International Kolkata Book Fair 2016- Books and Entertainment

Visiting the International Kolkata Bookfair always gives me the feeling of de ja vu; hundreds of stalls, thousands of heads, smell of books, unbeatable collection, the dust and also the heat (sometimes) reminds me why I love this place. I visit the fair every year yet cannot have enough of it and my mind wants to spend more time at each and every book stall exploring its collections. Kolkata Book Fair 2016 seems to be the same in its imposing presence except for a huge Bolivian center. Long queues in front of book stalls, people pushing each other to lay their hands on their favorite books makes one forget that we belong to the 'E' generation where Flipkart and Snapdeal governs our minds. No, nothing can kill the allure of books and the enthusiasm of book lovers. 

If you are thinking that this is only the place for serious readers, your idea is bound to change after a single visit. It has loads of comic moments and some irritable ones to offer. There are some visitors who can spend an entire day sitting at the food corner with all sorts of food items as if they are food critics and then there are others who are willing to waste time fighting over silly issues like "why did you place the chair on my foot'? Of course, how can you miss the ones clicking selfies at every step they take towards another book stall or the pseudo intellectuals who arrive with a particular attire to intimiadate others. Bookfair is not just confined to books anymore, probabaly it never was. But for book lovers it is still a paradise and the others quite a humorous adventure. 

All in all, I had a great experience once again. 

Airlift Review

Airlift reminded many of us of the evacuation mission of India that took place in Kuwait in 1990 to save fellow Indians; a film that informs us about the brave acts of Indian Airlines, Air India and Indian Air Force which earned them a position in Guiness Book of World Records for conducting the largest evacuation operation on foreging soil. This enough can ensure a good run for the film at the box office during the Repuublic Day week, but the movie has more to offer. 

To begin with, Airlift seems to be an honest effort by the director Krishna Raja Menon to tell the story of the plight of Indians in Kuwait during Iraqi invasion and how a person rises to the occasion to save 1, 70, 000 stranded Indians on foerign soil. So, he gets into the task without wasting any time. Right from the beginning we see how Ranjit Katyal manoeuvers his way to reach the top in his business and that he hates India and is a Kuwaiti by heart. However, as the dialogue in the film rightly points out- everyone remembers his/her mother when hurt, AK along with his family resort to their Indian origin to protect themselves from being slaughtered by Iraqi soldiers. 

The film introduces the plot early and establishes the tension 15 minutes into the film. The narrative is filled with moments where one can sympathize with the characters going through the turmoil. Here, our hero Ranjit Katyal for a change is unlike Bollywood film heroes who never fail in their attempts. Ranjit Katyal fails quite a few times to negotiate a deal creating a safety net for the fellow Indians. Though he is reluctant in the beginning yet as an expert negotiator he rises to the occasion leaving no stone unturned to send the families back to their homeland. That takes him to Kohli, the reluctant External Affairs officer who finally helps Ranjit with his persistent efforts and conviction. He also manages to convince the commercial pilots to fly to the warzone and save their fellow countrymen.  

Akshay delivers a matured performance and looks every inch the businesshead in his salt n pepper look. Purab Kohli as the silent supporter and Inaamulhaq as the Major justify their roles. Kutty as Belawadi also impresses with his acting skills for the annoying character who unacknowledges Ranjit's efforts. Kumud Mishra deserves a special mention as Kohli who is understated and endearing. The only sore thumb that stuck out was that of Nimrat Kaur who does not have to do much other than roam around in stylish attires. The only scene where we find a glimpse of the actress we relish watching onscreen is the confrontation between Belawadi and her. Other than that, sadly she is almost present through her absence in the entire movie. 

Bollywood films still have not been able to come out entirely from their formula of song and dance and hence an Arabic number which was totally irrelevant. The romantic number by Arijit is nice and hummable, but again redundant. 

Overall Verdict:

Airlift is a great affort from AK's production which will be rememebred for some time by the audience.