RIFLE RANGE BOY

Baahuballi 2 (The Conclusion, 2017; Telugu) My friend was understandably excited when the news of its release and its phenomenal smashing of records of sorts for a Tollywood production. He was over the moon as the news had made it to the desktops of the BBC World Service TV. After making quite an impression with the first instalment, I felt that this film is quite a letdown. The awe factor seems missing. There is only so much of long shots one can take of the set to impress us on gargantuan portions of the wealth and power of Sivagami and her Mahishmati kingdom. We totally get it. The wide angle aerial shots of CGI-enhanced castles, beasts and savage battle scenes are too many by far. They are only so many flying tackles one can stomach. There is a limit to human imagination. Ok, this is a fantasy film set in medieval India when they were the richest nation on the planet with the intellect beyond yonder and military prowess to match, but stringing three arrows fro a ...

Baahubali #1 The Beginning (One with strong arms, Telugu; 2015) Move over Pixar, Dreamwork, Steven Spielberg, Peter Jackson and Hollywood! The land where the word 'Avatar' originated had arisen. This is Kollywood's answer to all the megalomaniacal productions with mammoth studio sets, computer wizardry, graphic imaging, tall fabled stories, macho men with crafted bodies and gravity defying stunts. Baahubali, the most expensive production from India has made its mark in the international arena. And made it presence it did, with much pomp! Stories like in 'Baahubali' had been made many before in Indian cinemas, of stories of kings, revenge, loss of kingdoms and duels. However, what makes this offering different is the sheer work of cinematography, picturesque scenery, CGI expertise and well choreographed stunts and fight scenes. Never before, the war in Indian movies been fought with strategies and various traditional armamentarium. The mammoth structures like t...