Spiga

Delhi-6: More Clichés


If there's one significant line that is worth keeping in mind at the end of a draining re-run of tormenting and heavily clichéd themes-filthy rich guy, simple town girl, impossible love, fill-in characters, overdose of drama, Hindu-Muslim clashes in a small neighbourhood- it is "How can a monkey be a Hindu or a Muslim?". And the irony is that just right there even a neutral's view of the Hindu-Muslim conundrum is converted into a drab chestnut. And one wonders whether it is eventual boredom that will lead to the end of the problem as even mutual hatred joins the list of clichés. At least in movies.

A rich young man plans to ensure a smooth return for his grandmother to her family home in the crowded streets of vintage Delhi. He becomes a part of the neighbourhood to such an extent that he is no longer just the admired-from-a-distance, sweet NRI with a crooked Western accent. He falls in love (you don't know when it happens, how it happens and why it happens), meddles in the personal lives of a few orthodox well-wishers and ends up being beaten to death, like a man who dares to mess with the rigidity of conservatism would. But he does come back alive, of course.

Rakeysh Mehra's previous efforts have been way better than what he has brought out for the cinegoer this time around. Mehra's intrinsic focus on how he will patch raw beads into a beautiful necklace lose pace as early as the beginning of the movie. A typically chaotic introduction to innumerable characters, who then keep popping in and out of the screen at unexpected times and an effort to stitch together the culture beauty of Purani Dilli for the audiences leads to a jamboree of confusion that one just cant comprehend. Rakeysh Mehra probably observed the average Delhi life, made a checklist and somehow infused every point from that list into a package. Plot - doesn't matter. Sense - who cares. Audience - bewildered.

In the middle of it all, you are taught how to slap with resounding acoustics, how to change channels from the TV remote without using your hands, how to jump from one building to another in a congested neighbourhood like a fleet-footed chipmunk chasing a banana-filled truck, how to see through a monkey's eyes and how to be insane about Indian Idol. The starcast gives a thoroughly average performance. Nobody in particular stands out. Except Sonam Kapoor's natural Chandni Chowk ki chhorri looks.

The music is impressive, but that is the least one can expect from a man who has just bagged two Oscars for some rather ordinary work in Slumdog Millionaire. A R Rahman's work in D-6 however is truly worth savouring, as are Prasoon Joshi's lyrics. But the movie is very disappointing. In an effort to build a cultural beauty and to demonstrate how long-drawn communal conflicts can be erased by projecting a common enemy, Mr. Mehra misses the point, the plot and gives us a rather average Bollywood flick. The dots just dont connect.

Verdict: Avoidable

[Image courtesy: Showhype]

Sidenote: Congratulations to A R Rahman and Resul Pookutty for their phenomenal wins at the 81st Academy Awards.







If you liked this post, you might want to subscribe to the RSS FEEDS

12 comments:

  Sagarone

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 5:37:00 AM PST

Perhaps Rakesh grew up in the bylanes of old Delhi and wanted to record the magic he had experienced earlier, onto celluloid for posterity. He excels at that , the rest is just thrown in to bind the whole mass together. He succeeds at recreating the magic at times, but I would have to agree with you that the movie is avoidable if you are not one for nostalgia!

  Smita

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 6:03:00 AM PST

D-6 For me is like a moder art with too many colors thrown in and no clear picture coming out of it. The result is something hazy nothing clear and it is upto the viewer to interpret how he/ she wants to...

I was disappointed!!!

  aShyCarnalKid

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 6:04:00 AM PST

Glad that I didn't see it . And saw Dev D twice . :)

  Vee

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 8:35:00 AM PST

Absolute Crap.... I thought I was done with Dev.D after three watches but had to find solace in it after Monkey-Business of D-6.

  Anonymous

Monday, February 23, 2009 at 2:08:00 PM PST

Bad? Mixed and extreme reviews this one is getting.

I have to watch it too to form my opinion.

  Pranoy

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 3:24:00 AM PST

This comment has been removed by the author.
  Pranoy

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 3:25:00 AM PST

Agree with you 100%. Trying to send a social message through a movie with a ridiculous plot can never work. Mr.Mehra.. you can make an RDB only once in a lifetime.

Kudos to Mr.Rahman though. The music is the truly great aspect of this rather forgettable movie.

  Jay

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 3:48:00 AM PST


@Sagarone
Exactly what I feel. There is no point in stitching together independent sequences if the story doesn't form up too well.

I am actually a person for nostalgia. I still couldn't find it enticing.

@Smita
Yes. You've put it well. So many colours that you'd rather be blind.

@Kislay
Hmm.

@Vee
I somewhat agree.

@Solilo
Do form your own opinion and share it here.

@Pro
Yes.

  Toon Indian

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 4:15:00 AM PST

nice review ..very apt!!!

  Anonymous

Tuesday, February 24, 2009 at 8:55:00 AM PST

Have not read your post. Still have to watch the movie. So, don't want the surprise to end...
Will read it as soon as I watch the movie:)
Your photos are not coming-looks like you exceeded your bandwidth in the new template. It may take even a month for the photos to appear.

  Anonymous

Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 10:38:00 PM PST

Phew, certainly mixed reviews... I liked it though. Found myself lost in Delhi through amazing cinematography and music. Didn't mind the preachiness one bit.

  Mama - Mia

Friday, February 27, 2009 at 2:20:00 AM PST

me like! lots! :)

the movie, lest you think am talking about the review! :p

like that too, but dont agree! :D

cheers!

abha