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.

Federer: Twelve Final Days (2024)

When I got to know that there is a documentary being filmed on Roger Federer, I was excited. It was going to be released on 20th June 2024 to the public, and I wanted to watch it on the same day, particularly as I was anticipating the day to be tough for other reasons.

As things turned out, the day wasn’t tough and I postponed the decision to watch the documentary. I thought I’d be able to do so before Wimbledon 2024, and started watching. Then the tournament began, I was hoping that #8 remained as the record, and I focused on watching Alcaraz live.

Finally, I completed watching the documentary today.

I was thrilled to see that it is an Asif-Kapadia directed documentary – I loved ‘Senna’ and expected excellence here too. I knew Rafael Nadal would be shown in good light, but didn’t expect the portrayal of Novak Djokovic to be as good. It was a nice touch.

“I am glad to be retiring before all of them”

“I spent time without them on the tour. It is their turn now”

What surprised me is the f-bombs thrown by Federer, and yes Nadal J

IMDB currently rates it at 7.3. I am curious to know what is the reaction of a non-tennis fan to this documentary. There is a bit of history in it, with the Laver era and Borg era getting limelight. 

Federer fans, surely watch it.

The Elephant Whisperers (2022)

Place: Mumbai
Date: January 2023
Mode: Netflix

I am not a regular viewer of content on OTT platforms, and hence am out of most conversations regarding content, but I have slowly developed a taste for listening to others talking about content. I like to see their animated faces when they discuss something they have watched.

Oscar 2023 season is here, and I have watched 2 movies that have garnered nominations – ‘Top Gun: Maverick’ and ‘Avatar: The Way of Water’. I have also watched the Oscar nominated poignant documentary on Netflix – ‘The Elephant Whisperers’, set in Mudumalai National Park, India. I didn’t understand the dialect fully, but could follow it quite a bit. The documentary is well edited and captures the grandeur of nature and tribal customs beautifully.

A tribal couple Bomman and Belli take care of an orphaned elephant Raghu, and later Ammu, and make them part of their family. Belli lost her first husband to a tiger attack that left her enveloped in fear. Unfortunately, she also lost her daughter post that and is the caretaker to her young granddaughter.

Bomman and Belli spend time together to take care of Raghu and Ammu, and become close. When they have to give up Raghu, the couple is distraught, but has no choice. Ammu’s presence makes the parting more bearable, and Raghu continues to recognise them once he grows up. I found myself cheer for Raghu and Ammu’s recovery, and for the couple as well. Belli eventually overcomes her fear for staying out at night. This is my idea of posttraumatic growth. 

The binding force of love – between humans and elephants, elephants and nature, humans and nature, and finally between humans – is delightful to watch. This is my idea of romance.