My 5 Minute Cinematic Experience in the Theater

My 5 minute cinematic experience in the theater

As I sit here writing to you, it has been a couple of minutes since I reached home to vent my fury out on this blog. My boiling rage is targeted at the general public, what now I truly believe as the not so smart film-goer. 

For those people it seems cinema is a way to have some dumb fun with the family or friends. 

Yes, yes I know films are supposed to be for the entertainment of the crowd. But cinema itself was created as an art form, it is meant to be for a Director and his team as a painting is for a painter, especially for those with true creative vision. 

Just cause a few movies don't include crass jokes, spoon feeding amounts of exposition or high profile 'actors' (in quotes for obvious reasons...they can't fucking act!).

Ok so back to the point; I went today to watch a relatively low key Bollywood film by the name of Prague. Don't bother searching for showtimes in your areas, your bound not to find them easily.

Prague a true indie film in Bollywood may not have got overtly great reviews, but it did get some good recognition this past week. Unfortunately box office numbers would say otherwise, and thats where my experience comes in.

Prague would have been great to watch. Especially with it starring one of the most under-appreciated young actors working today; Chandan Roy Sanyal (D-Day, Kaminey)


I set out to watch the film close to a nearby theater, as I reached the ticket counter I was informed that the showtime had been cancelled and I was the first in three days to come watch this film. That angered me to ungodly proportions. I get that the movies showing is a business, and if a film doesn't run it needs to be removed.

But shouldn't it be fair, that any film be given a chance to survive through the weekend? After all it was a small film with only one showtime through the day. That means in a weekend there would be only three shows, and as far as I'm concerned in three shows one customer is better than none. In the end it seems from the timings I read, there was not other show set to replace Prague through the weekend. So clearly this theatre doesn't seem to want my money.

Maybe I'm looking at this from a selfish perspective, maybe this huge rant isn't justified but I still want to write (not that you have to read it).

All I know is that today I wasted 5 minutes and 80 rupees of my life just to catch a glimpse of what could have been a great intellectual cinematic experience.

What I feel sad for is the makers who decided to go ahead and distribute something as different as Prague knowing that they might not make their money back, what I feel sad for is the people who worked in making this film because they potentially lost at least four-five customers more that could appreciate their hard work.

Instead all those mindless fucking Indians can go watch the misogynist piece of crap that is Grand Masti (currently earning money that it isn't even worthy of).

Truly in some smaller way I have just seen a part of a smaller but greater class of Indian cinema die. I might be a bit bias, Prague might not be that great; but as I said it still deserved a chance to be seen.


Aneesh Raikundalia  

Justice will Prevail

Justice Will Prevail

 

 

For those not in the know, yesterday a devastating attack occurred at the premier Kenyan shopping mall Westgate by the terrorist forces known as the Al-Shabaab. As of yet it is day two in a stand off between Kenyan forces and a part of this terrorist organization at the mall, in the crossfire till now there are multiple innocents stuck. 

There is no knowing how many they are or how hurt they are, some could also be unfortunately dead. 

By yesterday many innocent shoppers have either found their way out or been rescued, some have succumbed to their wounds others still battle for life in countless hospitals around the city.

To those suffering, to those hurting and to those victims of this cowardly attack, I say; I am not a godly man, but I pray for you today in hopes that if there is a god may you get well and may you prove to these spineless people (who sought to destroy our great nation by this heinous crime) that the spirit of humanity and the spirit of our beautiful nation remains intact. 

To those who we call our leaders, no matter who you are or what position you work in; it is to you our country looks for strength and hope in such crises. It will be you who will help rebuild this nation to a better position than it ever was after this destruction.

To those lined up hour after hour in hopes to help give blood to our fellow man, I say; Thank You. You prove that above all humanity prevails, your bravery and kindness shows the unity this country is bound by. 

To those fighting the evil outside Westgate.  We cheer you on, we know that those passed away cannot be brought back, but your fighting will at least save those that can be brought back. 

To those whose families are safe, cherish these moments but don't forget the one's we lost. As a country we are a family, don't forget the ones passed away are not just nameless faces but also they were Fathers, Mothers, Brothers, Sisters, Daughters and Sons.

And finally to the attackers, I weep for you. I weep for you, knowing of your closed mindedness against accepting those of a different cast, race or religion because it doesn't matter. After all we are all human. I know one thing, your crimes will never be washed away. You will fall and Justice will prevail. 

Once again may god bless those in trouble. Kenya stand strong, stand unified, stand proud, we will not lose this fight. 

Aneesh Raikundalia