Story, Camera … no Action?

It is a best time for the Hindi film industry. What was once a factory churning out formula based mediocre products during the 90s, now seems to change for the better. Thanks to the young generation of story writers who have started thinking beyond the routine mainstream. There are more adaptations of real events (Airlift, Rustom and Talvar) and biographies (Aligarh, MSDhoni and Neerja). Also, more unconventional subjects are chosen for making movies (English Vinglish, Hunterr and NH10). This is a welcome change. Credit should also be given to the actors who like to experiments and live different kind of onscreen characters. Examples include Vidya Balan (Kahaani), Shahid Kapoor (Udta Punjaab), Swara Bhaskar (Nil Battey Sannata), Rajkummar Rao (Shahid), Deepika Padukone (Piku), Nawazuddin Siddiqui (Badlapur), Randeep Hooda (Sarbjeet), Irrfan Khan (Lunchbox) and the list goes on. 

Still, there are so many damp squids! Why did all my senses became so gareeb after watching Raees. OK Jaanu was not even OK. Baar baar dekho was such a waste that no one should have ek baar dekho. Humari Adhuri Kahani was so boring that I cannot even write a poora blog about it. Nobody bought the calendar of the Calendar Girls. Shaandaar was expected to have dhuaandhar business but could not. No one remembers when did Roy come and fizzled out, but everyone just remember Chittiya Kalaiyan. No one wanted to play the Love Games. And I wish, Main aur Charles would have never met each other.

So, what is missing are talented directors who can execute on wonderful story-lines and extract the maximum out the gifted actors. Well, not anyone can be a good director. While a Tigmanshu Dhulia can churn out a winner in the form of Paan Singh Tomar; Mohit Moond could only make a mediocre Manjhi. Amol Gupte gave Taare Zameen Par, however Jayant Gilatar gave a completely forgettable Chalk N Duster. Neeraj Pandey made a winner in M S Dhoni, but Tony D'Souza could only give a second-rate Azhar. Why are there so much limited talent of the level of Rajkumar Hirani, Neeraj Pandey, Zoya Akhtar or Gauri Shinde. 

The movie, Noor releases this week which is an adaptation of a bestseller. Sonakshi Sinha plays the central character. I believe she could give a very convincing portrayal to the role of a journalist. However, we need someone like Vikramaditya Motwane to extract the best out of her. Remember Pakhi from Lootera?. Wil Sunhil Sippy be able to do the magic? Or will Noor become another Akira which promised a lot, but could not make a mark. We will know very soon. Till then, please stay tuned and let me know what you think !