An 'aks'-ish Delhi - 6

Watched Delhi 6 during the past weekend. Came away thinking that its yet another self-indulgent movie - reminiscent of "AKS" in ways.

I came away disappointed... and will just vent away first,

- There are visual shots of Chandni Chowk that are repetitive.
- The story is such a non-starter. None of the characters are well developed. Not even that of Delhi or Chandni Chowk.
- Sticking to just one point and beating it to death is the movie's undoing. The "Kala Bandar"... It was like Rakesh Om Prakash Mehra, ( ROMP from now) wanted to make sure EVERYONE absolutely gets the point. So subtlety just went flying out of the window.
- Basically, ROMP takes his 'social voice' mantle ( given to him after RDB ) a bit too seriously. His story telling skills take a beating as a result. :(
- The movie could have as well been a play. The landscape or setting of the movie is so constrained. The characters are a little too stereotyical to work completely. Some of them at some places are endearing, no doubt. The point making too earnest.
- Rishi Kapoor is wasted. There was one hell of a great story there... in his character.


Ok..now the rah rahs.

- The cinematography is top quality.
- The background music soars. Its much better done here than in Slumdog. No doubts.
- Waheeda Rehman is a gem of a sweetheart. What a pleasure to see her work. She is so wonderful.
- It's a great concept. The "Kala bandar". Needed a riveting human story to weave it around.


The 'untouchable' angle would be unbelievable for younger city-dwellers of today I would think.

But I have seen these folks near my gran's place (old Bangalore parts) in my childhood. They were called "Vadru" and lived separately in a locality. They would come by to clean the toilets and perhaps collect garbage too ( am not sure).

And I have heard some passing comments about how someone or the other visits the "Vadru Guduslu" ( Vadru's huts ). Of course, in a dissapproving way.

So to me, the double standards around those folks is very believable. I can believe that such practises could have existed or continue to exist in old parts of Indian cities.

But overall, the movie : what a wasted opportunity. He could have scripted a great ravishing and passionate love story to Delhi. Rather than this bewilderment of a movie. I remember reading a quote of ROMP about the movie, something to the effect of, " I still dont know why I made the movie, or what moved me to make the movie".

Well, all I can say is - Yeah, it figures.