2 Reviews in comparison
Blog posted 14th June 2020
#AmitabhBachchan #AnshumannKhurrana, you disappoint me no end!This is probably one of the few times when I actually needed an urgent detox after watching such tripe in the name of good cinema. What pretentious nonsense!
For me GulaboSitabo is an overacted, underdone, poorly scripted and much-hyped, unbecoming tussle for a dilapidated haveli between two men, who look and act constipated for much of the showreel for some odd reason. Oh and yeah... Yawn. For the awfully timed attempt at humour.
What’s with the fake soda-water-bottle glasses and birthday party pop-up nose do??? I mean seriously, it’s 2020. #Shoojitsarkar beg you, dont, just don’t go there. You are so much better than this. 
Moving on to some good Netflix and I am feeling so much more redeemed.
#Axone
You little pearl in this ocean drowning in #Bollywood depression. Thank you Arindam Chatterjee for pitching this one. Your suggest had my Sunday beaming with joy. What a find!
And yes. It is about time a film on Indian racism, biases and the allegedly “China” inclined Northeast Vs Mainstream india dialogue made its way onto my bedroom screen. I am so impressed with the dare of this - telling it like it is - In your face - for us Indians.
A simple story. Simply enacted. #SayaniGupta is a tad annoying with her faux northeast accent but she holds her own to a decent degree. The remaining crew #LinLaishram #tenzingdalha #LanuakumAo punch many fine uppercuts and mean jabs at the very narcissistic “North of everywhere” - Butter chickened - Bollywood and cricket obsessed- self anointed - holier than thou - terribly boringly and Mainstream - “Indian”.
It’s a long one day in the life of, a small but conflicted bunch of North eatesterners - determined to cook a Mizo wedding delicacy for a bride to be.
But this 120 mins is so, so much more than that- it’s a cheat window - of those who are trapped by economic means and social methods, stuck making a living in places like Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore... far away from the familiar smells of home and smoked pork and smiling faces and ... some guilty pleasures like #akhuni - this tight film, gets its lightness from some stellar performances. Darkly funny and almost painful at points of engagement - this little gem directed by #NicholasKharkongor is elegantly performed by a fine cast that includes #SayaniGupta, #VinayPathak and #DollyAhluwalia _ #Axone is a timely slice-of-life dramedy.
For me. It’s a huge shot of nostalgia and part embarrassment, from my delhi days when I have watched or read or suffered this feeling of deep repression, helplessness, when some jerk on his bike or bigarsed car would shout obscenities at my friends in #JNU - all posh parts with such posh words of filth. And yes this film at this point, neatly and vehemently underscores a rather urgent call - that #Migrantlivesmatter, now more than ever.
Watch it. If nothing but for a need that such films ought be seen, made and circulated widely enough to become a parallel movement in Indian cinema - valuable enough to be shown across the hindi belt in PVRs and Inox’s, at matinees and weekend specials!!
More power to such filmmaking I say.
And yes. You will need it after you watch Gulabo Sitabo. I assure you. 
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