Aniket Dasgupta: Indus Creed has been one of India’s best-known bands for long. How does it feel to have gotten back together after such a long time? What brought you back together?

Uday Benegal: It feels great to be back with Zubin and Mahesh, the other two guys from the original lineup. It’s also great to have newbies Rushad Mistry and Jai Row Kavi who bring a fabulous new energy to the band. What brought us back together was me having returned to Bombay after nine years in New York and itching to make some slamming rock music again. Who better to do it with than these guys?

AD: This one’s for nostalgia’s sake. How was it playing with Slash in 1996 if I am not mistaken?

UB: It could have been ’96. I don’t remember. It was fun. Slash was really cool. He started out by saying that our (Indus Creed’s) gig and he didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes. We responded by saying that it was just about having a good time. We hit it off really well. The music spoke for itself after that.

AD: Indus Creed pioneered the Indian rock movement. Now that it has grown so much, how does it make you feel?

UB: We prefer to look back less and forward a lot more. So while we’re really happy to have been a part of the growth of rock music in India, we’re just kicked that it’s a far more mature thing today. What we’re most psyched about, though, is the fact that original music by bands here has now become the norm. That’s probably our proudest achievement.

AD: What are your views on the fact that music channels which once promoted original music have now shifted to reality television?

UB: Hey, it’s their money and their business. It’s too bad in some ways…but it is what it is, so we find other ways to get the music out. There are so many options on the internet now, so it ain’t all bad…just different. It’s just a shame that they moved to reality TV, which is really just the fucking bottom of the barrel when it comes to programming.

AD: How does it feel like having someone like Jay Row Kavi on board? I mean, he was a kid when you guys were at your peak.

UB: It’s great having Jai—and Rushad—on board. They’re both really good players and great guys. We all vibe really well. Age isn’t something that matters in what we’re doing. But I give Jai relationship advice every now and then. So he’s benefiting from my years, I guess.

AD: So how different is Indus Creed now from what it was before?

UB: There are differences and there are similarities. The music has naturally evolved—the song-writing, the sound, the influences and more. We’re still a band that believes in playing live…playing hard and tight and with conviction and love for the music. We’re still high on energy and big on melody. The new guys bring new ideas and we’ve added our own acquired experiences. It’s the perfect amalgam.

AD: What do you feel about the Indian rock scene at present?

UB: It’s a very fertile time for rock music in India, but it needs to come together in a more organised fashion. There are plenty of new clubs in the major cities across the country; that gives upcoming, as well as established bands, a great opportunity to play more regularly. No more having to wait for promoters to put up large stages at festivals and the like. The big gigs are there, too, but they take a while to happen, so the indoor music spaces are a boon. The result is that there’s a continual birth of new good bands, some of whom are truly developing their own sound and identity.

But the lack of support from radio or TV is a problem; which can be overcome, mind you. We need people with business smarts to tap into the niche of non-Bollywood popular music to build platforms for music distribution—an Indian iTunes or Spotify, so to speak. It’ll happen…but it might take longer than one’s hoping for.

AD: Who are the musicians you would love to collaborate with?

UB: The musicians I’m working with right now are the ones I’m happiest collaborating with: Zubin Balaporia, Mahesh Tinaikar, Rushad Mistry and Jai Row Kavi. We’re not thinking of collaborations beyond this core at the moment. We’re working very hard on creating our own sound. But there are many great musicians in this world. Those extended collabs will happen when they’re meant to.

AD: Now that you guys are back as a band, what’s next for Indus Creed? When will we get to see your new album?

UB: We’re hunkered down these days, working feverishly on new tunes. We’ve already tracked drums for a couple of songs and should be going into the studio to do another two. If all goes according to plan we should have a 3-4 song EP out in the next month or two and a full-length album but October or November. I’m feeling really psyched about the direction we’re heading in. We’re loving the songs and the energy that everyone’s putting in is amazing. I can’t wait to get these songs recorded and out there. Info will be posted at http://www.facebook.com/IndusCreedNow, http://induscreed.net/ and http://twitter.com/induscreednow.

Cheers!

The director, Justin Lin, has done with The Fast and the Furious franchise something that very few people can do with a fifth iteration. In simple words, he has kicked some super ass. This is the best instalment in the series and hell yeah, I liked it.
The cast of this movie deserves a huge mention because it’s their on-screen connect that keeps you on the hook. It’s like every part of the cast has a reason to be in the movie and this movie wouldn’t be possible without them. Think Ocean’s Eleven. The difference is that instead of George Clooney playing Danny Ocean, you have Vin Diesel playing Dominic Torreto. Paul Walker, who plays Brian O’Conner supports Vin Diesel as an equal. Dwayne Johnson aka The Rock plays an amazingly strong (WWE hangover?) Agent Hobb. A lot of characters from the older movies return to this one like the second lead in 2Fast2Furious, Roman Pearce played by Tyrese Gibson and Han, played by Sung Kang from Tokyo Drift. With other famous people like Ludacris and a lot of unknown folks too, this cast surely knows how to get their acting right!

The story is set in Rio de Janeiro and the cinematographer, Stephen F. Windon makes clever use of the camera and captures the city’s hill-side favelas well. He was also the cinematographer of Fast & The Furious: Tokyo Drift. The movie has three editors – Kelly Matsumoto, Fred Raskin and Christian Wagner. The editing was razor sharp and added a lot of impact to the narrative as it even kept a non-English speaking crowd behind me in the theatre hooked to the screen. The special effects are fantastic and don’t make you go, “Oh! That’s done on a computer man!”

The movie has no regard for physics or any other science. It’s like being able to accept that Peter Parker became Spiderman because of a mutated spider. You never tend to question the absurdity of the scenes because you tend to enjoy them and get equally involved.

Step out and watch this film.
p.s. Justin Lin (who has also directed a few episodes of Community) just made it to my list of favourite directors.

Shenaz Treasurywala who has written the screen play of Luv Ka the End calls it an autobiographical story. It seems that it somehow relates to a heart break she had in the past. That led me to conclude that her life must have also been the source of inspiration for John Tucker Must Die and Cruel Intentions! Oh liar-liar! The story is by an ex-producer of MTV shows, Ashish Patil who is also the man behind Y Films .

The same old ghisa-pita plotline of a girl taking revenge on her womanising boyfriend doesn’t work for the movie. Certain segments have been lifted from a lot of reality shows that can be seen on MTV and Channel [V]. The reason for this might be the crew of the movie. Bumpy (ex-director of Roadies) is the director of this film but I fail to see what he has directed since this movie can actually make scripted MTV reality shows look real.

And the poster is so original!

A cross between Hannah Montana and Indian youth reality shows, the movie cannot even describe the youth of today. Personally, being a part of the youth myself, I can assure you that we do not have pea-sized brains. Every character in the movie has an Onida mobile in spite of driving around in 50-lakh Jaguars (Jags, really?). We also do not jump around for Freddy Kapoor (a rockstar played by Ali Zafar).

Ram Sampath’s music is average and the famous mutton song looks good only on TV promos. The only good thing about this movie is the really witty t-shirt changing opening credits. Adil Afsar does a good job with the camera but unfortunately, all the camera tricks fail to compensate for the stupidity (which by the way, is the only thing that is constant in the movie).

Y Films as an off-shoot of Yashraj Films has miserably failed in its attempt to make movies for the youth. It’s like packing cheap liquor in a costly bottle of booze. Aditya Chopra, don’t sink yourself this way please! The youth does not use words such as slutty Savitri!

Stay home and watch TV. You’ll not miss anything and will end up saving your pocket money.

This picture has a brilliant perspective. I congratulate the photographer for bringing out this essence in the truest form. The way he has played with the focus is truly commendable. Furthermore, the very subtle bokehs on the subject’s face adds a feeling of nirvana and makes the picture even more interesting. The textures on the face below the lips look really nice and bring about a certain uncanny sense of rawness.

This picture has been framed very well and the pleasant hues are very soothing to the eyes. The texture on the board on which the butterfly is placed looks superb; however, I feel the texture of the water has been overdone. Another way in which the picture could have been made to look better is if the shadow of the butterfly would have been kept complete. The shadow is a very interesting and an integral part of the picture and hence, would have made the picture complete.

This picture exhibits two factors of composition brilliantly: the use of space and the use of noise. The tadpoles generally fill up the frame, yet there is a little amount of space at the top right hand corner of the frame. This gives a sense of motion. Brilliant framing! Also, the addition of noise works very well for the picture. It prevents the picture from looking static. Very well thought of!

One word. Simplicity. Simplicity is painted all over this rustic face. Conversion to black and white has managed to enhance this emotion and perhaps, that is what makes this picture more conversational. It’s got almost all the ingredients of a perfect portrait. The lines and contours on the face have come out very well due to the monochrome frame. The tonality of the picture is perfect and has a very proportionate share of all three shades: black, white and grey.

There are certain forms of art that you do not analyze. You just observe and bask in its splendour. This is one such form of art. Needless to say, this is my favourite picture of the lot. Brilliant perspective! The top angle brings out the emotion of innocence and inquisitiveness very well. Look at those eyes and tell me you are not moved – you’d be lying if you manage to utter such a phrase. Again, the black and white works brilliantly. The arm of the elder adds the feeling of strength and support that are absolutely essential for a child. Very commendable!

As a photographer myself, Akash, I congratulate you on having captured such a brilliant frame.

If you want to be featured here, do send us your photos or a link to your photos at submit@dfuse.in.

Well, in 2005, things changed. Three former PayPal employees created this simple website based on Flash and HTML, called YouTube. 6 years, and over 15 billion videos later, musicians FINALLY got a perfect platform to start off on.
Is that a good thing? Or is that a bad thing? Hint – Heard of Jessica Black?

You’ve already heard enough and more of Jessica Black for me to talk about her again. Instead, I’m going to show you a few who you may or may not have heard of!

Cobus Potgeiter – Drummer Extraordinaire
YouTube ID: deedlebag

An engineer (well, used to be one at least) from South Africa, Cobus uploaded his first video of him doing a drum solo. Considering the number of views he got (oh, just around 5,00,000), he started taking requests and putting up more videos. The first hit video he did was a drum cover of Nysnc’s “Pop” being played 1.5 times faster. One thing Cobus makes sure in his videos is that even though they’re CALLED “covers”, they’re not really a cover, but just the way that he would’ve played the song and his main aim is to have fun while playing it! His most famous video is a cover of Avenged Sevenfold’s (R.I.P James Sullivan) “Afterlife” which has grossed over 3.5 million views in 2 years.
One more video to look out for is his collaboration with Tyler Ward, another famous musician, doing a cover of Flo Rida’s “Club Can’t Handle Me”. Believe me, this guy is fun to watch, and if you’re a drummer, you WILL be inspired.
Cobus currently endorses Udrum, DW Pedals, TRX Cymbals, SMG Africa and Music Connection Africa. His main drumming influences are Tony Royster Jr (Jay-Z’s drummer), Derico Watson, Carter Beauford (Dave Matthews Band), Travis Barker(Blink 182), Mike Portnoy (Ex-Dream Theater, A7X) and Thomas Lang.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hY10qiOod4Y&feature=related

Igor Presnyakov – Classical Guitar Maestro
YouTube ID : Iggypres

Russians, man. What a bunch. Although, this guy has really got it going. A name that will take you a while to pronounce, and the most killer mustache ever. Oh, and he’s also an arranger, composer, guitarist, and singer.  The man’s been playing the guitar for about 35 years now and his style of playing gives a nice fusion of jazz and pop along with the classical style guitaring. Definitely not something you see everyday. He’s got over 165 videos on his YouTube page, and his most popular video was a tribute to Michael Jackson. Wearing the typical MJ hat, Igor strums along to “Beat It”, and in 2 years, the video has 40,00,000 views. Igor covers popular bands like Metallica, Red Hot Chili Peppers, AC DC, and a lot more. On a personal side note, do check out his classical fingerstyle version of The Godfather Theme.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IeVsHYVoFxY

Sungha Jung – I have nothing to say about this one

We all know that whatever we’re doing in life, there’s always some Asian doing it better. Since we ARE Asian, that becomes Northeast Asia for us! This kid really takes the cake for doing that. He doesn’t need an introduction, and if you haven’t checked him out, you are definitely doing something wrong with your life. Born in 1996, this guitar prodigy has over 359 videos; 3,87,724 subscribers, and over 1 BILLION views. Playing a classical fingerstyle guitar, this kid covers practically any genre of music on his guitar, and supposedly takes only 2 days to learn a song. His most popular video is the Theme from the Pirates of The Caribbean franchise, and it’s got over 16,617,618 views in just 2 years! Thanks to YouTube, he got to tour with the infamous supergroup, Mr. Big and a new album is underway. He’s composed over 18 original compositions, and has won over 20 awards from YouTube including six #1 Viewed video awards. And he’s done ALL this being 15 years old. If that doesn’t leave your jaw on the floor, I don’t know what will.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5WB-p-QBJc

YouTube certainly has put out a lot of music, and it certainly is a pleasure to watch and be inspired by such amazing musicians whom you would’ve never even heard of if it wasn’t for YouTube.

Until next time!
p.s. – Metallica’s hitting Delhi on the 28^th of October, and Bangalore on the 30^th of October. It’s true!

When a friend gifted me J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye, all I thought was, ‘Damn! Why didn’t I read this book earlier?’ I liked the book so much that I started reading up on it online. I saw that apart from the content, the book has had various cover designs that have helped it achieve its cult status. I realized that apart from the writer of any book, the other people who contribute to a book matter just as much. Imagine Asterix without the illustrations of Albert Uderzo! I am going to write about two people who have shaped various books in their own way without actually writing them.

First, for all of you who read Roald Dahl (or still do!), I am sure you agree that his books would be incomplete without the various illustrations they have. Roald Dahl’s illustrator, Quentin Blake has contributed profoundly to making his books come to life. He has given us a better picture of Matilda and of course, Charlie from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. Blake has been an illustrator for over 300 children’s books out of which his collaborations with Dahl are the most well-known. His illustrations consist mainly of scribbly lines but he sketches his characters out with finesse. He is known to understand the writer’s style first and draw accordingly. While most of his characters may seem a little similar in appearance, he makes sure he adds distinct features to each. Do visit http://www.quentinblake.com/ for a deeper insight into his work.

Another person who has made a great impact on me is Spanish writer Gabriel Garcia Marquez who shot to fame during the literary boom in Latin America. His Nobel-prize winning book One Hundred Years of Solitude (Cien Años de Soledad) was translated by Gregory Rabassa who has translated various Spanish and Portuguese books. Generally, Rabassa translates without reading the book beforehand but does it as he reads the book. In 2006, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts for Translation and till date, he remains one of the world’s most prolific translators. Marquez himself proclaimed Rabass’a translated version of his book superior to the original one. He has enumerated his experiences as a translator in If This Be Treason: Translation and its Dyscontents: A Memoir.

Next time, you pick up a book, do notice the various ‘other things’ rather than just the writing.

Short films have never been immensely popular. That is because more often than not they lack publicity and financial support and are hence unable to reach out to the masses. However, the recent digital revolution has ensured that a large number of film makers have taken to making some brilliant shorts, as they are commonly called. Short films lack special effects, item numbers, and a large number of other factors which one looks forward to while watching a feature film. But somehow, they still manage to touch upon some really important and socially relevant topics, which makes them all the more endearing. Here a list of short films by Indian film makers which I quite enjoyed. Some of them are superb, while in the rest, there is scope for improvement. But nonetheless, they are definitely worth a watch. All of them are available on YouTube; so do check them out.

Pappu Pass Ho Gaya

Director: Raj Singh

We live in a society where a child’s intelligence and future is unfortunately determined by his/her marks, whether it is an entrance test, a board examination, or even a surprise quiz at the tutorial. Amidst all of this comes Pappu Pass Ho Gaya, a movie which makes you question the relevance of these marks. Is that coveted 90 percent all that matters? Do the guys who fail have no future ahead of them? Can we brand people as achievers or under-achievers sorely on the basis of marks? Can happiness be measured with numbers? Watch this movie, and answer the questions for yourself.

The acting is not up to the mark and should have been more convincing. There should have been more of a background score. Even then, the movie makes it to my list as it deals with a situation which most, if not all of us, have experienced or witnessed at some point of time or the other. By the end of it, leaves a sweet taste and something to ponder over.

Positive

Director: Farhan Akhtar

A photographer who ends up with AIDS. A wife who has kept silent, even when she knew her husband was having extra-marital affairs. A son who is fed up with his dad, and fails to sympathize with him even when he’s on the verge of dying. Add Shabana Azmi, Boman Irani and Arjun Mathur to that plot and what you end up with is a piece of exquisite cinema, coupled with performances which you’d wish had lasted longer than 19 minutes. A story which explores the multiple facets of relationships, Farhan Akhtar proves why he is so highly regarded as a film-maker with Positive. Also, Ram Sampath’s original score is one of the best I have heard in any short. The cinematography is simple, yet beautiful. Trust me, this is one movie which you DONT want to miss out on! By the end of it, the viewer is left yearning for more.

Blood Brothers

Director: Vishal Bhardwaj

“Tum bimar ho kar bhi khush ho… aur mein thik hokar bhi bimar”

Another movie which deals with AIDS; Blood Brothers, made in association with the Bill Gates Foundation is a treat to watch. A young man finds out that he has the dreaded disease and feels that his life is ruined. He regrets his actions and curses his mistakes. Only later does he find out that the result had been mixed up with that of a person who had the same name as him. Now he is left with the daunting task of both breaking the news to the man and ruining his apparently perfect life, or being a coward and remaining silent.

Vishal Bhardwaj has always been one of the most potent directors of Bollywood and yet again he proves himself. Siddharth does a splendid job so does Pankaj Kapur. We, the audience, would love to see more of them on the silver screen in times to come. They say it is the director who brings out the best in an actor. Ayesha Takia, who usually scares away all her viewers and manages to turn film lovers into film haters, surprisingly, manages to do a good job. But then, in comparison to her performances in movies like Sunday, De Taali and Paathshaala, anything is good.

Vishal Bharadwaj managed to rope in acclaimed Hollywood cinematographer, Guillermo Navarro, better known for his work in movies such as Desperado, Stuart Little, Hellboy and Night at the Museum, amongst others.  Written by Matthew Robbins, who also recently wrote the screenplay for 7 Khoon Maaf, this one is amongst the better short films I have come across.

Fiddlers on the Thatch

Director: Trisha Das

“If music be the food of life, then play on.”

From Kalimpong, comes a heart-warming story which is sure to make you fall in love with music, all over again.

Though slightly longer than the regular short films, bordering around the 30 minute mark, Fiddlers on the Thatch is a documentary based on the Gandhian Ashram School in Kalimpong. One man decides to return from the hustle and bustle of the city, to his home in the midst of nature to give underprivileged children what they might never have got otherwise: the access to western classical music.

It charts the life and journey of Rudra Mani and his students, all of who come from very poor financial backgrounds. The only thing they have in common is their passion for music, and that is what keeps them going.

The familiar sound of Mozart’s Eine Kleine Natchmusik and Schumann’s Traumerie, amongst many others, is a joy for any classical music lover. Also, the visual narrative adds to the simplicity and beauty of the movie.

The film won the Best Educational/Motivational/Instructional Film as well as the Best Music Award at the 51^st National Film Awards in 2004. Though slightly slow at certain points of time, overall, it makes for a good watch.

Meanwhile, if you have come across a short film recently which moved you or disturbed you (in a positive way), do let us know about it.

Early wake up calls, a brisk walk towards the nearest station, elbows nudging, shoulders scuffing, rowdy women fighting over a seat – well, these were some of the things that I was not accustomed to even after a year in Mumbai. You must be wondering how? The answer is quite an easy one. Living in a hostel; college hostel, ruins one’s habits. Sleeping late, getting up late, sluggish walks, late night talks, eating not-so-edible stuff or at times, not eating at all. Life was a ‘Queen Victoria’s’ one. Hostel nearly made me feel at home. Getting up five minutes before the lecture bell and sympathising, ironically, with those who had to get up two hours before, in order to be on time; are some of the exclusive reasons why non-hostelites popularly known as ‘day scholars’ hate us. Now that it has been quite some that I have been working as an intern, I am unwillingly and completely abandoned from my conveniences and comfort zone.   I realise what a brisk walk towards the nearest station means. Hundreds walking with you, some ahead while others struggling to go ahead. I realise that the passionate struggle to capture a seat in an all-women’s compartment is no less than a Napoleonic invasion. I realise to what an extent it irritates when you are in a dream world, taking a nap and when suddenly someone smacks you. The instance when at Church Gate Station, people crawled in like insects to get into a fully ‘un’loaded train to Borivali, is like a ‘flash-bulb’ memory, intact in the buff coloured fleshy creation, the incomprehensible human mind. I still remember the day I left for Mumbai; I remember the day when my mother cried not because I shall leave soon but due to all those vivid scandalising experiences that triggered such an emotional response in her. She was afraid to let her child face the world, she was afraid to put her child at stake. Her fears weren’t bogus either; the city of dreams, as it is called, often leads thousands astray. No less is the number of girls with a cigarette between the then rosy lips which have now turned black, no less are the number of drug addicts either. But regardless of who they are, people still struggle, nudge, and push, collide, bump in those very Mumbai locals; machaliwalas, directors, students, clerks, all in one.

The idea that entices me is the speed at which this city makes you run. Thousands of them working for the same aim, hardly bothering about what others do, working to make ends meet. Some working for a living while others to add to their brimming coffers. The city offers you myriads of opportunities and to such an extent that it bewilders you, leaves you clueless as to where to start from. And this is when you realise that you have to start from scratch, you don’t exist, and if you think you do then prove it. And in order to catch hold of those dreams you board Mumbai locals; through slums, through the emanating stench, through dogs and cats, through group of rats, all running with you, on the rails, competing with you, with time. The race against time and not a single entity is distant from it. But in the maddening hustle and bustle lies a life, a heart that feels, and a mind that comprehends. A mother whose children are yet amazed by the sound of an airplane, driving thousands of heads towards the sky. A mother whose children are still fascinated by a foreigner among them in a Mumbai Local. And nurtured by such a mother, caressed by her worn out yet loving hands is where I live. And this mother of mine is called Mumbai.

Person 1: “You never come around to my house anymore!”

Person 2: “Yea well, that’s because you live all the way out in Timbuktu!”

How often have you heard this reference to Timbuktu? And how often have you wondered where this place actually is? I was quite amazed recently when a rather smart and ‘all-knowing’ (ahem!) friend of mine wondered if Timbuktu even exists. Well, of course it does! The phrase “from here to Timbuktu” usually conjures images of a very remote, distant, isolated, inaccessible, almost non existent ‘in-the-middle-of-nowhere’ location.

So, for all you lazy bums who wondered and wondered and never really found out, Timbuktu is a city in the West African nation of Mali. It was founded by the Tuareg (the nomads of the Sahara) sometime around the 11^th century. Legend has it that whenever it started raining in the desert, the Turareg would leave their heavy goods with an old women called Tin Abutut who stayed at a nearby well. With the passage time, the name Tin Abutut became Timbuktu and stuck on.

Timbuktu made its appearance on the world map around the 14^th century for its great wealth and for being an important trade hub. Much unlike its regular association, Timbuktu or Tombouctou (as the locals call it) is apparently quite a privileged playground in its own right. The poor, parched and sparsely populated ‘sandy’ area will surprise you with its Malian women in bright printed dresses, driving bikes in kitten heels; the men in their Old Testament-esque blue finery and the blaring music off the street-side speakers swirling riffs of Tuareg pop or Akon or 50 Cent.

This, however, doesn’t change the fact that you still need a sleeping bag, heavy boots, camel skin tents, mosquito nets, sunblock, baby wipes and lots and lots of water if you ever wish to tread that land. Timbuktu is a visual and cultural jolt. But it is a land devoid of western norms, trends and preconceptions.

The idea of Timbuktu caught up with such popularity that it’s been used and quoted in hordes of movies as well. So, the next time you use ‘Timbuktu’ in a phrase, you know the place really exists!

WARNING: This is a RARE and BRILLIANT piece of cinema! Most of you, however, will not like it.

I Am compiles four short films into one, each with its own protagonist and based in its own city. In the process, it highlights several problems plaguing the Indian society today. The director takes very bold steps in order to address issues such as discrimination against homosexuals and sexual abuse faced by children, amongst others.

The film is quite exquisite  with some brilliant performances by each and every actor although Juhi Chawla looked slightly out-of-place. Abhimanyu Singh, especially, deserves a special mention for bringing out the character of a Mumbai policeman so realistically.

The background score has been well composed, keeping in mind the changing story line of the movie. Also, the songs are beautiful and have a soulful melancholy attached to them, an uncommon feature in Bollywood nowadays.

What is quite amazing is that the movie gives a social commentary without any biases or does not preach anything to the audience. It just shows the issues as they stand. Though none of the stories are connected, the viewer doesn’t feel uncomfortable merely because of the excellent scripting, simple yet effective cinematography, and crisp editing.

Right from My Brother Nikhil, Onir has always been exploring uncharted territory, and with I Am he just moves a step forward. But what is slightly disturbing, is the measures which he has taken to portray the reality of Indian society today. I am really apprehensive about some of the bold scenes, as I don’t think too many of the viewers would feel comfortable watching them, or relating to them. Because of which, it might just not do wonders at the box office. However, that is the hypocrisy of the Indian audience, and the film maker can’t really be blamed for being courageous and refreshing.

Interesting trivia about the film: the funds for the film were raised through crowd-sourcing. Onir, along with actor, Sanjay Suri raised the money for this movie by asking for donations on Facebook.

This is definitely not a movie for the masses. But, if you are a connoisseur of alternate cinema, or art cinema as it is commonly referred to, then this should definitely be on your list of “must-watch movies”