Runaway 34

After a long time saw an Amitabh Bachchan film on the first day.. Runaway 34

(Last was Badla in 2019 and also the OTT Gulabo Sitabo in 2020)

Runaway 34 is an adaptation of the 2012 film Flight and a real incident of a 2015 Doha - Kochi flight which made a dangerously difficult blind landing in almost zero visibility.

Producer Director Ajay Devgn and his script writers combine these two stories. ( Sully with Tom Hanks in 2016 had a similar primise too ).

It’s an aviation thriller split into two distinct halves 

The first focuses on Devgn’s Captain Vikrant Khanna, a Sauve airline pilot, and his CoPilot Tanya ( Rakulpreet) who have to fly from Dubai to Kochi ( Cochin) facing turbulent weather and a shortage of fuel challenging the two pilots on board, have to take some difficult decisions and an episode that could have led to tragedy when they land a flight in Trivandrum with zero visibility in poor weather.

The tensions on board and in the cockpit with poor communication from the relay tower..are well depicted and directed.

Vikrant spends a raucous night out in Dubai before he is to pilot the flight with Tanya, whom he meets for the first time before the flight. Vikrant has to be with his family the next day for his daughter’s birthday. A storm makes the flight turbulent for the 150 passengers on board including an elderly Parsi lady with asthma. The two pilots first disagree on what course of action to take The Air Traffic Control at Cochin advise them to instead land at Trivandrum, where the weather is better. Nevertheless, Vikrant tries to land but fails. He then proceeds to Trivandrum. By then, the weather of Trivandrum also deteriorates. For some reason, the Air Traffic Control team at Cochin doesn't inform Vikrant and Tanya to not head to Trivandrum. By the time Skyline 777 reaches Trivandrum and are apprised of the situation by the Air Traffic Control Team there, it’s too late. They can't move anywhere else as they are low on fuel. With no other option, the pilots decide to land at Trivandrum airport. The Air Traffic Control staff advises them to land on Runway 16. However, Vikrant insists on landing at Runway 34 which is a risky move according to the Air Traffic Control team. Nevertheless, Vikrant sticks to his plan and with great difficulty, lands on Runway 34 successfully.

The segment devoted entirely to Vikrant and his co-pilot, Tanya Albuquerque, in the cockpit and the minutes leading up to the landing are excellent. The production design, the deft editing and the back and forth between the two primary characters keeps this portion of the narrative consistently engaging.

The landing makes one hold ones breath..but all passengers are safe.. but the Parsi Lady succumbs..( The dialogue says 149 were saved captain not 150)

This leads to segueing into an investigation in which moral compunctions about the head pilot’s decision at a crucial time is probed in a verbose, long-drawn trial. Here Amitabh Bachchan enters the picture in the second half as Narayan Vedant, an investigator probing what caused this near-disaster.

That said, we are not allowed to forget that Narayan is played by the Bachchan. The character is given a quirk to fit the veteran’s star image – a tendency to use a high-flown vocabulary that most people do not understand in Shudh Chaste Hindi.

What is bravery? Can bravery emerge from individual strength and instinct or does it have to conform to a rulebook to be effective? These are some moral questions the trial tries to address.

Why Runaway 34 ?

What happens next forms the rest of the film.

Speaking of performances, Ajay Devgn is in a great form, as always. Here he has a photographic memory.

He is a bit laidback in the initial scenes and the way it changes once he realizes that the plane can crash. His silence also speaks a lot in the interrogation scenes. Honestly he has done well to stand up to Amitabh Bachchan. Rakul Preet Singh is quite impressive, especially in the first hour. Amitabh Bachchan enters post interval but manages to obviously rock the show .

He is absolutely fantastic in his expressions and voice modulation's and Angira Dhar (Radhika Roy) doesn't get much scope. Boman Irani (Nishant Suri given a similar getup of Vijay Malya) is fine but his track is weak. Same goes for Aakanksha Singh (Samaira; Vikrant's wife).

Amar Mohile's background score raises tension levels.

On the whole, RUNWAY 34 boasts of fine performances, technical brilliance and a gripping first half. However, the second half is talk heavy with Amitabh Bachchan  revelling . At the box office, the film should appeal to the audience.

I will be seeing it a second time over the next week.

Happy Birthday Poonam

SAMUNDAR

We all know Rahul Rawail is a fantastic storyteller and knows how to show his story in the best possible way. The 80's was his golden period after giving a string of hits ,Samundar was Rahul Rawail and Sunny Deol's third film after blockbusters Betaab and Arjun. Sadly, this film ended their hit streak as Samundar happens to be one of his least successful during his golden period.

Rahul Rawail loves to tell story's that involve emotions, Romance and action which is the same case here where a young Ajit (Sunny Deol) is given a contact killing to kill off the person Rajeshwar or Girja Shankar (Anupam Kher) who allegedly killed his father(Navin Nishchol)and who lives in the Maldives on a Private Island.

There is obviously an inevitable but charming love story in all this involving the hero and the innocent man's lovely sister in-law (Poonam)

Whom he uses to reach Girja Shankar. The romantic sequences are actually the film's best executed and they overtake everything else in it, even though it is a mixed genre film which could be also called an action flick or a thriller.

The movie is set in modern-day India and takes place around the Maldives on the coastline of the Indian ocean where the main characters reside. Although the story itself is not particularly impressive, the film is beautifully shot and the locations, particularly the many exotic views of the ocean, are simply breathtaking. The film is also quite modern in its presentation of the characters and their lifestyle, which is more urban and affluent. Everything, from the costumes to the sets, contributes to this depiction. Samundar without a doubt has its entertaining and exciting moments of comedy, romance and suspense.

Sunny Deol stars as the leading man and he does very well. Something in his persona in this movie reminds me of his debut role in Betaab, which was actually directed by Rahul Rawail himself. Poonam Dhillon looked a million bucks here and her acting was quite natural. Sunny and Poonam have a wonderful chemistry, which is in my view even better than in Sohni Mahiwal. Anupam Kher and Amrish Puri do their contradicting roles well, and the little girl playing Kher's little daughter is also okay for a child actor and she is very cute and likable.Roshni also appears in the film as Nisha, and she's smashing hot!

Baby Guddu has a major role to play as also her per dolphin.

The plus points lie in its direction aided by Baba Azmi's effective cinematography that makes it so visually stunning, but one of the movie's biggest pluses is of course R.D. Burman's exceptional music, which gives the film an enchanting feel and puts this picture in a class of its own. One song that is easily one of my favourite of those times is of course the marvelous "Aye Sagar Ki Lehron", which is also perfectly pictured on-screen, bringing out some of the film's most magic romantic moments. Yeh Kori Karari Kanwari Nazar is fun.

The film is shot wonderfully around the Maldives.

Samundar is generally fun to watch, and I've actually watched it several times and enjoyed it each time.

Dil Padosi Hai..The heart is a neighbour.

Dear Fans of R.D.Burman and Gulzar

Pancham presented in.1997 a Private Album..

Lyrics by Gulzar and Sung by Asha Bhonsle.

Dil Padosi Hai is my all time favourite Private Album in the music scene.

A private album when there were none in the scene, it had all the flavours.The versatile Asha’s voice, RD’s innovative tunes and Gulzar’s enthralling lyrics are just too good. The only error was that it burst too early in the private album scene and could not get the awareness of today.I feel that the freshness still haunts me today will haunt anybody who listens to it.HMV has launched it in CD form too now.The territory that was tread by RD showed that he was the only music director who could have used the depths of Asha to the core. The lyrics of Gulzar need no introduction.The orchestra needs special mention because each sound was so vividly listenable and evident.RD is being missed today and the sign of this is that the maximum remixes in the scene today are of RD.

Asha Bhonsle, has said this album Dil Padosi Hai with PANCHAM  and lyricist-poet Gulzar, came into being while watching a James Bond film!.

In an interview with Team Radio Nasha, Asha talked about the 1987 album, her views on changing lifestyle, fusion music and more.

“For 3-4 years, I kept asking both Pancham and Gulzar to work on the songs for an album together and when they did not, I was irritated and stopped saying anything. Then, while watching a James Bond film at night, there was a scene where James Bond emerges onscreen and a tune plays, RD switched off the TV immediately and began humming a tune. He then worked o a few tunes, talked to Gulzar and began work on the songs,” she said.

There are 14 songs..

The Album starts with Bheeni Bheeni Bhor and the voice of Asha ji mesmerising the ears of full Melody.

https://youtu.be/nHDMeOMPAhg

Rishtey Bante hain is a soothing song with beautiful lyrics

Gulzar bemoans the premature end of a relationship, comparing it with the leaves on a twig that don’t get to grow old. In the same mould as Burman’s tunes for Gulzar’s film Ijaazat, Rishte Bante Hai is a melancholic affair in an album filled with hidden gems.

https://youtu.be/HoAE5yGfMJM

Ai Zindagi is a pacy number with Asha blending her voice into the Rhythm

Saaton Baar Boli Bansi..

https://youtu.be/lO8mIOzdEyk

The album does not have any title song the phrase Dil padosi hai I was taken from the lyrics of track haan Mere gham and the album sleeve has short notes by both Gulzar and Pancham

It has some lovely pictures of the three stalwarts.

on a concluding note Dil padosi Hai certainly was an album much ahead of its time coming in the year 1987 though it could not become a big hit in those years it is now unanimously included in the list of exceptional work of the 3 masters Pancham Gulzar and Asha Bhosle so if you are fan of any of them these 14 tracks are a must for you

Do listen to the whole album.

From the Heart

Read this today on Book Speak and touched a chord..

Someone

While someone may mean the world to you,

You might just be ‘someone’ in their world.

When it happens, you may cry,” Why me?”,

Just relax, that’s the way it was meant to be.

With time, all the hurt will disappear,

All that will remain, will be fond memories and an occasional tear.

Just like you, someone else might be looking for you,

The happiness that you were seeking might have been meant for you ‘two’.

So, smile today and look forward to a bright tomorrow;

There is really no point in wallowing in yesterday’s sorrow.

Cherish what you have,

Let go of what you couldn’t.

The ‘yang’ to your ‘yin’ is somewhere out there,

So, do not despair.

When the time is right, you two shall meet;

And, meeting the other half, will make you complete.

-Aparna Gadgil

Aparna Gadgil 

#nostalgia

Promise : Yeh Vaada Raha

40 Years of Yeh Vaada Raha.

Adapted from Danelle Steel's "Promise" a hugely successful book on star crossed lovers in an unusual triangle ..or is it ?

Set in Kashmir where Vikram Rai Bahadur (Rishi Kapoor) spots a lovely belle in the temple. He is immediately struck by her innocent beauty. He describes her to his friend who is a painter who creates a painting of hers. The young men make posters of this painting and paste it on every wall in the town. Understandably, Sunita (Poonam Dhillon), the girl in question, takes offense.

From " Takraar to Pyaar " ..and then Inkaar from Vikram's mother Sharda Devi ( Rakhee). An accident takes place. Vikram is injured and unconscious. Sunita is nastily disfigured. Sharda rushes to be with her son and taking advantage of Sunita's vulnerable mental condition, forces her to leave Vikram. and informs him that she is dead.

The doctor treating Sunita (Iftekhar), a good soul, realises that he must help Sunita, who is a young girl and has her whole life ahead, refers her to an eminent cosmetologist called Dr Mehra (Shammi Kapoor). Sunita is taken away to Dr Mehra. The poor girl weeps on being separated from Vikram but clings on hope that some day fate will again bring her to him.

Dr Mehra meanwhile studies Sunita's case and finds it challenging. Since he has no picture of the girl to refer to, he gives Sunita a new face, that is as attractive, but very different from what she was.

How Sunita now..Kusum Mehra confronts and later finds the truth and realises that the Promise given by Vikram has not been broken .. 

There is another angle of Rita ( Sarika ) the woman Mom wants her son to marry. A very restrained performance showing unseen compassion.

What holds this film is the music by the wizard himself..Pancham .

Six exquisite tunes with timeless appeal. Gulshan Bawra, for once, abandoned his trademark colloquial, frivolous lyrics for real poetry and what emerged was arguably the best romantic album of the eighties. All the songs fit the film’s story perfectly, making the album all the more enjoyable.

Starting with "Yeh Vaada Raha" the album sets a standard that is upheld throughout the soundtrack. The title track has one of the coolest intro.’s ever, leading to a very ear-friendly duet. The touch of modern jazz fused with an Indian melody is made even more enjoyable by some great singing by Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar, and some infectious rhythmic hand-clapping which is used to great effect in the film. Very few songs have this kind of appeal: the more you hear it, the more you want to hear it. Rewind!

There are three versions of this song all fitting into the storyline.

The solo, "Aisa Kabhi Hua Nahin" has Kishore Kumar describing the girl of his dreams. Listen to Kishore sing the heroine’s name, "Sunita, Sunita, Sunita…." at the beginning of the song and you’ll recognise where Ismail Darbar got his inspiration for the recurring riff in "Aakhon Ki Gustakhiyan" from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar team up again for three more duets. Firstly, "Jeene Ko To Jeete Hain Sabhi", which is a light hearted tune with rather philosophical lyrics.." Kyon hum rahe Ajnabi.. Humsafar hain sabhi.."

"Maine Tujhe Kabhie Kuch Kaha Tha" is a more conventional love song with a tune you’ll be humming for hours.

The more up-beat, "Ishq Mera Bandagi Hai", Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar continue to enthral us. The hand-clapping resurfaces briefly connecting it to the title track.. another gem from R.D. with a gypsy feel.

Finally, Asha Bhosle goes it alone for, "Mil Gayee Aaj Do Lehren". Asha’s singing is impeccable as she gives real shape to this finale number. The by now famous hand-clapping recurs giving a final turning point to the story (watch the film and you’ll know what I mean).

Yeh Vaada Raha is definitely one of R.D.Burman’s most accomplished albums. Indian melodies orchestrated.

We still hum the songs 40 years later.

Now if asked will I read "Promise" again or see " Yeh Vaada Raha".. my answer would be the latter

Jeetendra turns 80, Aakhri Daao

Happy Birthday 

Ravi Kapoor..

Known better as Jeetendra or Jumping Jack in White , turns 80 today.

Jeetendra survived successfully the onslaught of Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and then on.

In case of career longevity he is second to few.

He after Sanjeev Kumar was an actor who did not hesitate to play White or Grey hair roles even in his prime.

He is known for his serious roles with Gulzar and also his action roles .

He in his career did only one film with Amitabh Bachchan Gehri Chaal and just one with Salim Javed Too.

Let's look at the latter

1975 film Aakhri Daao which released exactly a week before Sholay.

This is a simple thriller and the narrative is linear. Safecracker Ravi (Jeetendra), who works as a freelancer to help companies improve their safe designing, somehow gets involved in a terrible crime with Robert (Danny ) in an attempt to help a woman Julie (Padma Khanna). He runs away from the city to a remote hilly area to become manager in an woods estate owned by (Satyen Kappu), and his daughter, Reena (Saira Banu). Everything goes well and he falls in love with Reena, improves the prospects of the estate and manages everything to the best of his capacity - until the day Robert lands at his doorstep. He wants Ravi to crack a safe, and a refusal means he will divulge his crimes to the local cops. Watch the movie to know what happens next.

A fantastic script by Salim-Javed means 2 hrs 25 minutes fly by. Jeetendra is spot-on in his act, and Danny turns in another excellent villainous act. Watch the scene where Jeetu punches Danny and he rises from the ground and warns him never to do this again. Simply a class act.

Jeetendra fits the role like a glove and is aided ably by the beautiful, charming and slightly comical Saira Banu. Padma Khanna is amazing too, and Iftekar is best in yet another cop act. The rest of the cast, comprising of Satyen Kappu, Ramesh Deo and Ranjeet, are excellent.

I am taking out two stars for the inferior music. Only the track Aisa Na Hoke In Waadiyon Me by Mohammed Rafi stands out. The rest by LP are really average compositions. Stronger music would have made this thriller a perfect 10. Direction by A. Salaam is tight but not enough to do justice to the script . Production values (M.M. Malhotra) are fantastic. Watch it at night, and you will love to revisit the movie.  No super human acts from the hero or wild leaps in the story. A simple thriller, nicely told.

Adapted from a Hindi Novel of the same name by Bhagwati Charan Verma (which was adapted from the James Hadley Chase " Come Easy Go Easy").

The film was good but was bulldozed by Sholay and even though it flopped made no difference to the popularity of Salim Javed.

Aakhri Daao also proves that filmmaking is a collaborative effort. With the advantage of hindsight, some analysts often claim the kind of taut and explosive scripts Salim-Javed wrote, any filmmaker with a basic understanding of the medium would have delivered. It is when you watch an “Akhri Dao” that you realise the value of a Ramesh Sippy and a Manmohan Desai.

Jeetendra Excelled in this role and the flopping of this movie made no difference to his standing.