by B. R. GOWANI
Asin Thottumkal Google
A strong well written role is critical for realizing any artist’s full potential, else it becomes one more movie the actor has starred in that has bit the dust. A strong character is a challenge which motivates an artist to research and get into the skin of the character.
Asin’s new movie Ready is an insult to her acting capabilities. Basically, it’s a Salman Khan film and revolves around him as he dominates the dialogues and scenes. Also, there is a lack of coherent flow to the movie. It appears more like a patchwork of silly skits put together. Many of the dialogues have double meanings; and he calls himself a dog and his heroine a bitch more than once in the movie.
This film is an absolute waste of time. However, Nikhat Kazmi from The Times of India gave it 3 stars out of 5, and Anupama Chopra (NDTV) gave it two stars. Instead of reviewing this trash, they should have written: “Not worthy of review.” But then, Salman Khan, is a big star and they wouldn’t want to annoy him!
Asin’s previous movie, London Dreams, was an average movie. She was cast opposite two heroes: Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan, around whom the movie revolves. Her role here too had narrow scope. However, she was good in the scenes where she appeared.
It was Ghajini, however, that exposed her acting prowess to hundreds of millions of Bollywood viewers. Although cast opposite the famous Aamir Khan, she held her own and gave a strong performance. Even though it was produced by Aamir Khan, her role was well developed and she had plenty of screen presence. Since this was a remake, and the original story required it, she was given adequate screen presence. Aamir Khan deserves credit for staying true to the original version. Also, both versions were directed by A. R. Murugadoss.
Summary of Ghajini to understand the above clip:
Asin works as a TV commercial model in an ad agency. She is forced due to circumstances to declare Aamir Khan (CEO of a telecom company) as her boyfriend – even though she had never met him. Reading of their [fictitious] love story in the news magazine prompts the furious Khan to rush to confront Asin. He arrives there to see her engrossed on the phone chatting and narrating their “affair” to the person on the other end of the line. He is intrigued. She looks up at him and mistakes him for someone looking for work in an ad commercial. They become friends. For a commercial motive, the ad agency’s owner wants Asin to invite her boyfriend to a New Year’s party. Now Asin wants Khan to play the role of that CEO and come to the party.
The scene in the above video begins when Asin is anxiously waiting for Khan to arrive. The boss is nervous and the waiter (who was the first choice for the CEO role) offers to take up the challenge as Khan had not yet arrived.
Khan arrives and gives Asin a hug and a kiss on the cheek. The viewer could notice how she is uncomfortable but cannot protest his behavior as officially Khan is supposed to be her boyfriend. Through a slight momentary displeasure expressed on her face and with hand gestures, she conveys her discomfort to the audience. When one of the guests praises Khan’s article in the “Economic Times,” she restrains a smile and displays emotions that convey “What does the guest know that this so-called “CEO” is unemployed and looking for work.”
At the dinner table, she blasts him for the hug and kiss. She adds: “I have done 100 ads. Learn to respect your senior or you won’t get far in life.”
After the party, in the bus, she is overjoyed at the way she successfully pulled the stunt, thinking, either she is very intelligent or the world is foolish. The audience can discern the authenticity of her happiness.
It has now been three years since she played that memorable role.
Soon she may get an opportunity to play another substantial role. There are reports that Vishal Bhardwaj, one of the best South Asian filmmakers, will be directing the movie based on Chetan Bhagat’s autobiographical novel, “2 States: The Story of My Marriage” starring Asin and Shahrukh Khan.
B. R. Gowani can be reached at brgowani@hotmail.com