Rating : 8/10
Release Date : 7th March, 2014
Time : 146 minutes
Director & Writer : Vikas Bahl; Music : Amit Trivedi
Starring : Kangana Ranaut, Rajkummar Rao, Yogendra Tiku, Chinmaya Agarawal, Tripta Lakhanpal, Lisa Haydon, Mish Boyko, Jeffrey Ho, Joesph Guitobh, Canade Lopez, Nayani Dixit, Sabeeka Imam
A very famous director once told me that one of the best ways to evaluate films is to look for moments in the movie…moments which touch you, you can relate to, which you remember long after the last reel has come to a halt. By that logic, I’m happy to announce that Queen is replete with such endearing moments and if you haven’t seen it in the cinema hall, would recommend you do so immediately.
Kangana, a denizen of Rajouri Garden, Delhi, is relentlessly wooed before being unceremoniously dumped by her fiancée, Rajkumar Rao, just a day before their wedding. Being brought up as typically daughters are in that locality, over-protected, always chaperoned, not really worldy-wise, always letting the men decide for them, she decides she wants to travel on her honeymoon, by herself. And so we get a very innocent, sweet, naïve, not very fluent in English, girl from Rajouri travel to Paris and Amsterdam and discover her true self in the process.
She encounters an eclectic mix of characters on this journey…Lisa Haydon, a half-Indian, gorgeous creature who lives, loves and laughs. Mish Boyko, an artist who paints to get rid of his frustration, Jeffrey Ho, a fun loving Japanese, away from home to escape from sad memories, Joseph Guitobh, who makes beautiful music and of course, Canadea Lopez, who insists Italian food must be eaten as it is, without being Indian-ized.
Memorable moments include Kangana going through a mental check list while getting her mehndi done, Rajkumar’s classic MCP behavior when it comes to her dress, desire to work, drink alcohol etc including his special brahmastara “Mummyji ko pata chal gaya to ?”, the father and son fascination with Lisa and her voluptuous twin assets, the grandmother’s sage advice regarding heartbreak, Kangana’s call to a fictitious boyfriend to try and ‘protect’ herself, her non-stop chatter (in Hindi) regardless of who is around her and overall, watching her gain confidence, without losing her own identity in the process.
After a long while, saw a Hindi film which got the nuances right. It is a over-simplified fable kind of story, but with its heart firmly in the right place. Accompanied by great music, excellent and (for a change) pithy dialogue and superb performances (new found respect for Kangana, who infuses life into this simple girl from Rajouri), this film really made you smile, several times, as the queen waltzes in our hearts
17 comments:
On the Highway of life, a chapter may finish but the story never ends.... People change... feelings change...things change...thats life.. : Crux of this sweet, sensitive, fun social drama.. This is the director's first solo outing...The industry should blow bulges in his honour... Kangana gives as good as she gets. Dadi stands out as the balanced matriarch. In fact, there's not one weak link in the portrayals of this family. The film itself looks fantastic, awash in a sunlit tone that dominates everything... the film is emotionally liberating.. See it to believe it...
Who would want to come across as ignorant, odd & a prude to the judgmental lot after all ? It's easier to agree with the majority, hold our heads high & ego higher.... The director's film is thought provoking & as a storyteller, he touches a chord. His satirical take on how everyone conforms to the herd mentality is relevant & praise-worthy. It inspires us to unlock the shackles of mediocrity & standard behaviour.. ... the authentic West Delhi setting... BTM's.. ( the would be mother in law in a nightie with dupatta ) ... not a single character is loud & Bollywoodized Punjabi, unlike many Delhi oriented films...
In situations where a woman receives negative feedback, her confidence & self esteem drops to a much greater degree. Insecurity breeds in .. that she is constantly headed for failure.. It's like trying to cross a minefield backward in high heels.. learning to withstand criticism is a necessity for women.. Why does a guy dump/reject a girl ??? On 2nd thoughts... good she broke off with her fiancee else would have been trapped for life seeking 'permission' for every petty matter, realizing that the cost of speaking her mind was that she would inevitably offend someone : thesis on the economics of spousal abuse... ..... Metoo had flown alone once... This Delhi girl was as nervous on her flight to Europe as I was.. the dumbstruck expression on the flight.. the never ending queue for the retina check at the airport .. & on discovering the magic of her foreign destination, the dilemmas of what to eat & whom to speak seemed identical.. ... When I went to college, as much as my parents emphasized academic achievement, they emphasized marriage even more. They told me that most eligible women marry young to get a "good man" before they are all taken... Was I mature enough to have made this lifelong decision ?? I was caught by surprise .. was naive & idealistic.... knew too little.. hadn't anticipated ....
I too want to celebrate my desires and dreams... wish I had choices...
Atleast in dreams, my dreams come true...
We ourselves are responsible for complicating things. A woman's worst enemy is her own imagination..
Saw the movie once again tonight. Have you been to Paris too ?
What a beautiful city.. And to Venice and Rome and Italy ....
Come home dead tired wondering what is it I want more lunch or a strong cup of tea.. ... to get in that mood to prepare myself for the evening chores.. Like a machine you go on and on... day in and day out...{{You would find this sort of life quite boring, no ?}} ..... Lazily pick up the phone to see any missed call or any msg.. None... Then read the newpaper or watch the news headlines The Queen of Hearts is everywhere. She sure is going to get all the awards this year for her acting and the statement that she made. The Woman has guts. Feel proud ..... ..... ..... And then, if time permits I re-read your book or your blogs and comments, (hard to say which gives greater pleasure)....but I feel so satisfied and connected... .. THANK YOU for being.....
When she transformed into a butterfly, the caterpillars spoke not of her beauty, but of her weirdness. They wanted her to change back into what she always had been. But she had wings.... What if I fall ? Oh, but my darling......what of you fly ?
Why go after material possessions ... He dwells in my heart.. Aye khuda...jab bana...uskaa hee bana..
During our cousin's wedding I wanted to touch Him so badly I don't know how I controlled myself..
When young, I used to listen to 'Bhoole Bisree Geet - Ameen Sayani ki Awaaz Mein' Nowadays, there are more advertisements and jingles than the songs...
It was bizarre. Fate brought them together, and fate split them apart...
A rare gem : Ei raat tomar amaar Hemant Kumar Ye nayan darre darre, ye jaam bhare bhare zarra peene do... Raat haseen, ye chaand haseen TU sabse haseen mere dilbar, aur tujhse haseen tera pyaar.. TU maane na...zarra peene do...kal ki kisko khabar..
Up Your Whiskey Game : One of the fastest selling and most popular whiskeys is the Irish whiskey, but here are five lesser known ones : 5 Uncommon picks worth a try (for your loved one) ... 1) Midleton Barry Crockett Legacy: What people like about this blend of whiskey is that it has a sweet-fruit hints in it, and the spicy effect is gentle and nice. A rather refreshing drink to have with friends over the weekend. 2) Knappogue Castle 14 Year Old Twin Wood : We've all heard of the age old barrels that make ageing Scotch a pleasure to have. A great example of the same would be this one, which follows this traditional technique to the T. This particular whiskey has taken its time to mature mostly in cherry and bourbon casks. Hence the flavour and taste is unique. 3) Power John's Lane Release : A sip of this heavenly drink brings back tastes that resemble full-bodied malts. Rich and creamy, this is the one that the world is yet to consume in bulk. Matured in American bourbon barrels, the drink takes a decade to mature. 4) 2 Gingers Irish Whiskey : Is utterly smooth, and one can use it as a mixer for cocktails and more. Quite unheard of and uncommon, only the luckiest get to sip its nectar these days. (lucky her!).... Do you fancy some ? 5) Smooth Ambler Spirits' White Whiskey : This is one fine but uncommon whiskey which when poured in your mouth, (wow!) Feels like a spark - it can fire you up in a jiffy. An upfront and bold drink, it has a smooth creamy taste (just like a lover's skin..) ....
Once bottled, even the divine powers cannot think of touching it. The Irish whiskey in dad's liquor cabinet is always a prized possession to own..
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