CAUTION: Watching this movie may @#$% your brains out

Cause: The American Government tests over 300 nuclear bombs in the Mexico Desert even when some of the area is occupied by miners in small towns.

Effect: Complete annihilation of any life in that area. Except those who lived...

You see this poster and you know its a scary movie where there will be fear, suspense and unexpected surprises. But 'scary' is the biggest cliche to describe this movie because at every point in the movie, you can almost smell death around the corner. At places where death does not scare you in this movie, the anxiety of death will keep you at the edge of your seats.

A simple plot: An American family is driving through the desert to California. At a gas station, they are directed towards a shortcut to their destination. They end up in an area where nuclear tests have been conducted before. Problems only multiply when they realize they are not alone...living in the hills is a group of radiation-mutated, cannibalistically gruesome savages who will rip apart and eat whatever - and whoever - cross their path.

'Gruesome' is not enough to describe them. There is everything from dismemberment of body parts to shotgun shots fired to the face and from axes going through skulls to an empty dog (watch it, you will know what I mean!!) But the best parts of the movie occur in broad daylight which really does not give the poor family a moment to breathe. You cant help feeling sorry for the family and almost plead in your head that 'get out of there, they are coming!'

Technically, the movie has this brown look to it which adds to the suspense created in every shot. The photography is consistent almost throughout the movie and does a very good job of maintaining that suspense. The blood splattering has been shot with an artistic vision which you cant miss. The music is only heard at a few places but when it comes, Beware!! But, the makeup of the savages to show them as the gruesome characters they are is the most amazing part of the movie visually.

Throughout this 1hr 48min movie, you feel this nervous laughter of anticipation but you feel like moving your eyes away from the screen when the body damage actually does occur. This movie is a work of art and it was the movie maker's decision of how freakish does he want to make this movie. A one time watch because you will not have the guts to watch it again!!

AND WHATS MORE, THERE IS A SEQUEL!!! BUT DO NOT WATCH IT! IT SUCKS!!

SARKAR RAJ - 'HAIR-RAISING' - Thats the keyword!!

POWER CANNOT BE GIVEN, IT HAS TO BE TAKEN!
And then begins another power packed classic from Ram Gopal Varma (RGV) that he is so renowned for (Satya, Company). This movie has everything- Amazing lead characters, equally efficient support, a level of photography expected from such a movie and of course - 'GO-VIN-DA, GO-VIN-DA'- hair-raising music. I was so impressed that I forgive RGV for his attempt to remake 'Sholay'.

The story picks up where the 1st part ended i.e. the Godfather-esque Subhash 'Sarkar' Nagre (Big B) is growing old and his only living son (you know why ;-) ), Shankar (Abhishek) is running 'Things'. "Dad, Main Sambhal Loonga" - the line used more than once in the movie says it all - power in the hands of the son and comfort shown by the father as a result. You really don't have to watch the 1st part to enjoy this one as the characters are well introduced and, wherever required, a flashback to the 1st movie helps.

An international firm wants to build a power plant in a village controlled by Subhash Nagre and approach him with a proposal which would remove 40,000 villagers from their homes. The project build is led by Anita (Aishwarya). The father gives in when the son believes the plant will benefit the villagers in the long run. Moments where the father-son are discussing the matter make you hold your breath for more. Opposition to the project is inevitable. Now begins the game where campaigning for the good is met with hard resistance and results in violence which results in more violence and so on and so forth. The plot thickens...

This is where you start getting jolts of shock running through you. Information like there are individuals above Sarkar or backstabbing occurs from within the family resulting in death or Big B's anger in the 2nd half of the movie are just examples. Most parts of the movie leave you guessing for quite sometime which is always fun.

Character portrayal by Big B is clearly shadowed by Abhishek in this movie. Aishwarya's role involves lots of heavy tears. Emotions on display do not look fake in the movie. Sarkar is crestfallen about Shankar so truly as if he were really his son (Ahem!) and Aishwarya cries for Shankar so instinctively as if she were really linked to him romantically in real life (Ahem! Ahem!).

Not to forget any of the supporting characters who provide the humor in this movie very efficiently. They have been blended into the story which cannot run without them. The manner less but extremely humorous deputy Chief Minister has been portrayed with a big heart and Mr. Vohra's singing makes you wonder how would Sarkar kill this guy. Qazi is another important character who has the usual plot of destroying Sarkar and Shankar in mind.

Technically, this movie has one of the best photographed sequences ever shot in bollywood. Try following your head with the camera movements and you will have a neck sprain as I do now and thats not a bad thing, thats the beauty of it. The lighting used in the movie is completely natural and it is unique. The one scene that sticks to mind is when Shankar blows up the transformer with his car, walks towards the enemy with a white light behind him and there is smoke around him. One scene though was not required i.e. a riot sequence that was created in oppostion to the building of the power plant. Also, a scene where you can see the production spotlight in the glares of Qazi. But, one forgets quickly (I guess not).

Another mention has to be given to Amar Mohile's background score. Trust me and go to a cinema where the sound is great (PS: Adlabs) or you won't be able to live off the experience of that thundering music!!

At the end of the movie, I did not speak for a few minutes and when I did say something, it was 'AMAZING'. I actually wondered at that point what came first - the story or the tagline? I guess thats another one of those 'chicken or egg' questions. I will not be surprised if the team found the tagline 1st and then built a story around it.
Watch this thriller-minute ride which lasts just a little over 2 hours! A classic criminal thriller!!!

My First Project.....Had to be a Will Smith Movie

PHOTOSHOP is one of the most amazing softwares I have ever worked on. If you can think of something to operate on an existing image or create one from scratch, Photoshop is your answer. Its gets onto you for sometime but you find your way around the tools in no time.

This 1st one happened by chance. I was looking for a will smith movie background wallpaper on google images and found an I AM LEGEND poster. I realised that LEGEND and CHETAN had the same number of letters (obviously!!) So, as a result of a simple REPLACE COLOUR on the word LEGEND and a little R&D on the correct font and viola!!