Watch J2M2. Review on Jajantram Mamantram

‘Jajantaram Mamantaram’ (kind of similar to ‘Vande Mataram’, and is supposed to evoke similar emotions in the hearts of the viewers). Completing my penultimate paper, the question in front of me was whether I should go watch ‘Bhoot’ or the afore mentioned movie, finally I decided that after the exams finally ended on the 10th I would need to relax and unwind, wouldn’t I, and that would be the perfect setting to go watch ‘Bhoot’ (of course there might be some of you who would be wondering what person goes around watching movies during his papers, well like the ole advert. goes ‘I’m different’).

The Cast

Actors : Javed Jaffrey, Gulshan Grover

Director : Soumitra Ranade

The Story

Actually before I stepped into the theatre I had a very different view of what the movie would be like, I had forgotten what children’s movies were meant to be like, and actually was pleasantly surprised by the entire film, and its picturisation. In today’s world where violence of all kinds sell big bucks, to see such a clean movie was actually kind of pleasing. I unfortunately happened happened to miss the first 10 minutes or so (because of my lousy roommate !@#%%), but I believe we missed a song so don’t think much happened.

Anyway we are on this island somewhere near Bombay where Javed Jaffrey (Aditya) has gotten somehow marooned, and the island dwellers that happen to be lilliputtian’s are investigating his appearance on their tiny island. A few entertaining scenes later all is hunky dory and Aditya becomes the friends with the lilliputs. But all’s not well on the island it seems, a giant named ‘Chamunda’ has been plaguing the people and has in general been making life a living hell for these people. Aditya being the nice guy he is decides that he shall try talking our friend ‘Chamunda’ out of this nasty habit of eating the tiny villagers, and maybe show him the wisdom in converting to say…. a vegetarian diet (cholestrol and all you know….). But as all know these giant monster thingies can never really be reasoned with and hence we have quite a few fight sequences in the remainder of the movie.

Now we shall cut back a little…. I mean I’m sure all of you’ll are going hey where the hecks Gulshan Grover in all this action, hey not far behind. Gully as I’m gonna affectionately call him is the local ‘Shakuni Mama’ (Ah! The villain), he’s the adviser to the king of the lilliputs (hey how is it that the villain is always someone close to the king, and the local hero is one of the lukhaa’s or small fry, this question has always plagued me). So anyway it seems Gully is quite a magician and has control of our pal ‘Chamunda’ (who does have a rather limited vocabulary sadly, who knows he might have had something interesting to say if only he had been given a chance to say his piece), and Gully is using ‘Chams’ to try and get control of the kingdom.

Now this is all I’m gonna say about the story……

My Take

Now first of all Javed Jaffrey is quite brilliant in his role as the hip hop smart talking Aditya (though where a marooned individual gets such a snazzy wardrobe from boggles the mind) but that apart he and Gully quite easily steal the show. Gully, with a really neat goatee does his role of the evil wizard to perfection. The king is one sad hombre who I’m sorry to say is quite a lousy actor, and oh I forgot Aditya befriends a soldier of the land, who has quite a role in the movie (he’s your side hero) and this young man is having a rip roaring affair with the princess of the land (smart boy, typical rags to riches story). The young man (who I’m sorry to say I don’t remember the name of) has done a decent role, so has the princess. Chamuda doesn’t really have to act so to say he’s done a good role doesn’t really make much sense but yes he’s done a decent role as a mindless giant J.

The special effects are very good, coming from a hindi feature film. And I have to make a very special mention of this fact, the movie has a few fight scenes but all of them are done very beautifully, one doesn’t really see any violence. All are very innocent fight sequences and all the kids in the theatre (and boy there were a few) were laughing through all the fight scenes. In a children’s movie I think this fact is of supreme importance.

Finally I have just this much to say, go see this movie with an open mind (if your older than 15 that is, children have open minds anyway!!!) and you will be pleasantly surprised.