Rang De Basanti

Khoon jo ab na khaula wo khoon nahi paani hai.
Jo Desh ke kaam na aaye bekar woh jawani hai.

I don't know if you have seen the movie or not. If you have, please leave a comment here. If you have not - go see it. I am not saying that you will like the movie. You may even seem it is all hogwash. But, I guarantee it will start you thinking. This is not a review of the movie - check the reviews list below for that. This is my feelings as they come unbottled after seeing the movie.

I saw the movie yesterday night ... and ever since I keep thinking about it. I haven't been able to do any work till now - as this movie has gone to my brain. Listening to the CD in a loop since morning. I wish they had included the instrumental from the starting of the movie in the CD also.

Here are a few voices from around the net (sorry for not taking your permission guys, but I guess you won't mind):

How many of you guys have seen Rang de basanti yet? Would surely like to discuss what you felt when you saw the flick. Its very rare that i would post a discussion about a movie on a motorcycle website, but this movie is something else. In my opinion its probably one of the best movies ive seen from bollywood(specially taking in account the recent crap theyve been churning out). This movie made me think for 3 days after i watched it and we all came out of the theater very quiet and everyone lost in their own thoughts. Superb acting and super direction, flawless movie in my opinion, planning to go and watch it again on the big screen(which i have done for maybe just 1 or 2 movie's in my whole life)
- Daman

I saw the movie in a multiplex where they play national anthem at the begining of each show and saw some forigners standing motionless along with everyone for the complete anthem, except for one gentleman who was busy attending a call on his mobile. I still remember as a kid during our morning prayer at school, when national anthem was played, we were told that no one is supposed to move no matter what.

Some ramblings: there is only one enemy of us and thats corruption. People often want more and more, their "need" never end but for what? No one takes what all he/she spend the whole like collecting by fair/unfair means, so what can't these people understand and be honest?
Some people not able to digest the end, thinks that its a bit unrealistic but then there are so many shootouts on the name of killing terrorists, who knows how many of them are for real? But I'm a bit sad to see(in movie) that to what an extent police and army (black cat commandos) are toyed by these corrupt people, no one got any selfrespect left and went ahead killing people. Even media people were standing and sending out news, people listening..no one came forward to interfere, well thats how we are right now.
- Navendu

My thoughts:

This movie is not realistic - but nevertheless its cinema at its best. Cinema is about getting a point across - and this movie makes that happen. It also touches the patriotic streak which we indians seem to have conciously buried deep inside ourselves. I don't think that any other movie has affected me so strongly - nor do I think I would have been capeable of being so affected by a movie.

From the cast , to the direction - the movie grabs you. I guess its a rare movie where you feel that Amir has not taken all the limelight. Each person shares the camera with elan and in a way which makes them feel real. Be it the canteenwaala, or the students who come for audition, or the other co-actors. Everyone fits - except probably that Madhavan is a bit too plump to be a pilot in the Air Force.

You may be given to slight snikers as to how absurd some parts are. You will be reminded of your college canteens. You will be reminded of your night mastis with friends. You will be reminded of all your lost loves. You will be remined of looking up at the moon. You will be reminded of the sacrifices given by our ancestos to give us Swaraj. You will find yourself sadly nodding your head at the corruption in the government. You will find yourself silently urging DJ and group to survive the political machinations. You will find yourself smelling the mustard (if you have been to punjab that is). You will find yourself reminded of Bhagat Singh, and yet not feel like you are watching a history lesson.

But what you will do now will depend totally on you.

I don't know about you, but I am now going to conciously try and bring about change. No nation is perfect, but we can improve what we have.

Movie reviews:

• on BBC - 5 Stars
• Apun ka choice
• Rediff
  

Some blogs:
Lose Control

And some links on the tragedy of MIG Crashes :

• We're loosing pilots now - what will we at war ?
  
• Is this how we treat our heroes?
• BBC : Indian mother presses for MIG ban.