RESHMA NAIR

Uri-The Surgical Strike. The name itself, from the times ,it's making was announced,was enough to awaken curiosity as well as contradictory opinions in a country where things are either pro-Modi or anti-Modi, because Surgical Strike was the phrase unheard of until Modi came into picture and whether we accept it or not , it was the political willpower that played a major role in conceptualization and execution of this covert operation. We have everything in EXTREMES these days..there are no grey shades. That is why certain sections of the society have had already written off this movie even before it's release with all the pre-judices and pre-conceived biased notions. Some questioned the timing of its release and that of Accidental Prime Minister too, as a pre-planned political propaganda by the party in power at the centre, in view of oncoming general elections 2019. But those who have watched the movie would agree that there is not an iota of overrating of role or contribution of Modi in this awe-inspiring operation , though,ideally it should have been. There would have been a lot of cinematic liberties that the Director must have taken, which is what movie-making is all about, though it starts with a caption -"Bases on true incidents"! It is purely a fitting tribute to our Indian Army. You come out of the theatres with all the more respect and pride for the men in the Uniform!!! Power-packed performances by Vicky Kaushal and Mohit Raina with a lot of soul-stirring-pride-awakening-thrilling-gripping-and-goosebumps-arousing moments!!! Background score and action sequences add to the thrill quotient. Vicky Kaushal is the new Ajay Devgan who doesn't need Salim-Javed kind of dialogues to put the message across...whose intensity reflects through his eyes...his eyes speak a thousand emotions!! Paresh Rawal does an equally superb job as the National Security Advisor -Ajit Doval and the look-a-like of then Defence Minister- Manohar Parrikar is awesome though he could have been given a more vital share. But as I said the movie is not at all about gaining political footage. It is a must watch for everyone of us if we can keep aside our differences of political opinions aside. Kudos to debutant director Aditya Dhar- HOW's THE JOSH- is going to be the next cool mantra for months to come!!!

Narendra Damodardas Modi : A plain and simple title .This movie neither needs a fancy title nor PR strategies or paid publicity to pull crowd to the theatres -naam he kaafi hai!! It was fair enough that the Election Commission banned this movie until the results were out ...else 350 nahi Ab ki Baar 400 paar would have been a reality!! Opposition would obviously do a foul cry that the movie isn't apolitical or neutral attempt but the fact is that when you make a movie on someone who is an epitome of values and virtues ( howmuchever the opposition disagrees to this, the decisive mandate for a second time proves it) there are very rare possibilities and opportunities to showcase grey shades of the character!! And frankly speaking we all know that it was neither the intention nor the purpose of this movie-making!! But the landscape of Modi's life journey is too vast to be painted on a less than three hours canvass of cinema. The biopic should have been released in a series covering every aspect of his personality and phases of his life in detail!! Besides there is so much of stuff available ..print and visual and social media...his own interviews and political analysis of his whole career that nothing is left as a surprise. Omung Kumar had a golden opportunity to showcase the lesser known facts of Modi's sanyasi phase of life which he couldn't do enough justice to because of limitations of time frame!! However inspite of that ....even if you aren't a STAUNCH supporter and ardent fan of Modi like me I am sure a lot of overwhelming emotional scenes would move you to tears and arouse moments of goosebumps and pride!! What an incredible journey! His raw wisdom is evident and beautifully depicted in a lot of scenes...be it the escape from the arrest during emergency...or the gimmick to attract crowds for a morcha against the then ruling Congress government of Gujrat...or the ways he approached NRIs and multinational CEOs for the Vibrant Gujrat Summit irrespective of denial of visa to him by the United States!! Watch this movie for.... His self-realization and conscious choice to chose politics as a way of life! His Na Khaunga Na Khane Doonga stance! His Naamdaar v/s Kaamdaar journey! His Red-Carpet instead of red-tape policy!His zero tolerance for corruption! His Ghar Mein Ghus Ke Maarenge approach! His work at the groundroot level as a RSS pracharak and even at the helm of Chief Ministerial Post! His definition of secularism and Hinduism! His dynamic equation with Amit Shah and seniors of the party! His efforts to convince Ratan Tata to bring Nano project to Gujrat! His connect with the masses! His decisiveness! His simplicity! His Hardships! His vision! His genuineness of intentions to bring about a change in the age-old problems of this nation! His ability to take the paid and biased media by its horns and turn the tides against him in his favor with sheer conviction! This generation is both sensible and blessed ....sensible enough to have voted him back to power in a consecutive second term without falling prey to the baseless allegations and false propaganda of Mahamilavat and paid media and hopelessly biased and pre-judiced so-called intellectuals and blessed enough to live and breathe in the same space as Modi and be a witness to his regime!! Modi ji...You have undoubtedly given ........................ Hopes...Dreams...Aspirations...Vision and morever a belief and confidence that Modi hai toh ( sab kuch) Mumkin hai to 125 crores Indians!!