The Ceaseless Chatter of a Deranged Imbecile

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return_to_hades

@return_to_hades

Stunner

+ 6

Posted: 8 years ago

#41

I still do not know why my previous topic was closed.

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springkissed

@springkissed

Dazzler

+ 3

Posted: 8 years ago

#42

Originally posted by: capricornrcks

👏 Ashoka, Jodha Akbar and Bajirao Mastani come to mind.Remember Bajirao whining over Mastani instead of defending his kingdom? Instead of obsessing over the love life of historical figures, can't we just let romance be one aspect of the individual concerned? I think Kingdom of Heaven is one of the best historical movies which put romance in its place and not let it take over the rest of the movie.Bhaag Milkha Bhaag is the only Indian example which comes to mind.Wrong genre.Biography rather than historical.But for a Bollywood movie, it did not let romance take over.

I like the examples you brought up, but it's quite telling isn't it that for both ashoka and jodha akbar, romance is the defining feature when both ashoka and akbar were famous and influential rulers on their own even without the "love" and "romance" factor. Though, I am going to give jodha akbar a pass since it has the "jodha" part in the name. But even then the story instead could have been about akbar, they could have tried making him historically accurate as possible and built a genuine magnum opus instead of the romance we got. Same goes for ashoka, the most I remember about that film is shahrukh's steamy song with kareena. 😆

Haven't watched bajirao mastani, but I would be just as frustrated seeing a character moon over the other character constantly. It's sad how much movie makers shirk from showing solid narratives built just on characters and their honest journey, bhaag milkha bhaag is definitely an exception. Even I was surprised that the entire story was about milkha and not his love story as it is often made out be. I have not watched kingdom of heaven, but will definitely check it out. I have nothing against romance, in fact, I love romance, but would definitely prefer to see it not take over a story and be in its own place as you said.

Edited by springkissed - 8 years ago

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return_to_hades

@return_to_hades

Stunner

+ 6

Posted: 8 years ago

#43

I thought Bhaag Milkha Bhaag meandered and lost track with romance and other additions.

Bollywood is not the only one infusing romances. Many LOTR book fans were furious that Arwen who appears only in the indices had a major role in the movie.

I think when it comes to romance, execution and genre matter. Take Titanic, it is not a mish mash of history, disaster, and romance. It is a romance set against a historical disaster. James Cameroon has a clear vision of what kind of movie he was making. Jodha Akbar too worked because it was intended to be a love story set in history. To some extent, Bajirao Mastani worked because it was also made as a love story. The shortcomings were the characters that didn't make sense. Two proud warriors with a lot of self-respect become pathetic groveling love birds.

Bombay Velvet failed because it was a mish mash of romance, gangster, and history. Anurag Kashyap lost track of what he was making.

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capricornrcks

@capricornrcks

Voyager

Posted: 8 years ago

#44

Bhaag Milka Bhaag was the best we could do.It is unforgivable in Bollywood to make films on historical characters without inserting romance at all.And if the real life spouses are not dramatic enough, we'll make up one for them.The tv shows are even worse.

I can give Jodha-Akbar a free pass since they at least chose to portray Akbar with a lot of dignity and pride.It was his pride which lead to his estrangement with Jodha.But a straight up biography of Akbar would have been pretty interesting too.Though Kaurwaki-Ashoka romance was fun, it needn't have become the center of axis for Ashoka.As if Ashoka would be a ravening beast without the civilizing influence of fictional Kaurwaki. But Bajirao-Mastani takes the cake.It chose to depict Bajirao engaging in major sulks because his family wouldn't accept Mastani.This was while the enemy was literally at his door step.His family and friends had to beg him to lead the army.These men are royal and are trained from birth to put their duty first and foremost.Never to let the personal interfere with the business of ruling.And their life stories are remarkable enough without making them 'fools for love' (to borrow a phrase from Buffy the vampire slayer).

Edited by capricornrcks - 8 years ago

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