This is perhaps the best review of the movie I have read - because it's not a review at all. Beautifully written, as always, Karthik. I did not enjoy the film and am almost scared to admit it to the masses - considering the adoration. But your story was so honest, stark and bold. A film I would love to watch.
Thank you so much Samira for such encouraging words!!! :D
On the first night of our moving in to a 1 BHK apartment on the 13th floor, my college friend and I sat by the window sipping on beers, and watching the Bombay traffic below us. I had told him, 'This could be the opening shot of our film!'
Once again, a review that is as much a piece of art as the movie. Thank you for shining your light on this, Karthik. I loved the quiet way in which the movie managed to say so much. And your reviews take it to another level. Indeed, Mumbai does not make it easy for "outsiders" to call it home. So, so many of us find home in the struggle itself.
Life lived and life in cinema. You just get that, karthik . The way you see it is rare . There is an opinion but without judgement . There is so much between the binaries. Yours is an original voice .
I have not watched the movie yet but this was lovely. Beautiful choice of narrative structure - it almost felt like a trailer with scenes from two different movies that shared the same soul.
I hope you get to watch the film soon. It's a very different from my story. I have a complicated relationship with the city. Some instances and few lines in the film got me thinking about these things.
Your essay masterfully weaves together personal experience with cinematic reflection, creating a powerful meditation on belonging in Mumbai. What particularly moved me was how you traced your transformation from someone who fell off the train to now standing on the footboard by choice, feeling the breeze while the city passes me by. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful perspective.
Transported me through the shoes, in the train, the bars…you have a charm of moving through your words and then coming to the actual driving point so well
This is perhaps the best review of the movie I have read - because it's not a review at all. Beautifully written, as always, Karthik. I did not enjoy the film and am almost scared to admit it to the masses - considering the adoration. But your story was so honest, stark and bold. A film I would love to watch.
Thank you so much Samira for such encouraging words!!! :D
On the first night of our moving in to a 1 BHK apartment on the 13th floor, my college friend and I sat by the window sipping on beers, and watching the Bombay traffic below us. I had told him, 'This could be the opening shot of our film!'
Once again, a review that is as much a piece of art as the movie. Thank you for shining your light on this, Karthik. I loved the quiet way in which the movie managed to say so much. And your reviews take it to another level. Indeed, Mumbai does not make it easy for "outsiders" to call it home. So, so many of us find home in the struggle itself.
'So many of us find home in the struggle itself' - what a line Nidhi!
How I wish we didn't have to fight for the same resources.
As always, thank you so much for your close reading and your kind words :)
Life lived and life in cinema. You just get that, karthik . The way you see it is rare . There is an opinion but without judgement . There is so much between the binaries. Yours is an original voice .
Hi Anusha!! Thank you such close reading. As I was telling you last week - this is how it is with me and cinema! :)
This is so evocative and I don’t know how you manage to slow things down in your writing. Just gorgeous.
Thanks a lot Maanav!
Your comment got me thinking. One reason is that I wish to say it in poems but that's a LOT of labour which I can't afford now.
I have not watched the movie yet but this was lovely. Beautiful choice of narrative structure - it almost felt like a trailer with scenes from two different movies that shared the same soul.
Thanks a lot, Rohan! Glad you liked it.
I hope you get to watch the film soon. It's a very different from my story. I have a complicated relationship with the city. Some instances and few lines in the film got me thinking about these things.
Lovely Karthik. Reading this was akin to watching an Art Movie which I enjoyed very much.
Thanks so much for reading and your kind words Rakhi! :))
Beautifully structured and composed, this memoir in a review! Kudos to you!
Thanks a lot Dipali. So kind of you to leave an encouraging comment :)
This is the kind of clickbait I would encourage without duress :)
Hehe I am glad this one worked for you, Satyajit :)
A brilliant, poetic review, that evokes the mood of the film perfectly, Karthik. Love the analogy of finding a foothold in the city.
Hi Binu, I am so grateful for your engaging readership. Feeling pleased with myself after reading comments like yours :))
Your essay masterfully weaves together personal experience with cinematic reflection, creating a powerful meditation on belonging in Mumbai. What particularly moved me was how you traced your transformation from someone who fell off the train to now standing on the footboard by choice, feeling the breeze while the city passes me by. Thank you for sharing this thoughtful perspective.
Thanks a lot Sid! This lovely feedback of yours means so much to me now! :))
Loved the take. Kudos.
Thanks a lot, Vinayak! :))
A very unique perspective to writing a movie review...
Captivating and so well structured!
Transported me through the shoes, in the train, the bars…you have a charm of moving through your words and then coming to the actual driving point so well