RGV Ki AAG and Remakes

I tried not to compare RAM GOPAL VERMA KI AAG with SHOLAY but the inevitable happens, at least during some poignant scenes from the original film. But nevertheless, I tried enjoying the movie as a standalone film.

Primarily I am expressing my thoughts on remakes and also, for AMITABH BACHCHAN, who I simply adore and AJAY DEVGAN, who is one of my favourites, play principal roles in the movie RAM GOPAL VERMA KI AAG. Rest assured, I won't let any favouritism rule my expressions.

If a movie has good content and people like what they see on screen, it will work at the box office, come rain or shine. In some cases people are really harsh, prime eg RAM GOPAL VERMA KI AAG. Let me just say, I fervently want this movie to work at the box office, YES for the sake of Amitabh and Ajay Devgan AND because it truly has some good scenes which are shot with dexterity.
1) All the Babban scenes. Amitabh Bachchan is the answer. His expressions, body language, his voice projection, dialogue delivery is honestly superlative. This man is unstoppable.
2) Sound recording is simply crackling. Nothing less then a DTS DVD will do justice to this. Hear the sound when Babban walks.
3) A shot of Babban sitting inside the jail, before he escapes to butcher Narshimha's family. I challenge any actor worth his salt or any critic to enact this "one shot".
4) Mohanlal’s expressions, say it all, when he sees cops stand outside his room, when they come to tell him about Babban's escape.
5) All Babban and Narsimha (Mohanlal) scenes
6) I liked the holi song for it’s energetic picturization. There was something awkward in that song, which works and I liked it.

BUT this movie is something akin to flipping through a photo album with some bad photographs. A film is made by stitching interesting moments and when there is a loose thread, audiences react positively or negatively. A film maker either makes a film to quench his creative thirst or makes a film for the audience. If later, the film maker ought to take the audience into consideration and make the film, especially if it’s a remake of SHOLAY, a loved film of yore, it has to be treated with loving hands. I just wish RGV had edited some scenes or reshot some, in order to rectify the occasional lethargic pace. But sadly, by the time I put up this piece, the harm will be irreversible. But in totality, it's a good effort in all it’s sincererity and definitely doesn't deserve snide criticism.

As to remake a film or not, who are we to decide. It’s the director’s vision. Period. Remakes will always be made and find takers. So why a brouhaha if SHOLAY IS REMADE. If I don’t like a film “there are exit doors in the theatres”. Give my comments and shut up. Why make a film maker feel as if he’s committed some heinous crime. Any remake is a director’s take, from a different point of view. Give a man his due.

At least RGV openly announced he’s remaking SHOLAY AS RAM GOPAL VERMA KE SHOLAY which eventually became RAM GOPAL VERMA KI AAG. Fine, it’s a unofficial remake since the producers of original film had copyright issues. Today when there is dearth of original ideas and concepts, RGV at least had the courage to admit he’s remaking SHOLAY, by giving due credit to the film maker who made the older version, unlike every TOM DICK and HARRY who make films, as their “original idea”. Oven fresh eg: a recently released film with three men and a baby. Fortunately for the film maker, the film worked. So henceforth I suggest, a film maker should not admit that he’s remaking a film and keep “plagiarizing” film concepts, if I may add, shamelessly, from the original film. Result: MOVIE WORKS, which sadly proves my point “If the content is good and people like what they see on screen, film will work at the box office” irrespective of fresh ideas or remakes or plagiarism. Likewise, a recently released sports film, worked at the box office and garnered lot of praise. It worked largely because, it was a new concept for the audience and had sentiments of the country woven into the script. Which is perfectly fine, but it's a classic case of taking a pizza, removing the toppings and regarnishing it with spicy hot masala to suit the regional audience taste.
References are as follows :
1) Freedom Writers (this is in a educational set up)
2) Gridiron gang ( The Rock )
3) Remember the Titans ( Denzil Washington )
It would be very cruel of me if I fail to mention, a comic caper which has just released today, is another “inspired version” of “It’s a Mad Mad Mad world” . How many people know of the hilarious escapades, the characters go through to reach the “Big W” in “It’s a Mad Mad Mad World” ? Well don't fret, watch the inspired version in theatres near you !!!

It’s a simple moviegoer psychology. “Concept not heard Concept not seen”. Every movie will be treated as a standalone movie, if it HAS a concept not heard OR not seen. If not liked, it’s rejected WHY? Bad product. Period. Classic example Victoria N0 203, another remake of a cult classic of yore by the same name, which released on the same day as RGV KI AAG. I am sure, not many from the younger generation have seen the older version or even heard of it, which puts it in “Concept not heard Concept not seen = standalone” category. Result ? REJECTED, WHY? Bad product perhaps..... At least this product got a chance to prove itself.
But in case of AAG, viewers just didn’t give it a chance, since it was a announced remake of much loved and much seen SHOLAY. All walked in the theatres with previsualized scenes, notions and God knows what. Hence, incessant hammering of the film and the director.

On the other side of the pond, Hollywood, master of churning out remakes and some atrocious movies in recent times eg: Grindhouse, Superbad, repackages a Scarface, it is considered as one of the best Al Pacino films( I don't think so), Cape fear remake gets it’s share of attention due to Robert De Niro and Martin Scorsese with original soundtrack from the original film. Afore mentioned films are remembered as cult films, even though they are remakes. Let’s take a fresh eg: Halloween, which has just released, a remake of John Carpenter cult classic by the same name and which gave Hollywood a star, Jamie Lee Curtis. What happens ? It opens well and is doing well at the box office. 3:10 to YUMA, another remake, has already pocketed enough praise from the critics even before it’s release. Why? Director’s fresh approach, with Russell Crowe’s supposed star power.The last two mentioned films, when released back home will have movie aficianados thronging the theatres or atleast hankering for premier invites. It was the same story for King Kong a remake(2005), The Ring a remake of a Japanese horror film, Charlie and Chocolate Factory, The Departed, The Hills Have Eyes 1 and so on, the list is endless......

If we all can give Hollywood remakes a chance, why not our own countrymen, when he/she makes a attempt ?

Psst.... One more question lingering in my mind. Why the double standards by mere desh vasiyo?

Kip expressing :)