Bollywood501 - Movies - Quick Glances
| BW501 Rating: 8 of 10 | Genre: Social Drama | Era: 21st century | Region: Bollywood |
| Music: Sandeep Chowta 8 of 10 |
Director: Ram Gopal Varma |
Kitsch Factor: | Must See Factor: 9 of 10 |
Isha Koppikar in the "Khallas" item number from "Company" (2002)
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Ram Gopal Varma, Indian Cinema's super egotistical
self proclaimed champion of "quality" commercial films, crafted
"Company" his magus opus underworld crime drama in 2002. It is
a spectacularly filmed, outstandingly acted, depressing, violent, and engaging
affair. The film takes pock-shots at the established order of the well grounded
marriage between commerce and corruption in Indian society. And the film
makes many allusions to the Bollywood film industry, both overt and veiled
as just another aspect of a corrupt machine (or company) that is just out
to dupe the pubic for profit. Varma seems to be making a statement with this
film to this effect. In public statements before, during, and after the making
of "Company" Varma blasted the Bollywood film industry as an antiquated
conglomerate that churns out boring, embarrassing fluff, meant only to opiate
the masses. Originally Varma meant to release "Company" without
any gratuitous songs, (as he considered song picturizations as the bane of
Bollywood films) but due to pressure from his financial backers he relented
and inserted two item dance numbers in the film. Ironically one of the item
numbers, "Khallas" became an national sensation, number one super
hit song, and catapulted Isha Koppikar who was featured in the clip to stardom.
"Company" garnered many awards and most importantly its box office
hit status validated Varma's 'statement' for 'better' Bollywood films. Varma
is a Bollywood commercial rebel with a cause and he is bound to make a lasting
mark on the development of Hindi Popular Cinema.
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Capture still photo gallery from the "Khallas" item number