BHRAM.. A Brilliant Illusion!. Review on Bhram

When I saw the promos of Bhram I was immediately intrigued. Frankly Dino is not my favourite.but he looked different with the stubble and Milind Soman, his earlier turkeys were nothing to recommend him. But what actually gets your interest is the feel of the trailers and the songs.

Although I must add here that promotion of the film is pathetically poor. Had I not been instantly attracted to the stylised take, there was no way I would have gone for it. There wasnt even an announcement about its release no ad no banners nothing!

First a Dino Morea film, second just No promotion.why on earth would people go to see it? Wonder what the Producer was thinking! Or in fact what was the reason behind making the film if he didnt want to promote it well.Something seems amiss.Looks like the producer was working hard to see that the film doesnt do well for his own reasonsHe had no overseas release.

I went in expecting nothing really. but waiting to see what happens.

And then the film began. It unravelled, got my attention by the second since it demads alertness. What was unfolding was unique. The heroine played by debutante Sheetal menon, was a hard core model, who made no bones and neither did she make a big deal about her lifestyle. I loved this no pretentiousness.How often do directors have the spunk to present before you a woman who is today, in matters of sex and dressing and YET makes you want to know more of her, her pain, her enigmatic personna and her life.

It got me hooked man and how! The film is spicy, sexy, saucy, suggestive, but never for a minute has the director ignored to maintain dignity in his treatment. and shot takings, The hallmark of a good technician I would say.

I would not like to reveal the story and spoil your fun. In a nutshell its the story of an affluent family of two brothers rolling in the goodies life has to offer, till Antara Tyagi the model enters their life. Everything changes post that. The story as a whole was one of the weakest links in the film. But treatment and handling more than made up for it.

This is a guarantee that no scene is one which is as if seen before. The growth of relationships and their disintegration was handled maturedly and spoke of mastery.

And the LOOK! Totally International.no way a Bollywood flick. I just cannot believe the climax was shot in India.its never looked this way before.You have to see this film on the big screen

Music by pritam.2 songs and Siddhartha Suhas had already hit the charts. I loved Laga da na by KK and sonu nigams' jaane kyun'. superbly picturised.

This is not a typical Bollywood flick with steeotypes galore. It is innovative in its characters and look. I read few reviews where the critics have pretended as if they are prissies and reacted to the'f' word.

Well what the Fcuk! If a chandni bar Pr*stitute can mouth profanities, the film gets a national award. In the flic page 3 it is considered'realistic' . In'Being Cyrus' profanities were a part of every dialogue but mouthed by Dimple made them appetising for critics? And'Race'.Anil Kapoors constant refernces to the sugarcane and'choosna' was vulgatity personnified and the film goes on to racing ahead as the biggest hit this year with it terrible double meaning innuendoes!

So whats wrong if models in Bhram are shown the way they actually are.This is extremely authentic and'kid talk' compared to the other references from other films.Remember Omkara?

What I also liked is the movie did not dwell on non essentials. they dropped hints along the way about a Shobha de kind of character, about a gay fashion designer, etc. in passing.but avoided over emphasis. Since that was meant to convey a lifestyle and they were not intrinsic to the story. The focus was on the main characters and ne'er a dull moment.

This film is a mature take on Cinema. It supposes that audiences are adults and have evolved sensibilities. It also urges audiences to get ready for a kind of cinema which india is progressing towards.

I frankly think this film bridges what may be called art and commerce differentiation. It is mainstream cinema with artistic leanings. perfect for me. I must mention the use of different color tones to represent three different time periods. I read somewhere that the director wanted to express how colors when in sepia also meant to convey the lack of colors in the lives of the charcters. Happy glitzy, glossy look was kept for the fun times.

It is is a subtle variation and I was so impressed. But how can one expect the dense head Taran adarsh to understand that. He may have written a thousand reviews and perhaps will write a hundred thousand more but that doesnt and wont bring him an inch closer to gaining knowledge of the art of film making. He says in his review. color variataions were not needed! How dumb can that be. On one hand it simplifies the recognition of time factor without having to get into explaining mode and on the other it is metaphorical.but'bandar kya jaane adrak ka swad" .haah

And this film is not a whodunit! So dont expect a twist at the end? Enjoy the unfolding of the drama.

Remember folks I told you I am a budding maker. oh how I love new techniques and creative innovations. It is so much fun seeing a film where you know ample thought has gone into every field. Loved the background score too. In fact there was near perfection technically in every department and mind you this isnt a big budget film.

Critics in this case have their own agenda I am told since the Producer of the film Nari Hira is the Stardust guy and he has made enemies whose reputations he has played around with who are now getting their back on him. But that has nothing to do with the film and the film maker. There is no sleaziness of the Stardust types in it. So damn the 6-7 bullshitters and their personal vendetta motivations. Who are they to think think they can make up audiences mind for them?

The other reviewers are in the'business'.Loosen your purse strings and buy ratings. If you dont dish out the dough then be ready for one and two stars. I am sure you all notice this. some of the most horrific films have got 4 stars( Black and white and Race recently).now you know how!

And basically. we dont have reviewers. we have at best people who have'opinions' Which everone has on every topic under the sun so whats new and how does it matter? Because I care for my own opinion. it matters to me most, if it is my brain child. .

Getting back the climax shot at Rohtang pass as mentioned before is what should I call it .awe inspiring! I cannot imagine what it must take to shoot scenes like this there. How many of our makers actually take the trouble? Simply brilliantly shot, sylised and slick

The cast as in their characters were perfect. Theyperformed in accordance with the demands of the roles. Milind, Dino, Sheetal and Simone singh.But the actualstars I think were the Director Pavan kaul and cameraman Hiru keswani. What a wonderfully shot canvas what fantastic newness in scenes. Such a freshness in the treatment of relationships!

Go for it folks. Let the fresh breeze of new Cinema fill your vision and senses. Surrender!