If Wishes Had Wings ...

If ever I were to produce a movie,

My cast would definitely include Amitabh Bachhan, Irfan Khan and Konkona Sen.
My Script/Dialogue Writer would be Javed Akhtar.
My Director would be Farhan Akhtar or Vishal Bharadwaj.
My Assitant Directors & Editors would be Vidhu Vinod Chopda, and Sudhir Mishra.
My Cinematographer would be Sanjay Leela Bhansali.
My Music Director would be some one new as both Madan Mohan and Roshan are dead.
My Songs would be written by Gulzar, as Sahil Ludhinawi is dead.

I know most of those wishes seem to be preposterous, but as they say - if wishes had wings, I would fly.

Salim-Javed-Amitabh

During the last episode of Koffee With Karan, Farhan Akhtar was asked to choose between Javed Akhtar the lyricist or Javed Akhtar the script writer. He his brilliant at both, but there was never a dilemma for Farhan, and neither it was for me. The script, screenplay, dialogue writer wins hands down.

Together with his senior partner, Salim Khan, he has written some amazing screen plays. Of course, they were ably supported by power house performers like Amitabh Bachhan, Sanjeev Kumar, and Pran to name a few. That is why it said that 70s was a golden period of Indian cinema, and above mentioned luminaries had major hand to play in it.

They say Salim, who had incidentally had come to become a hero, had a great sense of plots, while Javed had inherent talent for screenplay and dialogues. That's why their scripts were complete packages, every scene is worth it's penny. They had struck an understanding almost immediately.

Who can forget their first work together, the laugh riot called Seeta Aur Geeta, particularly the scene when Sanjeev Kumar is introducing Hema Malini(Geeta) to his parents. It was very well conceived and had everybody in nuts.

Then came Amitabh Bachhan, and the trio of Salim-Javed-Amitabh torched the screen into flames, movies after movies. Sample this - Zanjeer, Majboor, Sholay, Deewar, Don, Trishul, Kala Paththar, Dostana, Shan, Shakti. Each of them are masterpieces in their own right. All are different from other, though, with basic level of consistency called anger.

Sholay as we know is now legendry, and much has been said about it; but apart from it, if I am asked to choose one from the rest of them for sheer characterization, I would pick up Kala Patthar. What an experiment, and it was very bold of Yash Chopra(what has happened to him now?) to pick up such a difficult script. It needed resources, hard conditions, and above all sensational performances.

A brooding Amitabh, speaking volumes with his eyes. A getting-under-your-wits character of Shatrughan Sinha. Amitabh and Shatrughan were not having best of the relationship at that time, and that Khunnas from the real life translated very nicely into the movie. There were some very well contemplated intense scenes in tea shop. It's unfortunate that movie didn't work out.

My other favourite is Trishul; RK Gupta versus Shanti Constructions. There is not much in story or plot. But revenge is flowing from Amitabh's eyes and voice. Dialogues are full of double-entendres, especially in the scene where Amitabh is hurt while trying to save Poonam Dhillon, and later shakes hands with Sanjeev Kumar. When latter says Ek Baar To Mujhey Laga Mera Khoon Hai, Amitabh aka Vijay retorts Apna Hi Samajhiye, and adds while leaving - Theek Se Dhoiyega, Kuchh Khoon Ke Daag Asaani Se Nahin Chhoot-te. There were many such absorbing scenes in the movie.

And then there is DON. The COMPLETE package movie like Sholay with terrific dialogues, & story and sterling performance by Amitabh both as UP Ka Bhaiyya and DON. In an early scene when Helen asks DON that why did he never fall in love, and he replies in his baritone - Tabhi To Zinda Hoon. And later when Iftikhar tells the other(Pan loving) Amitabh that Don Paan Nahin Chabata Tha; a visibly disappointed Amitabh sighs - Ei To Bahut Hi Galat Karta Tha Don. A smile immediately comes to one's face. Finally, who can forget the famous punch line - Don Ko Zinda Pakadna Mushkil Hi Nahin Namumkin Hai.

Of the rest, I loved Deewar, Mazboor, and Zanzeer. I will talk about them sometime later. There is hardly to choose between them, or find a flaw in them. Shan was also nice, but the old magic couldn't be repeated in Dostana and Shakti. They were a bit disappointing for me, though both of them had their moments.

Of course after Shakti, Salim-Javed, split. Javed later worked with Amitabh in Mai Azaad Hoon, which didn't work out either. However, this trio again came together, though inadvertently, for BaghBaan. The concluding speech of Amitabh(on his request) has been written by Javed Akhtar, and while Salman's(again on his request) reply is written by Salim Khan. This is not mentioned in credits, so not many know that.

Tarkash

Plain forward.

I had come across this small(possibly edited) autobiography by Javed Akhtar sometime ago. It has been taken from his collection of poems, Tarkash. Later, one of my dear friends, Rupam also forwarded it to me. Although, one may feel it has abruptly ended, and yearn for more, nevertheless it is not to be missed.

Beautifully written, he describes his dignified struggle against extreme hardships, towards achieving stupendous success. The naughty smile on his face successfully conceals the loss, pain and difficulties he has gone through.

One not only needs talent to succeed, but also the extreme confidence in one's own abilities. What is more striking is the fact that he had set certain ideals for him, which he followed to the core. He could have gone for an easier way, but he had the courage to choose the tough and correct one. It's a learning experience. I wish he would have continued on.

Actually, I wanted to put up a post on him on his birthday, 17th January, but somehow it couldn't materialize. This write up is from the master himself, so as good as it can get. The autobiography is divided in five logical parts. Enjoy.

1. Childhood Days in Lucknow and Aligarh
2. College and hunger in Bhopal
3. Friends, and struggle in Mumbai
4. More struggle and, finally Success
5. End of a revolt, and fame

Lakshya

Well, to begin with it's over all a good movie, that is to say in absolute terms. But if you consider that it has been scripted by the one half of the legendry duo of Salim-Javed who have done together the masterpieces like Sholay, Zanzeer, Deewar, Trishul, KalaPaththar - it's not even a patch on them. Probably, Javed Akhtar missed the other half, Salim Khan. Or the 20 years gap between Lakshya and his last script writing attempt took its toll. This not to say that old man did a bad job, but that he could have done much better.

For his son Farhan , however , it was business as usual. He does a fine job. The direction, screenplay is slick, but you won't feel the same satisfaction as that of DCH. That's probably due to script itself which is has a lot of loopholes. It's seems to be hurriedly done.

To give an example, there is a place when Major Akbar (Sushant Singh) sees a photograph of Priety Zinta in Lieutenant Karan's(Hrithik) wallet and asks if she is his wife. This is stupid, 'cos an officer cannot marry unless he is a Captain. Also, there is no zing in the training. Those moments could have been made a little bit humorous even though it's a serious topic. That was so brilliantly done in Prahar. Also, Priety Zinta makes the decision to chuck out , both Hrithik and her fiancee too quickly. Her character was a bit patchy.

There are many other such instances, but good direction, breathtaking cinematography and above all brilliant acting by Hrithik makes the movie watchable. Rock climbing scenes are brilliantly done - looked like Guns of the Navorone stuff.

So overall a good movie, which could have been an epic war film, a trend setter like DCH, if the screenplay was also done by Farhan. Go watch it!