Queen, the Movie

We, TBH & I are two movie freaks. We hardly miss a movie. In last five weekends we caught 4 releases on each Fridays. Some we download, some we watch on television, some of our favorites we keep on re-watching.  Yet there are no formal reviews on the blog mostly because I am very lazy that ways – writing recipes, book & movie reviews seems like a big task to me.

Also there is another angle – being from the media background I know how much hard work and efforts go into making a film, even if it’s a bad film. It’s not all fancy and glamorous as we usually perceive. I believe even acting is a big – big talent, though the sheer number of our TV – Film actors make is feel it is an easy  job. But imagine multiple camera setups and a couple of dozen people watching you when you are acting. I think it’s a tough job.  It definitely breaks my heart seeing some films which could have been great; seeing some great actors being wasted in mediocre cinema. But who are we to judge.

With TBH, I have also developed a liking for the mindless cinema. I have understood there are different set of audiences for them.  For example, audiences who are looking for a break from heavy work and want pure entertainment. People who watch movies as movies and not care about the social message it is sending across. But it is true that movies are a great medium of setting trend and broadening the audience.  And I hate movies which humiliate women or any particular group; movies which show women in stereotypical and restricted roles. But nevertheless as there are different type of individuals there ought to be different kind of movies.

Any way I can go about movies and my journey with them.  As the title suggests this post is supposed to be about the movie Queen, starting Kangana Ranaut. In one sentence I loved it. In short, the story revolves around Rani who has been dumped by her long term fiancé a day prior to the wedding. Sighting reasons like he has changed with a job abroad but she is still the same, a behanji from Rajouri, Delhi, India.  After the early shock and grieving, Rani still goes ahead to her pre planned honeymoon to Paris and Amsterdam.  And it’s her journey in those two weeks. My view on the movie in pointers:

• Kangana actually got a platform for the first time to showcase her talent, though I have always liked her, but this has to be her best till date.
• The movie makes you believe that slowly and gradually Bollywood is getting there.  It’s says that filmmakers are ready to take bold steps without an actually hero or ghisi – piti love themed storyline.
• That how a tragic/taboo like situation in context of so called Indian society can be managed just fine if the family is open minded and supportive. And it may be my personal belief and experiences in real life but I think Punjabi families actually have the heart to live life to the fullest. I have seen closed friends managing personal calamities with a smile on their face. Situations, which in other societies could have been fatal.
• The movie makes you fall in love with Pujabi dadis all over again after the super cool granny in Vicky Donor.
• I loved the subtle and gradual transformation shown in the protagonist. She did not have to completely change herself (read being modern or get a makeover) to prove a point and nobody gets changed in a two weeks time.  Actually it was not transformation; it was just finding herself and her capabilities. It was the revelation that one need not be dependent on parents/spouse/anybody else for that matter to be happy or managing life, it was getting to know herself and finding confidence in what you are.
• The way parallels are drawn in during her travel and past experiences. There are view incidents when her fiancé restricts her from getting a job, scolds her for not being able to drive or dance in public and how she comes over these inhibitions when she is on her own and manages just fine.
• And the music – soulful, beautiful. Too many songs but perfectly synchronizes in the background, taking the story forward.
• It is not a laugh riot as I expected it to be, it is not a fast paced film as well, and it goes on a slow steady pace. And that’s how it should have been otherwise you would never feel with the character or understand the gradual changes she goes through.
• Though there are few cliches or unbelievable moments for us, as in the movie is based in today’s age and time and at some instances the innocence and obliviousness of the lead amazes you.

Actually honestly my words are not doing justice with the film, I just loved it. Though me being in Delhi and a female might have something to do with my opinions here. But its a good watch and there could not have been a better day then Women’s Day to release this movie.