Satyanveshi Byomkesh Bakshi

All time bests:

Byomkesh Bakshi - crime detective series shown in Dooradarshan between 1990-95.

It is one of the best television series telecasted till now. Acted by Rajit Kapoor(in hindi version) and based on bengali writer Sharadindu Bandyopadhyay

Revisiting the different episodes here, as and when I complete watching them again:
1) Kamra No. 102
2) Nasha - Makdi ka ras
3) Wasiyat ka Rahasya
4) Chakrant
5) Adim Shatru
6) Necklace
7) Lohe ka biscuit
8) Bhoot
9) Bemisal
10) Chidiyaghar
11) Upasanhaar
12) Sahi ka kanta
13) Tasveer chor
14) Kahin Kavi Kalidas
15) Vansh ka khoon
16) Agnivaan
17) Balak jasoos
18) Khoon
19) Adrishya Trikon

Yeh Mera India (2009)

Yeh Mera India (2009)

Rating 6.5/10

Hindi film

This film should be critically acclaimed for its screenplay. The story revolves around lives of 12 people who are in stark contrasts of society. Its also about stereotypes and the same message from different art films is conveyed here.

Stereotypes of Brahmin oppressing dalit, rich oppressing poor, Marathi oppressing Bihari, Hindu muslim conflict, bad vice of prostitution all in one movie.

The reality is very different than shown in such films. For a moment everyone is consoled into imagination that things get better, but alas these are just films. Not every aspect of this film is praiseworthy though. The actors have done a wonderful job and screen play was good, this makes it 6.5/10

Otta Nanayam(2005)

Otta Nanayam(2005)
means 'just one coin please' in Malayalam.

rating 6/10

Overall a good film with occasional good acting by Malayalam film actor Priyamani and Salim.
The new comer hero was also good.
The film is a poor person from lower middle class family who was forced to join a colony of beggars near railway station. The money was for liver operation of his ailing mother. This is where Priyamani lives a life of beggar with destitue kids. The film depicts the organised begging racket in cities, exploitation by anti-social elements and sad life of the people who are initially forced into this profession and dont get a chance to better life.

The film was very predictable though. Important twists in story was shown very lightly and without importance.

Harisree Ashokan and Salim in side roles, show their sheer talent whenever they appear. Overall 6/10 rating for this.

Subhashitham - Hindusthan

Himaalayam samaarabhya yaavat Indu Sarowaram
Tam Devnirmitam Desham Hindusthanam Prachakshyate.
(Bruhat Aranyak Upanishad)

meaning
From Himalayas to Indian ocean, is the nation created by God named "Hindusthan"

Lohithadas has passed away

Its a very sad day for the Kerala art and cinema.

One of the most talented writer director of modern times from Kerala, Lohithadas as died due to cardiac arrest at age of 54.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Malayalam+writer-director+Lohithadas+dead&artid=cwLznMauJ7A=&SectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&MainSectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&SEO=A.K.+Lohithadas&SectionName=X7s7i|xOZ5Y=

He was known for capturing the problems of common man and family relation ships very delicately in Malayalam films.

Every Malayalaee from far and wide in world would have seen his creations in
"Bharatham",
"Thoovalkottaram"
"His Highness Abdullah"
"Karunyam"
"Kasthoorimann"
"Kanmadam"
"Veendum Chila Veetu Karyangal"

and many many more...

He was actively involved in directing more forthcoming films. 2 days back I saw karunyam and was so fascinated by the talent of a writer-director has brought out this film. He was one of the best.

Poverty, debt and helplessness leads man through strange situations. It makes him commit crime, which must be avoided at all costs, thats the message LohithaDas always wanted to bring in films.
One needs to be firm in his social behaviour and respect elders, thats also a message.

There isnt another person his him. This is an end of glorious phase of Malayalam films and great movies.

But life moves on, youngsters impressed by his films will take the baton forward.

Karunyam(1997)

Pranaam

Karunyam(1997)
Murali, Jayaram, Divya unni, NeduMudi Venu
9/10

Yesterday I had the luck to see the Malayalam timeless classic film 'Karunyam'.
It's a stirring film about the sacrifices of an Indian father as the senior most person of the family. While living he does his best to make ends meet. He converted even his death a solution for his son's unemployment. His life's caricature is sometimes a true reflection of an average middle classed Indian, upon which lies the burden of entire family.

Played by Murali as the lead role in film, this is perhaps the best performance a watcher could see.

This film is written and directed by Lohitha Das. I know he has directed "Veendum chila veetukaryangal" too , which is on similar lines. He commends great respect in portraying the father-son relationship and problems in a family and the viewer gets to appreciate the sacrifices made by elders. At sametime there are lessons for the youth to shun ego and selfishness and to earn a living through hardwork. As story moves there are situations that happens in everyone's lives.

Excellent story and film. Great one by Murali.

Bronson(2009)

Bronson
(2009)
3/10

This movie is a true story about the longest jailed British prisoner 'Charlie Bronson', who languished for 30 years in solitary existence. In 70's the only crime he did was to carry a fake gun and steal few pounds from post-office. He got a 7yr sentence, but Charlie being an attention seeker wont be mannered in jail and continued enjoying solitary jail life for much longer period.

I felt pity for the character and its difficult to grasp the feeling of living in a dark cellar for 30 yrs. The film actor Tom Hardy has performed well and is fully into the character. But its a difficult film to watch and not at all recommended, as there is no plot no story but its about a series of repeated mistakes committed by a foolish person. The entire film is a narration, i felt its a very unique film though.

But its not recommended to watch such a film, Charlie Bronson doesnt deserve a film made on him.

PonmuttaidunnaTharavu(1988)

PonmuttaidunnaTharavu - Srinivas, Jayaram, Urvashi

(1988)

"Thattaan Thatti"

Superb film with a good moral that depicts how honesty and hardwork defeats cheaters in long run.
The characters belong to a village where people from different walks of life and faith live harmoniously and share the problems of their lives with each other. Srinivasan is my all-time favourite and deserves an applause for his acting in "PonmuttaidunnaTharavu".
Uruvashi, Jayram, Innocent, OduvilUnnikrishnan & others make this film an evergreen one, it will stand the test of time.

1 good song too.

7/10

Kathaparayumbol(2007)

Pranam

Kathaparayumbol
(2007)
Srinivasan, Mammooty, Meena
my rating 7/10

I liked this malayalam film very much, its a masterpiece of this decade. Sreenivasan is nothing short of a genius. Excellent screen play, script and a great story, till the end its a free flow.
Sreenivasan played the role of a hardworking and financially poor barber, who is trying make his ends meet. This simple person turns out to be a real life hero, much to surprise of the villagers who had earlier made fun of him. The speech given by Mammooty at the school annual function is one of its kind and very impressive.

Sreenivasan has the knack of bringing out subtle human feelings to the fore and every film has a moral in real life. His films are sometimes true reflections of a common man and its very effective.
I value 'Kathaparayumbol' much more than any Oscar award winning film. Got a good taste of Malayalam by watching this. Unsure how billoo barber, a copy of this film in Urdu would be, but nothing beats Srinivasan.

Baba Kalyani(2006)

Baba Kalyani (2006)
rating 4.8/10

The film is about police officer Baba Kalyani sabotaging a jihadi attack on shrine of Palani. The misguided youth who wanted to revenge the Babri Masjid demolition, collaberate with Paki terrorists and plan to set ablaze the shrine and to kill lakhs of pilgrims, but just before dawn of d-day, Baba Kalyani traces and kills them. It didnt happen in real life, when groups like Indian Mujahideen kills thousands of indians in similar fashion

It's a fair film. A good example of how Mohanlal can turn around an ordinary film. I liked all the characters. The screen prescense of Mohanlal is powerful and dialogue delivery has some conviction. But felt like sleeping for 1 hr, until Kavayoor Ponnamma entered and there was some story development. All the important dialogues are emphasized with English words, its more of a film in english language than Malayalam.

The Skeptic(2009)

The Skeptic
(released in 2009)

It's a film that has tried to convince the audience that paranormal, dead spirit and psychic events are true. The main male character is stirred by soul of his dead mother, who expired when he was 5 yr old. The ending was a surprise.

It is one of those million attempts by hollywood filmmaker, where religion is used to influence audience to explain paranormal events. Overall rating of 'fair' with 4.7/10

Pranaam

Pranaam
Welcome to the millions of readers who are reading this blog.

It's been many months since I've typed in something. I feel like writing a letter to an invisible person. And can you communicate to an invisible person?

So this would be an experimenting exercise to share information.