Bombay Talkies Review

What is it all about

Viacom 18's `Bombay Talkies' is a sincere realistic tribute to the magic of cinema, that also serves as cogent current commentary on how cinema continues to inspire, motivate, influence our life's and how our life's inspires, motivates, influences the cinema which in its hundred years has not turned old but grown up without leaving its magical impact on its lovers notwithstanding the age, sex, class or creed. Sheer magic.

On 21 April 1913 at the Olympia Theatre, In 1913, when Phalke's pioneering personal cinematography gave magical movement to Indian mythology, it was magic.. on March 14, 1931 the magic started speaking at Majestic Cinema in Bombay with Alam Ara... today on 3rd May 2013 the magic is worshipped by today's devotees Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap.

The awesome foursome give us four spirited, charming skillfully executed delightful little movies inspired from movies and stars.

This format of different stories by different directors in one film with or without the amalgamation at the end has been seen in Dus Kahaniyaan , Darna Mana Hai, Darna Zaroori Hai, Salaam -E- Ishq.

The remarkable achievement of,Bombay Talkies' is the four directors understand the profoundness of hundred years of cinema and in their tribute they convincingly give us reasons why we visit the theatres again and again to smile, laugh and cry with the characters on screen and they do it without seating in their comfort zone but standing for the occasion to deliver something noble.

Lets take a look at the stories one by one

1: Karan Johar

The story

Metropolitans Randeep Hooda and his wife Rani Mukerji are happily married couple.. one fine day Saqib Saleem bumps in at Rani's office as a trainee and their life changes forever.. Revealing more will be spoiler but one thing is true this one is a befitting example how the golden era and its music still haunts us.. Breathing in today's air we live by Madan Mohan's `Lag Ja Gale' the song and its magic is beyond generations and their sexual orientations.

Karan Johar the man of candy gloss romancers surprises you with his realistic approach. Brilliant.

The performances by Saqib, Rani and Randeep is excellent.

2: Dibakar Banerjee

The Story

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is struggling to make a living. While watching a film shoot one day, he gets an opportunity that helps him prove himself to his daughter.

Amazing how smartly Dibakar Banerjee hits two bulls eye with one bullet. First he picks up India's greatest filmmaker Satyajit Ray's short story 'Patol Babu, for his tribute and undeniably gives us moments of magic thanks to Nawaz's superlative performance the last five to seven minutes are pure class.. Amazing.

3: Zoya Akhtar

The Story

Naman Jain is awed by Katrina Kaif one day he follows her and finds himself fluffing his dream

Zoya Akhtar turns a cute little dream become magical on screen. An ode to stardom and its impact on people specially children. Katrina Kaif cameo is magical and the kid Naman who proved his mettle in Chillar Party is simple awesome. Sweet cute innocent and magical.

4: Anurag Kashyap

The Story

Vineet Kumar Singh arrives in Mumbai from Allahabad to fulfill his ailing father's Sudhir Pande last wish. A bite of Muraba from the super iconic Mr. Bachchan.

Zoya's piece was of inspiration from stars.. Anurag Kashyap's is of madness and power of stardom on people and to explain this he picks the most recognized face in India Mr. Bachchan.

Vineet kumar's journey is an emotional roller costar ride. Anurag Kashyap the filmmaker who is labeled as radical gives his tribute by surprising all of us by showing his sober, simpler shades.

Vineet is excellent. Sudhir Pande is fantastic. And Big B is terrific. Awesome.

On the flip side

Bomaby Talkies just misses out to be a classic. Some portions somewhere in black and white would have done wonders and could have been informative for commoners. The conclusion tribute is quite good but not exceptional.

Conclusion: Bombay Talkies is an adorable, emotional, inspirational and magical movie about our movies which completes its 100th year. If you love cinema and are awed by its magic then make sure you watch this.

Rating ****