Sulemani Keeda (2014)

I watched Sulemani Keeda in an almost empty theatre and throughout the film I just kept asking the question: Why? Before I begin writing anything about the merits/demerits of the movie, I must say that we need more movies like this. The story of Sulemani Keeda is nothing to go gaga over but the almost non existential direction in its depiction of friendship gives it a conspicuously vicarious emotion; almost nostalgic at times. The story starts with a couple of aspiring writers trying to make it big in the big bad world of Bollywood. Dulal played by an excellent Navin Kasturia marvelously underplays his character. His naivety in many scenes makes you root for him. And, Mayank Tewari playing Mainak, complementing the almost tangible innocence of the Dulal with his loudmouth and unkempt attitude makes us believe the character even more. In one particular scene of the movie, Mainak recites a profane poem in a bar with gusto and 'I don't give a damn' attitude just after Dulal had read a poignant poem. The scene becomes extremely sweet and corny in equal measures. The title 'Sulemani Keeda' refers to the title of the film which Mainak and Dulal desperately want to write. In the pursuit of becoming writers, they meet with a producer's son called Gonzo (Yeah, the name is enough to crack you up) who is hell bent on making Bollywood film in Eastern European style cinema with full frontal male nudity. What ensue are some really funny scenes and an emotional one towards the end. The love track between Dulal and Ruma (Aditi Vasudev) is a sweet and introspective one. The discussion between them inspires Dulal to not succumb to the societal pressures but chase his dreams. Ruma's pragmatism makes you appreciate the character. The film's bare bones depiction of friendship, the anguish of lost love and most importantly the struggle to make it big on your own terms resonates long after the movie is over. It is mature and fun in equal parts. The only problem I had with the film was its ending. It felt like a desperate attempt to make the film unconventional and hatke. It certainly could have been different. This minor qualm aside, the film is a little gem and definitely deserves a watch. ~Shubham Rakheja

Sulemani Keeda is one of those rare films that needed to be created. A niche that needed to be filled. A comedy that makes you laugh, cry, wince, smile without having to resort to slapstick. A movie much needed amongst the onslaught of mindless 100-crore grossing "comedies" with item songs. The characters are real. These struggling writers could be any of the thousands of people who come to Bombay to make a living in this highly commercialized city's cinema industry. The producer's son who wants to make a movie about a story without a story but is 35 and waiting to be launched. The cute gen-next girl who quits law to do a career in photography. The censor board chief who lectures the writers to make "decent" films while staying at the farmhouse of the producer whose films he's supposed to review. The film is full of such characters you probably know in real life, and subtle yet illuminating moments that it's easy to miss them. The dialogues are sharp and witty, packing a punch at the right spots, making you laugh and ponder but never gets too serious. The soundtrack and background score are both breezy, soothing and very "indie", managing to create an atmosphere but does not overwhelm.The city is very much there in every frame yet stays in the background. Filmi-wallahs and Mumbai lovers especially will notice the city's famous hangouts and spots from Salman Khan's house to the Sewri mudflats visited for its famous flamingoes. An evocative scene is that of the lead character listening to his fortune being read from a multi-colored machine on Juhu beach offering empty neon- filled dreams much like the city it is set in.If you are used to a fast-paced, big-budget Bollywood masala movie with action, drama, item songs, big sets, stars and the usual, Sulemani Keeda is none of those things. At the end of it, it's a film--just like its fictional namesake referred to in the movie-- about a story with no story! Where the guy does not get the girl. There are no villains but real people, warts and all. There is an ending, but not necessarily happy or sad. The characters move on. Just like in life....

If you have a few brain cells, a sense of humour, and are as sick of the '100 crore' rubbish being churned out by Bollywood on a daily basis, please do watch this movie. You will love it. It is as indie as indie movies get, so don't expect it to look as slick and manufactured as your typical Bollywood Khan starer, but the very fact that it is an indie movie is what makes it so charming and refreshing (and lights another beacon of hope for a more diverse Indian film industry).The movie is about two struggling writers trying to get their screenplay produced - one a relatively straight-laced idealist, the other an in- your-face, street smart guy on the make, with a hidden vulnerability. The caste is virtually unknown - in fact most of them were not actors before this movie was made, but they are all from the movie industry. The lead, Naveen Kasturia (Dulal) worked as an Assistant Director, the co-lead, Mayank Tewari (Mainak), is a columnist, screen-writer, poet and amateur stand-up comic, the pseudo European art-house cinema loving producer's son and actor in waiting Karan Mirchandani (Gonzo) is a director. Only Ruma (Aditi Vasudev) was a professional actress at the time the movie was shot, but a very young one who had only just started in the industry (she had acted in Do Dooni Chaar and Talaash). And this really works, because they all bring a freshness and naturalness to their roles.The movie itself is a 'slice of life' piece about the fringes of the film industry, the hopes of the new aspirational middle class (who can now dream of being more than just doctors and engineers), young love, and above all, friendship. What shines through the most are the dialogues, which are crisp, sharp, natural and very very funny. Apparently a lot of them were improvised during the shooting process, which gives them a very unrehearsed feeling. There is the odd sequence where the editing could have been a wee bit tighter, but it doesn't take away from the charm of the movie.I wouldn't be surprised if this becomes the next big cult film in India, which people will be talking about 20 years from now, like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron and Andaaz Apna Apna.Bottom line - watch it.

Yet another pseudo film. Shabbily shot and written, This boring film about two young screen writing pals looking to trade their TV job for a ticket to Bollywood is transformed into boring young urban comedy, The title has limited appeal to smart local audiences who recognize the writers' hangouts in the western Mumbai suburbs and get the inside jokes. The writers also wander around Bollywood offices futilely trying to peddle their script until they stumble upon Gonzo Kapoor (the well-cast Karan Mirchandani), a muscular playboy whose producer-father is willing to bankroll a vehicle to launch his aging heir. There isn't that much here that's narratively new and poor direction doesn't help either. Complete avoid.