sandidi
Jan-09-09, 09:51 PM
Winter Warmth, Light Lightness
The December premier of Rab Ne Bana di Jodi (RNBJ) was sold out in
Vienna, and watched in pin drop silence. The audience sat in the
dark soaking in all the love that the film brings in times of so
much hate. When it was over and we stepped out of the cinema into an
even darker winter night, Gerlinde Seitner from Austria's Film
Institute sighed that the film had helped to light up her day. "It
is the best winter release for us pale westerners. I can't remember
when I saw the sun last. It has been non-stop grey, cold and dark
outside. I am happy I saw RNBJ that has brought me light."
Once upon a time, the end of the year was meant to be a lusty
celebration to combat the gloom of long winter nights and short
days. That is, till the idea was hijacked by capitalism and it was
preached that salvation lay in shop till you drop.
Sensitive minds and hearts, however, were quick to realise that the
light provided by the market place is not the real thing. Many
turned their back on shopping arcades much before the latest
economic depression came to depress them further. Their search for a
more wholesome preoccupation continues.
The longing of many in a hurry on this continent is for a material
life sprinkled with spirituality and for rationality that is not
necessarily devoid of emotion. I loved RNBJ precisely because I
found it such a wonderful blend of sense and sensibility. Most
Bollywood films are tolerated because they help audiences here to
emote in a continent that prides itself on practicing logic and
rationality at all cost. Bollywood films are a change from the black
and white world of `developed' societies that are almost fanatically
intolerant of that which cannot be proven with a formula or remains
unseen by the naked eye.
Bollywood films are loved here because they are able to sing and
dance audiences away from logic and too much analysis. RNBJ does
that too, but much more. In a logical, reasonable way, the film,
first and foremost, satiates the longing of all screen lovers for a
well directed, scripted and acted cinematic experience. "One always
has high expectations from the production house of Yash Raj Chopra,
but RNBJ exceeds all expectations. It is different from the usual
glossy love stories shot with exotic backdrops and surprises
everyone from start to end," Sandeep Kumar told Hardnews.
Sandeep works for Siemens in Vienna and is directing Austria's first
Bollywood film here. As a filmmaker, Sandeep found the story of RNBJ
unique. During the screening he found himself often convinced that
the two roles played by Shahrukh Khan were actually two different
characters. "For me, the icing on the cake was the narration of
the `honeymoon trip' to Japan at the end of the film. That was
extremely funny especially for those in the audience who understand
Hindi. With this film, Shahrukh surely convinces his Austrian and
German admirers of his superb acting capabilities," Sandeep
continued, breathlessly.
The sweet story of RNBJ has touched the heart of a continent that
often spends millions to buy a smile, and on keeping up appearances.
What matters to the audience of RNBJ is his effervescent
performance, of a simple but reliable human being.
It is a relief for ordinary viewers to know that to be happy in life
it is not important how you look and how much you earn. What is
precious instead is the gift to be able to love, to be able to find
joy in giving away all your love without thought of profit or loss.
In RNBJ, people seem to sense a bit of spirituality, the missing
half of our very materialistic existence.
Indeed, the criticism about too much talk of `Rab' or god in the
film is meaningless at a time when human beings tend to love too
less. For instance, Dorothea Nuernberg, Viennese author, can't talk
enough of god, the ultimate symbol of love and perfection. "To see
god in the other is one way of respecting and loving all human
beings," says Neurenberg.
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2009/01/2511
The December premier of Rab Ne Bana di Jodi (RNBJ) was sold out in
Vienna, and watched in pin drop silence. The audience sat in the
dark soaking in all the love that the film brings in times of so
much hate. When it was over and we stepped out of the cinema into an
even darker winter night, Gerlinde Seitner from Austria's Film
Institute sighed that the film had helped to light up her day. "It
is the best winter release for us pale westerners. I can't remember
when I saw the sun last. It has been non-stop grey, cold and dark
outside. I am happy I saw RNBJ that has brought me light."
Once upon a time, the end of the year was meant to be a lusty
celebration to combat the gloom of long winter nights and short
days. That is, till the idea was hijacked by capitalism and it was
preached that salvation lay in shop till you drop.
Sensitive minds and hearts, however, were quick to realise that the
light provided by the market place is not the real thing. Many
turned their back on shopping arcades much before the latest
economic depression came to depress them further. Their search for a
more wholesome preoccupation continues.
The longing of many in a hurry on this continent is for a material
life sprinkled with spirituality and for rationality that is not
necessarily devoid of emotion. I loved RNBJ precisely because I
found it such a wonderful blend of sense and sensibility. Most
Bollywood films are tolerated because they help audiences here to
emote in a continent that prides itself on practicing logic and
rationality at all cost. Bollywood films are a change from the black
and white world of `developed' societies that are almost fanatically
intolerant of that which cannot be proven with a formula or remains
unseen by the naked eye.
Bollywood films are loved here because they are able to sing and
dance audiences away from logic and too much analysis. RNBJ does
that too, but much more. In a logical, reasonable way, the film,
first and foremost, satiates the longing of all screen lovers for a
well directed, scripted and acted cinematic experience. "One always
has high expectations from the production house of Yash Raj Chopra,
but RNBJ exceeds all expectations. It is different from the usual
glossy love stories shot with exotic backdrops and surprises
everyone from start to end," Sandeep Kumar told Hardnews.
Sandeep works for Siemens in Vienna and is directing Austria's first
Bollywood film here. As a filmmaker, Sandeep found the story of RNBJ
unique. During the screening he found himself often convinced that
the two roles played by Shahrukh Khan were actually two different
characters. "For me, the icing on the cake was the narration of
the `honeymoon trip' to Japan at the end of the film. That was
extremely funny especially for those in the audience who understand
Hindi. With this film, Shahrukh surely convinces his Austrian and
German admirers of his superb acting capabilities," Sandeep
continued, breathlessly.
The sweet story of RNBJ has touched the heart of a continent that
often spends millions to buy a smile, and on keeping up appearances.
What matters to the audience of RNBJ is his effervescent
performance, of a simple but reliable human being.
It is a relief for ordinary viewers to know that to be happy in life
it is not important how you look and how much you earn. What is
precious instead is the gift to be able to love, to be able to find
joy in giving away all your love without thought of profit or loss.
In RNBJ, people seem to sense a bit of spirituality, the missing
half of our very materialistic existence.
Indeed, the criticism about too much talk of `Rab' or god in the
film is meaningless at a time when human beings tend to love too
less. For instance, Dorothea Nuernberg, Viennese author, can't talk
enough of god, the ultimate symbol of love and perfection. "To see
god in the other is one way of respecting and loving all human
beings," says Neurenberg.
http://www.hardnewsmedia.com/2009/01/2511