Angry Young Men (2024)

On one of the WhatsApp groups I am a part of, there are regular discussions on OTT watches. Since I am not a regular consumer of OTT content, I don't engage. However, every once in a while, a recommendation catches my eye and I plan to watch.

"Angry Young Men' was one such recommendation.

I am not sure why this docu-series will have multiple seasons. The three episodes of Season 1 explore different aspects of the legendary partnership between Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar, and how they jointly delivered 20 hit movies. They made film writing a cool profession (and lucrative atleast for them), and the lines they have written continue to resonate after decades.

The docu-series has been produced by their children - Salman Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Zoya Akhtar. Their children got a headstart that they didn't enjoy, and it is fascinating to see how powerful families in Bollywood behave.

I used to be a huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan, until I read film gossip that he has treated women badly. His name surfaced during the #MeToo allegations too. Salim - Javed scripted movies played a big role in him becoming Big B. He makes an appearance in the docu-series, along with his wife and children.

Both Salim Khan and Javed Akhtar have been married twice, with Javed Akhtar taking a divorce. I wish Salma Khan too had been interviewed, the way Helen, Honey Irani and Shabana Azmi have. Outwardly, the wives have peaceful coexistence. Javed is an atheist, so it isn't due to influence of the religion he was born into. I found it interesting that Salim initially refused to be a witness in Javed's wedding as he was superstitious - marriages didn't last when he was a witness.

Both writers were considered overconfident and arrogant, and Javed makes a reference- "We underestimated the impact of goodwill"

"Mere paas Ma Hai" - this line covers so much about their relationship with their mothers. In so many of their movies, the mother figure has a central role in the stories.

Javed mentions- "Anyone who has experienced extreme deprivation of food and sleep is not the same again". He tears up as he talks about how he feels he doesn't deserve 5-star treatment.

I liked the analysis on the women characters in their movies. I also liked that Hema Malini's Basanti was an inspiration to Kareena Kapoor's Geet. No wonder I liked both characters :)

Their stories have provided livelihood to many, and inspiration too. May we continue to see writers and stories flourish.

Hindi movie fans, do watch.

Challengers (2024)

Earlier this year, when I saw pictures of Zendaya at the Monte-Carlo Open, I wasn't sure why there was as much focus. Later, I got to know about 'Challengers', the tennis-based movie in which she stars. I then saw that On Running, owned by Roger Federer, has a brand partnership with Zendaya. That was enough to get me interested in watching the movie.

For a change, I could recognise the brand placements in the movie. Nike, Adidas, Uniqlo, Head, Wilson, Babolat, On Running - all were familiar. Also familiar was the US Open background, with JPMorgan featuring prominently.

I loved the script - all three main characters are fleshed out well - and I loved most of the tennis sequences. Brad Gilbert has played a part in making the tennis look authentic, and code violations are introduced well. It was interesting to see that the female lead is the most tennis obsessed of the three. Perhaps the most talented too, with her career cut short by injury. I also liked that she is a Black woman.

The movie explores love triangles, male jealousy, sexual tension, financial stability cleverly, and shows how fights before crucial matches can have career-threatening impact. One wrong move, one serious injury and suddenly life changes dramatically.

I liked how the man-child authentically responds to him being called one. "I have played with a ball and racquet all my life". Perhaps he didn't charm only the characters in the movie :)

I am expecting the movie to get an Oscar nod for the script. Let's go!