“Bombay Talkies”, a tribute to Indian cinema on completion of 100 years, is a fine creation. The film successfully paid homage to the filmdom, which is the most alluring medium to entrail today’s society. Yet, ‘Bombay Talkies’ is an anthology of four short films by four most sought after directors of Bollywood: Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap. Interestingly, the film also showcases a hoard of Bollywood stars, who have made cameo appearances.
Karan Johar’s short film “Ajeeb Dastaan Hai Yeh” stars Rani Mukherji, Randeep Hooda and Saqib Saleem. Rani Mukherji is an entertaining Editor, Randeep Hooda is a TV news anchor and Saqib is a gay who turns their married life overturned. It can be seen as a love triangle.
Another short film by Anurag Kashyap, “Murabba” (“Sweet and Sour Pickle”) depicts the story of a man from Allahabad, who travels to Mumbai to meet Bollywood superstar, Amitabh Bachchan. Many may not know that a lot of Amitabh fans wait outside Bunglow of Amitabh Bachchan in Juhu, Mumbai daily for a glimpse of their favorite star, even today. The character in this film can be seen as one of these fans.
Dibakar Banerjee’s “Star” features Nawazuddin Siddiqui who plays a struggling actor in Mumbai trying to make it into Bollywood. The film is about a failed actor, who is struggling to make a living after his father’s death. Subsequently, he stumbles upon his last chance to prove himself to the world and more importantly, to his daughter.
Zoya Akhtar’s “Sheila ki Jawaani” is about a 12 year old young boy from a middle-class family, played by Naman Jain, who is infatuated by Katrina Kaif. He is inspired by the film star to break the conventions of the society and follow his dreams come what may.
Even though the film is a combination of four short films, it is yet consistent and convincing from beginning to end. While unwinding the magic of cinema and its impact on the minds of audiences, Bombay Talkies also displays how much cinema has evolved over the generations. The film is a befitting homage to 100 years of Indian cinema.
Support Independent Journalism? Keep us live.
The film is one of the best films ever and so is a must-watch.
Directors: Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar, Dibakar Banerjee and Anurag Kashyap
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan (Cameo), Rani Mukherji, Randeep Hooda, Saqib Saleem, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Katrina Kaif (Cameo), Vineet Kumar.
Cameo Appearance by : Aamir Khan, Madhuri Dixit, Karisma Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Juhi Chawla, Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukerji, Sridevi, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Imran Khan, Vidya Balan, Kareena Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Anil Kapoor, Shahid Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Shahrukh Khan
Singers: Kumar Sanu, Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik, Shaan, Sonu Nigam, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Abhijeet, Kavita Krishnamurthy, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sudesh Bhonsle, KK, Sukhwinder Singh, Shilpa Rao Mohit Chauhan, Kailash Kher, Sukhwinder Singh
TNI Rating – **** (4) Stars out of 5.