Movies, Art and Ideology

Do not praise a movie just because it is morally superior, possesses a righteous outlook and ethically correct. A movie is a piece of art, its not just about values.

Vishal Bhardwaj's "Haider" which has unbearable stench of Left Liberal agenda, driven by misrepresentation and lies to suit a particular narrative is definitely a superior movie in terms of art than Neeraj Pandey's "Baby".

Throughout the history of cinema it has been the case where ideologies are infused into Art, but Art in its form cannot be put behind over an ideology or an agenda.

Bernardo Bertolucci is one of my favorite director, who constantly expresses his romance with Communism on screen but I have been careful not to influence my views towards his work with his ideological inclination.You can add Oliver Stone to this list.

Many aspiring young film makers seem to be more concerned about ideological inclinations ignoring the art in film making. If tapestry of film making is confined to a narrative than film as an Art is bound to perish.

Its not just film makers who have to be honest with film as Art but its also the viewer who has to be honest with his/her expression towards the film as an Art.

Your right to eat beef..

Before asserting your right to eat beef, just have a minuscule thought about the animals right to live.

I am aware that above statement might be misunderstood. Let me explain.

Every animal has the right to live, my problem is with the assertion that eating something by taking a life is seen as "Right". I am against the argument that killing of something should be seen as some kind of fundamental right.

I am all for eating meat, but don't call it as some kind of fundamental right with vulgar display of your left liberal ostentation. I even support human cannibalism if you want to extend the debate to a stratospheric level.

Indian Frontier Policy - Tournament of Shadows

"Tournament of Shadows" as many called it was the rivalry of British Empire and Russian Empire in their pursuit to dominate Central Asia.Though history text books seldom mention the "The Great Game" (Tournament of Shadows), as a history lover I felt that it is an interesting topic to ponder over as for over a century, Central Asia still remains a Geo-political-strategic mystery. Tournament of Shadows had similar features like Cold War and doesn't have a precise starting date. The end of this quest to dominate Central Asia was followed by World War 1, World War 2, Start of Cold War, End of Cold War and "War on Terrorism", all the previous event which got mentioned had active participation of Russia and Britain either as an ally or a foe.

Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) which devastated Central Europe culminated with the 1649 Westphalian sovereignty where European powers agreed to respect the sovereignty of their neighbors didn’t transcend into Central Asia and the Indian sub continent. India was a precious territory and European powers were more than enthusiastic to posses India.

When keys are handed over to the new owner of 10 Downing Street, there is an unwritten custom where the predecessor passes on vital verbal advice to his successor - for example "Keep your hands away from Central Asia". Lessons learnt by Soviet Union for their misadventure in Afghanistan are now being taught to America. White House is calculating the number of days left for American soldiers to leave Afghanistan a midst the incomplete goal to destroy Al-Qaeda, unresolved aim to stabilize the democratic government of Afghanistan and unachieved target to confiscate the presence of Taliban in Afghanistan.

India was British Empire's jewelry which it used to flaunt proudly before the world but they were constantly on vigil as they feared that they can lose their precious possession if they cannot contain Russia in Central Asia.

North West frontier of India was dominated by Sikhs, but their decline started with Sino-Sikh war followed by the results of first and second Anglo-Sikh wars, where the British eventually got hold of small but crucial part of Central Asia. John Miller Adye was a British General who served during the Crimean War (fought between Russia and Britain), India's First War of Independence (1857) and he took part in British Empire's progress in India’s North West frontier. General Adye gives an awe-inspiring description of British Empire's policy in India on the North West frontier in his book "Indian Frontier Policy" first published in 1897

Baahubali and the unwarranted criticism.

I loved watching S. S. Rajamouli's "Baahubali" and came across a little of constructive criticism made by some people who pointed out some genuine loopholes. I stopped writing lengthy film reviews long back because the congested free time which I got was only showing the mediocrity in my writing.

After watching "Baahubali" I thought of doing a detailed scene by scene analysis when the dvd of Baahubali gets released as there are many things that have to be said but decided to write this post in the wake of some negative criticism. The unwarranted criticism can be a product of the below.

• Enviousness
• To achieve orgasmic fame for being distinct.
• Watching the film in the way it was not meant to be.
• Sensibilities got hurt.
• To exuding the "cool" slipshod attitude by criticizing the film without tangible reasons.
• To spread negativity no matter what.

It seems that few people were offended with S. S. Rajamouli's "Baahubali" and have seen lot of unwarranted criticism in the form of memes accusing Rajamouli for not meeting certain standards when these blokes cant even imagine in their brains what Rajamouli was able to show everyone on the big screen.

Some were disappointed with "Baahubali" as their sensibilities were hurt, I will mention them with my take on them and its for them and for the other readers to decide if they still feel the same or not.

Multiple occasions my sensibilities were offended; man tries all his life but only a woman's form inspires him to scale d heights #Bahubali

Shivudu is a jovial man who like scaling heights and very importantly that particular height, but to achieve any goal in life there has to be some inspiration and especially for wanderers the inspiration usually comes in the form of a woman, not in the form of a man. To dig deep, inspiration and mental strength comes from a woman and the physical strength and strategic thinking comes from a man, this has been the case for great people like Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Tenali Ramakrishna and many others.

Few more points to note:

• The female form(inspiration) is named "Avantaika".
• She resides in the heights.
• She is a rebel.
• She possesses ravishing beauty.

Woman who supposedly is determined to fight for a cause melts minute she meets Hero Prabhas, then Mission taken over by Able Man #Bahubali

One doesn't seem to comprehend what Rajamouli did here, he explored the inner sensibilites of a woman, not before everyone but only before herself. Accoring to Hindusim a complete woman possesses स्त्री/స్త్రీ Sa, Ta and Ra qualities. The deep, private and sensual emotions of Avantika were shown here. Avantika is a beautiful young women and at the same time she is on the process of becoming a complete woman. Its the art of story telling and structure of plot which connects the mother and son, Shivudu has to eventually rescue his mother Devasena, that's his job and it gets achieved with help of Avantika.

I understand it's only a fictional film; yet I couldn't see why hero's foot atop head of elderly man was needed; why enemies were all black

Even I was a bit uncomfortable when Shivudu kept his foot on the head of Kattappa, but Rajamouli cuts the scene when Shivudu was an infant and was being fondled by Kattappa, where the tender foot of Shivudu touched Kattappa's head. You cannot cut a piece of scene and analyze it exclusively just because it made you uncomfortable, the scene has to be comprehended in its entirety.

"Enemies were all black". We were told in the film that the army headed by Kalakeya is a ruthless and belong to a tribe, and its obvious to represent that an outside army will be presented as a single tribe unlike a heterogeneous Mahishmathi kingdom and regarding the complexion of the Kalakeya Army, aren't we becoming hyper critical on issues which dont even exist. If I comprehended correctly, Kalakeya's are worshipers of "Spider" and it seems that it was apt to go with dark complexion.

The Kalakeya's are not the enemies, its the 'fair' Bhallala Deva who is the prime antagonist.

I watched "Baahubali" only once, may be a second watch might make things more clearer. Some feminists may be happy and some of them may not be happy about "Baahubali", anyway Hinduism has no relation with Feminism as I said here. For people who are eager to spread negative criticism and invoke useless controversies can use the below.

• Is it right for Shivudu to break the Linga?
• Why is Shiva going towards Ganga and not the other way?
• Why was Bhallala Deva wearing the sacred thread?
• Why was a bull killed by Bhallala Deva and not an another animal?
• Why was a handicapped person 'Bijjala Deva' portrayed in negative role?
• Wasnt a woman 'Sivagami' good enough to occupy the throne of Mahishmati?
• Dig more....you might find many more..

India Israel and Mannequin Diplomacy

India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru had very little interest in developing good relations with Israel; the Non-Aligned approach of Nehru had ended him criticizing Israel on the issue of Partition, the Sinai conflict and one which didn’t allow Israel to join the Non Aligned movement. He eventually took the side of the Arab nations for “unknown reasons”.

Mrs. Indira Gandhi like her father was in favor of supporting the Arab Nations over Israel, she ended up criticizing Israel on the Six Day war, started active relations with Palestine Liberation Organization, aggressively condemned Israel on the Lebanon war but later became sensitive towards Israel and quietly started back channel diplomacy with Israel. Her son and successor Rajiv Gandhi extended the back channel diplomacy which lead to some economic engagement and eventually improved relations with Israel.

Beloved Sisters

Perhaps, "Beloved Sisters" is one of the delightful films which I have seen for a very long time. Its like watching series of episodes of your favorite TV series, yet doesn't bother you with time - its fast in its pace of storytelling - yet it maintains the intimacy, doesn't exude the periodic visibility on screen but still captures the essence of history

Travesty of Left Liberal Intellectualism - Same Sex Marriages - Part1

"Liberalism turns men into cattle"~ Friedrich Nietzsche

True Liberals and Urban Indians are allowing themselves to be transformed into cattle.

We have become so willing to accept notions and criticism from Left Liberals that we have comfortably decided to ignore honest evaluation and interpretation of ideas and its consequences as they have become a fashionable possession to the urban folk as they sound liberal and it has the radical tinge of leftism.

Marriage benefits to LGBT community.

It was not a surprise that India at UN chose not to support marriage benefits to LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) couples and it was followed by criticism from the usual suspects, the Left Liberals and surprisingly harsh criticism was seen from true Liberals and some sane individuals criticized India for being Homophobic.

Even if the Indian Government wanted to support marriage benefits to LGBT couples, how can it possibly do?, as homosexuality is illegal in India. Delhi high court in its own right nullified section 377 of IPC and Supreme Court in its own sagacity reverted it back.

-Not supporting marriage benefits to LGBT community should be seen as Homophobic?
-NO

Enemy - Lurking around Darkness

"Enemy" by Denis Villeneuve starring Jake Gyllenhaal is one of the few films in recent years which sticks to its charm of darkness without overplaying the card of testing the viewer with the perplexed plot which reveals itself as the film progresses.

Denis Villeneuve manages to push me into this uncomfortable zone of darkness right from the beginning with the edifying and encapsulated screenplay assisted with cinematography which doesn't let your brain to escape from cramped space of murkiness.

The plot of the film looks perplexed, adds the beauty, but its the recurring theme of chaos which is the connotation of the film and arguably the pivotal part of the film. I was so mesmerized with the gloomy effect of the film that when I watched the film for the second time, I was thinking "How did I miss all these things".

The case against the Uniform Civil Code

How often do we find ourselves trapped into moral ambiguities arguing over an imperative issue and eventually end up being seen as a comrade of the opposite side of the ideological spectrum? Laws which govern or regulate individuals, groups and communities are pivotal of any functioning democracy. It’s the perspective on laws which loosely defines the attitude of the government towards its society; to be precise it represents the perception of the state towards an individual.

Let us have no doubts that making (framing) laws is a tough job in a pluralist sovereign democracy which had got rid of the colonial past and only some of its colonial draconian laws. India, is still dealing with colonial hangover by having loyalty to some of the colonial laws. Like any other republic or democratic nation even we have our problems when it comes to Criminal and Personal laws.

A call for a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in India has a history which nourished intellectual thinking, political thought, challenged ideological positions and sometimes manifested the aspirations of political parties. The Hindu Code bill defines the personal laws of people who follow Dharmic faiths i.e. Hindus, Buddhists, Jains and Sikhs, and is not applied to the people of Non-Dharmic faiths that being Muslims and Christians. A nation should have one code whether it’s the criminal law or personal law irrespective of religion. But, does the previous statement have any chance to taste its existence in the near future?