tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post5566952515066053495..comments2024-03-18T23:23:28.279+01:00Comments on Old is Gold: Taaqat (1982) – artsy masala?Bollyviewerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-78361406996061063182010-10-28T20:04:40.171+02:002010-10-28T20:04:40.171+02:00You're so right, Bolly Blogger! :D
Niranjana,...You're so right, <b>Bolly Blogger</b>! :D<br /><br /><b>Niranjana</b>, you are welcome! <br /><br /><b>Violet</b>, it isn't often that a woman is allowed to be more than the keeper of everybody's honor, at least in Bollywood. This one is certainly unusual in that. And you're right, I can't remember any other film that spells this out as clearly as this one does, either!<br /><br /><b>bollywooddeewana</b>, I wasn't dismissing <i>Zakhmee Aurat</i> as utterly trashy masala, merely pointing out that this one is very low on over-the-top masala elements, and Rakhee does not get to do any kick-ass stunts of the kind I know you like!Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-53082480310230534922010-10-28T09:24:37.255+02:002010-10-28T09:24:37.255+02:00But you know as much as zakhmee aurat is thrashed ...But you know as much as zakhmee aurat is thrashed for being a bit over the top which i pointed out myself in my review, the film had its heart in the right place and raised lots of important questions about rape, i won't dismiss it as utterly thrashy masala, maybe you'll give it a go one day i hopebollywooddeewanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04916533314639410268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-49235375020491266042010-10-27T19:36:52.017+02:002010-10-27T19:36:52.017+02:00@bollyviewer
I wasn't very articulate with th...@bollyviewer<br /><br />I wasn't very articulate with the principle. I think every Bollywood movie treats woman as an honor carrying vehicle for her man. Be it a sister or love-interest, any attempt on their honor is treated as a reflection on hero's (or family's ) honor. As such, it is always the poor hero's sister getting raped to ignite revenge in her brother's bosom.<br /><br />But, this movie (from your review) seems to treat woman as her own person. The attempted rape on her is to get her killed by herself rather than any reflection of revenge on hero. That's why Bhavani Singh doesn't use Rakhee for revenge on Sakthi. Even Sakthi doesn't consider that his wife is simply his honor reflection. There is no suspicion regarding the child either. This sentiment is refreshing but it creates a disconnect in typical Bollywood narrative on female ideal.<br /><br />I think that's why the story added macho elements to Rakhee's character, like carrying gun, defending herself (rather than either wait for hero to show up at opportune moment, or become victim). As if to show she isn't like any woman.<br /><br />Initially, I was reminded of 'God Father' movie while reading this review. (ie. Men do business, women doesn't concern themselves with all those things and shouldn't be involved in killings etc. and disappear into domesticity. and it is in bad form/taste to use them.). Although, Bollywood pays lip-service to this, in reality they still use women to advantage, either as vamps, eye-candy or sentimental roles. There are some Bollywood movies that don't involve women merely as honor vehicles. Again, my mind draws blank on actual names...<br /><br />I may not watch this movie. But, thanks for giving me food for thought and space for these thoughts.Violet in Twilightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-61777134590210993222010-10-27T04:01:45.598+02:002010-10-27T04:01:45.598+02:00Many thanks for that! One less thing to worry abou...Many thanks for that! One less thing to worry about at night...Niranjana (Brown Paper)http://niranjana.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-23273058423666266532010-10-26T03:13:19.769+02:002010-10-26T03:13:19.769+02:00Completely implausible. No one that ahead of the t...Completely implausible. No one that ahead of the times would sport that bridal headgear.Bolly Bloggerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11066927353483804063noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-26354375621650656702010-10-25T10:08:58.904+02:002010-10-25T10:08:58.904+02:00Niranjana here is how it ends:
****SPOILER...<b>Niranjana</b> here is how it ends:<br /> <br /> <b>****SPOILER ALERT****</b><br />Devi-Shakti's son, Suraj, grows to be 3-4 years old. One day, while Devi is at the temple, Suraj runs out and tries to join a group of picnicking schoolchildren. They refuse to have anything to do with this ragamuffin but their teacher - Ambika - sings them out of this attitude. Devi, too far off to see that it is Ambika, only sees her son's desire to go to school. So the next day, Suraj joins the local school. It is run by Ambika who has taken to teaching in order to forget Shakti. Bhavani dons a diguise to play Suraj's guardian. After the requisite masala meeting between Shakti and Suraj, the child's innocent prattle reveals to Ambika that Suraj is Shakti's son. She takes him to Shakti who is ecstatic to find his son. But when Bhavani threatens bloodshed, to protect Shakti, she manages to send Suraj back to his Mom. <br /><br />It's now Devi's turn to agonise. She realises that Suraj can never go to any school now, since the police will try to use him to track the dacoits. To ensure that Suraj does not grow up an outlaw, she decides to surrender to the police. Bhavani also decides to surrender, and after overcoming some violent opposition from other gang members, Bhavani and Devi make it to a rendezvous with the police. Just after they've surrendered to Shakti and his team, Devi sees her accuser from the trial - Shakti's evil step-Uncle - and grabs a police officer's pistol to shoot at him. She misses her shot and gets shot by Shakti. With her last breath, she places Ambika's hands in Shakti's.<br /> <b>****SPOILER ALERT****</b><br /><br /><b>Violet</b>, the story is completely masala, including the attempted rape. It's the dialogues, the acting, and the very strong thread of coherence that runs through the whole film that makes it feel less <i>masala</i>.<br /><br />"<i>This principle of "(real) men fight only with men" and all 'other' women must be treated as mothers/sisters seems familiar. But, can't remember any movies of this type off the top of my head.</i>" Just pick up any Bollywood film from any decade - they all espouse that sentiment!<br /><br /><b>bollywooddeewana</b>, apart from spiritedly defending her honor, Rakhee has only one dishooming scene and a couple of shots where she is astride a horse and holding a gun. This isn't exactly a <i>Zakhmee Aurat</i>, so keep that in mind when you watch it!<br /><br /><b>harvey</b>, I certainly have taken Madame X's advice to heart. Isn't it about time you took it, too?<br /><br />Don't be put off by the theme. It is a pretty well-crafted film, and amazingly enough, Vinod K isn't loud at all! So do give it a try.<br /><br />Thanks, <b>Shweta</b>. :D<br /><br />It did seem a bit eccentric of Vinod K to ignore Parveen's charms, but he did a very good job of convincing <i>me</i> that his heart really was with Rakhee. :D And really, Rakhee wasn't quite all that big - maybe the same size as <i>Devdas</i> Madhuri! O well, inspite of her often over-the-top craziness, I do like Rakhee a lot. So I can't say I find Vinod K's choice completely inexplicable! ;DBollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-7686831863300762952010-10-25T03:35:06.415+02:002010-10-25T03:35:06.415+02:00I feel a teeny bit ashamed admitting this- I start...I feel a teeny bit ashamed admitting this- I started watching this film a couple of yrs back, and stopped it about when Rakhi becomes a dacoit. She looked as big as humpty dumpty and I couldn't stand her dialogues and i couldnt see how Vinod could look past praveen to go with Rakhi! :( Your review makes me feel I should have stuck through thw whole thing :) And your subtitles absolutely rock!Shweta Mehrotra Gahlawathttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13543438271055378809noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-50391438660871712172010-10-24T23:28:43.338+02:002010-10-24T23:28:43.338+02:00No wonder, it didn't work!
Sensible people in ...No wonder, it didn't work!<br />Sensible people in Hindi movies is all good and fine, but they failt o mint money at the box-office!<br />Never heard of this film before.<br />Somehow I've always liked Rakhee, though she can go really over the top. Teh rest of the cast is also one of my favorites: VK, Parveen Babi and Pran. But somehow the theme of the film puts me off!<br />But bollyviewer it is nice to ahve you back reviewing films. You seem to have taken madame X's advice to heart! ;-)harveyhttp://harveypam.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-57508999429339934182010-10-23T20:34:13.266+02:002010-10-23T20:34:13.266+02:00a movie with Rakheee toting a Gun!! Count me in, y...a movie with Rakheee toting a Gun!! Count me in, you know how much i love my fierce heroines, and i do like my Masala served with a bit of an edge every now and thenbollywooddeewanahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04916533314639410268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-34516255993184531762010-10-23T18:34:02.769+02:002010-10-23T18:34:02.769+02:00Aha! I understand the film's paradox. It has g...Aha! I understand the film's paradox. It has gone the masala way with fights/coincidences/dramatic turns but kept men decent in treating women. And made any indecent behaviour towards women as...er.. indecent.<br /><br />I think this idea goes back to the historic ways. Kind of how Akbar's mother was given shelter by Rajputs?<br /><br />This principle of "(real) men fight only with men" and all 'other' women must be treated as mothers/sisters seems familiar. But, can't remember any movies of this type off the top of my head.Violet in Twilightnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-71940023145817536682010-10-23T16:26:55.231+02:002010-10-23T16:26:55.231+02:00Okay, since I'm unlikely to see this film, I h...Okay, since I'm unlikely to see this film, I have to ask: how does it end?Niranjana (Brown Paper)http://niranjana.wordpress.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-13541708997971307432010-10-23T08:33:53.184+02:002010-10-23T08:33:53.184+02:00Banno, it is directed by Narendar Bedi (of Rafoo C...<b>Banno</b>, it is directed by Narendar Bedi (of <i>Rafoo Chakkar</i> fame) who, I discovered, is Rajinder Singh Bedi's son! <br /><br /><b>Sharmi</b>, I certainly liked it. So yes, I'd say it is worth a watch, particularly if you like Rakhee and/or Vinod Khanna (Parveen Babi does not really have much to do).Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-54667037613518877862010-10-23T07:34:58.563+02:002010-10-23T07:34:58.563+02:00I was laughing so much while reading the post, esp...I was laughing so much while reading the post, especially the screen caps. Sounds so much, and looks so much like a masala film, but has restraint you say. Is it worth a watch at least once?Sharmi Adhikaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15083912570793692960noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-65844049743400378032010-10-23T07:22:34.809+02:002010-10-23T07:22:34.809+02:00Wow that sounds like quite a film! I love seeing p...Wow that sounds like quite a film! I love seeing plausible masala films. :) Who is the director of this film? And I agree with you, Rajinder Singh Bedi does dialogue very, very well.<br /><br />I'm not a big fan of Raakhee, but she did do some varied roles.Bannohttp://batulm.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-80316950843544578962010-10-23T07:05:02.984+02:002010-10-23T07:05:02.984+02:00She certainly was versatile. The same year that th...She certainly was versatile. The same year that this came out, she was also playing AB's Mom in <i>Shakti</i>! 80s was not exactly Rakhee's "heroine" decade, so I was surprised to see her get the central role with Parveen Babi around.Bollyviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17270927806254662068noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5149142221218445999.post-78627321524458704492010-10-23T06:32:05.036+02:002010-10-23T06:32:05.036+02:00This sounds very intriguing, somehow. Masala, but ...This sounds very intriguing, somehow. Masala, but not? I've got to look out for it. Incidentally, I was just thinking what very varied roles Rakhee was playing around this time. In 1982 itself, while she was playing dacoit, she was also playing Rishi Kapoor's imperious mother in <i>Yeh Vaada Raha</i>. Versatile! (oh, and she'd played Rishi Kapoor's 'mistress' - or whatever - in <i>Doosra Aadmi</i> just five years before that).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com