I don’t know when last I enjoyed a Bollywood film as much as I did Karan Johar’s ‘Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahani’ yesterday.
There was a special screening for the media on Thursday. At a multiplex far away from home. On an evening when the skies opened up and the roads flooded. Wisely, I skipped it. I imagined stepping out of the theatre three hours later close to midnight to find the city submerged, traffic at a standstill, and myself stranded. So I went online and booked a ticket for the first-day first show (9.30 am, a very uncivilized hour) at a theatre near me. I must have been only the 15th member of the audience. ‘RARKPK’ had a dismal opening due to negative vibes, malicious provocation by trollers, poor advance booking, and a wet and dreary July during which its publicity campaign struggled to inspire.
But you cannot keep a good film down. By evening, word of mouth spread the virtues of KJo’s directorial comeback like wildfire among the cine-goers. And by night, when I checked BookMyShow, the film was Houseful on all screens. I did my bit, too, because I really liked ‘RARKPK’ and have a warm and close friendship with the filmmaker. Also, I found, the ensemble cast is full of veteran and young actors who are at the top of their game. They all delivered extraordinary performances. The story tells of family values and customs without being preachy. And it packs in a bittersweet message that will resonate with every heart. It is time to celebrate good Indian cinema again. Forget ‘Mission Impossible’, ‘Oppenheimer’ and ‘Barbie’.
I have come to realize that since it came of age, social media has savagely done Bollywood in. Every idiot fed on a diet of misinformation with a cell phone has an opinion to share virtually whether it is worthy or not. People just love to hurt others. And to pull a good thing down. Social media has emboldened and
empowered the dregs of society to have their embittered take on anybody and anything they are resentful and jealous about or feel they have been unfairly treated by. Especially films and actors.
MoJo (that is Mobile Journalism) has made every cynic and antisocial a vicious film critic of the gutter press variety. I don’t know why it is with some people that they just cannot appreciate
a good thing or see the best in others. It was that way with ‘RARKPK’ till the film’s release yesterday. But
already the mood is changing. Good is triumphing over evil. And this weekend I hope to see audiences returning to the theatres. I am not a film critic. I go to the cinema like a member of the paying
audience. And I believe if a film entertains me, moves me, makes me laugh, clap and want to cry, and leaves me with a good feeling – then I have got my money’s worth. It was that way with
‘RARKPK’. The film is a wholesome pleasure. For the entire family. Not a dull moment. Films ought to captivate, charm, and delight audiences. Not make them thoughtful and resentful. You see films
to be entertained. Not provoked to become antagonistic, disruptive and offensive.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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