offensive and changed to a messenger from Lord Shiva.

A sex worker is called to testify.  She has a son at the expensive school and needs her profession and needs to protect her son.  Nonetheless Kanti is able to expose some hypocrisy.

Explicit drawings of male and female anatomy were displayed catching me off guard.

His son had tried a variety of sex aids, but found they were all misleading.  He didn't know who to believe and thus was (as were many others) vulnerable.

Near the end the wealthy school raised legal obstacles and bribed their opposition to stop trial.  Kanti accepts an out of court settlement that he soon regrets.  Lord Shiva's messenger shows how his acceptance is distorted.  Will justice prevail?  Will sex education be accepted? 

I recognize no court would operate like in the film.  Pity.

Laughs come easily while still making some important points.  It takes a good cast and crew to pull it off.  Here are some of them. 

Amit Rai was the writer/director.  He has 4 credits  including "Road to Sangam" (2009).

Mangesh Dhakde was a composer.  He has  64 credits including "Article 15" (2019), "Lipstick Under my Burka" (2015), "Thappad" (2020), "Anek" 2022) and"Bheed" (2023).  He started composing with his father at a very early age and had been expposed to jazz, classical, Brazilian as well as well as Indian classical music.  ,http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/article-15.html

Amalendu Chaudhary was the cinematographer.  He has 32 film credits including "Harishchandrachi Factory" (2009), "Stree" (2018) and "Chhichhore" (2019).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/03/chhichhore-is-for-losers-ie-most-of-us.html

The editor was Suvir Nath.  He has 9 credits including "Road to Sangam (2009).

Pankaj Tripathi played Kanti the father who took to court to defend his son.  Son of a priest he took an interest in theatre.  After getting an education in hotel management he worked a night shift and started acting in theatre plays. He has appeared in 88 films including "Gangs of Wasseypur" (2012), "Newton" (2017),"Stree" (2018), "Super 30" (2020), "Gunjan Saxena:  The Kargil Girl" (2020) and "Mimi" (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/07/mimi-story-about-surogacy.html

Yami Gautam plays Kamini the very sharp lawyer who is very conservative regarding sex.  Yami studied law and later did many commercials and appeared on fashion magazine covers.  She has performed in Kannada, Punjabi, Telegu, Malayalam and Tamil films.  Her film credits include "Vicky Donor" (2012), "Badlapur" (2015), "Kaabil" (2017), "Uri:  The Surgical Strike" (2019) and "Bala" (2019). "A Thursday" (2022) and "Dasvi" (2022). http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/02/the-message-is-spoiler.html

Akshay Kumar in an atyical role plays Lord Shiva's messenger, but he is very versatile and is also co-producer.  Asked if this film was suitable for children, he replied that it was made for kids, but the censor board  restricted it to 18 years and above.  As a box office attraction Akshay could choose more commercial films, but feels obligated to do some films with a social message.  He was once a waiter, in Bangkok took up martial arts, asked to model and jumped into movies where he is a top box office star.   Has Canadian citizenship (actually campaigned with Stephen Harper.)   Akshay is a non smoker and participant in anti smoking campaigns, but is seen heavily smoking in "Good Newwz" (2019) to illustrate the harmful effects regarding fertility.  For the last decade he has been one of the most bookable Bollywood stars.  My attitude towards him has become much more respectful with such movies as "OMG  Oh My God!" (2012) "Special 26" (2013), "Airlift" (2016), "Rustom," (2016). "Toilet, A Love Story" (2017), "Pad Man" (2018), and "Gold" (2018).  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/02/good-newwz.html

This is very likely to be among my top ten for the year.

Sex is a dirty thing.  Some parents are happy the schools do it, while others are furious.  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/05/sex-in-classroom.html

Available on Netflix subtitled  The audio is in Hindi, but with lots of English which is thought to prove that one is an educated person.

Films I have seen are bolded for the first mention.

Bheed, Covid drama from India

 We are still recovering from the Covid 19 pandemic.  Bollywood has decided to add its interpretation of what happened with the film "Bheed" (2023) now available with subtitles on Netflix.

India is a poor country.  Many poor people from rural areas migrate to cities for jobs and periodically return home which was hastened by initial surge of Covid 19.  Trying to cope with the pandemic lockdowns were used.  Few masks are used and it seems social distancing is not possible.  There are caste differences (referred to as communities) and religion.  A large number are vegetarians who refuse meat tainted food packages.  

The main protagonist is Surya Kumar Singh Tikas who has just been given a promotion and put in charge at a border point.  The crowd is much larger than expected and he doesn't gain the respect he needs to do his job.  He sees a lot of injustice and in fact aids some of the migrants.  His love, Reenu Sharma is a doctor, but of a different caste with her parents wanting to control any marriage.

One of his subordinates feels he should have been the one promoted and turns other staff against him.  One of the migrants Balram Trivedi becomes aggressive in trying to provide food for his community.  At one point he places a gun on Surya's head, but before too long they become allies.  The film is reminding us of the turmoil caused by the pandemic.  The consequences are ongoing.

Many of the cast and crew have a history of advocating for social causes and this film certainly reflects concerns for justice and artistic expertise. 

Anubhave Sinha is director, writer and producer.  His 14 film credits include "Article 15" (2019) "Thappad" (2020), both of which had political and social issues.  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/article-15.html 

Bhushan Kumar was another producer  At age 19, his father died and he took over the music business turning it into a major force.  Then he got involved with films.   Has 180 film credits  including "Hindi Medium" (2017),  "Kabir Singh"(2019), "Chandigarh Kare Aashiqui" (2021) and "Drishyam 2" (2022).  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/arjun-reddy-and-kabir-singh.html

 Music handled by Mangesh Dhakde.  61 credits including "Article 15" (2019), "Thappad" (2020) and "Anek" (2022)     check  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/05/thappad-or-in-english-slap.html

Soumik Mukerjee handled the cinematography.  The decision was made to record in black and white to emphasize the starkness of the situation.  With 20 film credits including "Thappad" (2020) and " Jaadugar" (2022) .

 Atanu Mukherjee was the editor.  He has 23 film credits including also for writing and directing.  One of his films was "Serious Men" (2020).

 Rajkummar Rao played Surya Kumar Singh Tikas.  He acted in two theatrical groups before heading to the films.  He has been on a streak of films including "Shaitan" (2011), "Shahid" (2012), "Talaash" (2012), "Kai Po Che" (2013), "Queen" (2013), "Hamari Adhuri Kahani" (2015), "Trapped" (2016), "Bareilly Ki Barfi" (2017), "Stree" (2018), "Made in China" (2019), "Ludo" (2020), "White Tiger" (2021) and "Badaai Do" (2022).  check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/03/badhaai-do-lgbt-film-from-conservative.html

Pankaj Kapur plays Balram Trivedi who was a desperate migrant.  He has 71 film credits (acting, writing and cinematograhy) including "Gandhi" (1982),  "Ship of Theseus" (2012) and "Jersey" (2022).  Check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2017/01/ship-of-thesus.html

Bhumi Pednekar plays Renu Sharma, a doctor.  She started with casting.  Big break came when asked to help cast "Dum Laga Ke Haisha" (2015) where she auditioned for and had to gain a lot of weight for an unusual romance where she played an overweight bride that had been arranged to solve a revenue problem.  She went onto a number of memorable films such as  "Toilet: Ek Prem Katha" (2017), "Shubh Mangal Savdhan" (2017)  and "Bala" (2019).  With Rajkummar she played a lesbian to his gay role in "Badhaai Do" (2022).  Having gained a lot of weight to get a role she lost a lot of weight to get other roles, but fortunately she is a very credible actress.  Check   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/05/a-feel-good-movie-little-off-beaten-path.html

Aditya Srivastav  played Ram Singh, a rebellious subordinate staff.   His film credits include "Raat Akeli Hai" (2020), "Super 30" (2020), "Haseen Dillruba" (2021) and "Human" (2022).   Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/02/super-30-puts-focus-on-education.html

 I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  The links for this film are among the most of all my blogs and many could have been used multiple times, because the cast and crew have participated and contributed to more of my favorites than almost any other film.  That does not necessarily mean it is my top favorite, but that it certainly received a lot of expert and artistic attention.  Available on Netflix.

Thappad, or in English The Slap

After watching this movie the best advice might be that it is better to forgive.  It doesn't mean that forgiveness is perfect either.   A principle is important, but adhering to some principles leads to problems.

The Slap of the title is delivered in the middle of celebratory party (after the male lead, Vikram gets an upsetting phone call).  The wife Amrita is humiliated and goes away to be followed by other women.  She is upset, but goes home with her husband.  She decides to move out after telling her husband she will return in a few days.  Other people compound the situation on both sides and she is talking to a lawyer, but doesn't want a separation or divorce.  The situation comes, to involve siblings, neighbors, in-laws (both sides) and a maid.  Lawyers have their own way of turning up the heat.

Prior to this and even after this (the slap) everyone was in good relations.  The husband had received some good news that pleased everyone.  He did get an upsetting phone call at the party and didn't think before slapping his wife who tried to pull him away from an argument.  Eventually she does decide to seek a divorce.  Everyone around her is counseling forgiveness, but she feels there is a principle.  Her lawyer thought she was too naive and after suggesting a reconciliation made the most sense, decided to play tough.

You will find yourself taking sides and maybe conceding a little to the other side.  This was a very happy marriage, with very congenial in-laws.  However the decision not to forgive affected many other relationships in profound ways.  I am reluctant to take sides and assume that literally billions of similar incidents have been forgotten and/or forgiven.  But one stubborn incident of resistance to the status quo can make us all examine ourselves more closely.

The movie did make us aware of the principle--you should never, ever, slap your wife (or anyone else for that matter).

It could be compared to the "Marriage Story" (2019) regarding the pain angle.  In "Marriage Story" as I recall lawyers aggravated the situation.  Arguments were often petty and there was a feeling of not being appreciated.  In "Thappad" Amrita had willingly accepted a role as a housekeeper.   Her mother and father had some interesting conversations reflecting on their own marital roles.  Several other relations are effected negatively, although there is some better understanding of gender relations.  Amrita's mother-in-law that had been very close said that mothers were to blame for not teaching their sons to respect their wives.  After the lawyers got rough Amrita felt she saw how much her husband had put his work above her.

The movie is well put together with the acting, writing, cinematography and unobtrusive background music.  The editing keeps you aware of simultaneous events.

Anubhav Sinha, director and co-writer, is known for his interest in social issues.  He was rewarded for his writing of "Article 15" (2019) which he also directed and produced dealing with discrimination against Dalits (previously known as untouchables).   In a previous movie, "Mulk" the focus was on discrimination against Muslims.  Several IMDB reviewers commented on negative political trolls for this movie.  Prior to this some of his film credits included "Ra.One," (2011) "Gulab Gang"(2014) and "Tum Bin...Love will Find a Way" (2001).
http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/article-15.html

Mrunmayee Lagoo, co-writer had worked as a script supervisor for "Talaash" (2012), "Dangal"(2016), "PK" (2014) ).  She was the second unit director for stand out classics "3 Idiots" (2009) and "Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011).   These are all stand out classics.  Check: http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/03/pk.html

Mangesh Dhakde handled the music.  He had grown up with a father who operated a music school and at an early age met many musicians and was familiar with jazz, Western and Indian classical as well as Brazilian.  Prior to this movie Mangesh did the music for "Mulk" (2018)

Cinematography handled by Soumik Mukherjee and editing by Yasha Ramchandani who had worked on "Article 15"

Tapsee Pannu played Amritra and would be the big marketing draw.  She started in the south and has done movies in Telegu, Tamil and Malayalam.  Her films include  "Aadukalukm" (2011), "Baby" (2015),  "Pink," (2016) Mulk (2018) and "Badla" (2019). Check the links for two of the outstanding films she was prominent in:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2016/11/pink-sensitive-film-to-deal-with-consent.html and http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/a-masterpiece-film-and-very-good-remake.html

Pavail Gulati played Vikram and that should prove to be his breakthrough role.  He had to be reassured by Tapsee to make it a good slap. 

Ratna Pathak Shah played Amitra's mother.  She had appeared in  "Jaane tu...Ya Janne na" (2008 with her husband, Naseeruddin Shah playing a cameo role)"Kapoor and Sons" (2016), "Lipstick Under My Burkha" (2016).

The supporting cast was outstanding as this was really an ensemble film.

This is not a feel good-movie, but is very good at dealing with hidden emotions.  Many of the characters expressed repressed wishes and accommodating others.  The sensibilities of India might seem different to western views, but in reality not all that different.

I have bolded movie titles that I have seen.

Article 15

Ayushmann Khurrana has always added to the value of any of his movies I have watched.  One element is a cheerful outlook and comic timing.  In Article 15 he puts forth a different demeanor.  He is in  a position of authority, even privileged and assumes an air of confidence.  He also explodes with expletives (more on that later).

The focus of the movie is discrimination against Dalits, formerly known as Untouchables.  For me there were new details on the caste system.  Article 15 of the Indian constitution makes discrimination based on race, religion, caste, sex and place of birth illegal.  The law can only force so much compliance and attitudes will always influence outcomes.

There is a bit of a mystery, but really the audience has a pretty good idea of the guilt and the real heart of the story is a conspiracy to shut down an investigation.  Ironically some Dalits have achieved higher status (perhaps as tokens) including one of the police officers (who is part of the conspiracy).  There are political efforts paralleling the investigation that focuses on a political alliance between the Brahmins and the Dalits.  Ayushmann says that India consists of 30% elite castes being supported by 70% of lower castes.  During a few setups us outsiders realized that there are many gradations of caste hierarchy that allow even low castes to feel superior to those even lower.

The movie ends strangely when Ayushmann gathers a bunch of his crew around to celebrate the success of the investigation and served out some food.  The men and women were of different castes, but the key was when the cook was asked her caste and the answer was obliterated with a horn blast. after which there was laughter.

Regarding the expletive, it is the English form of the F word.   When first uttered in a fit of disgust one staff when asked by a naive non English staff what it meant he was told "get out" which in effect it did.  However when uttered under different circumstances (more annoyance than disgust) the same non English speaker started to leave.  The original explainer retrieved the man who thought he had been commanded to leave.  My understanding of Hindi is confined to about four words and I have often wondered when the subtitles offer an euphemism if they were hiding the F word and on the other hand when the F word or its many variations have made it to the subtitle if it was actually not as strong a word in Hindi.  

Director,/writer/produceer Anubhav Sinha is known for his interest in social issues.  In his previous movie, "Mulk" the focus was on discrimination against Muslims.  Several IMDB reviewers commented on negative political trolls for this movie.  Prior to this some of his film credits included "Ra.One," "Gulab Gang" and Tum Bin...Love will Find a Way."

 Mangesh Dhakde handled the music.  He had grown up with a father who operated a music school and at an early age met many musicians and was familiar with jazz, Western and Indian classical as well as Brazilian.  Prior to this movie Mangesh did the music for "Mulk."

Ewan Mulligan, the cinematographer got his career started in England where he did a number of shorts with the occasional movie and tv series.  He has been involved with a number of Bollywood movies and made contact with Abunhav Sinha and worked on "Tum Bin 2" and "Mulk"

Yasha Ramchamdai, the editor got started with shorts and location editorial jobs.    As an editor he as mostly involved with tv series.

Ayushmann Khurrana seems to select good movies.  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2018/12/ayushmann-khuranna-actor-to-watch.html  This movie represents 3 big hits in a row from "Andhadhum" (one of my top 3 for 2018), "Badhaai Ha" and now "Article 15."  He now notices he has less time with his family and with 4 more films to be released over the next year there will be no relief.

Ayushmann was ably supported by Manoj Pahwa, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Sayani Gupta (enjoyed her in" Margarita with a Straw"), Kumud Mishra and Isha Talwar among others.

This has proved to be a very relevant movie.