5.0 out of 5 stars Meticulous in its detail, without losing the joy
-Sanjay D
4.0 out of 5 stars A unique book on 50 Indian films about war
Lights Camera War!
Lights Camera WAR! looks at 50 Indian war films from 1950 to 2020 across various Indian languages and examines their balance between entertainment and history. It looks at factors such as the real history behind the plots; the equipment and uniforms depicted; the use of music in the context and setting or, as often in Indian films, as a narrative device in the nautanki tradition, or for temporary relief; and the use of “filmy” coincidences, and other plot devices. The author’s sometimes surprising view is that some Indian war films classified as “flops” deserved more respect, at least in that they have been authentic in the depiction of history while some “hits” leave much to be desired.
There are also comparisons with Hollywood and the West, where war films form a distinct genre. Some Indian war films, including major hits,
are clearly “inspired” by such Hollywood films, and what they lose (or gain) in transplanting to the Indian screen is also discussed. The book also includes small historical capsules for comparison with the on-screen action, to illustrate how far the Indian war film accurately presents the history, serves as ‘masala’ entertainment, or manages a balance between them.
Title
5.0 out of 5 stars Well written
Human Cinema: The Films of Hrishikesh Mukherjee (2018)
Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s films have brought immense joy to generations of film lovers, and a new generation is now being impressed by his works, thanks to the many repeated telecasts on various channels of his classic comedies such as Gol Maal and Chupke Chupke among others.
This book is about the forty-two films that were directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee and how his vision of humans is as important as that of his mentor, Bimal Roy. The book is both a fan’s perspective and a complete listing of all the released films of Mukherjee from 1957 till 1998.
5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating collection of short stories
4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting read, intense in places
4.0 out of 5 stars Breezy relatable Stories
City Life: Everyday stories about life in a city
Mumbai is the city of dreams—where every street is paved with gold. A million stories from which six stories tell what it is to be HUMAN in a big city, where humans get together, make compromises, meet, depart and, in some cases, even stay together.