Monday, February 09, 2009

Dev D - What an Emosanal Torture !!

I had been waiting for DevD to release. Yes, I am your quintessential moronish Bollywood fan. However, this movie is anything but the regular masala material. I am not sure if this movie is ahead of its time, or the people are way behind its times. I say this because 30 minutes into its start, three families moved out of the cinema hall bag and baggage. Why they came to watch the movie with their stupid baggage is beyond my comprehension. It is an A by certification and an adult comedy by classification. The start was cute, then progressed to being hilarious. The moment the characters came to their crude rustic language, the urbane mentalities of a few posh people around us got a big shock and their modesties seemed outraged. The hall was already empty for the last 11 pm show but for about 30 odd people including Mahesh and me. Once one ugly character started to talk in a sexually explicit way about Paro, a couple found it too much perhaps. They walked out. Then another family got up from this side of the hall, then another. from the other (I suspect it was more due to the need to conform to each other’s standards of morality than out of an outrage to their own). Mahesh said perhaps the men in these groups found it uncool to hear this language with their women around them. At the end of those first 30 minutes, we were only 20 people left in the hall.

I was shocked at their going. And then I laughed out loud as they were moving down the stairs of the audi. I actually laughed at them. No doubt, the comedy was slapstick, at times outrageous, but hell, it was an A-you gotta be prepared to handle it. Blah ! kiddos!! I am glad I have matured.

Yes, there is a lot of sex-talk in the movie, but then that is about it. All they do is talk about it, unless you count unsuccessful attempts at trying to make out in a cattle shed, or in a bathroom, or in a poultry farm with hens cooped up and cackling all around the kissing and groping couple. Later, there are prostitutes, there are sleazy hotels, there are narrow alleys, there are ‘doing drugs’ scenes-and there is explicit language at some places.

Even then, it is not your regular bollywood stuff at all. There is no hunkish character in the movie, there is no hot female in the movie, no item song-all characters totally down to earth, all actors almost average looking. Abhay without a shirt is no semblance to his cousins. Mahesh even labeled his ‘a weak body’ but at the same time, he was totally in awe of this actor’s looks and acting. Paro is a new Chandigarh girl Mahie Gill-good looking, mature in acting but very much your girl next door. Chandramukhi is Kalki Koechlin, not stunning by Indian standards but cute and innocent. The movie ends on a positive note. However, Mahesh seemed kind of frustrated. He said, “At least Paro’s husband should have died by the end of the movie.” And I laughed out loud at his remark. It is so unlike him to want someone’s death – even if it is an imaginary character. I asked him, Mahesh did you really want Paro to come to Dev? They are such similar people. They would have made their own life totally hell if they had been together. But I liked the guts of Paro.

The movie leaves a lot for the viewer to interpret. Each scene, each dialogue is sensibly done. The progress of the self-destructive path that Dev travels to-is absolutely a smooth sequence. His deterioration is complete, but as he is supposed to be, he is lovable. The presence of the three dancers in the same spirit as MacBeth’s three witches was goose-bumpish. They didn’t utter a single dialogue, they didn’t do anything in the movie, except two fabulous dance sequences. They were present all through his destructive phase. The Punjabi numbers are awesome. Emosional Attyachar is a total cruelty-God knows where Anurag Kashyap found these two characters singing the song. I mean I loved the sequence. The stream of consciousness movement at many places in the movie simply leaves you wanting to give a standing ovation to the director, even if in an empty hall.

Go ahead, watch it-but watch it with an open mind.
Ram Sena is already doing enough damage with its closed mindedness.


42 comments:

Oreen said...

i was kinda wary about how you will like it. i wanted you to like it.
am glad you did.

am getting defensive about Anurag Kashyap. Someone seems to be bold enough.

Nikhat Kazmi has given this film a 5-star rating. For the first time in her life. I so want people to like it.

Majaz said...

Oooh I want to watch! Good review, Mampi! Thanks!

~nm said...

I'm thoroughly confused. They way you wrote about the movie, it seems interesting to watch once at least. But your title says otherwise.

So what is the final verdict?

Jay said...

Hmm. So it's not a must watch, but a should-watch.

ThoughtSafari said...

So you liked the movie? I've been thinking of watching it too... but maybe on DVD later... I think it will be too much to see in the theatre.

Anonymous said...

hmm..I need to watch the movie..Thanks for the informal review :)

Ratzzz said...

i was stunned to see the ToI 5 star rating.. but i completely agreed wen i checked out the movie... :-)

if ppl cant take this they cant take anything.. but oh yeah, they cant take Noodle straps,dressing in jeans, pub-culture, dining at hotels or girls using their maiden name either... :-|

Anonymous said...

I think there should be more film-makers like himwho challenge the "conventional" in Indian films. I am glad he doesn't make the crap that audiences love. Like Ghajini.

Quirky Indian

Monika said...

u know when i read the tittle i was afraid that u didnt like it... i saw it on the weekend and abs loved it...

but surprisingly i am shocked when i hear the reaction of people there... in the hall where i went everyone seemed to be enjoying the movie...

may be its the city that matters too Bangalore is much more cosmo and accepting that way

i am also going to do a post on this

Aathira Nair said...

I have been looking around for some reviews apart from TOI's 5 star.

Now I am heading out to catch this one.

S.. Diva said...

i actually had no interest in the movie after seeing its nautch girl-ish posters adnthe idea that it was another devdas.
but if there is comedy, maybe i will consider. but still, you know how we south-indians struggle to cope up with rashtra-bhasha after so many years. i wonder if i ll understand any of the slapstick comedy

Gazal said...

it receives a five star rating...now have to watch it..i guess one should do it without any biases...or expectations

man in painting said...

Haven't seen the movie.
your post was excellent.
will try to watch if time allows..
wishes
take care

Mampi said...

Oreen-You sold Xylo to me, remember?

Majaz-Go, go, and do a post on it.

NM-Must go and watch it.

Trailblazer-Yeah, go ahead.

Thoughtsafari-Nah, its fun to watch in the theatre.

nimis540-Welcome to my blog. Go ahead watch it and do a post on it.

The Rat-Welcome to my blog. Yes, it absolutely deserves five stars. We are hypocrites. There are two different sets of rules that we use all the time.

Quirky Indian-I am amazed at how the director has been able to control this subject and its treatment.

Monika-Yeah, title is misleading. But I knew once u read the post, you will understand. Perhaps city to city difference is there. Thats why I said maybe people are still not yet ready for movies like these.

Aathira-Welcome to my blog. Am glad I could help you decide on watching this movie.

Sneha-I dont think there should be any problem with the rashtra-bhasha as far as this movie is concerned. It has paucity of dialogues, that is its beauty in fact.

Gaz-Have to, must watch, go ahead.

MIP-It is more like a painting.

Rajindarjit said...

Movie 5-star or no 5-stars, you have to watch it for the sake of 'Roti-Rozy' of cinema walas.

Dhindsa

Anonymous said...

Well, from the title, I thought you didnot like it! But you liked it-great review by the way-will surely watch it now.Can I?

Unknown said...

Its after long since I felt like buying a DVD(for my library)after watching a movie. I enjoyed every aspect of the movie. The best part was that there were many things on which the spectators were left to make their own conclusions. The actors have done full justice to their roles. Devinder Singh Dhillon alias Dev D,is the modern man with all the shortcomings. Paro impressed me the most, a strong character, a girl full of life,energy, who can love a man to any extent but also knows how to handle him if he tends to act a superhuman. I wish their are more real life Paro's(though I know one).Chanda, further proved my belief that a girl always remains chaste,an angel, even though the circumstances force her into as ugly a trade as flesh trading. No man can make her unchaste by merely sleeping with her.I feel baffled how people take this as a parameter to judge the chastity & innocence of a girl. Why different parameters between men and women? I got a rude shock when a few macho men walked out of the movie along with their families. How far right they were only viewers can tell.

Mandira said...

i think i am skip maroing...doesnt sound that great..iam aiming at dilli 6
mandira

Sidhusaaheb said...

Hmmm...Sounds like a bastardised version of the Sarat Chandra Chatopadhyay classic...

In the case of such products, once the shock-value of the vulgarity wears away, one is often left wondering whether there really is much left worth watching.

Unknown said...

Its after long that I have felt like buying a DVD (for my library) after watching a movie. I enjoyed every aspect of this movie. The best part was that there were many things on which the spectators were left to make their own conclusions. The actors have done full justice to their roles. Devinder Singh Dhillon alias Dev D, is the modern man with all the shortcomings. Paro impressed me the most, a strong character, a girl full of life,energy, who can love a man to any extent but also knows how to handle him if he tends to act a superhuman. I wish there were more real life Paro's (I do know one). Chanda, further proved my belief that a girl always remains chaste, an angel, even though the circumstances force her into as ugly a trade as flesh trading. No man can make her unchaste by merely sleeping with her.I am baffled at how people take this as a parameter to judge the chastity & innocence of a girl. Why different parameters between men and women? I got a rude shock when a few 'macho' men walked out of the movie along with their families. How far right they were, only viewers can tell.

Indian Home Maker said...

So we should watch it because there are enough closed minded people around ?
LOl OK :)

Anonymous said...

kya ada kya jalve tere paaaro!!!!

i looked at mahi gill's pictures. i don't look like her!!!!!! no ji no no ...

it was sooo cute that u called though ... in the middle of the movie too!! haha adorable. i was having lunch then. so couldn't talk. but couldn't stop laughing when pavan said, "she called to say that abhay reminded her of me and paro reminder her of you"

lol

muahz for ur cuteness! :D

Devika Jyothi said...

I loved the title here, Mampi! :)

and liked your presentation...My husband said of seeing this :)

I am no Bollywood fan, or hollywood for that matter...like serious stuff when it comes to movies..occasionally a masala movie on tv...

I need powerful women characters to keep me gripped -- the times of Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi,
Deepti Naval...

long since I saw their movies too...

wishes,
devika

Pinku said...

hey!!!

life is difficult right now...but I will pucca catch this one...company or no company.

Thanks for the review.

Mama - Mia said...

:)

we loved it. and so much said with such few dialogues. the psychedelic colours, spinning scenes and awesome acting. I thought Kalki was bloody good as chanda. so was mahi gill.

and it was refreshing because Dev D wasnt a loser! I hated Devdas because the charachter didnt deserve any empathy!

though i must say No Smoking by Kashyap is STILL beyond me! Loved Black Friday tho.

And yes like i said i recco other AD movies. Ek chaalis ke last local, Manorama, Socha Na Tha, Honeymoon travels! :D yeah yeah! i am a BIG fan!

cheers!

abha

Anonymous said...

Indian cinema is coming out with movies like these... we don't need to look hollywood/west for satiating our cinema urge now.. atleast me..
Anurag Kahsyap did a brilliant job with 'black friday'.. though i have not watched "Dev D" yet...

Now with movies like oye lucky lucky oye,slumdog millioanrie , dev-d and delhi 6 ... brilliance of art is being portrayed...

About the moral part of urban elite , they can watch something like a raunchy item number ... because it does not challenge your consciousness... but with movies like these when you have to deal with stark truth .. they can't stand it...

You did brilliant review , i must say...
Cheers

Mampi said...

Mama-Miss Rozy and Madame Roti...

Mithe-Yes, you are a conscious and alert adult, you sure can.

Mandy-Dilli 6 also sounds promising. I will catch that too.

SS-There is more to it than mere parody of the classic. If Shahrukh khan could be a DevDas, this director at least has done a justice to a certain DevinderDhillon. Take it easy !

Mahesh-I had not thought u would like this arty kind of depiction. But it indeed is fascinating.

IHM- Hahaha, no you should watch it for its own sake.

Roop-Yeah, I AM that cute, hehe. But they both did remind us of you both. I was literally yelling out loud to the amusement of the ppl around.

Devika-Glad you and your hubby liked these words. Bollywood or hollywood, I like to see how people bring forth their ideas.

Pinku-It will make you laugh too. Get a DVD if not able to go to cinema.

Abha-Count me in that club.

Jasdeep-You said it in better words than I ever could. Thanks.

DeeplyDip said...

I liked the satire in your last line - zor ka jhatka dheere se lagey!
After reading such rave reviews about the movie, I am dying to watch it this week when it releases in Dubai!

Sucharita Sarkar said...

Am planning to watch it this week, have even managed to convince the spouse. Good to know you belong to the Kashyap-fan-club-minority.

my space said...

i love the song emosional atyaachaar! the band is so so so dhamkedaar...

my space said...

mampiji..mera comment kitthe gaya ji??i want to watch the movie ONLY for the dhamakedaar band in emosional atyaachaar!!

Anonymous said...

Ahhha... now that i am home on holidays... and have lots of time.. I guess I'll watch this one..

Salutes

Sudhir Khandelwal said...

Hi, very positive and yet independent review, Mampi. The imagination and creativity of these new age directors know no boundaries.

Indian Home Maker said...

Mampi, I have attempted to express .. explain ... something here,
not sure I have succeeded, I would like to hear your views on this...

Mampi said...

DeeplyDip-Waiting for your reaction to the movie.

Sucharita-watch it and write about it-jaldi sey.

MySpace-Oh yaa, their ada is simply Thaa.

Wolfy-WIll you write something on it after you are done watching??

IHM-Yes, I read it, but somehow my take on Pink Chaddi thing is different. I love your passionate posts on the issues that touch our hearts. I somehow cannot match your enthusiasm, so I like to read you and feel that you reflect most of my thoughts.

dipali said...

Saw it last night, Mampi, and it enjoyed it thoroughly. Your review was part of the motivation for seeing it-thanks!

Mana said...

Ram Sena is already doing enough damage with its closed mindedness.
--lol :)

Should I watch it or not? :|

Dr Roshan Radhakrishnan said...

it was a great movie ya. Such a well thought of remix of the classic if you ask me..

as for the 'forwardness', I dont know if thats the right word.. all the characters had grey shades in them.. like NORMAL HUMAN beings for a change

Indian Home Maker said...

Watched, loved and reviewed :) Wanted to come back and read what you had written a second time ...and this reading this was double fun because I had seen the movie :)

PARRY said...

saw this film last week. and wat a movie! I dont think even urban viewers see the review of the film before going. for most of them going to a movie is an outing. moreover even if they had seen the A rating then did not take the censor board seriously. only
this time they were wrong. :D
it may have outraged their sensibilities to some extent.
I will rate the film high on almost all the counts.Their was no huge set or canvas and it looked too close to our real world.Every character of the film acted accordign to the role assigned. the fact that the viewer is allwoed to make his own opinion also goes into its favour.
most of the reviewers have failed to give the due credit that they should have given to the music director Amit Trivedi. there are mind blowing 18 tracks in the film and his music takes us to various genres. he has experimented a lot and its a credit to the director too who has given him the leeway to do that.kudos to them.
the music is off the cuff and the viewer is drawn deep into the film only because of that ...not to say of the kickass soundtrack. you name it and he has it. be it folk fusion..bhangra pop...soft rock, electronic medleys..classical shade to full blown rock...its certainly a treat for a music lover.its on the rewind mode in my mobile and on comp. he has broken the rules to allow others to carry out more of the new generation stuff.

Yword said...

hi
loved the film too. just saw gulaal on dvd and totally loved it. a brilliant layered film. kashyap is no fluke happily :)
loved your girls flower arrangement and the caption for it. congratulations on having such a talent!

Mampi said...

Dipali-Glad my words were of some use.

Manasa-HOpe you have watched it by now.

Dr RoshanR-Well said, they are normal human beings with all their flaws. That is precisely why we enjoyed them.

IHM- I smiled when I read this comment of yours.

Parry-Absolutely right about the music and the take on the theme as well as presentation. You should have written a post on it.

Yword-Thanks my dear. Your compliments are conveyed to the flower arranger. I also watched Gulaal, albeit in the cinema. And Am totally a fan of kashyap. Wish we had more such genius directors.