At 50 crores, this movie stands tall as the most expensive movie of the year, I even read somewhere that its the most expensive movie ever made in Bollywood. Apart from the finance shim-sham, the movie definitely focusses on the first martyr of the independence struggle, which was then to ensue for another 90 years before India was to gain her painful independence at the cost of losing Pakistan.
The movie definitely invokes an underlying passion and feeling of patriotism amongst its viewers, especially if you are overseas and away from home. This was very obvious amongst a theatre crowd that did not hesitate to give a standing ovation at the end of the film. Some were teary eyed, some were fired up and some were actually unmoved, but overall the movie was received well amongst the audience.
Personally, I was very moved by certain scenes and especially the end of the film. I left with all kinds of thoughts in my mind, not just about how hard it had been for us to gain freedom, but I felt I had gained a lesson in life. How often, when we throw trash on the streets, or in so many other scenarios, do we say, "What difference does it make, its just one wrapper!"......etc. etc.........Well, after this movie, I learnt, that's all it takes, One person! This is a very valuable lesson that the film teaches you, never get discouraged because you are singled out, or are in a minority, if you want to make a change, you can do it single handedly.
Mangal Pandey shows us how it’s done, and more than anything else, this is the lesson and value I will take away from this film.
Of course, other than the depth of the film, superficially, it is a bollywood flick designed to reach the masses; personally I don’t think it does a great job at that. The film definitely has its flaws as I found the music to be abrupt in certain parts and Amisha's character to be completely useless. She added no value to the film on the whole; I guess she was there purely for the "masala" factor of an English officer falling in love with an Indian woman.
At the end of the day, I got my $10 worth, and a valuable lesson, so I am nothing short of being a "Happy Camper!"
Thursday, August 18, 2005
Mangal Pandey - The Rising! Half patriotism, full Bollywood!
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5 comments:
Very much my views on the movie as well. It's nice to see so many people interact because of their views on this film.
I like the part about the "one person" making a difference. That's a very valuable message the film got across!!
It's very much true that this movie induces a feeling of patriotism and that of following your own heart. The best part about the movie is the way it flows from a man's fight for justice to the whole nations glory. All in all a good flick which again raises our hopes for the OSCAR :)
I do hope they campaign for a nomination, although I wouldn't keep my hopes up. Lagaan was an awesome film, and even now when I see it, I cheer our team as though it were a real match :), however Mangal Pandey doesnt seem like it would impress the Oscar commitee, which already seems biased in my opinion!
Raj,
Agree with you on a lot of aspects, including your views on Lagaan. I had seen the movie on the first day in a cinema hall in Calcutta... the atmosphere was similar to watching a match at Eden Gardens... and if Lagaan didnt win it for us, Mangal Pandey doesnt stand too much of a chance... in any case, I think Black was a better made movie, and can stand a better chance..
Naim,
I guess you would better understand the patriotic sentiments of a native away from home, its always a stronger feelign when you are away from home. Although its admirable, that even though you arent Indian, you seem to know so much about the Indian film scenario!
Nirav,
I couldn't agree with you more on Black, although I do hope we have some nominations, would be nice to see our films up there, in fact the other day Lagaan was on "Encore Love" channel on cable, I was impressed!
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