Bawaal l Not Just A Review

By: Amit KumaR Agarwal

 

 

Relationships are getting very very complex and the famed happy Indian marriage may soon be a thing of past. What is required for a marriage to work? Compatibility.

 

In this age of I, me, myself; where image is of prime importance - how do you let go off your false, shallow image; and learn to accept your true-self; worthy.

These two thoughts are masterly woven and juxtaposed in the narrative of Bawaal.

 

With Bawaal, Nitesh Tiwari firmly cements his place in the league of master story-tellers we have today, S.S. Rajamouli and Rajkumar Hirani.

Ajay or Ajju bhai (Varun Dhawan) is a self-centred man who is very image-conscious. A history teacher in a school in Lucknow, he would have people believe that he gave up becoming an IAS officer or join NASA or play in the Indian cricket team because of quirky circumstances. He marries Nisha (Janhvi Kapoor) to flaunt her to boost his image, but right at vidaai, Nisha suffers from epilepsy. Ajay  . is shaken such that he is unwilling to even acknowledge his wife, much to the unhappiness of her parents and even his own parents.

One day he slaps the son of MLA (Mukesh Tiwari). He is suspended for a month. To maintain his image he decides to teach students history from World War II locations. He is forced to take Nisha to Europe, so that his father (Manoj Pahwa) takes the tab. 

 

As he visits places of historical significance during World War II, he keeps posting videos explaining what all transpired there during WWII. These videos educate his students about the War; but slowly and firmly brings about a change in Ajju's life. In the end he realises his folly and apologizes to Nisha for the way he was.

 

It is quite an unusual screenplay - as such it requires deft writing skills to sail through. Nitesh is in total command over the written material and makes a compelling film that has that subtle dose of humor hovering all through the film.

 

Varun Dhawan is brilliant. Jahnvi Kapoor, again after Gunjan Saxena, gives a very credible performance. She together with Sara Ali Khan and Ananya Pandey are the best actresses of the younger generation. Rest of the cast is very good. One actor that deserves a special mention is the octogenarian, a holocaust survivor, that recounts time with his wife - I doubt if any eye isn't moist in this scene. Brilliant act.

 

Nitesh Tiwari has raised the bar such with Bawaal that one just can't wait to see his retelling of Ramayan.

Ajmer 92 l Not Just A Review

By: Amit KumaR Agarwal

 

'Ajmer 92' just like '72 Hoorain' is a very important film, again not because of some cinematic genius, but simply because it is a tight and resounding slap across the face of all those that called 'The Kashmir Files' and 'The Kerala Story' propaganda films. 

 

Having said that, just like '72 Hoorain', the film's narrative lacks the punch a film of such importance ought to have; with the entire world including muslim dominated nations, reeling under islamic extremism.

 

The plot is about the much-reported systematic gang-rape and blackmail of more than 250 girls or more in Ajmer that went on from 1987 till the lid blew in 1992. Just like in reality, the film ends with an open-ending.

 

The weakest link of the film is the protagonist Madhav played by Karan Verma, he is no actor. His reactions do not match the actions happening in the film. In such a set-up, if the film holds at all it is because of the grossly inhuman wrong (infamous sex-scandal of Ajmer) that unfortunately didn't get the 'just' justice.

 

The screenplay omits the fact that the serial-rapists belonged to khadim family of a revered dargah, ironically frequented by Hindus or that they were at the top posts of a political party. Even references to love aatankwaad are muted in the film. Reports say that girls that were raped were as young as 14 and as old as 17. This isn't referred to in the film. Why?

 

Sumit Singh does a fine job as Geeta. Brijendra Kala, Rajesh Sharma and the guy playing Mohan, Aakash Dahiya lend adequate support.

 

In the end just like the victims of Ajmer didn't get the justice (recently, the entire nation is outraged by the stripping and rape of two women in the background of riots, here it is 250 women, children in fact, with no background of riots) the film too fails in giving a taut account of the ordeal. 

 

Just like the case needs a re-hearing, it is to be noted that the rapists were no ordinary rapists, they were serial-rapists, hardened criminals; the sex-scandal of Ajmer too needs a re-telling.

Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India on-boarded to ONDC

• Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India on-boarded to ONDC; to expand market presence and make Handicrafts and Handloom products easily accessible to customers

 

On the occasion of the collaboration of Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIC), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles with Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and opening of ‘Mega Sale’ promotional campaign, CCIC had organised a grand event in its showroom at Jawahar Vyapar Bhawan, Janpath, New Delhi.

Rachna Shah, Secretary, Ministry of Textiles launched the boarding of CCIC on ONDC digital platform and inaugurated the “Mega Sale” in the presence of Ajay Gupta, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Textiles & MD CCIC; T. Koshy, MD & CEO, ONDC; and other Senior Officials.

CCIC’s collaboration with ONDC signifies CCIC's commitment to expanding its market presence and making its exquisite range of Handicrafts and Handloom products easily accessible to customers across various buyer apps within the ONDC network.

CCIC to support artisans and weavers and to contribute towards the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat and Vocal 4 Local initiatives has organized ‘Mega Sale’ promotional campaign from 08th-23rd July 2023. In this campaign up to 30% discount has been offered on handicraft & handloom products to promote traditional art, craft and craft persons of India. Each product is genuine, exclusive and authentic and with the assurance of authenticity, quality and value for money the promotional sale will be on till 23rd July, 2023. 10:00 AM to 07:00 PM (All Days).

Central Cottage Industries Corporation of India Ltd. (CCIC), a Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Textiles is engaged in the promotion and retail marketing of best of authentic Indian Handloom and Handicraft products through its showrooms in New Delhi, and other metropolitan cities.

Press Release

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution and Textiles, Government of India, Piyush Goyal, is scheduled to visit the UK from 10th-12th July 2023. The Minister's visit will not only be focused on the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations between India and the UK but he will also be meeting with ministers from the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member countries to discuss the progress of the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with EFTA.

The visit comes at a crucial juncture, as both India and the UK are committed to expanding their economic ties and exploring avenues for enhanced bilateral trade. With the FTA negotiations gaining momentum, the visit aims to further propel the discussions and pave the way for a comprehensive and mutually beneficial agreement that would drive economic growth and strengthen ties between the two nations.

During the visit, the Commerce and Industry Minister will engage in high-level meetings with his UK counterparts, including the Secretary of State for International Trade, as well as representatives from various sectors and industries. These meetings will provide an opportunity to discuss the key priorities and objectives of the FTA negotiations, with a focus on addressing trade barriers, promoting investments, and fostering greater cooperation in areas such as technology, innovation, and intellectual property rights.

Furthermore, the Minister will also meet with ministers and officials from the EFTA member countries, (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), to assess the progress made in the ongoing negotiations of the TEPA with EFTA. The TEPA aims to enhance trade and economic cooperation between India and the EFTA member countries, fostering an environment conducive to increased investments, reduced trade barriers, and greater market access.

The visit of the Commerce and Industry Minister underscores the commitment of the Indian government to actively engage with its international partners and explore opportunities for economic growth and development. It reflects the determination to forge strong and mutually beneficial trade relationships that will not only benefit the economies of both India and the UK but also contribute to the overall prosperity and welfare of their respective citizens.

News Pictorial

The Prime Minister lays foundation stone of development projects at Bikaner, in Rajasthan on July 08, 2023

72 Hoorain l Not Just A Review

By: Amit KumaR Agarwal

'72 Hoorain' is a very important film, not because of some cinematic genius, but simply because it is a tight and resounding slap across the face of all those that called 'The Kashmir Files' and 'The Kerala Story' propaganda films. A video on why TKF or TKS are not propaganda films and quite ironically, it is the people that are calling them 'propaganda films' are running their own agenda and propaganda will follow soon.

 

72 Hoorain has a very topical premise, with a great idea, but the narrative lacks the punch a film of such importance ought to have; when the entire world including muslim dominated nations, is reeling under islamic extremism.

 

The story is about two suicide bombers carrying out a dastardly suicide-bombing waiting for the bahattar hoorain (72 virgins) hence the title. The film borders on black-comedy with a very farcical-arthouse feel (almost entire film is in monochrome), many in the audiences won't get the humor. Even those that will get it, after a point will get bored with the long dialogue exchange between the lead characters.

 

Here is where the writers could've infused creativity. Instead of the lead characters talking about being conned by the maulana, slain terrorists like Ajmal Kasab, Osama or Burhan Wani would've more effectively conveyed the message.

 

The realization of the character of Haakim in the end that terrorism was just a business for Maulana is too feeble to connect with the audiences.

In the end, what could've been a very hard-hitting film is reduced to a lame effort; still the subject is so topical that it can be and must be explored again with a better writing and sensitivity.

Since the film fails to connect, the business of the film will be very dull.

News Pictorial

PM interacts with the beneficiaries of PMAY Rural and Ayushman Bharat, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh on July 07, 2023