There was a time when my husband and I were regular movie cinema goers. For obvious reasons, since my son's birth there have been only a few occasions when we have gone to the theater to watch a film. Feeling that the time spent was worth it has become quite important for me. Recently, we came out of the movie hall in the intermission of the newly released film, K.G.F. While we saw its Tamil-dubbed version, it was still possible for me to understand the film overall because the story was so standard fare. Practically every scene was dark and had multitudes of goons belonging to different gangs, who finally were easily getting beaten by the hero. However, I am hearing that despite the redundancy, K.G.F. has become a success even in its dubbed Hindi version.
Another film that I saw in the theater to have disheartened me last year was Mani Ratnam's Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (meaning the crimson red sky). Boasting of a stellar cast of Aravind Swamy, Jyothika, Vijay Sethupathi, Simbu, and Prakash Raj, the movie was interesting in its first half, leaving me guessing which of the three brothers was responsible for ordering the attack on their father, a don's life to inherit the empire after him. However, post interval the film lost its intrigue, and the ending seemed to be as if Mani Ratnam and his co-writer did not know how to close the movie. I found it even comical, though I am sure that was not the director's intent, so much so that it diluted whatever impact Chekka Chivantha Vaanam had initially registered.
My movie trials are far from over even watching a film together with my husband at home. At the end of a tiring day, if it is not able to hold my attention, I end up falling asleep even if I am the one to have selected the film. Therefore, it was a pleasant surprise to watch Andhadhun on Netflix on Christmas. We could not see it in one shot as our son woke up after his afternoon nap. However, despite the breaks, the movie did not lose its flow for me.
The story line of Andhadhun is that a blind piano player, Akash (Ayushman Khurana), becomes an "eye witness" to the murder of an aging film star. Akash had been invited by the film star to give a private concert to his wife Simi on their wedding anniversary. While Akash is giving his musical performance, Simi is disposing off the film star's body with the help of her lover. In the events that follow both the witness and murderers make all possible efforts to protect themselves. These situations are thrilling, scary, and even funny occasionally.
After a long time, I felt completely invested in a film. I would recommend anybody who has not yet watched Andhadhun to definitely see it. Considering that I have such high standards these days, you will not be left disappointed.
(Photo source: all are official movie posters)
