The Accidental Prime Minister

January 14, 2019 4 Comments

Politics and Drama

There is a similarity between politics and movies. They both sacrificing facts over drama and portrayals. 

However, like life, Not all that you portray gets as perceived. Over drama can often lead to loss of credibility. And that holds quite true with the film- The Accidental Prime Minister.

The Accidental Prime Minister is a film based on Sanjaya Baru's Memoir of the same name. The pre-release controversies and the timing when elections are around got the film quite some eye-balls. Smart move!


Plot
The film "aims" to portray ex-PM Manmohan Singh's Tenure in PM office. Especially in words of his political aide and media advisor- Sanjaya Baru. 

I have not read the book, nor was I inside the inner corridors of power to ascertain the truth from the drama. So I will give you a movie review strictly from an entertainment and creative part.

The film is a political drama- highlighting the making of the PM Manmohan Singh and his tenure. It briefly talks about his standing in PMO, his contribution to the nuclear deal etc. However, there is a little story from his side. 


Performances in a not so scripted movie

Anupam Kher played the titular role rather caricaturish-ly. I believe the former PM and economist of his stature deserved better than this. Though the actor mastered the body language quite well, a lot of time you feel that he performing for an animated movie rather than a real movie. The baritone was quite irritating and looked more Disney than the erstwhile PM. 

Akshay Khanna and not Kumar [thank god] played the role of Sanjaya Baru and he played it so well. Baru is a journalist turned media advisor who insists on reporting directly to the PM, and ably sails him through public appearances. His scenes with PM and other ministers were cliches as well as interesting. 

Akshay Khanna played this role to the T. He is confident, intelligent and loyal. He was quite brilliant even in the OTT breaking the 4th wall kind of chatter, a la Kevin Spacey from a house of Cards. He got a stronger character and played it well too. Have you noticed his well-tailored suits and overall fashion style? I did. Besides, I liked the overall styling of his character. 

The good thing about the movie was the caste. Except for Baru, a lot of characters looked exactly like the real-life politicians they played without changing the names. 

Some good performances came from Sussane Burnett as Sonia Gandhi, Arjun Mathur as more intelligent looking Rahul Gandhi. 
Ahana Kumra as Priyanka was a wasted prop for a scene wherein they could have taken anyone and made them wear the wig. Paise bachte aur expectations bhi

The narration was incoherent. The scenes moved from one narration to another without stitching enough details. The writer of this film is the same guy who wrote "Newton" and in spite of having a readily available book, wonder what went wrong when it came to stitching the story. What an opportunity wasted.  Wish someone diligent did this film to give it creative justice. 

The Accidental Prime Minister turned to be less of Manmohan Singh but more of Sanjay Baru, brilliantly essayed by Akshay Khanna. At some parts, the movie was largely emphasizing on the power center. Dude, power centers do exist. And if they don't exist in politics, people will rip them apart. There is a wolf every corner 

The movie ends with "Vote for BJP" propaganda but it serves us right. We as the nation deserves the propaganda we get.
It may not be highly factual but quite a cocktail of fact and drama. The Bollywood way!

Go watch, indeed one -time watch with lots of popcorn [unless u want to hear all dialogues]

The movie succeeded in making me want to read the book. Lenders anyone?


Numerounity Rating: 2.5 out of 5. 

4 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

Flip To The Smart Life With the Smart Device

When Khanna Aunty and I discussed technology evolution and #SmartHomeRevolution

I was returning from my morning walk when I saw Khanna Aunty waving at me.

I waved back at her and said- long time, Aunty. Mom told that you have gone to Dubai for the holidays? How was your trip?

Khanna Aunty: [sigh] It was a good trip but ended so bad.

I: "What happened Aunty, you look/sound so miserable. So unlikely the cheerful you".

Khanna Aunty: What to tell you beta, I spent 3 lakhs INR for this trip. Such a beautiful place, total Instagram made. Can't tell you such lovely pics I took there on that Rs 50,000 Camera that My Guddi [daughter] bought from the USA. I thought of coming back and uploading them all on my Facebook. But someone stole my camera bag. Money toh I lost but along with it, all my lovely photos, diary and two CD of song collection also gone. 

Now what will I upload on my facebook and how will I make neighborhood Chadda Aunty feel jealous. Sigh!

I: Oh no! That's really unfortunate. Did you not kept any backup of the pics? like on the cloud or your phone?

Khanna Aunty: Back up? Yeh cloud ki honda hai? [what is this backup?] How can I keep my photos on the cloud and what if it rains?

I: Aunty not that sky wala cloud but smartphone cloud.

Khanna Aunty: Arre Betaji, we are old generation people, we know the only camera. And since I am ahem, smarter than other women of my generation, I just learned using a DSLR camera. But baap re, it was so heavy. I had to do so much weight lifting but I thought at least I will get good pics to burn these Chadda, Chopda, and the Khurranas in envy. So I made your uncle to carry the camera in one hand and hold me on the other hand for support. 

I: That's so romantic, Aunty!

Khanna Aunty: Arre no romantic-shomantic beta! Your uncle is so unromantic. That Miracle garden was so beautiful. I said- beautiful flowers, let's do Titanic wallah pose but he replied- let's buy flower seeds from here. What Romantic? Huh! Hand in Hand because I asked him to hold me for support as I am not so used to walking a lot and my knees gave up during the trip. 

I: Ohh! Hope your knees are fine now, Aunty. Did you see the doctor?

Khanna Aunty: Doctor ko consult Kiya. He gave so many medicines, saying my muscles are loose and asked me to walk at least 10,000 steps a day. Who will tell them whether I will do my work or count every step?  It's not practical, no?

Plus, we eat such a high quality, organic Punjabi food. And Punjabi Muscles are like Milkha Singh, they never deteriorate.

I: Aunty the muscle deteriorates because of aging and lack of appropriate physical activities. Even Milkha Singh does workouts to get fit

Khanna Aunty: Hai Mere Rabba, So now I have to wear boxer pants and do pushups?

I: [Chuckling] No Aunty. Walking is good to start with. However, casual walking at home does not count much and you need to go for proper walks. And who told you to count your steps, manually? There are so many pedometer type apps on a smartphone these days, download one and activate once you walk. It will automatically count the steps.

Khanna Aunty: Aye-Hai. That means I have to keep my mobile all the time in my hand?

I: In that case, aunty pl go for a fitness band.

Khanna Aunty: Hai Betaji, I am such a delicate woman, how many devices can I carry with me? One mobile, one fitness band, house keys, small purse in case I want to have some pani puris on way, earplugs. Can't carry so man things. What if I forget?

I: Go for a Smartwatch then. It will not just keep a tab of your steps but will sync with your smartphone for other uses like heart health, you can pick your calls from the watch. It is easy to use and look very stylish too. Something that will suit your enviable personality. ahem!

[This Made Khanna Aunty's big eyes twinkle]

And Auntyji, do buy a nice smartphone with good camera quality so you do not have to carry an additional DSLR on your trip and can save your pictures on direct Google/iTunes sync-in even if you lose your phone.

[Now I can see Khanna Aunty eyes going wide. She planned to surprise Khanna uncle with secret candlelight this evening, so he is pleased enough to do all the heavy market visits and bring all these things for Aunty.]

At this moment I told Aunty how candle-light is not eco-friendly and will cause her lot of mess. Instead, she can opt for Smart Lights solution wherein in one click of a button, she can switch the entire mood lighting on and set up the ambiance.

Khanna Aunty: But Beta, how will I go to market alone? My knees are still painful and buying so many things means I have to go from shop to shop and counter to counter. Besides, I do not have enough cash with me now. Have to wait till your uncle comes. And what if he doesn't like the product after coming home?  Going back and asking to return/refund is a huge mess na?

I: Arre Apna Flipkart hai na. Why you need to go market and search from shops to shops. Just download the app on your smartphone, browse and pick from the wide variety and different price range. You can go through customer reviews also and if you do not like the product or found it faulty, they have a door pickup and a replacement policy.

And for payment, go for "Cash on Delivery".

It is called "Smart way of shopping".

Khanna Aunty: Wow! so many smart features but online shopping would be expensive na?

I: On the contrary, Aunty. Online shopping is smart shopping and is often cheaper. And have frequent sales ongoing too.

Khanna Aunty: Hai! They sell everything? Music CDs also?

I: Why you need Music CDs, aunty, when you have Smart Home products that will play music on your demand, answer your questions and switch on/off the lights also for you.

Khanna Aunty: Yeh Flipkart hai ya Google hai? It has everything I need it seems. from Smart Phone to Smart Lights to Smart Wearables.

I: Click Smart life with Flipkart aunty!

Khanna Aunty: Waah-waah! Betaji, take my phone and Jaldi se download the app. I will order everything today so I can organize a "Smart Kitty Party" at my house next week. Need to show my Smart products to these Mrs. Chaddas, Chopdas, and Khurranas. Next club election, club secretary, I only have to become.



I: Haha sure aunty. But first, you order your Smart Wearable and get to fitness mode. Smart evolution begins from Home.

Khanna aunty: Yes betaji but not homes, "Smart Homes".





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Well, Khanna Aunty is going to follow and share the #SmartHomeRevolution with all her friends. How about you?

Sincerely,
Ekta
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4 Visitor's Comments:

Hi Folks,

You heard me...now its time for Bouquets and Brickbats!

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