Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak

Andaz Apna Apna

Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar

Sarfarosh

Lagaan

Rang De Basanti
And Now,
Taare Zameen Par!
We have been fascinated by the bubbling young boy in QSQT and delighted by the stomach-aching comedy of AAA. The ultimate spirit of competition and the riveting climax of JJWS have thrilled us to the core. The honest and dedicated ACP Rathod of Sarfarosh is still fresh in our minds. We have loved every moment of Lagaan – cricket and otherwise. Then we moved one gear up into the RDB mode – A watershed movie in Bollywood. And, now TZP!

These are just a few magic spells – courtesy the majestic wizardry of Aamir Khan. Magic: because they hypnotise us like nobody else can.

I still remember the RDB era, when the spirit of nationalism reached its pinnacle. The period preceding it as well as the aftermath of RDB was marked by that “Kuch Kar Dikhana hai” attitude. We all wanted to “Be a Rebel” against the corrupt political system.

So what sets apart Aamir Khan and his movies from the rest of the pack? Why do we feel that adrenaline rush and sense of enlightment during those unparalleled cinematic treats? Well its simple! Its because the characters, the storyline – cause and effect are not taken from an alien world. The AK show is to the people, by the people and for the people. For once, the real and reel world metamorphosis into each other. The 8mm world frame displays our world – feelings, emotions and passions. Couple all this with some breath-taking performances and the ‘magic spell’ is complete.

And then AK decided to put up the Director’s shoes and we all were mesmerized again! For TZP can’t be described by one single adjective from the vast English vocabulary. Well, I atleast could not find one!

2007 has infact been one of the better years in Bollywood. ‘Life in a Metro’ (7/10) and ‘Bheja Fry’ (7.5/10) were two special movies this year. And if ‘Johnny Gaddar’ (8/10) was an outstanding edge of the seat, fast-paced thriller; then, ‘Jab We Met’ (8.5/10) was entertainment at its best. A pleasant surprise and a welcome change from the other insipid Shahid-Kareena ventures. A perfect case of ‘Jab They Clicked’! “Chak De! India” (9/10) was the front-runner for the ‘best movie’ crown for most part of the year (till 21st December to be precise). Infact, this rare masterpiece has already been blogged here! But, then the ‘jaadugar’ wielded his magic wand for the umpteenth time.

“Taare Zameen Par” has been exquisitely reviewed and then reviewed again, quite a few times already. And it deserves all the accolades too.

Ishaan Awasthi’s portrayal of a dyslexic kid, under the perfect direction of Aamir Khan is a treat for the eyes, music for the years, an emotional saga for the heart and food for thought for the mind.

Well, we are all mortals living on planet Earth. But, some of us manage to dodge the universal truth – ‘To err is human’! Because these chosen few rarely put a foot wrong. They are all around us. Like the Sachin & Lara’s of cricket, the Federer’s of tennis and Schumi – formula one etc.

And now the time has duly arrived, to hail the greatness of the man who continues to amaze us over & over again – for more than a decade now!

If there was ever a slightest doubt about the quality, meaningfulness, the sense and sensibility of Hindi cinema – Then this ‘enigma’ erases it for once and for all. For until the moment the ‘one and only’ Aamir Khan graces the reel world with his esteemed presence – film industry in general and Bollywood in particular would never be worthless!

Remember Aamir Khan and his genius! And be thankful that we all lived in the era of ‘The reluctant star”…

Let his magic show continue till eternity…

“Beh Chal Kahin, Ud Chal Kahin,
Dil Khush Jahaan, Teri to manzil hai wohi”…