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Kathmandu … anything can happen in this movie!
| FROM ISSUE # 195 (March 2012) | IN THIS ISSUE | |||
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It is movies like Kathmandu that make young, urban Nepalis dismiss home-grown productions: 'Nepali film? Chyaaaa! Ke herne testo". We hear the industry is undergoing radical transformation with young, professional actors, directors and technicians creating smart, unconventional cinemas. But the more I watch (The Game, Deewanapan, I am Sorry and Miss U also deserve to be on this list) the more I am convinced that there is nothing new about 'Naya Kollywood'. Like 'Naya Nepal' it's also a delusion: same rotten (over) acting, same outlandish storylines, same loud song and dance routines.
Its promises to be a film exploring Kathmandu's underbelly and the decaying social fabric of urban Nepal looked appealing in the trailers. But director, writer, lyricist and protagonist Akash Adhikari fails to convey his vision on screen. The basic story revolves around the lives of two affluent youngsters, Simrik (Prapti Ghimire) and Astha (Mamta Pradhan): their disintegrating family lives, their experiments with alcohol, drugs, sex, prostitution and their eventual breakdowns.
But the numerous sub-plots are too distracting. As if dealing with sensitive issues like drugs, prostitution, adultery and broken homes wasn't challenging enough, Adhikari felt the need to insert mobs burning school buses, a poor father from a village getting lost in the big city, street children with glue addiction and a random white woman (Ria Murphy) as the love interest of the hero. The characters played by Adhikari and Resh Marattha not only add to this clutter, but sound more like public service announcements: don't do drugs, don't get involved in porn, stop violence against school children. And the regular song-dance-action speed breakers don't help Adhikari's cause either.
As far as performances are concerned, Samyukta Rana was by far the most natural performer among the motley crew. However, we cannot completely blame the actors when they were given mere caricatures to enact in the first place. The presence of characters, who mouth superficial and clumsy dialogues, makes it extremely difficult for the audience to relate to the people on screen or empathise with Simrik and Astha's tragic end.
Crowded and lacking coherence, the two and a half hours of Kathmandu is worth missing.
Trishna Rana
15 to vie for the Miss Purbanchal crown
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On 27 Falgun, 15 beauties from the east will compete for the title of Miss Purbanchal 2012. The pageant that has been organized by Buddha Subba Trading Centre is in its final days of preparation.The winner will be awarded a Mahindra Scooty, an opportunity to participate in Miss Nepal and various other prizes. The first and second runner ups will receive laptops each. The winner and runner ups will also be awarded scholarships to the Asian College of Management, Jawlakhel.
The contestants who are all vying for the crown of Miss Purbanchal are also excited about getting a gateway to Miss Nepal through this pageant. Many believe this pageant is a chance for gaining new experience and personal development. Chandrika Mote, one of the participants says, "More than winning the crown, this pageant is about bringing to light the talent that is hidden inside each and every one of us."
Winners of the sub-categories- Miss Talent, Miss Best Complexion, Miss Best Personality, Miss Best Beautician, Miss Photogenic, Miss Best Catwalk, Miss Viewer's Choice, Miss Best Hair, and Miss Best Smile will be selected as the top ten contestants.
The first Miss Purbanchal was organized in 2002. However, the event was discontinued for seven years. Since last year, Buddha Subba Trading Centre has organized the event. Director of the organizing company, Birendra Limbu says, "The pageant aims to bring hidden talent of the contestants and open the door for new opportunities." Last year Pratibha Shrestha from Dharan and winner of Miss Best Smile took home the crown.
Sohan Shrestha
There's always a lot of debate that ensues at WAVE's office when we sit down to make any kind of list. This time too it was no different for we had the almost impossible task of narrowing down 10 memorable female roles of the decade. One way or the other the list didn't seem fair. However, after much shuffling, including and then excluding some, we finally settled on one. They are strong. They are sexy. They embraced their roles so beautifully; we had trouble separating the actor from the character. Here, in no particular order we have the top ten memorable female roles of the decade.
Top 10 Cine-females of the Decade
Miranda Priestly (The Devil wears Prada)
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Meryl Streep's impression of a cold, devious fashion editor- Miranda Priestly whose character many claim was inspired from real life Vogue editor Anna Wintour was spot-on. Everything from her white bob to pursed lips worked brilliantly and made this movie a must-watch. The way she carelessly dumps her bag at her assistant's desk every time she walks into the office is one of the many things that made Priestley's character stand out. Surely, Priestly is one of the very few 'baddies' who you can't help but admire in the end.
Lara Croft (Tomb Raider)
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Tomb Raider, based on the popular video game series of the same name, saw Angelina Jolie bring to life Lara Croft. A treasure hunter, (Female Indiana Jones of sort) Croft goes in search of treasures and antiques in the most exotic of places. Naturally, there is danger lurking at every corner, but Croft has the skills to defend herself and fight off anything or anyone that comes her way. Angelina Jolie as Lara Croft epitomizes female strength and never has a woman looked hotter doing so.
Molly Weaslet( Harry Potter Series)
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Don't we all love her? Mrs Weasley is probably the most underrated of the Harry Potter characters but nevertheless, she has left a mark. Now, she is on the list, isn't she? Playing the sweet and scary witch with a sharp tongue, Mrs Weasley runs a madhouse better known as the Weasley house. Only a woman of her caliber could control children as naughty as the Weasley twins, make a large household run on a meager budget and still be kind and generous. Kudos to Molly!
Selene (Underworld series)
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Who would have thought vampires could rock leather? Well, that was before we saw Kate Beckinsale as Selene, the vampire in the tightest of leather suits and corsets to fire twin guns, kick some werewolf's ass and do all of that while still maintaining her grace. Beckinsale who was seen as a romantic-comedy star prior to starring in the Underworld series became the new face of female action star after Underworld. It's understandable why Selene became every man's and (woman's) object of desire.
Erin Brockovich (Erin Brockovich)
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This role won an Oscar for Julia Roberts and did so for all the right reasons. We all agreed that this is Roberts' best performance till date. Erin Brockovich is memorable because she leaves an impact. Based on a true story of a legal researcher who was the force behind the largest medical settlement in history, Erin Brockovich is today's woman. Strong, stubborn and rebellious, Roberts embraced and portrayed all these characteristics in such a realistic way, when we think of Brockovich, the image of Roberts always comes to our head.
The Bride (Kill Bill)
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She took down Yakuza members in Volume 1 and kicked O'Ren Ishii (Lucy Liu)'s ass big time. In the second volume, she returned to end her vengeful mission. Whether it was clawing her way out of a casket or literally poking an eye out, The Bride a.k.a Uma Thurman did whatever was required of her. It's just impossible to get the picture of Thurman in her yellow suit, in a pose that clearly said, "I will beat your ass so bad out of your minds".
Elle Woods (Legally Blonde)
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Playing the sorority-girl-turned Harvard law-grad Elle Woods, Reese Witherspoon won us all over with her cuteness in this movie. Wearing bright pink ensembles, with notebooks and pens to match, she made us laugh with her silly antics and warmed our hearts with her personality. Elle Woods even inspired a Broadway show so we shan't say anymore.
Maggie Fitzgerald (Million Dollar Baby)
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A heartbreaking tale of love, aspirations and loss, Million Dollar Baby is a story about a female boxer and her dreams to make it big. However, underdog Maggie meets with an unfortunate result and in the process loses everything. We spent hours rooting for her only to be disappointed in the end. It's a real sad story, and the ending is just heart-breaking. Give it a watch.
Sarah Connor (Terminator)
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Linda Hamilton looked like one mean kick-ass machine in the second part of the Terminator series reflecting her character's transformation from a waitress to a weapons expert. She pumps a shotgun with one hand, designs strategies, all in order to protect her son. A super mom indeed!
Phoolan devi (Bandit Queen)
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