Item Number: Pappu can’t dance saala, hoye hoye hoye hoye

Sunday, July 20, 2008

Pappu can’t dance saala, hoye hoye hoye hoye

Saying that line always brings a smile to my face I dunno why? Watched ‘Jaane Tu Ya Janne Na’ last week. I’m sure by now, so has everybody else and we’ll all be in harmony when I say the director has hit the nail with his craft full act of storytelling.

I’m not sure if I’d like to jump on the gushing boat of ‘oh my gosh! Imran is sooo hot!’. But I would like to say, after a very long time here's a love story that makes you laugh, that makes you cry just a little but at the end leaves you feeling good. I'm a fan of Karan Johars love tales but often find myself suicidal at the end of his movies because the drama, the passion, the tears, are all way too intense. I can't remember the last time I felt a balance. I'm always tipping over the edge, but nevertheless keep going back for more!

But this one, Jane Tu.. is my story, it's your story, I'm sure and for many others. The simplicity with which we all got drawn into Jai & Aditi's entourage is actually a reflection of moments that we've ever shared. The places might not have all been familiar but the bonding sure was. The jokes might not have been ours but the feelings sure were.

We've all known a Rotlu. We've befriended a Jignes, first for entertainment and then grown protective. I missed my brother and cried (not because Jignes reminds me of him, I've moved on..keep up!) He was never as vocal as Amit about his opinions or my friends, but was definitely strong headed. We were never best friends but I value his presence. There's been a bombs and a cool red haired chick (I forget the names!) in almost every other group. I've been out with a few Pappu's myself who thought caveman hunting steps were in and remixed this with the Egyptian dance for a 'kewl' effect.

But what amazed me the most was the way each relationship was woven into the other. How one coin had very many sides. The story was not just about finding love, or a group of friends in college. It was not just about an attention seeking boy yearning for his best friend - that was once his sister. It was also not about a mother trying to protect her son from finding out the inevitable. It was not just about two best friends whose world revolved around each other. When together, no other existence was as important, and even then didn’t realise that this could be love. Who even without physically being together were always together. This emotion was beautifully captured in a heart tickling line when Aditi reminisces 'College ke panch saal kahan nikal gaye?' to Jai's mother and the mother replies 'phone pe beta'. The whole essence, as I gather, was about Pappu learning to dance!

There were so many instances in this movie when my heart gave a standing ovation, that to mention just a few would be the biggest 'na-in-saafi melord' of Indian Cinema.

So cheers to all the lucky Jai's and Aditi's who realised before it was too late. To the Pappu's who finally learnt to dance. To the Bombs and Rotlu's who accidentally found each other. And for all the others who missed the boat, go watch the movie again...losers!

1 comment:

AnonymousJuly 20, 2008 at 2:45 AM
Late this time but still a wonderfull review, though I thought the ending on the horse was little filmy :)
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About Me

Ok, so I’m 5ft 9, about 139 pounds, big greenish brown eyes, long curvy lashes, a curvier body, soft curly hair and an electrifying smile. This impression exists in my head…and now in yours.

It’s not because what I look like makes me uneasy, but this is the number that I’d like to turn up in, someday.

Hence, the ‘Item Number’. A lot many maybe familiar with the term and all that it implies but for the ignorant read on…

I’ve always associated myself with the term ‘Item Number’ which however until recently was a phrase loosely used in Bollywood to describe a filler, a foreplay before the formidable act, a thesaurus for sleazy dance, an excuse for skin show (not always attractive).

All that is now the past. With cinemas growing sensibilities, the stigma attached to the phrase no longer exists and in fact, is now glorified by a list of A grade celebrities gracing the screen with their special performance, adding glam value to an otherwise submissive script.

However in spite of the recent but growing respect, the meaning of the phrase ‘Item Number’ has never changed for me. An item number is an exhibit out of the ordinary plot line, sometimes provocative yet necessary, it sometimes lends itself to the situation but other times it’s forced. It’s long enough to make you smile, but short enough leaving you longing for more. Sometimes special. Sometimes over the top. But never subtle.

I believe, if we search deep inside, we all yearn to be an item number (yes even you!)

It’s the longing to be special. To be provocative. To be able to tease ones boundaries. To be different. To be the one. To make people sit up and notice.

If only for an hour, if only for a minute or even a second.

When you hear the crowds cheer (even if it’s just in your head), respond to every appreciative/envious glare with a radiating smile from within, when you know the stars are shinning in this moment, only to make you look brighter, and you almost throw your hands up to the universe miming a big ‘Thank You’ that’s when you know you’re an Item Number.