Lipstick under my burkha

Simple, bold and easy. A strong film with one clear agenda and easy narration. These are the kinds of films I like. The whole rigor of the suppressed Indian woman waking up and realizing the possibility of freedom and individuality can be witnessed again. These couple of years have been all about feminism, and uncovering sexual and gender identities. Lipstick is another such film, but with a refreshing avatar and uninhibited storytelling. The uniqueness of this film is the location of the story, Bhopal, which is definitely a city but not a metro. So the woman is still suppressed but is waking up to liberation and spreading her wings. 

Alankrita Srivastava presents an unabashed side of the Indian woman, who desires sex as much as a man does. She has had enough and wants to break the chains of culture, conformism and expectations.  Veteran actress Ratna Pathak delivers the goods with great aplomb. Konkana Sen Sharma’s craft and acting does not need dialogue. Her expressions and nuances practically narrate the story. Aahana and Plabita are a delight to watch. Though the film loses the grip in the first half, the second half ties up loose ends and gives an unassuming ending. 

Rating - 4/5

Jagga Jasoos

This film is as idiotic as it’s name. It is directionless, headless, clueless, meaningless, senseless and moronic. One may categorize it as a fantasy film, but even fantasies have a story and structure. Musical ? Maybe but what's the story ? This film lacks basic order. One cannot understand what the film is actually about. Is it about a boy with a disability ? Is it about a man uncovering a heinous international crime ? Is it just a comedy which doesn’t have to make any sense ? One ends up being constipated with all that’s happening in the film. A girl is narrating stories about her boyfriend to children. Suddenly the boyfriend is solving crimes as he stutters. Then his father is solving an international mafia crime. I could not get a grip till the end.Jumping through running trains, dodging bombs and riding ostriches are the ideas to make you laugh.  Anurag Basu became too ambitious and cocky trying to satisfy his whims. It turned out to be 3 hours of nonsense. At this rate Ranbir is going to lose his repute as an actor. One can never expect much from Katrina. DO NOT WATCH.

Rating – 0/5

MOM

Mom is one of those films which get nominated in many categories and maybe win an award for one. It’s a great story with interesting narrative and fresh cinematography. The detailing of emotions of the main characters is meticulous and praiseworthy.  Sridevi stands tall and magnificent as a protagonist. Such is her brilliance that her presence can almost be taken for granted. Her performance is subtle and natural yet poised and important. A lot of work has been done on the cinematography and it is evident. The frames and movements on the celluloid make this film very unique. The director has tried to give an international appeal to the quality of the film. The story is interesting and the narrative is unique with slight gaps here and there. The brutality of rape can never be expressed completely through performing art, yet the film conveys and communicates it powerfully. If only the same tone had been conducted into the rest of the story, the film could have been a masterpiece. I don’t get what Akshay Khanna is doing in the film exactly.

The first half of the film is not for the faint hearted. I would advise you to be strong. There is respite in the second half, but also a bit of disappointment. Hats off to the young actress, Sajal Ali, who delivers a great performance with confidence and ease. Nawazuddin makes his presence felt as always, with a role that fuels the story. A good film after a couple of months is always welcome.

Rating – 3.75