Must Watch Movies 2012

What makes a movie work? I have been a movie buff since long and I like to watch movies that are different from the routine movies. I watch a lot of movies, but, I am always glued to some specific ones. After so many movies that I have watched in 2012 so far, I found something common in the following movies that released in 2012. Dirty Picture, Kahani, Paan Singh Tomar,Vicky Donor and the latest Gangs of Wasseypur. I still have to watch the movie Shanghai(I have heard about Shanghai also to be a movie that is different). In Marathi Cinema I would like to name Shala and Kaksparsh so far this year. So whats common in all these films. Even in your wildest of dreams you wont be able to find anything similar in each of these movies. Correct ! the common thing in these movies is that they are different. They all have a content which is far far away from normal film making. None of these films have the big starcast or the big budget. So there is lots of things that are found common in these movies high on content.

Dirty Picture: Excellent performance by Vidya Balan depicting the biography of the legendary south actress Silk Smitha. The makers and off course Vidya Balan have left no stone unturned in showing us the real Silk Smitha. The real Hero in this movie was the heroine i.e Vidhya Balan. Vidhya Balan had earlier given stellar performances in nearly all her previous movies barring a couple of them. Talk about Munnabhai, No one killed Jessica, Ishqiya, Parineeta  or Kahani Vidhya Balan's performance was always appreciated and she does not at all dissappoint us with this movie. Dirty Picture was out and out a Vidhya Balan film. No wonder she got various awards for the movie.

Kahani: And when you thought you have had enough of Vidhya Balan she surprises us again with totally over the top performance in yet another different movie called Kahani. Once again the hero of the movie was Vidhya Balan. Two back to back thunderstorm performances by Vidhya. True to its name, Kahani, indeed had a brilliant kahani that would keep you glued to it from start to end. With this film Vidhya Balan has started giving tough competetions to the male heros. She seems to be the female Aamir Khan nicknamed as the perfectionist. I wonder now whether any established male actor would even agree to take the challenge of working with Vidhya Balan. Kahani was just awesome and the way it unfolds in the end, it really shocks you. Hats of to the makers of Kahani and Vidya Balan. It is easily the best film by Vidhya Balan so far.

Paan Singh Tomar: The story of an army athelte turning into a rebel was played extremely well by Irfaan Khan. Unarguably the best work by Irfaan Khan in his entire career. Another must watch movie of 2012.


Vicky Donor: Now this one is so so differnt that its unique and new concept has even shocked the hollywood filmmakers. There has been no film made ever so far on this taboo concept. A very unique and humourous way to present the life of a sperm donor in India. Stupendous performances by Ayushyaman the hero of the film and also Anu Kapoor in the role of a Gynac. This is one movie that should not missed.

Shala: I saw the promos of this Marathi movie Shala when someone uploaded it on Facebook. Just the promos take you to the childhood so there was so much more to look forward to in the movie. This movie is another feather in the cap to the Marathi film industry. I have heard the great movie maker Anuraag Kashyap say once, that there are great things happening in the marathi film industry. Indeed after watching movies like Natrang, Mee ShivajiRaaje Bhosle Boltoy, Balgandharva and now Shala the Marathi film makers have completely erased the memories of the Ashok Sharaf and Laxmikant Berde genre of movies. Shala takes you to back to school and takes you the journey where each one of us might have had their first crush. Brilliant performances by the child artists.

Kaksparsha: Another gem by Mahesh Manjrekar of the Me Shivaji Raje bhosle boltoy fame. The story takes you back to the times of the Marathi era that was when the India was ruled by the British. It really makes you realize how much things have changed over the years. Terrific performance by Sachin Khedekar and Priya Bapat. Sachin Khedekar has a very strong screen presence in this movie. To me this was his career best performance.

Gangs of Wasseypur: This was the Indian entry to the Cannes Film festival this year (2012). After watching the movie one thing that I am wondering is that how people who dont understand the language have watched this film just by the english subtitles. Because the primary reason that I liked the film was its language (read abusive language). This movie is a path breaker in Indian Cinema. There is no doubt awesome performance by the star cast but to me the people who have worked behind the scenes have done a far greater job. Be it the writer, dialog writer, editor, screenplay, music,director. The whole team has put together a masterpiece. There might be people having different opinions about the film, but for me this movie has broken the jinx and for years to come this movie is going to be a turning point in the Indian Film Industry. Movie is very long but it still keeps you glued. One cant imagine that a revenge story can be presented in such an awesome manner. Hats off to Anuraag Kashyap and his team. I can write a complete blog about the finer points of this movie but I am waiting for the second part. Oh Yes, even after being such a long film there is a part 2 of Gangs of Wasseypur. The only low point of the film was the end when we realize that the story will continue in the next part. Cant wait to see the second part. In fact Gangs of Wasseypur actually inspired me to write this blog.

So overall so far I would say that this year has been tremendous for a movie buff like me who had a gala time watching such fantastic movies. Movies with content. Movies that do not have a big star cast but they still keep you totally glued for the entire duration.