Unlike the gushing Indians, American critics have given the cold shoulder to the Bollywood Bachcha-ns‘ latest posterior gas expulsion Paa.
Hell-O, is anyone surprised?
Folks, if you have yet to watch Paa it might be wise to hold on to your $$ until you have read excerpts of what the American media has to say about the movie.
Here’s a sample of the unflattering reviews Paa has received from the mainstream American media:
Los Angeles Times:
Although the makeup, involving a large prosthetic head, is pretty good, it wasn’t worth the effort, for the film is no more than a tedious, over-long Bollywood soap opera …. writer-director R. Balki stretches out “Paa,” which is “Pa” in Hindi, to an unconscionable 145 minutes that seems all the longer since it’s clear that father and son will eventually learn of their relationship.
Variety:
[T]his dramedy about a 12-year-old kid with accelerated aging (due to a rare genetic defect called progeria) is a long haul with little dramatic gas in its tank, despite a solid supporting cast. Initial curiosity by Indian auds is likely to produce healthy opening figures, but long-term biz looks problematic for this heavily promoted Dec. 4 release.
The hook here is not only the sight of Bachchan playing a prematurely aged kid — with an impressive prosthetics job by Hollywood’s Christien Tinsley and Dominie Till — but also the running joke of Hindi cinema’s megastar playing son to his real-life son, Abhishek. Unfortunately, that’s about it for this one-trick pony, whose writer-director, R. Balki … doesn’t create a sufficiently interesting surrounding package to justify 2½ hours of screen time.
New York Times:
A barely recognizable Amitabh – with a veiny, bulbous pate; rotting teeth; and slope-shouldered gait – seems to be enjoying himself, even if his Auro is more holy fool than 12-year-old. It’s stunt acting and frequently more creepy than moving, but it also gives “Paa’ its weird I’m-my-own-grandpa charge.
Film Journal International:
Abhishek plays father to Amitabh’s progeria-stricken 12-year-old, whose accelerated aging makes him look about 90. And while Bachchan’s portrayal of the pre-teen protagonist is a tour de force, it can’t buoy a tedious tale that might appeal to his longtime fans but will likely turn off stateside audiences….By this point, the movie, produced by the Bachchans’ company, AB Corp., seems to have gone from fictional family drama to Bollywood dynasty drama. Neither proves very satisfying.
There you have it, folks.
Paa is junk.
That’s the essence of the American critics’ reviews, which, of course, may contain a favorable point or two on the movie or stars.
Now, even after reading the above excerpts you still want to watch Paa all we can submit to you is a quote from the 16th century English writer Thomas Tusser:
A fool and his money are soon parted.
Related Stories:
Paa Fails in UK Too; Is Paa Really Doing Well in India?
Box Office Gods Pee on Paa – A Monumental Disaster
U.S. Critics Pee on Paa added by SearchIndia.com on
View all posts by SearchIndia.com →
What is your obsession with ‘Pee’ and ‘Peeing’? 😉
Coming to the article,I think I would watch the movie, precisely for the following reasons. ( I expect Paa to be simple movie, not like a cinematic brilliant, no point in general, extreme personal interpretation movie called Antichrist. (Also, only imbeciles would think that Paa is copied or inspired from awesome ‘Benjamin Button’ or idiotic ‘Jack’).)
Los Angeles Times:
“Bachchan’s Auro is fairly convincing; his costars are as effective as the genre permits. The film abounds with lush music, scenery and fancy editing flourishes in the elaborate Bollywood tradition.”
At least this guy seems to know that this movie is for ‘bollywood ‘ movie goers. ( I hate the word ‘Bollywood’- but such is Life).
Variety
“Though unrecognizable, Amitabh Bachchan is the star of — and the only reason to go see — “Paa,” an extended showcase for the Big B’s ability to push the envelope of his career even at the age of 67.”
That’s it. You see, the only (and only) idea of the film maker Balki (who previously directed Bachchan in the likable winter-summer romance “Cheeni kum” :)) is to present AB in a different way. That is one of the reasons I’ll go out to watch the movie to judge if that has been the case.
The New York Times
“Abhishek Bachchan keeps the movie anchored, bringing his own bright cool to this heroic hero.”
The gem of all lines. A strong kick on the face for those who hate Abhishek Bacchhan and those who decide whether to go to a movie or not based on New york Times review.(Incidentally, I hate Abhishek Bachchan and like New York Times.)
The Film Journal International critic wrote things like ‘exotic Slum dog’ – I thought the review is not for Indians, Non Resident Indians, or those who (consciously or unconsciously) appreciate Indian way of movie making. It is probably for those ‘Not Indians by Right’ people as India is an ‘exotic’ place.
Though Paa seems to have many flaws as mentioned in the reviews, I would choose to go to the movie based on my thinking.
Of course I would never decide as a normal human being to watch movies like ‘Pravarakyudu’ 😉 . Spending money on Paa is infinitely better than that junk called Pokiri (SearchIndia, link please to your Tamil movie review).
oops! I would call you (and the blog) as Search India from this point, as I’m accustomed to calling and hearing SI as Sub Inspector – who in general is an Idiotic, money sucking, amoral guy).
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Also, only imbeciles would think that Paa is copied or inspired from awesome ‘Benjamin Button’ or idiotic ‘Jack’
And only know-nothing imbeciles would write such a moronic sentence.
Amitabh Bachchan is a recidivist who has repeatedly profited from theft, profited from theft, profited from theft: Ek Ajnabee (Man on Fire), God Tussi Great Ho (Bruce Almighty), Hum Kisise Kum Nahi (Analyze This) et al.
Schmuck, Amitabh Bachchan has dipped his beak deep into the cesspool of thievery.
Don’t you dare tell us again that Amitabh Bachchan’s movies be it Bah or Nah or Paa are above being stolen from Hollywood.
Comprende?
Also, rumors of Amitabh Bachchan’s acting prowess are greatly exaggerated (Thank You, Mark Twain).
While you certainly have to give this old fart credit for his persistence (are Rajesh Khanna, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna et al even alive), his longevity also owes to being in the right place at the right time with the right connections.
2. You write: A strong kick on the face for those who hate Abhishek Bacchhan and those who decide whether to go to a movie or not based on New york Times review
Now, that’s what we call in these parts as a casus belli.
Here take this excerpt from Variety on that retard of an actor Abhishek Bachchan and his talented co-star Vidya Balan:
3. You write: What is your obsession with ‘Pee’ and ‘Peeing’?
They kinda go naturally with Indian movies.
Right, na? 😉
hi friends
this is sam from gulf. we saw paa and loved it. Also the music by maestro and photography by sri is superrrrr.
Just like cheeni kum. u will also like it. hope u c it. njoy!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: this is sam from gulf. we saw paa and loved it.
Now, that’s quite a gulf between us, eh! 😉
Just curious, do they drink gasoline in the Gulf or plain water like we do in the U.S. 😉
2. You write: Just like cheeni kum.
We’ve seen Cheeni Kum too.
But then Cheeni Kum had the tabulicious Tabu. Here, see our review: Cheeni Kum – Tabu Sparkles Again
R. Balki is the same guy who directed movie Cheeni Kum which is immensely liked by you ( http://indiablogs.searchindia.com/2007/05/25/cheeni-kum-tabu-sparkles-again ).
So I am not able to understand your aversion towards Paa?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: R. Balki is the same guy who directed movie Cheeni Kum which is immensely liked by you
We liked Cheeni Kum, primarily for the tabulicious Tabu.
BTW, we also had this to say about Amitabh Bachchan in our review of Cheeni Kum:
2. You write: So I am not able to understand your aversion towards Paa?
As Vijay says in Pokiri: Naa oru thadavai mudivi panninaa en pechcha naane ketka matten (If this isn’t the acme of nonsense, we’d like to know what is).
A fool is the one who believes in something which he didnt see.
Paa is better than Cheeni Kum and much better than Jack.
American critics even trash cults like Sholay and Lagaan.
They love junk of craps like 2012 and Ninja Assasin. (Hollywood version of Akshay Kumar’s crap – no story no screenplay no acting only impress people with style but not provide substance).
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: American critics even trash cults like Sholay and Lagaan.
The American critics buggered Paa.
And all you can offer is the above effete defense. Try harder next time.
2. You write: A fool is the one who believes in something which he didnt see.
Now, that’s what happens when gibbons are handed a copy of Fartlett’s. They pick a quote at random and flaunt it.
3. You write: Paa is better than Cheeni Kum and much better than Jack.
Why stop at a mere Cheeni Kum or Jack. Let’s see Paa is better than even the creator Brahma.
@SearchIndia (The Fine Blog) : “Don’t you dare tell us again that Amitabh Bachchan’s movies be it Bah or Nah or Paa are above being stolen from Hollywood”
— Cool down! Cool down! I thought I was referring to ‘Paa’ and not Amitabh Bachchan movies. You should probably have a look at the statement. Have you mistakenly considered ‘an imbecile’ as yourself ? I was referring to world’s greatest morons who without even seeing the movie ‘Paa’ started speculating that movie is a rip off from Benjamin Button or the garbage-ish Jack. okay. Let me forgive their wild wild imaginations.
@SearchIndia (The Fine Blog):”Schmuck, Amitabh Bachchan has dipped his beak deep into the cesspool of thievery.”
— okay.so, what? Is that the reason for me not going to watch Paa? If Amitabh has indeed copied (which means he has written the story and script ) then that is his problem. At least I’m not such an ideal guy who would stop buying American products just because they have killed lakshs of people in Hiroshima and Nagasakhi.
@ SearchIndia (The Fine Blog): “profited from theft, profited from theft, profited from theft”
— You might be referring to a different kind of ‘profit’ but all those listed movies are utter flops in India – which means they didn’t earn any ‘profit’ for Amitabh as an actor or as a movie as a whole. (Blame the young blood talent here)
@SearchIndia(The Fine Blog):”Also, rumours of Amitabh Bachchan’s acting prowess are greatly exaggerated”
— That’s true anyway.He is not a natural,subtle actor.
You would recognise his mannerisms, baritone voice instantly in his characters. That is why I want to see ‘paa’ if such an AB is indeed absent in the movie.
@SearchIndia (The Fine Blog):”Bachchan Jr. is simply OK – from Variety”
— All Abhishek Bachan haters (I and you are one of them) who believe in New York Times will get a strong kick on their face and those who believe in Variety will get a slight shock because of ‘It’s OK’ — how can a retard by default Abhishek Bachan has got an ‘OK’?.
I ask myself “Should I believe in New York Times, or should I watch Paa and make a judgement?” –This can be another reason.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: All Abhishek Bachan haters (I and you are one of them)
Don’t include us in your camp, schmuck. We’re not Abhishek Bachchan haters.
You see, we are not so cruel as to bear ill-will or hatred to those already burdened by some form of handicap, be it mental, physical or acting. 😉
We love that
bachchaBachchan.2. You write: You might be referring to a different kind of ‘profit’ but all those listed movies are utter flops in India – which means they didn’t earn any ‘profit’ for Amitabh as an actor or as a movie as a whole
Get real.
Amitabh Bachchan has handsomely profited from all the instances of theft we cited.
3. You write: I’m not such an ideal guy who would stop buying American products just because they have killed lakshs of people in Hiroshima and Nagasakhi.
Last we checked, we liberated Japan and saved the world from the depredations of the Japs. 😉
4. Has no one ever preached to you the virtues of brevity. 🙁
SI Wrote:
Last we checked, we liberated Japan and saved the world from the depredations of the Japs. 😉
Hmm, strange, the bomb was dropped in Hiroshima, but its afteraffects are shown here by the writer of this blog.
Any idiot proclaiming that he/she/it saved the world by dropping a NUCLEAR bomb on Japan clearly deserves to go to the Mental Asylum.
Why do you Americans always believe that you are the only ones who save this world?
Ah, these Americans, give them some freedom and they start abusing it!!!!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You obviously slept through your history lessons in school.
The depredations of the Japs are real.
Just because the Walkman wrapped around your ears playing D.K.Pattamal’s Theeradha Vilayattu Pillai comes from Japan doesn’t mean the Japs are angels.
They were a barbarous lot, as evident from their brutalities in China, North Korea and elsewhere.
Heard of the Rape of Nanking?
Go educate yourself from this Wiki piece and from the following one as well: The Rape of Nanking.
2. You write: Why do you Americans always believe that you are the only ones who save this world?
It’s always been the fate of saviors to be abused by the saved. Think Christ. Think SI. 😉
@Twig: It is not so good to reason out with SI, it nevers listens to it’s viewers.
As per SI rules: SI is always right, if not, the reader is wrong.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Well, if you insist…. 😉
SI Wrote:
You obviously slept through your history lessons in school.
The depredations of the Japs are real.
As if you were my history teacher 🙂
Kiddo, everybody knows Japan was brutal, but were you people angels????
First of all, you unhonest americans are not the natives of the land! The original natives of this land were killed by people sent after Columbus discovered and left. So, actually speaking, cruelty is in the blood of many americans.
Japanese weren’t saints, they tortured, killed, and conquered many small countries brutally, but dropping a NUKE was never the solution.
America had tons of artillery that they could have used, Bombs, Missiles, and Advanced Military Artillery. If you people had the sense to use those instead, you could have ended up killing only a few thousand people, but what did you do? You chose the easy way out.
You NUKED em and what was the result. Radioactive damage caused by the nuke affects innocent Japanese till date.
And for your info, the famous film monster GODZILLA is a perfect Epitome of what Japanese and others think of America. Like it or not, YOURS is a WAR LOVING COUNTRY and NEVER DESERVES TO PREACH PEACE.
Just because you own a million Atomic bombs doesnt mean you own history.
You people got attacked because you supplied weapons and ammunitions. Don’t believe me, google it and you’ll know.
And you people have been doing it till day. Don’t think you can hogwash us with your theories. A country which feeds terrorism with funds and weapons never deserves to teach morals to other countries.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Not just us, kiddo.
The chronicles of the world are littered with illustrations of the blood-curdling cruelty of man to his fellow beings, human and otherwise.
Germany, South America, Africa, Asia, China, erstwhile Soviet Union ad nauseum ad infinitum.
It’s in the human DNA to be violent and cruel.
2. On the issue of your ‘innocent Japanese till date,’ we’ll respond to that in detail at a later date. We have strong views on whether the people are responsible for the actions of their leaders. But suffice to say we don’t think they were innocent.
Hmm, don’t change the topic here. Let the world decide whether Japanese are innocent.
Hailing from a country, which has done thousands of nuclear tests, destroying billions of natural life and resources, I don’t think you are in a strong position to defend yourself. But since, we are not in a debate, let’s leave this issue.
I conclude this argument stating that while Japanese aren’t those sweet innocent people, the Americans (The Politicians and Military People) are no sons of angels either.
Infact, It was due to the stupidity of your past presidents that September 11th occurred. You tried to feed terrorism for your own selfish sake, and then the very snake that you fed bit your own hand. Now’ you’re crying hoarse. Anyways, you can’t do a thing about it. So no use blaming ya.
Even today, your SO_CALLED GREAT PRESIDENT hasn’t taken any solid steps to counter terrorism. HE never will.
Mark my words, your innocent civilians will one day pay a BIG PRICE for the criminal deeds of your government.
While I don’t hate Americans nor America, I feel that your politicians and some of your military officials are AGENTS OF DEATH and deserve to be nuked.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: the Americans (The Politicians and Military People) are no sons of angels either….It was due to the stupidity of your past presidents that September 11th occurred….your innocent civilians will one day pay a BIG PRICE….your SO_CALLED GREAT PRESIDENT hasn’t taken any solid steps to counter terrorism….While I don’t hate Americans nor America, I feel that your politicians and some of your military officials are AGENTS OF DEATH and deserve to be nuked.
What’s causing all the frothing at the mouth?
Most likely, you failed to grab a seat this evening in your regular 5:32 PM Egmore-Ayanavaram bus leaving you angry at the world.
2. We are for nuclear disarmament by all countries given the risk of accidental detonation, nuclear terrorism or the temptation to use them in a crisis.
But it ain’t gonna happen in our lifetime or yours too.
@SearchIndia : “Has no one ever preached to you the virtues of brevity”
–I’ve heard of it. It did not make sense to me at all. Brevity is absolutely good if it is Mathematics or Formal Logic, but not English because one has to be clearly specific what one wants to convey.
As for an example, I thought of not writing that Hiroshima example at all and thought of including few more lines to say my point. Now you see, it has gone from Hiroshima, to history lesson giving, to Rape of Nanking to bloody Columbus to human behaviour and then finally to cultural behaviour. (The post you are gonna write). All this because brevity most of the times, doesn’t give much information and the conclusion of the information is entirely dependent on the IQ and EQ levels of the reader.
Finally, Brevity doesn’t make sense at all except if the reader has no time to read the stuff.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Brevity is absolutely good….because one has to be clearly specific
Clearly specific?
Now, we know for sure you have yet to make brevity’s acquaintance.
2. Were you born during an eclipse? 😉 Our hypothesis is that such people tend to exhibit strange behavior.
I wonder why you have posted the reviews of US critics instead of Indian ones (which you mostly do).
The reason is that you did not find any Indian reviewer who has criticized Paa, including the stringent Indian reviewers.
So you perhaps decided to check out what the US critics say about Paa, and based on a selective collection of reviews (as shown by reader Twig’s first comment on this blog), you decided to call Paa as junk.
While movies are universal, in the sense that a good movie can be watched and appreciated by anyone (given the subtitles), there are some things that may not appeal to all.
For instance, this thing about Indian movies (most Hindi and other regional language movies) being 2.5 to 3 hours long (with an interval) is an alien concept to those in the US, whereas it is routine for Indians. Similarly, Indians are accustomed to songs and melodrama in movies, while people in US are not, including the US reviewers.
My point is that when we watch movies, we watch it through the window of our own sensibilities.
Some may call this as bias, but I would use the term
sensibility or taste.
For instance, many readers of SI blog shared this sensibility when you watched and reviewed Arya2.
This movie Arya2 was found to be junk by most readers of this blog.
On many other occasions, readers and SI disagree on whether a movie was good or not, because of this difference in sensibilities. ‘Disagree’ is a rather mild word; folks here can come to blows given an opportunity 😉 .
It is precisely this sensibility that makes a lot of people throng cinema halls to watch a Rajni or a Chiru movie, while some others cant understand, how on earth can such people sit through the movie, let alone watch and enjoy it.
Now, the problem arises when we state our opinions as facts. Such as “Paa is junk”, or “Paa is a fine movie”.
Maybe we should say, “U.S critics say that Paa is junk”, or ‘I feel Paa is a fine movie”, and leave it at that.
Now, we do this all the time and we know it too, but we somehow fail to refrain from stating that “this is my opinion”. But doing so all the time will be boring isnt it ?
Otherwise, how will a blog beginning with Paa end (hopefully) with a lesson in sensibility, en route some lessons in moral science and history 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: I wonder why you have posted the reviews of US critics instead of Indian ones
Reviews cut across geographies.
Why should SI readers be restricted to listen to the voices of only Indian writers?
You may have heard of this frail, little old man called Bapu who once said:
So in that Gandhian spirit, this time we’ve decided to publish excerpts from reviews of U.S. critics for a Bollywood movie. 😉
Tis nigh time for Indians to get a feel for how the world looks at India, Bollywood et al not just those furtive incestuous glances at themselves.
2. You write: The reason is that you did not find any Indian reviewer who has criticized Paa, including the stringent Indian reviewers.
Small minds think small.
3. You write: My point is that when we watch movies, we watch it through the window of our own sensibilities.
True, but there’s this higher universal sensibility called taste, a concept alien to most Indian filmmakers.
4. You write: Now, the problem arises when we state our opinions as facts. Such as “Paa is junk”, or “Paa is a fine movie”.
Deductive logic is what leads us to higher ground, from the opinions of a few to the generalization of the facts.
5. You write: Now, we do this all the time and we know it too, but we somehow fail to refrain from stating that “this is my opinion”.
The last time we checked a blog was usually a piece of opinionated writing, not your Sanjeevani, Kannada Prabha or Prajavani editorial.
I saw the movie paa… movie is really bad…. Auro character is poorly developed… movie is very long and boring…. Abhishek’s stunts as a MP at best is childish….
Ilayaraja’s remake of Agni nakshatram song is the only good thing about this film….
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Auro character is poorly developed… movie is very long and boring…. Abhishek’s stunts as a MP at best is childish…
Why are we not surprised? 🙂
Hmm I’m guessing Ashwin Kini needs to understand the circumstances under which the Bomb was dropped.
“It was agreed that psychological factors in the target selection were of great importance. Two aspects of this are (1) obtaining the greatest psychological effect against Japan and (2) making the initial use sufficiently spectacular for the importance of the weapon to be internationally recognized when publicity on it is released.”
Japan couldv’e entrenched and fought a guerilla war for a few years which couldve cost more in human life than the gruesome bomb.
But politically they were not willing to surrender and were ready to do Hara Kiri, similar to Taliban in Afghanistan.
But unlike India which sits quietly after the 101st terrorist attack of 26/11, America at least defends its people (I’m not an American, so Ashwin dont jump on the You Americans harangue).
SearchIndia.com Responds:
The Japs of that bygone era would out-Taliban the Taliban nuts of the present times.
BTW, have you reviewed Saving Private Ryan? I am not sure if you have. (I bet you would have seen it!) Do post a review of it here… A couple of other movies you could watch and review are “Behind Enemy Lines” and “Black Hawk Down”.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Parkalam (we’ll see).
Yet again, strong words in the blog there. You do have an aversion to both the AB’s., but try being a little suave by not resorting to what the US critics had to say about flaws in Paa – and rather telling us excerpts (bad or good) from what the Indian critics have said. 🙂
This movie got you blogging about responses from U.S. critics (seriously, I don’t see any Desi who would want to read what the LA Times had to say about Paa, rather than say, NDTV- unless he really wants a reason not to see the movie). I read that as a go-ahead sign.. guess it’s a decent movie after all 🙂 .
BTW, I think in pursuit of catering to a wider audience, you did a slight error in judgment by watching Pravarakyudu and Up in the Air.
The latter was justified, but broadly looking at the reviews of “Paa”, I don’t see a reason why you would boycott it and watch trash like Pravarakyudu instead. (However much you reason out telling you had to choose bet’n Paa and Up in the Air for the same show, crap such as Pravarakyudu had no reason to be watched, even if the theatre was close by).
I watch Telugu movies, but I wouldn’t go to the extent so as to try watch a Jagapati Babu movie in a U.S. theatre. Never ever. (I guess you’ve learnt that the hard way.)
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: You do have an aversion to both the AB’s
Of course not.
Whatever gave you that ludicrous idea.
We consider the ABs to be icons of global cinema and thank them for their yeoman service, particularly for furthering the cause of Indian art.
It’s most gratifying that the younger Brandos in the family (Abhi and Ash) are now carrying the torch forward.
What we now most eagerly look forward to is whether the third generation will first be represented by a boy or girl.
BTW, if anyone has heard of Ash fainting on the sets please do let us know for that would be the harbinger of good tidings and herald a new generation of Bachchans on the way.
2. You write: seriously, I don’t see any Desi who would want to read what the LA Times had to say about Paa,
Seriously, you’d be surprised at how many people have read this piece.
Took us by surprise too. 😉
If we’ve learned anything from this post, it’s that most human assumptions are false.
3. You write: I watch Telugu movies, but I wouldn’t go to the extent so as to try watch a Jagapati Babu movie in a U.S. theatre.
Jagapati Babu ought not to be watched in any theater, be it Indian, U.S. or a village tent.
We’d go so far as to say Jagapati Babu ought not to be watched anywhere. Period. 😉
4. You write: crap such as Pravarakyudu had no reason to be watched,
The sacrifices we make to encourage Regional Cinema and all we receive are brickbats.
@ ajm2009
Go and watch 95 % of craps produced in Bollywood like Akshay Kumar films,Karan Johar films,recent yashraj films. Paa is thousand times better than these films.
Amitabh has acted great in the movie.No Indian actor will be able to do such role again.
I simply think that you are anti-bachchans. Yes I agree that they made some really very bad movies in recent years like Sarkar Raj,Drona,Dostana etc.
But for your anti-bachchan stance please dont ignore the efforts of others. In a industry where 98% of films are copied from other movies and 1% are taken from real-life incidents and then make it look stupid Paa comes as breeze of air because of its sheer simplicity and originality (a term which is very rare among today’s films).
I would like to commend R Balki who has once again given decent film after his debut Cheeni Kum, a rising actress Vidya Balan (She has been made look like buffoon in Kismat Konnection and Heyy babyy but she is talented), great technical support (superb music by maestro Illayraja,superb cinematography).
This film may not be classic but definately not a bad film.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Since this bullet seems to be aimed at ajm2009, we’ll get out of the way.
See I am no Bachchan fan.
I agree with most of your reviews of Bachchan craps. In fact I hated him because I thought he was ended in late 1970s (Superstardom had gone in his head) and was making utter craps then after.
But simply I want to say that Paa is good film. (It has flaws like media-bashing which might have hurted many critics and little bit melodrama in end (I think it was done to please small town audience) but still it is good movie.
Many here might cribble that it is too simple but its simplicity makes it look good.
If you want to encourage regional cinema then watch Bengali films (Satyajit Ray the legend was part of this industry) and Malayalam films. Tamil films (they produce once in a time good film) and Telegu films (I dont remember when they last made a good movie) doesn’t deserved to be seen.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: See I am no Bachchan fan.
And we are Tiger Woods. 😉
2. You write: If you want to encourage regional cinema then watch Bengali films (Satyajit Ray the legend was part of this industry)
We’ve seen Ray’s Charulata but never got around to reviewing it.
hi friends
we drink mineral water here in gulf.
so, how is life in the us? what is barack obama saying?!! U guys are damn lucky to have him,in this time of crisis. in india, the ppl suffer with leaders like parrot m. singh and pee mukhergee, pee chidambaram.
Coming back to movies, please review paa, also mouna ragam sindhu bairavi and agni natchathiram.
bye.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: what is barack obama saying?!! U guys are damn lucky to have him,in this time of crisis.
Not sure of that.
So far there has not been much in terms of concrete results. Let’s give him some more time.
Also, doubt the troop escalation in Afghanistan will help much.
2. You write: Coming back to movies, please review paa, also mouna ragam sindhu bairavi and agni natchathiram.
Mouna Ragam, Sindhu Bairavi and Agni Natchathiram for sure.
@SearchIndia:”Deductive logic is what leads us to higher ground, from the opinions of a few to the generalization of the facts”.
–I’m Sorry but I’m unable to stop myself replying to this statement. Did you mean a new logic called ‘SI Logic’ (not Sub Inspector, SearchIndia) instead of ‘Deductive Logic’?. The other day, you have used ‘Inductive Logic’ as a reply to one of my comments. Probably you should understand that whenever you name your reasoning as ‘Inductive Logic’ or ‘Deductive Logic’ you are missing the most important thing in your reasoning which is ‘Logical Consequence’. The reasoning for this article doesn’t come close to ‘Deductive Logic’ in any way. It may be best called as ‘a try on Inductive logic without any logical consequence.’ 😉
I’m waiting for SearchIndia to ultra strongly support his statement ‘Deductive logic …’ using his new weapon ‘SI Logic’. 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Our point is simple: A bevy of critics (U.S.) have spoken and they are none too pleased with Paa, leading us to the logical conclusion that the movie is junk.
BTW, reports from India also speak of poor box office opening for Paa. Are we surprised? Of course, not.
@amitshetty: Telegu films (I dont remember when they last made a good movie) doesn’t deserved to be seen.
The last I have seen some good Telugu films were during late 70s to mid 80s mostly K Viswanath’s films and deserve to be seen. In fact, they were seen by many not only in Andhra but even in Bangalore.
Those were the days when movies were the only source of cheap entertainment, all southern regional language movies ran well in Bangalore and were watched by most of the populace. Sholay and Bangaratha Manushya ran for two full years, many telugu movies ran for over 100 days, Rajini & Kamal movies ran for over 100 days, even Mallu movies Avaludey Ravugal must have run for over 100 days.
As SI would like to summarize, It all must be result of Kaveri water the people drink in Bangalore 🙂
SI, as a penitence of having reviewed Pravarakyudu, I suggest you watch and review Swathy Muthyam or Shankarabaranam that should absolve you of having watched an abomination.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Just read up on Swathi Muthyam at Wiki. Looks promising. Will watch and review soon if Netflix has it.
2. Bangaratha Manushya had lovely songs: Nagunagutha, Aahaa Mysooru Mallige, Aagadu Endu et al that have commendably stood the test of time.
iamsumu wrote: But unlike India which sits quietly after the 101st terrorist attack of 26/11, America at least defends its people (I’m not an American, so Ashwin dont jump on the You Americans harangue).
Funny, everyone here thinks that I share a hatred for Americans 😉
I was just putting my point of perspective, truth is harsh folks. Japanese were cruel, Americans (read American Politicians and some Military personnel) are no better, they are clever foxes who jump at every opportunity to gain. (Refer to the War on IRAQ)
Let’s face it, Indians are no angels either, especially the one writing this 😀 So chill out.
Shall we discontinue this topic, I think it has nothing to do with PAA and there is no use of us arguing over this.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Let’s face it, Indians are no angels either, especially the one writing this
If you mean the writer of the comment, we heartily endorse the sentiment. 😉
So according to you which is worst hindi film of 2009 ?
If you ask anyone then they will say any of Akshay Kumar movie.But according to me it is kurbaan.
It has everything (A improved actor Saif Ali Khan,a good production house,a director who is student of talented Mani Ratnam) but the film disappointed to the core.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: So according to you which is worst hindi film of 2009 ?
Now, that’s a question on par with the dozen hard tasks assigned to Hercules.
With the exception of a few films like Dev D or Kaminey, most of the Bollywood movies we’ve seen this year were garbage.
Before folks jump on us, yes, we remember the promise on the Dev D review. Will honor our word soon.
“Far and away, the best prize life has to offer is the chance to work hard at work worth doing.”.
-Theodore Roosevelt
US owes its greatness/ whatever is left of it to the vision of its founders and some of its leaders like Abraham Lincoln. I don’t think any other country has had the fortune to be led by so many great men.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We would rate FDR and Lincoln higher than Theodore Roosevelt.
Obama is just not showing the same spine as FDR or Lincoln in the face of adversity.
SI Wrote:
You write: Let’s face it, Indians are no angels either, especially the one writing this
If you mean the writer of the comment, we heartily endorse the sentiment.
Are you dumb? When I said the one writing this, I referred to myself, not the one who wrote the post. 😀
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Are you dumb?
Yes, as in dumbfounded considering the direction the U.S. Critics Pee on Paa post has taken. A runaway ghost train. 🙁
SI Wrote: We would rate FDR and Lincoln higher than Theodore Roosevelt.
I would say that it was Lincoln who gave America an IDENTITY. To me, Lincoln was the best and others were a rank below. Obama has done nothing to be even considered in the fabulous league.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Obama has done nothing to be even considered in the fabulous league.
Obama is our first Black & White President.
Black on the outside, White on the inside (because of his socialization, White mother, raising by grandparents, education et al)
US critics pee has already attracted a 24th comment.. but looks like most of the comments don’t have anything to do with Paa 🙂
the discussion is about who are the most Dev Dya pasanga – Japs/Americans..
Asswin’s angry twin has returned.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Asswin’s angry twin has returned.
Is that what they call a Freudian slip or the deliberate keyboard equivalent of a Lapsus Calami 😉
Jijaji – you rightly said it, most discussions were not about Paa (including my previous one). At last count it had reached 26 (when I posted this), Aswin was in the lead with 7 comments, followed by Amit & Twig 4 each, Sam & Elnino 2 each and 7 others one each.
Some more of our ji’s like Ghandhiji & Guruji, may join in, you can even expect Ashaji coming in and saying something like “I had Curd Rice & Mango Pickles, Yummy!†🙂 which may not have anything to do with US Critics Pee on Paa.
Idhu Ellam Ingha Sagajamappa ! (It does happen here) 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Some more of our ji’s like Ghandhiji & Guruji, may join in, you can even expect Ashaji coming in and saying something like “I had Curd Rice & Mango Pickles, Yummy!†🙂 which may not have anything to do with US Critics Pee on Paa. Idhu Ellam Ingha Sagajamappa
Hilarious. 😉
Twig-
Spending money on Paa is infinitely better than that junk called Pokiri (SearchIndia, link please to your Tamil movie review).
@Twig-
lol … twig says pokiri wus junk ? … den wad s a good flick for twig?… “ANDHERI RAAT MEY , DIYA TERI HAATH MEY!”… ha ha ha!
a commercial flick is supposed to entertain ppl nd pokiri did xactly dat ( i hope uve seen the telugu version too , den ull understand ) …ive seen both versions …nd pls mini B is jus a lazy bum…. even a red-butt baboon can act better than him … for example- u saw him in dhoom, wer he had a single expression the entire movie …. forgot tat?? … yo might even say dat guru wus good … but guess wad? guru s climax wus a total rip-off of the aviator , martin scorcesse’s …. nd mini B jus did a Leonardo-di-caprio… or shod i say “TRIED TO”…
btw,
@SI-
I’ve switched to lower case :p ! bunch o movie reccomendations for yo – Million Dollar Baby, For a few dollars more( both r clint eastwood’s classics), The Aviator (Leo nd Scorcesse), Snatch (Gerard Butler), Casino Royale (2006) …the movie in which Daniel Craig proved himself wen evry1 said b4 the release dat he wusnt worthy to be given the bond mantle
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Sometime soon, we hope to watch/review a whole bunch of Clint ‘Dirty Harry’ Eastwood movies. Have you seen his Gran Torino?
Yes, we’ve seen Snatch and Casino Royale. Seen all the James Bonds (Sean Connery, Roger Moore, Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig) except George Lazenby.
@SI-
yup ive seen gran torino …. dloaded it last year nd den saw it …. but den wanted to watch it in theatres once here in chennai , but the sad part is dat the movie released only on march 13th tis year here in india , had my exams dat time nd wads even worse is dat it they ran it only for 3 days here in chennai… so misd the chance to watch it on the big screen ….
for once keep your bias aside and see the movie to see how fantastic amitabh was in the movie.
if you dont want to see it than dont but just dont degrade it unnecessarily without seeing it.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: for once keep your bias aside
We’ve no biases.
Just in case you missed it, here’s what we wrote in response to a comment last night:
2. You write: if you dont want to see it than dont but just dont degrade it
We’re just highlighting the views of the U.S. critics from leading newspapers like L.A. Times, NY Times et al. Surely, that’s not degrading.
@amitshetty
You write: Go and watch 95 % of craps produced in Bollywood.
Are you sure it is 95% 🙂
You write: Amitabh has acted great in the movie.No Indian actor will be able to do such role again.
After writing such a comment, how can you say ‘I am no amitabh fan’.
The point is, he is not at all fit for a 12 year old kid role. Kids affected with progeria have stunted growth. Here the kid is taller than everyone else in the film. What a joke !!! Auro role supposed to make people sympathise with him… But it failed miserably… An actual kid would have done that role much better. People would have loved that.
Why Paa is a bad film
1. Amitabh Bachchan cast as Auro
2. Abhishek Bachchan cast as young MP and taking on media in a stupid way
3. Talented Vidya Balan wasted.
4. Movie was way too long for the story.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
It’ll be interesting to ‘see’ how the movie fares at the box office.
ok but why just show negatives of the movie and that too from U.S. reviews which have not been done before and also show at least some of the many positive reviews?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: ok but why just show negatives of the movie and that too from U.S. reviews
What’s wrong with U.S. reviews. The L.A. Times is as respectable as your NDTV or Hindustan Times.
2. You write: show at least some of the many positive reviews?
Alas, we couldn’t find any among the U.S. reviews.
i ain’t saying they are any less but just saying that previously u have always posted indian reviews but why not this this time?just cause all of them are positive?
now if this isn’t biasedness than what is it?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: now if this isn’t biasedness than what is it?
It’s called A different perspective.
Uh oh, What_if is in trouble!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Only if AshaJi sees his comment. 😉
@prat_the_brat: ok.
on an another note, you have that much time to respond to each and every comment on every post?
For this reason alone, this blog should be recommended. 😉
SearchIndia.com Responds:
[silence]
There was an interview of both the Bachchans on NDTV yesterday, where Amitabh went into the character of Auro for a few moments. The interviewer, Nidhi Razdan was clearly not amused, and dint put up with it for long, wrapping the interview up within a few seconds of him starting the act. All he did was put on the rotten teeth and change his voice to that of a coy child.
If this is what Amitabh has to offer in the movie, then I would rather not watch it. And I dont know why this movie and Amitabh’s make-up reminds me of Benjamin Button, and I dont want to watch the cheaper imitation, if I may say so.
I was really interested in reading your review 🙁
Anyways, the duo claimed Paa was a huge hit in India, grossing more than 10 crores in the first two days. Amitabh said unlike other producers, who spend more than 40-50 crores on a single movie, they made the movie on a budget of just 14.75 crores. What Bachchan Sr. has conveniently left out is that other producers have to pay out really big bucks in fees to these guys.
(Off the record – [Deleted])
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Anyways, the duo claimed Paa was a huge hit in India,
Sure, and the Earth is flat and the Sun and stars revolve around it.
We won’t believe any of this braggadocio until Amitabh Bachchan provides us irrefutable proof with audited statements.
2. You Write: [Your Off the record stuff]
It’s getting cold here too. We had our first snow of the season on Saturday.
Ashaji’s just seen the comment. Not sure how to react, whether to laugh or be offended, so will maintain my usual stony silence 😐
SearchIndia.com Responds:
What-if said it in a lighter vein. 😉
No offence intended, Ashaji.
While I was reading the Ccomments RSS (on Nov 22 or 23 or so ) it said
Comment on Kurban Review – You are the sacrificial lamb, sucker by Asha Tampa (in Bold Blue letters)
Oh! I just had a heavy dinner – yummy spicy curry with rice, onions, and a slice of lemon. Yummm! was your comment.
What can you make out of this comment ? I was wondering what does Kurban review have to do with yummy spicy curry with rice, initially I thought it was wrongly submitted under Kurban, instead of a Food related post.
Later came to know it was in response to SI’s “Hungering/craving for some real nice Masala Dosas Alas, no such luck.â€
Anyways, it was said in a lighter vein. Cheers !
In Tamil they say : Switcha potta light yerium, ana lighta potta switch yeriyuma ?
which means
When you “ON†the Switch the bulb will glow, but when you “ON†the bulb will the Switch glow?
Yuck ! Doesn’t translate well in English, for “potta†is the key-linking word in Tamil adding the humor – alas, cant find a suitable one in English.
Similarly, Kozhikki mutta poda therium ana Omlette poda mudiyaadhu, Manushanukka Omlette poda therium ana mutta poda mudiyaadhu.
SI please translate.
[The hen can lay eggs but can’t make omelets, Man can make omelets but can’t lay eggs]
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: In Tamil they say : Switcha potta light yerium, ana lighta potta switch yeriyuma ?
All we’ll say is that lighta potta switch yeriyadhu (a vulgar play on words that we’d rather not translate). 😉
Really sorry to inform you guys that tragically “Paa” business has picked up so well that Reliance guys who are distributing are expecting 20 crore weekend gross. How sad? the filthy morons at Ibosnetwork.com (liars liars) writes ” Box Office: PAA emerging a box office hit over India
Saturday, December 05, 2009
ABCL, the production arm company bearing the name of Amitbh Bachchan in its new form is slowly getting up with a first strike on the box office, with the entry of Abhishek Bachchan as its executing producer and the team of R. Balki (Cheeni Kum) in its first major production venture, Paa. So at this rate, it appears the 15 crore budget PAA, could end up grossing Rs. 20 crores by Sunday itself. The film is a certain hit, the only question is how big will the eventual returns be, as unlike the recent trend of 72 hour Fri-Sun box office cycle, Paa should have legs over the coming weekdays as well.”
What a pity guys? i appreciate all the hardwork you guys did to crap over Paa from top..what to do.. silly,ignorant Indian public have already paid 4+ million dollars when we thought the Bachans were about get ruined. Lets not lose hope..more AB corp movies will come, we will join hands and tear them apart..better luck next time
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Ha ha ha.
And Islam is a peaceful religion.
Evolution is fiction.
Narendar Modi was not playing the fiddle while Muslims were being butchered in Gujarat.
Sun revolves round the Earth.
Tiger Woods is faithful to his wife.
And Lashkar-e-Taiba is the Army of the Good.
The Earth is flat.
Ha ha ha.
2. Chew on this from BoxOfficeIndia:
“ha ha ha ha*usd 4 million”..good find, just dates 4-12-2009.
Iam chewing..mmm yummy..
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Paa had a decent collection on Monday of around 1.75 crore nett. If we look at it from a Friday drop point of view it is very good with just a 10-15% drop. But the problem is the Friday collections were very low which makes its Monday business of 1.75 crore nett just about par for the film. The four day total is around 12.75 crore nett.
The first week is now heading for around 17 crore nett business. The film will emerge a hit if it has a good second week.
Chomp chomp…
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Paa and Wake Up Sid have done similar weekend business. They also have a similar release with Paa having a 500 cinema approx release with 8-10 shows per major multiplex and Wake Up Sid being on 425 cinemas approx with 8-10 shows per major multiplex. The first three days breakdown is as follows.
Friday
Paa – 2 crore
Wake Up Sid – 3.75 crore
Saturday
Paa – 3.50 crore
Wake Up Sid – 3.00 crore
Sunday
Paa – 5.50 crore
Wake Up Sid – 3.75 crore
WEEKEND TOTAL
Paa – 11 crore
Wake Up Sid – 10.50 crore
By the way have u seen muslims beheading some peaceful muslims on a flat piece of earth while sun was revolving
around (i cant match u guys..is this silly enuff??) heres the link [Link Deleted].
Please review the video and provide valuable literary inputs.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Since when did wishful thinking or weaving fantasies become a crime. Go right ahead.
Hey, we do it all the time vis-a-vis ….. 😉
Just in case in your oneupmanship zeal you forgot to notice, we are primarily addressing the dismal box office fate of Paa in the U.S. market.
2. Ha ha ha.
‘if it can do well over weekdays and have a good second weekend’.
And what is it they say about not counting your chickens before they are ….
3. You write: Please review the video and provide valuable literary inputs.
We deleted your video link because when we clicked on it Norton (security software) put up an alert saying the site is unsafe. There were too many (16) suspicious drive-by downloads on that site.
Not sure whether you did it deliberately or accidentally. But we give you the benefit of doubt this time.
Next time we get a link from you containing spyware, malware, suspicious drive-by downloads et al, you are out.
“Just in case in your oneupmanship zeal you forgot to notice, we are primarily addressing the dismal box office fate of Paa in the U.S. market.”
Oh o..i really forgot that AB Corp had produced the movie to make money and critical acclaim from the U S Market..as an employee of Reliance Big entertainment is should have known that..terribly sorry guys AARGH we are sinking help us,will Obama provide us with some sort of relief. By the way we are releasing a US only version soon..yup..u guys can have a ball crapping on it..we are releasing it in more than 200 screens.
‘if it can do well over weekdays and have a good second weekend’.
U know what theres this silly indian system called Advance Booking..indian idiots..most screens single as well as multiplexes(circuits include C.I,CP Berar,west bengal,east punjab and bihar) have garnered 70% advance booking. I think somebody is inflating the figures,after the Satyam scam even movie guys have started fraud i think.U know what. Komal Nahata (the shameless liar) has written that second week gross is definitely 18 crore plus.
I tell u they have turned counting chickens into an art form..what a pity…lets hope and pray and that some wild flood or earth quake stop the silly cheap movie lovers entering the cinemas..Bachans and Mukesh Ambani will learn their lesson..making such horrendous movies and corrupting the indian angels who host this heavenly website..chee..Iam with u guys
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Paa Fails in UK Too; Is Paa Really Doing Well in India?
Happy? 😉
2. You write: By the way we are releasing a US only version soon….we are releasing it in more than 200 screens
Ha ha ha.
And we built the Taj Mahal.
What’s another couple of zeros to the Bachchans or Reliance Big Entertainment. Why not make it 20,000 screens.
3. You write: i really forgot that AB Corp had produced the movie to make money and critical acclaim from the U S Market..as an employee of Reliance Big entertainment is should have known that
Really, that’s why you guys went ahead with such a wide release in the U.S. (67 theaters).
BTW, is it true when it failed to make the leap to the grapes the fox said: who needs these sour American grapes. 😉
@ What_if and SI – I know it was meant in jest 🙂
This is your American critics.
Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (reviews)
Los Angeles Times
amusing comedy/romance/musical. the magnetic Khan is a skilled enough comic actor with his physical transformation — like a Peter Sellers-ish recessive turning into a Jerry Lewis extrovert — that believing Taani wouldn’t notice isn’t difficult.
New York Times
soft, sweet and slow,’ in the words of one of its songs. It deftly blends comedy, the ruling tone of the new Bollywood, with melodrama, the ruling tone of the old.
Film Journal International
It is smarter and more self-aware of its rom-com contrivances than most Hollywood movies.movie’s cleverness eventually devolves into a simplistic Harlequin-Romance-for-males wish-fulfillment about beauty and the geek, it’s a very well-acted variation on a Hollywood staple.
Chandni Chowk To China (review)
Variety
If “Chandni Chowk to China” were a person, it would need Valium”.everything is fast and furious, hilarious, hysterical and frantic. Some of the sequences … are quite beautiful and, in the case of the dance numbers featuring Padukone, stunning. But it’s the fight scenes … that truly take off”
This proves that Americans have no idea about Indian films at all.Showering praises on Akshay Kumar’s junk Chandni Chowk to China and Shahrukh Khan’s crap Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi proves my point.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You might want to consider why, why, why the American critics considered watching Paa.
Bottom line, Paa is a disaster in the U.S. and a disaster in UK as well.
@ajm2009: Auro role supposed to make people sympathise with him… But it failed miserably…
My Dear boy
That’s where you and american critics may be got wrong.
First of all the film was not about sympathizing with disease-struck character but was about how character inspite of being disease-struck is living a happy life and making other people around them happy.
Paa is completely different from Black (Black was tragic film but Paa is cheerful film).
ajm,go and love craps of Bollywood like Singh is Kinng or Om Shanti Om who are blockbusters in USA and UK but everyone knows what is quality of those films ?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Excerpt from a Reuters interview with Chota Bachchan:
Q: This is also a movie that has quite a radical subject, doesn’t it?
A: “Well, for starters, the film isn’t about progeria. That is just a background. Progeria was a second thought and I don’t mean that with any disrespect. Balki came up with the idea that he wanted me to play my father’s father and we set about looking for a plausible reason to do that. How do you have me and my father in the same frame and make it look believable? That’s when Balki came upon progeria which is a very unfortunate disease where the human body ages much faster than it is supposed to.
“People with progeria have a very distinct look, so the make-up was right there. We did take a few creative liberties. But the film is not about progeria and nor does it show the tragic life of a progeria victim. It’s a happy film and you will definitely leave the theatre with a smile on your face. It’s a film about a father and a son.”
hi hearties..for ur orgasmic pleasure (just like serial killers do after a good blood bath). I beleiev u do get a hard on when hindi movies fail in U S..dont u..cho chweet..
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Paa was poor in International markets with around 2.50 crore from all markets..
and ours
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Paa grossed just under 1.50 crore nett on Tuesday to take its total to 14.25 crore approx. The week should add another 2.25 crore nett for a 16.50 crore nett first week total.
Produced for 17.5crores including print and publicity(indian and international) and an all india gross of around 20 crores in 8 days..man i tell u sour grapes are better left for dead when u can have the caviar.The sick indian public are spoiling the Bachans.
Well Paa is a big disaster in Papua New Guinea and couldnt even manage to find distributor for Khambhaktoo
and the U S only Paa is slated for Jan 3rd..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Humor and sarcasm are hard.
And you are hopelessly bad at both. Try harder.
2. How does it feel when movies featuring kids like Genelia, Shahid Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor et al do so much better at the box office than the much-hyped Paa starring the ol’ man Amitabh Bachchan?
If we were Amitabh Bachchan, we’d retire to Kashi or call the above kids for some tips.
Paa is a Disaster in the US, Disaster in the UK ……
Boy, you must be feeling really down. Right, na. 😉
[Deleted because the commenter placed a link to a ‘virus riddled web site’]
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We warned you once not to post any more links to virus or malware infested web sites.
But you are obviously impervious to good counsel.
So you have been exterminated. Happy?
Go play with your dolls now. Your mental age is more suited for such activities.
HI SI,
Watched the film PAA in Doordarshan yesterday. Did not completely satisfy my expectations.On the whole,it looked a pretty average movie.But it is not as bad as you make it out to be.What I can say is that it is fairly inconsistent,it has good scenes and also some amateurish scenes interconnected with each other.The direction of Balki is amateurish and the film’s climax is bit too long stretched.The film itself has some illogical moments like it concentrated too much on Abhishek’s political career.Amitabh’s acting is pretty decent as Auro,but that is where the director made a mistake.He did not focus on the character’s pains and desires,making the character look like a sort of a clown or a caricature.
But on the positive side,I can say some things.He has handled the complex relationship angle between Abhishek and Vidya with some amount of deftness and subtlety (means he has presented it in a very rational,mature way rather than showing them to be too emotional and crying over the past.Thank God,Hindi cinema has passed that phase!!).The second is that again he has shown the relationship between the son and father at a certain level of maturity.The chemistry between Abhishek and Vidya is decent.Vidya’s acting is good.
I watched Balki’s previous film Cheeni Kum. It was also very boring and tad too long.It also had some vulgar comments!!I did not like it!!Had high expectations of PAA,but unfortunately disappointed me a lot!!
Cheers,
Arun
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Will review Paa one of these days.
2. You write: I watched Balki’s previous film Cheeni Kum.
We liked Cheeni Kum for the offbeat story, Tabu, title-song, Paresh Rawal, good humor et al. But we don’t think the movie was a big box-office success.
Listening to the Cheeni Kum song (Shreya Ghoshal) from our iTunes collection as we type this response.
Here’s the SI review of Cheeni Kum: Cheeni Kum – Tabu Sparkles Again